Six Days Earlier

Telona 23rd, 59 ABY

Deep Within the Unknown Regions

Within the Olpaka System

Aboard the Sir Trilag

Bowing before her new superior, Daala dared to spare a glance at the Olpakan Hegemony's leader. Seeing the hulking man, a muscular human almost seven feet tall, with armor resembling that of many pre-Republic societies uncovered by archeologists and bearing two giant swords of a metal she suspected to be Cortosis, she nearly trembled at such a behemoth of a warrior leader. And the sight before her didn't account for the fleets and defense grids protecting the territory's capital world.

Seeing hundreds of warships, each bearing a slightly different configuration and protecting the seven worlds encompassing the star system, the center of a lush and powerful government in such a chaotic and lawless region of space, the knowledge emboldened and terrified her more than she ever thought possible. Now, with this much power working with her, she knew her crusade to bring law and order to a battered and unruly galaxy was at last within reach.

But Daala also recognized how even a perfect society had its undesirables and subversives, and the so-called Olpaka Resolute were no exception. Learning how a small faction of superstitious and backwards-thinking Force-worshippers had been trying to undermine the Hegemony, it reminded her far too much of the Rebel Alliance in its infancy. Clearly, this was the second chance she had been craving, and she was not going to waste it.

Addressing his newest subordinate, Vlad boomingly scrutinized Daala, "Cylo vouches for you and your dedication to creating order and peace to a war-torn galaxy. But from what I have seen, you have committed just as many crimes against life as the Jedi and Sith you so despise."

"Launching campaigns of devastation and genocide against peaceful or sparsely populated worlds, restarting wars and leaving the galaxy further vulnerable for before the Yuuzhan Vong invaded the galaxy, massacring slaves with amoral mercenaries to enforce your edicts, and launching coups against your enemies to gain power, it is too reminiscent of the Stygian Sith for my liking."

"And in your lust for power and control, you have been a puppet of many terrible evils, each more deadly and sinister than the last." Vlad coldly finished.

Eyes narrowing at Daala's tightly controlled face, her eyes betraying her fury at being compared to the Sith she so hated, he asked, "What I must ask you now is this: What are you able to provide us in this dark hour? Are you willing to lay down your old trappings to commit yourself to this cause? To protect and expand the Olpakan Hegemony's borders and influence, to defend the innocent against evils greater than your worst nightmares?"

"I am." Daala truthfully spoke. Letting her intuition guide her, she boldly pressed on, "I am aware of my faults, how I have followed poor leaders and made many decisions based on impulses and ill-tempered judgments, costing the galaxy many innocent lives."

"But know, Supreme Knight, how all I have done, all I have tried to build, it was all in the name of stability for a galaxy that continually rejects it, and for a populace that squanders it now. And I know many others that feel the same way, that believe just as I do and can help pave the way for the Olpakan Hegemony's just dominion over the galaxy."

"I might have taken many of my friends and sympathizers with me, but there are others we can call upon and use to achieve your dream." Daala pledged. "Give me a chance to recruit more individuals and leaders to your side and give me the proper opportunity to prove myself."

Eyeing the rogue warlord with a careful gaze, betraying no emotion, Vlad reluctantly sighed, "You are fortunate that you have many highly placed leaders within my ranks that choose to defend you. And now that the traitors and their allies have forced our hand by exposing us to the rest of the galaxy, it will not be long before it unites against us and the Nihil Retreat."

"My spies indicate that there may be a truce being established between the Alliance of Light and One Sith. A last-ditch alliance meant to stave off the True Sith Empire and our expanding influence." Vlad admitted, eliciting a horrified gasp from Daala. "Which means we need to expand our options and bolster our ranks with elements and individuals I would hardly previously consider."

A truce? Between the Jedi and One Sith? Such a thing was all but impossible after the latter's terrorist attacks and subversive campaigns against legitimate governments, and the former's sanctimonious pseudo-pacifistic beliefs, never mind their many years of conducting a cold war against the other.

Seeing the shock and denial laced across Daala's weathered face, Vlad assured her, "I can provide you declassified intelligence reports indicating this. And if you perform a dual mission for me, then we can verify these claims."

Her curiosity briefly surpassing her fury, Daala asked, "What missions?"

