When the report from his operatives on Bavinyar came back, Hogrum Chalk received it with restrained pride. He admitted that he'd made mistakes along the way, but in managing the Federation's intelligence and security services he'd cultivated the best and most efficient operatives. Thus, while he'd given Monia Gahan and the Resettlement Commission a full day to provide their data on the contested area, the report from his spies came back after fifteen standard hours.

When he actually looked at the report, Hogrum was stunned beyond words.

The spies he'd set to work on Bavinyar had no idea what they were looking at. Their notes merely commented on the unusually regular geometry of the object discovered on the ocean floor. The images and topographic data- apparently obtained by bribing a member of the Resettlement Authority- painted a picture of undeniable clarity. When Hogrum saw the close-up of an ancient, eight-spoked Dai Bendu wheel carved into the pyramid slope, his heart skipped a full beat.

He sprung up from his chair, repulsed by the sight of it. As panic filled him, Hogrum paced tight circles in his office as he tried to assemble his thoughts. There was a Tho Yor on Bavinyar, of all the worlds. He didn't bother to ask how or why; it was a simple fact to deal with. That the Resettlement Authority had blocked off the area meant somebody there knew what it was, and that meant Force-users were on the way.

They were small in number. Hogrum counted them off in his head. There was Eli himself, inbound from Milagro. He'd have to be contacted immediately and told to go to Bavinyar. There was his foe and counterpart Kyra. There was that strange band of Force-sensitive Yuuzhan Vong, with whom Marasiah had apparently jointed. There was Cade Skywalker, and there was Marin Fel.

Any one of them could be wreak disaster. Things were spiraling out of control; Hogrum felt like he was tipping over a void, and if he fell it would be the destruction of everything he'd labored to create. He felt vertigo; there seemed no escaping the chaos to come.

He struggled to calm himself. There were always steps he could take. Bavinyar had to interdicted. The Tho Yor had to be destroyed. He could send any ship to blast the thing from orbit; even Eli's frigate could do it. But the political repercussions would be disastrous. The senate would demand an explanation why a Federation ship had fired on a Federation world. Dac's refugees and the local Bavinyari would unite to excoriate him; they might even try to stop his ships before they got a chance to fire. The Bavinyari had just a small defense force, but the irascible humans would try to stop Eli if he intervened with Silencer.

Which meant they'd need more than a single frigate. They'd bring more and Hogrum would have to be there, to own his actions and to see with his own eyes when the Tho Yor was destroyed. Some things a man simply had to do himself.

Once he formulated a plan, Hogrum hurried over to his desk and turned on the comm. An infuriating seventy seconds later, the holo-image of Rulf Yage appeared. The admiral executed a quick salute, then clasped hands behind his back, expectant.

"Admiral Yage, I have need of your fleet," Hogrum said. "You will prepare a special task force with the aim of interdicting the planet Bavinyar."

The admiral had a good sabacc face, but he couldn't conceal shock. "Bavinyar, sir? Does this have anything to do with the resistance?"

He'd been given an opening, so Hogrum decided to take it. "We've received reports that key rebel personnel are gathered on that world. We will spare no effort in seizing them. You, admiral, will personally lead that force."

"As you command, sir."

"Familiarize yourself with Bavinyar's local defense fleet. You are not going there to fight them, and you should do everything you can to avoid confrontation, but be prepared. The Bavinyari are fiercely protective of their planet."

"I understand, sir. Do you have specific intelligence on where the rebel leaders are meeting?"

"Not at this time. However, I will join you to personally supervise the siege."

Yage looked stunned again, but recovered. "Very good, sir. Should I expect to welcome you aboard War Hammer?"

"No. I'll be taking the Jagged Fel and meeting you there."

That was another snap decision. He'd feel most in control aboard the old Imperial flagship. Yage was a good officer, but then, he'd been a good officer for Darth Krayt before switching sides. You could never trust a man who'd turned traitor, even when he'd done it in your favor. Hogrum would have rather called on Eduoard Fenel but the admiral was currently at Yaga Minor, a week away from Bavinyar at best speed.

