HP: Dance of the Veela

Kashyyyk, Wookiee Space…Three Weeks Later…

Haron stood on the command deck of the Orar which had become his temporary flagship as it along with a powerful Mandalorian Fleet and the Wookiee Defence Force stood ready to engage the large Imperial Fleet that had appeared above it.

Neither side had begun firing yet as a tense standoff occurred, none of them sure exactly what the other side intended since neither had pressed the attack.

Haron was calm as he waited for someone to break, he was ready for a fight if it came but he could tell that it was not going to happen, something proven moments later when a hologram of the other fleet commander appeared before him.

"Greetings Haron Ordo, I must admit I did not think we would actually meet anywhere but on the field of battle." Thrawn said as he stood before him, the tension thick in the air.

"Neither did I, but here we are…Mitth'raw'nuruodo." Haron said, having learnt his real name from their spies in the Empire. Thrawn seemed surprised by that and had to admit that was rare.

"You honour me with the use of my real name." Thrawn said while Haron nodded.

"It is curtesy, something that is rare in our line of work. Also, it is rare that I find an opponent that truly challenges me." Haron admitted to the man who returned the compliment.

"Indeed, most of those I face are easy to predict and anticipate but you have proven a most challenging adversary." Thrawn said with truthfulness.

"I can honestly say that the feeling is mutual. It is a shame we are not allies but enemies but this is the way it must be." Haron told him, the two men even if they were on opposite sides of the war could not help but respect each other for their skill as a commander.

Thrawn nodded, the silence holding for a moment before he told Haron.

"Then it is I that will disengage, we shall fight another day." The hologram then swiftly disappeared and to their great surprise the Imperial Fleet turned and left. The Mandalorians and the Wookiees while some were disappointed that there had been no battle, others cheered thinking they had scared him off.

Haron however was silent and for good reason, Thrawn even if he did respect him would never allow feelings to get in the way of doing his job. The force here was never meant to fight he thought, hoping that he had judged the Chiss Grand Admiral correctly because it would be a disaster if he hadn't, but Haron trusted his own judgement and was almost certain he was right.

- x -

Namzor, Outer Rim Territories…

And indeed, Haron was correct, the supposed attack on Kashyyyk was merely a diversion…a false flag meant to draw their attention away from the real target of Thrawn's aggression.

Namzor, one of their major sources of fuel.

The planet was heavily fortified with weapon emplacements and satellites but the Imperial Taskforce Thrawn had dispatched was large enough to overwhelm it. They arrived, unopposed by any other ships and heading straight for the planet.

But this was where Haron had taken his gamble, not only that Thrawn would go after one planet while threatening another to draw away potential defenders but also that Haron would never in a million years do what he had done to defend it.

He had been sending transmissions for days near Kalderan Space, making sure that they could decode and understand what he wanted them to know.

That Thrawn was intending to use Namzor as a staging ground for an attack against them.

It was an enormous risk as the Kalderans might ignore the message or attack before or after the Imperial Fleet arrived, it was a huge gamble on Haron's part but one that needed to be made.

Not only to see if he understood Thrawn as well as he thought he did, but also to see if this weakness for the unexpected was correct.

In this…he won both bets.

The Kalderans appeared, ready to attack and with their incredible hatred towards the Empire they focused their attention first on the Imperials rather than Namzor.

Their fighters and ships raced straight in with their weapons blazing, some ships engaging in suicide attacks against their most hated enemy, fighting for almost an hour until there was no one left, the fighters and small craft from Namzor making sure to finish off any survivors.

Haron when he heard of what had happened was relieved deeply and swore to never use such a tactic again, but at the same time he was deeply rewarding that he had finally learned just how to beat Thrawn…but for this to work, he had many pieces to put into place and there was much for him to do so he got to work.

Jedi Sanctuary, Ocean Moon of Delriss, Expansion Region…

The small base on the ocean moon of Delriss was one of the smaller temples set up by Yoda as a hiding place for the Jedi if needed. Aquatic Jedi could live there fairly easily and the likelihood of detection since no one else ever came to the planet was thankfully small.

Kit Fisto was the master in charge, for many years he had studied the force peacefully here with the various aquatic Jedi who had come with him. They had been safe from the Empire and able to simply live in peace. Despite all that had happened Kit was in some ways relieved by this as allowed them to focus solely on the force and finding peace within themselves. He had been able finally have the time he needed to reflect on the Jedi Order, its failings and trauma that he had felt during the war. Sensing others out there were continuing the fight he had decided to keep his small group out of the war so far.

At his side meditating was his second apprentice, something he had never thought to do again he thought as memory of Nahdar came to his mind. Zatt, a Nautolan like himself but being stuck here on this isolated moon had allowed him to supervise Zatt's training from start to finish. He could only hope that Zatt's friends were doing as well…they had all been sent to other temples or had been out in the galaxy at the time so he could only hope they were well. He knew that not knowing their fates hung heavily on Zatt but it was a reality that they would have to accept.

As Kit meditated, he felt someone reaching out to him, a familiar and warm presence in the force that made him widen his smile as he opened his eyes and found himself in star filled vision, before him in a similar meditating position was Master Yoda, looking older but perhaps happier than Kit had seen him in a very long time.

"Greetings Master Fisto. Well, you are I trust." Yoda said with a smile which Kit returned.

"All the better for seeing you Master Yoda. It has been many years." Kit replied and Yoda acknowledged that with a slight nod.

"Too many but a necessary distance this has been. Wished I could that I was merely making contact to speak but in danger your temple is and flee it you must soon." Yoda said becoming serious as he showed Kit a series of images. "Plan to exploit the marine life on this planet a company will. Discover the temple they will and the Empire will come." Yoda told him sadly as images of death and destruction came forward.

Kit frowned as he could feel the approaching threat and asked him.

"Where can we go Master Yoda? The galaxy is an unfriendly place." Kit said as he had not been out in the galaxy for nearly two decades and had only the vaguest idea of just what to do or where to go.

"Handle that I have." Yoda said with a knowing smirk. "A special world has been found for Jedi, there you and others safe they will be. Master Kenobi, there he is already with a growing community. But first you must aid us in another matter." Yoda said carefully.

