Eighty Minutes Later

Dathomir

Allya Mountains

Jedi Praxeum

He felt it again, only this time closer and stronger than ever before. The overwhelming darkness bearing for Dathomir, its source originated from the single focal point that was travelling towards the mountain passes. That had to be Darth Zorra, the leader of the One Sith traitors and fanatical warmonger, and if Edaan correctly deduced his intentions, then he was coming for more than to destroy the Jedi. No, he sensed his determination and thoughts on him and knew he wanted the Palpatine heir alive for the Sorcerers of Rhand.

But Zorra was not the most immediate shadowy threat the Jedi and One Sith now faced. During the chaos of the last few hours, a few True Sith infiltrators somehow slipped past the Praxeum's web of defenses. Whoever they were, Edaan and Taron needed to apprehend or eliminate them before they commit any act of sabotage or assassination.

With the fortress's defenders preoccupied on repelling the planetary siege while countering whatever demented ritual that was destabilizing the planet, very few Jedi were available to patrol their temple's lower levels. And with Darth Krayt's supposed allies not yet arriving to reinforce their position, they were effectively on their own.

Taron would not have allowed Edaan to accompany him and two of the temple's eight YVH droids, but the Palpatine heir was quite a persuasive speaker, and he made a good point that it would keep him out of Krayt's reach a little while longer. It eased his mind that the Jedi Knight agreed to follow all the Master's orders to the letter, even if he was told to leave the older man behind and save himself. Besides, Taron had survived worse odds against the Yuuzhan Vong's unnatural creations, so what were a few Sith and Nightsisters compared to them?

Following the Jedi Councilor-elect as they closed in on the dark echoes, Edaan knew they were walking right into an ambush. Even more troubling was how the trail was leading them right to the academy's primary power conduits. If the True Sith had been able to bypass the security and wreak havoc on the defenses, well, the young human did not want to go up against these infiltrators and their masters without overwhelming force.

Holding a hand up, Taron stopped his advance before Edaan did the same, and both ignited their lightsabers in a defensive position.

For nearly a full minute, neither Jedi made any moves, waiting for their enemies to make the first move and gauge their abilities. But as the seconds silently ticked by, their droid escort was not so patient and used their infrared vision to try and locate the Sith before they found their quarry.

Arming their railguns, the droid duo opened fire on one shadow each, forcing both to leap from their pitch-black cover and enter the light. The first was an attractive Chagrian female, no older than her mid-twenties, in infiltrator's garb. Following her was a middle-aged Miraluka male with armor resembling that of the Imperial Inquisitorious of old before both enemies activated dual lightsabers in a defensive formation.

Both Jedi, recognizing their two guests as Sorzus and Prosset Dibs, deactivated their weapons before Taron then ordered the droids, "Stand down. Reclassify those two as allies." Once the YVHs ended their assault, he gruffly informed the duo, "You're late."

"Sorry, the catastrophic weather and hunting traitors kept us busy." Prosset sarcastically rebuked. "We've tracked Lady Alora and a group of Nightsisters here and were trying to protect your shield generators form sabotage."

"Next time, give us a heads up." Edaan scolded the middle-aged Miraluka. Glancing at Sorzus, with her analytical eye running over his toned form, he repressed a shiver at her ogling, and stated, "I take it you haven't found your renegades."

"No, but we've disarmed five sets of bombs they placed across your installations." Sorzus playfully countered. "You really need to upgrade your temple's security."

"Couldn't have said it better myself, little harlot." A woman's deep voice reverberated across the facility. All turning to see a hulking Douwtin make herself known and the four Force users reignited their lightsabers to prepare for an attack. Smirking at their anger and shock, Alora amusingly noted, "You've all lost your touch if you couldn't detect a hulking behemoth like me."

"Allow me to rectify that." Sorzus snarled before unleashing a barrage of lightning at Alora, who caught it with one hand, only to redirect it towards her enemies with her other limb. Barely able to block the attack, somehow enhanced by three times its original strength, the four living allies were powerless to stop their foe's escape.

