Ten years, one month, and eleven days after the Battle of Yavin...
Or the forty-fifth year, first month, and eleventh day after the Great Resynchronization.
(Seven months and thirty-first day since the Arrival.)
There are unpleasant situations.
There are awkward situations.
And there are those that combine both of these concepts.
From the holocommunicator came an audio signal, informing Captain Pryl that her holocommunicator was ready to connect her via hyperspace link to a subscriber possibly at the far end of the galaxy.
"Defender Fodeum Sabre De'Luz, could you please be quicker? she asked, feeling male hands on her chin.
"Yes, of course, of course, along with the words, she caught a light menthol scent of fresh breath from the Jensaarai Defender. — It's just... the helmet clasp got skewed.
"You could have simply not fastened the helmet on your head, Tanda said, controlling her irritation.
"I could have, the Jensaarai agreed. — If you hadn't been trying to peek through the opaque visor, tilting the helmet in different directions.
"I needed to see the target!
"The essence of the exercise is not to see the training sphere with your eyes, the Jensaarai patiently repeated his mantra. — You have the Force for that, and that's what you should have used.
"Yes, I know, I know, Tanda nervously drummed her fingers on her knees. — Are you done yet?
"Not quite, the Jensaarai's voice and breathing indicated he was trying his best. — But I'm in the process.
"Defender, do you understand who is trying to contact me on my personal holocom? Tanda clarified.
The fingers at her chin paused.
"I think your husband will understand... the man said uncertainly. — We're not doing anything seditious in your cabin.
Oh, well, you're wrong about that.
"A middle-aged woman, with a helmet with an opaque visor on her head, sitting on the bed, completely at the mercy of a man armed with a lightsaber and clad in fearsome armor. Plus that matte-black cloak that emphasizes your mystery... Tanda said in a conspiratorial tone, regretting that she couldn't enjoy her interlocutor's reaction in person.
Well, now, by his intonations and behavior, she knew for sure that behind this intricate armor and mask was clearly a very young man, if he could be so easily embarrassed by such a thought.
"...f! the Jensaarai exclaimed, pulling away from her.
For a moment, Tanda imagined that the man standing before her was blushing, embarrassed, becoming like a young star emitting all kinds of radiation.
It seemed she had finally managed to use the Force as the Jensaarai Defender had demanded of her.
"Are you all right, Defender De'Luz? Tanda asked, barely suppressing a smile, licking her lips invitingly.
Oh yes, now he was even more embarrassed.
She could literally feel the waves of awkwardness emanating from him, which he was trying to keep under control.
"Yes, yes, it's fine, he said haltingly. — I just broke the clasp when I imagined that... Although, of course, I've seen a movie that started the same way, but there was Darth Vader...
And now Tanda, despite being at an age at least ten years older than her interlocutor, his words still embarrassed the seasoned Star Destroyer commander.
"The clasp, Phodem reminded. — I broke it, so...
"Thank you, Captain Pryl coughed, taking off her head the opaque helmet in which, according to the tenets of the Jensaarai Order, she was supposed to "feel the Force."
Well yes, she felt it.
Not like before, like déjà vu, but more meaningfully, consciously... And embarrassingly.
Straightening her tousled locks, the woman walked to her personal holocom:
"You are dismissed, Defender De'Luz. Take your training equipment — we'll continue awakening the Force in me some other time, she said, activating the encrypted communication device with higher command and not at all surprised by who wanted to speak with her. — Grand Admiral, sir, apologies for the delay. Unforeseen circumstances arose.
And immediately mentally cursed herself for blurting it all out in a rush, like a drowning person releasing spent air from their lungs while rising from the depths.
Behavior unworthy of a Star Destroyer commander with her command experience and ability to put an opponent in their place with mere wordplay.
"Captain Pryl, the Grand Admiral's hologram remained impassive. — Report on the progress of the exercises.
The Thunder, after being thoroughly examined by technicians and engineers at the Tangrene shipyards, had been for several weeks at the southern borders of the Oplovis sector, near the trade world Ketaris.
At the moment, the Star Destroyer, along with patrolling the state border, was delivering cadets from several academies to their destination — a training base in this part of the sector.
Pilots, armored vehicle crews, and an extremely small, almost shameful number of stormtroopers.
After Sluis Van, there were no more than one battalion of "boys in white" aboard each Star Destroyer, instead of the Imperial-standard corps with all attached weapons and equipment — command was thinly spreading available forces across combat-ready ships.
Except for one Chimaera, which housed the 501st Legion.
Although, rumor has it that some of its assault units have already been moved to Imperial-class Star Destroyers that underwent modernization under the "Trio" program.
"The pilots practiced maneuvers on interceptors and assault gunships during the previous course change, Tanda reported. — Average grade "satisfactory," but too many laggards. If you want my opinion, these guys will die in their first battle against pilots who have any piloting skills at all. I recommend sending the recruits back to training and thoroughly reprimanding the instructor responsible for their training. The cadets can barely execute basic flight maneuvers. The army units haven't yet undergone combat testing, but I don't think they're any better than the pilots. That's my opinion, sir.
