When he heard of the disaster on Geonosis, Darth Nihl's first urge had been to commit murder. The object of his wrath didn't matter, only the release of violent rage. He forced calm on himself; when he'd had the Force to draw on, giving into anger had unlocked his fullest power. Without it, anger could overwhelm proper judgement, and he needed to think clearly as he planned a reaction.

Losing Geonosis and its droid brain factories was a severe blow, possibly a fatal one. Neither the Nagai nor the Ssi-ruuk had the ability to replicate those artificial minds, and while the Ssi-ruuk still possessed thousands of the tiny battle droids ready to fight, they could no longer throw them at the enemy as they had. Eventually the supply would run down, and with it the Ssi-ruuk's ability to wage war. Nihl would have to search out other partners who could supply control systems for the droids on a massive scale- the Collicoids, perhaps- but that would take months.

He'd heard that Geonosis had been taken mostly intact, and that its Council of Hives was ready to comply with Gar Stazi's occupying force. That was no surprise; during their negotiations, Duke Serac Kor had struck Nihl as an opportunistic merchant, nothing more. He'd do anything the Federation asked to keep his title. This might even include giving them a key to deactivating the war droids. Serac Kor had insisted that none existed and claimed each droid was an autonomous unit, but Nihl had only his word to go on.

His grand conquest of the Outer Rim, which had looked so certain a day ago, was suddenly on the edge of collapse. When he wrestled his anger under control Nihl considered his options carefully. His forces were stretched thin as it was, and a new offensive was out of the question. The newly-captured Javin sector had key resources and industrial centers and was a prize worth holding, but the Federation was likely to counter-attack there next. Excursions down the Hydian Way, including a push toward Eriadu and Seswenna, would have to be cancelled.

Depending on where the Federation acted, he was ready to withdraw forces from some worlds, effectively surrendering them, which he knew the Ssi-ruuk wouldn't like. The saurians were hungry for conquest and could be difficult to reason with.

The Javin sector might be first in line for a counter-attack but there were other systems worth defending. Bakura, whose repulsor-coil factories had started output again, was first among them. It was, Nihl decided, a place to marshal his armies and watch the next fight. He made contact with Darth Vurik, commanding the forces entrenched on Javin, and told him to be ready. He spoke with the Nagai and Ssi-ruuvi commanders as well, ordered some to fall back a fortify Bakura while others joined Vurik and prepared to defend. Finally he spoke with Yaga Auchs, who'd completed the conquest of Bespin. The Mandalore's forces were to hold their newly-gained territory to a man, and any desertion would be several punished. He left the obvious threat unspoken.

Once he'd done all that, Nihl felt better; not less angry, but at least more in control. His desire for recompense remained, and after some consideration he decided how best to get it.

Since coming to Bakura he'd spent most of his time aboard his flagship Krish'nakt and in the former Bakura Defense Force headquarters. He'd not visited the executive pyramid at all, but when he entered President Recado's office for the first time and saw the perfect view of Salis D'aar's spread-out cityscape, he decided it was the perfect place for a show.

Recado was being kept in one of the pyramid's lower layers, as was Shado Vao. Nihl had them both brought to the office, and when they were marched in by a troupe of red-scaled Ssi-ruuk the Sith Lord was waiting, standing before the president's desk. Every datacard, stack of flimsy, and personal memento remained untouched from before the occupation. No one had bother to disrupt it.

Nihl hadn't bothered to see the president either. The old human, short and bald, looked appropriately unimportant and when he saw Nihl occupying his office he didn't even bother to rouse an objection. Shado Vao held himself with fragile dignity, and Nihl knew it would take only a small blow to make the fragile Jedi crack. Fortunately, he had something large in mind.

"Master Vao had explained who you are," said Recado. "I'm surprised you're still on Bakura. I thought you'd be off conquering other worlds."

"There have been setbacks." Nihl had no reason to hide them. Once his prisoners understood his losses, they'd be able to understand their own. "The Federation has captured the world critical to making Ssi-ruuvi war droids. How they learned we had a base there, I don't know. As a result, I've been forced to halt my planned offensive and regroup."

"How terrible for you," Recado said dryly.

"I didn't ask for your pity, or your sarcasm." Nihl walked a slow circle to the back of the desk. "I want you to understand who I am."

"You're a Sith Lord," said the president. "And even without the Force you're spreading misery and death everywhere, because that's what Sith do, isn't it? Master Vao explained it to me. It's all very pathetic."

Nihl was surprised by his insolence and he wondered whether Recado was asking to be killed. "I am now what I've always been, except wiser and better. Losing the Force just revealed who I was all along." He smiled sharply. "As it has revealed the Jedi for what they've been all along. Especially Shado Vao."

