Good evening, everyone! How are you all holding up on this fine Mothers' Day of Sunday, May 12, 2024? I'm all right, as I had a wonderful dinner with my mother and most of my family a couple hours ago, read a small bit of a World War II book, and relaxed a lot today before my final week of work starts tomorrow. But I ought to confess that I'm worried about my family, with all the stress from the imminent move and worries about my grandparents and their difficult situation. But I'm going to put my faith in God that all will be resolved. In other news, this is my 9th-to-last chapter for this story, and I'm going out with a bang! I'd best get started on this chapter, as I've already written the basic outline, now I just need to give all my thoughts proper form and structure. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
One Hour Later
Helona 9th, 59 ABY
Nihil Retreat Borders
Zonama Sekot Orbit
Aboard the Striker
Tau recognized the insanity of what he had finished proposing to the galaxy's leaders, how it seemed, and very well might be the dreams of a fool idealist, at best, or the flight of a madman or One Sith collaborator for a more paranoid mind. By resurrecting the Je'daii Order, first as a secret society to quietly help guide the galaxy back towards the principles the Celestials who taught their first creations, he knew the risk of abuse and corruption such a plan would invite. The points the GA Chief of State, Confederation's Supreme Commander, Imperial Head of State, Chiss Defense Council, and Hutt Grand Council made in skeptical objections helped drive that issue home, and he could not dispute them.
Remembering how the Jedi Covenant embraced a fanatical zeal to eradicate all influence of the Sith after Exar Kun's war devastated the galaxy, before falling under a Sith Acolyte's control and its implosion and disbandment by the Jedi High Council, Tau knew the inherent dangers of his proposal. But he also recognized how the galaxy was near-brokenly divided by countless millennia of wars, bigotry, and suspicion, and that it required an intricate and innovative approach to solve. And while he would have loved to work out in the open right away, he clearly saw how the galaxy would not respond well to another Force order rising from the ashes of war, and recognized that for now, secrecy and discretion would serve the Maker's will best.
Trying to break through the clamor his proposal brought between his many detractors and few supporters, Tau, fed up with the infighting, shouted at the top of his lungs, "ENOUGH!" The sheer strength and audacity of the young man's outburst bringing the arguing to a halt, he took a moment to calm his thoughts and ardently implore everyone, "Are we going to risk the fragile unity we have against the Dark Side, the fleeting opportunity we've been given to rebuild this broken galaxy, over the mere ideas I've now brought before you?"
"I am fully aware of how many of you still doubt me and my intentions, even after all I've done to aid the Alliance of Light and Last Alliance in our struggles, but my plans are only to help heal this marred galaxy and lay the groundwork for a just future for all sapients. If we ignore this one chance we have left to reunify the galaxy, we'll never get another, and we will fall alone and divided when the next great crisis arrives."
"I do not think any of us here doubt your allegiance, Tau Palpatine." Kajin calmly interjected. "We all know that you have aided us at no small risk to yourself and have given us crucial information in preparing to destroy the True Sith Empire and their would-be allies. And your proposed postwar ideas are noble in scope, but our misgivings lie with whom the plans originated from. After all the havoc Invidious and his agents wrought across the galaxy, it would be exceptionally hard to simply trust them all at their word."
"Then don't." Vlad agreed, earning a resentful glare from Tau before the Olpakans' Supreme Knight clarified, "Give Invidious and Jedi Palpatine the chance to see if their ideas are feasible and can accomplish all they claim is possible."
Kyle, seeing his chance to say his piece, tactfully added, "Right now, we have a fragile truce with the One Sith, but Tau was correct in seeing how, once we destroy the Infernal Council, they will seek to reignite their war. However, if the plans Jedi Palpatine and his confederates have set in motion are successful, then we can, at the minimum, divide the opposition and make it easier to defeat the warmongers."
