Batuu Orbit
Aboard the Dodonna
"This is not looking like a good start for this world's liberation." Kara sourly pointed out to the assembled leadership both in orbit and beneath the planet's atmosphere.
"No one needs to hear the obvious, Rear Admiral." Voort exasperatingly stated, even as he still shared the Aporthad's sympathies.
Hearing from the Resistance scouts how the bulk of the enemy fleet retreated to their main command center and the Sith's surviving operations while using the planet's surviving civilians as living shields, an orbital bombardment was out of the question.
But hearing from the leader of Clan Djarin how the Sith were less than two days from unearthing an army of pre-Old Republic Esh-kha large enough to occupy at least three worlds and were using Admiral Tonith's ships to carry their massive payload, it was almost too much to bear.
The Alliance of Light needed a strategy to stop the Sith before they could make off with their cargo. But unsurprisingly, coming up with a workable plan was harder than it sounded. Even with their almost-even numbers and superior position, they could not make even a single mistake with an entire planet's population hanging in the balance. They would need to scout out the enemy's defenses and reach out to their remaining civilian allies within the Sith's cult and uncover any weaknesses in Dician's strategy.
Until then, all the coalition could do was prepare for battle and scour the planet for any salvageable remains of their enemies' operations and clues to their overall intentions and contingencies. Not a preferred course of action for the rear admiral, but one that made the most sense, even as something inside her knew this would have terrible consequences soon for all involved.
Telona 20th, 59 ABY
Dathomir
Jedi Outpost Ros Lai
Within the Training Dome
Leaping from tree to tree to avoid the dozens of flaming arrows flying right towards him, Edaan barely had a single moment to catch his breath after the barrage ceased before two of Taron's Zabrak students leapt down from a higher branch.
Just how many people can that lunatic throw at me?! Edaan seethed while grappling with both his new opponents. If he had his lightsaber or was at least allowed to use the Force for more than passive actions or a couple of strong bursts at a time, then he would likely defeat all those hunting him down with ease.
But thanks to Master Malicos confiscating his lightsaber mere moments before the trial began and forcing him to drink a different type of potion, one that severely weakened his connection to the Force, those options were taken off the table. Instead, he had to rely solely on his mind, body, spirit, and whatever weapons he scrounged from his downed pursuers to overcome the overwhelming odds stacked against him. Although, he offhandedly knew his ancestor suffered a far worse training regimen than he did when he was a Sith Apprentice, so Edaan remembered to count his blessings.
Already gathering a small arsenal of stun blasters and cartridges, a walking stick reminiscent of Master Vodo-Siosk Baas, five medpacs to tend to his many injuries, and a few stimulants and rations bars for his adrenaline, it would be challenging to stop him, even after getting five hours of rest in the last day. He had already dealt with fifteen of Taron's disciples and at least twice as many beasts of diverse worlds and landscapes.
This may not be the typical type of test he was accustomed to, but to conquer his demons and unlearn his tunnel vision, he needed to be broken down before he could reforge himself into a better man.
When his overseers were done with him, he would be a person worthy of being a true leader and a great Jedi for the galaxy, and an even better husband for Adari, after he released his growing frustrations in the appropriate manner. He looked forward to that eventual night, and he had a hunch Adari would enjoy it as well, after he recovered from his brutal ordeal that a few lunatics thought of as training.
Returning his mind to the fight at hand, he used his first opponent's greater mass against him by dislocating their shoulder and throwing her over his shoulder into the air. Unfortunately, he found himself barely able to block a flying roundhouse kick by the second foe, this one far nimbler than the last defeated challenger.
Noticing the branch below barely able to support the weight of both fighters, Edaan might have utilized an opportunity to withdraw before a sniper attack flew towards the branch. The slugthrower projectile, Force-guided towards the Palpatine Jedi Knight, forced him to duck to avoid it by a hair's breadth, leaving him disoriented after taking a fierce uppercut by the nearby enemy.
Almost vomiting up blood, bile, and maybe part of a tooth from the blow's sheer force, he fell off the branch, plummeting down through several smaller branches, barely breaking his fall before regaining his bearings enough to slow his descent just enough to avoid breaking any bones.
