The Adventures Of Starbuck. (Chapter 33 up 2-13-14)

[Eternal_Freedom]

I shall trust to your writing skills then

[Themightytom]

Chapter 27

Ships burned in space.Ori ships prowled the wreckage of orbital platforms, platforms and escorts as transports dodged around them desperately seeking freedom. Below a forest burned around the ruins of a city, and amid those ruins, surrounded by the fires of battles being waged for faith, or for survival, amid the bodies of the dead, lay Kara Thrace.

* * *

"What do you hear Kara Thrace?" Baltar asked, "Are you a are you a weapon, an instrument, or a prophecy..."

"What?" Starbuck blinked.

"Do you hear the drumbeat of destiny, the chorus of destiny, or the symphony of creation." batlar asked, he seemed to peer into her soul, "You hear it all, oh that is clever." he threw his head back and laughed, "Too much confusion indeed, he cannot read you, he cannot read any of you!" He clapped his hands, "We were the archetypes you see, Adama the prophet, Apollo the warrior, Starbuck the rogue, the only one of us Iblis could not control was Starbuck."

"It was Apollo who outwitted Iblis." Hera pointed out.

"Iblis had accomplished his purpose." Baltar replied, "planted the seeds in heart of Serena, delivered me from the Cylons into Adama's hands forced the Lords of Kobol to reveal themselves, no, Apollo simply played his part. Starbuck revealed his nature, both to Serena, and to the council of ancients."

"I think you two really need to start at the beginning." Kara said, sitting back on the white table that she had awoken on.

“Life here began out there.” Hera recited “in the beginning, there was the void, and then the Gods created Heaven and the land. The land was without form and substance.”

“I too was raised on this scripture.” Baltar remarked, “Yet even now I still barely grasp it;s meaning.”

“A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,” Hera continued, “There was Altaira. The birthplace of humanity’s first incarnation. Altair is the origin of our species.”

“The scriptures say the Gods made us on Kobol.” Kara pointed out. “In the beginning they created Kobol.”

“Kobol means ‘low plain’ in the ancient tongues.” Hera told Kara, “Terra, ‘highest place’, ‘mountain’ or ‘great heights’ Your people were made on this plain by those from a higher one.”

“Your people.” Kara turned to Baltar, “You’re a Lord of Kobol then?” She shook her head, “It’s all a lie then, all of it, religion, the God’s, you’re all just aliens!”

“None of it is a lie,” Baltar told her, “None of it is the truth, your life is a pattern my dear, with death as a punch line.”

“You are clouding her understanding.” Hera said, addressing Baltar at last.

“I am speaking to her in terms she understands.” Baltar snapped back, “Your collective is ungrounded, intellectualized, you would introduce her to concepts she cannot absorb!” he turned back to Thrace, “‘Low planes’ ‘high mountains’ it was all of that clap trap felgarcarb that makes religions necessarily, the ascended cannot simply speak plainly. They are so caught up in trying to communicate the complexities of universal principles, they cannot simply tell you what you need to know.”

“That doesn’t give you the right to be an ass about it.” Thrace snapped back,. “How does time work here, do I have an eternity, or is every moment I dream this a moment I am unconscious while Lemuria is being destroyed around me?”

“Life is but a dream.” Hera began.

“Enough of this.” Baltar snapped, “I’m beginning to see why Starbuck went mad. All those years I was banished, I see that Adama was doing me a kindness!” he turned to Thrace. “Iblis is a creature of darkness as we understand it. He opposes the continued existence of the universe, he would unravel the very fabric of creation itself. Yes,” He put up a hand as Hera began to speak, “Light and darkness, they are primitive concepts, oversimplified, the universe, the multi verse, there are broader truths at work here, but you cannot hope to pour the ocean into a glass!” Baltar turned back to Thrace. “You wish to continue existing, you wish your people to go on, don’t you.”

“Of course.” Thrace replied.

“Then there must be sentient thought, there must be life.” Baltar told her. “life here began out there, and those who began it changed their minds. Beings beyond space and time beyond order, beyond the very rules of existence seek to undue what they have wrought.”

“They seek nothing, for they are chaos, it is Iblis who seeks freedom.” Hera interjected, “He bound himself on a whim, but to be free, the universe itself must be undone.”

“Why tell me all of this.” Kara demanded, “Iblis, bad, nuff said. Iblis is posing as God posing as a Cylon.”

“Iblis is not posing.” Baltar told her, “The Cylons are a manifestation of his will. He seeks to destroy sentient life. The first Cylons were simply mechanical monstrosities out to destroy all organic life. A nightmare pointed at the first children of Kobol. Life is but a dream, but a dream given form, given substance to those living within it. Iblis needs to exterminate all life in order for the dream to end, but the original Cylons could only exist within the constraints of that dream.” He tapped his temple, “They were flawed, Kara, they were flawed because in order to hunt sentient life, they had to become sentient, the Cylons began to think, the Cylons began to dream. Change is the nature of the universe. Iblis understands this change, he adapts to it. A being such as he, from beyond the boundaries of linear time can see where all roads lead, and he herds the willing down a path of his choosing. Those who bound him at one time have changed, and if the universe as you know it is to continue, then it is time for others to change as well to oppose him. Others like you.”

“Why not you.” Kara challenged, “You seem to be the expert here, you seem to have all the answers, why don’t you stop him.”

“Because I too must change.” Baltar told her, “it is the nature of life to die.”

“Death is a primitive concept.” Hera interjected.

“Not when one is alive.” Baltar told her, he turned back to Kara. “When the physical body no longer sustains itself, does it cease to exist, or does it continue in another form? The stars that burned in my youth make up your very essence, Kara Thrace, and that is the legacy that you bear as well. Can you recognize your children in the stars? So too does the mind change. When the ideas of children endure only in the histories of their chilren’s children, are those spirits truly gone, or are they changed? The Altairans, the Lords of Kobol, the Ori, they are the fading memory of what was, you cannot count on them to save you from Iblis, you must learn from them how to do it yourself, and as you are no doubt aware, the hour is getting late.”
* * *
Sheppard stumbled as Solo helped him through the halls.

“Where’s Kara?” he asked suddenly, “I sent her with the transports, did she make it?”

“I have no idea kid, I set the self destruct and evacuated the control room, that’s all I know.” Solo told him, “We lost three transports to the Ori, I hope she was on the last one.”

“She’s still alive...” Sheppard said, reaching out with the Force, “I think she’s still here Han!”

“Kid there’s no time, we have two minutes until Lobot takes the Falcon out of here, and even then I’m not sure we can clear the blast wave.” Solo told him, as he man handled Sheppard into a transport chamber “We’ve got to save who we can.” there was a flash and the doors opened on a different hallways, Chewie moved out first followed by Todd. “Sheppard what are you doing?”

“Leaving a message.” Sheppard said as he tapped a last command into the display.

“There’s no time for anyone to get it.” Solo told him, they limped out onto the platform where the falcon was hovering, with it’s ramp extended. they made it a few feet when suddenly an Ori mother ship rose up before them.

“Move move move!” Solo all but threw Sheppard up the ramp even as it closed, “Punch it Chewie!”

* * *
“What can you expect from me.” Kara demanded, “I’m just a screw up viper jockey, I can’t save the universe.”

“Starbuck did, Starbuck can.” Baltar pointed out, “His beginnings were jsut as humble as yours.”

“All this has happened before, all of this will will happen again.” Hera told her, “And again, and again, and again.”

“Then what is the point of it all?” Kara demanded, “Maybe life, the universe, and everything, should just end, have you thought of that? End all the suffering, the killing, the wars, is it fair to protect life if it just going to suffer and die?”

“it is not the circumstances of life you fight for Kara Thrace, it is the opportunity for it.” Baltar told her, “To suffer, to strive, to succeed, to overcome adversity, yes life can be miserable, yes the living must all die, as all games must have a winner and a loser, but what is the point of playing such games?”

“To be the winner.” Kara replied after a moment, “no, to take the risk.”

“yes.” Baltar said, “Yes, the risk, the chance, the wager, that is life, Kara Thrace, that is what you understand. The Adamas of the universe understand the rules, the Baltars understand the consequences, but the Starbucks embrace the risk!”

“So when the Cylons come, I fight them.” Kara said, “When the Ori come, I fight them...”

“When opportunity comes, you seize it.” Baltar told her, “When power comes you wield it!”

“When love comes, you embrace it.” Hera said, “When hope comes you believe in it.”

“When life comes, I live it.” Kara said at last. She felt air beginning to stir around her, "I feel alive again."

"What do you hear Kara Thrace?" Baltar asked her once again, and this time Starbuck listened. "You hear the symphony?" Kara nodded, the wind began to swirl "You hear the drums?" Starbuck nodded again, "You hear the voices raised in song?"

"...and more." Kara said, she looked at Baltar, the air tossed both of their faces, and the white around them began to darken as though with storm clouds. "I hear the crowds, the masses, crying out..."

Baltar's eyes glazed over and distant thunder rolled. "Yes..." he breathed, "Yes, they call to you, they will follow you, they are your destiny as they were nearly mine..."

"They are enthralled, consumed..." Kara breathed, she shuddered and thunder cracked above them. "intoxicated..." A swirling vortex began to form in the space around them, a maelstrom spinning slowly. Distantly all could hear the music, growing in volume, Hera turned around in alarm.

"No!" She said, "She will take us with her, where we cannot go, we are not ready, we are afraid!"

Baltar reached out and shook her physically, the entire world seemed to shudder around her and the air was still again.

"You must turn back girl, turn back from the abyss." he urged, "There is so much beyond, but it is a malestrom, a hurricane, you must know it is there, but you must turn back!"

"Turn back..." Kara shook her head. She gathered herself. "It's nothing." She said to Baltar, she remembered something the Admiral used to say, "It's nothing, it's just the rain."

"Good." he said releasing, "Good, you must let it pass over you, you are not ready to become that yet."

"What am I becoming?"

“You are a human being, part of a universe trying to understand itself.” Hera told her, “live in that universe, and in saving yourself, save us all.”

“Only those willing to be saved." Baltar said to Hera, he turned back to Kara, "Put away your bottle then, Kara Thrace, and turn back from the abyss.” Baltar told her, “It’s time to save the universe.”
* * *

The ground shook as though slapped by the Gods, and Kara Thrace woke. The weight of a body sprawled over her was suffocating, she pushed it off and rose groggily to her feet. She found a blaster strapped to it’s side. A soldier spotted her as he picked himself up from the ground.

“Wait stop.” Kara said holding up a hand, “I’m here to save the universe.”

“Your people have slain one of the God’s heretic!” He shouted, “You will be damned for all eternity for this.” he grabbed his fallen staff and began to turn.

Kara shot him.

“Fracking stupid line anyway.” She grumbled, another soldier knelt and took aim, “She shot him too, she started to jog, Baltar’s voice echoed in her mind one more time.

“What do you hear Starbuck?” He asked. Starbuck heard a hiss, and a pair of doors opened to reveal a transport chamber, Starbuck raced towards it and spotted a blinking icon, a smiley face. She pressed it, and behind her the doors hissed closed, and then open.

“Nothing but the rain.” She grinned as she beheld the jumper bay, and an XG-Wing parked before her, canopy open.

* * *

The Millennium Falcon fled the clouds as a monster emerged beneath it, it’s primary weapon glowed. Even as it fired however, the world erupted beneath it. The mother ship was thrown sideways even as the Falcon banked out of the path of the devastating blast.

"Well there goes another planet." Solo grumbled, "Ackbar's gonna kill me."

“Solo, the mother ship, look!” Sheppard shouted from the gun well, as the Falcon swung around to face the mother ship. It’s shields glowing fiercely framing it in the explosion below, a tiny speck was dancing along it, drones torpedoes and laser fire stitching smaller explosions along it’s hull.

From his socket behind the pilot and copilot, Artoo began to whistle excitedly.

“That vessel’s shields are indeed failing.” Lobot concurred.

“All ships in range, this is General Solo, launch anything you can spare at my target.” Solo ordered over the comm, he turned to Lobot, “You too.” Turbo laser fire from the turrets atop and below the Falcon’s centerline began to hurl fire at the beleagured ship.

“Firing drones!” Lobot announced, and the Falcon bucked as half a dozen drones left the forward launcher.

“It’s Kara!” Sheppard shouted joyfully, from the other gun well Chewie roared in approval as the tiny craft sped away from the struggling behemoth. Staggered by the explosion beneath it and well placed fire from above, the Ori mother ship turned balefully towards it’s attackers even as explosions rippled over it’s hull. Suddenly a massive bolt of fire slammed into it followed quickly by a dozen more. Three Asgard mother ships fresh from hyperspace pounded the wounded vessel.

“This is supreme commander Thor of the...”

“No time for announcements Thor there’s half a dozen more of these things looking for target. Cover the surviving transports, and regroup at Dagobah!” Solo interjected. In front of him, Kara’s XG had fallen into escort position, “Thrace is that you doing all that fancy flying? If you’re up for some training I might have a mission or two for you.”

“If you need another pilot, I’m game.” Said Thrace, “But if I’m working for you, you should know my callsign is Starbuck.”

[Themightytom]

I shall trust to your writing skills then

just don't panic yet, Kara is part of a larger effort being made on Starbuck's behalf, the last three chapters have all happened nearly concurrently, and there's a final piece taking place at Dagobah, there's a reason Solo is falling back there instead of Dathomir.

[Themightytom]

So I cut out a massive chunk of exposition from Admiral Ackbar's report which would have linked the studies of Wes jansen and the Jedi to the Ori, I'll summarize here for anyone concerned that I am trying to pull a DEM out of my butt. I just trimmed so the story wouldn't drag.

