Jedi Odyssey III: Escalation
Adari Thayn Palpatine; Teras Kasi instructor (Keshiri Female)
Akku Sei II; Mandalorian captain (Anzati Male)
Allana Solo; Jedi Knight and Chume'da princess (Human Female)
Arazi'or'elani; Chiss Ascendancy Syndic (Chiss Female)
Atai Molec; Ambassador (Zygerrian Male)
Azzim Anjilic Atirue; Hutt lord (Masculine Hutt)
Ba'kar; Chiss Ascendancy Supreme General (Chiss Male)
Ben Skywalker; Jedi Master (Human Male)
Boba Fett; Mand'alor (Cloned Human Male)
C-3PO; Protocol droid
CT-6116, "Kix"; Former GAR Medic (Cloned Human Male)
Carasynthia "Cara" Dune Djarin; Mandalorian (Human Female)
Corran Horn; Jedi Council Member (Human Male)
Darth Malleus; Sith Marauder Leader (Human Male)
Darth Nashtah; Sith Lady (Humanoid Hybrid Female)
Darth Oculus; Sith Lord, Former Jedi (Iktotchi Male)
Darth Phasma; Sith Lady (Human Female)
Darth Sariss; Sith Lady, Former Jedi (Human Female)
Darth Wyyrlok; Sith Regent (Chagrian Male)
Dician; Sith Intelligence Leader (Human Female)
Din Djarin; Mandalorian Clan Leader (Human Male)
Edaan Palpatine; Jedi Knight (Human Male)
Grace Tirall; Aquilian Paladin Lieutenant (Human Female)
Han Solo; Space Captain; Military Advisor (Human Male)
Jagged Fel; Imperial Head of State (Human Male)
Jaina Solo Fel; Jedi Council Member (Human Female)
Jarael Chantique; medic (Iskalloni Female)
K'Kruhk; Jedi Master (Whiphid Jedi Master)
Kajin Bar Yimmon; Galactic Alliance Chief of State (Cerean Male)
Kam Solusar; Jedi Councilor and Sith Iteration; (Human Clone Male)
Khedryn Faal; Smuggler Kingpin and Information Broker (Human Male)
Kopri Wren; Mandalorian Protectors Colonel (Twi'lek Female)
Kyle Katarn: Jedi Grand Master (Human Male)
Leia Organa Solo; Jedi Master (Human Male)
Luke Skywalker; Jedi Master (Human Male)
Meeka; Bounty Hunter (Farghul Female)
Mirax Terrik Horn; Information Broker (Human Female)
Mirta Gev; Mandalorian Protectors Commander (Human/Kiffar Hybrid Female)
Natasi Daala; Fugitive (Human Female)
R2-D2; Astromech droid
Robonino; professional slicer/bounty hunter (Patrolian Slicer)
Saganu; Chiss Ascendancy Aristocra (Chiss Male)
Sev'eere'nuruodo; Chiss Ascendancy Aristocra (Chiss Female)
Soldier Tirall; Aquilian Paladin Captain (Cloned Human Male)
Tyria Sarkin-Tainer; Jedi Master and Commando (Human Female)
Vestara Khai; Former Sith Lady, Jedi Intelligence Agent (Human Female)
Voort "Piggy" saBinring; Wraith Squadron leader (Gamorrean Male)
Vua Gorsat; refugee/gladiator (Yuuzhan Vong Extolled)
Xasha Xizor; Freedom's Riches cult leader, True Sith agent (Falleen Female)
Telona 12th, 59 ABY
Hyperspace
Aboard the G9 Rigger-class light freighter New Dawn
Approximately 31 Hours from the Kwenn System
Adari Thayn Palpatine, newlywed Keshiri woman and latest heir to the Palpatine name, stirred in her bed as she awoke to the gentle hum of the freighter's engines.
Eyes adjusting to the dim lights, she saw the knocked-out form of her sleeping husband, Edaan Palpatine, as he continued to gently snore from their long, passionate, and draining session of lovemaking that ended not five hours ago last night. The sight of her loving husband resting peacefully eased her mind and filled her with hope that he would recover from the Sith's physical and psychic attacks on him through their honeymoon.
