The Legacy of House Ordo

by Sage1988

Five souls from Earth survive its end and find themselves in a different galaxy, Harry finds himself born into House Ordo one of the most powerful Mandalorian Houses. As the chaos of the Clone Wars spreads how will he and the others fair?

39. Chapter 39 Thrawn's Campaign Part 2

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

Hello again, hope you are all well. I have now made Ordo my main story and so I hopefully will be able to update more frequently. Thank you to everyone that read and reviewed the last chapter.

Alia Atreides – I have aged her up so she is only about five years younger than Paul in this as I needed her character.

Some of you commented on Shin kissing Luke on the cheek, just to get an idea of how you all feel about it, would you prefer Shin or Mara? I have struggled to find a way to bring Mara into the story so would Shin be a good pairing for Luke?

Review Responses from the Last Chapter…

ShadowbaneXX – Will Jerec come into the story? All I can say is watch out as he is in the universe and I might use him now that Kyle Katarn is here.

BlackWatcher1234 – Indeed, Sabine deserting was probably the worst thing, she was just lucky that she had relatives in high places that could save her. Haron was busy while Sabine was on Mandalore but I will see about getting them to interact in future. I was just messing about with Luke and Shin but I might consider putting them together in the future. Markus and Leia? This chapter might give a hint to what I have in mind for those two. Not sure if that will be featured in the story. Hapes annexing Zantia? Well, Zantia needs protection and with the Rift Alliance busy with Thrawn and them not wanting to admit their plight to rest of the galaxy it was the only option. Besides Hapes won't be staying in isolation for long. The battle against Thrawn, well that will come in the next chapter and it will prove who is the better strategist.

AnimeFan13579 – Indeed, Mace Windu was guiding them in their trials. Indeed, now Haron understands Thrawn he can work on a strategy to defeat him which he will start putting into place in this chapter. You make many good points. The Death Star? I have been a bit torn about it as while it would be easy to destroy like they did in the movie, I want to do something a bit more daring. Won't say just what yet but I hint at it in this chapter.

Cam . Katarn – Shaak Ti is on Yavin 4 in this timeline, leading one of the hidden temples but she will make an appearance in this chapter. Ursa and Ara have by large resolved their differences for the sake of their children. Mon Mothma is the leader as she is the one there all the time. Padme travels the galaxy with Anakin, Bail is busy on Alderaan, Garm is leading Corellia so she is there and the chosen leader but that could soon change. He is about three years older than Anakin I think so he is about forty. Sabine still respects him greatly. Thrawn won't be involving himself against the Rebels as he is being kept busy with the Rift Alliance.

raw666 – I appreciate you saying that! Thanks!

Antex-The Legendary Zoroark – I felt it was the Mandalorian way to do it like that. She is but she is still learning and there is a wedge between Haron and Ara as you will see in this chapter but it will eventually be resolved. Romance is something that can go really well or really badly so I hope to do it right. I am glad that you liked the trials, I sort of based in on the Clone Wars episode 'The Gathering' as it was something similar to that, facing themselves. You are correct, it was Mace Windu that was guiding them. Baylan and Anakin I think would have a lot in common in any other circumstances given their own problems with the Jedi. Thrawn is probably the only one in the Empire that can really give them and Haron especially a challenge. I hope so too. Boba Fett, I hope you like it and as for Omega? I am kind of waiting till the end of Bad Batch to see just what they do with her but for the moment she is still living with the Bad Batch on Corellia.

Callum Runchman – Thank you for the compliment. Indeed, the reason I brought Thrawn into this story was because he is the only one in the Imperial camp that could give him a challenge. About Mon Mothma, she is addressed somewhat in this chapter. Thank you! I didn't know how Sabine's crimes would go down and it was relief to hear that people felt it was good. The Mandalorians tolerated the Ghost Crew only because of Sabine, they were hostages to make sure she didn't run away this time. Could the Lifebringer heal Ilum? Possibly but that would mean the Mandalorians would have to admit to having it. Rogue One is perhaps the best Star Wars story to come out since Disney took over, as depressing as it was to have all the main characters killed it was a great story. So in regards to the Death Star, it will not be as big of a threat as you think.

frankieu – Cheers! As you say, Thrawn is excellent but not infallible as Haron now knows.

mad thought – Glad to hear you like it! Markus gets a solo mission that brings him into contact with a certain girl in this chapter. Helldivers 2? I will look into it. Thank you for the suggestions.

red demon161 – It might take a while before things really heal between them. Team Gundark is a favourite too.

HowlnMadHowie – Jyn was important as she is one person her father will really trust. The plans would be held in two places, the lab where he was working and on Scarif. Haron is keeping the information to himself and his inner circle as he doesn't want to cause a panic until they have a solid plan to deal with it. That will be addressed in this chapter. As for Vader, I will show you that there has been a change in this for unexpected reasons. The shot to destroy the Death Star is almost impossible and it was only due to the force that Luke did it in the movies. Haron doesn't really have anyone who could do it without bringing the Jedi in and he is reluctant to do that. I will think about Tuwan and Yoda discussing the Akaan in another chapter.

Lightning89 – Thank you! Thrawn is a difficult character to write as I have discovered, I really cannot say how good Timothy Zahn is for making him. I appreciate you saying that as I was worried about writing those lines, about getting them right. There will be more interaction with the Jedi in this chapter as we catch up with two fan favourites and I will see about making more of them in the future. Mon Mothma is a character I dislike in the new canon; she was okay in the old one but in the new one she is terrible. The Rebellion may have four founders in this timeline but Bail is often working to keep Alderaan safe, Garm is leading Corellia and Padme is travelling with Anakin and their family. So, Mon is the only one that is there all of the time and that is why she is the main leader but as we will see in this chapter that is not in the Alliance's best interests. And as I hint, that could change. Don't worry about it, something will happen.

dan . lew . upg, i . amdizzy2, Rio47, Ep, Bia1230, tf330129, Guest – Thank you!

More Review Responses at the end of the chapter.

Warning – Mon Mothma bashing. Sorry to anyone that likes the character.

3 BBY – 997 ARR

Chapter 39 – Thrawn's Campaign Part 2

Nar Shaddaa Orbit, Hutt Space…997 ARR…

Hutt Space was a place where you could find anything, have the right connections and credits and you could generally get anything that you wanted no questions asked. The Hutts would do business with anyone regardless of who they were and as long as the parties paid, then no one would ever know. Imperial, Rebel, Rift Alliance it didn't matter as long as you could pay…then you were free to do business here and find whatever your heart might desire.

But even the Hutts would not be happy to find a battle raging above one of their most important planets.

An Imperial Fleet led by Admiral Winstel Greelanx had chased a Rebel Force here only to discover that it was in fact a trap engineered by the Rebel Leader, Meetra Surik. From the bridge of her Nebulon-B Frigate the Lament she watched the battle with a calm eye, judging the tactics being used by Admiral Greelanx and countering them but she was not fighting alone in this battle she thought with a small smirk.

The Underworld Alliance was involving itself in this one.

Not only was Talon bringing ships of his own but a lot of Smugglers who had joined his alliance had brought their ships to this fight and a pirate called Drea Renthal had brought her small fleet here as well to assist in the battle.

Their ships were supposedly inferior to the Empire but they were in far greater numbers and Meetra had a reason for this, why she had leaked her position to the Empire and why she had lured them here after going to the trouble of negotiating with the Underworld Alliance and others to arrange this ambush.

They wanted the Imperial Ships.

The Rebel Alliance was in desperate need of more ships with the Mon Calamari, the Corellians and the Dorneans pulling back. There were okay for starfighters but larger warships were in very short supply. So, she had found an Admiral with a small fleet and an even smaller fuse on his temper to follow them out of Imperial Territory and into neutral space.

Seeing she had the Imperial Fleet enveloped she then turned to the communications officer.

"Order all ships to deploy Ion Torpedoes, disable targets." Meetra commanded and the order was relayed to the Y-Wing Bombers. They had been working hard to manufacture as many of these expensive weapons as they possibly could at the Foundry just for this mission.

The hundred Y-Wings streamed out from behind her ship and began running towards the enemy ships while boarding parties prepared to join the assault. The Gears from Sera had been a massive help in training and developing equipment for their ground forces and today they would show the Empire why COG armour was superior to their flimsy plasteel armour.

The Y-Wing pilots led by Gold Squadron flew in a full speed before firing their deadly ordinance at the Imperial ships they wanted. The Star Destroyer, Imperial Destiny named for the decommissioned Dreadnaught of the same name was an easy target but the Neutron Star class Bulk Carriers were valuable prizes too as with the right refit the Rebels could make them into formidable warships. The Guardian class Light Cruisers and Carrack class light cruisers were also a priority but the Tie Fighters and three remaining Dreadnaught cruisers were to be destroyed the moment they were crippled.

True the Underworld Alliance and pirates would take a couple but the Imperial Destiny, eight of the Guardian class cruisers, three of the Neutron Star Bulk Carriers and one of the Carracks were flying Rebel flags by the end of the day. Meetra sent their new fleet to the Mako-Ta Space Docks for refitting. The Imperial Destiny would be invaluable as the Rebels had precious few capital ships to call on for the moment now the Mon Calamari had backed out Meetra thought with a frown. That Star Destroyer would be vital in giving them some heavy fire power in the days ahead.

---

Ryloth, Outer Rim Territories…

For nearly twenty years Cham Syndulla had been planning the liberation of his planet, he had been storing away weapons and even vehicles for the uprising in several locations across the planet. He had been recruiting as many people as possible along with studying the enemy as closely as he could to make sure his people had the best chance of success.

The Twi'lek Jedi that Aayla Secura had been training for years, male and female were all ready to lead their charge and emboldened their people. Every single city had a cell of his people ready to open the doors to his people who now numbered in the tens of thousands he thought proudly having been training them in secret for years in anticipation of this moment. He would have continued fighting them as he always had but the Jedi had advised him that fighting the Empire head on was fighting their war by their rules so it was better to fight in their own way and take a long-term view.

The people were ready to be free and after over two decades of fighting, Cham was ready to free his people and retake their world. Aayla at his side was smiling too as she had long dreamt of making things better on their world and now, they would have their own version of the Jedi Order to accomplish that Cham thought with pride.

As he personally joined the fight to retake Lessu he had a flashback of when he was a younger man, fighting for the same city alongside Mace Windu and the clones. This time he was doing it solely with his people with the sole exception the older clones that had been the one that trained their new army.

Seeing his people open the bridge and the gates of the city as planned he led the charge riding his personal Blurrg into action with Aayla at his side, her blue lightsaber like a beacon to their troops. The Imperials had no idea just what had hit them he thought with pride as his people stormed the city and secured their prisoners and the liberation of their capital. The cheers of his people filled the air and he knew he had to make a speech to them later but right now he was just happy to see the joy on his people's faces and their elation of being free.

---

Ordo Compound, Reijar…

Jyn Erso had been in a rather dangerous situation when she had been kidnapped, captured by a petty dictator after failing to blow up his ship and steal his weapons collection. He had been about to have her paraded through the streets for her humiliation and then torture her by any methods he could allow.

But as it was about to happen, he was silenced by a strike force that dispatched him and his guards without even being seen, then she had felt a stun dart hit her and then without knowing just how long she had unconscious she woke up, sluggish from the effects of the drugs and looked around in confusion as to where she was.

"It has been a long time since I last saw you, Jyn Erso. You have grown and suffered much in that time I see." A voice said from the side, she bolted around even if it made her head throb with discomfort. She saw that she was in an office of some sort and was laid down on a coach, a man stood up from the desk where he had been working. He was wearing armour in dark green and black with golden markings. He was a human she noticed with hair that was dark and rather impressive green eyes.

"Who are you?" Jyn asked him, her mind now clearing and making her wonder desperately just who she was dealing with. Not that she had ever crossed a Mandalorian to her knowledge she thought as she now recognised the armour. She hoped his name might give her some idea just what this was all about.

