Good afternoon, everyone! How are all you doing on this cool New Year's Eve of Sunday, December 31, 2023? Surprised to hear from me so soon after I announced my hiatus a few weeks ago? Well, you should've known I couldn't stay away from this story for too long. I just love writing and Star Wars too much to avoid it for such a long period of time. And I've been rereading a bunch of Star Wars books to help hone my writing and refresh my knowledge of its lore. But I need to let you know that I likely won't publish this chapter for a while, as I need to write it first, and then keep it in storage for a while as I iron out any deficiencies in my writing, exposition, and combat scenes. In other news, I hope you all are enjoying the final day of 2023, and I pray that 2024 is a better year for the world and its inhabitants. Man, I am so sad by what's transpiring across the globe, but I just have to keep trucking on and praying for God's deliverance for us all. Well, with all the sad and serious talk out of the way, I'd best get started on this chapter. May the Lord be with us all in these Dark Times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

Nelona 15th, 59 ABY

Nihil Retreat, Harloth Cluster

On the Planet Morendor

Within the Hon Zduul Plateau

Walking calmly through the barren plains of this once luscious zone, Abeloth – at least, her astral projection - lamented allowing Mnggal-Mnggal to claim this large plot of land for itself to replenish after its narrow escape from Mugg Fallow. Recalling from her mother's implanted memories how this area once grew the most beautiful flowers and all sorts of other flora, she wished that her ascension didn't require such an ugly and ravenous being's help, even if it belonged to the Rhandites and would soon be cleansed. But she knew that the entity she was about to deploy needed a wide berth to prevent her own plans from being derailed, and the even larger playground she was about to offer would determine if she made the correct choice in soliciting its help. The other two vibrant moons across the Nihil Retreat that its denizens allowed the amorphous blob to feed on would only be a mere appetizer it to prepare for when the dark union let it loose upon their enemies.

Feeling the cold and insidious grip of the Cancer God surrounding her, Abeloth reined in her fears and all negative emotions, recognizing how even the slightest weakness would ensure the dissolution of their alliance. Seeing the black blob that was Mnggal-Mnggal oozing all around her, she spoke the proposition she had rehearsed many times beforehand. "I believe I know of your first eight worlds you may devour."

Seeing the unnatural mass stop its advance, Abeloth knew she had its attention. Bravely carrying on, she spoke, "There are fifteen planets in the Olpakan Hegemony that are allying with the Last Alliance, seven of which contain ancient and long-lost knowledge of your previous advances that cannot be allowed to see the light of day again. I believe that these rebellious worlds would serve as a potent feast for you."

"And there is one more world I would allow you to consume at this time." Abeloth continued. "The sole world of the Rakatan Archipelago that refused our generous terms and will remain loyal to the Last Alliance. Tulpaa will soon be finished with its evacuation by its populace, but there are plenty of other materials for you to devour and sate your hunger, aside from the major cities and facilities until my people can clear them of any possible artifacts they might've forgotten."

Feeling its caution at the proposals, Abeloth knew that Mnggal-Mnggal's misgivings were worthy concerns. There was one man in the Olpakan Hegemony that represented the greatest threat to its existence, a self-altered human whose experiments with and against the Force, boundless creativity, and flexible mindset that, if he was given the one weapon that could starve it out, it would spell its inevitable doom.

Cylo and his anti-Force experiments had to be eliminated, and the sooner such a vital task was carried out, the quicker the Bedlam Spirits' offspring would be able to carry out their designs. The few glimpses of the future that Abeloth had discerned revealed how if he continued his plans, they would threaten all she aspired to attain.

Nodding at Mnggal-Mnggal's wise strategy, Abeloth assured the formless being, "I will make the necessary arrangements. Before the month is over, you will devour the Carthea System and strike fear into all our enemies."

"But before you do that, you must begin to uphold your end of the bargain." Abeloth firmly reminded Mnggal-Mnggal. "The Rakata loyal to us must regain the connection to the Force, and all our disciples will need to be augmented beyond their current limitations before the Last Alliance tries to storm our sanctuary."

Hearing the ooze rumble again, Abeloth actually let out a dark chuckle at Mnggal-Mnggal's suggestion. "Yes, Natasi Daala is becoming increasingly unhinged in her actions. Her desperation will serve us well in providing the perfect distraction to complete our plans and keep the Last Alliance preoccupied." The center of the mass rising to contradict her, the Bringer of Chaos frowned, and acknowledged, "Then we cannot let her attempted genocide stand. I will inform Tor Valum of her indiscriminate weapons and we will dispose of them before they can impact our plans."