Nearly letting his anger overtake him, Edaan resolved putting it to more productive uses. It was time for the hunted to become the hunter with a bit of misdirection and superior tactics. But before he could figure out a plan for retaliation, he heard a howl come from far behind him, and he knew he had to defeat whatever animals were on his trail.
Moments later, one of the hounds appeared, and it was revealed to be a well-fed predator he knew all too well from his studies on the most lethal predators from across the Outer Rim, one world that held most of them outside of private zoos or gladiator matches.
Annobas. That karking fanatic of a Jedi Master imported a pack of one of Tatooine toughest predators for his students to go up against. Edaan ruefully lamented while pulling out and twirling his staff around to try and ward off the next batch of hunters. Well, at least they're not Tuk'ata hounds, so there's a small silver lining here. But when I finish this marathon, I'd better get at least a week's worth of rest and eat my fill to last a month.
Korriban
Darth Krayt's Citadel
Within the Aphra Family's Quarters
"I assume you want to know of my intentions regarding your defection dilemma." The Edaan-Iteration bluntly began while combing through a variety of scrolls Doctor Aphra had provided his family and their illustrious guest. "You want to be sure I don't ruin your efforts to undermine Krayt's Sith order while making your grand escape."
"Way to be stealthy in enemy territory." Chelli bitterly grumbled.
"I know you two already scrambled this room's listening devices, and I can shield our intentions well enough to fool the Inquisitors. But back to the point, who's to say this is hostile ground for me? Did it ever cross either of your minds that I want to be here instead of risking it all on a mad dash for freedom?" The clone crossly countered.
"Then why not confess how your programming was corrupted, or bait us with such critical information about Darth Krayt's whereabouts?" Lona calmly denied. "No, you have another agenda going on, and I want to find out what it is."
Appraising the elder Aphra woman with an indiscernible gaze, the clone simply shrugged his shoulders, "Very well. You were able to alter my programming, but it seemed to develop an unintended side effect. It granted me my free will when you too would have used me as a pawn just like the Sith, even if it was for somewhat nobler reasons.
"Now, I find myself at a loss as to what to do with myself. I have all the memories of the original Edaan Palpatine, and a potentially stronger connection to the Force than he holds, but I lack a driving force for my actions." The lab creation almost seemed conflicted in his eyes and facial expressions, as if he was a scared child looking for the answer to a difficult test question.
"Then maybe we can help you in your journey for meaning." Lona kindly offered. "If you come with us, there are countless wonders out there, many Force orders and groups out there beyond the Jedi and Sith that can aid you in looking for a greater purpose beyond your Sith programming."
Chelli, feeling obliged to say something, cautiously added, "I know what it is like to have countless questions about life. In fact, I think we're more alike than we care to admit."
"How so?" The Iteration inquired, not with malice or offense, but with genuine curiosity.
"We both lived on this desolate tomb of a planet for most of our lives and want more for ourselves than what our genes and so-called masters demand of us, for starters." The younger Aphra lady began. "And I can tell you have a strong thirst for knowledge and a restless spirit for adventure, just like I do.
"We can offer you a chance to control your own life, an opportunity Krayt and his One Sith will never offer you. All you need to do is to come with us when we escape Korriban and take a few extra passengers along for the ride."
"What passengers?" The clone repeated. "Who do you plan on taking with you in your little spy ring?"
"A few droids that have been my closest friends for my long years here, and a Mandalorian Supercommando prisoner of the Sith." Lona answered. "His name is Jaing Skirata, and I think you might know of him from your progenitor's research in the Jedi Archives."
"I know that name." The clone contemplatively nodded. "He was quite a hacker and warrior and held unexpected Jedi-leaning pragmatism for a Mandalorian of Kal Skirata's upbringing during the early years of Sidious's empire. I was unaware the Sith had him here, though. Perhaps I should speak with him when given a chance."
"Just don't expect him to warm up to you, or any of us, for that matter." Lona warned. "It'll take a barrel of miracles for us to break him out, even with your help, if you agree."