Moments later, the facility rocked as an explosion could be heard nearby, and everyone knew what it signified. Taron, letting out a soft curse in anger, knew this battle was about to become even more harrowing with the shield generators about to collapse. Turning towards Sorzus and Prosset, he ordered, "You want to help? Then work with Edaan in protecting the temple. I'll take the droids and see if I can salvage anything from the generators."

Oh, working with her will be worse than confronting Zorra. Edaan despondently whined, knowing Adari wouldn't be at all happy with working alongside Sorzus.

Dathomir Orbit

Aboard the Nantz

"Sir, scans indicate that the Jedi's shield is coming down all across the planet!" A sensors officer alerted Thern, even as the Nantz violently shook from the shockwaves of dozens of droid starfighters ramming themselves against the Lieutenant Colonel's fleet.

With most of their fleet being worn down from the ceaseless attacks by the True Sith, the Alliance was barely able to keep half the enemy's attention away from Dathomir's decaying shields. But even that had cost them dearly. The GA fleet had already lost a Nebula Destroyer, a MC90, and four support ships, with the Mandalorians and Vinsoth detachment suffering devastating casualties of their own.

The only bright spot was how Jaina and her Jedi's Force-enhanced accuracy knocked out the enemy's jamming field and had taken out several of the enemy ships, allowing the coalition to send out a distress signal to all adjacent sectors.

Even if they would not make it in time to save Thern's fleet, they might arrive before Dathomir was destroyed. Preparing himself for the end, he was ready to order all his surviving ships to fall back under Jaina and her Jedi, he found the Nantz's sensor and comm systems going into overdrive.

"Sir, we've got multiple bogeys exiting hyperspace right above our position, and one of the new arrivals is hailing us! They're identifying themselves as part of the… Aquilian Republic, and the flagship claims to be called the Bright Reaper being led by a High Admiral Julius Gaia."

Well, they're early, but in the nick of time. Thern silently breathed in relief before seeing approximately three dozen new warships revert to realspace, with all of them of various designs none of the Star Destroyer's crew could recognize.

Seeing the compact and tanklike designs of the ten smaller attack boats and corvettes, with eight compact troop transports strongly resembling them in configuration, and the other half of the fleet made up of large cruisers and frigates that were made for efficiency and resembling a disruptor rifle in design, Thern hoped this unique fleet would be enough to at least give the Sith force pause in their attacks.

Remembering what his comm officer told him, the lieutenant colonel quickly ordered, "Put High Admiral Gaia through right away, and inform all ships how these newcomers are on our side."

Let's see exactly what the world of Zakuul can do when stacked up against the Sith. Thern stoically reflected as the image of a grizzled human came into focus, one with several scars resembling gashes draped across his face, and the Aquilian officer wearing a type of commando armor that the GAS officer did not recognize.

"Judging by the state your fleet is in, Lieutenant Colonel Savar, I assume we came right in the nick of time." Julius friendly greeted before seriously stating, "You've done good work keeping the True Sith at bay, but we'll take it from here. I would strongly advise you and your allies to pull your wounded vessels back for now. Then you can focus the bulk of your efforts on supporting the Jedi down on Dathomir's surface, once we dislodge them from their fortified positions."

"Just like that?" Thern disbelievingly asked before he warned the High Admiral, "Well, you certainly don't lack confidence. And while we appreciate the assistance, you'll still need all the data we've gathered on the Sith and the rest of our firepower to even hope to accomplish that feat."

"We already have the necessary information, thanks to one of our best forward scouts sending us all the data on the battle's progress. And we have our own secret weapons to stack up against the Sith's own type of surprises." Julius courteously declined before promising, "I'll explain everything after we drive Zorra and his people away, you just be ready to move in the moment you get your opening."

Falleen

Within the Capital City

Inside the Royal Palace

Within the King's Private Quarters

"The Jedi and Haxim have played their hand, and their first wave will be within striking range of the city within the next hour." Xaile morosely warned Redhan as the king finished packing the last of his family's jewels and other priceless treasures from their personal vault. A bitter and heart wrenching end to the Axlan family's rule over their homeworld, one that made him regret ever allying with these Sith. But better to live in shameful exile for a few decades than to have a short lifespan as prisoners of their traitorous son's vengeful custody.

