Star Wars CLOSED Star Wars: Episode VI: Twilight of the Force III: A Son’s Destiny

GM UPDATE THREE OF FIVE

Inner Systems

IC: Doman Beruss
Hosnian Prime

The votes came in firmly for New Nubia to become the capital of the Republica, and Chancellor Beruss scowled. Nothing to be done about Gyndine directly, nothing to be said about Nubia save for to stand in solidarity with the Nubian’s who had not been on-world.

It wasn’t enough for the Chancellor; indeed, with most of the Senators no longer in the conversation - the Hapan and Neimodian representatives had essentially dropped out - she lifted her gavel and slammed it down. “Then I call this meeting to an end.”

The holograms vanished, leaving Doman with the Kuati Senator, Viqi Shesh, and the Rodian Senator too, whose name often escaped her and she resented that too. But even then, his speech had been more platitude than useful, but Doman could use idealists, much like she relied upon her Vice Chancellor, Triebakk to usually rally the naysayers to her measures.

The Chancellor smiled sweetly and turned to the three of them who had attended the meeting in person. “Well, that was a dramatic session, as ever. The Senate will agree with the Advisory Council, though the Senators present are indeed only advisory it is better to ensure everyone is in agreement, no?”

Triebakk could see where this was going and stood, rumbling that he wished to contact his homeworld and ensure that their fleet was prepared if they should need to be deployed to the front. The Chancellor turned to the last two as he left, and she smiled again. “Well, I would appreciate your view of today’s meeting, if you would. I do intend to canvass for support for a more aggressive stance against the Confederation, perhaps even a move to liberate the Rim systems caught up in the secession crisis.” She gave that as a bone to the Rodian Senator.

For him, however, he had two items that required his attention.

One was a comlink, chiming on a frequency from many years ago. From a Reunion…

… and the other was a keepsake in his possession, a stony item which was shaking for his input.

Neither were items he would want to activate here and now, but which would he respond to first?

TAG: @Mitth_Fisto (combo)
—-
IC: Supreme Commander Kre’frey
With the First and Sixth Fleet’s, Core Worlds

During the meeting, Kre’frey gave word to the Viscount and the Eighth Fleet to withdraw to New Nubia, and evacuate the Senate from Hosnian Prime. Military reports filtered in from the frontline, and he had the First and Sixth Fleets move to the New Republic border with the Corellian Sector.

After a short time, deep in thought as he was, the Bothan opened comms to Nola Deidder. They’d just been cut off by Doman’s abrupt decision to end the chat, and Del had barely managed a sarcastic ‘well the cracks are definitely showing’ before the New Republic Supreme Commander contacted them.

“Senator,” the Bothan said. “I would ask a favour of you, and I cannot afford to spend more time discussing it by committee.”

Del blinked. This could get messy.

“I need the Eighth Fleet and the Viscount to head to the front. I intend to send the First and Sixth as well.”

That was an alarming escalation in deployments.

TAG: @JediMasterAnne (combo)
—-
IC: Beaumont Kin
Hapes system

The trip to the Inner Rim was not restful. Beaumont spent it wondering if they should have stayed at Nadiem and fought, but there had been no way ping a message to the Core, not with the nearby relay down.

They could hardly risk failing and the Sith escaping without anyone realising. This was the best course of action… though if they were even slightly at risk of being caught up in Senate politics, he would ask Qwi if they could leave. They were in agreement about that.

While they travelled, the Organa-Chume family transferred to the Star Home after an extensive and extreme security check of the entire floating palace. There was nowhere anyone could hide, and even some of the very rare Hapan Force sensitives did an inspection. By the time that Ship tumbled out of hyperspace, they were aboard, and a herald confirmed the arrival of an eye-shaped ship.

Isolder frowned at the report as the guards and droids conveyed their personal effects across. The nanny droid had the children excited for the sleepover, and he simply looked at Feyna.

“It looks almost Yuuzhan Vong.”

It wasn’t; it was worse - a Sith meditation sphere. Isolder’s comm chimed as Beaumont hailed him, and Ship announced to its pilots that they were being scanned by armed Hapan warships.

Isolder turned into a private room off the royal hangar and prepared to take the call.

TAG: @Jerjerrod-Lennox, @JediMasterAnne (combo with GM)
—-
IC: Supreme Commander Phennir
Aboard the Master Stroke, Nubia orbit

The Confederate military leader glowered. Originally the three Bothan fleets, and then the Commenor, Corellian and Hutt fleets, totalling six, had been en route to Nubia.

But the Corellian forces had yet to show as Sal-Solo’s victory speech had turned into a shoot-out with his actors, and the Eternal Fleet opted not to meet them force-for-force and had dispatched sizeable deployments to Fondor, Nal Hutta and Bothawui. Fondor didn’t have a fleet like the others, so Phennir had to dispatch forces to protect it, even as the Hutts and Bothans wanted to withdraw forces to protect against the pending enemy arrivals. The Commenori had apparently been tempted to withdraw their assets too, but then Phennir would have had a hard time stopping the Bothans.

After a brief row not moments after he finished blackmailing the Neimodian Senator, Phennir rearranged their fleets into Confederate deployments - Commenori Star Destroyers, Bothan Assault Cruisers and Hutt frigates and corvettes. He sent sizeable deployments to Fondor, Commenor, Nal Hutta and Bothawui of the twenty five thousand ships he had at Nubia. He even sent ships to hold Gyndine, as a key lynchpin between his Core and Outer Rim territory’s. Fifteen thousand ships split among five worlds - three thousand each to face eight hundred Eternal Fleet warships at each location.

But that left only ten thousand ships at Nubia, a tenth of which were capital ships. And while he expected his capital ships could even or beat Eternal Fleet droids battlecruisers, he didn’t expect the same of his escorts, who would usually lose to the Eternal Fleet battlecruisers by his estimation. He silently cursed whoever had masterminded the Eternal Empire’s response, being of course Emperor Bernael.

So when two thousand Eternal Empire battlecruisers appeared, he wasn’t happy. This would be a very costly engagement without the Corellians, and he made a further call to Sal-Solo to hurry it up. With some eleven thousand ships in-system, there was absolutely zero attention paid to the ship that Tobbi and Dutch arrived in.

A untraceable tracker on their courier pinged; she was on one of the Imperial Star Destroyers - the Master Stroke.

Dutch whistled. “Well this looks damn messy.”

TAG: @Narancia (combo), mentions for @darthbernael and @HanSolo29
—-
IC: Wynssa Starflare
Getting shot at, Corellia

“You think?” Wyn shot back at Praxon. “Why did I need to get lumbered with the cowardly version of you, anyway? You’re supposed to be impersonating Han Solo!”

She touched her earbud. “I am with the target, sir. Please advise that extraction is en route.”

Praxon couldn’t hear, but Wyn was clearly an agent of some kind. She cursed, and let go of her ear. “Our extraction was cancelled by the Grand Admiral. I knew it was tight with the Vong attacking tomorrow but they turned up early and my team was diverted to the frontline.”

She tugged Praxon through the studio further, behind the stage. The floor was more wooden than plasteel and modern, and before he could say another word she double tapped a plank.

“Hold on.”

The floor dropped, and then swung back up into place. They fell down a slide into shadows, and Wyn activated a flashlight. Pointing with it, she indicated a tunnel, which was more modern, leading back into the building proper. “Looks like we’re going that way.”

TAG: @HanSolo29

 

GM UPDATE FOUR OF FIVE

OUTER RIM

SOUTH

C: Boba Fett
Moving out

"Who's this guy?"

"No idea," rumbled Boba, and Fennec simply shrugged.

"I can take him out whenever you want," Fennec said. Boba tuned in as Tor asked of Din.

"I like it, you need any back up? Besides us finding some more distractions? On that note any other ideas? I got some jamming equipment here. We can disrupt communications when this all kicks off. Or, a few missiles at the protective detail around the building somewhere on the side, drawing reinforcements to that side?"

Din shook his head. "If you light up the landing platform, I can handle the rest."

"Looks like someone is heading off. And our blue hair friend is trying to lick his boots? You getting a weird feeling off that Wolfman there?" She asked looking to the others. "Either way I say let him go, he's not our target. Though if we get the chance, setting a charge on Sistros fighter could give us a back up plan...any takers?"

The hologram showed a dominance struggle between two Eternal courtiers which saw a guard get killed. Aurra licked her lips. "Well, I like these two. I'm volunteering."

Boba nodded. "Alright, get going. We won't have much time."

Dengar and Kenix Kil headed off to find and sabotage the power supply to the Royal Palace, and Din Djarin made his way to the Palace proper, comming ahead that he had business with Princess Jalynn Graul. Boba watched as Aurra checked the charge on her blasters, lightsabers and her grenade stock, and she vanished.

"Track her, Fenn," he told their sniper, who nodded.

"So we have the distraction act," Boba said. "Now all we need is you and I to head to the palace by way of rooftop." He reached into a package and drew out a new jet-pack. "Come on, let's get going."

Little did they know that there were irregularities afoot.

Yes, their Taozin nodule trick had gotten them passed Force users not looking for their greasy presence; yes, their stealth countermeasures had bypassed the droid watchers; yes, a handful of very well placed bribes had handled a few more flesh-and-blood eyes.

But their intent was malicious, and the ripples they created - and the data flags they raised - should have been more than enough to telegraph their survival. Yes, a Yuuzhan Vong invasion, a Confederate attack, and the arrival of Jori Atreus Junior and Aden Kya was more than enough to provide distraction fodder for Bernael and Aryan, but the data flags? Stealth countermeasures required a great deal of power, and sneaking a ship like the Slave I into a warehouse recently purchased and left abandoned by one 'Jaster Mereel' - a Fett pseudonym - would cause Bakurans in the neighbourhood to wonder aloud, perhaps even a nosy neighbour or two to report it.

But any such data flags were swiftly erased and suppressed by a mysterious third party.

