Good evening, everyone! How are you all faring on this warm night of Thursday, September 28, 2023? I'm well, as I saw The Equalizer 3 with my dad earlier today, and it was a worthy conclusion to the unexpected trilogy. And I got a good book the mail I'll start reading soon, so I have another good piece of material to enjoy after I finish Supernatural Encounters. Oh, and I'll be busy for the next couple days with meetings and volunteering, so I can't imagine finishing this chapter in at least a week. But it'll be okay, as I'm sure you'll all manage fine and find other things to do in your spare time. Well, I'd best get started on this chapter, as it won't write itself. May the Lord be with us all and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
Telona 35th, 59 ABY
Tulpaa, Southern Hemisphere
50 Kilometers from Skal'nas City
Aboard the Jade's Legacy
"Have either of you ever felt such a planet like this before?" Tau wondrously asked Ben and Vestara, even as the war waged all around them and the Ark Angel and Phoenix Whirlwind landed alongside them at the rendezvous point. Sensing the vibrant life emanating from on the Rakata refuge world, from hundreds of thousands of different signatures and remnants of the extinct Infinite Empire, it filled the Palpatine clone with a sense of amazement equated to a young child traveling for the first time. If the Last Alliance wasn't in the middle of unknown territory and fighting a great war, the sight would make everyone smile at his unadulterated innocence and pure wonder.
But Tau quickly brought himself back to reality when everyone debarked their ships, and their guides revealed themselves to the naked eye. Emerging from the forest's outskirts or appearing via deactivated cloaking devices, every member of this delegation tensed at the proximity to the Rakata warriors and the descendants of slaves from their fallen empire. The tension that followed was obvious for all to notice.
Everyone knowing from history or legend how the brutal Rakata feasted on the flesh and bone of their enemies, even members of their own race, and how their society was a Dark Side theocracy that preceded the ancient Sith Empire, none were ready to hear what came out of the lead warrior's mouth. "We welcome you, honored Jedi and servants of the Light. We will take you to our capital city right away so you can meet with our leaders."
"Pardon my insolence, but what about the battle raging all around us?" Allana impatiently pointed out. "Should we not first put our focus into stopping Abeloth and the Rhandites' attacks and freeing your sector from its captors?"
Gazing at the Chume'da, the aged Rakata patiently admonished her, "There is much you have yet to understand, Allana Djo Solo. We have many secrets to share with you, and little time left before the end comes for us, as foretold by our elders before our connection to the Force was fully severed. Get to your ships and follow us to our capital city. There, you will all have the answers you seek, and so much more."
"Once this battle concludes, we will allow a satisfactory number of your people into our cities, where you can help us tend to our wounded and we can fully learn and decide how we can aid the galaxy in recovering from its many wounds."
Vestara, seeing something troubling in the old fighter's gaze, shared a knowing glance with Ben before she decisively proposed, "In that case, we'd best get moving before the first of our landing parties arrive. And after we arrive, you can tell us more of what you have in store for all of us while we're here."
"Wise words, Lady Khai." The Rakata nodded, a small smile gracing his face before warning everyone, "Follow us into the forest, and don't stray from the path we provide until we reach the foot of the mountains. There are many more dangers in these forests than to simply lose one's way out here, and most of them that guard our secrets are exceptionally lethal to all but the most experienced fighters."
'And into the dreaded abyss we go.' Tau anxiously ruminated, praying that this meeting wasn't a trap as everyone feared and was prepared for while everyone returned to their ships. But while returning to the Jade's Legacy, he couldn't help but notice Chelli's lingering gaze at him, and an unreadable myriad of emotions running through her that left him confused in ways he didn't fully understand. What was going on in the young woman's mind that left her conflicted towards him, and why did it leave him so concerned as well?
Rakatan Archiplegao, Fitomp System Outskirts
Aboard the CEC YT-1300 Light Freighter Millennium Falcon
Deftly maneuvering through the debris left behind from a Abeloth-loyal corvette to shake its remaining pursuers, the Corellian vessel that served as the trademark home of Han Solo for generations flew towards its ultimate target. Working alongside members of the Last Alliance like Shada Du'kal Karrde, Khedryn Faal, Sidon Ithano, and teams of Jedi, Aquilian, Mandalorian, and Sun Guard commandos to help liberate One Sith assets across the Rakata race's final sanctuary, the aged scoundrel let out a rueful chuckle at returning to the tumult of war after fourteen years of semi-retirement.