Should the royal family's stash of credits run out, and their few remaining allies abandon them, then they would need a fallback source of income to stay one step ahead of their insurmountably high list of enemies. "Our last few admirals are mustering all available forces to blunt the enemy's approaching force, but they do not expect to hold out until the day's end. Not against the Alliance's full might."

"None of it will soon matter because we'll all be long gone before the day's over. And once we're out of their clutches, then we'll be free to rebuild our lives and plot our vengeance on all our enemies." Redhan promised his wife, not noticing the terrified glance in Xaile's quivering eyes.

"You are more correct than you realize, your Highness." Said the familiar voice belonging to Darth Phobar's last surviving apprentice. Chaor, a former Captain of the Guard before he was recruited by the Columi Sith. Respectfully nodding before his former master, he approached the monarch and elaborated, "Lord Phobar dispatched me to inform you that our evacuation window will soon open. But there are still several obstacles to remove before we can leave."

"The Jedi are infiltrating the palace through the underground sewers. Their fleet approaching the palace is merely a diversion from their true strategy."

"Once the Alliance of Light and One Sith are distracted, we will have a limited time to escape this doomed system."

Xaile, helping her husband secure the last of their belongings, desperately demanded, "And how can you believe we could flee this two-pronged assault, never mind the blockade our enemies have set up for us?"

"My master has planned for this eventuality and is well-prepared." Choar simply responded. "His newest agents will soon throw the Jedi and One Sith into disarray, and the orbital fleets will have far more important things to worry about than capturing your royal persons."

"That's all well and good, but we need specifics, Choar." Redhan impatiently pressed his former subordinate. "If my people accidentally interfere in whatever it is your lord has prepared, it could doom us all."

"We've already taken the Royal Navy into account and know of a perfect use for them in delaying our foes' advance." Choar calmly assured the king, a friendly smile gracing his face, but one that didn't reach his eyes.

Everything the Sith apprentice said, it unsettled the two monarchs more than any setback or betrayal they ever faced. But they knew they had no other choice but to put their trust in their Sith patron one last time. And Redhan refused to let his son get the last laugh against him.

With an air of finality, the kind asked his former soldier and old friend, "How long do we have before we leave?"

"We leave before tomorrow's end." Choar stoically stated. Moving to depart, he urged them, "Be sure not to leave anything of vital importance behind. We cannot allow our enemies to discover any clues on your new refuge."

Within the Palace's War Room

So, the fools have finally played their opening hand. Soonpaa vindictively smirked as he observed the enemy force near the capital city's perimeter. Thirteen major warships and several high-profile Alliance of Light fighters were all the Jedi sent to try and "liberate" Falleen from its vile occupiers.

A meager force, barely able to contend with the thirty capital ships that remained under Redhan's command, but it would serve as an effective diversion for their true battle strategy. Not to mention how these crews had a proclivity for maverick tactics and strategies, so the odds would be more in their favor than the failing king realized. This battle would only be more one-sided when the One Sith under Malleus and Irola's command joined the fight.

Tragically for them, when their joint efforts began, the True Sith would at last play their trump card, and Soonpaa and his associates would be well on their way to receive their rich rewards. A shame Phobar wanted to stay his hand and not employ more esoteric methods, but better to save them for when the real war began. Besides, the chaos they'd unleash on this debauched world was nothing compared to the power his new patrons possessed, power he'd do anything to get.

Soon, the traitor of a Jedi hunter in Varrk wouldn't be the only mercenary with a Force-based edge. And Soonpaa and his associates would have their vengeance on all who slighted or humiliated them before they left their financial worries behind, starting with Malleus and the rest of the One Sith.

Falleen Orbit

Aboard the Warrior's Penitence

Noah did not relish this assignment, even as he gave orders to his crew to stay vigilant for any possible signs of impending enemy incursions or betrayals. Having spent decades with his people preparing for this day, he and his fleet's complement hungered to fight and help regain their people's honor. But they would not likely be able to do that while patrolling the space above Falleen while the rest of the Alliance of Light made the final push against the suspected True Sith collaborators on the planet's surface.