When the One Sith's leader, Darth Krayt, attacked Edaan when the male Palpatine heir was trapped in a coma, he infused Edaan with many streams of dark energies to try and corrupt the Jedi to his side. So far, he had not suffered any adverse effects aside from a few darkened veins, but the Jedi Order could not afford to take any chances with their best Knight at this crucial juncture. Not with the galaxy at war with the One Sith and their dark proxies.
After all he had been through over the last few days, the Jedi Knight prodigy deserved a bit of time to rest and heal from his past wounds. And on that note, Adari decided to stay in bed with her beloved a little longer before whipping up a little breakfast for the newlyweds.
Besides, they had over a day to kill before jumping straight to Ossus, and she wanted to relax and enjoy her alone time with her husband as much as she could before Edaan's trials began on the Jedi temple on the Order's sacred world of Ossus. And the only one to risk disturbing them during this journey was the famed astromech droid R2-D2, a gift on loan to them from Luke and Ben Skywalker for any emergency repairs or transmissions that might come their way.
That is, unless the galaxy turned on its head without the two Palpatines and their mechanical friend there to help it and the Jedi-led coalition, aptly named the Alliance of Light. But she hoped and prayed to whatever gods existed that their luck would hold out for the next few weeks. She practically begged that their fortunes were not as tragic as the Skywalker and Solo families, or they and everyone that depended on them were in deep poodoo.
Wild Space
Ten Parsecs Away from the Red Twins System
Aboard the Zeta-class Shuttle Leigeus's Lament
In the open void of space, where few beings traveled near ever since the Empire devastated the surrounding areas in its hunt to kill a Jedi Knight, a convoy of fugitives and war criminals took a moment to lick their wounds and plot their future retaliation.
Natasi Daala, leader of countless armies, and doomed fighter of an untold number of causes, was impatiently waiting for contact with her ally in the Olpaka Hegemony. Reaching out to the anti-Force society deep within the Unknown Regions would prove to be damn near impossible for even the greatest explorers to uncover. From the artificial black holes covering most of the conventional routes for reaching the territory, and the military vessels patrolling the few working hyperspace lanes to avoid anyone falling across their isolated society, only a damned lucky or brilliant fool could reach the Hegemony on their own.
And it would be even more difficult to keep the region a secret with both the Jedi and Sith forces on the hunt for her within this sector of Wild Space.
That was why she was reaching out to a vanguard of the territory to aid her people on their journey. And as a former Banite Sith ally, master scientist, would-be Imperial warlord, and now-ardent enemy of the Force and its supplicant governments and religions, Cylo-IV was just the man to ensure that her people reached that refuge. If only he would finally reach out to her and give her the go-ahead to finish this exodus!
Finally, after half a day's worth of waiting, Natasi received a transmission from the cyborg, observing the once whole human man before he altered his own being to achieve a form of quasi-immortality, like the late Emperor Palpatine until his final death by the Jedi over four decades ago.
"You may begin your final exodus in precisely three standard hours, Admiral. Darth Wyyrlok and Luke Skywalker's fleets will engage each other within one standard hour." Cylo-IV professionally warned the renegade admiral.
"And you plan to deal with both fleets before they can find your refuge." Natasi factually stated, knowing better than to waste time asking how the scientist came up with those precise calculations.
"No, because that is when my fleet will move in to covertly secure your people's survival." Cylo-IV corrected the disgraced admiral. "They will need a sufficient distraction to make it to our central worlds undetected, and a fleet of my pets will be more than enough to keep both fleets busy. I believe even the most seasoned space travelers will be unsettled by the return of the Kindred of Ooradryl."
"Do you truly expect the Jedi and Sith to ignore such an obvious threat? If they trace the materials back to you, it could expose our entire operation."
"I will not expect you to fully grasp our strategies right away, Natasi Daala, but the Grand Council holds much knowledge of the terrors returning to this galaxy." Cylo-IV pointed out with a smirk. "When you are granted a seat on the Council, you and your subordinates will have the authority you need to better modify our policy. And you will be educated on the mighty burden we have been thrusted with."
"Then I look forward to attaining that responsibility." Natasi coolly promised the scientist, vowing to put him in his place when she gave the Grand Council the designs that she stole from the Galactic Empire before she was forced to flee. And with her remaining insiders and their war supplies supplementing the Knights of Olpaka and their preparations for war, it would lead to their ascendancy over the Force Users and their supplicant governments.