The idea that a special Jedi Colony had been set up somewhere intrigued Kit but none of them had been on a mission in years, this was dangerous and he would have rejected it but decided to see at least what it was first.

"What is the other matter, Master Yoda?" Kit asked cautiously. Yoda told him quickly.

"Recently uncovered we have that a Jedi Archive was set up on Kamino in Derem City. Flooded the city became and the archive was forgotten but remains there it does. A danger this poses to other enclaves likes yours it does. Take your group there, Kamino now abandoned it is, recover or destroy the Archives and relics there and take them to the planet Koboh where a contact meet you there he will." Yoda explained and Kit nodded, thinking about it and the idea of going on a mission after so many years was a little exciting to him at the same time as it was worrying. Understanding the danger, he nodded and told him.

"It will be done Master Yoda." Kit told him and the vision faded, allowing him to see the rift outside the base through the window again. Getting to his feet he reached for the intercom he called out to all the Jedi within the facility.

"Attention, this is Kit Fisto. I have been contacted by Master Yoda that our sanctuary has been compromised, but that we have a mission on behalf of the Jedi and a new safe haven. We must pack up our belongings and relics and leave at once." He ordered and turned to Zatt who was watching him with curiosity.

"When did Master Yoda contact you master? I heard no comm signal." Zatt said and Kit smiled before telling him.

"There are many ways to communicate other than by standard communications. But that is a lesson for another time. Now my old padawan we must hurry, it is time to leave this place and venture out into the galaxy again." Kit told him and went with his former apprentice to see to the evacuation.

- x -

Kamino, Outer Rim…A Day Later…

The small freighter that the Jedi had used to transport their thirty or so members came out of hyperspace above Kamino. Kit Fisto looked down on the planet and could feel the echo of what had happened here, the Kaminoans were simply gone, wiped out and the few that remained had been those that had been able to flee before their cities had been destroyed or had been off world at the time. It was sad to see an entire species die or nearly but Kit and his ship landed on one of the few landmasses still above the water as they planned their dive.

"The ruins are nearly three kilometres down." Zatt said with worry at the depth which was shared by many of the Jedi present as while they were all water dwelling species it was going to be extremely hard to function at that depth. They could do it but was going to be a struggle especially as they would need to bring things up.

"Then we had best work fast." Kit said as he organised them. "I will lead a small team down to see the state of the ruin and find the archives. Then once we've located the archive, we will work in teams of five each trip to bring things up to the surface. Zatt, I want you to keep an eye out for any Imperial presence or otherwise. If they discover us, we will need to move quickly." Kit ordered and the Jedi around him nodded, accepting his orders.

Stripping off most of his robes as they would only slow him down while keeping his lightsaber and belt obviously, Kit leapt into the water followed by two other Jedi, one Mon Calamari female and the other was a Chagrian male. The three of them and swan down to the required depths, the darkening environment was worrying especially as they didn't know what species lived down here.

After some time, they reached the ruined city, it was a jumble of buildings that had collapsed and it worried Kit as he looked at it, it was hard to recognise any building from another in the dark and they were having to use goggles provided by Zatt so they could see properly. Kit however felt with the force that they were close to their target and swam towards a large structure towards the centre of the ruins. His two fellow Jedi followed him into the ruined building until they found a section that was blocked by debris. Using the force, he moved it aside and went inside, discovering from the aura of light side relics that they had discovered just what they were looking for.

- x -

Hours Later…

Kit Fisto was supervising another group as they removed holocrons, artefacts and water proof holobooks from the archive. It was extensive he thought with amazement that they had held up for so long under water and many he had noticed dated all the way back to before the Great Sith War, having been brought here from Ossus when it had been devastated.

How Master Yoda could have known about this place confused Kit but he didn't question it too much, after all who knows what Master Yoda had been up to all these years? Kit doubted he'd been quiet that was for sure.

A dark shape though distracted him as he looked out into the water and he felt danger, activating his lightsaber, the green blade appearing as a large shark like creature with curved fang like teeth and scales over its body emerged coming straight at him. Kit cut the creature in two as it tried to reach him but he kept himself alert for any more of them.

It took another three hours though to bring all of the remaining relics and the archive up to the surface, they were all exhausted with the effort but as they loaded up the ship and lifted off, Zatt detected something approaching the planet.

"Master, an Imperial Star Destroyer is closing." Zatt said not sure if they had the speed to outrun it but Kit was not going to allow them or the archive to fall into Imperial hands and gunned the engines for all they were worth. Climbing into orbit he could see the approaching Imperial ship and continued pressing the engines forward, the Star Destroyer gaining on them slowly but not fast enough as they reached the right point and the navi-computer got the co-ordinates they needed, the lines of hyperspace a welcome sight as they leapt away.

- x -

Ossus…

Yoda smiled as he saw through the force Master Fisto and his people arrive on Tanalorr, Master Kenobi was there to greet them and it brought great joy to his heart that young Zatt was reunited with Katooni, one of the Jedi who had settled on the planet.

Now they had more teachers there and would in time make a truly great colony Yoda thought, pleased with the results of everything. They would even now have a proper version of the Jedi Archives there, an old one perhaps but a copy all the same.

Still there was more work to be done he returned to his vigil, using the force to seek out danger and those that might need his help.

Imperial Prison, Qyia Harl, Mid Rim…

Boba Fett was the best bounty hunter in the galaxy bar none, he thought with some pride in himself. He wore the armour of his father and had made it something to fear, his father's people had left him alone for the most part. It angered him that some felt they had the right to judge him as he was a clone of Jango Fett…and not his son.

He felt quiet fury as he piloted Slave 1 down towards the prison, this time he was not here on 'official business.' No, this time he was here to find perhaps the only family he had left. Information had reached him that his father's sister, Arla Fett was being held here. Had been for years and for the first time in a long time he had felt motivated to try and do something right for a change. Boba had also heard that she was sick and might not have much time to live, he had the money to get her care but it was the simple matter of getting her out of prison first.

When he landed his ship, he emerged onto the barren environment and scanned the facility, standard Imperial Prison he thought. Guard towers, ray shields, electric fence and heavy lock down doors.

His honed instincts told him that same moment that someone else was here and he wheeled around with his blaster only to see a group of fifty or so Mandalorians around him, all of whom had their weapons drawn. He saw immediately that he was badly outnumbered and was considering his position when the leader of the group appeared.