"I hear you, Thrawn's voice didn't change, but something, perhaps even the Force that she possessed according to Defender Fodeum's conviction, told her: the commander of the Thunder wasn't far from the truth. — I have a new assignment for you and your subordinates.
The commander of the Thunder became interested, and didn't even think to hide it, leaning forward.
"Your target is the Smarck system in the Kademimu sector, located south of your current position.
Tanda gave no sign of her agitation.
But she still asked:
"Territory of Imperial Space, sir?
"Exactly, Captain Pryl, Thrawn replied. — You need to advance to the system, send out reconnaissance drones, and take control of the sector relay. No one and nothing must know that you have infiltrated Imperial Space.
Another mission "that never happened."
And this time — against Imperial Space.
On one of the most powerful "Imperial"-class ships of the Dominion, with the best crew, horribly diluted by absolute rookies, who for some unknown reason were deemed worthy of leaving the Defense Forces of the metropolis and joining the ranks of the regular fleet...
And on top of that, conduct reconnaissance...
What could go wrong?
"Sir, I take it there's no one else? Pryl clarified.
"Exactly, Captain, Thrawn replied. — For this reason, you must only conduct reconnaissance and prevent communications equipment from working, not carry out a full assault.
"Understood, sir, Tanda replied.
An order is an order.
She needed to make every effort to ensure her crew handled the task flawlessly and didn't ruin the operation.
Because, as the ship's commander suspected, instead of them, the assault on Smarck — whatever had attracted the Grand Admiral's attention there, since he decided to violate the border of Imperial Space and conduct a military operation under Orinda's nose — would be followed by a full-scale invasion after the Thunder's actions.
Interesting, how will the Dominion later deny involvement in what happened?
You can't bring Star Destroyers into a hostile system and then say it wasn't you who landed stormtroopers.
However, let that be a headache for command, not for her.
"It will be done, she said. — End transmission, sir.
"End transmission, Captain Pryl, Thrawn replied. — And to you too, Defender Fodeum Sabre De'Luz.
At these words, the hologram of the Supreme Commander of the Dominion faded, causing Tanda to slowly turn in her chair.
Her gaze fixed on the Jensaarai Defender standing motionless behind her, who, meeting her eyes, began to shift uncertainly from foot to foot.
"I told you to leave my cabin, Defender, the commander of the Star Destroyer Thunder said in an icy tone, almost screaming at the thought of what Thrawn must think of her.
"That is correct, ma'am, the Force-sensitive forced out. — And you said to take my things so we could continue next time.
"So what's the problem? Tanda barked this time, jumping up from her chair.
And felt something round, dense, and not very heavy fall onto her feet.
The young woman looked down at her feet, seeing the helmet with its closed visor lying on the floor.
"You didn't give me back the helmet, the Defender explained. — I wanted to remind you, but you had already started talking to the Grand Admiral, so interrupting your conversation would have been very impolite...
"What a bantha poodoo," Tanda thought.
Good thing Thrawn isn't a gossip and speculations won't travel through the entire regular fleet.
That she, Tanda Pryl, commander of the Thunder, one of the most renowned commanders of the Imperial Starfleet and the Death Squadron, is not only developing her rudimentary Force abilities.
But also, for some reason, fails to answer the Supreme Commander's call in time when a young Jensaarai is in her cabin...
"Take your helmet and get out, Defender, Tanda, both enraged and confused, forced out.
Lucky that Fodeum is here for her training and is not under her direct command.
And was sent by Thrawn personally to train her...
Otherwise, she would certainly not have avoided an inquiry for fraternization with a subordinate.
And that would have definitely cost her the career she had worked so hard to build over the past few years.
Tanda straightened her tunic.
Thrawn is no fool; he'll definitely understand that it's actually just a simple coincidence and nothing objectionable.
He himself is a Beskar, married to the Chimaera, and certainly won't think anything of the sort.
* * *
An interesting composition.
A woman commander of a Destroyer, a young Jensaarai in her cabin.
Didn't answer the call for a long time, and in the frame she had slightly disheveled hair...
The first thoughts that would come to mind would be an office romance and indecent activities, which is why the holocom didn't work in time.
But that's all nonsense.
Everything that happened is uncharacteristic for obvious thoughts.
But, in turn, it evokes other reflections.
The Jedi Order was staffed by taking young children from their parents.
And this led to a considerable number of rumors, innuendos, and scandals in society.
Opponents of the Order used this propaganda to vilify the Jedi, and it must be said, they were quite successful.
But there are other examples.
The Corellian Jedi and many other organizations studying the Force did not follow this method of recruitment.
They were loyal to marriage among their members, and took children as apprentices for upbringing.
This same tradition was continued in the events I know by the New Jedi Order, in which Jedi married each other, raised Force-sensitive children, and no problems with recruitment arose that had previously plagued the Jedi during the time of the Old Republic.
