One Hour Later
Batuu
Black Spire Ruins
Inside the Sith Command Center
"Excellent work, Xasha. Your relationship with that insufferable Ithorian is providing more than artifacts for our cause." Dician approvingly commended her Falleen subordinate on discovering the leaders of each Jedi-sympathetic detachment that broke through her blockade.
"Thank you, my Lady." Xasha humbly acknowledged, excusing herself so Dician could properly plan her new strategy.
The Sith Lady knew how information is power, and by taking the first step to learning about her newest batch of enemies, it would be that much easier to use their weaknesses against them, perhaps even make a portion of them fall to the divisions of their little alliance.
But she knew the task would not be easy, since the enemy commanders were a tricky bunch, being a group of veteran leaders and brilliant minds, even with their sympathies with the wretched Jedi as Antarian Rangers, unconventional Galactic Alliance assets, and smugglers. But they each held a loathing for the Hutts and their countless greedy and amoral activities. Perhaps she could use that to her advantage, even against a young, if clever and pragmatic, Hutt Kajidic of the Atirue family that was supposedly friendly with a few renowned Jedi like Edaan Palpatine.
Still, she had to be careful, subtle, and especially patient with this new strategy. One wrong move could instead unite everyone in this world together against the Dread Lord and his Grand Design, especially since she still had to investigate her followers for any potential traitors. With the stakes being continuously raised against the dark siders, even a single, miniscule misstep might very well doom the One Sith for good, that is, unless the appropriate measures and contingencies were taken immediately.
Until she learnt more of the traitors and their network, no one could be trusted outside her handpicked acolytes, especially not her puppet of a cult leader. If she knew who the traitors were and who might be protecting them, or if Xasha herself was the mole, then the danger to her plans was beyond her darkest imaginings. She would have to work efficiently and perfect enough to discern the truth before matters completely spiraled out of control.
But there was something else troubling her, something with equally disturbing ramifications. Across every Jedi facility in the Outer Rim, her agents had not reported in for their scheduled transmission. And the Shedu Maad academy had not been able to get ahold of them, while security was tightening across the entire star system from the Hapans and the influx of wounded. Had the Jedi uncovered her network and been tearing it down?
Regardless, even a blind Nek could see how it was time for her remaining people to flee before they could be discovered and disposed of by the enemy. And since the Jedi likely figured out the secret to their transmissions without their Iteration's special transmitter, that meant relaying a message to the Sith's best empathetic agent in the Jedi Order through the Force.
At the very least, if they could not escape, the thirty-eight Sith agents could still cripple the Jedi by decimating their numbers and eliminating much of its leadership and veterans.
Falleen
Just Outside Lajinda Port
Aboard the Mon Adapyne
"You really expect us to believe this, Khai? Another Sith is willing to defect to us, just like you? How dumb do you think we are?" Han scathingly asked, ignoring the glares aimed at him from his wife, Keyan, Tyria, Ben, and Mirta.
"You can believe whatever you wish, General Solo, because I've heard much worse." Vestara calmly shrugged her shoulders, her eyes and body language betraying no emotion or reaction at the thinly veiled insult. "But consider how he divulged how his superior was about to launch an ambush against us, how Oculus revealed the circumstances surrounding the Sith-perpetrated deception that led him and Sariss into their clutches, and that our mysterious contacts confirmed what we now know of Master Solusar's situation, never mind the Sith-Imperial ambush on one of the Alliance fleets ready to aid Mandalore. What could he have to gain from providing us such vital intelligence?"
"Not to mention whatever other intel he will provide us going forward, if his claims are accurate." Mirta reminded the group. "Still, even if he's being honest with us, Malleus and Dician could be trying to use him as bait to draw us out to eliminate us and weaken our alliance."
Keyan, appraising all options through his indiscernible gaze, nodded before he addressed the two Jedi women, "Leia, Tyria, as you are in the field leading this operation, I will defer to your judgements on this matter. Do you believe we should act on this intelligence, or pull out before the Sith spring their trap on you all?"
