I applaud with the others, sitting in Alderaan's delegation along with the newly appointed Supreme Chancellor. I was there at their request of course, though I'd rather be getting ready for when Salazar, Vette, and Jerus returned. While I was here, Hank was aiding HJ, Jakito, and Luci in preparing for our departure and Alice was visiting the Coruscant Temple, who's reconstruction had been restarted a few days earlier.

I pat Armond on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Chancellor."



"Thank you very much." I say honestly. Touching the control, I fly out to address the senate. "Thank you all for your confidence! When I returned to Coruscant with my meager forces, it was not my intention to win your hearts and minds. I simply saw the threat that both Sucal and the Mandalorians posed, and realized that, if left alone, the fire of war they would spark would burn this fair city planet to ashes. Now, as your Chancellor, I hope to focus first and foremost on rebuilding and reconciliation. To undo the damage caused by my predecessor... and to award those who have helped bring an end this his reign." I indicate Zar'kun and Becca. "First, I would like to formally offer a full pardon to Zar'kun Je'and and Becca Twilight, as well as the rest of their families and allies. As I'm sure you are all aware, Jorg Sucal branded them as traitors and criminals. Now, I re-brand them as heroes of the Republic." The senate cheers more. "Secondly, I would like to acknowledge Xanthippe Naberrie, former Senator of Naboo, for her friendship to me. I admit, during the election, I cast my vote in favor of her as Chancellor." I chuckle.



I wave over at Armond, smiling to myself as I realize I STILL haven't removed the enchantment form him.



"Although she did not win today, I would like to offer a consolation prize; a place by my side as Speaker of the House! What say you, Xan?"



I lean into the mic. "Why, Chancellor, it would be my distinct honor."

I frown and direct my gaze at Xan. The look I gave said it all, which was simple enough; to turn the offer down. However, I could say and do nothing other than smile at the pardons. "I appreciate it, Chancellor, as I'm sure my whole family and Theron Shan will."

"Yes, thank you, your excellency."



I don't look at Jerus. "I will, of course, need to give the matter some thought. Plus, I'm sure this is a decision the whole senate would like to weigh in on. Perhaps we should give some time for a couple other candidates to step forward. You know how much I hate to run unopposed."



"Very well. I believe we've had enough politics for today anyways. Let us reconvene tomorrow." With that, the senate meeting trickles to an end, and everyone begins to make their way out. As my pod return to it's birth, I look at Zar'kun and Becca. "Thank you both again for everything. If there is anything more you need, don't hesitate to ask."

I bow in thanks. "You've already done a lot for us, Chancellor. All that's left for us to do now is find Trayus and put an end to his and Kreia's insanity before it's too late."

“I will leave you to it then.” I escort the two from the pod and into the hall. “I will, of course, muster what remains of the Republic military and command them to aid in whatever capacity they can.” I bow to both of them. “Until next time, my friends.” I am quickly overwhelmed with senators and staffers, all wishing to congratulate me in person.



I walk with Zar’kun towards the exit where our speeder is parked. Despite the good news, it is a gloomy, wet day. Distantly, I can hear thunder. “Rain to wash away the blood and put out the fires?”

"If it were only so simple, Becca. This rain may do those things, but it serves as a reminder of a far greater thing; Coruscant has begun healing."

"I hope you're right. We need some healing now more than ever."



Back at the hotel, I am in the process of packing the Cora for departure. Luci is helping me, and HJ in working nearby on his own ship, the Rancor's Den. "So, where did Koraline get off to?"



"She didn't name specifics. Just that she wanted to get in touch with some old allies from her underworld days. She hopes they might be able to at least help us flush Sucal out of hiding."



I nod. "Not a bad idea. The fewer places Sucal has to hide, the easier it will be to find him and finally draw him out."

"Statement: Kreia's history suggests she will play her hand herself very soon. Eager Statement: I hope it is soon enough I will have little competition for claiming kills."

"I don't think you'll be the first HK Unit she's encountered, Hank." The sky overhead lights up, and almost immediately afterwords comes a loud crash of thunder. "Jeez, that's getting close. I appreciate the weather, but if this keeps up, we might be grounded for a while."



"Yeah, even a starship can have difficulty flying through storms." As I say that, I get a twinge of danger sense. "That's... probably not good." I say to myself.



Meanwhile, I have my own ship on a different landing pad of the hotel. Like the others, I am packing to leave, though where I plan to go I have no idea.

