Star Wars: Rising of the Union/History of a War

History of a War

Abeo slowly drew his blaster and placed his hand on the door. Pushing the door Abeo slowly poked his head into the room and began scanning the environment for any dangers. Confident it was safe Abeo holstered his blaster and marched into the room. It was dark. The window shades were drawn and the light was off. Abeo could just make out the outline of a desk and chair. On the other side of the room was a small settee. On the wall behind that was a painting of an exploding Death Star. Abeo proceeded to activate the rooms lighting. The light was extremely bright and it took a while for Abeo eyes to adjust to the light. Abeo looked around the room. On the wall next to the door was a map of the galaxy. Kowak and Ossus had been circled in red. As had many planets in the outer rim territories. On the other side of the door was a weapons rack. It was empty. Abeo took a seat on the settee and waited. “Ah, you’re here.” Kendo Shan said as he entered the room and closed the door. “Yes, for the last hour. Just went for a 4 parsec jog while I was waiting for you.” Abeo replied sarcastically. “You didn’t seem to be the sarcastic type last time I spoke to you.” Abeo then looked up at Kendo giving an evil grin. “Tell me. Why did you not follow Zen’s orders?” Abeo enquired curiously. “I did,” Kendo responded while he removed his armaments and placed them in the rack. Including a Lightsaber. “But I also took it upon myself to warn you of my orders.” Kendo went and sat at his desk. “Tell me. Your map, why are Ossus and Kowak in red?” Abeo asked to change the conversation. “It tells us what planets or systems are currently under Thrawn’s control. Kowak was occupied not long after the attack and Ossus the day The Saviour was destroyed.” “Tell me. What started all this. Not with the Union, but with the Remnant?” “The Remnant,” Kendo replied with a deep sigh “It started 20 000 years ago. The first 16 000 years of conflict were pretty quiet (In Galactic terms) but then, 4000 year ago the war took an unexpected turn in the form of Jedi Knight Exar Kun. When Kun fell to the Dark Side many followed him. After a long and bloody war Exar Kun was forced into a trap on Yavin 4. Eventually, as you know he is defeated. “But then, 40 years later the Republic faces another Sith - Darth Revan. Revan, a former Jedi Knight and his friend Malak, also a former Jedi Knight had fought a war against the Mandalorians who had invaded the Republic three years beforehand. After the final battle of that war Revan and Malak disappeared, supposedly to find the remaining Mandalorians. When the returned, they returned as Sith and waged war on the Republic. Sam Sinays, they say was one of Revan’s apprentices. Following the Republics rather pyrrhic victory against the Sith he retreated into the Sith Empire and apparently won its First Civil War, what happened next no-one knows; but he obviously survived.” Abeo gave Kendo a look of bewilderment after hearing his story. Kendo just laughed at this. “Tell me Kendo,” Abeo enquired with a sigh “What does Senator Golan Zen have to do with the Union?” “I’m not sure I should tell you this, but. The NRBI has had Zen under surveillance for several years. Our reports suggest that Zen was, at one point a member of an elite group of Imperial Officers that tried to keep the Empire together after the Battle of Coruscant. Ultimately they failed, but not before they got wind of the existence of the Union. As their last act they secured a meeting with the Union. They sent Zen as their ambassador. We believe… “After a while Golan Zen became Ossus’ ambassador to the New Republic. Then, 4 years ago Golan Zen was seen meeting a known Imperial spy within the NRBI…” “NRBI?” Abeo interrupted “New Republic Bureau of Investigation. He was caught giving the Imperial restricted information. From then he was kept under extra surveillance. Of course the Imperial Spy was imprisoned and the information returned.” “Oh. He’s crooked then!” Abeo shouted. “Yes.” Kendo replied, obviously distracted. “Tell me,” he asked now looking at Abeo “Do you know of the force?” “The force. I heard that Dark Jedi mention it once or twice. What is it?” “Dark Jedi!” Kendo shouted “Where, when, whom?!” “The Saviour, After the attack, Not sure. But I can tell you that I felt something being emitted from him. Not heat, but, anger. Hate of me.” “That is the Force. Let me explain” Kendo added when he saw Abeo’s look of confusion. “The Force is the thing inside all living beings. It is penetrative and surrounding. The Force is connected to every gene of everybody of every species. Without the Force, life is impossible.

“But a few beings in the galaxy are more sensitive to the force than others. Those beings are commonly known as Force-Sensitive. Those trained in the force can join one of three main groups. The Jedi, the Sith and the Dark Jedi. I am a Jedi. Sam Sinays’ was a Sith.” “And you believe I’m a Force-Sensitive?” Abeo asked confusingly. “It’s possible. There’s a good chance.” Silence took hold. It was broken only when one of the Commandos barged through the door. “Just wait outside until I’m finished.” Abeo ordered. “You’re military?” Asked Kendo. “No. It’s just that I’ve gained their trust since Ossus.” Abeo responded. Abeo stretched out his arms and legs and yawned loudly. “Look. If you’re bored you can come with me while I go to a meeting. Your Commandos can stay here until we return.” Kendo spoke to break the awkward silence. “Yeah. Sounds goods.”

Abeo placed his hand upon the top of the settee and pushed himself up. When on his feet Abeo stretched his hands outwards and his chest forward. He then shook of his legs and followed Kendo through the door. Having given his orders to the Commandos Abeo boarded Kendo’s personal airspeeder and they began the long and tedious trip. Several hours passed until they passed into the shadow of a landing bay. Abeo was still unsure of where they were. “Kendo. Where exactly are we?” asked Abeo. “Wait and see Abeo, wait and see.” Kendo replied jokingly. This did little to raise Abeo’s level of confidences. They marched through several high ceiling corridors. The walls were crimson red, as was the ceiling. Every now and then they would pass through a great room with many beings inside of several different worlds. In almost every room a few of these beings would turn and bow to Kendo. Who would, in turn nod to them. When they finally entered an elevator Kendo, who had pressed the button for the 80th floor asked Abeo out of the blue.

“Tell me Abeo, what is your last name?” Abeo gave Kendo a look of anguish. “To be honest, I don’t really know. I’ve always gone by the name of Koran. I truly do not know my last name. Is there anyway you could find it out?” Abeo added hopefully. “Maybe. What were your parent’s names? If they lived on Kowak they should be on the population register.” “I don’t know. They both disappeared when I was two years old.” “Then I’m afraid, there is no hope in finding your last name.”

Next: The Council