Yes, not quickly, and not overwhelmingly powerful, but the Jedi of the New Order still managed to overcome many crises.
And seeing a Force-sensitive woman and a Jensaarai in one frame was akin to an epiphany for me.
After all, the current Jensaarai are essentially descendants of the first Jensaarai, who split off from the Old Jedi Order.
And their stance on marriage and children is the same as that of the Corellian Jedi.
I didn't intend to violate it either, having earlier seen only a positive direction in this — well, Luke Skywalker and his Jedi somehow dealt with potential problems.
So they all, in essence, learned by the method of breaking walls with their foreheads, while we actually already have Jedi relics and holocrons from those times when the Jedi did not disdain using the Dark Side alongside the Light, practically not separating them, but establishing balance.
And this only has a fruitful effect on the development of the Jensaarai Order.
Tanda Pryl, according to the statements of Bre'ano Umakk who tested her, is not so strongly gifted as to become a Jensaarai.
That is, she is slightly more sensitive to the Force than an ordinary sentient.
Something similar is true for Tyberos.
I am, of course, no expert in genetics and eugenics, but I should think sensibly.
When the Yuuzhan Vong arrived in the galaxy, only the Jedi were able to fight them on somewhat equal terms and resist various mental biotechnological connections and the like.
Hence, they became a desired target.
And, in the end, Luke Skywalker came to the conclusion, while fighting the Yuuzhan Vong leader, that the Force is One and there are no Light or Dark Sides, only a way of perceiving the world.
No, not in the sense of the Sith adopting the Jedi philosophy or vice versa.
This postulate resulted in something... gray and ugly, which I never fully understood.
Because the Jedi remained faithful to the Light Side of the Force and continued to oppose the Sith when they deigned to appear.
But, oddly enough, this new philosophical worldview — the Unifying Force — gave the Jedi the strength to defeat the Yuuzhan Vong.
The Jensaarai, on the other hand, have originally professed a similar tactic and philosophy.
But there are too few of them.
The invasion in the events I know will occur in fifteen standard years.
And if we try hard, we can increase their numbers without compromising training quality.
We just need to turn a blind eye to the bonding of Force-sensitives with non-sensitives.
Or with weakly gifted ones.
Without, of course, taking it to the point of absurdity, like forbidding a man from the Dark Guard, Reynar Obscuro, from continuing his relationship with his companion Grumpy, who is of the Twi'lek race, and according to the laws of biology, they cannot have common offspring.
Yes, in the Disney canon, such hybridization is possible, but, thank the Force, events are developing such that I understand — I am not in that tolerant universe led by the "House of Mouse."
And that means there are openings for maneuvers in terms of parallel crossbreeding.
There are already certain "couples."
The same Shohashi and Asajj Ventress.
Or Tyberos and Leonia Tavira, who is not entirely normal in matters of male attention and personal attachments.
Perhaps something might come of Sabre De'Luz and Captain Pryl, even though she is ten to fifteen years older than him.
But for this galaxy, where humanoid species can live without any problems for a hundred to a hundred fifty years, such relationships and even marriages do not seem absurd or condemned by society.
There is a small group of Jensaarai — no more than five Defenders — the equivalents of Jedi Knights, whom the Mon Calamari instructor taught appropriate Jedi knowledge, including that gleaned from the holocron found by the late Master Eymand on Ossus.
About thirty Jensaarai students of various ages continue their training.
This number includes some Dathomirian witches who expressed a desire to join us, as well as some representatives of the Ysanne people from Ossus, descendants of ancient Jedi who survived the destruction of the planet by Exar Kun nearly four thousand years ago.
There is young Kyp Durron, who was by no means weak in the Force in the events I know.
Mara Jade also became a capable Jedi after undergoing appropriate training.
There is also Ahsoka Tano, from whom there has been no news for a long time. I hope this is a good sign, indicating that she is acquiring knowledge of the Dark Side directly from an ancient and powerful Sith Lord.
The possibility that she might "switch sides" and become a Sith, I don't even consider as a hypothesis.
The Togruta has developed self-control over the years, so there is no doubt that she cannot be deceived.
She must gain knowledge of the Dark Side deeper than what we have, in order to pass it on to other Jensaarai.
Returning to the selection of Jensaarai...
Can a Togruta and other species have common offspring?
I don't know.
But it's worth finding out to decide whether to "pair" her with someone who could potentially become her romantic interest.
Yes, it sounds disgusting, outright matchmaking.
But manipulating subordinates is the foundation of management.
I don't intend to use anyone as "stud bulls."
Let them decide for themselves whether they are suitable for each other or not.
And this applies to all couples without exception — both existing and hypothetical.
So from a moral standpoint, the issue of "matchmaking" doesn't even bother me.
The interests of the state are more important.
I won't mention Maul and Aurra Sing — things aren't particularly clear with them.
The first is unlikely ever to be able to continue his lineage, and Captain Tyberos's mother, for her part, prefers work and enjoys contract killings.
