Taris, 3 years ago

Elara elected to check on Lehusa. The young soldier was capable, but she could tell that there was a huge weight on her shoulders. The former Imperial was shocked to find her former commander, Thorus, talking to the Mirialan.

Thorus began to pale. "Dorne?"

"What did Thorus tell you, Lieutenant?"

"He gave me info on Needles, Dorne. I know where I'm going next. Thorus wants me to let him go."

"I served under him, Lieutenant. I watched him commit war crimes, even some things that defied orders from our Sith superiors."

Lehusa cocked an eyebrow. "Is that true?"

"Well, I did what I thought was best!" Thorus retorted. "Don't listen to that stick in the mud!"

"Now you're just being rude. What do you think, Dorne? Should I let him go?"

"I think you should unload your blaster into his skull, Lieutenant. I reserve the right to turn off my holocommunicator. See you soon."

Lehusa turned back to the Imperial, scowling. "End of the line, Thorus."

"You can't do this! This is brutality!"

Blam, blam. Jorgan approached the corpse. "Actually, Imperial, it's a fatality."

Xenli Sadow's ship over Oricon

Xenli had finished showering and was looking out over Oricon via the cockpit. Jaesa sensed some frustration in her master. "Is everything okay, my lord? We've had a rough time."

"I'm getting angry, Jaesa. How long have you been my apprentice?"

"About four years."

"And what progress have we made?"

Jaesa hesitated. "Sometimes change takes a while."

"I've learned a lot more from you than I did from Baras. And what has the Empire learned? We're in hiding, Jaesa. It's unacceptable. You, Aayes and I deserve to live our lives the way we want to. Vette and Aayes should be held in as high regard as I am. Nothing is changing, and I'm fed up!" She slammed her hand on the wall. "Look how the Jedi don't have to hide in the Republic. Look how Adira is free to do what she wants. Look how loved Lehusa is to the public. I want that."

Vette was in the pilot's seat, rocking to and fro. "Yeah, it would be nice if we could be ourselves. I at least have the advantage of not being Force sensitive. Look, Flameo, if you want us to defect-"

"I need an opening, first. I need an opening, and a reason to give to my mother." Xenli didn't want to break Ixarte's heart, but she had to take care of herself and her crew. "Then we'll make a better life for ourselves."

In her own room, Aayes was laying on her bed, tears streaming down her face. She was exhausted. She would not make certain choices again. And she would choose someone who was actually good for her.

Strike Team Oricon camp, Oricon

"We're almost ready to go," Lehusa began. "We're just packing up some things."

"Thank you for everything, Major." Ursulina tightened her bandages on her leg. "I know how tough this was for everyone. Havoc Squad and Adira's crew proved themselves more than capable."

"We are always happy to-"

"Uh, Lee? Breadsen'thor?" Adira was looking at something behind them. "We have company."

Calphayus was clutching his side in pain, his hand covered in dried blood. He was exhausted, and collapsed once he reached the camp. "They're gone. I...surrender."

Lehusa approached him carefully. "Why are you here?"

"The Imperials would shoot me on site? I..." He turned to Ursulina. "You are strong in the light side, but you are far from weak. Your friends and family love you. I...had a wife once, and I didn't fear her."

"You feared the other Masters?" inquired Ursulina.

"We were forced to serve a higher purpose, and it broke us in the end."

Lehusa had her blaster aimed, but...he wasn't smug, or arrogant like most of the Imperials and Sith she had encountered. But this wasn't an easy answer.

D'leah knelt beside him. "I can see that you are penitent. Mom, I think we should take him to Tython."

A single tear trickled down Ursulina's cheek. "Agreed. Help me get him on my ship."

She and D'leah helped him get up, trying to avoid irritating his broken leg. Calphayus turned to the Barsen'thor. "Before the end of the next year, you will bear twin girls."

Ursulina remained silent. She needed to meditate and calm herself.