Chapter 29 - Corellia Uprising (Part 2)

The Next Morning…

Corellia was strangely quiet that morning as the people prepared themselves for what was coming, they had all slept badly as nervousness set in. Barricades had been set up along most of the city streets. The Corellian Security Forces alongside the Liber8 volunteers and clones and other men sent by Bail Organa stood with civilian volunteers, ordinary men and women, human and alien alike who were motivated to abandon their daily lives to pick up a blaster and try to defend their world. They had only been given the tiniest bit of training by those who were trained and would now be thrown into action against a trained and ruthless enemy with only their wits and determination to save them. The Corellian Jedi stood with their people, wearing their distinctive green robes in hopes of inspiring the people with their presence.

Vehicles hummed quickly in readiness while heavier weapon emplacements and snipers prepared themselves for the onslaught to come.

In the streets those that weren't fighting were being moved to safe areas in hope of keeping them safe. The atmosphere was tense as they all waited, Intel told them the Imperial Task Force was on the way and had Corellia dead in its sights and would arrive any time now.

The tension that caused was enough to drive some mad, not able to sit still many paced in anticipation of the struggle ahead. The city's protective force field was already deployed, heavily guarded to ensure it was protected. The city would be protected from orbital bombardment

In the Bastion Garm stood, acting as his headquarters for this battle, Padme not far away from him was directing civilian movements and the Turbolaser cannons were primed and ready for a fight.

But a cloaked figure approached them and more importantly the power junction where their reactors fed power to the large cannons, He shed his cloak, revealing a slim but muscular human male with almost black eyes and teeth that had been sharpened to point. He seemed to snarl like a beast before igniting two red bladed lightsabers and slashing into the junction.

In the Bastion alarms started blaring as the cannons went off line, Garm looked on in alarm and grabbed the communicator, knowing without those cannons they had no hope of fighting off the huge star destroyers.

"Anyone near the planetary turbolasers, investigate a failure in the junction!"

"I'm on it, senator." Ahsoka Tano's voice said as she happened to be close to the site and rushed there at top speed.

- x -

The unknown human male sneered, enjoying the fact he was setting up the Corellians for the slaughter, the fear and death would be a true feast through the force for him.

He then turned his attention to the deflector shield; without it the city would be reduced to a ruin by his master's fleet. That brought a smirk to his face but it was wiped away moments later when he was confronted by a Jedi.

Ahsoka Tano, he recognised her from his master's list of high priority targets. She was a beauty he thought, perfect almost in her body and in the force, she was very strong. She would be a useful trophy for his master, one who would gain him a great reward.

"Who are you?" Tano asked, her voice cold and focused which only increased his lust for her exotic beauty.

"I am the very Hand of my master, the Will of the Emperor himself and you will be a great prize indeed." He said with lust in his eyes, sure he could enjoy her before handing her to his master. Her beauty, the exotic kind had always been a draw for him.

Ahsoka was taken aback by this, both by the way he was looking at her although she had noticed men, boys and even women looking at her like that before, ever since she had started puberty which she found annoying to be honest but he looked predatory in the way he did it and it was sending some nasty thoughts through her mind.

But beyond that, she couldn't sense him in the force! He was completely hidden from her and if she had not seen him with the lightsabers and clearly sense her presence she wouldn't have guessed he was a force user.

But she had little time to think more as she ignited her two white lightsabers and leapt at him.

His own red blades met hers as they clashed, sparks flying but she fell into her rhythm quickly and started her own mic of forms 4 and 5, throwing in blasts of the force for good measure as she tried her best to fight the assassin but he was as fast as she was. With both of them using two blades the strikes from two of them were blazingly fast, spinning in a rapid and agile motion as they each tried to outmanoeuvre the other.

But were struggling as Ashoka while well trained and skilled had to admit so was he, she grimaced as it was proving so hard to get a blow in.

She cartwheeled away to regroup but he continued to attack chasing after her, she barely avoided a stab to the gut by leaping before she realised with gritted teeth that she would need to use a tactic he would never see coming to defeat him. Something she had learned from studying the Eternal Alliance Holocron, specifically from Lana Beniko.

She channelled her rage and frustration and grabbed his throat with the force, the Hand was so surprised by this that he had no defence and couldn't react fast enough to escape it. Ahsoka, already feeling him trying to break it threw one of her sabers in an arc, again with the force guiding it before calling it back to her hand. But on the way, the white blade sliced clean through the Hand, cutting him in two.

The man stilled and struggled for a moment as half of his body was split from the other before succumbing to his fate and dying while Ahsoka forced herself to be calm and try to throw off the cold sensation using the dark side had left her. She really did not like using it but the abilities she gained from studying the dark side sometimes proved very useful, like just then when it had left her enemy blindsided so she could deal a killing strike.

But now calm she looked at the junction and was deeply concerned by the damage, Anakin had drilled a lot of engineering knowledge into her head and she knew it was wrecked, maybe fixable but within the time they had left? She thought with concern. She reached for her communicator and made her report.

"Senator, the Empire sent a saboteur! He's damaged the junction with a lightsaber. I need engineers to fix it." She told him and he said in shock.

"A lightsaber! Right, I'll send a team, Ahsoka I need you in the Santhe Shipyards. That's close enough to one of the possible landing zones, your friend Captain Rex is already there." Garm told her over the comm link and she said quickly.

"Understood, on my way." She told him before taking off at a run, leaving the body of the Hand behind.

Garm meanwhile was treated to the sight of the Imperial Fleet finally arriving, grimacing as he had counted on the turbolasers to keep the larger ships away or at least cut down the forces they were facing. At least the shield was holding, he thought with some relief as it would force the Empire to resort to a surface attack and fight on their terms.

Star Destroyer Steel Hornet, Orbit of Corellia…

Moff Tarandon, a middle-aged human male with short brown hair was governor of the Corellian Sector and he was sweating quietly to himself as he stood on the bridge of the Steel Hornet. His entire career and his life for that matter depended on this invasion going well. He had been given charge of this sector that had now erupted into anarchy on his watch and now if he didn't manage to recapture the planet and bring it to heel, then the Emperor would likely kill him himself. He had only been spared in the uprising by being at a formal function on Coruscant at the time, something that had not impressed any of his superiors.

"Admiral, the city's deflector shield is still up." One of the bridge officers reported to Admiral Heston, an old friend of his and commander of the fleet. He stood next to him with his short beard and bald head looking annoyed but still confident.

"It seems the Emperor's agent has failed in their mission. General, deploy your troops for a surface attack." Heston said with determination to make his own mark here and enforce Imperial will, not to mention avenge all the good and devoted Imperial Personnel that had been killed in this uprising so far.

Behind him General Adele Konya was preparing herself for the battle ahead, a native of Corellia she was invading her own home world but her loyalty was to the Empire. She was chosen specifically for that reason, so the Imperial Propaganda could paint her as a hero of the Empire and the fact she was good at her job was only a bonus in this situation.