"Getting sentimental in your old age? That's not like you, dear." A warm voice humorously teased Han, making him spare a glance at his wife, Leia Organa Solo. A Jedi Master of many years, and incredible and highly principled ambassador and leader dating back to the founding of the Rebel Alliance, she had long served the galaxy and the cause of freedom ably and helped restore liberty while helping the next generations prepare for their series of challenges. And along the way, she had experienced countless joys and hardships, gains and losses, and now it felt like everything was at last coming down to this ultimate culmination of war.
But in her many decades of leading and fighting, Leia never expected to be helping the One Sith rescue their assets to prepare for the coming war on the True Sith Empire and Abeloth. Remembering the horrors that the ancient creation of the Architects caused the last time she wrought havoc on the galaxy, from driving several young and promising Jedi Knights into psychosis and killing billions across the galaxy before she was killed, she knew this coalition needed to happen to protect everyone. And never mind the millennia-old horrors that were lying in wait in the Nihil Retreat, governed by the Sorcerers of Rhand and their Lich Kings in working to unleash even greater evils locked away.
Still, Leia knew that whatever happened next, the galaxy would have to adapt to survive this new age, and she wasn't certain she would be able to help the survivors. Somehow, she knew that great sacrifice would be needed to save all she cherished and if it required her life as payment, it was an act she wouldn't hesitate to make.
Banishing such thoughts from her mind, knowing they had no place in this bloody raid, Leia reminded Han, "How much more time do you think our allies need?" Carrying out the first of at least dozens of raids on the Sith shipyards, hoping to secure as many vessels and designs as the Last Alliance could take before destroying or securing the facilities to deny further resources to the enemies' thralls, the task force was eager to finish its work and escape before it bit off more than it could take right now.
Launching the attack with simplicity and speed that surprised the Servants of Chaos, the isolated facility within the Rakatan refuge was quickly overwhelmed by the numbers and wide variety of fighters arrayed against them. Not even the Bringer of Chaos and Nihil Retreat's outnumbered defenders and their reserves could stop the Jedi-Sith coalition from storming their stolen ships and dispatching their crews while leaving a lasting dent in her pilfered but growing war machine.
And with the Millennium Falcon and several of the Last Alliance's leadership serving as a key diversion for the past three hours alongside the likes of Kyle Katarn, Boba Fett, and Darth Krayt, they should have provided ample time for their allies to accomplish all their objectives and be ready to pull out any minute now.
Bursting through the comms channel, Kyle informed the Solo duo, "Mission accomplished! Prepare to withdraw and regroup for the next target." Seeing the shipyard burst into flames from a series of well-placed explosives, and further devastated by coordinated turbolaser bombardments, both Han and Leia this facility wouldn't be used by anyone for a long time, if ever. Along with the twenty-seven warships retaken from Abeloth's fleets, and with twice as many of the Rhandites' ships destroyed or crippled by the rapid strike force, her capacity for war was hopefully diminished by another big dent.
Finally, with the fleet's heavy cruisers ready to deploy their timed seeker-detonators with chaff and debris clouds, attempts to rebuild or salvage this fortress would be delayed long enough for this war to turn into a triumph for the Last Alliance. These small, powerful mines would hunt out any target not bearing their owners' signature, where they would be triggered later—a surprise for the Servants of Chaos and Rhandite Sith to find during cleanup or recovery operations.
Han couldn't help but ruefully mull over the use of those old Imperial-era weapons and how desperate the Jedi and Sith were to even slow their foes' advance. Not that he blamed them, he understood how frighteningly powerful she was and needed to be eradicated by virtually any means. But that didn't mean he had to like how ruthless everyone had to be in stopping the apocalypse and ruminated over other dangerous measures would be taken to end this threat. And judging by the solemn gaze Leia held over the devastation wrought throughout the system, she was having the same doubts as him.
