I present to you a very special length edition of Rise of the Eternal Alliance. Enjoy.
Chapter 12: Acceptance and Understanding
Kal stood in an interrogation room aboard the Emperor's space station. He was in his new robes, dyed a dark black. To his side stood Overseer Chaskar, his new master, and in front of him, strapped to the table, was Kira.
"Well, are you ready to try out another interrogation? Oh, and do try to not leave so much blood this time. As fun as it is to watch, the cleaning droids have a terrible time trying to scrub all of that out," the Overseer said.
Kal moved forward without responding and activated the interrogation machine. He watched as electricity began to surge throughout her body.
As he watched her writhe in pain, he began questioning what he was doing.
"No… this isn't right… why am I doing this?"
He began lowering the power on the interrogation machine.
"Is something wrong, acolyte?" asked the Overseer.
Then Kal felt a powerful force assaulting him.
"You will do what I command," the voice said. Suddenly, all thoughts Kal had about how this interrogation had been wrong were wiped from his mind.
Kal reached to power up the machine again.
"No... sorry Overseer," Kal responded.
Right before his hand reached the power lever, he felt another force hit him. Except this one was from the light.
"You're stronger than this. Don't let him win. Free yourself."
"Master!" Kal gasped as he sat up, having been awoken from his slumber.
He tried to steady his breathing as he brought a hand to face. When he took it away, he saw it was wet. Clearly, he had drenched himself in sweat during his nightmare.
"Kal, what's wrong?" Lana asked him.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," he said solemnly.
"Well, it's kinda hard to sleep when your pillow throws you off of him," Lana said trying to joke around with him.
"Sorry," he said again, not joining her in her attempt to lighten the mood.
"Kal," she said snuggling up behind him and wrapping her arms around him, "what's wrong? Who were you calling out to?"
Kal stayed silent for a long while. The two of them just sat there, neither of them saying anything. Eventually Kal spoke.
"My old Master. I was calling out to my old Master."
"Hmm," Lana said acknowledging she heard him. "What happened to him?"
"During the beginning of my career I was up against a Sith. Darth Angral. He had captured my Master aboard his cruiser. He killed him over holo while I was powerless to do anything."
"I'm sorry," she said after some time. "Is that what you were dreaming about?"
Kal was stuck at an impasse. He had to decide whether to lie or finally come clean.
"… No…" he said. "I… This isn't the first time I've had the Emperor in my head," he finally decided with. "Almost nobody knows but for a time I was captured and under the influence of the Emperor."
Lana gave a light gasp at that but otherwise stayed silent and waited for him to continue.
"It wasn't like it is now though. He made me do things… and I couldn't resist his orders. I was a puppet in my own body. One who's strings were controlled by the Emperor. One day my Overseer was going to have me practice interrogations again… except the target this time was Kira."
Lana squeezed him even tighter, trying to mold her body as much as she could into his.
"I… I hurt her slightly before Master Din was able to reach out and help me break free of the Emperor's influence."
"And the Overseer?"
"I… I killed him… but it wasn't quick. Every other time I had killed up to that point, I made it as quick as possible. Him… him I took my time."
"Good," she said simply.
"No, not good. I let the dark side of me take over, I let it win."
"You dispensed justice onto someone who clearly deserved it. Don't ever feel bad about that."
"So what?" he said rising from the bed, "The ends should just justify the means?" his voicing raising a tad more then he would have liked.
"Yes," she said haughtily. "In my time as a Sith and head of Sith Intelligence I have spied, lied, tortured and done whatever I had to do to help save as many of my people as I could."
She stood from the bed and maneuvered in front of Kal until she was able to look him in the eyes.
"And if I must do it now to protect this Alliance, to protect you, I will without a second thought."
She grabbed his chin and focused his eyes onto hers.
"So… does that make me a monster?" she asked him.
"I… I don't…" he said, unsure of what to say to her. In truth he honestly didn't know what he felt. Is it wrong for someone to do whatever it took to protect those they cared about? He was willing to let Valkorion have temporary control just to protect her. Is that not the worse possible thing a person could do?
"Oh… I see," she said dejectedly as she removed her hand from his chin.
She looked over to the clock and saw that while it was early, it was late enough for Theron to be in the command center.
She quickly rushed over to the closet and pulled out some clothes to get dressed in.
"I'd best be getting to work, a lot to do today," she said as she walked to the door.
"Lana, please. I'm sorry, I didn't mean…" he trailed off at the end. Not sure himself of what he didn't mean.
Lana turned slightly towards him when she was in the doorway. Enough that he could only see half of her face. Half was enough though to see the tear rolling down it.
"I know," she said dispirited before the door shut and Kal was alone with his thoughts.
"Good morning," Theron said to Lana as she walked into the command center.
"Still no word from Jorgan or Kaliyo?" Lana asked, ignoring Theron's greeting, as Kal arrived hot on her heels.
"No," he said looking between Lana and Kal, trying to figure out why she was in a bad mood. "Everything within a kilometer of the Spire has been locked down. No signal gets in or out of that zone."
"I warned you that Gemini Frequency mission was too dangerous," Senya said walking into the command center. "If they're alive, it won't be for much longer."
"They're alive. I know it. We just need to give them more time," Kal said.
"I'll keep an eye out, let you know the moment I hear anything, but until then we're just wasting our time here," Theron inputted.
"Oh, and before I forget," continued Theron. "Hylo Visz asked to see you Commander. Wouldn't say about what exactly. Only that it was important."
"Thanks, Theron. I'll head right over."
"I'll walk with you."
Kal tried to catch Lana's eye, but she was purposefully avoiding his gaze. He tried to reach into the bond towards her, but she was keeping it shut down on her end. Or at least he was hoping she was shutting it down, and that he hadn't just irrevocably damaged things.
The two of them started walking to Hylo Visz's wing of the base, leaving Lana and Senya in the command center.
"Everything alright between Lana and you?" Theron asked Kal on the way.
"No… I said or rather I made a mistake in what I didn't say," he gave as a vague explanation.
"Well, I know a thing or two about making mistakes with things left unsaid."
"Yeah, I suppose you would… I'm sorry you didn't get to see your Mom Theron."
"She never wanted to have anything to do with me growing up, why should that be any different now," the anger seeping into his voice a tad.
"Still doesn't make it right," he said shaking his head. "You know I always thought the Jedi code was somewhat flawed. So did Kira," he said giving a light chuckle before sobering up. "We always thought the restrictions on attachments were too strict."
"I bet the two of you would think that," Theron said lightly elbowing Kal.
"Heh, that's besides the point. The Jedi don't let themselves have attachments because the believe it leads to the dark side, but I think that's wrong. I think attachments are what help a person stay in the light.
"Attachments can lead to anger, pain, and loss," Kal continued. "They lead to feelings, feelings people have every day, yet you don't see everyone falling to the dark side. So, if it's not the feelings and it's not the attachments that cause someone to fall, it's got to be the way in which they handle those feelings."
"I suppose that could make sense," Theron said after thinking about it.
"I believe if they taught new Jedi how to deal with these emotions, rather then trying to force them not to feel them, the Jedi Order would be better off. The Jedi Order has been severely depleted after the war with Arcann. Should we win this thing… when we win this thing… I'd like to see if I can reform them. Stop what happened with you," he said motioning to Theron, "from happening to anyone else."
"A noble cause. I hope for people like myself, you succeed in doing that, Commander. And we will win this thing. Just gonna take some time is all," Theron said stopping in front of the door to Hylo's section.
"I know, Theron."
"And this thing with Lana? The two of you will get through this. You two love each other, you'll figure out something."
"I think I already have but thank you."
Theron nodded to the Commander and began his walk back to the Command Center.
Kal meanwhile was thinking back on his argument with Lana this morning.
"So what? The ends should just justify the means?"
"Yes."
Kal clenched his fist in determination.
"Whatever it takes," he said quietly to himself before he walked into Hylo's section.
"Ahh Commander good. I need to talk with you," Hylo said.
"That's what I'm here for. What's up?"
"We're doing our best to keep the supply lines running, but most of the people I deal with aren't exactly philanthropists. We can't keep running this thing on goodwill and borrowed credits."
"I understand. Any ideas on how we could work on acquiring a steady income?"
"I know a guy with a habit of showing up when someone's in need. He's reached out with an offer we really can't refuse… as much as I might want to. You should meet him."