"We came here to help liberate Falleen from their Sith puppeteers, and that's what we have to do, no matter the risks to us." Leia said. "However, that does not mean we cannot take the necessary precautions in case this Sith proves to be deceiving us, nor conducting a test to prove the veracity of their claims."
"I assume you have a plan, then." Keyan deduced. "Will you require reinforcements to complete the mission?"
"Master Sebatyne and a few of his teammates, and Commander Rhal and his best men should be more than sufficient." Tyria confidently answered. "We can't afford to stretch our forces too thin, not with the battlefields erupting across the planet."
"Consider it done. And I can spare at least half a dozen squadrons of fighters for all of you to cover your escape." Keyan offered.
"We'll keep that in mind, General." Ben gratefully nodded, before the signal began to break up. "Kriff, they're tracing our signal. We gotta sign off for now."
After the Port Nowhere teams signed off, Keyan lowly advised Han, "I suggest you reign in your tongue, Han. Not everyone is as patient as me with free-thinking and loose-lipped individuals, especially those with a self-destructive grudge against an ally."
"Now, if you will excuse me, I have a lot of work to do for our liberation to succeed." The Agamar-born human dismissed the Corellian. Leaving the tactical center for the bridge to coordinate the Alliance of Light's efforts, Keyan, once he entered the turbolift, let out a few haggard breaths. These last few years, they'd been pushing the general harder than any campaign he'd fought in.
And with no end in sight for the wars against the Sith, it would be a miracle if he lived past this bout of hostilities.
Shedu Maad
Jedi Temple
Aboard the Heskel's Folly
"I have my most trusted crews and security agents prepared to patrol the Temple within the hour, Grand Master." Tenel Ka Djo, Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium, resigned Jedi Knight, and mother of current Jedi Knight Allana Solo, informed Kyle. "It was fortunate you warned us of the influx of allied wounded that have been pouring into your facilities, or we would not have the perfect reason to bolster your security."
"And it was equally fortuitous that you delayed your operations until you received sufficient and effective reinforcements." Irizi'in'daro, the ranking Chiss officer and Senior Captain of the Ascendancy's secret police, pointed out. "With the comm signals and security access you provided, my subordinates are monitoring your traitor's every move and keeping their duplicity from going beyond this star system. And I have a team of the Ascendancy's best agents ready to assist your arrests."
"All of this, coupled with our able-bodied Mandalorians, smugglers, and your most trusted Jedi prepared to help you clean house, is pretty impressive and covers all our bases." Grace amazingly noted. "It's really amazing how a galactic crisis can bring such disparate groups together."
"Yes. If only all crises could bring out the best in everyone." Kyle wistfully agreed.
After four days of monitoring the Sith spies and quietly recalling several various Jedi from their assignments in the surrounding sectors, everything was just about in place to arrest every single one the One Sith's infiltrators and their most valuable clone.
All that remained was the final isolation efforts to cut off the bulk of the spies from each other. If even a handful of them, especially from their seven Apprentice spies, managed to band together, it could lead to a high body count among the Alliance of Light.
And that did not include Knight Korr's efforts to cut off the Kam Solusar clone from any of his Sith handlers and trigger his deep-seated programming. With seven newly promoted Jedi Masters ready to spring to Jaden's aid if the clone's deep-rooted programming was triggered, Kyle hoped that everything would work out for the best. If they could capture the clone and successfully interrogate him, then they could learn much of the One Sith's entire network of operations and their full capabilities.
And there was still the matter of the Sith shrine embedded below the Coruscant Jedi Temple. Sure, the Galactic Alliance had greenlighted Professor Wavlud's temporary release from incarceration and parole in the Jedi Order's custody for their off-the books mission to neutralize the shrine, but there were still many preparations to make before the task could truly begin. After all, the Order still had to assemble their handpicked team, bring them up to speed, and get them to Coruscant, all after the Jedi Order purged the spies from its ranks.
But one battle at a time. Right now, Kyle had to be ready to lead the arrests, and if one single agent escaped their clutches, then it could spell disaster for all the Sith's enemies.