"I understand the importance of this, sir," said Yage. "I'd like to be prepared as best I can."

"I'll draft a report and send you all you need to know before you reach Bavinyar. Prepare a force that is small but capable. Use your best captains."

Yage clearly wanted more to go on before he launched an expedition, but like a good soldier he nodded, "Yes, sir. Absolutely."

"Good. Contact me before you set out. I'll be aboard the Jagged Fel by then."

"Understood, sir."

Yage snapped another salute. Hogrum turned the holo off before he let it go. He stared at his desk, trying to figure out the next course of action. Contacting Eli was the most immediate, and he quickly patched in a call to the young man's frigate.

He appeared before Hogrum still looking ashamed. As well he should; he'd come so close to seizing Marasiah, then let her fall through his fingers. Hogrum explained the situation quickly and concisely, and watched shame turn to shock and then to determination on Eli's face.

"I'll do whatever I can to keep the Tho Yor from being activated," he said, "But realistically, sir, our enemies have a head start."

"I know. I'm sending Yage there with a task force. I'll bring the Jagged Fel also. You're closer than either of us, which means you'll get there first, but do not approach Bavinyar. In fact, don't go closer than the system edge without telling me."

Eli frowned. "Why is that, sir?"

"Because if an Imperial frigate appears and starts firing on their planet, the Bavinyari- the humans and the refugees- will be furious. They might even fire on you with their ships, which aren't much, but together they could take Silencer. Until Yage and I arrive you're to stand back, wait, and observe every ship going in and out of Bavinyar."

"And if I see Skywalker's Mynock, or Khat Lah's ship?"

Hogrum's scarred lips pressed to a scowl. "If you are certain you can engage and skill, launch fighters, and intercept."

"Yes, sir. I understand." Eli looked ashamed, but even if he hadn't botched the Milagro mission Hogrum would have given the same order. The politics of the situation were just too tense.

The young man asked, "May I make a suggestion, sir?"

"Go ahead."

"I highly recommend you bring Ania Solo with you on the Jagged Fel. Given the people we're likely to find on Bavinyar, she could be an excellent negotiating tool."

In his panic Hogrum had forgotten about the Solo woman, but Eli was right. she would be excellent leverage against her mother and cousins, as long as she was truly unable to use to the Force. Though she'd shown no signs of it and was currently under captivity without ysalamiri nearby, he'd never allow himself to relax around any scion of Skywalker.

With a few parting words Hogrum closed the link to Eli. He allowed himself to breath. The situation could still spin wildly out of control at any minute, but he was giving shape back to chaos. He might even turn defeat into victory, so long as the Force was not with him.

-{}-

After another period of long waiting came another barrage of news. It was early morning in Galactic City when the safehouse's comm system started chiming. Jao, who'd been too restless to sleep, quickly pounced on it and turned it on. Yalta Val and Saarai, both bleary-eyed, came in behind him to watch as Monia Gahan's holo-image appeared.

"Thanks for calling, Senator," said Jao. "What's going on?"

"Word's just come down," the Mon Cal said. "Hogrum Chalk has left Coruscant."

Jao's heart tumbled. "For Bavinyar?"

"It's unclear. There's reports his shuttle is heading for the Jagged Fel." The longtime flagship of multiple Fel monarchs had mostly been on maneuvers around the Coruscant system since the end of the war with Krayt.

From over his shoulder, Val asked, "What about the report you gave him?"

"I haven't given any report because I haven't gotten one from the Resettlement Authority." Monia's voice shook with stress. "Chalk just left, with no explanation! Everyone's confused."

"Do you think it has to do with Stazi?" asked Saarai.

The Mon Cal shook her head. "It might, I just don't know."

"If Chalk is baiting another trap, he wouldn't need to go himself," said Val. "General Jaeger is manning the 'yards at Bilbringi. He's more than capable of handling whatever the rebels can throw at Selvaris… no offense."