"My apologies, it is rare that I deal with those that don't know me these days. My name is Haron Ordo." He told her as he walked over and held out his hand, Jyn with uncertainty shook it as she knew that name quite well. Everyone did, Haron Ordo, Mandalore the Unifier who led his people in their fight against the Empire and founder of the Rift Alliance.

Possibly the biggest threat to the Empire she thought and wondered just what he would need her for? He who had an army and over thirteen hundred worlds to do his bidding? She pondered but as he poured her tea, she remained silent rather than ask him since it was clear he was not treating her as a prisoner but more like a guest…a forced guest she admitted given she had been kidnapped but still a guest.

"Now I know you will have questions but I will be frank with you Miss Erso, we need your help." Haron told her as he sipped his tea, showing her that it wasn't poisoned so she did the same slowly and with care. It was quite nice she noticed as she sipped it.

"What could you need me for?" Jyn asked with suspicion as she was confused at again why he would need her when he commanded so many people and resources? Surely, he could have just about anything he wanted. He smiled slightly before explaining to her.

"The Empire is building a superweapon that is capable of destroying entire planets, they are hoping to subjugate every system in the galaxy with it and to stop it, I need you to convince your father to trust us." He said which made her blink in surprise.

"Your father is the chief scientist on the project, responsible for the primary weapon but knowing that the Empire is responsible for the death of his wife, your mother and his separation from you I highly doubt he is 'loyal to the cause'. I need him to tell us how to destroy it. And you are the likely the only person he will trust." Haron told her plainly as they sat there sipping tea. "I have a lead on your father and should have his location soon. But I need someone that he will trust. I have no desire to kill him…far from it. I had intended to recruit him to my side years ago but he did not like the idea of working with warriors but right now the fate of the literal galaxy may depend on what your father knows." Haron told her and waited for her response.

Jyn was stunned, she had not seen her father for so many years…it felt almost like a dream whenever she did try to think of him. Him, not the horrible day the Empire had come and killed her mother and taken him away. To discover he was involved in such a destructive weapon shocked her, he hated violence she remembered, why would he work on something like that? She thought before realising the simple answer was that he had been forced too.

But she knew him, he was smart…he would have made sure that this weapon could be destroyed she thought with certainty and she had no love for the Empire either. Hurting the Empire like this would be deeply satisfying Jyn thought especially as they had taken her parents away from her, not to mention the chance to be with her father again was too much of an opportunity to pass up. She had missed him so much she thought with a deep longing to be with him again. But one question quickly reared its head that made her enjoyment sour.

"What will you do with my father and me when the Death Star is gone?" She asked him with suspicious eyes and Haron just smiled as he told her.

"Repeat the offer I made to him during the Clone Wars. That he and his family have sanctuary within our space." He told her which made her raise an eyebrow in surprise before he told her with amusement. "Your father is a genius of this era, in either military or civilian projects I have no doubt that he would be of great help to my people in our fight against the Empire. Naturally as family means a great deal to us you would be welcome also." He added to ensure that she knew this offer extended to her too. She was no scientific genius like her father but she had great potential all the same and he would like to see it flourish. He felt old sometimes as he considered she had been a small child the last time they had met and now she was a young woman.

But that was life, he thought with a mix of emotion. Nothing ever stayed the same and those who tried to hold onto the past ended up being left behind. It was a harsh truth but truth all the same.

Jyn seemed to be torn for a moment, not sure if this was a real offer or not but the desire of finally being reunited with her father eventually pushed her to make a decision, one that he had been hoping she would make.

"I'll help you."

- x -

Mandalorian Temple, Reijar…

Luna sat in her private meditation chamber, built with materials that she had enchanted to help with her powers and to achieve a deeper harmony.

She was looking into the future and it was as blurred as ever, things were still in motion and but she felt things turning slowly in their favour as time progressed. As more of the galaxy became free and the Emperor's hold on the force lessened but this war, she thought with resignation was far from over.

She could see in her mind's eye that the Akaan and even Galen Marek where training the younger generation, the students were all progressing at different rates but once they had been only half a dozen, then two dozen.

Now, she thought with amazement at how much they had progressed, they had over twenty Akaan and a hundred students. Some of the Akaan had families who would no doubt in time produce more students as their order continued to grow.

They had even set up a smaller temple on Earth to monitor the planet and ensure everything was okay. Luna herself was able to see in her mind's eye that her sons were taking their first force exercises while Mira Marek was preparing for her trials to become a full Akaan like her brother.

She was not able to contain a tear running down her cheek, her children were growing up and her order was growing up too. She suspected they were in for some growing pains as they grew and developed further but that was something to worry about when it happened, she reassured herself. She was making something from almost nothing and it was bound to be problems along the way but she would deal with what she could control Luna thought before returning to her meditations.

- x -

Ravara, Mandalorian Space…

Neville was sitting in his family's new stronghold and admiring the new and functional command centre he had been given. It was the most advanced anywhere in Mandalorian Space and he could run the covert operations teams from here with ease. The planet's various information feeds too could be run through this room which allowed him to monitor the productivity of his new world and see where the potential problems were.

Hannah and their sons were touring the planet so they could get used to it as it would now be their new home and the place that his sons would raise their own families, which brought up a rather thorny issue.

Neville was reluctant to admit it but while on Earth the name Longbottom had been a respected one in the magical world, however in space it was treated as an insult and many jokes were being made at their expense. Being a personal friend to the Mandalore, an Akaan and the head of the Special Operations Unit had quieted most people but he didn't want his grandchildren to deal with the insults that had been sent his way by those too immature to see past his name…so after careful consideration he had decided to change the family name. He did this with a heavy heart as he had been so proud of it once but like Harry and Daphne who had embraced new names before had realised, that Longbottom was the past…Ravari was their future.

---

Tak Base, Talay…

Rebel Alliance Mercenaries Jan Ors and Kyle Katarn looked around at the rubble that had once been a Rebel base, only a minor one but still a base and yet apart from a small and incomplete distress call from Admiral Toka, the Mon Calamari that had been commanding the base no one had managed to escape or even say what it was that was attacking them.

The devastation stunned Jan and Kyle as they picked their way through the base, desperate for some kind of clue as to what had happened here. But there was precious little left of the base let alone of their attackers. A bunch of Imperials had been present, probably trying to find any information that might have survived to use against the Rebellion but Kyle had dealt with them swiftly.

But Kyle felt an urge he couldn't explain to check a pile of debris nearby, he went over and picked through it carefully until he discovered a strange looking rifle. It was not rustic in anyway and looked state of the art so he guessed it must be Imperial, he looked at it and while slightly battered it would have been powerful.

"You found something?" Jan asked him and he held up the rifle for her to see.

"Hope so, otherwise we are all out of leads." Kyle said with concern as he didn't know of any Imperial unit that could cause this sort of damage apart from orbital bombardment and that would have left nothing intact at all.

"Nice." Jan said as she took the weapon and wondered if they could repair it. "I think we should have some contacts that can tell us where this bad boy came from."

"Good, soon I hope otherwise we might be seeing a lot more of this." Kyle said while Jan smirked as she teased him.

"Maybe you could 'sense' something if you took Satele up on her offer."

Kyle frowned as this subject was brought up again.

"Look, I'm not cut out to be a Jedi. End of story." He told her but she told him with an urging look.

"You don't have to be…she explained that. All she was offering was to show you how to use the force. That could be a big help against whatever did this." She said wishing he would do it as it might be the difference between life and death, she honestly did not understand his reluctance and just put it down to being too stubborn for his own good. Kyle uncomfortable with the direction this conversation had taken changed the subject.

"Let's just get this identified and find out where it comes from…then once we're done with this, I'll think about it." Kyle said hoping she would drop it and thankfully she did, he however as they left for Anoat in the hopes of finding out more about the weapon they'd found felt unsettled and hoped she would forget about it but knew she wouldn't. Jan was far too stubborn for that he thought with a smile, that was why he loved her so much.

---

Jedha, Mid Rim…

Saw Gerrera watched as his people set up in the catacombs, once a holy sight but not it would serve as his base for the war against the Empire. He had been mounting many raids and was sure that somehow the Empire's operations here had something to do with this enormous project that they were working so hard to keep under wraps. The key to understanding just what they were up to was here! He thought with hatred burning in his veins, whatever they were doing it was big and he was going to not only find out what it was but more than that he was going to destroy it! He thought with angry determination.

---

Orbit of Eadu, Outer Rim…

A small fleet of Imperial Ships orbited Eadu, protecting the vital weapons lab that lay on the surface given its importance. The lab itself was one of the most closely guarded secrets in the Empire and so the fleet while vigilant had little fear of being attacked.

But Star Chaser came in under cloak, hidden from their sensors as it made its way towards the weapons lab on the surface, aboard it where two teams of Special Operations warriors. Both in full tactical gear and a squad of Akaan led by Trilla was accompanying them, Jyn Erso sat among them wearing Mandalorian armour which many thought was an affront but there was a good reason for it as Trilla briefed the people going in.

"Our objective is to infiltrate the Research Station, locate Professor Galen Erso and extract him and his daughter safely. No matter the cost, they must both be evacuated alive…all other concerns are secondary. In addition, if we can take the research data that they are working on here then that is also a priority. Our fleet will in just ten minutes begin an attack on the Imperial Fleet as a distract and to cover our escape. Once inside the facility we are committed, use portkeys to evacuate when we are done. Now, gear up. It's time to drop." Trilla told them and they all as true professionals got their equipment ready quietly while Jyn looked uncertain.

"Any problems?" She asked and Jyn frowned before saying.

"No. But did you really mean what you said? About me and my father being first priority?" Jyn asked, still not trusting them completely despite knowing what was at stake. Trilla swallowed her annoyance at her distrust and reminded her.

"You and your father could literally hold the fate of the galaxy in your hands, of course we mean it. Why do you think we made sure you know how to use a jetpack? Why you are carrying a portkey?" Trilla told her and Jyn finally accepted that even if she was still confused about the magic they were using. She had seen a portkey demonstrated and experienced it first hand, ending up throwing up when she had first tried it but the fact that they could teleport honestly was astonishing, making her wish that her mother could have seen all of this…to know what the force was really capable of she sighed as she put her helmet on, not used to wearing it but it was essential for her own safety.

Penetrating the atmosphere the Star Chaser finally stopped over the Imperial base which was built into the side of a mountain. The cargo hatch opened and showed the deeply scary jump and Jyn hesitated for a moment while the Special Operations Teams jumped without any worry, activating their packs so they could land on the platform and shot the few Imperials standing there. Once clear they went to the access hatch and attached their slicing gear to the panel and on the corvette Trilla grabbed Jyn by the shoulder and without warning jumped off the ship.

Jyn was frozen for a moment as she fell, her mind paralysed with fear before she remembered to activate the pack and stabilized herself, seething at Trilla who was hovering nearby. Jyn glared at her not that you could tell with the helmet before awkwardly flying to the landing platform and stumbling a little as she landed but was safe. Trilla who landed beside her touched down with much more grace and told her.

"Come on."

Jyn glared again but got to her feet and ran after her, arriving as they got the door open and charged in. The Special Operations Team ran alongside the Akaan as they flooded into the facility, weapons drawn be it lightsaber or blaster and started shooting at every Stormtrooper and Imperial Officer they came across while taking scientists prisoner in case they knew something important.

Trilla followed the will of the force and led herself, two other Akaan and Jyn to a lab at the depths of the complex. The door was locked shut and there was no panel on this side so Trilla plunged her saber into the door and began to cut it open, the metal gave way with agonising slowness but with the help of one of her other Akaan, the door was cut open.

They entered through the hole and saw a pair of stormtroopers about to kill Galen Erso but Trilla thought quickly and grabbed them both with the force and snapped their necks with a satisfying crack. Galen was disturbed by this and questioning what was happening while one of the Akaan downloaded the information from the station's computer. Jyn then took the time to remove her helmet and make herself known.

"Dad." She said with a breathless whisper, her heart beating fiercely as she looked at him for the first time in years. He looked older and more tired than she had ever seen him but those caring loving eyes that she had missed so much were still there.