Just three measly hours remained before all hell broke loose in the Temple, and the Jedi Order was rocked to its core with the explosive bombshell about to explode beneath everyone's feet.
Batuu
Morandi Forests
"I'm glad all of our paths have finally crossed, and that all of our peoples are getting along." Din Djarin gratefully spoke to each leader of the Alliance's detachment. Deep within the dense woods and caves that the Batuu Resistance used as a base of operations, this natural labyrinth was the perfect place to conduct all manner of illicit matters. "With all of you here, we finally have a fighting chance to free this world from the Sith's control and uncover the truth of their operations here."
"Then it would be safe to assume there's more value to this world than its obscurity as the perfect headquarters for countless illegal Sith enterprises, yes?" Azzim confidently pointed out.
"Guess you're smarter than the average Hutt." Carasynthia Dune Djarin, "Cara" to her friends, amusingly added, before getting serious, "There are Rakatan ruins near Black Spire Outpost that Dician is using as her headquarters. One of our contacts in the town figured out the old facility was created at the height of the Infinite Empire's reign, and that there's a vault containing an unknown artifact somewhere inside."
"And how does all of this figure into our plans?" Jesmin Tainer, Antarian Ranger and member of Wraith Squadron, pointed out. "None of us here are archeologists, and we came here to help liberate Batuu and crush a Sith-allied cult."
"That doesn't mean it can't hold potential value for us and the Jedi." Tiana pointed out. "At the very least, it's another resource we can keep out of the Sith's clutches."
"An issue for another time. Right now, we need to focus on the next phase of this war. Dician won't take the losses her blockade suffered without insult, and her remaining followers are still on the hunt for us. Now that we have the strength, it's time we took the fight to her followers." One of Clan Djarin's Mandalorians objected.
"Patience, Graf." Din counseled his longtime friend. "First, all of us need to become a cohesive fighting force, and that means hitting the cult's soft spots first and building trust and experience for the men. Then we can worry about directly engaging the Sith. Hopefully by then, we can get another batch of reinforcements and a few Jedi to support us. We'll need every advantage we can get before this karking war can finally end."
"I'm sure we can handle this without those Jetti." Graf quietly grumbled. He never held much love for Jedi, for he always viewed them as soothsayers, self-righteous, and arrogant galactic policemen that needed to be taken down a few pegs.
Even though he knew, deep down, that the Jedi were crucial for winning these many Sith-backed wars, that truth did not mean he had to relish or approve of this inevitable alliance.
Fortunately, Cara insightfully noticed Graf's irritated state, and made a note to talk with him before the meeting was over. They did not want any divisions or fractures in this coalition before it even had a chance to truly take off, let alone destroy every facet of the One Sith's infrastructure and their followers.
Deep Within the Unknown Regions
At the Chiss Ascendancy's Borders
Aboard the Nightdragon Man-of-War Vigilance
In the void of space, a small fleet of Chiss warships was patrolling the borders of their home territory from their many enemies. Thus far, they had found nothing, but the silence and tranquility gave the commander a chance to reflect on his solemn duty, just as his father and grandfather did before him.
For almost three decades, Kivu'raw'nuruodo had followed his grandfather's goal in defending the Chiss Ascendancy from all threats, both internal and external, just as his father had done before his and Mitth'raw'nuruodo's unfortunate deaths. And with the legendary leader's memories and skills successfully retained within the young man through cerebral technological marvels, along with his own extensive experiences and studies on warfare, Vurawn could be considered a crowning culmination of the Empire of the Hand's scientific legacy.
By derailing conquests by dozens of potential enemies through preemptive strikes to eliminate future threats to the Ascendancy, working to expand the Chiss's sphere of influence across the Unknown Regions by encouraging beleaguered or impoverished worlds to seek out their aid, and influencing certain events and individuals to steer them towards a more enlightened and pragmatic path, Vurawn was truly the ultimate epitome of a hidden patriot.
Even so, that did not prevent him from observing and learning from the valor of others, especially those precious few among the known galaxy, derogatorily called by many of his people as "Lesser Space." Whether they were administrators, political or military leaders, or even Jedi or everyday civilians, it mattered not to him; for only an ignorant fool would refrain from using valuable knowledge or learning from another's experiences, even if it came from an unorthodox source.