My working convention here by the way is that Kara has abilities similar to the Jedi, but she uses a different part of her brain to process it. Kara's not a musician, but the complexity of information is processed by her auditory cortex, which is why she kiiiiind of comes across as a schizophrenic. The Jedi and the Sith process sensory perception of the force through the limibc system. The Sith tend to favor the hypothalamus, while the Jedi the Amygdala, although Anakin and Luke were both from warm planets, and could have negative emotional reactions to cold, it could also be the sensation of temperature is stimulated by the dark side. In Atlantis, when they were doing Rodney's brain scans, as well as that of Kaleb, they were showing the frontal and the parietal lobe, so in this fanfic, the supernatural powers demonstrated by the ancients versus the jedi literally use different pats of the brain. Starbuck (The dirk benedict version, the fanfic will get confusing if I have them together too much so don't worry not too much of that happening here...) was "helped" to ascend, meaning the relevant areas of his brain were stimulated. He also chose to be given a body that was "Advanced" meaning he has the predisposition to do things the ancient's way, rather than the Jedi way or what he might have originally been predisposed to.

Midichlorians here are basically sub nanites with an extra dimensional collective. When the midichlorians surviving in Yoda sensed his ability to interact with a higher dimensional plane, to reconnect with the force, they closed the circuit in order to propagate and regain their connection with the others. This accelerated Starbuck's development, and while he made limited progress as a Jedi, the conceptualizations helped him realize other ways to do the same things. that's honestly the crux of this story, relative to the others, both Starbuck's just made huge leaps in understanding that solve problems in a larger context, the question is, how are things going to play out in this universe and for the characters here and now, because they will still play a part in the sequels.

[Themightytom]

I probably shouldn't have sent all my characters off in so many directions, but the underlying theme of this story has been the complexity of a universe in which so many things are going on. These next two chapters are a countdown, so that the reader can align what is happening here to what happened in the previous two chapters.



Chapter 28

---29 hours ago.---

Several battered Aurora class warships emerged from hyperspace preceded by a dozen Dodonna class escorts.

“General Antilles requesting permission to proceed through the minefield. transmitting authentication codes now.” Celchu raised an eyebrow at General Rieekan as he nodded approval to the communications technician.

“Codes verified and accepted, you may proceed through the minefield.”

“‘Did he say ‘General’ Antilles?”

“The Admiral authorized his reactivation and promotion just a few hours ago.” Rieekan told the man, “It seems there is a rift among the Jedi, and General Antilles has chosen a different path.”

“There were Jedi Generals in the Old Republic.” Celchu pointed out.

“Yes, and they answered to the Jedi Council, and to the Chancellor.” Rieekan replied.

“The Jedi Council that is at present, composed entirely of Yoda’s students.” Celchu said wryly, “Wedge never did get along with them, yes Niam?” Celchu asked with some irritation at the Asuran representative now hovering nearby.

“General Rieekan I am to report that the construction of the minefield is now complete.” Niam announced.

“Excellent.” Rieekan said relieved, “Total englobement of the system then?”

“Of course.” Niam said, as though it wasn't an undertaking of astronomical magnitude, “We were able to extract considerable raw material from the nebulae in this system, allowing for more rapid synthesis of our brethren, which could then travel to and be converted into mines, there was also considerable cometary material....”

“The mine field is complete, yes?” Rieekan interrupted, “At least four mines per cubic half kilometer, cloaked, self propelled and coordinated through here?” Niam nodded, “As long as you obeyed the constraints of permissible building material, I am not concerned.”

“The nebula had unusual properties.” Niam replied, “We would have completed the project sooner but a number of replicators seemed to malfunction.” Rieekan turned, now attentive.

“There are malfunctioning replicators in this system?” he demanded, Niam shook his head.

“My brethren and I are considerably more advanced than the replicators from Ida. We have contained and assimilated any replicators with corrupted programs, in fact they were broken down and reassembled as additional mines.”

Rieekan had no time to ponder this as Celchu interjected “General Rieekan, General Antilles is requesting permission to beam down.” Rieekan nodded,

“Inform General Antilles I will meet him in the gateroom.”

---28--
“What is thy bidding my Emperor?” Talon Kaarde asked. his head and shoulders were projected above the surface of a desk in a holotank.

“Cute.” Thrawn said shortly, “If we can dispense with your attempts at levity, I understand you have found an item for me?”

“Yes it matches your specifications, though it is somewhat... weathered...” kaarde touched a button, the image of a battered ring sprang up before Kaarde’s visage. “If my sources are correct, this item’s rarity is diminishing rapidly.” Kaarde raised his eyebrows, “I would hate to overcharge the ruler of the galaxy.”

“Consider it a convenience charge.” Thrawn said wryly, “How soon can you deliver the device?”

“I have it in a museum on Zeltros.” Kaarde replied, “I understand the Dawnstar has recently made an appearance there?”

“Yes, deliver it to them immediately.” Thrawn told him, then paused, “I am curious however, where did you find it?”

“I have a small mining concern scouring the rubble of Tattooine.” Kaarde told him, “Imagine their surprise when they found an artifact that actually survived the destruction of a planet. Whatever else it may be, this artifact is sturdy,“

“Has the alliance approached you?” Thrawn asked evenly.

“They have.” Kaarde replied quietly, “as well as nearly every other entrepreneur operating in the former Vong Containment Zone. They are offering competitive compensation for anyone willing to distribute planetary aid supplies, to any who need them, practically for free.” Thrawn gestured to the device spinning beneath him, “My spies thought these were some sort of replicator technology, those new ships of theirs couldn’t possibly hold the volume of supplies we have seen dispensed. When I saw the larger version in action on the holonet it became apparent just what these are, and the alliance seems to have an entire network of them.”

“That is not your concern Mr. Kaarde.” Thrawn warned.

“With all due respect, Emperor, I believe it is my concern, you see these devices will revolutionize trade in this galaxy.” Kaarde leaned forward in the holo tank, “if it is the Empire’s intention to engage in a competitive venture, I would certainly be interested in partnering with them.”

Thrawn nodded. “First we must secure control of the network, but I will keep your proposition in mind Mr. Kaarde. if the rebels are serious about advancing themselves through trade, I will of course require additional generals for that particular battlefield.”

----27----

“You want Madine and Janson?” Rieekan was dubious he was reading over a data pad, while Antilles quickly threw supplies into a duffel. Though it was unusual to say the least, to conduct a briefing in a supply room, the nature of Antilles’ report had made time a commodity in short supply. “it’ll take time for Janson’s rehabilitation to be complete.”

“There will plenty of time and he deserves better than what he got.” Antilles told him as he he snapped open a case to confirm its contents, he examined a lightsaber critically and then placed it back inside with the others, “Between Celchu and Madine, we’ll have the experience we need to do this, and I will have the assistance of several... sympathetic Jedi to come with me. We need this Carliste, Master Yoda is wise, he is insightful, but he’s just not a soldier. Starbuck has the Admiral and the President wrapped around his fingers and they’re going to get people killed.”

“Well you’d better hurry, the Admiral approved a last minute order for a medical team to gate to Sanctuary, you’ll go in on their heels, and none will be the wiser. Are you sure about taking so many Genii?” Rieekan looked at the manifest Wedge had written up. “They’ve been causing trouble in Pegasus of late.”

“To tell you the truth, I wish we’d gotten more of our allies in this galaxy, the mandalorians maybe, but the Genii are who we have on site at the moment and I understand their frustrations. They’ve been causing trouble because their way of thinking is considerably more martial than the policies Starbuck and Yoda have been pushing, they were next in line for training programs, they are easy to mold, and easy enough to explain away special training sessions for, they’re smarter than Satedans, and more disciplined than the Athosians anyway.” Wedge replied, he turned to Rieekan “I’m counting on you to cover my absence.”

“I’m counting on you not to make me regret this, the Death Star will arrive at the supergate in twenty eight hours.” Rieekan stated, “Admiral Ackbar has gated to Atlantis to report to the President, but it is my understanding he intends to move on the Death Star when it arrives to fight the Ori fleet. I don’t think I can cover you for more than 24 hours at the most.”

“That will be enough time.” Wedge said quietly, “If the Admiral decides to move on the Death Star before the Ori are repelled, we’ll need a force ready that can deal with them.” he shouldered the bag and headed out the door.

---26---

“Emotion yet peace”

“You have committed an act of war.” Kyle told the woman before him gravely. He was tied to a post to one side of a stone pavillion, seated with his legs crossed, the woman sat meditating before him on a small pad, Kyle’s had long since been kicked away in his struggles.. “We were allies, and you attacked and destroyed a station full of innocent civilians and loyal fleet personnel. I may be your prisoner, but I will tell you nothing.”

“Ignorance, yet knowledge”

“Oh stop the platitudes, my father had your little gift, and it got him killed.” Katarn, “I know of the Force, it is a pervasive evil that has dominated galactic politics for millennia, we’re better off without it, without the Jedi and the Sith and everyone in between corrupted by power.”

“Passion, yet serenity”

“Oh come on, you already said that one, ‘emotion, yet peace’?” Katarn struggled with his bindings, “dragging me through some cave and staking me out in the middle of a meadow to annoy me with idiot poetry has got to be the most rediculous...”

“Chaos, yet harmony”

“Yes, chaos!” Katarn shook his head trying to get through to her, “The Ori are invading our galaxy through a portal you idiots let them get their hands on. They are a threat to every sentient being left in a galaxy that has been wracked by war after war, and you terrorists can only interfere! There is no harmony, there never will be until there is order!”

“Death, yet the Force.”

“Death IS the Force.” Katarn snapped, “My father had the force, he died when it killed everyone, the jedi worshipped the force, and they were wiped out by the Sith, the force is death lady, if you follow that path, you are just asking for trouble.”

“The river tells no lies, though the dishonest man standing on the shore still hears them.” the woman replied placidly, Kyle just rolled his eyes in exasperation as another figure approached .the pavillion.

“Captain Strange... I assume you’re responsible for keeping this space cadet medicated?” Katarn told her, “Tell me, is it Alliance procedure to torture prisoners by harassing tthem with a lunatic?” Jan drew up short, she glanced nervously at the woman seated before Katarn.

“Her name is Chaya, Kyle, and... I would suggest that you be...very respectful around her.”

“Oh what.” Katarn sneered, “You’re wearing Jedi robes now, have the jedi turned to violence?”

“I am a Jedi...” Jan gestured to her robes, “Chaya... is not. She has agreed to oversee this period of training, because Master Yoda wants to ensure that the reformed Jedi do not make the missteps of those of old.”

“You mean like naively guarding a corrupt and decadent Republic that betrayed them?” Katarn scoffed, he looked at Chaya, still peacefully meditating, “it’s hard to fail with such low standards, but tell me, do you think kidnapping an Imperial Officer is anything but a mistake?”

“I took you into custody, not her.” Ors snapped, “Master Yoda sensed your potential, and as an intelligence officer, it is imperative for me to determine how that could be.”

“My potential?” Katarn scoffed, “What, you’re telling me I am Force Sensitive like my father? Get real Strange, if that were true, I’d have died like my father.”

“Perhaps.” Jan allowed, “But tell me this... where WERE you when the Emperor died?”

Before Katarn could answer Chaya sat up.

“We have a problem.” She told Jan
----25 ----
“is something wrong?” Madine asked as Wedge paused suddenly, the two had just emerged from the cave and were preceded by double lines of marching recruits heading towards an encampment in the distance. The cave entrance was enclosed on both sides by a transparisteel enclosure with security checkpoints on either side.

“A presence I’ve not felt since..” Wedge frowned, “Chaya is here, I think Jan is too.”

“What?” Madine moved over to a security check point beside the cave, “Sergeant, have there been any changes to the personnel schedules?”

“Yes Sir.” the Bothan said saluting, “Admiral Ackbar authorized a last minute medical transfer of wounded soldiers.”

“He wants them recovered in time to join the next battle.” Madine stated, “We should take care not to reveal our presence to anyone who might leave in the next few months, a stray word to the Admiral, or to Solo could be a problem.”

“Jan was infected with a symbiote when she was on Centerpoint.” Wedge said in sudden understanding, “Master Yoda probably sent her with Chaya to train the next group of younglings to give her time to recover.” he frowned, “I doubt she would have accepted that assignment willingly.”

“Perhaps there was more to it.” Madine said in agreement. “Sergeant, let’s see the security footage of the latest arrivals.

The sergeant complied, and took a walk at Wedge’s suggestion. Alone, the two viewed the footage until Madine paused the playback and zoomed in on a patient strapped to a gurney.

“Commodore Katarn?” he said incredulously.

“I saw the clone we rescued from Thrawn too.” Wedge said grimly, “it looks the Admiral has a few secrets of his own.”

“Will they interfere with our plans?” Madine asked, Wedge shook his head.

“It depends on how long they are here for, if necessary, I can handle Jan easily enough, i believe I can win her over, Chaya may be a problem, she was pretty thick with Sheppard and Starbuck, and we can’t fool her powers.”

“Yes we can.” Madine said suddenly.

---24---
“Master Yoda, we are approaching the Dagobah system.” Iella informed him. She sat in the command chair of the Dodonna, Master Yoda meditated in the back. a Gammorrean sat as pilot, and Jesmine manned the station beside him.

“Exaggerated it seems rumors were of the planet’s demise.” Yoda moved wearily up beside her leaning heavily on his cane. His battle with the Ori had aged him terribly.

“The biosphere is a mess.” Jesmine stated as she took in her sensor readings. “There is evidence of mass extinction and ecological chaos.”

“We heard rumors that Zsinj’s fleet began a Base Delta Zero on Imperial City before it was taken.” Iella stated, “It was protected by it’s shield but he figured he could sink it to the core. Thrawn managed to escape and organized a group of prisoners to seize the city.”

“Deeply enmeshed in the Force, this place once was.” Yoda replied sadly, “Much life was lost, when damaged it was.”

“We have located Imperial City...” Iella announced, as she examined the readings projected on a display before her, “It’s on the far side of Dagobah at the moment, landed, we should be safe from detection.” She frowned, “There are half a dozen super star destroyers and a dozen Imperial two class deployed about the system, while we’re here we can catalogue their defenses.”

“Inform the Admiral we should, but our mission this is not.” Yoda stated, anticipating her thoughts, “Nearby, our new ally is, help us he can.”