"Boba Fett. Fancy meeting you here." The leader said and from the mask over his helmet it was pretty clear just who he was.

"Haron Ordo. I'm not here hunting, I am here to rescue someone. Don't get in my way." He said threateningly, the Mandalorians didn't like that he noticed and it was probably better not to push his luck Boba thought.

"So, are we, could it be that we are after the same prey?" Haron asked and Boba gritted his teeth before reluctantly admitting the truth in the hopes they would leave him alone.

"Not unless she happens to be my aunt Arla Fett." Boba said and that confused some of the Mandalorians which Boba took to mean they didn't know about her which was a relief and Haron replied.

"No, we are after someone else but for the purpose of making this mission run smoothly, I suggest a temporary alliance. Until we both have the people we want." Haron offered and Boba knowing it would be far easily to do this if he didn't have to work around them.

"As long as you don't go in all guns blazing then we have a deal." Boba said and while the Mandalorians all were angry at how he was speaking to them, their leader Haron was actually amused by his daring, something he seldom got these days given his position.

"I was thinking of using a controlled drop onto each of the guard towers and then head for the control centre. So, let's go." Haron said becoming serious as he activated his pack and took off followed by his slightly surprised people and an amused Boba Fett.

They flew above the prison and cut their packs for a control fall with last moment bursts to slow their descent and land on the right spot. Taking out the guards with ruthless efficiency before moving along the walls and eliminating the guards silently. Even Boba was impressed as they were all business much like his own father had been, Jango had never really talked about his upbringing so that was one of the reasons Boba wanted to speak to his aunt about it in hopes of getting to know some more about him.

He had been raised in that culture Boba thought, wondering why his father had left and hoped his aunt might provide those answers.

He himself turned on his range finder and began to snipe more Imperials as they pressed into the facility and Haron Ordo drew the Darksaber, igniting the black blade with white light around it and flew straight in cutting down Stormtroopers like wheat in a field. As much as he hated the Jedi, he admired the efficiency Ordo killed with, not to mention since he wasn't a Jedi there was no reason to hate him. He however realised that his kill count was dropping below Ordo's and he couldn't have that Boba thought.

He started dropping all of the Imperials he could see and trying to keep up with him, however it was difficult to maintain his score and soon they had wiped out all of the Imperials in the complex.

Boba was wondering just why his father had not remained as part of his people but the sight of his aging aunt in a medical capsule made his blackened heart beat faster. She was a tired and stressed old woman now, but there was so much she could tell him when she woke up.

"What will you do with her?" Haron Ordo asked as he approached. Boba didn't want to answer but decided to for the sole reason of being allowed to get on his way.

"I have arranged care for her. She can live her final days in comfort, hopefully she can answer a few questions I have." Boba said and Haron nodded, he himself was only here to extract an asset of theirs that had been compromised on another charge before the Imperials could guess what he had really done…tag Krennic's shuttle.

"Then I hope you get the answers you seek Boba Fett, son of Jango Fett." Haron said and Boba was somewhat surprised to be called his son and not his clone.

"That is not something that I expected to be called…from one of your kind." He said and Haron chuckled.

"How we come into this world is not important. What does matter is what we choose to do with the gift of life. Your father as much as I understand it left Mandalorian Space to seek out greater challenges and rewards, he was never satisfied with just being good enough, he wanted to be the best. A trait you share in common with him." Haron said and Boba smirked under his helmet despite himself.

"I think this is getting a little deep, don't moan about what you don't have, make the most of what you do." Boba said and Haron chuckled himself before telling him something that he hadn't known about that phrase which he had learned from Jango.

"That is a Mandalorian saying. Your father from what I know of him knew it well and so do you. So, I will bid you farewell Boba Fett, I expect to hear more on your career soon." Haron told him before walking out.

Boba was confused by that statement but had to admit that having risen to the top of the bounty hunter game, maybe he needed a new challenge. For now, though he would deal with his aunt and concentrate on making some more money…before expanding his horizons.

Jar Xola, Mid Rim…

The small and isolated farming colony of Jar Xola was a location being considered by Phoenix Squadron for a base, it was a backwater world and yet close enough for their fleet to reach many other worlds with ease. Farms in the northern hemisphere were the only settlements and if walking you could go weeks without seeing anything.

But as Kanan and Ezra visited one of the farms they had unfortunately brought unwanted attention. The Fifth Brother and the Seventh Sister had followed them and so yet again they were engaged in a lightsaber duel with them. Unknown to them however another person was watching, while most of the farm hands had scattered at the sight of the Imperials…one had stayed.

Kanan and Ezra struggled, these two Inquisitors made a lethal combination that was in some ways more dangerous than the Grand Inquisitor had been when Kanan had fought and killed him on the Sovereign above Mustafar. The unknown figure watched and then with a sigh walked towards them.

"Stay back!" Ezra called out as he saw a woman in simple farmer garb approach them. But she ignored this and then Kanan saw her, his face almost turning white with shock but the Inquisitors as they turned to face whoever this intruder was found themselves being flung across the yard with a powerful force push.

The mystery woman then let something slip down her long sleeve into her hands, a lightsaber and ignited it revealing a purple blade.

"Master Billaba!" Kanan exclaimed with astonishment, he had never expected to see her again. She was older but not as much as he would have expected but her connection to the force was strong, she looked maybe only a year or so older than when he had last seen her.

"A Jedi Master!" The Fifth Brother said with fear in his voice, he knew of Depa Billaba and her power. He wasn't sure if he and the Seventh Sister could stop her. The Seventh Sister however just sneered and held her blade ready.

"A bigger prize." She said with a sneer while Depa just looked at her with dismay as if she was so out of her depth it was tiresome.

Depa wasted no time in leaping right over Kanan and Ezra who watched in awe as she moved faster than they had ever seen an organic being move, her lightsaber bisecting the Seventh Sister at the waist before she even knew what was happening before turning to the Fifth Brother who looked terrified when faced with her, he lashed out with a few rather clumsy strikes but with ease she batted them aside and severing his arm and followed quickly with his head in a pair of effortless moves.