Said third party was also responsible for moving the Fury to the landing platform with the other ships, including the pair of Bakuran X-wings that had coverage of the Palace. The Sluissi representative had left...

And then the Force began to speak of danger.

Jalynn Graul, intrigued as to why her saviour from fifteen years ago had reappeared, hesitated the moment that the Force spoke up, Din, who had dropped to one knee to speak to her at the entrance to the Palace, shifted his knee and a weapon lashed out, killing the guards and he was up on his feet, whipping a cable around her arms -

Her panic rippled into the Force into Sistros and Gaeriel. The woman looked at Sistros, urging him to move -

Then Jalynn's pain, as the cable electrified -

There was an explosion, and the power cut in the palace, and all of a sudden Tobias Vox had a sense of two who had blown the generator on his side of the Palace, one an oaf, another a terrifying threat -

Aurra Sing wasn't quite there yet, and she cursed, tugging on the Force to boost her to the platform as Snerfu and Aden made their final preparations. Aden turned to face the bounty hunter and registered the twin snap-hiss of crimson lightsabers a moment before a sniper shot took him in the gut, and a second shot was already zipping at Snerfu -

How close Fett and Tor were, of course, was another question. Boba Fett cursed, because Dengar hadn't sent a signal, and though Fenn commed that the blue-haired fop was down, it wasn't what they had planned. But it was chaotic, which worked, no?

For Bernael, Sistros and Jori in the Throne Room, the moment the lights went out there was a shudder in the Force of danger, and darts of blaster fire sung out at them from the shadows, intending to pepper the Thrones themselves -

Even as a black-gloved hand closed on the mouth of Jori and sought to tug her away from the violence -

Two assailants in the shadows?

Neither of which were apart of the original team?

And what had caused such a climatic shift of threat in the Force?

TAG: @darthbernael, @HanSolo29, @TheAdmiral, @galactic-vagabond422, @Narancia, @Shadowsun (singles initially, please, before we decide how/where we split)
---
IC: Lor San Tekka
Jakku



When you filtered out the specific Yuuzhan Vong requests for assistance, Renn and Vhardia would find exactly one world with a request for aide that was a frontier world to the Eternal Empire that wasn't caught up in the middle of the engagements between the Twin Emperor's and the newly Confederation.

That world was Jakku, a dusty planet of zero significance.

There had been no great and grand last stand here, and save for the mention by Galius Rax to Nola and Winter some years ago - and a brief visit by New Republic Intelligence - the world had garnered no attention in the Galactic Cold War, Civil War, or even the second Civil War. It was just too far away, essentially on the very fringe of the Unknown Regions, and yet in the Inner Rim, giving it a curious placement which made it potentially relevant but also not yet.

It had no resources to speak of, and a small population that eked out an existence that could be described as, well, primitive. But the Senate had received a request for aid, and of course in the preparations for the Great War completely ignored it. But the old hyperspace explorer had sent a transmission several times, and eventually some bureaucrat thought to themselves, "Jedi do this sort of thing" and passed on the enquiry.

It was, it could be said, perfect for a side advance on Bakura.

And Lor San Tekka had promised it was important, and without help, his people would be endangered.



So this was where Renn and Vhardia would be led to.

Unless of course they wanted to respond to the under-the-table requests for aid from Sluis Van, deep in Eternal territory and having been attacked by the Confederation for its shipyards, or instead join a Naboo cell intending to liberate the moons of their homeworld - the planet was basically uninhabitable after an Eternal Fleet bombardment after all, or finally they could try their luck at freeing the entirety of Gyndine from the Confederates without any support whatsoever.

Those were their options, and Gyndine was barely in the west of the galaxy, let alone the south-west.

TAG: @darthhelinith, @darthbernael (singles)

 

GM Update 5 of 5

UNKNOWN REGIONS

GALACTIC WEST

IC: Grand Admiral Thrawn
Mobus system, aboard the Chimaera, bridge

Captain Eli Vanto looked back at Thrawn as Jerod took blame for basically everything.

"I take full responsibility for what happened here. I did dispatch fighters to try and destroy those pods but it seems they and the Sekotian fighters failed to get them Shedao Shai wanted to destroy this world as it contained machinery as well as a living soul. He has succeeded. I had managed to negotiate with the planet to assist them but it seems it was in vain It distrusted us, it knew about Tarkin and the destruction of Alderaan. And it asked me about Starkiller. It used some sort of projection to communicate, someone called Vergere a Jedi.

He shook his head "The Vong have the advantage on us now. They have bioweapons. And are not afraid to use them".

The Grand Admiral hesitated at the mention of Tarkin and Vergere.

Eli saw it, but he doubted many would have, but then again, he'd known Thrawn for many decades now.

"Transfer the call to my private chamber - Admiral Jerod, please transfer to a suitable location," Thrawn said, and turned aside. Vanto stepped after him. The Chiss did not disabuse him of the assumption he could follow, and shortly they were each standing in the dark, Jerod transferred over as a hologram. Thrawn expected Jerod had moved before he started speaking.

"Vergere was a Jedi Knight who was taken by the Yuuzhan Vong during one of their scouting missions," Thrawn explained. "She visited a world named Zonama Sekot that fled from a subsequent investigation by Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker which was used as a pretext for invasion by Tarkin." He eyed Eli Vanto. "I had not expected the Yuuzhan Vong to track it down again, which suggests more than a passing familiarity with the world."

"They both use biotech, after all."

"Yes," Thrawn confirmed. "Then Chancellor Palpatine recruited me on the basis that the Chiss had met the Yuuzhan Vong scouts before in the Twilight Void, in his guise of Darth Sidious."

"Which led us to where we are now," Vanto concluded.

"As you say," Thrawn concurred. "My reading of this situation is that the Yuuzhan Vong resorted to bioweapons only when they were near-failure. Otherwise, there would have been no need for the engagement you interrupted, and this Shedao Shai would have used the weapon on Zonama Sekot and finished you off at his leisure, Admiral Jerod. Clearly, we don't know enough about how the Yuuzhan Vong fight or even think, so I cannot hold you responsible for what has happened."

He called up a galactic map with a flick of a switch on his comlink. It showed the Empire of the Hand in a light blue, the Remnant in a lighter blue, and the New Republic in red. The Eternal Empire was in green, and the arriving Yuuzhan Vong forces in an angry yellow. "The Great War has commenced and save for the intrusion you detected, the invaders have avoided the Empire of the Hand, as have the Eternal Empire and New Republic." His tone confirmed they were moving on.

A territory lit up in purple, roughly between the New Republic and Eternal Empire. "However, several sectors have seceded to form the Confederation, and attacked the two galactic powers on either side of it, though the Confederates are focusing on the Eternal Empire. This represents an opportunity, whereby the Empire of the Hand has the tactical and strategic advantage."

With a pause, Thrawn looked to Jerod. "I would like your recommendations on what we should do. The fleets of Admiral Fel, Ara'lani, Niriz, and Parck will remain on station at Xerton, Csilla, Batuu and Niruaun, and my fleet shall remain in reserve. But I would appreciate your view of the best approach to take."

He nodded. "The Eternal Empire forces are scattering into Confederate space but at least a fleet is remaining in their territory, even if Bakura is proximate to our border. The New Republic has their Ninth Fleet at Bilbringi, of course, and the Remnant has their Home Fleet. Otherwise, the Yuuzhan Vong have yet to advance further than Garqi and Mandalore, so for now they are beyond our immediate reach unless we sweep around Remnant space."

Thrawn was testing Jerod.

"I would ask you to decide on our next course of action."

TAG: Jerjerrod-Lennox (single)

 

SPECIAL GM POST SIX

IC: Black-Coat
Remnicore

The world of Remnicore was not unknown to the galaxy. It was, in-fact, on various charts but was so old it wasn't really visited, and it had long passed beyond relevance. A historian like, say, Beaumont Kin, he would find it deeply intriguing that an ancient Monolith of dipyramid design had crashed on Remnicore millennia ago, spilling it's contents out across the world and unleashing monsters for it.



The Jedi and Sith, they had fought over this world in times gone by, some seven thousand years ago now, during the Hundred Years Darkness. The Sith had even built here, though nobody was particular sure if they had constructed their statues here before or after the Monolith crashed here... some even theorised that they had summoned it.

Perhaps they had been seeking Mortis.

We would never know.

But notwithstanding that the pair now emerging from a cave on Remnicore had just crossed timelines, into one where Palpatine faked his defeat just before he had Mas Amedda call Order 66, ushering in a Galactic Cold War between a half-born Empire and a Republic Remnant, for the Rebellion to erase the Empire and even Separatist survivors, long before the Yuuzhan Vong arrived here under the command of the said Palpatine...

... it was exactly the same tableau as it had been when the Black-Coat and the Kaminoan Darth Cocytus left their own time, roughly at the same point as this one, albeit in a reality where, less than a year ago, the reborn Emperor had just been obliterated at the Battle of Exegol by Rey Skywalker.

That was the reality that Cocytus was from.

This one, well, the Black-Coat was just wanting a hand with some loose ends before the finale.

The Sith creature that lived here, the monster named Tor Valum, he approached on spiders legs, twisting and contorting his body. Emerged from the Cave, you did? See you enter... I did not.



"Tor Valum, everyone!" The Black-Coat snorted. "Consistently creepy and weird no matter the timeline."

"As an indication of the anything can happen reality that we now exist within... if you kill Tor Valum, I shan't stop ye." The Black-Coat shrugged. "And then we can go and track down you a new and shiny Styx. You screwed up with your old apprentice... but my gift to you - a do over!"

He held out his hands in a cosmic ta daaaaa!

TAG: @Darth Cocytus

OOC: A cameo from the Dark Reach game set in Disney Canon!