If all went as planned, Natasi believed it would only take a few generations, three, at the very most, to launch a new war, one with the strength, ferocity, and conviction to eradicate all traces of the Force from the galaxy. None of the Force Users and their insipid allies would be able to stop them, not even the so-called Bringer of Chaos and whatever thralls she could bewitch when she came back to life.
And she would find a way to be a part of it all, even if she had to cheat death to do so. Which is why it was fortunate that she already had a few ideas in mind that would allow her to do just that, without Cylo-IV's distasteful cloning methods. It might be too trope from old holofilms for her liking, but it certainly beats the alternative of overriding a person's soul, cloned or otherwise. She had no desire to replicate Darth Sidious on his methods of cheating death.
Within the Red Twins System
Aboard the Victory I-Class Star Destroyer Heta Kol
Through the Force, Luke Skywalker could feel the focused energies of the Alliance of Light task forces as they prepared for an enemy fleet's impending arrival. It certainly helped that the accompanying Jedi could sense the Sith leading this force, so they could prepare for the worst.
To his worry, that still left Admiral Daala and her armada of renegades unaccounted for, which troubled all the fleet commanders just as much their Sith opposition. They all knew what her fanatical and warmongering hatred could do to the galaxy, and after having to put up with her madness for decades, would do almost anything to stop her for good.
And yet, even as Luke prepared to aid in the coordination of the combined force of Imperials, defecting Maw Irregulars, Mandalorians, Jedi, and Galactic Alliance, he sensed that the entire galaxy was about to face a finality of sorts. But what that truly meant eluded him, since he had felt that same feeling many times over the course of his decades of service to the Force and the Jedi.
Unfortunately, he knew this would be an ill time to contemplate this revelation, not with the Sith fleet that just emerged from hyperspace. With Kopri's comm message coming through on the enemy fleet arriving almost exactly five thousand kilometers from the Jedi-allied fleets, the New Jedi Order's first Grand Master would have to divert his full attention towards the Sith fleet.
Exiting his cabin after getting a sporadic few hours of sleep, Luke headed to the bridge, where he would advise Kopri Wren and her fleet of Mandalorian Protectors. He only hoped Corran Horn and his team of Jedi could keep Daala's former confederates loyal to their shared mission, or he knew they would not stand a chance against their mortal enemies.
But dealing with Just the One Sith and Daala were not the only concerns weighing on Luke's mind, nor were they the most demanding. Recalling the warnings Lando Calrissian and his son gave him on the threats lurking in the Unknown Regions, he recognized the danger the galaxy was facing, and how woefully unprepared everyone was for them all. Having heard from them on the Chiss Ascendancy and Aquilian Republic recruiting them to appeal to the Silentium to join the Alliance of Light, it helped him see how old grudges would soon need to be laid to rest to survive what was coming.
After he reacquainted himself with Arhul Hextrophon's final manuscript, being provided it by the elder Calrissian and digesting its contents, he understood that evils long thought extinct or relegated to myths were preparing to reveal themselves to the galaxy. And Abeloth, long feared by all worlds after her rampage fifteen years earlier, she was only the tip of the supernatural iceberg that laid before everyone.
The only way Luke could see the galaxy live free and prosper again was if the Alliance of Light and One Sith laid down their grudges and pooled their forces and resources together. A mad gamble, but Jedi and Sith had come together before to face a common enemy, and he believed that the upcoming circumstances would warrant another desperate coalition. He only hoped that everyone else would be pragmatic enough to see it that way, otherwise, he and the rest of the galaxy's leadership would have to twist a few arms and beat a few skulls to see this alliance achieved.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much he could do to unite the galaxy now, not with the current pursuit of Daala and the expected Sith hunters, and both determined to rule or destroy the galaxy. But if he could capture some of them and trace them back to their leadership, then there just might be a way to turn this pursuit to everyone's advantage.
Aboard the Sith Dreadnaught Omen
As Darth Wyyrlok stood on the bridge of the ancient Sith warship, he allowed for a moment of contemplation before heading into the fray.
Along with the Lost Tribe of the Sith's flagship, Wyyrlok had under his command three Resurgent-class Destroyers, two Imperial II-class Star Destroyers, five Mon Calamari MC-30c Frigates, four Crusader-class Corvettes, and twelve fleet carriers of various configurations arriving in perfect synchronicity. And they had twice the number of ships on the way from several of their allies in the Unknown Regions, expected to be arriving within a handful of hours.