True, he may be violating the Ascendancy's long-standing stance against preemptive strikes and unspoken xenophobia, but the ever-shifting tides of chaos and war by their enemies and their new masters demanded the appropriate amount of flexibility and allies.
That was why Vurawn, along with his one hundred and fifty co-conspirators in the Ascendancy's ranks, and the three newest additions within the greater galaxy, were following Grand Admiral Thrawn's example when he created the Empire of the Hand to tame the Unknown Regions. But this time, the endeavor would be done with a far more secretive, open minded, and politically savvy approach than the most well-known Chiss prodigy would have done.
For all his brilliance on warfare, Mitth'raw'nuruodo sadly knew precious little when it came to the battlefield of politics, a contributing factor in what led his political foes in the Ascendancy exile him, even after obliterating a coalition of the Chiss's most ancient and dangerous enemies bent on destroying their entire civilization.
That was why he and his father had studied everything they could get their hands on regarding politics to avoid their predecessor's misfortunes in both the Ascendancy and Galactic Empire.
But right now, he needed to put his focus on the present and not in others' memories. With the Jedi, Galactic Alliance, Empire of the Hand, Aquilian Republic, and many independent privateers arriving in force to help the Chiss contend with the One Sith and their proxies from Chaos, his network of contacts and allies would be needed now more than ever in this endless war of protecting his people.
Korriban
Sith Catacombs
Within the One Sith's Citadel
Inside Darth Krayt's Private Meditation Chambers
Darth Krayt could sense how everything was proceeding exactly according to the Grand Design's vision. The Jedi and their allies would bleed themselves dry trying to eradicate his followers and their strongholds, leaving them weakened enough to allow the One Sith to retreat and rebuild their forces from the galaxy's crevices. Even losing their network of agents and converts on Shedu Maad would be a small price to pay for their masters' survival, especially when there would be decades to embed new agents in the Order's ranks once they were out of their reach.
But before the Sith could leave the birthplace of their religion behind, they still needed a few key components to fully implement their strategy, the most important of which was the capture of Edaan Palpatine, a task he had entrusted to Lady Sorzus and Lord Snoke. He could sense his servants working diligently to accomplish this task and had faith that they would not fail him as many others had.
Soon, in a handful of weeks at most, the Jedi Knight would be theirs, and he could be molded to become the vanguard of the One's Sith's armies when they reigned supreme over the galaxy. And all those that opposed them would fall in the decades to come, no matter who they were. And the Iteration that was one day away from completing its accelerated growth from Edaan's cells would serve as a suitable replacement for the doomed Kam Solusar clone, after he was given a few upgrades and augmentations in the Sith's quest to create the ultimate acolyte.
However, there was another, far more pressing matter that captured the Dread Lord's full attention: the Chiss Ascendancy and the Unknown Regions. The Jedi might have a foothold there now, but they could not afford to discover the real reason the Sith had such an interest in the region.
It certainly did not help that Daala disappeared into the largely untraversed region with the remnants of her armies and subordinates, with Force-knew whoever her patrons were that despised the Force at least as much as she did. No one wanted another Star Cabal organization of puppeteers, or Yuuzhan Vong invasion to devastate the galaxy. While that was a separate issue altogether, it was still one he would have to devote valuable time and resources to uncover the truth of this mystery.
Somewhere, deep in the Unknown Regions' darkest abyss, a familiar foe was preparing to be resurrected from the death and fear devouring the galaxy, one that Krayt could not allow to return before the Sith and the galaxy were ready to face her again. And using the Chiss's enemies to keep the Jedi distracted was a dangerous gamble, but a necessary one if the Sith could destroy the Bringer of Chaos's hidden stronghold in time.