 

IC Bernael/Nevet
Ahhh now this is a distraction

One moment Court was in session, the next moment darkness reigned. Nevet smiled behind his mask, this was his demesne. The blaster bolt stopped a pair of centimeters from his chest and he regarded it for a moment before wrapping one hand around it, draining the energy of it into himself. A dark chuckle rang out from him, echoing around the chamber. ”Welcome to court, I’ve been waiting for you to arrive for some time.” his voice was flat, even, cold.

A thought leapt to Kigrael, ’These two are trouble but there are others that have decided to grace us with their presence. Deal with them.’ His son vanished from sight and the slight sway to the curtain over the door behind the thrones was the only evidence that the heir was gone.

Glancing at the Saarai-Kaar, ’Marana, our son could use assistance or you can take command of the naval forces, for now.’ She smiled up at him, stood, disappearing out of the same door that Kigrael had vanished through. As she strode down the corridor she raised a comm on her wristpad, ”Security forces to high alert, Skytrooper forces to target and eliminate any non Eternal Empire or previously approved in the presence of the Emperors beings. Trace any intruders back to their point of entry and destroy the building they left from.” she commanded. Opening a different frequency, she raised the pilot AI of the Fury, ”Autonomous mode, get airborne, track threats for the Elysian Fields and prepare for our arrival.”

Now that his half of the Eternal Families was going about their business Nevet turned his attention back to the darkened court. His fingers, the talons extended, tapped on the arm of his throne. ”Hmmmm, those that cut the power and possibly gave you your opening are professional, Mandalorian, I would presume. But you two, deciding to show yourselves directly before us, so very soon, intriguing. Perhaps you forgot that pieces of a soul resonate with one another.”

He smiled darkly once more, ”Jori, I’d like to introduce our friends but I doubt they’d like that.” His hand dipped down, a dagger flashing from a boot, quivering point first into the floor between her legs, ”Just in case you need it.” he quipped.

Slowly standing, he glanced over at Sistros and his family, minus Jalynn. His eyes dripped darkness and his smile was a frozen rictus. ”I must apologize Gaeriel, I may cause a bit of damage to your beautiful home. But,” he gestured out into the dark where the two intruders were still backing out of the chamber, ”I believe you will find the cost of rebuilding less than the cost of fumigating this place once that one is gone or,” his eyes stared directly into those of the intruders, ”eaten.”

There wasn’t a whisper in the Force before power lashed out. From a millimeter outside where Jori and her captor were standing, all throughout the room, to include the corridors now vacant of Marana and Kigrael, the Palace rumbled and then light flared, heat flared. When the darkness began to return, it wasn’t as dark. The door behind the captors/intruders hung from their hinges, the Knights' sabers were lit and outside the wreck of the door two more stood, waiting patiently for the order to be given.

In every other direction were piles of rubble and the Palace was just gone, otherwise. The Eternal family of Sistros and Nevet himself stood there, facing their ‘guests’. ”Better, I love the Dark but you two cockroaches needed to be revealed.” he purred.

He vanished from sight yet his presence filled the chamber, to the point there was no way to sense where he specifically was, it was as though he was in every part of the room at once. ”I will be doing the galaxy a favor if I remove your souls from the gameboard, old foes.” his voice rang mockingly from every direction.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Shadowsun, @HanSolo29, @TheAdmiral, @Narancia, @galactic-vagabond422

 

IC Renn
Choices and decisions, Tython and beyond

Renn studied the list of possible planets that he and Vhardia could assist and allow the Light to be seen upon. Jaku, Sluis Van, the moons of Naboo, or perhaps Gyndine. Sluis Van was too far, too deep in the Eternal territory. It was a potentially worthwhile choice but seeing as it’s request was under the table chances were that, if there were issues there, there would be no aid or assistance coming from the Republic.

The Nabooian moons, that was another weak choice that could leave the two of them high and dry if there was a problem. Gyndine, now that was a snake pit. The Confederation was a loose alliance that depended on one being, at its core, to hold it together and his madness was going to cause more chaos than it would be good to get involved in. Which left...Jakku.

He pulled up the file that whatever bureaucrat had finally sent the Jedi. It included a message from one named Lor San Tekka. His message implored aid, without giving too much in the way of details. He was sure that they would have to contact the man, if he yet lived, once they were in orbit so as to know what the threat was.

Besides, even after spending the last few years on Tython, temperate weather and all, he could still feel the chill of Hoth in his sap, or so it felt. So a time on a desert planet would be good. He tapped on the pad and asked that supplies and equipment that may be necessary for such a place. He turned to Vhardia, ”Jakku then, feels like our first stop.” He leaned down, kissing her softly before standing again. ”I’ll go make sure the Otana is ready. See you on the bridge, my dear, when it’s time to leave.”

BB-8 trundled along as he walked to the landing pads, his happy chirps and whistles a nice counterpoint to Renn thinking about what was to come. He glanced down at the little droid, ”Yeah, this should be an interesting trip. Not sure what they need there but we’ll be going as much for our own reasons as to help them.”

When he arrived at the Otana he walked up the ramp and headed to the cargo bay first. It took only a few minutes to ensure that everything he’d asked for had been secured in the bay. Satisfied, he closed the bay behind him. Glancing down at BB-8 he grinned, ”It’s time, little one, time to begin the hunt against the Dark.”



A short walk later, he was on the bridge. Sitting in the command couch he reached forward, tapping the console. He entered Jakku as the following destination, into the navicomp, waiting for the calculations to finish, as he likewise waited for his wife to join him. He could not, would not make this journey without her.

TAGS: @Adalia-Durron, @Sinrebirth, @darthhelinith, @TheSilentInfluence

 

OOC: Beginning to doubt Barriss or Xundel will ever see eye to eye, no matter the timeline. Combo with @Adalia-Durron and @CosmoHender

IC: Barriss, Xundel, Kyp Durron, Adalia Tehanis
Bonadon, Corporate Sector

Though she had only just reopened herself to the Force and it would be some time before her connection was as strong as it had once been, Barriss could still sense the life teeming on Bonadon. The world felt familiar to her, despite nearly fifty years having passed since she last stepped foot on it.

Barriss had given instructions to her family, telling them to get something to eat in the marketplace and making sure that they had credits. She could tell that the children were hungry, needing something to not just fill their stomachs but also to get their minds off what they had just left behind on Nadiem. Barriss had reassured her wife that she would be okay by herself, that they would rendezvous later after she met with her friend and made any necessary arrangements. Zara had been reluctant as expected, but Barriss insisted until Zara agreed to leave. After all, Barriss was sure that they were safe on Bonadon.

For now, at least.

Barriss soon found that Bonadon had not changed much since she left it. Not really. It was still very much the same planet that Barriss had arrived on after the conclusion of the Clone Wars and the carrying out of Order 66. It had been a lifetime ago, but Barriss could easily remember the day that she had met Vima-Da-Boda and her daughter, Nomi. And though she was not surprised that she could no longer sense the presence of Vima, she knew that Nomi at least remained. It would be good to see her again.

As Barriss let the Force guide her through the village, she sensed something else. There were other Force users on the planet, perhaps seeking out Nomi just like her…

Adalia touched her ship down on the pad, a single platform designed for one ship only and that was strange in itself. Turning to look she saw that Kyp had taken a pad slightly higher than hers, that didn't surprise her at all. "Eyes and ears open Sparks" she said quietly to her droid. She was Force sensitive, and when tested proved to be stronger than most, but she wasn't interested in 'training'. Adalia learned as she went and was more than content with that.

Kyp could feel it, there were several strong Force users nearby, but he kept his own presence as 'small' as he could for now. The art of 'disappearing' was one he was now capable of, but he didn't feel it necessary at this point. He opened his comm. "You good Vixen?"

Adalia looked down, he only used that when he wanted her to be careful, be serious and lose the attitude. "I'm good, awaiting orders." she responded in an even official sounding voice.

Kyp gave a nod, one he knew she couldn't see. "See you on the ground, maybe there we will meet our newest friend."

"Copy that."

The trip through hyper had been, thankfully, uneventful. When the three of them had reappeared in the Bonadon system, Xundel could feel the life that still clung to the planet. That and a curious sense that this place was familiar, even though he could almost swear he had not been here before. He kept close to the other two as they descended, following them down to the lilypad landing pads.

Each pad was only wide enough for one ship to land and he chose one slightly higher than that of the others. ”Cutter, get the ship refueled, any minor damage repaired, and if they have anything, rearmed.” he told his droid. He stumped over to the edge of the pad and sat down on it for a moment.

Looking down he noticed the Jedi, Kyp, and the woman with him. She was hard to miss with the flaming red hair that looked like burnished copper in the light of this dying world’s sun. But she hadn’t introduced herself so he didn’t know much of her yet. His feet swung back and forth over the edge as he raised his gaze to scan the village in the near distance.

He could feel those with the Force moving about, most of them had the feel of the Light, some were weaker, some stronger, some had a touch of Darkness or more. But he’d have to head down there to figure out where Nomi was.

Pulling his legs up, feet planted under him he smiled, old he may be but that didn’t mean he was a frail old man. Squatting slightly, he pushed off, leaping into the air. Flipping through the air he began a swift descent to the soil of the planet. He flashed past the pad Kyp and the woman were on, a warbling, ”Last one to the bottom buys breakfast.” trailing behind him as he fell.

He flipped upright as the ground came racing up at him, bending his legs to land. A touch of the force, pushing against the ground and he slowed his progress, both three toed feet touching down with barely a ruffle of dust. Brushing himself off he looked around, certain that the ‘Customs’ agents would soon be around to discuss landing fees.

Kyp felt the presence long before he saw it and when he heard the creature speak he realised it was their new friend. He grinned as he always loved a good competition. Glancing at Adalia he quipped. "Best bring you credits love, price you pay for not letting me train you, you're it." Without another word he vaulted over the side of the platform to the ground below.

Adalia heard, she saw, she groaned and rolled her eyes skyward. He was digging at her again and all that ever did was solidify her resolve. "This week just keeps getting better and better" There had been no birthday gift, making her own cake, playing bait for killer bugs and now paying for breakfast for strangers. She began to search for the steps, muttering as she went. "Gonna pay for this.....and I'm gonna make you hurt."