He likewise knew who she was straight away, his eyes watering as he took her in. No longer the child he had lost so many years ago but now a grown woman who looked so much like her mother.

"My Stardust." He said with joyful acceptance and held her close as she ran into his arms, holding him tightly and praying that nothing would ever separate them again. They just held each other and took comfort in being together again.

Trilla watched their reunion, wondering again just what her own family would have been like. A DNA test had confirmed that she had no living relatives unfortunately, they had all been killed in an accident, the same one that had injured her mother so badly that she died giving birth to her. Apart from Cal, her adopted brother she didn't have much else and she saw him and his family on Dathomir whenever she could but it was deeply unsettling to see what she would never have. She was dating and hopefully would be starting a family of her own soon but that was not a certainty.

Receiving a signal that the fleet had arrived she checked with her teams and they had all secured the data and scientists including the technical schematics of the Death Star and with the fleet about to begin their attack she knew they had moments to get clear.

"All units, pull out. The attack is coming. Jyn, it's time to go. Hold this Mr Erso and say the word 'Freedom.'" Trilla ordered and handed him a lump of metal. Galen looked confused but with an encouraging nod from his daughter, he did just that as Trilla and Jyn did the same.

"Freedom."

The portkeys activated and they felt that strong pull at the naval and vanished from the room, reappearing in the cargo hold of the Star Chaser. While Galen threw up from the rough travel and Jyn helped him to the side of the room, the other members of the team arrived, some injured and others carrying the prisoners who would need to be processed but as Trilla counted she made sure all members of the team were accounted for before telling the ship's bridge.

"Captain, get us out of here." Trilla ordered now sure that she had all of their people and prisoners aboard. The ship's captain didn't waste a moment and took the ship up while still under cloak, making sure they were well clear of the target zone.

- x -

The small fleet that jumped it converged on the Imperial fleet quickly and started firing straight away, Gladius and Halberd class ships fired missiles at long range but at the main centre of the formation was the largest ship any of them had seen.

The first of the new Orar class battleships, its sleek and aggressive shape made it look dangerous and it was proven to be more than cosmetic as it opened fire with the heavy mass driver cannons built into its bow. Heavy ordinance passed straight through the shields of the Imperial Star Destroyer above it and skilfully tore it apart at the neck. Now closer the missile launchers and turbolasers roared to life and filled the area as it came into range, Tie fighters and smaller ships torn apart by the CIWS defence system of laser cannons and flak guns.

Its shields were holding without trouble but as the Star Chaser escaped the target area the Orar opened fire with its mass drivers again, pounding the base relentlessly until both it and the cliff that it was built into shattered into rubble and plunged into the ravine below, erasing all evidence that they had even been there.

The Star Chaser still under cloak made its way clear and jumped to hyperspace while the Orar and its escorts made sure no Imperial was left alive to reduce the risk of detection. Leaving only when they were completely certain that the job was done.

---

Rhelg, Sith Worlds Region…

The forgotten Sith Worlds Region had once been home to the Sith Empire at its height but had been forgotten as the centuries passed, leaving most of the planets devoid of intelligent life. Some expeditions to these worlds especially to Korriban delivered treasures of the lost empire but others were ignored as they lacked the enormous tombs and monuments that drew any real attention.

Rhelg was one such world, it had played part in no famous battles nor had enormous tombs to legendary Sith Lords to plunder so it faded into the background. But it did still have some important landmarks of its own. Ludo Kreesh, the famed rival of Naga Sadow had built a palace on this planet which now was a ruin but he had left something else, ready to be used against his deadly enemy when he felt the time was right but he had died before he could use it. Its location hidden in a holocron that he had left behind for his descendants to use, but none of them had even known to look. Thousands of years later it had fallen into the collection of Palpatine who himself had not probed it as deeply as he should have.

But Silri had.

She had been working hard for years to uncover this secret and smirked as she used the holocron to open the door of the secret chamber, the tomb door parted and revealing the hidden army frozen in carbonite. They had been here for thousands of years but still slept until they were awakened.

Silri smirked as she walked through the chamber arriving at the Sith Master who would command the army. She activated the revival sequence and held the holocron securely to her chest as the metal melted away and left the Sith Master free for the first time in nearly five thousand years.

He stumbled and while she abhorred weakness, she was too delighted by her new army, looking at him he was not human as she had presumed that he would be. Instead, he was red skinned with bony spurs protruding from his face. Silri activated her lightwhip and told him with a cruel smirk.

"I hold the holocron, you will follow me." She told them and the Sith Master who had been conditioned long ago to follow the one who held the holocron as had the rest of the army, knelt before her and asked.

"What is your command, Mistress?" He asked and Silri smirked in triumph as she told him.

"The Sith have been twisted so now only one true Sith Lord exists. He controls an Empire and I will take his place." Silri told him and the Sith Master who bowed his head in acceptance of the order asked her.

"How shall we get to him Mistress? There are only small ships here, they cannot even leave the system." He told her and she nodded before telling him.

"I have already arranged for that. Now wake the rest of the army. There is much to do." Silri told him as she prepared for the arrival of her new flagship.

- x -

The Imperial Star Destroyer Perilous came into orbit of Rhelg only a day later, not sure why they had been brought to such an isolated and unimportant area of the galaxy but they had been called her by one of the Emperor's Dark Disciples and it was best not to disobey orders from them or the consequences would be terrible.

When small shuttles started coming up from the surface, ancient ones at that they had been about to shoot them down but they again where commanded not to by Silri and to let them dock and they were so afraid of disobeying orders…they did as she told them.

An action they would not live to regret.

The moment the shuttles docked a screaming horde of soldiers with red skin and ancient weapons came out of the shuttles and attacked the Imperials, only those necessary to run the ship would be spared as Silri led them into taking the ship, laughing with manic abandon as her new army tore its way through the Imperial scum.

And with this army she thought with a cruel smirk not only would she reclaim Dathomir from the weakling that now ruled it but she would take the Empire itself! She thought with an intense look of hunger. All the secrets of the dark side would be hers and she would rule.

---

Garn, Outer Rim…

In their small shuttle Luke and Mace Skywalker were on their first mission without their parents' supervision, technically it was only a search and rescue mission and only if there was someone left to rescue.

A rebel scout team had come to this planet to see about establishing a base here to replace Tak Base, but no one had heard from them in days. Clearly something was wrong and Luke and Mace had been dispatched to see if they could find them. It was somewhat nerve wracking for the pair as this was the first mission that they had ever done on their own and it was to investigate what might have wiped out a whole rebel scout team.

"There's the shuttle." Mace pointed out and saw the shuttle set down near some kind of ancient fortress which was what had attracted them to this planet in the first place. The building was large and could easily accommodate the needs of the alliance but as they came closer, they both felt a familiar chill roll over them.

"Death." Luke said as they landed and reluctantly left the ship in the hopes that there might be someone left to rescue. Holding their sabers in their hands as they crept forward carefully, the area around them seeming threatening to their heightened tension. They saw the bodies of the scout party ahead and that was accompanied by a mechanical clanking sound. Both ignited their sabers, blue and green respectively and a squad of ancient looking droids came clanking their way towards them, firing antique looking blasters mounted to their arms, Luke and Mace both started deflecting the bolts back at them but as they looked behind them to make a retreat, they saw another group of the droids coming up behind them. Mace immediately went back-to-back with his brother, defending each other from the approaching droids.

Seeing more approach Mace asked Luke as they tried to keep up their defence.

"More incoming. Luke, what do we do?" Mace asked, feeling slight fear while Luke was desperately looking for a way out for them both but seeing as there were more droids between them and the ship, he made his call and just hoped it was the right one.

"We press on, find a passage so we can loop around them and back to the ship." He said and then gritted his teeth and then told his brother. "Forward."

Luke began to press forward as he defended himself and Mace kept step with him as he protected his brother from behind. Luke got close enough to the droids to dispatch them with his lightsaber and they pressed forward into the structure. Now free to assist Mace Luke turned and helped his brother deflect the blaster bolts back at them as they broke into a run to escape them.

The droids were far slower than they were so it didn't take long to get out of range down a maze of passageways but in doing so they arrived in a large centre chamber and saw a pyramid shaped glowing computer in the centre.

"Jedi, you return to Garn. I have waited long for my revenge on your kind." The disembodied voice said as an image of sorts appeared of a strange looking alien creature the likes of which neither Luke nor Mace had seen before.

"Who are you?" Luke demanded as he guessed that the droids worked for this…whatever it was he thought. This looked to be more than just a computer, he could feel the force and even a mind in it.

"I am Nur, High Shaman of the Order of the Terrible Glare. You must know child, otherwise why would the Jedi return to this place, where me and my kind were destroyed by yours." Rur told them with great anger.

"The Pius Dea Crusades." Luke said with reality dawning on him.

"This was the place where the Jedi who sided with the human zealots were destroyed by the Order resided." Mace said as he too now recalled just what had happened. A group of Jedi who had split from the main order after it had refused to support the human's systematic destruction of alien species and forcing other species from their worlds, they had settled here and become a dangerous cult that the Jedi Order had been forced to put down when they brought the crusades to an end.

"Yes, I have waited over ten thousand years for my revenge." Nur said with fury but Luke and Mace shared a look and a nod.

"Then you have waited in vain, the Pius Dea Crusades ended and now it is your turn." Luke said before he and Mace turned towards the Pyramid shaped computer and stretched out their hands, Master Kagame had taught them much over the years and one ability he had bestowed to them was the ability to use a special version of force lightning that targeted specifically at droids.

The charged ions surged forth from their hands and the computer or whatever it was screamed out in frustrated agony as it was being fried, both brothers putting their utmost into it and the droids caught up with them just as the pyramid was reduced to a twisted mess of circuits and debris. The droids stopped; their strings cut now the computer was no more and fell to the ground in a heap.

Luke and Mace, both panting with all of the effort looked at the computer and then each other before slowly making their way out of the fortress. Luke would definitely recommend the Rebels avoid this planet; it was cursed by the echoes of past atrocities.

---

Coruscant, Core Worlds…

Imperial Centre as Coruscant was fast becoming known was easily one of the best defended planets in the galaxy, two legions of Stormtroopers at all times were stationed here not to mention a fleet as big as a Sector Control Fleet in orbit.

Only someone who was completely insane would even dare to try and attack this world and yet that was exactly what was about to happen.

The Star Destroyer Perilous came out of hyperspace and did not acknowledge any signal, Imperial space controllers looked up in confusion as the ship was not due to arrive and no one aboard was speaking to them. The ship ploughed forward at full sublight speed as smaller ships emerged from its hull and followed in its wake. The controllers were alarmed as the ship appeared to be coming right at them, immediately they opened fire with the defence satellites but the momentum of the ship was unstoppable and despite the damage the turbolasers were doing there was nothing they could do. They ran for the landing bay but no one would make it before the star destroyer collided with the station, destroying it completely and leaving the planet's defence force in a state of shock.

The smaller ships that followed avoided the debris which was falling rapidly towards Coruscant and flew towards the Imperial Palace.

The ships were crude and strange looking towards the people of Coruscant as they landed but the sight of the vicious red skinned soldiers that came screaming out accompanied by a massive bellowing Rancor terrified them all. They ran but the soldiers with incredible brutality armed with both Imperial Blasters and scary looking melee weapons chased them down and began slaughtering anyone they could find. Stormtroopers finding themselves stunned and unsure of just what was happening but they still tried to fight back only to be massacred.

Silri walked out of the landing ship and smirked broadly at the carnage she was causing; everything was going as she had dreamt it would.

- x -

From a viewing platform at the Imperial Palace Palpatine watched the chaos and frowned slightly before turning towards the hulking form of his new and improved enforcer.

"Lord Vader. The Palace is threatened, I sense that Silri has betrayed us, deal with her army and then bring her to me." He commanded and Vader stood up and spoke.

"As you wish."

Vader turned and left, his boiling rage a comforting thing to Palpatine who had ordered all Stormtroopers and vehicles to repel the invasion.

"General Tantor, Colonel Veers. Repel the Invasion with all the force required, Lord Vader is moving to assist you." Palpatine ordered as the holograms of two of his best Imperial Officers appeared, both nodded and answered his command.

