Star Wars: The Sith Resurrection Part IV: Alliances Divided

[JediMaster12]

"Your aunt well, it's a complicated matter," Reyvan began, "The first person she loved killed himself when your parents first met. She exiled herself and was tricked by Tyrannus into thinking that he was a friendly." It was complicated. He knew she cared for her old master but she sought solace in a withdrawal from emotion.

 

"Perhaps it would be best if we brought the fight to them," Andros suggested. "Amshrey is home to a unique race of our people and the natives were quite helpful in the time of Revan so I have heard. We mobilize but let them come to us. Tyrannus could never resist a challenge."

[Alkonium]

At the mention of Amshrey, images flashed in Komad's mind of his torture at the hands of Darth Mortis. Out of all of the girlfriends and boyfriends he had before meeting Greea, none had bore more ill will towards him than she did. "I trust you know that if you are planning a trap at Amshrey, I cannot join you. That is where Mortis rebuilt the Death Star, and it holds too many painful memories for me." He told Andros.

"You seem unusually quiet, what is your opinion on this, Master Bodonawieedo Kaltas?" Chief of State Hame then asked Greea.

[JediMaster12]

Greea had been listening to the conversation in silence. Andros had a point and usually did. She could also understand her husband's fear of Amshrey though it was by no fault of the natives there. By her reckoning, the Shreyites and the people put up a hell of a fight.

Andros asked in a nonaccusatory tone, "What are you afraid of?"

Greea added quietly, "We should mobilize. It is wrong to forsake an ally because of one instance."

[Alkonium]

"I hold no objection to what you are planning, I simply do not wish to return to the Amshrey system myself. I agree that the Shreyites could be powerful allies against the Rashikians." Komad retorted.

"The first person she loved? That's who my cousin is named after, right?" Kalla asked, attempting to change the subject slightly. Her aunt's three-year exile was not something openly discussed, much like her father's time held in captivity by the Sith.

[JediMaster12]

((Cousin?))

 

"The wish not to return is equatable with fear," Greea replied. It was going to agitate Komad but the sooner he faced the past, the sooner the shadow passes over.

Andros saw that things could get out of hand. He interjected, "Our people on Amshrey are powerful. Their blood holds the blood of a race thought long gone. The Shreyites know the forests like they do the cries of their young. Both are a great help."

[Alkonium]

Trying to change the subject from the current crisis, Komad decided to ask about his nephew Scooter. "So, how's your son doing? I haven't seen him in a while." He asked his sister.

(That's who I was referring to.

PS: Since I stated a few posts back that Komad is bisexual, I should let you know that it's been common knowledge since before the events of the first RP, but as such, isn't really important)

"You're right, but I believe it would be best to wait until after we speak to the Senate before any further action is taken." Komad replied. "After that is taken care of, I will go with you to Amshrey."

[JediMaster12]

((thanks for the heads up))

 

"Yes your cousin was named for her first love. He killed himself after being possess. It was the beginning of the deception," Reyvan replied. "You did ask the question young Padawan."

 

Jun-la was approached by Alkéa. She looked at Alkéa with a look of sympathsizing sadness. She was sad herself but Hethra was Alkéa's master. Such a bond should be respected. She listened as Alkéa explained about Hethra and the ritual. She replied gently, "The bond between master and apprentice is sacred on our world. We give it respect. I will be there as you wish but you must do it yourself."

Alkéa looked at Jun-la. She was at a strange kind of peace but she could not sense the Force flowing from her at all. She had only heard of stories of long ago where one cut themselves off. This was unheard of. Maybe when they were finished with putting Master Hethra to rest would she get to the bottom of the matter. She sought Master Skywalker out and said, "We are ready."

 

Andros replied, "Agreed." He then stopped. He sensed something far beyond his reach physically but it was there nevertheless. He knew what it was and he was loathe to acknowledge it.

 

Tyrannus opened his eyes with a grin. He had touched Starlighter's mind with great effort. He wanted him to know that he was still around. He will have his vengeance for his family. Starlighter's mother may have thwarted them the longest but he will have the blood repaid as was sworn in the days of Kirabaros.

[Alkonium]

(Picture this scene set to the music played during Qui-Gon's funeral in Episode I)

"This way, then." Kol replied, leading her into the Great Hall.

Attending the funeral were several Senators, Jedi, and former soldiers all united in their grief for such a great man. Among them was the former Chief of State Kaité Naberrie Enu, the elderly Ben Skywalker, Alkéa's father Alkonium Kaltas, as well as Komad and his family, her husband Reyvan and her son Scooter, and Almalexia and Hethra's two sons. Komad listened attentively for his sister to give her eulogy before setting Hethra's robes aflame.