Coming to a silent decision, he promised the two Aphras, "I won't tell anyone of your plans, so you don't have to worry about a leak on my part. But I'm not committing to anything just yet. I need a few days to think, to meditate, and reflect on all I know, or think I know."
"Take all the time you need, your kind of soul-searching will take as much contemplation as you need, and we'll need your help to even try our breakaway." Lona promised. "But where will you go to figure out what to do?"
"I've heard that several Sith go up to Korriban's surface to reflect on the Force and the whispers of the dark side. You can always try that excuse if it helps." Chelli pointed out, with their guest strongly considering the idea.
"I just might." The clone gratefully nodded before warning, "Be careful. Vindicaa and her inquisitors are hunting down the one who poisoned Ochi, and I will be unable to delay them for too long."
"I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle. We've kept our feelings hidden from the Sith for years, so what's a few more weeks?" Chelli mirthlessly smiled.
"Just don't let your guard down." The artificially grown human advised, rising from his seat before adding, "If the Sith ever get the bright idea to use me and my genetic source's connection to the light side to heal the assassin, I won't be able to delay his recovery for too long.
"I'm going to go see what I can learn from this citadel. Now that Krayt's off to Dathomir, it should make things easier for you and your droids to maneuver a little."
Wonder how we're going to warn the Jedi and their alliance of that bombshell. Chelli morosely wondered after the doors slid down behind the clone off-handedly wondering what name he should be given or take for himself. Constantly calling or thinking of the young man as a clone alone was disrespectful, and the Edaan-copy deserved his own individuality, and that started with something as simple as a name.
Perhaps she and her mother could try and help their potential ally come up with a few possible names for himself. Such an effort might even help get him on their side faster, and that suited Chelli just fine. The sooner they left this infernal world behind and started living their lives instead of serving her father's twisted dreams, the better.
Within the Kharmort's Miasma Nebula
On Vagar Praxut
Eskarrh
Within the Vagaari Enclave
Kivu'raw'nuruodo. That name, the original name of Mitth'raw'nuruodo from his childhood, might be able to fool most lesser beings, and even many of the Miskara's spies embedded within Mid Admiral Fookari's servants and the Sith ally's double agents planted in the Chiss's every stratum of power.
Fortunately, the leader of the Vagaari, even propped up as a figurehead by the Chiss to "keep the peace" after their defeat in the last great war, knew what that name meant. If the bane of his people had another heir, the Miskara would not allow his people to suffer the indignity of an occupation for very much longer, no matter who donned Thrawn's legacy.
For more than three decades, he had vowed and worked towards bringing down the government guarded by the heir of Thrawn and his Empire of the Hand. Whoever was foolish enough to follow in the footsteps of the Scourge of the Vagaari would soon fall, along with the Chiss's newest pawns from Lesser Space. Only then would his species be able to enact their vengeance against all who had affronted them and complete their contract with the One Sith and Sorcerers of Rhand.
Now, only a few obstacles and a little more patience was all that stood between their return and destroying their greatest enemies, along with their new allies.
Humiliatingly, to conquer what the rest of the galaxy called the "Unknown Regions" on behalf of Darth Krayt's Sith Order, the Miskara and his subordinates had been forced to seek out new means of subverting their enemies and learn skills to protect their lesser subjects they once would, not even a few decades ago, never have considered worth their efforts.
Becoming financial and information brokers helped open new doors for the Vagaari, and as much as it sickened him to acknowledge this, he owed the Grand Servant of Chaos, a rogue Chiss and fallen Jedi Padawan of the long-extinct Old Republic, no less, a debt for guiding him through reinventing his people's culture to survive in this changing galaxy.
When they returned to their rightful place in the galaxy, he would show the Sith - both incarnations - destruction worthy of their nihilistic civilizations, just as their absurdly self-destructive creeds demanded. They were too dangerous to be left to their own devices, and the Miskara would not allow any competition in his people's grand rise to ultimate power.