"And how can we be certain that these peacemakers' intentions are good?" Vedo Anjiliac Atirue bluntly asked. "From the viewpoint of a veteran schemer and greedy soul to his more honest allies, they are most likely playing a con game with us, and seeking to distract us from whatever their true plans are."
"Then let us ask them ourselves, when the best opportunity arises." Julius earnestly proposed. "The risks may be great, but the bold opportunity before us is impossible to simply ignore or dismiss out of hand. If General Yiv, Darth Invidious, and Ochi have already agreed to work with us against the One Sith, then it stands to reason that their plans are the genuine article." Gazing at Tau, he continued, "And, if I understand the young Palpatine correctly, he has already begun moving forward with this idea, and is only asking us for what covert support we can provide. I suspect this is the best opportunity we'll have to set forth reasonable terms for our assistance and whatever else he asks of us."
Ruefully smiling, Tau admitted, "I've heard it's always best to act first and seek forgiveness later."
"Then let's hear what else you have to say right now, while you've got all our attention." Fett challenged Tau. "But you'll need to speak quickly, since we're all operating on a tight schedule and can't let Krayt learn of this plan before you can weaken his base of support enough."
'That's assuming I won't be able to convince him to renounce the Dark Side entirely over the next few months.' Tau nervously thought, keeping that mad plan squarely between him and Chelli until he was certain he could possibly deliver on that terrifying gambit. If the Dread Lord learnt of this strategy before his work progressed enough, then the repercussions could be a catastrophe of an unfathomable make.
Eight Hours Later
Hyperspace, On Route to the Croke Reach
Aboard the Rude Awakening
Edaan knew how everyone was relying on the decisions he would soon make when the Last Alliance relief force made it to the Croke Reach. And recognizing how the fleet would arrive at the battlefield in just under five hours, he was attentively studying the Crakull System and the carnage unfolding over there, preparing for when his leadership and abilities would be tested like never before.
According to the most recent tactical feeds coming from the three Last Alliance command ships, the joint fleet was the target of a pincer maneuver by the two Infernal Council forces, boxed in while being hammered on a near-continual basis. Despite suffering extensive casualties from the initial engagements and precision bombings from the Jedi and Sith, the dark powers held the upper hand in this fight, their adversaries suffering almost half as many deaths than their enemies. The Fate Breaker and its fleet was especially proving vicious in their attacks and massacring any foe that crossed their path, even those that were too damaged to effectively fight. It was only through the self-sacrificial behavior of their subordinates and whatever stalling tactics the dead used that the Dodonna, Mandator, and Lucky Striker hadn't been hit yet. Though, that was only a matter of time with all the heavy pressure the enemy was putting on every front.
And Maker forbid if the Croke joined the fight on the side of the dark powers and their thralls. Although the diminutive and ancient race of wicked sentients had long been diminished through civil war and isolation, they were still long feared by many for their illusionary abilities and the terrifying campaigns the few known members had wrought on the known galaxy. And if they responded to the Infernal Council's overtures now, then this desperate struggle would quickly become a total rout.
Edaan, recognizing how time was running out for the Last Alliance, had been conversing with all his commanders to best utilize the diverse and highly lethal detachments under his authority. With the plan he devised almost complete, all that remained was implementing it and utilizing the incredible weapons Haxim Axlan had shared with his friends. The baradium missiles the governor of Falleen created, more developed and powerful than any other variant, would be able to blow a hole out of the enemy's formation before anyone could effectively react. Combined with the fleet's conventional firepower and wide and large array of forces, they could still salvage something from this battle and keep the Infernal Council from growing in power and numbers.
But equally concerning was how the sole Rhandite warship involved in this slaughter had not made any aggressive moves at all. With none of the Last Alliance ships or scouts able to penetrate the esoteric hull, the dangerous vessel was a mystery none could solve, especially since no one could break through its defenses to try and attack it. Whatever schemes or tactics they were utilizing, if they had already reached out to even a handful of Croke and already garnered their support or were preparing to perform a ritual of unspeakable evil, no one would know until it was too late.
