So, I'm sure most of you can guess that this story will have multiple arcs going on, which is rather fitting, given the several proxy wars that are enveloping the galaxy, while the One Sith hide their true strength and prepare for their real campaign. And with Edaan on temporary leave to battle his own inner demons while on his honeymoon, things might get hairy fast for his Alliance of Light. Let's just hope the Jedi and their new coalition can hold together with the political madness and instability still wreaking havoc across the galaxy. But enough talking about the story, I think it would be best I get started writing it. May God be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
Thirty Minutes Later
Coruscant
Within the Coco District
Aboard the Luxury 5000 Yacht Bishop
"I'd say your allies gave you more than a sufficient diversion, Senator Sauro. It'd be best if you make the most out of it and get the hell out of her before the GA and their allies catch you." The Maladian commander smugly informed Jenna Sauro, a senator in the Galactic Alliance and agent for the One Sith about to be exposed for her treason. But even amid such a shift in her life, the elder woman did not appreciate the assassin's lack of respect for his client.
But for the sake of professionalism, and to avoid ticking off a man who could kill her a dozen different ways if he so desired, Jenna faux gratefully acknowledged, "Then we'll be sure to make this opportunity count. And, from one leader to another, you'd best finish preparing for your part in the GA's chaos, or I doubt our master will be too pleased with any of us for our failures."
Putting on a Mandalorian helmet with its trademark T-shaped visor and beskar mold to complete his disguise, the commander assured Jenna, "Have a bit more confidence in us, Senator. My people aren't your run-of-the-mill hitmen."
Closing the transmission, Jenna ordered her people to prepare their ship for takeoff. With the Alliance orbital fleet concentrating its efforts to contain the riots wreaking havoc across the planet, the few remaining Sith-loyal senators prepared to flee the Galactic Alliance. At least this way, they could continue their support for the Dread Lord through many alternative paths they had prepared for just this scenario.
Unfortunately for the conspirators, their numbers were rapidly decimated, as the original twenty-five traitorous senators were reduced by over eighty percent, with seventeen already being arrested by the GA Security and other outlying agents, and another four were on the run, but close to being apprehended. But whether these mysterious forces were Jedi, Noghri, or some other enemy, it was unclear, for Chief Yimmon and the Joint Chiefs had managed to lock her and her people out of the entire GA mainframe over the course of the last couple of days.
But very soon, she would escape with the bulk of her key intelligence, supporters and funds for the One Sith, thereby securing her future use for the dark siders. If she could escape the planet and its lockdown, that is. That was why her peers and their masters' strategy had to be perfectly executed, even if the four senators and their loyal staff had to wait another ninety minutes to two hours before fleeing.
Well, it made a precious little difference for Jenna, because a minor waiting game was a tiny price to pay to avoid an unceremonious execution by firing squad, or Force forbid, a lifetime in prison.
She would not end up like Haydnat Treen when that insipid Jedi of a Palpatine proved her role in the brilliant, if ill-fated role in the Lecersen Conspiracy. That gave the Alliance, its Jedi puppet of a Chief of State and the body of idiotic senators all the legality it needed to have the Kuati executed for conspiracy and attempt to commit high treason. While Jenna sincerely hoped that she did not have to sacrifice any of her remaining friends to avoid such a similarly lackluster end, she was prepared to do what was necessary to stay free and active.
Within the Sartinaynian system
Bastion
Within the Imperial Headquarters
Inside the Head of State's Quarters
How did the galaxy ever get so kriffed up? Jag Fel ruefully sighed. As the Head of State of the Galactic Empire after its previous leader, Vitor Reige, was assassinated by Natasi Daala in her final draconian bid to take over the now-democratic government, he swore to do what was right for the weakened territory and its people.
Unfortunately, he realized that his wife was right in how drastic actions were needed now more than ever to protect the galaxy. And that meant amending the Imperial Constitution to create many more checks and balances between the Empire's government branches, while giving the people a greater say in its matters and limiting the power of the Moffs, who had mostly proven quite unreliable in managing the government's day-to-day matters with their incessant power plays.
Grand Moff Ephin Sarreti and his supporters aside, most Moffs had proven their incapability in looking past their avarice and lust for power when they threw their support behind Daala. That was why Jagged was going to reward them for their loyalty and honor by giving them rule over the Empire, provided the new candidate could win their emergency election. Force willing, this decision would help give the government and citizenry stability and allow it to focus on winning its war with the One Sith.