Kal raised an eyebrow at that. "Alright I'll at least hear him out. Who am I dealing with?"
"A real scumbag, but you'll find that out when you meet him. Come on," she said motioning for Kal to follow.
"Where are we going?" he asked stepping in line with her.
"He's already here and waiting in the Cantina for you, probably best not to leave him to his own devices."
"Well, this should be interesting at least."
Hylo and Kal walked into the cantina to see Theron and the man Kal assumed he was supposed to meet sitting at a table playing cards.
"What's going on over here?" Kal asked as they arrived.
"I'm getting my ass handed to me is what's happening," complained Theron.
"I see you wasted no time turning the card table into a graveyard," commented Hylo.
"It is my preferred method of execution," commented the alien man.
"Commander may I introduce to you the most untrustworthy scoundrel you will ever meet. Untrustworthy scoundrel, the Commander," said Hylo.
"Bah she never was big on formalities," the man said rising from his chair. "Gault Rennow, at your service," he said extending his hand.
"Hello Gault," Kal said as he shook his hand. "My friend doesn't seem to like you very much," Kal said motioning towards Hylo. "Something I should be concerned about?"
"We have some… history, you might say. Doesn't help to paint me in a favorable light but that's not what you're here for."
"True. I'm here because I hear you have an offer for me," Kal said sitting down at the table.
Gault also returned to his seat before he continued.
"The Eternal Empire's spent the last five years pillaging every world in the known galaxy. How would you like to turn all that plundering into a profit for you and yours?"
"Well, you've certainly got my attention."
Gault gave a sly smile, knowing he was reeling in his catch.
"I happen to know where they're keeping all that ill-gotten gain. Better yet, I've got a surefire plan to steal it right out from under them. I just need the help of a few talented, tough customers to see it through."
"Well, it all sounds great so far… so what's the catch?"
"Don't worry, all I want is your word, for now, and an even split after the fact. Fifty-fifty. Couldn't be more fair. Ever heard of the Gilded Star?"
Kal tried to open his mouth to comment but was cut off by Gault immediately.
"I'll stop you right there, you haven't. It's one of the Eternal Empire's most tightly guarded secrets. A floating treasury circling the depths of a massive gas giant. The ship and the buried treasure all wrapped up into one neat little package."
"How little are we talking here Gault?" asked Kal.
"Ok well maybe not little. By my estimation it might be the greatest sum of wealth gathered in one place since the Hutt Empire was a thing. So, you in?"
"I must admit you make a convincing argument."
"Wonderful! Take care of… whatever it is you do around here, and we'll hit the road. We'll be heading to Vandin to lay some groundwork. Looking forward to this, partner," Gault said before turning and leaving the cantina.
Once he was clearly gone Kal turned to Hylo and Theron.
"So Hylo, you know him best, what do you think?"
"Well, he's a rotten untrustworthy bastard… but in this case I don't think we have a choice. We do need the funds desperately," she said.
"Understood. We'll play along for now but keep an eye open for any hint of betrayal, understood you two?"
"Yes, Commander," they both said.
"Good. Theron, round up who you can, I want a full squad's worth of people."
"A full squad Commander? Are you sure?"
"If Gault's intel is good then this mission is too important. I want as many hands-on deck as we can get for this."
"Understood Commander, I'll gather who I can."
Theron turned to leave but then turned back around.
"Err, do you want me to ask Lana or are you going to?" he asked.
"I'll take care of it. Thanks though."
"Sure," he said before he left to go round up some people.
"And with that I should get back to my duties Commander. Good luck out there," said Hylo before also taking her leave.
Kal walked into the command center looking for Lana and found his intended target. Striding up to her he found himself at somewhat of a loss about what to say.
"Lana-"
"Is there something mission critical you need to report to me?" Lana cut him of with, in a formal tone.
Kal gave a sigh.
"Yes, there is actually, but that's not what I wanted-"
"The critical information Commander… please." She said once again in a formal tone.
"I need you to gear up and head for the hangar bay. This next mission is an all hands-on deck kind of one."
"Understood Commander. I'll go prep my things," she said trying to walk away from the conversation.
"Lana," Kal said reaching out and grabbing her arm. "Please, wait."
Kall noticed her stiffen.
"Commander?" she asked in a vulnerable tone.
"Lana, I love you, you know that right?"
For the first time Lana turned and faced Kal until they were staring at each other eye to eye.
"Yeah, but for how long?" she said.
"Wha-" Kal tried to say but was cut off by Lana.
"What about a few weeks, months, or even years from now? What happens when you wake up one day and realize that you could never love… someone like me. I can't… I couldn't bear that," she said taking her arm away from Kal's grip.
"Lana, that's not-"
"Commander!" Kal heard from behind him and turned to see Theron entering the command center.
When he turned back Lana had already begun walking off. Turning back to Theron he asked, "What is it?"
"I've assembled myself, Senya, a few talented pilots and troopers, and I can't believe I'm about to say this but, Scorpio as well."
"Scorpio? Really?" he asked.
Theron shrugged. "Hey, you said you wanted as many heavy hitters as possible."
"That I did," Kal said shaking his head.
"Is Lana coming?" Theron said, looking at the shrinking form of Lana in the distance.
"Yes, she will be."
"Did the two of you patch things up?"
"No… if anything it might just have gotten worse."
"I'm sorry Commander. I can talk to her if you'd like?" he offered.
"Not yet. There's some… things I need to sort through."
"Understood Commander. I'll see you on the shuttle."
Much to Kal's dismay they were taking two ships on their trip to Vandin, and Lana had opted to sit on the other ship. Still, he appreciated that even with the fact that Lana wasn't here, a fact that Scorpio and Senya had noticed, they didn't ask him about it.
Kal found they had a few hours to kill until they arrived at Vandin and decided to try to get to know Gault.
"So Gault, from what I hear this isn't your first heist."
"I've run plenty of jobs in my time. Many successful… others not so much."
"I find it hard to believe you've been alone all this time. Never had a crew you ran with."
"I did actually… for a time. We were a sight to be seen. Ever heard of the Grand Champion of the Great Hunt?" Gault asked.
Kal shook his head no. "Sorry, can't say that I have."
"Ahh no matter. Now a days I doubt the title means much, what with the Eternal Empire running about."
"How many of you were there?"
"There were five of us. You had yours truly, that Grand Champion I mentioned, a Jawa of all things if you can believe it. Then there was this girl, Mako, man you wouldn't know it looking at her, but she was not someone you wanted to mess with. Could hack machines with the best of them. And finally, there was a Mandalorian."
"What happened to them?" Kal asked worried about the answer he would receive.
"Oh, don't get your robes in a twist," he said waving his hand. "As unusual as it is, this story actually has a happy ending."
"Oh? Well now I'm intrigued."
"Yeah so there we were making a boat load of credits. Kicking ass, taking names, that whole sort of thing. That champion of mine? Well, they were involved with that Mako girl I told you about. Made a good team the two of them did. When the Eternal Empire invaded, they had to decide about what they would do. Rather then risk accepting any contracts from the Empire against Zakuul the two decided to retire. Retire!" he said throwing his hand up. "I still can't believe it."
"I can," Kal said.
"Oh yeah? I thought you Jedi were the 'for life' type. So why haven't you retired?"
"When you've seen as much death and destruction as I have, at some point you realize enough is enough. You've done your part for the galaxy and it's time for someone else to take the reins. As much as I might wish it, it's not yet my time. I still have at least one last job to do, and then maybe I can think about retiring."
Kal thought about how helpful it might be to have this old boss of Gault's on the team. "You wouldn't happen to know if your friend would be willing to come out of retirement, would you?"
"Afraid not. Last I heard they are actually enjoying the civilian life. I don't get it. It's too… boring. Not enough credits in the upstanding sector. Besides they have a kid now. I don't think they'll do anything to jeopardize that."
"That's wonderful," Kal said genuinely happy for them. "So, what happened to the rest of you guys?"
"Well, that Jawa went back to his people on Tatooine. Don't really know what he's up to now a days. Haven't spoken with him in a while. The Mandalorian went back to his clan after we split up. Last we spoke he had become the chieftain of his clan."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that there was still some good news in the galaxy after the Eternal Empire invaded."
"Yeah… but I got a new crew now so all's well that ends well."
"Am I going to be meeting any of this new crew?"
"Yeah, first thing we'll be doing when we arrive is picking up one of them actually."