The Twi'lek said nothing. He didn't even flinch.

Nihl ran his hands over the desktop. He ruffled a sheet of papers, then gathered a datacard in his palm and crushed it. Petty vandalism didn't stir Recado; the president still looked like he was waiting for execution. Nihl then picked a small placard off the desk, and oval with two halves divided by diagonal line, one colored pure black and the other white.

"I know this symbol," the told the prisoners, and something lit in Recado's eyes. "Belief in the Cosmic Balance is quite common on Bakura, isn't it?"

"You're a savage," the human scoffed. "What do you know about the Balance?"

"When the Sith trained me, they told me about many schools and religions. They wanted to show me the error of those ways." He picked up the Balance plaque and held it up. "However, I've always had a little sympathy for this one."

"Did you like the color scheme?"

Nihl ran a hand down his black-and-white body. "Perhaps I did. But this Balance of yours… It is a cruel faith, isn't it? Every life is balanced by a death. Desire is balanced by despair. The good intention behind a deed is balanced by the tragedy that results." He looked to Vao. "Have you gained an appreciation for the Balance, Master Jedi?"

He said nothing, but the Sith was rewarded with a look of pure hatred.

"Not so Jedi any more, perhaps," Nihl said. "Perhaps darkness and light are fated to be balanced out. Maybe the Force itself balances that way. An era of peace and light leads to one of darkness and conflict. Yes, I do like that idea."

"Is there a point to this?" asked Recado.

Nihl stepped around the desk, still clutching the Balance symbol. "There is, actually. I understand that before you surrendered, Mister President, you were given the option to destroy Bakura's factories and all the P'w'eck inside. You'd have taken many lives and ruined Bakura's economy for a generation, but you'd have deprived us of industry badly needed to keep our war effort going. In other words, our victory over Bakura would be countered by the loss of its most valuable asset. That had to appeal to you, as a follower of the Balance. But you didn't destroy those factories. I was wondering why." Nihl stepped close to the Jedi and the president. "Maybe Master Vao convinced you of a better path."

Recado sighed. "The Jedi had nothing to do with it. I made the choice on my own."

"And why didn't you hurt us like we'd just hurt you?"

"Because they said you're merciful when planets surrender. I wanted to protect Bakura from harm. All of it."

"And because you hoped the Federation would rush in and drive us away?"

"That too," he muttered.

"And does that seems strange to you? Have you wondered why I, a Sith, would be merciful?"

"Now that you mention it, it seems unusual."

Nihl looked to the Jedi, still silent, still fragile. He drew back toward the window. "You give them mercy, they cower before you because they're afraid of what happens when you take it away. I learned that from Darth Krayt. It was his favored method."

"He forgot that with Dac."

"Yes. He did, and it turned the galaxy against him. I only have the resources to conquer a slice of what Krayt did, but I'll use what I have to the fullest."

"I'm so glad for you."

Recado's weary cynicism was becoming annoying. That meant it was time to unsettle him, and to break Shado Vao. Nihl removed a comlink from his belt and tapped it on. To Krish'nakt's crew he said, "Begin the bombardment."

His prisoners tensed. Their eyes went wide but Nihl turned away. He had greater things to savor.

The first turbolaser volley landed on the southern outskirts of Salis D'aar. From the office window the point of impact was obscured by high skyscrapers, but black smoke immediately rose to fill a quarter of the sky and licks of flame were visible between buildings. A second volley came ten seconds later, further south. The third blast was closer, and the entire office trembled as the concussive force rattled the ground beneath it.

"Stop this," Recado croaked. "I beg you, please-"

The next blast landed so close they could see the first explosion. Tall buildings tipped and fell, crashing into one another and spreading a chain of devastation throughout the city. By now the entire sky was filled with black smoke and rising flame. The next impacts were further away, but they still shook the palace and sent curtains of ash through the sky.

"Why are you doing this?" Recado croaked. "What's the point?"

"Balance," Nihl grinned fiercely. "The Federation gains a world. You lose one."

"But the factories-"

"Are being spared. My gunners are good shots, Mister President. They won't harm any of the P'w'eck districts of the city either. And rest assured, this is happening to every major city on Bakura."

"But the smoke, the fires-"

"May be difficult to control," Nihl shrugged. "You should have bombed those factories while you had the chance. Then you might have swayed balance in your favor. But then, like a Jedi-" he snarled the word like a curse- "you stepped back and trusted good intentions to save your world. You're as pathetic as Shado Vao. You deserve the same fate."

The city continued to rumble with the gasp of flames and the thunder of distant impacts, but per Nihl's orders, his gunners were concentrating on the city's outskirts, where they'd be sure not to damage necessary infrastructure. The death toll would be catastrophic, but knowing that satisfied Nihl less than the looks on the faces of the men before him.

