Atton peeked his head out of the cell door. There were a couple guards down at the end of the hall, but otherwise, the prison area was deserted. Atton took a moment to calm himself and think. Maybe I can do that Force thing again.

He closed his eyes and reached out with his senses. Just like before, he saw Mical, Visas and Mira, only now he could tell exactly where they were. They were in the following three cells from his own. Without warning, a strong feeling of Ganya swept over him. He could feel she was tense, focused, in battle with…he thought he could sense Kreia and her overwhelming hate of everything touched with the Force. I've got to save Ganya! his inner voice cried out. He had just started to step outside the door when that new voice he'd met in his cell started speaking back to him. If you rescue her and leave them to die, she'd never forgive you.

"Wretched conscience," Atton muttered under his breath. "Why did you have to kick in now?" But his conscience was right. Ganya would never have left the other three companions behind.

Cursing his newfound integrity, Atton saw that the guards at the end of the hall had started to walk his direction. Atton stepped back into the cell. He waited until they were just passing then he came out flying, lightsaber in hand.

It was short work. Even in his wounded state, he found the Force flowing strongly through him, keeping him alert and battle ready. He wondered at the back of his mind if somehow his choice to rescue the three companions had strengthened him in the Force. But he didn't have time to waste on figuring out what was happening to him. He just enjoyed the feel of resting in the Force and cut down the last guard.

After the fight, he was sweating profusely and every pain came tumbling back into his body. Well, he thought, it was fun while it lasted. Why couldn't the Force keep him from the pain? He supposed it could. I'll have to learn that trick someday.

Atton turned to the cell next to him. Mical was in there. Kreia's words came back to him for a second time: Her greatest admirer. Atton had thought he was her greatest admirer, but Mical had followed Ganya around like a lost puppy this whole time. Atton had no love lost for Mical. Honestly, he hated the stuck up jerk. Atton sighed, "He would be the first I have to rescue." Atton knew he'd rescue Mical anyway, but why did the ex-Jedi have to be the first?

Sighing, Atton plunged his lightsaber into the door. One bash and the door slid open to reveal Mical lying listlessly on the floor.

"Hey," he spoke as he bent down to Mical, "You alright?"

Mical opened his eyes and looked up at Atton. "Barely," he whispered.

"Yeah, well, I'm here to get you out of here so let's get going."

To Atton's surprise, Mical smiled and then laughed causing him to cough. When he had recovered he spoke softly. "Now who's trying to be the hero?"

I'm not the only one changing here, Atton thought. Now Mical was trying out humor… and it worked. Atton smiled wryly. He actually admired the guy for managing to laugh for the first time in a place like this.

"Don't worry about me," Mical said, suddenly serious. He reached up and pulled Atton towards him. "You can't let her die. The galaxy needs her."

Mical's words brought back Atton's fervent desire to run out the cell door and search the Academy for Ganya. But he knew he couldn't do that.

"Right," he said instead. "And tell Ganya I let all the friends she has in the world die back there. Sorry. I know you like to be brave warrior and all, but now is not the time. Besides, I'm playing hero now. So get up."

Mical shook his head, but tried to sit up. When he did, his breath caught in his throat and he gasped for air. He lay back down.

"My lungs…crushed."

Atton wasted no time. "Alright. Come on. Lean on me." He helped Mical to his feet and leaned him against his shoulder. Mical gripped his arm.

"You can do it," Atton encouraged. "Just keep moving." Mical simply nodded.

Moving as quickly as he could, Atton half dragged Mical to the next cell. He knew Visas was in this one. Using his lightsaber again, he broke open the seal on the door. When the door slid open, he saw Visas in a meditating position. She spoke in a small voice.

"Who's there?"

"It's Atton. I'm getting us all out of here."

Slowly, Visas stood. "I can't see," she said. Her voice was edged in fear.

"What do you mean?" he asked, afraid to hear the answer.

"I can't see, not even through the Force." She started to moan softly.

Atton moved towards her and touched her shoulder. He wasn't any good at this comforting thing. He didn't know what to say. And he was shocked. What had Kreia done to her? How was it even possible to remove the Force Vision of a Miraluka?

"I'm…sorry," Atton stammered. "But we have to get out of here as fast as we can."

Visas' groans subsided. "You're right. There is no time to waste."

"Here," Atton said, pushing the arm not supporting Mical towards her. "Take my arm."

Visas clamped a rather tight grip on his arm. Wow she's strong! Atton thought. He wouldn't have thought such a petite figure could be that powerful.

Moving out to the hallway, Atton glanced back at his cell. There was no sign that Sion had emerged from the cell. He wasn't sure how long the Sith would be down. They had to move quickly.