But first, the Empire needed to counter the slanderous accusations BAMR and their Sith masters were plastering across every HoloNet news outlet. According to their so-called reporters, the Jedi and Jagged were preparing to take over the democratic power and remake it into a Jedi-ruled government, with the Fels ruling as a dynasty over the populace. And Zakuul and its Aquilian Republic were helping both with the Empire's transition by aiding with imposing martial law on any dissenting world. Both terrible lies, but most people were so scared or gullible that they would believe almost anything if it provided them a measure of security.
No, the possibility of Jag and Jaina ruling the Empire was an absolute last resort, and it was a decision neither would make lightly. Her duties to the Jedi Order and family aside, she had no desire to ruling over anyone, and was quite content with her role as the Sword of the Jedi and ambassador with the Empire. Sure, she considered passing the mantle onto Edaan Palpatine if she was forced to leave the Order, but that was in the distant future, quite possibly never needing to happen.
If Jaina had to choose between the Jedi and her family, or the life that she had made for herself in the Empire, it could very well tear her apart. That was why Jagged had to ensure she never had to make such a gut-wrenching decision. He was calling in every favor he could to ensure the democratic election proceeded on schedule, and that the lies BAMR and the One Sith were creating were quashed before any more unrest or riots cropped up.
But to restore order to the Empire meant he had to prepare for his joint session with Chief of State Yimmon in less than ninety minutes. He just hoped Jaina's contingency plans to gently calm the angry minds of the public bore fruit. Otherwise, if their brutal words could not convince them to listen, then the Imperial leader feared that neither major power might long survive the pandemonium that was sweeping over the whole galaxy.
Within the Red Twins System
Aboard the Subpro Corporation WTK-85A Interstellar Transport Bestoon Legacy
In the void of space, the small but nimble ship swiftly moved towards its target. With its advanced stygium crystal-powered cloaking device and its sublight engines moving at three-quarters their top speed to avoid detection, Ochi of Bestoon was prepared to deliver death onto the Jedi and all their servants who tried to interfere with his sacred work.
As a longtime Jedi hunter and servant of the Sith back all the way to Darth Sidious at the height of the Clone War, it gave him great honor to having been chosen to assassinate several of the Jedi serving Luke Skywalker on this mission.
He had wanted to go up against a member of the vaunted Jedi Council ever since he pledged his eternal services to the Banite Sith as a fiery youth. And going up against Corran Horn, one of the Jedi's best duelists and investigators, would be a perfect battle of wits and skill before he delivered the finishing blow, hopefully with his own blade before he blew up the enemy flagship.
No matter what happened to himself, the assassin vowed to live up to his family's ancient legacy of being devoted servants of many Sith Orders, even if his great ancestry finally concluded with him.
A chime interrupting his thoughts, Ochi opened the message that came through the subspace transmitter. Reading Wyyrlok's orders, he ruefully smirked at the go-ahead to begin the mission but reminding him to utilize the full scope of the equipment the One Sith provided him in destroying the Chimaera.
Wyyrlok always was a cautious man, even as the galaxy was at the cusp of falling to a new Sith Empire. It often amused Ochi how most Sith did not have faith in the ancient hunter's abilities, but the Vahla mercenary did not take offense at any Sith Lord's doubts.
And things were not much different between the majority of the One Sith and their intermediaries, who thought themselves superior to those who did not hold a strong connection to the Force.
After all, most beings underestimated the capabilities of Vahla after their culture was decimated and driven into exile by the Jedi Order of the Old Republic many millennia ago. With their innate connection to the Dark Side of the Force, most members of the species were members of the Ember of Vahl cult, but a few decided to help their people by joining several Sith orders, with Ochi and his family working for many Sith Orders over the centuries.
But thankfully, at least the Dread Lord and a few of his followers, especially Wyyrlok, saw the value in supposedly weaker intermediaries like him. Sometimes a small and simple dagger could do much more damage than a lightsaber, and with much less noise as well.
And there would be plenty of time for rubbing his victories in the faces of all those arrogant blowhards once he achieved a bit more renown and helped the Sith deliver another crushing blow on their mortal enemies.
The aged Vahla, deep wrinkles penetrating his tanned skin and sunken eyes gazing out to the Chimaera, and his otherwise human face betraying his old soul and his century of experience. That skillset and his many hard-won lessons would be invaluable when he destroyed Horn and any who dared interfere in his mission.