Pausing, Abeloth amended, "Actually, if Tor and his disciples can capture a few of those primitive and crude devices and bioagents, then we might find a way to properly refine their capabilities to meet our own needs."

Staring up at the dark sky, only trace amounts of sunlight able to break through the eternal fog that concealed this world's defenses from all curious eyes, Abeloth knew the time to fulfill her mother's long-awaited desires was almost here. And with her growing legions and fleets from all corners of the galaxy, the Force and its makers were all about to be at the mercy of her omnipotent might and omniscient vision, and her only true opposition about to be humbled and destroyed, soon she would have nothing to fear, her few lingering doubts notwithstanding.

In fact, while she was focused on removing key enemies, Abeloth ought to see what she could do in capturing one man who proved instrumental in destroying her fifteen years ago. It was almost time for the bloodline of the Celestials' final Chosen One to meet their ultimate fate, starting with its current leader and strongest member in Luke Skywalker. She would especially enjoy making him her own in every sense of the word.

Tulpaa System Outskirts

Aboard the Star Forge

Finally, Tor could feel the intelligent mind aboard the ancient Rakatan Star Forge positively respond to his probes, accepting his word and beginning to power up its full capabilities against those that would seek to destroy it. It seemed that the consciousness that Abeloth embedded aboard her space station was more stubborn than the Bringer of Chaos herself was in trusting anyone but herself.

Sensing the long-dormant energies within the facility revitalizing the station, powering up not only its genetic labs but all its defenses, Tor knew this facility would soon be the target of all his masters' enemies. The dark miasma the Star Forge exuded would serve as a beacon to all, and amidst the Last Alliance's desperate last acts of destroying everything in the Rakatan Archipelago it couldn't save, they would try to deprive the True Sith Empire of such a vital tool in its campaign.

But it hardly mattered anymore to the Grysk Sage. If the Jedi and Sith, pushed to their limits as they were by Abeloth's gargantuan followers, dared try to eliminate this incredible work of dark art, then Tor would relish unleashing a fraction of the station's capabilities on them. And at the rate his vassals were working to revive the Star Forge, it would not be long, no more than three hours, before a proper demonstration of this station's power could be conducted.

Suddenly, Abeloth's presence could be felt deep within Tor's mind, and he nearly stopped dead in his tracks before he felt his patron's approval. 'You have done well, Tor. I can sense the power of the Star Forge roaring back to life, and it will not be long before this region falls entirely to us. But I have a new assignment for you if it is within your power at this time.'

'What do you wish for me to do, honored ally?' Tor respectfully asked.

'I want you to see if you can capture a few of the Olpakan Hegemony's most powerful weapons.' Abeloth answered. 'Their star-killers and biological weapons can serve us well, provided they are given the proper modifications.'

Before Tor could remind Abeloth of his current task or the titanic battle raging across the system, she courteously continued, 'I merely need you to coordinate this effort aboard the Forge while my agents carry out the actual theft. Admiral Daala and her followers are coming here to try and destroy the Rakatan Archipelago with their unimaginative superweapons. I will soon have a proper reward for you and your followers' efforts, but this desecration cannot be allowed to come to pass.'

Confused by the meaning of Abeloth's promised reward but recognizing the terrible danger of the risk of losing the Rakata and all their dark power, Tor deferred to his client's wishes, 'I will see the job done, Abeloth."

Moments later, Tor sensed a fleet of new arrivals coming into the system, and through the Forge's enhanced senses, he could detect far more ships and warriors revert to realspace across every star system of the Rakatan's last refuge.

Daala and her people had just arrived, which meant that time was growing short to save everything from her madness. Still, Tor could perhaps take advantage of the power this station held to turn this intrusion against the wide array of intruders. Either way, these next few hours were going to be quite exhilarating for him and all those aboard this ancient station.

Four Hours Later

Tulpaa Orbit

Aboard the Sir Trilag

"We can't get a shot at the Tulpaa Forge, or get close enough to hit the system's sun, High Admiral!" The ship's gunnery chief warned Daala as the ship violently shook from the multiple barrages that were breaking through the Recusant-class Star Destroyer's already fragile shields. Recognizing that the Olpakans could no longer achieve their primary aims, it was time for the war leader to utilize her contingency to ensure they even survived past the day.