"Send down the fighters and bombers, establish air superiority while I and my forces make our landing." She said, utterly professional despite it being her own people she was attacking.

The Admiral and the Moff nodded and turned to the flight control officer who gave the order to their fighters.

- x -

From their racks in the docking bay on the underside of the ship, Tie Fighters and Bombers dropped. Their engines creating the distinctive almost screaming noise as they headed towards the planet's surface.

Entering the atmosphere, they saw the city ahead and then their scopes picked up enemy ships approaching from surface.

They looked like Z-95 Headhunters at first glance, their profiles similar, but then their wings split into two on each side, the s-foils deploying to battle conditions.

"All wings report in." Nej'a Berto'Lo, a Jedi survivor who had taken refuge on Corellia called out to his pilots. Anakin Skywalker would have been leading the air battle but would be needed for ground portion of the battle, Nej'a therefore had taken command. He listened as the fighters all called in before squadron leaders spoke to him.

"Five Worlds Squadron ready." Five Worlds Leader said to command as his pilots checked in.

"Sand Panther Squadron ready." Sand Panther Leader said too as his pilots confirmed they were standing by.

This was the first time anyone had seen these ships fly into battle, the Imperial Pilots had no idea just what ships they were but had better numbers so they weren't too concerned.

The X-wings were a gift from Bail Organa who had been working with a friendly shipwright to make more of the ships in secret before shipping them to Corellia, this was going to be their first real test in action though and many were nervous about whether the fighter would perform.

The distance closed and both sides fired at each other, the two forces breaking their formation as pilots began their dogfights. The X-wings were not as manoeuvrable as the Ties but had the advantage of shields which meant they could shrug off glancing blows and because it was so easy to fly, pilots had no trouble forcing it into extreme acrobatic movements to throw off the Imperials.

But from another direction, other fighters came, older ones from the Clone Wars that had been salvaged for this fight. Light Freighters weaved among them, countering the numbers advantage the Imperials had at the beginning. Corellians were among the best pilots in the galaxy, and they had earned their reputation often by their actions and not intimidation like the Empire's own pilots.

As the battle for the skies continued, landing ships carrying the Imperial ground forces descended. The fighters were too busy to intercept it and the Imperials had the sense to land outside the deflector shield so ground emplacements couldn't hit them.

There were several landing zones around the city, areas that the defenders had done their best to prepare, but as the people waited, the heavier Imperial landers brought down the large AT-AT walkers and their smaller counterparts the AT-ST walkers, accompanied by squads of Stormtroopers who ran alongside them.

The Imperial forces now on the ground moved forward, needing to cross the field to be able to fight. The Corellian defenders all knew this and had set up as many surprises as possible.

Anti-Infantry mines were waiting just on the inside of the field, exploding the moment the controllers could trigger them. Sending troopers flying high into the air while the defenders opened fire with whatever weapons they had. Some had rifles or larger rapid firing blasters mounted to walls or the ground while some manned heavier laser emplacements. A few carried missile launchers that they fired at the smaller walkers where they would be more effective. Snipers in the buildings above used their vantage points to pick off more

The slow lumbering AT-AT walkers though were much harder to stop, their heavy armour was too strong to be easily broken through but the Corellians had managed to fix some quick solutions to these, one of which ironically had been provided by the Empire itself.

Large Turbolaser Batteries slated for placement on the Star Destroyers they had been building had been set up in positions near the landing zones, they had even managed to set up a forcefield from the generators that would have been fitted to the Gozanti-class ships they build here too. Opening just for a second so they could blast the cabs of the walkers as they moved, having the power to blast them open.

In places where they couldn't use the large batteries though, they had resorted to the Corellian Jedi, donning their traditional green robes to honour their world in this crucial hour they would use speeder bikes to ride close by and slash at the legs with their lightsabers to try and cut them down.

The intense fighting was harsh, the sounds of it echoed throughout the area and were too much for some to handle, but for now, they were holding them off.

- x -

Not far away, Padme was directing civilians to safety.

She honestly had never felt so overwhelmed, it shocked her how fast that feeling could come when she had been in the heart of battles, fighting for her very life, been in intense political debates in the senate and yet managing the scale of the situation was honestly one of the hardest situations she had ever dealt with.

Coronet City had a population of roughly three hundred million people who lived in the city, most of which were not fighting and had to be moved away to safety. Half the city's population had fled the city but many were still inside it. The Imperial landings had cut off many routes to escape with and so she was funnelling them along those that remained.

She wiped her brow and the sweat coming off it was a reminder that she had not been doing this sort of thing for a good while, being a mother and being on the run with Anakin had been her life for years now and while she would never trade it for anything. She loved being a mother to her children and being with Anakin full time had done nothing but strengthen the love they had for each other; but she had missed this.

Being at the centre of things.

Padme had been a career politician, from a junior legislator to being queen, to the Galactic Senate. She had always had a high stake and rewarding job, dealing with important matters that effected potentially millions of people. Until now, she hadn't realised how much she missed that.

Maybe she thought with some anticipation, she should take a bigger role in the growing rebellion and make her mark on it. She liked the sound of that, what that mark would mean she had no idea but either way…she was done being on the side-lines she thought with determination.

- x -

Unfortunately, at one of the landing points, things were not going so well.

It had none of the heavier batteries present and the two Corellian Jedi who should have been trying to fight the walkers had become distracted by the appearance of a newly arrived shuttle.

Arfan Ramos and Bedoch, both Corellian Jedi and proud ones at that brandished their lightsabers as the shuttle doors opened and revealed not only staff of Purge Troopers who swarmed out of the ship but also two other figures. One was a female human, older but still tall with a scarred face.

The other was taller still, clad in dark armour and with a cold familiar breathing sound.

The two Jedi faced Vader, a saberstaff with green blades and a single yellow blade in their hands. Arfan, his own arrogance being his undoing rushed forward and started attacking Vader who ignited his own lightsaber and moved to block the attack. Arfan was shocked by the Sith Warrior's strength, Bedoch rushed over to help his friend only for both of them to be sent flying back by a force wave, the troopers and the Dark Disciple smirking as they witnessed Vader at work.

Vader roared out, channelling the hatred he had for the Jedi, drawing deeper on the dark side, strengthening his body and launching himself at them with surprising speed.

The ferocity he attacked with was only matched by his surprising speed, Vader should have been slow and lumbering but he moved so fast it has hard for the two trained Jedi to keep up with him. His presence in the force was overwhelming, sapping the Jedi of their own connection to the light side and disorientating them.

Weakened and unable to focus properly, it didn't take long for Vader to cut the pair down.

Worse though was the fact that the Jedi abandoning their post had left the defenders facing a pair of AT-AT walkers without any weapons capable of hurting them. The walkers easily picked off the defenders in their positions and forced them into a retreat, leaving the path into the city open.