She sighed, wishing the force had been kinder than to allow these two to fall into the hands of the Empire but what was done was done and there was no changing it now.

Turning around she saw her old padawan, now a grown man and he had she noticed with some relief taken up the Jedi ways again. Even an apprentice of his own she thought regarding him with slight amusement that it had taken him this long.

"Master…I." Kanan said looking very guilty and Depa just smiled at him before putting a hand on his shoulder.

"You do not need to apologize to me." She told him sternly but with a warmth in her eyes. "You did what you needed to at the time, as I did. But it does warm my heart to see you have accepted the force into your life again." She told him, wanting him to understand she was not and had never been angry or sad. Disappointed briefly perhaps but it was his life and he had to make his own decisions as she had.

"Excuse me! But I can I ask just who you are? I mean thanks for saving us but who are you?" Ezra said with impatience and Kanan was about to censure him when Depa smiled and told him, seeing how much 'Kanan' and 'Ezra' were alike deep down.

"In another life I was Depa Billaba, a Jedi and for a time I taught your own master young one." Depa told him and Ezra seemed amazed by the fact he was standing before an actual Jedi Master. Kanan while glad to introduce Ezra to his master knew would need to leave and soon.

"We should get back to the ship, this planet isn't suitable. Master…will you join us?" Kanan asked knowing that the Inquisitors not reporting in was going to bring down a lot of Imperial attention on this planet and then nervously he asked Depa. "Will you come with us Master?"

The question that he wanted to ask hung in the air, clear to Depa who could perceive it in his thoughts easily and smiled before telling him.

"It would not be good to stay and bring trouble down on the locals. I will accompany you and if you are truly ready…then I will continue your training." Depa offered sensing he had neglected it badly and would need some help to catch up. If this had been the old days then he would have been a knight by now Depa thought sadly but that time had passed, in this era that they had found themselves in it was a battle to survive and to find a way thrive.

Kanan smiled while Ezra looked at Kanan strangely, Kanan to his mind already was a master…what more did he have to learn? Ezra asked himself but the idea of actually learning from her intrigued him a bit.

Either way they were stronger with her than without her.

Imperial Detention Centre, Orinackra…

Kyle after a hard fight had managed to force his way into the facility, taking down so many Imperials that he had lost count of them all but he had finally managed to reach the high security wing where Crix Madine was being held. A highly valuable Rebel Operative he had vital information on the new 'Dark Trooper' project and Kyle needed that information greatly.

Using the keycard to open the cell he saw the man they were looking for inside sitting on the bench in handcuffs. He was unruffled so they clearly hadn't interrogated him yet but he recognised Kyle and nodded.

"Thank you Katarn. If you wouldn't mind." He said offering the handcuffs which Kyle opened. Leaving them to fall to the ground with a clang he smiled slightly before telling him. "Now, about the Dark Trooper project. Let's get moving and I will tell you what I know."

Vader's Castle, Vjun…

The acid rain was heavy today, Vader thought as he looked out of the window. In some ways he was desperately wanted to be distracted as if he allowed his rage to explode outwards like normal, then there would be little left of this castle by the time he was done.

The Emperor had no way of knowing that by using that serum he had discovered that it would make Vader into more than a raging monster he thought with disgust towards the man that held his leash. He had made him smarter without even knowing it, so caught up in his own schemes like using the recent attempted coup to disband the Senate and increase his own power. He had no idea that Vader now knew just what he was, where he came from.

He was a clone of Anakin Skywalker.

The idea filled him with such rage and hatred, not just at the Emperor for creating him but just as much as at Anakin Skywalker.

His very existence was an affront, Vader thought knowing that as long as that Jedi scum lived then he was just a disposable weapon for the Emperor. A passing thing that he could just throw at the enemy to destroy them and be replaced if they did manage to kill him or he wore out.

Both the Emperor and Skywalker would pay for this Vader thought as his rage was brewing beneath the surface, everything he was came down to them he thought with the objects in the room trembling and being crushed by the force of his emotions. How he was going to get his revenge he wasn't certain yet but he would need to be much more of a plotter than he was now.

For now, Vader thought with frustration he needed to take another Bacta bath. It helped maintain his body and slowed his body's rotting away if only for a short time. He would need to think quickly to find some appropriate punishment for this he thought as he stripped down and entered the tank, feeling the comforting fluid against his body.

Yes, he thought as he used his mask to breath and fell asleep, tomorrow he would find some way to destroy them both.

Nam Chorios, Outer Rim…

The planet of Nam Chorios was a desolate world but vegetable and life here survived somehow. The planet's isolation had kept it from playing a major part in galactic affairs for some time.

A senator that Bail Organa had been close to had been sent there by Palpatine just before the end of the Clone Wars and he was hoping to recruit him to the alliance. He could not go himself since he was busy keeping Alderaan from suffering too greatly under Imperial Occupation and so he had somewhat reluctantly sent Leia to see what she could find out.

Leia was disturbed the moment she saw the planet and felt it in the force, something was…off about this world. The force felt odd here but not necessarily dark. She frowned as she brought her ship into land and was confused as she detected another ship there, it was a Kom'rk class transport.

As she disembarked her ship, she saw a familiar figure standing there to meet her, or rather felt him as he was dressed head to foot in Mandalorian armour. But his presence in the force was unmistakable, he was the boy that had been with the Mandalore when she had taken her rather ill-advised trip to Manaan years ago. He was older but then again so was she and this was her first solo mission, her own nervousness at being alone for the first time was unsettling but it was made worse by the appearance of someone who had seen that disaster.

"Hello princess." The Mandalorian said and she could almost see the smirk beneath his helmet which only infuriated her.

"I'm not a princess, you on the other hand might be called a prince, doesn't your father rule the Mandalorians?" She snapped back and he just told her with amusement.

"My father might be Mandalore but he is mostly a duke. I will not inherit that title until he dies or decides to abdicate which I hope will not happen for a very long time. My father has been a great leader for our people and he is currently busy trying to keep the Rift Alliance from falling apart. I am not sure I could bare the weight he does." Markus told her with a note of worry for his father and his mother too since they were both still at odds with each other after what had happened with Sabine. He was still furious with his cousin for messing up his parent's marriage and would gladly made his displeasure known to her if she ever decided to actually face them rather than go back to hiding with the Rebels.

