Star Wars: The Sith Resurrection Part IV: Alliances Divided

[Alkonium]

"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Tyrannus. I called you here to ensure that you're keeping your end of this bargain. I've heard that the planetary militia, aided by Avalonian forces and a few Jedi, were able to hold off the Rashikians. This news is most displeasing, and further failure on your part might make me reconsider our deal." the Senator replied.

[JediMaster12]

"You aren't in a position to reconsider anything Senator," Tyrannus replied, his voice icy polite, "Remember that by allying yourself with me you have pledged something more than your word." Tyrannus narrowed his eyes. These senators thought that they can undo what has been done. They never did and never will understand the ways of his people. Still he had to explain a little and so he did, "Besides Tythor was a means to draw out what had been hiding and destroying. You know as well as I that those that truly matter are the ones who can stand against us. Hethra was one, his bride another, Jedi Alkonium, Jedi Starlighter...all those are a threat if you want your plan to succeed."

[Alkonium]

"Then you will have to eliminate them. My strength is in the political arena, not on the battlefield." The senator replied. "I can, however, help you with Starlighter. He's going to be at the Senate, along with Jedi Master Komad Kaltas and his wife. I have a trained sniper in mind, I've hired him for contracts before, he does his job well. He prefers payment in advance, but given the timing, I think he'd be willing to forgo that formality."

[JediMaster12]

Tyrannus gave a short chuckle mixed in with a snort. "Don't be a fool Senator. A trained sniper against a Jedi with more than thirty years of combat experience? And an Avalonian to boot." He shook his head, "Starlighter will sense him before he could breathe. Precognition, a gift from his mother...and father."

 

Jun-la looked out the view window of the ship at the planet below. Rakata Prime, so full of history and not that far from home if you took the Corridor Lane. Here she knew were soldiers who had fought alongside Master Kaltas, Master Hethra and her father. True they had been disbanded sixteen years ago but they would come out of loyalty to their leaders. She let her brother guide the ship to the sandy beach, the same one that their ancestors had landed on. Once landed she said, "More likely they will be to the south. The Temple Elders are more kind in hospitality."

"Alright sis. R4 watch the ship," Tulre replied, giving the order for the droid to stay with the ship. He followed his sister from the beach towards the ancient stone temple that had stood for centuries. He paused to look at it. He had a knack for seeing memories and he could see them, the shadows. Much had happened. He didn't stop but continued to follow until they made it to the Enclave. "This it?"

"Yes," Jun-la replied. She stepped forward to activate the welcomer.

[Alkonium]

"True, but you can distract him from one assassin with another. Unless you'd rather kill him yourself at the Senate. But you wouldn't throw the entire plan away just to get your precious vengeance. I know all too well how you Force-using types think. Always seeing some bigger picture in everything, and thinking every little thing is the will of the Force." The Senator replied, thinking back to some earlier point in his life.

[JediMaster12]

Tyrannus made a quick move and grabbed the senator by the throat. He applied enough pressure for the senator to feel the strength. He said, "Senator, blood to be repaid isn't something to be taken lightly. Centuries of blood have been spilt and not all of it Avalonian." He then released the senator from his grip and turned to look out the window. He then said, "Besides in the Senate, not the best of ideas. It was tried in a similar situation four millennia ago. Sad to say that didn't go well. Better we isolate them."

 

Jun-la hadn't visited the Elders in months yet they welcomed her warmly. She never got over the fact that they called her the daughter the 'Prodigal Knight,' courtesy of her heritage. They addressed her brother as the 'Son of Guardian.' Still she knew that old habits died hard and she accepted it with the diplomatic air she had acquired when she went to Amshrey. She addressed the Head Elder in their language, "Greetings Elders. We come because a darkness is coming."

 

Andros led the party into the Senate rotunda. They were told that they would be in the guest speaker platform. Hiding a slight impatience for the formalities, Andros led the way. He addressed Komad, "Young Komad, how do you plan to win the Senate over?"