"None taken. You're just being realistic," sighed Saarai. "There must be some way to find out where Chalk has gone. Master Val, you still have contacts in the Knights."

"I'm not sure who I can trust anymore," he admitted, "And it may not even matter. As you've pointed out, Chalk keeps us at a distance. He probably didn't even take any Knights with him to the Jagged Fel."

Jao threw up his hands in frustration. "So what happens now? We just sit around and wait?"

"We may not have to," said Monia. "There's something else that's come in. It hasn't reached official channels yet, but the Resettlement Authority on Bavinyar commed me to say that a task force of six mercenary ships has shown up over the planet."

So Anj had come through after all. Saarai looked deflated, but Jao felt a surge of joy. Small help was far better than no help. "They're there to protect the Tho Yor," he told Monia.

"Well, right now they're in a standoff with the Bavinyar Defense Force. They say they've been hired to protect and asset on that world, but the BDF doesn't trust strangers."

"But there's been no fighting yet?"

"No. Right now it's tense, but quiet."

"What kind of mercenaries are they?" asked Val. "Mandalorians?"

"I don't think so. The reports would have said that. It's said they have two frigates, a carrier, and three corvettes. That's not enough to hold back a Federation fleet, or even the Jagged Fel."

"Combined with the BDF it might be worth something," said Val.

"That's not a combination you're likely to see," Monia said. "The BDF does not trust strangers… Though it might have to."

"So what happens now?" asked Jao. "What are you doing?"

He knew he was pushing, maybe too hard, but Monia lifted her barbed chin. "That's the main reason I'm calling you. In light of the situation on Bavinyar, and the critical role Dac's refugees are playing in this, I've decided to go to the planet myself to help resolve the crisis."

She said it with the firm confidence of a stateswoman, but Jao knew how dangerous that was. She was likely on a collision course with Hogrum Chalk, the Jagged Fel, and whatever else the regent brought with him. But she was going anyway.

Saarai smiled tightly. "I'm proud of you, Monia. There's still a Rogue in you after all."

"Maybe," the senator said seriously, "But I have a responsibility to protect my people on Bavinyar."

"Protect that Tho Yor and protect us all," Jao assured.

He'd learned enough about Mon Cal expressions to tell she looked uncertain. Monia said, "I have an MC-28 transport I use for ambassadorial missions. There's space for around twenty passengers, plus standard crew. In other words, there's more than room for you."

"Are you sure that's safe?" asked Saarai.

"If you use that disguise you first met me in, I think I can pass you off as an advisor. Masters Assam and Val could stand in as bodyguards, assuming we don't get anywhere near Chalk himself. If we do, you lock yourselves on the ship and stay well-clear. Do you understand?"

Jao's heart leaped, then fell. He yearned to be there at Bavinyar for whatever happened, but he also needed to rescue Ania. Yalta Val, perceptive as always, put a hand on his shoulder. "Jao, there's no telling where she is right now. She might not even be on Coruscant. We can't do anything for her here. But at Bavinyar, just possibly, we could be of use." He smirked tiredly. "And it would get us out of this damned safehouse."

"You told me you had a speeder bike," said Monia. "I can give you a location to rendezvous with one of my aides. She can provide you with disguises, and then take you to my ship. If you're still willing."

Jao swallowed. It was a hard choice, but Master Val was right. "I'm willing," he said. "Anything's better than staying locked up here."

Their eyes drifted to Saarai. The Chagrian was staring at the floor, into something Jao couldn't guess. Face clenched tight, she lifted her head and told Monia, "All right, I'm with you. Whatever happens at Bavinyar, I want to be there to see it."

-{}-

Marin emerged to consciousness with an inescapable sense of longing. The light of the ceiling placement overhead seemed to draw her out of the fugue state, but she left it only reluctantly. She felt like she was snared by a hook and dragged out of the sea, but that sea had been knowledge, and though its current had been fierce she'd done her best to swim in it.