"As you wish your excellency." They both said before disappearing.

- x -

The heavy clunking AT-AT walkers moved into position, Colonel Veers in command of the forward line while General Tantor was in overall command. Looking at the holo displays of the battlelines Tantor gave his orders.

"Second Battalion, use the windows in civilian buildings for elevation on the attackers. Walker group 3, march up Shan Road to force them back towards Artillery Group 4, bombard them as they are chased towards you. Colonel Veers, establish defence line at Point Bravo and hold them there. The other units will drive them towards you." Tantor commanded and Veers nodded, both men knowing the capabilities of the other and having mutual respect for them.

The Stormtroopers now they had General Tantor in command felt better, he had never lost a battle and had proven himself on the field many times before. But also, the sight of the unstoppable Lord Vader as he came up to lead them from the front line bolstered their courage.

Tantor's tactics slowly started paying off, Stormtroopers used the windows of civilian buildings that lined the road to shoot from up high. Rocket and grenade launchers were deployed alongside E-Web blaster repeaters, doing their best to thin out the enemy ranks while heavy AT-AT walkers accompanied by AT-ST walkers and more Stormtroopers moved alongside them in support.

The Sith warriors were ferocious in battle but not well led as Silri had no real skill in warfare or in leadership in general. Their armour was also struggling to deal with the firepower being brought to bear on them by the Empire and slowly they were being pushed back, artillery began to rain down on them too from another direction and forcing those that survived down another street and towards Colonel Veers and his walkers who would decimate the survivors.

Cuddles was stomping towards them but he was an easy target given his size, Veers saw the monster coming towards him and commanded.

"Lock on target…maximum firepower."

The large and powerful walker fired its big cannons, striking the Rancor hard and it let out one last defiant roar before falling down dead.

Silri felt the death of her pet and it enraged her but not as much as the sight of the Emperor's cloned monster Vader stomping towards her. She ordered the Sith Master to attack him and while powerful the Sith ignited his lightsaber first, crossing it with Vader but had not bargained on his enemy's greater strength, Vader with some difficulty forced the saber aside and grabbed the Sith Lord by the neck and snapping it like a twig.

Silri was snarling with rage and ignited her lightwhip going to strike Vader but he surprisingly dodged this and pulled her weapon from her hands with the force. Then he delivered a powerful punch to her face, knocking her out.

- x -

When Silri came around again she found that she couldn't move, she tried to but found she was strapped to some sort of frame and her powers were being dampened much to her anger but then she recognised just where she was.

That was when she began to panic.

She knew this place although only in her worst nightmares, it was the personal workshop of the Emperor himself. Where he personally tortured his private prisoners and she had heard some truly terrible stories about what happened in this room. A voice came through the door as it opened and she dearly hoped it was not him but her hopes were dashed.

"Ensure both General Tantor and Colonel Veers are appropriately rewarded for their service. And ensure all the bodies of the dead army are collected, I will have a purpose for them." The Emperor said as he entered the room with an aide who quickly turned around and left leaving Silri alone with the Emperor, she was shaking with her fear which delighted the Emperor. He mocked her with cruel satisfaction.

"You fool, only now at the end do you understand. I am the dark side of the force; I wield its great power and you know nothing of its true strength. I do have to thank you though, your Rancor now it has been appropriately stuffed is a nice display piece in my throne room…as a trophy, but those bodies they are all pure blood Sith. I had though the species dead but now I can incorporate them into my cloning operations. Bringing back a deceased species, it's beautiful." He mocked her before standing right in front of her and Silri had honestly never been more terrified at any point in her entire life.

"You will die in this room, but I will be here watching every moment of your agony as I slowly punish you for your treason. I will not allow you to die until I am satisfied that my fury is appropriately understood so I thought we would start with these." He told her, pulling out a jar of thin looking maggot like creatures which disgusted her but that disgust would turn to terror as he told her just what they did.

"These are burrowing neural parasites found in the swamps of Dromuud Kaas. Many would never know they were there but they burrow through the skin and connect to the various nerves around the body and being to feed on that neural energy, this has the effect of keeping the subject in a constant state of prolonged agony and they secrete a chemical that keeps the nerves from dying so they can continue to feed. I think we will start with them." The Emperor said as he poured the jar of maggots all over her. Silri struggled as they moved over her skin but she was helpless and could feel them burrow under skin, wincing but then as they latched onto her different nerves she began to moan in pain before it quickly grew stronger until she was screaming in agony.

---

Spirit of Fire, Mandalorian Space…

"The Death Star has an immense hypermatter reactor that requires large scale cooling, so I designed the cooling system to be its weakness." Galen said as he gestured towards the area in question. A long trench with a target area at the end which was only two metres wide and equipped with ray shields.

Haron sighed quietly as he considered this, a force sensitive pilot could potentially hit it but even they might struggle with a target that small. They didn't have many Akaan who specialised in starfighter combat. He was thinking that Anakin could probably do it and maybe one or two others. He himself hadn't flown a starfighter in years and was fairly certain he wouldn't be able too.

"How many crew does it have?" Neville asked as he considered just how many people would be needed to run such an enormous structure. Galen told him with a frown given the number of people they would be killing if they destroyed this monstrosity.

"Two million when it is fully crewed but at the moment it is still being operated by a skeleton crew until the final stages of construction are complete. That will take at least another year or two…possibly more with some of the issues that have evolved during the construction and testing phase. Also moving it away from Geonosis in the hurry that they did, damaged some of the key structural elements which has set them back." Galen said knowing if they managed to destroy it then many would die but had been the only way he thought to himself.

"How big is the skeleton crew?" Haron asked with an idea that was so insane it barely seemed to be worth thinking about let alone trying but he wanted to at least think it through.

"Fifty thousand, mostly engineers to maintain and install equipment with ten thousand Stormtroopers on guard duty."

Sixty thousand, Haron thought with a pondering look in his eyes. He reviewed in his head the number of Skytroopers and smaller Basilisk war droids they had, he turned to the professor and asked him.

"I assume you know the computer system of the station well Professor." Haron said and Galen was confused along with Ara, Neville and Deera who were with him. "Could you devise a virus that will lock out the main computer and security functions without a certain access code?" He asked and Galen frowned but nodded.

"Either way we can't do anything until we can find it. Do you know its current location?" Haron asked as he got them back on task. Galen shook his head but did mention something of value.

"Director Krennic makes frequent trips to Coruscant to brief the Emperor on the project personally. He is only trying to gain his favour but that is the only person who I know who leaves the Death Star, that is the reason there are so few people there, to keep it a secret." Galen told them and Haron nodded before sending a message to Yal Takan, ordering their assets on Coruscant to make tagging Krennic's shuttle with a tracking device top priority.

"Until we have a location, we can do nothing either way." Ara said taking over as she saw that her husband was planning one of the 'crazy' schemes that should never actually work but somehow did. They hadn't really spoken since Sabine's trial. He had not approved of her leaving any more than she had but it was her choice and they had no right to control her…but the tension from the trial had lingered and neither of them seemed able to bridge the gulf that had formed between them.

The matter made them exit the room separately, something that worried Neville and Deera but it was a personal matter between them and not something they felt was their right to mess with.

Haron retreated to the main office on the ship and called up Luna on Reijar, as per usual he did not have to wait long for her to return his call, she always was one step ahead of them he thought with a small smile.

"You had a question?" Luna said, he smirked a little wider before asking her.

"You recently recreated the tents and chests that are larger on the inside, correct?" Haron asked her and smiled with a proud nod so he then asked the real question he had for her. "Just how big on the inside can you make it?"

Luna pondered for a moment before answering.

"Depends on the materials and power used, if you and the others helped, I could make it enormous. Why?" She asked him and he nodded before telling her.

"Start work on it as soon as possible, we need something that is smaller on the outside but huge on the inside." Haron said as he was keen to make sure that if the thermal exhaust port didn't work out…that he had a Plan B.

---

Kashyyyk, Wookiee Space…Three Weeks Later…

Haron stood on the command deck of the Orar which had become his temporary flagship as it along with a powerful Mandalorian Fleet and the Wookiee Defence Force stood ready to engage the large Imperial Fleet that had appeared above it.

Neither side had begun firing yet as a tense standoff occurred, none of them sure exactly what the other side intended since neither had pressed the attack.

Haron was calm as he waited for someone to break, he was ready for a fight if it came but he could tell that it was not going to happen, something proven moments later when a hologram of the other fleet commander appeared before him.

"Greetings Haron Ordo, I must admit I did not think we would actually meet anywhere but on the field of battle." Thrawn said as he stood before him, the tension thick in the air.

"Neither did I, but here we are…Mitth'raw'nuruodo." Haron said, having learnt his real name from their spies in the Empire. Thrawn seemed surprised by that and had to admit that was rare.

"You honour me with the use of my real name." Thrawn said while Haron nodded.

"It is curtesy, something that is rare in our line of work. Also, it is rare that I find an opponent that truly challenges me." Haron admitted to the man who returned the compliment.

"Indeed, most of those I face are easy to predict and anticipate but you have proven a most challenging adversary." Thrawn said with truthfulness.

"I can honestly say that the feeling is mutual. It is a shame we are not allies but enemies but this is the way it must be." Haron told him, the two men even if they were on opposite sides of the war could not help but respect each other for their skill as a commander.

Thrawn nodded, the silence holding for a moment before he told Haron.

"Then it is I that will disengage, we shall fight another day." The hologram then swiftly disappeared and to their great surprise the Imperial Fleet turned and left. The Mandalorians and the Wookiees while some were disappointed that there had been no battle, others cheered thinking they had scared him off.

Haron however was silent and for good reason, Thrawn even if he did respect him would never allow feelings to get in the way of doing his job. The force here was never meant to fight he thought, hoping that he had judged the Chiss Grand Admiral correctly because it would be a disaster if he hadn't, but Haron trusted his own judgement and was almost certain he was right.

- x -

Namzor, Outer Rim Territories…

And indeed, Haron was correct, the supposed attack on Kashyyyk was merely a diversion…a false flag meant to draw their attention away from the real target of Thrawn's aggression.

Namzor, one of their major sources of fuel.

The planet was heavily fortified with weapon emplacements and satellites but the Imperial Taskforce Thrawn had dispatched was large enough to overwhelm it. They arrived, unopposed by any other ships and heading straight for the planet.

But this was where Haron had taken his gamble, not only that Thrawn would go after one planet while threatening another to draw away potential defenders but also that Haron would never in a million years do what he had done to defend it.

He had been sending transmissions for days near Kalderan Space, making sure that they could decode and understand what he wanted them to know.

That Thrawn was intending to use Namzor as a staging ground for an attack against them.

It was an enormous risk as the Kalderans might ignore the message or attack before or after the Imperial Fleet arrived, it was a huge gamble on Haron's part but one that needed to be made.

Not only to see if he understood Thrawn as well as he thought he did, but also to see if this weakness for the unexpected was correct.

In this…he won both bets.

The Kalderans appeared, ready to attack and with their incredible hatred towards the Empire they focused their attention first on the Imperials rather than Namzor.

Their fighters and ships raced straight in with their weapons blazing, some ships engaging in suicide attacks against their most hated enemy, fighting for almost an hour until there was no one left, the fighters and small craft from Namzor making sure to finish off any survivors.

Haron when he heard of what had happened was relieved deeply and swore to never use such a tactic again, but at the same time he was deeply rewarding that he had finally learned just how to beat Thrawn…but for this to work, he had many pieces to put into place and there was much for him to do so he got to work.

---

Jedi Sanctuary, Ocean Moon of Delriss, Expansion Region…

The small base on the ocean moon of Delriss was one of the smaller temples set up by Yoda as a hiding place for the Jedi if needed. Aquatic Jedi could live there fairly easily and the likelihood of detection since no one else ever came to the planet was thankfully small.