"And who are we picking up?"
"Oh, just the best Identity forger this side of the galaxy."
"I didn't realize you were in league with such talented individuals."
"Well… he doesn't exactly know that he's joining up with our crew yet, but he'll come around."
"Gault…"
Gault waved him off. "Don't worry I've got it all taken care of."
"I feel so much better now," Kal said sarcastically. "Any other last-minute arrivals I should know about?"
"We'll be picking up another member after him but don't worry. She's already apart of the crew and ready to go."
"This crewmember have a name?" Kal asked.
"Her name's Vette. She's a Twi'lek. Kids got a knack when it comes to treasure hunting and she's not shabby with a blaster either. She might seem annoying at first but don't worry, she grows on you." Gault thought about what he said for a second then continued with, "But don't ever tell her I said that. She'd never let me hear the end of it."
Kal gave a light chuckle. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."
After that the two of them sat in a comfortable and amicable silence until they arrived at Vandin.
After landing on Vandin the crew disembarked off the shuttle. Gault and Kal walked off towards a warehouse while the rest of them stayed around the shuttle. When they arrived in the warehouse Gault pointed out a crate sitting in the middle of it.
"So that identity theft I mentioned? He's been in hiding, specifically in that," he said pointing at the crate, "for a long time. And he probably won't be too thrilled to have visitors… or to see me."
Kal put his hand up to his head and shook it.
"What did you do?" he said with the same amount of disappointment in his voice like a parent speaking to a child who has gotten into trouble too often.
"I may have picked up and moved his safehouse a few thousand parsecs unannounced but I'm sure he can't be that upset by it."
"How you have made any friends, I'll never know."
"Once you see my charm you'll understand," he said walking over and banging on the crate.
The two of them waited there for a few moments before a camera that was attached to the outside of it turned and looked at them. Gault spoke up first.
"Drecher, is it? They always say retirement is a good time to travel. Why don't you come and check out the new technology?"
"Tyresius. You've got a lot of nerve showing your ugly mug again," said a voice coming from the camera.
Kal gave a fake cough. "Ahem, Tyresius?"
"Oh, just a name from a different lifetime ago. Useless to anybody now," Gault said quietly to Kal.
"Not sure who Tyresius is friend. Name's Gault Rennow. I got a business proposition I think you'll want to hear about."
"You can't play dumb with me Ty. I know that face better then you do after all."
"Look Gault tells me you're the best identity forger in the business and I could really use your help," Kal said trying to step in and stop a fight before it happens.
"I'm sick of helping that fraud fake his own death. This time it's going to stick."
Suddenly multiple crates around them opened up with droids powering up and exiting them.
Kal gave a sigh before he ignited his lightsaber.
"I don't feel like your charm has worked out too well," he said throwing his lightsaber and bisecting a droid with it before it returned.
Gault pulled out his blaster and sniped a droid in the head. "I think it's going rather well all things considered."
Kal grabbed another droid with the force and threw it into another one destroying both.
"If this is how you determine when something goes well, I'd hate to see what you consider a meeting going poorly."
Gault threw a grenade he had detached from his belt at a grouped-up pile of droids. Kal leaned back, dodging a droid arm, as it flew by him after the explosion.
"Believe me, if this was going poorly there would be way more explosions."
"Noted," Kal said as he Force crushed the last droid.
"Well… I must admit this was not how I thought this would go," came from the camera voice.
"You still haven't explained why we're trying to recruit someone who wants to kill you," Kal said to Gault.
"He's the one with the grudge!" said the camera voice. "After I made him that body double, he went and swindled half of Nar Shaddaa in my name!"
Kal crossed his arms and gave Gault a stern look.
"Because Dretcher is the only one I trust to be able to pull something like this off," Gault said answering Kal's earlier question.
"It's taken everything I know to stay hidden in this little prison. Every time I start to think I can leave, someone snitches on my new identities."
Gault shrugged at that statement.
"So maybe I encouraged Dretcher's early retirement. This little box is cozier than a coffin and a better place to reflect on how stupid it was trying to blackmail me. But hey, I'm willing to let bygones be bygones. That is, as long as you do one last job for me."
"Like I'd ever help you again!"
"Alright this is taking too long. I'm just gonna cut him out," Kal said igniting his lightsaber.
"Hmpph! There's twenty-five layers of durasteel and cortosis between you and me. We'll both be dead of old age long before you get in here."
Gault put his hand on Kal's arm and showed him a device. Kal nodded and put away his lightsaber.
"It's true that we might not be able to get into that safe room of yours… but I'm sure this sonic amplifier would have an interesting effect on the contents. So, unless you want to spend your final moments, being shaken to death by the dulcet tones of the Kashyyyk Life Day Choir, I'd reconsider."
"Okay! Okay! I'll do the stupid job," Dretcher said as the container opened.
Gault walked in to talk to Dretcher while Kal looked around his safe room.
"Great! I'd knew you'd see it our way. Now sit tight and get reacquainted with the concept of hygiene. We've got one more stop to make before we get to the fun part."
Gault motioned at Kal to follow and the two left to find the last member of their crew.
They walked onto another landing platform where Kal saw a bunch of Nikito standing around.
"Punctual, gentlemen. Glad you could make it all this way. No trouble acquiring my little request, I take?" Gault asked as they arrived.
The leader, Kal assumed, spoke up.
"It's here. You got our money?"
"Of course, friend, but I'd be remiss if I didn't ask to see the goods first."
The leader whistled to his men, and they started moving. They started moving and brought over a huge nuclear bomb.
"You bought a nuke?" Kal asked Gault.
Gault merely smiled at him and then went over to inspect the bomb.
"Satisfied?" the leader asked Gault.
"This should do," Gault said.
"You got our money?" the leader asked with his men lining up behind him, guns at the ready.
"About that… I was really thinking we should renegotiate the price, you know, seeing as I don't need the whole missile."
The leader was not happy with that response and all his men began to aim their guns.
"Gault… can you not piss someone for five minutes," Kal said as he began inching for his lightsaber.
Gault looked around and saw all the guns aimed at him.
"Yeah, I thought you might feel that way," he said before he pulled out a detonator and pushed the button.
Afterwards a female voice came from the bomb's computer.
"Launch sequence initiated. Target acquired. Total atomic dispersal in T-minus one minute."
"You-you son of a- make it stop!" demanded the leader.
"Nah."
"Gault?" said Kalrin quietly.
"It'll be fine," he said.
"T-minus fifty-five seconds. Warhead primed: suffering index set to maximum."
"You're gonna pay for this," the leader screamed as his and his men all started running away trying to escape the blast radius."
When they were far away enough Gault said, "Suckers," before he pushed the button on the detonator again. And again. And again, as it beeped non-responsively each time.
"Abort sequence… aborted. No stopping me now!" the bomb said.
"Ugh, what'd she do to this thing!" Gault screamed as he went to the bomb. 'C'mon, c'mon it's not responding!"
"So, what was that earlier about things going poorly and explosions?" Kal asked.
"We haven't exploded yet have we?" he responded with.
"If I die because you wanted cheap out on your dealer, I'm going to be really pissed off Gault."
"Less threating and more helping would be nice," he said as he tore open the control panel to the wires underneath.
"Tampering detected. Emergency detonation in five seconds. Nice try, jerks!'
Gault gave out an annoyed grunt. "I can't tell if she did too terrible of a job rewiring this or too good of one."
"How does this day somehow get worse," Kal said aloud to himself.
"Three! Ooo, so close! Two…! I can't wait! One…!"
As Kal braced himself for an explosion that would probably kill him, it never came. He heard air being released from a pressure sealed place as a compartment on the top of the missile opened.
"Kaboom!" said a Twi'lek girl who had just jumped out of the bomb. When she saw the looks on Gault and the Commander's face, she burst out laughing.
"Haha! That was great! You guys should see your face," she said as she held her stomach, barreled over in laughter.
"Ha ha Vette," Gault said unamused.
"C'mon… that was pretty good. Admit it," Vette said looking at Kal.
Kal turned to Gault. "I think I'm beginning to understand what you meant earlier."
"Commander, allow me to formally introduce you to my partner Vette. Like I said earlier, she has a habit of getting where she's not wanted. Like on your nerves… for example."
Gault turned away from the Commander back to Vette.
"Did you get the warhead or were you too busy practicing your lines?" he asked unamused.