Returning his mind to the present, the Miskara reminded himself that the Jedi-led alliance fleet flying right towards his star system would be a grave problem for their coming liberation, especially if the unofficial leader, or at the very least, the most powerful asset of the Empire of the Hand was also on his way here to investigate the Vagaari.
Whether Vurawn was a clone of Thrawn, a secret descendant, or a handpicked successor of the Empire of the Hand's High Command for a campaign of psychological warfare, it did not matter to him if it could not weaken any of their enemy's strengths. But if Thrawn's chosen successor was coming, then it would mean they have to change their entire strategy overnight to adjust accordingly.
Whoever and how many the enemy might send, the combined might and cunning of the Miskara and their allies would be more than enough to eliminate anyone who interfered with their rise. This unfortunate development only meant that their strategy would have to be overhauled quickly, which required using their Chiss dupes to further hasten their people's demise and learn all they could of this Chiss captain.
He would also have to get in touch with his allies and clients at once to speed their respective plans along, before matters likely started to spiral out of control. With anything Thrawn or his successors touched, the truth would eventually come out, and then all Chaos would break loose with only one side coming out on top, and the Vagaari and their allies needed to come out on top this time.
Soon, the Chiss Ascendancy's cursed occupation of their sacred homeworld would end, and its presence could be cleansed from their borders before they returned to their expansionist ways.
The only differences between the Vagaari and the near-extinct Yevetha species of the Koornacht Cluster, was that the former would now learn from their mistakes and adapt what teachings they could from those lesser than them instead of foolishly slaughtering or enslaving all that stood in their way.
After all, thanks to the Chiss and their reckless expansion, the so-called Unknown Regions allowed the Vagaari and Sith a wide plethora of allies to call upon in their war against the Ascendancy, and the Miskara had every intention to use as many as he could use throughout the next several months. It would be a very delicious irony to have the Chiss's own hubris and isolationist traditions be the causes of their ultimate and final undoing.
Dathomir
Allya Mountains
Within the Jedi Praxeum
"I hope you have a bit of good news to share with us, Grand Master Katarn. Warning us of an army of Nightsisters, their Sith masters, and their beast thralls preparing to attack every Jedi outpost on the planet and bring war to us on a scale not seen in generations is not news any of us were hoping to hear." Solana bitterly pointed out to Kyle's hologram upon hearing the encrypted transmission.
Having received a private message from the Jedi Grand Master to speak with him in her private quarters, it was obvious that Solona was already on edge from what was now certain to come to pass for her beloved homeworld and the clans.
"We have a fleet's worth of reinforcements stationed a few parsecs away to pin them down, and we're deploying what Jedi we can spare. But I fear it won't be enough because our intel, if it can be trusted, says that the leader and founder of the One Sith, Darth Krayt himself, will be leading this assault in no more than two weeks." Kyle gravely warned.
Fighting the dread coursing through her, Solona instead focused her energies on learning what she could, "How did you even come by this information coup?!" Realizing what had Kyle so hesitant to trust the warning, she changed tactics, "Do you know who sent the message?"
"I have a hunch, but it can't be confirmed at this time." Kyle confessed. "But if it's true, then we may have a couple new allies in our fight against the Sith, ones that can turn the tides of this war even further in our favor. Or this could be the seeds of a master Sith deception. No matter what, though, we can't take the risk of letting Dathomir fall."
"I'm reaching out to all our friends as quickly and covertly as I can, but I need you and our allied clans to make what defensive preparations you can without risking tipping off the Nightsisters." Kyle ordered the Jedi Master. Shifting topics, he quickly asked, "How is my former apprentice's training going as of late?"
"Mrs. Palpatine is keeping me informed on Edaan's progress. He's performed exceptionally well so far, and she and Master Malicos believe he might be ready for the second trial sooner than expected. At least, after he is given a few days to recover from his recently completed ordeal. At their current pace, they expect to be back from Outpost Ros Lai in no more than two days. Shall I issue the recall order now?" Solona informed the senior Jedi.