Ever since arriving in this accursed refuge of the Rakata species, the Olpakan fleets had been battered on all sides by both the Last Alliance and Servants of Chaos. Aside from the expected massive accumulation of warships belonging to both coalitions, and the unwelcome interference of the Yuuzhan Vong and its prison world added into the mix, the warships and Abominor under Abeloth's command were protecting the system's sun and reactivated Star Forge from all manner of attacks.

While it was true that Daala's agents were able to trigger supernovas in three of the seven regional suns, this meager devastation would not be enough to assuage the losses her people suffered here today. And the rest of her resonance torpedoes were all captured by her most dangerous enemy ships, depriving her of her best arsenal and handing Abeloth her weapons of mass destruction. She shuddered to consider what horrendous modifications the monstrosity could do with them, even as half her fleet was ripped apart or captured by the Servants of Chaos.

If the remaining Olpakans hoped to escape and fight another day, far more drastic measures would be needed to break the Last Alliance and Abeloth's chokehold over this system. It was fortunate then, that Daala still had a few tricks up her sleeve and arsenal to guarantee her survival.

"High Admiral, we're receiving an encrypted transmission from the Super Star Destroyer Megador." A comms officer alerted Daala, snapping her out of her ruminations.

Wondering what those Jedi-loving fools could want, Daala was prepared to ignore the call before an idea began percolating in her mind. Since the Last Alliance's forces were being decimated by Abeloth's allies, if they saw how they were outclassed by their enemies, it could encourage their more skeptical followers to desert and join the winning side.

"Open a secure line with the Megador." Daala ordered. As the connection was established, she pulled out a datapad and sent out another transmission, this one to each of her weapons officers aboard her remaining warships. While delaying whoever commanded the Star Dreadnought, she would prepare her people's escape while trying to decimate the greater enemy's stranglehold over this system.

Seeing the hologram of a severe looking Bothan, one Daala recognized all too well from her three years leading the Galactic Alliance, she steeled herself for the verbal lashing she was sure to receive.

"It's been a long time, Natasi." Nek Bwua'tu sternly acknowledged. "I see you haven't changed your warmongering ways since your last attempt in trying to take over the Empire."

"Just tell me what you want, Bwua'tu. Neither of us have the time for backhanded insults now." Daala firmly interrupted.

"It's not what I want, but what the galaxy needs if we hope to survive past the next few weeks." Nek began his projection shrunk to make way for a system-wide hologram that detailed the ongoing battle. Seeing the Last Alliance's lines nearly finished pulling out, with Zonama Sekot and the Silentium hammering the Bringer of Chaos's lines from several angles and providing cover for the retreating fleets, it was clear to Daala that they were about to complete their withdrawal and leave this fallen world behind. Intruding on her thought process, the Bothan reminded her, "If Abeloth and her followers can seize the Tulpaa Star Forge, well, I'm sure you know more than I know of the station's capabilities and what she can do with its power. And your fleets are not in the best position to carry out their original mission as of now."

The beginnings of a plan clicking together in Daala's mind, she surmised, "Then, you are offering to join forces with mine?"

"No." Bwua'tu denied. "There is too much animosity and mistrust between our factions to officially coordinate with you at the present time. However, if you can provide an ample distraction while I send a sufficient force to cripple the Star Forge, such a one time act of cooperation may be possible."

"But when this is over, I implore you to turn yourself in and finally face justice for your sins against the galaxy." Bwua'tu all but pleaded. "The Olpakan Hegemony cannot stand against the entire galaxy and Abeloth's forces on your own, and these pointless squabbles are only distracting us at a time when we cannot be divided. And you have far too many crimes against far too many to ever be acquitted."

Biting back a hateful argument at her former lover, Daala sadly countered, "I'll help you cripple Abeloth here, but don't ask the impossible of me, Nek. We both know I'm too much of a fighter to ever surrender."

Closing the transmission, Daala contacted her gunnery chief and ordered, "Unleash all our payloads against the Abominor and the fleet guarding the Tulpaa Forge. We have one last chance to deny Abeloth her most precious prize, and we cannot waste it." Much as she wanted to personally dispose of all the Force's followers that were still retreating from this world, she recognized the impossibility of surviving past the day without some compromise.

Besides, the Knights of Olpaka would have plenty of other chances to strike back against the Force and its disciples in the coming weeks. Daala would personally see to that when she made her appeal to the rest of the Olpakan Grand Council.

