Disclaimer: The haunted evil graveyard planet? Not mine.

Citadel Station was hard to describe. It was a massive array of boxy modules, connected by scaffolding. The station covered a large section of the northern hemisphere of Telos. Beneath it, the planet was divided into Restoration Zones by a grid of shield generator towers. Rectangular patches of the planet were green, as the ecosystem was rebuilt square by square. Outside the restored areas, Telos was a wasteland, still devastated by the Sith bombing at the beginning of what was now called the Jedi Civil War.

Dustil swallowed hard as he looked at his ravaged homeworld. "Oh, gods," he said quietly. "I haven't seen Telos since I was captured, almost seven years ago. I knew it was bad, but…" His voice gave out.

Belaya reached over and squeezed his shoulder. "Things are getting better, Dustil. One day, Telos will be green again."

Dustil heaved a sigh. "I know; it's just hard to see the planet devastated like this." He closed his eyes. "I can feel it, too-the pain of the lives that were ended here." He looked up. "It feels like Katarr."

The Shadow came in for a landing at Dock Module 038, part of the Republic Navy base. The Sojourn was docked at Module 037, taking on fuel and supplies. Carth's fleet headquarters was in an office complex which took up all of Module 33. Juhani, Belaya, and Dustil went to meet Carth while the rest of the crew took care of maintenance and provisioning. Carth himself was waiting in his private briefing room, along with Roland Wann. Dustil hugged his father, then they all sat down to talk. "I hope your month has been better than mine," Carth grumped. "I've received reports of a planet going dark."

Juhani shook her head sadly. "Katarr has been devastated. We've seen it." They went on to explain what happened to the Conclave, and the rest of the planet.

Carth swore. "So, there's another Sith Lord out there. The Republic hasn't even had time to stop the bleeding yet!" He crossed his arms. "I'll pull in what reinforcements I can, but my forces are stretched thin."

Belaya grimaced. "The Jedi are going into hiding, hoping to draw our attacker out. The Masters have to go to ground to keep this Sith from tracking them. We don't, and we're not willing to hide while the galaxy is in such danger. We have one last mission, then we are being left to our own devices. If you have assignments for us, we'll take them."

Wann drummed his fingers on the table. "We're pursuing a lead. Intelligence just located General Surik."

Dustil cocked his head. "Admiral Dodonna mentioned serving under Surik. Who is that?"

Carth nodded. "You're a little too young to have heard the story of the Exile. Meetra Surik was a Jedi Knight who followed Revan. Malak was Revan's apprentice, but Surik was his true second in command. Whenever Revan split his fleet, Surik commanded the second task force. She commanded Republic forces during the Dxun and Serroco campaigns. She also led the fleet during the final engagement of the Mandalorian Wars, the Battle of Malachor V. Revan and Malak were not with the fleet; he was delayed out-system. General Surik commanded the fleet from the battlecruiser Ravager. She had a superweapon: the mass shadow generator. It intensified and distorted gravity fields. The Malachor system contained several gravitational anomalies. The generator enhanced them, and tore both fleets apart. Revan's tactics were ruthless; he sacrificed many of his own troops to ensure the Mandalorians' defeat."

Wann shook his head. "Surik seems to have regretted giving the order to activate the generator. She was the only Jedi to return to face the Order after the Mandalorian Wars. All the others remained with Revan; you know how that turned out. Surik's fate is not public knowledge. She stood trial before the Jedi Council of Coruscant, and was expelled from the Jedi Order. She left to wander the Rim ten years ago, and has not been seen since," Wann took a breath, "until now. Republic Intelligence was recently tipped off as to her location. The information was verified a few days ago."

Carth cleared his throat. "Whatever is happening in the Rim, it seems to connect back to the Mandalorian Wars. Meetra Surik may have information we can use. If she checks out, I hoped you would accept her as a member of your crew."

Belaya and Juhani looked at each other. "I don't see why not," said Juhani, "as long as she's a team player."