All Edaan could do was hope for the best, pour his efforts and energies into leading his forces into battle, and pray to the Maker and his lesser Celestials that the Last Alliance's faith in him would not be misplaced. His wife believed in him, along with all his crew, so he owed it to them all to live up to their expectations and see them through this engagement.
Jolting from his reflections, Edaan mentally berated himself, furious for forgetting that he was supposed to have called Adari at least an hour ago! Burdens of command could be kriffed, he couldn't keep his wife waiting any longer, not since he wouldn't get this chance again, and since there was an inescapable dread about this battle that he could feel creeping up upon him. Somehow, he knew that great sacrifices would be needed to ensure anyone got out of the Croke Reach, and it frightened him more than he could admit, even to himself.
Brusquely walking to the communications center, Edaan found K'Kruhk and Akku utilizing the comms array to talk with Adari. At least she'd been kept busy while waiting for him, and she… wait. Why did she appear somber, even as she glanced in her husband's direction, with her two friends following her gaze? What did those two well-intentioned meddlers talk about with her during his delay?
Maintaining his composure, Edaan thanked, "I'm glad you two were able to catch up with Adari and keep her company for a while." Now speaking to his beloved, he apologized, "I'm sorry I lost track of time. Final battle preparations have been more stressful than ever."
"I imagine so, especially with Abeloth and so many other ancient dangers nestled safely away in the Nihil Retreat, and countless evils emerging out of there. Any soul would tremble in fear over what we are about to face." Adari knowingly surmised. Tenderly smiling to her love, she pressed on, "Don't forget, we have a bond, and I have an impeccable intuition."
Prepared to try and deny the deduction, Edaan saw the scrutinizing but kind gazes everyone was giving him, and confessed, "Honestly, I'm more terrified than I have ever been in my entire life." Sighing, he continued, "We're up against many of the most ancient and dangerous evils ever to exist, and I don't know if we can win this fight, let alone if I'll be able to lead this mission and get everyone back alive."
"Edaan, listen here." Akku firmly addressed his longtime friend. "What you're experiencing is perfectly natural, and the same burden every good leader throughout history has endured and faced with every operation." Gesturing to everyone, he reminded Edaan, "We've all led many people into battle, and there have always been casualties and losses we couldn't prevent, even with great intelligence and might on our side. And victory is never certain, no matter how much you plan out the operation."
"At the end of the day, it will be up to the soldiers themselves to make it through the fight. But even then, death is around every corner, and anyone could die from any number of reasons. That includes you, Edaan." Grasping his shoulder in support, K'Kruhk reminded Edaan, "You've led countless operations into battle, faced enemies that would strike terror into the mightiest of leaders, and found ways to prevail and lead all those that followed you to victory. What is so different this time?"
"This time?" Edaan terrifyingly repeated. "This time, I have so much more to lose in my family and all the friends I've made. If the Sith, both incarnations, Mnggal-Mnggal, or Abeloth get their hands on any of you, I don't-"
"You won't lose us, Edaan." Adari gently reassured him. "I know this, deep down in the core of my being."
"How?!" Edaan all but wailed. "These monstrosities we're up against, they won't play by any rules we're used to, and they possess powers and knowledge we have no way to counter! We don't even know how to penetrate the Nihil Retreat, for Force's sake."
"We do." Adari simply answered, her eyes conveying a regret Edaan hadn't seen in them before. "We know how to break the True Sith's blockade over their territory. It's one of the plans that your brother and the others have been working on."
Before Edaan could say or do anything detrimental to anyone, Adari insisted, "Edaan, please listen. What's important right now is not martial might or superior tactics, it'll be our simple and enduring faith that will carry us through these terrible times."