Leia meanwhile was troubled at the mention of the Rift Alliance being in trouble, they had heard of the damage being inflicted on them by the Empire and their new Grand Admiral but not that it was getting that bad. If the Rift Alliance collapsed it would be a disaster she thought with worry and make the job of the Rebel Alliance and Liber8 even harder.

"So, what are you doing here?" Leia asked him trying to get back on point and wanted to know just what he was doing here.

"My people learned that there might be Kyber crystals here, I was sent to investigate. Not to mention we have had visions of someone in chains here." Markus told her not really seeing a reason to lie. They had no intention of strip mining the planet like the Empire had done to Ilum but it would help to find another planet with a supply if needed.

Leia wondered if the person in chains that she had seen was Seti Ashgad, the senator she had been sent to look for but didn't know for sure. So, she suggested.

"Maybe we are here for the same reason, a truce until we both discover what it is we are looking for?" Leia suggested and Markus thought about for a moment until finally nodding his head. With that they both walked away from their ships and towards the nearby town.

It was as rustic as you would expect, looking similar to Tatooine or other planets like it in lesser developed places in the galaxy. They made an odd pair, the tall well-armed warrior and her a shorter woman in white versions of the Jedi robes. The locals looked at them with fear as they passed but only moments later rough guards surrounded them. Both had their weapons to hand in an instant, but the guards seemed to fear whoever had sent them more than they did Markus and Leia.

"You will accompany us to face his eminence." The guard said with authority but neither Leia or Markus responded well to that. Markus asked quickly while making sure his lightsaber, blasters and jetpack were ready at a moment's notice.

"And who is that?"

"The one who rules this planet, our great master." The lead guard said and Leia thinking it would be better to avoid a fight told them.

"Very well."

Markus was annoyed at her making decisions for both of them and told her so as they were walked to the rather elaborate building which they guessed belonged to the ruler of this planet.

"Princess, it might not be better to let our enemy trap us. After all we have no idea of what is waiting in there." Markus told her with an annoyed voice which only annoyed Leia in turn.

"I told you, don't call me princess." Leia told him but he just told her with the intention of winding her up more to make light of their situation.

"You love it your highness."

Leia honestly had never met someone that could push her buttons the way that Markus Ordo did and all she wanted to do was smack him in the face. Or kiss him, the thought drifted from nowhere across her mind and she blushed bright red wondering just where that had come from. He was the most annoying, infuriating person she had ever met; she absolutely did not want to kiss him! She told herself firmly while trying to cover her reaction.

It didn't work though; he could tell from sensing her emotions.

Arriving in the 'palace' for lack of another word they were led to a throne room where to their disgust a Hutt sat on a throne of sorts but as they did, they could feel something strange in the force around him. Both shared a look of disbelief as they could feel the force in the Hutt! They had never heard of any Hutt with the ability to use the force!

"A JEDI AND A MANDALORIAN!" The Hutt bellowed out as he saw them. Both Leia and Markus were so caught off guard by this discovery that they didn't react quickly enough to stop the Hutt from slamming his large fist down and a trapdoor opening beneath them.

Leia and Markus slid down the shaft as it went down and down, they presumed into the depth of the castle. They both eventually came out into a dark cell of some kind and dusted themselves off as they tried to look around but in the dark it was hard to see, Markus conjured a ball of light to illuminate the cell which impressed Leia and then they saw the body of a human male wearing robes similar to the last picture that they had of Seti Ashgad. Leia looked at him with dismay as if it was him, then they had arrived too late.

But they were both then distracted by a shuffling to the side of them, looking over they saw a woman who looked in her mid-twenties but she was shaking with fear and confusion. Both approached her and tried to get her attention but she turned away from them.

"Go away!" She said with terror in her voice. "No outsiders to hurt Taselda! No…no…no Jedi coming for Taselda…they never come. Never came looking for Taselda…No never." She said with a feverish ranting, Markus and Leia shared a look as they listened to her and then saw what was clutched in her hand.

It was a lightsaber, old…centuries at least and they could feel the force inside her. Also, in the bugs that crawled across the cell, which she snatched and ate like an animal.

Markus turned to Leia and asked her.

"Are you trained in the mind arts? I am rather remedial in the practice." Markus said and Leia said.

"A little, but we have to get her to calm down first." She told him, Master Kagame having taught her some advanced mind healing techniques and he told her.

"Leave that me. You just do your bit." He told her and then to her astonishment he raised his hand and a bright pinkish light emerged, the woman seemed to relax as she was bathed in it and Leia was amazed before carefully trying to heal the other woman's mind.

Closing her eyes she gently as possible probed in deep while a flurry of images assailed her, letting her know the sad story of Taselda.

"She was a Jedi Knight." Leia told Markus as she carefully put her thoughts back into order. "Taselda, born a Alderaan mother and a Hapan father. She was trained and passed the trials only to be sent on a mission with a senior knight…Beldorion. The Hutt we saw upstairs was a Jedi." She said in disbelief as she picked the name out of Taselda's mind and the mere mention of the Hutt seemed to strike fear into Taselda which made Markus have to push harder with his calming charm to keep her stable until Leia finished her work.

"This planet, back then at least had violent surges in the force that made both of them lose control. While he decided to rule the planet, she was driven into hiding and forced to eat the bugs here on this planet, they have the force in them which kept her young but tormented her with the memories of all the people they have killed over the years. When Seti came here, he tried to recruit…him to serve the Emperor but Beldorion rejected him and locked him up in here and in a fit of paranoid had Taselda locked up in here so she could eventually serve him." Leia said as she put the pieces of Taselda's shattered mind back together.

"How long ago was this?" Markus asked in curiosity, wondering if eating the insects had kept her young at the cost of her sanity just how long she had been like this.

"Judging by what I saw…Four Hundred Years ago." Leia said as she stopped as Taselda was as healed best as she could make her. Four centuries of torment and hiding, no wonder she was mad Leia thought with compassion of the poor woman.

"Why didn't the Jedi come looking for them?" Markus asked with anger, abandoning a comrade like this was just not the way at all he thought with disgust.

"Who knows. Who knows why not but we have got to get out of here." Leia said as she looked around and Markus smiled as he asked.