Vette merely rolled her eyes before dropping back into the bomb.
"Yes, I got it… grumpy pants," came Vette's voice from the computer.
She hopped back out of the bomb holding the warhead's explosive device.
"Though I would guess that even those lizard-brains will have figured out that nothings exploded by now."
"Right you are. Split up and meet back up at the hideout… no detours," Gault said to Vette.
"I know the plan. Toodles," she said waving her free hand to Kal while the other hand swung the explosive around like it was a toy.
Kal looked at Gault.
"I know, I know. I'll kill her myself, don't worry."
Kal merely just shook his head at that.
"Come on, let's just go grab Dretcher and meet up with everyone," Gault said walking off.
Kal, Gault, and Dretcher walked into the hideout. Dretcher broke off and immediately got to work. Kal was surprised to see Senya and Scorpio there too, along with Vette.
They all crowded around a table where Gault activated a holoprojector that displayed the schematics for a ship.
"In case you've all forgotten why you're here there's a stealth cruiser loaded with more precious metals than a Hutt's taste in art hiding down in the lower atmosphere and it's about to come up for air."
Senya looked at the ship and finally realized what they were doing here.
"How did you even hear about this? This is one of the Eternal Empire's most tightly guarded secrets," she said.
"A little bird told us. I speak stool-pigeon," answered Vette.
"Even if you do know where the ship is going to be, and when it's going to resupply, that ship has a full military compliment onboard. Not to mention a vault that could survive the ship being reduced to atoms."
"Most people would consider it impregnable but then again, we aren't most people. Are we, Senya?" said Gault.
"You do seem to know a lot about our target," commented Kal.
"Yes, well, I should. Overseeing the Gilded Star was among my duties when I still served Valkorion."
"Then you would be privy to its operational protocols," said Scorpio.
"I doubt they're still the same."
"Look, you don't have to run the thing. Just get Scorpio to the ship's control center," Vette said stepping in.
"There's no way we could infiltrate that far into the ship undetected."
"Probably not," commented Gault. "But I'm pretty sure High Justice Vaylin can go wherever she pleases."
"So that's why you needed the identity forger," Kal said as he realized the full extent of the plan.
"Exactly. We've got the best identity doctor this side of the galaxy and as close to a genetic match as we're going to get."
"I could never match Vaylin's gene-sequence like that," said Dretcher. "Although," he said as an idea came to him. "Maybe stimulating data corruption in her ID…" he trailed off as he thought about it.
"And create enough to bluff her way through. Dear old mom here can manage that, right?" Gault said giving a her a slap on the back.
"Once 'Vaylin' and her 'attache droid'", he said pointing at Senya and Scorpio respectively, "are on board, they head to the bridge, seize control of the ship, and allow the rest of us to do our parts."
"Like cracking the vault," said Vette. "It isn't controlled by the network, so I've got to get into the guts of the ship to reach the mechanism. I'll need your help," she said looking to Kal.
"Whatever you need Vette," he responded.
"Meanwhile, Lana and Theron will bridge airlocks with a tanker transport I've secured for the goods," said Gault.
"Not to doubt the plan or anything but how do you plan on us carrying an entire treasury's worth of loot out of the vault before anyone catches on to what we're doing?" asked Kal.
"Well remember how Senya mentioned that the vault could withstand everything outside of it being vaporized? Well, the same applies to the contents inside the vault."
"That's why you needed the warhead," Kal said catching on.
"I'll be pulling up the rear with the disintegration bomb. Once its done its job, we pump the atmosphere into the waiting tanker, and make our escape."
"I hate to say it but… this might actually be a genius plan of yours Gault."
"Hey!"
"Once that sucker explodes the crew's going to notice. Everybody is just going to have to high tail it to the transport before they catch on," said Vette.
"And since we've got less than a day before the Gilded Star rolls into port, I suggest everybody get real familiar with their part."
It was hours later and Kal's eyes were starting to hurt from looking over the Gilded Star's schematics so much. Feeling like he was as prepared as he was going to get Kal decided to take a break. Looking at the time he noted that there was less then an hour until the Gilded Star was supposed to roll into port.
Kal stood up from the couch and stretched, feeling stiff after sitting still for so long. After he heard a few cracks, he looked around the hideout. Him and Vette were the only two still waiting at the hideout. Kal looked at her and noted that she seemed to be bored and was attempting to kill time until the heist started.
Walking over to her he said, "Hi Vette. What you up to?"
"Hello Mr. Goody Two Shoes! I'm just sitting here bored out of my mind while waiting for the ship to arrive. What? Could you not tell?" she said sarcastically.
"Heh, no I could. What's with the Mr. Goody Two Shoes name?"
"Well, you were the poster child for the Jedi Order and Republic for a time. I figure that automatically qualifies you for the role," she said as if that explained everything.
"I didn't think you'd would keep tabs of something like that."
"Oh, I didn't. My… old master kept tabs on you. Always wanted to meet you… well meet you is not the right word. I think it was something like 'When I find that Republic dog, I'm gonna end up hanging him by his own entrails,'" she said in what Kal assumed was supposed to be a mocking voice of her old master.
"Well, your master sounds like a pleasant person," Kal said sarcastically. "When you say master…"
"I was a slave to the 'Emperor's Wrath'," she said putting the title in air quotes. "Been a slave most my life actually. It's… nice to finally be my own person."
"I'm sorry Vette. That's terrible…."
"Yeah…" she said as an uncomfortable silence started to grow between the two.
Trying to break the silence, Kal said, "You know I had one of the Emperor's Wrath switch sides and join me, actually."
"That was you?" she asked her eyes going wide. "If that's true I think you're the one who got my master his promotion. You give the guy a promotion and he wants to kill you for it… talk about a buzzkill."
"Huh… small galaxy. So, from what you've told me your master was a terrible person. How'd you end up out here then working with Gault?"
"I guess I can thank the Eternal Empire for that one. After he died the only member of the crew that was decent to me let me go. He removed my shock collar and told me to never look back, so that's what I did."
Her tone had been rueful, but she gained a genuine smile on her face and spoke joyfully.
"And then you know I went back to what I was good at, treasure hunting. That's where I ran into Gault. You know how the story goes, he tries to scam me, I try to shoot him, some stuff goes down and then we're running heists together. Just like in the story books."
"The story books huh? Exactly what story books are you reading?" Kal asked with a wry smile on his.
"Just the interesting ones," she said joking back. "Yeah Gault can be a real wild card sometimes but he's good people."
Vette stopped for a moment and realized what she said.
"Don't every tell him I said that though. I'd never hear the end of it."
Kal laughed heartily at the situation repeating itself in front of him.
"What?" asked Vette kind of annoyed she was being laughed at.
"Nothing, nothing. You're secrets safe with me," he said miming his lips being locked shut. "Well, if you have any more interesting stories I'd love to hear them sometime."
"That can be arranged… as long as the right price is met," she said joking. "But story time will have to wait," she said looking at the time. "We have a heist to start. Come on, wouldn't want to be late on your first day. That would make you look bad."
"We can't have that now can we," he said as they boarded the elevator to leave the hideout.
"Come on, you're telling me you don't want to play with little old me? Not even a little bit?" Vaylin said trying to do a cutesy tone of voice.
Scourge didn't say anything and merely gave a disapproving grunt at her actions.
"High Empress, Vaylin!" an honor guard interrupted with a salute.
"What?" she growled out.
"We'll be arriving on Vandin in less than two hours."
"Great," she said unenthusiastically. Upon noticing the guard still standing there she said, "You may go already."
The guard nodded and ran off as fast as he could. Vaylin turned back to Scourge.
"When my new toy doesn't want to play with me that makes me sad," she said with a fake pout.
Scourge merely grunted again, as if to say, "what do I care".
"Fine, be that way," she said storming off.
"Finally!" said Gault as they arrived. "I was beginning to think you two weren't going to make it. And just in time too, the Gilded Star, just as I promised," he said pointing to specific section of the air.
Kal followed his finger and saw as a ship decloaked and attached to the docking port.
"Not going to lie," said Vette. "I was expecting it to be shinier."
"Well gold-plated and steal ship don't exactly line up now do they?" said Gault.
Vette just shrugged in response.
"Now we just have to hope mommy dearest remembers her daughter's birthday."
"I can kill you from here, Gault," came the voice of Vaylin through the comms.
Kal was brought back to his time in the cave on Odessen.