Kyp hit the ground lightly, bending his knees slightly before bending. "Xundel I presume?" He offered his hand as he glanced up, 'feeling her annoyance', "My counterpart will be down soon, credits in hand."

Xundel looked up at the man, ”Yes, that is I. And you must be Kyp.” He glanced past the man and a smile crossed his face at the thundercloud expression on the face of the woman descending the stairs, ”She does not look pleased.” he murmured.

Turning back toward the village, he glanced over it again. Raising his cane he pointed with the tip, ”That market, I believe that’s where we’ll find breakfast, and it’s a good starting point to find out where the person I’m seeking is located.”

He heard the muttered cursing behind him. With a chuckle, he looked back over his shoulder, ”She have a name or do I continue annoying her by not using one?” he asked. ”Once she’s here, catch up, I’m not that hard to find.” he said, then began to walk, cane thumping over and over as he closed the distance from the landing pads to the village.

Kyp straightened and chuckled. "Riling her is my favorite game." He glanced behind him, "She's Adalia, or Vixen. Answers to both."

Adalia approached and overheard him. "Or your worst nightmare, his at least." She said glaring.

Kyp loved it when she was annoyed with him, he had his reasons. "Come on, let's catch up, you have breakfast to buy for us."

Adalia shoved him in the shoulder. "I want to hate you.....I really do."

"I know."

Xundel filed away the name as he entered the marketplace. Something was drawing him, moving him on toward a destination beyond the market. He was hungry but sometimes the Force itself had its own ideas about what was needed. He glanced around, listening to the hum of voices, his nose assaulted by the smells of fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit, flashes of color and bodies.

He was slightly distracted and perhaps that was why he didn’t notice the woman he bumped into until after he did so. Allowing himself to bounce back a step he looked up at her. He could feel the Force in her but it felt a little off, as though slightly distant inside her. ”Sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going. I’m Xundel.”

Barriss turned around, noticing the strange little creature that had run into her. At first glance, he reminded her of Grandmaster Yoda since they were the same species. But at second glance, she noticed that Xundel... felt different. Barriss honestly wasn't sure what to think of him.

"It's no problem," she told Xundel, starting to turn away. She didn't have time to talk with strangers.

He tottered forward, ”Wait, please. You seem to either know your way around, or are being guided as I am. Do you know Nomi? Or where to find her? My companions and I have just traveled from saving Sernpidal to speak to her.”

"Yes, I know Nomi," Barriss answered, not mentioning that she hadn't seen Nomi in over four decades. She glanced at who Xundel claimed were his companions. Barriss was a bit wary of them, not convinced that she could trust them. These were mistrustful times, after all.

"Why do you want to speak to her, if you don't mind me asking?"

He glanced back, then looked back up at her with a chuckle, ”Yeah, they do look a bit scruffy but the male is Jedi Master Kyp Durron and his companion who seems not to be a Jedi but is certainly Force sensitive, named Adalia. I, well it’s my mission that they’ve decided to assist me with that brings us here. I’ll ask a counter question before I answer yours but it’s pertinent so please humor me. Do you know of the Father of Balance?” his eyes fixed on hers, seeking the truth of her words when she would answer.

Barriss shrugged. "Sounds like something religious," she told him. "And forgive me, but I'm not really the religious type."

She glanced again at Xundel's companions. According to him, at least one of them was a Jedi and she wondered if he sensed her own connection to the Force. Perhaps he even recognized... no, he couldn't. Officially, Barriss Offee died on Felucia during Order 66 forty-eight years ago.

Kyp could feel her, there was something she was hiding for sure, other than her Force sensitivity, although he even suspected she was downplaying that even. When Xundel introduced them he eyed her cautiously and gave a nod of acknowledgment.

Adalia stood slightly behind him and to the side to look over his shoulder, it was a common place for her. Something felt off to her. Gently touching his back to get his attention, she whispered. "There's a secret."

Turning his head slightly to hear her he was surprised and fully turned to look at her giving a nod. She was learning, she'd picked it up too. The look he shot her was of 'I'm impressed.'.

Adalia rolled her eyes and went back to listening.

Xundel nodded as Kyp and Adalia caught up to him and this, as yet unknown, woman. His eyes caught something when she responded and one ear twitched. ”Interesting response. I almost thought you’d been a Jedi once upon a time and I know the Ones were taught in the Order, used to be a Knight after all.”

He glanced back once more at the other two, sighed, turned back, ”The Father is not involved in a religion, is not religious. He’d probably kick my butt if I even considered worshiping him. I serve him though, as the Knights serve the Council. The Ones were once Celestials that preserved the Force. They died and the Force has been in Chaos, the galaxy as well, since. The Father has returned and the Balance needs to be restored, or all will fall.”

Barriss nodded. "Wow... all of that sounds like it's not my problem," she told him.

She started to walk away. "Celestials... Ones... Father... Balance." She shook her head. "None of those words mean anything to me. I've lived in a farming community for more than forty years. It was a simple life, a good life. Until the Sith literally fell from the sky, that is. Look, I have my own priorities right now. Good luck with your problem, whatever it is..."

Xundel sighed, stepped back. He glanced at Kyp, ”I must be rusty with my people skills. Perhaps you could talk to her, maybe help her see. Forty years of peace and a simple life is hard to move past.” he told his companion.

"Sith fell from the sky? Didn't it occur to you that might not be right or good?" Kyp asked stepping forward, Xundel having confirmed she was a Force user and possibly a Jedi of old. "The Sith are the Darkside, you can feel it yes?" He needed her to understand that she may have lived a long time outside of the Force, but he hoped it was calling her home.

This above Adalia's understanding so she remained silent.

Barriss narrowed her eyes at him. "Did it occur to me that it might not be right or good? Of course that occurred to me! And yeah, I felt their darkness. It was what tipped me off about them being Sith. Well, that and their crimson lightsabers. But look, just because I realize that the Sith are bad doesn't mean that I'm going to join some quest I don't understand with people I don't even know or trust."

Barriss glanced at Xundel. "Also, it's not like I would be of any help. I haven't held a lightsaber in over forty years and I spent those forty years cut off from the Force. I was a Jedi, once. But not anymore. Not in a long, long time."

Xundel felt the honesty in her voice, the despair, the pain. ”This discussion has gone far afield, you asked why I wished to see Nomi and I asked you that in return. The Father is why I must see her, he sent me to find her.” He rubbed his face, ”You have suffered much and I’m not going to ask you to join a fight that you do not believe you could fight. I did not ask you to be something you are not. But perhaps speaking to Nomi can enlighten us all.” he replied softly.

Kyp sighed. "Holding a blade doesn't make one a Jedi." He stated evenly. "You may have knowledge we do not, but I agree with my new friend here. If you do not wish to be part of the solution...." He allowed the sentence to trail off.

Adalia stepped forward slightly. "He's right, I have a saber, and I'm no Jedi."

Barriss rolled her eyes a little. "You don't think I know that holding a blade doesn't make one a Jedi?" she asked. "Listen kid, how much do you think an old woman who hasn't held a lightsaber in decades can do against an army of Sith?"

The truth was that she didn't want to throw her life away, just like so many Jedi threw their lives away during the Clone Wars... and for ultimately nothing.

"You don't know me, kid. You don't know who I am or what I have lived through. So don't condescend. I have no patience for it."

"No, I don't know you, you're right. But I do know even without a lightsaber or a title, you have knowledge, and wisdom. The latter is gained from life." Kyp paused, "We're not asking you to go into battle, but we might be asking you to share you knowledge and wisdom."

Adalia turned away. "Kid?" She muttered.

Kyp could feel the woman's anger, whatever had happened to her in the past was a burning scar she couldn't let go of now.

Barriss scoffed dismissively. "Yeah, I'm sure that my knowledge of farming on a backwater planet would be real valuable."

Then, seeing no point in continuing this conversation, Barriss began to walk away. She didn't think much of either Xundel or Kyp. The former just assumed she would know what he was talking about just because she was Force-sensitive and the latter talked down to her like she wasn't his elder. Both were frustrating, while Adalia didn't really leave an impression. But she saw no reason to trust any of them, which was why she hadn't even given them her name and was especially why she didn't tell them about her family.

She didn't care why they were here. Only that they stayed out of her way.

Xundel touched the Force, realized that the path he was following was one that would lead him toward his destination as well, sighed. He began to walk in that direction, gesturing for the other two to follow. His eyes misted in memory as he walked and when his voice came out it was eerily reminiscent of another, one well known to both he and Barris. “You will find only what you bring in. On many long journeys have I gone. And waited, too, for others to return from journeys of their own. Some return; some are broken; some come back so different only their names remain. Your path you must decide.”*

He shook his head as the memories faded, ”Hurt you have been, apologize I must. I meant only to explain why I hoped you knew where she was so that I didn’t have to seek her out as deeply. I meant not to attempt to recruit you, I can tell you do not wish to take part in what is going on. I only fear that, in the long run, the galaxy will not agree with what you desire.”

He put his head down, focusing on walking, letting her ponder what he’d said, if she was going to do so, just stumping along nearby.

Barriss sighed. "Don't try to be Yoda. You're not him. I'm not looking for a conflict with you, just stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours. Whether I have been hurt or not does not matter. That's not why I'm here. My reasons for being here are my own. As for your talk about the galaxy not agreeing with what I desire, shove it. You do not know my desires and if the galaxy didn't agree with them, it would have done something about them a long time ago. It's just like I said to the other guy. You don't know me. You seem to think you do, but you don't."

She was finding herself getting increasingly annoyed by this group, who were now reminding her of why she had chosen to avoid Force users for so many decades. Well, one of the reasons why at least.

"I guess if I do have some wisdom to offer, it's in people skills. Quoting Yoda is not a good substitute. Try being a part of a normal community for once."

