"I'm sorry," the receptionist appeals, "but there's nothing for you in the Archive on Tython."

Having dropped off Railah with her payment, we had made our way to the old Imperial Palace, where the Archives were kept. We were dismayed to find that visitors of the Archives were not allowed to enter, regardless of their connections within the New Republic. Instead, visitors are expected to access data provided to them by one of the overly enthusiastic receptionists, such as the one before us.

"There is nothing about Tython in the Archives, or we are not authorized to access that information in the Archives?" I clarify.

His look becomes pleading. "There's nothing there! Really! Your friend's military credentials still check out, so if what you're looking for was there, I'd be able to pull it up for you!"

Xi scrutinizes him carefully, and declares, "He's telling the truth, Ellie."

I sigh. "If that is true, then either the Republic never had knowledge of Tython, or it does not exist, or else Palpatine had all information on the planet scrubbed from the Archives."

The receptionist chips in, "That last one is more likely. The Emperor, thank the Force for his death, ordered a lot destroyed as part of the Great Jedi Purge." He appears wistfully somber. "So much knowledge, lost, all because of that man's ego."

"Hm. I wonder, did the Emperor keep any copies of the purged information?"

He shrugs. "Can't help you there, but there were rumors people were smuggling copies of data."

"The Emperor could not have been terribly happy about that."

A shake of the head. "That's an understatement. Once word reached him, the Emperor personally threatened execution for anyone caught doing it."

"Rather generous, given what I recall of the man's typical disposition."

"The threat was delivered in the form of an execution of several high-ranking Archivists."

"I see. I am sorry for your loss."

"That was just life under the Empire," he sighs. He leans in closer, and begins to whisper. "Speaking of, while I was back there, I was curious, so I took a look at some old war reports. You're LE-RY05T, aren't you?"

"I am, yes."

"Imperial reports paint you as a major thorn in their side during the war."

I emulate the sound of a human uncomfortably clearing their throat. "I likely was, yes."

"They also say you led a raid on an Imperial prison complex on Onderon."

"That I did."

"I had a cousin there, held up on charges of being a Rebel sympathizer. The Rebels got her out of there. Thanks to you, she's safe."

Ah. An expression of gratitude. I am glad that his family member was a rescued prisoner, and not a slain guard. "Your thanks are appreciated."

"I can't help you here; the info you're looking for is gone. But I do remember seeing something on a place called 'Tython' when I worked for the Republic, before Palpatine took over. If it was part of the hoard that found its way out before the Imps cracked down, I can give you an idea of where you can find a copy."

Xi's face falls. "Please, don't say 'Zann Consortium'."

"Black Sun, actually."

Interesting. "I do not suppose you have a point of contact with Black Sun?"

The man grimaces. "Even if I did, I'm staring down two Jedi and a New Republic war hero. Giving up a contact's name to people like you would get me killed."

I incline my head in acknowledgement. Xi replies, "Well, we thank you for the help you have given us."

"It's my pleasure. Hey, and if you find anything that used to be in the old Archives, could you bring a copy by here? I'd like to do whatever I can to restore what Palpatine destroyed."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, we exit the establishment. "Well?" I question, once we are out of earshot. "Shall I go it alone from here? I think it unwise for two Jedi to question Black Sun agents."

"No," Xi affirms thoughtfully. "If Palpatine wanted information on Tython stricken from the public record, he must have thought there was something there."

"Or he put something there," Sabina suggests.

"A sobering thought," I offer. "Am I to assume you still wish to accompany me, then?"

A sigh. Xi is clearly not pleased. "Yeah. Digging up long-dead Sith is one thing, but if Palpatine had his hands in this place, there might still be some danger there. It's worth a look. Still, I'm not really sure how to get into contact with Black Sun."

Thankfully, Sabina has an answer. "When I was with the Empire, there was a Falleen informant I knew by the name of Czul Brij. We could see if he still frequents any of his old hangouts: gambling dens, nightclubs, cantinas."

"That is as good a lead as we are going to get. We may as well at least try."

We find the Falleen in the third such location, a restaurant called Salla's Pride. As its name suggests, the facility is remarkably well-kept. The sign flashes a bright neon blue, beckoning passers-by to enter and turn their attention away from the bustle of Coruscant and toward what Sabina confirms to be appetizing food.

Czul Brij is lounging in a corner booth, alone, spying on the entrance and nursing a wine flute, the bottle of which has been left on the table. Though his already pale, reptilian face betrays no reaction, his grip on the flute tightens when he spots Sabina.

"He remembers you," I remark.

"That's not surprising."

The discomfort in his demeanor is palpable as he turns to speak nonchalantly with another patron, still aware of our presence as we approach. "Unfondly, it would seem."

"That's also not surprising," Sabina shrugs. She leads as we make our way to his booth. He pretends not to notice us, so Sabina asks, "The place is pretty crowded. Mind if we sit here?"

Czul Brij turns reluctantly away from the target of his idle chitchat. "Please, be my guest. I was just on my way out."

Sabina smiles amiably. "Don't worry, Czul. I'm not with the Empire."

"I am quite aware of that fact," he replies evenly. "You've become a Jedi Knight, as I understand it."

"Still keeping your ears to the ground, then?"

"It pays to do so."

"If you know I'm Jedi and not some Imperial remnant, then why are you so nervous?"

"Jedi do not just show up in cantinas on Coruscant to speak with criminals. Even very fancy ones."

Sabina chuckles. "You've watched too many holodramas, Czul."

I add, "We are here because we wish to purchase some information. It is our hope that you may know a seller."

"That depends on the information you are looking for, and who you think the seller might be."

"The seller would be someone from Black Sun. The information we seek would have been smuggled out of the Imperial Archives some time after Palpatine ordered the destruction of the Jedi."

"Black Sun? I may be able to arrange a holoconference with a representative."

"And your fee?"

Though Brij does not deviate from his stoic facial expression, I can see his eyes tinge with the slightest hint of anxiety. "No credits will be necessary. I would like to know that the new Jedi will have no interest in my past dealings with the Empire, or any other organization."

Sabina looks to Xi expectantly, who slightly inclines her head. "Sabina would not have brought me here to make a deal if she thought you were dangerous. I can agree to those terms."

Czul turns to me. "Though, it will have to be you that takes the call. My contact would be displeased if I were to lead Jedi to them."

"That is acceptable."

A nod from the Falleen. "I wonder, though, how they will they choose to deal with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Zann Consortium has long been a rival to Black Sun. Now that you have killed their leader-"

"It was not I who turned in that bounty, Czul Brij."

He allows himself a thin smile. "Word travels among the lower circles of society, my Mandalorian friend. As I was saying, though, I wonder. Knowing what you've done, will they deal favorably with you because you dealt a crippling blow to their largest competitor? Or, will they deal with you unfavorably for destabilizing the political climate of the galactic underworld?"