Stop.
Let's note that thought.
Bringing together Force-sensitives and non-sensitives to increase the number of the former is a matter of future strategy.
Because even if in fifteen years we have young and well-trained Jensaarai children, sending them to the front to fight battle-hardened Yuuzhan Vong...
To put it mildly — a great stupidity.
In the events I know, the New Jedi Order already allowed such an operation — many promising young people were killed, captured with subsequent brainwashing, or wounded.
Jacen Solo was captured and the torture inflicted on him helped him understand the Yuuzhan Vong.
But they also paved his way to the Dark Side.
I have no intention of letting my brother, who has descended into the depths of madness, be killed by his own sister, as happened in the known events.
I have special plans for those twins.
The third child of the Solo couple, Anakin Solo, died during the operation of the young Jedi against the Yuuzhan Vong that I already mentioned.
And that kid was very promising.
Which only confirms the problem — sending children to the front lines is categorically undesirable.
From a practical standpoint — the more Jensaarai children die without ever realizing their potential in service to the Dominion, the harder it will be to present them as guarantors of justice in the Dominion.
Therefore, the issue of training and recruiting candidates for the Jensaarai Order, with the goal of having trained fighters ready by the time of the invasion, should be solved by a different method, not by allowing (or mostly, not preventing) "be fruitful and multiply."
Hmph.
An honestly unnecessary "moment of humor" that has been overtaking me more and more often lately.
Whether appropriate or not.
I shouldn't "loosen the reins" of self-control.
Thinking about this, I looked at the barbell grip frozen in front of my face.
How long have I been holding it, lost in thought?
A minute? Two? Five?
Resuming the bench press, I returned to my interrupted thoughts.
So, not preventing marriages — that's a strategic path.
One that could fill the Dominion's Jensaarai Order with protectors in about twenty years.
But I need trained and gifted fighters and Force specialists ready in fifteen years.
Preferably in ten.
Honestly, I wouldn't object if we could lure already partially trained Jedi or former Padawans to our side, because banking on the Jensaarai only being needed to fight the Yuuzhan Vong is wrong.
There's also Palpatine, and his servants as well.
The Shadow Guard was created to counter him, but it's extremely small and currently only manages tasks involving eliminating the insane clone's accomplices.
According to Obscuro, he had a vision that they would all die in the confrontation with the Emperor.
If so, we need to qualitatively increase the number of experienced Jensaarai.
Hoping the Order will help with that is foolish.
Bre'ano Umakk barely managed to train five — and those were already trained students who just needed proper development.
But new Jensaarai students are essentially blank slates, requiring much more work.
Consequently, it's unlikely they'll be combat-ready by the needed time.
Besides, we must not forget that the newly formed Alliance also has its own Jedi, even without Skywalker.
Kyle Katarn, who a little over four years ago defeated one of Palpatine's strongest servants, Jerec.
And his gang too.
Rahm Kota — a Jedi with a commander's talent.
And Galen Marek.
Clone or original, but he shamed both Darth Vader and Palpatine himself in open combat.
That shouldn't be dismissed.
Nor the possibility of other Marek clones surviving somewhere in the galaxy.
So, the "Given" and "Find" categories are already set.
The only question is the "Solution."
If I need trained, adult Jensaarai defenders in just ten years, I need to start recruiting Force-sensitive teenagers right now, like Kyp Durron.
Or adults, like Maul's apprentice Stryn, who has the power to control the weather.
Question — where do I find them?
Answer: — think.
It's currently ten years after the Battle of Yavin.
According to the events I know, in a year, after finally defeating Palpatine's clone, Luke Skywalker will open his Jedi Praxeum on Yavin IV, training Force-sensitives to control the Force.
Certain events involving the ghost of Exar Kun will occur, which is why I've shown no interest in Yavin IV as a base for the Jensaarai Order, despite the Order's leadership insisting that if they are to meet me halfway and move from the moon to the metropolis, it must be a world where the Force is felt as something greater than on Susevfi.
Otherwise, what's the point of abandoning the cortosis ore and organizing yet another migration of an entire people?
The Noghri are a different matter — they were ordered to relocate, they said, "Yes, our lord!"
I barely have time to send transport ships and combat escorts to protect the settlers.
Alright, that's a different issue.
Back to the constructive.
My muscles were already starting to ache, but I knew I was approaching a solution to the puzzle.
Let's bracket Exar Kun's ghost on Yavin IV out of the equation.
Focus on the Jedi Praxeum.
Who did Luke Skywalker teach there?
Corran Horn, whose fate is unclear.
Mara Jade, but she's on our side.
Kam Solusar, but he's still serving Palpatine.
Stryn — but he's with us.
Kyp Durron.
And the refrain will be the same.
Those are the most well-known, the ones that come to mind easily.
But there were others.
Including those who were either not as well-known and always remained "secondary characters," or who turned to the Dark Side of the Force and became enemies of the Jedi and the New Republic.
Why did they turn to the Dark Side?