"I'll be seeing you soon… Kalrin."
He shook his head to clear himself of the fog the memory induced.
"Great… really getting into the spirit of your character. At least, from what I hear," responded Gault.
"Shut up."
"We are approaching the checkpoint," interrupted Scorpio. "No further communications are warranted until the bridge is under our control."
"Roger. Good luck," said Kal.
"Well now all we have to do is wait," said Gault. "Assuming everything goes according to plan. But hey, if something does go wrong, now is the best time for that… for us anyways."
"No one gets left behind Gault," Kal said with a modicum of a threat behind it.
"Only kidding. I'd never abandon a close personal associate in their time of need."
"What about that thing with Kai?" said Vette.
"He was an idiot," he said as a defense.
Kal looked at Vette and raised an eyebrow.
"Well, he's not wrong," she said to Kal.
"I am now in complete control of the Gilded Star's network. I will isolate the vessel's sentinels to the best of this system's ability," said Scorpio over the comms.
"And that would be our cue. Let's get this show on the road boys and girls," said Gault.
The trio was about to walk around the corner to the elevator that would lead them to the Gilded Star when Gault put his hand up and pushed the two back.
"Hold up."
He peeked around the corner and saw two Knights standing guard on either side of the elevator shaft.
"Two knights on guard. I got just the thing for this."
Saying that he reached for his belt and pulled out a grenade.
"Fire in the hole!" he said as he chucked the grenade at the Knights.
The Knights only had enough time to turn and see what caused the sound of something landing near them when they were blasted backwards and slammed into the walls on either side.
"That's one way to clear an entrance," said Vette.
The group got into the elevator and began their ride to the top.
"I've initiated a lockdown under the guise of a drill. It won't last forever but it should help to cover up some of the noise you will be making," said Scorpio.
"Thanks Scorpio," said Kal.
"Also, I will be able to prevent any reinforcements from closing on your position but any hostiles in the way will need to be eliminated."
At that moment the elevator doors opened as they reached the top and three Skytroopers, with their back towards the door were standing there.
"Such as the Skytroopers guarding the elevator shaft," continued Scorpio.
Hearing the elevator open the Skytroopers turned to the elevator and raised their gun at the intruders. Kal reacted quickly though and swiftly decapitated the three Skytroopers with his lightsaber.
"A little more warning next time would be great!" yelled Gault.
"Very well. Do watch out for the five additional Skytroopers on your right."
The group turned their heads to the right as they exited the elevator and saw five Skytroopers with their guns already raised start firing at them.
"I'm starting to hate that droid," said Gault as he dropped to avoid the incoming fire.
Kal deflected the lasers back as best he could, managing to destroy one of the Skytroopers. He saw a shot come in and head for Vette which he stepped in front of and deflected.
"Thanks," she said drawing her own blaster pistols and destroying two of the Skytroopers. "I owe you one."
"Don't worry about it," Kal said waving it off.
Gault meanwhile took out his rifle and aimed two precision headshots which eliminated the remaining Skytroopers.
"No more surprises like that, I hope," he said.
They walked through the docking tube and arrived at a sealed bulkhead door for the ship.
"Scorpio, the docking bay tube door is sealed. Can you open it on your end?" asked Kal.
"Affirmative. Be warned, a hostile Knight is standing guard on the other side of it."
"Nice of her to give us a waning this time," commented Gault.
When the door opened, the Knight was surprised to see a group of heavily armed intruders standing there. His surprise didn't last long though as Kal force pulled him towards himself and impaled him.
"Kind of brutal don't ya think?" said Vette.
"Being my enemy isn't generally healthy," said Kal.
"Noted."
Vette looked past the body laying on the floor and saw large ventilation grates.
"Oh, here! Help me get this off."
The group worked together to remove the panel and it revealed a very large ventilation shaft behind it.
"Okay. I ought to be able to reach the vault mechanism along this route. Keep clearing a path for Gault and I'll see you soon Mr. Two Shoes!" she said as she climbed into the vent and began to crawl her way through.
"Man, I hope they check for Mynocks," said Gault.
"Are you sure those schematics were scaled in meters? I can hardly move," said Vette over the comms.
"My last partner didn't complain nearly this much."
"Your last partner was crushed to death."
"And never once complained about it!" he yelled into the ventilation shaft.
Kal and Gault were tearing their way through Skytroopers on their way to the vault when Vette came over the comms.
"Score!" she said. A few seconds later they heard "Oof… that's heavy."
"What's heavy? Are you in the vault?" asked Gault.
"What? Oh, it's nothing, nothing. Almost there."
Kal and Gault looked at each other.
"So…" said Kal.
"I'm sure it's… not a big deal. Let's just get to that vault."
Kal and Gault had just finished clearing out the officer and the Skytroopers standing guard outside the vault.
"Alright Vette, we're here," said Gault.
"Just… gimme a sec."
"Time's a ticking."
"Hey, you wanna cut through a foot of cortosis and steel while hanging upside down in a half-meter crawlspace?" When she didn't receive a response, she continued with, "I didn't think so."
A few seconds later she went "There! Try it now… Jerk."
"I heard that," said Gault.
Kal pushed the button on the console and the vault opening sequence started up.
"Good work Vette. Come on down," Kal said.
"The sequence will take a few seconds before it finishes," commented Gault.
The two of them turned as an air duct fell from the ceiling and clattered to the ground. Out came Vette with a giant machine gun.
"Uhh… Vette?" said Kal.
"What? I wanted to see the inside of the vault," she said. She looked down to what Kal was looking at. "Oh that! I found her while I was in the armory. I think I'm gonna call her Spewie."
Kal and Gault shared another look between each other.
"Right… you do that," said Gault.
They turned and walked into the vault as the door finally opened. Around them lied piles upon piles of massive credit bars.
Vette whistled appreciatively as she looked around.
"Would you look at that," she said.
"I've been rich, filthy rich, but nothing like this. Counting the zeros on a balance sheet can't even compare. There's just something magical about the real thing."
"I can't even begin to put a number to all this," said Kal.
"At a certain point you just stop counting," said Gault.
Gault bent down and placed the warhead. He pushed a few buttons on it and stood back up.
"She's ready to blow, just got to hit the switch now."
"Good, let's hit th-" Kal stopped himself when he felt the force calling out to him. It felt feint, angry, scared, but most importantly… it felt like Kira.
"Hold on… there's something else here," Kal said walking further in and looking around.
Now it was Gault and Vette's turn to look at each other. They shrugged and followed him into the vault.
As he reached the end of the vault he turned into an alcove. His eyes went wide as he froze in place.
"Is that a," started Gault.
"Person frozen in carbonite?" finished Vette.
Kal didn't say anything and walked up to the control panel. Hitting a few buttons, he began the process to thaw them out of the carbonite.
"What is the hold up? I can't keep them distracted forever," asked Scorpio.
"Ran into some complications. This mission just turned into part heist, part rescue mission. Give us a few moments," said Kal.
Gault was looking towards the entrance, making sure they didn't have any surprise visitors.
Finally, the dethawing process was completed and Kira fell from the carbonite prison, onto the floor.
"Who is she?" asked Vette, taking her appearance in.
"My wife," answered Kal simply.
Kira shakily raised herself form the floor onto her feet.
"I don't want to interrupt your meeting or anything, but we don't have all day to stand around," said Vette.
"Just give her a second," ordered Kal.
Kal was just a foot or two away from her as he waited for her to get her bearings. Eventually she opened her eyes and stared right at him.
"Kal?" she asked weakly.
"Kira…" he responded with a massive smile.
Vette was watching the scene and saw that Kira looked unstable and about to collapse.
"Catch her, she's about-"
In the middle of her saying that Kira collapsed and Kal caught her in his arms.
"- to fall."
Kal adjusted her in his arms until he was able to hold her comfortably.
"I got you," he whispered to her.
Kal turned back around to Vette and Gault.
"Let's finish this up. We're leaving as soon as possible," ordered Kal.
"Don't have to tell me twice," said Vette as the group left the vault.
"I'd offer to let you do the honors, but you seem to have your hands full," Gault said motioning to Kira. "So, Vette, would you like to?"
"Hell yeah I would!"
She quickly grabbed the detonator out of Gault's hand and pushed the button. The was a few seconds of silence as they waited, and then a massive explosion that shook the ship.