Kit Fisto was the master in charge, for many years he had studied the force peacefully here with the various aquatic Jedi who had come with him. They had been safe from the Empire and able to simply live in peace. Despite all that had happened Kit was in some ways relieved by this as allowed them to focus solely on the force and finding peace within themselves. He had been able finally have the time he needed to reflect on the Jedi Order, its failings and trauma that he had felt during the war. Sensing others out there were continuing the fight he had decided to keep his small group out of the war so far.

At his side meditating was his second apprentice, something he had never thought to do again he thought as memory of Nahdar came to his mind. Zatt, a Nautolan like himself but being stuck here on this isolated moon had allowed him to supervise Zatt's training from start to finish. He could only hope that Zatt's friends were doing as well…they had all been sent to other temples or had been out in the galaxy at the time so he could only hope they were well. He knew that not knowing their fates hung heavily on Zatt but it was a reality that they would have to accept.

As Kit meditated, he felt someone reaching out to him, a familiar and warm presence in the force that made him widen his smile as he opened his eyes and found himself in star filled vision, before him in a similar meditating position was Master Yoda, looking older but perhaps happier than Kit had seen him in a very long time.

"Greetings Master Fisto. Well, you are I trust." Yoda said with a smile which Kit returned.

"All the better for seeing you Master Yoda. It has been many years." Kit replied and Yoda acknowledged that with a slight nod.

"Too many but a necessary distance this has been. Wished I could that I was merely making contact to speak but in danger your temple is and flee it you must soon." Yoda said becoming serious as he showed Kit a series of images. "Plan to exploit the marine life on this planet a company will. Discover the temple they will and the Empire will come." Yoda told him sadly as images of death and destruction came forward.

Kit frowned as he could feel the approaching threat and asked him.

"Where can we go Master Yoda? The galaxy is an unfriendly place." Kit said as he had not been out in the galaxy for nearly two decades and had only the vaguest idea of just what to do or where to go.

"Handle that I have." Yoda said with a knowing smirk. "A special world has been found for Jedi, there you and others safe they will be. Master Kenobi, there he is already with a growing community. But first you must aid us in another matter." Yoda said carefully.

The idea that a special Jedi Colony had been set up somewhere intrigued Kit but none of them had been on a mission in years, this was dangerous and he would have rejected it but decided to see at least what it was first.

"What is the other matter, Master Yoda?" Kit asked cautiously. Yoda told him quickly.

"Recently uncovered we have that a Jedi Archive was set up on Kamino in Derem City. Flooded the city became and the archive was forgotten but remains there it does. A danger this poses to other enclaves likes yours it does. Take your group there, Kamino now abandoned it is, recover or destroy the Archives and relics there and take them to the planet Koboh where a contact meet you there he will." Yoda explained and Kit nodded, thinking about it and the idea of going on a mission after so many years was a little exciting to him at the same time as it was worrying. Understanding the danger, he nodded and told him.

"It will be done Master Yoda." Kit told him and the vision faded, allowing him to see the rift outside the base through the window again. Getting to his feet he reached for the intercom he called out to all the Jedi within the facility.

"Attention, this is Kit Fisto. I have been contacted by Master Yoda that our sanctuary has been compromised, but that we have a mission on behalf of the Jedi and a new safe haven. We must pack up our belongings and relics and leave at once." He ordered and turned to Zatt who was watching him with curiosity.

"When did Master Yoda contact you master? I heard no comm signal." Zatt said and Kit smiled before telling him.

"There are many ways to communicate other than by standard communications. But that is a lesson for another time. Now my old padawan we must hurry, it is time to leave this place and venture out into the galaxy again." Kit told him and went with his former apprentice to see to the evacuation.

- x -

Kamino, Outer Rim…A Day Later…

The small freighter that the Jedi had used to transport their thirty or so members came out of hyperspace above Kamino. Kit Fisto looked down on the planet and could feel the echo of what had happened here, the Kaminoans were simply gone, wiped out and the few that remained had been those that had been able to flee before their cities had been destroyed or had been off world at the time. It was sad to see an entire species die or nearly but Kit and his ship landed on one of the few landmasses still above the water as they planned their dive.

"The ruins are nearly three kilometres down." Zatt said with worry at the depth which was shared by many of the Jedi present as while they were all water dwelling species it was going to be extremely hard to function at that depth. They could do it but was going to be a struggle especially as they would need to bring things up.

"Then we had best work fast." Kit said as he organised them. "I will lead a small team down to see the state of the ruin and find the archives. Then once we've located the archive, we will work in teams of five each trip to bring things up to the surface. Zatt, I want you to keep an eye out for any Imperial presence or otherwise. If they discover us, we will need to move quickly." Kit ordered and the Jedi around him nodded, accepting his orders.

Stripping off most of his robes as they would only slow him down while keeping his lightsaber and belt obviously, Kit leapt into the water followed by two other Jedi, one Mon Calamari female and the other was a Chagrian male. The three of them and swan down to the required depths, the darkening environment was worrying especially as they didn't know what species lived down here.

After some time, they reached the ruined city, it was a jumble of buildings that had collapsed and it worried Kit as he looked at it, it was hard to recognise any building from another in the dark and they were having to use goggles provided by Zatt so they could see properly. Kit however felt with the force that they were close to their target and swam towards a large structure towards the centre of the ruins. His two fellow Jedi followed him into the ruined building until they found a section that was blocked by debris. Using the force, he moved it aside and went inside, discovering from the aura of light side relics that they had discovered just what they were looking for.

- x -

Hours Later…

Kit Fisto was supervising another group as they removed holocrons, artefacts and water proof holobooks from the archive. It was extensive he thought with amazement that they had held up for so long under water and many he had noticed dated all the way back to before the Great Sith War, having been brought here from Ossus when it had been devastated.

How Master Yoda could have known about this place confused Kit but he didn't question it too much, after all who knows what Master Yoda had been up to all these years? Kit doubted he'd been quiet that was for sure.

A dark shape though distracted him as he looked out into the water and he felt danger, activating his lightsaber, the green blade appearing as a large shark like creature with curved fang like teeth and scales over its body emerged coming straight at him. Kit cut the creature in two as it tried to reach him but he kept himself alert for any more of them.

It took another three hours though to bring all of the remaining relics and the archive up to the surface, they were all exhausted with the effort but as they loaded up the ship and lifted off, Zatt detected something approaching the planet.

"Master, an Imperial Star Destroyer is closing." Zatt said not sure if they had the speed to outrun it but Kit was not going to allow them or the archive to fall into Imperial hands and gunned the engines for all they were worth. Climbing into orbit he could see the approaching Imperial ship and continued pressing the engines forward, the Star Destroyer gaining on them slowly but not fast enough as they reached the right point and the navi-computer got the co-ordinates they needed, the lines of hyperspace a welcome sight as they leapt away.

- x -

Ossus…

Yoda smiled as he saw through the force Master Fisto and his people arrive on Tanalorr, Master Kenobi was there to greet them and it brought great joy to his heart that young Zatt was reunited with Katooni, one of the Jedi who had settled on the planet.

Now they had more teachers there and would in time make a truly great colony Yoda thought, pleased with the results of everything. They would even now have a proper version of the Jedi Archives there, an old one perhaps but a copy all the same.

Still there was more work to be done he returned to his vigil, using the force to seek out danger and those that might need his help.

---

Imperial Prison, Qyia Harl, Mid Rim…

Boba Fett was the best bounty hunter in the galaxy bar none, he thought with some pride in himself. He wore the armour of his father and had made it something to fear, his father's people had left him alone for the most part. It angered him that some felt they had the right to judge him as he was a clone of Jango Fett…and not his son.

He felt quiet fury as he piloted Slave 1 down towards the prison, this time he was not here on 'official business.' No, this time he was here to find perhaps the only family he had left. Information had reached him that his father's sister, Arla Fett was being held here. Had been for years and for the first time in a long time he had felt motivated to try and do something right for a change. Boba had also heard that she was sick and might not have much time to live, he had the money to get her care but it was the simple matter of getting her out of prison first.

When he landed his ship, he emerged onto the barren environment and scanned the facility, standard Imperial Prison he thought. Guard towers, ray shields, electric fence and heavy lock down doors.

His honed instincts told him that same moment that someone else was here and he wheeled around with his blaster only to see a group of fifty or so Mandalorians around him, all of whom had their weapons drawn. He saw immediately that he was badly outnumbered and was considering his position when the leader of the group appeared.

"Boba Fett. Fancy meeting you here." The leader said and from the mask over his helmet it was pretty clear just who he was.

"Haron Ordo. I'm not here hunting, I am here to rescue someone. Don't get in my way." He said threateningly, the Mandalorians didn't like that he noticed and it was probably better not to push his luck Boba thought.

"So, are we, could it be that we are after the same prey?" Haron asked and Boba gritted his teeth before reluctantly admitting the truth in the hopes they would leave him alone.

"Not unless she happens to be my aunt Arla Fett." Boba said and that confused some of the Mandalorians which Boba took to mean they didn't know about her which was a relief and Haron replied.

"No, we are after someone else but for the purpose of making this mission run smoothly, I suggest a temporary alliance. Until we both have the people we want." Haron offered and Boba knowing it would be far easily to do this if he didn't have to work around them.

"As long as you don't go in all guns blazing then we have a deal." Boba said and while the Mandalorians all were angry at how he was speaking to them, their leader Haron was actually amused by his daring, something he seldom got these days given his position.

"I was thinking of using a controlled drop onto each of the guard towers and then head for the control centre. So, let's go." Haron said becoming serious as he activated his pack and took off followed by his slightly surprised people and an amused Boba Fett.

They flew above the prison and cut their packs for a control fall with last moment bursts to slow their descent and land on the right spot. Taking out the guards with ruthless efficiency before moving along the walls and eliminating the guards silently. Even Boba was impressed as they were all business much like his own father had been, Jango had never really talked about his upbringing so that was one of the reasons Boba wanted to speak to his aunt about it in hopes of getting to know some more about him.

He had been raised in that culture Boba thought, wondering why his father had left and hoped his aunt might provide those answers.

He himself turned on his range finder and began to snipe more Imperials as they pressed into the facility and Haron Ordo drew the Darksaber, igniting the black blade with white light around it and flew straight in cutting down Stormtroopers like wheat in a field. As much as he hated the Jedi, he admired the efficiency Ordo killed with, not to mention since he wasn't a Jedi there was no reason to hate him. He however realised that his kill count was dropping below Ordo's and he couldn't have that Boba thought.

He started dropping all of the Imperials he could see and trying to keep up with him, however it was difficult to maintain his score and soon they had wiped out all of the Imperials in the complex.

Boba was wondering just why his father had not remained as part of his people but the sight of his aging aunt in a medical capsule made his blackened heart beat faster. She was a tired and stressed old woman now, but there was so much she could tell him when she woke up.

"What will you do with her?" Haron Ordo asked as he approached. Boba didn't want to answer but decided to for the sole reason of being allowed to get on his way.

"I have arranged care for her. She can live her final days in comfort, hopefully she can answer a few questions I have." Boba said and Haron nodded, he himself was only here to extract an asset of theirs that had been compromised on another charge before the Imperials could guess what he had really done…tag Krennic's shuttle.

"Then I hope you get the answers you seek Boba Fett, son of Jango Fett." Haron said and Boba was somewhat surprised to be called his son and not his clone.

"That is not something that I expected to be called…from one of your kind." He said and Haron chuckled.

"How we come into this world is not important. What does matter is what we choose to do with the gift of life. Your father as much as I understand it left Mandalorian Space to seek out greater challenges and rewards, he was never satisfied with just being good enough, he wanted to be the best. A trait you share in common with him." Haron said and Boba smirked under his helmet despite himself.

"I think this is getting a little deep, don't moan about what you don't have, make the most of what you do." Boba said and Haron chuckled himself before telling him something that he hadn't known about that phrase which he had learned from Jango.

"That is a Mandalorian saying. Your father from what I know of him knew it well and so do you. So, I will bid you farewell Boba Fett, I expect to hear more on your career soon." Haron told him before walking out.

Boba was confused by that statement but had to admit that having risen to the top of the bounty hunter game, maybe he needed a new challenge. For now, though he would deal with his aunt and concentrate on making some more money…before expanding his horizons.

