Solin entered the Senate medic bay, where he could see the rest of his party receiving treatment from their wounds sustained during the duel with Tosan. He was dressed in his green Jedi robes once again. Though he wouldn't admit it out loud, being back in the right clothing made him feel he was in his own skin once again. Solin walked over to Keira, who was standing around, supervising the treatment of the others.
"Hey," she said when Solin reached her. "Everything go OK?"
"Yeah, he's going on about Vulcan coming to rescue him, but I doubt that will happen. Vulcan won't attempt to attack Coruscant, not when such a large faction of his Sith army was taken out on The Millennium. How is everyone?"
"We're all right," Sabe answered, standing up. He had received a prosthetic hand, but it appeared just as a normal hand would. Solin had to marvel at the brilliance of medical science. "We're all nearly finished getting patched up and then we can be on our way to Scarif."
"About that," said Solin. "We should be prepared to be captured almost as soon as we land on Scarif. They won't use force against us, but they will certainly take us before the government of Scarif. They haven't taken too kindly to the Sith's occupation of the planet, and they usually capture any visitors until they can determine who they are."
"But why do they allow the Sith to occupy the planet if they capture all visitors?" asked Keira.
"The Sith stole the clearance codes that allow access to Scarif without capture," Solin answered. "That allows them easy passage onto the planet. Since we won't have the clearance codes, that means we'll likely be captured. The Scarif government tracks all arrivals and sends its troops out to capture them. I'll be able to talk our way out of it, I hope."
Just then, the doors opened and Captain Menousek, Mobbs' primary bodyguard walked into the medic bay. He looked haphazard; he uniform was wrinkly as if he had put it on in a hurry and his hair was messy. Captain Menousek reached Solin, Keira and Sabe as the others also stood up to join them.
"Master Jedi," Captain Menousek said in a nervous tone. "I've just been informed of Senator Mobbs' arrest and that he was serving the Sith and the defectors this whole time. It sickens me. I would like to accompany you all wherever you're going next. I know you arrested Mobbs, and I feel like if I'm able to help you, I can make amends for serving a traitor."
Solin nodded at him. "Of course, Captain Menousek, we could use your help. I do what you to know that you have to make no amends at all. You were simply doing your job and serving the Republic. Mobbs is the one responsible for all deception."
"Yes," said Captain Menousek, nodding as well. "I understand, but it would help clear my mind if I am to go with you."
"Then let's get going," said Sabe. "The sooner we get to Scarif, the sooner we can put an end to all of this."
The ship blasted out of hyperspace, giving Bazila and Y'not their first look at Scarif. It was a bright blue planet; they could see the ocean covered a large portion of the planet, while the land only took up a small portion of the surface. Inside the atmosphere, they could see several islands with beaches. It was a wonder to behold. They selected the largest island, as Solin had instructed them to do when they took off, and piloted the ship down to it. They landed the ship on the island and powered it down. Once the ship was in place, the two left the cockpit and entered the main hold, where the rest of the party had gathered.
"There was no sign of anyone following us," Bazila reported.
Solin nodded and did not looked surprised.
"They will have tracked us via radar," he replied. "I won't be surprised if the ship is already surrounded by officials from the government. The leader of the government is Kento Mitas. He knows me from my time here as a Sith, so he might be weary of trusting us, but hopefully I can persuade him that I've changed my ways and renounced the Sith."
"Just be honest with him, Solin," Sabe suggested.
"Yeah, a lot of honesty goes a long way," added Keira, who grinned at Solin.
"Let's move out. And be prepared for immediate capture."
Solin led them out of the main hold and through the back of the ship to the ramp, which had lowered when Bazila and Y'not landed the ship. They embarked down the ramp and had a few moments to take in the fresh air before they were surrounded by a group of armed troops.
"Halt!" called one of the troops. "You are trespassing on Scarif, and as such, you will be taken to our leader for questioning."
"We mean you no harm," said Solin calmly. "Take us to Kento, and I will explain everything."
If the trooper was surprised that Solin knew the name of his leader, he kept it hidden. He turned and led the other troopers away from the beach and into the heart of the island. The troopers kept their weapons trained at the party, but none of them bothered reaching for their weapons. They were led into a large building that was decrepit looking, but told a rich history. Hundreds of portraits of past leaders littered the walls as they walked through the building. In the center of the room, they saw a throne sitting about a dozen of feet above them. An older man with long gray hair and carrying a staff sat in the throne. The man did not look happy when Solin stepped forward and bowed.
"Solin Malice, you slime!" the old man exclaimed. "How dare you come to our planet with your filthy clan of Sith without the clearance codes! Explain yourself!"