“How nearby?’ Iella asked, “Where do we find him?” Yoda moved forward, and closed his eyes. He pointed at a glimmering speck in the starfield beyond Dagobah.

“Sty?” Iella asked, using the neural interface of the chair to highlight the planet on the viewport. “It’s a gas giant, there’s nothing out there is there?” Yoda turned to her slowly, still leaning on his staff. Iella sighed, “I guess we’ll find out.”

* * *

“General Madine? Wedge? What are you doing here?” Jan was confused as she approached the two.

“I have accepted a promotion to the rank of General for the Galactic Alliance.” Wedge told her, “I’m here to train a team of special operatives, beyond that, my mission is classified.”
“You accepted...” Jan shook her head, “Master Yoda agreed to this?”

“With respect Jedi Orrs, this is a discussion for another time.” Madine said impatiently, “I was not informed of your presence, nor your mission here, and as base commander, I would appreciate some insight as to why there is an imperial commander on my base.”

“Following my recovery, Admiral Ackbar ordered me to oversee the interrogation of Commodore Katarn, who we secured shortly after our battle with the Empire.” Orrs replied, “A prisoner of his value, the President will not permit to be tortured, nor treated too harshly. He is cooling his heels with Chaya, at the moment, who is here, training a group of younglings we assembled from orphans of the Wraith war.” Jan told him. “it is possible she can also gain some insight that will aid in his interrogation.”

“You are confident in her abilities?” Madine asked, Jan did not like the way he asked, and gazed searchingly at the General, “Jedi Orrs, we have seen Starbuck in action, we have seen the crew of the Tria, we have seen the Ori, and though they have been formidable enough, there are limits to their powers, and they are not all knowing.”

“Those are very different cases General, the Ori do not ascend through wisdom, they ascend through worship.” Jan pointed out, “They embrace the passion of their followers. The crew of the Tria, they were ancients, but they never ascended, and Starbuck, though he was aided in ascension the first time only figured it out at the end, and we don’t know that he even survived the attempt. Chaya ascended on her own, and she has been ascended for over ten thousand years. Her powers, her insight, I’m not sure we can even define them, but she has done nothing but help us so far, more so than any other, save for Starbuck. I wouldn’t call her all knowing, but does she need to be to read the soul of a man seeking redemption?”

“Katarn never struck me as a man seeking redemption.” Madine said taken aback, “You knew him from your time as an operative, didn’t you, Jedi Orrs? Are you certain you can be objective in this matter?” Wedge looked startled at the accusation, and before the two men, Orrs flushed.

“You’re out of line General, I do not need to be objective.” Orrs said, some irritation in her voice, “I need to be mindful of the living force, and it tells me he is a good man, who may join us, given the chance.” She took a quick breath,

“General, I don’t think there is any need for that kind of concern.” said Antilles, “Jedi Orrs is a very competent professional, with an excellent service record, she is highly regarded among the Jedi as well. As I am here to aid you in training your men, I could also of course assist Jedi Orrs and Chaya in training Katarn. We trained here together before, right Jan?” Jan, grateful for the sudden source of support, nodded. “If we learned anything then, it was that we can’t have any kind of division among the Jedi, and Jan you can aid me in training Madine’s men from time to time, after all, we’re all on the same team here.”

“Very well.” Madine said relenting, “For my part I did not mean to imply...”

“There’s no need to apologize.” Jan said quickly, “I think after my recent ordeal, my focus is somewhat lacking, your concerns are fair to voice. I will meditate on this over the next few days to be sure that my feelings are clear. I will also coordinate with Je...General Antilles as well.” She rubbed her temples, “If you will excuse me gentleman, i still need to get situated.”

Orrs turned to go, and when she was a fair distance from the command facility, Antilles reached up and adjusted a comlink tucked against his ear.

“It certainly seems to be working general, though the countermeasures weren’t entirely effective in shielding the effect.”

“According to Divini’s notes, the sound frequencies are more attuned to Ancient physiology, and should disrupt Chaya’s telepathy specifically, but they seem to have something of an effect on Jedi as well.” Madine replied, “We should be able to transmit through any active comlinks in a manner that is undetectable, and I will see about installing speakers for ‘General announcements’ or emergency alerts throughout Sanctuary.”

“It would certainly serve to act as a deterrent to undue investigation.” Antilles commented, “Without protection, someone force sensitive approaching this complex would become increasingly uncomfortable, without really knowing why.” He looked meaningfully at Madine, “A very important ability to have, General, considering some of the challenges we will likely face in the future.”

---22 hours ago---

Iella watched grimly at the holonet transmission being broadcast by Imperial City. projected on part of the forward viewscreen, it was the closest thing to real time intelligence the Alliance could get on the Ori beachhead. The problem was it was mostly propoganda.

“There’s no evidence of any carrier waves, or subliminal context here Captain.” Jesmine told her as she analyzed the transmission, “It seems to be mostly centered on the Emperor’s role though, virtually all images of the conflict are through the viewport of the Iron Fist, over his shoulder, as though he personally stands between the audience and the attacking Ori.”

“He does, Jesmine, that’s the message.” Iella told her. “As the leader of the only force that can stop them, look at the number of burning hulls out there, so many soldiers ahve given their lives at his command already...”

“We have a fleet of our own, Captain.” Jesmine said sharply, “Thrawn holds the line, but Admiral Ackbar will be the one to save the galaxy.”

Iella began to object, to attribute what she said to family loyalty, and then caught herself.
“You’re quite right Jesmine. I think I’ve been watching this for too long, Monitor it for me and alert me of any significant changes in Ori positions, the loss of any superlaser bearing ships, or the arrival of the Death Star, anything else I will read in your report.”

“Captain?”

“Lieutenant Sabinring?” Iella was impatient.

“We are on course for Sty, as Master Yoda requested, but I have been asessing our scans of Imperial city.” The gammorrean turned from his console to face Iella his vocoder translating his words, “The Empire has drawn considerable military force away from it’s defense.”

“You’re a pilot Lieutenant, not a tactical officer.” Iella stated, still she began to pull up the data collected as they had passed.

“With respect, captain, I have calculated and executed a course that, at sublight will bring us to orbit of Styx, while masking both our emission and our gravitational signature from Imperial City, half an hour ago.” Sabnring clarified, “I have just finished further analyzing the data that I used to compute our course, which included compiling the gravitational mass of anything larger than a Star Destroyer to predict their effect on our trajectory. it was necessary to glean this information from our passive sensors to avoid revealing ourselves.”

“Lieutenant, “ iella shook her head, “I read your jacket, I know all about the genetic manipulation project, I was briefed by a talking Ewok as a matter of fact, but how could you possibly have been able to compute all of that in less than half an hour.”

“I did not need to personally compute it all, this ship is equipped with the ancient crystalline processing techn,,,”

“Forget I asked.” Iella said as she began to digest the gammorrean’s report, “You believe that the Super Star Destroyers on station are not equipped with super lasers?”

“Correct, captain, they appear to be of the Executor class, most likely construction began before the advent of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. Emperor Palpatine was interested in field command ships at that time, and intended to use the Death Star as a central base of operations.”

“So to confirm, you don’t believe they have superlaser technology?” Iella understood waht she was seeing, but could not quite believe it.”

“No Captain, the structural design would not permit it.” Sabinring told her.

“Captain, I have identified comm traffic in system from dozens of ships in system as well and matched them against our database of Imperial ships.” Jesmine volunteered, a list appeared on the viewport beside Sabrinring’s report. “I don’t see a single super laser capable ship, nor any ships that have been mounted with advanced hyperdrive systems.”

“Can we safely communicate this to General Solo without being detected?” iella asked. Jesmine nodded.

“We would have to use communication stones to be sure that imperial City won’t intercept or detect a transmission.” Jesmine said, “But the crew of the Aurora were able to show us how to calibrate them specific to each other and to encrypt.”

* * *
“Your majesty, the Dawnstar has resumed her course after taking on additional medical personnel and offloading her cruiser compliment to strengthen the defenses of systems that have sent reinforcements.” Pelleon handed Thrawn a data pad, Thrawn noted the artifact had been received as well, but said nothing.

“Excellent. We have sufficient forces here, now, to contain the Ori until she arrives.” Thrawn observed, “The security forces she carried to fend off the Vong during planetary recovery efforts can shore up systems that have had to send some of their forces here. “ Thrawn turned back to the ongoing battle through the viewport. “We must work together, or we will all perish. I simply cannot fathom why the Alliance does not grasp that. I thought Ackbar and myself had reached that understanding, yet he fled, he kidnapped one of my men, MY MEN, Pelleon.” He sighed,

“The Alliance believes it is fighting for democracy.” Pelleon replied, “I wonder do their allies, do their supporters, do their citizens truly know what their leaders do any more? Did they vote to abandon the fight at this beach head, to let the enemy overrun our position? Do their people actually want to Ori to invade our galaxy, to usher in another decade of conflict?”

“Their supporters are mislead, I fear, how could they know what their leadership has done and continue to support them.” Thrawn told him, seemingly oblivious to the holocams behind him, “They use these devices, these, stargates to usurp commerce from those who would rightfully seek fair competition, devices identical in design to that used by the Ori so readily, you and i can see this connection so clearly, but can they? Have their leaders been honest with them about where they obtained these devices?”

“I found it easy, at one time to loathe the rebel scum, that brought chaos to our galaxy.” Pelleon mused, “I see now that, that was ignorance, I was a soldier, they were the enemy, and we fought a good fight, each for his ideals, but now... it’s all so perverse, I cannot find it in myself to truly hate them any more, for they are truly mislead.”

“This is what the Ori try to do, they are divisive, they have sought to turn us against one another and the Alliance so willingly accommodates them, as they did the wraith, as they did the Cylons...” he shook his head, “So many seek to tear down what we have built.”

“They will fail, your majesty, with your leadership, your stewardship, you have defeated them all.” Pelleon said with surety. “I have heard the echoes in the hallway of the men chanting your name. When there is hard work to be done, when there is battle before us, it is our faith in you that sees us through, highness. We could not ask for a better man to lead this empire.”
Thrawn nodded slowly. With the pad at his side he straightened into a crisp salute, which Pelleon returned without hesitation.

“I serve the Empire.” Thrawn told him, “I serve the people, I serve democracy. We will see this threat through, and we will at last, in our time, know peace.”

----20 hours ago--- Coruscant Attacked
“How long can she continue like this?” Jan asked. Chaya stood over the writhing form of the clone they had captured, bathed in sweat, with a medical droid attending over her, the clone was experiencing the after affects of the rushed process that had brought her into being.

“I am unsure.” Chaya replied, “Her body was created rapidly, where balance was sacrificed for rapid maturation. I have worked with her daily to aid her in stabilizing her condition, but unfortunately I’ve come to realize the effort is taxing my abilities as well.”

“Who could have created her like this, and to what purpose?” Jan wondered, “her doctors believed she was created in a Spaarti cylinder, but they should have all been destroyed, and there is evidence that she has been in a sarcophagus as well. Has she even regained consciousness?”

“She has only the rudimentary ability to achieve consciousness, complicated by the physical distress she is in.” Chaya said sadly, “She must achieve a state of physical balance before she can attain a state of self awareness, only then can we hope to access any memories she might have.”

“At least we are having more luck with Katarn.” Orrs stated. “This morning Wedge managed to bait him into some sparring during his exercise period, Katarn held his own surprisingly well, though Wedge refrained from using the force.”

“When a man has nothing, it is then that he is most able to raise himself up.” Chaya said thoughtfully. “Purpose, direction, voice given to what stirs beneath the surface.” She turned to Jan, “He wishes to fight the rebellion, we must let him do so, so that it becomes clear that he is only fighting himself.”

“There is a balance in purpose.” Jan said thoughtfully, “In achieved actualization, the balance of the arrow that springs from the bow, where all purpose is focused to a point.”

“A weapon knows no purpose beyond it’s wielder.” Chaya warned, “Such is not the foundation of your way. There is a need for balance.”

“For the moment, for order, but the force is fluid.” Orrs replied, “The living Force is renewed Chaya, the rhythm of life restored.”

“I have found much in that rhythm that has renewed me.” Chaya replied, to jan’s dismay, Chaya seemed visibly discomfited, almost scared to voice her thoughts now, “Yet it has drawn me from the path of ascension.” Jan gazed at her over the clone’s form. “Your insight does you credit Jan.”

“You have lost your way?” Jan said her voice tinged with sorrow.

“I have found it, even as you describe the arrow that springs from the bow, the purpose, the moment of release, this I have found.” Chaya said, and she smiled suddenly “Ascension is a moment of singular purpose, the release of all worldly burdens, all ties to this plane to embrace another, yet... always have I been tied here.”

“You could not abandon your people to the wraith.” Jan said. Chaya nodded.

“I was outcast then, as Starbuck was, in a way, but I had earned my place, I was respected, and I was... missed.” She was wistful. “I lingered as a ghost for so many years, with one foot in either world, but now i have found a purpose. This existence renews me, it gives me purpose.”

“You would renounce Ascension?” Jan raised her eyes.

“I could not ascend now if I wanted to.” Chaya said with only the faintest regret, “I am drawn too deeply to what is here on this plane.” Jan reached over and caught Chaya’s hand.

“Who is here?” She prodded with a half smile. Chaya nodded.

“I care deeply for John.” She admitted, “He still searches for himself, but I will be there when he needs me, and there is more.” She looked at Jan, “You are my friends, the younglings are my children, this...” she glanced at the clone, “My child as well. She fades from us, and I feel sorrow, for the person she could have become, and that is the rhythm of life. Ebb and flow, push and pull. That is the balance of movement.”

Jan smiled. “Then you have returned fully to us Chaya, will you become a Jedi?”

“I become what I am.” Chaya told her, and as their hands were joined, the spark travelled through from Jan to Chaya, as midichlorians within Chaya awakened. “I embrace the living force as it moves around me. I accept the balance of change.” She paused and looked coyly at Jan. “I see that in these months you too have changed, no longer but a learner are you.” Jan was taken aback, but she could not deny it either. “You have found a purpose of your own, an inspiration of your own that has propelled you to a new kind of understanding.”