The hologram of Vlad fading out and replaced by the familiar image of a planet-wide city. Seeing the recognition in Daala's eyes, the Supreme Knight's voice filtered through and informed her, "There are several high-value recruitment targets being kept within a secret Galactic Alliance Security prison on Coruscant. I believe you know those three quite well, since they helped Lecersen try to unseat you from your post as Chief of State."

Recognizing the unspoken identification, Daala surprisingly asked, "You want me to rescue Treen and her two surviving rogue generals that tried to unify the galaxy under a new Galactic Empire?!"

"Along with dozens of other high-value targets that my Intelligence directors believe can be of use to the Hegemony." Vlad confirmed, before elaborating, "There's also the matter of proving the Jedi and One Sith are joining forces against us."

Quickly beating him to the punch, Daala pointed out, "I can't go to Coruscant myself. After my coup attempt in the Empire and temporary pact with Krayt's Sith, I'll be arrested or executed on sight, along with all my top agents." Raising a hand to forestall any counter arguments or threats, she conversationally clarified, "But I do know of a few qualified individuals and their supporters that might be able to accomplish this. I believe you know about my friends in Fyor Rodan, Raze, and Kar'sk Fey'la?"

Back in the Present

Telona 29th, 59 ABY

Falleen

Lajinda Outskirts

Aboard the Jade's Legacy

After three hours of deep intimacy, the rededicated lovers in Ben Skywalker and Vestara Khai were understandably frustrated with the abrupt and unwanted interruption by someone aboard the Mon Adapyne. The couple briefly hoped the message would go away or try to ignore it, but after ninety seconds, they reluctantly relented and quickly dressed themselves to properly hear what General Farlander had to say.

Instead of being greeted by Keyan, the intimate duo was briefed by Leia Organa Solo on a diplomatic summit with the One Sith. According to the Jedi Master, the Alliance of Light and One Sith were secretly negotiating to lay down arms against each other and preparing to unite against two mutual foes. This Olpakan Hegemony and True Sith Empire, two threats lurking in the Unknown Regions and seeking to dominate or destroy the galaxy, only being held back by a dwindling last line of defenders of light, were a menace neither faction could defeat on their own.

Both Jedi and repentant Sith couldn't believe what they were hearing, and they would have vehemently protested if Leia hadn't provided them with the information required to verify these claims. With one order vowing to sever the Force from all living things, just like the Yuuzhan Vong millennia ago, and a nihilistic Sith Empire preparing to unleash evils infinitely more devastating than Abeloth could ever dream up, the evidence was too great to ignore.

Much as the couple wanted otherwise, terrible sacrifices had to be made, and this was one of them. So, with a heavy heart, the Alliance of Light's leaders on Falleen waited for their One Sith delegation to come onto the HoloNet channel that was reserved for this fateful meeting.

But they did not have to wait long, for the Sith Lords Darth Malleus and Irola appeared, with the naval leader speaking on the groundside commander's behalf, "We've conferred with our commanders and all relevant agents, and they have agreed to comply with our ceasefire."

Hoping the meeting would be short, Vestara felt her optimism dashed when Malleus disdainfully added, "However, while it sickens me to admit this, we may require your careful assistance with a quiet investigation."

"Dissention in the ranks?" Haxim sardonically guessed.

"Of sorts, perhaps." Malleus reluctantly allowed. "I will forward you the details via a subspace frequency of your choice, but one of my agents has uncovered evidence of duplicitous activity in our ranks. I felt it best you know in case it compromises Lord Krayt's efforts for unity."

Compromise… Vestara mused on that word as the talks continued, vaguely hearing how the One Sith would allow Haxim to put his royal family on trial and get the governorship over his world, along with all his family's ill-gained wealth. Certainly, they were surprising gestures, but they weren't at the forefront of her mind.

Remembering how her former apprentice among the Lost Tribe hadn't yet awakened from her coma, Vestara telepathically called out to Ship, only for the sentient vessel to respond with an image of her comatose Keshiri friend, lying on a bed and latched to several medical devices that monitored her vitals.

Realizing how the One Sith hadn't made any progress to resuscitating Belot, she dared to interrupt, "Darth Irola, I have a request-no, a demand." Ignoring all eyes bearing down on her, she proposed, "If we're going to investigate one of your own deceptions, then it's only fair you give us something in return. And I believe working to revive my former student and bringing her into our coalition would be a satisfactory trade."