"Not just yet." Kyle shook his head. "Have Master Malicos and the outpost's nonessential staff return to the Praxeum the moment Edaan's physical recovery is complete, then bring them up to speed on the situation. You're all going to need every able-bodied soul you can to hold off this coming onslaught and prevent a planetary massacre."
"I'll reach out to our allies near your sector, but with Lecersen and his people pressing down hard on the Mandalorian Protectors, it'll likely take more time than expected. Time that I know you don't have much left." Kyle reassured the anxious Jedi Master.
"Just do your best. Thank you for letting me know straight away, Grand Master." Solona gratefully acknowledged, already compiling a list of friends to reach out to in preparing for the coming attacks.
"There is one more matter I ought to alert you to." Kyle gravely added. "I'm sending you a data packet in this transmission, top priority. You, along with all high-ranking Jedi, need to read it immediately and disseminate what information you deem necessary for your defense."
"And share a copy with Adari Palpatine too. I believe that what General Calrissian has to say and warn us of, ought to come from someone that deliver it more tactfully than I can."
"Grand Master?" Solona curiously asked. "What exactly are you talking about?"
"Simply put, enacting a truce with the One Sith and joining forces to stave off three greater evils." Kyle exhaustively admitted, shocking Solona deathly silent. "I suggest you all review the testimony in great detail and make your plans accordingly. Making Lando's plan work will require nothing short of a Maker-ordained miracle."
Telona 21st, 59 ABY
Falleen
Lajinda
Aboard the Mon Adapyne
"Nothing?" Han bitterly asked Leia after she helped him and Allana finish locking down the power conduits leading to the Phoenix Whirlwind's shields and stabilizers. With the beating the Shriek bomber took from acting as a troop transport and diversion at Port Nowhere two days ago, dozens of the ship's systems were severely damaged and needed a great deal of fine-tuning. Fortunately, there was still a healthy supply of materials needed for such repairs, and a few good hands able to work on this vessel.
At the very least, repairing the ship's inner systems served as an excellent family bonding exercise, something to take the three Solos' attention off far grimmer matters while the Mon Calamari ship's crew worked on the bomber's exterior.
"Not yet. They haven't run enough tests on Luke to draw any conclusions. Those that have made it, at least." Leia regretfully sighed. "There's still the Blackguard and Dagoyan Masters that haven't arrived, and they might be able to provide a few answers on his condition."
"If they can even make it in time." Allana fearfully muttered, expecting a rebuke from either grandparent, only to hear dead silence, even worse in the Chume'da's mind.
"Do not dare to lose hope now, Mistress Allana." C-3P0, golden-plated protocol droid and friend to the Skywalker-Solo clan since his creation nearly a century ago, optimistically consoled the Jedi Knight. "Master Luke- all of you- have each survived hundreds of life-threatening injuries in battle, and he will not give up now. Not when he has so many people worried about him and his upstanding principles and duties to uphold.
"If Artoo were here, he would zap you all out of your melancholy, and me as well just for the fun of it." The old protocol droid added, a hint of strange longing in his voice, earning amused glances from everyone. "On that note, I will not have any of you, my dear friends and masters, despair now, not when there is so much work to be done, and so much to be fortunate for after such a grueling battle."
"Who are you, and what did you do with the Goldenrod we all know, love, and occasionally loathe?" Han wistfully laughed, his family joining in just a moment later.
"Well, I needed to say something encouraging to get you three out of your sorrowful state." Threepio snootily pointed out. "What madness would it have been to let anyone else see you so afraid when so many people out there need our help. And, in my time with you and the rest of your family, I have found that a rather rousing speech is often what is needed to snap beings out of despair and a fearful state so one can strengthen their resolve."
"Thank you, Threepio." Leia gratefully agreed. "I think we all needed a good speech to remind us of what exactly it is that we're fighting for."
"Naturally, Mistress Leia. Even the best fighters need a reminder occasionally, and you all are no exception." Threepio proudly reminded his dear friends before they returned to their ship's repairs.
Within Lajinda's Spaceport
Aboard the Rude Awakening
"At this rate, you'll have the Alliance geared towards our sector in three weeks, a month, tops." Shara enthusiastically finished reporting to Boba.
