Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Star Wars.

All I can say is I am sorry this is late, I had intended to get this out sooner but a combination of illness, problems at work, house hold issues and other problems have just made it so hard to keep up. I hope you can all forgive it being late.

Since unfortunately I don't think I will be able to update again between now and the end of the year I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

This chapter sets up some points for the future and features some beloved characters from the canon Star Wars.

Review Responses from the last chapter…

Cam . Katarn = Haron was born in 45 BBY and his friends were reborn around the same time or a little after. So at this point Haron would be about thirty eight now but given magic and force he is physically about five years younger.

Guest, JaKeS91, frankieu, Bia1230, RoyalTwinFangs, tf330129, Jebest4781, That2-one3-girl4, ytrf = Thank you!

Joe02 = Thanks for the compliment! It is a big help for people like yourself to give me the support you do. Paul gets a wakeup call this chapter. No Chani won't be coming back but someone is going to give him a reality check. There will always be so issues between the rebels and the Mandalorians due to their different priorities but they do fight a common foe. Indeed, I am toying with an idea about their children but I unsure if it would work. Marcus and Leia definitely had some sparks there. Paul will get it I promise. No culture can be completely focused all the time, they need outlets or it will just stagnate and resent itself.

MalSer = Indeed, but hopefully that last chapter gave her enough of a wake-up call to avoid heading down that path.

megacarroll = Indeed, thinking about it while she can give speeches Mon Mothma isn't much use at anything else. She is reluctant like most politicians to commit to anything and will perhaps do a token effort if anything like when she sent a single squadron of X-Wings to help on Lothal, like that was going to do anything. Most of the Rebellion's successes can be put down to the effective leadership from their heroes or military leaders like Dodonna for example. In Rogue One for example when the Rebel Leaders are meeting to discuss the Death Star, she doesn't take control of the discussion to keep it on track or motivate them, she hesitates to act when a decision must be made and its only because of Jyn and the rest of her group things happened. She as their leader should not only motivate them to try but keep them united and she does neither. Worse though is you can see it in both her Rebels and Rogue One appearances that she doesn't believe they can win which other members of the Alliance can pick up on and it lowers their moral. Padme on the other hand demonstrated that she isn't afraid to commit to something or show that she believes they can win, if she had lived, I honestly think she would have made a better rebel leader than Mon ever was.

You are right, Leia is definitely her father's daughter.

Okami Princess = It was a good idea. Gambling might become a problem as you pointed out.

HowlnMadHowie = Obi-Wan is now the third person to have defeated a Vader, only Anakin and Haron had done it before him. Leia is a tricky character to get right especially as in this story she has a completely different life to what she had in canon. The Death Star reveal is getting closer I can say that.

mad thought = It is a difficult thing to keep track of but I wanted to do a properly big story especially when if you think about it there must be countless stories in Star Wars we never hear of. The setting for this is a galaxy and I think most people don't grasp just how big a galaxy really is, how many worlds there are and all that must be going on. Planning it out in advance and making careful adjustments as you go has hopefully done well so far.

red demon161 = Indeed, Palpatine has a game plan (a rather big one) that we all know and keeping them distracted with things like the Sun Guard is part of it. Obi-Wan is going to have a hard time being a father this late in life but it is what it is. Paul will get a wakeup call this chapter I promise. Leia needed something to straighten her out and nearly getting herself and her brother into hot water is hopefully something that will do it. I intend to put more of the Ordo children into the story now they are getting older including one in particular chapter. Halo ships as someone pointed out to me have some strong Mandalorian characteristics.

Blaze1992 = Thanks! Indeed, they need to wake up to the reality of the galaxy and hopefully this will curb their Skywalker tendencies for now. Paul will get a reality check this chapter. Thanks I hope you enjoyed it.

Antex-The Legendary Zoroark = Happy to hear you liked it. Indeed, they were lucky. Paul will have to make up for a lot, he might have lost his one true love but that is no excuse.

EP = Appréciez-le

Azai Jin = Thanks! It will improve there.

More Review Responses at the end…

7 BBY - 993 ARR

Chapter 35 – Building Ties

Esh'kha, Outer Rim Territories...993 ARR…

The planet given to the Esh'kha after they had been freed from their imprisonment on Belsavis at the hands of the Rakata was a fairly peaceful world as many were scared of their impressive reputation as warriors and they had managed to fight off every aggressor that they had fought since, giving their numbers a chance to grow.

The Empire was growing concerned that the Esh'kha might join their enemies and so had violated their space despite the Esh'kha being isolationist until now, so the Empire had thought they would be fairly easy to conquer due to fighting alone.

But instead of an easy victory like they had hoped for, the Esh'kha had proven their reputation as warriors was just as strong now as it had during the Galactic War thousands of years ago. Even with their somewhat old equipment they had proven a devastating opponent and even the Ogami and the Sun Guard units deployed here were struggling to overcome the determined local resistance.

Liber8 had learned of the situation and had decided to join the battle, some of their combat units were assisting the locals in fighting the Empire and supplying them with more modern weapons and equipment. Anakin had come to lead the campaign on their behalf and now was kneeling the dirt above a ravine with some Esh'kha and Liber8 soldiers, below them an Imperial Patrol was moving along it looking for hidden Esh'kha hideouts. Anakin waited patiently until the time was right to make their move.

"When they are middle of the ravine, blow the explosives." Anakin told Travis, one of Liber8's commandos, a tall and powerfully built human male with dark skin who nodded with some eagerness, really wanting to see this.

Below them they watched as the patrol with a single AT-ST and a TX-130 Sabre Tank surrounded by a thirty or so Stormtroopers marched in standard formation down the ravine, not knowing the great danger that they were now in. Travis with the detonator in hand waited till just the right moment before pressing the button.

The explosives went off just as they should do, along the cliffs overlooking the narrow passage, weakening the rock and bringing it down on the Imperials below who cried out in shock before being crushed or worse buried alive as the rocks crashed into them.

Anakin nodded with satisfaction as they took out another patrol, each one making it harder for the Empire to keep their presence on this world.

While Travis checked to make sure they hadn't missed any of the enemy Anakin turned to the leader of the Esh'kha he had been working with since the start of this campaign which was still ongoing.

"There you are Vigilant Watcher. I hope our help aids your people in their fight." Anakin said as he turned to the tall warrior who nodded and told him in their own language, thankfully though he had brought C-3PO to translate.

"Oh, he is most pleased Master Anakin, he remembers that a Jedi once saved their people from eternal enslavement at the hands of the Rakata, and is glad to see the Order has remained that force for the betterment of others that it was back then." C-3PO said which made Anakin smile, knowing they were referring to the Bar'senthor of the Cold War and Galactic War. One of the Order's most capable masters and greatest heroes, it was an honour to be held in the same regard.

Anakin gave a grateful nod to Vigilant Watcher who returned it before they returned to camp, on the way though…Anakin felt a disturbance in the force from close by. Someone in danger was close by, frowning he said to the others.

"I'll just have a look around for any more Imperials before heading back, see you at the base." Anakin told them others who accepted it even if they found it a bit strange that he wanted to do it alone. C-3PO followed Travis back to base annoying the commando with his incessant chatter while Anakin went to look for the source of what he had sensed.

It was harder to find than he had imagined to find the person in trouble, the terrain was fairly rough which was partly why it made such a good place to hide in, but eventually he managed to find them.

A number of Sun Guard surrounded a single one who was firing a heavy blaster at the ones pursuing him, beside the lone Sun Guard warrior was a young boy with similar features who was hiding nearby.

The situation looked confusing to Anakin as why would they be attacking their own kind? It might be a set up to get someone inside the rebellion Anakin considered and if they had had the right training, they could hide their intentions from force users even him Anakin thought with concern but at the same time if it was genuine then it might be a real important opportunity.

Making his decision he ignited his lightsaber and leapt into action, the Sun Guard were quick to react if seemingly surprised by his appearance. They turned to engage him but Anakin moved like an unstoppable lightning bolt, cutting through the Sun Guard like wheat before turning his attention the remaining one they had been pursuing who turned his weapon on him but did not fire.

"Jedi, I have no quarrel with you. I just want to take my son and leave this place." The Sun Guard rogue said, now much closer Anakin saw he was a human male in his mid to late thirties with a shaved head and a small beard. He had a stern but powerful face and his eyes were blazing with a strong will.