Because they believed the Light Side was weak and restrained the growth of their power.
So, let's go down the list, digging through my memory.
One of the first students of Luke Skywalker in the first batch on Yavin IV was a man seduced by Exar Kun to study the Dark Side of the Force.
Gantoris.
Skywalker found him already an adult, on a planet resembling Mustafar. The name... Something familiar on the tongue. I think Eol Sha. A world somewhere on the fringes of the known galaxy. I'll need to check the astronavigation atlas for specifics.
As far as I remember, the guy possessed incredible power that allowed him to fight against Skywalker. Whether Skywalker was holding back, or simply couldn't defeat his student — that's a separate question. The main thing I remember is that Gantoris already surpassed his Praxeum peers at the beginning of his training. If that's not a demonstration of his potential, what is?
Alright, thought noted.
Moving on.
In the New Order there was a Mon Calamari, Cilghal, specializing in healing. A very, very intriguing skill, but recruiting her is pointless. She's the niece of Admiral Ackbar, and considering the circumstances of his death — it's not even worth trying to recruit her.
Continuing the brainstorming.
When Kam Solusar became a Jedi, he had a girlfriend, Tion. As a Jedi — rather weak, but she found herself in archaeology and the New Order owes many discoveries of the past directly to her.
Where, how, and under what circumstances she was found — I don't know.
Not "I don't remember," but I don't know. Because I never found that mention in the books, only references. Probably, in the literary version of the universe, her and Skywalker's meeting occurred in comics or other works of that kind that I haven't studied.
So, another candidate is dismissed, following Cilghal.
There's no point talking about Kyle Katarn — he's a Republican to the bone. Actually, along with Skywalker, he was another instructor at the Praxeum, but much later, when the Disciples of Ragnos crisis erupted.
And that will happen about four years from the current events.
Stop.
Note that.
Disciples of Ragnos.
As far as I remember, they were organized by Skywalker's fallen students.
And they were opposed by Jedi students as well.
I even remember two of the latter — Rosh Penin and Jaden Korr.
I've already mentioned the latter — in the context of Thrawn's cloning experiments with Force-sensitives.
And there's a location where to look for him — on Coruscant.
Hmm...
Penin, though... Honestly, I don't know anything about him regarding events before the "Jedi Academy" game. Never took an interest.
Now about the leaders of the Disciples of Ragnos.
One of them was a red-skinned Twi'lek Letan named... Alora. Her mentor and cult leader was a humanoid woman with bird-like hair on her head.
Tavion.
I also recall the name of another leader, but of a different Jedi problem preceding the Disciples of Ragnos.
Desann.
And I know very little about that trio either. Neither the time nor place of birth — only that they trained at the Praxeum.
So, another miss.
Let's keep digging through my memory.
Names come to mind, like a kid named Zekk, who grew up on Coruscant and was in love with Jaina Solo.
But as with Jaden Korr, the kid is currently beyond my power and recruitment capabilities.
Alright, I think I've recalled everyone who is in any way known as a Praxeum student — at least from its first graduating classes.
Yes, there was also Brakiss, a young man sent by Imperials to Skywalker, but here too identification is a problem. I don't know anything about him beyond what I've already recalled.
So, a dead end.
One that doesn't suit me.
Of course, someday Agent Cross will return with the "Jedi scanner" that the Imperials used to detect Force-sensitives, and that will help find those I don't know about — provided they live on Dominion territory.
The Jensaarai are currently pursuing an active policy of participating in state affairs — it's a kind of advertisement for the new Order.
This is done so that, as in the Old and New Republics, they can announce the existence of such an Order and invite anyone interested to come for a "suitability" test, or to bring their children.
But after the Imperial atrocities, making such an announcement right away... is foolish.
It's necessary to demonstrate kindness of intentions and firmness of views, different from the mindset that has become entrenched regarding the Jedi over centuries and the Inquisitors over the last nearly thirty years.
So, if I want to increase the number of Jensaarai right now, I need either to seek out and recruit fallen Jedi, as well as those disillusioned with their own Order, which is what Bre'ano Umakk insists on.
In his opinion, quite a few of his former comrades survived Order 66. And there's always a good chance that some of them might want to side with the Dominion.
As it was with Eymand, Umakk himself, and Tano.
But the "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" options definitely won't work anymore.
I'll have to negotiate on completely different terms.
Or else intensify the recruitment of Dathomirian witches and the people of Ysanne from Ossus.
Both races have a rudimentary and intuitive understanding of the Force's direction in their own, unique way.
For example, when I was told that Ventress healed Captain Brandei with green fire, it was hard to remain indifferent.
But the fact remains — Dathomirian magic is a very, very interesting subject for study in the Jensaarai Order.
And considering there are several thousand witches on Dathomir, as well as Ysanne on Ossus, even if one percent of them bear a gifted child — in twenty years we will have a force that the New Order hasn't even come close to.
Realizing I had reached my physical limit, I returned the barbell to its starting position and began wiping myself with a towel.