Jan did not know what to say.

“The force sings clearly to me now, you have been measured and found very worthy.” Chaya told her.

“But I am still afraid.” Jan told her.

“You should be.” Chaya said, and her voice carried foreboding, “You should be.”

---20---
“Chewbacca, you need to listen to me, I have important intelligence that the General needs to hear.” Iella insisted, “Admiral Ackbar is in a closed meeting with the President, proposing a tactical strike plan based on outdated information, if someone does not get this information and adjust our plans accordingly, millions could die for nothing!”

Chewie grumbled defensively.

“I can’t tell you that, its politically sensitive, I need to speak to General Solo directly.” Iella told him. Throwing up his arms, Chewie grabbed a comlink from a nearby officer and hailed Solo.

“What is it Chewie?” Solo growled. Chewie growled a terse explanation. “Fine put her through.”

“General Solo, this is Iella I used the ancient communication stones to switch places with...”

“I’m a little busy right now Iella get to the point.” Solo broke in. Iella sighed.

“General, you are aware of the Admiral’s plan for Operation Death Strider?”

“I am...” Solo was cautions, “You helped plan it didn’t you?”

“yes. I am quite a fan of the game Dejarik” Iella clarified, “It’s success is contingent on an appropriate allocation of our forces, General, the Ng’ok is a Ghhhk.”

“I’ll be right up.” Solo stated, suddenly there was a commotion in the control room. Iella hurried over, and what she saw on the holoprojector made her freeze. Chewie roared and slapped the alarm button as Iella approached, and in a disorienting moment suddenly the world changed around her.”

“Captain, is that you, are you alright?” Jesmine was concerned,

“It’s me.” Iella shook her head, “What’s our status?”

“We are orbiting Sty, Master Yoda told us where to look, and we think we’ve found something, we were considering whether or not to break the connection to inform you when you did it yourself.”

“I didn’t break the connection, the Ori just attacked Lemuria, they must have somehow jammed our signal.” Iella sat in her chair. “Master Yoda, we need to move this along, if Lemuria is under attack I need to report to Admiral Ackbar as soon as possible.”

“Nearly finished are we. What we seek,” Yoda pointed with his stick at the cloudy surface below, “Is there.”

“What have you got.” Iella asked Jesmine, knowing better than to try to get a straight answer from the Jedi Grand Master.”

“It’s a metallic mass, protected, not by conventional shields but, by a positively charged hull, approximately the size of an Imperial class star destroyer, definitely a ship.” Jesmine made an adjustment to her scanners and, projected onto the viewport, a ship began to take form.

“I have calculated that we can safely dock with it by powering our shields with the zero point module and extending them around it.” Sabinring announced

Jesmine adjusted her controls, and the image snapped clear. “Sillouette matches the ship that aided in the defense of Atlantis.” Iella knew the design from the historical records found in Lemuria, she gave name to the form they were approaching.

“A colonial battlestar.”

---17---

“You are training an enemy agent as a Jedi?” Madine sat up at his desk, and stared at the woman before him. At a small table behind him Wedge was pouring himself a caf.

“We will be here for years, General, we do not expect him to leave here as our enemy.” Jan clarified. Wedge suddenly looked thoughtful.

“General, it is not inconceivable that over time, Commodore Katarn may experience a... change of heart.” Antilles pointed out, “With time advancing at 250 times the rate here as it does outside, Katarn may be persuaded to join our cause, while outside only days pass. His security codes would still be valid, we might be able to reintroduce him into the Imperial starfleet as an operative... it is a tremendous opportunity.”

“Long term readjustment?” Madine stroked his beard, “This is very risky Jedi Orrs.”

“General Antilles initiated the process, as a matter of fact, he began sparring with Katarn during katarn’s exercise breaks.” Orrs replied, she didn’t care for Wedge’s apparent familiarity with General Madine, nor for the skepticism she faced over a decision that had been difficult. “Chaya concurs that the most effective engagement we have gotten from Katarn is when he is sparring. He has demonstrated force potential, natural force potential, which aside from the clone who is still in a coma, and Master Yoda himself, is our only recorded case of someone surviving the purge.”

“Acquiring intelligence information is one thing, trying to train this man as Jedi is another.” Madine argued. “What if he turns? What if you train him as a Jedi, and he ends up becoming Sith.”

“The Sith, as we understand them, were the result of the subconscious passions that influenced the force.” Wedge pointed out, “The Jedi chose order and selflessness, as a structure for opposing that darkness. he took a sip of his caf, “Even my own darkness threatened to overwhelm me during my training.”

“It threatened to overwhelm all of us if I recall.” Orrs said drolly. “But we didn’t have Chaya then, her abilities should shield us from what happened before, and you weren’t exclusively responsible for the creature that attacked us Wedge, you simply gave it direction. it came from all of us.” She turned to Madine, “We don’t have two dozen soldiers training to be Jedi this time General, we have younglings, and the five pilots from rogue squadron that Wedge is training to use the neural interface.” Wedge sputtered slightly into his caf. “There’s hardly the same kind of risk here.”

“Very well, I will defer to your expert opinion, Jedi Orrs.” Madine allowed, “I simply ask that you be careful, and permit General Antilles to supervise closely, to ensure the safety of everyone here, is that fair?”

“Absolutely sir.” Jan nodded. After she left Madine sat slowly down.

“Katarn won’t go dark.” Wedge told him, “The man is a soldier, much more disciplined than Sheppard, much more capable, we may even be able to recruit him in time.”

“She’s quite taken with him.” Madine pointed out. A look of irritation crossed Wedge’s face.

“She knows better though.” Wedge told him, “She is a professional.”

“She doesn’t know that you have over three dozen acolytes training here.” Madine stated, “The more advanced training she is giving your commanders is all she is aware of, and she is counting on the abilities of an Ancient, abilities we know we are suppressing, and an ancient, that we know hasn’t told Jan nor any of us, that her powers are being limited.” He stood, “Nor is she aware that we’ve already been having problems with this.”

“Chaya must have become aware by now that something is wrong with her powers.” Antilles said choosing to ignore the last of what Madine had said, “Unless she’s so consumed trying to save that clone.”

“According to the psych profile intelligence has worked up, Chaya has a soft spot for that clone.” Madine said gravely, opening a drawer in his desk, he pulled a folder out. “Apparently our Ancient has quite a maternal streak, not surprising since she was responsible for an entire planet for over ten thousand years.”

“If Katarn shows any sign of turning Sith, if there is even one report of the kind of anomalies we fought our first time here, I will have him incarcerated here immediately.” Wedge told Madine, “We know from Jansen’s little episode that the scramblers can subdue force users, we are still in control here General.”

“Are we?” Madine asked, “We are forging a very dangerous weapon, for use against a very dangerous foe. Make no mistake Antilles, what we are doing is nothing less than fighting Gods.” he turned and gazed out the window at the setting sun.

“The Ori are not Gods.” Wedge replied, a darkness in his voice, “They are not all powerful, and we will destroy them. They simply use religion to bend the weak.”

“If only there were a heaven beyond those clouds.” Madine said. “I’ve been a soldier for most of my life Wedge. I could do with a little reassurance that at the end of it all, up there..” he waved at the clouds, “There’s a shining city in the clouds, but all we’ve found are ruins, relics, and a city under siege. This place is so peaceful, a sanctuary against the darkness beyond that sky. We could live out our whole lives in peace while only a week passed beyond those clouds.” he sighed, “We are not in control, we stagger upon a precipice. Even as the weeks pass here, as this false sun rises and sets, our brothers are out there beyond the heavens, fighting for their very lives.”

"Never known you to be so philosophical Madine." Wedge commented dryly.

"I don't know that I've ever had the time to be." Madine said sourly, "Always taking orders, always playing soldier, always doing what I'm told."

"Then follow your orders now." Wedge moved closer to the man, "Put aside your doubts, put aside your concerns, put aside your feelings. The power I have given you comes at a price General, and that price is obedience." Madine straightened. "We are the first of a new breed General, we are examples, the men cannot see us to have any doubts." he took a step back. "Jansen had doubts, so have some of the others. To be a leader in our new order, you must assert your will upon the force, and wield it, rather than let it toss you about. The Jedi never learned that, the sith never mastered that. We will succeed, where all others have failed."

[Themightytom]

Just to avoid confusion this is the obsg not the new one, It's a stretch to believe the old one could survive so long, I'm leaning heavily on the fact that she was presented as in her prime even after a thousand yahrens of continuous operation, the new Galactica, would never survive this long, especially not hiding in a gas giant.

Chapter 29
---16---
Her halls were silent, her chambers empty. The ship was a tomb, haunted by a brooding spirit. A deep rumbling groan echoed from time to time, with no ears to hear it, a testament to a once mighty vessel sighing against a storm.

“This is the oldest ship I have ever boarded.” Iella spoke into her suit comm to the diminutive figure beside her. “But it looks like the atmosphere is still breathable.” She and Yoda stood in the darkness just beyond the airlock. A light had ignited to welcome them as they stepped on board, and then immediately snapped off with a spark. She had immediately switched on her suit light.

“Ancient she is, laid to rest she has been, in peace, left, she should have been.” Yoda said sadly. “Still here, her commander is.”

“Adama is an ancient,I assume, but this ship isn’t nearly as sophisticated as Lantean technology, it’s... sturdier though, the structural members are massive, compartmentalization, multiple back ups, all manual control... the technology is like a primitive forerunner of our own just... absurdly over engineered... ” Iella trailed off as she realized she was babbling. She shivered as Yoda led the way. The ship was chilly, and when she finally found the courage to snap her helmet seal, she found the air seemed old and still. The corridors were worn with many footsteps. Iella almost felt guilty when she made the scheduled check in with the Dodonna for violating the sacred silence of the ship.” I can’t imagine why he’d want to spend all this time here, it’s like a mausoleum.

“It wasn’t always so silent, so dreary.” Iella nearly fainted when the voice spoke beside her, she whirled to find a kindly older man, dressed in some sort of ceremonial blue robes, with an emblem at his throat. “This was once a ship of life, full of warriors, and families, there were children that played in these halls.” he stepped forward and opened a hatch before them, into what was obviously a command center of some sort. dozens of workstations sat empty, but their monitors were alive with transmissions from around the galaxy. iella saw on a vast screen before them, an elaborate display of five galaxies each displayed with notes on what she imagined were key worlds and events on each.

“The work of lifetimes this is.” Yoda observed.

“Several.” The man agreed wryly. “The others let me brood here, as I do no harm, I only use what tools I had before so they cannot interfere, it is not their way.”

“Who are you, what is this ship?” Iella asked.

“You have already put it together my dear, but I suppose I’ve forgotten my manners.” the man said apologetically, “My name is Commander Adama, and you are standing aboard the battlestar Galactica.”

----11 hours ago---
“Where did you learn to do that?” Jan demanded as she rolled over, dazed.

“That’s classified.” said Kyle.grinning. He stood over her and offered her a hand. Jan growled pulling herself to her feet.

“Fine, it doesn't matter, it won’t work on me again.”

“ Doesn't have to, it only has to work once.” Katarn mocked, the two were sparring within an outdoor pavilion as Chaya watched.

“Lightning flashes, sparks shower, and in the blink of an eye, you've missed seeing.” She said.

“What are you always quoting?” Katarn asked turning to her, “For months, you've offered those phrases as tokens of wisdom, they aren't Jedi.”

“No, she’s right.” Jan paused, “That wasn’t just martial arts was it, you used the force.”

“Haven’t you given up on that yet?” Katarn demanded, “I just move quickly, this whole fantasy about Myrkyr being a special world, devoid of the force and immune from the holocaust, I’m not buying it, you’re trying to turn me.”

“The rebel commander you were trying to intercept was Master Yoda.” Jan was exasperated too as they’d had this argument many times, “And you've finally confirmed the name by the way, so much for ‘classified.’”

“I’ve been here for months.” Katarn told her, “By now all my security clearances are cancelled and my status is revoked I’m useless to you.”

“Before you stands a shining path, Kyle Katarn, the choices you make may bring about a peace the universe has never seen. You can save us from the doom that awaits us, as a prophet who precedes an age of enlightenment.” Chaya said Both Kyle and Jan blinked.

“That wasn’t a quote was it.” Jan said matter of factly.

“I get to PRECEDE the age of enlightenment?” Katarn was incredulous, “So I die before I see it? That’s a terrible offer Jan, just terrible.”

“I thought your people were of the moment.” Jan persisted, ignoring Kyle, “You had a vision at last?” Chaya shook her head.

“It was shared with me by another.” She replied.”One who fell into darkness and seeks redemption.”

“Oh that’s a trustworthy source.” Katarn grumbled. “Is this like some kind of Ascended Holocom Advice line?” Jan shot him a glare and turned to Chaya.

“Your powers are still clouded?” Chaya nodded. “You should leave Sanctuary Chaya, consult with the others.”

“We do not know that it is happening only here.” Chaya told Jan, “The other ascended beings may be experiencing the very same thing elsewhere, and by leaving here, I could be gone for weeks.”

“Kyle’s training is progressing.” Jan pointed out, “I can handle the younglings for you if I have to, it’s been three months already!”

“What of your own senses,” Chaya asked, “Do you still sense the growing darkness?”

“it’s not darkness exactly, it’s... animosity, imbalance...” Jan frowned. Kyle cleared his throat.
“What?” Kyle looked uncomfortable.

“I think... I think I have felt it too.” he admitted finally, “I feel...cold sometimes, nervous, the air seems a little too...alive...like the calm before a storm.”

“You HAVE reached out with the force.” Jan said, for the moment overlooking the foreboding in his voice, “You DO have the potential.” She frowned, “You HAVE been cheating.”