Thirty Minutes Later

Aboard the Rude Awakening

'Abeloth's people have already reactivated most of the Star Forge's defensive capabilities. It would be best if we retreat before she can utilize all its power against us.' Ship anxiously called out to every Jedi and Sith in this impromptu task force. This had been the third warning the Sith war vessel had given, and it annoyed all those involved at how afraid it had become.

Edaan was especially sick of hearing Ship's constant pessimism, surprisingly missing its original sense of self and confidence while serving the Dark Side's most powerful and feared acolytes. Honestly, he was perplexed by how attached Vestara was to the sentient construct and continually defended its terrified state. But he quickly banished his bewilderment and annoyance aside, knowing it would be of no use to him where the ten-ship squad neared its target.

As the ten-ship squad flew past the wreckage of several Abominor and five of Abeloth's exotic warships, destroyed by Natasi Daala and her Knights of Olpaka, a noble deed he never thought capable from that vindictive shrew, the Tulpaa Star Forge quickly expanded as each vessel neared the target. And as they approached the ancient Rakatan instrument of war, Edaan knew the real work was about to start. Seeing the giant station, strongly resembling the Abo Star Forge that Darth Revan's Sith Empire used to build the bulk of its war machine, it filled the Jedi Knight with dread as one of history's darkest eras seemed to be repeating itself.

Already, the subtle doubts that were trying to worm their way into Edaan's mind, just as they were attempting to do so into every other Last Alliance's fighter's mind, were becoming loud, booming shouts in the cyborg Jedi Knights' skull. And projecting the thoughts was not only the self-aware Star Forge, but the handful of Servants of Chaos that had reactivated the ancient genetic facility, especially one who's command of the Force was as ancient as it was powerful. That old and dark power had to belong to Tor Valum, the eldest of the final few surviving Grysk Force Sages that had long served Abeloth and escaped the Chiss's destruction of their homeworld many decades ago.

Unfortunately, the Force was not the only danger about to impede the Jedi-Sith task force's progress. From the Rude Awakening's readouts and the schematics provided to the Last Alliance by Tulpaa's government-in-exile, the Star Forge's defenses were coming online, and they were aimed straight at the would-be intruders. Seeing at least three dozen ancient weapons resembling turbolasers in appearance and twice as many antipersonnel cannons emerge, Edaan recognized how their task was about to get much more complicated than they first feared.

"Prepare for evasive maneuvers!" Edaan called out to his crew, each carrying out their respective duties while he and K'Kruhk worked to shield them from the worst of Tor's psychic attacks. Moments later, the Star Forge's defenses roared to life, firing at the would-be attackers with such ferocity and power that should have been impossible for such an ancient space station. The first wave of attacks, only coming within a kilometer of the Rude Awakening, had such force that it nearly caused the ship to be blown away as if its stabilizers were destroyed.

"Shields down to seventy percent!" Atai disbelievingly called out to Edaan, startling him silent at how much power the Tulppa station still held. And judging by the panic and shock he sensed from each of the seven other vessels, the crews were realizing just how dangerous their situation was.

'Keep going.' A melodious female's voice whispered in Edaan's ear, surprising the Jedi Knight and making his eyes dart around to try and identify the call's source. Could it have been Abeloth, seeking to draw in her quarry and either get them destroyed or captured by her followers?

'Don't give up or doubt yourself now, Edaan Palpatine. Destroy this station. The Bringer of Chaos or True Sith Empire cannot be allowed to have this weapon.' A harsher voice echoed, this one belonging to a man, as the Jedi Knight felt reinvigorated by a sudden burst of pure Force energy and was shielded from Tor's mental onslaught. Even more significant was the reduction of attacks by the Star Forge, many of its emplacements firing in disarray or shutting down altogether.

'This protection will not last long. You must finish your task before time runs out. The rest, we leave to you and your friends.' Another voice, an elderly man filled with wisdom and power, spoke to Edaan before the ethereal presence concluded, 'Help restore balance to the Force, and undo the horrors my love and her manipulators has unleashed on all creation.'

Realizing who was speaking to him, Edaan thanked the Maker for the help Elegast and his children could provide before contacting his teammates, "We've got our opening here! All ships, commence your bombing runs!"

"Then we'd better move fast, Rude Awakening!" Tyria called out from the Phoenix Whirlwind, before adding, "Abeloth's warships are moving in fast to close the gap in their blockade."

"We'll make it." Ben assured his fellow Jedi Master before each ship ceased all nonessential traffic to carry out their attacks.