"Payload is delivered, it's time for the paydirt," Gault said to Scorpio and Lana.
Lana, upon hearing confirmation, flew the cargo ship in and hovered it next to the Gilded Star.
"We are in position… extending umbilical… seal is tight. All green," she said.
"Airlock… disengaged. Opening door… Commencing depressurization…," said Scorpio.
"Tank is filling. So far, so good," said Lana.
"It will take approximately ten minutes seventeen seconds to siphon a space of that volume."
"Plenty of time for us to make our exit," said Gault. "Scorpio, Senya, you two start clearing out. We'll head for the ship."
"The detonation has not gone unnoticed. After we vacate the bridge, I will no longer be able to maintain a complete lockdown."
"Just scramble the systems best you can and leg it to the tanker. We'll meet you there."
"Great," Vette said picking up her heavy machine gun. "I hope I get to use this thing."
Kal took one look around the corner and then backed up.
"You may get your wish sooner rather than later. Whole contingent of Skytroopers coming down the hall."
"Don't worry. Me and Spewie got this," she said rubbing her hand affectionately on the gun.
Kal laid Kira down gently on the ground, resting her against one of the walls.
"Make sure nothing happens to her," he said to Gault as he took out his lightsaber and rushed down the hall.
Vette had stepped out into the open and was now unloading on the Skytroopers with her new gun. The fire rate and recoil were a little more then she was used to though and a stray shot found its way towards Kal.
Kal was in the middle of slashing Skytroopers when he felt a warning from the Force and dodged sideways.
"Vette! Watch where you're shooting that thing," he said.
"Sorry! Sorry! Still getting used to this thing… my bad."
Kal finished off the last of the Skytroopers and returned to pick up Kira.
Having Kira securely fasted in his arms he turned to Vette.
"You know next time I would appreciate you not shooting me," he said jokingly.
"Hey, I didn't shoot you. I shot at you… There's a difference."
"Uh huh," Kal said not agreeing with her.
The group ran for their designated exit point, but the blast doors sealed as they got close.
"Blast!" yelled Gault as he begins searching for a way to open the door.
"We're at capacity and Scorpio and Senya are on board. What's the situation?" asked Lana.
"We're keeping them busy on our end, but I don't think we're any closer to reaching you," said Gault. "Scorpio do you still have any control over the blast doors?"
"Only through direct input," she responded.
"Great… just bug out before anyone notices you guys flying around out there. We'll take the skyhook back down and meet you at the hideout."
"Onto plan B already?" asked Vette.
"At least we haven't had to go to plan C yet," responded Gault.
Vaylin and Scourge were walking up to the elevator with a platoon of Skytroopers when they noticed the bodies.
"Somebody is trying to attack the ship," she snarled.
"Get up there and kill everything," she ordered to the Skytroopers who used their jets and flew off to board the Gilded Star.
Scourge stopped moving as he felt a presence through the force.
"He's here," he said.
"What?" asked Vaylin.
"The Outlander and your father… they're here."
"Well, you certainly know how to brighten a girl's day," she said as she took on a sadistic grin while they boarded the elevator.
Meanwhile one of Gault's contacts were watching from the shadows below. He contacted Gault to warn him about the incoming reinforcements.
The group had just made it back to the docking tube connecting the Gilded Star to the elevator shaft when Gault received a call.
"Yeah, what is it… Uh huh… got it, thanks."
While Gault was on his call, Kal felt a presence in the Force. One that was familiar but one that he hadn't sensed in a long time.
"Well, Vaylin and someone else are coming up that elevator so there goes plan B," Gault relayed to the rest of the team.
"So, what's plan C?" asked Kal.
Gault and Vette shared a look between each other before Gault turned back to Kal.
"Run and hope for a plan D."
"That's it? What about the escape pods, or calling back the tanker to pick us up?" Kal said giving some ideas.
"No, it'd be too slow. Not to mention it's our only bargaining chip if we get caught, and I'd rather wind up caught than take your other suggestion. We'd never be seen again down in that murk. We could call the shuttle in but where…"
Gault gave it some thought for a second. "We have to go around."
"There is no around," responded Kal.
"There is out there," Gault said pointing to the outside of the ship.
"You want us to scale the ship?" asked Vette like he was crazy.
"Pretty much. Look there's no time to stand here arguing, so I recommend you lodge your complaints at a steady jog."
"I can't carry Spewie around and climb the exterior," said Vette.
"Then I guess you're just going to have to leave it behind," said Gault.
Vette pouted.
"Look if we get out of here alive, I'll buy you one," said Kal.
Vette nodded then dropped the gun.
"Goodbye Spewie. I'll never forget you."
"Theron, come in! Do you read?" Kal said into his wrist communicator.
"I read you Commander," came Theron's voice.
"We need an immediate pick up of the Gilded Star. Meet us on top of the exterior of the ship."
"The exterior?" he asked making sure.
"Yes, and double time it," ordered Kal.
"Aye aye, Commander."
"High Justice!" A Knight said running up to Vaylin. "We have reports of a skirmish occurring on the exterior of the ship."
"The Outlander," she said clenching her fist. "Scourge, go take care of him. I have to check on the vault."
Scourge nodded and rushed off to cut off the Outlander.
'Why do I always have to get stuck with the boring parts of the job. I never get to have any fun with my toys,' Vaylin thought, sighing internally.
Gault and Vette had just finished off the last of the Skytroopers blocking their path on the exterior walkways of the Gilded Star, while Kal was staying down with Kira.
"All clear!" yelled Vette.
Kal emerged from cover and called Theron.
"ETA?"
"Oh, three seconds, I'd say," came over the comm as the shuttle rose into view from below the ship. The boarding ramp was extended, and Theron was standing there.
"Come on!" he yelled to the group, raising his voice to not have it drowned out by the sounds of the wind.
The group ran over to the shuttle and Gault and Vette boarded first. Theron noticed Kal holding someone he hadn't seen in a long time.
"Is that-" started Theron.
"Yes, it is," said Kal. "Here," he said handing Kira over to Theron. "Take her."
"Commander?" questioned Theron.
"Someone's coming." Kal said as he turned and ignited his lightsaber.
Scourge emerged and stepped onto the walkway. Freezing when he spotted him. He reached for his lightsaber, and ignited it, but stood there and didn't say anything. He looked at the ship and then quickly ripped a panel of the wall and threw it at the ship. It hit the ship with a loud bang.
"He hit the stabilizer!" screamed the shuttle pilot. "I'm losing control! We're going down!" Kal heard as the ship descended back below the edge of the Gilded Star.
"Why do I get the feeling you haven't come to talk," said Kal switching into a combat ready position.
Scourge pointed his lightsaber at Kal and finally spoke.
"The Emperor still lives within you. As long as he lives, he is a threat to everything in the galaxy. This is the way it must be."
"You might recall the last time you tried this, it didn't end so well for you," he said referencing that time on board the Emperor's space station.
Kal saw a slight grimace appear on Scourge's face before he leapt at Kal. Kal quickly brought his guard up and blocked the attack. The two exchanged blows walking back and forth along the walkway as they switched between defense and offense.
"Why Scourge?" asked Kal as they came to deadlock. "We could've worked together to take down the Emperor and Zakuul. Instead, you've turned to working with Arcann."
"My purpose for the past three hundred years has been working towards the annihilation of the Emperor. I will not let anyone get in the way of that, not even you."
Suddenly Kal heard Theron's voice come over his comm link.
"We're coming back in for a pickup but we're not letting him have the opportunity to hit us again. Get ready to jump," he said.
Kal looked behind Scourge and saw that far at the other end of the walkway Vaylin and a company of Skytroopers had arrived.
"So, I guess this is it then, isn't it?" Kal asked.
"I guess so," said Scourge pushing down harder with his lightsaber.
"Shame," said Kal before he kicked out the side of Scourge's leg and force pushed him back into a wall.
As Kal heard the sound of a body impacting metal he heard Theron yell, "Jump!" over his comm.
He backflipped over the railing of the ship and felt himself land on top of the shuttle. After Theron confirmed the Commander had landed, he had the pilot start flying away.
Kal stood on top of the shuttle as it began to climb and fly away. He locked eyes with the down form of Scourge for a few seconds. All he saw was malice and hatred before he broke eye contact and climbed inside the shuttle.
"So, you find your missing wife, and then an old friend of yours tries to kill you," commented Theron. "Do you ever have a normal day?"