At least until the Sith decide to level it, Barriss thought to herself. The memory of Nadiem burning had still been fresh and Barriss couldn't help but wonder if she could have saved more people. But in truth she knew that if she had delayed any longer, her family would have been slaughtered by the Sith. As much as she could have wished otherwise, there really hadn't been anything else she could have done in that scenario. She could only hope that at least a few others made it to safety.

She was going to miss Nadiem, a large part of her life that was now gone forever. But Barriss had to move on, just like she had to move on from Order 66. She doubted that Xundel, Kyp, or Adalia could relate or if they had any idea what she was really going through.

Adalia frowned, 'a normal community', her mind ran ahead as she strode forward to stand in front of this woman. "You want someone from a normal community, you got me." She put her hands out the side, palms extended. "Sure I touch the Force, but I don't use it and I was raised on a farming estate, we grew cocoa. I have seen it all and then I saw it all taken away." She indicated with her head toward the other two. "They might have little or no memory of what it is to be a local just doing what we do, but I don't, and I had it taken away. I was given two choices in the mess, hide like a coward or stand up and do something about it. The way I see it, you have that choice too." She folded her arms, "you want to play the bitter old woman who's lost everything, well I'm the sarcastic bitter middle aged woman who has lost everything, bring it on."

Kyp groaned inwardly, he knew he couldn't stop her when she had something to say, but there were times he wished he could.
+
Barriss gave Adalia a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry for what you've lost. Really, I am. But I have not lost everything. I did once, after the Clone Wars and Order 66. I doubt any of you know what that was like. And now it seems like the Clone Wars are happening all over again. Systems seceding from the Republic... the return of the Sith... even Palpatine is back." She shook her head. "But you want to know what I learned from the first Clone Wars? Nothing I did mattered. Because I didn't matter. Not in the grand scale of things. You think that you only have two choices, but it's more complicated than that. Despite losing everything after the Clone Wars, I made the best of things. Which is what I'm trying to do right now, make the best of things. I cannot afford to fight in another Clone Wars or get involved in whatever Force crusade you are going on. Am I a coward? You're free to think so. Just as you are free to do what you think you have to as long as you remember that you have agency."

It was true that if Adalia had lost everything then Barriss certainly hadn't. She still had her family, not that she was going to admit as much. Adalia could afford to join Kyp and Xundel, because she had nothing to lose. Barriss still had everything to lose.

Xundel frowned, the emotions rampant in the air swirled around him, almost a caress here, a rake of pain and worry there. He coughed gently and then he stabbed the tip of his cane into the soil of the path, his energy flaring, dissipating the emotional miasma that had descended. Turning to Adalia, ”Thank you. I’m not sure she’s going to accept our point of view right now. She has found a broken peace and doesn’t want to lose it.”

A little hopping turn and he faced Barriss, ”I simply wanted to tell you why I was seeking Nomi but I have learned even more. I was, once, a member of a community but learned they had lost their way, which was why I left and began my journey. I wanted to end all the war and chaos and I learned, as the Father instructed me, that you all decided to have wars that dwarfed those back to the Twilight Wars. Not a wonder the Force is in Chaos. I only quoted Yoda as I heard those lectures many times and I’m sure you did as well, a common point between us. But, you do have your path and I mine. However, we both do need to see Nomi so please, let us walk together until then.”

Barriss couldn't help but scoff when she heard Xundel call the happiness and meaning she found in her life a 'broken peace.' The condescension and the arrogance of this one, she thought to herself. But she saw no point in arguing with him and she just shrugged.

"Sure, whatever. I'll let you be Nomi's problem instead of my own."

Adalia felt the wash of Force, pushing away emotions, including her own frustration. She threw her arms up and rolled her eyes before returning to her position by Kyp's side. "I tried." She sighed, "truth didn't even work."

Watching Xundel carefully he realised this creature was a very powerful Force user, when he moved the emotions away it was obvious he meant business. He was to be listened to and possibly learned from. Adalia returned and Kyp regarded her. "Sometimes you're like a Bantha in a china store love, but yes, you tried and it was worth it." He reached down and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I think for now we'll just follow, this woman has no intention of joining us."

Adalia gave a sage nod, "life's about choices, the choices we make define the life we live."

Kyp smiled, "words of wisdom from you?"

"No, my mother."

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @HanSolo29, @JediMasterAnne, @Jerjerrod-Lennox, @galactic-vagabond422, @TheSilentInfluence, @galactic-vagabond422, @darthhelinith, @CosmoHender, @Shadowsun, @Adalia-Durron, @Narancia, @Mitth_Fisto, @Kato Sai, @TheAdmiral

*Various quotes by Yoda over the years

 

OOC: The following actions are GM-approved!

IC: Emperor Sistros
The Eternal Palace, Bakura

The Force erupted with urgent intensity as the palace fell victim to the hostile attack. It inundated Sistros’ senses, pulling him in a myriad of different directions as he rose swiftly from the throne. Despite the chaos, there was no longer any question about the cause of the ominous foreboding he had felt earlier; he realized now that it served to warn him about this exact moment. While it was a foolish endeavor on the assassins’ part, he also recognized that he had to remain vigilant. He could not hesitate or doubt his instincts, not when so many issues demanded his attention.

Even now, he found himself divided between the strange presence that had attempted to abduct Jori Atreus—it had a slippery undertone, not quite there, yet Sistros could’ve sworn that he had encountered it before—and the panicked ripples that denoted his daughter’s pain and suffering.

But there was something more.

He soon discovered that another also tugged on his awareness, pleading for his life through the agony that roiled through the Force. Sistros frowned when he identified the source—Aden Kya was also in peril.

The Emperor stood at a crossroads, and it was imperative that he choose the right path.

Fortunately, Bernael had moved quickly to handle the Kuati woman’s alleged kidnapper, and he would not interfere in that operation unless specifically called upon. He trusted his brother to effectively manage that situation. Any pertinent information would then be shared with him once everything was firmly under control.

That left Jalynn and Aden Kya. The former certainly took precedence in his mind as his own flesh and blood, but he could not undermine Kya’s worth. If the boy died, the knowledge and power he sought would be lost with him. Sistros could not afford to take that chance, nor would anyone else understand his plight. This was a personal matter that he had to address alone.

With his decision made, Sistros raised his hand to summon Arek to his side. "Attend to your sister’s needs and ensure that she is well," he rumbled in a gravelly tone, his eyes never straying from Gaeriel’s face. Under the circumstances, it was important that he offer her reassurance. "You are then to eliminate those responsible for conducting such a heinous act. Find them and destroy them. They will experience the full wrath of the Eternal Family, and as my son, I entrust you to lead that charge. Now, go."

Once Arek had gone, the Emperor mentally braced himself for the inevitable conflict, punctuated by Bernael’s warning as his brother unleashed his fury to thwart the enemy’s advance. The resulting shockwave completely obliterated the palace itself, sending masonry and timber in the air, though Sistros hardly flinched at the chaos. He understood that this was a necessary consequence to mitigate the ongoing threat, and they could rebuild.

The Emperor was wise to also project those thoughts through the Force to comfort his irate wife. Only then did he pick his way through the wreckage and slip away from the scene, using the ensuing confusion to cover his escape.

As Sistros arrived on what remained of the landing platform, he grimaced beneath the cowl of his Black-Coat. The damage was far more extensive than he had initially realized, the entire structure having been reduced to a shapeless ruin. His anger burned at the material loss and for the perpetrators who had incited the violence. He was mindful that they were still out there, likely concealed within the skeletal remains as they awaited the perfect opportunity to take their shot…

Sistros smiled at that, his eyes glowing an unnatural yellow in anticipation. He would not allow them that chance.

Raising his hands, the Scepter of Ragnos clenched in his right, the Emperor called upon the Force to conjure a furious tempest that caused the ground to quake with the raw energy of its intensity. The entire mass spiraled upward and became vertical as it hoisted rubble and debris into the air to give the swirling column a physical shape. Lightning also crackled and bounced along its perimeter in scintillating patterns to generate a terrifying sight. It wasn’t long before the raging cyclone expanded to encompass the entire platform, forming a sort of shield that would be difficult to penetrate.

At its center stood Emperor Sistros himself, serving as the ‘eye’ of this violent storm.

Under its protective embrace, he was able to move around freely as he scoured the area for any hints of Aden Kya. He eventually found the boy sprawled on the far edge of the platform, his body partially buried under a large metal framework that had probably detached from the main palace structure in the explosion.

But perhaps more concerning was the gaping wound in his abdomen, which had soaked through his tunic with red crimson. Sistros noted that it was likely the result of a blaster discharging at point-blank range. You damned fool…

Tossing aside the metal framing as if it were chaff, the Emperor loomed over the boy and considered his ashen face. He was still alive, but barely. His lifeforce was already beginning to recede and fade away into the ether; there wasn’t much time if he intended to save him—and to utilize his talents to uncover the ancient secrets of the Force.

"Just relax," Sistros murmured in a soothing voice, his eyes narrowed in concentration. "You are under my hand, Lord Insipid, and you will soon be restored to your former glory. I need you to gather your strength and remain very still."

Without waiting for a response, the Emperor brandished the scepter and brought it around, the majestic orb at the top of the staff glowing with radiant light. He then touched it to the boy’s wound to unleash its healing properties.

TAG: @Sinrebirth; @darthbernael; @Narancia; @TheAdmiral; @Shadowsun; @galactic-vagabond422

 

IC: Duke Praxon
Subterranean Tunnel, Corellia

"Why did I need to get lumbered with the cowardly version of you, anyway?" Wynssa spat in exasperation. "You’re supposed to be impersonating Han Solo!"

The comment may have been harmless enough on the surface, but it unwittingly grated on Praxon’s nerves, evoking his anger as it impinged on one of his major pet peeves. He found it infuriating when fans, critics, and commentators alike could not separate fact from fiction; he was an actor, not the actual characters he so often portrayed on the silver screen.