Now all that was falling away. Planets on planets, stars on stars, millennia on millennia had felt so close she could touch them. Now they fell away and so did her hope of understanding the Force, the centerpiece of her life.

When she found herself fully above the surface, lying on her back in what she realized was the sickbay of her daughter's ship, Marin was left with only a few clear impressions of what she'd been through inside the Tho Yor. She remembered speaking to the ancient Je'daii soul that had been inside. She'd begged for help, and Tasha Ryo had insisted she could not give it, though in that insistence Marin had sensed a reluctance, perhaps even a fear. Rather than explain, Tasha had ejected Marin back into space and time.

Marin continued to stare at the ceiling, thinking. She only moved after hearing a familiar tinny voice say, "It appears the patient has regained normal awareness. Please report to sick bay immediately."

With effort she put hands on the table, pushed herself to sit upright, and removed the IV drip they'd stuck in her right arm. AG-37 towered silently before her, watching with glowing vertically-stacked photoreceptors. It was not a pretty face, but it was welcome nonetheless.

She gave the assassin droid a weary smile. "As you can see, I survived."

"And I am quite pleased with the fact," the mechanical monotone said. "Sauk will be here shortly, as will several Jedi."

"Some of them got here? Good. What about Khat Lah or Skywalker?"

"If they've arrived, I'm not aware. Do you require any assistance?"

"A glass of water would be nice."

"I can provide one easily."

AG-37 stomped away. He returned just in time to be joined by a flock of Jedi. The little sick bay felt suddenly crowded by the massive, furry bodies of the Cathar Rasi Tuum and the Whiphid K'Kruhk. Marin and Azlyn Rae seemed puny in comparison.

In between mouthfuls of water, Marin explained as best she could what she'd encountered inside the Tho Yor. She described the assault of so much knowledge, the sense of removal from space and time, and the half-ascended consciousness she'd encountered there. She watched their expressions wilt as she described Tasha's refusal to help.

"I felt like that wasn't all of it," she told the Jedi. "It wasn't that Tasha didn't want to help… I felt like she did, and maybe even know a way how, but she was… reluctant."

"Reluctant for what?" Azlyn sounded disbelieving.

"I don't know. It was hard just to stay focused on her words. What they meant…" Marin shook her head. "I can't say."

Rasi Tuum growled, "Did you explain to the Tho Yor that it might be in terrible danger?"

"I did. She sensed my urgency… But I gather it hasn't budged."

"It is still unmoved on the ocean floor," said AG-37. "The Resettlement Authority has cordoned off the ocean around it with an exclusion zone, which has not escaped notice of the Bavinyari government, or the Federation."

No surprise there. She tried to shake off the memory of infinity and focus on the here-and-now. "What kind of threat are we dealing with?"

"Uncertain," said K'Kruhk, "But we've been told Chalk has left Coruscant suddenly. Maybe to come here, maybe on other business."

"Ah, stang," she breathed. "And nothing from Khat Lah or Skywalker?" They might get more out of Tasha Ryo than her.

"I believe they are en route," said K'Kruhk, "But we do not know who will arrive first."

The smallness of her mortal self oppressed Marin. Inside the Tho Yor it had felt like she could know anything and do anything. She'd felt closer to the core of the Force than ever. Now she was just one old woman, about to be overwhelmed by events past her control.

"There's some good news," Azlyn offered. "We contacted the resistance and asked them to send help. They're apparently committed to a big operation elsewhere, but they hired a batch of mercenaries to help guard the Tho Yor."

"Mercenaries? You mean Mandos?"

"No," said Rasi Tuum. "I doubt the rebels could afford what Thorum Rhal is charging for services nowadays. Another company, called Black Spear."

That wasn't familiar, but Marin had stopped following the guns-for-hire business. "Are they here now?"

"Yes," said AG-37. "They have six ships, which are currently sharing orbit with the BDF, uncomfortably but peacefully. The unit commander has come down to this settlement asking to liaise with our leader."