Anakin was taken aback a bit but deactivated his lightsaber as a show of good faith and the Sun Guard man in turn lowered his weapon but both kept them in hand.

"I'm Anakin, and you are?" Anakin asked hoping to learn just what was going on. The Sun Guard man with distrust at the apparent friendship nevertheless answered.

"Devan, this my son Jal." He introduced and the small boy maybe only Luke or Leia's age came over and hugged his father's side. It was a touching scene and Anakin smiled at the boy who clung to his father in fear of the unknown.

"Why were they chasing you?" Anakin asked and Devan frowned before admitting the truth.

"My wife had begun to challenge the blind obedience to Palpatine, she made the mistake of being open about it…so they killed her." Devan said with obvious pain in his voice at the death of his wife, his grief coming off him in waves. Anakin immediately felt sympathy for him as he knew something of that pain given his terror at nearly losing Padme at the beginning of all this. "I will not allow our son to be killed merely as a lesson to the others."

"Then I might be able to help you." Anakin said seeing an opportunity here. "I can help you get transport to wherever you need to go…if you help us with some information on your former associates and the Imperial forces here." Anakin offered and Devan looked down at his son as he considered it, having to leave in a hurry he was stuck on this world until he could secure transportation for himself and his son. The Jedi…Anakin might be helpful with that he thought with caution as they could easily be compromised but he needed to get away from here he knew with worry as the longer this went on the harder it would be to escape.

"Help me off this world…and you have a deal." Devan said with a reluctant nod and Anakin nodded, glad to have secured what might be a vital coup of information but also, he was hoping Devan's help in some other things as well.

In the wider galaxy the war carried on, Imperials and other forces clashing over different worlds and in the void of space. The Kaldarans continued to prowl the space lanes and attack any target that they could find, this only made all those who had been attacked or might be a target for an attack invest massively in fortifying their worlds against further raids. Even the distant Pasdisahah Imperium was not immune as Kaldaran ships tried to probe its borders, fortunately suffering from the same technological and navigation issues that had been plaguing the area and retreated or were lost when the Imperium military responded to their incursion.

Since the Imperium did not react well to the Kaldarans violating their space and desperately needed reassurance from their leaders and Empress Irulan was fast to release a statement to that effect it was noted though that the Emperor of the Imperium himself had remained silent. Something that dampened what Irulan was trying to do and finally inside the royal fortress and seat of power, frustration and anger at him mounted, finally boiling over but not from the public.

Kaitain, Pasdisahah Imperium…

The Emperor's chambers were the largest and most elaborate in the palace, until a couple of years ago they had also been also been the chambers of Chani and Irulan but now only Paul lived in them. The lights were off and his bed unmade, the servants that should have done it were scared off by him.

He was half dressed and unwashed, his face covered in rough and greasy looking hair that was overgrown from not being cut. He took another swig from his bottle of booze which he then discovered was empty, he threw it towards a pile over on the other side of the room, hearing it smash as he did so before looking around blindly for another one only to see there were no more. He growled in anger before struggling to his feet, he had not gotten up much and so his legs were stiff and he swayed a little as he stood upright.

His eyes were raw and unfocused as he went to call for more alcohol but then he was nearly blinded by the doors bursting open and in strode his mother and a group of attendants. Paul was confused as to what they wanted and was about to tell them to leave when his mother of all people grabbed him with the force, lifting him clear off his feet.

Paul was shocked by this and tried to free himself but he had neglected to use the force in all the time since Chani died and his ability to concentrate was weakened by the alcohol in his system. Even if he hadn't been in this sorry state however that would mean nothing as while he was probably more powerful than his mother in terms of raw strength although it was debatable, she was a master of the force. She had spent much longer perfecting her control of it and had never once stopped practicing, she didn't even need to use her hands to grab and hold him…doing it all with pure concentration.

She pushed him towards the bath nearby which began to fill with hot soapy water, seemingly on its own. The clothes he was wearing were pulled off his body and he was forced into the water. He glared at his mother for doing all this but she was unmoved and held him in the bath as the attendants did their work, scrubbing him to an inch of his life and cutting the excess hair from his face and head.

This went on for some time until he was cleaner than he had been in months, only then did his mother lift him out of the tub and allow the attendants to dry him with warm towels that felt scratchy against his skin before finally dressing him in fresh and clean clothes.

Only then did Jessica release him, he glared at her with his head still pounding but she was unmoved by his attempts at intimidation and a cup of caff was put in front of him. He was about to push it away but his mother's intense eyes made his will buckle and reluctantly he drank it, more cups kept appearing till he was finally fully sober and his head was still aching. So, he asked his mother with annoyance.

"Well, happy now?!" He said sharply at her but he felt her presence in the force flare up and he was ready to just make her leave but Lady Jessica was not taking his attitude so lightly this time.

"Not even close, you have been hiding for long enough!" Jessica said fiercely and his mother's blazing eyes combined with her power in the force scared Paul a bit as she continued on. "You have duties to perform! An Imperium to run and instead of that, you have been moping around in a constant state of drunkenness." She told him sternly, not able to take his current attitude any longer, not when it was causing so many problems.

"Chani is dead!" He yelled out as his anger at being called out rose up but Jessica said calmly back without any hint of pity.

"You have a wife that you have completely ignored, billions if not trillions of people that live their lives on the decisions you make and four children that you have never seen!" Jessica told him, shaming him with his lack of attention. "Irulan has been forced to be both mother and father to those four and she only gave birth to two of them! She is the one running the Imperium and the upgrade program while raising them with whatever help I can provide."

"Do you think I didn't grieve when your father died?" Jessica told him sharply, now in full flow and not letting him speak till she had finished. "Of course, I did! He was the love of my life and he was gone and I was left with a house at war and to make sure you were safe. I had to pull myself together and make sure things turned out the way we needed them too. Now its past time for you to do the same!" She told him with angry eyes.

Paul was humbled by her words as he remembered just how strong his mother had been when his father had died, he had been a mess but she had been so strong! He marvelled to himself. Hardly seeming to give it a thought in the face of all the troubles they were facing at the time. She had been hurting deeply and yet still kept it together for their sake, helping them find the ally they needed to win the war and claim the Imperium. She had been such a pillar of strength despite her pain and made him feel not only incredibly shameful at being so selfish but also foolish for forgetting the pressure he had put on his wife.

Irulan…she and him had been getting along, working on their marriage and even found a way for him to still be with Chani. But when Chani had died, he had abandoned her to face all the struggles and pressure of running the Imperium alone while raising his children all alone. He had retreated into an alcoholic stupor and ignored everything that mattered.

He was deeply ashamed of his own neglect of his family, especially his children. Oh, by the force he hadn't even bothered to see them, he thought with his own regret growing. He would not know his first son from his second or his daughters from each other he realised with distress, he had never seen any of their key moments. He had never even held them he thought with disgust aimed solely at himself. They were nearly two years old now and he had not spent even a single day with them!

His mother was right he thought with resolve born of those feelings, he had much to put right he decided and knew the first step was to go and see his children! Paul thought walking straight past his mother looked after him with worry but inside a great sense of relief that she had managed to shake Paul out of his apathy. To get him to start living his life again and to take his responsibilities seriously at last.

Still, he had a lot of arse-kissing to do Jessica thought with a raised eyebrow, wondering if he had ever the remotest idea of how much work was ahead of him.

- x -

Paul was scared as he approached the main office, technically it was his as head of state…not that he had been much of one lately he thought with derision aimed solely at himself. It had been Irulan's for some time as she ran the Imperium in his place, ran it well from what he knew. She was a special woman he thought with a deeply unsettling sensation running through him as he had treated her so poorly. His heart was still broken after losing Chani but that didn't mean he was not able to love her too…if she would have him, he thought with worry that she might decide differently.

The guards of course allowed him entry and what he saw was deeply shocking to him, but the same time such a touching scene.

Irulan sat the main desk with datapads piled around her and the massive computer display working away but she had one of the children on her lap while she did, the little boy looking at the displays in front of him with fascination while the other three were playing together at the foot of the desk while a nurse and some guards looked on to make sure they all stayed safe.

Was that her son? Or Chani's? He pondered briefly before shaking his head. What did that matter? She was being mother to all four of them now, he thought seeing she had kept her promise to Chani on her deathbed which humbled him. She had such kindness and love that she could take two children that weren't hers and raise them as if they were. She was so strong he thought and now he was starting to open himself up to the force again he could feel the strength of the bond they all shared. That it had happened when he had not been there to see it, it hurt deeply. How could he have turned his back on them when they needed him most? He should have been a part of that bond but he why hadn't he been? He asked himself and didn't like the answers he came too.