“I don’t know what I’m doing.” Katarn growled, suddenly defensive, “I don’t know what I am, I don’t know what all of this is.” he gestured to the three of them. “Am I a prisoner or a student, am I expected to learn wisdom while held here under duress? What the hell do you expect from me?”

“As the newborn misses the darkness.” Chaya said sadly, “And it’s screams are cracks in the light.”

“This is what going insane must be like.” Katarn grumbled.
* * *
“Starbuck’s ship.” Iella said, “So it did travel here with the ancients.”

“Yes, we sent her off into the void, when her job was done, when the Furlings were done with her.” Adama told her, “Though I confess I left the shields on, I could not bear to see the old girl destroyed by some passing comet, some nebula, some storm in space...”

“and you have been monitoring galactic events from here?” Iella asked, “How? this ship can’t have the kind of sensor range-”

“The Stargates can do more than you are aware.” Adama told her “There is one nearby.”

“Clever.” Iella replied, “But what are you monitoring exactly, these transmissions, they’re not all live, some of them aren't even from this galaxy I don’t think,” She gestured to one that depicted in black and white, a clumsy space suited figure stepping down from a cumbersome looking lander, “And these...” She gestured to the galaxies mapped on the main screen, “Pegasus, Corusca, those are Kobola and Altair I would imagine, is that spiral galaxy Ida?”

“It is called the milky way, by some.” Adama told her.”What I have gathered here is a design that stretches across time and space, and even across the multi verse itself. I am attempting to discern the methods of a being that transcends them all.”

“Iblis.” Iella had spoken enough to Starbuck to know of whom Adama spoke. “You’ve been monitoring him for ten thousand years? He’s done all of this?” She noted a war was playing out on the monitor she had noted before, while on another a Jedi and a Sith battled, and on yet another it seemed the Asgard were dueling with some as yet unknown race.

“My dear, this is but a single hour.” Adama told her, “A single hour of time at which Iblis moves. Through all of time and space, I have searched to uncover the method of a single hour of that cruel monster’s device, I have searched for the means to defeat him, to thwart his design!”

“Why?” Iella demanded, “What happened in that one hour that was so pivotal to the universe.”

“To the universe?” Adama shook his head, “To me. This was the hour my son died.”

---6 hours ago---

“You know I could easily turn this into a weapon.” Katarn commented as he swung his practice saber at Jan.

“The only one in peril would be you.” Jan said drolly as she easily caught the swing and deflected it with a circular twist. Katarn’s saber deactivated as it flew from his hands. She stabbed Kyle and the tip sparked against his skin.

“Ow!” Katarn jerked back. He stretched out a hand and called his saber back to him.

“When you began to recognize your connection to the Force, we gave you a weapon far more powerful than any lightsaber.” Jan told him, “Your time in Sanctuary is about trust, redemption, and destiny.”

“So all of this time I’ve been here...” Katarn parried an attack and stepped aside to circle, “Only hours pass outside?” Jan nodded, “Than I could return to the Empire a fully trained Jedi. I could imbue the soldiers of the Empire with the powers of the Jedi, we could become very dangerous to you.” he batted her lightsaber aside. “If you ever let me leave.”

“What would happen then?” Jan asked, “If you share the knowledge of the force with soldiers for the sole purpose of defeating the Ori, or the Alliance, or both, what will happen then?”

“We would succeed obviously.” Katarn replied as he feinted, drawing back, and then striking suddenly forward, “Against our ships, our manpower, and with Jedi? We would be unstoppable!”

“Unstoppable is another word for off balance.” Jan stepped back and turned sideways as Katarn stabbed forward and with a tug on his saber with the Force sent him stumbling past her. A stinging rake across his midsection with her saber emphasized her point.

“So what is to stop the Jedi?” Katarn asked, “General Antilles, from what you have said seems to be at odds with Yoda, more militant, and it sounds like quite a few of the Jedi Yoda trained agree with him. What’s to stop them from turning on Yoda and blazing a path of destruction, we need order.” He pivoted and swung at Jan, planning to use her deflection to try the move she had just used to disarm her.

“We need wisdom.” Jan replied without moving, she had been standing just beyond the range of his saber. Kyle saluted her with his saber and shut it off.

“You knew what I was planning.” he accused.

“You like to turn the tables.” She replied as he stepped closer, “But when you fail it hurts your ego, and you fight that much harder. Sometimes to deny the battle is the only way to win.”

“You are starting to sound like Chaya.” Kyle said as he put his arms around her. “So very wise.”

“If she were wise, she wouldn't have left us alone together unsupervised.” Jan replied.

--5---
“He was Starbuck’s friend.” Adama recalled, “The two were inseperable, as brothers. Starbuck came to mean as much to Apollo as his own brother before...” Adama stopped. “That monster created the cylons.” he growled, “He tore their empire down and erected his own, and that cost us all so dearly.”

“Iblis created the Cylons?” Iella was starting to think her Gammorrean might have had more luck following the dynamics of this conversation, “And the Cylons killed your son?”

“The Cylons killed Zak in the opening atttacks that destroyed our worlds.” Adama acknowledged. “Apollo was forced to listen helplessly as Zak was shot down. he had to leave him behind you see, his engine was damaged, and Apollo had to warn the fleet.”

Iella had no idea what to say to that, to a man thousands of years old on a ship equally old, reliving horrors of a past so far beyond her comprehension.

“So Starbuck was everything to him, so was Athena.” Adama continued, “he would not wait again, no, never again would he put duty above family, so when Athena was in trouble, Apollo went to rescue her, as a good brother should.” There was forelorn pride in Adama’s voice. “he couldn’t wait, he charged right in, and at last on Kobol, when he tried to use his powers to save his sister, the others stopped him, and Iblis destroyed him.”

“So you study Iblis, to see how it could have happened differently?” iella asked, “Why? What good would that do...”

“Because Starbuck needs to know how.” Adama told her, “How to save my daughter, how to save my son, how to save the universe!”

“The last time I saw Starbuck, he was a being of energy trying to take on the Ori single handedly to cover our escape.” Iella told Adama, “It seems to me that every moment we delay is another moment they could destroy him, so why the Kriff did you make us come all the way out here to get you, if you have a stargate nearby, why the kriff didn't you use it to come and help us?”

“Yours are shielded.” Adama pointed out, “And the stroke must be swift, sure, and all encompassing if we are to succeed against the Ori and Iblis as well.”

“I have expected them to be working together.” Iella observed.

“They are pawns.” Adama told her, “The Ori once ascended to contain Iblis, but iin losing sight of their purpose, they have played into his hands. They sow the very chaos Iblis yearns for and the hour draws nigh when he will reap what they have sown.”

“So we stop him, it’s what we do.” Iella snapped. “You’ve got all of this intel...” She gestured around the room, “It’s time to use it.”

“Indeed it is.” Adama said. He took a long look around the room, his gaze lingering at last for a moment on a console and a chair that had once, very long ago, belonged to his daughter. “Indeed it is.”

* * *
“No!” Jan sat bolt upright, Kyle nearly fell out of bed beside her.

“Ok, ok, no means no, didn’t even know you were awake!” He said, but jan was already out of bed and throwing on her robes, there was a distant explosion. he jerked his head towards the sound “That came from the naval training complex. Jan, what’s happening? Jan!”

“Chaya’s hurt!” Jan shouted as Kyle tumbled out of the small hut after her, still pulling on robes of his own.

“Chaya’s immortal, how could she be hurt?” Katarn stumbled into his last boot as an alarm sounded. They stood on the common, where around them lights were flicking on in the hutts belonging to the Jedi trainees around them. Jan moved towards a speeder but paused. She looked down the dirt road to the east, opposite the direction of the training center.

“Jedi Ors we have an emergency situation.” Bren Derlin’s voice sounded from Jan’s comlink. She began running, Katarn followed.

“Chaya’s been hurt, I know, I’m on my way.” She shouted into it as she ran. “what happened?”

“One of the Genii was badly injured, we called Chaya in to see if there was something she could do, there’s been an explosion in the infirmary” Derlin confirmed, “We’ve spotted men on speeders heading your way, we believe they are carrying explosives..”

“This is a coordinated attack, they’re headed to Aura point.” Jan said, “We’ll try to intercept them Colonel.”

“Aura point is where the time dilation device is buried right? I thought that was classified?” Katarn said as they ran.

“They figured it out.” Jan said grimly.

“I spent two years trying...” Katarn sounded almost envious, “I figured I’d marry you to get you to tell me.” Jan stumbled.

“Now Katarn? You’re proposing now?” Jan was incredulous.

“I figured you’d say yes if you were off guard.” he admitted, they rounded the bend and spotted several figures crouched over the pavillion at which they had dueled, they were ripping up the stone tiles searching.

“I found it!”

“Stop!” Jan shouted, she sent a blast of the force across the clearing scattering the group. There was a snap behind them, the only warning as a quartet of figures popped up from either side of the path and began firing. Katarn’s light saber was out and he was already deflecting, Jan continued forward only to met by a hail of wraith stunner fire. “Watch out, sabers won’t deflect!” She warned, Katarn cartwheeled sideways around a blast, and threw a dozen rocks at his attackers with the Force.

“You haven’t said yes yet...” Katarn prompted her.

“Stop!” Jan shouted again at the figures by the pavilion, they were moving bundles into place, but she was so busy dodging she couldn't spare a second to do anything more than shout. “Why are you doing this?”

“The Genii will never be free as long as you meddle in the affairs of our galaxy.” A woman apparently appointing herself leader declared. “Without this device you cannot train your forces so quickly.”

“We saved you from the wraith!” Jan shouted, Kyle had finished of his attackers, and as those firing at Jan divided their attention she at last saw her chance. She gathered the force around her but suddenly felt it scream a warning.

“And we will save ourselves from you! For the Genii!” The woman shouted, and there was a tremendous explosion.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Commander Adama appears at last. Marvellous! I find it interesting that Apollo dying, or failing to save Athena, is the starting point for this enormous web of delightful chaos you have weaved.

"...absurdly over-engineered." Yeah, that pretty much describes any Battlestar deisng, but Galactica more than most.

[Themightytom]

Chapter 30


"My Name is Starbuck."
Rolling in a tangle of thought and energy they fought. Memories and beliefs cognitive echoes encoded in patterns of energy, hurled at one another. Oscillation and counter oscillation, wave and counter wave, an elemental battle tearing at the fabric of their being.
"I'm here to save the universe…"

Two become one as energy collapses around them and choice is removed. There is the echo of sorrow, a wavelength of remorse streaking desperately away, striving for coherence, and finally…sadly… succumbing to dissonance. In the final moment before chaotic entropy, energy resolves one final time into a thought which is broadcast as a death knell. The first thought whispered into the ears of man in a primordial world, which caused him to look at the world for the first time with something more than necessary tolerance, ushers him into oblivion at last.

"Why…"

Thrawn opened his eyes, frowned, and then nodded.

“So they have failed.” he said quietly. Pellaeon turned from a report.

Suddenly the space above the fleet was filled with the massive bulk of the Death Star.

“It is time to deal with the Ori once and for all Grand Admiral.” Thrawn announced. “I will lead the attack from the Dawn Star personally, with our remaining forces here. You are to take the Chimera to Wayland and assume command of our forces there.”

“Our forces there?” Pellon was confused.

“There will be instructions awaiting your arrival, Grand Admiral. Carry out your orders.” Thrawn told him as he moved to a ring set in the center of the command center. Clasping his hands behind his back, he waited as a set of rings sprang up from the floor, and then, with a flash, he was gone.

* * *
The gateroom alarms blared as wounded were carried out on stretchers, Jan was on her feet, though she had her arm in a sling, Katarn followed behind her. he drew up shortly as Rieekan raised a blaster.

“Jedi Orrs, why are you accompanied by an unrestrained, high ranking imperial officer.” Rieekan demanded.

“Commodore Katarn was taken into custody and brought to sanctuary under Admiral Ackbar’s orders. He has since renounced the Empire and joined the Jedi order as a Padawan.” Jan said stepping between the two, “And I have assumed the rank of Master, General, which I believe makes us equal in rank.”

“You have assumed the rank?” Rieekan sputtered Jan nodded.
“I sensed the will of the force, though Chaya confirmed it.” She provided unhelpfully.

“Master Yoda is a grand master, not a master.” Rieekan pointed out, “Your last rank was commander.”

“Colonels Sheppard and Antilles were allowed to retain their rank as concurrent to their status as Knights during field operations.” Orrs pointed out.

“I will refrain from giving you orders simply because I do not want to have any liability for this...” he gestured at Katarn, “but rest assured I will be demanding clarification as to the rest, it is entirely inappropriate for anyone in a proper chain of command to ‘assume’ a higher rank.”

“Where are Generals Madine and Antilles?” Orrs asked as Rieekan led them to the side of the ramp.

“they arrived half an hour ago and departed immediately with General Solo for a mission.” Rieekan informed her.

“Three generals on one mission, that must be an important mission.” Katarn observed.

Rieekan glared at him.

“I should go.” Kyle said, “I’ll accompany Chaya to the medical bay, unless there’s something top secret there too?” he gestured to the stargate, “You know, more so than this,. the ship I was teleported to, and the secret base I just spent almost a year on. By the way, should i check this with someone?” he held up his lightsaber.

* * *
Trebal stepped out of the transport chamber.

“You’re looking better than i expected.” Lando greeted her, then he frownded, “Todd.”

“I’m pleased to see you as well, Governor Calrissian.” the wraith said dryly.

“I am fully recovered Governor.” Trebal announced, “We rendezvoused with the Tria, General Solo suggested Todd accompany me to Atlantis rather than remain behind.”

“You’ll be operating the primary weapons.” Lando told her, “With Sheppard on the mission with Han, and Chaya still in recovery at Dathomir, you’re our best chair operator.”

“Master Yoda has not yet returned?” Todd asked, Lando shook his head.

“He’ll be following the invasion force in, look there’s something you should know, we’ve had several security issues here, and with the changes in leadership, nobody’s put it all together until now, there are a number of dissident movements among our forces from the Pegasus galaxy, and it seems like they’re making their move at the worst possible time.”

