Four Days Later
Telona 17th, 59 ABY
Dathomir
Within the Allya Mountians
Inside the Jedi Praxeum
Edaan heard his heartbeat pounding throughout his skull, and instinctively reached with his prosthetic right hand to grip his forehead. But when he tried to move his limbs, he found himself wincing in pain as he felt a prodding needle move inside him and turned to see an IV tube providing nourishment to his body, along with several devices monitoring his life signs.
Well, that's not a good sign. Edaan winced as he lowered his arm, right as he remembered his exhaustion from opening a wormhole to Dathomir to get Adari the necessary medical help she needed from a star system's destruction. Moving his head a little more to the left to see Adari resting peacefully, he calmed himself down with a Jedi breathing exercise.
Resisting the urge to reach out with the Force to feel the state of the galaxy, confident how the Sith were hunting for him and any way to harm the Jedi and their friends and allies, he wondered exactly how long he had been unconscious and in the medical wing.
Hearing Artoo whistle his excitement to his right at the door's entrance, Edaan gratefully smiled, "It's good to see you too, buddy. Do you think you could please get the healers and let them know I'm back in the land of the living? I'm sure Adari won't be far behind me in waking up."
"I'm already up, luv." Adari's sweet voice tiredly entered the conversation. "I've been resting for the last five hours after Master Tekli and her apprentice examined us."
"Tekli?" Edaan repeated, before warmly smiling at his wife. "At least our honeymoon and retreat will have a few more familiar and friendly faces."
"That won't be for at least another two days of rest and recuperation for both of you, young Palpatines." An elderly human woman sternly told the couple, one dressed in old Dathomir robes and skins, having a lightsaber attached to her belt, and a thick walking stick that doubled as a secondary weapon.
"Master Ti." Edaan respectfully nodded towards the Jedi Council Member, one of Luke Skywalker's original students, and one of the three founders of this world's Jedi Praxeum. "I'm sorry if my arrival threw you for a loop, but I was told Shedu Maad had a, how shall we say, a bit of a pest problem and overcrowding. Besides, I had to get Adari somewhere secure and safe for healing, and your academy was the best fit."
"It's understandable, Edaan." Kirana kindly answered. "We know about your discoveries and the Sith spies in our ranks, and we are taking measures to deal with them."
"And you're okay just talking about this in your facility's medical wing?" Adari skeptically raised an eyebrow. "Don't you people have recorders and surveillance cameras throughout the temples for security? And aren't you worried about your own possible traitors trying to get in?"
"We've been dealing with the Nightsisters for a long time, Adari. We know their tricks and can counter their schemes quite effectively." Kirana assured her. "As for the Sith, Artoo provided us with a list of names, and we arrested the five traitors not two hours ago, along with the rest of the Order's outposts. Grand Master Katarn and Master Skywalker are preparing to deal with the thirty remaining spies on Shedu Maad within the next twelve hours, before they realize their covers are blown."
"I see you've been busy as ever, Master Ti." Edaan chuckled, knowing how productive Kirana liked to be, even in her old age.
"Yes. But it will be good to resign from the Jedi Council soon and take more of a teacher's position within the Order for however many years I have left." Kirana admitted, quite a bombshell for her three guests.
"And, just who will take your position in the Order?" Edaan pointed out. "And what about Master Streen? Does he know about this decision?"
"He was the one who suggested it three weeks ago, and I agreed with him. It's long past time for us to pass the torch to the next generations. Masters Solona and Malicos will be taking over the academy, as well as our Council positions. They are more than qualified for the responsibilities that will soon be thrusted on them." Kirana answered.
As far as Edaan could tell, Solona Ti was an excellent choice as a Council appointee. Being Kirana's niece, a master starfighter ace, and an excellent teacher, she would help maintain the Order's proactive stance and instill its core values on all the Praxeum's students.
But Taron Malicos, a Human-Zabrak hybrid Jedi Master, the last disciple of Augwynne Djo before her ritual murder by the Yuuzhan Vong, was a different matter altogether. Given his aggressive and headstrong nature and wariness of those outside his small circle of trust, Edaan wondered why he was chosen for becoming a leader of the Jedi.