With majority of the fleet being on loan to them from their main Imperial ally, former moff Drikl Lecersen, and Belok Rhal's Neo Hidden Chain warriors, the One Sith could preserve the bulk of their followers until they were ready to engage the Jedi Order with their full might.
And yet, even a Sith of Wyyrlok's caliber could not help but feel a pang of anxiety at facing the legendary Luke Skywalker in an open battle. Despite his impressive connection to the Dark Side of the Force and five decades of experience in this war-torn galaxy, he knew that in a one-on-one match, the odds of victory against the Jedi Master were extremely slim. Even Lord Krayt once admitted that he would exercise caution when going up against Luke.
That was why he and his fleet were prepared to let the Skywalker scion survive this encounter, as long as they could whittle away at the Jedi's allies, just as soon as he and his followers finished tracking down Natasi Daala and put an end to her incessant scheming.
But in the meantime, he had to provide a sufficient diversion for the One Sith's most successful agent to carry out a new mission, one that would deal another wounding blow to the Jedi Order and deprive it of one of its greatest champions.
Ordering the Omen's commander, "Launch all fighters. Have the fleet fire the moment we are in range."
Within the Unknown Regions
Within the Tenupe System
Aboard the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer Errant Venture
"I think we all really must hand it to Khedryn and his people. Their intimate knowledge of this region of space and secret routes is certainly shaving a lot of time off our travels. At this rate, we'll be at Chiss Space by the end of the day." Kyp Durron, Jedi Council member and leader of the Order's Starfighter Corps, noted to Mirax Terrik Horn, the captain of the Errant Venture, the only privately-owned and red-painted Imperial Star Destroyer in the galaxy.
"If you're trying to help me forget how your Grand Master set me up on this grancha mission when I should be helping my husband, you're going to have to do a lot better than that, Durron." Mirax derisively replied, before lightly adding, "But I'll be sure to tell Captain Faal how you gave his organization such high praises. I'm sure it'll give him a few good laughs from an old crusader against smuggling operations."
"No disrespect intended to Captain Faal, but I think we all have more important things to worry about than an ally's feelings or boost his already inflated ego." Kral Nevil, a Quarren vice admiral in the Galactic Alliance Defense Force, sternly reminded the two humans from aboard his flagship, the Guardian-class Super Star Destroyer Cal Omas.
"The Vice Admiral is correct." Hapan Commander Erika Djo, distant relative of Hapes Consortium Queen Mother Tenel Ka Djo, factually pointed out. "Aristocra Sev'eere'nuruodo sent us intelligence reports of increased enemy movements across much of their borders, and they are mobilizing all their available fleets for a rapid-response measure. It might be best if we picked up the pace on our journey."
Lowbacca, a Wookiee Jedi Master and veteran starfighter ace, moaned out a fair point with Captain Faal and his smuggler organization. How could they be so certain that all Khedryn's people could be trusted? After all, the old salvager warned their joint command of his old corporate backers supporting the Jedi in this conflict, which raised some red flags, considering how those corporate bigwigs were more concerned with expanding their wealth and influence over taking sides in a war.
"With our rotten luck, you're probably right, Master Lowbacca." Kral bitterly noted. "But we can't afford to turn away anyone's help right now, not with the vast number of rogue forces the Sith have at their disposal. The best we can do is keep both eyes open and deal harshly with any traitors."
Mirax knew that Kral was correct, but that did not mean she had to like it. Although, she knew that the source of her discomfort was her worry over her husband and his own mission to stop Daala's exodus. After their only daughter, Jysella, was killed by Daala's demented scientists five years ago, the Horn family had never recovered with the bitter pall over each of them. And after her father, legendary smuggler Booster Terrik passed away shortly after his granddaughter's murder, the remaining Horns had grown even more despondent.
This could be the family's last chance to find closure and finally move forward with their lives. But instead of facing it together, they were divided to stop the Sith's many schemes. Even as her analytical mind could understand the strategy, she wished she could stop working to save the galaxy and live her own life again.
Perhaps, after the One Sith were destroyed, she and her husband could finally retire and live the rest of their lives in merriment and bliss. An unlikely dream, but it helped to hope in these mad times.