Bitter feelings aside, the well-trained soldier and general he was understood the value of this task. If Darth Phobar was as disloyal as Malleus claimed, then he had to be eliminated before he and his puppets could escape and spread their false message to any greedy or resentful soul crazy enough to listen.

That task was best suited to the Ailon Repentant fleet alongside Darth Irola's force. But it never hurt to have a few friends to help a professional fleet out, with about a dozen Mandalorian, Galactic Alliance, Confederation, and Jedi ships detached to support them, should the need arise. And if any Sith stationed beside them were as conniving and duplicitous as those that caused the disaster of Batuu, then everyone else would need a few contingencies to match and survive theirs.

Besides, it would never hurt the fleet to run a few extra systems checks and make any patchwork repairs to a few more troublesome pieces of hardware on the Starhawks. When the battlecruisers were being finalized for their rapid deployment, the engineers had to gloss over a few final evaluations, undoubtedly resulting in a few glitches slipping through the cracks that emerged in this system's last battle.

Interrupting the Ailon's mental preparations, an ensign quickly intruded, "Sir, emergency dispatches from the Mon Adapyne and Conquest!"

Acknowledging the officer's alert and taking the printed message, Noah scoured through the message, growing more alarmed with the more he read. Acting fast, he ordered his officers, "Establish a direct connection with the Conquest, and have the Etahn A'baht lead a battlegroup down to the capital city at once. And pull up a tactical monitor of the Sith fleets."

"Sir, what's happening?" The XO questioned while the officers carried out their orders, and the hologram of the One Sith's two fleets appeared, the results startling all with their escalating civil war.

Darth Mallues's fleet of raiders was not only attacking Darth Irola's but unleashing an orbital bombardment on Falleen! And if the readings were accurate, then the latter had sustained severe casualties from this sudden betrayal.

The incensed image of Irola's head appearing, the Sith Lady curtly said, "I have no time for accusations or threats! Either help quell this uprising or work to stop Phobar's escape!"

"We can do both, Ma'am." Noah cordially assured. "My forces will relieve yours immediately, if you send forces to help blunt Phobar's treachery and protect our mutual assets and prisoners."

Grudging gratitude quickly crossing Irola's eyes, she agreed, "I'll journey down myself to help put down that traitorous schutta."

Dathomir

Aboard the Retribution

Zorra felt Krayt call out to him, tracking him to try and dispatch the traitor before he could wreak anymore harm on this world. And the younger Human, no matter how hard he tried to mask his presence, was unable to fully shield himself from the Dread Lord's keen senses. But the longer he dragged out this battle, the stronger the ritual he was enacting grew, and the more devastation this world would suffer.

But that did not mean he could not resent the current situation his fleet was in, especially with their numbers slowly being chipped away by the Aquilian Republic. To think that Zakuul, a power that once ruled when both Jedi and Sith openly waged war throughout the galaxy, had been rebuilding their civilization and prepared to one day return, but as allies to the Jedi this time, it was almost too much to fathom. Even without their overwhelming fleets and droid armies, the Wild Space world's armies and ships were more than living up to its legendary reputation.

With the enemies' casualties staying low due to their compact but mobile engines and strong shields, it contrasted with their use of "primitive" weapons like slug throwers, lasers, and rail weaponry, with a severely limited amount of blaster or plasma technology. Still, that mattered little when facing off against the Aquilians' superior projectile technology and their Harpago-class Attack Boats and Rostra-class Boarding Barges throwing four capital ships into disarray when they were being overrun by hundreds of commandos and their version of the Jedi Order. And their Corvus-class Corvettes were able to decimate any fighters and light cruisers that moronically tried to flank their position or go after smaller prey.

Finally, the Pentacore-class Frigates, and Ballista-class Cruisers were proving to be more than an even match for the Retribution and its escort craft, hammering Zorra's acolytes hard and keeping them from fully devoting their attentions to the ritual.