True, he was a brilliant tactician, charismatic leader, and combat instructor, but Edaan always sensed an inner darkness inside of him. Though Edaan had no room to talk, especially when he remembered studying how Master Durron was, and arguably still is, like a reflection of Taron.
"Do they know of the responsibilities about to be thrusted upon them?" Adari questioned, breaking Edaan's train of thought.
"They do, along with Grand Master Katarn and the rest of the Council, through a secure channel that the Sith will not be able to crack anytime soon. All we have to do now is finalize our preparations and find a way to minimize the worry our retirement will cause the Order." Kirana allowed with an amused smile gracing her face.
"How are they taking the news?" Edaan cautiously asked, not to give away any of his reservations towards Taron. Well-founded doubts or not, he did not wish to divide the Jedi on such a critical matter or call out a trusted friend and teacher for a choice that was hers to make.
"They are nervous, which is to be perfectly expected for both of them." Kirana began. "But they each have a deep inner strength and light within them that will get them through this war and help the Order and the galaxy rebuild from all the trauma it has been through."
"They will have their fair share of detractors and obstacles in the coming months, but we all have faith in them. Besides, Master Malicos has come a long way since you last spoke with him, Edaan. The darkness that once lurked deep within his heart has largely been expelled through his efforts to help the people of the Quelli Sector." Kirana assured the youthful Jedi Knight.
Bowing his head, Edaan gratefully answered, "I am relieved to hear it. Perhaps he can give me a few pointers when I start to work on conquering the darkness in my own heart."
"And I'll be sure to take notes for my husband, just in case he forgets with his obsessive mind." Adari quipped.
"I'll be sure to give him the message." Kirana warmly laughed at the couple's playful bickering.
Still, even as she prepared to depart and give the healers the space to examine the two newlyweds, she made a note to reexamine the Praxeum's defenses and reach out to her contacts in the planet's Jedi-aligned tribes. In her meditations following yesterday morning, she felt a shadow, one far more insidious than any Nightsister she battled, skirt the edges of her mind. She had a strong hunch her homeworld recently received a few unwelcome guests.
If the Sith or some other evil force had infiltrated Dathomir, then the Jedi and their friends would not be caught unaware like when Vestara Khai and the Lost Tribe came to their world sixteen years ago.
Coruscant
Galactic Alliance Navy Command Complex
Within the Chief of Naval Operations' Office
"We have Tyrr and all his BAMR cohorts in custody. Our people are preparing to move them to the prison convoys until we can put the lot of them and the terrorists on trial." Garik informed Nek and the rest of the Joint Chiefs.
After Chief of State Yimmon's broadcast divulging the reporter's association with the One Sith and complicity with instigating the riots that ruined much of the capital world's cityscape, Javis and his crew went underground and kept GA Security on a wild Mynock chase for three days. It was only due to a loyal citizen that tipped them off and allowed the enemy collaborator's group to be apprehended before they could flee the planet.
They, along with nearly three-quarters of the twenty thousand rioters that refused to lay down arms after Yimmon's window of opportunity to surrender closed, would be transferred off world to the rebuilt penal colony of Oovo IV.
"And you're certain that we can hold them there, considering we still don't know how many people we can trust within our ranks." Nek reminded the Galactic Alliance Intelligence's Chief. While he still thought the Alliance's mobile prison system would work better to keep them contained, at least the Sith agent's poisonous influence would be removed from the civilian populace for their date with the courtroom.
"We'll just have to take that chance, considering how we rebuilt Oovo IV to house the majority of the worst criminals that the Alliance is fortunate enough to capture." Garik respectfully countered. "The correctional authorities have also prepared multiple prison convoys for the remaining terrorists once we capture all fifty-five-hundred of them."
"Excellent. As for the damage to the planet, we have Master Hellin and his surviving Jedi aiding Chief of State Yimmon and our rapid response teams, with our humanitarian efforts being headquartered at the Jedi Temple for the time being." Nek added.
