Dathomir

Singing Mountains

Jedi Outpost Rell

Guiding her class of trainees through a routine garden meditation, Kirana Ti found this peaceful session interrupted when she felt an oppressive darkness envelop her, fogging her senses deeper than any hallucination or mirage. Seeing her vision go blank, she felt her head hit the soft ground, only to regain her sight a moment later.

And staring back at her was none other than Darth Krayt, leader of the One Sith and temporary ally of the Jedi against their shared adversaries. Before Kirana could react, the Sith Lord acknowledged, "I apologize for my sudden intrusion, but I have information for you and your fellow Jedi that cannot wait."

"It would appear that several of my Sith in this sector have gone rogue and are preparing to launch a preemptive attack on your world." Krayt solemnly stated. Sensing her anger and fear, he assured her, "I did not order this assault, but I can tell you who is responsible, and how to best mitigate the damage from his mad rampage."

"Those that remain loyal to me will assist you in defending Dathomir from Lord Zorra's destruction." Krayt generously proclaimed. The fog lifting, he concluded, "I will be in touch with your Praxeum momentarily, but I would advise you to prepare your people to withstand this siege and welcome my followers' aid."

"Mother Ti!" A distant voice echoed throughout Kirana's mind, with her eyes slowly refocusing and her mind recovering from the telepathic call. Seeing several of her younger students crowd around her while the teenage apprentices tried to tend to her, she slowly rose off the ground and assured everyone, "It's all right. I'm all right."

Breathing deeply of Dathomir's damp air, she slowly steadied herself on her feet before warning everyone, "But we're about to come under attack from a rogue Sith Lord's fleet, and we need to prepare our defenses and call for help before time runs out."

Seeing the panic in everyone's eyes and gasping, she addressed them, "We will not panic or succumb to fear. We are Jedi, students of the light and sons and daughters of Allya. We shall follow her example and never concede to evil. Together with our friends, we will defend ourselves from these attackers and protect all those under our care."

Shedu Maad

Jedi Temple

Within the Grand Master's Office

"No offense, Grand Master, but we really need to stop having these emergency calls." Denjax Teppler, Prime Minister of Corellia and Grand Premier of the Confederation, exhaustively joked. Getting serious, he guessed, "Do you have new information on the One Sith talks?"

"They're progressing well enough. Krayt has agreed to meet with us in two weeks at a neutral meeting point to ratify our armistice." Kyle quickly answered. "But that's not why I'm contacting you all. It has to do with a certain world that the One Sith and True Sith have been scouring the Unknown Regions for throughout the last nineteen years."

"Simply put, everyone, they've been looking for Zonama Sekot." Kyle summed up. "And we believe that the True Sith Empire tried to convert this world and the Yuuzhan Vong to its cause and forced both their exodus from their last known location."

"G-grand Master, are you telling us that we lost track of a sentient world, capable of untold destruction and housing the vast remainder of the Yuuzhan Vong population, almost twenty years ago, and that we've only just now been informed?!" Denjax incredulously exclaimed after a long and abrupt silence enveloped the modest office.

"Actually, that isn't entirely true." Kajin reluctantly confessed. "I was told of this by Chief of State Dorvan and the Joint Chiefs just before my inauguration, and I've been working with the Jedi in trying to track down the planet ever since."

Glaring at the Cerean, Denjax disgustingly sighed, "Who else knew, or was I the only one not kept in the loop?"

"We've been trying to locate Zonama Sekot ever since Caedus was killed, but we've had no luck." Jag stated before elaborating, "Domestic troubles and trying to remake the Empire into a democracy haven't exactly been smooth flying and kept us primarily elsewhere. But we've each pulled together a small task force to find the planet."

Denjax, struggling to keep a calm demeanor, assumed Kyle, "Since you're telling us this now, I assume you have new information on the search."