And despite the severity of their plight, he still paused long enough to ensure that she knew that.

"It’s called acting, honey," he groused under his breath, his cheeks flushing red with his growing indignation. "It was a single role that kickstarted my career, and while I’m grateful for that opportunity, I don’t live every day of my life in Solo’s boots. If that’s what you think I do, then maybe—"

He trailed off when Wyn turned away to touch her earbud, speaking in hushed tones to an unknown source. While he couldn’t deduce the full context of their conversation—especially since it was one-sided—he was still able to glean enough to realize that he had stumbled upon something much larger than himself. This was more than a simple acting gig, and he inwardly cursed himself for accepting the job in the first place.

"Whoa...whoa, wait a second," Praxon stammered as he crossed into Wyn’s path, holding up his hands as if he intended to impede her progress. "I was always your target?" He scoffed and shook his head, his mind a flurry of emotions as he tried to comprehend everything that was happening around him. "That...I don’t understand. Why? Who’s the ‘Grand Admiral’?"

His questions came fast and furious, but instead of taking the time to stop and properly address them, she gripped the sleeve of his tunic and tugged him along down a dark passage. The air was noticeably musty and stale in this hollow space, likely an industrial corridor that had remained idle for an extended period. The floor even creaked underfoot, almost as if it consisted of wooden planks rather than adhere to modern building standards.

All things considered, it was probably the perfect place to lay low—at least, until they had a clear path to escape.

But Wynssa Starflare had other ideas.

"Hold on," she uttered as she kicked the floor out with her foot, revealing a long tunnel that stretched away into the darkness. "Looks like we’re going that way."

Praxon inclined his chin and ran a hand through his tousled hair, clearly skeptical of her plan. He knew that those sentiments wouldn’t improve until she provided answers, but what other choice did he have? He did not want to remain behind and become Sal-Solo’s scapegoat.

And so, as the actor propelled himself over the threshold and began his descent, he tried once again to push her for information. "So, uh...do you ever intend to tell me what’s going on?" he inquired with a slight frown. "I’m exhibiting an awful amount of trust, here, the least you could do is throw me a bone."

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

GM UPDATE ONE OF FIVE

OUTER RIM

NORTH

IC: Ben Solo
Battle of Shramar; beginning

The meeting room was a mess, and Ben struggled with the snake-staff until Fin leaned over and shot off it's head.

Sagging in relief, Ben took a deep breath. There was one dead Yuuzhan Vong, but the second one was missing, as well as his father, Han.

Panic seized within him, but he could hear Devry from the other room.

"Warmaster Tsavong Lah! There are Jedi here! And one of the New Republic Heroes! They've shot up my command staff, and I'm in danger!"

Ben jumped to his feet, heading that way -

He could see a light show projected by a stone-shaped creature, and an incredibly large and ugly Yuuzhan Vong speaking to Devry.

"One of my Domains is en route to secure the slaves and the Maw Luur crop," the Yuuzhan Vong rasped in Basic. "Keep them busy for now, while my fleet arrives. I have five thousand ships and our largest slaveship ready to collect your problem."

Ben's blood drained from his face. Fin shot Devry, leaving the Yuuzhan Vong Warmaster to stare at them. "Jeedai... your time will come."

He cut the channel, and Ben ran out of the room with Fin and Prowl in tow. He couldn't see father, no, wait, there he was - being dragged by his foot by a burly Yuuzhan Vong.

The stormtroopers outside the door were dead, and the Vong was heading towards the fields.

He opened his comlink. "Lowie, we need to get going. Call the New Republic - a Vong armada is on it's way."

The Wookiee yelped in surprise, and rumbled his agreement. But he couldn’t reach them; the HoloNet was down.

Ben ignited his blade and dove after the Yuuzhan Vong and his father.

My boy, leave him - he is just holding you back.

"Not now!" Ben shouted, causing Fin to look at him quizzically.

TAG: @Jerjerrod-Lennox (character will come to in the middle of a field being dragged by his boot when back from holiday)
---
IC: Nomi Da-Boda
Bonadan

The small woman was sat, the front of her tent accosted by worshippers, and the innards full of seeming junk that had been pushed to the edge of the room.

Nomi smiled at the three of them as they were ushered in by the crowd.

"Ah, Xundel, the All-Father sent you to me... but I did not expect to see you in the company of two Jedi Knights." She bowed. "Kyp, Adalia, this is a pleasure."

She looked to the three of them. "I can find whatever or whoever you wish, if you pass the test of the mirror."

With a wave of her hand, Nomi vanished.

Indeed, they each vanished from each other.

They were each faced by themselves.

Or, rather mirrored versions of themselves at the end of the Yuuzhan Vong War in another timeline.

It was a rite of passage for those pursuing the End.

Nomi was merely the one to lead the trial.

Kyp stood in-front of a differing Kyp, the one who had just lead the Kyp's Dozen fighter squadron during the war, saved Jaina Solo from her own darkness, and redeemed his tie to the Jedi Order.

Adalia stood in-front of a differing Adalia, one who was a pilot rather than a Jedi, and had lead her squadron to fight the Yuuzhan Vong. The war was over, and Aden Kya was just imprisoned for attempting to murder her... among other things.

Xundel stood in-front of a differing Xundel, one who had not yet returned to the galaxy, had not yet been called from the depths by what he would think was Mortis, but was in-fact a lesser Tho Yor - the Bogan Monolith.

Nomi simply sat and watched.

TAG: @darthbernael, @Adalia-Durron (singles with self and self, or combos if you require the GM to play your 'other' you
---
The Village in general

The family generally sought its way and a place in this strange world.

There was an aura to it, a sense of balance in the aftermath of the Corporate Sector having abandoned the system. Even ordinary folk could sense it, those without the Force. it was very calming, Luminara had decided.

What was not calming was haggling with the dock hands.



By the gods, they were annoying.

Luminara saw that her mother had finished her discussion with the... Jedi? And the 'Yoda', for lack of a better description of his species.

Zara had been watching that, not listening, but reading her wife's body language and frustration.

Luminara's husband, corralling the children, looked up from his comlink. "There's no HoloNet here, either. First Nadiem, and then here?"

It was fairly concerning, the sensation of being out of touch. Even on Nadiem, they had at least felt connected to the galactic community, even if it very rarely visited them.

TAG: @CosmoHender

TAG: @TheSilentInfluence at the Battle of Garqi (combo to continue)
---
IC: Prefect Da'Gara
Battle of Mandalore, climax

These Yuuzhan Vong fought tooth and nail.

Wrecker vanished beneath a tangle of warriors; Hunter took a razor bug across the throat but it didn’t open an unending would; Ordo had a foot pinned by hardening jelly and barely managed to stab a Yuuzhan Vong to death.

Da’Gara, of course, was dead. Hunter and Ordo made their way to her, even as Venku reported they’d cracked one of the worldships open and the last was accelerating into the teeth of their planetary weapons. Hunter spoke up. “I really did not enjoy that.”

“But we’re winning, so who cares.”

The other Mandalorians aboard confirmed that matters were growing quieter, and indeed the way to the heart of the worldship was entirely open. In the stillness the bodies parted and Wrecker sat up. “That was fun!”

Hunter shook his head; Ordo had actually jumped. “Can you stop doing that?”

“What?”

“Nearly dying?”

“Nah,” the heavy set clone said, standing up. “It’s my style.”

With a wistful shake of his head, Ordo opened his comlink. “Tech, what can we expect at this ships center?”

“The gravity and plasma weapons seem to me mobile so I doubt they are set deep within the hull. So in lieu of a reactor, a brain?” Tech said, sounding intrigued. “You’ll have to get me a sample.”

“I hate it when you say things like that,” Wrecker grimaced, his helmet off and expression exaggerated by his Clone Wars wounds. “We are blowing this thing up, aren’t we?”

“One step at a time,” Hunter said. “Whatever Ka’rta wants, she gets.”

“Oh, I’m sure,” Tech said over the line. “You may want to let Mand’alor know that the New Republic just sent three fleets to Garqi and the Vong hit back with ten. They’re taking a terrific beating. I doubt they’ll last half an hour.”

Hunter looked over at Ka’rta; the comm was at an volume to enough to echo in the cavern, and Tech was fairly loud as it was.

TAG: @galactic-vagabond422
—-
IC: Ship
Invasion Corridor

There was something to be said for a ship controlled by the power of a Force user. Abeloth had first commandeered Ship from the depths of Ziost, and then her spawn, the Orphan, had done so.

Now, however, it was under the dominion of a great and tremendous darkness, one which had seized the Sith meditation sphere from Qwi and Beaumont, transforming their vessel into their prison. With coma gas to hand, Ship could keep them down as much as he needed, not that the trip from Hapes to the newly conquered territory of the Yuuzhan Vong was all that long.

They appeared above Ord Janon, not all that far from Bonadan or Sernpidal. In orbit was a worldship of unique design; completely spheroid, it had wings, but remained larger than any capital ship outside of the Grand Crusier. Indeed, it was much akin to the Sith Meditation Sphere in that respect, demonstrating the inherent connection between the ancient Yuuzhan Vong and the modern Sith. The winged flagship was escorted by eight Yuuzhan Vong frigate analogs and dozens of pickets and corvettes, as well as another ovoid ten kilometre worldship - the Domain Karsh.

A decent deployment, but not insurmountable; if the New Republic had known where it was, and wasn’t focused on Garqi. Yuuzhan Vong salients were snaking up the Hydian Way, taking advantage of the sweet spot between the New Republic and Mandalorian worlds. There was literally zero focus this far north by the allies.

They were actually conscious as they arrived, and Ship had instructions to allow them to stay awake.

And then the sheer power of the man they were being drawn towards hit into them.

It was a Darkness unlike any other they had sensed on Kesh. It was a True Sith - a Dark Lord, an Emperor - it was Palpatine himself who had called them.