[Alkonium]

"Very well. I will continue with my part of the plan and create doubt in the other Senators' minds." The Senator replied.

"With the truth, speaking not so much as a Jedi Master, but more as a survivor of the attack. That way, the senators will see me as an eyewitness to what the Rashikians can do." Komad replied. "And don't call me young, I'm forty years old."

"Senators, Citizens of the Republic, lend me your ears. I speak to you not as a Master in the Jedi Order, but as a survivor of the attack made on the planet of Tython by the Rashikians. These invaders struck without warning or provocation, and they will not hesitate to do so again. However, we may not be able to stop without a military force of our own when they attack again." Komad said to the Senate, standing at the side of the Chief of State and the Vice Chair. Then, the Senator known as Roan Fel II, representing the planet of Bastion spoke up. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Komad, but why should we listen to you? There is noone else who will verify your claims, and Jedi like you are what keeps the Republic at war." Komad thought about this, but refused to answer. Why would Roan spite him like this after twenty-two years?

[JediMaster12]

"When you live close to over a hundred years old, forty makes you a child," Andros replied.

As he listened to the senators, it became clear that it will be an uphill battle. When the question was asked, he answered, "How can you verify something that has existed for over four thousand years but in different forms? Exar Kun, the Jedi Civil War, the Empire...all have their roots in the same place. You see it but you don't."

[Alkonium]

"Whether there is a connection between these Rashikians, as you call them, and the Sith, has yet to be proven." Roan replied, effectively covering up his own connections. The more he heard, the more Komad wondered why he had ever gotten involved with him.

[JediMaster12]

"It said Avalon is the place where the Force began. My people are explorers. Tythor seemed to be the origin of the Jedi. From the Jedi come the Sith," Andros replied, simplfying it so even a youngling could understand, "Denying existence of a threat merely says that you don't want to see it, even if it is in front of you."

 

"Daughter of the Prodigal Knight, we have sensed an evil that has existed long before now," the Elder replied to Jun-la's staement, "Yet this is a personal threat and an aim to destroy that which is good."

"Yes," Jun-la replied, "Blood to be repaid. It has destroyed many a good family and has nearly destroyed mine at times..."

"We know this young Daughter. Eyes are everywhere to watch over that which is precious."

It occurred to Jun-la that her family had been truly blessed indeed. Most of the stories she had heard about blood to be repaid, whole families were wied out within a few generations. In her family's case, they surpassed that. She nodded acknowledgement and said, "I am not asking you to go to battle but asking for those that served under my father, the son of two Jedi."

[Alkonium]

"Master Kaltas speaks the truth, Senator. As I represent that sector, I am fully aware of what has transpired on Tython, and I agree with the Jedi in that we simply cannot stand idly by while the Rashikians invade Republic space." The Senator from Tython spoke up. "If reasoning with the Rashikians were possible, we would have done so already. However, they attacked planets within the Republic without reason or provocation, and we had to defend ourselves." Komad added.

[JediMaster12]

"Such as is their way. They seek to conquer. Unfortunately it has extended to the Republic in general. Four thousand years of hatred is bound to get out some time," Andros replied. He became aware of a presence that was hiding amongst the senators. He didn't move to alert the sentient but he kept his senses alert.

 

Tyrannus listened to the moving speeches of the bickering senators. The Council of Lords on Avalon were more active than that. Still he thought he would take a peek in at the Jedi. He didn't have see him to know that Starlighter had stiffened the moment he let his presence be known. It was a risk to take with the other Jedi but because the Senate was full, he coud easily drown his feelings in theirs.

[Alkonium]

(PS: Roan Fel II is the Senator Tyrannus was speaking to before.)