The underground fortress only appeared to Krayt in his deepest dreams and repeatedly whispered the word Rakata. That could apply to countless worlds that the Rakatan Infinite Empire conquered millennia ago, but he realized that the best place to begin was at the world where the marauders once called home. It was imperative that Lehon was thoroughly searched, for there was no telling what secrets the planet's ancient depths might hold. Even if it was not where Abeloth's remnants and followers were coalescing, there had to be clues on where else she might be, and maybe there were more artifacts and treasures there that might benefit the One Sith.
Though many in his order believed otherwise, he knew that the Celestial monster's acolytes were building armies and weapons capable of overpowering anything that stood in their way, just as the reborn Darth Sidious did with his Dark Empire. If these ancient dangers were not stopped preemptively, then in a matter of decades, perhaps even years if they were that ahead in their plans, no one could stand against her and her mad dreams to lead the galaxy to ruin.
When he and his acolytes were able to pull their strength off Korriban and withdraw into the obscurity of the Unknown Regions and Wild Space, they would unleash their full might on Abeloth and whatever followers might flock to her banner and kill her with the one weapon that could fully destroy her dark essence.
Holding the hilt of the mythical Mortis Dagger in his hands, Krayt remembered killing the one Quest Knight lucky enough to find the Mortis Monolith after they worked together to retrieve the weapon from its ancient tomb ten years ago. That Jedi was clever and knowledgeable enough to discern his original identity as Old Republic Jedi Master A'Sharad Hett but agreed with him on how finding the weapon was more important than their five-thousand-year-old quarrel.
Since both the light and the dark Sides of the Force were needed to solve all the Monolith's mysteries, they had no choice but to work together. That was why Krayt was planning to keep a few of the Jedi alive to help him and the One Sith when they ruled the galaxy and would be the ones to finally eradicate Abeloth's insidious influence once she fully returned.
While Krayt truly regretted killing such a promising student of the Force after their cooperation concluded, the Jedi Master was too principled and devoted to even consider betraying his order, and so he had to be eliminated before he could escape and unveil the One Sith's shadows of concealment. The secrets he uncovered could never reach the Jedi's ears. It would bring the galaxy's then-divided factions upon him like moths to a flame, and he could not risk his order's destruction when all of creation was at risk.
Banishing such wistful regrets and fears from his mind, he felt a tremor in the Force, as if a powerful shift would soon echo throughout the galaxy. Whether it would be beneficial or detrimental to the One Sith remained to be seen, but he had to be prepared for any possible scenario. The fate of the galaxy might very well hinge on whatever happened next, and Krayt was determined to see his people come out on top and bring the galaxy the order and peace it deserved.
Deep Within the Unknown Regions
Near Ilum
Aboard the Lady Luck
"We can't thank you enough." Lando earnestly praised Vuffi Raa as the influx of data poured into his ship's built-in library. Aside from providing irrefutable evidence of the Rakatan Archipelago's existence, invaluable information on the One Sith's hideouts and facilities across the Unknown Regions, the Silentium had given the Calrissians every piece of information they held on the True Nihil Retreat and its all but impenetrable domain. "This information could change everything and put a stop to this war."
"That will only be if we cannot find a way to convince Skyriver to cease this infighting and root out those that are driving the galaxy towards its annihilation." Vuffi Raa gravely warned his longtime friend, reminding Lando of the enormous burden now thrust upon him.
Over the last fifteen thousand years, after the race of mechanical explorers had exiled themselves from the satellite galaxy whose tragedies birthed the Yuuzhan Vong, they've kept a careful vigil over Skyriver - what the Celestials called the main galaxy they helped create – and watched over its forgotten corners to contain the terrors hidden away.
They sent young scouts out to learn about the worlds that had dismissed them as myths or mere droids, those chosen to reach out to a brave few to defend all lives from evil learned what they could from their partners before eventually returning into the fold. This not only protected the Silentium from being hunted by their enemies or persecuted by the galaxy's gullible but allowed the automatons to continue learning and evolving to combat the shadowy dangers that endangered all free beings. Only a chosen few in the Unknown Regions knew of their existence, and together they worked in secret to maintain a constant vigil over this darkened corner of space.