"And the Jedi and public are okay with this? That building's been cordoned off for fifteen years, and its only inhabitants since then are the routine maintenance droids." Garik pointed out.
"Chief of State Yimmon authorized the move, and the Jedi on the ground agreed with it. Grand Master Katarn has enough on his plate without having to micromanage every one of his followers. As for the public, they don't care where the supplies come from at this point, if they can live a bit longer and keep their freedoms." Gavin Darklighter pointed out, before adding,
"Besides, If the Jedi are going to come back to Coruscant once this war's over, the public needs to know that they'll be working alongside them and not stay holed up in their original headquarters like before."
"That's if the request the Jedi made regarding Ingo Wavlud helping them investigate this supposed underground Sith shrine doesn't backfire beneath them." Garik rebutted. "If what Voren Na'al and the Historical Council told us is true, then the Temple is a far more dangerous place than anyone ever imagined, and we don't want a Sith sympathizer poking around down there."
"That's a risk we're going to have to take if the Jedi are to remove another part of the ancient Sith's legacy." Nek sighed. Keeping this meeting going, he added, "Commander Savar's force is about to rendezvous with the Alliance of Light's Mandalore task. Once Fett's Protectors complete their preparations to attack, everything will be ready to break Lecersen and his Sith masters' blockade."
"As for Batuu and Falleen, we have agents closely monitoring every aspect of each situation and are working to reallocate forces for every front in this war. The only benefit from Daala and her followers escaping our pursuit is that we can spare a few additional reserve forces to each of the battlefields."
"And Head of State Fel and his Jedi are finally ready to deploy a force to help clean up their rogue Moffs' mess. They're going to be backed up by a fleet's worth of Silentium and Empire of the Hand."
"Excellent. And what of the Chiss Ascendancy? Have we heard anything from Vice Admiral Nevil and his allies?" The Galactic Alliance's Chief of Army Operations, Judder Page, asked no one in particular.
After Stavin Thaal, Judder's corrupt predecessor, was arrested for his participation in the Lecersen Conspiracy, the Army fell under the old commando's jurisdiction. Admired by all for his incorruptibility but reviled by many for his unwavering faith and admiration in the Jedi Order, he had purged many incompetent and self-serving subordinates from the Army's ranks and done much to restore the public's faith in the Alliance's military.
"Communications with the region are slow, at best. But we received word two hours ago that the Aristocras and Parliament have formally agreed to an alliance, and they are preparing to help fortify the Ascendancy's outlying worlds while covertly investigating the suspected collaborators on the first six of many Chiss-allied worlds. They too, will soon be receiving aid from members of the Aquilians and Empire of the Hand." The Chief of Starfighter Command, Pash Cracken, informed his longtime friend and fellow successor to another high-ranking member of the Lecersen Conspiracy.
Following his late father's example since he and his entire flight defected from the Galactic Empire, Pash had steadily risen through the ranks of the Rebel Alliance and its successive governments, even doing a stint in Rogue Squadron during the New Republic's early years. He had been a quiet supporter of the Jedi for years, feeding them intelligence on potential Sith bolt holes when the Galactic Alliance's Senate severed ties with them. This contrasted with Judder's vocal criticism of their short-sighted spitefulness and paranoia hampering the military's effectiveness.
"Very good. Chief of State Yimmon will be relieved to know of these fortunate tidings." Nek nodded. He just hoped the Alliance and their allies could use this newfound momentum to fully turn the tide of this war. The galaxy had seen enough violence and oppression to last several lifetimes over the last eight decades, but that was not the only reason he wanted to end this fighting.
He still recalled with perfect clarity how Abeloth nearly destroyed Coruscant when she took over the Galactic Alliance and would have taken the entire galaxy down with her before she was stopped by both the Jedi and One Sith.
With the chaos gripping just about every world because of the intensity of the Jedi-Sith war, it would make perfect sense for Abeloth to use the darkness to fuel her rebirth. And because of this fear, he was desperate to prevent her return until the Jedi were able to retrieve the Mortis Dagger; the one weapon that could supposedly destroy her for good.