“You have insurrection among your new conscripts?” Trebal frowned.

“We just received word that Chaya was injured in an explosion at Sanctuary, and the facility has been damaged.” Lando warned her, “The terrorists responsible were linked to Genii rebels, but we believe they had help from the Hoffans as well.”

“You intend to take this city into battle under these conditions?” Todd demanded.

“We have no choice, the attack is already underway.” Lando told Todd, “Look we’re in Corusca now, and the city’s been stripped down to minimum operational personnel. We’re locking down all nonessential areas. We’ve minimized the damage they can do, but you,” he pointed at Todd, “You’re a hell of a target Todd, you’d better watch yourself.”

* * *
Jan sat beside Katarn gingerly flexing her arm. The sling was gone, a treatment from a Goa’uld adapted healing device had accelerated her recovery quite effectively. The two were seated in the vast briefing chamber of the Star Guardian. Around them were captains of both the small escorts, the surviving dreadnoughts, the Asuran warships and the conventional Alliance forces gathered from about the galaxy. There was a flash, and six Asgard commanders, their command chairs included appeared in the room. Admiral Ackbar cleared his throat for attention.

“This briefing is being recorded and forwarded to all commands. Please hold any questions you have until after our presentations. Madame President.” Mon Mothma stepped forward as Ackbar stepped back.

“The Emperor has made a critical error, and the time for our attack has come.” Mothma announced to the captains gathered about her. “cloaked assets monitoring the battle of Corellia have confirmed that the Empire has committed almost a third of it’s total fleet, including the majority of it’s advanced forces to repelling the Ori invasion, and they are losing. 18 hours ago, he summoned the so called ‘Dawnstar’” She keyed her remote, and a holo image sprang up of the galaxy at large. “The data brought to us pinpoints the Dawnstar’s exact location, it will arrive in the Corellian system within the hours, where it will engage the Ori forces directly. Ladies and gentlemen, this affords us an opportunity.

“Admiral Ackbar please.”

“With the Dawnstar, and the Empire’s advanced fleet fully engaged in the Corellian system, they will have no assets available with which to defend Imperial city.” the city’s location on the far side of the galaxy was highlighted. “With the Emperor engaged in a propaganda campaign centered on his ability to better protect the citizens of the galaxy than any other force, we will show our galaxy otherwise, by seizing control of the capitol.”

“He’ll just defeat the Ori and take it back!” Someone shouted from the back. “If we can even get through their defenses.” Someone else replied.

“I assure you we have planned for both.” Ackbar interjected loudly. “We have deployed our own city ship to counter the defenses of Imperial City, as a distraction, however we are at the moment inserting an advance team led by the Jedi that will bring down the city’s shield and allow us to seize it intact. “ he thumbed his remote. “This will lead us to phase two.”

* * *
The Dagobah system crawled with sudden life. A century ago this backwater had been nothing more than an empty system forgotten and left for the most part, to itself. An ancient world, having long ago spewed forth its civilization, had waited in repose, awaiting its turn once more in the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Whatever new potential awaited beneath its murky clouds vanished the day a certain stone ring began to tremble and shake, the day certain stone chevrons slid to lock certain symbols in place. The day the Goa'uld came and everything changed.

Wedge meditated on this as the Falcon drifted quietly into the system.

"I got a bad feeling about this." Muttered Han, earning a groan from both Jedi Sheppard, behind him, and from Kara Thrace who was sitting in the co-pilots seat, . "What?"

"You always have a bad feeling." muttered Sheppard, "Every ten minutes you have a bad feeling. When you die, that's all they'll remember, "Han Solo: he had a bad feeling about that."

"If you have a bad feeling, maybe you should just keep it to yourself." Starbuck suggested helpfully, "You don't want to tempt fate by saying it out loud right?" Artoo beeped agreement from his cradle.

"Hey if my feeling runs true, I don't want to lose the last chance I have to be right." Han grumbled. Chewie entered the cockpit and Thrace rose, from the his seat following Sheppard into the passenger compartment. Wedge sat surrounded by his commandos. Sheppard stared thoughtfully at the man before him. From what he had gathered, Wedge had always been the pilot's pilot, a sort of every man that anyone could count on, anyone could relate to. Wedge had been a good soldier, but after Yavin, he had changed. Driven by guilt, by remorse, by the sense that justice had been snatched from the galaxy, Wedge had thrown himself into fighting the empire, his men had respected him as a soldier, as he had withdrawn from them as their friend. When the jedi were reborn, it was not hope that Wedge had embraced, but responsibility, purpose, and now obsession. By the time Sheppard had met him he was only an echo of his former self, on the verge of becoming something darker. Wedge looked up and nodded abruptly to Sheppard, who returned the acknowledgement, and continued through the passenger compartment with Thrace trailing behind him.

His rejection of Yoda complete, Wedge had returned to those men, and trained them in secret, harnessing the power of the Force to singular purpose. His men gathered around him now, together in training, together in secrets, far more than comrades now, his acolytes.

“This will be a day long remembered.” he said quietly, “it will see the end of the Ori, the end of the Empire, and the end of Thrawn. The force shudders in anticipation."

“I feel the death of so many.” Wes Jansen said quietly. he was pale, and his eyes exhausted. More than any he had struggled with his training. Wedge looked gravely at his friend.

“The Death Star has arrived in the Coruscant system.” Madine said quietly with a glance at Wedge, “The priors are throwing everything they have at it, trying to get the Ori on board.”

“I want to kill them all.” Jansen said plainly, but Wedge hushed him.

“Our enemies fall upon one another vying for supremacy.” Wedge nodded, “But the moment to reveal ourselves is not quite upon us.”

“Sheppard seems to have taken an apprentice.” Madine observed.

“He hasn’t the mastery to do so truly.” Wedge scoffed, “Not like I had, for all his favored disposition, it was high Yoda trained most closely, and I who was first read to stand on my own. You are my soldiers, my knights. Let him have his padawan.”

“What of the force?” Madine asked, “Who will govern it. in this new age, who will balance it?”

“Mask yourselves.” Wedge interrupted, and a moment later Sheppard had returned.

“Kara’s checking out her ship, making sure it’s ready.” Sheppard announced as though anyone cared. “Looks like we’re about to get this show on the road.” he sat down next to Antilles. “You ready Wedge?”

“Always.” Wedge said gruffly, and then, to mask the venom he added with false bravado, “I feel like I could take on the whole Empire myself.”

"Let me ask you something." Said Sheppard, "This Thrawn character, this empire, are they as bad as all that? I mean we're not talking about Darth Vader here, right? I’ve been so busy with Atlantis I really don’t know anything about him, it doesn't seem like the Empire is all that bad. Imperial City's full of life, and people go about their lives in this galaxy…"

“He’s a tyrant, they all are.” Wedge replied, “And we’re rebels, that’s all you need to know Sheppard.”

“Yoda had a problem with absolutes.” Sheppard muse, “he said ‘ the illusion of certainty beware, the path to arrogance it is... the path from reason and to fear...”
“...and fear leads to anger, anger leads to suffering...” Wedge interjected, rising, “But what if if anger leads to righteousness? What if it leads to justice?”

“Do you want to take that chance?” Sheppard asked rising too, “Do you want to be responsible for a Darth Vader? You know I’ve been a soldier too, I’ve seen what war can do to a man who forgets what he’s fighting for.”

“Oh and what are we fighting for.” Wedge demanded, “What are you fighting for Sheppard?”

“A better world.” Sheppard replied.

“Well I’m fighting for the ones we've lost.” Wedge replied. Kara had entered, drawn by the rising voices, and she didn't like the way the soldiers in the room were poised around Sheppard. The two locked gazes for a moment, before Sheppard replied,

“Well it’s a good thing we’re all on the same side, isn’t it, General.”

“Not for the Ori.” Said Han quietly, both turned, neither having heard him come in. “And not for Thrawn. Everyone sit down, strap in, and shut up, this is going to be rough.”

[Themightytom]

You know as much as I try to post shorter segments, I fail, and when I TRY to break off smaller pieces I end up elaborating on small aspects of them that change the whole, so I powered through a big chunk of the finale and endgame, because I still have several fanfics written after this one : p

[Themightytom]

Chapter 31

Lost, his consciousness drifted in the darkness, there was thought, but it was fleeting, there was no purpose, only the stirrings of awareness.

Intelligence, a mind burns like fire.

Yes I see him you blithering idiots, Starbuck do you understand us? You have to reach out, you’ve twisted space and time around you, we can barely reach you!

Recognition stirs, wary but weary, the darkness brings peace and tranquility.

It brings your doom! You are fading, you must let us help you!

The center holds, drops of dreams dribble on a nascent echo.

Yes at the core, he knows himself still, Starbuck let me help you, you know me, you must trust me!

A voice, a name, a meaning but no comprehension.

You were fighting the Ori, you took them on yourself, they tore you apart, but you endured, by the gods you miserable fool you’re too stubborn to die!

Fear and ferocity, the noble and the savage.

Yes they did quite a job on you didn’t they, but you hurt them too, they couldn’t break away, but you couldn’t defeat them. You understand why we couldn’t help you fight them it would have destroyed everything, everything.

The semblance of regret, and the memory of resolve. Helplessness.

How to get out of here, the universe is warped, strained, but our friends here know the way...

Two protons expelled at each coupling source becomes the mode of force. Genesis turns to it’s source

Very good, very good my friends, gather him up, we will take him to the cradle in the seat of power, quickly now!


* * *
“Unidentified freighter, break off your approach, you do not have clearance to land.”

“The signal’s distortion, can you clear it up?” Lando asked Lobot Around them the command center of Atlantis was hushed expectantly.

“it is being relayed via subspace from the Organa, I believe either the cloak, or the atmosphere of the planet...” Lando shushed him as Solo’s voice responded.

“We can’t break off, we’re having engine trouble, we’ll have to ditch.” Lando could hear Han’s voice raised in fear, not entirely faked, as it was becoming apparent that the ruse was not working.

“Negative freighter, Break off your approach or you will be fired upon.”

“I’ve got women and children here, we’re refugees from the Vong...” Han began to argue.

“You have violated our shield perimeter, pray to whatever powers you believe in, Imperial city out.”

“Kriff.” Lando’s uttered swear was a pale reflection of that coming from Han. “Something went wrong with their transponder damnit, order the fleet to full readiness, prepare to jump.”

“Governor we must wait.” Trebal said from the chair installed in the command center. “General Solo may still be able to evade...”

“He can’t evade drones.” Calrissian snapped, “The strike team is a wash, but the shields are still down, we’ll try to cover the Falcon on her way down, and once she’s inside their shields, hope for the best. Don’t wait for my order to fire when we emerge, fire on your designated targets the minute you have a lock and get as many drones through that shield as you can too, all ships jump!”

“We’ve lost the feed from Artoo.” Lobot warned, then the world shifted as Atlantis shifted into hyperspace.

“The Admiral has not yet commenced his attack on the Death Star.” Todd pointed out, “He will undoubtedly send reinforcements.” Suddenly the City erupted from Hyperspace in orbit over Imperial City.

“The falcon has taken heavy damage.” Lobot announced, on a screen the image of the corkscrewing freighter trailing debris plummeted towards the city, “however they have breached the shield perimeter.”

Treban obligingly launched a cloud of drones even as the five warships surrounding Atlantis opened fire on the city with their beam weapons and turbo lasers. The delay in flight was just enough for Imperial City’s ancient shield to engage fully, but the initial strike had managed to annihilate several communications towers. The smoking ruin of the Falcon plunged into the small sea contained within the city, as fire shifted from it toward the city descending above them. Atlantis began to shudder.

“We’re taking fire from the defense fleet, the city is launching drones.” Lobot announced. “And because of our current orientation we are taking fire from their heavy turbolasers.”

“Governor, I’ve had some small experience attacking Lantean cities.” Todd interjected, “Now that General Solo’s ship has...landed, we should retreat to a higher orbit and engage the city at range.”

“If we more quickly eliminate the defense fleet, we can overwhelm the city more readily with the fleet by our side.” Trebal added. Lando nodded.

“Get us back into orbit, order the fleet to engage those star destroyers, we’ll take on the city’s drones.” Lando declared. “Han old buddy don’t let me down.”

* * *
Ori motherships hurled themselves with abandon at the Imperial fleet, pushing further and further away from the black hole from which still more vessels continued to pour, barrelling past the debris of those that preceded them. The shattered field of carnage made a foreboding counterpoint to the vast behemoth of the Death Star stood before them, there was a pulse of light, and a mothership vanished from the ranks of advancing ships. So did an Imperial star destroyer that was clipped by the blast.

“Your highness, we must pull the fleet back from their screening position.” Admiral Jerjerrod advised, “We simply cannot get a clear shot at them.”

“If we surrender our screen, those ships will begin firing directly on our position.” Thrawn told the man reprovingly, he sat in his throne with his fingers steepled, while around him men and women worked at their stations about his throne room. “We must deplete their forces sufficiently to seize control of the Supergate, and hold their ships a safe distance from the Dawnstar so that they can be dealt with appropriately..”

The first of the Ori ships had reached the mid point of the Imperial screening fleet, and already the flickering forms of ascended beings were beginning to emerge. With the Imperial fleet engaged, these fiery demons flew through space, their intent clear.

“But you highness, I thought the Ori were unbeatable, and that we would simply destroy the gate itself, I thought that was the purpose of bringing the Dawnstar here to reinforce us.” Jerjerrod replied.

“You thought wrong.” Thrawn told him, “the Ori are not unbeatable, and if we simply destroy this stargate, they will send ships. Slower of course, across vast distances, but they will rebuild their fleets, and attack us again and again, they will build another gate, and we will lose more men. I am tired of this.” he gestured to the impressive window beyond where ships bled and died. “I am tired of having our galaxy invaded, I’m tired of watching good people die.” he rose majestically. “No more. We will destroy these followers of the Ori, we shall destroy the ships commanded by the priors and then we shall take the fight to the Ori.” he stepped strode down the steps to a nearby station and nodded to a technician. A hologram of a pilot sprang up.