"Right now, we're up against an evil that you've never faced before, and combined with your long-repressed trauma of Abeloth and the lack of personal drive that guided you when you saved Vestara, it's paralyzing you terribly." Adari insightfully deduced, raising an eyebrow at Edaan's bashful denials. "You know I'm right, beloved."
Unable to lie to his wife and two of his dearest friends, Edaan shamefully nodded, "Yes. I am more afraid than I've ever been in my life. I don't know if we can win this war, and if we lose… Well, I don't want to think about that."
"Then don't." Akku urged Edaan. "Instead of dreading what might happen, focus on the blessings that exist in your life, and the people that believe in you. Every time you feel the fear close in, replace it with the promise that we're going to beat the osik out of these demon worshippers and send them into the void where they originated from."
"Coarse language aside, Captain Seii is right, Edaan." K'Kruhk pointed out. "The only way we can even hope to triumph in this war will be if we can purge ourselves of all fears and doubts, just as Luke did before he killed Lomi Plo at the Swarm War's conclusion. Have faith in yourself and those close to you, and that simple belief can take you further than any hyperspace journey."
Finding his fears drifting away through this heartfelt talk, Edaan silently nodded before gratefully thanking everyone, "You guys, you're a Godsend. What would I do without you all?"
"You'd be dead or a thrall of the Dark Side countless times over." Adari playfully noted, earning heartfelt chuckles from everyone present. Knowing he would have to leave his dear wife soon to finish preparing everyone for arriving at the heart of the Croke Reach, Edaan planned to savor every peaceful moment he had before he re-entered the war and faced his fears head-on. He only prayed that he would be able to survive the hellish conflict and keep the promise he made with his wife to settle down to raise their family on Zonama Sekot after all was settled.
Four Hours Later
Helona 10th, 59 ABY
Croke Reach, Crakull System
Aboard the Fate Breaker
"All the packages are moving into place." Vua quietly informed Phasma, a smug sense of satisfaction permeating off him at the pride he felt for Taleth and the Wraiths' ingenious combined use of Yuuzhan Vong Thud Bugs and thermal explosives. "They'll be in the best positions to detonate within the next eighty minutes."
"And you're certain no one can detect or disarm them?" Phasma probed. After spending the last five hours inside the belly of this horrible battleship, evading the few Grysk and their far more numerous allied races among the Rhandites and Servants of Chaos's ranks and getting as close to the bridge as could safely be done, she was eager to be done with this part of the mission and move onto Phase Three, the final and most difficult portion of her journey on the Fate Breaker.
"If anyone even tries to touch them after the bombs are armed, then they will detonate to avoid capture." Vua proudly stated. "And once I give the signal, they'll all detonate at once after ten minutes."
"Good. Then this will be where I take my leave of you, my friend." Phasma acknowledged, wiping the beads of sweat rushing down her forehead, with both warriors so close to a weapons station to minimize the risk of detection by their enemies.
Vua, using his extended amphistaff to block Phasma's path, heartfeltly interceded, "You're not going after your brother, not alone. I'm going with you to ensure you survive this battle."
"That is absolutely out of the question." Phasma ardently objected. "Putting Keldo and his followers down is my responsibility, not yours. I convinced them to join Krayt's order and set them on this spiraling path of destruction, so it's my job to set this right. You've got a betrothed to get back to and a new life to lead amongst your people soon, so I won't let you die here."
Feeling a terrifying shadow wash over the duo, Phasma, even though concealing her presence in the Force, recognized the decaying nihilism of the Rhandites aboard their adjacent warship, and knew the time for talk was over. To make matters more complicated, the Fate Breaker's nearby weapons batteries were charging up the fifth time this hour, but with a far stronger energy output than ever before, which meant they were about to fire again at the Last Alliance fleets.
Realizing she would have to take matters into her own hands, Phasma reached out with the Force to prematurely detonate two of Thud Bugs bombs from nearby weapon emplacements, triggering a terrific explosion that consumed all the batteries in a brief but fiery blaze.