Atton found himself at the last cell door. A flick of his lightsaber and it was open. He knew what he had seen through the Force, but it was worse in person. Mira lay on the floor, covered in bloody wounds. Her face was bruised terribly. Still, she sat up when he opened the door.

"Okay. So I'll be the first to say I'm glad to see the hot shot scoundrel," she muttered through a busted lip.

"What happened?" Atton asked.

"I could ask you the same thing," Mira said, looking Atton up and down.

"I asked first," Atton countered.

Mira stood to her feet. "It was Hanharr…we'll exchange gory details later. I'm guessing we need to get out of this place as fast as possible."

"Can you walk?" Atton asked.

"I'm standing aren't I?" Mira spoke back tritely.

"Fine, fine," Atton responded defensively. "Look, can you take Visas?"

"What's up with her?" Mira asked, concern in her voice.

"I can't see at all," Visas answered.

"Whoa," Mira exclaimed. Then she walked over to Visas and took her arm. "Got it. I'll be your eyes."

As they started for the hallway, Mira suddenly stopped. "Wait! What about Ganya? Where is she?"

Atton looked seriously into Mira's eyes. "Fighting Kreia."

"Then we've got to go after her."

Everything in Atton wanted to do just that. He wanted more than anything to rush to Ganya's side. But he knew this group was in no shape to help her. He didn't have the healing power to restore them and Visas couldn't even try to heal them. Cursing fate, he knew he had no choice but to lead them all back to the Ebon Hawk. If he got to the med bay, he could preserve their lives.

"No," he replied to Mira. "I'm getting you all back to the ship."

"You're just going to leave her?" Mira challenged.

Atton lost it. His own frustration poured out in an angry speech. "Don't you think I want to save her? Don't you think I want to rush off down that hallway and find her? But I can't! You know she'd want us saved. We're in no condition to help her right now. So we're going back to the ship!"

Mira began to argue back, but Atton shouted over her. "This isn't up for discussion! Visas needs you now so let's get out of here."

"Atton's right, Mira," Visas spoke quietly. "We cannot help the Exile now. Besides, this is her fight. She must face Darth Traya alone or she cannot conquer her own past."

Atton didn't quite agree with Visas' point-of-view that Ganya needed to fight Kreia alone, but he'd take anything he could get to shut Mira up.

"Fine," Mira said shortly. "What are we waiting for?" She moved ahead of Atton, guiding Visas quickly up the hallway. Atton followed with Mical leaning heavily on his arm.

It took them the better part of an hour just to stumble through the valleys of Malachor V back to the ship. Luckily, they met no Sith and no Storm Beasts on the way. Atton was pretty sure they had Ganya to thank for that.

When they made it back to the Ebon Hawk, Atton directed Mical to the med bay as fast as possible. Visas retreated to her room. She wanted to be alone.

Mira had gone with Atton to find Bao-Dur. When they found the technician, he was splicing together some exposed wires.

"What happened to all of you?" Bao-Dur asked, looking at them quizzically.

"Long story," Atton said. "Not time now to tell it. Look. I'm going back to get Ganya. Can this ship be ready by the time I get back?"

"No problem," Bao-Dur replied. "We'll want a fast getaway anyway. I'm going to reactivate the Mass Shadow Generator."

Atton's eyes widened. "Great. Make sure to wait on that until we're back on board, okay?"

Bao-Dur smiled. "Got it."

Atton walked towards the exit ramp. Mira followed him. "I'm coming, too," she said.

Atton turned to look at her. "You're staying with Mical."

Mira fumed. "I'm not. I can give my life for her just as much as you can."

"Look, there's no time to argue," Atton spoke shortly. "Mical's lungs are crushed and he'll die if no one helps him. Bao-Dur's busy with the ship and you're the only one left who can help him."

"T3-M4 can," Mira argued.

"You know I don't trust droids. Anyway, I think Mical's way beyond that tiny droid's capabilities. Just deal with him."

"Wouldn't think you'd care so much about Mical," Mira huffed.

Atton was rattled. She'd touched a nerve. "Will you just shut up and listen for once! Maybe I don't care about him, but I know we can't let him die. So just help him. The longer we stand here arguing, the more time Kreia has to kill Ganya. She might already be dead!"

"You love her," Mira said simply.

"Yeah, so what?" Atton shouted.

"It's just, I get why you want to be the one to go after her. Look, don't get defensive. I won't tell."

Atton ignored the comment. "So are you staying with Mical or not?"

Mira nodded. "I'll stay. I think you're more motivated than anyone to go after her."

Atton turned on his heel towards the ramp.

"And Atton…" Mira called after him. Atton looked back at her. "May the Force be with you."

Atton nodded curtly and disappeared down the ramp.