"The same way we got in. Didn't your father teach you to fly with the force?" He asked her and bit her lip, not wanting to admit that of all the skills she had, to fly with the force wasn't one of them. Both her brothers and her father were naturals and loved it but she had never been able to do it. It had always clawed at her that she just had this block where it was concerned and he seemed to sense her fear so he took off his helmet so they could at least be face to face.

Her breath caught in her throat, he was handsome in that rugged way with curly dark hair and the most beautiful green eyes. She had to stop herself from staring as her heart raced a little before told her.

"I will carry you back up the shaft. Then we appear in the throne room get rid of the slug and his men, we'll help her when we're done. I won't drop you…trust me on that." He said with imploring eyes that seemed to hypnotise her almost but she asked him with some nervousness.

"You promise?" She asked him and he smiled at her which only made her heart skip a couple more beats.

"I swear on my honour as a warrior and as an Ordo. Now…let's do this." He told her and put his helmet back on before gently taking her by the waist and holding her tightly against him which only made her feel more unsettled but somehow, she knew that she could trust him.

Markus with his passenger secure leapt back up the shaft, the force picking him up and thrust him forward, not wanting to try and do this with extra people when his pack had only limited fuel. Leia gripped him tightly and he just held her secure as they flew back up the way that they had come. Markus relied on the force to find his way through the long passage until he saw the trap door approaching. Holding up his free hand he fired a blasting curse at it and blow it clean open, soaring through the hold he had created with Leia in his arms.

The Hutt and his men seemed shocked at the sudden reappearance of the Jedi and the Mandalorian but they had no time to react as Leia let go of Markus and leapt forward with her lightsaber coming to life. The Hutt ignited one of his own, a purple blade appearing and swung at Leia but she was moving much too fast for him, jumped over the blade and then slashing hard at the Hutt's thick neck, cutting it deeply before landing and pivoting to finish the job with effortless grace which amazed Markus who was now himself enamoured with her.

He would however not allow himself to be out done by the princess and ignited his Viridian bladed lightsaber and cut his way mercilessly through the guards while Leia did the same, the two found themselves fighting side by side as they cut through the guards who had no idea just how to deal with them.

Soon they had cleared out the palace and stood among the bodies with slight sweat on their brow and no other sign of any more guards. Markus took his helmet off again and smiled at Leia who smiled back.

Leia leaned forward suddenly and kissed him, a surprise for both of them but soon Markus was kissing her back. They broke apart briefly before he kissed her again only to have to stop when they saw a figure approach them ahead of a party of figures which quickly made them get back into combat mode and there was just enough time for Markus to get his helmet back on before they caught sight of them.

"You killed Beldorion. We thank you." The man in rough grey robes said as he approached them, neither Leia nor Markus being that trusting at the moment held their weapons ready. The man however just raised his hands and told them. "Forgive us, one of our own unique skills in the force is how to listen at extreme range. We are the Theran Listeners and we like you wield the force although we do no fight like yourselves. We have long wished to be free of him but Beldorion was too strong for us. We will care for the Jed in the cell, with time we will get her off of the insects and her mind will fully heal. We swear it." The Theran Listener said with a calm and measured voice.

Leia and Markus were doubtful as if they had not managed in four hundred years to overthrow Beldorion in four centuries while they had done it in less than four minutes. But at the same time their abilities sounded interesting and so Leia with a look to Markus nodded in agreement before she told them.

"Then you have our thanks for caring for her. Our people will be in contact with you soon." Leia told them and they nodded before saying with a smile.

"We shall look forward to it. It would be pleasant to engage in some discussion of learning from each other." The Theran Listener said with actual excitement at the idea of learning some new abilities in the force.

Leia and Markus helped them to retrieve Taselda from the pit and while still nervous the age-old woman smiled at them as they passed and whispered to them. "Thank you."

The Mandalorians and the Rebellion would both want to study this world, there would be much to learn from here and as they walked back to their ships Leia was somewhat reluctant to part from Markus as he was from her. As they reached their ships but before Leia could say something, Markus took her hand and kissed it which brought a blush to her cheeks.

"We will meet again; I will eagerly await it." Markus said with certainty knowing it was not the last time they would see each other. Leia nodded as she could sense the same before kissing him on the cheek as a goodbye or rather until she saw him again. Now it was Markus' turn to blush as she went back to her ship with a spring in her step and quickly left the planet, needing to report to her father and Master Kagame not to mention Bail Organa.

Markus watched her go with a smile, eagerly awaiting when they would next meet.

- x -

Reijar, Ordo System…Same Time…

Ara and Luna were both meditating, dealing with their own particular worries when a vision came to them both, they saw Markus as a grown man with a woman with brown hair in a passionate embrace. Both burning brightly with the force and then children appearing around them, all stronger than their parents as the force shined brightly around them. Then Markus and the young woman appeared at the head of a long table where many Mandalorians sat with them all bowing to the pair.

Both snapped out of it at the same time and both made their observations.

Ara was shocked at the sight of her son married although she knew it would have to happen sooner or later, the young woman was not familiar to her but she couldn't help but think she knew her somehow. But the fact that a powerful dynasty might be formed by their union made her think deeply as who knows what they might achieve.

Luna on the other hand was more impressed at the power of the two, recognising Markus immediately as she had been his teacher but that the young woman who was pretty sure was Anakin Skywalker's daughter was a surprise. But their power together was not just impressive but that of their children which would be even more so. Luna shivered at how strong they had been but knew better than to read too much into it.

It was a possible vision of the future, a powerful one but a vision of a potential future that might or might not come into being. Events were still unfolding and it could go in any number of ways she thought so she would keep watch and see what was happening.

Rebel Command, Yavin 4…

Kagame stood with Anakin on top of the enormous Massassi Temple that the Rebel Alliance had made their home in, Shaak Ti stood with them having been exposed by the Rebels making a base here so it was only logical to join the Alliance rather than continue trying to hide in the jungle.

"It is an impressive view." Kagame said with a contemplative expression.