But their watch was slowly failing, and allies were needed to help stem the rising darkness, which was why the Silentium eventually reached out to the Chiss Ascendancy and Aquilian Republic, their neighbors, to aid in their sacred mission. Together, this unconventional and secret collaboration worked to maintain order and a present a shining beacon of hope and freedom for all beleaguered powers across the Chaos, all while evading the watchful eyes of all their enemies. And for over three centuries, this partnership worked well.
Slowly, though, even this coalition was not enough. With the many orders following the Stygian Sith Code seeking to dominate all worlds, the Yuuzhan Vong devastating the galaxy in their tragic invasion, the Killiks nearly destroyed by the One Sith controlling them, and the Bringer of Chaos breaking her ancient seals, the True Sith Empire perceived its time had arrived. And through collaborators and spies like Xasha Xizor and her anarchist cult, those of the Nihil Retreat were systematically dividing the galaxy and weakening it from within, preparing the way for the return of their Father of Shadows.
And that was why Vuffi Raa had called Lando here, for the Silentium needed a trusted intermediary to convince Skyriver's inhabitants of their benevolence and the dark tidings they brought with them. The first step was to convince the Alliance of Light and One Sith to lay down their arms and grudge against each other and direct their energies on their true foes.
A tall order, certainly, but it was one of great honor and required subtlety and charm, which the elder Calrissian held in abundance. And he already had a few ideas on how to accomplish this, which he would need his son's help with. What Chance lacked in natural charm, he more than made up for in computer skills and leadership ability, which would prove invaluable in destroying the Freedom's Riches cult, with a little help from the One Sith.
And speaking of tall orders, there was still the matter of the Olpakan Hegemony and its growing threat to Skyriver. The discussions with the Resolute ambassador were gradually proceeding, and small progress was being made, but there was still terrible mistrust between both the Garwian commander and Lando. Neither side nor its intermediaries could form a consensus on how to create a pact between the Olpakan rebels, the Alliance of Light, and the One Sith, even if they agreed that a united front was the only way to survive the dangers lurking in the Unknown Regions.
Cain, seeing that the discussions were going nowhere, respectfully suggested, "General, perhaps we should continue our talks another time. If we cannot agree right now, then it might be best if we continue our operations as before, while opening a quiet dialogue with the rest of known space."
"What if we tried a more direct approach?" Chance suddenly proposed. Surprised at his bold initiative, the younger Calrissian braved on, "Right now, the Jedi and One Sith are at each other's throats while the True Sith wear both down, and only a few of our friends and allies know the truth."
Grasping what his son was getting at, Lando, taking a sip of aged Corellian whiskey, deduced, "You want to go public with what we know."
"Yes, but in a big way to force a ceasefire between the Alliance of Light and One Sith." Chance clarified. "We know Krayt's people have opened several major battlefields across the Outer Rim, and that they're hunting Daala. What if we all were to make a show of force to shock them into hesitation, and then we can get both sides to sit down and warn them of what's coming?"
Staring at Chance with renewed interest, everyone remained silent for a few moments before the Chiss admiral warned, "The proposal you're making, Mister Calrissian… Political ramifications alone, it would require a massive number of ships and firepower to make everyone cease hostilities. Both of which are tied up in interdiction operations and-"
"My son might have a point." Lando pointedly interrupted. "Granted, the plan he proposed doesn't have to be done through overwhelming force. But maybe, if we provided both sides with information on the Rhandites and Olpakans and convince enough of Krayt's followers and the Jedi to hear us out, it could give us the opportunity to seek a diplomatic pause to the war."
"That could work." The Aquilian admiral carefully allowed, while the Chiss was conflicted.
Seeing the opportunity, Lando glanced at Cain, and pledged, "Commander, if you take this idea to your leaders, I'll see to it that your people get the help you need." Being frank, he added, "Right now, none of us can afford to be too choosy of our allies, and this might be the only way you can save your people from Daala's madness."
Deeply sighing, Cain glanced down and reluctantly warned Lando, "There's no guarantee my people will accept your offer, let alone ally with you." Raising her head to gaze at him, she added, "But you're right. We can't win this fight alone, and too much is at stake to leave anything to chance."