But until the opportunity to rid the galaxy of her presented itself, he would carry out his duty and protect the Galactic Alliance and all its citizens and worlds until his very last breath.
Sartinaynian System
Aboard the Victory III-class Star Destroyer Guardian
Everything was in place. The fleet was fully assembled, and the entire Five-Oh-First Legion was ready to remind the galaxy how the Empire could use its power for the good of all, especially when in conjunction with the Jedi and the rest of the galaxy.
A full force of twelve newly minted Star Destroyers, six Victory III's on loan from the Empire of the Hand, and dozens of support vessels and a convoy of supplies was ready to help their advance force break the Sith-Imperial blockade, with Jaina and her handpicked teams of Jedi leading the charge. And that did not account for the two dozen Aquillian infiltrator vessels that would jam the enemy's communications and keep the enemy in disarray to minimize the Alliance of Light's casualties.
Honestly, Jaina could not be prouder of the liberating force ready to aid the Mandalorian Protectors in resolving their civil war and capturing or destroying any Sith they discovered in the region. Even as she took in the new command vessel and its sleek design, additional turbolaser and missile emplacements, and less vulnerable and more compact command bridge, she prepared herself for the challenges that would soon engulf her life.
Even as she nearly worried herself into a heart attack for her potential separation from the Jedi Order and establishing a Force dynasty, she knew she should be keeping her mind focused on the upcoming Imperial election. And while she might not want her husband to stay Head of State any longer than necessary after his last sting of leadership, both Fels knew the next few months would be crucial for the Empire's future.
Whether it continued its path with democracy or became a constitutional monarchy, they recognized that either option was the only choice for saving the Empire from succumbing to anarchy. And if it fell, countless lives would be lost, and an entire region would be fertile ground for countless opportunists and self-serving tyrants.
No one desired that fatal outcome, which was why the vast majority of the Empire's citizens were accepting, if rather grudgingly, of the reforms underway by the survivors of Imperial High Command.
Either way, when Abeloth and the next big threat reared their ugly heads after the One Sith were destroyed, they would find themselves aghast when the galaxy would stand united against them. And that would be a lasting testament to the legacy Edaan Palpatine was creating when he began his crazy mission of redemption of a single Sith Lady.
The young Jedi Knight's determination and boundless light were able to unite countless disparate groups together and bring out the best in countless souls, instead of them wallowing in self-pity and darkness, or their delusions of grandeur or self-righteousness. That was a gift the galaxy sorely needed after decades of betrayals and jaded cynicism, and Jaina was determined to do her part to ensure that gift did not meet a premature end at anyone's hands.
"Master Jedi?" The fleet commander requested, interrupting Jaina's reflections as she turned to address Admiral Desmond Yage.
One of Empire's most experienced admirals and a longtime reformer, and the first to allow non-humans to supplement the Empire's ranks, Desmond was arguably the best choice to lead the Imperial expedition into Mandalorian Space. "All of our forces are at optimal readiness. We can depart at your command."
"Admiral, there's no need to defer to me on this point." Jaina shook her head. "I am merely your Mandalorian and anti-Sith advisor on this mission. Commanding this fleet is your task, just as Commander Cardinal will be overseeing the groundside part of this operation."
"Yes, but considering the changes underway because of you and your husband, I wonder how much the Empire will be altered from Head of State Riege's dream?" Desmond quietly asked.
Remembering how Desmond was a Reige loyalist over Jagged during the Empire's first election, Jaina quickly grasped what the admiral was implying. "Open a line to the fleet, Admiral. I think we should give our troops a good rousing speech before we set out."
Suspicious of the Jedi Master's orders, but ever a dutiful officer and a little curious with her supposed message, Desmond silently complied. Moments later, he nodded, and Jaina walked up to the center of the bridge to address the fleet,
"To the Five-Oh-First Legion and all fleet officers of our Mandalore task force, allow me to thank you for staying loyal to the Empire through these tumultuous few weeks. You are the best of the Empire's soldiers, not only for your skill and loyalty, but for your honor and conviction that can put many of your rivals to shame."