Kal chuckled. "Not often, no."
"Well settle in, we've got a few hours to kill before we're back at Odessen. We'll meet up with the Tanker in orbit in a few minutes." He then pointed a finger behind him. "I've set Kira down on the couch over there."
"Thanks, Theron," Kal said putting his hand on his shoulder and giving it a light squeeze.
He made his way over to the couch and looked down at Kira's sleeping form. Reaching out with the bond he was able to feel her wholly once again. He was able to tell that she was having a peaceful dream. He didn't realize how much he had truly missed being able to feel her.
He sat down on the couch next to her and gently raised her head, letting it fall back down onto his lap. He relaxed back into the couch himself as he prepared for the flight back to Odessen.
Vette walked over to him. "You know you say I must have some good stories but if finding your wife frozen in carbonite and being attacked by a former friend is any indication, you must also have some great ones."
"Yeah, I guess we'll have to swap tales sometime."
"I'll buy the first round," she said. "After all, it's the least I can do after you buy me my new gun," she said referencing his promise to get her a machine gun.
"Right, I forgot about that. I'll get you your gun, promise."
"That's all I need then," she said before walking away and taking a seat.
As Kal closed his eyes to get some rest, he heard his comm beeping. Looking at it, he was receiving a call from Lana.
"What happened down there? First, I hear it turned into some sort of rescue mission, and the next thing I know your fighting an old crew member of yours."
"We found her, Lana. We found Kira," he said with joy.
"You did?" she asked surprised but with joy in her voice. "Is she…?"
"She's fine. Just sleeping everything off right now."
"Good. Good. I'm glad." There was a pause for a few seconds before she continued. "We should talk when we reach Odessen."
"Yeah, I'd like that."
"Great," she said, her enthusiasm not matching the word. "I'll speak to you then," she said and disconnected the call.
Kal looked down and ran his hands through Kira's hair. A smile subconsciously grew on her face at his actions. Seeing a smile on her face, brought a smile to his.
'Everything will be all right,' he though to himself as he shut his eyes and prepared to get some rest.
When they landed the first thing Kal did was rush Kira over to the hospital wing. After handing her over to the doctor on call he waited while they checked her over.
"Her vitals look good, Commander. As far as I can tell, she's merely resting. Give her some time and she'll wake up on her own," the doctor reported.
"Thank you."
"Of course, Commander," she said before bowing and taking her leave.
Kal walked over to her bedside, sat down, and intertwined her hand with his.
"Hey there Kira. It feels like forever since I've just gotten to see you… and it was worse for you then it was for me. Life hasn't always made things easy for us has it. It's a miracle were alive most days, isn't it?"
He received no answer, or any indication she was listening, besides the subtle rise and fall of her chest.
"But I need you to know that nothing is going to keep us apart. Not anymore. This is the last time I'll allow us to be separated like this," he said squeezing her hand.
"In your message, you were worried about how you've changed, about how I would perceive you. But you're not the only one who's changed. I've had to do things I'm not proud of and I'm going to have to do plenty more before this war is over. But whatever may come, we'll face it together, as a team," he said giving her hand another squeeze.
Kal turned when he heard the door to the medical bay slide open. Standing there was Lana. She looked at Kal and then at the supine form of Kira and rushed over.
Lana took a second and ran her hand over Kira's face, as if to confirm that she was actually there.
"It's really good to see her," she said.
"Yeah… it is," he said smiling at her.
She met his gaze for a second before her eyes faltered.
"I hate to… I don't mean to…" she stuttered over her words before stopping to take a breath. "Hylo wants to see us to debrief," she finally said.
"It's okay, don't worry about it. Duty first, right?" he said trying to get her to relax.
"Right…"
They were walking out the door when Kal thought to himself that he didn't feel right leaving Kira here all alone and unguarded. He saw Senya walking past.
"Senya, can you stay here for a few minutes and guard Kira? I need to debrief with Hylo."
"Of course, Commander, I'd be happy to."
"Thanks, it means a great deal to me."
She nodded to him in understanding.
"Be back as soon as I can," he yelled as Lana and him ran off.
Senya stepped inside the medical room and shut the door behind her. She walked over to the body she saw lying on the bed. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw who it was.
"Oh my god…"
Kal and Lana walked in to see Hylo and Gault sharing a kiss. When Hylo noticed the Commander walk in she broke it apart.
"Ah Commander! Thank you for keeping my worse half out of trouble."
"You two are dating? That would explain earlier I guess," he said thinking back about Hylo's comments about Gault.
Gault looked between them with a confused look. "What?"
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," responded Kal.
Gault gave a slight gulp as he looked at Hylo. "Right… Anyways can we move on to my favorite part and divvy up the loot?"
"Already taken care of. You, Vette, and Dretcher are already paid out. I took the liberty of skimming what you still owe me off yours," she said to Gault.
"Well take all the fun out of it why don't you," he said while sulking.
"Your idea of fun is why your divvying privileges are revoked."
"What did you do anyways?" asked Kal.
"He only ran out on me with the biggest score of our careers," answered Hylo.
"And I've regretted it ever since."
Hylo raised an eyebrow to that.
"Well, after the shine worse off. A little older, a little wiser, you know?"
Now Kal raised an eyebrow at Gault.
"Okay… maybe a lot older. It was a formative moment," he said getting annoyed with the looks he was getting.
"The point is we're on to bigger and better things… like figuring out how to spend an ocean of liquid happiness. Now what you do with your cut is your business but if you wanted to say, triple it, I might have a thing in the works," he said to the Commander.
"Our goal was to fund the Alliance, not personal gain," Lana said to Kal.
"Who says it can't be both? You just need a little ambition," Gault said still trying to convince Kal.
"Or you could try giving for once? See what you've been missing?" chimed in Vette.
"My share's going toward buying back some of the artifacts stolen from my people, freeing slaves…. you know, just generally giving Twi'leks a better place in the galaxy."
"That's a wonderful goal Vette," responded Kal.
"Honestly Commander the reason I asked you down here is we have way more then we need for operations. What do you want to do with the excess?"
"Put it back into the Alliance. Get more defenses, ships, troops, whatever. Every credit we have needs to go towards overthrowing Arcann."
"A smart idea, Commander," commented Lana.
"I'll give you a rundown of the books as soon as we've got real numbers to work with," said Hylo.
"Wasted opportunity chum, but I won't fault you for playing it safe under the circumstances," said Gault.
Kal dusted his hands together.
"And with that, I believe our business is concluded."
"I don't know," said Gault. "You've got a handy little outfit here. Besides, I wouldn't want Hylo here to get lonely."
"You sure you're talking about me?" Hylo responded.
"And I wouldn't mind sticking around as a morale officer. Kicking Arcann's butt should require a full-time party planner," said Vette.
Kal gave a light laugh. "We'd be glad to have you."
Vette smiled at that.
"Speaking of," said Gault as he walked over and grabbed a bottle of liquor. "This stuff sells for more then most freighters. Grab some glasses and get to know what success tastes like."
"You guys enjoy, I have somewhere else I need to be," commented Kal.
"And I'll be joining him, good work today everyone," said Lana.
Suddenly Theron ran into Hylo's section.
"Commander! Jorgan and Kaliyo just landed in the docking bay!"
He shared a surprised look with Lana.
"You guys have fun, gotta go," he said running of to the hanger with Lana and Theron right behind him.
When Kal turned the corner into the hangar bay, he saw Jorgan standing over five coffins with the Republic symbol on them. Kaliyo was there too, standing in front of some device with a datapad.
"Oh no…" Theron said as he turned the corner and took in what he saw.
Jorgan looked at the coffins then looked to Kaliyo angry.
"Total mission failure! We'll never get another shot at the target because of you. This is what happens when a criminal gets in the way of real soldiers!" he said stomping over to her.
"You're welcome!" she screamed back. "Next time I'll let the enemy kill you."
"We had them in a corner," he said pointing back at the coffins, "until you started tossing thermal detonators. I lost five good people because of your lack of discipline!"
Kal, Lana, and Theron walked over to the two.
"If they were so good, why are they dead?" asked Kaliyo.
Jorgan's anger got the better of him and he lashed out, punching Kaliyo straight across the face.
"Enough!" yelled out Kal. "What the hell is going on here?" he asked.
"What's going on Commander, is that this criminal ruined everything," responded Jorgan.