---

Jar Xola, Mid Rim…

The small and isolated farming colony of Jar Xola was a location being considered by Phoenix Squadron for a base, it was a backwater world and yet close enough for their fleet to reach many other worlds with ease. Farms in the northern hemisphere were the only settlements and if walking you could go weeks without seeing anything.

But as Kanan and Ezra visited one of the farms they had unfortunately brought unwanted attention. The Fifth Brother and the Seventh Sister had followed them and so yet again they were engaged in a lightsaber duel with them. Unknown to them however another person was watching, while most of the farm hands had scattered at the sight of the Imperials…one had stayed.

Kanan and Ezra struggled, these two Inquisitors made a lethal combination that was in some ways more dangerous than the Grand Inquisitor had been when Kanan had fought and killed him on the Sovereign above Mustafar. The unknown figure watched and then with a sigh walked towards them.

"Stay back!" Ezra called out as he saw a woman in simple farmer garb approach them. But she ignored this and then Kanan saw her, his face almost turning white with shock but the Inquisitors as they turned to face whoever this intruder was found themselves being flung across the yard with a powerful force push.

The mystery woman then let something slip down her long sleeve into her hands, a lightsaber and ignited it revealing a purple blade.

"Master Billaba!" Kanan exclaimed with astonishment, he had never expected to see her again. She was older but not as much as he would have expected but her connection to the force was strong, she looked maybe only a year or so older than when he had last seen her.

"A Jedi Master!" The Fifth Brother said with fear in his voice, he knew of Depa Billaba and her power. He wasn't sure if he and the Seventh Sister could stop her. The Seventh Sister however just sneered and held her blade ready.

"A bigger prize." She said with a sneer while Depa just looked at her with dismay as if she was so out of her depth it was tiresome.

Depa wasted no time in leaping right over Kanan and Ezra who watched in awe as she moved faster than they had ever seen an organic being move, her lightsaber bisecting the Seventh Sister at the waist before she even knew what was happening before turning to the Fifth Brother who looked terrified when faced with her, he lashed out with a few rather clumsy strikes but with ease she batted them aside and severing his arm and followed quickly with his head in a pair of effortless moves.

She sighed, wishing the force had been kinder than to allow these two to fall into the hands of the Empire but what was done was done and there was no changing it now.

Turning around she saw her old padawan, now a grown man and he had she noticed with some relief taken up the Jedi ways again. Even an apprentice of his own she thought regarding him with slight amusement that it had taken him this long.

"Master…I." Kanan said looking very guilty and Depa just smiled at him before putting a hand on his shoulder.

"You do not need to apologize to me." She told him sternly but with a warmth in her eyes. "You did what you needed to at the time, as I did. But it does warm my heart to see you have accepted the force into your life again." She told him, wanting him to understand she was not and had never been angry or sad. Disappointed briefly perhaps but it was his life and he had to make his own decisions as she had.

"Excuse me! But I can I ask just who you are? I mean thanks for saving us but who are you?" Ezra said with impatience and Kanan was about to censure him when Depa smiled and told him, seeing how much 'Kanan' and 'Ezra' were alike deep down.

"In another life I was Depa Billaba, a Jedi and for a time I taught your own master young one." Depa told him and Ezra seemed amazed by the fact he was standing before an actual Jedi Master. Kanan while glad to introduce Ezra to his master knew would need to leave and soon.

"We should get back to the ship, this planet isn't suitable. Master…will you join us?" Kanan asked knowing that the Inquisitors not reporting in was going to bring down a lot of Imperial attention on this planet and then nervously he asked Depa. "Will you come with us Master?"

The question that he wanted to ask hung in the air, clear to Depa who could perceive it in his thoughts easily and smiled before telling him.

"It would not be good to stay and bring trouble down on the locals. I will accompany you and if you are truly ready…then I will continue your training." Depa offered sensing he had neglected it badly and would need some help to catch up. If this had been the old days then he would have been a knight by now Depa thought sadly but that time had passed, in this era that they had found themselves in it was a battle to survive and to find a way thrive.

Kanan smiled while Ezra looked at Kanan strangely, Kanan to his mind already was a master…what more did he have to learn? Ezra asked himself but the idea of actually learning from her intrigued him a bit.

Either way they were stronger with her than without her.

---

Imperial Detention Centre, Orinackra…

Kyle after a hard fight had managed to force his way into the facility, taking down so many Imperials that he had lost count of them all but he had finally managed to reach the high security wing where Crix Madine was being held. A highly valuable Rebel Operative he had vital information on the new 'Dark Trooper' project and Kyle needed that information greatly.

Using the keycard to open the cell he saw the man they were looking for inside sitting on the bench in handcuffs. He was unruffled so they clearly hadn't interrogated him yet but he recognised Kyle and nodded.

"Thank you Katarn. If you wouldn't mind." He said offering the handcuffs which Kyle opened. Leaving them to fall to the ground with a clang he smiled slightly before telling him. "Now, about the Dark Trooper project. Let's get moving and I will tell you what I know."

---

Vader's Castle, Vjun…

The acid rain was heavy today, Vader thought as he looked out of the window. In some ways he was desperately wanted to be distracted as if he allowed his rage to explode outwards like normal, then there would be little left of this castle by the time he was done.

The Emperor had no way of knowing that by using that serum he had discovered that it would make Vader into more than a raging monster he thought with disgust towards the man that held his leash. He had made him smarter without even knowing it, so caught up in his own schemes like using the recent attempted coup to disband the Senate and increase his own power. He had no idea that Vader now knew just what he was, where he came from.

He was a clone of Anakin Skywalker.

The idea filled him with such rage and hatred, not just at the Emperor for creating him but just as much as at Anakin Skywalker.

His very existence was an affront, Vader thought knowing that as long as that Jedi scum lived then he was just a disposable weapon for the Emperor. A passing thing that he could just throw at the enemy to destroy them and be replaced if they did manage to kill him or he wore out.

Both the Emperor and Skywalker would pay for this Vader thought as his rage was brewing beneath the surface, everything he was came down to them he thought with the objects in the room trembling and being crushed by the force of his emotions. How he was going to get his revenge he wasn't certain yet but he would need to be much more of a plotter than he was now.

For now, Vader thought with frustration he needed to take another Bacta bath. It helped maintain his body and slowed his body's rotting away if only for a short time. He would need to think quickly to find some appropriate punishment for this he thought as he stripped down and entered the tank, feeling the comforting fluid against his body.

Yes, he thought as he used his mask to breath and fell asleep, tomorrow he would find some way to destroy them both.

---

Nam Chorios, Outer Rim…

The planet of Nam Chorios was a desolate world but vegetable and life here survived somehow. The planet's isolation had kept it from playing a major part in galactic affairs for some time.

A senator that Bail Organa had been close to had been sent there by Palpatine just before the end of the Clone Wars and he was hoping to recruit him to the alliance. He could not go himself since he was busy keeping Alderaan from suffering too greatly under Imperial Occupation and so he had somewhat reluctantly sent Leia to see what she could find out.

Leia was disturbed the moment she saw the planet and felt it in the force, something was…off about this world. The force felt odd here but not necessarily dark. She frowned as she brought her ship into land and was confused as she detected another ship there, it was a Kom'rk class transport.

As she disembarked her ship, she saw a familiar figure standing there to meet her, or rather felt him as he was dressed head to foot in Mandalorian armour. But his presence in the force was unmistakable, he was the boy that had been with the Mandalore when she had taken her rather ill-advised trip to Manaan years ago. He was older but then again so was she and this was her first solo mission, her own nervousness at being alone for the first time was unsettling but it was made worse by the appearance of someone who had seen that disaster.

"Hello princess." The Mandalorian said and she could almost see the smirk beneath his helmet which only infuriated her.

"I'm not a princess, you on the other hand might be called a prince, doesn't your father rule the Mandalorians?" She snapped back and he just told her with amusement.

"My father might be Mandalore but he is mostly a duke. I will not inherit that title until he dies or decides to abdicate which I hope will not happen for a very long time. My father has been a great leader for our people and he is currently busy trying to keep the Rift Alliance from falling apart. I am not sure I could bare the weight he does." Markus told her with a note of worry for his father and his mother too since they were both still at odds with each other after what had happened with Sabine. He was still furious with his cousin for messing up his parent's marriage and would gladly made his displeasure known to her if she ever decided to actually face them rather than go back to hiding with the Rebels.

Leia meanwhile was troubled at the mention of the Rift Alliance being in trouble, they had heard of the damage being inflicted on them by the Empire and their new Grand Admiral but not that it was getting that bad. If the Rift Alliance collapsed it would be a disaster she thought with worry and make the job of the Rebel Alliance and Liber8 even harder.

"So, what are you doing here?" Leia asked him trying to get back on point and wanted to know just what he was doing here.

"My people learned that there might be Kyber crystals here, I was sent to investigate. Not to mention we have had visions of someone in chains here." Markus told her not really seeing a reason to lie. They had no intention of strip mining the planet like the Empire had done to Ilum but it would help to find another planet with a supply if needed.

Leia wondered if the person in chains that she had seen was Seti Ashgad, the senator she had been sent to look for but didn't know for sure. So, she suggested.

"Maybe we are here for the same reason, a truce until we both discover what it is we are looking for?" Leia suggested and Markus thought about for a moment until finally nodding his head. With that they both walked away from their ships and towards the nearby town.

It was as rustic as you would expect, looking similar to Tatooine or other planets like it in lesser developed places in the galaxy. They made an odd pair, the tall well-armed warrior and her a shorter woman in white versions of the Jedi robes. The locals looked at them with fear as they passed but only moments later rough guards surrounded them. Both had their weapons to hand in an instant, but the guards seemed to fear whoever had sent them more than they did Markus and Leia.

"You will accompany us to face his eminence." The guard said with authority but neither Leia or Markus responded well to that. Markus asked quickly while making sure his lightsaber, blasters and jetpack were ready at a moment's notice.

"And who is that?"

"The one who rules this planet, our great master." The lead guard said and Leia thinking it would be better to avoid a fight told them.

"Very well."

Markus was annoyed at her making decisions for both of them and told her so as they were walked to the rather elaborate building which they guessed belonged to the ruler of this planet.

"Princess, it might not be better to let our enemy trap us. After all we have no idea of what is waiting in there." Markus told her with an annoyed voice which only annoyed Leia in turn.

"I told you, don't call me princess." Leia told him but he just told her with the intention of winding her up more to make light of their situation.

"You love it your highness."

Leia honestly had never met someone that could push her buttons the way that Markus Ordo did and all she wanted to do was smack him in the face. Or kiss him, the thought drifted from nowhere across her mind and she blushed bright red wondering just where that had come from. He was the most annoying, infuriating person she had ever met; she absolutely did not want to kiss him! She told herself firmly while trying to cover her reaction.

It didn't work though; he could tell from sensing her emotions.

Arriving in the 'palace' for lack of another word they were led to a throne room where to their disgust a Hutt sat on a throne of sorts but as they did, they could feel something strange in the force around him. Both shared a look of disbelief as they could feel the force in the Hutt! They had never heard of any Hutt with the ability to use the force!

"A JEDI AND A MANDALORIAN!" The Hutt bellowed out as he saw them. Both Leia and Markus were so caught off guard by this discovery that they didn't react quickly enough to stop the Hutt from slamming his large fist down and a trapdoor opening beneath them.

Leia and Markus slid down the shaft as it went down and down, they presumed into the depth of the castle. They both eventually came out into a dark cell of some kind and dusted themselves off as they tried to look around but in the dark it was hard to see, Markus conjured a ball of light to illuminate the cell which impressed Leia and then they saw the body of a human male wearing robes similar to the last picture that they had of Seti Ashgad. Leia looked at him with dismay as if it was him, then they had arrived too late.

But they were both then distracted by a shuffling to the side of them, looking over they saw a woman who looked in her mid-twenties but she was shaking with fear and confusion. Both approached her and tried to get her attention but she turned away from them.