Outer Foundries, Coronet City…One Hour Later…

"I am holding back the urge to say 'I told you so'" Crosshair said with his usual cynical calm as he stayed on gantry picking off whole squads by shooting at the canisters of explosives they had set around the place. Hunter grimaced as he ducked behind the ore processor and shot back at the Stormtroopers that were moving through the area.

"Yes, I am sure." Hunter said with gritted teeth before Tech and Echo met up with him.

"No vehicles at least. But more troopers are converging on our location." Tech told them as he checked the various devices he carried.

"The Drall are folding, they didn't figure on this heavy an attack before they were finished setting up the traps." Echo told them which wasn't good as the Drall were the main troops here.

"So, we smash them on our own." Wrecker said as he did just that, smashing his way through the enemy before Omega told them from the Bastion where she was safe.

"Reinforcements are coming! Senator Garm said they will be there soon." Omega said, worried deeply for her brothers but she had been forced to stay back and away from the fighting.

"What reinforcements?" Echo asked with confusion knowing they were shorthanded as it was, just who could they be sending? They all asked themselves.

The answer surprised all of them, as the stormtroopers massed on them, a nearby collapsed AT-ST lifted into the air and then was thrown into their massing troopers. While some were flattened by it, many got out of the way before five figures leapt down from the gantries above, green lightsabers in hand wearing distinctive robes.

"Them I guess." Hunter said with surprise while Tech filled him in.

"Corellian Jedi, known to serve exclusively in the Corellian System and sector. Wearing distinctive green robes, they have aligned themselves with Senator Garm Bel-Iblis due to their patriotism." Tech told them in his usual fast speech. The Jedi whoever they were began to fight the divided soldiers, moving with great speed and precision cutting them down. The Bad Batch were surprised but knew this was the opportunity to turn the tide of their part of the battle.

So, they returned to shooting the stormtroopers, using the opening created by the arrival of the Jedi to clear them out.

The five Jedi and them soon had the situation under control, the last of the troopers fell, leaving the Jedi and them standing there awkwardly. Even Crosshair descended from his lofty perch to join them.

"Thank you, Master Jedi. We were about to be overwhelmed." Hunter said diplomatically to the five, which left Crosshair to scoff while Wrecker was annoyed that he hadn't gotten more fighting in. The leader of the Jedi, a man of middle age with a groomed dark beard spoke calmly and with a nod of respect which did surprise them all.

"I am sure you would have managed on your end, but today, no-one is fighting alone. I am Nejaa Halcyon and these are my friends; Jun Seros, Kellian Jarro, Thendys Noori and Matarmeno Krahnn." He said turning to a bunch of human males of middle age or greater not to mention a Mirilian female in her late teens. "Shall we prepare for the next wave should it come? We may not have much time." He added and Hunter was surprised given what the clones had done to the Jedi that Master Halcyon was being so open with them. He could see that there were some guarded looks coming their way but he knew not to dwell on it, not when there was a job to do.

- x -

Santhe Shipyards, Coronet City…

Ahsoka having left the damaged Turbolasers in the hands of the engineers ran to the nearby shipyards where another fierce battle was raging. Clones, the shipyard workers who had stayed to fight and Selonian commandoes were fighting hard against approaching Imperial forces, Ahsoka was dealing with the smaller walkers, slicing at their legs where they were most vulnerable and sending them toppling over with a force push. The others led by Rex were using whatever cover they had to stand their ground against the approaching Imperials.

Rex laughed as he saw Ahsoka down another of the enemy walkers and called out as she jumped back behind the barricade to aid them by deflecting blaster fire.

"Just like old times!" He told her with a big grin on his face, he loved a battle even if it was only his own terms. Not to mention he was with people he knew and trusted to have his back.

"Oh yeah! Real trip down memory lane." Ahsoka said, smiling despite herself as she was glad to be back with Rex again. And Anakin she thought with genuine joy, she was so busy with missions for Bail Organa these days that she barely had any time for relationships with anyone.

So weirdly, she had never been happier than she was right now, in the middle of a harsh battle. She didn't want her whole life to revolve around war but she was so glad to be with the people that she loved again that she honestly didn't mind at all.

- x -

Coronet Medical Centre, Coronet City…

The cost of the battle was much clearer to everyone that was posted by the city's main medical centre. Speeders arrived with frightening speed, stretchers and medical capsules were in short supply as the wounded were put everywhere there was space while doctors, nurses and medics, in fact anyone with even the smallest amount of medical skill that they could draw on worked to save their lives.

This made the centre one of the most important strongpoints in the city and one that the defenders could not afford to lose.

It was here were many of the professional CORSEC personnel had been posted, along with significant fortifications under the command of Major Wolroff, one of the most combat hardened men they had.

As the Imperials advanced, which he saw keenly through his cybernetic eye he co-ordinated the defence of the medical centre.

"Left Flank, concentrate fire on troopers approaching from Kyber Street! Right Flank, concentrate fire on the troopers coming up Cynse Row." He commanded as Stormtroopers came up the two roads towards the centre.

Qi'ra and Han were among them, holding rifles they had been given they stood behind their section and fired them at the approaching enemy. Both of them had known they were heading into a battle but never had they expected it to be like this.

Neither of them despite their inexperience was panicking though, they were actually focused on shooting back unlike some others who were sitting there paralyzed in fear or had run away.

Han was feeling very much like he should do the same though, the Imperials were gaining ground on them and it wouldn't be long before they were fighting inside the medical centre. He however didn't like to run from a fight and Qi'ra wouldn't be running with him in any case.

He had honestly never seen her more energetic at anything, Han thought with astonishment at the effort she was putting into this. She was completely focused on it, shooting with great accuracy and not a bit of fear on her face, proven moments later when the CORSEC man operating the mounted heavy repeating blaster was shot and went down. Qi'ra didn't hesitate and dropped her rifle to take his place. She grabbed the handles and started shooting straight into the approaching enemy. She was actually doing a very good job of it too Han admitted reluctantly, cutting down enemies with good accuracy.

The sight of larger walkers approaching them though was enough to make all of them look up in anger and fear, the large walker lumbered into view but then from an adjacent building two figures in green robes leapt out and onto the cab of the walker, green blades could be seen as they landed on top of it. Neither Han or Qi'ra had ever seen Jedi before and so seeing them in action was really something, they used their lightsabers to cut into the cab and then threw the pilots out of it before turning the walker on the Imperial troopers below.

The Corellians cheered as they saw the Imperials fall back, not able to press the attack without their greatest asset and no one was yelling louder than Qi'ra who honestly felt so proud of herself and of her fellow Corellians. She had never really had a sense of nationalism before and yet now she was about ready to start singing the national anthem!

Was this what she honestly had been looking for her whole life? Qi'ra thought to herself with wonder, fighting for a cause? She honestly felt more accomplished than she had at any other point in her life.

City Streets, Coronet City…

Allara meanwhile had been separated from her master as she led a team of CORSEC personnel and civilian volunteers in protecting streets that led to the Bastion. She had never led before and it was unsettling for her to be responsible for them, or at least feel that way.