Wild Space, Olpakan Hegemony Frontier
Above the Planet Alashan
Aboard the Errant Venture
"We've picked up a potentially promising lead, Commander Horn." The hologram of Armand Vorn dutifully informed Mirax before he elaborated, "Your son and our teams have triangulated the scattered life signs across the planet's ruined cities. About fifty thousand human-like signatures are confirmed."
"Can we make contact and reassure them of our humanitarian intentions?" Mirax pointed out, unwilling to send her forces down unless they were guaranteed that no hostilities were ignited by the Olpakans, even as she found herself unable to tear her eyes from the horrendous carnage laid bare before all, and several tears broke through to steam down her face. If this shattered world's population couldn't see past its old hatreds to accept help in escaping this nightmare, then they would be left to their fate and the Last Alliance would look for other remnant populations to rescue from this evil.
Throughout the world of Alashan, an ancient cradle of human civilization and full of wonders long since abandoned or destroyed, the devastation was beyond virtually all war crimes the information broker and smuggler had borne witness to. All but three of its cities left destroyed like broken glass, once lush plains and croplands burnt to cinders, and many mountains crumbling into dust and generating ash clouds that would soon spread across the entire planet, it was a miracle that anyone could survive this unspeakable atrocity for very long.
"We've already begun enacting such measures, Ma'am, and have come back with quite promising results." Armand assured. "The surviving civilian leaders and their constituents are willing to cooperate with us in any and all capacities if we rescue them from this disaster the mainstream Olpakans enacted."
"Good." Mirax glanced towards Armand. "Then start sending our evacuation transports down immediately, and make the commanders understand that time is the most critical factor here. Have them save as many lives as they can carry and inform me right away if they need additional ships to finish our rescue efforts. Btu be on the lookout for any possible spies or saboteurs in the throng of refugees."
"Of course." Armand complied before adding, "There is one more thing. Your son requested to be a part of the evac fleet. He believes he can be of better use to us in assisting and overseeing the refugees than meditating aboard your destroyer."
'That's so like him.' Mirax ruefully lamented. She knew all too well how Valin's Corellian blood ran hot with an independent streak typical of those bearing the planet's bloodline and culture; and put together with his Jedi upbringing and personal tragedies, he wouldn't sit idly by at all while the innocent suffered at the hands of fanatical tyrants. No, like his Jedi forerunners and his late sister, he would want to get in on the action and do what was right, no matter the danger.
Mirax only hoped that in letting Valin help the disaffected and determine whether some of the Olpakans could be saved, it could calm his fires of vengeance against Natasi Daala after the traumas she inflicted on him and his loved ones. Not only was he imprisoned in carbonite for nearly a year by the Galactic Alliance when the madwoman was its Chief of State, but so was his sister, Jysella. Sadly, that was not the only tragedy to mar his life.
Five years earlier, Daala had captured Jysella and another Jedi and complicated woman, Tahiri Veila, to conduct barbaric experiments on regarding severing a person's connection to the Force. When the extent of their torture was uncovered, the only mercy that could be done was to quickly kill them both before they could suffer anymore, and every Jedi and their ally vowed to soon bring the warlord to justice.
And while Valin could fool most with his calm and collected disposition, he couldn't fool those who knew him best, and both his parents recognized the despair and heartache that plagued his soul. The Horns all swore that Daala would eventually get what she deserved, but also vowed that they would do so in a manner that wouldn't dishonor Jysella and all she stood for.
But at seeing yet another world devastated by the anti-Force zealots and who they accepted into their ranks in these desperate times, Mirax knew that such an oath would be all but impossible to uphold. Either way, it was all up to the Will of the Force- or rather, the Supreme Maker and his servants- now. For the moment, she knew where her duties lay, and it didn't count on her being overprotective over her son.
Addressing Armand again, Mirax concurred, "Agreed. Let Valin know that he'll be assigned to your personal staff and help locate and rescue the scattered outliers of the survivors." Receiving a salute, she dismissed the captain to let him carry out his orders. It was quite surreal, she realized, working with the son of the woman she hated more than any other in apprehending their shared adversary, all while preparing to fight alongside the One Sith against another common foe. Everything in all known creation truly was coming undone at the seams for this desperate cooperation to occur. She only hoped that when all was said and done, this collaboration could last to rebuild the shattered galaxy.