"I understand many of you have divided loyalties and mixed feelings over the sudden changes that are sweeping over the Empire, and Head of State Fel and I are immeasurably grateful for your noble and well-intentioned concerns. It will be people like you, along with the institutions that you swore to uphold and protect, not the monarchy that may soon established, which will be the primary pillars of the Empire's stability, security, and prosperity once we help the Jedi and the rest of the galaxy destroy the One Sith and their proxies."
"Everyone leading the Empire is counting on you to not falter in the face of the dark forces that seek to subvert and destroy all that we hold dear. We need you to remind the galaxy of the strength our people hold, and how we have rebuilt it from the ashes of Daala's adherence to the twisted legacy of Darth Sidious's so-called New Order. We need you to stand fast from every threat that endangers us, and work with those that are genuine in their desire to assist us and show them just how well we can now cooperate with others, just as Grand Admiral Pellaeon desired for the Empire before he was murdered."
"I have faith in all of you that we can accomplish all of these and exceed anyone's expectations. Good luck, and May the Force be with us all." Jaina concluded before disconnecting the signal.
Turning to face Admiral Yage, she respectfully proposed, "I know we don't always agree, Admiral, but I hope my husband and I can prove to you of our intentions, and that we can work together to build a better future for all the Empire's citizens. All I ask is that you try to keep an open mind as we prove to the galaxy that the Empire's not out of this fight yet."
Allowing a small smile to grace his chiseled face, Desmond agreed, "After the motivational speech you gave, I can at least agree to that. Besides, I am still a loyal Imperial and will not abandon its soldiers when there are multiple crises across the galaxy."
Allowing a little humor to creep into his voice, he added, "And at least this way, I can still push back against the worst ideas proposed by your Imperial court."
Smirking back, Jaina tactfully reminded the admiral, "Don't you have a fleet to deploy?"
"Of course, Jaina." Desmond complied, but this time without the caution that previously held him back, a newfound respect growing for the Jedi Master evident in his gaze.
But before he could give the order, an ensign emerging from the Guardian's strategic center walked right towards them with a data cylinder, quietly interrupting them, "Apologies, Admiral, Master Fel, but I just received a Priority Omega transmission from Head of State Fel on the surface. It was directed as eyes-only for you two, so I brought it straight here."
"Thank you, Ensign Irol. We'll take it from here." Desmond, grateful for his mother's teachings on remembering his subordinates to build a strong working relationship with them, politely dismissed the ensign before he and Jaina uploaded the cylinder's contents to their datapads.
Quickly devouring the information, Jaina wearily shook her head as she lamented, "And here I thought Fett and his fixers vetted all his top advisors well enough to avoid any Sith agents."
"Funny, but I assume we ought to redeploy our force to intercept Lecersen's fleet before it can employ its ambush." Desmond suggested. "Your convenient Force shortcut could-"
"It would scare off the Sith and leave all of the Jedi exhausted and in no shape to engage the blockade." Jaina interrupted. "But there might be a way to get us in the same galactic neighborhood while doing a little early reconnaissance on the Sith's central base of operations."
Desmond's Eyes narrowed at the implications of the suggestion, "A few probes at the system's outskirts could give us a bit of intel on the Sith's proxies and let us know about some of their comings and goings, invaluable for our inevitable invasion of the world. But of course, you are aware how it could easily backfire on us if the Sith send a force to attack all of us."
"Well, like I said, this is your operation, so this is your decision." Jaina innocently reminded the admiral. "I'm just an advisor, so I should warn you that we have several squads of commandos already deployed as the vanguard of our efforts, so you likely won't have much time to decide before they fall under attack from our traitors."
"If it weren't for the fact that we both just learnt this information, I might assume that you planned everything to meet this exact situation." Desmond ruefully mused, before quickly relenting,
"I'll divide the armada into two forces, and you and half your Jedi can lead the second division to the Horuset System's outskirts to enact your spontaneous scheme once we reach a suitable jump-off point. We'll need to keep up appearances for our citizenry, at least for the sake of our morale and to avoid tipping our hand off to the Sith just for a little longer."