Within Wild Space
Planet Batuu
Within the Black Spire Ruins
Inside Dician's Command Center
Even in her sleep, Dician could feel the currents of the Force shift and turn towards darkness. And the darkness that pervaded the galaxy was a product of her superior intellect and utter devotion to the Dark Side. With every act of chaos and misery that her followers and the cult she created committed, the Jedi and their allies moved one step closer towards annihilation, and Lord Krayt's Grand Design was yet another step closer to completion. Even their new alliance would not be enough to stop the Dread Lord's perfect plans.
And yet, the Force allowed her to feel several whispers of doubt from within her own ranks, whispers she suspected belonged to those scattered throughout her entire chain of command.
Her ever analytical and calculating mind could not help but wonder several possibilities: Were there potential or active traitors that permeated her followers, or did they simply doubt they could defeat the planet's Mandalorian-backed resistance? Either way, such indecision was unacceptable, and she needed to root it all out before it and its patrons undid all she and the One Sith were trying to accomplish.
Still, a part of her relished the chance to test her wits mind against the legendary Wraith Squadron, which had been the death of many post-Endor Imperial warlords, Yuuzhan Vong, and many other threats to the Galactic Alliance's squeamish view on galactic peace.
With the decades-old commando squad of mavericks for the New Republic and Galactic Alliance about to involve themselves in this matter, along with a small army's worth of professional soldiers and smugglers, it might be best to prepare a few contingencies if the tides turned against the Freedom's Riches cult.
Well, she would not get any work done while sleeping the morning away in her chambers.
Swiftly awakening from her deep slumber, Dician took a moment to reacquaint herself with her surroundings and ground her mind back in the material domain. Such intense meditations in the Dark Side often left the leader of Sith Intelligence drained and disoriented with reality, thereby needed a great deal of nourishment to recover from all her taxing endeavors.
But once her energies were replenished with a bit of food and some of the planet's specialties in bourbon tea, she would dive headfirst into her responsibilities and root out these murmurs of discontent. It would prove pivotal towards her fortress world's continued security, especially with the information the Sith's most prized mole reported on many of the Jedi's paramilitary, underworld, and Galactic Alliance allies preparing to try and infiltrate this star system.
Falleen
Lajinda's Spaceport
Docking Bay Fifteen
Just Outside the Ronto-class Assault Pinnace Infiltrator Rude Awakening
As Vestara Khai took in the beautiful and majestic sunrise that engulfed the city, the Sith defector contemplated everything she had been through to get to this pivotal point in her life. And it was a long, arduous, and winding road, one that she wished she could do very differently if she had the chance.
After being born into the marooned Lost Tribe of the Sith on the wayward world of Kesh and spending her first fourteen years there, she had been a pivotal part of its return to the galaxy before its defeat to Luke Skywalker's Jedi Order. But not before she had fallen completely in love with Luke's son, Ben Skywalker, and even tried to join the Jedi before leaving both those orders behind to join the One Sith to try and escape all her numerous sins.
And now, thanks to a young Jedi Knight and his unbreakable idealism and hope, Vestara was determined to atone for all her wrongdoings. Even so, she had no illusions it would be an easy process, not after the countless lives she destroyed or ruined, and her own mind was left in shambles by the One Sith as punishment for her desertion.
But right now, Ben and a few of her precious friends and loved ones still had faith in her, and that was enough motivation and strength to keep her going.
Smelling a caffeinated beverage from behind as military boots came up behind her, Vestara turned to see Mirta Gev, her longtime friend and surrogate sister holding a cup of caf in each hand.
"Figured I'd find you here, after Ben pulled those strings to get you this post." Mirta smirked. "I thought you'd be taking a couple days off to recover from the Sith's mind games. You're not going to be much good to anyone if you're not at full strength or go off on your own in a daredevil-like stunt."
Placing her two duffle bags of clothing and equipment down, she took the cup and took a sip from it, "I can rest a bit once this world is free. I have to redeem myself, and I won't get it by sitting in a medical wing."
"I hear you, Ves, but like I said, you'll only get in the way without a plan and a team."
"Why do you think I agreed to work with Edaan's crew? At least this way, I can do some good and start to reverse some of the damage I caused." Vestara wearily reminded Mirta.
"You mean the damage you both caused." Tyria Sarkin-Tainer's strong voice came through, surprising both friends as they turned to see the Jedi Master standing a few meters behind them, holding her own duffle bags and smirking at the two younger women's disbelief at not picking up on her presence. "Hm. Guess you're both losing your touch if you couldn't tell I was eavesdropping."