They all stared at her, and Marin realized what they meant. She wanted to tell K'Kruhk to take charge of this operation, but while the Master was ancient and venerable, he could not touch the Force or communicate with the Tho Yor. Only one person here could do that. She was the sole indispensable person on Bavinyar.

"Oh, hell," she sighed. "I guess I might as well talk to him."

"Her," corrected Azlyn. "Are you sure you're fit for it?"

"Just give me a few minutes. And a fresh set of clothes." Marin swallowed another mouthful of water. "Then I'll be good to go."

Once she changed out of the sweat-stained suit she'd worn into the Tho Yor, Marin left Free Agent with AG-37 and the three Jedi as company. Ania's freighter was one of many docked among the four-square-kilometer sprawl of interconnected floating platforms that made up their refugee settlement. Beneath the platforms, submerged into the ocean, was a vast tangle of connected chambers and tubes housing some seventy thousand refugees from Dac, a near-equal mix of Mon Cal and Quarren. Though she'd not visited them, Marin understood the submerged sections were cobbled-together, cramped, and unlovely; frankly what you'd expect from a refugee camp. The topside wasn't much better.

As she was led through the maze of platforms, Marin reached out with the Force and became acutely aware of all the sentient life humming beneath her, most of it totally unaware of the crisis that was about to be upon them. From what she'd heard, Hogrum Chalk wouldn't hesitate to sink the entire settlement if he thought it necessary. The lives of innocents hung on her actions. One hasty choice or misstep could doom them, and the only thing she had to guard against total disaster was mercurial advice from the Force.

It almost felt like being a Jedi again. She was starting to remember why she'd quit the first time.

Most of the ships docked on the platforms were tramp freighters and rugged haulers. Marin was, therefore, able to recognize the mercenaries' ship right away. The old Kuati patrol craft had been modified and armed to the teeth. She counted five heavy turrets and at least two projectile tubes on the broad, angular ship.

As Marin's group approached, she spotted a cluster of beings standing beneath its nose. Most were clothed in plasteel plates colored black, with a few precise slashes of gold on the shoulders and one gilded stripe across the breast. They wore no helmets, and while they clearly weren't Mandalorians she nonetheless recalled that black was the Mando color for justice, gold for revenge. Something tensed inside her.

As she drew near Sauk, who'd been standing with the group, disengaged. The Mon Cal hurried over to her and said, "I'm so glad you're all right, Marin."

He didn't sound glad at all. "Is something wrong?"

"It's… Well…" Sauk shifted anxiously on his feet. "You should find out for yourself."

Curious and cautious, Marin let Sauk take her to the mercenary ship. Only one of the group turned to approach her. It was the shortest of the lot, a human woman with dark-brown hair cut to a severe bob. She was young, probably even younger than Ania. When her eyes lit on Marin she stopped dead in her tracks and one hand brushed the blaster at her hip.

Marin froze too, and if she'd had a weapon she'd have reached for it. Instead she stared at Sora Auchs for a long moment before asking, "Are you the leader here?"

Palm on the butt of her weapon, Sora said, "I'm chief of operations on this mission."

Marin swallowed and tried not to look at the blaster. "You're being paid to protect something of ours. Will you do that?"

Sora's eyes narrowed. In the Force she emanated shock, confusion, and suspicion. Marin probably gave out the same. A long time ago, nearly fifty years back, Marin had killed Sora's grandfather. She'd become a nemesis to her father Yaga, just as Yaga had been hers, and though they'd struck an alliance to take down Darth Nihl, Yaga had died shortly thereafter, executed by his own lieutenants after Marin's nephew Liem had provided them proof that their Mand'alor had betrayed his murdered his predecessor, Chernan Ordo. They said Sora had been there and seen it with her own eyes.

Marin had thought that long, tangled, unhappy era of her life was behind her. But she should have known the past was never truly past. Sora Auchs was here in front of her now, and somehow she had to deal with that. The fate of the Force might depend on it.

She risked a step closer and lowered her voice. "I'm not responsible for your father's death. I didn't even want it. You probably think that's osik but it's true."