"Warn your people of the coming tribulations, and I will do everything I can to convince mine to reach out to yours."
"And I will personally help." Vuffi earnestly promised. Turning his eye to Lando, he offered, "I can bring along a few of my people to facilitate the talks. I believe our information and unique insight will be pivotal to any talks between the known galactic powers."
Letting out a rueful chuckle, Lando agreed, "We'll take any aid you can offer, old friend."
Oh, things were about to get a lot more exciting and terrifying, and this would be a war no one would forget. If nothing else, it would be a good way for Lando to die if the worst came to pass.
Deep Within the Unknown Regions,
Within the Tempered Wastes
On the Planet Lehon/Rakata Prime
Within the Planet's Catacombs
Kung'urama'nuruodo, High Sorcerer of Rhand and de facto leader of the Servants of Chaos, reached into the Force's endless and boundless currents to control the countless possibilities the near future held for the True Sith Empire and its countless servants. Softly uttering a prayer to the Immortal Gods of the Sith and kneeling before the temple's shrine, painstakingly built by the Nihil Retreat's slaves to serve as a focal point for the arcane rituals undertaken here, the Chiss ex-Jedi Padawan prepared to contact his masters and report his task's progress.
Having spent the last thirty years reoccupying Lehon's ancient depths and recovering and repairing countless treasures long rendered inert through inactivity, the Sorcerers of Rhand took advantage of its network of catacombs and foundries to expand its war machine beyond that of all their enemy's capabilities. And this hidden refuge was crucial to their plans, and their vassals in the Servants of Chaos that worshiped the deluded "Beloved Queen of the Stars" in Abeloth.
Knowing how Abeloth's mother, Tilotny, daughter of Wuztek and self-proclaimed goddess, had ensnared many species and faiths into worshipping her through her many guises before her suicide eons ago, Kung'urama'nuruodo knew it would be easy to convince many of them to work with the Rhandites in accelerating her revival. Those gullible peons, who held little understanding of the true nature of the universe and its rightful masters, they came from many walks of life, for they included Humans who held to the long-outlawed Pius Dea religion, to the Trandoshans and their Scorekeeper goddess, and the Vahla and their dark side cult, the Ember of Vahl.
These three groups were merely the vanguard of the armies that would rally to her call when she was revived, and they too would then be co-opted by the True Sith Empire and bound to Bogan's will.
But still, the old Chiss knew better than to grow overconfident and lose sight of the danger of exposure, never mind his deepest fears coming true. If - no, when - the Jedi and One Sith figured out the truth, there was a strong chance they might yet lay their grudges to rest and join forces to stave off the death of all they cherished. And that prospect was the one he most dreaded among what the future showed him.
Taking a moment to glance at the architecture of this grisly version of a religious temple, with dozens of statues of terrifying creatures from ancient mythology, and glass windows of the most terrible and destructive periods of galactic history, Kung'urama'nuruodo took sick pride of the accomplishments of the people that gave him a home after Order Sixty-Six and the Empire destroyed his friends and comrades in Breakout Squad.
Remembering how the four rogue Clone Commandos and their small band of allies risked their lives to protect him from Imperial-funded hunters before they were obliterated by the endless waves of Stormtroopers, their Inquisitor masters, and under a dozen of elite Jedi-hunting mercenaries of their time, Kung'urama'nuruodo knew he should have died on that distant and unnamed world in Wild Space where everyone made their final stand.
He certainly would have met his end there, were it not for a certain Sorcerer and Prophet of the Dark Side did not rescue and instruct him to seek his people out to learn the galaxy's sole primordial truth. Learning from Cronal more of the Force than the Jedi ever could teach, he eventually set off on his own to spread the Way of the Dark before coming to learn of Abeloth's existence and ruling over her faithful acolytes and generals while preparing for her eventual return for the True Sith Empire's benefit.
Pushing aside his recollections of Cronal and his long-buried past, the Grand Sorcerer rose to exit the dark cathedral and reached out to his acolytes to continue their war preparations. The time for sentimentality and other frivolous emotions could wait until after victory was delivered to them. Just as the decaying planet beneath him perfectly demonstrated, no matter how strong any force might be, it would eventually be destroyed by an even greater and omniscient power, and the time had come for the galaxy to recognize and acknowledge that truth.