"Shouldn't you be on your new ship, Jetti?" Mirta bitterly questioned, hiding her embarrassment at being shown up by an aruetii commando and Jedi Master.
"I was letting the crew get a night off before I officially took charge. And I would've thought you'd want to spend a night off with your kids before you got to work for the Alliance of Light. You won't get another one of those for quite a while." Tyria amusingly pointed out.
"Figured I'd support my little sis while I still could." Mirta irritably answered.
"Then might I suggest a way to allow you to do both, Commander Gev, while helping to put the minds of a few members of my crew at ease." Tyria proposed. "Bring your children aboard the Rude Awakening, and we can have a good and hearty breakfast together before we get to work."
Blankly staring at the Jedi Master, Vestara cautiously asked, "You're not joking, are you? I would think most of the crew wouldn't want me near them for quite a long time, given the grief I gave most of their people and the Jedi."
"That's one possibility, true." Tyria allowed with a nod. "But they believe in the man who brought them all together, and they won't go against his wishes without giving you a fair chance at redemption. Besides, I find that people can always learn more about each other when their guard is down while having a delicious meal. It may be the last one you'll get while we're on this world. So, what do you think?"
Looking down, Vestara acknowledged that she needed to get to know her current teammates if they were to work together, and she could no longer rely on her self-reliant ways. And neither could Mirta, no matter what both women otherwise thought.
Allowing a weary chuckle, Vestara admitted to herself, "And here I was, hoping to have one last good, peaceful, and quiet morning to myself before the tumult of war resumed for everyone. Guess those plans have been foiled."
"Then, I take it you're accepting my invitation?" Tyria allowed a small smile.
"Yes." Vestara wearily smiled.
Glancing towards Mirta, the ex-Sith nodded, and Mirta ruefully shook her head before admitting, "Guess I'm stuck in this too. Just make sure Parja and Bralo get a decent meal before we all get to work. They're very hungry kids."
"The Rude Awakening's got plenty of great food aboard, thanks to Edaan's excellent tastes." Tyria assured the Mandalorian before the younger woman pulled out a holocomm to call her two children.
Coruscant
Within the Chief of State's Office
Kajin Bar Yimmon, the Chief of State for the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, was in quite a stressed and grim mood, even as he enjoyed a cup of tea in a rare moment of calm. With his dual brains allowing him to contemplate the imminent purge of the Sith-loyal spies embedded within his government while working to reallocate enough forces to put out the many bush fires erupting throughout the galaxy.
And all of this would be done while preparing to take the fight to the One Sith and eradicating all their forces and rebuilding the public's tenuous trust in the Jedi Order. Obviously, Kajin was an extremely busy man these days.
But even with his mounting stress, he had a duty to carry out for the people he swore to serve. And it was a duty he planned to carry out until his final term in office ended in less than a year.
Unfortunately for the Cerean, he was interrupted from his short break by a holotransmission coming through from Nek Bwua'tu. As the Galactic Alliance's Chief of Naval Operations and the highest-ranking Bothan still working with the government after the Bothan Sector seceded from the Alliance almost twenty years ago, whenever he contacted someone by breaching protocol underline the seriousness of the call.
"Turn on BAMR News immediately." Nek told the Chief of State in a tone that befitted a military officer ordering a subordinate instead of advising a government leader.
"What do those Sith bootlickers know that can warrant-" Kajin wearily tried to enjoy his cup of tea before Nek got back to the chase.
"Javis Tyrr knows of the Fel family's contingencies for the Empire, Zakuul's return in resolving the Imperials' civil war, and yours and the Jedi's complicity in all of it. I think you know what that Sithspawn would do with that kind of classified information."
Kajin nearly fell out of his seat at the divulgence, but quickly balanced himself, and instead worked to pull up a holoprojection of BAMR News, with the perfectly quaffed hair, professionally dressed, and surrounded by three of his pundits.
"-one can only assume that, with Chief of State Yimmon and his Jedi benefactors keeping silent on the Galactic Empire's shift towards a Force dynasty, the Jedi are attempting a blatant power grab throughout the galaxy." A Farghul woman whose name Kajin could not bother to remember as he listened to the ensemble of sleemos twist the truth to their own ends. "And it cannot be a coincidence that Senator Wuul was arrested not two days ago for trumped up charges of corruption and embezzlement, with rumors of plans to arrest Senators U'Ta Divnian, Jenna Sauro, and twenty-three other members of the esteemed body as well."
