Chapter 10: Balance
Three Days Later
Kalrin and Theron stepped off the elevator into the command center as Theron started to brief the commander.
"Scorpio cross-referenced all the data Havoc Squad and Kaliyo stole from Zakuul. When we compared the enemy's comm logs to the Spire maps, we found something unexpected."
The two of them stopped in front of the central holoterminal. Lana and Senya were already around the table. Scorpio was off to the side working on another terminal.
Looking at the terminal Kal saw that Kaliyo and Jorgan were on a holo call.
Theron pushed a few buttons on the terminal and a schematic of the Spire came up on the terminal before it traveled downward and highlighted the area under neath the Spire.
"There's a hyperwave relay station hidden ten thousand meters beneath the Spire. It's the only source of the Gemini frequency transmissions to and from the Eternal Throne," said Theron.
"I don't understand," said Kal. "I thought the Eternal Throne controlled the fleet."
"The Throne wouldn't have the energy needed to do it by itself. Broadcasting a signal to thousands of ships across the galaxy requires tremendous energy needs. This station is powered by two hundred reactors tapped directly into Zakuul's planetary core," explained Theron.
"This relay station is the key to the Gemini Frequency," said Lana cutting in. "If we can decrypt it, we'll be able to know every communication Arcann sends out."
Senya was less enthusiastic about the discovery then everyone else.
"That relay station is ten kilometers underground, guarded by more safeguards than you could ever count. You'll never get near it."
"Well, I guess it's a good thing that our data reveals every security measure in the way, and how to defeat them," responded Theron.
"We need to act fast though. Our intel is turning stale as we speak," said Lana. "A strike team could disable the defenses right out from under Arcann's nose."
"We have Kaliyo and Havoc Squad already stationed on Zakuul ready to clear a path for you Commander," said Theron.
"You are not actually thinking about send that terrorist, are you? She's done enough to my world," said Senya.
"Sir, Havoc Squad was made for this op. We have enough detonite to turn that relay station into a crater," cut in Jorgan.
"You can't trust this to a bunch of explosive happy bucketheads," Kaliyo interrupted. "We're only going to get one shot at this. Send me in, one shot's all I'll need."
"We've already seen how you handle things, and I don't think we're interested," said Senya.
"Senya enough. I appreciate your input but it's my decision," Kal said taking back control of the conversation.
Kaliyo continued onwards. "Destroying that relay station is a bonehead play. Send me in and you'll control the Gemini Frequency."
"I hate to say it, but the idea does have potential," Lana said. "She's an experienced infiltrator who worked with the best agent Imperial Intelligence ever had. She's also survived by herself on Zakuul for years."
"They're both accomplished at drawing attention," Lana continued with. "The real question is who do you want with you at the relay station."
Some decisions weighed heavily on Kal's mind. Left him lying awake at night wondering if he made the right choice, but this one was easy for him. He had seen what horror's Kaliyo could unleash, and he wasn't about to let her do it again.
"Major, you and your squad will accompany me into the relay station. Like you said, Havoc was made for ops like these."
"You're making a mistake here Commander," Kaliyo said.
"We need a good diversion and as much as I hate to admit it you are good with distractions. Just no civilians this time. Am I understood?"
"Fine," Kaliyo said signing off, clearly not happy with being relegated to distraction duty.
"Havoc will be prepped and ready to go when you arrive sir. See you at the rendezvous coordinates."
Jorgan gave Kal a salute and then signed off.
"If Kaliyo's idea of a distraction results in harm to my people, I will kill her Commander," Senya said.
"You'll have to wait until I'm done with her first," responded Kal.
Senya gave him a nod to that and walked off.
Kal rested his hands on the terminal and let out a sigh.
"You can't always please everyone, try as you might," said Lana resting a hand on his arm. "And as much as I loathe to say it, it might be prudent to consult with Valkorion. He built the Spire, and he might be able to tell you how to invade it."
"Somehow I doubt he'll be so easily forthcoming," responded Kal.
"Isn't worth a try at least?" asked Lana
Kal looked over to her, not sure what to say. Eventually he nodded.
"Fine I'll give it a shot. I'll be down in the clearing below meditating, be back soon," Kal said and walked off towards the elevator to lower him down into the clearing.
Kal was walking in the clearing and stopped at a strip of land next to a waterfall. He sat down on the ground and began meditating.