"The Massassi were impressive builders." Shaak Ti added, having had quite a few years to explore the various temples and other structures, finding several relics thought lost when Ossus had been devastated. She could only guess that Exar Kun must have brought them here when he had finished pilfering the library. Not to mention having to deal with his lingering spirit and helping Master Ikrit free the trapped souls of the Massassi children with the younglings they had brought with them from the temple and exploring the abandoned Jedi settlement here below the surface. Shaak Ti had been kept very busy the last few years and it seemed she was about to become busy again.

"They were an impressive culture, speaking of which I am intrigued at your daughter's discovery. A brand-new force sect that we have never met before, I will enjoy learning to see their different opinions and insights on the force." Kagame said with a smile at Anakin who returned, proud of his daughter and the way she had handled her first even solo mission but there was a point that he did have to bring up.

"Indeed, but today I was hoping you would consider the union." Anakin said as he turned to Kagame who frowned.

"While I agree that we are fighting the same enemy, Liber8 is intent on fighting to make things better for the people. Not for restoring a government that was rotten to the core. Fighting alongside the Alliance would benefit both but is it in the right cause?" Kagame asked him with concern that by tying themselves into the Rebel Alliance it would make them little more than enforcers of a corrupt government.

"The cause of tearing down the Empire is shared by both, more than that as one unit you and others like you can do the utmost to ensure that the new government will be better than the one that came before it. It may become corrupt anyway but it is better to try and prevent it than simply let it happen. We can only really live in the moment, not the future." Anakin told him.

Both Kagame and Shaak Ti were highly impressed at his argument and for Shaak Ti it was an amazing transformation from the brash and unruly young man she had known before. He was much more seasoned and reasoning than he had been during the Clone Wars and both of them nodded in agreement of this new alliance.

- x -

"Then from this day forth, Rebel Alliance and Liber8 will fight as one to not only defeat the Empire but to build a new Republic that will ensure peace and justice across the galaxy." Mon Mothma proclaimed as the Rebel leaders all attended the unification of these to large rebel factions. Together they would be twice as large and with far greater reach, a reassuring thing with their biggest allies the Mon Calamari and the Corellians keeping most of their forces at home due to the threat of Thrawn.

A cheer went up through the room but Kagame frowned, not shaking her hand immediately, only doing it when Anakin gave him a look.

The celebration was soon over though and it was back to business as some of the various factions of the alliance brought forward proposals.

"The Underworld Alliance has made an offer of working jointly with us." Vas Vaspar said as he put forward a possible new alliance for the Rebellion. "They have access to resources we don't have not to mention bases and information networks of their own. It could be of great value to the Alliance."

Mon Mothma however disagreed with his proposal.

"The Alliance cannot be seen to be cavorting with criminals!" She said to him sharply which surprised some people as she was rather a passive leader most of the time and did little during their debates, decisions often relying on votes.

"And what of the Rift Alliance?" Admiral Raddus demanded; he led the small number of Mon Calamari ships that remained in the Alliance Fleet for the moment. "We should aid them in their fight against Thrawn. If they fall it will make things very difficult for the Alliance." He said plainly as the Rebel Alliance was still dependant on members of the Rift Alliance for resources and facilities. But again, Mon rejected the call.

"The Rift Alliance will deal with its own problems while we work to undermine the Empire without devolving into all out warfare." She said her face tense and resolute and the Admiral like Vas both looked annoyed at her rejecting their motions without the other members of the Alliance having their say.

"Then at least try to build better ties with the Mandalorians." King Amand of Molos said, his world having joined the Alliance after he had led a successful uprising against the Empire. "Their facilities have proven vital in improving our ships and their fight against the Empire has brought many of us our freedom."

"They are warriors! Vicious killers and not the ones we want in our government." Mon said firmly before a voice from the back spoke out.

"Mon Mothma, you may lead this alliance but you are not the Emperor. We should discuss these suggestions as a single body. What has happened to you?" Padme said as she walked in, deeply concerned as Mon seemed to be calling for any end to debate and taking decisions away from them. This was the sort of thing that led to the rise of the Empire that they were fighting so hard against. Mon retorted sharply to her interruption with surprising character assassination.

"A surprising statement from the one that put Palpatine in power in the first place. I will not be questioned in the Alliance that I helped build…not by you especially." Mon told her before flouncing out of the room leaving an unsettled crowd behind her.

Some wandered away and Padme was left in shock that her old friend had spoken to her like that and Bail Organa shared a look of concern with her before leaving himself.

However, some people did stay in the room and surrounded Padme, not least her husband but also Kagame, Satele Shan, Raddus and a few others.

"That woman doesn't believe we can win." Satele announced as she looked at Mon Mothma leaving and compared her to some of the other politicians that she had known in her long life. "She won't commit properly so she can always pull out and blame any negatives on renegades."

"She doesn't know how to fight a war, or to lead effectively. The number of times I have stood in this very room and watched the different leaders of the alliance factions argue and yet she says and does nothing to stop it or to focus them." Vas admitted to them.

"Her ideas of a new government would be incredibly problematic, rife with corruption and weak authority. It would only make a resurgent Empire more attractive to some and beg to be exploited by those that would remain loyal to the Empire secretly." Amand said having looked at her ideas for a new central galactic government and not liking them at all.

"The Alliance needs stronger leadership or we won't get far." Raddus said with frustration at Mon's weak style of command, she did not rally or focus members of the rebellion and now she was finally doing so but in the wrong cause. The eyes turned to Padme who knew in her bones that it had been leading up to this. She had really hoped that it would not come to this but in her heart, she knew it would.

"I don't want to betray my friend." Padme said coldly to them all and Kagame spoke this time.

"Is she truly still a friend? You have hardly seen much of each other in years and now the stakes are so much higher. Power can change a person, make them cross lines and make decisions that you could never have thought them capable of before. All for their vision of a better future." Kagame said which outlined his own reservations on working with her.

"Everyone who gains power is afraid to lose it." Anakin said, remembering the words Palpatine had told him years ago and despite knowing now that he had been trying to manipulate him that didn't make those words any less true. "Most once they have power will never give it up…but you did." He reminded her. "You could have used your popularity to become the Queen Eternal on Naboo after the invasion and people would have followed you. But you gave it up and took up a life of service instead as a senator. That shows wisdom and the control needed to wield power without being corrupted by it. You are the right person to lead us Padme." Anakin said with complete certainty in his wife who looked at him with astonishment at his belief in her, loving him all the more in that moment but still the doubt remained.