While Zorra relished the challenge of facing off against a strong enemy, he had a mission to complete, which meant he needed to work to wrap up this regretful distraction quickly and focus on the task at hand. That meant unleashing the full power of the Way of the Dark against the Aquilians and their partners. And unlike those smallminded fools in Krayt's Sith order, he would rely on more than petty schemes to ensure a major victory.

No, he had a far more esoteric and effective method in mind to deal with the Jedi and One Sith, a plan inspired by the late Darth Sidious at the height at his power. All he needed to do now was buy enough time for his disciples to recreate the Force Storms that once laid waste to worlds and fleets.

Gargon System

Aboard the Mandator

Wyyrlok, within his private meditation chambers, felt the devastation and fear of many young minds, each possessing a strong connection to the Force amidst the pain they had been inflicted with. Hundreds of souls, long bereft of all but a faint sliver of hope after untold months or years imprisoned who dared to believe that the attackers were the Jedi and their friends, coming back to rescue the One Sith's remaining captives.

But those children couldn't be further from the truth, and the realization infuriated the aged Sith more than he would admit. The True Sith and their servants had begun their attack on Korriban, and the One Sith regent's fleets were still working to enact repairs for the damage Belok Rhal's treachery inflicted on them.

Reaching out with the Force to glimpse the Horuset System, Wyyrlok witnessed the decimation of his fellow Sith, and their defenses slowly crumble before the Rakata and Neo Hidden Chain fleets. And when enough One Sith warships and orbital defenses were destroyed, then the True Sith would send in teams to exterminate their remaining opposition and loot Korriban's tombs of whatever they desiered.

These Sorcerers of Rhand, they were more cunning and potent than he gave them credit for, knowing to attack when their adversaries were at their most vulnerable. And just admitting that filled Wyyrlok with a shame he hadn't felt in many generations, since there wasn't anything he could do to stop it unless a miracle occurred.

Activating his comlink, Wyyrlok ordered his Imperial subordinate, "Status update."

"My lord, my technicians are making remarkable progress, but we're still estimating no more than eight hours to finish all essential repairs for half the fleet." Lecersen anxiously reported. "If Korriban's under siege as Lord Krayt warned you, I'd recommend you take what ships you can and go on ahead. See what you can do to slow the enemy down while I effect the final preparations before joining you."

It was a sound military idea, even if it galled him to admit it from a self-serving weasel like Lecersen. The only problem with it was that if he went with only half the strength available to him, then the enemy would rip his fleet apart before the remainder of his fleet arrived. And without reinforcements, the One Sith would have no other option than to fight until they met certain death.

Wait. That was the solution. There were others hunting Belok Rhal and his cowardly followers, and they would eagerly fight to the death if it meant protecting their homes, family, and way of life.

Maybe Wyyrlok couldn't save Korriban by himself, but there were others that might be able to help. It might sicken him to admit it, but sometimes it didn't hurt to ask for help, even if it was from the One Sith's temporary allies. He only hoped that Boba Fett and his Mandalorian Protectors would be in a charitable mood.

Csilla

Cssplar

Within the Syndicature's Headquarters

Saganu could hardly believe the immense victory that had just been handed to him and his supporters. In one speech, Shawnkyr and Ba'kar confessed their work with the Hand of Thrawn's conspiracy to subvert the Ascendancy's national security and sovereignty, never mind their alliance with Mitth'raw'nuruodo's grandson in expanding the Chiss's borders through miltiary campaigns.

This admission earned him and his collaborators the scathing ire of most of the Syndics, Patriarchs, and high-ranking members of the Expansionary Defense Fleet and their in-borders Defense Force. Matters were so chaotic that the speaker could hardly get a word in over the clamor until he unleashed a momentary sonic screech to quell the vitriol and accusations that consumed the chambers.

It would be easy for Saganu to get his measures passed now and then expel these outsiders from their very fabric of society. All he had to do now was let the traitors waste their remaining thirty minutes of allotted speaking time trying to rationalize their treason to their peers, and then he would triumph.