"I do, and there is some good news." Kyle confirmed. "The One Sith and True Sith aren't the only ones looking for the world. The Silentium, Chiss, and Aquilians each have several promising leads to offer in this pursuit, and they're willing to guide our teams through every possible trail."

"Once we form our pact with Krayt and his allies, we need to make finding the planet a top priority. If the Rhandites or Olpakans manage to find it before we do, well… I don't think we need to imagine the consequences." Kyle adamantly advised everyone.

"Grand Master Katarn, forgive my skepticism, but how did you first come upon this information on this crucial hunt?" Tenel Ka inquired. "Who told you that the Rhandites and Olpakanas were looking for Zonama Sekot?"

Choosing his next words carefully, Kyle answered, "The information came to me from a former Jedi who is reactivating his rank and commission to help defend his people and family from these evils."

"Do you trust this ex-Jedi?" Denjax skeptically asked.

"Yes. He was instrumental in helping us stop Caedus and left the Jedi for valid moral reasons during the Clone War. If Bardan Jusik is returning to help us now, then the catastrophes coming are worse for the galaxy than we can imagine."

Recognition glittering in Tenel Ka's eyes, she wisely stayed silent as Kajin interjected, "Well, if Grand Master Katarn vouches for this returning drifter, then that is good enough for me. But there is one more matter I wish to discuss with you."

"I need to formally request access to your temple's supercomputers to track two high-value fugitives on the loose across Coruscant. Commenor's Fyor Rodan and Bothawui's Kar'sk Fey'la. My people don't know what they're doing in the system, but this could be our best chance to uncover more of Daala's agents and learn more of her new plans."

Nodding, Kyle wholeheartedly agreed, "I'll order Master Solusar to give your people complete access to our computers' programs. If Daala has more moles in our ranks or is planning to strike against us, we can't waste this opportunity."

Intruding on this meeting, a knock could be heard on Kyle's door before it opened, and an Apprentice urgently explained, "Humble apologies for intruding, Grand Master, but we've received emergency transmissions from Dathomir and Batuu. According to Master Malicos, Dathomir is about to come under attack by several One Sith deserters. And the Olpakans are assaulting Batuu."

Struggling to maintain his composure over this torrent of dire news, Kyle gruffly nodded before dismissing the teenage Togruta girl. Letting out a weary sigh, he lamented, "It never ends."

Allya Mountains

Jedi Praxeum

Aboard the New Dawn

"I can't believe we have to do this." Adari grumbled to Edaan while recalibrating her blaster pistols and hoisting a quarterstaff around her back. Having returned to their ship to arm themselves and distribute what medical supplies they could spare to their friends for the upcoming attack, both Palpatines made no secret of their disdain for the Jedi's accelerated alliance with the One Sith.

And across the planet, all Jedi-occupied sectors were readying themselves not only to repel Darth Zorra's attack, but to try to cooperate with Darth Krayt and his loyal company in defending their home. In fact, the Dread Lord was supposed to be arriving at the Praxeum within the hour, and all noncombatants were being evacuated deeper into the mountains to wait out the coming slaughter.

To say that tensions were running high would be a terrible understatement. And no one would plan to let their guard down, whether against the One Sith's loyalists, renegades, or the Nightsisters that were divided between both factions. And the Mandalorians, even a dozen Jedi-allied ones, led by Bardan Skirata, who was willing to serve as a Jedi and General in this united effort to protect his loved ones, that was another knot of tension altogether.

Finishing putting on his armor, Edaan reluctantly consoled his wife, "It's either working with the devil we know, or risk letting Dathomir burn against greater evils. And I have no intention of allowing a planet wide catastrophe to occur if I can help it."

"Besides, we'll be getting help soon if Masters Malicos and Ti got the word out in time." Edaan added. "At the very least, we can see just how well the One Sith will be useful to us against our immediate foes."

"That's if we can trust that they won't have many more defections going forward." Adari bitterly countered. Finished gathering all her equipment and loading every bit of supplies their shuttle held, onto two hovercarts both newlyweds felt a familiar darkness fast approach, and she ruefully sighed, "Krayt's here."