Flying in teams of two, the Rude Awakening and Jade's Legacy launched their first payloads of missiles and baradium bombs on the Star Forge, nearly clipping off one of its prongs and creating a gap in the defenses to allow the six remaining ships to continue their attack inside the perimeter.

Through Ship's mental link to all the Jedi and Sith, Edaan could see the carnage the joint force was creating inside the Star Forge, every act of devastation they wrought by the dozens of concussion missiles, proton torpedoes, and hundreds of energy blasts on key reactors or stabilizers. He also could feel the outrage and bottomless fury emanating from the few inhabitants residing in the station, with Tor's emotions the strongest of them all. His rage was almost enough to make the Jedi Knight vomit over the next three minutes as the strike team damaged or destroyed nearly half the station's capabilities.

K'Kruhk, acting as the Rude Awakening's copilot while Akku led most of his company to protect the refugee fleet, alerted Edaan, "We've done all we can out here today. Five enemy warships are approaching from behind, and they're releasing fighters to pursue us. We need to go."

Acknowledging K'Kruhk's warning with a curt nod, Edaan projected his urgency through the Force, knowing Ship would understand and relay his orders to the others and prepared to lead the team out of this trap. But as he plotted their escape route, he began considering a harebrained idea.

Seeing the five mysterious warships fast flying towards the wounded Star Forge, Edaan recognized something familiar in their design. In fact, they looked like a modernized version of the Pius Dea Crusade Cathedral ships that wrought havoc across the galaxy for over a millennium when the brutal humaneocentric religious order controlled the Old Republic.

Realizing that the Last Alliance had no information on these new warships in Abeloth's arsenal, Edaan conferred with K'Kruhk, "This might be the only chance we get to get some good intel on our new enemies' capabilities. What do you say we get a closer look at their specifications before we get out of here?"

"We don't have the time." K'Kruhk warned Edaan, his voice brooked no argument. "The Force shield is starting to fade, and if we don't withdraw now, we won't be able to at all. We'll have other chances."

Suddenly, two of the Cathedral ships halted in their tracks, confusing both Jedi before Shara alerted them, "Sounds like some of Daala's people had a few spare baradium bombs and used them to cover our escape, against her direct orders."

Smirking at K'Kruhk, Edaan almost smugly stated, "Looks like we have our opening now."

Thirty Minutes Later

Aboard the Megador

Nek watched as the Olpakans' remaining forces fled the carnage they wrought, mourning how far Daala had fallen as reports quickly filtered in across the Archipelago. After witnessing how callously his former beloved tried to eradicate all her enemies, never mind how the Last Alliance and Knights of Olpaka now shared many common enemies, it was clear that nothing would convince her to stop her self-destructive rampage.

Across the Hilak, Malata, and Persappa Systems, Daala's people had successfully deployed resonance torpedoes to force the suns of each system to go supernova in a matter of hours, effectively sealing the fates of countless Rakata and whatever other poor souls were trapped on each of their worlds. Even worse, Abeloth and her people had managed to capture the superweapons meant to target the Fitimp, Griwstrick, and Makatak Systems, effectively giving the Celestial monstrosity the means to mass-produce and modify them to whatever suited her demented interests.

Only Tulpaa's sun was saved by the Last Alliance, a pyrrhic victory when considering how it was set to finish falling into Abeloth's hands in less than an hour. True, Daala's baradium bombs in conjunction with the Silentium's weaponry and superior knowledge were able to break through the Abominor's lines, killing five of the massive mechanical beings, and allow the Jedi and Sith to run five bombing runs on the system's Star Forge. And her biological weapons were able to wreak havoc on the Space Grazers, driving them insane and turning on each other and any other ship or creature nearby before afterwards imploding.

All this newfound knowledge would prove crucial in fine tuning the coalition's war doctrine in battling the Servants of Chaos, never mind the invaluable initiative Edaan Palpatine showed in getting several detailed scans of the modernized Cathedral ships. His quick thinking allowed the Last Alliance to discover many of the warships' capabilities and potential weaknesses to exploit.

Still, the damage the Last Alliance inflicted on the Star Forge was only able to destroy or cripple no more than half of the station's capabilities, assuming the carnage could not easily be repaired by its maker and her acolytes. And with the surviving Abominor and their mistress's warships descending over the planet, seizing the few survivors and cities that remained standing, it was finally time for the Jedi-Sith force to cut their losses and escape this doomed system before the fleeting opportunity closed.