"You have to get out, he's here." Komad told Andros, faintly sensing Tyrannus's presence. He then led Andros out of the Senate and let the senators continue with their debating over the issue. Afterwards, he was approached my Roan Fel II. "It's been a long time, Komad." He said to him. "Perhaps not long enough." Komad replied. "What was that you were on about there? You have to get out, he's here?" Roan asked. "Jedi business, nothing you need to worry about." Komad answered. "Jedi business? Wow Komad, you sound just like you did when we were together. Whenever you didn't want to tell me something it was always Jedi business." Roan replied. "We haven't been together for twenty-two years. What do you want now?" Komad asked. "I want to say I'm sorry for what I said in there. It wasn't my idea, and I was coerced into saying it." Roan told him. He then kissed Komad lightly on the lips, much like twenty-two years ago. "I see that hasn't changed much." Komad commented. "As good as ever?" Roan asked. "No other man has ever kissed me as well as you." Komad replied. "It's probably going to stay that way though, you know I'm a married father of two now." "So am I." Roan told him.

[JediMaster12]

((Tyrannus in a way is like Kreia...make you see what he wants you to see))

 

Andros was willing to bet that the presence was Tyrannus. It was confirmed when Komad told him to leave. He did step out but mostly to wait. He understood the relationship between Komad and the senator Roan to a degree. He waited with Greea and said, "Friendships die hard and when they do it is painful."

"Are you suggesting something?" Greea asked.

"Senator Roan," Andros replied.

"What about him?" Greea was confused. She knew about her husband's past relationships and knew from experience that Avalonians had a puzzling way of speaking.

"Strong in the rotunda yet weak in resolve. Secrets." Andros muttered as if he were thinking. In truth, he was reading the emotions. Most Jedi scoffed at the idea that emotions were readable and could visibly manifest themselves in colored auras or in some instances visible memories. It was complicated to explain and even when a master from Avalon explained it was still met with skepticism.

Greea was confused having never heard of this ability. She asked, "Don't all have secrets?"

"In shadow," Andros replied. He then changed and said, "Urgent and impatient."

True to his word, Alkéa came at a fast pace. She brushed right past them looking for her brother. She said, "Brother there is a message for you at the Temple. It is urgent."

[Alkonium]

(Does Andros actually understand that Komad and Roan were more than just friends when they were younger?)

"I'll be right over." Komad replied, leaving to call for an airtaxi. What could this be about? He thought. Roan then walked over to Greea and Andros. "So, you must be Komad's wife. I always knew gender didn't matter to him, so I'm not surprised species doesn't matter to him either. How did he and you meet, anyway?" He said to her.

[JediMaster12]

((Think of it this way: he knows but he is too polite not to make it obvious. He is not dumb but believes in firm privacy What he said was a different way of putting the relationship.))

 

Greea regarded the senator with a look of thoughtfulness that didn't fool Andros. He replied, "I am sure we know well enough that which has been kept private even when opened." It was a mild warning uttered with an impassiveness that was confusing to his listeners.

Greea had no idea what the Avalonian was thinking but she decided to follow his train of words and said, "What is known is known. Nothing more to be said. I respect my husband's wishes."

 

Alkéa held onto her brother's arm to make him stop. She said, "I already have a transport. It is not for your ears alone but for mine, Master Starlighter and father's." Seeing that her brother was eyeing her thoughtfully, she added, "It comes from the Jedi of Avalon."

 

Jun-la had nearly forgotten the simple pleasures of the Elder enclave as she was led to where the man she was looking for was waiting. He had dark brown hair that was rather messy and gave him a scruffy looking appearance. She eyed him warily and asked, "Are you Matton?"

"That's my name."

"You served under Lilah Starligher did you not?"

"What is this the inquisition of the Empire?" He looked at her annoyed at at the questions. "For a Jedi you are terrible at interrogation."

[Alkonium]

"Right. I'll go tell Master Starlighter he's needed as well." Komad replied.

"Alright, I didn't mean to pry. I hope you didn't mind me kissing your husband in front of you like that." Roan told Greea, leaving for his speeder. Komad then returned, slightly relieved there wasn't any awkward confrontation between his wife and his ex-boyfriend. "Apparently the message is also for you." He told Andros. He then realised that those the message was intended for were the ones who raided the Death Star sixteen years earlier, with the exceptions of Hethra and Almalexia, for obvious reasons.

