CHAPTER TEN
Anakin stared endlessly at the masked figure that stood before him, the other Jedi, and the remaining eleven troopers. The only sound that filled the room they were all in was the hum of five, glowing lightsabers. Finally, after two long minutes, the masked warrior retracted their violet lightsaber but did not place it back on their belt. With a masculine voice, the stranger spoke.
"Why did you come here?"
"What does it matter to you?" Kyle Katarn demanded.
The man's voice turned cold. "Everything."
Anakin glanced at Master Sadoon, who seemed to hesitate before deactivating his lightsaber as well. "We received a signal here from a friend of ours. His name is Toah Jarsan...."
The stranger relaxed his posture. "Ah, I see. I believe you misinterpreted the signal. Toah Jarsan was trying to warn you not to come to Dantooine."
Anakin tried to hold the warrior's gaze, although it was hidden by his mask. "Why not?" he asked.
"Because the Glorians have arrived." The masked being gestured at the dead being whom he had just killed. "That was just one of them. He would have killed you all easily had I not come. And there are more of them...thousands."
"But what are they?" Commander Naar asked.
"They are a species from another region of space, far from Dantooine. They have conquered worlds, star systems, and even other galaxies. And now they are here...and they must be stopped."
"That's an understatement, don't you think?" Kyle muttered. "So, how exactly do we stop them?"
"You have no part in this," the masked warrior said sternly. "This is a situation only I can handle. Which is why you must leave Dantooine or else you'll simply get in the way."
"What about the Jedi at the enclave?" Anakin asked. "Shouldn't they leave here as well?"
The being slowly shook his head. "As long as they don't know of this, and as long as the Glorians do not go anywhere near the enclave, then they should be safe."
Kyle narrowed his eyes. "Why should we trust you? Where's Toah? Shouldn't he be telling us this?"
The masked man quickly turned his head to look at him. "I am afraid that is no longer possible. Toah Jarsan...is dead."
* * *
Cal Omas did his best to keep awake as Thrackan Sal-Solo droned on with his speech before the Galactic Senate and the Corellian Council, both whose members seemed to be on the edge of falling asleep.
"...Not to mention that Jonash e Solo's time as Supreme Chancellor, while brief, did bring forth an age of peace that sure would not have started had Vedij remained in control-"
"Thank you, Sal-Solo, I believe you have gotten the point across," Governor Saxan said, who sounded just as bored as everyone else. She turned to look at Omas. "As you can see, Chief, the reasons Sal-Solo mentioned should be good enough for the Alliance to stay on Corellia, in honor of Prince-Admiral Solo's accomplishments."
"I zoned out at some of them," Zana Arda murmured, quiet enough for only Omas to hear. He smirked in response but waved his hand to silence her.
"Yes, well, I suppose they are...just reasons. But they're still not enough to convince us." He glanced at the members of his advisory council. "Unless I am mistaken..."
Senator Tian Nek of Sullust, who seemed like he had just awoken from sleep, sheepishly nodded. "You are correct, Chief..."
Governor Saxan smirked. "I was prepared for such response. Then perhaps this will be convincing."
She signaled to one of the Corellian guards again, and they soon hauled in a large holoprojector into the room. After maneuvering a few controls, Saxan soon brought up a holographic representation of the Core World of Kuat, surrounded by an Imperial Remnant fleet. Many in the room gasped, including the Kuati senator Haydnat Treen.
"What...what is this?" Omas stammered. "What is the Imperial Remnant doing at Kuat?"
"The Moff Council are really enjoying their stay on Coruscant," Saxan replied. "They have threatened to shut down production at Kuat Drive Yards if you do not agree to stay on Corellia."
Omas scowled. "You told them to blockade the planet, didn't you?"
Saxan tilted her head. "And why would I make a deal with Imperials?"
Omas glanced at Arda, who returned his gaze with a frown and a nod of her head. He then looked to the Senate- mainly his advisors- and saw similar expressions on their faces, although Senator Treen seemed to be glaring at him.
Finally, the Chief of State sighed. "Very well. We shall stay on Corellia...for now. Will that do?"
Saxan nodded. "It will do."
"No, it shall not!"
All eyes briefly turned to Haydnat Treen at first, but it was not she who had spoken. Instead, it was the Chagrian senator Nensu Kaatik of Champala, who was on his feet, pointing an accusatory finger at Governor Saxan and the hologram of Kuat.
"Are we just going to let them have their way?" he demanded. "The Imperial Remnant has no right to threaten a world of the Alliance!"
"But the Remnant is part of the Alliance!" replied the Mon Calamari Via Eerin.
"Then why are they attacking Kuat?" Kaatik asked. "Chief Omas may be right; perhaps Governor Saxan did ask the Imperials to threaten the Drive Yards."
He narrowed his blue eyes at the Corellian Council. "And if so, I believe Corellia has gone too far."
Cheers of approval and dismay began to thunder throughout the chamber so loudly, Omas though his ears were going to burst. Arda quickly shouted for silence and the room soon quieted down.
Taking a deep breath, Cal Omas turned to Saxan and said, "Governor, what is your response to this? Politely please."
Aidel Saxan stared at him, her dark eyes piercing him like a blade of ice. "If this is how the Alliance treats its allies, by throwing out accusations...then I suppose you can forget about Corellia being involved in your affairs."
She turned to Thrackan Sal-Solo. "What do you say, as head of state?"
Sal-Solo glowered at Omas and the Senate. "As Head of State, I declare Corellia an independent planet from the Galactic Alliance and the Senate. The Alliance may leave Corellia and return to Coruscant."
At first, Omas stared at Sal-Solo and Saxan, too stunned to say anything. Finally, he managed a nod and stepped away from his podium, gesturing to the senators that the meeting was dismissed.
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