"Vestara…" Han tried to warn, before Malleus held out a hand, scrutinizingly staring at Vestara.

Appraising her, the Sith Marauder asked, "Lady Khai, none of our doctors can awaken her from the injuries Jedi Palpatine inflicted on her. What makes you think that you can succeed where our best healers have failed?"

"It certainly can't hurt to try, just with a new approach." Vestara defiantly shrugged. "If you let us try to heal Belot, then I'll help uncover the truth of whatever secrets you want unearthed. Do we have a deal?"

Irola, glancing at Malleus, who indifferently acknowledged, "I don't see the harm in that. You Jedi, idealistic fools you might be, always try to keep your word."

"I will ensure the delivery of Saber Belot to your care, Vestara. Make sure she is treated well." Irola ominously warned.

Meeting the Sith fleet commander's angry stare with one of unabashed bravery, Vestara earnestly promised, "I'll see to her recovery and treatment personally."

Batuu

Black Spire Ruins

Sith Command Center

Silently praising whatever gods existed for giving Turman a master actor's professionalism and his fellow Wraiths teaching him to shield his mind from Force probes, he knew he was well-prepared for whatever the Sith called the disguised Clawdite for. Kneeling before the Sith Acolyte, he inquisitively asked the Falleen, "Forgive me if I sound insubordinate, Lady Liara, but why are we conducting this interrogation on the ground when the war is-"

"Those are Lady Dician's direct orders." The Falleen Sith curtly answered. "Our traitor has crucial intelligence on a new enemy on the horizon, and everything we glean from her will be crucial in planning our retaliation strategy." Eyeing the disguised enemy commando with a moment's suspicion, Liara commanded him, "Come with me. I believe you'll be useful to me and the One Sith."

"Very well." Turman hesitated, knowing the titanic gambit he was about to risk with his cover, but he couldn't let any innocents die if he could help it. "What of our captives and indentured workers? They are a vital investment and resource for the One Sith, and if we abandon them now, it will be even more difficult to acquire more slaves going forward for your order's many future projects."

Curiously eyeing the man impersonating Lear Ariol, Turman wondered if he overplayed his hand. To his relief, Liara did not press the issue, but instead answered, "Your pragmatism does you credit, but we will not be taking the workers with us, Captain. We simply do not have the ships to carry all ten thousand of them, considering the prizes our master covets. And we cannot be sure who among them is loyal to Madame Xizor and her traitorous cause.

"In the meantime, rescuing the slaves will be a task best suited to the Jedi's coalition while diverting critical ships that could otherwise pursue us back to the RV point.

"Besides, the One Sith will not need such simple and barbaric methods like slavery to get key labor to build our coming empire going forward. We will all need to find more creative means to attain our goals without sacrificing the purpose of our Dread Lord's dream. That is one of the few things Madame Xizor helped me see before she sold all of us out for her true masters."

Eyes betraying a hint of regret at her foolish friendship before hardening her face and heart again, Liara calmly ordered the shapeshifter, "We have no time for simple distractions and inquiries, not with the enemy breathing down our necks, and a precious few hours left before we leave Batuu."

Then you'd best prepare yourself for an unconventional strategy from my friends, you Sith hypocrite and complete schutta. Turman vindictively seethed, knowing the Alliance would be ready to make this escape hard and costly for their mortal enemies. And while he was still undercover, he wondered if he could learn more of what Liara meant by more creative means of acquiring a strong and numerous workforce outside of the old-fashioned method of slavery that marked every other Sith faction.

If the One Sith were so willing to disregard such a morally repugnant but time-honored tradition, then they almost undoubtedly had an even darker and innovative method in store for gaining new labor. Turman had to find out what it might be, before that opportunity slipped away into the dark void of space.

"Once I am done, I will need you to deliver a message to your friends in the Jedi and their Alliance of Light." Liara ordered Turman, stunning him silent, allowing the Sith to punch him right in the nose, making him drop his disguise and regain his natural reptilian appearance before she throttled him with the Force. "Oh, don't get me wrong, Wraith, your disguise and acting were all but impeccable. You could've made a killing in any HoloNet Drama if you wanted. And your emotional control and mental barriers are top-notch. But you can't fool me with my pheromones."