Carth nodded. "I recently diverted the Harbinger from Onderon. The cruiser will pick Surik up in the Far Rim, then bring her to Telos. That will take about two weeks. Until then, you said you have a mission of your own." The Jedi stood, shook hands, and returned to the Shadow.

Master Lonna Vash arrived on Citadel Station two days later. She was in her late fifties or early sixties; her black hair was streaked with gray. She stepped off of a common passenger vessel, wearing a faded green shirt and blue denym pants. Dustil picked her up from the hotel in Residential Module 051; they took a shuttle to the dock and boarded the Shadow. Yuthura and Dustil offered her the captain's stateroom, as befitted her rank; Lonna told them not to be silly and took the crew cabin which Jolee had once used. She quickly changed into traditional brown robes and met the crew in the mess.

"None of you have met me before," said Lonna. "I am a member of the Council of Coruscant, now dissolved. I have heard much about all of you. Your Masters think very highly of you." She clasped her hands together. "My mission-our mission-is to investigate the Sith Academy and the Valley of the Dark Lords, to see if we can find any clue as to the nature of the enemy which is striking us." Her mouth tightened. "It pains me to take you into such darkness. You are very young, and new to the Order."

Dak shrugged. "We can handle Korriban." He smiled wanly. "We've been there before."

Lonna frowned. "That may make this harder. I encourage you to use the voyage to meditate and center yourselves." The crew dispersed to their duties or to rest.

Yuthura beckoned to Belaya and Thalia and they walked up to Lonna. "Master, I need to speak with you. I've had a recent vision which is extremely troubling." She went on to relate the nightmare in its two versions.

Thalia told Lonna about the nexus in the shyrack cave. "I never approached it, but I could feel it, down the side passage. I also experienced nightmares, but only while in the cave. I don't know what is different about Yuthura's dream."

Lonna nodded to herself. "Nexus visions usually attach themselves to whatever fears you already had." She turned to Yuthura. "You had your first dream just before you faced the Council's judgment. The second occurred when you saw Arali give in to her hate, as you once did. Vrook told me that you feared that you were an evil person before you joined the Sith." She smiled gently. "If you were truly evil, Yuthura, your conscience wouldn't bother you."

Yuthura let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Master. And the dreams?"

Lonna crossed her arms. "They will likely begin to fade as you come to terms with your past." She cocked her head. "Still, I will investigate this nexus. It may be centered on a holocron or other artifact with useful information." Lonna looked at Belaya. "If it affected these two at a distance, it is probably best that I go alone."

Belaya nodded. "As you wish, Master."

The port of Dreshdae was a ghost town. According to the Republic search teams, there was evidence that the Sith on Korriban had fought to lead the remnants of Malak's empire after the Star Forge was destroyed. The Republic had arrived to find a few bodies, but no sign of living Sith. Dustil flared the Shadow to a landing on the Dreshdae pad; the Academy hangar had partially collapsed and was inaccessible. Lonna looked around the group. "Non-Jedi should stay here and guard the ship."

Belaya nodded and pointed. "Sarna, you're in command until we get back. Keep the ramp and hatches sealed and the shields up, just in case."

Sarna saluted. "Yes, ma'am."

Yuthura led the way through the empty port. The cantinas and stores had been picked clean; dust was thick on countertops and shelves. There was no sign of life in Dreshdae. Yuthura turned away and continued out of the town, down the path to the Academy gate. She'd first met Uthar Wynn right here. In her mind's eye, Yuthura knelt before him, still wearing her brown Padawan's cloak, and pledged herself to Malak and the Sith. Her old access code still opened the door.

The group walked inside, unconsciously shifting to a combat formation. Dak shivered. "I have a bad feeling about this."

The Academy halls were still and silent. There were several desiccated corpses on the ground, both humanoid and animal. The place made Yuthura's skin crawl. She had the feeling that someone was watching her, and kept thinking that she saw movement in the corner of her eye. I'm just nervous to be back here.

Lonna held up a hand to stop the group. "I sense no one in the area. I think our group is large enough to safely split up." She turned to face the others. "Juhani, Belaya, take your Padawans and search the student dormitory, instructor's quarters, and hangar. I will take Thalia and Dak and check the library, training room, and detention area." She pointed at Juhani. "Be cautious. Call me immediately if you need help, or even if you are uncertain."