"Are you crazy?!" Vua screeched, ready to strike Phasma for her reckless play before she put her ignited lightsaber right next to his left temple, making him freeze in place.
"Get out of here, while you still can. Live your life and find the peace and blessings you deserve." Deactivating her lightsaber, she said in solemn farewell, "May the Force be with you, my friend." Rushing towards the bridge, both to go after Keldo and serve as a diversion for Vua's escape, she left the repurposed Slayer to hurry back to the Dark Beauty, all while pondering just how to salvage this mission and save an unlikely friend.
Fifty Minutes Later
Aboard the Mandator
Lecersen did not know why the enemy singled his Star Destroyer out for capture when the rest of the Last Alliance was being ripped apart, but he was not about to let his story end here, of all places. For the past two hours, the Infernal Council and their fleets were moving to break their foes' lines and divide their fleets to ease the conquest. And their plan was working to devastating effect, nearly shattering the coalition's ranks and leaving key elements exposed to their quick destruction. The situation was so grim, even with the long overdue arrival of the reinforcements led by Edaan Palpatine, that the rogue Moff was prepared to scuttle his ship to avoid capture by the enemy and go down with his ship rather than let the Rhandites or Celestial monstrosities have their way with him.
After everything the old ex-Imperial had endured, all the campaigns and schemes Lecersen had fought and woven, he never dreamed that his life was about to come to such an inglorious end. And to think that he was meeting his end after being given one last chance to make his mark and gain untold power by Cylo-VI and his Olpakan offshoot organization, that opportunity was now being stripped away by this war's endless number of tragedies. That final insult was enough to nearly make the bitter man take his own life with a blaster bolt between his temples, but if he was to die today, he would take down as many enemies screaming into death as he could as a final act of spite. Which was why he was having his final flagship's crew well into evacuating before he met his end, full of far too many regrets and mistakes to count, especially allying with the One Sith near the top of that list.
Let Darths Irola, Phobar, and all their fellow fools keep serving a man of a simple and contradictory vision like Krayt, just as the Jedi and their dupes restrained themselves from using their full power to rule an unruly galaxy. But Drikl Lecersen, he would die on his terms, trying to free the galaxy of the Jedi and Sith's endless wars and give the galaxy's true power brokers their just place in the coming new order. He only regretted that he would be unable to see the changes Cylo-VI and his cohorts would bring about.
"Commander! The enemy has stopped firing on all our ships." The Mandator's commander dutifully informed Lecersen, surprising him out of his vengeful ruminations and planned suicide before the Imperial captain continued, "They're broadcasting an open transmission on all frequencies, demanding a ceasefire from us."
"A ceasefire?" Lecersen repeated, stunned by the sudden surge of information, before outrage crossed his face and he demanded, "On what grounds would they make such an audacious request of us in the middle of this bloody massacre?!"
"A demonstration of their power against one of the Last Alliance's greatest champions." The captain grimly informed Lecersen. "It appears Phasma undertook an infiltration of the Fate Breaker, and is set to duel against her brother, the Bringer of Chaos's fleet commander."
Phasma, the levelheaded warrior and defector from Krayt's ranks, was insane enough to go after Keldo and his flagship on her own?! If the situation wasn't so dire, Lecersen might well laugh himself into a stupor from the absurdity alone. Instead, he recognized the brief opportunity to retreat and regroup from the slaughter and ordered his command crew, "Have the fleet pull back as far as they can and begin initiating repairs and rescue efforts." Now directly addressing the captain, he ordered, "I need to confer with our superiors on our next step of this engagement and see if we can salvage anything from this disaster."
"Certainly, Sir. I'll have a connection established with the others immediately." The officer saluted Lecersen, allowing him to quickly make his way to the command center, where the rest of his Last Alliance commanders were already waiting for him.