"Observation: Most ships are equipped to handle electrical storms. Theory: This could be more than your standard electrical storm however."

"More than a storm? What else...?" Before I can ask, there is another explosion in the sky. A few seconds later, shadows begin to move silhouetted behind the clouds. I watch as the shadows get larger and larger, then suddenly several burning starships drop through the clouds, plummeting towards the city below. "What the hell?!"



I see the starships raining down through the storm through a window, and the senators around me all gasp and whisper among themselves. I immediately pull my commlink and call to the fleet in orbit. "What's going on up there!?"



"Sir! We... we have no idea! It's... it's some kind of massive storm... IN SPACE!!" In orbit, there is a whirlpool of crackling energy slowly engulfing the planet. All the ships in the area, be they Republic, Organa, or Mandalorian, are helpless as the storm unleashes powerful blasts of electrical energy in every direction, destroying everything in it's path.

I had already sent out orders to the ships that could still get out of the storm's path in time to do so and ordered those not in immediate danger to search for what was powering it.



As the pieces of star ships fall from orbit, I can't help but stare and follow their trail back to the sky. "What in the hell?!"

"We need to get out of here fast!" I start trying to pack the last of our supplies as quickly as possible.



I look up in alarm. "If we try to fly into that, we're dead... but if we stay here, it could get worse and start laying low buildings!"



As Mand'alor ordered, I commanded my ship to pull away and search for the cause of the storm. As we break through the intense clouds surrounding the orbiting fleet, we finally make it to clear space, and immediately see the source of the storm. It is a large, ancient looking space station. It's lower half rotates, and a steady stream of cloudy energy streams out, contributing to the storm. "How did this thing sneak up on us!?"

"All ships, report! Have you found the source of this storm yet?"



I walk over to one of the gun emplacements that the Mandalorians had left and climb in before powering it up and taking aim. I then fire on a larger debris piece and blow it apart. "Statement: I will buy you time."

“By buy us time, I hope you don’t mean you’re doing the whole ‘self sacrifice’ thing! We’re all getting out of here together!” Huntress bellows from her place in my ship, clearly sensing the danger outside.



I speak into the comm on my chair. “Mand’alor! It’s some type of weapon. A massive space station! Just like the one Mand’alor the Preserver wrote about!” Our ship continues to pull away, but rogue lightning blasts still fork out and threaten to blow through our shields.

I frown and tap my finger against my command chair a moment as one of the officers on my ship's bridge turns towards me. "Your orders, Mand'alor?"

"Have all ships do their best to maneuver into position to fire on that weapon. Let us remind the Sith why the Mandalorian Clans are not to be trifled with."

I watch through the viewport as the Mando ships move into attack position. I glance towards the men seating around the control panels. “Intensify pressure. Raise electrical charge.” They do as I say, twisting dials and pulling switches. Outside, the gears of the Genesis Engine speed up, and more thick lighting bolts begin to strike out at the ships. The power is intense enough to fry through shields very quickly, and those slow moving capital ships have very little chance of avoiding being struck once they move into attack range. As for their weapons effect on the station... well, I’m not worried.



I run with Zar’kun to our speeder. “We need to get out of here now. We can’t fight this.” As I say that, a lightning bolt strikes down from the sky and hits the top of a tall building, blowing it apart. “Damn!”



I’m also on my way back to the hotel. I had to get to Korre before it was too late.

I grimace as the bolts only lance out in more powerful spurts. "Contact Clan Cadera. Let them know I've got a special mission for them." Several of the Mandalorian and Republic ships had already opened fire on the station as they closed in, and the effects weren't great. "We're going to need a bigger weapon to damage that thing."



"I don't think getting away from this is in the cards either, Becca." I use a Force Jump to land in the speeder and get it started. "We'll meet with the others and see what we can do."

“Right.” I climb into the passenger seat, and we are soon zooming of towards the hotel.



Everyone is panicking. With Val in hand, I run out into the hall and try to find my way to the landing pads where the Twilights are docked. People don’t seem to be paying me much mind; in fact they are acting like they don’t even see me with my child. They run past, bumping me and nearly knocking me over. “Ah! B... Becca!? Where are... ? Help! Please!”



I push my way through the crowd and grab Korre before she is knocked over and trampled. “Hey! Come here! We need to get you to Naberrie quick!” I put an arm around her and begin pushing against the current of the panicking people, taking Korre to safety.