Recado's shock and anger had fallen away. His head hung low and his eyes were empty. The slaughter seemed to have robbed him of everything, even will. Shado Vao was different. He looked on the verge of screaming, and he was restraining himself only to spare Nihl the satisfaction.

The Sith Lord had satisfaction enough. Clutching the Balance symbol to his chest, Nihl turned to watch the result of Recado's efforts and Shado's goodwill. The storm of smoke and fire rose high and blocked out the midday sun, draping the city in a perfect night.

-{}-

Ania sat in Free Agent's cockpit, alone but ringed by electric ghosts. It was as motley a collection as she'd ever spoken with. Her mother was the most familiar, tight-casting from her nearby ship. Yaga Auchs, many light-years away, joined the conversation, and though he'd removed his helmet he still looked fearsome for his beskar shoulder-plates. Finally there was Admiral Gar Stazi, hero of the Galactic Alliance and co-leader of the Federation, connected from his flagship over Geonosis.

Though all three holo-images had faces turned to Ania, she could tell Stazi was staring hard at Auchs as he said, "You have to be absolutely sure about this. Darth Nihl is at Bakura."

"The intel I gave you on Geonosis was good, wasn't it?"

"It was. That's why I'm trusting your advice now. The bulk of our forces are engaged in the Javin sector. I can't afford to pull any away without being sure."

"Nihl's at Bakura. I spoke to him personally. I don't know how long he'll stay, so you'd better act fast. I recommend not taking any ships out of Javin. You might tip him off. From what I can tell, he's been able to track their movements really well. Don't ask me his sources, but they're good."

"I've gathered that already," Stazi said sourly. "The forces I have with me now may be enough to take Bakura. I need full intelligence on what Nihl has present."

"I can get you that when I go to Bakura."

"How does that work?" asked Ania. "You said Nihl ordered you to stay at Javin."

"He did. And the bulk of my Mandos will do that. But Nihl has to be taken out and I'm not trusting anyone to do that besides me."

"I appreciate your hands-on command style," Stazi said, "But if you show up at Bakura for no reason, Nihl will be suspicious."

"I know. That's why I'm going to need help getting close."

His holo-image shifted, and Ania could tell he was looking at her and her mother. Walking into an enemy stronghold was never a good plan, but they'd pledged to hep Auchs take down Nihl. Now they were being asked to go through with.

"Nihl might consider me a prize," Marin said, "Given that I can still use the Force."

Stazi's eyes grew bigger in surprise, but Auchs snorted, "I'm really curious myself as to how that works."

"It's a personal secret. But it would definitely get Nihl interested."

"That doesn't explain why I'd fly all the way to Bakura to deliver you. If you're my captive I'll need a good explanation how I captured you. If you're just some Force-user I found in my troops Nihl will wonder why I didn't notice you before. He'll also wonder how I managed to keep you captive. Either way, it will make him suspicious."

"I'm trying to fulfill my part of the bargain," Marin insisted. "And my Force powers give me an edge over Nihl."

Ania heard the resolve in her mother's voice. She was determined to go to Bakura no matter the danger, and Ania knew not to try and talk her out of it. Instead a different idea came to mind. It was risky and stupid and might well get her killed unnecessarily, just like everything else she'd been doing lately, but like everything else it felt like a compulsion.

"I can be your captive," she said.

Marin's eyes went wide. Auchs' narrowed in thought. "What's so special about you?"

"I'm Ania Solo. I killed Darth Wredd. I led the One Sith to the Floating World where most of them got slaughtered. I figure a guy like Nihl's not going to let a chance for revenge go, especially if you hand it to him personally."

"That's too dangerous," Marin said. "Ania, I can't guarantee your safety."

"Yeah, I know. But I figure a prisoner like me is going to need a couple extra guards. When he looks at you Nihl's not going to see anything except a Mando in red armor. If we're going to get this to work we'll need surprise on our side."

As Marin grudgingly considered, Auchs said, "This plan has potential. I should be able to get Nihl more or less alone. We take him out, then either escape or bunker down and wait for the admiral here to chase the Ssi-ruuk off Bakura."

"This is a fascinating ploy," Stazi said, "And while I'd be glad to see Nihl dead, I still need to deal with his fleets. Which, I must point out, consist of a considerable Mandalorian contingent."

"Simple. We're mercenaries and we enjoy getting paid. We can switch sides or retreat, depending on what you're willing to pay. Either way, we can time it with then we take out Nihl."

"This scenario seems familiar." Stazi's voice lowered to a growl. "I was involved with the Botajef operation, you know. I remember the confusion your withdrawal caused, Mand-alore. And the lives it cost."

"I'm willing to do the same thing this time, only in your favor. There's a little poetry to it, isn't there?"