"Then we ought to be there to welcome our new associates." Edaan said with equal regret. Grabbing the rails over the heavier hovercart, he pushed it off the ramp and was surprised to see a stunning Chagrian woman waiting for him. Seeing her yellow eyes and several black tattoos etched over her face, he recognized her as a Sith, but saw something familiar in her expression. It was the same as countless other young women he had met, and…

Oh, you've got to be kriffing with me. Edaan pleaded with the Maker. He just had to have a fangirl amongst the One Sith. Cordially smiling at the woman, he greeted, "I hope you've come to be of assistance to me and my wife."

Smiling while showing a few teeth, the woman formally introduced herself, "Ah. Straight to business, good. My name is Sorzus, and I was asked by Lord Krayt to speak with you and your mate and inform you of our rogues' full capabilities."

"What do you have to tell us that can't wait until we speak with your Dread Lord?" Adari suspiciously glared before she parked her hovercart behind Edaan.

Disdainfully glancing at Adari, Sorzus insincerely smiled, "A valid question. But Lord Krayt believes that Zorra is trying to do more than undermine our alliance, but also eliminate you both as impediments to the Nihil Retreat's plans."

Sensing no lie from Sorzus, Edaan gratefully acknowledged, "Then allow me to reciprocate this gesture by sharing a piece of information one of my friends shared with me not long ago. It has to do with Korriban possibly about to come under attack."

Her eyes now fully alert, Sorzus calmly answered, "I think you should tell me more as we walk, Jedi Palpatine. And do be sure not to omit any obscure detail. Lord Krayt will be immensely grateful for every piece of intelligence you and your friend can provide."

"Of course." Edaan concurred, sending a brief wave of reassurance to Adari, calmly urging her to trust him. If Korriban and all its captives were about to be raided or attacked by the Rakata and the True Sith Empire, then warning them was the only sensible course of action to take. Remembering from Tau Koda how the Rakata were unceasingly evil with their prisoners, if they didn't eat them after capture, repelling their assault would only produce more goodwill between both aligned factions.

Besides, cruel the One Sith might be, none deserved to suffer at the Rakata or True Sith's hands. And if he had the chance to lay the groundwork for Korriban's eventual liberation, then he had to take it.

Suddenly gripping his head with a trembling hand, he felt an all-consuming darkness come near and knew what it meant. Darth Zorra and all his followers had come, and they were empowered by a darkness more powerful than any he had ever felt before.

Deep Within the Quelli Sector

Just Outside the Vinsoth System

Aboard the Nantz

Thern observed the distress signals that were able to get out from Dathomir before the One Sith traitors were able to create a communications blackout, and he knew what it meant for every soldier in his fleet, let alone the fate of this entire region of the Outer Rim. Still, he never thought he would be heading into a battle zone to aid enemies-turned-allies of the Galactic Alliance, especially Sith.

Turning to face his comms and navigations officer, he solemnly ordered, "Prepare all our ships for a jump to Dathomir, and make sure all forces are ready to engage the enemy once we revert to realspace."

Addressing a fully recovered Jaina at this point in giving out orders, he warned her, "You and the rest of your Jedi had best be ready to do your full part and help us pull a victory out of this mad brawl we're walking into."

While hearing the calls for help may have fully vindicated Master Solo Fel and her validated vision of the vital Jedi fortress world coming under attack, it did precious little to settle the pit of dread settled in the Galactic Alliance Security Lieutenant Colonel's stomach. He vividly remembered how poorly the Alliance of Light fared when facing off against the Dread Lord of the Sith during their previous encounter with him above Korriban, and he did not look forward to going up against many of his rogue disciples once again while the coalition worked to protect Dathomir.

"We'll more than pull our weight, Sir." Jaina promised, before advising him, "A few of your navigations officers and I have been analyzing our projected path, and we believe that if we make a small deviation by about Five-Point-Six degrees to port halfway through the jump, then we'll shave about forty-five minutes off our original ETA."

