Looking at the expansion plan, Kurt wondered why Palpatine contacted him to discuss this matter.
He was not unaware of this plan. Firstly, it was initially proposed by Jedi Great Master Jorus C'baoth and involved a large-scale expedition into the Unknown Regions, ultimately heading to another galaxy to expand the Republic's influence.
This plan should have started two years ago, and Mandalore had even invested in it. Could it be that preparations were finally complete now?
But wasn't it said that there were already signs of abandoning this plan, with too much funding being wasted on it? It seems some dirty little deal was struck to continue it.
Looking at the list, Kurt knew why he was sought out. Among the participating Jedi were Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. But perhaps this was merely Sidious's plan to kill them all in one go, wanting him to call them back?
However, he would have to contact the two of them first, so he immediately made a holographic call to them.
The communication connected, and it was Anakin, who was currently excited.
"You won't believe it, Kurt, Obi-Wan and I are about to head to the Unknown Regions with Great Master Jorus!"
"No, Anakin, you can't go. Let Obi-Wan talk to me about this." Kurt asked Obi-Wan to discuss the matter.
Obi-Wan and Anakin were currently piloting Delta-12 starfighters, heading to Agamar to rendezvous with the others before continuing their journey.
"What's wrong, Kurt? Weren't you very supportive of this plan?" Obi-Wan was unclear why he didn't want them to go.
Kurt couldn't come up with an excuse immediately. Indeed, he had previously sponsored this operation, believing it would uncover different things. But after suddenly seeing the list, he felt something bad was going to happen. With so many Jedi Knights, Sidious would definitely make a move, and there wouldn't even be any witnesses. This was Sidious's conspiracy.
"Because some things require your help." Kurt thought for a moment; he seemed to have only one excuse.
The Sith Temple. But anyway, he had already plundered most of it, so letting the Jedi explore it was no problem.
"What's so mysterious?"
"I discovered a Sith Temple."
Kurt's words made Obi-Wan, who was about to head to Agamar, stop his ship.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. So I think the Jedi Order would also want to research it, but you two need to scout ahead first and then report back to the Jedi Order."
"I'll report this first. This mission will be canceled. See you on Vadir then." Obi-Wan ended the communication and immediately reported the matter to the Jedi Council.
Meanwhile, on Plun, the Cultist ship that Kurt hadn't found earlier had flown back after resupplying. But upon seeing it...
"How was it plundered clean!" The Cultist roared, looking at the empty temple.
At this moment, another Cultist patted him on the shoulder, "As long as Great Master Naga Sadow is still here, it's fine. We can still produce these things."
But he immediately collapsed to his knees, "How is that possible! Great Master Naga Sadow is gone too!"
Kurt felt much relieved after seeing the two of them stopped, but the Outbound Flight Project was probably going to fail. Was it still not too late for him to withdraw his investment? But perhaps he was overthinking it, and it was just a simple request for him to see the current progress. Nevertheless, it was necessary to ask Palpatine.
Later, in his office, Kurt greeted Speaker Palpatine.
"Long time no see, Speaker."
"You jest, my friend. Did you see the message I sent you?"
"Of course! How could I not see your message? I was just thinking of heading to Coruscant; after all, I've invested a lot in the Outbound Flight Project. Of course, I need to keep a close eye on it, especially since there's a promise of a new Mandalore colony then."
"No need, my friend. They have already departed, and no further voting for more funding is required. However, I will have someone send you the travel logs regularly." Clearly, Palpatine had already received news of Obi-Wan and Anakin's mission cancellation.
But there were still many doubts. Wouldn't this expose his identity as Sidious? Kurt was puzzled. Was he slowly trying to reveal his identity to him now?
"That's good then, otherwise, I would have had to travel to Coruscant, which is quite a long journey. However, Count Dooku recently came to Vadir to convey his values." Kurt mentioned Dooku's matter.
"What did he say?" Palpatine also wanted to know Kurt's thoughts on this, to see if he was loyal.
"Of course, it's all nonsense. The Republic is clearly thriving under your guidance. I didn't expect a former Jedi to say such things. It certainly matches my impression of them." Kurt expressed his loyalty to Palpatine while not forgetting to disparage the Jedi Order.
Palpatine was quite pleased. It seemed he was still relatively loyal, but further observation was needed, after all, this person had grown up in war since he was eleven.
"Indeed, but the Republic will not do anything to him, for what he says is nothing but nonsense."
Palpatine indicated he didn't care at all.
"Then I won't disturb you." Kurt hung up the communication. After all, the more he talked to Palpatine, the more likely he was to expose himself. But Palpatine seemed to be increasingly showing signs of exposing himself to him. Perhaps he considered him one of his own?
Who cares, he still had things to do.
Months later, in the Unknown Star Domain.
The Outbound Flight Project ships had begun to enter the unknown Star Domain, but unexpectedly, the Trade Federation task force sent by Palpatine had already arrived ahead of time.
However, the Chiss fleet led by Thrawn had already defeated the hidden Trade Federation fleet. They were deceived into believing that the Jedi were invading the Chiss fleet, but fortunately, Thrawn disdained such one-sided claims and engaged in discussions when the Republic fleet arrived.
But before the Republic fleet arrived, Sidious and Thrawn had already conversed, claiming to have intelligence on the future Yuuzhan Vong and that the Republic fleet must be destroyed to prevent them from bringing back the Yuuzhan Vong. Hearing what Sidious said, Thrawn believed him somewhat, as there had been battles with Yuuzhan Vong advance forces in Chiss space before this.
Thrawn still initiated peaceful discussions, asking them to leave, but Great Master Jorus completely refused to return or adjust their course.
However, a fleet of Vagaari slavers was suddenly pulled out of hyperspace. Before this, the Vulture Droids, modified by Thrawn, had killed the slavers on board, and the sudden loss of life made Great Master Jorus uncomfortable.
At this point, Thrawn's fleet destroyed all the Republic fleet's weapon systems and shield systems and offered one chance to withdraw, but Great Master Jorus completely refused to surrender and used The Force to choke Thrawn from several light-years away, ultimately leading to the failure of the Outbound Flight Project and the destruction of the entire fleet.
But this was not Thrawn's intention.
Kurt eventually saw parts of the journal sent by Palpatine on Vadir. Although some details were hidden, Kurt thought of one person: Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Unknown Star Domain person he was most familiar with. After all, that's how the entire Star Wars Universe is; when you think it's him, it will be him.
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