Irulan looked up from her desk when she sensed his presence, he was surprised as she had not been that skilled with the force but seemed to have developed what she did know in the time since they had last spoken. She frowned when she saw him and he felt her hostility towards him. He grimaced knowing he was going to have to do a lot of grovelling before she was willing to have anything to do with him again.

"So, you crawled out of your hole? Took you long enough." Irulan said with bitterness as she got up from her desk and put the boy that she was holding in her lap down so he could join his siblings.

"They've grown." Paul said nervously as he looked at the children, all of whom looked at him with confusion, not knowing who he was but subconsciously feeling the force in him as he sensed it in them. The fact that his own children didn't know who he was tore at him but he was powerless to say anything about it as Irulan fixed him with a glare that burned, her emotions making things in the room shake slightly before she forced herself to calm down so as to not scare the children.

"Children tend to do that, but how would you know…when you have never seen them?" Irulan said dragging out the last parts with her anger on her face as plain as day. "They needed a father and the Imperium a leader. They needed you and you weren't here." She scolded him and he nodded in agreement.

"I know…I know." Paul said quickly hoping to start rebuilding the bridges he had burned. "I let all of you down, you and the children especially. I have a lot to make up for."

"You are damn right you do!" Irulan said with anger that he seemed to think words would be enough. "To them at least. You may it very clear you don't love me; I have accepted that. But I will not accept you treating the children so badly. You have to prove that you can be a good father before you get to be one." She told him with a cold and hard edge to her voice.

The idea that Irulan had given up on any kind of relationship between them was a harsh blow, he thought with dismay. He knew he should have expected it as after all he would not have mourned for her like he had for Chani and even before that preferred to spend time with her than Irulan. Something that had not gone unnoticed he realised sadly before reaching up to take her hand but she pulled back with her nostrils flaring.

"I don't think so." Irulan said coldly to him with her eyes blazing. Paul was taken aback but nodded in agreement, knowing he would have to prove that he wanted to be more to her than a distant husband who was with her for political reasons who just happened to have children with her. He had not considered the scale to which her bitterness had reached and hoped there was still time to create something more between them, especially when she had been so strong and loving to the children even if two of them were not hers.

Turning to the children he saw them looking at him with confusion and one of them looked on the verge of tears as she stared at him. That deeply pained Paul who could feel the fear coming off of his children and Irulan told him as she went over and hugged the little girl to give her comfort.

"Zera does not like strangers. None of them do." She said and her statement carried a double meaning, he would have to overcome that barrier first before anything else could be achieved.

The moment was broken however by the door parting as Warmaster Gurney Halleck entered the room with a pair of pads in his hands. He saw the situation in the room and was about to make a retreat when Irulan took advantage of his unexpected interruption to change the subject and talk about something else.

"Warmaster, did you get the new designs for the navy?" Irulan asked him and Gurney as a testament to how much things had changed around here since Paul had retreated into himself, the Warmaster did not hesitate to answer her without given Paul anything more than a nod.

"Yes Empress, we have the interceptor specifications and those for the new heavy cruiser. The Heavy Cruiser is about 640 metres long and carried a good number of fighters for support while carrying a laser point defence system like our Mandalorian allies, four medium turbolasers and six missile launchers. Energy shields of course and two large sublight engines with a crew of 1200." Gurney as a hologram of the ship in question appeared. It was a much more compact and utilitarian design that the ships they had used before but it was functional and looked far more advanced and efficient than the warships they had created in the past.

But the interceptor design was what they were most proud of. The heavier starfighter with a single hull arrow angular shaped design with engines that allowed it vertical and regular take off without compromising speed in normal flight. It had adjustable flaps on the wings and tail fins to aid movement in an atmosphere and aid cooling of the engines, giving it not only high speed but also great agility. It required only a single pilot and for now had no hyperspace capability although the designers were working on that. A light energy shield too had now been added to the design to increase longevity in a fight.

The most impressive thing about it though was the weapon system, while it carried eight missiles or torpedoes per ship the primary armament was a modular articulating system. A set of three cannons on each wing; one a light rapid firing laser, the second a slower and heavier laser cannon for use against heavier targets and finally an ion cannon for use in disabling targets.

Quite a formidable arrangement Paul remarked, he had ordered the project but completely ignored it after Chani's death. He might have had some input into it but it had passed him by. The X-Wing was a strong craft and they would still find uses for it but it was a matter of pride to have something unique of their own.

Paul would enjoy seeing it in action and was so caught up in looking at the design that he nearly missed just what Irulan said to Gurney.

"Excellent work, pass my compliments to the design teams. I want to work on the prototypes to begin immediately." Irulan told the Warmaster with a smile before turning to Paul, her gaze growing cold again. "I will allow the children to get to know you, they should know their father I suppose. I will also be taking some more lessons from Lady Jessica in the force, I have neglected my own training for too long." Irulan stated bluntly.

The idea of getting to know the children delighted him but the idea that Irulan was finally continuing her force training did shock him given how long she had waited to so but she had grown much more powerful than the last time he had seen her Paul felt, not only that though but her heightened bond with the children which given she had been raising them shouldn't surprise him but did.

She had such compassion and loyalty inside he thought with sadness that he had not recognised it earlier.

Paul was about to speak again when Irulan picked up two of the children while the nurse picked up the other two and carried them off for their lunch and mid-day nap. Watching them go he was struck again with how much he had to make up for and only increased his determination to do so.

Yarm Dal, Imperial Colony…Mid Rim…

One planet that had benefitted from Imperial presence was Yarm Dal, an insignificant world that had no important features or attractions of its own. The Empire had built a community here though, one that was efficient and ran smoothly, colonists from Core Worlds which supported the Empire had made this planet their home and it was also the site of one of their most important monitoring stations and a vital supply base for the Imperial Fleet.

Still, rebellion was like everywhere hidden among them.

There was no formal cell here, spies for different factions but many of the disaffected youth wondered about what life would be like without the Empire?

Sitting in her classroom, bored to tears by the incessant droning on by the teacher was a human girl that was one of the loudest voices in the rebellious youth. She had heard these words that the Empire was the greatest civilisation the galaxy had ever seen so many times that it honestly had turned into a jumbled blur with how dull she found it. She knew despite her young age of six years of age that much of the galaxy thought differently and was fighting against it. She wasn't supposed too but her father…Admiral Vist she thought with mocking humour often spoke of such things to his wife at night when they thought she was asleep. That the galaxy dared to fight back and rebel against their rightful Imperial rulers she thought with revulsion at the clear bias.

They were her parents only in the biological sense of the word, she thought with anger towards them. Her father was a follower of Grand Moff Tarkin had risen high on his blessings but like his wife she was merely an object to them. A means of improving their status and image, given Admiral Vist was a high-ranking Imperial with a taste of the finer things in life and her mother came from a very rich family that had wanted for nothing her entire life and only had to enjoy the luxury her station awarded her a child was the only thing they needed to promote themselves as this power couple in the Empire.

Nila Vist, as she was named had never been given any affection in her entire life from her parents. She was a bright and intelligent girl far beyond her years that had been raised by often distant nannies and tutors who occasionally had shown her what actual caring was but her parents only cared if she was a threat to their reputation. That was the reason that she called her father Admiral Vist as he was an officer first and a father never.

Nila liked to rebel, she thought with a smirk on her face. It was the only way to get a reaction out of her parents which amused her. Seeing them deal with someone who would just not be a mindless little doll for them was honestly one of the funniest things she had in life. She never hurt people with the things she did, Nila would never do that she thought with disgust at the mere idea but she was not going to be another mindless follower of the Empire.

As the school day came to an end she left school, walking home as neither of her parents could be bothered to pick her up and her nanny was sick with an illness so she was forced to take the train home.

The train was busy and she was thankfully ignored by the people around her as she got on, riding the train route which thankfully she knew well. Sighing to herself and wondering just when she might get a chance to change her life.

- x -

Vist Residence…

Some distance away Admiral Vist and his wife were enjoying some wine before they were forced to deal with their meddlesome daughter, the girl was the most stubborn child they had ever imagined and they couldn't wait to ship her off to military school the moment she was old enough to be rid of her.