Interrupting his reflections, the chamber Kung'urama'nuruodo stood in quickly vanished in a plume of smoke, and he found himself prostrated before the emissary the Lich Kings chose to greet him. No matter how many times he found himself on Valtaullu, where the planet-wide Temple of Korman Lao was constructed eons ago, a tiny part of his soul recoiled at the death and unholy power infused into this area. As the statue of an ancient depiction of the Father of Shadows, he shivered at being in the presence of the stone infused with his master's essence.
Glimpsing the lion-headed deity, with one arm holding a key and the other wielding a sword; a serpent lay coiled around his muscular human-like body with its demonic head raised atop of a malevolent lionine crown, Kung'urama'nuruodo knew it was not a Lich King he was meeting, but one of their direct advisors. A shame, but he would make do with speaking with Tor Valum.
The moment the Grysk sage materialized before him, Kung'urama'nuruodo snidely remarked, "I was expecting Lord Rictus."
Not rising to the bait, Tor ordered the High Sorcerer, "Tell me of your progress in drawing Abeloth into our clutches."
"They are proceeding beyond all expectations." Kung'urama'nuruodo began. "Fools they may be in their beliefs, but they are more than capable in fueling the Bringer of Chaos's rebirth. But there are several problems we need to address before we can move forward with our plans."
And Kung'urama'nuruodo told Tor everything, how the Empire of the Hand was now unveiling its supreme commander and fully throwing themselves against the True Sith. Having been shrouded from the High Sorcerer's vision for many years, he never expected the accursed Mitth'raw'nuruodo to have relied on his descendants to safeguard his people and the Chaos from all manner of dangers and enemies. Just the thought of the Chiss warlord copulating with a woman when he was devoted to his work, that alone nearly made him die from sheer shock.
And there was the Silentium, now calling upon an old friend of theirs to rally the galaxy against the True Sith's cause, starting with the Rakatan Archipelago and warning all the greater dangers coming for them. Already, Zakuul and the Chiss Ascendancy had answered the call, and if Kung'urama'nuruodo's visions were correct, then the Jedi and their Alliance of Light would soon join the fray.
Tor listened carefully, never interrupting as Kung'urama'nuruodo explained the worsening situation for the Rhandites and their failing veil of secrecy. Instead, when the ex-Jedi finished his warnings, the Grysk noted, "So, everything is finally starting to come to a head. Which makes your mission even more paramount."
"I know. But we need more time, a few more months, at most." Kung'urama'nuruodo insisted.
"Unfortunately, I do not believe you even have that long." Tor pointed out. "As you said, the Silentium are recruiting others to join this fight, and there are those that are beginning to uncover our plans. We must accelerate our efforts in accordance with our masters' will."
"And there is more." Tor cut off Kung'urama'nuruodo's inevitable protests. "Lord Rictus, he senses a great power moving in the Chaos, working to shield its people from our influence and maintain its peaceful lifestyle. But if we can break the world and its people and make them serve the Father of Shadows, then not even the combined might of the Jedi and One Sith will be able to stand against us."
"And if Zonama Sekot and the Yuuzhan Vong do not join us?" Kung'urama'nuruodo warily pointed out. "I fear you underestimate the world and its children's loyalty to the Jedi and the ways of peace and a warrior's honor."
Glaring at the old Chiss, Tor's sunken eyes betrayed a murderous intent, held in check only by discipline and loyalty to their shared cause. Instead, he calmly said, "Let me worry about Sekot. For the living world and the Vong will join us, or they will all die and fully re-energize Abeloth. Then you will be able to complete your mission and bind her to our masters' will, letting us overwhelm all the Father of Shadows' enemies and achieve eternal destruction."
The mental landscape of Korman Lao vanishing, Tor reminded Kung'urama'nuruodo, "Remember, the sacrifices you will soon make will enable us to achieve eternal victory, and your efforts will never be forgotten.