He began to float off the ground and a golden glow surrounded him. After a few minutes Kal felt that he had meditated long enough and gently lowered himself back to the ground.
He exhaled and prepared for the headache he was about to get.
"Valkorion. We need to talk."
"Jedi and their meditations. You're at least a little better then most that you don't hold yourself to that code they follow but, still you bind yourself to too many of their rules," Valkorion answered.
"I need whatever intel you have on the Spire," Kal said not in the mood to play game with Valkorion.
"Besides the first time you have rejected my offers of aid time and time again. Why should I trust you with secrets you have not earned?"
"You don't want to help, fine! I can at least say I've tried. Now if you're not going to be helpful then go, I have a mission to prep for."
"I don't follow your orders," the anger rising in Valkorion's voice. "You have trifled with my patience for the last time."
Valkorion then charged a force attack and began assaulting Kal with it. Kal put out his hands and tried his best to stop the attack but the Emperor was too powerful for him.
"Ahh, what are yo-" was all Kal got out before he passed out.
The next thing Kal knew he was waking up on the ground. He stood up and put a hang to his head.
"How much did I have to drink?" he asked aloud to himself.
He took note of his surroundings and realized he was not in the same clearing he was at before. He took out his holocommunicator and attempted to contact Lana.
"Lana, come in! Valkorion's done something, I need your help."
Kal waited for a response, but none ever came. The call remained unanswered.
"Your lover cannot hear you," taunted Valkorion.
"What is this Valkorion? What do you want from me?" snarled out Kalrin.
"You've grown complacent, and I've let you get away with too much. You've forgotten what it is like to face death alone and I will be the one to remind you."
"Yeah, good luck with that."
Kal looked around and noticing that there was only one path forward, began to take it.
As he was walking along the path, he could hear the rustling of bushes and faint growls sounding out around him. He kept his hand close to his lightsaber in case he would need it.
After walking for a couple minutes, he suddenly felt a warning coming from the force. He started turning, looking every direction for any danger but he couldn't see anything. Suddenly he felt something behind him. He grabbed his lightsaber, ignited it, and turned and cut at the air.
He felt himself tear through something when he suddenly noticed a corpse, cut in two, drop to the ground.
"Great, the local wildlife can cloak themselves. This just keeps getting better and better," he said aloud to himself.
Knowing now that he wasn't alone and was being tracked, Kal kept his lightsaber ignited and in his hand.
Suddenly Kal heard Valkorion speak to him again.
"You have a destiny to fulfill, and I grow sick and tired of your lack of progress."
Kal looked around trying to spot him, but he was deciding to stay disembodied at this time.
"Well lucky for me, I don't really give a damn what you want," shouted out Kal.
"A galaxy finally united under a single banner and instead of letting it be you, you've allowed my son to take the reins."
"I never wanted to rule the galaxy," breathed out Kalrin.
"And that's where you are weak. You don't have the necessary vision, the fortitude. You'd allow people the freedom to choose how the live. The only way to obtain power is wield it with an iron fist."
"And what if I don't want power?" Kal asked, already finding himself growing tired of this conversation.
"Then perhaps I made a mistake in saving you. My son struck a killing blow against you on Asylum. Without my intervention you would have died… perhaps I should have let you."
"If you're looking for a thank you, don't expect one."
Valkorion didn't respond and grew silent once again.
'Finally, some quiet,' thought Kalrin.
Kal continued his walk until he came to a dead end. All around him were mountains and he was in the middle of them all on a rough stone platform.
Valkorion spoke to him once again.
"The force may be with you, but it's not enough to defeat my son. It never was."
Kal turned around and saw Valkorion standing there in his corporeal form.
"Do you remember all those years ago when you and that pathetic group of Jedi tried to capture me aboard my space station?" asked Valkorion.
"How could I ever forget," muttered Kal dejectedly.
"I had you at your full potential. You were a master of your craft, a true weapon in every sense of the word," said Valkorion.
"You turned me into a monster!" yelled Kal. "The things you made me do, the people I hurt… I will never forgive you for that. I will never be like that again," Kal said determinedly.
"Then you will never reach your full potential. You'll always be a pawn to fate," Valkorion said disgusted.
"I make my own path. I carve my own future, not you."
"That just goes to show how pathetic you truly are. This only ends in one of two ways. In one you defeat Arcann, claim the Eternal Throne, and remake the galaxy," Valkorion said all while he was circling Kal. "And in the other you die alone, unmourned, and forgotten. I brought you here to taste that defeat."
