I nod, though there wasn't exactly a smile on my face. "I have. Syn and Theron are safe and Dantooine is free of the Republic occupation. The liberators, however, well...they were Imperials. Darth Imperious managed to gather the remaining Imperials from the war, which I imagine wasn't any small number, and create a new empire, called unironically the New Empire. They're interested in seeing Jorg Sucal stopped as well."

I roll my eyes. "Oh, for the love of... Can't those guys just take a hint and die already? Well, at least they're on our side now. But how long is that supposed to last?" I look back at Luci for a moment, then to Zar'kun again. "You know, I WAS planning to retire after this. But if the Empire's back, you can't expect me NOT to fight them when they decide to become a problem again."



Having overheard some of the conversation, I walk over. "As long as Mom's safe, that's all that matters. And Uncle Jakito and Aunt Becca, of course."

I nod. "They will become a problem, but not one we should worry about for the foreseeable future." I turn to HJ when he's done and smile. "Speaking of your mother, your baby sister has joined us. She is happy and healthy from what your aunt told me."

That makes me smile. "That's wonderful! I can't wait to finally see her!" I pause a moment, and my smile falters. "I just wish she could grow up in a world that wasn't so full of war. I was hoping we'd end Sucal soon and that would be the end, but it looks like he's just the tip of the iceberg."



"In a weird way, Sucal is the only thing keeping us together. Figures it takes a maniac to keep the Jedi and the Sith on good terms. But once he's gone, they'll be at each other's throats again."



I walk over. "We've been through Galactic War once before, and our parents went through it a decade before that. We can handle it a third time, along with the new generation." I give HJ a reassuring smile. "Things will turn out good. I know they will in the end."



I smile back, feeling my good mood returning some. "Man, am I glad to have you back to normal."



Smirks at Luci. "Me too."

I smile at the scene before beckoning around us. "Peace will reign for a time either way, this threat won't leave anyone unscathed, even this New Empire. For now though, let us focus on ending it. Do you require anymore meat to keep Huntress fed or did the Organas manage to provide enough?"

"I got it covered. Lord Organa set me up with a local Nerf Herder. He's supplying me with tons of nerf steak for the trip. It should be enough for Huntress to get by, and should also make for a few dinners for me as well."



"You mind lending me a couple of those? Rations are all fine and good, but there are only so many times you can eat a PBJ before it gets old. A nice steak would boost moral for the boys while we're stuck in the Maw."



"Sure. I got plenty. You just have to ask Huntress if it's okay first though."



"Yeah, I'll uhh... get right on that."

I chuckle at the exchange. "If we're about ready then, I'll go and get Jerus and finish my preparations for both the Shielding Technique and forging the Sith relic if that doesn't work. See you all soon."

While everyone scrambles about, preparing to move out to their impending missions, I simply sit and watch. My strength had been returning, slowly but surely. I could feel my powers coming back... but I couldn't access them. It was like I was trapped in a glass bubble, separating me from my power. Something was blocking me, but I could not tell if it was physical or mental.

This was more than the results of Zar'kun's attack. I'd recovered from that. And yet... I didn't show it. I couple probably walk, but I refused to try stand. I could probably speak, but I did not bother. I could probably use the Force if I REALLY tried... but I don't. I just sit there, watching the everyone run about.

Ignored. Forgotten. Unloved. Worthless.

Beaten.

As I walked by Xan, I stopped next to her. I spoke, but kept it quiet, so only the two of us heard it. "You don't have to speak with me, Miss Naberrie, but the time of your wallowing needs to end. We draw close to moving into the endgame of all this, to putting a stop the long machinations of a deranged Sith ghost and her meat puppet." I shake my head. "We're willing to do this, whatever it takes. Are you?" And with that, I was gone, continuing down the hall towards the training hall Jerus was in.

A few seconds after Zar'kun is gone, I walk to Xan's side. "It's almost time for us to go, senator. Are you ready?" I pause to allow her to respond, but as expected, there is none. "Oh, I do wish you would speak to me. You know how much I worry about you."