So, the dry result — there is an opportunity to recruit three potential recruits whose whereabouts are known.
But the likelihood of their agreement is low.
What remains is the possibility that we might find, somewhere on the fringes of the galaxy, Jedi who have abandoned their former beliefs and are ready to cooperate.
Bre'ano Umakk is already working on that, leaving his flock in the care of the Jensaarai defenders he trained.
It's just a shame that I can't get real-time information from him, or Cross, or the other agents — that would completely expose the positions of those operating behind the Pentastar Alignment's lines.
And all endeavors would be completely wiped out, missions would fail, and the Dominion's interests would suffer irreparable harm.
Luring Inquisitors is a thankless task.
As are Palpatine's Force-sensitive associates.
And we need the Jensaarai right now — at least because there's an opportunity to find Tyber Zann's "sleeping agents."
It's necessary to radically reconsider the policy regarding increasing the number of Jensaarai.
Even if I don't know how to find some of the conditional future Jedi, I definitely remember the places where some of the fallen and errant Jedi made themselves known.
Not to mention the Force-sensitive opponents of the Skywalker family and the New Republic as a whole.
I could try to recruit them.
Defenders and students are already working non-stop in the filtration camps, but to properly increase the "coverage area," we'll need hundreds (if not thousands) of times more Force-sensitives, trained in at least "one trick" for checking for "internal aggression."
Visiting the refresher, I cleaned up, washing away the traces of physical exercise.
I habitually patted the ysalamiri and started up the workstation.
R7 beeped cheerfully, blinking its photoreceptor.
Before we arrive at the meeting point with the Motivator and the other Star Destroyers that will form the future strike force, I need to issue a series of orders to the already overstretched intelligence service.
As well as define a number of new tasks for the young Jensaarai Order, the Shadow Guard, and especially — Mara Jade, who is already in motion.
And think carefully about the fact that if the Spaarti cloning cylinders are located on Smarck, how exactly did they end up there, and who managed to produce and supply them to the "Black Sun"?
Because my engineers, even with the support of bioengineering specialists, still haven't been able to replicate the Spaarti cloning cylinders we have.
At most — to repair mechanical damage in those that were originally unable to function properly.
But to recreate that clever invention...
No, for something like that (if it's even possible), you need minds far more serious than those currently available to the Dominion.
* * *
After the old, thoroughly rusted, and therefore crumbling bulkhead — the moment it was moved — ceased to be an obstacle to entering the room that followed the long, winding corridor, Afar felt somewhat uneasy.
He looked around, hoping his enhanced senses were deceiving the Zygerrian.
But no.
Faded colors and the gleam of grandeur, cobweb-covered walls and mountains of construction debris in a room where no one had cared about repairs for thirty years (or more) — all of it was there.
And though faded, the sharp eye could still see drawings on the cracked and, in places, chipped plaster on the walls.
"You're not serious, are you?" clarified Afar, looking at Jahan Cross, who, having thrown off his backpack, sat down with a pleased expression on a huge piece of building slab, snapped in half and frozen into something like a chaise lounge by the nearest wall.
And all this against the backdrop of clear signs of habitation in this room.
Plenty of weapons, control terminals, sleeping bags, power supplies, a stockpile of food and medicine.
It seemed either a base was already here by the time Cross and Sagaarn Shan arrived on Coruscant separately shortly before Kaine's attack, or it was set up by a Dominion reconnaissance team, about which, as about his goals (besides finding Blackhole), Jahan had decided to tactfully remain silent.
"And what's wrong with that?" the man clarified, stretching sweetly. "What don't you like about this resting spot?"
"This is the Jedi Temple!" Afar scratched the fur at his temple with a claw, watching the guards and scouts settle down for a break, setting up "secrets" and posting sentries.
"Yes," came a soft voice from somewhere in the darkness filling the room's nooks. "It used to be."
Afar, seeing that none of those present even stirred to react to the appearance of a Mon Calamari clad in a dark brown cloak, beneath which simple garments were visible, decided to also stop reaching for his blaster.
"Let me guess," the Zygerrian snapped his fingers in the air, using his index finger to point at the Mon Calamari. "This is that Jensaarai master you were talking about, the one you wanted me to meet?"
"Exactly," nodded Jahan. "And where better to set up a headquarters for agents operating inside Imperial territories than in a place that was a symbol of hope for a bright future and where the Imperials definitely won't go?"
"Indeed," snorted Afar. "Why didn't I think of that myself."
After the proclamation of the New Order and the rise of the Galactic Empire, Palpatine used the Jedi Temple as a trap.
By sending a false signal to surviving Jedi, telling them to return to the Temple after the end of the Clone Wars, the Empire planned to execute the survivors of Order 66 when they came home.
As far as the Zygerrian knew, a considerable number of Jedi did fall into this obvious trap, but the majority of the survivors, showing a prudence often uncharacteristic of Jedi, simply went underground.