As they came to one of the intersections, they came across a party that was trying to sneak through the battle to the Bastion, probably to capture the senator and deny the rebellion its leader. Allara was disgusted at their cowardly tactic and ignited her saber while the others readied their weapons. She then had an idea as they hadn't been seen yet and turned to the others, and whispered to them.

"Get out your grenades, lob them all at once. Shatter them and then attack." She told them quietly and they all smirked as they liked the idea.

Each of them took one grenade each and on her signal, flung them at the enemy. One of them though, a woman in a cloak seemed to sense the attack coming and leapt out of the way, saving herself while leaving her soldiers to take the hit. The explosions send the Purge Troopers flying, injured and vulnerable.

Allara's soldiers began to attack them while she found herself face to face with the woman that had leapt away, now much closer she could feel the cold and oppressive aura of the dark side around her. She wasn't dressed like an Inquisitor Allara noticed, not wearing the standard body armour and was wearing black and red robes. She was older too, much older than herself with significant scars on one side of her face and her eyes were a horrible shade of yellow and orange that she knew was typical for dark side users. She brandished an ornate looking lightsaber made of what looked like electrum and other rare metals and had gemstones for buttons. It was a ridiculous statement of wealth Allara thought with disgust as she faced the woman.

"What in the force possessed you to build a lightsaber like that?" Allara said with considerable scorn in her voice. A lightsaber was meant to reflect who you were and this one looked like a pointless display of wealth and greed.

"Insolent child!" The woman said, almost foaming at the mouth at her disrespect. "A pathetic weak creature like you has no concept of what has true value. And while the Emperor has given orders that you be brought to him alive as he had a use for you, but I think your death will stay a secret between us." The woman said with a snarl on her lips, igniting her lightsaber and a red blade appeared.

Allara smirked, despite her own nervousness as she had never managed to defeat a dark sider on her own before and Anakin was far from here fighting on his own front. She readied herself, rallying her own courage and told her.

"Bring it on, witch!"

The dark sider scowled at her brazenness which actually gave Allara confidence and so she stood her ground and the two soon crossed sabers.

Allara was surprised at how fast the older woman was, moving at an incredible speed for a woman her age but Allara was easily able to keep up with her. After her last rather unimpressive duel, she had doubled down on her training and Anakin had begun refining her skills with her. Something she was very grateful for now as he honestly felt much more able to face her.

Allara had learned much of Form 5 in its different forms as it was a very useful form, as good at defence as it was at offense. Her master was a real expert at it and had drilled her relentlessly which was useful when the woman started using Form 2 against her.

In lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat, it was perhaps a really good form to use but it had a tragic flaw as Count Dooku who arguably had been the foremost master of the style had learned…it had little kinetic energy which was something Form 5 had in spades.

Something Allara was all too keen to take advantage of, she started using her own slightly altered variant to make the most of her speed and precision, her body augmented by the force meaning that she could hit almost as hard as someone twice her size and build, again something she had to thank her master for Allara thought with a grateful smirk.

The woman, though had more than a few trips up her sleeve. When she realised Allara was starting to batter her way through her defences she switched to using the force to counter attack, she began to blast at her with surges of purple lightning. Allara managed to block it with her lightsaber but the sheer force the woman was creating actually was forcing Allara back. Standing her ground was hard as she sweated with effort, whoever this woman was she was very powerful with the dark side Allara realised, such corruption unlike anything she had ever seen and it stoked her own determination and so she gritted her teeth as she slowly managed to take one step forward.

Then another.

Then another one after that, followed closely by yet another closing the distance between them. The effort was taxing, every muscle in her body was burning with the effort it took but Allara refused to give up and kept on going.

The woman noticed this and redoubled her efforts, pushing more and more lightning towards her but Allara refused to give up. She pushed herself even harder until she managed to angle her blade so the lightning was sent back at her.

The woman screamed as she was hit by her own lightning and the momentary distraction allowed Allara to close the distance and with a single effortless stroke of her lightsaber, end the woman where she stood.

Allara was winded, that had taken a lot of effort and she looked around to see her men had taken care of the rest of the Imperials which made her sigh in relief, but then she felt the force surge, warning her of danger and she turned to see one of the Purge Troopers pointing their blaster at her. But before she could do anything, one of her people a tall Kajain'sa'Nikto male who was a couple of years older than Anakin move and thrust out his hands, throwing the purge trooper back and into a wall.

It shocked everyone especially Allara who hadn't even thought to check him for the force. The rest of her people shot the last Purge Trooper before she asked the male.

"What was your name again?" She asked, not having managed to learn them all yet. The male laughed loudly before telling her.

"Kahr'hark Tix, at your service. Medic for a ship that got stuck here during the uprising. Thought I might be able to be of some use." Kahr said to her with a big smile, Allara knew that the Order did miss some with a connection to the force as Palpatine himself was proof of but never had she encountered one herself.

She wondered just what she could do here, but was distracted by the fact a battle was going on and they still had a job to do. This was something she would need to discuss with her master later.

- x -

Axial Park, Coronet City…

The pride of Coronet City, a space designed so the Corellians could feel at least somewhere in their huge and highly developed city that they could connect with nature or even be assured it existed.

It had been a part of the city for thousands of years and cost a great deal of credits to create but it was a triumph and pride of the city. The city's zoo was here and some of the most important museums in the city stood alongside it.

Unfortunately, due its position near the landing zone that had been breached, it was now also the sight of a pitched battle between the invaders and the defenders…the harshest fighting in the entire city.

Anakin of course was right there in the middle of it.

He had his lightsaber in hand, the grass beneath their feet being trampled into mud by all the people there not to mention the many vehicles in the area and artillery being shot by both sides. He was constantly moving around the battle field which was quickly resembling the kind of hells that he had seen only in the harshest and brutal battles of the Clone Wars.

He saw bodies of the dead laying all around the place along with broken vehicles, he blasted some Stormtroopers with the force while deflecting away blaster fire. He had been doing this for what seemed like hours now but there was no sign of it letting up he thought with anger. HK-47 was at his side, moving around a heavy blaster rifle like it weighed nothing with a grenade launcher attachment.

"Excited Statement: Master! I am having so much fun slaughtering these meat bags! I cannot express how glad I am that you are my master for taking me to such good places." HK-47 said with an unhealthy level of excitement and joy for an organic let alone a droid but the droid was doing his bit to keep them from being pushed out of the park Anakin thought with worry that unless something changed soon, they might be forced to retreat. HK-47 would likely want to stay as he used a flash bang grenade to force a group of stormtroopers out from behind the crashed tank they had been using for cover before shooting them all in rapid succession.

Anakin was hardly troubled by this, given the fate of the planet was at stake. He wasn't the only one here though, Corin Tok another Jedi who emerged from hiding to join the uprising was fighting separately to him. Corin had been a real legend in his own right during the Clone Wars, winning many battles and defeated plenty of dangerous opponents. The Separatists had been scared of him he had been so successful.