[JediMaster12]

Alkéa looked at Jun-la one last time to see if she would like to say something but Jun-la held a glint in her eye that clearly said she would not trespass. She did agree to stand by Alkéa and did so.

Alkéa looked at the people in attendance and noted Andros hiding in the background and checked a sigh that threatened to form. Why he had to hide was something she would never understand but perhaps one day he might explain. Keeping her eyes fixed on Almalexia and her sons, she said, "The Force surrounds us, penetrates us and binds the galaxy together. Master Hethra understood that connection as he made connections with family, friends, and pupils.

"Master Hethra was not only a master to me but a loved one and such a bond is what he created in all our hearts. He was a father, a friend, a master but more importantly a guardian of peace and justice. A Jedi."

Jun-la listened to every word. It was true that Hethra did what he wanted and he would have said that it was the will of the Force. She knew she had no reason to blame herself for his death. As Alkéa set his robes on fire, the pain gradually melted away. She watched the flames consume the robes and thought she saw her father hiding behind everyone else and remembered back to when Princess Almalexia and Master Hethra met to try to bring her father back to the Republic. Things will be set right.

[Alkonium]

"Rest easy, old friend." Alkonium said, standing over the pyre. Of the three Jedi whose contribution had led to the end of the Great Droid War, he was now the only one still alive. "Your sacrifice will not be in vain." Komad said, looking back at the attack on Tython. He did not want the galaxy to return to war after sixteen years, but if it was inevitable, he would fight to the end.

[JediMaster12]

Andros watched from behind as the flames consumed the robes. He knew that Hethra was at peace and he felt a strange sort of peace coming from his daughter. He looked as saw that she held determination in her eyes. The fire was there but not the Force. Odd, he thought.

 

Jun-la watched as those that knew Hethra gave their respects. She stayed in her spot just watching. She listened to what Komad said and replied, "A war to end wars this is."

[Alkonium]

"I doubt that. As long as people disagree, there will be conflict, and people cannot be made to agree. We can only hope that people choose reason over violence when sorting out their differences." Komad responded. "It's sad how little that seems to happen."

[JediMaster12]

"Conflict yes but full scale war and the Force, this will be so to end it for a time. Then evil must be allowed to resurface. One cannot exist without the other," Jun-la replied. She gave a slight smile as she walked with Komad through the halls.

Greea was with them and asked, "So this is about balance?"

"Blood to be repaid is not a balance but a vendetta but the people that will be affected, are affected will constitute the balance," Jun-la replied.

Greea thought for a moment. It was true that Jun-la had an uncanny sense to visions. She must have seen Hethra's demise and went to stop it but in the end had her heart ripped out. It was puzzling that Jun-la was speaking like the old masters and she was only a Jedi Knight. She then asked, "And what is blood to be repaid?"

"Blood vengeance."

[Alkonium]

"Your father always knew it would come, though I had my doubts until Kalla returned from the Unknown Regions. We may very well have a war on two fronts soon." Komad replied. He then began to worry about how heavily divided the Senate had been lately. "If my address to the Senate goes well, we'll certainly have less to worry about with the Rashikians, though if it doesn't, we may have to worry about a civil war as well." He then added.

[JediMaster12]

"War on two fronts can be fought. To escape blood to be repaid is much more difficult," Jun-la replied, "The Senate will not fight what does not affect them save for those that have felt the effects."

"What do you mean?" Greea asked. She knew that Jun-la had wandered the Outer Rim and beyond in search for the higher mysteries of the Force and was curious about what she had learned.

"What occurred on Tythor was only one. There will be others we have not heard about but will when you address the Senate. Such is the way of the Outcasts and Rashikians." Jun-la focused her eyes on Komad's. There had been rumors of other attacks during her travels but she was not sure if they were accurate. Most of them came from drunks in a cantina. Now was the time of knowing.

[Alkonium]

"I know. Some planets have probably already been taken. I think Tyrannus might be using this to keep your father's mind off him. He'll be on guard, but to the wrong thing, leaving him off guard in the right place." Komad replied. "He will strike when we least expect it."

[JediMaster12]

"No Father's mind is on him," Jun-la insisted, "He knows that this is Tyrannus' doing. It may bear Rashikians and Outcasts but it bears the mark of Tyrannus."

"So he is behind the attack on Tythor?" Greaa asked.

"He told them yes but took no direct responsibility. That is why there was such chaos among them when he killed the general." Jun-la spoke of Hethra in a detached way. It was out of respect that the dead was not mentioned soon after burial so to speak. To speak the name meant that you wished they hadn't died and the soul will be compelled to remain in this world. It was selfish to mention the name.