Sora stared. Behind her, the other mercenaries had noticed what was happening and were slowly drawing weapons.

"Perhaps," suggested AG-37, "We should all agree to disarm before furthering negotiations."

Marin could tell Sora wouldn't go for that. She pressed, "I'm sorry for what happened to your father. And what happened to you. I had no idea Liem gave Thorum Rhal that recording."

After her father had been branded traitor, Sora had run. She'd become dar'manda and struck out on her own. Probably she'd worked as hired muscle or as a bounty hunter for a little while before joining a non-Mando mercenary group and, with the skill and ferocity expected of a Mand'alor's daughter, climbed the ranks. Marin didn't need to be told any of that. She could see it in the younger woman's eyes and feel it in the Force.

The question was whether Sora would elect to continue the decades-long, often-fatal feud between the Auchs family and Marin's own Skirata clan. It went all the way back to Marin's mother and Sora's great-uncle but Marin had naively thought the story completed.

Whether it was or not was in Sora's hands.

Very slowly, the younger woman let her gun hand fall to her side, still close to the blaster but not on it. She asked, "Where's your nephew now?"

"I haven't seen Liem for years. After what he pulled, I told him I'm not working with him anymore." It was the truth. She emphasized it with the Force but doubted it would help. Sora was surely still Mando at heart, stubborn and hard to sway.

"This mission we were hired for," said Sora, "What does it have to do with you?"

"It's a very long story. Most of it's not relevant."

"Does it have to do with you being a Jedi?"

"It does, but most of that doesn't concern you. All we want from your people is the defense of one target on the ocean floor. That's all."

Sora tilted eyes skyward. "You're expecting an attack from above?"

"Yes. Probably Federation."

"This planet is Federation."

"The situation's complicated. I can explain all that... if you're still willing to fight."

Many mercenaries would take that as an insulting insinuation of cowardice. A good Mando certainly would. Sora didn't looked offended, only skeptical. Finally she said, "I asked for the boss on the ground. Is that you?"

Marin glanced back at the Jedi Masters, who remained silent. "I guess it is."

Sora's eyes were only on her, and she could feel the woman's personal feelings war with professional pride. But she moved her hand fully away from the weapon, clasped it at her back, and said, "Black Spear Company is at your service. Now, you'd better explain to me what exactly we're supposed to protect."

"I'll tell you everything you need," Marin said with relief. She wasn't so stupid or optimistic to think things settled between her and Sora, but for now they'd stood down from confrontation. For now, that was enough.

-{}-

The Yuuzhan Vong dovin basals flung Khat Lah's flyer through lightspeed with silence and smoothness that felt strange to Marasiah. It was unlike the hyperdrive-propelled rides she'd known and, more, their frictionless leap toward Bavinyar was in stark contrast to her feelings inside.

"Contact has been made with the Tho Yor, but it remains under the ocean," informed Khat Lah after completing a transmission, apparently to Jedi on-site. "A mercenary company has arrived to help protect the site, in case of Federation intervention."

"Mercenaries are fickle," Xahn Carr told those gathered in the flyer's small rear hold, "But they are better than nothing."

Talon, cleaned and poised after the fight on Milagro, asked, "What do you mean contact was made? Has someone entered the Tho Yor?"

"Someone has," Khat Lah nodded. "Not Cade Skywalker. He is, as yet unarrived."

Talon pressed, "If someone entered the Tho Yor then they spoke with it, yes? If they did, what happened?"

"K'Kruhk was not specific. It's possible that another conversation may be required."

"You mean you."

The Yuuzhan Vong nodded. "I mean me. I have done it before, on Tython. The mind inside the Tho Yor may yield more to me."

"In the meantime," said Xahn Carr, "We must be prepared for any battle."

"Indeed." Khat Lah shifted his gaze to Marasiah. The ex-empress, also cleaned and changed, sat on a bench along the wall, listening but not speaking. "It is possible your uncle may appear himself."