So at least he wasn't alone in this.

- x -

The Bastion, Coronet City…

Garm was looking at the holomap and worried as while things were going as well as he could have hoped, he had just been informed the turbolasers would take days to fix. That meant he had no real way of dealing with the ships in orbit which meant that he and the rest of the defenders were trapped on the planet and the Imperials could just send more and more troops and vehicles.

Or just starve them out, he thought with an angry look on his face as he considered the situation.

"Sir, new contacts have just dropped out of hyperspace and are approaching the planet at high speed." One of his people told them as he monitored the situation out there.

"Imperial Reinforcements." Another one said with a grim look on her face but then the man on the sensors took a closer look.

"What is it?" Padme asked as she came up to him, looking as worried as the rest of them.

"By the force." Garm said in complete astonishment. "They…came."

Orbit of Corellia, Same Time…

A Rift Alliance Taskforce sped towards the planet, from the bridge of the Judgement, the Aden-class ship that served as his flagship for this battle Haron called out his orders.

"All ships, launch fighters. Order Gondwana to target Imperial Flagship Steel Hornet. Time to see if she lives up to her potential." Haron said although the last part he said quietly to himself.

- x -

The large and strange looking ship at the centre of the formation was making it first appearance today, under the command of House Kane it had only limited defensive weapons but a rather special offensive one.

Small dagger like drone ships poured from racks under the hull, they dropped free of their mothership before engaging a powerful sublight engine on the back and sped at high speed, faster than most missiles could manage and in vast numbers towards the Steel Hornet. Each was controlled by a droid brain that allowed it to predict use quick and violent evasive manoeuvres as they had no reason to worry about G-forces or survival. The Steel Hornet along with nearby support ships opened fire and managed to pick off a few of them but the swarm carried on to its target, guided by the computers on the Gondwana.

On the bridge of the Steel Hornet Moff Tarandon, Admiral Heston and General Adele Konya looked out to see the swarm heading right for them and had no time to do anything but put their arms up against their faces in a vain attempt to protect themselves as the swarm slammed into the bridge and exploded.

This decapitated the ship in effect and left it helpless while explosions ripped across its hull, wrecking the ship, a small group began ramming hard into the main reaction which was exposed on the underside of the vessel, punching through its heavy armour with repeated hits until finally one managed to get in and explode inside.

The ship erupted into an explosion so powerful it tore the ship in two, leaving the remain six Star Destroyers and support ships to face the approaching enemy.

MC75 and MC80 cruisers alongside the Aden class battleships moved forward, Viper Mark 2, ARC-170s, X-Wings and Vulture Fighters flying ahead of them, behind them Hyena Bombers and V-Wings all of which were moving into attack position on the remaining ships. The Gondwana though, still with plenty of their drones switched target to the smaller support ships. Tie Fighters that tried to intervene found themselves facing the automated laser turrets of the Crusader class corvettes that flew alongside the fighters.

The Separatist frigates and destroyers turned their attention to the Imperial Support Ships, the fighters either started fighting the enemy Tie Fighters or strafing the larger warships. The Bombers too although some broke off and headed down towards the surface.

Imperials at the landing zones on the planet below had little warning as the bombers at extremely high speed, firing concussion missiles at them, shattering them and cutting off any more reinforcements for the ground assault.

Back in orbit the larger ships moved to confront each other, the Adens Haron had brought began to pincer two ships between them, their large turbolasers tearing into the shields and hull while the Mon Calamari ships did the same.

With the drones of Gondwana the support ships were soon dealt with and the six Star Destroyers found themselves surrounded and being attacked from every side. This cleared the way for the two Lucrehulks at the back of the Rift Alliance formation to deploy landing ships and gunships that would be able to help on the surface. Haron felt a familiar disturbance in the force, one he'd only felt once on Mon Calamari years ago. He frowned with deep concern before giving command to Neville and headed down to the surface so he could join the ground battle.

- x -

The Drop Ships carrying reinforcements for the beleaguered rebels descended at high speed, Mandalorians dropped from their transports with Skytroopers and Basilisk wardroids while Wookiees screamed out their battle cries as they emerged from transports alongside Canderous Assault tanks, moving into the city and cutting off all routes of escape for the now trapped Imperial landing forces.

Axial Park, Coronet City…

News of the sudden reinforcements and the decimation of the Imperial Fleet in orbit rallied the rebels, now knowing the tide had turned in their favour. The Imperials were being pushed towards the park where they were fast being surrounded. Anakin was dealing with an Imperial Walker, cutting at its legs before blasting it over with the force while HK-47 blasted Stormtroopers that were surging into the area.

But then Anakin felt a strange feeling creeping up the back of his neck and the air turned icy, a feeling he hadn't felt quite like this since he and Master Windu had been in Palpatine's office. He looked over and saw Corin Tok was being held in a force choke, he grasped at his throat but before Anakin could do anything to help him a tall black armoured figure stabbed a red bladed lightsaber that had a distinct resemblance to his own through the Zabrak's gut.

Seeing his fellow Jedi cut down made Anakin furious and so he turned to armoured figure, who threw Corin's body aside and snarled at him with his electronic voice and his breathing sound was just disturbing.

"What are you?" Anakin asked, sure he was a Sith of some kind but something about him felt…familiar. Not in a way he could put into words but honestly it was unnerving Anakin thought.

"Far more than a failure, more than you can ever be." The warrior said and charged at him with his red lightsaber, Anakin raised his own and met him in the middle.

Each blow was like a hammer striking, Anakin thought with surprise, his arms already starting to ache since he had already been fighting for most of the day, nevertheless Anakin was never one to give up and drew deeper on the force to strengthen his body so he could match the strange warrior.

One thing that did surprise him though was that the two of them were using the exact same style of fighting, the exact same Anakin thought with astonishment. He had worked hard on mastering Form 5 fighting but he had altered some moves to suit him and added some for other styles to augment it and despite teaching some of it to Ahsoka and Allara, he had never shared all of them as they preferred their own form of fighting. Yet this creature was able to match him move for move.

And yet the reverse was true as well, Anakin thought with confusion as he was able sense what the warrior was going to do as well. He couldn't explain it but he honestly felt just what the warrior was going to do next and his connection to the force felt weird around him.

That meant this was going to be a battle of attrition, Anakin realised with gritted teeth as he clashed with the warrior.

Heavy cleaves were met with other heavy cleaves and parries as the fight continued, each hammering away at the other with relentless efforts in an attempt to force their way through the other's defences. Anakin though was starting to tire as he had been fighting for most of the day, the warrior had not though Anakin realised with worry, he was drawing deeper on his rage but otherwise seemed stronger than Anakin physically.

Anakin realised as he staggered back that he couldn't rely on his strength in the force or even his own skills to win this fight, no matter what he did the warrior seemed able to match it and so he gritted his teeth and tried one last trick, what Kagame had been trying to do.