Still, that did not mean he could prepare a few surprises for the Jedi in case they somehow found his prized ship before he was finished. And it would be quite a shocker for everyone but Ochi and the One Sith.
Oh, it would be such a delicious irony when Lando Calrissian's most prized battle droids were used against the Jedi and government he fought so long for. It was enough for him to silently utter a prayer of gratitude and praise to the Dark Side for the countless benefits of his masters having spies and supporters in just about every major galactic arms company, even one as fervent in their allegiance to the Jedi as Tendrando Arms.
Reminding himself he had a mission to complete, he regained his focus and aimed his ship right for the airlock that would take him to the Chimaera's hub of operations. And with the codes the Sith still had embedded deep within the Daala's former flagship, they would soon be rendering the legendary Star Destroyer immobile for quite some time.
No matter what happened for the overall objective, Ochi knew that this was going to be a fine hunt.
Falleen
Just Outside the Royal Palace
Aboard the Quasar Fire-class Bulk Cruiser Bounty's Plunder
Deep within the Outer Rim world's capital city, the Axlan Royal Family and their Sith masters were hard at work turning their ancestral home into a fortress, one impervious to any attacks or infiltration by the Resistance and their allies in the Jedi's newly formed Alliance of Light.
Across the city and surrounding region, the One Sith were establishing military checkpoints to stop any suspected enemy sympathizers or collaborators, with interrogation centers being set up to question any interred enemies. And, per the orders of Darths Nashtah and Malleus, the two Sith Lords in charge of the planet's defenses, and the latter's allies from the Unknown Regions were quickly integrating themselves into the former's mercenary auxiliaries augmenting the Royal Family's military to present a more cohesive military strategy and doctrine.
But even as there was a pretense of unity by the disparate groups, there was an underlying current of discontent forming for their cause, and it did not come merely from the disgruntled local populace. That problem would all but certainly solve itself with the BAMR broadcast going out to the entire galaxy.
No. Three Sith were struggling with several controversial decisions their superiors had made with their vassals, and they were covertly meeting now to compare notes, even as they spared a glance for their Coruscant pawns' efforts at creating complete chaos on the capital world. Was there no depth the One Sith wouldn't sink to to destroy their mortal enemies once and for all?
Sure, Darths Phasma, Oculus, and Sariss each got dealt terrible hands by the Jedi and ruling powers in one form or another in their or past lifetimes, but they clung to the people they still cared for as if a lifeline to the remnants of light lingering in their souls.
For Oculus and Sariss, back when they were expelled Jedi Initiates Ferren Barr and Verla Kaer, their bond of love was what kept them grounded in a rather grim pragmatism.
However, in Phasma's case, she held onto hope for her brother and the rest of their people on Parnassos for generations before the One Sith delivered them from their doomed world. She believed that they would let go of their hatred for the more blessed worlds and their inhabitants and work to ensure such tragedies never occurred again.
To her shame, that salvation was a double-edged sword, for the dark side had turned almost all of them into marauding fanatics, whether as actual Sith acolytes or mere servants. Only a few held fast to their humanity, and the rest would rather see the galaxy burn and let their spite control them than seek constructive outlets for their pain.
No matter what their separate lives had the three of them on before, they were part of the same cause now, but they had to decide what to do about the disconcerting information each held on a piece of the Dread Lord's so-called great vision for the future.
With Oculus and Sarriss, they knew that Ship, the sentient Sith meditation sphere that fought for many Sith Empires in ancient and recent times, was under the command Lord Krayt, a man who claimed to be trying to restore order to a war-torn galaxy, influenced a Neo Hidden Chain fleet to commit many kamikaze strikes on several Alliance of Light flotillas in the Randon System of the Mid Rim.
As for Phasma, she was ordered to prepare for the worst if the war for Falleen turned against the One Sith, leaving the world a broken husk when all was said and done. It was an act she could not allow, for she swore to keep another world from meeting the same fate as her own.
And the Mandalorian supremacists in the Neo Hidden Chain deserved to know just how little many Sith Lords thought of them, treating them as nothing more than cannon fodder. Sure, there were those that respected their martial prowess and warrior culture, but many more thought of them as disposable cogs in their war machine, and those Sith needed to be taught a lesson on respect and valuing one's allies.
But how could she prevent the atrocity she was ordered to commit without breaking all ties with her brother and their people? What would become of them if she was forced to choose between her personal honor or loyalty to the One Sith? Although she held doubts on their current course, she still believed in the goal of establishing a just society and protecting its citizens from chaos and weakness and would not make such a treasonous choice lightly.