And that makes sense — when headquarters contacts you on the emergency channel, saying the war is over, and doesn't explain why your own troops just shot at you, and under normal circumstances they would have contacted you via holoprojector, you don't need much intelligence to realize you're being led straight to the execution site.
Afar had spent a lot of time studying the Order's last days when he thought that, due to his Force-sensitivity, he would share the tragic fate of the Jedi.
When the massacre in the Jedi Temple, referred to in Imperial textbooks as nothing less than "Operation Knightfall," was over, the bacchanalia began.
After checking the names of the dead against the Archives list, the clone soldiers dragged the bodies of the dead Jedi onto the public steps of the Temple and piled them on an improvised pyre for all passersby to see.
Grand Vizier Sate Pestage prepared a legend for each Jedi that would explain the reasons for the death of one or another Order member at the hands of Imperial stormtroopers.
Stories so horrifying and absurd, but received with enthusiasm by most of the population.
Which only underscores the attitude of ordinary beings toward members of the Order.
But that's just the beginning...
The Jedi Temple during the Empire.
"Bringing us here was extremely unwise," declared the Zygerrian. "This ruin has already served as a scarecrow for the entire population of Coruscant over the past decades, a reminder of the Emperor's victory over the Jedi. And it's collapsed more than once. I have no desire to wake up here, buried alive."
"Don't worry," said the Mon Calamari, approaching almost within arm's reach of Afar and staring at him with his huge fishy eyes. "This part of the Temple appeared many thousands of years ago and is carved directly into the rock upon which the entire structure rests."
"Tell me about it," the Zygerrian recoiled from the persistent interlocutor. "There's rock under the Temple?"
"Within which a great Force is concealed," the Mon Calamari continued in the same mentoring tone. "I think you've already felt it."
Cross watched the scene with interest until his Sullustan partner flopped down beside him.
The pair began conversing about something.
"Already figured out I'm Force-sensitive?" Afar looked at the Jedi warily.
"The Force is in you," the Jensaarai declared instead of answering. "Its fire burns stronger than in ordinary beings."
"Oh, so you'll teach me that trick of waving a hand in front of my interlocutors' faces?" inquired the Zygerrian.
"I could teach you," the Jedi pointed to a pair of boulders, suggesting they sit on them. "But it would be useless."
"So I'm practically a Jedi," Afar grinned.
"It's not that simple, my dear friend," declared the Mon Calamari. "The spark of your Force burns brightly. But not enough to become a full-fledged Jedi."
"You have no idea how disappointed I am that I can't wear a stylish light-knitting needle, useless in combat, and that wonderful brown cloak, as if taken from the shoulder of some poor soul from the Lower Levels," the Zygerrian sneered.
To his surprise, the Jedi didn't get angry, but smiled.
"You're an agent, aren't you?" he asked.
"Freelancer," Sagaar Shan clarified.
"I'll pretend I understand what you mean," nodded the interlocutor. Well, well, the famed Jedi sarcasm. "I can help you improve your handling of the Force."
"And what would I need that for?" the Zygerrian was surprised.
"The Force gives us access to abilities that many consider unreal," declared the Mon Calamari. "I can't say exactly how training will affect you, but that it won't do any harm — that I can guarantee."
"I'll think about your generous offer," Sagaar Shan smiled tightly.
"Master," Jahan called out to them. "Alessi has some not-so-pleasant news. You'd better listen."
The Mon Calamari, rising sedately, followed the agent.
Afar followed him.
"So, where to begin," said Suon, the personal technician and inventor of equipment that finds its end at light speed once it falls into Agent Cross's hands.
"From the very beginning," Afar advised. "We're all in the same squad, so to speak, and I somehow ended up not knowing the reasons why we're stationed in the Jedi Temple. Almost right under the Empire's nose. I thought we were looking for a very specific being here. But it turns out there are side missions too."
Cross exchanged glances with Umakk, then, receiving an affirmative nod, sighed:
"The Empire did a lot to destroy the Jedi. I don't think I need to remind you about the 'Jedi scanner'..."
"I was there too," Afar cut off his comrade. "You can skip the prelude and get to the interesting part."
"We do have several missions on Coruscant," said the Mon Calamari. "Agent Cross is fulfilling his part — looking for the one called Agent Blackhole, that's right."
"Going through old Imperial Intelligence hideouts is one way to find the bastard," Jahan explained.
"Unsuccessfully so far," Afar noted. "But on the plus side, we have experience in sabotage against the stormtroopers of the Pentastar Alignment, and the multi-day trek through the Mid and Lower Levels of the Imperial Center will stay in our memory forever. So what are we looking for in the Jedi Temple?"
"A way to find surviving Jedi," said the Mon Calamari. "And to convince them to come out of hiding, joining the fight against the Empire."
"Ahem," the Zygerrian said, looking at his comrades appraisingly. "It seems to me that if such a chance ever existed, the Empire would have known about it and taken advantage of it. Only with completely opposite intentions, of course."
"Yes," Alessi agreed. "They did use that method to lure Jedi into a trap."