TAG: @Jerjerrod-Lennox (for your return)


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GM UPDATE TWO OF FIVE

OUTER RIM

WEST

IC: General Astarta
Nadiem, Song of War, bridge

The two Hapan Battle Dragons and three Nova battle cruisers of the Princes personal retinue appeared above Nadiem. General Astarta had been his bodyguard for many years, and his most trusted confidant before he had met Feyna. It could be said that she loved Isolder, but it was the affection of service, of loyalty to a good man.

The other Dragon, the Brilliant Gem, was commanded by Colonel Teems, a man, in a rare instant, but more important to Astarta was that he was not nobility. Many of the Hapan houses held personal task forces, but none as powerful as the Hapan Home Fleet, nor the Royal Navy itself - even if most of that was serving the New Republic at present. But trust a noble with a Sith blockade? No way.

The five warships decanted above Nadiem and the Dragons launcher gravity mines and the cruisers fighter patrols. In short order, Nadiem was locked down, and Astarta turned to comms. “Signal the Queen Mother that we have secured Nadiem.”

The officer looked confused. “I can’t find an active HoloNet relay in the sector - nor in the surrounding sectors.” The comms on warships such as this was state of the art - not the short ranged affair that smaller ships had, or even the aged transmitter often on-world in the distant Outer Rim.

“Well keep searching, we cannot be out of contact,” Astarta said. After some minutes, it became obvious the comms problem was not unique to them; none of the other Hapan ships could put together a long range channel. “Alright,” she decided after a while. “Send the Racer back towards the Perlemian; I want it to take up a position at the nearest HoloNet relay and send a shuttle with any updates.”

As it turned out, the nearest functioning node was at the edge of the eastern quadrant - near Kashyyyk. Astarta hadn’t strayed into Confederate space but assumed it was some kind of effort by them to blind the New Republic in the east. Save for the Wookiee Home Fleet, there were no New Republic assets or bases this far rimward now, not off the Perlemian anyway.

While the comms were made, she focused upon the surface. Several cities were aflame, but she could find no evidence of a ship having departed - there wasn’t any of the telltale leftover Cronau radiation of a jump save for the single one leading to the Core.

For now, it seemed as if the Sith were secure.

TAG: @no-one

 

GM UPDATE THREE OF FIVE

Inner Systems

IC: Isolder
Hapes, departing by Palace (in style)

The Star Home was en route to New Nubia, and the Prince tried to check in with Astarta but they didn’t have an update immediately. He wasn’t worried, not yet. She was his closest advisor and most competent commander.

The data package had gone over to Winter, who had actually been on-world as New Alderaan had a colony inside the Hapes Cluster. She’d apparently made it aboard the Star Home before they jumped.

Her nose was deep in the Ship records, walking through the ship heading towards her oldest friends part of the mobile palace. A variety of aides had briefly required Feyna’s attention, and so Isolder had slipped off to check on the kids. By the time Winter reached Feyna’s chambers, the woman was frowning and the aides had departed.

She held out the datapad to Feyna. “Isn’t that the other Emperor, the Anzati one?” It wasn’t incredibly clear how Aryan and Bernael related to each other, but after fifteen years they had a fair idea that he was important. Ship had footage of the Anzati, fighting with a creature of some kind, wielding a fleshy appendage.

“The creature took command of the ship that Qwi and Beaumont after the fight at Yavin 4 fifteen years ago, after Renn and Vhardia and Leia took down Ood Bnar’s killer - that Abeloth woman.” She frowned a little. “But yeah, the ship recorded a fight between the creature and Bernael - and it was in the middle of some kind of dark side assassin academy on Anzat…” Winter looked up. “Inside New Republic space?”

She couldn’t believe it. “We need to get in touch with Madelyn. Now.”

TAG: @JediMasterAnne (combo)
—-
IC: Del Deidder
New Nubia, home

It was, for the moment, quiet.

The Senate Guard was making plans to move the Senators from Hosnian Prime, with Rogue Wing as an escort, commanded by General Celchu. He now commanded seventy-two starfighters, all elite pilots in X, A, B and E wings. Rogue, Dancer and Talon Squadrons in X-wings, Scimitar Squadrons in A-wings, Blade Squadron in B-wings, and Blackmoon in E-wings. Del made plans for hotels to be commandeered, and an arena adapted, so the Senate would have something to settle into.

But with Sith and Yuuzhan Vong and Confederation’s afoot, it was a lot of stress. He wanted to make things as simple as possible for Nola, but he also knew that this was the calm before the storm. The Senate would be here within the day, and then they would have to face Chancellor Beruss. On New Nubia, it was nearly midnight, while it had been midday on Hapes and morning on Hosnian Prime, for example.

As was their ritual, they inevitably ended up keeping an eye on the HoloNews as they wound down for the day. There was no news from the eastern quadrant since Nal Hutta and Bothawui had abandoned the Eternal Empire for the Confederation, and general news of the Yuuzhan Vong advance throughout the north. Dozens of systems had fallen today, but the news from Garqi and other systems was minimal. The HoloNews was attempting to chart the invasion by the systems they lost touch with, but there were larger and large patches forming in the network.

But what there was plenty of news on the so-called Second Battle of Nubia. Two thousand Eternal Fleet battlecruisers were facing down some ten thousand Confederate ships, but the battle seemed evenly matched, maddeningly.

The droid ships were superior to the Tapani frigates and Corellian corvettes, but not so the Bothan Assault Cruisers and Commenori ISDs. But there were less major Confederate capital ships than Eternal ones, and it was rapidly becoming a brawl.

With the rest of the Confederate fleet redeployed to their homeworlds and Gyndine, the new faction was becoming entrenched. But their focus seemed to be on the Eternal Empire, not the New Republic…

“Do we have any idea what’s happening to Corellia? Any more lectures from Sal-Solo?” Del said as he stepped out of the shower. There had been none, just endless speculation on whether Sal-Solo or Saxan would win the war for Corellia’s soul - the people were going to polls even now.

It was the system election, but as Corellia was capital of the sector, it always made a big difference.

Del focused on Nola. “And obligatory question - are you alright?”

TAG: @JediMasterAnne (single
—-
IC: Wynssa Starflare
Corellia, ducking

“I’d love to throw you a bone but I thought you would have enough, you do remember who you work for, right? How he practically begs for surveillance?” Wyn was somewhat amused. “Grand Admiral? You must know who Thrawn is, right?”

The woman dismissed Praxon’s concerns. “It’s not my fault the Yuuzhan Vong invaded a day early. I would have had a nice extraction planned for you, so now we have to improvise.” There was a hammer of boots and she shrugged. “You can try your chances with Sal-Solo’s goons.”

She got down to her hands and legs and lead Praxon through the tunnel. There was a fork, but Wyn did not even discuss it. She took the left one, and it lead her onwards and up. “I did some scouting earlier. I do like to have back-up plans.”

It spat them out in a small hangar at the edge of the studio. There was single shuttle there, and Wyn produced a slicer. “Cover the door,” she waved at the double entrance. In short order she had the device working the ship, and it clicked open in time with the hangar doors sounding -

Alarmed, Wyn grabbed Praxon and yanked him up the open ramp. “We don’t have time to power up. Find us somewhere to hide, now.”

The shuttle was nondescript, but to had a great deal of missing cargo space for heavy duty power generators. It would boost its shields and weapons and engines, but cut at hiding holes unless one wanted to find a nook or cranny. “We’re in the Corellian system - surely we have snuggling compartments?”

There was a noise - a voice.

Sal-Solo’s voice.

Wyn was trying to stowaway aboard his ship!

TAG: @HanSolo29

TAG: @Mitth_Fisto (prior TAG)

TAG: @Narancia (combo continues)

 

GM UDPDATE FOUR OF FIVE

OUTER RIM

SOUTH

IC: Boba Fett
Skirmish at Bakura, former Royal Palace

Of course Bernael acted explosively and knocked the Palace flat. It caused a mass of rubble and destruction, and took down Tobias on the upper level and sent both Din and Jalynn tumbling to the ground at the edge of the former entrance to the palace - giving the latter a chance to worm out of her metal binding.

But Din was up even as Arek heard from his father and the young man charged out of the palace, having instinctively cushioned himself with his own borrowed powers. Din reactivated the electrical current before Jalynn was entirely free, and Arek arrived and thrust out his hands, pushing Din up and into the air with a strong push that dented his chestplate - even though it was beskar. Din activated his jetpack to nudge himself to the left and away from the attack, his whip-chord completely detached and Jalynn was able to disentangle. Din dove, releasing a gout of flame that Arek shielded his face to instinctively stop, even as Din activated his whistling birds -

A stream of piercing darts arced out, forcing the two of them to the ground, crying out as they tried to shield themselves -

That was how Snerfu would find them, as the rubble pile saw him and the now-headless Aurra Sing tumble to the ground. Din shifted his flamethrower -

Tobias would come to in a cluster of rubble and be looking up at what was left of the Throne Room. The chairs themselves had been shredded with rapid fire, and indeed Arb stood there in his Black-Coat, twin bespoke blasters out, grinning. “What do ya know? The big Anzati does good.”

A moment later the Knights dropped to the floor, and where Arb had been targeting was obvious. Gaeriel was there, hands clawed into claws, conscious that these rogues had attacked her children; her control of the Force was instinctive, not trained, and she could not understand why she couldn’t just smother the Black-Coat garbed assassins. Arb shrugged. “Move the line along, come on,” he pointed at Bernael. “We have places to be.”

The Force uttered a warning but not before electricity ensnared the droid Skytroopers, a heavy ion blaster held in Dengar’s hands. “Well what do you know. No need to blow the generators if the palace was gonna be blown.”

A doubled ended blade appeared in the hands of the bounty hunter Kenix Kil as he too rushed up, twirling it in a traditional Echani approach. He was focused on Bernael himself, but a handful of footsteps from Tobias’s pile of debris. Across the comms of the team though, Fennec reported that she was on the move - that a kid and a woman were after her and the warehouse and Slave I were gone; Bernael’s son and lover doing their bit.