"Let me take a look." Thern walked over to Jaina, examining her findings. Quickly becoming impressed by her work and findings, he inquired, "You can vouch for this projected path and its relative ease?"

"The Order devised this route decades ago when the Yuuzhan Vong invaded Dathomir, and it just about continues from the Hapans' route to the world. It's been tested through far dire circumstances than what we're under now." Jaina defended her idea, earning an approving nod from the GAS commanding officer.

"Then have all our ships prepare to take this route to Dathomir. We jump to hyperspace in exactly thirty minutes." Thern ordered everyone occupying the Star Destroyer's bridge.

Zakuul

Deep Within the Endless Swamp

Inside the Capital City of Serall

"It seems Paladin-Lieutenant Terall was correct in her warnings regarding the Dathomir Jedi Academy." One of the Grand Councilors assessed Grace's report. "She's reported how the One Sith fleet is fractured and a portion of Krayt's force is preparing a full-scale attack on the planet."

Turning to the Aquilians' clandestine Jedi ambassador, Diana Theyn requested, "How long would it take High Admiral Gaia to assemble a full expeditionary force for entering the war?"

"You wish to send such a high-ranking leader in the Navy, a leading member in your War Cabinet, into battle so soon?" T'Ra inquired, pointing out, "The rest of the galaxy might take that as a prelude to a new invasion, not the outcome your people want or need after your last attack."

"Then any fool who thinks that will just have to get over such paranoia." The second Grand Councilor resolutely denied. "Zakuul has more than atoned and learnt from all its ancient sins, and it is time we make our return to civilization as full-fledged equals.

"All we must do now is prove our intentions to the rest of the galactic populace and help restore stability to the galaxy. But you did not answer the question that Grand Councilor Theyn posed. How long would it take for you and Julius to ready a full attack squadron?"

"No more than sixteen hours." T'Ra loyally answered. "His fleet and a platoon of Paladins will have to be fully ready for the inevitable war we'll be entering, and we will have to reach out to our scouts to ascertain the situation before we reach Dathomir."

Grimly nodding, the elder human man ordered, "Then I will reach out to Julius at once and have him start moving with all due haste. I believe Dathomir might not have even that much time left." Gravely sighing, Thexan added, "On another somber note, it seems our blockade over the Rakata isn't as secure as we believed."

"What do you mean?" T'Ra warily asked.

"Vuffi and his friend in Lando Calrissian, not even one hour ago, reported how the Rakatan Archipelago were able to slip no less than one dozen of their warships past our lines, and they were able to get a line of bearing on this enemy fleet." Handing her a piece of parchment with the Aquilian Paladin-Inquisitors' high seal, he added, "High General Arcus's regards."

Opening the letter, T'Ra read it with deep interest, and her hands grew rigid at learning of this terrible development. Gingerly handing it to Diana, she advised Thexan, "I think we're going to need to ready another fleet or two and send word to our friends of this devastating development."

"I've already asked the Chiss and Silentium to help relay word to all allied leadership." Thexan agreed. "If the Rakata and True Sith are about to strike at Korriban and other worlds, we'll need to send word and give them a fighting chance at repelling these attacks." Wearily chuckling, he bitterly admitted, "I never thought we'd deploy forces to defend Korriban of all places."

Korriban

Sith Citadel

Just Outside Darth Krayt's Quarters

BT-1, finally slicing through the dozens of security systems that protected the creator of the One Sith's personal quarters, let out a small chirp of triumph before scanning ahead to see if any more defenses guarded the chamber, or if any alarms were triggered by the doors opening. Detecting nothing, even with Prowl's sensors synched to his, Beetee went right in and started searching for the item he had to retrieve.