Seeing Wedge Antilles, Kara, Kyp Durron, Darths Irola, Snoke, and Phobar, 11-4D, Garazeb Orellios, Sabine Wren, Keyan Farlander, Allana Djo Solo, and Edaan Palpatine all before him in holographic attendance, Lecersen got right to business, "We find ourselves facing insurmountable odds. But thanks to Phasma's foolishness, we've been given a reprieve and a chance to fight our way to safety."
"Not yet." Irola countermanded Lecersen. "Phasma and Lord Vua might yet succeed in their plan to destroy the Fate Breaker and kill Keldo."
"You knew." Lecersen bitterly realized. "You're staking all our hopes on a Sith defector and a combatant of the Yuuzhan Vong Empire's creation?"
"They were already prepared to implement their plan before we knew about it." Kyp stated. "But this war won't be won by conventional means. We're going to need to put our faith in the people and powers that be if we hope to survive what's coming."
Edaan, anticipating or sensing what Lecersen would say next, beat him to it, "We're all terrified of what's coming in this war, but we need to face it and stand fast if we can stand a chance at survival and victory. These next few months will be the darkest the galaxy has seen in millennia, but only through unity and holding true to our cause can we stand a chance of winning."
"But right now, we need to focus on the immediate danger before us and prepare to re-engage the Infernal Council's armadas once they lose the Fate Breaker." 11-4D dispassionately assured Lecersen. "Whether Phasma and Vua survive is another matter entirely, but I am confident they can defeat Keldo and get out of their current predicament."
"I'd suggest you tune in to the Fate Breaker's broadcast and witness how Phasma can prevail in this fight while your fleet recovers from its losses and injuries." Snoke optimistically advised Lecersen before the hologram shifted to a display of the Fate Breaker, followed by the visual changing again to that of a large chamber resembling that of an eldritch temple. What surprised the old renegade Imperial the most was how Keldo, formerly a fanatical and bloodthirsty disciple of Krayt as Darth Zorra, was parading Phasma, bound and chained like a rabid predator, and how the massive assembly of the dreadnought's crew was gathering to see a great spectacle.
How, in the name of all the greater powers, was that honor-bound fool Phasma supposed to pull a great victory out of this disaster?! Lecersen wondered if the Jedi and One Sith had finally lost their minds before seeing something that left him truly baffled, Keldo used the Force to release Phasma from her bonds and begin speaking, "I could easily kill you right now, my virtuous sister, before we destroy your entire armada and all those that came to your rescue. But destroying you in every aspect, humiliating you before all your friends and compatriots, that would make a far greater blow to you and your putrid cause."
Aboard the Fate Breaker
Throwing Phasma back her lightsaber while pulling out his, Keldo bitterly admitted, "It's fitting that we end our bond like this. You've always been the better warrior than me, and our greatest triumphs and acts of survival on Parnassos were all due to you. I was the planner, the official leader of our united clans and planned our operations; But you were the power behind the scenes, motivating the troops, securing supplies and getting us new converts before the One Sith liberated us from our ruined world. And now, how the tables have turned. You've abandoned all the power you could ever want for useless ideals and a dying galaxy." Igniting his crimson lightsaber, he eagerly admitted, "I'm going to enjoy every second of breaking you before you die, dear sister."
Having pulled out her gag, Phasma lit her lightsaber and adopted a defensive stance, primarily in Form III of Soresu, ready to let Keldo make the first move and see how he changed up his style of attack since their last bout. Remembering how he was always an erratic duelist, his approach focused on overwhelming his opponents with Force-based attacks and exploiting their doubts with psychological strikes, she knew that the best way to kill him was to get in close and slice his head clean off before he could do her in first.
As if he could see into her mind, Keldo warned Phasma, "Oh, and as a final tip, don't expect me to duel as poorly as when I worked for Krayt. I've been gifted many new talents from my new and greatest masters."