Valkorion began to channel power and Kal could see his hands beginning to glow purple.
Suddenly lightning strikes started raining down around Kal. He raised his lightsaber and began deflecting any bolts that came too close to him. Kal could see Valkorion disappearing and reappearing all around him. Every time he did new lightning strikes formed.
The next time Valkorion appeared Kal redirected a lightning bolt towards the form of Valkorion, but it merely passed through him.
"Pitiful," Valkorion muttered before force pushing Kal up against a rock. "Why did I ever believe you could change anything?"
Kal struggled against the hold but found himself unable to break free.
"Either shut up and release me or get it over with!"
"You mistake your defiance for courage. What you've just experienced was a mere fraction of the pain my children can inflict. If you are to have any hope of stopping them, you need to become something more. You need to fulfill your potential."
Kal just stared down Valkorion with hateful eyes.
"This is the last time I can stay to protect you."
"When did you start," muttered Kal.
"There are matters to which I must attend… but I will leave you with a final token of my favor."
Kal felt a power begin to flow through him before he felt himself starting to feel feint. He collapsed onto one knee.
"Fulfill your destiny, and I shall return."
The last thought Kal had before he passed out was 'Please don't'.
Lana was beginning to grow restless. It had now been hours since Kal had left to speak with Valkorion and no had seen him since. She had tried to reach out with the bond to see if she could get a vague sense of where he was but the bond always came up empty. It felt like he wasn't even on the planet. Even worse the operation to assault the Spire was set to be underway soon.
Lana walked into the command center and found Theron standing over the central table.
"Theron, have you seen Kal since our last meeting?" she asked.
"No, I assumed he was en route to the rendezvous."
"He went to speak with Valkorion, ask him about the Spire, but no one has seen him since he left the last meeting," Lana said worriedly.
"Lana, Havoc can't wait any longer. This mission needs to happen now or not at all."
"I know," responded Lana.
"Look I'll have some of the troops start looking for the Commander but, in his absence, you're the next highest official to lead."
"… I… understand," said Lana. "Get Havoc Squad on the line."
Theron called up Havoc on the main console.
"Jorgan here Ma'am," he said with a salute. "Is the Commander almost here?"
"Change of plans Major. You're going in after the Spire alone, as soon as possible," said Lana.
"Understood Ma'am. I'll let Havoc know. We'll leave as soon as were able to hit the Spire."
"Very good Major. Good luck."
"Thank you, Ma'am," Jorgan said before disconnecting the call.
Jorgan turned around to the rest of his squad to relay the news.
"Alright Havoc listen up! This mission just got a whole lot more dangerous…."
Kal awoke and saw metal above him. He looked down and saw he was in a bed, but it wasn't his bed back at the base. He was in a bunk on a spaceship. At first, he thought it might have been his ship but one look back at the engine sitting in the room where his bed was disproved that notion.
"I seriously need to stop waking up in strange places," he muttered to himself.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" he asked aloud but received no response.
He got out of bed and began looking around the ship. The first thing he noticed was the armor hanging up on the wall. Kal noted that it was fitted for a female and looked like the armor a Jedi might wear.
'Well, they may be friendlies at least,' he thought.
He next stopped by the bridge and checked the navicomputer but mysteriously its history had been wiped.
'They don't want me knowing where they've been? Or is it for another reason?' he wondered.
The rest of the ship was devoid of anything interesting besides a load of dust telling Kal that whoever was here had been here a long time.
When he stepped outside Kal noticed that a makeshift camp had been set up around the ship. There were crates of supplies, some crystals, holocrons, and books he noted.
'The mystery deepens. Definitely some kind of force user at least.'
He walked to the end of the camp and noticed he was a top of a small mountain and there was a winding path down. He began following the path down when he noticed further down the mountain a campfire and a hooded individual sitting next to it.
He walked down the mountain and was coming up behind the hooded individual. When he got close, they rose, removed their hood, and turned toward them.
"Welcome "Outlander". It's been too long."
Kal couldn't believe who was standing in front of him. Satele Shan, the old Grand Master of the Jedi Order.
"Jedi Master Satele Shan," Kal said with disbelief. "I can't believe it's you. I heard you went missing during the war with Zakuul."
"It shouldn't be all that surprising. After all you went missing too did you not?" she asked rhetorically.
"I suppose you have me there," he admitted.