Whatever decision she made, the time was fast approaching for the three struggling Sith Lords and Ladies to make a choice, one that would define the rest of their lives and affect all those that surrounded them. They just had to keep their misgivings a secret from the rest of their fellow Sith while winning this proxy war with loyalty and honor. It would be a difficult task, but by no means impossible. After all, they each knew war in one way or another, and they would not fall to the infighting that would soon befall the Alliance of Light.
Lajinda Spaceport
Docking Bay Fifteen
Aboard the Rude Awakening
"And you all wonder why you Jedi can't be trusted with power." Mirta mournfully spat before storming away from the mess hall after hearing the reluctant report from Galactic Alliance general Keyan Farlander.
"So much for a hearty breakfast." Robonion, a Patrolian bounty hunter and master slicer, sadly muttered before being smacked on the back of his head by the ship's Yuuzhan Vong crewmate, Vau Gorsatt.
Not letting Mirta exit the ship in her incensed state, Akku Seii II, a Mandalorian mercenary captain and descendant of many feared Anzati assassins, firmly placed a hand on her armored shoulder, carefully warning her, "Don't do anything you might regret, Commander Gev. It won't do any of us any good."
"Back off, Akku. I just wanna get some air before I blow a gasket with your so-called friends." Mirta heatedly answered.
"If you think Edaan had anything to do with this-" Shara Vos, a Kiffar Mandalorian and member of Akku's thirty-man company of Mandalorians heatedly defended her friend.
"Are we honestly going to argue over BAMR and one of their hateful smear pieces? We need more information outside of their lying Sith-sponsored mouthpieces before we make any judgements." Atai Molec, ambassador for the recently ruling democratic planet of Zygerria, calmly interjected.
"I have a better idea. One that can get us the answers you seek without threatening anyone." Tyria quickly and loudly spoke up as she reached to pull out her holocomm, quickly typing up a holofrequency.
"And just who exactly are you calling that you believe can solve all of our problems?" Parja Gev Orade, Mirta's daughter and firm believer in the Mandalorian culture's greatness, derisively snorted.
"An old friend of your mother. One that will have just the knowledge you're all arguing about on this issue." Tyria quickly answered, mere moments before a holoimage of Jaina Solo Fel appeared, surprising all as the full scope of the Jedi Master's plan came together.
"You've got more mandokarla than I thought, Master Tainer." Bralo, Parja's sister and a more introspective thinker and open minded individual than most children his age, approvingly noted to Tyria.
"Mirta. It's been a long time." Jaina dumbfoundedly spoke, before somberly assuming, "Judging from the veins about to pop on your forehead, I guess you saw the BAMR smear piece."
"I don't have time for this guilt trip." Mirta gruffly dismissed while trying to leave the ship, before Vestara pulled her back. "Let me go, Ves."
"No. You need to hear the truth from Jaina's own lips before you do anything rash. For the sake of your old friendship with her, and for how she avenged your mother's murder, you owe Master Solo Fel that much." Vestara firmly reminded the woman she thought of as the big sister that she never had.
"If nothing else, don't give those schuttas at BAMR the satisfaction of falling for their duplicitous methods so easily."
An unsettling silence settled over the ship before Mirta, surprising everyone relented, and warned Jaina, "You've got exactly ten minutes to explain all this. You'd better make them count."
Five Minutes Later
Shedu Maad
Jedi Temple
Inside the Grand Master's Office
Kyle Katarn, Grand Master of the Jedi Order and veteran of a dozen wars was growing quite desperate for any good news that could break through the dark pall that had cast a terrible shroud over the Temple.
Due to the BAMR falsified bombshell of the entire Order learning of Jaina and her family planning to build a Jedi dynasty in the Empire and using Zakuul as an auxiliary, many of its members, mostly young but some older masters and knights, were angrily questioning the judgement of the leading masters.
And if Kyle was honest with himself, he could not blame their doubts at all after the fall of Jaina's twin brother and his dark transformation into the Sith Lord Darth Caedus before his death. They were desperate for any guidance in their war against the One Sith, if they could even be stopped at all at this point, as some of the younger Knights were saying in the throes of despair.
Unfortunately, there was still the matter of the nest of traitors that was still embedded within the Jedi's service staff, which had been feeding the One Sith vital intelligence and sending failed students into their arms to use against the Jedi. And Kyle could not forget the Sith-created clone of Kam Solusar that had taken the original Council member's place for over a decade, while the real Kam had been languishing away in a prison on the Sith's ancient birth world of Korriban.