Ike, the intriguing blonde man, tugged at Jori, who was seemingly allowing him to escort her out. He too had a Black-Coat, but his tone was less serious, as he had not seen Jori get the dagger in the confusion. “Time to get out of the way, missy. The Emperor sent us to get you out before your Grandma got angry that you were caught up in all this, y’know.”

The Black-Coat’s were designed to protect the wearer from the dark side, in-fact, and often those who took the coat used the darker parts of the Force on the basis they were immune to many of its negative side effects - and the Will of the Dark too, such as it was. So Arb and Ike had some resistance to the powers of the Eternal Family.

For his part, Boba shook his head beneath the rubble, ignored the words of the Anzati that seemed to be for everyone and no-one. A wannabe omniscient type. There were still parts of the palace crumbling noisily, including the archway that remained half-standing above Ike and Jori. He tugged Tor to move stealthily through the wreckage.

They would not miss their chance.

The two of them reached Sistros as the tableau played out behind them. The landing platform had collapsed, spilling itself down two ways - one towards the former entrance - where Aurra and Snerfu had fallen - and another down, behind the former throne room.

That was where Aden Kya had tumbled. He was pained, on the edge of death, unconscious, when the Emperor began to use the Scepter of Ragnos on the man. Healing would require much of his concentration, and the danger in the Force was all over, and with the slippery nature of the Taozin nodules, Boba and Tor would be almost impossible to detect -

The shield that he had erected fell as his control over it vanished -

It was terribly timed, perhaps even purposely -

Boba lifted his arm and shot the Scepter out of Aryan’s hand, sending it chattering to the floor -

He ignited his jetpack, relying upon the debris piles between them and the rest of the palace to mask themselves as he lunged -

“Now, Tor!”

—-
In orbit

Of course, Tor would have someone else also in mind - Leia had just arrived in-system, with Almira in tow. There was a web of Eternal Fleet cruisers in orbit, and an intensity to the Force - pending a great threat. Their ship didn’t have a hundred stealth measures like the bounty hunters had -

But all of a sudden, Leia could see the paths and ways through the freighter traffic and patrols. Paths through the sensor shadows and gaps in the security net. It was something she hadn’t been able to do before now. Almira actually swore when they arrived; she’d never so many ships.

It was a technique known as flow-walking, and it had been transmitted and engrained in her by the Holocron of Darth Ramage -

Of course, Leia also had a beacon - Tor, who, no matter the slippery presence in the Force, was always going to be family.

She could find her sister in arms.

—-
Jakku

And on the edge of the Inner Rim, Renn would feel his counterpart draw deep upon the Force, and he would know that Bernael was in battle.

That they had a window while he was, perhaps, distracted. Should he and Vhardia tarry on Jakku, which had its own, curious presence in the Force, or…

TAG: @darthbernael and @Shadowsun (one combo), @HanSolo29 and @galactic-vagabond422 (one combo), @Narancia (one combo), @TheAdmiral (single), @TheSilentInfluence (to add to our combo), mention for @darthhelinith and @darthbernael and minor update for their tagset


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GM UPDATE FIVE OF FIVE

Unknown Regions

West

IC: Grand Admiral Thrawn
Near Mobus, aboard the Chimaera, bridge

The Chiss regarded the map for a long moment. “I concur. If the Eternal Empire is occupied, then the New Republic need not hold back forces to engage them. They can focus solely upon the Yuuzhan Vong, while we hold the Unknown Regions.” Thrawn’s priority was the protection of the Chiss homeworlds, and he was content - for now - to allow the New Republic to handle the brunt of the fighting until he had a clear strategy to defang the invasion.

He remained still, calculating. “Most of your fleet group is at the distant northern Rim. It will take some time to regroup with you. It may be that our window of opportunity will pass us by if so.” He eyed his personal fleet, some five thousand ships, and came to a decision.

“I will personally lead the assault on Bakura, and when your forces are regrouped, will expect you to assist with the siege. If we happen to kill or capture either of the Twin Emperor’s, it will be a tremendous blow to the Eternal Empire - let alone the attack on their capital.” Thrawn was taking a calculated risk here, and it was showing. “I agree. With our combined fleets we should be well placed to isolate Bakura, even if only to blockade it.”

The Grand Admiral looked back to Jerod. “Very well. Prepare your fleet, Admiral, and I shall meet you at Bakura.”

TAG: @Jerjerrod-Lennox (for after your return from holiday)

 

OOC: Combo with myself, with just a touch of input from our GM, crossover with Episode X

IC Xundel and Xundel
Mirrors

Two green-grey imps stood, both hunched over canes. Xundel saw himself, standing among a dry, desert landscape, the world somewhat recognizable, although the name of it escaped his grasp at the moment. By his other self’s sides were two creatures that resembled nothing more than a pair of furry air bladders with faces. ”Test of the Mirror is it, hmmm? So you’re me, just not me as I am.” he stated, calmly.

The other Xundel looked at him, a moment of confusion crossing his face before he realized he too was staring at himself. ”So...you’re me and I’m you. Multiverse?” he asked.

Xundel nodded, ”I believe so, yes. I was just on Bonadon, having gone there to meet a former Jedi named Nomi and she said I needed to face a test. Which is when I appeared here and you before me.”

M-Xundel grinned as he stooped over his cane, one arm sweeping out, ”Well then, welcome to the tropical paradise of Ruusan home to my friends here, thousands of spirits, both Sith and Jedi, as well as other natives.” he said with a chuckle.

”Mirror, hmmm. So the question is, what is different between you and me? Are you a Jedi still? I ask because I can sense something deeper, something less Jedi and more something else in you.”

Xundel’s ears twitched as he smiled, ”I can feel you’ve drifted from the path of the Jedi as well. But your path is unfinished.”

”Unfinished?” M-Xundel asked, one eyebrow rising.

A mysterious smile crossed Xundel’s face, ”Yes, you will see. I do not know how different our worlds are but what you are seeking is out there, I promise.”

One of the creatures beside M-Xundel popped around in the sky before dropping close to the sand, writing in it, You? ^

M-Xundel and Xundel both glanced down, almost exactly the same chuckle escaping their lips at the same time. The mirror looked up, then at the Bouncer, ”He is, yes, from...elsewhere.”

The creature bounced around the sky, seeming excited to have received the response.

M-Xundel chuckled, ”They are intelligent but friendly and open little beings. They’re growing on me and have guided me well so far.”

”I’ve not had the opportunity to visit Ruusan, I’ve been...busy.” Xundel admitted.

”How so? I’m sure we weren’t brought together just to chat.”

Xundel sighed, ”I know, knew, so I’m sure you did, that the Ones exist or did. In my timeline there has been much chaos, even though I’ve spent many years avoiding it. However,” he paused for a moment, eyes looking deeply into his mirror self’s eyes, ”I was summoned, about ten years ago, by the Father reborn. I have spent years learning, being guided by him. A confluence of events occurred recently and he released me into the galaxy to be his Emissary, to work behind the scenes to end the Chaos the Force is roiling with.”

M-Xundel’s eyes widened; he sat, crossing his legs, ”I think I should sit for this. So we...you, serve the Father now? And we have to do what, recruit those that could Balance the Force? Or how do you do as he believes you should?”

Xundel sank to a seated position as well, in a nearly identical pose, ”You know...he didn’t say. But I have this feeling that recruiting really isn’t a part of it. If people see what I am doing and decided to join me based upon that then I would not stop them. But, you haven’t been in the galaxy in a while, I would surmise, of course neither have I, but so far encounters with Force users has gone decently once and not so good, at all, the second time.”

M-Xundel snorted, the Bouncers popping around the sky behind him. ”The Jedi still as stagnant and hidebound as they were when I left? And did the Sith ever show themselves?”

Xundel chuckled, ”What are left of the Jedi have grown but there are only a handful, or so I’ve been told. There are Force users that have abandoned Orders and are scattered but, in truth, they hold to the same ideals they had when they were Jedi. The Sith...half the galaxy is under the sway of the Sith, and one that is brilliant and powerful controls the forces of the Unknown Regions. Since I have, we have, been gone from Known Space, they have managed to bring the Force to the tipping point of Chaos.” he admitted.

At that news, M-Xundel rocked back. “I came here because it was the one place I could see, feel, the Balance. Honestly, I just arrived a short time ago. These two were the first to greet me. There was what was supposed to be a Grey One that they needed help to free but the situation is...complicated.”

Xundel stroked his chin with the three fingers of one hand, ”We are not that different, are we? We both desire Balance, desire the Force to be without Chaos. The largest difference, it seems, is that the Father has returned in my timeline, and because of that I was called to assist more directly than you have been.”

M-Xundel nodded, ”It does feel that way, does it not? I can sense that similarity in you. I will continue my chosen path, content that I was and have been correct in trying to encourage others to seek the Balance.”

Xundel smiled, ”I found an interesting phrase that seems apt, from the Guardians of the Whills, The Force is with me and I am one with the Force*. That does seem to define us.”

Before a response could come from his Mirror, the view of this dry, dusty planet began to fade. He wondered whether he’d passed the Test of the Mirror but decided that Nomi would tell him one way or the other when he saw her shortly. He smiled slightly in the last instant that he saw his Mirror self, letting what he’d learned settle into his mind, information that he would ponder about the vagaries of the multiverse, as time allowed, in the future. For now he had to prepare himself for Nomi.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @HanSolo29, @JediMasterAnne, @Jerjerrod-Lennox, @galactic-vagabond422, @TheSilentInfluence, @galactic-vagabond422, @darthhelinith, @CosmoHender, @Shadowsun, @Adalia-Durron, @Narancia, @Mitth_Fisto, @Kato Sai, @TheAdmiral

*Chirrut Îmwe Rogue One