[Alkonium]

"Even so, I find it odd that we have yet to encounter Tyrannus again despite Kalla meeting him in the Unknown Regions." Komad commented. "If all we are going to do is discuss the problem, it will get us nowhere very quickly. We need to formulate a plan. Even if the Senate votes in favour of an army, raising it will take some time. The fleet was decomissioned sixteen years ago, and whatever weapons and vehicles went into storage have aged beyond use by now."

[JediMaster12]

"Avalon is always ready. Why do you think they came so fast?" Jun-la asked. She was curious as to why he seemed to forget Avalon would give help. "If it be so, I will go to the places I have been and ask for help. My brother can help as well."

[Alkonium]

"I'm aware of Avalon's contribution, but the Republic cannot rely on Avalon alone. I doubt the Rashikians will simply stop if they take Avalon, and if that happens, the Republic must be able to defend itself on its own." Komad replied. "We must prepare ourselves for the possibility that the strength of Avalon might fail."

[JediMaster12]

"It's all they want," Andros added as he stepped up from the shadows. They continued to walk towards the bay to catch a transport ot the Senate. "That has always been the goal of the Rashikians. They are the Outcasts for they desired power and domination over peace. Much like a struggle between the Jedi and Sith."

 

"Still I agree we should inform the Senate of what is happening. That way it will allow us some leverage and even if the army of the Republic is not called into service, there is the possibility that individual systems will act on their own," Greea added.

[Alkonium]

"Does it not occur to you that the Rashikians may have changed since they were exiled? The lust for power only ends in either repentance or death. Some of the planets they've attacked have had no affiliation with Avalon. They're not going to stop with Avalon." Komad replied.

[JediMaster12]

"What greater way to strike at your enemy than at its heart?" Andros replied. "They may want to dominate but how to you seize it? Distraction with other worlds and actions. Plus may also be the fact that the Outer Rim holds a few of the first colonies by our people." Andros shrugged hs shoulders as he led the way to the transport that would take them to the Senate.

 

Jun-La held back and watched as her father left. She would go and find warriors herself. She went in search of her twin and found him in the gardens. He was meditating when she came up beside him. He opened an eye and asked, "Sister, what brings you here?"

"Warriors are needed."

"Avalon will respond. She always does."

"This time we need to find the remnants of the fleet and army. We must muster them while the Senate debates over raising them again." Jun-la looked at her brother wondering why he was acting like a Jedi of old. She didn't realize he was attempting to get her to reveal his plans before going. It never occurred to her that when she explained things, she left key bits out.

"If the Senate raises the army again, it will be new, younger recruits. Why the ones that have fought before?"

"They know what they face. Besides they were the unit that was led Tante Padme and Father. They know what the risks are."

Tulre opened the other eye and looked at his sister. It was not like her to go behind the Senate's back but then again war was upon them again. The time for formalities, while being observed, must not be the backbone. She was right that the new army would consist of younger men and maybe a few old dogs but the individual units of before were scattered and wouldn't take kindly to reassignment. He nodded and replied, "Alright I'll go. Should we take the sister of Komad?"

"No. Her unit was destroyed, leaving only her. She will be reassigned. Oom Philos and Heros will see to it that she has a few of our own pilots."

"Then let's go."

"Not a word to Master Skywalker," Jun-la warned with a finger pointed at her brother.

"Not a word.

[Alkonium]

"Perhaps, but I doubt it is that simple. It rarely is. Why else would they wait until the Senate is so deeply divided, knowing their attacks would only further the divide? If they are as fractious as you claim, perhaps they are simply a pawn for something greater. This might be a much bigger problem than we first thought." Komad stated, stepping into the speeder.

[JediMaster12]

"There is always something bigger at play," Andros replied as he took the pilot's seat out of force of habit, "It is the way of things. All life is connected. What happens to one affects us all whether we know it or not." He then activated the controls and guided the speeder out towards the Senate rotunda.

 

Jun-la and Tulre made their way to the hangar. They waited until their father left before heading to the ship that had once been their grandmother's. On board was R4, the astromech that had seen and heard much since he was built. He beeped a greeting and went about his work at ship maintenance. Jun-la informed him that they would be lifting off soon. Tulre asked, "Where to first?"

"Rakata Prime."

 

Tyrannus loved Coruscant. He loved the fast pace that the petty sentients used to take care of their own troubles. It was teeming full of life. It was easy to hide within such noise within the Force. It was a technique that was rare amongst his people and if he wasn't mistaken, the Light of Courage had it as well so it could be that his adversary was well matched. That didn't matter as he made his way through the halls to an elaborate office. He came to the door and he said, "Senator. You look well."