Nelona 1st, 59 ABY
Deep Space
Aboard the Turbulent-class Star Destroyer Sine
Haxar knew the Beloved Queen of the Stars' enemies were a plucky and resilient bunch, having lived amongst both Jedi and Sith in her long life. She recognized how their mad pact for survival, this aptly named Last Alliance, would be a difficult battle to win, even with Abeloth's limitless strength, growing legions, and her incredible allies. Not even with the ex-Sith Lady's new abilities, including the art of Battle Meditation to coordinate all those under her command, could the Servants of Chaos be given a sure path to victory.
On the other hand, with the many surprises the Servants of Chaos held from its diverse armies, many remnants of ancient and advanced technologies, and a command over the Force that surpassed the mundane abilities the Last Alliance's many Force sects, the advantage was distinctly theirs.
Such an assessment was evident in the way this current battle was grinding out for Abeloth's disciples. Ambushing a fleet of Jedi-led Last Alliance forces on their way to bolster the defense of Zonama Sekot, the ongoing engagement was turning into a rout for the Abeloth-loyal armada. Between blocking all major comms and limiting the enemy's connection to the Force, they had boxed them in and were slowly wearing them down through attrition over the last three days. True, they may have suffered heavy casualties in the process, losing over one hundred and twenty warships, but they had cost their enemies just under forty percent of their overall fighting strength. A worthy victory for the Servants of their Chaos and perfect testbed for the war doctrine they would soon finalize.
But the time to play with their prey was long over. Now, it was time to make off with their actual targets and withdraw before anyone tried to interfere in Abeloth's great vision for the galaxy. About to unleash their final assault on the Last Alliance through the Dark Side, using techniques and practices long thought lost to time and suppression of such powerful arts, Haxar prepared to use all the energies everyone had expended over the course of this battle to win this fight. Soon, her mistress would have the Palpatine Jedi and all the other high-profile targets she sought for her own or eliminated, and she'd earn a great place in the coming new order.
Just then, before Haxar's preparations were complete, a high-pitched shriek broke her concentration and nearly made her eardrums burst from the agonizing sound. And judging from the pain she felt across the bridge, she wasn't the only one suffering so intensely. How could this possibly happen?
Moments later, another shriek was unleashed, this one erupting from the east, making seven of her warships explode from what could only be deafening sonic screams. But this sudden gap in their blockade wasn't the only newly exposed flank. Across seven additional sectors, at least five of their rearguard warships spontaneously burst into flames or were destroyed entirely in each division.
Suddenly, many new signatures could be felt blazing a trail into this star system, and the woman who once called herself a Jedi Youngling named Sidirri recognized several of these different enemies from her days as a Dark Lady of the Sith. Darth Invidious and his fleet escort had arrived to bail the Jedi out, and he had brought the planet Zonama Sekot along to bear against their shared adversaries. But that didn't account for all the intruders.
Extending her Force Sense across the vast void of space, Haxar sensed yet another enemy fleet arriving out of hyperspace, one that she recognized all too well from her last encounter with them in the Red Twins System. The Knights of Olpaka had chosen now of all times to intrude on this holy crusade, but they just found themselves in the middle of what was about to become a three-way massacre.
This did not bode well for anyone present.
One Hour Later
Aboard the Rude Awakening
Hearing R9-G6 warble in triumph, Edaan rebooted and tested the ship's communications systems, and let out a joyous laugh when confirming what the astromech droid informed him of. The Rhandites' jamming was knocked offline, and their gravity wells were being destroyed by the One Sith and Knights of Olpaka.
Oh, the absurdity of two of the Jedi's most lethal enemies working together against something that threatened everyone was too much, it was enough to make Edaan laugh hysterically for a moment. Although he hated the Olpakans for all the tragedies they wrought on the galaxy, principally Natasi Daala for her warmongering and plans of mass destruction, he just knew that they weren't here to finish off the Last Alliance this time. This was especially true since he couldn't sense her aboard any of the forty Olpakan conventional warships or their cyborg Purrgil or Oswaft. Someone else was commanding this force, and they were focusing solely on the Servants of Chaos's fleets, at least for the moment.