"Go away!" She said with terror in her voice. "No outsiders to hurt Taselda! No…no…no Jedi coming for Taselda…they never come. Never came looking for Taselda…No never." She said with a feverish ranting, Markus and Leia shared a look as they listened to her and then saw what was clutched in her hand.

It was a lightsaber, old…centuries at least and they could feel the force inside her. Also, in the bugs that crawled across the cell, which she snatched and ate like an animal.

Markus turned to Leia and asked her.

"Are you trained in the mind arts? I am rather remedial in the practice." Markus said and Leia said.

"A little, but we have to get her to calm down first." She told him, Master Kagame having taught her some advanced mind healing techniques and he told her.

"Leave that me. You just do your bit." He told her and then to her astonishment he raised his hand and a bright pinkish light emerged, the woman seemed to relax as she was bathed in it and Leia was amazed before carefully trying to heal the other woman's mind.

Closing her eyes she gently as possible probed in deep while a flurry of images assailed her, letting her know the sad story of Taselda.

"She was a Jedi Knight." Leia told Markus as she carefully put her thoughts back into order. "Taselda, born a Alderaan mother and a Hapan father. She was trained and passed the trials only to be sent on a mission with a senior knight…Beldorion. The Hutt we saw upstairs was a Jedi." She said in disbelief as she picked the name out of Taselda's mind and the mere mention of the Hutt seemed to strike fear into Taselda which made Markus have to push harder with his calming charm to keep her stable until Leia finished her work.

"This planet, back then at least had violent surges in the force that made both of them lose control. While he decided to rule the planet, she was driven into hiding and forced to eat the bugs here on this planet, they have the force in them which kept her young but tormented her with the memories of all the people they have killed over the years. When Seti came here, he tried to recruit…him to serve the Emperor but Beldorion rejected him and locked him up in here and in a fit of paranoid had Taselda locked up in here so she could eventually serve him." Leia said as she put the pieces of Taselda's shattered mind back together.

"How long ago was this?" Markus asked in curiosity, wondering if eating the insects had kept her young at the cost of her sanity just how long she had been like this.

"Judging by what I saw…Four Hundred Years ago." Leia said as she stopped as Taselda was as healed best as she could make her. Four centuries of torment and hiding, no wonder she was mad Leia thought with compassion of the poor woman.

"Why didn't the Jedi come looking for them?" Markus asked with anger, abandoning a comrade like this was just not the way at all he thought with disgust.

"Who knows. Who knows why not but we have got to get out of here." Leia said as she looked around and Markus smiled as he asked.

"The same way we got in. Didn't your father teach you to fly with the force?" He asked her and bit her lip, not wanting to admit that of all the skills she had, to fly with the force wasn't one of them. Both her brothers and her father were naturals and loved it but she had never been able to do it. It had always clawed at her that she just had this block where it was concerned and he seemed to sense her fear so he took off his helmet so they could at least be face to face.

Her breath caught in her throat, he was handsome in that rugged way with curly dark hair and the most beautiful green eyes. She had to stop herself from staring as her heart raced a little before told her.

"I will carry you back up the shaft. Then we appear in the throne room get rid of the slug and his men, we'll help her when we're done. I won't drop you…trust me on that." He said with imploring eyes that seemed to hypnotise her almost but she asked him with some nervousness.

"You promise?" She asked him and he smiled at her which only made her heart skip a couple more beats.

"I swear on my honour as a warrior and as an Ordo. Now…let's do this." He told her and put his helmet back on before gently taking her by the waist and holding her tightly against him which only made her feel more unsettled but somehow, she knew that she could trust him.

Markus with his passenger secure leapt back up the shaft, the force picking him up and thrust him forward, not wanting to try and do this with extra people when his pack had only limited fuel. Leia gripped him tightly and he just held her secure as they flew back up the way that they had come. Markus relied on the force to find his way through the long passage until he saw the trap door approaching. Holding up his free hand he fired a blasting curse at it and blow it clean open, soaring through the hold he had created with Leia in his arms.

The Hutt and his men seemed shocked at the sudden reappearance of the Jedi and the Mandalorian but they had no time to react as Leia let go of Markus and leapt forward with her lightsaber coming to life. The Hutt ignited one of his own, a purple blade appearing and swung at Leia but she was moving much too fast for him, jumped over the blade and then slashing hard at the Hutt's thick neck, cutting it deeply before landing and pivoting to finish the job with effortless grace which amazed Markus who was now himself enamoured with her.

He would however not allow himself to be out done by the princess and ignited his Viridian bladed lightsaber and cut his way mercilessly through the guards while Leia did the same, the two found themselves fighting side by side as they cut through the guards who had no idea just how to deal with them.

Soon they had cleared out the palace and stood among the bodies with slight sweat on their brow and no other sign of any more guards. Markus took his helmet off again and smiled at Leia who smiled back.

Leia leaned forward suddenly and kissed him, a surprise for both of them but soon Markus was kissing her back. They broke apart briefly before he kissed her again only to have to stop when they saw a figure approach them ahead of a party of figures which quickly made them get back into combat mode and there was just enough time for Markus to get his helmet back on before they caught sight of them.

"You killed Beldorion. We thank you." The man in rough grey robes said as he approached them, neither Leia nor Markus being that trusting at the moment held their weapons ready. The man however just raised his hands and told them. "Forgive us, one of our own unique skills in the force is how to listen at extreme range. We are the Theran Listeners and we like you wield the force although we do no fight like yourselves. We have long wished to be free of him but Beldorion was too strong for us. We will care for the Jed in the cell, with time we will get her off of the insects and her mind will fully heal. We swear it." The Theran Listener said with a calm and measured voice.

Leia and Markus were doubtful as if they had not managed in four hundred years to overthrow Beldorion in four centuries while they had done it in less than four minutes. But at the same time their abilities sounded interesting and so Leia with a look to Markus nodded in agreement before she told them.

"Then you have our thanks for caring for her. Our people will be in contact with you soon." Leia told them and they nodded before saying with a smile.

"We shall look forward to it. It would be pleasant to engage in some discussion of learning from each other." The Theran Listener said with actual excitement at the idea of learning some new abilities in the force.

Leia and Markus helped them to retrieve Taselda from the pit and while still nervous the age-old woman smiled at them as they passed and whispered to them. "Thank you."

The Mandalorians and the Rebellion would both want to study this world, there would be much to learn from here and as they walked back to their ships Leia was somewhat reluctant to part from Markus as he was from her. As they reached their ships but before Leia could say something, Markus took her hand and kissed it which brought a blush to her cheeks.

"We will meet again; I will eagerly await it." Markus said with certainty knowing it was not the last time they would see each other. Leia nodded as she could sense the same before kissing him on the cheek as a goodbye or rather until she saw him again. Now it was Markus' turn to blush as she went back to her ship with a spring in her step and quickly left the planet, needing to report to her father and Master Kagame not to mention Bail Organa.

Markus watched her go with a smile, eagerly awaiting when they would next meet.

- x -

Reijar, Ordo System…Same Time…

Ara and Luna were both meditating, dealing with their own particular worries when a vision came to them both, they saw Markus as a grown man with a woman with brown hair in a passionate embrace. Both burning brightly with the force and then children appearing around them, all stronger than their parents as the force shined brightly around them. Then Markus and the young woman appeared at the head of a long table where many Mandalorians sat with them all bowing to the pair.

Both snapped out of it at the same time and both made their observations.

Ara was shocked at the sight of her son married although she knew it would have to happen sooner or later, the young woman was not familiar to her but she couldn't help but think she knew her somehow. But the fact that a powerful dynasty might be formed by their union made her think deeply as who knows what they might achieve.

Luna on the other hand was more impressed at the power of the two, recognising Markus immediately as she had been his teacher but that the young woman who was pretty sure was Anakin Skywalker's daughter was a surprise. But their power together was not just impressive but that of their children which would be even more so. Luna shivered at how strong they had been but knew better than to read too much into it.

It was a possible vision of the future, a powerful one but a vision of a potential future that might or might not come into being. Events were still unfolding and it could go in any number of ways she thought so she would keep watch and see what was happening.

---

Rebel Command, Yavin 4…

Kagame stood with Anakin on top of the enormous Massassi Temple that the Rebel Alliance had made their home in, Shaak Ti stood with them having been exposed by the Rebels making a base here so it was only logical to join the Alliance rather than continue trying to hide in the jungle.

"It is an impressive view." Kagame said with a contemplative expression.

"The Massassi were impressive builders." Shaak Ti added, having had quite a few years to explore the various temples and other structures, finding several relics thought lost when Ossus had been devastated. She could only guess that Exar Kun must have brought them here when he had finished pilfering the library. Not to mention having to deal with his lingering spirit and helping Master Ikrit free the trapped souls of the Massassi children with the younglings they had brought with them from the temple and exploring the abandoned Jedi settlement here below the surface. Shaak Ti had been kept very busy the last few years and it seemed she was about to become busy again.

"They were an impressive culture, speaking of which I am intrigued at your daughter's discovery. A brand-new force sect that we have never met before, I will enjoy learning to see their different opinions and insights on the force." Kagame said with a smile at Anakin who returned, proud of his daughter and the way she had handled her first even solo mission but there was a point that he did have to bring up.

"Indeed, but today I was hoping you would consider the union." Anakin said as he turned to Kagame who frowned.

"While I agree that we are fighting the same enemy, Liber8 is intent on fighting to make things better for the people. Not for restoring a government that was rotten to the core. Fighting alongside the Alliance would benefit both but is it in the right cause?" Kagame asked him with concern that by tying themselves into the Rebel Alliance it would make them little more than enforcers of a corrupt government.

"The cause of tearing down the Empire is shared by both, more than that as one unit you and others like you can do the utmost to ensure that the new government will be better than the one that came before it. It may become corrupt anyway but it is better to try and prevent it than simply let it happen. We can only really live in the moment, not the future." Anakin told him.

Both Kagame and Shaak Ti were highly impressed at his argument and for Shaak Ti it was an amazing transformation from the brash and unruly young man she had known before. He was much more seasoned and reasoning than he had been during the Clone Wars and both of them nodded in agreement of this new alliance.

- x -

"Then from this day forth, Rebel Alliance and Liber8 will fight as one to not only defeat the Empire but to build a new Republic that will ensure peace and justice across the galaxy." Mon Mothma proclaimed as the Rebel leaders all attended the unification of these to large rebel factions. Together they would be twice as large and with far greater reach, a reassuring thing with their biggest allies the Mon Calamari and the Corellians keeping most of their forces at home due to the threat of Thrawn.

A cheer went up through the room but Kagame frowned, not shaking her hand immediately, only doing it when Anakin gave him a look.

The celebration was soon over though and it was back to business as some of the various factions of the alliance brought forward proposals.

"The Underworld Alliance has made an offer of working jointly with us." Vas Vaspar said as he put forward a possible new alliance for the Rebellion. "They have access to resources we don't have not to mention bases and information networks of their own. It could be of great value to the Alliance."

Mon Mothma however disagreed with his proposal.

"The Alliance cannot be seen to be cavorting with criminals!" She said to him sharply which surprised some people as she was rather a passive leader most of the time and did little during their debates, decisions often relying on votes.

"And what of the Rift Alliance?" Admiral Raddus demanded; he led the small number of Mon Calamari ships that remained in the Alliance Fleet for the moment. "We should aid them in their fight against Thrawn. If they fall it will make things very difficult for the Alliance." He said plainly as the Rebel Alliance was still dependant on members of the Rift Alliance for resources and facilities. But again, Mon rejected the call.

"The Rift Alliance will deal with its own problems while we work to undermine the Empire without devolving into all out warfare." She said her face tense and resolute and the Admiral like Vas both looked annoyed at her rejecting their motions without the other members of the Alliance having their say.

"Then at least try to build better ties with the Mandalorians." King Amand of Molos said, his world having joined the Alliance after he had led a successful uprising against the Empire. "Their facilities have proven vital in improving our ships and their fight against the Empire has brought many of us our freedom."

"They are warriors! Vicious killers and not the ones we want in our government." Mon said firmly before a voice from the back spoke out.