As they sipped on the expensive wine again the system gave an urgent alert, Admiral Vist ran over and saw to his dismay that a Mandalorian raid was happening. The sentry ships were fighting them in orbit but they were quickly being overwhelmed, the taskforce was sizable and communications outside the system were being jammed.

Admiral Vist had made a career out of knowing when to get out when things were getting tough and this was one of those times. He was no idiot and if he stayed chances of death or capture would be a certainty, there was still a window of escape and he intended to take it. There was no time to grab any of their belongings which annoyed him that they would need to leave some of their nicest things behind but they could be replaced.

"We must leave immediately; the shuttle can only flee the system if we go within the next few moments." Vist told his wife who looked towards her large and extensive wardrobe and jewellery collection before sighing in a pained way to leave it all behind.

"What about the child?" Karmelia Vist said referring to their daughter who had still not returned home. The Admiral didn't even hesitate before taking her hand and pulling her towards the landing platform where their private shuttle was waiting.

Who cares about the child? He thought with a complete lack of care for her wellbeing which was echoed in his wife. They were both selfish people, total narcissists and if they had the choice to risk their lives to try and save someone else even their own daughter or make sure they were safe then the decision to them was obvious…abandon the child and save themselves.

- x -

The Mandalorians did not take long to blast their way through the Imperial defences, ignoring the civilian quarter by large although some stray ordinance did hit there from both sides.

Instead, the Mandalorians directed their focus on the ship docks, monitoring station and other key Imperial facilities razing them to the ground along with killing any Imperials they could find.

Vysa was leading the assault, looking at the destruction with a great deal of satisfaction. This planet had the potential to be a thorn in their side and this would put them back significantly.

But then she felt something in the force nearby, she looked over to find the source and saw that a passenger train had been derailed and crashed hard into a jumbled mess on the ground. There was someone still alive in there she realised and as her warriors protected her, she called on the force to move the debris away.

She thanked Luna for her training as the chunks were large and heavy, without all she had learned she would never have been able to do it but thankfully she managed to pull the parts she needed away.

The inside of the carriage was a torn and jumbled mess of torn metal and body parts but an interior section seemed to have curled in slightly and inside as Vysa moved closer she noticed someone was inside it. Using the force, she pulled the twisted cocoon open and saw to her horror a badly injured little girl inside. Vysa knelt down and checked the girl over, feeling her life was hanging by a thread so she concentrated her own limited repertoire of healing spells to keep the girl stable while calling out to the other warriors.

"Get a medical capsule! NOW!" She called out and they jumped to obey her order while she looked after the badly injured youngling. She had what looked like a very torn school uniform but that didn't matter much Vysa thought with some desperation to save the girl. She was an innocent and needed to be protected till she could be returned to her family…if they still lived Vysa thought sadly as she looked around the violent mess around her.

When the medical capsule arrived, they were pulling out to avoid a retaliation strike from the now alerted local Imperial Fleet. Seeing the girl needed the capsule and without urgent medical treatment she would die Vysa made a difficult decision.

"Bring her with us, we will make sure she is reunited with her family once she is recovered and we can determine her identity." Vysa ordered, the warriors while wondering if this was good idea nevertheless followed her orders and moved the pod to their ship before taking off, leaving the planet far behind and heading back to the safety of Mandalorian territory.

Reijar, Ordo System…

In the med bay of the Ordo Compound Luna was giving birth to her second child, her husband was present this time but was waiting outside with their first son Lorcan until Luna had managed to give birth.

After a painful day spent in labour, she finally managed to bring her second son into the world.

"Lysander." Luna said with a smile as she gently kissed her son on the forehead and held him close. Her second son was as perfect to her mind as her first, they had really similar features she noticed straight away and contented herself with holding him for a ceremony was taking place tomorrow that would reduce the amount of time she had to devote to her students and give her more time to be a mother Luna thought although she would still have a great deal to do.

- x -

Next Day…

"Times are changing for us all." Luna said as she sat in the hall surrounded by her Akaan and the still training Hibir. "For years now we have been training and fighting and I have been the sole Kar'taylir. Until today." Luna said with a smile as she would finally promote her first four students to master rank.

"This position is as much an acknowledgement of your skill as it is the acceptance of new responsibilities, something that as we grow in number is only expanding." She said looking at all the Hibir or students they had including the Longbottom, Ordo and Marek children who sat with them smiling brightly.

"So, from today." Luna said with a smile as she used a paint brush to put the special marks of their new rank onto their armour. "Roon, Caz, Reli and Makla…I name you all to the rank of Kar'taylir. To not only lead our order into battle but to train the next generation to take up the mantle and to be the best that they can be…that is our duty and our pleasure. Stand and be recognised." She called out and the hibir and the gathered dukes, duchesses, parents and others all clapped as the four of them rose to their feet and faced the crowd with their new markings plain to see.

Luna proudly looked at her students, they had proven their worthiness to carry this rank and with so many students now, over thirty they would need more teachers. The Mareks had been a great help to her but now with four new instructors it would be far easier to manage.

- x -

A little later another ceremony was being held before the Mandalorian Council, this one a little more sombre as an old friend was leaving them.

"It is with a heavy heart that I stand down from my position as leader of House Yusagi." Ijaa said with the usual calm serenity he was known for. "My eldest son, Liiy will hence forth be assuming my title and position, as is his birthright. I must therefore also name my successor as Lord Justice…after careful debate I have decided that Din Djarin will assume my place on the council. His dedication to our way of life and loyalty to our people is beyond reproach." Ijaa said, getting up from his chair and gesturing for the nervous looking Din to take his place. Din was a grown man now with a list of battle awards and a reputation as a steadfast leader but this was his own promotion to high office.

Haron watched with pride as the boy he had raised as his own earnt this position on his own merits.

Din slowly took his seat with an encouraging nod from Haron, the smile he gave him was proof of how proud he was and how proud he was sure that his parents would have been proud too.

"My intention is to spend my remaining years as a teacher and to contemplate and write. I have had a life that is long and full, now is the time to reflect on it." Ijaa said and the council would hope that if needed he might return and share his wisdom as he had been a vital part of it for so long.

"You will be missed, thank you for your long service." Haron said as he shook the older duke's hand, he had been a much-respected figure and would be missed as they went forward.

Ijaa nodded in return before taking his leave and allowing them to get on with their meeting. Apart from reports of clashes with Imperials and the Sun Guard there was little beyond normal to speak of but an official request had been relayed from the Incom designers who joined us earlier in the war.

"Apparently, their counterparts in the Rebel Alliance had expressed an idea to upgrade the very useful T-65 X-Wing with a newer and more capable model or to create specialised variants. They wish to use the facilities that we have to develop this new version and as such we would have access to the design along with any other improvements made." Duke N'Val said with a look of veiled excitement at the idea of making improvements to the already highly successful fighter.

"I am not comfortable with sharing our secrets with outsiders. Even if we are currently allied." Duke Ge'Hark said with concern and Duchess Kane smirked before replying to his statement.

"But we wouldn't be, would we? No instead we get to take theirs and emerge from it with hopefully a better design than we had before." She said, pointing out that they were using the Rebels as much as they themselves were being used. They would both be coming out with a better starfighter and gained nothing from turning this down.

"Both good points. We will allow this as a better fighter would be useful to both parties, an improved X-Wing would be a major asset to our forces and to those against the Empire. The T-65 currently in service is a highly efficient model that is now in service to many Rift Alliance worlds, so improving it would serve us all well." Haron said sagely and the council nodded, even Ge'hark as he knew the importance of making sure they had better equipment than their enemy.

"Now, we have to plan a number of territorial expansions. So far, we have added two hundred or so worlds to our control since the beginning of the war, but I have plans for a further expansion that will raise that number." Haron said as he called up their next series of liberations/conquests.

Liber8 Training Base, Classified Location…

Liber8 trained its commando teams hard, but lacked a facility to put a proper and more regimented training program together until now as at last they had built one.

The recruits were moving through the intensive exercises of the hard program that clones who worked for them had designed but also Liber8 had received some input from an expert in many of these fields.

"It will take some time to get them up to scratch. The Alliance members are asking to send some of their own people here too." Devan said with an almost cruel smirk as he pushed the recruits through hell. The training was very harsh and many probably would fail but those that succeeded would become some of the best soldiers that the galaxy had ever seen. Certainly, more than a match for virtually the entire Imperial Military Devan thought with pride.

"The Sun Guard, have you thought about what you will do about them?" Anakin asked hating to bring up the matter but they were a real threat to all those who fought the Empire.