[JediMaster12]

"None at all. As I mentioned before, I am aware of my husband's tendencies," Greea replied. She turned her attention to Komad as he said something to Andros.

Andros listened to the message and replied, "What does the son of my uncle wish now?" He knew that Komad wouldn't understand but he felt the need to say it. He added, "Very well. Let us make our way to the Temple."

Everyone started to leave but he lingered to say something to the senator. He whispered, "You have a dark secret and unless you stand up for yourself it will consume you." He then walked away, catching up with Komad and the others.

 

Jun-la looked at Matton with a raised brow. She had the feeling that he was going to prove tiresome. She replied, "You should know as well as I that the more you know about the person you seek, the more you can anticipate reactions."

"That a fact eh?" Matton replied. "So you want to know about my exploits with your governor and some Jedi who is probably long dead now?"

"The Jedi you refer to is my father and he s very much alive. Call it a stubborn will to live," Jun-la replied with a fire to her voice.

Tulre was trying hard not to laugh at the exchange. His sister was normally a quiet thing and here was this saucy fellow pusing her buttons. She had a temper that would put a thermal detonator to same and he was curious. He listened to the conversation.

[Alkonium]

Roan thought about what Andros said to him, and knew what he had to do. However, he also knew that those he answered to would kill him if they found that he was no longer helping them. Seeing Komad again also made him think. He remember hearing the people he worked for once saying that they intended to "succeed where only Sidious has done so before," but he had no idea who Sidious was, so he gave little thought to it. He now remembered Komad mentioning a Sith Lord by that name, and even though he knew nothing else about this Sidious, he began to doubt that whatever they were planning would be in the best interests of the Republic.

 

"What's this about, anyway." Komad asked, worrying that the Rashikians' next target might be Avalon itself, but he knew that there would be no way for them to regroup within such a narrow timespan. He thought about what Andros had said to Roan about a dark secret and what Roan himself had said about being coerced, and began to wonder Tyrannus had anything to do with it.

[JediMaster12]

"There is no need to worry at the present moment. He will make his choice," Andros whispered to Komad before turning his attention to the holo image of a familiar face. He addressed it, "What news have you for us Janus?"

The holo image looked at its audience and then said, "This is not an alert. No systems have reported an attack. This merely a notice of mobilization of Avalon."

"So I am being called to war by my impetuous little sister?" Andros asked, the humour glistened in his eyes.

Janus nodded as if to stifle a laugh. He replied, "Yes General Starlighter. While the Senate may be deadlocked on mobilization, the governor has come to the conclusion that Avalon should be mobilzed for attack. She feels that while we are part of the Republic, they cannot dictate our sovereignty."

"Sounds familiar," Andros muttered suddenly wishing his daughter was here to elaborate on Avalonian policy.

Alkéa sensed his discomfort and saved him from explanation by asking, "Does this require the attention of the Jedi on Coruscant?"

"Yes. Specifically the ones who understand this enemy which is why you, your brother and his wife have been summoned as well as your father." The holo image of Janus looked silent as he paused to take a breath. "The reason for is this is because you understand to a degree the nature of what we face if not all."

 

Jun-la had enough of this scoundrel and was ready to give a good tongue lashing. She managed to turn the conversation around by saying, "You spoke of service before. Yet your words spoke of loyalty. Where I stand there is none now."

"You question my loyalty to the Republic?" Matton's voice became dangerous.

"That is exactly what I question," Jun-la spat out, "Here I expect someone who would be willing to show the same loyalty as in the past but I see I was wrong. Nothing but a mercenary content to drink and play sabbac to death."

She didn't flinch as Matton threw his drink aside in anger and stood toe to toe with her. She feared not what this man could do to her but what she could do to him. She stared witha hard glint in her eyes. The slight disadvantage was that she inherited the shortness of the women in her family and this ex-soldier towered over her. Aware of that he looked at her and asked, "You question what I have done?"