And the living world of Zonama Sekot, arriving shortly before the Olpakan fleet, it unleashed a blistering storm of its own on the Abeloth-loyal armada. Not only did the One Sith diplomatic envoy and their escort force arrive to supplement the living world's naturally grown fliers, but the planet itself unleashed its full power on everyone's shared enemy. Releasing incalculable bursts of energy on the vulnerable Servants of Chaos, they found themselves overwhelmed on two fronts and no longer able to maintain their superior positions.
But the Last Alliance knew this unexpected opportunity wouldn't last long, so they quickly took advantage of this fleeting chance. With the enemy's Force-based jamming all but destroyed now and much of their fleets thrown into disarray, they quickly rallied to smash through the diminished blockade. While the remaining Servants of Chaos's ships enacted a blistering barrage, taking out another six of the coalition's warships before they were overwhelmed, it failed to even slow down the rest of their foes' charge and cost them more than three times as many of their vessels.
After thirty minutes of routing the enemy's fleets, the final still-functional fifty-six capital ships and their respective escort craft, led by Darth Haxar, fled to hyperspace, leaving the Last Alliance and Knights of Olpaka fleets and Zonama Sekot behind to regroup and catch their breath. Of course, there were still the twenty-five stragglers in ships too crippled to properly fight back, which left a small but important moral dilemma for the two opposing powers.
Reaching out into the Force, Edaan, along with Adari and Jedi Master K'Kruhk aboard the former's ship, they could sense how most of the survivors weren't yet tainted by the corruptive essence of Abeloth or her mutated Ilum crystals. A most fortuitous discovery, for this meant the remaining enemy soldiers could make for valuable prisoners and help discern another piece of their mistress's strategy.
But before anyone could issue any new orders, the Olpakans, moving quicker than anyone could try to stop or even protest, unleashed a crippling bombardment on all Abeloth-faithful survivors. Issuing a fleetwide broadcast, Edaan desperately implored all the Last Alliance command ships, "We have to stop this massacre! Abeloth's fleet, it's not under her direct sway, and we can capture and interrogate them."
"I wouldn't suggest that if I were you, Edaan, Jedi Knight and heir to the Palpatine name." A stern and brusque voice interrupted the plea, before the ship's holotable created an image of a man garbed in gold armor reminiscent of human cultures long-since thought extinct. But what was most imposing and noticeable of the Olpakan leader was his right eye, which held a Rodian's black one instead of the normal gold his right eye's iris contained.
Continuing to speak, this enigmatic enemy calmly addressed his audience as his fleets continued on with their destructive rampage, "I greet you, all of you belonging to the auspicious Last Alliance between Jedi, Sith, and all your friends and comrades. My name, as you may refer to me, is Cylo. Or rather, Cylo-V, if you desire to be more exact. I am the Chief Scientist of the Olpakan Hegemony, and I thank you for this great opportunity and trove of information you've provided us today."
"What are you talking about?" Akku glared daggers at the altered human.
"I mean you gave me a chance to engage in battle once again after decades of self-imposed exile, the perfect opportunity to learn much of the changing galaxy and utilize many of my little projects on a more immediate and far more pressing enemy than each of your antiquated religious orders." Cylo-V condescendingly elaborated.
"If any of you might believe I came to help you out of altruism or other noble intentions, banish those absurd notions at once." Cylo-V sneered. "No, I am still ardently opposed to each of your diverging visions for the galaxy and will lead the Olpakan Hegemony to take its rightful place in ruling the galaxy after the threats bearing down on us are fully eradicated."
"You mean like that mad schutta, Daala?" Edaan sneered.
His one human eye glaring in unadulterated disgust at the absurd association, Cylo-V repulsively spat, "If I were you, I wouldn't dare compare me to that insufferable mad tool that someone needs be put down. Whether it's done by your people's hand or another's, Natasi Daala will be undone and finally destroyed by her instability soon enough."