"Thank you, Admiral." Jaina bowed her head in gratitude.
"Don't lower your head so easily, Master Jedi. If word got out, all our enemies might start to think you're some kind of pushover."
"Many have underestimated me before. Few have lived to regret it." Jaina viciously smirked before they returned their focus to commanding the fleet that flew before them, ready to launch themselves onto the battlefields enveloping the galaxy.
Batuu
Black Spire Ruins
Within the One Sith Compound
To anyone who might observe otherwise, Xasha was simply resting after pulling another grueling all-nighter for the One Sith and her money-seeking anarchist cult. Dician had been pushing everyone to their limits in executing her strategies and shoring up the planet's defenses from the Alliance of Light, so a few hours of hard sleep was an obvious cover.
But what the Falleen cultist concealed behind her secret meditative trance was a covert meeting with her handler, and the information she was delivering to her true masters was simply too valuable to leave to a simple data transmission. And as her mind traveled across time and space, she wondered who amongst the Sorcerers of Rhand would greet her for this vital congregation.
Her astral form frozen in place, she felt a vice-like grip hold her in place as a giant shrouded form appeared before her, filling her heart with unabashed terror at the Lich King hovering above. Seeing the decayed form and demonic crown housed on his head, she recognized how her next words would decide if she survived this encounter, and humbly awaited the dark overlord to speak first.
Eyeing his agent, the Lich King eventually loosened his hold, and brusquely ordered Xasha, "Report."
Gathering her courage, the Rhandite field agent slowly began, "Dician and her people are close to penetrating the Rakata vault on Batuu. From what I was able to find out from her records, it looks to be an army of Esh-Kha."
Silence filled the dark chamber for a moment, and the wicked monarch gestured with his hand, an ominous calm reverberating from his voice as he bade her, "Continue, please. Spare no detail in your warnings."
And Xasha did, holding nothing back from the supreme leader of the True Sith Empire. She told him of the Jedi breaking through the One Sith's blockade over Batuu, the decimation of her cult by the Alliance of Light's governmental allies, and the conflict's escalation between the Rhandites' unwitting pawns. She warned how the galaxy was becoming united against the dark side, but also how the war was creating ripples that were becoming detectable to many, and how they might be starting to understand how they were being used.
The moment she stopped talking, the mummified man flashed a disgusting smile, showing his cracked lips, teeth, and shriveled gums to his emissary, briefly unnerving her before he commended, "Well done. Our empire has many servants, but few are as clever, subtle, and capable as you, my dear."
Bowing deep, Xasha appreciatively acknowledged, "Thank you, my lord."
"But there is still much more to be done before our work is complete." The Lich King admonished. "The Jedi and One Sith, if they prematurely uncover our plans and try to stop us, then it could undo all we seek to accomplish."
Yellow-gold eyes narrowed at Xasha before he slowly ordered her, "Learn all you can of Dician's plans, and do what you must to direct her energies solely against the Jedi."
"As you command." Xasha faithfully obeyed, but she found herself out of breath as she found her throat being constricted, and clutched and gasped for air while her master warned,
"There is more." He slowly loosened his grip and levitated her back onto the ground before he warned the Falleen, "Be on your guard, for I sense another near you, one who knows of what is coming, but fights for the Celestials. Find this individual and destroy him and anything that can trace your work back to us."
Silently nodding in-between taking in precious gulps of air, Xasha immediately found herself out of her meditation and back in her sweat-drenched corporeal form. Glancing at her holoclock, she saw how just three hours had gone by from her trance. Well, fate willing, she could get a few more hours rest before the insipid perfectionist Dician called upon her again.
Whoever this mysterious enemy was that had Azreth so terrified, even if he would never admit it, their power and wisdom must rival that of the greatest of Sith and Jedi. For the Way of the Dark, she would uncover this foe and destroy him and all that he stood for.