"Then why have me attend your interrogation?" Turman seethed, struggling in vain to slip out of the telekinetic hold.

"Because killing you, as pleasing it would be for me, would be detrimental to what I must do for the One Sith." Liara reluctantly acknowledged before she released her adversary from her grip. "Let's just say I want you and your people to understand how the new enemy we are about to face won't be like any other we've faced. And this truly dark force will require people with your unique talents and mindsets to defeat."

Getting right up in his face, Liara warned, "You will not breathe a word of this to anyone until you speak directly with your team and deliver word to your leaders. Otherwise, I'll hunt you down and debase you before the largest crowd you could never hope to gather on your own."

Ten Minutes Later

"You think you can get me to break?" Xasha taunted both Dician and Liara. "I spent over a decade infiltrating and subverting the efforts of your neophytes, and I learnt all about your methods and interrogation tactics. There's nothing you can do that I won't be surprised by."

Liara, balling and releasing her fists, conversationally informed the traitor, "You mean the tricks the Sorcerers of Rhand and their Lich Kings taught you?" Relishing in seeing the miniscule crack in Xasha's arrogant demeanor, the younger Falleen casually continued, "Oh, we already know of your betrayal, and how you've been leaking intelligence and funds to their cults across half the galaxy. We're already taking steps to dispose of them before they can spread their cancerous ideology any further."

Suspiciously narrowing her eyes at the Sith, Xasha warily mused, "So, you already know that much. But if you found that out, then why waste time interrogating me when the Jedi are pressing on your doorstep?"

"Because you're going to help us deliver a message to the Alliance of Light." Dician reluctantly spat. "And you will testify to your treason, while Lord Krayt and the Jedi prepare to deal with our more demanding enemies."

Now that remark, that triggered something primal in Xasha. Something that neither Sith had seen before as she ferally screamed and struggled to break free of her restraints. The scariest part was, the metal clamps were slowly cracking, making both One Sith unconsciously take a step back in fear.

Dician, not taking any chances, activated her lightsaber, and would have decapitated the still-bound Xasha, were it not for a surprise blast striking the Rhandite agent right below her chest. Both Krayt-loyalists startled, they turned to see a Clawdite, garbed in mercenary armor and bearing a One Sith insignia, aiming a smoking pistol right at the traitor.

Before anyone could attack the intruder or try to tend to the gasping Xasha's wounds, the Clawdite tactfully suggested, "Perhaps you can spare the interrogation and possible execution for after you search the wounded priest's mind?"

Glaring lethal daggers at the intruder, Dician vengefully promised Liara, "For all our sakes, you'd better be right about this."

Within the Kharmort's Miasma Nebula

On Vagar Praxut, Eskarrh

Within the Vagaari Enclave

Listening to the Rhandite emissary while reading through the report from his Agbui contacts, the Miskara nearly had a heart attack when he heard what the ancient Grysk Force Sage said about Thrawn's sole heir.

A descendant of that accursed Chiss exile and founder of the Empire of the Hand. That was the being that was leading the Alliance-Chiss coalition against the Vagaari and Sith. And if Tor Valum's clairvoyance was accurate, then he was luring his enemies into a trap while dangling the Lesser Space allies out there as bait for their overzealous raiders with their absurd show of force.

Were he sent back twenty years in time, ten even, he would have ordered the attack regardless of the planned ambush and work to liberate his people from their disgraceful occupation. But now, thanks to the humbling lessons of defeat from his many clients at the Chiss's hands, the Miskara was a far more pragmatic leader than all his predecessors, so he would not lure his allies into certain doom while compromising his protection.

Instead, all that was needed was to follow the Rhandite's strategy and allow their shared enemies to tear themselves apart from the inside out. Darth Krayt would undoubtedly be pleased with this cunning and patience among two of his most reliable allies. He might even give him an advance on the promised bounty when the Chiss Ascendancy was broken.

And speaking of Krayt and their shared mission, he needed to reach out to his deep-space scouts and see how their mission was progressing. After nearly two decades of searching for the lost world, the hunt for the Dread Lord's ultimate prize was still eluding the One Sith's best hunters, and that was completely unacceptable.