Slowly Jun-la replied, "I question anyone who is not what is said about them."

The effect was instantaneous and Matton gave a slight chuckle. He said, "You aren't half bad Jedi princess. You don't trust what you hear and that is good. People who do are at a disadvantage."

"I see that is something we can agree on," Jun-la replied unmoved by the change in his demeanor.

"It's a start. Why don't we discuss this fully when your companion stops looking like he sat on a gizka."

[Alkonium]

"Our father was not present in the Attack on Tython, and the only Jedi to encounter a Rashikian at the battle of Rhen Var was my wife." Komad pointed out. "I myself only know of their origins, and fighting them in combat. We were also able to determine that given their target on Tython, and that they would already have considerable knowledge of Avalonian space, they have no intention of stopping their conquest once they have claimed Avalon. I believe it would be best to keep a close eye on the Republic Senate, at least until they have voted on rebuilding the Military."

[JediMaster12]

"You repeat what we have known and fought over for milennia. Why do youthink there have been the waves of light and dark? The Republic and the Empire? Master Starlighter knows this enemy having faced them long ago," Janus replied, "Your father heard whispers of their activities. Your wife has seen them and you have fought them. This is not coincidence at least to Lady Leviah."

They were inturrupted when another transmission came through. THis time it was from Rakata Prime, the border system of Avalon. Andros immediately adjusted the harmonics to allow the signal to come in clear. The image showed a man that was familiar. It stirred a warrior cry in his blood to see him. The figure spoke, "Captain Matton reporting for duty General Starlighter."

[Alkonium]

"You met with Tyrannus again?" A voice came out of the speaker in Roan's speeder. "Yes, he will continue to manipulate the Rashikian forces while I divide the Senate." Roan replied. "Good." The voice responded. "About our agreement, my Lord..." Roan started to say. "Right, I suppose I was offering you quite little. Let me point out another reward for helping us: you get to live." The mysterious voice said to him. "When you put it that way, my Lord, I won't let you down." Roan responded.

 

"Does the Senate know about Avalon's activities on Lehon? You know how strict they are about access to that planet." Komad commented. Since the end of the Jedi Civil War four thousand years ago, every galactic government had acknowledged its significance by declaring it a historical site and heavily restricting access to the entire system. Because of his ancestor Revan's contribution to this, he was very knowledgeable about this time period.

[JediMaster12]

"Let's just say that Avalon has relationships that are thousands of years old and if you know Avalonians, they never forget," Captain Matton replied.

"This is true," Jun-la suddenly appeared beside the captain, "It does not matter with legimate law but by blood law and honor that our friendships are what they are."

Andros nodded in agreement still in shock that his daughter made herself known. He knew she had taken off with her brother but he didn't know that she sought Matton out. He masked his suprise well and said, "Well, I accept your reporting for duty Captain. Do you require anything?"

"No sir just an LZ."

"First mobilization." Andros gave the answer knowing that the others wouldn't understand but you never knew who else may be watching. "How long to mobilze?"

"ASAP good enough?" Matton gave a grin.

"Your unit, your rules Captain. I am just here for the show," Andros returned the joke. "Jedi Jun-la and Tulre will accompany."

"Aye sir," and the image of Jun-la and Matton faded.

Andros turned to the others, "I hope you don't mind my being presumptuous in forming the old units again before the Senate's decision?"

[Alkonium]

"I suppose since that sector of Republic space is the most likely target of the Rashikians' next attack, the Senate would consider it an act of self-defense to mobilise, and would deem it justifiable." Komad replied. He started to wonder about who would coerce Roan into saying what he did in the Senate, and why? What would they have to gain from it? It was clear that whoever they were, they cared little little for the Republic, unlike his ex, who seemed to be an unwilling pawn in their galaxy-wide game of Dejarik, otherwise, he would not have told him the truth, albeit vague and enigmatic.