Fortunately, in the regard of those traitors, the Jedi had made some headway in identifying the spies, thanks to the Order's latest allies in the Unknown Regions world of Zakuul and its Aquillian Paladins, and the Chiss Ascendancy. The former's vanguard agent in Grace, a Paladin Lieutenant sent with a select crew to help uncover the Sith-backed spies, was hard at work with the approaching Chiss agents in unraveling the enemy network of insiders.
Once they discerned just how many members of the Jedi's trusted staff were feeding intelligence and failed students to the One Sith, they would make their move and arrest the traitors and their prized Iteration.
But there was another matter, one that would have many more long-term repercussions for the Jedi if left unchecked. Thanks to the efforts of Chief Librarian Markre Medjev and Council member Tionne Solusar, they had proven Edaan's claims of a Sith shrine existing deep below the Jedi Temple of Coruscant since the Great Hyperspace War of over five millennia.
That damned ancient structure and its dark side nexus had clouded the Jedi's sight throughout the Order's entire stay on the capital world, and it would continue to do so unless the Jedi found a way to expunge its influence from their home for nearly five consecutive millennia. Which was why the two Jedi Masters were working to compile a list of Force scholars that could help figure out the shrine's defenses and allow the Order to eradicate the ancient dark miasma.
If the Jedi Order could not remove that terrible blot from the capital world, then they would never be able to truly return and aid the troubled populace. That is, when public opinion was more favorable towards them as well.
Tionne and Markre had already come up with a strong list of researchers from allied Force organizations such as the Jensaarai, Agents of Ossus, and Blackguard. Their combined experience would prove invaluable when they delved deep in Coruscant's darkest depths.
But they needed people that had studied the Sith's teachings for decades, which was why Kyle ordered Master Cilghal, the head of the Order's Ambassador Corps, to reach out to the Galactic Alliance Security and Intelligence Council to get back in touch Gannod Chant, a longtime ally of the Jedi and studier of their ancient ways.
And as a final precaution, Kyle also tasked Cilghal to ask for Gannod's help in attaining the aid of Ingo Wavlud, the galaxy's most well-known living Sith scholar and suspected sympathizer of the Sith religion for this mission. That last one was especially going to be tricky to navigate, especially with the anti-Jedi sentiment rearing its ugly head again back on Coruscant.
However, if Chief Yimmon and Head of State Fel could turn the tide of this public opinion war, then recruiting Ingo might yet be possible. And he was prepared to attend the summit via hologram when called upon to be held accountable for the situation and his role in it all.
But even if they could recruit Ingo for this mission, proving and testing his loyalty was another matter entirely. If he was still loyal to the Sith religion, and he escaped their custody, then the damage he could do to the free galaxy was another matter entirely, one he did not wish to even consider.
That was why he was willing to take the necessary precautions to keep such a possibility from occurring. And if any blowback occurred from this error of judgement, then he would ensure that it only hit him, and not the Jedi Order as a whole. He would not let others suffer from his mistakes.
And speaking of letting others suffer for his choices, he had a quick call to make to two certain newlyweds to ensure they stayed out of this imminent battle.
If his former apprentice got involved in matters now with his precarious state, it could draw the Sith to him like glow moths to a flame and endanger his soul even further, and everyone around him. And it was better that they heard the news from him right away, before they found out later and acted rashly, even if out of good intentions.
And speaking of blowback, he had to warn the Alliance of Light's Unknown Regions task force to accelerate their mission to the Chiss Ascendancy. With the Jedi and their allies about to come under greater public scrutiny than ever before, the Chiss would need all the support it could get in destroying the One Sith's footholds in their region of space and rescue their captive Force-sensitive citizens.
It was fortunate they still had a few hidden forces of their own that the Sith could not predict or counter, even with the knowledge they stole from Edaan when Krayt attacked his mind. After all, it would be quite difficult for the Jedi's mortal enemies to pin down what was constantly on the move for the last five years.
In Hyperspace
Aboard the New Dawn
Approximately 29 Hours from the Kwenn System
Edaan Palpatine, Jedi Knight and last descendant of Sith Lord Darth Sidious, felt his eyelids flutter open from both his wife's palm gently rubbing his naked back and hearing someone's holocomm repeatedly chime. Slowly he sat up while groggily asking a smiling Adari, "Ugh... What time is it, dear?"