“Commander Fel, are your fighters ready?” Thrawn demanded.

“yes my lord.”

“I believe we have their main fleet’s attention, you may engage the Ori directly.” Thrawn announced. The skies above the Dawnstar were filled, with nearly 8,000 Advanced TIE fighters holding formation. The Advanced TIE fighters were the latest in the Emperor’s arsenal, they surged forward, weaving through the Imperial and Ori fleets alike.

“How are they to engage the Ori directly, my lord?” Jerjerrod asked.

“The advanced TIE fighters are armed with ion cannons and drone technology, scaled down down drone technology without the sophisticated guidance systems of the more advanced models, but that is what our pilots are for.” As they watched a pack of fighters dove upon an Ori, spitting fire from their ion cannons. A blast struck the Ori and as it sparked it flailed angrily back, destroying a fighter with a twist of gravity. Undaunted the rest of the fighters dodged and wove about it, continuing to strike it with ion blasts until it’s struggles grew feeble.

“Firing on target.” Colonel Fel announced, and around throughout all of space, the galaxy cheered. A drone struck the Ori squarely and exploded, and when the blast cleared there was nothing.

Ori spun wildly as they unleashed their wrath upon the TIE fighters that dared assault them, and though they were good, it had become quite clear they were vastly outnumbered. Though a dozen TIEs died before their fury, scores more took their place, and one by one the Ori were blasted apart in the skies above the Dawnstar.

“Very good, they will fall back to their ships and advance more cautiously now.” Thrawn noted, “Their followers will begin to doubt, and with the galaxy behind me, I will drive them back.”

“Your majesty...” Jerjerrod was concerned by a data pad he held, Thrawn heard something in his voice that made him turn. “We received a high priority transmission sent via Imperial city, your eyes only.

“Admiral this is hardly the time...” Emperor Thrawn began glancing at the pad, then he froze. Snatching the pad he quickly keyed it to the holo platform before him, still displaying Commander Fel’s visage as he led his pilots. The image was replaced with that of Admiral Ackbar. “Turn that off.” Thrawn ordered pointing at the holocam.

“With the Emperor’s forces occupied with fighting the Ori, we will position squadrons of escorts around the Dawnstar, in preparation for a coordinated strike.” .

“This is time stamped an hour ago...” Thrawn observed, “Admiral tell our forces to...” and the throne room shuddered, “No! Not now you fools, NO!”

“As the escorts target the turbolaser defenses with their drones, the rest of the fleet will conduct a precision jump into orbit over the death star.” Ackbar continued.

“Multiple contacts engaging our remaining defenses Highness!” Jerjerrod, “perhaps three dozen of those ancient relics the rebels had at Corellia.”

“Reorient the superlaser, maximum rotation!” Thrawn ordered, “Order our remaining super star destroyers to engage that fleet.”

“Eight vessels unknown configuration have engaged the Iron Fist, and the Tyrant!” Jerjerrod warned, in the distance Thrawn could see the alien warships, dwarfed by the two destroyers dodging numbly around them peppering them with weapons fire. he nodded in approval as the Tyrant defiantly blasted one out of the sky. The Sovereign and the Oligarch had followed his orders but were taking heavy drone fire from the rebel ships. Thrawn watched as a score of Imperial II class star destroyers were torn apart by the long stabbing beam weapons of the Rebel fleet.

“Damn you Ackbar not now!” Thrawn raged, The men and women working around Thrawn could not help but observe this uncharacteristic display, as the Admiral watched though he saw their unsettled expressions turn to barely contained masks of rage, and admitted that he felt it himself. How dare these rebels, how dare they oppose Thrawn? He shook his head in disgust and refocused himself on the task at hand.

“My lord, the Ori vessels are regrouping!” Jerjerrod warned. Thrawn turned as Jerjerrod hesitated, “And Imperial City reports it is under attack.”

“So this is how you want to play it.” Thrawn growled, “Very well, transmit to Wayland Admiral, tell Pellaeon to launch his assault.”

“We will use the Death Star’s mass to shield us from the Superlaser, and strip it’s surface defences as the Ori continue to engage...”

“Two can play this game Ackbar, and it’s time you learned precisely who and what you are dealing with.” Thrawn growled. "Contact Wayland, inform Admiral Daala that the moment Grand Admiral Pelleon arrives, she is to launch for Dathomir. at once."

[Themightytom]

Chapter 32

“The hull is breached!” Madine screamed as men groaned in the darkness around him. The Falcon rumbled about them, “prepare for evac!”

“Where’s General Solo?” Sheppard demanded as men pushed around him, the flickering emergency lights in the lounge were of little help and every time his eyes adjusted sparks showered from one place or another. Ignored, he shouted, “Kara, do you read?”

“Loud and clear boss, I ditched just before they shot you all down, my cloak is intact, though the turbo laser fire shook me up a bit,” Thrace reported. “They’ve got recovery vehicles in bound, you better move.”

“General Solo?” Sheppard called, “Han! Are you...” he stopped as he finally reached the cockpit. The canopy was cracked but intact, it looked about to go at any minute. Artoo was beeping urgently from his cradle, trapped, and General Solo was crouched over the broken form of Chewbacca.

“Oh my god Han, I’m so sorry I... what are you doing??” Sheppard demanded. Ackbar’s holo image continued to flicker on the console, Sheppard saw that it was being transmitted live, “Artoo!” The droid beeped frantic protests. “How can the ship be doing that on it’s own turn it off!” Artoo continued to beep frantically, “Han, we’ve got to shut this down and get out of here!”

“I’m not leaving him.” Han said resolutely.

“Han listen I..” Sheppard reached for Han even as he stabbed uselessly at the controls, han shook his arm away. “Look I can’t do this all alone alright? Help me out, pull it together!”

Han shook his head, and wordlessly drew his blaster. He shot the computer bank out from behind Artoo causing the droid to screech wildly and disengage from it’s socket in terror.

“Han!” Sheppard shouted, the shrapnel from the shot sent burning embers onto his robe, “Get a hold of yourself.”

“No.” Han said shaking his head, he gently laid Chewie back, “I’ll get a hold of those bastards that shot us down, I’ll get a hold of every last Imperial working for that butcher...” he surged from his broken seat, shoved past Sheppard, and kicked Artoo, still trundling down the corridor out of his way. Sheppard had no choice but to slosh after him through the rising waters.

* * *
When Grand Admiral Pelleon had arrived at Wayland, he hadn’t believed his eyes. Resting in orbit was an Eclipse class super star destroyer, identical to the Chimera, and four Sovereign class destroyers that should not exist. As he watched, Star Destroyers were docking in massive alternating berths on their undersides, they were super star destroyers any longer, though he noted the superlaser remained, they were supercarriers, capable of transporting a dozen apparently refitted victory class star destroyers.
When he had received the holo transmission from the surface, and taken it to his ready room to view, he had wondered how in the world Thrawn had managed a hidden fleet, until suddenly it had hit him.

Had anyone ever shut down the World Devastators?

“Admiral Daala wishes to ring over.” he was informed, and a few moments later she was before him offering a salute.

“Emperor Thrawn wishes me to brief you on our forces here.” Admiral Daala stated. She handed him a data pad, “However he asks that I do it on the way, he has ordered an immediate attack on the rebel base at Dathomir, my ships are preparing to leave already.”

Pellaeon scanned the pad quickly and confirmed the Emperor’s orders. Though he did not appreciate being put on the spot so, at all, he trusted in Thrawn’s leadership and obeyed without question. He quickly gave orders to his crew to set a course for Dathomir, and begin coordinating with the fleet over Wayland. When he was finished he turned to Admiral Daala.

“It will only take us a few minutes to reach Dathomir from here, if your ships also have advanced hyperdrive systems.” Admiral Daala nodded, Join me in my day cabin, so we may proceed without interruption.” Pelleon replied, leading her from the command center. “I presume the world devastators that constructed the original superlaser fleet is still in operation? Daala nodded. “How have we managed to crew so many ships so quickly? The Imperial starfleet is somewhat short handed at the moment.”

“When it became clear that the rebels were getting resources we could not account for, and that the most significant threats to our galaxy, often allied with the rebels, were extra galactic, Emperor Thrawn had the foresight to secretly order the development of a fleet that could project Imperial security...further.” Daala replied, “Unwilling to require further burden on the civilian population, he authorized us to reactivate the Spaarti cylinders at this facility.”

“Clones.” Pellaeon frowned. “Thrawn has said himself on several occasions that clones weaken a civilization’s resolve in waging war. If there is no cost, no penalty, then there is little imperative to win,”

“With all due respect Admiral, it is clear that we cannot win these wars as things stand, even with the civilian population’s support.” Daala told him, “They are tired, they are worn out, they are sick of fighting, they cannot rally behind more battle, they can only rally behind a man.”

“yes.” Pellaeon agreed readily. “Thrawn is that man.”

“Under his leadership we have grown the soldiers to operate those vessels.” Daala continues, “Each with a superlaser, each with intergalactic hyperdrives reverse engineered from Imperial City, and these are but the first.” She slid a data chit into his terminal without asking, and a hologram sprang up. Teh familiar corusca galaxy, and then widening to those around it. One was highlighted particularly, some distance away. “This is the ori galaxy.”

“That is a great distance away.” Pellaeon noted, Daala nodded.

“There are no less than three galaxies between us and them. The data base on Imperial City identifies them as Kobol, Pegasus and Terra. To reach us here, Thrawn believes the Ori must have conquered each, or at least, established bases of operations. That means their infrastructure could surpass ours considerably.”

“They can send their followers at us in an endless wave.” Pellaeon breathed, “With centerpoint destroyed we have no defense against them now...”

“We must destroy their infrastructure, the worlds friendly to them, we must sever the links in the chain they forged to get here.” Daala agreed, “Emperor Thrawn intends to gain control of their supergate as a beachhead, to buy us time and force them to waste their forces needlessly in an effort to break through the eye of a needle, while we unravel their machine around them.”

“Emperor Thrawn does not reveal his full plan to anyone.” Pellaeon warned her, “he has indicated to me, and most of the galaxy via holo transmission that he intends to destroy that gate, but to crush the alliance as well? Ackbar can hang for his treachery but we need the Jedi. How are we to engage the Ori elsewhere, only the jedi managed to prevail against them? Their followers we can handle but to defend our ships, in their galaxy? There are dozens in this task force alone, hundreds to complete the force you propose, we would need an entire legion of force users.”

Daala met his gaze.

“We have nearly a division.”

* * *
Solo stormed through Imperial City the dead bodies of storm troopers littered the halls, Sheppard hurried to keep up, followed distantly by Artoo.

“Han what,” Sheppard said, following him down the hall, several storm troopers lay dead along the sides, evidence of Wedge’s team passing. “Tell me what is it?”

“The damn transponder failed.” Solo said shortly, he didn’t slow down “it wasn’t a malfunction, we started broadcasting the briefing tape too.”

“A virus?” Sheppard asked, “In the Falcon’s computer?” Solo nodded.

“They knew what we were doing and shot us down, now Chewie’s dead.” Solo shook his head. “We thought the Cylons got to Artoo, what if it wasn’t the Cylons, we’ve got bigger problems here Sheppard look at these bodies.” Sheppard froze as he saw that the condition of the storm troopers had changed. Instead of blaster burns, the body he had just passed had been beheaded.

“Wait a minute...” he grabbed Han and pointed, “Those are lightsaber wounds.” The storm trooper was bisected horizontally and had died in a position of trying to hold it’s intestines together. “Wedge couldn’t have done all this himself...”

“How’d they meet this much resistance, and still get so far ahead of us?” Solo asked meeting Sheppard’s gaze, but suddenly there was a commotion behind them. Solo spun and pointed his blaster past Sheppard’s shoulder, Artoo sped around the corner shrieking and Han paused, Sheppard ignited his lightsaber as the droid continued to speed past, and a quartet of heavy battle droids stomped around the corner. Surplus from first the Cylon, and then the Vong War, the heavy battle droids were similar in appearance to the Vong, and in addition to repeating blasters, they were armed with exploding metal insects, self propelled but fired from the droid’s arms. Intended to enrage the Vong, they had been developed from an earlier model designed to engage the clumsy but powerfully armored Cylons. The result Sheppard slashed furiously at a swarm of them that was pelted towards him and fought to eflect a hail of blaster fire, Han dove to the side.

“I think we’re in trouble here!” Solo shouted as he tried to cover with the blaster, and then suddenly he realized Wes Jansen was standing beside him, an odd grin on his face.

“Wes look ou...” Sheppard’s warning died in his throat as Jansen unleashed crackling force lighting at the swarm of droids, and Wes wasn’t alone, Celchu rushed past the creatures as they fell, igniting a pair of purple lightsabers. Blocking a strike for the force pikes the first two carried, he ducked under them to bisect the two standing behind. With a sudden, unsettling laugh, Jansen raised a fist and then closed it, the droid on the left suddenly crumpled inwards on itself, sparking as it was crushed and then slammed sideways into it’s remaining companion.

Sheppard stood aghast beside Han his lightsaber deactivating as an after thought.

“Looks like they’ve started sending droids.” Wedge observed quietly, he stood leaning indolently against a wall, arms crossed, his black combat suit stained with blood. “Troopers are hardly a challenge.”

“What have you done?” Sheppard demanded outraged.

“What needed to be done, Jedi.” Wedge snapped, making the distinction clear, “grand Master Yoda would sacrifice the fate of our galaxy to maintain his precious balance wouldn’t he.”

“Because of the danger the sith represent!” Sheppard insisted, “They’re responsible for nearly every war your galaxy has ever had, look at the Empire for Christ’s sake.”

“Spare me the talk of your God.” Wedge snorted, “The Force is nothing but a collection of machines, Starbuck showed us that much, this theology of balance and wisdom is foolish, we must wield it as a weapon, and so we shall. I present to you Jedi Sheppard, the Galactic Knights.”