It was time to expand the search and call upon the True Sith's pawns in the Chiss Ascendancy to try and best figure out where a world that could travel through hyperspace was hiding. Results were needed quickly, and that meant taking drastic measures ahead of schedule, no matter the risks that entailed such actions.

The Miskara might not know what Krayt or the Rhandites could possibly want with that Vong-infested world, but since both promised him and his people vengeance against the Chiss if they succeeded in this endeavor, plus half a star cluster's ransom of wealth, then the Vagaari could not afford to fail.

Telona 30th, 59 ABY

Batuu

Morandi Forests Outskirts

Din couldn't believe the situation before the Alliance of Light, even as the unarmed Sith shuttle landed half a kilometer outside the safety zone. Were it up to him, he would have disabled the supposed envoy and interrogated them with every brutal tactic he knew, simply for personal satisfaction.

After every heinous act the One Sith performed against this world, its peaceful people, and the captured members of Clan Djarin, he was eager for retribution against Dician and all her stooges. But if her acolyte's message was genuine, and the intelligence she provided the Alliance of Light on her mistress's Esh-Kha recovery efforts as an incentive were genuine, then this opportunity was too valuable to simply discard. And the chance to recover the Wraiths' undercover operative in the process was an added incentive.

Waiting under plenty of foliage and debris with a dozen Antarian Rangers, ten of his best Supercommandos, and the Wraiths as backup, Din awaited the purportedly diplomat to debark. Seeing the boarding ramp open and two figures walking out, he kept his rifle steady as he recognized the visitors, a Clawdite donned in civilian clothing and a Falleen Sith acolyte.

The Sith, a woman he recognized as Liara Dorne, Dician's top apprentice and a formidable spy and tactician in her own right, was amusingly scanning the area with a hand on a lightsaber while making idle conversation with the Clawdite. And despite Din knowing just a few of those shapeshifters in his time, he was observant enough to recognize Turman Durri, the sole Wraith reckless enough to infiltrate the Sith's lines but held in place by electric cuffs and a shock collar.

Before anyone could try and apprehend the intruder, a stoic voice filtered through Din's helmet's comms, with Liara assuring everyone, "I know you're waiting for an ambush, members of the Alliance of Light. But there isn't one coming. I am the only member of the One Sith here, as promised. As a gesture of good faith, I am returning to you the Wraiths' prized infiltrator, intact in mind, body and spirit."

"In return for this act, my mistress and I wish to extend an invitation to you in ceasing hostilities on this world." Liara added. Deactivating Turman's restraints, she pushed him towards the forest, and continued, "Your brave friend will fill you in on the specifics of this offer, and we expect an answer by tomorrow's end. A social dinner, if you will, to discuss the mutual threats we face and what actions we ought to take."

"If you refuse to meet, then we'll have no choice but to consider ourselves at war once again. And right now, that is the last thing any of us want or need."

Din saw that Liara, was walking back towards the shuttle and was half tempted to snipe her head off, kriff the consequences. This woman had committed public executions of a dozen of his best operatives and over one hundred civilians and resistance fighters. She needed to pay for her transgressions, and he wanted to be the one to do it.

But the pragmatic part of his mind reminded him that there was more at stake than revenge. If the purported information Turman had on the threats lurking in the Unknown Regions, provided the Alliance of Light's leadership was telling the truth, that took precedence over his personal wants. Instead, he saw the Wraith meet up with his team's medic and prepare to submit himself for a full medical evaluation, while his men carefully observed the Sith diplomatic ship depart.

Contacting his peers, Din informed them, "We've got the prisoner, and he'll be debriefed on the way back. We also have a meeting to attend tomorrow night, and preparations to make if it goes wrong."

"Let's just hope it doesn't go that way." Shada stated, her voice carrying the same warring wariness and fear he knew everyone felt.

Corusca System

On the Moon of Hesperidium

Within the Adegan Jewel Hotel

Inside the Presidential Suite

"I must say, I didn't expect to see any more of your people here after your organization's dismantling by Dorvan and his stooges. It's quite a boon to have someone as experienced as you assist us with this mission." Fyor diplomatically stated to the lead representative sitting before him while sipping his vintage Corellian wine. When Daala said that she was sending experienced individuals to aid the ex-prime minister, he did not expect the reorganized True Victory Party to be the relief force.