"Sir, you're receiving an urgent communication from Jedi Edaan Palpatine aboard the Rude Awakening." The Megador's comm officer alerted Nek. "It's an eyes-only message he relayed to you directly from Master Solo Fel."

Jaina? She was supposed to be on Zonama Sekot at this moment, helping the planet and its advisors house Tulpaa's refugees while it harried Abeloth's flanks. What was she doing, making Edaan play messenger now, at the close of this massive evacuation and withdrawal?

Baffled at the sudden information, Nek uploaded the transmission onto his personal datapad, reviewing the message and began to understand the secrecy of this message.

Regroup with Sekot at Sunrise in the next four days. Critical summit will convene at that time between Last Alliance leadership to finish devising strategy for our many enemies.

Something told Nek that he wasn't going to like whatever outcome would come from this emergency summit, even as his well-honed mind realized that this meeting might very well be the most crucial and dangerous one that he ever attended. And that realization terrified him more than any experience he ever felt before, knowing how the fate of the galaxy hung on a razor's edge.

Interrupting his fearful reflections was another chime, Nek saw his datapad to read a new message, this one astounding him while embedding a kernel of hope in ending the disastrous war with the Olpakans quickly and decisively. When the Last Alliance High Command reconvened, he had to bring the message to their attention.

Twelve Hours Later

Nelona 16th, 59 ABY

Deep Space, Chiss Ascendancy Borders

Aboard the Striker

Reviewing the footage gathered from the pandemonium of the diminished Rakatan Archipelago's fall into Abeloth and the Rhandites' clutches, Vurawn recognized that the stakes had been raised to virtually unprecedented levels for the free galaxy. Judging from the rest of the Last Alliance's command structure, each faction leader wholly understood the staggering odds stacked against them.

Thanks to the Silentium and Zonama Sekot's efforts in helping the Last Alliance delay both the Olpakans and Servants of Chaos from achieving their ends, the final evacuees from Tulpaa were able to escape the doomed planet with virtually all its population. Even the Tulpaa Star Forge and Abeloth's fleets were not enough to prevent the two extragalactic powers from keeping her people locked in a stalemate, at least until the Nihil Retreat made their first major play on their enemies.

And what fortunate timing, for just as the last ships escaped, a malignant and intelligent power descended over the world's forests and oceans, leisurely draining everything it touched of all life and vibrancy as it spread all over the globe.

But the being responsible for Tulpaa's slow desolation was one the Chiss Ascendancy feared more than any other, with Vurawn and all his fellow high-ranked officers recognizing its insidious influence belonging to that of Mnggal-Mnggal. It seemed Abeloth was not content to let her sibling wait or sate its hunger on mere prisoners but was willing to let it feast on entire worlds if it suited her interests.

This realization, compounded by Daala's earlier destruction of three of the Rakatan Archipelago's feral star systems, only underscored the apocalyptic situation the galaxy was in. If the Last Alliance and all its friends hoped to stop any of Abeloth or the Rhandites' plans, let alone destroy them for good, they would need a series of miracles to even hope to succeed.

In eradicating Abeloth, that would be where Darth Krayt and Tau Palpatine would come in most handy. According to the Rakatan elders and Korin Aphra, the unlikely spiritual heirs of the Son and Daughter of Mortis, they had spent the last four days communing with them, learning how to use their abilities, and being given countless bits of knowledge long lost from the galaxy. If even half of the claims they made were true, then whatever information the two warriors now carried would be crucial in buying time for the inevitable brutal battle everyone knew was upon them.

Regrettably, the friendly Rakata's claims were only hypothetical at this point. What mattered now was holding the line against the Servants of Chaos and removing the Olpakan Hegemony as a threat before this war escalated any further, all while preparing to engage the True Sith Empire in the Nihil Retreat. Unfortunately, the only good bit of news in these growing disasters was how Wedge Antilles and his Rogues' Gallery had formed a pact with the Olpakan Rebels, and how they were starting to lay the groundwork for the anti-Force government's capitulation.

Of course, all this was a moot point at present time. After the diverse coalition of free powers escaped the enemies' latest conquests, its Force Users had received a summons from Sekot, calling them and all other leaders of this desperate union to Zonama. There, the Last Alliance would finish its war preparations, issue a warning cry to the rest of the galaxy of what would be before them. And all that befell every living being struck a greater fear into Vurawn than anyone else could comprehend.