"There will be, if you prove trustworthy."

"I gave you Geonosis."

"Yes. Your intentions against the Sith certainly seem genuine…"

"They are," Marin said with the kind of conviction only possible through Force powers. It took Auchs by surprise.

"Then it seems I will have to trust you," Stazi said. "I won't launch an attack on Bakura until I have confirmation that Nihl is dead or captured."

"I'll be in constant contact with my ship," Auchs said. "They'll be in contact with you. If you don't get confirmation, don't jump in. Simple as that."

"Nothing here is simple, but I do appreciate your willingness to take personal risks. Very well. I suppose now we should talk payment."

Auchs grave a brittle smile. "Music my ears."

The mercenary and the admiral haggled services and prices for the next few minutes, leaving Marin and Ania to watch. When they finished the conversation wound up. Stazi closed his link first, then Auchs, and then it was just Ania speaking to her mother in the holo's soft blue glow.

"You didn't have to volunteer for that," Marin said.

"Maybe not. But it keeps up the pattern, doesn't it?"

Her mother smiled sadly. "Ania, when this is over… I promise you'll be free of all this. You won't owe me anything anymore."

"I'm not doing this because I owe you. Nihl needs to be taken down for the sake of the galaxy. And I've got some experience with Sith Lords."

"You don't need to be the one to take the shot this time."

"I know."

"I'll protect you from Nihl. And Auchs, if I have too."

Ania's forced optimism wilted. "You think it will come to that?"

"It's possible. Be ready for anything."

"I will."

The holo shut off, plunging Ania into the dark. The full magnitude of what she'd committed herself to chilled her, and she forced herself out of her seat. She heard AG-37 and Sauk down the hall in the crew hold, talking quietly. She'd need to explain to them why this was one mission she absolutely couldn't take them on. They'd be disappointed, especially AG-37, but this was the last time she'd take this kind of risk. Her mother had promised her, and Ania had every intention to see it fulfilled.

-{}-

When the connection close Yaga turned from the communications console to his daughter, who'd been watching it all from the corner of the room. In his view the talk had gone well. It had always been his intention to turn every gun of every ship in the Mando fleet against the Sith. They'd be nestled tight with the Nagai and Ssi-ruuk when they switched sides, and he'd gathered a pretty reliable list of which Nagai vessels hosted Sith captains. By prioritizing those ships and destroying them with help from the Alliance, he could finally be free of the Sith and their power over him. Like a good mercenary, he'd haggled out a good price from Admiral Stazi for a job he was going to do anyway.

This mad scheme just might work, but Sora's guarded posture conveyed skepticism.

"This is a lot of trust to be putting in people who tried to kill you a day ago," she said.

"We all want Nihl gone. When you have common interest and high stakes, you don't need trust."

She didn't look convinced and he didn't blame her. "Buir, these Skiratas know what you did at Botajef. If Rhal or Zerimar or anyone else finds out-"

"They'll never get proof. That's why we're going after Nihl. I'll make sure of it."

"They'll still come after you when this is over. If not this Skirata woman, then Hondo Karr or the Vevecs. They'll keep trying to undermine you. Maybe get someone close to betray you."

He stepped up and put hands on her shoulders. She was out of beskar and they felt small and vulnerable under his palms. The need to protect his daughter, never far gone, came back strong. "I can watch my own back. I always have. This Skirata woman… I think she means to keep the bargain. I'm hoping she'll be able to keep Karr and Vevec off our backs once Nihl's gone."

"Then you trust that witch."

Witch. It was the perfect word, yet not. He never kept secrets from his daughter, but he hadn't yet told her that the red-armored woman who'd taken her captive on Bespin was the same one who'd murdered his father. For all his life she'd been a Force-using monster who could summon in him all the anger and fear he normally kept restrained. Yet now, after forty years, he finally saw her with mask off and she was just a tired old woman with regret in her eyes.

Empathy wasn't one of Yaga Auchs' strong points. He'd trained himself not to feel it for anyone outside his family. He'd shed no tears for Marin Skirata's pain and if he had to, he'd gun her down to protect himself. But he felt he understood her, just a little; enough for a tentative trust.

"Right now we need each other. Once Nihl is gone, we might still need her. If we don't, we'll decide what to do with her then."

Sora looked unconvinced, but she nodded. "I'm coming with you to Bakura."

"I know you are." With Nihl anything could happen and anything might be revealed. Sora was the only person in the galaxy he trusted absolutely.

When he released her shoulders she asked, "When do we tell Nihl about his gift?"

"Not yet. First we confirm the admiral's down payment. Then we inform the troops."

"They're not going to like switching sides in the middle of a fight."

"They've done it before," he said. This second time they might even do it right.