"You've survived an ordeal. Come, sit. There's food," she said.
"Master Shan I have so many questions, but I can't stay. My people are waiting for me. I need to get back to them."
"People have counted on you for much. That won't stop just because you aren't there. Besides you're needed here more."
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Kal.
"I led the fight with the Republic against Zakuul. And I failed time and time again. After the Republic surrendered to Arcann, I gave myself to the will of the force. It led me here to this planet where we've been waiting for years," she said as an explanation.
"You've been waiting her for what? For me? And who is this we?"
"We've sensed you since you awoke once more on Zakuul. Seen your victories and defeats leading you here. When we found you in that clearing, we were faced with a choice. Bring you here… or end you there."
"That doesn't exactly sound like something a Jedi would say," said Kal.
"I don't know if I am a Jedi anymore. But the Jedi code isn't what stopped us. We felt something we'd lost for a long time. Hope," she said sounding happy for the first time in a while.
"You may be the greatest of us all, but your old training couldn't prepare you for what's to come," she continued with. "You still have much to learn. Follow us."
Kal, intrigued by what Satele was saying, followed her to a pool being formed by a waterfall.
"Odessen is a perfect balance between the light and dark side of the Force," she began with. "There's only one other world like it…. Zakuul. The Knights don't see the force in the same way the Jedi and Sith see it. The Jedi see the Force as a companion while the Sith see it as something to be enslaved. Being able to wield both sides grants immense power… as you know."
Kal took a step back, startled by the revelation.
"You knew all this time?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"If you knew, why did you never try to stop me?"
"I thought to… for a time. But then with every action you took you proved to me that I didn't need too. I was worried the dark side would corrupt you, but I watched you use it to help you defeat the Emperor and Revan and come out the other side unchanged. Perhaps if all the Jedi followed your ideology, we wouldn't have lost the war…" she trailed off as she began to ponder a different future.
Kal remained quiet and let her ponder for a bit. Eventually she came back to him.
"The Knights swear their lives to the Eternal Emperor. The more they honor his commandments, the greater their power. They obey without question, sacrificing anything and everything for his triumph. This devotion makes them strong. You need to become stronger."
"I am more then willing to sacrifice to take down Arcann. What more can I do?" asked Kal.
"Everyone has their limits. You must simply transcend yours."
For the first time Kal heard a voice different from that of Satele's. The strange part was that he recognized it. Next to Satele he saw the shimmering form of Darth Marr come into existence.
"Darth Marr," Kal said in disbelief.
"Valkorion destroyed my flesh but not my reason for being," Marr said.
"I never thought I'd see you… like this," Kal said motioning to his body.
"Denying the void's embrace taxes me, but I refuse to leave my Empire undefended. Satele and I met on this world. We argued for a time, explored, and then found an understanding in one another. We now pass that knowledge onto you."
"If you've found a way to truly bring balance to the force then I need to know," Kal said determined.
"We do not offer empty platitudes and we do not promise an easy victory," said Marr. "To forge the future, you must first break with the past. Victory over Arcann will require new perspectives, and new weapons."
"Your old lightsaber was made for a Jedi, a Jedi who know longer exists," Satele said pointing at Kal. "You must forge a new one, just as you have forged a new destiny for yourself. Go to the cave on top this mountain. There you will find everything you need."
With that Kal sensed the conversation was over and began trekking his way up the mountain.
He found the cave entrance and began finding his way through its twisted caverns. Finally, he saw an alter with two torches lit up next to it. He also saw on a ledge slightly elevated above the altar a figure standing there.
He walked around the alter and walked up to the ledge with the figure. Kal was not prepared to see Vaylin when the figure turned around.
"Hello, Outlander," she said.
"Vaylin," Kal said as he grabbed and ignited his lightsaber.
"Tell me… Do you believe yourself infallible? Do you not think your actions have consequences."
As Vaylin was saying this Kal saw Kira materialize next her but she fell onto the floor and looked wounded.
"Kal," Kira gasped out in pain.
"Kira," Kal said, his grip loosening on his lightsaber.
"Why didn't you save me?" Kira asked. "I thought you loved me, but you just left me here to die at the hands of Arcann. I waited for you for so long to come rescue me and you never did."
Kal tore his eyes away from Kira, unable to handle seeing her like this.
"What is this. This isn't possible," he muttered to himself.