Afar was silent for a few seconds, then asked:
"A Jedi beacon, you mean?"
"Exactly," Bre'ano Umakk confirmed. "Every Jedi during the Clone Wars carried a comlink tuned to the Jedi Temple's emergency frequency. Only the Jedi knew what that frequency was and what it was used for."
"Judging by the chronicles, the pile of Jedi bodies at the Temple entrance, collected after Operation Knightfall ended, suggests it wasn't that big a secret," the Zygerrian noted.
"We were betrayed," the former Jedi stated. "One of our own collaborated with the Emperor and helped destroy his comrades."
"I recall dozens of Inquisitors and start doubting it was just one," Afar smirked.
"Either way, let's get back to business," Cross said.
"The Temple's communication system, like everything inside it, is heavily damaged," Alessi stated. "The scouts and I inspected the Temple's security center. A lot of equipment is either destroyed or has degraded over time."
"Can we fix it?" Bre'ano asked.
"Anything can be fixed," Alessi declared. "If you have the spare parts and the will."
"We have no problem with the latter," Cross said. "But spare parts..."
"Here I must say that those who criticized the Jedi for their ostentatious simplicity were right," the Sluissi chuckled, glancing at the Mon Calamari standing before him. "The terminals and workstations I saw were either custom-made or represent some of the best equipment from the years just before the Clone Wars. You understand — that doesn't cost three credits."
"In other words, we have a problem replacing the lost equipment," the Mon Calamari pronounced, blinking his huge eyes.
"Well, not just that, actually," the Sluissi said. "I booted up several stations in the beacon system from autonomous power sources. It feels like they were either fried with electricity or hit by an ion cannon — everything runs through a sea of errors and software glitches. We'll need to rewrite a considerable amount of code to get the whole process running. Repair the antennas, the transmission buses, the pulse transmitter itself needs checking too. There's so much work that we'll need at least a few weeks just to get this into a working model. And that's assuming we at least have a sample of the software code, the frequency to..."
The Sluissi fell silent when he saw a lattice plate lying on the Mon Calamari's massive palm.
"Is that a Republic comlink?" Cross clarified.
"I've kept it for almost thirty years," Bre'ano explained. "It has both the needed frequency and the required algorithms."
"Alright," the Sluissi instantly took possession of the old device. "Now we need to solve the problem of repairing or replacing the equipment. Random terminals won't work — by the time they do what's needed, we'll already be discovered. To avoid falling into Imperial hands, we need powerful workstations and high-performance equipment. Preferably Imperial. The newer, the better."
"I don't think that after the Imperial bombardment of Republic military bases on Coruscant, there's a single place left with unclaimed top-model computers," Cross said thoughtfully.
"We could steal them from Commonwealth stormtrooper bases," Alessi Suon offered, as if it were obvious.
"And then the 'dolls' would tear up Coruscant's surface to find us," Cross shook his head. "They know the Republicans left the city. If they find out someone — and who else but the enemy — is stealing their terminals, full-scale manhunts will begin."
"And they'll definitely check the Jedi Temple," Bre'ano Umakk agreed. "That would be bad."
"Not as bad as getting stuck on the planet with everything we've found," Jahan countered. "After hundreds of Commonwealth starships have gathered in orbit, the only way we're leaving here is riding an invisible ship. And as far as I know, none of us have one of those lying around."
"Then we have plenty of time to find the necessary equipment," the Mon Calamari concluded. "Let's make a list of suitable locations..."
Afar looked at his friend.
Meeting his eyes, Cross instantly understood what the Zygerrian wanted to say.
"We shouldn't go there," Cross said.
"But we can find everything we need there," Sagaar Shan stated. "In one place."
"And it's crawling with Imperials," Jahan reminded.
"I think there'll be a lot fewer of them if suddenly a dozen or two Republic sabotage groups start appearing on the planet, blowing up stormtrooper bases, disabling equipment, and so on," Afar explained his train of thought. "We'll have to wear them down properly so they start sweeping in several directions, but don't stumble upon our active base inside the Jedi Temple."
"I'd like to know what we're talking about," the Mon Calamari admitted. "Maybe I can help."
"It's simple," Jahan Cross sighed. "Afar is telling the truth. There's at least one place on Coruscant where we can get both computers and everything we need to send the Jedi signal. But there are more Imperials there than jewelry and statues."
"And what place is that?" asked Alessi Suon.
"The Imperial Palace," Sagaar Shan explained. "I'd even say I have a plan to make the Imperials chase their own tail..."
"I like your attitude more and more," the Mon Calamari declared. "Would you like to become a survival and reconnaissance instructor in the Jensaarai Order?"
The Zygerrian snorted.
He'd been thinking about something like that himself.
And he even understood he'd have to ask someone for protection.
But here it was — coming to him on its own.
"You'll need a very big wallet to pay the salary I'll demand," Afar said.
"I think I'll handle that issue once we succeed," the Mon Calamari assured him.
There was nothing to argue with.