Speaking of the disgraced Supreme Admiral, Supreme General, and their collaborative Aristocras, they wasted no time in trying to make their case known, with Ba'kar commencing, "I understand your feelings of betrayal and disgust. And if this august body so desires, I will subject myself to whatever trials you deem worthy. But I only ask that you consider what we have to say of our foes beyond our borders.

"Many of you might believe that if the secret pact with Vurawn and his allies was never forged, then we would not have sacrificed so many lives in a supposed war of expansion beyond our borders and solving problems that should not have concerned us. And I will admit that there is much merit in that argument, for it served our people well in times of turmoil across the entire galaxy.

"But do not forget that many of these enemies and rival powers were plotting to wage war on our territory and neighbors, thereby threatening our peoples' overall interests and stability, whether they were the Nikardun, Agbui, and countless other species or cultures that were beneath our notice beforehand. Without quick decisive action by luring these enemies to attack first, they would have inflicted far more devastation on the Ascendancy, if not risk our outright destruction."

"And in almost every victory beyond our territory, we have heard of puppeteers controlling or influencing these events to test our defenses, to probe us for weaknesses and learn more of how our military and culture works. We ask you to consider these questions: for what purpose could this string of events be for, and does it have any connection to the greater galaxy and its many years of strife with the True Sith of the Nihil Retreat?" Vereen spoke up on her friend's behalf.

"Supreme General, Aristocra, let us assume, just for a few minutes, that your theory fits, and the True Sith are behind these attacks?" House Miurani's Patriarch skeptically proposed. "For what reason could they want to go to such measures in assaulting us with such grand schemes and countless proxies? Would not an all-out assault or sabotage campaign serve better than simply strengthening us through secret deals?"

"That is what we, as a people and society, must work together to determine, for there are any number of possibilities that could have them seek such a prolonged shadow war against us. Perhaps they seek to subvert us to serve as vassals, stretch us thinner for their campaign, or keep us distracted while they seek out another agenda, one we have no conception of at this time." Or'elani added, earning a few murmurs of contemplation from her fellow Syndics and Senior Generals and Fleet Admirals.

"We cannot underestimate the Sith a second time after just over thirty of them destroyed the Old Republic over a thousand-year campaign. And their successive orders helped trigger this current cycle of war and chaos the True Sith are manipulating towards their own ends." Vereen warned. "And as much as we might try to deny it, we are a part of this galaxy. This means the problems it contains will eventually travel to us, which means we must be ready to confront them."

"And you decide to do that by allying with rogue powers on our behalf and drawing us into the swamp of galactic politics?" The Mitth Syndic Prime countered before conceding, "Not that our tangled web of politics and family alliances is that much better from all of theirs, mind you." That earned a few chuckles from the crowd, and left Saganu and his supporters to start feeling a new creeping sense of unease.

"Sometimes a few quiet whispers can do better than a large shout, and such clandestine measures have borne a greater bounty than we ever could have hoped." Ba'kar answered. "With the besieged state of the Ascendancy and our citizens being taken beyond our borders for parts unknown, we needed to know exactly what was threatening us. Which meant forming alliances we could trust and scouting out those that could be of help to us. And although the One Sith are who've been kidnapping our young for their growing armies, we must restrain from taking punitive measures against them and their followers."

"Which is why you had formed all a pact with the Aquilian Republic and the Jedi, even after all the grief they and their ancestors gave us." A female Syndic, one that Saganu remembered as a newcomer, noted, but whether impressed or appalled with such a strategy could not yet be determined by him. "But this act of unity the Alliance of Light is creating with the One Sith, it is a dangerous precdent after our old alliance with Darth Vitiate's Sith Empire.

"Did we not do the same to countless other worlds and peoples across our government's five-thousand years existence?" Drask countered. "After our dishonorable role in aiding and abetting Vitiate's Sith in their three Galactic Wars, and our self-isolation allowing countless enemies, whether out of fear or envy, to rise and threaten us, how can we stay out of these fights when they now threaten our civilization?"