Marasiah was skeptical. "My uncle tugs his puppets' strings. He doesn't touch things directly."

"For something this important he might," said Talon.

Marasiah snorted. The Twi'lek was as stoic-seeming as ever, but through the Force she leaked desperate desire. She craved reunion with her powers so badly it was pathetic.

"Xahn Carr is right," said Khat Lah. "Come. We must prepare the other warriors for a fight… of any kind."

The two Yuuzhan Vong moved out of the hold, leaving Marasiah and Talon alone. The Twi'lek moved to follow them but stopped, turned, and lingered in the doorway, watching Marasiah.

The ex-empress has no desire to start bickering with Talon again. It had nearly gotten them killed on Milagro. She held her tongue and looked away, but Talon asked, "Do you want your uncle to be there?"

Staring at the floor Marasiah said, "I never want to see him again. Why would I?"

"To kill him, of course."

She said it with simplicity and no judgment. Marasiah glanced up without raising her head. "Do you approve?"

"I don't disapprove."

"But?"

Talon tilted her head thoughtfully. "You are not the woman I expected."

The words brought Marasiah to her feet. She glared at Talon from across the room. "You should leave now."

"I'm sure you want to kill me as well," said Talon, so dispassionately. "You have a reason. I killed your teacher all those years ago, and many more of your father's Knights."

"If you want to die-"

"I don't," said Talon, very softly. "And I don't think you want to kill me."

Marasiah took deep breaths to restrain herself, like Elke Vetter had taught her. She told Elke's killer, "On Milagro you accused me of sulking. Crying. Hiding in grief when I had the Force and could do anything I wanted."

Talon stared, motionless, in silent affirmation.

"You don't understand. You Sith, you think all power is there to be abused. If I faced my uncle, knowing all he's done, I would strike him down. I'd burn him away. I would use every spark of darkness inside me."

"Like you did on Milagro."

"Milagro was just a taste," she whispered.

Marasiah could barely remember the fight atop the outcropping. All she knew was that, surrounded by enemies and desperate, she'd given herself entirely to her anger and hate, and in doing so had rendered matter with a storm of Force energy. She'd never done anything like that before but it had felt so easy and natural, and it had felt impossible to stop. She'd drawn on the dark side before, but never gone so fully over, not like that. And when she thought of her uncle she knew she could do it again.

"You are afraid of your power," said Talon.

"I should be. You're afraid of it, I can tell."

Talon said nothing, another wordless agreement.

"I didn't hide on Milagro all those years because I'm a coward," Marasiah said. "It's not because I'm afraid of the dark. I am a Fel. I was taught from the day I was born to protect peace and order in this galaxy. Look around now and what do you see? Peace and order. My uncle's built it on blood and lies but he's built it."

"And you'd let it stand like this?" For the first time Talon sounded surprised.

"That may sound like an excuse for cowardice but it's not. My uncle's stabilized the Federation like I never could. Topple or kill him and anarchy could be unleashed again. I won't have that. Whatever else I am, I'm still a Fel. I won't destroy peace and order."

Talon narrow her eyes, weighing Marasiah's words for truth. Eventually she said, "All this time I have been with Khat Lah, he has been trying to get me to discover who I am without the Force. He views it as a process of self-discovery."

Marasiah found it hard to care about a Sith's problems. "How valiant of him."

"You have not lost the Force, but you've lost your throne and I see that's harmed you just as deeply."

"Don't pretend to understand me."

"I neither pretend nor understand. My point is that, before coming to your rescue, I spoke with someone who told me I had no self to discover. He told me I was an empty vessel, and I meant nothing until I was filled with a purpose from the outside. And he said that even if I couldn't feel the Force, it could still fill me."

"And how is that supposed to solve my problem?"

"It isn't. But it may help solve mine. I've been thinking on it a great deal lately." Finally Talon turned for the exit, but tilted her head back for parting words. "Perhaps you should think on it too, before we reach Bavinyar."

With that she left, leaving Marasiah alone in the end, final words echoing in the flyer's absolute silence.