Hearing from Mistress Lona and Master Tau how Krayt had been hoarding the fabled Mortis Dagger for his own selfish ends infuriated the astromech droid, even as he wished he could destroy Krayt for keeping him trapped down here for so long and ruined countless souls out spite. Even so, Beetee relished the chance to hone his skills and intellect against a true challenge such as slicing his way into the Dread Lord's personal room.

Searching for the dagger, his only clues were the knowledge that it was concealed as a unique blade hilt until it was wielded by a living being; he knew he would not have much time before someone stumbled onto his work. It would take a miracle for the droid to uncover it in time to be of use to his allies. Hopefully, his friends could keep the Sith occupied, otherwise all would be lost for their grand gambit.

Offhandedly, Beetee wondered if 0-0-0 would be able to rescue the Mandalorian Protector in Krayt's vile custody, for bringing a prisoner of Jaing Skirata's worth with them would ensure they were protected by an entire planet's worth of lethal mercenaries. But if breaking him out was impossible, the clandestine group would have no choice but to fall back to their contingency, which would be detrimental to all and only deny the Sith the intel they desired from the Null ARC deserter.

And speaking of convincing the aged Mandalorian to trust fellow turncoats, it was a Maker-ordained miracle that Beetee knew, from plugging into the Sith's computer network, that Clone Force 99 was also trapped in this fortress. Knowing from Darth Krayt's personal records how this unconventional and modified squad had defied the Sith's designs and worked to protect Jedi and Mandalorian fugitives from Imperial pursuit, the droid knew it would be a travesty to let them fall under Krayt's command.

With the Clone Commandos about to be implanted with control chips to forcibly compel them to follow the One Sith's orders, and Triple Zero prepared to meet with Jaing to try and convince him to work with the Aphras and Tau, Beetee believed he had the perfect way to convince him to join this mad escape. And if they managed to kill a few Sith and the Kaminoan for all the suffering and boredom they forced the rogue astromech droid to endure, all the better to unleash a little vengeance on them. A petty act with all that was transpiring, but he was a vindictive droid by his programming, and his nature was hard to shake.

Within the Intensive Care Medbay

Reveal yourself. Tau commanded the flickering life force that represented Ochi's soul. He had finally pinpointed the Vahl's essence and was prepared to fill him with energy needed to start reversing the Malichor's damage, if only the stubborn proxy would accept the clone's healing energies for his spirit.

But Ochi, not knowing Tau's Force signature and averse to anything related to the light side as his people's custom, was fervently resisting his efforts. Well, if the assassin would not willingly accept this type of healing, then he would just have to settle for having to be forcibly brought back from the brink of death, even if it was a bit slower than he would have liked.

Drawing on his connection to the dark side, Tau felt his spirit constraining the Vahl's, and began to apply his link to the light side and neutralize the Malichor poison out of his patient. Even when considering his efforts to forestall the agent's recovery, he knew the titanic risk he was taking, leaving himself so vulnerable to exposure from Ochi if he made one simple slipup.

Still, Tau pressed on, knowing he could not falter now, not unless he wished to lose his individuality and doom countless more lives to eradication or enslavement if he was to loyally serve the Sith. Knitting Ochi's body back together, one cell at a time, he knew this work would take days: a week, two or three at the very most. Hopefully, that would be more than enough time for the Aphra women to finish all remaining preparations for their rapidly approaching flight to freedom. But if the approaching darkness he felt was any indication, they likely wouldn't even have that long.

Batuu

Black Spire Ruins Outskirts

Aboard the Quarren Eye

Liara hated to admit this, even to herself, but the Wraiths, such renowned and well-feared enemies of the One Sith, they certainly knew how to run an effective operation. As Dician's liaison with the Alliance of Light, coordinating their efforts to hold off the Olpakans' assault and ferry the evacuation of Esh-Kha carbonite slabs and the planet's populace, she busied herself in maintaining communications with all One Sith garrisons and outposts and ensuring all was on schedule. And she found herself beyond impressed with this maverick squadron of unofficial commandos.