"I don't know, as long as they exist myself and my son will never be safe." Devan said with anger as he was faced with a life of constantly being on the run. Anakin however knew that the Mandalorians were fighting the Sun Guard and had an idea that was vicious but might do everyone a favour.

"If you could create a list of all the Sun Guard facilities you can think of and I passed that on to the Mandalorians…that might ease the situation." Anakin suggested knowing they had to remove this threat whatever it took.

Devan looked at him with suspicion for a moment but he then nodded in agreement, knowing it was the only way to get the Sun Guard off his back. He began to compose the list in his mind before Anakin told him.

"Luke and Leia like their new playmate. They haven't really had the chance to play with other younglings." Anakin told him, glad that the two of them and Mace got along with Jal. Devan nodded in agreement, glad too that his son had finally made some friends.

"In the Sun Guard we…they don't allow the younglings to play together like that. They only are allowed to interact when they are grown up and fully indoctrinated…something my wife objected too." Devan said with his grief coming through. Anakin put a hand on his shoulder and told him.

"Let's get a drink and talk some more. I would like for us to get to know each other a little better, maybe even become friends." Anakin suggested and Devan smiled broadly.

"Friends? What a thought!" Devan replied before going with Anakin to do some male bonding.

Pirate Outpost, Florrum…

"It is good to be home!" Hondo said as he sat on his throne again, leaning back casually and basking in the glory of rebuilding his small pirate empire!

The Clone Wars had been the greatest time in his life until now he thought with satisfaction. He had profited enormously from the conflict until the Empire had risen and clamped down on pirates. He had lost everything he thought with a dread of that awful time and the loss of the Jedi had hit him too. He had missed the excitement they had brought to his life and it had seemed things were so bleak they might never get better.

But then Hondo thought with honest joy, the Jedi had returned! They had begun the fight against the Empire and all the chaos had allowed him to rebuild his small pirate empire, he was rich again! Hondo thought with delight and drank his alcohol as he hosted someone who he hoped would be willing to help him in keeping it that way.

"So" He said turning to his guest who was sitting with his own people. "What do you think? Do I qualify?"

"You know how to throw a party." Stakar said as he had his feet up on the table. "Membership of the Underworld Alliance though, that means more. You help fund it, you help equip it, we share information and when we want to steal some shit…we work as a team. You feel me?" Stakar said as he tested Hondo to see if he was the right sort of disreputable for their alliance.

"I get it!" Hondo said with a broad smirk, wondering just where the line was with these people to see how he could use them in the same way they were using him. It might be fun he thought to get involved in such a large criminal enterprise and allow him to operate across the galaxy…wherever and whenever he wanted.

That might make me him even richer! He thought with excitement and so he told Stakar.

"Yes, I'm in…it should be fun!" Hondo said laughing with genuine enjoyment and dreams of the wealth that awaited him now.

Raxus Prime, Separatist Space…

The Separatist Parliament was in session, discussing matters of state before finally San Hill brought up a matter that had been worrying them all for some time.

"It has grown to concern some members of our alliance that while Liber8, the Corellians, the Mon Calamari and even the Mandalorians have a force group to protect them and aid them with their abilities, we the Separatist Alliance do not. That makes us less than our enemies and our allies and so I feel it must be addressed. To that end, I have found someone who will rectify the situation." San Hill told them before gesturing to the guards at the door who opened it on cue and let a new figure into the room.

He was a tall human male, a groomed beard that had dark hair that was now turning grey. He was nevertheless muscular and intimidating by his stature alone. But the dark robes he wore and the lightsaber at his waist not to mention the intense look in his eyes sent a shudder through some of those in the room.

"Baylan Skoll." San Hill said calmly although he too was somewhat unnerved by the man. His eyes were burning with a strong will unlike any Jedi he had ever seen. "I am glad to see you have considered our offer."

"Considered it…but no more. The Jedi lost their way by following governments, I saw them getting more corrupt and apathetic to the people of the galaxy. If you want me to train force sensitives into your personal soldiers then I will be leaving this place immediately. I have seen the cycle of the Jedi repeat again and again, it is inevitable." Baylan said and while this only made the members of the Parliament more nervous San held his nerve.

"I know your feelings, what I ask is not for that. I want you to educate the force sensitives within our space to use their powers, no more. Having an order to do as you do and help the people of our territory would be of immense help to us. Besides, I have heard you are searching for something…we can offer you resources that may aid in your search." San Hill told him, giving Baylan what he wanted the most.

Baylan stopped, not sure of what was calling to him from such a distance but he knew he would have to find it. The idea of creating a Jedi Order of his own did not appeal to him, the endless cycle of rising and falling would just go on and on forever. He wanted more than that, he could feel a path opening though, maybe this might be to his advantage he thought with consideration.

"Very well." He said, deciding to do as they requested but for his own reasons. He would teach those who came to him to find their own destinies and to see the galaxy and the struggles between the Jedi and the Sith for what they really were…an endless cycle of violence that would never ever stop. "I will teach what students can be found. I will require a facility to do so." He told San who nodded with satisfaction at getting what he wanted.

"It will be done; in the mean time we have been looking for force sensitives and discovered a number of them that will be brought here for your assessment. The first of which has already arrived." San said and pressed a button on the arm of his chair.

The door to the side opened and a pair of adults came in with a young girl between them, Baylan's eyes fell on her immediately as he felt the force inside her. She was a slight girl, not yet in her teens with white hair. He smiled as he approached her and knelt to be more on her level while still being slightly taller than she was.

"Greetings young one, I am Baylan Skoll. What is your name?" He asked her and the girl was somewhat shy as she hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Shin…Shin Hati." The girl told him and he nodded before telling her.

"Well then Shin Hati…from today forth you are my apprentice and I will teach you the ways of the force and guide you to find your own path."

Shin looked slightly scared of that especially with him being so big and imposing but she slowly nodded and answered him.

"Yes Master."

Trak'el Sigma, Outer Rim Territories...

The pushing of Mandalorian forces into Imperial held sectors now came in range of some of the other worlds conquered earlier by the Empire.

One of which was Trak'el Sigma, a primitive world that was being forced into Imperial service. A number of large factories had been constructed to supply weaponry to the ever-expanding Imperial Military. Most of the planet's uneducated population worked there as slave labour and were in turn fed and clothed by the Empire but this was not an incentive to encourage loyalty…it was a means of keeping them dependant as they had no other means of feeding themselves otherwise.

The people of Trak'el Sigma longed for the days they now hardly remembered, a simpler existence but one that had given them the freedom to make their own decisions. Rebellion was difficult as they were still a pacifistic culture at their core and more so their princess, the last surviving member of the royal family remained as a prisoner of the Imperial Governor. Princess Nyssa was still fondly remembered for her kindness to the people and much loved, they wouldn't risk an uprising if they couldn't be sure of her safety.

The Mandalorian Fleet had arrived in the early morning dawn during the time when the shifts changed, the Gondwana and a whole battlegroup of ships appeared in orbit. The drones of the Gondwana striking the station in orbit while the Aden and Fearless, Aden-class battleships and their support ships began to hammer the guard ships with their heavy turbolasers, the Spirit of Fire behind them meanwhile began to deploy dropships towards the surface.

Haron was leading his people, he could have entrusted this to others but he had to show his people that despite his position he could still lead or he would soon have challengers rising up against him.

Markus, Astoria and Corridan were all with him although as protected as possible since this would be their first real battle and he didn't want to take any chances, giving them a bodyguard each and the best quality armour possible.

The children at his side were nervous but he gave them an encouraging look before putting his helmet on, his children doing the same to each other just as they reached the surface.

The doors opened and Haron led the charge out of the ship with a powerful disarmament charm blasting the stormtroopers against them, ripping their blasters from their hands before they were gunned down while still shocked. At his side his children began firing our spells too, blasting curses to clear any obstacles that the enemy managed to put in their way.

A scout walker approached them and before it could fire Haron drew the Darksaber and activated it, the black blade appearing and with a single pair of effortless strikes he cut its knees and blasted the top half over with the force before Markus threw a grenade through the small slots in the front the drivers would see through, blowing it up although the legs stayed strangely upright.

Astoria and Corridan meanwhile not to be outdone by their father and older brother combined their powers and created a combined fire storm that washed over the Stormtroopers who were burned to death trying to hold them back.