Belaya nodded. "Be safe, Master."

Lonna took Dak and Thalia into the training area first. There was an automated kennel holding dozens of tuk'ata, loading new ones into cages in the training room. As the Sith dwindled in number, they seemed to have been trying to train new apprentices using a computer system. Lonna sliced the training and detention terminals, but found nothing useful. The Sith had been disorganized; records were deleted, incomplete, or missing.

Yuthura walked through the student living areas, coming to Dustil's old room. The memories came alive before her eyes. Over at the desk, a much younger Dustil tried to wash away the pain of Selene's death with juma juice. Yuthura smiled; there was more here than painful memories. They'd been lying on the bed, in each other's arms, when he called her hirani for the first time. She turned and walked on.

The instructor quarters had been sealed; the group didn't have anything that could open the door. Dustil led the way into the hangar. He felt a flash of concern when he saw two shuttles in the main hangar, but relaxed; they were abandoned and partially stripped. He walked over to the empty docking bay where the Shadow had once been berthed. He had angrily confronted his father here, and even considered handing him over to Uthar. The next day, Carth and Revan had shown him the truth about Selene's murder. He could still remember the rage he felt when he learned that Yuthura was the killer. Dustil's blood ran cold as he thought about how close he had come to shooting the woman he had come to love. The hangar computers were useless. Whoever had managed to leave the Academy hadn't filed a flight plan.

The group gathered in the main meeting area. Lonna looked over at Belaya. "Did you come up empty, too?"

Belaya nodded. "This place has been picked clean."

Lonna stroked her cheek thoughtfully. "We should sweep the Valley, just in case there is anything useful out there. We'll search the shyrack cave on the way back. You can hold the memorial while I investigate the nexus." Juhani nodded, and the group headed out, down the path to the Valley

They walked into the Valley of the Dark Lords, once again splitting up to check both sides of the Valley. Lonna's group went right, to the side with the tombs of Tulak Hord and Ajunta Pall. Yuthura's group turned left, to search the tombs of Marka Ragnos and Naga Sadow. There wasn't much to search; the four main tombs had been blasted shut. They were turning back towards the cave when Yuthura heard a roar behind her. She turned to see a large lizard-like animal rushing in, nearly on top of her. Yuthura reached for her saber, but the creature was too fast and knocked her down.

"Hssiss," called Belaya, "dragons of the dark side. Be careful, everyone!" She and Juhani moved in, but two more of the creatures literally appeared out of thin air and cut them off.

Dustil ran at the lizard near Yuthura, but it whirled and blasted him with a hissing screech. A dark violet vapor rushed out of the hssiss' mouth and nose and into Dustil's. He fell to the ground, then curled into a ball. "Dustil!" cried Yuthura.

He shook for a moment, then stilled. Dustil stood slowly; the hssiss made no move to attack him. Dustil turned to face the others and smiled strangely. "Yuthura Ban, I'm so glad you came back. I've been waiting."

Yuthura cocked her head, confused. "What do you mean, Dustil? We came here together, what is wrong?"

Dustil laughed hysterically. "You don't remember me, Yuthura?" His face twisted into a hateful glare; his eyes had turned from brown to a sickly yellow. "You should, you murdered me."

Yuthura's mouth dropped open. "Selene!"

Selene nodded, smiling cruelly out of Dustil's eyes. "Oh, yes. It's me, Yuthura. You were three times a fool. You chose to give up the limitless power of the dark side. You returned to Korriban. And you forgot your training: A true Sith never dies!"

"She transferred her essence," said Belaya, amazed. "It's a dark-side technique, it allows a Sith to remain in this world after death, and even take other bodies."

Selene ignited Dustil's lightsaber and angled it. "I've been in this valley since you crushed my body. You're going to die here, Yuthura. You robbed me of my greatness, and I will destroy you for it!" She rushed at Yuthura, who dodged aside rather than risk harming Dustil.