"I am no longer a Sith, Kento," Solin replied peacefully. "I no longer wear the robes of the Sith, and I have renounced them and everything they stand for."
"I can see that you are no longer wearing the robes of the Sith clan, Solin," Kento said with irritation. "But I am not convinced that you no longer serve those treacherous fools."
"I understand why you think so, Kento, but please allow me to explain." Solin took a deep breath before he plowed on. "My friends here redeemed me from the Dark Side of the Force. They helped show me that being a Sith and serving the Dark Side is not who I am. I returned to the Light Side, humbled by the grave mistakes of my fall.
"I now pledge my life to eliminating the threat posed by the Sith," Solin continued. Kento's eyes had narrowed as he listened to Solin, but he did not speak up. "The Sith are an abomination and it is my mission to eradicate the threat of the Sith. That's why I have returned here, Kento: to ask you for your help in my achieving peace for the galaxy.
"It is my responsibility as a Jedi to serve the Republic as a guardian of peace and justice. This war has gone on for far too long and it's time we stopped the Sith. My friends and I have already eliminated a large faction of Sith aboard The Millennium. The only Sith remaining are those here with Governor Surik and the other defectors, and Lord Tobos and Lord Nacluv.
"If we are able to rescue Scarif from the Sith occupation, it will draw out Nacluv and Tobos. Defeating them would help eradicate the Sith threat permanently. I humbly ask you Kento to help us in defeating the Sith and drawing out its leaders so we can put an end to this conflict once and for all."
Once he finished his speech, Solin bowed his head low and knelt on the ground. The rest of the party mimicked him as chatter started amongst the others in the room. Kento stood at Solin and the others, thinking deeply to himself. Just when all of the talking had gotten loud enough that nobody was whispering, Kento held up his hand for silence. The chatter died instantly.
"You may rise, Solin and friends," Kento said in a much different tone of voice. The party quickly stood up and faced Kento. "I can see the truth in your words, Solin Malice. I can sense that you have been redeemed and no longer serve the Sith. And I believe your plans to eliminate the Sith threat are genuine. Because of that, I am prepared to have my forces assist you and you and your friends in your efforts to defeat the Sith. We will assist you in the capture of the leaders of the defectors who are here on Scarif. We pledge ourselves to you, Solin and friends."
Solin smiled widely and bowed at Kento.
"Thank you, Kento. Together, we will eliminate the Sith threat once and for all."
The Logos orbited the atmosphere surrounding Scarif. It was a small command ship, handled by a crew that numbered about a dozen. On the bridge, two men wearing dark cloaks stood in the center of the room, surrounded by the crew piloting the ship. One of the men had his hood pulled up, but the other showed his face freely. The crew feared both men equally.
"My Lord, I can sense that our recently lost comrade is on the planet below," said Tobos.
Nacluv nodded at him. "Yes, I can sense it, too. I could feel Solin's presence coming closer and closer, and I knew that it was inevitable after his friends were able to return him to the Jedi Order."
"Do you think he serves them again?"
"There is no doubt," Nacluv replied shortly. "The Millennium would have not been destroyed if they had not succeeded in seducing him out of my grip."
"Should we try to return him to the Dark Side, Master?"
"No. It will be difficult enough to get at him with the influence of both his former master and his former apprentice in his presence."
The two Sith Lords did not speak to one another as they meditated heavily, losing themselves in the Force. Crew members did not dare interrupt them while meditating, knowing that the punishment was a painful death. After several moments, they both opened their eyes.
"I have another idea, Master," said Tobos in a thoughtful tone. "I sense that he will eventually realize you are close. Given the connection between the two of you, he may want to try and surrender himself to us in an attempt to pull you away from the Dark Side. He would also do it to distract us while his friends carry out their plans on Scarif."
Nacluv considered Tobos for a moment before responding.
"I am impressed that you can sense that when I cannot, Tobos," he said in a satisfied tone. "You are certainly proving your worth as my apprentice. You may be right. What do you suggest, Tobos?"
"If he indeed surrenders to the troops on the ground, you can go down there and greet him yourself, My Lord," said Tobos. "From there, you can bring him here where we can turn him back to the Dark Side without the influence of his friends."
"Yes," said Nacluv, thinking to himself for a moment. "That just might work. Very well then, Tobos. I shall return to the planet and await Solin's surrender. I will warn you, however, that if this does not happen, you will face my displeasure, my apprentice. I need scarcely remind you what that means," he added, gesturing to the large scar on Tobos' head, which Nacluv himself had caused during a duel between him and Tobos, where Tobos challenged him and his Dark Side powers.
"Yes, My Master," Tobos said bitterly.