All over the planet Mandalorian units landed, attacking the factories and Imperial outposts, Basilisk war droids of all classes being dropped by landers alongside the sky troopers and warriors all over the planet and started fighting with Imperial forces.

Haron's group pressed in on the old royal palace, now the Imperial Command Centre for operations on this planet and surrounding sector. The Imperials deployed their large AT-AT walkers at them but Haron alongside his children transconfigured the earth beneath their large feet into quick sand that they quickly sank into before it hardened back into earth, leaving the walkers stuck and helpless as the larger Rancor Basilisks and Canderous assault tanks blew them apart.

Haron charged the command centre, using the force to rip the doors open and allow his people inside, his own children igniting their own lightsabers as they charged in and began fighting against the Imperials in close quarters.

Corridan who had an innate skill with transconfiguration was changing the rifles of stormtroopers and other pieces of furniture into dangerous animals to cause panic among the enemy, smirking as he did so before he found a secured cell at the top of the highest tower. He frowned as he could sense someone inside, a girl only about his age and she was so lonely and sad that his heart broke.

Driving his saber into the door he cut it open and forced his way in to discover who this 'maiden' was, thinking himself almost like an old-fashioned hero for a moment rescuing the damsel only to stop still when he saw just who was waiting for him.

She was a young human female, her hair a deep dark brown and dressed in an elegant gown but her face was he noticed aristocratic and held an innate intelligence and kindness. All of which made her seem like a vision of perfection to him.

"Greetings. My name is Nyssa and I was once the daughter of the king of his world. May I ask your name?" She said in a smooth and warm voice that entranced him immediately and it took a few moments to recover his wits enough to speak.

"Princess, my name is Corridan Ordo of House Ordo and son of the Mandalore who is the leader of the Mandalorian people." Corridan said proudly and Nyssa merely raised an elegant eyebrow before asking him in a matter-of-fact kind of way.

"Are you here to kill me? Or liberate me? I have been told both quite a lot over the years." She asked him and he was taken aback and was quick to reassure her.

"No princess, I have no desire to hurt you. My people are here to help." He told her quickly and she tilted her head as if to question him before nodding in acceptance.

"Time will tell on that front. Perhaps we might leave this cell and see just what is happening. I have had little information while I was being held as a hostage." Nyssa said without any worry, able to stay calm and judge the situation clearly.

Corridan was only too happy to let her out of the cell and escort her around, something Haron and his siblings noticed as they observed him with her. In fact, he was reluctant to leave when they finally had the planet secure and were ready to move on. Haron pondered this and smiled as he realised his son had found his first crush. A princess no less he thought and wondered just what this might lead too.

Gorth, Outer Rim Territories…

Neville and Hannah were leading an invasion of their own nearby in another system, their two boys also accompanying them for the first time. Frank and Alexander both looked worried about the battle to come but joined their parents with the same protection the Ordo children had.

They slowly fought their way into the planet's sole settlement, another rustic town like many others without much in the way of amenities. It wasn't really worth much but they were taking it anyway since they didn't want to leave a potentially hostile force at their back as they pushed forward.

Then as they came to the centre of town where the Imperials were falling back too a surprising development occurred. Men and women in heavy Mandalorian Assault armour appeared, firing on the Stormtroopers from the other side, helping to box them in. Neville frowned as no other friendly forces were in the area and they were wearing Mandalorian heavy style armour.

They might be blasting the Imperials but he wasn't going to let his guard down and called forth the Basilisks to make sure they were on hand just in case these newcomers proved to be dangerous.

Just who they were though was answered moments later when after they had secured the town square and eliminated the remaining Imperials. A single figure emerged from among the interlopers, one with a familiar golden horned helmet that hadn't been seen since the Liberation of Mandalore during the Clone Wars. Neville frowned as he knew now that he was dealing with 'The Tribe' or 'Children of the Watch' as they liked to call themselves.

"Greetings Count Longbottom. I see the expansion of the Mandalorian people has spread to this planet." The Armourer said, never once taking off her helmet. Neville and Hannah both felt very uncertain of what to make of this, they had been in hiding for years and yet now they emerged seeming to be on their side.

"Indeed, we are expanding into other territories and liberating some in the process. They will join us and follow the way." Hannah said almost kicking herself for using their common phrase without meaning too.

The Armourer nodded and they could sense her agreement with the statement.

"Indeed, our people are as they should be once again. Despite some not wearing the armour and some not holding to the tradition of not removing their helmet…they follow the core of our way." The Armourer said having watched their progress over the years and seen the signs of their restoration, their people unified and powerful again with the ways of the sorcerers at their beck and call now. It was a blessing and the completion of the prophesy that they would be reborn again once the Mandalore held both the Darksaber and the Mask of the Mandalore. It said more though, that greater power was to come and it was time to see for herself.

"My people and I have watched and feel now is the time to return to the fold. We will swear ourselves to the Mandalore and take Gorth as our holding. We will fight alongside the rest of our people in defence of our way of life." The Armourer said, her own feelings conflicted about this as they did not follow the ancient way of the Mandalore but they were Mandalorian. All the parts of their code that mattered were there and they had achieved great things like their ancient ancestors had.

Neville frowned, not sure if accepting them was a good idea but it was better to have them where they could see them then in the shadows working against them.

- x -

Haron arrived as soon as possible and when the Armourer knelt to him, he reluctantly accepted their vow and allowed them to keep Gorth. The planet wasn't worth much so it wasn't giving up too much by letting them have it.

But it was giving them legitimacy, that worried him.

They were all good fighters and true to Mandalore, but Haron just worried as that would depend on what they thought Mandalore meant.

"This is the way." Haron said in acceptance of their vow and they all repeated it as did his own warriors present.

"This is the way."

Sera, Imperial Controlled Territory…

The planet of Sera had been devastated by not only Imperial exploitation of the planet for the Imulsion that was so useful but also the Horde, a race of mutated creatures that rose up from an underground region known as the Hollow. The Imperials had used a satellite weapon system they had created called the Hammer of Dawn to rain down fire on them, this had not only caused considerable disruptions to the ozone layer and done immense damage to the surface of the planet but had kicked up large amounts of debris into the atmosphere which made life on the surface exceptionally difficult. They had also sent forces into the Hollow and wiped out many of the species they had found down there, cities on the surface were reduced to ruins with no prospect of being rebuild while the Imperials lived on the space station in orbit or large fortified compounds on the surface.

The planet was in deep trouble and the Empire had no reason to fix these problems as keeping the population in such conditions meant they were incapable of fighting back. Loyalty was not as important as compliance.

But the Gears as they were known, units of the military of the Coalition of Ordered Governments had formed an underground resistance movement, doing whatever they could to fight the Empire and retake their world. They were hampered by lack of numbers and limited equipment but thanks to the wars that had preceded the Imperial Invasion they were well trained and experienced, knowing how to fight a guerilla war and make the most of what they had.

Now that large swaths of the Outer Rim had been liberated from the Empire the people of Sera had dearly hoped they would find allies on the outside to help them in their fight against the Empire. A call that had finally been answered by the Rebel Alliance in one of their first major operations.

Anakin being one of the most experienced and capable people had been given charge of the mission, Liber8 would have helped more but they were busy with operations elsewhere so it was purely an alliance operation. Mon Mothma had tried to talk the other Rebel leaders out of it as she felt direct military action was doomed to failure and would cost too many lives to be worth it, she was still convinced that peaceful means were the only way to force concessions from the Empire.

Garm Bel-Iblis was all for it and had actually helped plan for the mission, Bail Organa had been on the fence about it as he wasn't sure if it was a feasible idea although he was all for liberating a planet otherwise, in the end Padme had been the deciding vote and charged Anakin with leading the campaign.

Sera's surface was full of death, Anakin felt the moment he set foot on the surface. The barren and broken earth beneath his feet echoed with the pain of the lifeforms that had perished here and he was instantly unsettled by the echoes of all the death caused by the massacres but did his best to put it to the back of his mind as he went to the meeting place with HK-47 and Kahr at his side. Kahr was similarly unsettled by the echoes but like him had to put it aside.

At the meeting place he saw the drop ship waiting for them. They boarded the ship and allowed the waiting Gear soldiers to blindfold them while shutting HK-47 down, Anakin glad he had ordered the droid to remain quiet as while he found him funny, he was not the droid you took to make a good first impression.