"I could not agree with you more, Freeda." A Chevin male agreed with the feline woman, before addressing the camera, obviously a tactic to connect with the audience, "The only question is, what are you, the people of this noble and free government, going to do about the Empire's impending doom and Zakuul's return?"
Slamming his fist on the wooden desk in a tightly controlled outlet of rage, Kajin knew what the so-called pundits were intending in inciting the populace to rash and anarchic actions, and it made him sick. He hatefully snarled to no one in particular, "And the Justice Department wondered why both Dorvan and I tried to get that parasite and his BAMR flunkies arrested with five trials over the last fifteen years!"
Rising from his seat, he furiously ordered Nek, "Assemble the Joint Chiefs immediately! Lock down the planet and have GA Security move on the traitorous senators right away!"
"I'm afraid that may be more complicated than you know, Sir." Nek regretfully warned his superior. "We already have a five-million strong protest spreading across the planet, and we have reports of half a dozen worlds suffering from extensive riots. We expect more reports to come within the hour."
"And unfortunately, we still have five of the traitorous senators unaccounted for, including Sauro and Divnian."
"Then we'll just have to get a bit more creative with this particular crisis." Kajin sighed. "I was hoping to have more time for the Fels to prepare their election and craft our response for the Aquilian Republic. But as the old saying goes, beggars can't be choosers."
"Have the Noghri and Jedi coordinate with our most trusted agents to capture the traitors. Head of State Fel and I will address the people in two hours to best explain the situation to the populace. I think that, given the circumstances, The Perre Needmo Newshour will accept an emergency broadcast with us."
"And you honestly think a joint address on BAMR's rival network will be enough to calm the riots that are breaking out across the galaxy?" Nek skeptically asked.
"It should be enough to slow them down, or at least buy us enough time to come up with a more effective plan. And perhaps if we divulge the Senators' corruption and our efforts to expunge it, it could calm most of these newfound fires." Kajin explained.
"But enough talk, Nek. We have much work to do in so little time if we're going to prevent complete anarchy."
"Agreed, but there is one more matter I should bring to your attention, which involves the Maladians." Nek began. "General Loran and his people located the assassins' base of operations deep within the Works. Unfortunately, when we sent a force to deal with them, they found the LiMerge Building deserted and swept clean."
"Then we have a small army of lethal Sith-backed assassins on the move in the most heavily populated planet in the galaxy, when we have riots breaking out across the galaxy, a Sith scourge to eradicate, and their legions of collaborators to take out. Am I missing anything for today?" Kajin sadly summed up.
"No, you detailed the situation quite well. Good luck, Sir." Nek quickly answered before he signed off.
And I had a faint hope that today would have a modicum of calm before the fires of war swept over the galaxy again. Kajin despondently sighed before working to contact Jagged Fel on the Empire's capital world of Bastion.
If the Galactic Alliance and Empire were to survive this latest bout of turmoil, their leaders had to act quickly and decisively. And unlike those arrogant and self-serving liars who were in the Sith's pocket in BAMR, Kajin and Jagged would use nothing but the truth, no matter how hard it hurt people's feelings.
Deep Within the Unknown Regions
Near Ilum
Aboard the SoroSuub Personal Luxury Yacht 3000 Lady Luck
If one stayed in space long enough, you might develop an appreciation for its natural beauty and wonder. The bustling traffic that now covered the region was the exception, rather than the rule, and Chance Calrissian, the adolescent man agreed with that assessment. And he saw how his father, the original Lando Calrissian, felt the same way, seeing the excitement in his eyes, even as the allied fleet finished its journey into dangerous territory.
With almost fifty ships composing the diplomatic envoy to the Silentium, a race of spacefaring mechanicals dedicated to aiding the beleaguered in this corner of space, the Chiss and Aquilians escorting the Calrissians right to the border of the Rakatan Archipelago.
A desolate region, void of virtually all signs of life, it was the backyard for the last seven worlds housing the cannibalistic race of warmongers and countless artifacts of the Force-deafened society. Among that region, the Rakata occupied seven star systems, but only two of them were still space worthy and held to their ancient ways. The other five systems had degenerated into savagery and were now only a threat to themselves, but if anyone were to slip past the cordon and retrain them, these populations could be used to terrible effect.