"The things he did to me. They hurt... they hurt so much. I always thought you'd save me. Shows how much of a fool I was," Kira said.
The next thing he knew Kira was suddenly on the ground right in front of him, but she wasn't alone. Lord Scourge was standing over her, his lightsaber ignited and in hand, poised to strike a killing blow against her.
Scourge looked towards Kal and then towards Kira before he lifted the lightsaber over his head intending to bring it down on her.
"No!" screamed out Kal and before he could even realize what he'd done, he struck his lightsaber across Scourge's chest.
Scourge looked down for a second before his lightsaber deactivated and dropped out of his hand, clattering to the ground.
He began to fall toward the ground and Kal, now realizing what he had done, attempted to catch him. It didn't matter though as Scourge's body fell straight through his outstretched arms and hit the floor.
Kal watched as the body turned transparent and seemed to evaporate. When Kal looked around Kira was gone and Vaylin was beginning to fade away. Before she disappeared though she spoke out one last time.
"I'll be seeing you shortly, until then… Kalrin."
And with that last statement Vaylin had completely evaporated.
Kal turned when heard footsteps approaching behind him and saw Satele and Darth Marr approaching him.
"What the hell was that! I saw Vaylin, and Kira, and Scourge. I… I couldn't…" Kal teetered off unable to say what transpired at the end.
"What you saw was a warning. A vision," Satele said before Marr continued on for her.
"Heed what you saw. A bond to the Force intense as you have brings with it powerful insight."
"The future is malleable however," Satele said. "Don't let it consume you, but don't throw it's warning away. Should you wish to change the future you'll need to be prepared."
Kalrin still shook up from the vision he had just witnessed tried to get back on track with why he came here.
"What about this new lightsaber you want me to build?" he asked.
"The weapon you wield was built for a different war. A different enemy. It no longer serves you like it once did. It must change, as you have. You will create a pure extension of the Force's will. One you alone control. With it, you can unite a thousand stars," said Marr.
"We will add our strength to yours, but it is you who must decide what form the power will take," Satele said.
"Well, no time like the present," said Kal.
The trio walked back down the small path to the alter. There Kal saw laid out around the alter were hundreds of different lightsaber parts.
"I'm supposed to choose from all these different parts?" Kal asked astounded.
"You won't choose… the Force will. Close your eyes and feel the energy around you. Let it guide you to the parts you need. We will provide you our strength while you do this. And once you have the parts think of why you are assembling them. For whom you are creating this weapon for," Satele said.
Kal exhaled and then closed his eyes. He reached out with the force and began to feel certain parts fly from where they were laying and float above the alter.
Behind him Satele and Marr were meditating in their respective fields of the force. Feeding Kal with their affinity to the light and dark. Kal felt the parts stop moving and could feel them all hovering above the alter.
He began to think of why he was doing all of this. He was doing it for the galaxy. For all the people out there who were terrified and being oppressed by the Eternal Empire. Then he thought more selfishly however and thought about how he was doing this for Kira, for Lana. How he would do anything to keep them safe.
Eventually Kal felt all the parts settle and opened his eyes to see a beautifully crafted lightsaber. The hilt was metal and had a beautiful engraving carved through it. He picked it and swung it around a few times. It felt natural, like it was a part of his body.
Kal took out his old lightsaber and began to reach to take the crystal out when Satele stopped him.
"That crystal was a representation of the old you. It is time to move on from it."
Kal was saddened at the news but knew she was correct. As much as he loved his old color crystal it was time to move on to something new.
Kal reached out one more time with the force and felt for a crystal that would represent who he was. Eventually he found one and had it float into his hand. Opening his eyes, he saw a small crystal resting in his palm.
He opened his new lightsaber and inserted the crystal. Turning it on, Kal was surprised to see a pure white beam shoot out from it.
"Wow," Kal said in amazement. "I'm not sure I've ever seen a pure white crystal."
"That crystal… that blade… are a part of you now," said Marr. "The next time you face Arcann in battle, he will not be ready for you."
"But remember that violence can only destroy. It doesn't inspire others to greatness, and it can never rebuild. Only a leader can do that," said Satele.
"I once thought it enough to be the unstoppable force between my people and the enemy. I faced Valkorion and refused to bend. That choice broke me, and doomed the worlds I sought to defend," said Marr.
"I sent Jedi to fight an enemy I didn't understand because I believed in the justness of my cause. Those deaths still haunt me. We know what it means to fail those counting on us. We wish to spare you that pain."