"That's if they don't decide to devote most of their efforts to helping the Chiss." Lona amended. "Since there's plenty of Sith still on the loose out there, never mind Daala and her followers doing manda knows what in the same region, they might think more of the 'big picture' than their prior obligations."
"We'll remind them of their promise if they try to skip out on us now." Sintas promised. "But Manda'lor and Bard'ika have a few questions for you about your first captain, the Jedi's hero in Palpatine Jr."
"You want to assess his character and ensure he isn't like his ancestor." Akku reluctantly sighed, knowing this conversation was inevitable.
Tilting his head in verification, Boba gestured to the Anzati and both Kiffar sisters, "You've served alongside him before and are some of our most objective people out there. I need to know what makes Edaan Palpatine tick: his strengths, flaws in character, anything you can think of to see how we can best use him."
"Work with him." Shara corrected. "Edaan isn't one to be used by others, he won't be manipulated or coerced into anything. Besides, he helped assemble this alliance, so he deserves to be treated as an equal."
"That remains to be seen." Boba gruffly reminded her. "But you still didn't answer my question."
"He's… a complicated man." Lona simply began. "He holds himself up to a powerful standard of honor and his own personal version of the Jedi Code, while attempting to be nothing like his great-grandfather. But he has a charismatic pull with others that allows many to navigate towards him, while shunning away many others who don't see things his way."
"He has many qualities of a great Jedi and true leader: Determination, self-sacrifice, a powerful and brilliant mind, trying to see the best in others, and a principled drive I've rarely seen in anyone." Shara honestly added, before getting apprehensive, "But there's also a terrible pressure he's placed upon himself."
"What kind of pressure?" Bardan, attending on the request of Boba and Venku, given his experience with Jedi when he was one of them before leaving midway through the Clone War, intuitively asked. "Is it the kind most leaders carry?"
"Not just that, but also the obsessive kind to fix as many wrongs as he can, and the tendency to hold grudges and old, bitter wounds towards those who wrong him." Akku solemnly answered, before reluctantly continuing, admitting,
"Back when we worked together on Concord Dawn, he told me how he blames himself for the loss of his family from the Lost Tribe's brief domination of Coruscant, and how he resented the Skywalkers for much of their double standards since the Dark Nest Crisis. He feels they played a greater role in the galaxy's sorrows than they realized, and ought to own up to it to help set a better example for those who look up to them."
"Can't say I blame him for that last one." Ghes bitterly added.
"But it goes deeper than that, much deeper than any of you understand." Akku warned. "He's so driven to right the galaxy's wrongs, to protect himself and others from ever getting hurt again, that he rarely lets anyone through the emotional barriers he's created. There are times when I feel that even he isn't being honest with himself in the crucible of anger and the steel cage he built to protect his heart."
"What do you recommend in rectifying that?" Sintas inquired. "If he comes to our sector or an even worse battlefield, then he'll be in his worst nightmare come to life and will need to face his fears head on more times in a month than most beings endure in a decade. We can't have any liabilities with what's coming."
"Don't worry about that." Akku answered. "He's training under a Jedi Master on Dathomir and is working to learn his foibles so he can take the first steps in overcoming his past demons and deepest darkness. We'll have more information for you when he comes back or gives us a call, and you can plan your strategy accordingly from there."
"Why not just contact him and ask him yourself? Can't your vaunted Jedi client take a break?" Ghes asked.
"If Mand'alor wishes it, then the three of us will personally reach out to Edaan and his wife and find out what you wish to know after we conclude this session." Lona stonily vowed. "But instead of trying to rip open old wounds and interrupt our friend's self-reflection, we could all be working on more practical solutions towards helping an ally."
"On that well-timed note, I would like to speak with him, or at least his wife or instructors on Dathomir once his training is finished." Bardan proposed.
"Right now, it would be best to let the Jedi do their work on him and try to help him. If I find his character and mindset lacking when I converse with him, I might be able to offer him a few pieces of well-honed advice that can stick in your young prodigy's stubborn brain for good."