Regaining his composure, Cylo-V professionally advised his enemies, "But I've taken up enough of your time. Make your plans, work together to destroy Abelot, and free the Nihil Retreat from its dark overlords. Win this fight but be ready to fall to what the Knights of Olpaka will unleash on you when the time is right."
Smiling in satisfaction, Cylo-V concluded, "Well, I believe that concludes this fair transaction. This batch of the Servants of Chaos have all been eradicated, and you've all found each other to finish your unification. Good luck, you're going to need every bit of help you can to stop Abeloth."
Within Chiss Space
Mugg Fallow Orbit
Aboard the Annihilation-class Corvette Oblivion
Abeloth could feel the insatiable hunger spread across the entire planet, long starved and content to feast on whatever scraps foolish enough to fall into the trap that was Mugg Fallow and the entity that served as its sole inhabitant. Having long been kept confined within the Chiss Ascendancy's borders as its darkest secret and greatest danger, Mnggal-Mnggal had been a source of myth and terror for the few that knew anything of its existence. Existing as a sapient creature without a physical form, living as a parasitical and slimy ooze that took control of anyone or anything that it encountered, the being could despoil and devour the galaxy, perhaps even all of creation, if left unchecked.
Why Abeloth wanted to recruit Mnggal-Mnggal for her cause, she most couldn't comprehend the long-term benefits. But she knew better than he did on her kin's capabilities, and it was a mere instrument in the ascension of the galaxy's rightful ruler to godhood. Reaching out through the Force to try and connect with its consciousness, she felt nothing but indifference and wariness from the older fallen Celestial construct.
"I think you're going about this all wrong." A humble voice came from behind Abeloth. Sighing, she glanced at the former Imperial and Olpakan commando, seeing Gideon Hask working from his post on the corvette. "You can't be polite with a power as great as this without first establishing your superiority over it. Otherwise, to Mnggal-Mnggal, you're just another would-be snack for it to feast on."
"What do you know of the Force?" Abeloth heatedly challenged, offended at the soldier's casual conversation and insolence during such a crucial mission.
"Aside from what you and Tor Valum have taught so far me about my newfound gifts?" Gideon shrugged. "Not very much, I admit, but I do know how to deal with people and creatures with an arrogant disposition. Unfortunately, that means we'll probably have to go down to the planet below and meet with our would-be ally face to face. And that endeavor will take time we may not have."
Appraising the recent addition to the Servants of Chaos with a newfound sense of respect, Abeloth acknowledged, "Perhaps. But you may have just given me an idea on how we can speed the talks along."
"Send a message to Rhand right away. Advise our allies to accelerate their efforts and buy us as much time they can give us." Abeloth ordered Gideon. "I will journey down to Mugg Fallow alone and convince our hesitant friend of the wisdom in allying with us."
"Alone?" Gideon questioned. "I can't allow that. My orders-"
"I need to show Mnggal-Mnggal a great extent of the power I now hold again, and I can only do that without risking any of the best of my vanguard." Aeloth patiently explained. "And you are only beginning to grasp your newfound strength in the Force, so you would only interfere in my efforts right now. But what you can do is keep the task force on full alert until I return, and inform me if you are forced to withdraw, should the Last Alliance find us out here."
Anticipating the next protest, Abeloth, an eager smile gracing her face, grimly finished, "Unlike the Sith and Rhandites, I would not wish me to discard such vital followers and commanders such as yourselves so foolishly. And should the Chiss and their new friends try in vain to stop me, I will be more than prepared to deal with them. And when all is said and done, Mnggal-Mnggal will have but a small sampling of the bountiful feast we can offer it for when it joins the great cause and is at last liberated from its infernal prison of its own making."
Nelona 2nd, 59 ABY
Zonama Sekot Orbit
Aboard the Orinda's Bloom
"We're finally cleared to land outside one of the local villages." Iden thankfully informed the crew while taking the ship in through Zonama Sekot's atmosphere. After six hours of journeying in hyperspace to evade any remnants of the Rhandites' ambushing fleets and waiting above the planet another eight to give time for its turbulent weather to calm, everyone was eager to finally conclude this arduous journey and stand on an actual world again.