I make sure not to approach from behind as I walk over. "The speeder is ready, Miss... uh, Korre. I've also arranged for a medical transport to take Senator Naberrie."



I look at him for a moment, unsure if I should leave Xan behind. "Well... alright. I suppose there isn't much else I can do for her now. The medics will help her however they can."



"Excellent. The speeder is just outside." I offer my hand, then quickly withdraw it. "Uhh, follow me please." I turn and lead her towards the speeder.



As Iwan leads Korre away, I can feel my fingers tighten on the armrests of my chair. Even she was abandoning me now. I was supposed to protect her, but the Sith Hunters have stolen her from me. The last person I ever cared about except... Theron. I mentally try to reach out to him, but I know it is pointless. I don't have the willpower to broadcast my thoughts across space. I can't puff away to him in a theatrical cloud of purple smoke. I'm stuck here on Alderaan, being carted away by a team of Organa medics.

After letting Jerus know we were almost ready to go, I went to find Lord Organa, a simple task as he was giving orders to his troops. Approaching him, I bow. "Armond, how goes preparations on your end?"

I turn and smile at Zar’kun. “Prepositions go well, my friend. House Organa, as well as every banner house of the Crown, is mounting for defense against any Republic incursions. We won’t be caught off guard this time.” I wave Zar’kun to follow me as I take a few steps away from the others. “The Queen has also given me a mission. As former Senator of Alderaan, she wants me to address the senate. Before all of this nonsense, Alderaan was a respected seat in the rotunda. When we left, many other systems began losing faith in the Sucal’s leadership as well. The Queen thinks we might be able to use this to our advantage.”

I nod. "A fantastic idea, but the Mandalorians are currently in the midst of an attack on Coruscant. Though...perhaps we could contact them all from here?"

“Yes, I had planned on speaking to the senate via holo, and my plan actually factors in the Mandalorians. What if... after letting the Mandalorians lay siege for a couple days, Alderaan appears and offers aid. We send blockade runners to deliver medicines and other supplies, and maybe even send the Royal Fleet to stage a battle were we force the Mandalorians to retreat. Your grandson is Mandalore’s fiancé, so perhaps he could convince her to call off the attack?” Even as I speak, I look a little guilty. “It’s devious, but if we can get the people to believe that Alderaan saved them...” I pause again, letting the idea hang in the air. “It’s worth it, isn’t it? To get Sucal removed from office.”

I sit in thought for a moment and then nod. "I will speak with HJ on the matter and see if he can get a hold of Mandalore. I'm not sure if they've landed any troops on the surface yet, so hopefully she's still in orbit."

I nod. “Thank you. This is admittedly not the way I wanted to return to the senate. But... the Republic needs unity. They need to know that Alderaan will always be there for the Republic, even if we do not agree with its current leadership. And, perhaps after all of this is concluded, Alderaan will consider rejoining the union. But only after Sucal is gone.”

"Sometimes it is the least obvious means that offers the most help, even if it isn't necessarily the most honest."

“Such is the nature of politics.” I smile ruefully. “Well, I’ll not keep you any further. We both have a lot of work to do. I wish you luck in finding the Tempest Eye, whatever it is.”

"And you in convincing the Senate of Jorg Sucal's treachery. Loosing the support of the Republic would make him far easier to corner and defeat." Bowing, I leave Armond to his devices and go to finish what I needed to do before we left.

Less than an hour later, ships are taking off from the Sith Hunter base. The Redshifter, captained by Koraline Okarr, flies off towards the Outer Rim in search of the Tempest Eye, hidden within the dreaded Maw black hole cluster. Meanwhile, the Rancor’s Den, piloted by HJ Twilight, is headed for the legendary Foundry droid factory.

On the ground, Jude, Iwan, and Korre watch as their companions race off on daring missions to save the Galaxy. The fates on many rest in their hands.

Little do they know that for many of them, this will be the final time they see each other...

END OF SCENE