[19 BBY]
[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Task-force Outrider, In Orbit Terminus, Terminus System, Kallea Sector, Outer Rim Territories]
Celeste Morne frowned as she sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, alone once again now that Master Unduli and Knight Secura had departed likely as unhappily as Celeste felt about everything. More than anything the gulf between what she had wanted and what she had found in this far-flung future...this nightmare that she couldn't seem to wake from. Not only had all she and the Covenant had feared come to pass, albeit not when they'd thought but all she'd sacrificed...that everyone had sacrificed for...it felt like it had been for nothing as the Sith rose once again.
The destruction of the Order needed to be fought against, and yet...she could not feel comfortable in what she had seen in her conversation and spar with the two 'modern-day' Jedi. There was arrogance there, somehow, despite the downfall of the Temple, along with the despair that filled them at that fall, and it was all without them seeming to realise it. It confused Celeste, worried her in truth, that they just...would not listen to what she had to say, was willing to impart on lost knowledge. There was only One Way to be a Jedi it seemed, and they looked on her as a damaged Knight in need of healing, and correction, rather than a fellow Jedi.
Nor had the skill level been...what she had expected. Let along the negative reaction to certain skills Celeste had been trained in as a Shadow;- being accused of drifting towards the Dark Side, in a chiding manner, had certainly not been expected. Things had changed, the Code had changed, and while it wasn't as if Celeste ever intended to go off, find a mate, and raise a family, but the option been forcefully taken at a time of crisis such as this...
'There is sticking to our ideals, and then there is being blind to the galaxy and the dangers of the Sith' she thought feeling the approach of the General in the Force. There were little but unfortunate or less-than-ideal choices it seemed, and the underlying truth was she knew in her heart and soul simply hiding out on a world, teaching younglings was...just not who she was. Especially not if they did not wish her to impart what knowledge she had learned as a Master...even if she had portrayed herself as Knight; a truth they should have noticed in Celeste's estimation
"Greetings General, I trust you are well"
She didn't look in his direction as he entered the training area, ever-present bodyguard droids like silent shadows at his heels. So young, so unnervingly knowing in comparison to those named as Jedi Master in this day and age, yet thankfully not seemingly tainted by the Dark Side. At least to her senses, but associating with a failed Sith Apprentice and two Nightsisters was not a positive indicator for the future if he was left to his own devices Celeste feared. That would be a problem when he was a powerful, self-controlled, Force User who had left the Jedi Order and yet learned so much, so fast, that he could slay Murr in Spirit form where the supposed Master Celeste had met had no clue of the matter...if he were to Fall...
The tall green-skinned alien wearing the current time's version of the Republic's military uniform chuckled "As well as can be, I've just met with a very irrate, and odd, Master Unduli. I'm actually unsure if she was actually attempting to seduce me, or try to get me alone to skewer me with a lightsaber. Understandable I've upset her, but I do believe she and Aayla were not enthused by their findings from your meeting prior to that"
"And why would she be offended by you?"
He shrugged as Celeste rose gracefully to stand on bare feet, stretching out after...it had been hours meditating it seemed with a glance at the nearby timer "I just entered into a relationship with her former Padawan, words were said, concerns were raised. Now, may I ask if you have made a decision or should I give you more time to consider your options?"
Celeste sighed, resting hands on hips and studying the potential ally, yet also a terrible danger. Even now she was unsure if she could take the younger male in a fight, and in the years to come, with more training, that possibility grew ever smaller. But a Jedi should not be defined by fear, and as she found earlier...there were limited options, and none that were ideal in every way "I can imagine how that attachment would not have gone over well. Poor timing on your part I must say, with this terrible Purge, and the revelations of traitors in the ranks, and others violating the Code as they have laid out"
The General frowned, then shrugged "Yes, you are right in that, but this was hardly planned"
Celeste chuckled "So there is an actual person beneath that calculating uniform and armour"
"I should hope so at least"
She nodded at the amused response "I am willing to swear to your cause, but just remember I will tolerate no betrayal of the tenets of the Jedi Order..."
Celeste smiled, holding up a hand "I will clarify in writing, and I assure you I am not as...puritanical...as I have found the current Order to have become. Nor will I challange the Darksiders you employ, as I acknowledge they are a necessary evil with true Sith Lords building empires, and the Republic falling apart at the seams"
The male sighed, almost sadly "They had such an impression on you?"
She resisted shaking her head, merely frowning as she considered her response. In truth they lack of options with the small cluster of Jedi upon Solem was a deciding factor; Celeste knew she was no talented teacher, and their resources...depended upon this male before her. None of the other possible enclaves knew of her, and it best to develop her own resources and contacts at the higher levels of this New Republic than approach battling the Sith blind "Perhaps, perhaps not. I serve the Republic, I battle the Sith, and this the best method I can see to achieve these goals. Your defeating Muur and freeing me of his curse also had an impact"
"Well, that's good to hear. Though I'm afraid serving the Republic has been rather confusing of late, what with everyone claiming to serve it, Sith Lord's included apparently"
"His death would be service enough for the Republic" she replied to that bringing hands behind her back and standing at attention "Captain-General I believe?"
He nodded, frowning in surprise "Yes indeed, at least for the Republic Aegis Guard and Executive Security Solutions. I'm officially down as Sector General according to GAR-HQ on Eriadu, and likely as a Moff in coming days I've been indicated to, though I dislike that title if it should come"
"Good, I can follow orders, and I shall supply you of certain locations that may...time aside...might be worth investigating once we have completed our bargain Captain-General. Out of curiosity, do you intend to linger in this system much longer?"