"You appear more troubled than anyone else here, Supreme Commander." Kyle pointedly broke into Vurawn's reflections. Battle-scarred lips frowning in concern, the Jedi Grand Master concernedly offered, "If you wish to speak and unburden yourself of whatever is disturbing you, now might be the best time to do so before we reach the rendezvous point. This is just simple advice from one soldier to another."

Warring against himself, ashamed to even admit this fear existed inside his being, Vurawn acknowledged, "I am far more than troubled, Grand Master Katarn." Seeing the assembled holograms of the galaxy's leadership before him, all gazing upon the Chiss clone with rapt attention, he admitted, "I am more terrified than I have ever been for the fate of my people and that of the galaxy. Never, in all our millennia, have we faced an enemy of this sheer magnitude or unrelenting evil. Even the Yuuzhan Vong, for all their deplorable and depraved behavior, had some redeeming qualities that allowed them to be defeated with some dignity and conventionality."

"None of us have faced a threat like this, Vurawn." Nek patiently reminded the Last Alliance military commander. "Not even the Silentium when they fought the Abominor and saw the Yuuzhan Vong descend into tyranny and into their fallen state."

"Yes, and now we're all dealing with a multitude of powers that the likes of which we're virtually powerless against." Vurawn snapped, surprising all with the uncharacteristic display of frustration from the normally composed military prodigy.

Eyes widening behind his helmet at the realization of what Vurawn just admitted, Fett knew what he had to do and prodded, "You're not afraid just because of the enemies we're facing. You're scared because you don't know how we can stop them, and it's gnawing at you that there's a problem your brilliant mind can't figure out."

"If it were just the Olpakans, we would all be right in our element." Turr caught on, continuing the Mandalorian's conversation thread. "They are a type of foe we all can understand and could mostly battle with conventional methods. But these supernatural threats, all they represent, they're a problem none of us have faced before, and you don't know how to handle it."

Mouth twitching in frustration, Vurawn silently nodded before admitting, "I know that we cannot win this war through conventional means. Against all the ancient evils that Abeloth is summoning to her side, we will need far more than simple martial might or cunning to triumph. We will need the Force and all its mysteries it carries to even have a chance of success. But that is not all that troubles me."

Letting out an anxious breath, Vurawn warned everyone, "We know what to expect from the Olpakans, but not the One Sith and their unstable network of allies. Their numbers and followers are dwindling from defections over to Abeloth and Tor Valum's factions, and we cannot measure the damage they can do if left unchecked."

"That is exactly why the summit Sekot has convened will be so crucial to our plans." Kyle patiently reminded Vurawn. "We need to search through Krayt's ranks and ensure that his remaining followers will remain loyal to him and our shared cause. But if we hope to do that while preserving our alliance, we'll need time to work with key sympathetic minds inside the One Sith's ranks who understand the danger Abeloth represents."

"Well, if the rumors are true, then we might already have a few individuals that can be willing to help us keep Krayt's rank and file soldiers and Sith in line." Jaina spoke up, having heard from Ben and Tyria of General Yiv's willingness to cooperate with the Jedi, and Darth Irola and Takaris Yur of the One Sith being more pragmatic and open-minded than most of their fellow Dark Lords.

Just then, the conversation was interrupted when Irola's hologram blazed to life, and the One Sith's insurgent leader alerted her peers, "Lord Krayt has woken up from his coma less than an hour ago and will be ready to meet with you all in no more than another five hours. He claims to have gained a great deal of vital intelligence on Abeloth's plans and how to effectively counter them."

"What about Jedi Tau?" Vurawn asked Kyle. "Have there been any improvements in his condition?"

"The doctors are tending to him on Sekot aboard the Ark Angel, but progress is slow. They estimate him needing up to three more days to awaken." Kyle answered. "I'll spare you the Force-based medical jargon, but his mind and body are still recovering from whatever ordeal the Rakata put him through. And Krayt said that he does not have his experience with deep Force trances as he does, so his recuperation will take longer than we expected."

"Then before we hear what our lead Sith ally has to say, I have one more piece of information to share with you all." Nek gravely interrupted. "Our erstwhile Olpakan ally reached out to me earlier with an offer of cooperation almost too good to resist."

Knowing better than to utter Cylo-V's name in case of anyone listening in, Vurawn instead suggested, "Then we ought to consider it after we reach the Sunrise System. If our contact can help us stop Daala and her cohorts, we cannot ignore any opportunity."

