Star Wars: Sith Crusade: Last Chance

Star Wars: Last Chance is a short story that follows the Jedi Council during the tumultuous times that followed the Duel on Gand.

Publisher's summary
''Following the chaos of the Duel of the Gods, and the outbreak of civil war amongst the Sith the Jedi are given a rest bite to collect themselves, and discuss their immediate future.

''As the Decreton Knights fight one another the Jedi cease the chance, and attempt to end the war once and for all.

Dramatis personae

 * Luke Skywalker; Grand Jedi Master (Human male)
 * Katae-muri; Jedi Master (Corellian female)
 * Ben Skywalker; Jedi Master (Human male)
 * Darth Abeonis; Dark Lord of the Decreton Empire (Human male)
 * Darth Alectasa; Sith Lord (Epicanthix male)
 * Darth Validus; Sith Lord (Hapan female)
 * Darth Adsec; Sith Lord, Commander of the Home Fleet (Human male)

Events

 * Battle of Thyferra
 * Mission to Kashyyyk

Chapter 1
'&hellip; I don't care how long it takes, but we have to take this chance to strike at the Sith!' roared Ben as his father sat patiently across from him. Han, still mourning the loss of his son Jacen was surprisingly silent at this uproar against his close friend, and only huffed at Luke's son. Luke on the other hand remained totally silent for several seconds before rising to his feet.

'We will "strike" at the Sith my son. Kashyyyk has only recently fallen to the Sith and they're still reeling from the ferocity of the Wookiee fighters.' at this Skywalker paused, as if expecting a great surge of protest to what he was about to suggest '&hellip;but, we cannot yet launch a counter attack.' 'Why?' protested Kam Solusar who had only just entered the conversation. Luke stared blankly into Kam's eyes before turning his head towards his son.

'Because, my friend, I recently sent two Jedi to the planet Thyferra to assist the rebel Sith Lord their, but as you already know, the planet has been reclaimed by the Sith. This revelation did receive the uproar of protest that Luke had earlier expected. Han, realizing what had just been revealed rushed too Skywalker and pulled him aside.

'Luke! What the hell do you think your doing!?!' Han protested 'Sending Jedi too an enemy planet without asking the Senate, or the Council for that matter?' Luke once again just looked into the eyes of Solo before slowly opening his mouth, as if to begin a sentence. But instead, he just walked away, tiredly.

'I understand what i did was wrong, I knew it was before I sent them. Luckily, both Jedi survived and have returned to us, but I sent them to Thyferra to see if these rebels stand any chance against their rightful ruler; and well, I think they do.'

Kenth Hamner, infuriated by this remark rose from his chair and left the Council chamber, followed swiftly by Octa Ramis. Luke slowly made his way back to his chair, the Coruscanti skyline shining through the windows into the chamber, highlighting his greying hairs.

'Luke&hellip;' interjected Katae-muri '&hellip;whats wrong? I know you, we know you, and it's not the failure to get the Sith rebels on our side. So what's wrong?'

'Truthfully?' Luke asked, to which he received a nod from Katae, 'Truthfully, I don't know how we're going to survive this. Ducato has forced us into a corner, a corner which is getting ever tighter; and i don't see any possible way to escape. Even with these rebels, the Sith have more than enough firepower to wipe out us, and the Alliance. It seems almost as if the will of the Force is no longer with us.'

'Don't say that Luke!' Han shouted 'We've been in worst positions than this? Haven't we?' Luke gave him no sign of recognition, 'Luke? We're going to get through this. I may not be a Jedi myself, but even I sense that something is about to go right for us.'

Chapter 2
The doors to the Council chamber swung open, and all present spun their heads to see Kyle Katarn standing their, hands on knees, gasping for breath. Ben shot up and rushed over the Kyle. 'What is it?' he enquired. Kyle, still out of breath and breathing hoarsely could only whisper an answer into Ben's ear. But all present could sense the rising jubilation in both Ben and Kyle. After finishing, Kyle headed for his seat as Ben rushed over too his father.

'Ladies, and gentlemen&hellip;and Corran.'

'Oi!'

'I have good news, the Senate has chosen the next Chief-of-State for the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances' the smile on his face grew even more, 'you, father.'

Luke, for the first time in a long time was genuinly surprised. 'Me?'

'Yes, you're now in command of everything under an Alliance banner.'

The entire Jedi Council was shocked, the Jedi had had their fair share of the spotlight in this war, granted. But to make their leader Chief-of-State! Luke, still reeling from the shock slowly rose to his feet, calling upon his son to hold his arm as he rose. 'The time has come, we're going to win this war.'

*    *     *

Luke rushed to the Jedi planning room, moving faster than most had seen him before. Even his son, Katae and his wife had trouble keeping up. Han, rather predictably wasn't much bothered and didn't even bother leaving his chair for at least a minute. In the meanwhile however, Luke had reached the Jedi planning room and, to his son surprise, brought up a live feed of the planet Kashyyyk.

'Father?' Ben enquired 'What are you doing?'

'Not planning an invasion, if thats what you think. Lowbacca was trapped on Kashyyyk during the invasion, and nay information he has gathered would be greatly appreciated. But we currently have no way to receive that information. So&hellip; Ben, Katae, i'm sending the both of you to Kashyyyk to find Lowbacca and retreive the information.'

'And how,' Katae asked '&hellip;are we meant to do that exactly?'

'With your new fleet.' Luke grinned widely 'This is our last chance Ben. If we don't get the information we need, then we've lost this war.'

Behind the scenes
Inspiration for this article came from C3PO the Dragon Slayer's comment on the talk page of Star Wars: Darth Abeonis.