And it was only through this triad of stability - the Aquilian Republic, Chiss Ascendancy, and Silentium – that the Rakata had long been contained to this small archipelago. Throughout the last several centuries, these three powers had kept this ancient danger in check, just as they had with other evils that rivaled, or even surpassed them in malevolence and danger.
But there were other dangers lurking in the Unknown Regions, darker minds that sought to break through and remold them into soldiers of war. And some of those older powers did not care to dominate or rule, but simply to devour and bring about the destruction of all life. Already, if the scant reports the Silentium had intercepted, the True Sith Empire was making overtures to the Tulpaa and Makatak Systems, which held the two worlds still civilized among the Rakata, and the former contained one of the two still-functional Star Forges.
This weapon of war, a semi-sapient facility capable of manipulating genetic matter and reshape it into entirely new species, it had lie dormant for millennia before a Sith Sorcerer was released from his ancient prison. This wicked mind, a man who called himself Raspir, convinced the Tulpaa elders to reactivate it and use to conquer its neighbors and rivals before linking up with the True Sith Empire to enslave all life.
The Silentium, for the last thirty-five years, had recruited the Chiss and Aquilians to covertly back the Makatak tribe and give them a fighting chance at survival. But now, with the One Sith waging open war on known space, Abeloth rapidly gathering strength, and the True Sith at last stirring from their ancient domain, the time had come to act overtly. And they couldn't do this alone, which was why Vuffi Raa was bringing Lando and Chance to the elders to convince them to rebuild ties with the rest of the galaxy.
But what Chance could do to help, he honestly didn't know. His father had long been the suave businessman and negotiator, the war hero and charming con man. All he had under his belt was learn the family business and self-defense training. And as he saw Lando converse with Vuffi, catching up with his old companion and each sharing stories of their many journeys, he never felt so inferior.
If it wasn't for the promise that he made his mother to watch over his father, he probably wouldn't be out here. Lust for adventure and fun aside, he would've preferred going after the One Sith rather than travel to the borders of a long-forgotten and nightmarish evil. Still, he knew that Lando was almost as nervous as he was to be out here, if the tells he noticed were the real deal.
Oh, sure, most could be fooled by his charming smile and easygoing posture, but Chance had grown up with the old man, so he knew when his father was terrified of what lay beyond the Silentium's vigilant watch. The small beads of sweat occasionally running down his head, the tiny tremors in his hands, and a few other small tells that gave away his fear, it was clear to him that both father and son were deathly afraid.
Interrupting Chance's observations, the tiny hologram presenting the thirty-kilometer Vuffi Raa turned its optical lens to face him, and politely inquired, "You've been unusually quiet, Chance. Is everything all right? From what I know of adolescent organics, you should be eager and full of energy for the battles to come."
Taken aback by the well-meaning probing, Chance took a moment to compose himself, and admitted, "Most of us younger minds are. But I guess the responsibilities before us are just, more than I expected."
Scrutinizingly gazing at his son, Lando gave him a knowing nod, and Vuffi sympathetically acknowledged, "A logical answer. Most would run from such the dangers we are so close to, so your devotion to your father speaks well of your character."
"But we shall have to continue our discussions another time, my friends. The elders will be coming to greet you soon, and we will not have much time before the talks begin."
"Any last-minute tips you'd be allowed to offer us?" Chance quickly asked.
"Just be honest and speak the plain truth. That will be all we need to convince my people to reach out to yours." Vuffi answered.
Surprised to see me working on story #3 already? Well, I'm a devoted mind when I put it to something, and I am nothing if not devoted to my craft and Star Wars. I've already done preliminary revisions to Jedi Odyssey I and II, and I'm pleased with what I've done so far. I'm sure I have more to go, but I ought to get some extra input for my stories before I publish these drafts. Still, I'm making progress, and that's always a good thing. So, how are you all doing on this hot night of Thursday, August 8, 2024? I'm doing well, as I applied for a part-time library position and a volunteering position near me, and I hope I can get both, as I need to get back into the workforce and make good money. And I'm reading a good book on Abraham Lincoln's political mentors, so it's an interesting change of pace from my usual choices. I'd better get this chapter squared away and get started on revising the next chapter of my story. May the Lord be with us all in these dark and difficult times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!