Turn his opponent's own energy against him, it was an ability that was both in the force and not. He had not managed to do it yet but if he didn't do something quickly then he would lose this fight. He changed his movements, adjusting his hold and the angle at which he held his lightsaber, the warrior when he resumed attacking found instead Anakin was no longer using the same style, instead he was using techniques much like his own former master. He instead of meeting the attacks head on would absorb and redirect them away or back towards the warrior, he had struggled to do this before and was not comfortable with it now.

But it was working he realised to his own amazement, he felt the warrior's energy being absorbed by him tainted though it was and it strengthened him. He felt the aches of his own muscles ease as did his own exhaustion as he began to recover.

The warrior was completely infuriated, screaming out in rage as he renewed his attacks. Anakin honestly had never seen such fury before and it was now taking more effort to keep up his defence and he had to let himself go more into the force.

Then the warrior was caught off guard by a sudden blast of the force that sent him flying into a nearby rock with enough momentum to break it and send him hurtling into the ground.

Anakin was surprised too but not just by the attack as he then saw the source land right next to him, a familiar suit of emerald green, gold and black coloured armour with a helmet that had a T-shaped visor and an ancient mask on it. A man he hadn't seen in years but had counted as friend.

He honestly was so surprised he didn't know what to think but any chance to speak was ended abruptly by the sight of the warrior getting to his feet and snarling at them in renewed rage. Both Anakin and Haron shared a brief look before Haron drew the Darksaber and ignited it, standing side by side with Anakin who held his own saber aloft.

"Bring it on…Vader." Haron said to the warrior who was enraged even more at the perceived insult.

"You dare speak my name with such flippancy!?" 'Vader' said to them before charging, both Anakin and Haron readied themselves before meeting him head on.

The pair had different styles of fighting and now there were two of them, the pair moved together flanking Vader on both sides as they attacked rapidly from different angles and Vader to their surprise managed to keep them both at bay but now, they had the momentum.

They traded blows, swapping between who was attacking and who was defending and Vader was growing more and more frustrated by the inability to kill one of them.

Finally, he threw a hard cleave at Anakin but Haron managed to still his arm with the force and hold it there, allowing Anakin to weave round and slash deep into Vader's chest.

The Sith yelled in pain but could do nothing as Anakin had all but cut him in half.

The body fell with the heavy thud to the ground leaving both Anakin and Haron slightly winded but as they looked at each other uncertainly there was one thing they could both agree on.

The battle was over, they had won.

The casualties were horrible, many brave and determined Corellians had given their lives for the liberation of their planet not to mention volunteers that had come to help.

While the Garm and Padme were co-ordinating the treatment of the wounded and clean up after the battle, Anakin and Haron stood in front of a large window in one of the city's towers as they had a long overdue conversation. Haron stood waiting for Anakin to start, both leaned against the wall on opposite sides.

"How?" Anakin finally asked, not sure exactly where to start but decided as he knew now Haron had the ability to use the force and in all the years they'd known each other he had never seen any sign of it, just like Palpatine and it worried him. Haron knew he had to be honest here if he wanted any kind of friendship with Anakin in the future so he told him the truth.

"Ever since I was born, myself and my sister experimented when we were younger and gained some control of our abilities and while out in the galaxy, I found other sources of knowledge to draw on. Then I met others who had the force like I did but came from other cultures and so we combined what we learned to create a new order of own in the heart of Mandalorian Space." Haron told him simply, not going into specifics but giving him enough.

"Others?" Anakin asked suspiciously and Haron answered.

"I found the odd Jedi holocron or tome while a Matukai, a Warden of the Sky and a Fallanassi came to live with us. We all shared what we knew and one of those skills was how to hide yourself in the force. An ability that has proven essential in keeping both the Sith and Jedi ignorant of our existence."

"With the Sith…I can understand." Anakin conceded, put in his position he would have done the same. "But the Jedi, they aren't your enemy…I'm not your enemy." Anakin said, making the personal betrayal he felt quite clear to Haron who sighed under his helmet before answering.

"If it were just you, I wouldn't have hesitated." Haron admitted, knowing he could have told Anakin. "But the Jedi is another matter altogether. My people and the Order have been blood enemies for thousands of years going back into the early days of both groups. I don't trust them and I have had the pleasure of knowing you and several others like Ahsoka that are probably some of the most decent people I have ever known on either side. The Council, what would they have done if they knew that we had the force? We could be a threat to them with just gadgets and tactics Anakin, if we had the force too and the knowledge to use it? How much of a threat would they have considered us then? Not to mention Palpatine would know too if they had. Could I really take that risk? Especially with my children who have that same power I do? To have the Jedi breathing down our necks, trying to take our children and being distracted from the Sith who all the while would have used it to his advantage. What else could I have done?" Haron asked, not doubting his decisions and hoped Anakin might understand his reasoning.

Anakin, before the reveal of Palpatine and the opening of his eyes would have been reluctant to accept that but now he was older and somewhat wiser he could see Haron's position, especially as he had children of his own now. Nightmares of Luke, Leia and Mace being taken by Palpatine had troubled him many nights and if as Haron said his own children had the powers he did, well it was understandable. Not done from malice, merely practicality.

"What sort of abilities do you have?" Anakin asked and Haron revealed some, although he did keep some quiet.

"Many of the same abilities of the Jedi, telekinesis and such. A few interesting abilities of our own though, like this." Haron said, calling on the force to lift himself into the air and glide gently around the room.

Anakin was astonished as Force Flight was a very rare ability, one of the most advanced subsets of telekinesis, only a few had ever managed to sustain it for a prolonged period of time, and yet this new order had apparently mastered it.

"Would you like to learn it? To fly unassisted." Haron offered as an olive branch to Anakin, knowing it would mean a lot to someone who liked flying as much as Anakin did.

Anakin didn't have to be told twice and immediately accepted the offer.

- x -

The Bastion, Coronet City…A Few Hours Later…

"If we're going to manage our own defences then a fleet of our own is going to be critical." Garm said to his people, the new Corellian Council such as it was. The leaders of Corellia in its still unstable state. "We have some ships that we were building for the Empire that we can finish and press into service." He concluded; the Empire had been forcing them to build not only the big star destroyers but some of the new Nebulon-B frigates and other ships like it. He had the CR90 corvettes and the X-wings so that would be a start.

They were disturbed when they saw Haron Ordo and Anakin Skywalker floating through the air and land right beside them, Haron landed more gracefully while Anakin stumbled a bit. They all looked at the pair with confusion as to how they had managed that especially when Haron's jetpack had been shut down and Anakin didn't have one at all but Nejaa who felt the force and understood blinked in surprise but warmly welcoming Anakin even if he didn't like the fact a Mandalorian could use the force.