Sensing the power exuding off Keldo, with such strength and darkness that Phsmaa had never felt coming from him before, she recognized the truth of his words and knew she would have to improvise in this battle. If she was correct in her timing, then she still needed to stall for just under thirty more minutes before all the bombs were in position to detonate after another ten.
This was going to be the hardest fight she ever imagined, and Phasma uttered a quiet prayer to the Maker that she did not kriff up this duel. Almost like Keldo sensed his sister's fear, he lunged at her with such speed, she could barely block the blow and still stand on her feet. Recognizing that bloodthirsty glint in his eyes, the same darkness that she saw in him as a child, only now without any light in his soul, she knew that he had to let go of whatever regrets she had for her brother and send him to Chaos for eternity.
Nihil Retreat Outskirts
Zonama Sekot Orbit
Aboard the Retribution
Darth Krayt was terribly unsettled, a rare and unfortunate sensation for the One Sith Dread Lord and great warrior. Aside from his doubts on Tau Palpatine's plan to peacefully deal with Abeloth, which he agreed to assist in if only to explore all possibilities for victory, he knew that terrible undercurrents were moving within his followers' ranks. Oh, many might believe he was losing his touch, becoming senile, or forgetting his Grand Design, but beneath the aged human's skin was a perceptive and brilliant leader and warrior.
Though Krayt was kept busy in helping Tau Palpatine and Kivu'raw'nuru finish perfecting their plan to penetrate and obliterate the Rhandite's ancient redoubt and maintain the One Sith's depleted ranks, he recognized the signs of discontent from many, and the attempted subversion from several of his most trusted disciples and generals. Ever since they made this pact with the Alliance of Light, he knew the repercussions would prove detrimental to his great dream, and the subtle whispers the Force gave him, coupled with his enhanced abilities and renowned and well-honed instincts, did not belie this bitter realization.
Hearing from several of his most trusted followers and agents how many clandestine meetings had been conducted behind his back, Krayt knew the time had come to bring his dissenters and possible subervives to heel before other elements took advantage of the One Sith's current disunity. And where better to start than with his leading general, director of Sith Intelligence, and the order's top proxy assassin, since Wyyrlok was currently indisposed due to his efforts to probe the Nihil Retreat's lines?
Having earlier arranged for General Yiv, Darth Invidious, and Ochi to meet with Krayt aboard his personal flagship, ostensibly to determine the One Sith's war preparations and improve its level of collaboration with the Last Alliance, the Dread Lord was prepared to get the truth from them, one way or another. He only hoped that his suspicions were wrong about these three highly capable individuals.
Walking by dozens of loyal Sith and soldiers, at least, Krayt hoped they were still faithful to him, all bowing or saluting their leader who barely acknowledged their presences, he soon arrived just outside the repurposed Pius Dea warship's refurbished cathedral, where the guards silently stepped by, allowing him to enter alone. And awaiting him inside were just the three individuals he was hoping would be in here, quietly conversing amongst themselves while reviewing reports from their agents or peers before everyone noticed their master's arrival.
Exuding his presence through the Force, Krayt made sure to put everyone on edge, a prelude to the interrogation he was now set to begin. Invidious, to his credit, quietly led the others in kneeling before their master, the Arkanian Sith humbly acknowledging the Dread Lord with a silent bow of his head. But speaking first, much to everyone's surprise, was Ochi, who boldly stated,
"We have much to inform you of, Lord Krayt. Plots are being maneuvered within your ranks that could undo all you seek to accomplish."
Curiously scrutinizing the assassin, Krayt picked up on no lie in the Vahl's proclamation, and bade his disciples, "Rise, my acolytes. I would rather speak with you all on even footing at this crucial juncture."
Slowly standing upright, Yiv carefully began, "We can raise an educated guess on what you wish to discuss with us and interrogate whether we remain loyal to the Grand Design." Standing his ground before the terrifying visage of Krayt, the leader of the order all three planned to betray, the Nikardun warlord continued, "This alliance with the Jedi, coupled with the insidious threat of the Infernal Council and their unfathomable power, it is testing us all in ways we never expected. There are many that cannot see the truth as you can, if they are not blinded by the dark."