"If I challenge her leadership of the Alliance…I could split it apart." Padme said her worries lingering as she knew Anakin was right and Mon would not give up her position without a fight. How many of the factions would follow her and how many might follow Mon? Could they end up fighting each other rather than the Empire? She thought with a worrying feeling in her gut.

"Maybe it might, but bear in mind that you can never please everyone." Kagame told her calmly in an attempt to reassure her. "Those that believe in your message will follow you and your message is for a galaxy free of the corruption and oppression of the Republic or the Empire. A government that works for its people and for liberty for all. That is a message and a cause worth fighting for." He told her with sage wisdom.

Padme despite her outside calm was dreading it but she knew he was right; Anakin was right they were all right she thought with agonising realisation. Mon was a bad leader for the alliance, she might have been and still was in some ways still a woman of principles but those principles had become warped over the years and then Padme slowly realised that Mon despite some experiences had none of the practical knowledge that she and Bail had to ground her in reality. Idealism was a great thing but it had to be tempered with realism or it could become dangerous.

Mon had good intentions but wasn't there an old saying about good intentions and leading to bad places, Padme thought to herself with worrying clarity. Mon had a good heart but it was being enveloped by her own ambition and warped ideas for what a strong and liberal government should be.

Ideas that would leave it corrupt, vulnerable and susceptible to outside forces.

Padme didn't know what to think, a part of her felt that she had to do this for the sake of the alliance but another part, the one that valued her friends and their plight and wanted to believe the best in them stopped her.

The two warred inside her and the others left except for Anakin who just took her in his arms, gently holding her and she took strength from him in turn. She was honestly so lost and torn inside; she just didn't know what to do.

Arc Hammer, Imperial Space…

'I must be crazy'.

That thought was going around and around Kyle's head as he battled his way through the vast Imperial ship that while classed as a Star Destroyer was way larger than a normal one and it was more of a massive factory for producing Dark Troopers, legions of them.

After freeing Madine he and Jan had chased the trail to the Cal-Seti docking port and then to a droid factory on Anteevy which they had destroyed in an attempt to end the second stage of Dark Trooper production. They had been captured by Jabba the Hutt and been forced to escape and then dodging Boba Fett they had been forced to dare traveling to Coruscant to discover the location of the fuel route to the Arc Hammer itself.

So disguised as a smuggler Kyle had infiltrated a ship that was enormous, a Super Star Destroyer before finally reaching the Arc Hammer itself.

Fighting his way through the ship now Kyle was face to face with the man behind the Dark Trooper Project, General Rom Mohc who was wearing the third phase Dark Trooper armour and the only model if Kyle had his way, he thought as he dodged yet more of this things ridiculously overblown weaponry and pelted it with beam and mortar fire to hopefully blast away enough of it that he could take Mohc down. Sweating profusely with the effort and reluctantly he conceded having force abilities and a lightsaber would have come in very handy right now.

Finally, though after an effort which honestly Kyle thought had been beyond him, he triumphed. He had forced his way through the armour and blown Mohc to bits.

Rushing to the hanger bay Kyle did not let himself celebrate until he managed to reach a sitting Lamba class shuttle and flew it out of the hanger bay, detonating the charges he had set and smiled in satisfaction as the enormous vessel was destroyed and with it all data on the Dark Trooper Project.

Making sure the beacon was disabled he set course for Yavin 4 where Jan would be waiting for him. Seeing her face would be a welcome relief from the last few days Kyle thought to himself.

- x -

Rebel Command, Yavin 4…One Day Later…

"Kyle." Jan called out across the hanger as he landed, he rushed over to her and without waiting surprised her by picking her up and kissing her deeply, leaving her stunned for a moment before they reluctantly they parted and Jan told him with a mocking smirk on her face.

"Heard high command is very happy you took out the Dark Troopers, they want to give you a medal." Jan told him and despite having stopped kissing Kyle was still holding her around the waist and Kyle smiled back at her warmly. Never having said the words but loving her deeply.

"Maybe but that will have to wait…its time I took your advice." Kyle said with some reluctance.

"About? I mean I give you so much great advice…" Jan started to say, teasing him but he took it with good humour before saying.

"I will ask Satele if that offer is still open. Give me a few new tricks up my sleeve." Kyle said deciding it was time to learn about his force and just what he could do with it.

Jan was surprised having never expected to hear that he would consider getting some Jedi training but glad for him too. He was a special guy she thought with a genuine appreciation for him even if she never said it to his face. She wouldn't want his ego to get too engorged she thought with amusement, dread the thought.

Orar, Mandalorian Flagship…Deep Space…

Haron had called together all the Rift Alliance members that were still talking and told them what he now knew about Thrawn and his plan.

"By dividing us he seeks to prevent us from doing the one thing that would stop him and the Empire, joining together and fighting back. He has learned to study the culture and psychology of the commanders that face him across the field so rotating them at random would be the best option if you have to face him. But to stop him, we need to let him think he has succeeded and that we will not aid each other anymore. Then he will come for me and my people which is exactly what I want him to do. The only way to beat Thrawn is to take the rulebook we have been writing since the start of this war and throw it away. Be ready…this campaign of his will soon be coming to an end." He warned them and they all nodded in acceptance, Haron turned to Alia Atreides and told her.

"I will need your peoples help most of all in the battle to come. I hope you are willing to aid me in this fight?" He asked and she nodded quickly.

"Given all you have done for us of course, besides I can sense the danger Thrawn represents and the need for him to be stopped. Leave it with me, we'll be ready when you need us." Alia reassured him.

Giving her a grateful nod Haron then turned to his secret weapon, the one that would allow him to destroy Thrawn.

"You now understand why it is you that I need to stop him. He is ordered and meticulous who follows the culture of our people to predict our actions. To stop him…I need chaos." Haron said with some great misgivings but knew it was the only way to defeat Thrawn.

From her seat Eliza Kane smirked as her high and mighty brother-in-law needed her to save him and she leaned forward like she was going to whisper something to him before saying.

"I'll see what I can do."

Haron was worried about giving her this much power but then again, he thought with wariness, how else was he going to defeat Thrawn without taking some risks…he just hoped they were the right ones for all their sakes.