It took some time to reach the Gear Base, he felt the dropship land and he disembarked with his apprentice and droid. It was he saw quite the operation, many of the gears were highly trained and experienced soldiers and having been around many in his life saw the tradition scenes of them in a base. Men and women working on and showing off their Lancer rifles along with other weapons, sharing a drink around a fire, training and working out, repairing their COG armour and so on. He smiled as they looked equal to many of the professional soldiers that he had seen.

Arriving at the main command area there were many screens that had been set up and showed several existing missions in progress. At the centre of it all though as a man in a wheelchair, not a hover chair as was common but while he couldn't stand his presence was undeniably strong, he radiated a strong will and barked out orders with a clear authority.

He turned his chair to face them and despite being in the chair he was very well built and would have towered over Anakin if he had been able to stand. He had white hair and a lined face showing his age but intense eyes.

"So, you are the Jedi I was promised? Don't look like much." The man said which Anakin and Kahr found a little insulting but Anakin would take it and replied.

"I have liberated planets before, what did you expect?" Anakin said with a challenging look in his eye, guessing this man was an old soldier and if he was then he would respect someone who spoke back in kind.

Fortunately, he was right and the man laughed loudly before saying.

"Thank fuck they sent me one with spirit. You would have made a good Gear with an attitude like that." The man said before offering his hand to Anakin who shook it and was impressed at his strong grip as was Kahr who then got the hand shake. "My name is Victor Hoffman, used to be a grunt in the army then got promoted way higher than I wanted and ended up as Chief of Defence Staff just as the Empire invaded. Just hope you can help, the other three have tried but they are busy trying to keep everyone alive." He said with anger at the state of the planet since the Imperials had ruined it all.

"The other three?" Anakin asked confused and Victor turned around shouted out.

"Hey! Get over here Jedi! One of your kind just showed up!" Victor called out and Anakin looked up in surprise with Kahr who had not expected to find another Jedi here, let alone three! Given all the echoes in the force here it screwed up their senses and left them unable to detect each other at a guess.

The three that finally did come over both shocked and delighted Anakin, two in particular as he had feared them dead for twelve years!

"Kerra Holt! Bao-Dur and Kazdan Paratus!" Anakin called out with a big smile on his face. He had worried that Bao-Dur and Kazdan had died in the temple when it fell. He had never seen their bodies but given the sheer size of the temple he couldn't reasonably cover it all before he had been forced to flee.

"Master Skywalker! You've survived! And the rest of the council?" Kazdan asked eagerly, hoping to know just how many of the Jedi Council had managed to escape Order 66 and the Jedi Purge that had followed.

"Some are still alive." Anakin told him knowing it hardly mattered since Obi-Wan was the only one he was able to contact…sometimes he conceded. Not to mention the Order was fractured beyond measure, there was no Jedi Council anymore…no grand master…no main temple.

It was up to each Jedi to make their own destinies now he thought to himself.

"Just glad to see you sir. We've been here a year, doing what we can to help." Bao-Dur said with his normal gentle voice. "Me and Kazdan have been helping them fix up their weapons while trying to design some atmospheric processors to help clean up the atmosphere, if we can take the space station then we might be able to build them by stripping it down." Bao-Dur said before looking at HK-47 for a moment with questioning eyes before then shaking his head. "Here I thought I was the only one for the 'good old days' still kicking around."

"Bao." Kazdan asked confused and looked at the strange droid without comprehension and Anakin nodded to his droid to let it speak.

"Surprised Commentary = I would have thought meat bag that you would had been dust a long time ago. As metal I can endure the ages whereas flesh withers and dies." HK-47 said quite boldly which momentarily made Anakin regret allowing him to speak but Bao-Dur didn't seem bothered at all and just gave him a weary smile.

"I see age hasn't humbled you has it. How the General put up with you for so long I will never know." Bao-Dur said with resignation. Anakin remembered now that these two had once travelled together as part of Meetra Surik's incredible crew and their exploits had been almost as legendary as Revan's own…in some ways Anakin supposed they were equally as impressive given that Meetra had left a legacy that was unequalled by anyone else. She had restored the stability of the Republic and key worlds, defeated some of the most dangerous Sith Lords to have ever existed and trained a new generation of Jedi that had gone on to restore the Order to its full strength.

Anakin however was forced from his musing on the ancient past as he was faced with a major issue with trying to mount an uprising on this world, one that had to be overcome to have even the smallest chance of success.

"Without disabling the Hammer of Dawn satellite network, we can't risk a large-scale uprising." Kerra said as she joined Anakin and Victor later at the planning table were a hologram of one of the satellites in question. It was simple looking thing but considering the damage that they had inflicted on the surface of Sera, highly dangerous and effective Anakin thought with a frown.

"Do you even have enough people for a large-scale uprising?" Anakin asked and Victor just laughed.

"Don't worry about that. We have enough." Victor said with a smirk knowing they had units of fully equipped Gears and civilian volunteers. "But that does mean I can only send a small group with you to the station." Victor said with a worried face given he was stretching his forces as it was. "One platoon of about fifty. That's all we can spare."

"I have a hundred Rebel Ground Forces." Anakin mentioned as it was hardly a large group but all they could reasonably muster. "Plus…our own abilities if all of us commit to this fight." Anakin said looking over to Kerra, Bao-Dur and Kazdan, Kahr too was interested as he would fight alongside Anakin regardless but was keen to see just what these three would do.

"As if you could stop me." Kerra said with a smirk and Bao-Dur nodded too before adding.

"Kazdan and I have made a few useful gadgets that should even up the situation." Bao-Dur said before putting his mechanical hand on the nervous looking Kazdan's shoulder. "Don't worry, things will be fine."

"I hope so." Kazdan said not sure if he was ready to face his own doubts but trusted his first real friend.

Victor then made an important introduction, calling over one of the Gear troopers; a well-built human male that was almost as tall as Kahr, older with a trimmed beard with dark hair that was greying and a vicious looking scar running across his face. He wore a bandana the same shade as his dark version of the COG armour. He had some of the most intense and focused eyes Anakin or indeed anyone of them had ever seen, the way he held himself just screamed 'life long military', he was so disciplined he could have given Rex a run for his money.

"This is one of my best men, Sergeant Marcus Micheal Fenix. He will be leading the assault force." Victor introduced and Anakin extended his hand but the other man didn't take it, disapproval radiating off his every square millimetre.

"I fought in wars all my life and I know the Gears can do anything. But I don't know about you." Marcus said and while Kahr was a little put off by that Anakin took it in his stride, no respect until you prove yourself and he nodded before telling him.

"Then I will have to show you what we Jedi can do. First though we need to get onto that station. Hijacking a freighter on the surface seems the fastest way." Anakin said and Victor spoke seeing Marcus was hoping to intimidate the Jedi and had failed hopelessly.

"We have a launch in two hours, security is largely automated so if your two slicers over there can get around the systems, we are ready to go." Victor said indicating Bao-Dur and Kazdan who nodded in agreement.

"Then let's get this party started." Anakin said with a smirk, eager for some action as was Kahr and HK-47. The Gears he noticed too were just as excited.

- x -

Sera Imperial Space Station, Orbit of Sera…Two Hours Later…

The automated freighters that brought up Imulsion from the surface to be dispatched across the Empire, there was no real need for living personnel to oversee the operation as it was completely computer controlled or checked by droids where it was appropriate.

A single worker droid was all that was there to greet the freighter as it arrived and it opened the hatch expecting to see nothing more than a shipment of Imulsion but instead was greeted by the sight of a heavily armed assault force. Kerra was quick to dismember the droid while Bao-Dur and Kazdan let loose their little army of special training remotes into the ducts.

They moved silently through the ducts, slicing themselves into terminals and computer junctions as they went, taking over simple systems like lifts and doors while jamming other more important ones such as communications to keep the Imperials as helpless as possible.

Now with that in place, the assault team advanced forward. It honestly felt to Anakin like he was fighting alongside the clones again he thought to himself impressed. They were as dedicated and skilled as any soldiers he had ever seen and almost made their rebel troopers look like amateurs in comparison.

HK-47 though it seemed was taking some enjoyment in killing.

His droid reflexes were astonishing given his age, taking only a second or two to move between each shot and each one hit the target with deadly precision, Stormtroopers and Imperial officers and workers alike without any hesitation.

But the Jedi were the ones leading the charge. Anakin, Kerra, Kahr, Bao-Dur and Kazdan with their sabers slicing through the air, deflecting blaster fire away from their soldiers while cutting down those that were foolish enough to get close. Automated defences and blast doors remained inactive and there was nothing to halt their progress through the station.