"Leading this Alliance is unlike anything you've ever done before. Directing the war effort is a mere fraction of the burden you must bear," Marr said.
"You must not only know when to fight, but when to retreat, or even when to make peace with your foe," Satele said looking at Marr for the last part.
"I understand. I'll do my best to make you proud, both of you."
"It is not us you need to worry about," started Satele.
"Our time is over. What matters most is that you accept your own decisions," finished Marr.
Kal nodded his head in acceptance. Satele saw this and turned around to head back to the mouth of the cave.
When they reached the cave entrance Satele spoke once more.
"Some believe you're destined to walk this path. Others think you will make the choices that decide their fate."
"Your Alliance will collapse if you do not know yourself, your code, your ideology. Do you understand?" asked Marr.
"I'll do whatever it takes to stop Arcann and the Eternal Throne," responded Kal.
"Let us hope you can uphold that vow," said Marr.
"With that we have taught you all we can. It is time for you to get back to your Alliance. Your people need you," said Satele.
"Wait," called out Kal as Satele and Marr began to leave. "I could use your help to take down Arcann."
"Our time has passed. This is your war to fight now. Trust in the path ahead, Commander, and you'll do well. This will be the last time we meet," Satele said.
"Thank you… both of you… for everything you've done."
"Under different circumstances, I think you and I could have been good friends Commander," said Marr.
"Yeah," Kal said solemnly. "Yeah, me too."
"Good luck Commander. And may the Force be with you," said Satele.
With that Darth Marr faded away and Satele walked back down the mountain path.
Kal took a second to take it all in and just stared at his new lightsaber clipped onto his belt. He took it out and ignited the blade just watching the light it gave off.
Kal gave out a small exhale, "I forge my own destiny," he said quietly before he turned off the lightsaber and reattached it to his belt.
He looked out over the ridges and saw his base a little ways away in the distance. With a goal in mind, he began the trek back to his new home.
Theron, Lana, and Senya were all standing around the central terminal as they received mission reports from Jorgan.
"Recon team gave the all clear. Entering sub level four now," said Jorgan.
"Understood Major. Transmitting you optimal path to next security checkpoint," answered Theron.
"And do try not to shoot everything this time. There are only so many storage lockers you can hide Skytroopers in," said Lana.
"Well come on that's half the challenge. What kind of Sith are you?" fired back Jorgan.
"Not a very good one all things considered. I blame the Commander for that, I think he's rubbed off on me a little too much," responded Lana.
Theron merely raised an eyebrow at her wording which Lana saw.
"Oh you know that's not what I meant," she said.
"I've identified the hyperwave relay station's weak points. Demolition charges at each of the designated coordinates should maximize the blast radius," said Senya putting them back on track.
"I still can't believe you want to blow up our best chance at taking control of the Eternal Fleet. I can feel my IQ dropping just hearing you talk," said Kaliyo cutting in.
"Kaliyo this call was only for mission critical communications," Lana said trying to keep the peace.
"Your mission is complete," said Senya. "Get off this channel and my planet."
Kal stepped off the elevator just to hear the tail end of the conversation.
"Don't distract the Major. This is a vital operation. We should have radio silence unless mission critical," Kal said stepping up to the terminal.
"Where the hell have you been?" asked Lana.
"It's a long story. I'll tell you all about it later. Right now, let the Major work, distraction free," responded Kal.
"Hold up. We've got trouble. A dozen Knights coming in behind us," Jorgan informed.
"Someone must have found your mess on level nineteen," said Lana.
"Please if that were true there would be twice as-"
There was the sound of gunfire and explosions before the signal cut off.
"Major? Major, come in. Dammit we've lost the signal," said Theron.
"We could still salvage the mission, if we send our back up," said Lana voicing her opinion.
"I'd rather ask forgiveness than permission, but I don't need either. I'm halfway through level ten. Consider the mission complete," Kaliyo said.
"No," ordered Kal. "You're to fall back and leave the Spire. Major Jorgan and the rest of Havoc Squad can handle themselves. Besides I'm not sending anyone else in there until we have new information on what just happened."
"Like I said, I don't really care. I'll complete the mission for you whether you like it or not," Kaliyo said before cutting off her comms.
"Get her back on this line, now!" Kal exclaimed.
"I'm trying Commander," Theron said.