"It wasn't a complete loss," said Kaliyo rubbing her face and starring daggers at Jorgan. "I grabbed something on the way out," she said pointing to the device behind her.
"My fire team covered you."
"Yeah, yeah," she said waving off Jorgan. "Point is, we lifted this datacore from the security console right outside that hyperwave relay station. It's not the key to the Gemini Frequency but it does contain a massive file archive all about those droids."
"I'll put Scorpio to work. See if there is anything to salvage from this fiasco," said Lana.
"Whatever's in those files better be good. Too many people died getting them," Kal said.
"Nobody regrets those losses more then me, Commander. The casualties were unacceptable," Jorgan said sadly.
Theron spoke up for the first time. "That just leaves the issue of dealing with Kaliyo. She disobeyed a direct order from you when she went after Major Jorgan. In the SIS, she'd be classified as a rouge agent and sanctioned accordingly."
"You have anything to say for yourself, Kaliyo?" asked Kal.
"You knew who I was when you hired me. I shouldn't have to apologize."
"You're right… I did… and that was one of the worst mistakes I've ever made. I let fear get the better of me. The Alliance needs people it can trust and that isn't you. It won't ever be you. Get out," he said pointing out of the hangar, "and don't come back."
"Yeah, see if I care. I've been fired from better jobs then this," she said as she walked off to grab one of the shuttles in the hangar bay.
"We can't just let her leave. She knows our location. Our plans," said Theron.
"I know…" responded Kal.
Theron grew confused and took a step back. "You… What?"
"Major Jorgan, Theron, you are dismissed."
Kal pulled up his wrist communicator and contacted the command center.
"Get me the fighters on patrol right now," he ordered to the staff at the command center.
Theron and Jorgan shared a worried look between each other before Theron spoke up.
"Commander-"
"I said dismissed. Go," he said watching as they didn't move. "Now," he ordered, not taking no for an answer.
Theron and Jorgan reluctantly left the hangar. Kal walked to the end of the hangar bay and Lana followed.
"Earlier you asked me if I thought you were a monster and I hesitated and faltered. I'm sorry. You're not a monster. You are one of the greatest, kindest, and most loyal people I know to those you care about."
"Kal-" she said trying to speak up, but he kept going.
"When I met with Satele and Darth Marr, Marr said to me that this Alliance would collapse if I didn't know myself… my code." Kal looked at his lightsaber. A reminder of the new him.
"After Kaliyo blew up the city… those people… I wanted to kill her right then and there, but I stopped myself. Told myself that I needed to let her live. That it was for the greater good because she would be another gun that could help stop Arcann… I was wrong."
They reached the end of the hanger and were able to see out from the mountain top to all of the surrounding area.
"Red leader here, Commander. What can we do for you?" came over Kal's comm unit.
"A shuttle is taking off. It can't be allowed to reach atmosphere… shoot to kill."
"Yes, Commander! We'll take care of it."
"I let fear compromise who I am… who I was. But you were right. This war is going to require us to do terrible things sometimes. Things we may not want to do, but we will, because we know we need to to win the war," he said looking at Kaliyo's shuttle flying off in the distance as two fighters pulled in behind her.
"Target is a lock Commander. Permission to fire?" came Red leader's voice.
"In the end, all we can hope for is that after all is said and done… is that it will have meant something… that the ends justify the means."
Kal gave one last look at the ship and then at Lana. Her eyes were wide with surprise. Slowly he raised his wrist communicator.
"Permission granted."
Lana turned and watched as the fighters lit up the shuttle and time seemed to slow down. The glow of the lasers impacting the ship flashed before her as she watched the ship take hit after hit.
And then it exploded, and time resumed.
A faint boom was heard even with them all the way back at the base. Lana watched as flaming pieces of the shuttle slowly rained down before she turned to Kal.
"You see your question scared me, but not because I think you're a monster. I could never think that," he said as he turned to watch the flaming wreckage fall.
"It scared me because I realized who I truly was. The abomination I see every time I look in the mirror."
His face was stoic as he turned back to Lana and met her eyes. He resigned himself for what he knew was coming.
"So, you see, it's not you who needs to ask me if I will be okay loving a monster. It's me who-"
He was cut off by Lana grabbing and him silencing him with a passionate kiss. It continued for a while with Lana only taking a second or two to breath here and there before she attacked him once more. Eventually she broke apart from him.
"I love you," she said. "I have known so much darkness in my time. I have seen the worst of people, through the Sith. Believe me when I say you are nothing like them," she said taking his face between her hands.
"You are goodness and all that it entails with it. You are pure. You are light personified." She stopped and ran her finger over his face as she met his eyes with wet ones of her own. "And you are my light," she said gently before she kissed him once more.
"And when the time comes to make the hard decisions, you won't be alone. Whatever the consequences, what ever the costs… we'll bear that burden together. Okay?"
"But Lana-"
"Okay?" she said more forcefully.
Kal looked at her and gave a sigh of relief and understanding.
"Okay," he breathed out.
Lana smiled before moving in and kissing him once more. This one was just as passionate but unlike earlier it wasn't aggressive. It wasn't a show of trying to dominate the other. It was slow, and full of life and full of love… and it was perfect.
Kal and Lana were walking back to the medical bay, hand in hand. Normally she wasn't one for public displays of affection, but she was willing to make an exception today. They had just turned the corner and were walking up to the door of Kira's room.
"Hopefully she'll be awake soon, I've missed her-" Lana stopped when the door to the room was blasted outwards with Senya flying out with them.
The personal around took note of the noise and ran for cover. The alarm started sounding and Imperial and Republic troopers came rushing in and had their blasters drawn and pointed at the hole where the door used to be. A second later out stepped Kira, with her double-bladed lightsaber drawn.
"Stand down!" yelled Kal to the guards when he saw her standing there.
The guards all reluctantly did as they were told and put away their weapons. Kira turned to Kal, recognizing his voice.
"Kal!" she said happily as she took note of him standing there and rushed over to hold him.
She put away her lightsaber and ran over and wrapped her arms around his neck before she squeezed herself tightly to him.
"I've missed you so much," she said as she began holding him even tighter.
"I missed you too," he said wrapping his arms around her.
Lana smiled at the little interaction between the two and said, "What? No hug for me?"
Kira turned and smiled when she saw Lana standing there too.
"Lana!" she said before she switched over and the two were now hugging each other.
Kal looked around and still saw all the guards standing there, while the non-combatants were peeking their heads over cover to see what was going on.
"Good response time everyone, but I'll take it from here. Go back to what you were doing," he said to the group.
The people hearing that everything was under control went back to work as the alarm stopped sounding.
"Lana, I'm so sorry!" she began with. "I should have listened to you. If I had only waited none of this-"
Lana cut her off. "Shh, it's okay," she said rubbing the small of her back. "You're safe now and back here with us. That's all that matters."
The two broke apart their hug and took a step back.
Kira sniffled and wiped a tear from her eye. "Thanks."
Lana smiled at her. Kal glad to see them getting along went over to help Senya up.
"You alright?" he asked as he extended his hand.
Senya reached up and accepted the offer for help. He pulled her to her feet.
"I think I'll have a nasty bump on my head for a while," she said rubbing the back of her head. "But I'll be fine."
Kira, who momentarily forget about Senya, broke apart from Lana and grabbed her lightsaber again.
"Kira wha-"
"Kal get away from her. That's the woman who captured me in the first place!"
AN: Well at almost 14,000 words this was the longest chapter of them all. I just had so much I wanted to tell, and I didn't want to break the chapter apart anywhere.
I hope you guys liked it. This chapter is definitely the one I'm most proud of so far, so let me know if you did.
And with this chapter came about information about what has happened to 6 of the 8 original starting classes. The Smuggler and Jedi Counselor are still missing but don't expect anything to come up with them. I never finished the Counselor's storyline as I find it boring and couldn't get through it. As for the Smuggler I imagine they're still off running around the galaxy with their crew doing… whatever it is they do.
Assuming they still live that brings the total score up to 4 out of the 8 still alive. 3 dead and 1 happily retired.
In case you need a recap
JK- Alive
JC- Alive
Smuggler- Alive
Trooper – Dead
Agent – Dead
SW – Dead
SI- Alive and on the counsel :) I wonder if this is a hint of them playing a roll later…
BH- Retired
Well guys as always hit me up if you have any questions and I'll see you in the next one,
Magician
Published 8/8/21