"Mon Mothma, you may lead this alliance but you are not the Emperor. We should discuss these suggestions as a single body. What has happened to you?" Padme said as she walked in, deeply concerned as Mon seemed to be calling for any end to debate and taking decisions away from them. This was the sort of thing that led to the rise of the Empire that they were fighting so hard against. Mon retorted sharply to her interruption with surprising character assassination.

"A surprising statement from the one that put Palpatine in power in the first place. I will not be questioned in the Alliance that I helped build…not by you especially." Mon told her before flouncing out of the room leaving an unsettled crowd behind her.

Some wandered away and Padme was left in shock that her old friend had spoken to her like that and Bail Organa shared a look of concern with her before leaving himself.

However, some people did stay in the room and surrounded Padme, not least her husband but also Kagame, Satele Shan, Raddus and a few others.

"That woman doesn't believe we can win." Satele announced as she looked at Mon Mothma leaving and compared her to some of the other politicians that she had known in her long life. "She won't commit properly so she can always pull out and blame any negatives on renegades."

"She doesn't know how to fight a war, or to lead effectively. The number of times I have stood in this very room and watched the different leaders of the alliance factions argue and yet she says and does nothing to stop it or to focus them." Vas admitted to them.

"Her ideas of a new government would be incredibly problematic, rife with corruption and weak authority. It would only make a resurgent Empire more attractive to some and beg to be exploited by those that would remain loyal to the Empire secretly." Amand said having looked at her ideas for a new central galactic government and not liking them at all.

"The Alliance needs stronger leadership or we won't get far." Raddus said with frustration at Mon's weak style of command, she did not rally or focus members of the rebellion and now she was finally doing so but in the wrong cause. The eyes turned to Padme who knew in her bones that it had been leading up to this. She had really hoped that it would not come to this but in her heart, she knew it would.

"I don't want to betray my friend." Padme said coldly to them all and Kagame spoke this time.

"Is she truly still a friend? You have hardly seen much of each other in years and now the stakes are so much higher. Power can change a person, make them cross lines and make decisions that you could never have thought them capable of before. All for their vision of a better future." Kagame said which outlined his own reservations on working with her.

"Everyone who gains power is afraid to lose it." Anakin said, remembering the words Palpatine had told him years ago and despite knowing now that he had been trying to manipulate him that didn't make those words any less true. "Most once they have power will never give it up…but you did." He reminded her. "You could have used your popularity to become the Queen Eternal on Naboo after the invasion and people would have followed you. But you gave it up and took up a life of service instead as a senator. That shows wisdom and the control needed to wield power without being corrupted by it. You are the right person to lead us Padme." Anakin said with complete certainty in his wife who looked at him with astonishment at his belief in her, loving him all the more in that moment but still the doubt remained.

"If I challenge her leadership of the Alliance…I could split it apart." Padme said her worries lingering as she knew Anakin was right and Mon would not give up her position without a fight. How many of the factions would follow her and how many might follow Mon? Could they end up fighting each other rather than the Empire? She thought with a worrying feeling in her gut.

"Maybe it might, but bear in mind that you can never please everyone." Kagame told her calmly in an attempt to reassure her. "Those that believe in your message will follow you and your message is for a galaxy free of the corruption and oppression of the Republic or the Empire. A government that works for its people and for liberty for all. That is a message and a cause worth fighting for." He told her with sage wisdom.

Padme despite her outside calm was dreading it but she knew he was right; Anakin was right they were all right she thought with agonising realisation. Mon was a bad leader for the alliance, she might have been and still was in some ways still a woman of principles but those principles had become warped over the years and then Padme slowly realised that Mon despite some experiences had none of the practical knowledge that she and Bail had to ground her in reality. Idealism was a great thing but it had to be tempered with realism or it could become dangerous.

Mon had good intentions but wasn't there an old saying about good intentions and leading to bad places, Padme thought to herself with worrying clarity. Mon had a good heart but it was being enveloped by her own ambition and warped ideas for what a strong and liberal government should be.

Ideas that would leave it corrupt, vulnerable and susceptible to outside forces.

Padme didn't know what to think, a part of her felt that she had to do this for the sake of the alliance but another part, the one that valued her friends and their plight and wanted to believe the best in them stopped her.

The two warred inside her and the others left except for Anakin who just took her in his arms, gently holding her and she took strength from him in turn. She was honestly so lost and torn inside; she just didn't know what to do.

---

Arc Hammer, Imperial Space…

'I must be crazy'.

That thought was going around and around Kyle's head as he battled his way through the vast Imperial ship that while classed as a Star Destroyer was way larger than a normal one and it was more of a massive factory for producing Dark Troopers, legions of them.

After freeing Madine he and Jan had chased the trail to the Cal-Seti docking port and then to a droid factory on Anteevy which they had destroyed in an attempt to end the second stage of Dark Trooper production. They had been captured by Jabba the Hutt and been forced to escape and then dodging Boba Fett they had been forced to dare traveling to Coruscant to discover the location of the fuel route to the Arc Hammer itself.

So disguised as a smuggler Kyle had infiltrated a ship that was enormous, a Super Star Destroyer before finally reaching the Arc Hammer itself.

Fighting his way through the ship now Kyle was face to face with the man behind the Dark Trooper Project, General Rom Mohc who was wearing the third phase Dark Trooper armour and the only model if Kyle had his way, he thought as he dodged yet more of this things ridiculously overblown weaponry and pelted it with beam and mortar fire to hopefully blast away enough of it that he could take Mohc down. Sweating profusely with the effort and reluctantly he conceded having force abilities and a lightsaber would have come in very handy right now.

Finally, though after an effort which honestly Kyle thought had been beyond him, he triumphed. He had forced his way through the armour and blown Mohc to bits.

Rushing to the hanger bay Kyle did not let himself celebrate until he managed to reach a sitting Lamba class shuttle and flew it out of the hanger bay, detonating the charges he had set and smiled in satisfaction as the enormous vessel was destroyed and with it all data on the Dark Trooper Project.

Making sure the beacon was disabled he set course for Yavin 4 where Jan would be waiting for him. Seeing her face would be a welcome relief from the last few days Kyle thought to himself.

- x -

Rebel Command, Yavin 4…One Day Later…

"Kyle." Jan called out across the hanger as he landed, he rushed over to her and without waiting surprised her by picking her up and kissing her deeply, leaving her stunned for a moment before they reluctantly they parted and Jan told him with a mocking smirk on her face.

"Heard high command is very happy you took out the Dark Troopers, they want to give you a medal." Jan told him and despite having stopped kissing Kyle was still holding her around the waist and Kyle smiled back at her warmly. Never having said the words but loving her deeply.

"Maybe but that will have to wait…its time I took your advice." Kyle said with some reluctance.

"About? I mean I give you so much great advice…" Jan started to say, teasing him but he took it with good humour before saying.

"I will ask Satele if that offer is still open. Give me a few new tricks up my sleeve." Kyle said deciding it was time to learn about his force and just what he could do with it.

Jan was surprised having never expected to hear that he would consider getting some Jedi training but glad for him too. He was a special guy she thought with a genuine appreciation for him even if she never said it to his face. She wouldn't want his ego to get too engorged she thought with amusement, dread the thought.

---

Orar, Mandalorian Flagship…Deep Space…

Haron had called together all the Rift Alliance members that were still talking and told them what he now knew about Thrawn and his plan.

"By dividing us he seeks to prevent us from doing the one thing that would stop him and the Empire, joining together and fighting back. He has learned to study the culture and psychology of the commanders that face him across the field so rotating them at random would be the best option if you have to face him. But to stop him, we need to let him think he has succeeded and that we will not aid each other anymore. Then he will come for me and my people which is exactly what I want him to do. The only way to beat Thrawn is to take the rulebook we have been writing since the start of this war and throw it away. Be ready…this campaign of his will soon be coming to an end." He warned them and they all nodded in acceptance, Haron turned to Alia Atreides and told her.

"I will need your peoples help most of all in the battle to come. I hope you are willing to aid me in this fight?" He asked and she nodded quickly.

"Given all you have done for us of course, besides I can sense the danger Thrawn represents and the need for him to be stopped. Leave it with me, we'll be ready when you need us." Alia reassured him.

Giving her a grateful nod Haron then turned to his secret weapon, the one that would allow him to destroy Thrawn.

"You now understand why it is you that I need to stop him. He is ordered and meticulous who follows the culture of our people to predict our actions. To stop him…I need chaos." Haron said with some great misgivings but knew it was the only way to defeat Thrawn.

From her seat Eliza Kane smirked as her high and mighty brother-in-law needed her to save him and she leaned forward like she was going to whisper something to him before saying.

"I'll see what I can do."

Haron was worried about giving her this much power but then again, he thought with wariness, how else was he going to defeat Thrawn without taking some risks…he just hoped they were the right ones for all their sakes.

---

There we are, the next chapter will feature the battle when the Mandalorians and Thrawn clash head-to-head. Please leave a review to let me know what you thought of this chapter.

The idea that Haron and Boba might meet while Boba interacts with his 'aunt' was suggested by Blaze1992 and thank you again for it!

Eliza Kane is based on Alice/Elizabeth Kane from Batwoman. Maybe a little less crazy but imagine her with a Mandalorian army at her back.

AnimeFan13579 suggested that rotating commanders at random would be a good tactic to throw off Thrawn so thank you for that one!

More Review Responses…

chao-hellsing – I have heard a lot of things about the game so it felt right to include it.

megacarroll – Thank you! Anakin and Baylan have a lot in common if you look at them carefully, Luke and Shin? Shipping them? Can't say yet but unless I can find a way to bring Mara into the story probably it will possibly be the way I go. Haron had Din take charge of her trial as he wanted someone who he could trust to judge her fairly and give her a chance to redeem herself. Glad to hear you liked Mace's cameo.

Blaze1992 – That was never going to happen. I never even considered it.

Dragon master 124 – I do give them a bit of an interaction in this chapter, they do as you say respect each other for their abilities but they are still enemies. Pellaeon? I have something in mind for him soon. He will feature more in this story. Ezra is a character I am a bit ambivalent towards him as like you say he makes some questionable choices but he does it all for his friends.

TYPE-RWBYFanatic64 – The Hapes Consortium is a dangerous element but I have a reason for including them, it is not random. The Battle Dragons are in some ways inferior but bear in mind they managed to keep the Empire out all by themselves. So clearly, they must have something good there. But they do have the Nova-class cruiser too. The shortcomings? They will be addressed when they finally emerge.

M1stymix – As you say, the Republic I think was not forced to face its internal problems not to mention having a threat to galvanise them until the Separatists. Thrawn is not invincible like you mentioned and now Haron knows his weakness. So, he can plan to destroy him but it won't be easy.

J . E . P 1996 – Indeed, I love the idea of Ossus and wish it would feature more in mainstream canon but again Disney ruined it. Thank you! I will try to feature the Jedi more.

bored peasant – I agree but Thrawn is taking a short cut in his mind to getting the force needed to fight the Vong in the future. Not the best army but an army all the same. Haron, I think would take the threat of the Vong seriously but since Thrawn doesn't have evidence or even bother to tell people about it not one will know until they finally arrive.

Brandon61D – The axe was made during the Mandalorian Wars, Mandalore the Ultimate destroyed the Republic flagship the Courageous and fashioned a battle axe out of the hull and added cortosis and a power cell to make it more deadly. It is listed on Wookieepedia as 'Mandalore the Ultimate's battle axe'. Hope that helps.

DarthEmrys – Understood, hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the compliment.

DeluxeHipster1945 – Sorry but Earth was blasted by a solar flare with little warning so little survived I am afraid. As for bringing in the Hapen Consortium, it was not done without reason, there is a purpose for them.

Jebest4781 – Glad to hear you like it!

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Next Chapter – The final battle between the Mandalorians and Thrawn begins, an unexpected force emerges in the galaxy and Haron will be forced to make a difficult bargain to get their help. Also, the Death Star is finally found and Mon and Padme face each other to decide just who will lead the Rebellion. Ahsoka also returns.