Within this supposed pleasure yacht, there was enough activity in here to make this place a full-fledged mobile military garrison and command center, and with only eleven people here usually running it. Between sending probes to gather and distribute information on the Olpakans ground and space forces, relaying tactical communications with all allied forces, and walking the detonator squads through in disarming the defoliator bombs, everyone was pitching in. With just this small and brief glimpse at Wraith Squadron's conduct and capabilities, Liara innately grasped how this infamous team had vexed and undone so many enemies of freedom since its inception.

If Dician ever decided to match wits with this gang of misfits, Liara wasn't certain who would prevail. And that thought terrified and exhilarated her more than she could ever acknowledge. Still, that would be a possible issue for another day; right now, her focus had to be on helping repel the Knights of Olpaka.

But there was something about the battle that was troubling her, and she trusted her instincts enough to investigate her suspicions.

Over the last four hours, Admiral Tonith's fleet had been behaving atypical of the Muun's usual strategic and ruthless mindset. Most of his ships had been operating on a purely defensive level, protecting the cargo transports carrying nearly twenty percent of the Esh-Kha population and their equipment over engaging the enemy. And he had barely responded to her or Dician's hails, citing internal damage to his communication systems. But there was too much that didn't add up, especially the defoliator bombs supposedly being reactivated by the Olpakans.

That was why she had asked to work with the Wraiths, to verify her hunches and relay warning to the rest of Dician's loyalists and the Jedi if they were valid. If Reep and his commanders had turned traitor, then they had to be dispatched immediately before they got away with the system's ultimate prize. And while aiding Myri Antilles, the team's quartermaster, in maintaining the system's long-range communications and probes, she had convinced the Corellian to aid the investigation.

With Myri letting her watch as she used a comm station to discreetly talk with the Antarian Rangers on the surface, Liara watched intently as the gambler and spy spoke with the Ranger commander. Seeing the Human's datapad light up with a transmission, she swiped it away from Myri, knowing it was the message she came her for in the first place. Reading its contents with deep intent, she gently returned it to its owner before she crudely told her, "Give your friends my thanks. You warn your people, and I'll warn mine."

It was Admiral Tonith that rearmed the bombs, and according to the Wraiths intercepting what transmissions they could from his secondary flagship, he was paid a fortune to sabotage the coalition's defenses and deliver the Esh-Kha to Daala and her patrons. Liara knew this battle was about to become twice as hard, and how everyone would be grateful to simply survive this inevitable massacre.

Batuu Orbit

Aboard the Dodonna

Amid the mad frenzy of battle raging across the planet, Kara found her focus and determination skyrocketing as the Olpakans tried to press on through their foes' beleaguered lines. Despite the Alliance of Light and One Sith having lost many people and several ships to the initial attack, both factions were starting to rally together and beat back their common enemies. As demented as this united effort was, it gave her hope that they might survive past the day and take down the Olpakans and Daala, let alone these supernatural enemies the Jedi were desperately warning everyone about.

After nearly four hours of continuous fighting, the Olpakans were finally starting to suffer significant casualties of their own. Thanks to the Aporthad's cybernetically enhanced mind and predatory-like acumen for military campaigns, the Galactic Alliance's lines had been able to hold against the constant pressure from their newest adversaries.

It was thanks to her studious research into ancient warfare that she recognized the Xyston-class Dreadnoughts and boarding pods, allowing for the destruction of nearly a third of their Skytroopers stationed aboard, saving many warships from invasion and sharply reducing the ground assault's numbers. And because of this rare bit of good news, the Alliance of Light's forces were able to send a few mixed troop transports of their own down to the surface to blunt the Olpakans' attempted Esh-Kha theft and scorched-earth campaign.

Even the One Sith were more than pulling their weight, with Dician's handpicked crews leading bombing runs to knock out a Resurgent destroyer and destroy two dreadnaughts. Meanwhile, their fighters, collaborating with the surviving Hutt and Smuggler's Alliance ships, were able to take out three carriers and four cargo ships that tried to make a direct beeline for Batuu. At this rate, they might be able to hold out long enough for reinforcements to arrive and tip the scales firmly in their favor.