Belaya stepped between them and began parrying, showcasing her mastery of Form III defense. The hssiss began flickering in and out of sight, circling the Jedi. Juhani tapped her comlink. "Master, come quickly. Dustil has been possessed by a Sith spirit." Lonna acknowledged. Juhani and Yuthura went back to back, trying to keep track of all the hssiss. There were clearly more than three in the area, cloaking and reappearing to confuse the Jedi.

Yuthura tapped Belaya on the shoulder; she faced Selene while the two Jedi Knights took on the enthralled creatures. Selene screamed and bent double; when she straightened up, Dustil's eyes were brown again. "Run away, Yuthura! Please, I can't stop her, she'll kill you."

Yuthura shook her head. "I won't leave you, Dustil, you know that."

Dustil thrashed; his eyes faded back to yellow. "Dustil is stronger than I remember," Selene said mockingly. "So much the better; it gives me a more powerful form to end you with!"

Master Lonna sprinted to the scene with Thalia and Dak; Juhani filled her in on the details. Lonna took command of the situation. "Dak, Thalia, Juhani, we need to spread out. Make sure fewer of these beasts get through to the others!" The four formed a circle around the other three, and began fending off the predators.

Yuthura faced off against her possessed lover, trying to figure out how to save him. "Selene, let him go. Dustil did you no harm, it's me you want."

Selene shook her head. "I will have you both. Your deaths will avenge me, Yuthura. Dustil was stronger, but he had no will of his own; his death was to prove my dedication. But you and Uthar betrayed the Sith Way, denied me the chance to prove my worth." She smiled insanely. "Your mistake. I bound the creatures of this place to my will, and listened to the old Lords whispering from their tombs. I learned well from the great Masters of the dark side; now I will use all my power to crush you and your friends!"

Selene convulsed again; Dustil smiled at Yuthura. "You know what to do, hirani."

Yuthura nodded, understanding. "I'm sorry, Dustil. Brace yourself!" She threw a shock at Selene, who deflected it. The silvery bolt flashed back at Yuthura, who dove out of the way. Selene attacked before Yuthura could get back to her feet; Belaya stepped in front of her and parried. Yuthura got to her feet and stepped up alongside Belaya.

Selene eyed Yuthura and laughed. "You think you can stop me with that pitiful spark? I'll show you what a true Sith can do with lightning!"

She threw a powerful bolt at Yuthura. The Twi'lek caught the dark energy on her open left hand, then redirected the lightning safely upward. Belaya blasted a push into the ground, pelting Selene with dust and small stones. Selene burst out of the cloud, slashing for the throat. Belaya stopped Selene cold, locking blades with her possessed Padawan before shoving her backwards. Selene staggered and Yuthura threw another shock. This time, the silvery bolt struck home. Selene fell to the ground; her spirit was briefly visible as the mist spewed out Dustil's mouth. Selene's essence twisted away through the standing stones on the Valley floor. A nearby hssiss breathed it in, then roared and charged. Dustil was able to crawl to safety behind Yuthura and Belaya.

"Master Lonna," called Belaya, "How do we finish her for good?"

"We endure," Lonna replied. "Dustil was possessed because he wasn't ready to resist her. She won't be able to take us now, and she can't survive long outside a body. If we clear the creatures out, she'll have nowhere to go, and be consigned to Chaos."

The Jedi went on the attack, striking at the hssiss. The lizards were tough, but no match for six Jedi. Selene's hssiss turned and ran towards the valley wall. Dustil drew his blaster and fired. He missed several times before managing to kill the hssiss. Selene's spirit rushed out its mouth and disappeared into a crack in the rocks. The ground began to shake, and a pile of rubble collapsed to reveal a cave entrance. A monstrous form strode out of the cave: Selene had possessed a terentatek. The beast roared and stomped toward the Jedi.

A/N: All we know of Selene is that a) she was one of Dustil's classmates, b) he was close to her, and c) she was holding him back. Nowhere in that is it stated that she was a good person. We do know she volunteered to join the Sith. So in this version, she was manipulating Dustil and planned to betray him... pretty much classic Sith.