"Speak plainly, all of you." Krayt bluntly ordered. "I do not have time for tiptoeing around this issue."
"Very well." Darth Invidious humbly obeyed. "We've been independently investigating the murmurs of discontent bubbling up within the One Sith's ranks, and we've identified a significant group of dissidents conspiring against the Last Alliance." Pausing for a moment, Krayt recognized out of fear of what he would say next, the younger Sith swiftly cut to the truth, admitting, "Among the conspirators, Darth Wyyrlok is one of the key instigators. They plan to manipulate or kill you if you refuse to continue the war after our mutual enemies are destroyed."
Silence gracing the halls, all three of the duplicitous One Sith agents awaited their master's reprisals, only for them to be shocked when Krayt bitterly acknowledged, "Then, it is as I feared. The Grand Design is coming undone before my very eyes." But what stupefied his charges beyond all measure was how he admitted, "And perhaps my dream deserves to be discarded and forgotten."
"My Lord?" Invidious tepidly asked, terrified of whatever Krayt would say or do next with his bold admissions. "Exactly, what do you mean by that remark?"
"You know what I mean, old friend." Krayt meaningfully told Invidious. "I know about your secret talks with Tau Palpatine and his friends, and I can guess the purpose of these meetings." Moving quickly to dispel any violent reactions, he mollified them, "You seek to build a new order out of the fires of the war we face, all to prepare the galaxy to face the founder of Bogan when he is eventually released from his ancient prison."
"What makes you think such wild ideas come from the likes of us, honored Dread Lord?" Ochi guardedly questioned.
"Do not forget, assassin, that I have lived many lives and fought in many battles throughout these decades of strife and war." Krayt wearily reminded the wayward agent, before sitting on one of the repurposed pews presiding over the chapel. "Come, sit beside me. I wish none of you ill will from these talks."
"Then what do you wish of us now, Lord Krayt?" Yiv warily asked.
"The truth from my allies and disciples, something I find woefully lacking in these trying times." Krayt confessed. "I wish to know what the Jedi offered you to convince you to join their cause, and how it impacts the new plans I am making for the coming new order."
Seeing an opportunity to convince Krayt to join the growing Je'daii Order and lead more Sith into the Light, Invidious, taking his own initiative, bargained, "If you agree not to kill us and let us keep serving you and the Last Alliance, then we will tell you all we know and have been working towards." Ignoring the horrified glances his confederates aimed at him, he blackmailed him, "If you refuse these terms, then you'll have to uproot the traitors' plans on your own, and you can't afford to waste the time in investigating them and mitigating their influence right now."
Holding Invidious's gaze, Krayt boisterously laughed, surprising all before he earnestly answered, "I accept your terms, for I believe you will not disappoint me in your confession."
'Oh, that may be disputed with plenty of violence soon enough.' Ochi quietly lamented, praying to the Maker that this decision would not condemn all creation to a final death or enslavement at evil's hands.
Well, I think this is an excellent place to end the chapter! And it's a good thing I ended it now, because I have plenty of brutal and dark things planned for my next installment in this glorious work. I hope to shock you all with what I will write next and inspire you all to leave plenty of helpful feedback. So, how are you all doing on this warm night of Saturday, May 18, 2024? I'm all right, if sad because I move in five days, and I finished my part-time job and volunteering yesterday and today. Man, the time has flown by so fast, I can't believe things have moved so quickly for me. I just pray that I can endure and thrive in the new city and home my family and I are going to live in down south. I also need to let you know that I won't be writing much the next week or several, on account of finalizing preparations for the move and then adjusting to the new environment. Well, I suppose I'd best get this chapter published before the night ends. May the Lord be with us all in these Dark Times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