"It's 0600 Hours. Artoo relayed a call coming through for us from your old master on Shedu Maad. You uh, probably should get dressed." She smirked as she handed her husband a maroon robe, already in one herself.
Pouting at the color choice, Edaan glumly asked, "You had purple-colored robes stored aboard for us?"
"No. The ship's captain left them for us. But you really need to put the robe on. Artoo told me that the message sounded urgent." Adari explained. But just after Edaan finished putting the robe on, Adari ran a hand over his covered lower torso, and kissed him deeply before succulently promising through their Force Bond, After we take the call, I think it's time we had a bit of an early dessert. And I'm in the mood for something sweeter than candy.
That impatient, are you? Edaan teasingly asked his wife while reaching for the holocomm.
No, desperate. You only got an inkling of my desires last night. I have very exotic tastes, my husband, and after all this time of abstaining, I won't be denied. Adari salaciously licked her lips before they sat back down on the bed to take the Grand Master's call.
After less than a minute of waiting, Kyle's holographic head came through, and cut right to business. "Sorry to interrupt your honeymoon, but I have a favor to ask of you two. A rather big one."
"I thought you wanted me to take the last three weeks off to recover from the Sith's attacks. What, is the galaxy going mad without my help?" Edaan half-joked before he saw the troubled expression in his old master's eyes.
Adari, an expert of reading other people's facial micro expressions, caught on instantly, and supportively gripped her husband's hand before asking, "What's going on? What kind of favor do you want from us?"
"Let's just say Sith are manipulating the truth for their war on public opinion and trying to throw the galaxy into anarchy." Kyle simply answered.
"Is BAMR still up to its old tricks?" Edaan angrily took an educated guess.
"Afraid so., and it's worse than you can imagine." Kyle confirmed, before ordering his old apprentice, "But I need you and Adari to stay on course for your retreat, and not interfere in the Alliance of Light's affairs, no matter what you might hear. Just focus on getting better and enjoy yourselves for your leave. You'll be able to do plenty of good for us as soon as you're back in the game."
"Give me your word, Edaan, or I'll have to use stricter means to keep you from doing anything foolhardy." Kyle solemnly finished.
Knowing Kyle would not steer him wrong and would not ask this of him if he did not have a plan in place, Edaan slowly nodded his consent, "Okay. I won't interfere with whatever plans you have in the works. But I will be keeping up on current events in my spare time."
"I shouldn't be surprised at your answer, especially since you always did like to stay informed, even when you were just an Initiate." Kyle amusingly chuckled. He then warned him. "Just try not to go too deep into the Holonet. You know how slanted and opportunistic most of it is these days."
But before he hung up, he tactfully suggested to the couple, "Actually, that reminds me of something. If you really want to watch a good and informative segment, check out The Perre Needmo Newshour in just over an hour. It'll explain a lot of what's going on in a truthful and objective manner. And don't make any rash calls while the segment airs. I don't want you caught in any blowback from this scandal."
After the call ended, Adari remorsefully sighed, "Guess dessert's out of the question. I guess we'd better take a sanisteam and have a quick bite to eat before the session. I smell worse than a baby Uvak."
"Please, you smell wonderful." Edaan playfully said before flirtingly asking, "So, do you want us to sanisteam together, or separate?"
The pure boldness coming from the typically reserved Jedi Knight earned a strong laugh from his wife for a few moments.
She then seriously answered, "Separate, otherwise we might not make it in time. Plus, I'm sure Artoo wouldn't want to stay cooped up in the cockpit for another few hours."
"Yeah, good point." Edaan neutrally agreed. "I guess I'll get started on breakfast while you clean yourself up."
Falleen
Lajinda Spaceport
Aboard the Rude Awakening
"You're making a dangerous gamble, Jaina." Mirta firmly reminded Jaina after hearing her detailed explanation of rebuilding the Empire. Softening her tone with the next words, she added, "But I understand your position and goals, and I can't blame you for considering all options. I just hope the rest of the galaxy can comprehend your goals and how the Empire's barely survived its latest civil war."
According to the Jedi Council member, she had experienced many visions during her time as a Jedi ambassador to the Galactic Empire, which centered around someone in her family creating a new school of Force Users to help the galaxy battle the mysterious forces of chaos that would soon engulf every world. Whoever made that fateful choice would be forced to leave the Jedi Order to start this new tradition academy, and likely sever their bonds with their extended family in the process.
