Across the Portal: Intuition

### **Rating**

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive material.

### **Followed by**

*The Droideka That Loved a Clone*

***Across the Portal: Intuition*** is the third and final installment of the *Across the Portal* trilogy and a sequel to the 2018 D.I.T. science fiction *Across the Portal: Insurgence*. It is the third installment of the DIT-Star Wars Universe.

## Plot

Having finally orchestrated a severe enough blow to the Jedi Order, Xerin Hedashield, the Supreme Leader of the Third Order, and Darth Mutialatus, Dark Lord of the Sith, are tightening their iron fist around both the Jedi and the Galactic Republic, with corrupted Jedi Padawan B'en'jamin Thorrn by their side. Hedashield has spent the last year training her new significant other with secrets of the Dark Side of the Force. The scope of the terrorism the Third Order is spreading has traumatized the galaxy and has stagnated much of their progress. One Hexaday morning, Xerin Hedashield tells B'en'jamin Thorrn to let Darth Mutialatus know it is time to awaken Vato, as it is the only thing left to do before marching upon the Senate on Coruscant, as the Third Order has set up a presence there three years prior. Hedashield contacts the Captain, telling him that she is no longer willing to tolerate the existence of Malastare, an independent world which has long supported her enemies. Victoria deserts the Jedi Order, despite being loyal to them and being allowed to keep her lightsaber, now living in a simple cabin with her boyfriend Gahid and now feels a sense of peace despite the weight of what happened.

After thirteen months imprisoned, Kristen is to be brought before Xerin Hedashield, but the Pearian escapes. Enraged, Hedashield decides she and Thorrn will embark on their own crusade and hunt down Kristen themselves. Now free and in possession of a valuable Third Order ship and a holodroid named HAMEN, Kristen seeks out Firebird, hoping to get her help and reveal to her that she is alive. Hedashield, however, attempts to contact her and procure her whereabouts. Kristen calls the Supreme Leader a malignant narcissist for planning to exterminate leadership in the galaxy, though Hedashield insists on the righteousness of her ultimate desire for "selfless leaders". Kristen cuts off contact before she can discover her whereabouts. Consequentially, she goes with Thorrn and Darth Mutialatus and together they liberate Vato from his prison chamber. In the meantime, Darth Mutialatus uses the Force to communicate with the Supreme Leader, who warns him that if he fails again, the consequences will be unspeakable. Vato tells Hedashield that she must sacrifice what she loves the most in order to obtain his power and there is no other way. When Thorrn sees that she is crying, he comforts her as they realize what must be done. Hedashield sacrifices her own home by channeling the Power of Vato into the Dark Tower while it flows into her body and therefore obtains Vato's Orenda.

Xerin Hedashield and B'en'jamin Thorrn arrive on Umbara and she tells Victoria that she believes herself to be merciful and benevolent as she plans to take over the galaxy and rule democratically, with the best interest in her people. She is subsequently lured into a chokepoint; yet despite the sheer numbers against her, Hedashield makes quick work of one hundred Jedi Knights as Vato's Orenda empowers her. Kristen, Victoria, Shae Bibble, and Kreddus narrowly escape together and set course for the closest planet, Vrean. They meet Vlaire, who is revealed to be Hedashield's childhood friend and tells them of her past in exchange for eradicating local pests: Vrean's population had been devastated, and Hedashield blamed the Senate for refusing to be concerned, leading to unbridled megalomaniacal ambition.

Kristen arrives at Mustafar, only to realize the Third Order has lured her there. After a heated confrontation, the Captain brutally murders Victoria and Hedashield smites Kristen, who chooses to feign death. Jubilant, Hedashield degrades Kristen's body by electrocuting it; this, however, forces her to yield. Kristen initiates a spectacular final battle against Darth Mutialatus while Thorrn informs the Men of Thorrn of his conversion and they burst onto the battlefield. Locked in combat with Darth Mutialatus, Kristen tries to convince the lord of the Sith to abandon the Third Order and join her in freedom; deeming Kristen's new choice as a lost cause, Darth Mutialatus refuses his archenemy's offer and flees from the battle in a hijacked Jedi Starfighter. After rendezvousing with her friends, Kristen encounters Xerin Hedashield, only to realize the Supreme Leader is a far superior opponent. Thinking quickly, she separates herself from her, but then Hedashield suddenly emerges and begins to impale the Navy, so Kristen calls upon all of her friends and, in an act of remarkable teamwork, they destroy the Supreme Leader once and for all, in turn consuming most of Mustafar forcing the heroes to escape offworld.

With the Third Order defeated, Bean is injured, although Firebird successfully heals him. As an apology for serving the Third Order, Thorrn arranges for R'ockienc to open a portal to bring Kristen home and give her the chance to locate her parents (as Hedashield had taught Thorrn how to sense family members), and then have the choice to remain with her them or kiss them goodbye. Kristen tearfully introduced herself to them and learned that her abusive grandmother April had died during the Pearian's imprisonment. She almost refuses to return with Thorrn, whom she alarms by professing her undying love for, but then she remembers she promised Yoda and returns to a galaxy far, far away with her friend. It is revealed in the Postscript that General Gore is not really dead and is happy to work as a businesswoman to begin atoning for her sins, and that Thorrn, who is happily married to Kristen, has made her realize people don't have to be controlled to be safe from them and the peoples of the galaxy can be trusted with their freedom.

## Development

Unofficial reports claimed in October of 2017 that *Across the Portal* would be a series, not just one book, and the last book would be called *Across the Portal: The Bronze Military*. D. Isaac Thomas later made a more official report that this was not the title of the final book, and that it would only have three books, making it a trilogy. The actual title was confirmed on June 9, 2019.

Xerin Hedashield, the Supreme Leader of the Third Order, will directly serve as the primary antagonist of this book, fighting alongside B'en'jamin Thorrn, having finally orchestrated a severe enough blow to the Jedi Order, and combating against the reformed and expanded Order, allied with several other factions. Thomas has teased the idea of exposing the truth about Hedashield's backstory and motives, and later teased the idea of the book featuring ancestors of Governor Sio Bibble, a minor character from the prequel trilogy. This later turned out to be a major character named Shae Bibble. The book also sees the return of Kristen and Firebird as heroines. It was also confirmed that the book would see Vato appearing in the flesh, after being mentioned multiple times in the last two books.

## Gallery

Xerin.jpgXerinside7.jpgXerintakingoffcloak7.jpg
## Appearances

### Locations

* Coruscant
	+ Jedi Temple
* Der Erebolten
	+ Dark Tower
* Earth
* Mustafar
* Umbara
* Vrean

### Events

* Escape from the Vindicator
* Liberation of Vato
* Ritual of the Dark Tower
* Skirmish on Umbara
* Battle of Mustafar

### Objects

* Lightsaber
* Xameoctum

### Species

* Humans
* Pearians

### Organizations

* Jedi Order
	+ Men of Thorrn
* Sith Order
* Third Order

### New Characters

* HAMEN
* Shae Bibble
* Vlaire

### Mentioned

* Captain Cole
* Malastare
* Occupation of Tatooine
* Tatooine