* * *

The Death Star was fully engaged in battle. Beset by the Ori sending columns of light into it’s shield matrix, and scores of Asuran battlecruisers hailing drones down upon it, it’s surface was becoming pockmarked and scarred, but like a terrible emerald dawn came destruction, as the reorienting superlaser crested the horizon and tore ships from the sky. Thor watched this display as his crew moved around him, and turned to a hologram of Admiral Ackbar.

“We cannot fly close enough to evade the super laser with the station adjusting position so rapidly, we are having difficulty overloading it’s shields in any specific region.” Thor advised, “We have attempted strafing runs in criss crossing patterns, to remove a considerable number of crew from the station, but our beam weapons are no match for it’s shields, and the Ori continue to strike our ships whenever we venture too close.”

“We must destroy the supergate.” Ackbar declared. “The Star Defender is still uncommitted. I will attempt a micro jump within range and use the Star Defenders primary beam weapon.” An aide appeared to be trying to get the Admiral’s attention, he waived them off and turned back to Thor as the Supreme Commander spoke.

“If the Ori lose their reinforcements, they may not continue to engage the Empire.” Thor warned. “And given the concentration of Ori ships, as well as the exposure to the Death Star’s superlaser, you may be destroyed before you can succeed. Your Stargate’s proximity to the supergate may also preclude the opportunity to exchange reinforcements with Atlantis and Dathomir.”

“Then we come in close to the Death Star’s surface, and hope that the strike team can succeed in their mission.” Ackbar resolved. A datapad was handed to him that he took absently and glanced at briefly.Thor was distracted momentarily as his ship became the target of an Ori cruiser. The might warship shuddered violently.

“Admiral, it is my understanding that the Alliance leadership is on board the Star Defender to observe the destruction of the Death Star, is it truly wise to risk them in a manner that is of limited value? Thor asked as he held onto his shaking arm rests. Ackbar sighed.

“Perhaps you’re right I... by the force!” Ackbar stared at the pad in his hand, he looked up at Thor. “A massive Imperial fleet is attempting to penetrate our defenses at Dathomir, how could Thrawn have built up so many ships without our knowledge?”

“It appears that both the Alliance and the Empire are about to learn much about eachother before this day is over.” Thor observed as his ship shuddered once more.

* * *
“Grand Admiral we are approaching the Dathomir system, but we have encountered a massive deployment of mines, it seems to surround as much of the system as we can scan.” Admiral Fey’la informed him. The Bothan had chosen to comm him from the bridge, and his hologram flickered as the ships turbolasers began to fire. “I have ordered the fleet to open fire with conventional weapons.”

“Very well Admiral, I will join you in a moment.” Pellaeon replied, “Charge the superlaser, and order the other ships to do the same.” he turned back to Daala. “You cloned a division of Jedi?”

“In a manner of speaking.” Daala told him, “We used the Jedi’s body as a template, but we limited certain, cognitive and emotional functions,” a female specimen sprang up, “They are little more than dones, conduits if you will.”

“For what?” Pelleon demanded, and then a familiar organism appeared, “The Thrawn Symbiote?”
“The Thrawn symbiote.” Daala confirmed, “Never intended for Imperial or alliance officers at all, no, the symbiote works best in conjunction with a non-sentient host, much like the priors of the Ori.”

“The Emperor can control these... creatures?” Pelleon asked

“Does the Emperor control the Empire? He directs it’s will, He can direct these, only a bit more, directly. The symbiote possesses suitable genetic memory to be of a disposition compatible with his own, his thoughts will...resonate with them.” Daala informed him, “And through their connection with the force, they will project those thoughts, bending the universe itself to his will.” She stopped/

“But can they fight the Ori?” Pelleon demanded, “It is my understanding that Master Yoda was hard pressed to defend against one.”

“According to the data provided by our spies however, General Antilles was able to use the neural interface technology to augment their defenses.” Daala told the Grand Admiral, “We have begun to experiment with the same, with immediate success. It seems the Jedi are held back by a preoccupation with self preservation, while our clones are more willing to, give themselves for a higher cause.”

“What is the attrition rate?” Pelleon asked as he pulled the data chip from his desk and handed it to Daala.

“One out of three require immediate euthanizing.” Daala told him, “I have ordered production increase immediately to compensate, and in exchange the applications of their powers are staggering.” She smiled. “We have not had time to fully test their limits.”

“and that is what Thrawn plans for us to do here.” Pellaeon said in understanding. They stepped back onto the bridge, “Then if we are to take this fleet beyond our galaxy, we’d better be sure to test it thoroughly first.”
* * *
“Your majesty, our technicians report fluctuations in the main reactor, irregular output...” Jerjerrod was flushed as he read the report, “Some design flaw, it was never intended to operate at these levels for long...”

“Calm yourself Admiral, it is no design flaw.” Thrawn said quietly. He closed his eyes, “Continue firing at the Ori, they are less able to evade us, coordinate turbolaser fire on the rebels as best you are able, it won’t be long before they have a choice to make, and Ackbar is no fool.” Thrawn watched the dance of the ships in the sky above him, “Like a fish to water.” he murmured.

“My lord?” Jerjerrod was confused.

“He is mon calamari, he is comfortable in this chaos.” Thrawn gestured to the blazing paths of lights exploding above them. An Ori mothership hurdled past wreathed in a halo of fire as it’s shields absorbed fire from a cloud of TIE fighters engaging fighters of it’s own, a steady stream of turbo laser rising from the surface, fire was suddenly supplemented by the powerful strike of Asgard pulse weapons, indiscriminately vaporizing the fighters dueling. A Column of light slammed into it’s side as it strayed within range of an Asuran cruiser cresting the surface of the death star, in the process of disgorging drones at the TIE fighters breaking off, the mothership rolled to the side stricken and began belching flame. As it drifted up and away from the surface above them it was struck by more and more turbo laser fire, and finally another blast from the Asuran warship tore through it’s shields.

“You see the complexity of this dynamic?The dimensions of this battle appeal to him, Ori versus Empire, Empire versus rebel, rebel versus Ori, and Ori versus rebel, the dimensions must be reduced to the linear plane in which Ackbar fails. Empire versus Rebellion, he will find himself trapped, and he will be forced to withdraw.”

An aide handed Jerjerrod a report, Jerjerrod scanned it, saluted, and reported “Your majesty, Grand Admiral Pelleon has engaged rebel forces in the Dathomir system.”

“Good.” Thrawn nodded agreeably, “Ackbar will be forced to withdraw his forces here, and we will crush the Ori. Contact Imperial City and order them to rendezvous with us here. Ackbar enjoys these little currents, these little eddies, let’s see how he does when his forces are grounded upon the might of the Empire.”

[Themightytom]

Sorry everyone, I let this go for too long, I still have sequels to post too, and what started as a summer hiatus got out of control when I started an internship along with full time work, real life comes first but I think I can push this through to fruition. A completed but earlier version is on fanfiction.net


Chapter 33

“Madame president, we finally have an update.” Around the table, the Galactic Alliance Security Council quieted. just over a dozen highly placed representatives of Alliance military sat, a holo tank suspended above them displaying graphics of both the assault on the Death Star, as well as Imperial City.

“Special agent Somax has the floor.” Mothma announced.

“Madame President, Dathomir is under heavy assault.” Somax announced. “As you know, Atlantis reported interruption in gate resupply at 04:30. Unable to raise Dathomir directly we dispatched a scout jumper to the system to investigate.” A third theatre was added to the two being displayed before the council. “A previously uknown force of Sovereign and Eclipse class super star destroyers has engaged the replicator mine-field surrounding Dathomir. Our projections estimated penetration of the field likely in under two hours.”

“How is that possible Mr. Somax, it was our understanding the field would be self sustaining.” General Dodonna demanded.

“The minefield was not designed to repel over a dozen superlaser equipped super star destroyers General, nothing is.” Somax replied, “Our intelligence on the Empire just yesterday suggested that their entire upgraded fleet as well as the Death Star itself would be required to engage Dathomir, and destroy the mines deployed faster than the replicators could reassemble them, and we could conceive of no circumstance where Thrawn would commit such forces for so little gain.”

“The Death Star is still superior in firepower to the forces I see deployed.” Dodonna pointed out.

“The overall firepower is not equal, to our projections, but it seems super star destroyers can be deployed far more effectively.” Somax stated, “They are arrayed in a rotating cone, allowing their ships to continually fire their superlasers, and then reposition to recharge. At 07:30 Dathomir base activated all remaining replicators, including those they had reported malfunctioning. The Empire is currently approaching Dathomir base and the self destruct has been ordered.”

“Have we re-established stargate operations?” Mothma demanded

“The disconnection was not caused by Dathomir base.” Somax explained, “It seems Atlantis could not establish a connection because they were superseded by Imperial City.”

“Solo’s team, has there been any word?” Dodonna asked. Somax shook his head.

“Have we been able to raise Grand Admiral Ackbar?” Mothma asked.

“The Asgard relay was sucessful for a time.” Somax replied. “The Admiral’s forces have neutralized over 30 percent of the Death Star’s surface defenses at a cost of over 40 percent of his forces. The Ori are pressing their attack as well.”

“Madame President, the attack on the Death Star was a diversion, Imperial City was the target.” Dodonna stated, “Without resupply, the Grand Admiral’s attack cannot succeed, and neither can Atlantis if the General was unable to control the gateroom.”

“If there is an outgoing wormhole on Imperial City than it is not possible to achieve our objective.” Mothma declared, “We must initiate our failsafe.”

“With all due respect Madame president,” Borsk Fey’la spoke up, “If we destroy Imperial City, the galaxy will never forgive us, especially as the Ori attack the Death Star.”

“We will have lost the political battle.” Mothma conceded, “However we will have cut the head off the Empire, with the destruction of Imperial City, it’s government will be in disarray, and with the destruction of the Death Star, Thrawn’s military will be destroyed. If it is necessary to withdraw to sectors that have supported us openly, we will do so until the galactic community at large recognizes the necessity of our actions.” Left unspoken was the obvious. Victors could write the history books.

“The Ori will still control the Supergate…” Dodonna warned. Somax noted an officer hurriedly motioning for attention, and moved to converse with him.

“Forcing Thrawn’s shadow fleet to respond.” Mothma replied, “We must make the best of this as we can, Gentle Beings, rebuild our forces here in this galaxy in order to launch an offensive on our own. With the Wraith threat neutralized, this is the safest place for our government now.” Suddenly an alarm sounded.

“I beg your pardon, but that seems not to be the case, Madame President, members of the security council we are going to have to evacuate at once, we have an emergency.” Somax announced, “We’ve lost control of the gateroom. We have reports of storm troopers coming through the gate!”

Mothma's jaw dropped and then set in a line, as Dodonna stated the obvious.

"It seems we have been betrayed."
* * *

“What do you hear Starbuck.” Sheppard’s voice crackled through the interference.

“Nothing but the rain sir.” Thrace answered the pass phrase she had requested.

“The mission’s a wash.” Sheppard told her, “Wedge took his forces through the gate, General Solo and I are all that’s left.”

“What?” Kara demanded incredulous.

“Implement Skyfall Kara, we have no choice.”

“Boss that’ll get you and the general killed.” Thrace objected.

“No other choice, Sheppard out.” The comm clicked off.

Thrace swore and steadied herself for a moment. Shaking her head she powered her repulsors. The sky above her flared with the power of the drone and turbo laser fire falling from Atlantis. The shields of Imperial City struggled to repel it. Still unseen under the protection of the cloak, Thrace locked her mini drones on a building rising over the city’s northwest pier. Targeting the first of several primary shield generators she began to fire.

* * *

“Governor, something’s happening to the city!” A technician reported, Atlantis shuddered as the imperial fleet fired another salvo.”Their shields are fluctuating!”

“Thrace.” Calrissian said with certainty, “She was supposed to provide air support for ground teams, not engage directly, if she’s made a move than Solo’s team is lost.” he allowed himself a moment, and then ordered, “Target any available firepower on their shield generators.”

“Governor, we are barely able to defend against the city, and the Imperial fleet, and more ships are arriving every moment.” Lobot informed him, “It is unlikely even with assistance from the surface that we will be able to bring down the city’s shields,”

“Then prepare for collision.” Lando snapped, “one way or another that shield is coming down.

“We are picking up Colonial Battlestar, same design as the Pegasus, approaching from inside the system.” Lobot informed him, “It is being escorted by the Organa.”

* * *

“And thus ends the Galactica.” Adama intoned sadly. Through the viewport before him he watched the mighty ship hurdle to her doom. A stray shot or two from the already beleaguered Imperial forces were all there was time for as the titan plowed through fire and debris. Before her, wreathed in a dome of fire was Imperial City. Thundering forward her engines burning brightly, the Galactica rammed the city’s shield and it burst. As the ship broke apart, her flight pods shearing in either direction, her great alligator head turned only at the last moment blunted by the shield, the last colonial battlestar collapsed down onto Imperial City pulverizing factories and buildings, relics and turbolasers. “Farewell my friend, you were a guardian, a refuge, a home, a tomb…. and now…” he considered, “I suppose nothing more than a drum beat.”

“For ghosts of the past grieve not, my friend.” Yoda told the grieving Commander. “To the future must we look, for today, must we fight.”

There was a long moment of silence on the bridge.

“Master Yoda, I’ve got a reading on General Solo’s location.” Iella announced. “There is heavy damage to the industrial sector of Imperial City, and they’ve lost main power, but the gate room and government centers are still intact.”

“For beaming, a strike team prepare.” Yoda ordered. “Much to accomplish we have.”

[Eternal_Freedom]

You killed Galactica. You bastard.

[Themightytom]

You killed Galactica. You bastard.

I should have put in a "Intensify forward batteries" scene, oh well. It was symbolic of Adama's commitment to a decisive confrontation instead of wallowing in eternal self exile. he kind of made Yoda's stint on Dagobah look like a smoke break.

[Eternal_Freedom]

It may have been justified, it was even awesome....but still, you bastard