After its disgrace and violent dismissal from every major government and military after its anti-Vong and anti-Jedi crusade reached new depths by bombing war-torn Coruscant to whip up lingering hatreds toward the extragalactic refugees, due in no small part to the Jedi and their do-gooder allies, everyone assumed the group had either been reduced to a few underground terror cells or was dismantled entirely.

Kar'sk Fey'la, the party's Coruscant-based cell leader and wanted terrorist for her activities nine years ago, curtly rebutted, "We may not have always agreed on politics, Rodan, but now we have many common enemies in the Jedi and their allied factions, and Admiral Daala gave each of our followers a sanctuary after we were all but shattered by the Order's incessant meddling. Now, the True Victory Party has regrouped and is now wholly devoted to the Olpakan cause, which means we will do whatever it takes to deliver the galaxy from these endless Force-based wars."

Handing Fyor a datapad, she explained, "I've spent the last three years working to reestablish our network of storehouses, bolt holes, and contacts across the system. It's not as well-established as I would have liked, but it will meet all our needs, especially since the system is still reeling from the Sith's explosive actions of last month."

Examining the contents, Fyor found himself impressed with how Kar'sk and her Olpakans fellows had already implanted about three hundred full-fledged agents in the Galactic Alliance infrastructure, most being of low ranks, but a select few dozen rising to moderately higher positions in civilian or military positions. But about ten were able to ascend rather high in the Alliance's correctional system, allowing the Knights invaluable inside access on their quarry's location and day-to-day routines.

While a few hundred loyal double agents might seem ridiculously miniscule number compared to the near-trillion population of the capital world, Fyor keenly recognized this as a solid foundation to start undermining the democratic government's moorings when the time came, just as the Sith as Darth Bane's order did to destroy the Old Republic throughout ten centuries. And the multitude of safe houses they bought up from corrupt landlords or co-opted from sympathetic souls would be a good insurance policy for temporary refuge if the team could not escape Coruscant after liberating their quarry, just as the anti-Imperial resistance network Whiplash utilized there before it was decimated and brought to the brink of destruction a measly two years after its founding.

Handing the datapad back to his confederate, Fyor asked Kar'sk, "Where do we start?"

"You aren't going to try and get me removed from command by any means, Rodan?" The Bothan warily eyed the aged human.

"This isn't a democracy, but a military operation. We either succeed as a team, or risk compromising everything we are striving to attain." Fyor assured the fellow Knight of Olpaka with a no-nonsense tone, before repeating his question, "Now, like I asked before, where should we begin our work? Our patron wants us to have this done by the end of next month, and I doubt we want to get her or the rest of our allies angry."

Dathomir

Allya Mountains

Jedi Praxeum

Within the Strategic Operations Center

He heard the same as everyone else in the Praxeum, and he felt that everyone was as astounded and horrified as Edaan was at the news Kyle delivered everyone. Hearing that the One Sith were, with a bit of prodding and information provided by Lando Calrissian on two enemies building their strength in the Unknown Regions, reaching out to the Alliance of Light to form a grand coalition, he first thought the Grand Master had lost his mind. And judging by the protests everyone gave throughout the explanation, they all shared his sentiments.

But through hearing the testimonies from members of the Olpakan Resolute and reading the intelligence the Silentium and their friends provided on the True Sith Empire, the Jedi Praxeum's leaders slowly grasped the validity of Kyle's warnings. Learning how each fallen power possessed vast territories and countless fanatics dedicated to destroying the galaxy as everyone knew it, it terrified all who were warned of these dangers. Edaan, bitter as he was to Darth Krayt and his One Sith, recognized the impossibility of the Alliance of Light fighting three enemies at once.

Natasi Daala herself was a galactic-wide threat, and joined together with like minded warmongers like herself, it would take an army to finally put her down. And if Abeloth were to be resurrected and tried to launch another mad bid for godhood… Well, Edaan didn't even want to consider that probability.

Painful as it was for all to admit, the Jedi and One Sith needed to unite to stave off these evils. But before he could make his decision known, he had to make a few confessions and prepare to face his inner demons. And he would make sure to give Kyle a scathing earful for not giving him a copy of Professor Hextrophon's final work before now, since his Supernatural Encounters was supposedly indispensable reading for all to understand the True Sith Empire's terrifying origins and their wicked so-called gods.