"And you think you can do better than those who trained him since he was eight?" Shara doubtfully asked, before forgetting who she was talking to, and how Bardan trained Venku Skirata in how to control and hide his Force abilities from Darth Sidious's Inquisitors after his empire rose.
Cheeks turning a bright red from embarrassment, Shara quickly sputtered out, "Sorry."
"It's fine. I find it quite refreshing to see someone defend her friends so passionately, especially if it is a Jedi with a bloodline as difficult as Edaan's." Bardan gracefully chuckled, before he grew thoughtful, and asked, "Do you think it would be possible if you and your highly placed friends could arrange a trip for me to Dathomir?"
"Sir?" Akku inquisitively sputtered, before regaining his composure and asking, "What's going on? You've hardly left Mandalore in recent years, and certainly not for Jedi territory."
"I might be able to do more good for my people by helping in a more direct way, personal scruples and old wounds aside." Bardan simply answered. "And I believe I can help Edaan face his inner demons better than most of his peers can. And with the evil about to come after us all, I know we'll need every rallying figure and symbol we can, and your friend fits the bill perfectly."
Wanting to press further on the issue, Akku reluctantly stayed silent after recognizing the knowing and haunted gaze in Bardan's eyes. Instead, he glanced at Fett who simply nodded his head just enough to be noticed, and that was all the confirmation he needed.
Sighing in defeat, Akku relented "I'll make the calls. But whatever you know better be worth this hassle."
"It will be, but none of you will like what we have to soon do." Sintas ashamedly admitted before the communication ended.
As if on cue, a soft knock was heard on the cabin door, and Tyria's voice filtered through. "You three done with your call back home? Everyone's getting a bit riley to have breakfast and resume training."
"We'll be out in a minute." Lona promised, quietly asking her company commander, "What do you think we should do, boss?"
Eyeing the older Kiffar with an admonishing glare, Akku simply stated, "We'll do just what Mand'alor ordered us to do, and then we'll make some quiet inquiries on what's going on."
With Tyria's intense and extensive training regimen from the Alliance of Light's best instructors, the team Edaan had assembled was working together in overcoming their animosities and becoming a cohesive fighting unit. Hopefully, when the two Palpatines returned, that unity could extend to them as well and they could become a team that could rival the stuff of legends like Revan and Meetra Surik.
Before that could happen, though, there was a mystery that needed to be solved, and Akku's gut instincts told him it was crucial to whatever secrets his leader was hiding. And what better place to start in figuring out Fett's curious probing and Bardan's unusual request regarding Edaan than by asking his teacher?
Leaving the cabin, the three warriors headed to the mess hall before K'Kruhk stood in the way. And gone was his typical serenity and relaxed expression. Instead, the Jedi Master of many decades gutturally told Akku, "I do believe we need to talk, Captain Seii."
Raising a furry three-fingered hand to forestall any protests or arguments, K'Kruhk solemnly elaborated, "Not even an hour ago, Grand Master Katarn sent me a coded transmission, and I believe it pertinent to share with the rest of the crew, even against his direct orders. It involves our fight with the One Sith, your talk with Mandalore Fett and Bardan Jusik, and the incoming wars and painful compromises we will soon have to make to protect all we cherish."
Well, that ends another revised chapter of my Jedi Odyssey III Rewrite! And to think I'm making such great progress on it so far. At this rate, I should be done within at least a week or two if I continue at my current pace. But after this, it'll be back to the drawing board for Star Wars: Jedi Odyssey IV: Alliances. I even changed the name to reflect the changing direction I have for my saga. So, how are you all faring on this warm night of Thursday, August 29, 2024? I'm good, as I just saw the remarkable biopic movie of Ronald Reagan, and it was a brilliant and tearful tribute to one of, if not the best, United States President of the 20th Century. Man, this country needs to see this movie now, before the 2024 Elections kicks off, and we need to do our duty for God and Country, just as he did. I think you can all guess who I'll vote for, but I won't get too deep into that. I'm just going to say that the lessons the movie teaches and reminds me of, we need to hear them again now, before we're over the brink. God be with us all in these turbulent and fateful times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!