Suddenly, a holographic display of the Spire popped up on the table with red markings all over and an alarm sounding.
"Damn, the Spire's gone into lockdown. All incoming and outgoing communications are being jammed. We can't reach them Commander," Theron informed Kal.
Kal slammed his hand down on the terminal.
"She's going to blow this whole operation. I want to know the second we hear anything from Kaliyo or Havoc Squad, understood?"
"Yes Commander, I'll let you know," said Theron.
With there being nothing else they could do for the moment, everyone split off to work on other tasks. Lana stayed and motioned for Kal to follow her. She led them back to their room.
Once inside she locked the door and laid into him.
"Where the hell were you! The mission on the Gemini Frequency is all kinds of messed up now because you weren't there to lead it, and more importantly I was worried sick about you! You better have a damned good explanation," she said before crossing her arms and staring at Kal.
"Listen Valkorion dragged me into the wilderness and almost killed me. Then he just… left my mind to go somewhere else. Wouldn't say where."
Lana didn't say nothing and just watched Kal waiting for him to continue.
"Then I ran into Satele Shan and the spirit of Darth Marr. They helped to train me in the ways of the force and then helped me create a new lightsaber to defeat Arcann."
He ended off by taking his new lightsaber and handing it to Lana. Lana took it and spun it around slowly while looking at it.
"That's an awful lie," she said putting her hand up to her head and shaking it. "Which means it must be true," she said, handing Kal back his new lightsaber.
"So good enough explanation to get me out of trouble?" he asked.
Lana sighed. "Yes, it is. I'm sorry, I just got worried after you disappeared and no one in the base knew where you were or how to find you."
"Hey that's alright," Kal said opening his arms up for a hug which Lana accepted. "I never want you to stop worrying about me."
"Well, that should be easy enough. You never seem to let me relax," joked Lana.
"It'd be funny if it probably weren't so true," Kal joked back.
The two shared a quiet moment together before Kal released his hold on Lana.
"This whole ordeal has left me exhausted, I need to get some rest," said Kal.
"And I should probably get back to work," replied Lana. "We're not done with this though; I still want to hear all about what Master Shan and Darth Marr taught you."
"I'll tell you the full story, promise. There's a…. lot to go over."
"I'll be looking forward to it," she said leaving the room.
"Lord Scourge, please tell me you are here to report that you have found the Outlander and not to anger me by telling me you have nothing new," Arcann growled out.
"I'm afraid that is exactly what I'm here to do. Wherever the Jedi and your father have gone to they are keeping a low profile and staying out of the range of our sensors," Scourge said angrily. "I think it's time to take a different approach. If we can't find them then let's have them come to us."
"How do you propose we do that exactly?" asked Arcann.
"If we could find his old padawan we-" Scourge started to say before he was cut off by Arcann.
"And why would he risk everything just to come save his old padawan?" asked Arcann.
"Because she's not just his old padawan. She's his wife."
"What," said Arcann, sitting up straight, stunned by this revelation. "How did this information never come across me."
"It was a well-kept secret. I'd wager the only people who knew were his old crew and I doubt they would have told anyone," Scourge explained.
"Well, this certainly changes everything then. It just so happens that I already have the padawan in my possession."
Now it was Scourge's turn to be surprised at the revelation.
"Since when," he tried to say before being cut off by Arcann again.
"I captured her a few years ago when she tried to lead a breakout to rescue the Outlander. I figured she was just trying to rescue her Master. I see it was more than that now."
Arcann leaned back and relaxed a little more into his throne.
"I've been keeping her under special lock and key on the Gilded Star on the planet Vandin. The Gilded Star resurfaces only once per year to resupply, and it just so happens to be doing that resupply soon. You'll wait here for Vaylin to return and then the two of you will travel to Vandin and recover the padawan."
"As you wish, my lord," Scourge said bowing to Arcann and taking his leave.
Meanwhile Arcann looked out towards the Eternal Fleet and began to plot. They both had one thought.
'I'll be seeing you soon.'
AN: I figured after I made you wait so long, you deserved another chapter quickly.
With time people change and it's important to reflect that in this story. And as much as I absolutely love the black/blue crystal in SWTOR Kal's crystal needs to reflect his growth over time, so now he's rocking a white crystal. White lightsabers are cool too... I guess...
And for all you Kira lovers out there, without spoiling to much, I can say that our favorite girl will be making a return real soon.
Until the next time,
Magician
Published 8/2/21