But while everyone was grateful to be in relatively safe havens, many were still anxious over how the turn of events this narrow escape took place, and Jaina was one of those anxious. Even though the One Sith were allies for now, virtually all the Jedi and their friends were sure a betrayal was inevitable in the fallout. And thanks to Edaan's warnings of the Knights of Olpaka coming, everyone was prepared for any probable attacks or deceptions the enemy organization would try.
Instead, though, the Last Alliance armada was saved through the help of not only Zonama Sekot and the inconceivable alliance between Yuuzhan Vong and Sith, but by the Olpakans and their commander, a self-altered human who called himself Cylo-V. And with his incredibly lethal arsenal, cybernetics of a sort that the known galaxy had never seen before that could control mature Purrgil and Oswaft, and vessels under his command with technology inside that could put most modern warships to shame, everyone knew that this man would be a terrible threat soon, if he wasn't one already. From the ominous wording he used in his brief message to all ships before he vanished back into hyperspace, he had many tremendous and terrible plans to execute once Abeloth and the Nihil Retreat were defeated, making this act of courage a calculated gambit towards a greater goal.
Already, a team aboard virtually every ship was coordinating their efforts to uncover what they could of Cylo-V and his origins, but they were coming up with scant few results. If he ever lived in the known galaxy, it had long since been suppressed or removed from all official records the fleet had access to. But according to the One Sith rescuers, if their word could be trusted, they had several sets of records on the purported Sidious-era Imperial scientist, his psych profile, and many of his experiments before disappearing from all known space in the tumultuous months following the Battle of Yavin.
Still, as important as it was to learn more of such a powerful wild card, that was secondary compared to conducting the talks with Zonama Sekot and ensuring its help against Abeloth and the Olpakans. And while Jaina felt a mix of nostalgia at returning to the world that helped end the Yuuzhan Vong War, she also felt regret for all those who couldn't be here for this momentous day, whether they were off fighting for the galaxy's future, or if they died over the last thirty years since the last time she was here.
Most of all, though, Jaina missed those of her family that once convinced Zonama Sekot to join the fight in saving the galaxy, her aunt and beloved brother. Remembering how Mara Jade Skywalker was murdered by Jacen Solo as his culminative act in his transformation into Darth Caedus, and how she failed to save him from the Dark Side when he needed him most. The only good she could do was put him out of his misery and kill him to avenge all the lives his brutality took from the galaxy.
This heinous betrayal on her part, it tore at Jaina's heart and reminded her of how utterly she failed her family and all she swore to uphold. If her younger brother, Anakin Solo, who fell in battle at the height of the Yuuzhan Vong War to help destroy one of their greatest anti-Jedi weapons, was still alive, he would've been disgusted with her and everyone else who let Jacen fall into darkness without trying to bring him back and smacked plenty of sense back into their empty heads.
'Jaina.' A soft and melancholic whisper blew throughout her mind, causing the Jedi Master to turn her head to try and identify the voice's source. But no one aboard the ship was addressing her, making her begin to realize where the call came from. It seemed Danni Quee was just as anxious to see her old friend again as she was.
But if the immense sorrow Jaina felt and heard from Danni's Force call was genuine, then it would not be a very pleasant reunion. Not that she blamed her, for she knew how Danni thought fondly of Jacen and retreated away from the Jedi after learning of his fall and death in the Second Galactic Civil War, focusing exclusively on rehabilitating the Yuuzhan Vong's society. But feeling her son's calming and kind mind wash over her own, she took some comfort in the knowledge that she would not have to face this burdensome trial alone as the ship prepared to finish its descent.
Well, I suppose this is a good place to end the chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it, as it took me about five days to write, on account of me not feeling at my best for a couple days and working on some other personal projects of mine that demanded my attention. So, how are you all doing on this warm night of Monday, October 2, 2023? I'm well, as I work tomorrow and probably another day or two. But I'm also going to be reading a bit of Supernatural Encounters every day, so that'll be a fun diversion, and I'll hopefully volunteer a couple extra days this week, so that'll be a good use of my time. And I hope to write more in a few days after I take time to figure a few things out regarding my story. I hope you all have a blessed day, and I hope you stay safe in these disturbing times. May the Lord be with us all, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