Nelona 18th, 59 ABY

Chiss Space, Sunrise System

Zonama Sekot

Far Distance Islands

Aboard the Ark Angel

His eyes struggling to adjust to the overwhelming light beaming down upon him, a now-awake Tau briefly wondered whether he was still on Mortis before he felt his stiff limbs twitch. At least, wherever he was, he had returned to the physical realm and his body was readjusting to an untold number of hours of rest.

Remembering how he had last been on Tulpaa, just as the planet and its region were falling to the Servants of Chaos and Tor Valum's eldritch conspirators, Tau tried reaching out through the Force to sense where he was, only to detect a rich and vibrant outpour of energy and life permeate the area. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before, and it confused the clone before his eyes began adapting to the beams of light, starting to recognize the medical chamber of Chelli and Jaing's personal vessel.

Raising his head, wearily sighing, and licking his dry lips while feeling the IV unit attached to his arm to feed him nutrients, Tau noticed a sleeping Chelli sitting by his medical bed, gently snoring as 0-0-0, directly across from her, ran a series of tests at the medical console. He never would have imagined Chelli as a woman who had a light snore. If he was honest, it was a little adorable.

Turning his head to speak to Tau, 0-0-0 softly greeted the fellow Sith escapee, "Welcome back from your spiritual odyssey, Master Tau. I trust you've enjoyed your six days of rest amid the escalating and chaotic war we now find ourselves in." Before the Jedi-allied clone could try to speak, he was interrupted, "No, do not speak yet. You'll need at least a few liquids to allow your voice to return, and time for your body to recover from your ordeal before trying anything too daring."

Slowly awakening from the quiet conversation, Chelli softly yawned before seeing Tau silently assessing her, and she quickly grew overjoyed at her crush reawakened. But stern professionalism winning out over the desire to hug him, she instead asked 0-0-0, "Will he be able to attend the summit in time?"

"S…Summit?" Tau weakly croaked out, his voice cracked from days of no usage and little fluids hitting his vocal cords. Before he could try asking any more questions, an incomprehensible presence washed over the room, a being whose power in the Force dwarfed that of any being the Jedi had ever felt before.

Recognizing that Tau was now in the presence of Sekot, he grew silent, especially as the phantasmal form of a young boy with sandy-blonde hair and Jedi Padawan's robes appeared before the group, with the Jedi agent recognizing the prepubescent as a twelve-year-old Anakin Skywalker. Bowing before the Jedi agent, the apparition acknowledged, "I am glad to see you have at last awakened, Jedi Tau Palpatine. Everyone was growing worried about whether you would ever recover."

Beating Tau to the question, Sekot answered, "Tomorrow, all leaders of the Last Alliance will convene here, on the Far Distance Islands, to complete our strategy for defeating the Knights of Olpaka while destroying Abeloth, her Servants of Chaos and the True Sith Empire of the Nihil Retreat."

A soft, terrified gasp escaping Tau's throat, he tried to get out of bed before Sekot firmly held him down with the Force, sternly reminding him, "Rushing off now, Jedi Palpatine, will only guarantee our doom and all that you seek to protect. First, you need to learn all of what transpired while you were indisposed while your doctors ensure you are ready to meet the evils coming after us all."

"Darth Krayt is going through the same procedure you are as we speak, as he woke up himself from your time with the Ones and Wuztek two days ago." Sekot assured Tau. "For the next few hours, allow your body to catch up with your great journey. Only then will you be able to leave this ship and rejoin your compatriots."

"I'll bring you up to speed on recent events, Tau." Chelli gently promised Tau, pulling out a canteen of water and offering it to him, allowing her ward to quickly drink much of its contents before withdrawing to catch his breath.

Smacking his lips to moisten them, he softly acknowledged Chelli's kindness, "Thank you." The simple act of kindness earned a gentle smile in response that made his heart flutter a little. And this time, the gesture didn't frighten him nearly as much as before.

Well, I'd have to say that this is a good place to end the chapter! What do you all think? I'm sure it could use plenty of improvements, which is why I'll hold off on publishing it for a while to see what I can refine in this work. I'll also be rereading a few Star Wars books to help understand how to improve my flaws in writing these stories. So, how are you all doing on this cool day of Tuesday, January 2, 2024? I'm all right, as I've had a few days off from work before my big shift for this week starts tomorrow morning. And I hope to hear back about an internship I'll hopefully be getting soon, and if I am able to work at a library as well, since I need to move beyond my current job to seek better opportunities elsewhere. I suppose that's all I need to say tonight. I'll save this chapter for later and look back at it in a few days or so. I hope you all have a blessed day, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!