Eventually they reached the control room and within seconds the Jedi secured the room.

"Lock down that satellite weapon. They can't rise up with it on." Kerra ordered Bao-Dur who dutifully sat at the control station and worked his impressive technical skills on rendering the Hammer of Dawn inert and no danger to those on the surface.

As Anakin and Marcus began to dispatch units around the station to make sure they had it all completely secure Bao-Dur momentarily zoned out. With the system disabled and all the Gears on the surface able to move unhindered they could force the Empire off Sera. It had already agreed to join the Rebellion and would add its impressive military skills to the Alliance armed forces, Imulsion too was an incredibly useful source of energy to them and they could find a thousand uses for it but he still couldn't help but wonder about the dreams he had been having, dreams of his travels on the Ebon Hawk. He had experienced those memories before but these new dreams felt far more intense for some reason and he couldn't help but wonder just what that might mean.

Reijar, the Ordo System…

"Now, turn in your answers and we shall see how you scored. If you failed the test then tomorrow you will have to take it again until you pass." The teacher told the students in the room who all bowed to the teacher.

"Yes teacher." They all said before the teacher dismissed them.

Nila was glad to get out of the room as she was sweating at the thought of having to take the test again, she had been to the toughest academies the Empire had to offer but Mandalorians were relentless on a different level. If you didn't meet the required standard, they would not let you move on until you did however long it took. She had barely scraped her way through and just hoped that they wouldn't fail her she thought with fear at having to deal with that test again.

"Nila." A voice called out and she froze with nerves as she reluctantly turned to see Duchess Ara looking at her with her imperious stare that sent shivers down her spine. "Come, we have things to tell you."

"Yes Duchess." Nila said and followed her to the main office where she saw Duke Haron, Countess Ara, Duchess Vysa and Duchess Lelia all sitting together. The sight of the entire older part of House Ordo being present only added to her nervousness and Duke Haron gave her a nod before telling her.

"Hello Nila, do not worry you are not in trouble. But we have just received a response to our request to repatriate you." Haron told the girl not liking what they were going to have to tell her.

"Really?" Nila asked as she got on the seat next to Duchess Vysa and smiled at her, something she always did as the older woman had saved her life. Vysa returned the smile but it was slightly strained. "When am I going back?" She asked, not sure she wanted too but they were her parents she thought and having seen how much Mandalorians valued family she knew they would want to send her back to her own.

Despite what some might assume the Mandalorians did not hold all the Imperials they captured as prisoners unless they were of some value. Instead, they would work through a neutral party, usually the Wheel space trading station to return them to the Empire especially children to their families. Taking foundlings in was becoming much more common these days but only for those that had no one else.

"Nila." Vysa said with a sad look on her face at having to tell the young girl this. "Your parents have declared you dead and have denied that they want you returned. They know you are alive and that we will send you back…but they won't accept you."

Nila was quiet at that, the confusion and distress at having been abandoned by her parents obviously weighing on her mind. She was thinking they saw it as an opportunity to be rid of her, the one spot on their flawless existence.

Out of sight and out of mind.

She was solemn as she sat there as she realised that no one in the entire universe wanted her, tears gathered in the corner of her eyes but Vysa put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.

"Forget those bastards. You have us now. House Ordo will take you in and you will be one of us." Vysa declared, looking to her siblings for support.

Lelia was surprised but quickly nodded in agreement, quite willing for their house to take in a new foundling and raise her up beyond those horrible people that had sired her. Ara and Deera meanwhile were looking at her thoughtfully for a moment before nodding in agreement.

That left Haron himself.

Haron was unsure if they should take the girl, train her as one of their people as it could been seen by some as brainwashing but at the same time his sympathies lay with her. Alone and abandoned by those that should care for her, they had taken in an orphan who had no-one before and it had been one of the best decisions they had ever made.

But Nila wasn't Din, she still had relatives elsewhere.

Meanwhile Deera and Ara both were quietly discussing that they had discovered about the girl.

"She comes from an extremely wealthy family on her mother's side with effectively a planet of its own. For the moment she has little…but that could change." Ara said with a thoughtful look on her face.

"She might become a real asset to us." Deera agreed knowing they might have a use for her in the long run.

But at the same time, another thought was running through all their heads which would have swayed them all anyway.

They couldn't just abandon her; she needed a home.

So, they would provide it.

"If you want it Nila, you can live with us as a member of our family. But only if you wish it." Haron told her calmly and she smiled instantly and told them with surprising eagerness.

"YES! Yes please!" She nodded energetically which made them all smile as they could sense her enjoyment at the idea.

"Then you had best go with Vysa and get some lunch. You still have lessons to attend." Haron told her with a smile and Vysa took her hand to lead her out of the room.

With her gone they turned to the next point that had come there way, thanks to Haron's friendship with Anakin Skywalker a major opportunity had arisen.

"A complete list of all the Sun Guard facilities and strongholds. Courtesy of a defector." Haron said as he called up the list they had been provided. Lelia, Ara and Deera all looked at it and while extensive it was not as long as they had feared.

"We will organise a series of strikes on these places, it might take some time…but we will deal with them all." Deera said knowing they would have to be very careful as some of these locations where deep inside Imperial held space but with things like the stealth missiles, they could do it.

"Top priority." Haron told her with a grin, eager to be free of this potential problem. Ara was somewhat more hesitant though as she was just concerned with what would replace them in the Empire's arsenal when they were done.

There we are, I hope you all enjoyed it and please leave a review to let me know what you thought.

The Pasdisahah ship designs were inspired by two designs from Call of Duty Infinite Warfare. Based on the Admiral-class Space Warfare Carrier as the Heavy Cruiser and the interceptor is the Jackel. I think they fit a navy that is trying to evolve to match the other space going powers for the first time.

Hibir in the Mandalorian Language according to the site I found means student. Kar'taylir means 'to know' or 'to hold in your heart'. Tellemicus Sundance was a major help in finding the words to use so thank you!

Sera and all characters there are taken from the Gears of War game series.

More Review Responses…

Dragon master 124 = Probably not, Halo is something that I feel fits with the Mandalorians in some ways but not always. But a rival will appear soon.

BlackWatcher1234 = Paul is not my favourite character as you might have guessed, he made a lot of bad decisions to my mind. As for Padme's family…they know she is alive but nothing more. Remember Palpatine knows that she is with Anakin so they are likely being watched, the moment she communicates with them he would know about it. For their sake she has to stay away.

madsloth = Thanks! Kuat Drive Yards is just one of several major production centres not to mention given the size of the ring it would take an enormous bombardment to bring it down. Finally, it is deep within Imperial Space so striking it is dangerous.

M1stymix = Indeed, it is a great fight scene of one of the best since Revenge of the Sith came out at least to my mind. You're right but we don't know what species Dagan was so…who knows what is possible.

The Cowardly Christian = Interesting ideas, sadly I don't think I can fit them in the story this time. Awesome ideas though.

philmeyering = I am not that familiar with Dune either, I had to do a lot of research before I used it and that was because I wanted to put more actual factions into the story rather than it being just three the Empire, the Rebels and the Mandalorians.

Djberneman = Definitely not but it is too late now.

WhiteElfElder = Oh someone will straighten Paul out but not Harry. Unfortunately, though I don't think Luke or Leia will be going to Mandalore for training as they would never share their secrets with a Jedi.

mr1980rivera = It is great to hear that you have been enjoying the story! I hope so too. Writing is something that I enjoy doing so I hope for as long as I am posting stories, I can make good ones.

SvenTheDecoy = True, I don't.

Calebros = I know, I do try but somehow, I always seem to miss some errors.

DeluxeHipster1945 = The Sun Guard are interesting; I might have another look at them in a future story. That would be an interesting crossover idea.

Aaron21hardin = I understand but it was one of the few fandoms I found that could realistically work in this story and I wanted to make some more factions that could genuinely stand on their own. This is building up, none of the existing factions can realistically take down the Empire at the moment even combined so it is building to a point where perhaps they can.

billykid893 = Happy to hear that you have enjoyed the story so far, I intend to keep going until both my stories are finished. I hate leaving anything undone.

Leaf Ninja 91 = Thank you! Your words mean a lot to me!

Next Chapter – The new X-Wing is unveiled, Palpatine's cloning operations produce some very big results, a familiar face comes back to haunt the Mandalorians and the Sun Guard face Mandalorian retaliation.