Falleen
Lajinda Port
Within the Centurion Tavern
"You look like you could use a friend, miss. Or at least a drinking companion." An Iktotchi male spoke to Vestara as she was nursing her single alcoholic beverage while quietly observing a squad of Morgukai guzzling down their pints and meals in revelry.
"Not looking for company, sir." Vestara politely declined the man, who ignored the remark to sit beside her at the bar as the bartender gave him an ale.
"Sorry, but I need a person to vent with and some wise counsel. My girlfriend and I could use a bit of that right about now. We made a lot of bad life decisions after getting burned by our old mentors, and now we're stuck on this cesspool of a world and regretting our later choices in life." The man bitterly shook his head, ignoring the suspicion in Vestara's mind as she listened.
Something in his voice was very familiar to Vestara, as if it sewn together an old memory, and quickly suspected she was face to face with one of her former compatriots in disguise. Playing the part of a naïve cantina goer, she concernedly asked her compatriot, "If you're so ashamed of your past, why don't you do something to change your future? Maybe your old mentors would take you back if they knew how you want to turn yourself around."
"Funny you should say that, Lady Khai, because that's precisely why I need to talk with you." The Sith nodded, reaching into his robe while advising the glaring human, "Try to relax, Ves. If I wanted to capture or kill you, I would have brought Sariss and the rest of our people, not to mention keeping those Morgukai sober to deal with you."
"What do you want, Oculus?" Vestara warily asked, ready to bolt if he tried anything she perceived as aggressive. "I won't come back to the Sith. I'd rather die before that happened."
"I know." Oculus softly agreed as he pulled out a small data card. Handing it to her, he continued, "And I'm not here to capture you, but rather give you a fighting chance at your mission to uncover the king's corruption and liberate this world."
"How could I possibly believe that, or the others after the massacre you and Krayt carried out on Mirta's people?" Vestara distrustfully reminded her guest.
"Because I need yours' and Ben's help to get Verla and me out of our current predicament, just like you needed Edaan to help you see the light." Oculus shrugged.
"My love and I were both deceived by our current patrons, their agents, and their cursed Iteration that's still on the Jedi Council, but we nearly threw our futures and lives away before someone helped us see the truth."
"And just who was this supposed individual? Another of your people with a late conscience?" Vestara pressed, with her doubts all but washing away with the information he was providing her.
"Someone who's honor exceeds that of the both of us combined, even after the wounds she quite recently inflicted on the man who steered you back on the right path in life." Oculus answered, confusing Vestara at the vague reference before she caught on.
"You're saying Phasma is prepared to defect alongside you?!" Vestara shockingly whispered.
"No. Not yet at least." Oculus clarified. "And neither is Verla, but I need to get my love out before either of us get killed, and I need your help." Discreetly pulling out a data rod, he offered it to Vestara, "Keep it close and safe. You'll need it when I reach out to you again, and to learn more about where you're going."
Slowly pocketing the metal item, Vestara, appraising the repentant Sith, seeing no deception in his eyes and his body language, and sensing the remorse leaking out from his composure, nodded, "I'll let my friends know. But whether they believe you, that'll be another matter entirely."
"Do what you have to." Guzzling down the alcoholic drink before offering the bartender a few credit chits, Oculus graciously told the attractive Falleen woman, "Keep the change. You need it more than me."
Seeing her nod in gratitude, Oculus turned back towards Vestara, and advised the former Sith, "I would get back to your cohorts. And get your boyfriend of a saint and his family ready to extract you once you get what you need. Good luck with tomorrow."
Suppressing the urge to correct Oculus on her relationship with Ben, let alone press for more information, Vestara quietly observed the faltering Sith leave the tavern. Quickly pocketing the data rod, she added an extra few credit chits to Oculus's pile and thanked the bartender for the drink before she also departed.
Whether or not she could trust Oculus and get him and Sariss out, her friends and teammates had to know that the One Sith had prepared a trap for them. It could mean the difference between life and death for her and everyone she was working with, never mind help or hinder the Alliance's efforts to liberate this world.