"Anakin." He said with a warm smile and nod of the head which Anakin returned quickly. He then made a reveal that he had something to contribute to the new Corellian Fleet. "I was recently contacted by an agent working with Master Tholme who has gone into hiding. But he is providing information that might be of use to the new fleet. Two designs retrieved from the Jedi Archives, ships from the Old Republic that were essential in the battle against the Sith and will likely be again. The Thranta-class corvette/light cruiser and the Foray-class blockade runner. Master Tholme has updated the design and added some new systems to give the ships some extra teeth. Both of which I am sure will be very useful."

Nejaa wasn't wrong, Anakin knew as those designs had been highly successful and effective in their day and if modernised then they would be again. Like back in the days of the Great Galactic War and the Cold War and the other wars that followed the Sith had large capital ships they simply couldn't really match so instead they made effective smaller vessels that could manage many roles well. A tactic that would serve them well now as it had then.

"What about the warrior you fought in Axial Park. What was he?" Padme asked as she came up to her husband, Haron gave her a courteous nod which she returned.

"A clone." Haron said calmly.

They all looked at him with surprise and Admiral Ackbar who had been the one leading much of their fleet in the battle stepped in as he had been briefed on the Vader situation.

"The Empire has managed to clone a force sensitive, not to mention enhance it with stimulants and cybernetics. They place it inside a suit of armour and call it Vader, we encountered one during the Invasion of Mon Cala years ago." Ackbar revealed to them and they were stunned, no one had ever to their knowledge ever cloned a force sensitive successfully before.

"It also means that Vader cannot truly die. They will just replace him with a new one every time one is lost. And Anakin…I wish I didn't have to say this but…it's your DNA they used." Haron added which worried many of them as those that reviewed footage of Vader in action saw how dangerous he was.

Anakin meanwhile was shocked at what he had been told, not wanting to believe it and Padme had to take his arm quite firmly before he even acknowledged her, she had to squeeze his hand tightly before he came back to the moment, unsure of just what to say or think.

Haron however then changed the subject as there was something else that needed to be said.

"But if Corellia is willing, we have a way to improve your own security and stability. While we haven't publicly announced it, the Mandalorian Territories, Mon Calamari, Kashyyyk, the Separatist Holdouts, Namzor, the Than Hegemony, the Saliant Federation and Dornea have all agreed to a mutual alliance of support. We trade with each other, share intelligence and agree to stand together in case of invasion. We now offer a place in this alliance to you, Corellia would be most welcome and it would make your position more secure." Haron offered.

The idea that that many worlds had joined together without the Empire knowing was incredible and more importantly the importance of worlds allying together against the Empire was not lost on those presence.

Padme and Garm in particular saw the advantages, the only way the Empire would truly be defeated was by many people across the galaxy which gave them both an idea too. Some worlds weren't ready to throw off the shackles of Imperial occupation or had no means to do so. Others needed training before they could even attempt it.

An organisation needed to be created to fill that role, to spread the fight of rebellion across the galaxy.

Corellia would join the Rift Alliance, but that would only be the beginning.

- x -

While Anakin was talking to Nejaa and the other Jedi present, Haron found himself confronted with a vicious looking droid.

"Intrigued Question: I have seen that mask before meatbag, how do you have it?" The droid said with its electronic voice. Haron knew the shape from holoimages his family had preserved since the days of the Old Republic, so the droid while surprising was familiar to him.

"It belonged to my ancestor and was lost for a long time before I recovered it, now it belongs to me. You therefore must be HK-47." Haron said, knowing the droid by reputation and it was for that reason that his hand stayed close to his blasters.

"Understanding Statement: Ahh, I see. So, the meatbag known as Canderous Ordo finally met his end but not being copulating enough to spawn. He was an efficient killer, not as effective as myself of course but for an organic he was skilled." HK-47 said.

Haron a bit surprised as from what he had heard about the sociopathic droid, it didn't respect anyone but it seemed to respect his ancestor for his ability to fight. That was something Haron supposed and eagerly made his way to see to other things as he would rather do that then trade insults with this droid.

- x -

Coronet Spaceport, Coronet City…

Han was glad to get out of the battle alive, more than that…he had come out of it with an offer.

One of the spacers who'd been stuck here and fighting with the locals had seen him shooting and offered him a spot on his ship. For him and Qi'ra.

A way off Corellia…something he had always dreamed of, the open space lanes for him and Qi'ra.

But when he had told her, she had different idea.

"Han…I'm staying." She told him with a look of awkwardness on her face. "They're expanding the Corellian Military and asking for recruits. I want to do it…we could do it together." She said, hoping he might stay but Han was fuming. He had always dreamt of this, of getting out into space. He wanted to take her with him but now she was backing out.

Qi'ra with her mind made up, sure that this was a path to something better kissed him gently on the cheek before walking away, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.

Han meanwhile was angry and left on the ship the first chance he got, his surname seeming particularly appropriate in the situation…Solo.

Well, he thought with angry determination he would get his own ship one day and he would fly the space lanes. And nothing was going to stop him, he thought doing his best to put Qi'ra out of his mind.

Corellian Jedi Enclave, Coronet City…

The Jedi Enclave in Coronet City had been abandoned since the rise of the Empire as the Jedi everywhere had needed to go into hiding and had been vacant since then, the Empire had intentionally left it alone just on the off chance that some of the Jedi might return.

With the liberation of Corellia though, it was finally possible of the Green Jedi as they were known to return to their enclave.

The interior Anakin thought wasn't that different to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, much smaller perhaps with more golden and bronze colours alongside green and gold drapes that now hung from the walls once again.

But try as he might, he couldn't get what Haron had told him out of his head.

That Vader was cloned from him.

He honestly didn't know what to think, how he and Vader had managed to be so in tune with each other and how he had been so strong in the force now made perfect sense. He honestly had no idea how he hadn't sensed any of this but it was troubling him a great deal, he thought looking around at the golden coloured statues of Ancient Corellian Jedi. Did any of them face a situation like this he thought, thinking it very unlikely.

Then there was the matter of the Mandalorians, that was something else that confused him. He trusted Haron regardless of the fact he had hidden this from him, given he had a family to protect and was the leader of his people it was understandable but he honestly was really worried as to how he nor any of the Jedi had sensed this. He wondered if Ahsoka had known but she was speaking to Nejaa.

Eventually Kagame appeared, having arrived with Luke, Leia and Mace not to mention their two Noghri bodyguards. The sight of him made the two energetic toddlers scream out "Daddy!" and charge straight towards him, Anakin smiled and bent down catching them both in his arms, swinging them around and hugging them close as they laughed. Some of them in the room smiled at the sight while other Jedi frowned, still holding on to the rule about attachment.

Ahsoka and Nejaa came over and smiled at the two young children. Nejaa who hadn't met them before spoke.

"So, these are your children." He said with a welcoming smile and the two toddlers both smiled broadly at him in return, sensing that he was a nice man.