He shrugged, rubbing his chin with his right hand, elbow on the other arm across his chest "Another few days, Terminus is rather useful to our cause in that it gives warning of dangers in the Unknown Regions such as Kilik, Chiss Ascendency, and others we do not know of as yet, along with simple things like levies and tariffs on the trade through here. Takes a bit to establish a functioning infrastructure largely from scratch, and I doubt we'll get much time in the coming months"
"And what of your plans to slay the Sith Lords who have arisen?"
Captain-General Stormcrow gave an unhappy snort at that "Plans? Nothing that's viable right now to be honest. All I, we, can do right now is play defensive, save as many Jedi as we can, as much knowledge as we can, and, for now, hope the Republic military on Coruscant take him out. In the long run there's options if they fail, but that requires ensuring the Republic survives out here, even if the Dark Side proves ascendant in the Core as I fear it will. Though, there are other threats beyond that, but that'll have to wait for time when we have built a better working relationship between us"
'Acceptable' Celeste thought nodding to him "An understandable situation, I assume you'll want me to train with your soldiers"
"Yes, very much so, with an eye towards determining what your most effective role might be in the campaigns ahead..."
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[19 BBY]
[Senate Buildings, formerly Planetary Governor's Residence, Kuat, Kuat System, Kuat Sector, The Core]
"Commenor and Humbarine are ours Supreme Chancellor, Admiral Dodonna has broken Junta's Second Fleet over Commenor and opened up the hyperlane to Fedalle"
Darth Sidious nodded in response to Sate's words as he sat with his 'true' Council as they studied the galaxy mp before them "Indeed, my friend, indeed. The good Admiral has exceeded expectations in that regards, despite the former Headmaster and his colleagues on Coruscant proving more resilient than expected. Our position grows stronger with each passing day it seems"
It was darkly amusing that worlds were rising in rebellion in his name as the traitors in the Grand Army were forced to implement martial law to maintain simple things such as taxation and banking. Unsurprisingly, without his help, the financial markets that were the lifeblood of the Republic had melted down in response to the Civil War and the heavy handed military response had merely exacerbated the problem. Now trade was breaking down, and that meant shortages of daily goods; unrest was the natural response to that, and he had had Sheev Palpatine press that with every speech that the Traitors, on Coruscant and Corellia, were at fault.
And, while it was proving frustrating to deal with, the recent Jedi assassination attempts had been very useful for continuing the building rage against the blasted survivors of Order 66. It had also aided him in forming his new Inquisition to popular acclaim on his loyal worlds to 'regulate' Force Users with the Galactic Republic after the Jedi Betrayal of Democracy. He would have laughed at the irony, as even those who would shelter the Jedi were demanding such 'regulation' and it was clear many amongst the survivors were...less accepting of these changes.
'Unfortunate that young Skywalker had Amidala and brought him beyond my grasp...for now' he mused as his advisors offered their opinions on the coming offensives to reclaim lost territory. For a time he had raged at that, but it was clear this was the longer, but perhaps desirable, the path to achieve the Grand Plan; all his enemies had emerged now, along with a proving ground for those worthwhile. The Dark Side would soon be in the Ascendance as the Light died, and he would use its power to achieve his victory, and none would stop him; not that reborn Emperor on Mon Cala, not his failed Apprentice and his Mother, not Tarkin and his attack dog the Stormcrow, and certainly not that damned little green troll trapped on Kashyyyk.
"Sly, your efforts?" he asked after a few minutes and he decided to change the subject to other important matters. For while his new Inquisition would serve its purpose he could not allow young Malorum to gain too much influence, and his dear Sly's loyalty was unbreakable, as was her cruel will. His Umbaran nodded to him respectfully, barely moving the feathery horror that was her clothing. Darth Sidious, nor Sheev Palpatine, had never had much interest in Sly Moore in a lustful way, and part of him suspected it was her truly terrible dress sense, love of staying bald, the way her eyes bulged out with that blue eyeliner. Thank the Force she at least had found a few attractive concubines for him, and he could trust her to break them in as he was rather busy right now.
"I have a number of useful potentials Supreme Chancellor, though...training methods are somewhat restricted for the more public ones. But I can assure you only the superior Adepts will...be promoted...for the Special Operations Command"
"Excellent Sly, I look forward to seeing the progress" he replied before glancing at the young Head Inquisitor and getting a similar answer. Having to maintain the guise of this sickening Republic's rights was frustrating to say the least, but it had allowed recruitment of useful idiots to throw as fodder against actual Jedi. Perhaps there would a potential Apprentice amongst them even?
'A temporary one perhaps, capturing Anakin, and/or Amidala and their offspring would be more ideal of course' he thought using the rage at being frustrated there to fuel his power even further. They were on Corellia, amongst another foe to be dealt with, and he had no way to adequately influence them to the...righteousness...of his cause. At least beyond the current public efforts to continue to undermine the reputation of the Jedi, while bolstering his own as a Defender of Democracy and the ideals of the Republic. The sheer irony of the voters cheering for a Sith Lord and denouncing the Jedi was one of the few bright spots of late. Of course that meant other things needed to done so they could push the offensive without fear of a Separatist attack into their rear areas.
"My friends, I do believe it is time for some exposing of spies and traitors within the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Along with a...let us call it a training exercise...for some of our newest recruits to remove some traitors. I'm sure Master Jerec will be up to such a challenge..."
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