But that was all in the likely-distant future. Right now, the Empire had to protect itself from all manner of attacks and quickly establish a new chain of command to prepare to fight the One Sith. And to protect its democratic leanings, an emergency election had to be convened, with Jagged Fel and his family endorsing Grand Moff Ephin Sarreti to the position of Head of State. With his reformist mindset and overwhelming popularity, putting him into power would surely be all but a guaranteed win.
Still, it never hurt to prepare contingencies in case the original plan was derailed. Mirta knew that no battle plan survived contact with the enemy, and that easily applied to politics also. Which was why the Fels and their supporters had agreed to consider more drastic measures to save the Empire if this election failed, with their Jedi-based monarchy idea an absolute last resort.
Hopefully, the galactic populace would understand the Empire's dire straits and support the election and remember how BAMR News was an infamous network that smeared their Sith-backed opponents and often outright lied to discredit anyone who stood against them. But Mirta knew how most people were fickle beings and would need more than pretty words to comprehend the precarious state the galaxy's free powers were in.
"I'll be repeating them on a galaxy wide newscast in about an hour, so you'll get to hear me make a complete di'kut of myself in front of a galaxy of such diverse opinions and religions." Jaina calmly answered. Quickly turning to directly address Tyria, the Council member continued, "And I think we both know which Jedi Knight I want to take up my mantle as Sword of the Jedi if the worst comes to pass."
"Edaan." Tyria wearily deduced. Weren't the Jedi and the young man putting enough pressure on himself without granting him such a burdensome title? Even the strongest and greatest of individuals could only take so many responsibilities before they eventually broke from the sheer burdens placed on them.
Not willing to give up, Tyria implored her longtime friend, "Jaina, the Jedi Order is your life. You can't be so willing to throw it away like this, or it could very well be a betrayal of everything you fought for."
Looking down, Jaina ruefully admitted, "Perhaps you're right. But aren't leaders often left with terrible choices to do what we think is right or necessary for the benefit of the great many?"
"And don't forget, Daala and the One Sith devastated the Empire in their coup attempts, never mind how depleted the Army and Navy's ranks are. If quick and decisive action isn't taken right away to mitigate and heal the damage, it could cause the government to collapse into anarchy or civil war, and countless beings could die in the chaos." She reminded the group, who was hard-pressed to argue that point.
"That may be, but you need to be careful in detailing your plans to the public. Make sure to emphasize how the Fel Empire is the last option, and how you're banking your hopes in the election." Mirta ardently urged her onetime friend and comrade, just as the hologram of a female Caamasi's head appeared beside Jaina's before the alien's calm and serene voice entered the fray,
"That is why we are drafting many amendments to limit the family's power if the monarchy proves to be the only choice, along with those of the Empire's regional governors, to avoid previous flagrant abuses of power. Although, the power constraints on the Moffs and fully opening the military up to nonhumans is going to happen in either option, present circumstances excluded."
"Sorry for being rude, but just who exactly are you?" Vestara confusingly asked the newcomer.
"Ah, that's right. We have never met before, Miss Khai. I am Releqy A'Kla, a former senator of the Galactic Alliance before my unjust imprisonment by Darth Caedus, and until very recently, a political prisoner in carbonite in Natasi Daala's custody by Master Solo Fel and forces loyal to her husband." Releqy formally introduced herself.
"I've heard a lot about you." Atai recognized. "You followed in your father's footsteps of peace and diplomacy after his death in the early months of the Yuuzhan Vong's invasion. Then you quickly became a major leader in the New Republic and Galactic Alliance's politics until your unlawful detainment."
"That is correct. And I've heard of you as well, Ambassador Atai Molec. Your work in guiding your people and world of Zygerria out of the depravities of slavery was a great balm for my weary heart." Releqy gratefully acknowledged the Zygerrian's unconventional greeting.
"We're getting nowhere fast." Vua gruffly piped in before taking Tyria's holocomm away from her, and apologized, "Master Fel, you have a summit to attend in less than an hour, and Senator A'Kla needs time to recover from her ordeal. We can't afford to keep you any longer, and we have our own missions to prepare for. Whatever doubts or grievances we have with you will have to be answered by your upcoming conference. Good luck."
Closing the holocomm, Vua noted the surprised stares directed at him, and ruefully sighed, "What are you all staring at me like that for? We were wasting everyone's precious time when there's a galactic war raging, and several planets are tearing themselves apart at the seams. There'll be time for idle conversation after we send the Sith and their thralls into the dark abyss where they belong."