Barging through Kara's myriads of transmissions and messages, a coded signal came from the planet below, and she quickly examined its contents before she uncharacteristically gasped, surprising all at her display of surprise. A courtesy of her professional manner and the severity of the Wraiths' warnings.

Before anyone could inquire or deliver new reports, Kara harshly ordered all hands, "Activate all rear deflector shields, and brace for impact!" Hurrying to carry out her orders, she sent a transmission to all allied ships, just in time before the ship rocked and sparks flew when the traitors made their move.

Oh, Admiral Tonith is going to pay for this betrayal. Kara hatefully vowed as half the One Sith fleet suddenly broke formation, leaving the right exposed and allowing the Olpakans a clear path to the planet's surface. Some of Reep's ships began attacking his former allies and subordinates, while others escorted the two remaining Resurgents towards Batuu.

Korriban

Darth Krayt's Citadel

Deep Within the Dungeons

"What, your masters run out of interrogators, they send a kriffing tinny to try and do their dirty work?" The prisoner spat before 0-0-0. "Your darjetti masters must be shabla crazy to set you up against me."

Having never seen a clone of Jango Fett before, let alone as unpredictable as the last survivor of the Null-class genome, this was a rare and very tempting opportunity for the assassin droid to try countless different interrogation tactics against a subject with a will and mind as strong as his. Even if his body was worn out from nearly two months of containment by the Sith and their Inquisitors' efforts, 0-0-0 was certain the attempt would be an invaluable learning experience for any future interrogation endeavors.

Reluctantly, though, duty to his friends and his freedom came before any pleasure, which meant possibly silencing this brilliant subject if he could not escape, but that would be a last resort, one he would withhold from the master combatant.

Keeping every conceivable factor in mind, Triple Zero cheerfully corrected Jaing Skirata, "Fortunately for you, Null-10 - or Master Skirata, if you prefer - I am not here to torture you for the Sith, or for my own amusement. Although, if I am being entirely honest, I am quite certain I could succeed in making you spill all your juicy secrets on your fellow Mandalorian Protectors and whatever else desired if I put even half of my processing power to the effort.

"No, the reason I am here is on behalf of my friends, and to offer you a deal of a lifetime, something a highly experienced mercenary and old soldier of your caliber should recognize. In the spirit of good faith, I would advise you to listen quite carefully with your audio receptors, even as aged and damaged they might be. Five of your brothers' lives, along with my patrons, hang in the balance of these secret talks."

That remark caught his full attention, and Jaing angrily presumed, "You have more of my clan here?"

"No." Triple Zero rebuked him. "I refer to five fellow survivors and deserters of the Grand Army of the Republic. More specifically, I am speaking of Clone Commandos who call themselves the Bad Batch."

(Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Addendum) Hey, everyone! I hope you're all doing great on this warm day. I'm all right, as I finished rewriting this chapter in two days, after taking a day off to rest and plan out my revisions. Man, writing can really be a challenge at times. But I'm doing good, as I bought a couple good books yesterday, one of a U.S. Senator with higher aspirations, and a book detailing John Wayne's life and career. Those will both be great reads. And I'm still looking for part-time work, but I'm going to try and be optimistic. Oh, and I'm hopefully going to find a couple or few people that will be able to help me bring my writing to the next level, as I'll need it with all that I've got planned for the rest of my saga. Between tying this into Joseph Bongiorno's Supernatural Encounters, getting inspired by Star Wars Legends and other writers' amazing works, and mapping out my rewritten saga, I'm going to be hard pressed for this masterpiece. But it'll be worth it when all is said and done. Well, I'd best get this chapter stored away for later, as I hope to publish it in a couple months, after I get some feedback and publish this as scheduled. May the Lord be with us all in these turbulent times, especially with the most important election of the United States in my generation, IMO, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!