Kyle, after he saw Edaan give a tiny nod of support, firmly interrupted the discordance underway between all in attendance, whether they were Jedi, temple support staff, or allied Dathomirians, by amplifying his voice to loudly say, "Enough!" Observing all hold their ears in pain from the loud interruption, he continued, "I know this is difficult for you all to accept. It is hard for me to accept as well, considering all the One Sith and their followers have wrought on us."

"But right now, this is not a time for division or dissent, however well-meaning each may be, not with the Olpakan Hegemony and True Sith Empire readying for war on us." Kyle urged everyone. "Right now, we need to set aside our hatreds and fears to see what is before us now. Krayt and his followers are willing to do this on Falleen and Batuu as we speak, so we ought to be able to do the same."

Looking around the facility, seeing the skeptical and doubtful glances many held, Kyle was prepared to continue, before Edaan confessed, "I believe you, Grand Master Katarn." Walking forward, he admitted to everyone, "I have a confession of my own to make. I believe that I have been receiving visions of this True Sith Empire for quite a while."

"A few times a month, I have dreams, nightmares, of worlds saturated in the dark side that I don't recognize. These worlds, there are barbaric rituals underway, perverting natural life and twisting them into abominations, and they hold evils greater than any the Sith in recent memory could ever replicate." Edaan shamefully elaborated. "But there is more. I believe there are those within Darth Krayt's ranks that will join this dark empire, and we will be forced to fight them and suffer terrible losses."

"And you didn't tell anyone of this?" Taron asked, shocked at this indiscretion from a man he thought to be a meticulous and brave Jedi Knight.

"I told several people, Master Malicos." Edaan ardently clarified. "I told Grand Master Katarn, Knight Korr, and my teammates, among a few others, but none of us could figure out what the dreams meant."

"Well, nightmares or Force visions, you now have an opportunity here." A new voice entered the chambers, leaving all surprised as a hologram of a Mandalorian appeared, this one holding a lightsaber and having the bearing of a warrior with decades of combat experience. "I suggest you take the chance to learn more of Knight Palpatine's prophetic warnings before it's too late."

"I'm sorry, but exactly who are you?" Edaan warily, but still politely, asked.

"My name is Gotab Skirata." The Mandalorian man simply answered, before elaborating, "But you might know me better as Bardan Jusik before I left the Jedi Order during the Clone War."

Bardan Jusik, now that was a name Edaan vividly recognized. As the man who helped Jaina come to terms with having to kill Darth Caedus, and who aided Kal Skirata in ferrying Clone Troopers out of the Imperial Army after Order Sixty-Six, he was a being of great notoriety and controversy for all.

But wondering what he was doing here, Bardan beat him to it, "I was told that you, Jedi Palpatine, might be needing a bit of guidance in leadership and facing your old demons. And I have been wanting to get to know more of your order's hero boy for some time, especially after all the times he has helped our people at no small risk to himself."

"That's… a generous offer, Mr. Skirata." Edaan cordially answered.

"Just 'Gotab' is fine, Edaan." Bardan corrected. Addressing Taron, he then said, "I'll be arriving at your academy spaceport in just over an hour. If you have any tasks that need tending to, my family and I can help."

"Your family?" Solona warily repeated.

"Just a dozen of my clansmen and kids. We can add a little extra security and help repair any of your broken or damaged equipment." Bardan shrugged. "With the One Sith at your doorstep and tense negotiation underway across the Outer Rim, it won't hurt for you to get a little extra manpower here."

"Then we'll accept your generous offer." Taron cordially agreed. "I'll make sure your ships have a couple landing bays open for you."

"Much obliged." Bardan acknowledged before signing off.

Clearing his throat to regain everyone's attention, Kyle advised everyone, "Back to the matter at hand, we'll need to send a diplomatic message to Krayt and his people before they attack."

"I can do that." Edaan reluctantly offered. "I think I know how to reach out to Krayt and get him to meet us at a neutral meeting ground."

"Edaan…" Adari anxiously warned, knowing what her husband was prepared to do.

"It's the quickest and safest way to communicate with Krayt, and we're certainly not going to walk right into his domain." Edaan defended, before asking Taron, "But I will need your help, Master Malicos, in what I plan to do."

Seeing Kyle affirm his support for his former pupil, Taron agreed, "Whatever aid I can give you is yours."