"This is Luke and Leia, and that is Mace." Anakin said as their third child was carried over and put in Padme's arms. Ahsoka had met Luke and Leia before and was shocked when they waved and smiled at her, seeming to remember her. But she smiled and eagerly hugged each of the children who hugged her back while Kagame, sensing the troubles in his mind no doubt took Anakin aside while Ahsoka and Nejaa fussed over the children.

"I take it events have unsettled you." Kagame said knowingly, a questioning look in his eyes that made Anakin admit not only the revelation about Vader but the Mandalorians too. Kagame listened carefully and then to Anakin's great surprise laughed.

"Anakin in regards to the Mandalorians, the force is not nor has it ever been the sole province of the Jedi and the Sith. There are the Zeison Sha, the Jal Shey, the Matukai, the Fallanassi, the Sorcerers of Tund, the Luka Sene, the Baran Do Sages, the Ascendants, the Ancient Order of the Whills, the Boughtine, the Cruthauses, the Witches of Dathomir, the Wardens of the Sky, the Voss Mystics, the Jensaari and the Dagoyan Masters to name but a few. I have travelled the galaxy Anakin and met many other groups that feel the force in their own way and take it in their own directions. The Mandalorians are no different, what they might become is something we can only guess at but certainly they have every right to explore the force and their own unique connection to it. Maybe in time the Jedi and the Mandalorians might find a connection through the force who is to say. I think your friend was quite prudent to hide it though, neither the Jedi or the Sith are very tolerant of other branches of Force study." Kagame said and Anakin couldn't help but nod, knowing first-hand how the Jedi viewed anything different as a potential threat and so did the Sith.

By the Force Anakin thought with worry, how were they any better? So rigid in their interpretations of the force that anything other could be a threat? More proof in his mind that the Jedi needed to change.

"In regards to this 'Vader' as he is called. Anakin you have every right to feel troubled by this but let me ask you this, did you create him?" Kagame asked and Anakin, confused slightly by the question answered quickly.

"No."

"Then why are you in any way responsible for what he does? Vader is a beast, more creature than man which I suspect was what Palpatine wanted. A replaceable enforcer for his Empire. He might be made from your DNA but it doesn't mean you are responsible for him. He is a creature made to destroy whereas you can create, three children out there exist because of you. I can sense many Jedi survived because of what you taught them. So don't worry, this will be dealt with…it might take us awhile but we will find a way to stop him for good." Kagame reassured him, they would find the answer to this.

Anakin felt a good deal better at that, Kagame had made him realise that there were things out of his control and worrying about what might happen was foolish. All you can do is live in the now and make your own judgements based on what you know and if you didn't know enough, you should learn more to fill those blanks so you can make an informed opinion.

It was then Allara approached him accompanied by a tall Kajain'sa'Nikto male behind her, Anakin smiled at her and told her in front of everyone.

"I heard what you achieved today, to defeat a trained dark side user of such experience is a true demonstration of your skill and determination. You have come so far, know that I am proud of you." Anakin told her and Allara had a smile on her face, feeling very proud that she had proved herself to him.

Kagame meanwhile was looking at the tall Kajain'sa'Nikto male, who was smiling glad for the girl. He felt the force inside him. He was older and untrained but had some connection already even if it was largely subconscious. Strong Kagame thought and saw in the force that his meeting Allara and through her Anakin was no accident. He had a brief vision of Anakin standing in the centre of a circle made up of people around him, Allara and Ahsoka were two of them, this tall Kajain'sa'Nikto was another and there were other figures too, hidden in shadow.

Returning to the present Kagame realised that they had best keep him with them for now till they knew the meaning of this vision. But given two of them were students of Anakin, maybe it meant that this newcomer might learn from him too.

"I understand you have the power of the force within you." Kagame said to the stranger who looked up with a smile, his good nature clear.

"I have been told that but it's never been something I could control." The man said and Kagame nodded, seeing that he could be taught despite being older if he could call on it even subconsciously.

"Then we might be able to offer you some control, if you want it? What is your name?" Kagame said, surprising Anakin and Allara who had been speaking about the opponent she faced.

"Kahr'hark Tix, and I would be honoured." The now named man said with a slightly overwhelmed man said and Kagame smiled, feeling a tremor in the force as events turned in response to this decision. Anakin and Allara were surprised but in some ways glad as more Jedi would be needed to fight the Empire or even if Kahr didn't join the order, he would be a good man to have with them.

- x -

The Bastion Meeting Room, Coronet City…That Night…

As most other people slept and the planet was still in the grip of a feeling of triumph over their victory, Garm and Padme met with two old friends.

"Today was a great victory for liberty. I can only hope others are inspired by it." Bail Organa said, appearing as a hologram like Mon Mothma as it was too dangerous for them to travel there in person. Padme however told them what she had realised.

"I know, but if we are going to defeat the Empire…then more is going to be needed." She told them and Mon asked her with a raised eyebrow at what she might be after.

"What are you suggesting?" Mon asked and Garm who agreed fully with Padme on this stated.

"An organisation, a galaxy wide spanning rebellion. Cells joined together under a single banner, fighting for a single cause. Not just to overthrow the Empire." Garm said even though he had doubts about the second part. "But to restore democracy to the galaxy."

Silence followed this, before the rise of the Empire it had been discussed but nothing had really been decided. Mon Mothma and Bail Organa had been fighting in the senate and largely in vain but they had in some small way started up rebel groups on some worlds but it was a slow process and had to be done with the utmost care so as to not reveal them or have the organisation crushed before it could truly become widespread enough to endure. It was an enormous risk to even consider this but what other choice did they have?

Bail surprised them both by agreeing first.

"With the reveal of the Rift Alliance and Liber8 spreading, if we can organise more rebel cells and unify them…combined this force might enough to fight the Empire." He said with a considering look on his face.

"But would they work with us?" Mon broke it, looking very uncertain at the idea. "Liber8 are a terrorist organisation and the Rift Alliance is being led by the Mandalorians and have the Separatists as major players. I doubt either of them would be willing to help restore the Republic." She said with a look of unease.

"They dislike the Empire more than they hate the Republic." Garm said, knowing that the people who led the Rift Alliance who were practical, not zealots. "They helped arm this rebellion and they have things we will need. They can work with us."

"Or build an empire of their own." Mon rebuked him. "They are organised and more powerful than they have been for thousands of years. How can we trust them not to betray us?" She asked probingly, speaking particularly of the Mandalorians.

"We have to trust in what we know and who we know. The Mandalorians I have met are not warmongers and if we are going to defeat the Empire then we are going to need their help. We can only do so much, and take each day as we go." Padme concluded.

The four stayed silent for some time before finally they all nodded, agreeing to the proposal.

"Then the Rebel Alliance will be born, tonight." Bail said with a smile as despite the danger they all knew it was a step in the right direction. Whether it was to just spread the idea of the democracy around or to fight against the tyranny of the Empire…they had taken a step forward. Many things had yet to be decided including their charter but it was true they had started their own rebel faction.