"Did we not offer aid to the Galactic Alliance when the Yuuzhan Vong threatened all we hold dear, even when isolationists embedded within our ranks attempted to sabotage and murder anyone who stood against them?" Seeing the assembly nod and murmur their concurrences, however reluctant it might be to many of them, Drask continued.

"And don't forget how, when Mitth'raw'nuruodo's complicity in Outbound Flight's destruction, even while attempting to keep the bloodshed low, cast a blot of shame over our Defense Fleet's honor for the next forty-nine years, his preemptive actions led to the Vagaari seeking retribution against us when we tried to atone for his crime. Did we hide then? No. Instead, we defeated them by goading the enemy to overplay their hand and saved countless lives further down the road. A great gamble, yes, but one that had to be done to prepare for the coming invasion by their extragalactic masters."

"Well, I believe it is time for us to step up and do our part in defending our way of life once again. But this time, we need to apply what we've learned from the millennium instead of shutting ourselves away in our corner of space once all is done. If the stakes are not the same as against the Vong, they will be soon enough with the chaos that, if left unchecked, will surpass them and the Dark Nest in both of their insatiable appetites for conquest and power." Drash imploringly concluded.

Oh, that was clever. A low blow, but a clever political ploy. Saganu reluctantly complimented the Supreme General at his clever stoking of the assembly's fears. Reminding Parliament, Defense Council, and Patriarchy of two of the greatest menaces to ever threaten the Ascendancy by comparing this outsiders' matter to their fight for survival was a terrible gamble. But it was a plan that could bring even the most stubborn isolationist into line if used correctly.

And, unfortunately for Saganu, it seemed to be working on the crowd if the contemplative murmurs and expressions were any indication.

"If any of you wish to judge my compatriots and I for our dreams for the future and our desperation to protect our people, even as extreme our actions might have been, I implore that you restrain yourselves until we stop the Vagaari and their clients and recover our remaining citizens." Shawnkyr beseeched the audience, but spared a brief look for Saganu, and added, "And that includes finding any possible collaborators in our ranks, if the Ebruchi listening posts and our captured citizens are clear indications."

Quickly glancing around, Saganu hid his anxiety among most of the assembly while holding an even mix of suspicion and reluctant agreement, even if many quietly seethed at the unspoken accusations of treason by the Supreme Admiral. Suddenly, the Aristocra had a sinking feeling that his odds of vindication this time around would no longer be as clean-cut as he first believed, and his legal means of undoing the conspiracy's efforts were about to come crumbling down. Fortunately for his people, Saganu knew of more than one way to deal with a nest of traitors.

If Ascendancy's pillars of stability would not do what must be done to uphold the true Chiss way of life, then justice would have to be served outside the law. The resulting chaos would not be pretty for all those under his care, but it was still far better than letting all Saganu had fought for slip right out of his fingers, even as he clenched his ring finger tighter than ever. The anger he felt, it was almost like the jewel encased within was literally screaming inside his head for blood and destruction against all his enemies.

Breaking Saganu's dark ruminations, the hologram of a Silentium adult appeared in front of all, startling everyone from this unforeseen intrusion.

Before anyone had the chance to decry the interruption, the droid firmly called out, "The Tulpaa Rakata are on the move. They and the True Sith are attacking across the Outer Rim. And Korriban is under siege. The One Sith won't be able to hold them back for no more than two days."

Silence falling over the chamber, Saganu felt an unabashed terror come over him, unlike any he ever felt before. If the enemies the Chiss had spent decades fighting and containing had broken out now, then even a stubborn isolationist like him realized he was dead wrong about his policies. And if the Jedi and One Sith were able to see the truth and cooperate to fight their common enemies, then what kind of example would he set if he couldn't do the same with his political enemies.

He was going to have to give this a lot of thought, no matter how bad his headaches would soon get.

Well, I think this is a good place to end the chapter, even if it was shorter than my last few by a significant deal! What did you all think, as it helps move these two battles along while continuing to set the stage for the next story through smaller subplots? Oh, and the schematics for the Aquilian warships came from JSailer's ideas, so I give credit where it's properly due.