"Agreed, but I think everyone's too shocked to process that, since the most anyone ever heard you speak, Vua." Akku amusingly noted.
"Ah, shut up, Seii." Vua grunted.
Ten Minutes Later
Red Twins System
Aboard the Ursa
Luke could feel that something was not right with this battle, but even a blind Kedorzhan could figure that out on their own. Despite the One Sith's fleet being bolstered by a second and stronger force, the dark siders and their allies had adopted mainly defensive and probing actions designed to gauge the Alliance's responses while protecting its core ships. A rather clever move, especially since the Alliance of Light had just received reinforcements in the form of inbound Galactic Alliance fleets.
Unfortunately, since both opposing armadas were equal in numbers and strength, the Alliance had to play this battle carefully if they were to have enough strength left to capture Daala once she arrived. It would be more difficult since they only had two squadrons worth of Jedi in their combined force, while they had no knowledge of how many Sith were commanding the enemy force.
One might assume that the Sith were preparing a risky gambit to crush the coalition in one fell swoop or were keeping their main force in reserve to hunt down Daala and punish her themselves. The rogue warlord did make enemies of them as well when she tried to claim the Empire for her own and design anti-Force weapons in a demented gambit to eradicate the Force from existence.
Fortunately, all the Alliance fleet commanders were experienced enough to know when they were being herded into a trap. Consequently, they all knew they had to outplay the Sith before they sprung their trap. That was why Luke and Master Corran Horn had instructed a certain asset of theirs aboard the Chimaera to tap into the enemy's communications to give them the necessary edge on the battle.
While most of Kopri Wren's Mandalorian Protectors would have preferred a straightforward attack, the clan leader deferred to Luke's judgement on this one and held back the bulk of her warriors.
But what helped ease many of her followers' doubts of the strategy was how the legendary Delphidian privateer Sidon Ithano and his makeshift fleet of mercenaries and smugglers were aiding the fight through guerilla strikes and aiding the decryption and analysis of enemy data. At least when they did launch their true attack, they'd have an impeccable battle plan and know their enemy's vulnerable spots.
And yet, Luke could feel a malevolent whisper in the Force, one that was growing closer towards the Chimaera. And, for reasons he could not yet explain, he somehow feared it would spell doom for everyone aboard.
Unless someone took decisive action to stop this mysterious darkness, before it was too late.
Aboard the Bestoon Legacy
After Ochi sent a message to Wyyrlok through the Force, alerting him that he was just about in position, he was given the go ahead to move on the Chimaera. Evilly smiling, the Vahl assassin prepared a certain Imperial-based surprise to work its stuff aboard the Alliance-appropriated Star Destroyer, just as the Bestoon Legacy finished docking with one of the Chimaera's exterior airlocks.
Oh, he would revel in the destruction and terror he was about to unleash.
Just Outside the Batuu System
Aboard the Corelllian Engine Corporation Action VI Transport Wild Karrde
"All right, Djarin. We're all assembled. Now, how exactly do you expect our combined force to slip past the Sith's blockade undetected like you claim?" Shada D'ukal Karrde, leader of the reformed Smuggler's Alliance, irritably questioned Din, a Mandalorian clan leader and leader of the Batuu resistance against the Sith-backed cult based within the system's sole planet.
She, her direct subordinates, Wraith Squadron, the Antarian Rangers, and the Hutt forces allied together in a mad coalition were ready to storm the Sith blockade and deliver much-needed resources and manpower to the planet's beleaguered freedom fighters.
"Try not to get too testy with him, Madame Karrde. I'm sure Master Djarin has a plan and is under enough strain as it is without your impatience. This is his area of expertise, after all." Hutt crime lord Azzim Anjilic Atirue, the Hutt Grand Council's primary liaison with the Alliance of Light in their war against the One Sith, politely reprimanded the one-time Mistryl Shadow Guard.
"Well, to be perfectly accurate, it's a plan Wraith Squadron and Azzim aided me in creating. And it's our best, likely only shot at getting you all down here to help us by the next planetary rotation." Din ruefully acknowledged.
"Then we'd best start to implement it right away. Thanks to the Sith and their pawns on Coruscant, we likely don't have much time before they push the entire galaxy into absolute anarchy." Tiana Ira, commander of the Antarian Rangers, a paramilitary force created approximately seven centuries ago to aid the Jedi, pressed the Mandalorian.
"Exactly. Now, shall we begin?" Din added a hint of drama to the meeting.