Even so that did not mean she did not have to take the scenic route, if it meant throwing off any potential observers and leading the enemy back to their hideout. It might get her a bit of a verbal lashing, but the intel she would provide might mitigate the worst of her punishment. It certainly would not be any dumber than something she and Ben would have done back in their adolescent years.
She could not help but smile at the memories with Ben during the hunt for Abeloth. Both good and bad, they all held a special and irreplaceable place in her heart, and no matter what happened, she would never let her go, for they helped push her forward in life whether she was allied with the Jedi or Sith.
And now, thanks to a stubborn Jedi Knight with a lineage and Force Sensitivity that would put most modern-day Sith to shame, she had been given a last chance to atone for her dark past, and, if all went well, fully rebuild her bonds with her first and only love. This time, she would not let this opportunity slip past her, no matter what trials or pain she would inevitably be forced to endure throughout this war. And when all this was over, she would find a way to be with Ben and help her people on Kesh. She loved them far too much to leave them again.
Besides, it was the least she could do for all the pain she brought upon the galaxy's innocent civilians. If only she could remember everything about her time serving the One Sith, then her fifteen years working for them could be of great benefit to the Alliance of Light, even if those memories brought even more trauma and old ghosts back to haunt her.
Still, her great instincts, keen mind, and battle skills were as sharp as ever, so she still had a great deal to contribute to the Jedi. And she intended to keep it that way, just in case anyone with a justified grudge against her would rashly conspire to end her life. Unfortunately, that long list especially included a certain semi-retired smuggler and many of his friends in the Jedi Order.
She might have cut all ties with the Sith for good this time, but with the stakes this high and enemies everywhere, a bit of caution and natural suspicion likely would not hurt anything. At least she hoped.
Deep Within the Unknown Regions
Near Ilum
Aboard the Imperious-class Corvette Pax
Cain Arla, Olpakan Resolute commander and head officer of this illicit diplomatic envoy, unconsciously shivered as she neared the three Jedi-friendly fleets. Seeing the Silentium, Aquilians, and Chiss floating close to each other, each covering one of the hyperspace routes away from the world the Shard Orax took refuge in eons ago, it unsettled the Garwian woman deeply. To her, it was almost as if she was walking into a prison of her own making, where she might be detained or executed if this meeting went poorly.
Even knowing how the Jedi were subtly readying for war on the True Sith Empire, and very well might be preparing to aid the Resolute in shattering the Olpaken Hegemony and destroying Daala and Cylo, Cain struggled with the rest of the offer General Calrissian made him. Working alongside the One Sith, even in a war of necessity to battle a far greater evil, it was a prospect she normally would never consider.
But her superiors, after clandestinely briefing her on this assignment, had instilled in her the crucial importance of this meeting, and the terrible doom everyone would face if help didn't soon come. It was for that reason, along with her complete devotion to the Celestials' teachings and her pledge to restore peace to the Olpakan people, that she agreed to undertake this mission.
And now, it was time for her to uphold the vows she took. Rising from her command chair, the aged Garwian turned to her communications officer, slowly asked him, "Have we established contact with General Calrissian?"
"Affirmative. He awaits your word, as do the rest of our hosts."
No turning back now. Cain mused. Nodding, she ordered, "Then put them through. It's time to see what can come of this meeting."
(Sunday, October 6, 2024, Addendum.) Hey, everyone! I hope you're all doing well and staying safe in these mad times, especially with all the natural disasters buffeting the United States and wars ravaging much of the world. I apologize for being inactive on here for so long, but I needed some time to revise more of my chapters, and I'm currently at Ch. 39 of 55. But I also managed to write my epilogue, the three chapters that compose its first draft, at least. I'll probably have to redo a bit here and there, and that'll be a minor hassle. But in better news, I might have a job opportunity or three coming my way soon, thanks to my job coach and the applications I've made. And I have a volunteering coming up soon, so that'll be exciting. Finally, I need to let you know that I will only update my story with four or five chapters once per month, so I can hopefully keep writing at a steady pace until I'm done with redoing the last fourteen chapters of my story. I hope you understand, and I hope you all enjoy what I have published so far. May the Lord be with us all, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!