Chapter 25: Dawn

Erkady Dresco stood before them, his crimson eyes glowing, twin scarlet orbs shining in the fading light, and yes, the light was fading, the corridors growing darker by the second.

Yet, the light in the Anzati's eyes never dimmed, they glowed brightly, and full of malice…

…full…of hunger.

It was taking all of Jas' strength to keep his blade up between the monster, and his allies. Miri couldn't move, she was frozen, caught in whatever it was the Anzat was doing to her.

Val was the only thing…

"Jas…Jas…I…I can't…"

He dared a glance over, it took barely a microsecond, he didn't dare risk anything else.

Char Valenthyne's blasters clattered to the deck before them, her face, now had the same expression as Miri's.

"I…I…can't…"

She stood rail straight, a mirror image of Fallenstar, trapped in the same trap.

Val's green eyes were wide and frightened, a single word escaped her lips.

"Help."

She said no more, she stood there, caught in the creature's web, held in check by its baleful gaze.

Jas glared at this Erkady Dresco, this monster.

"Let them go," he ordered, raising his lightsaber slightly.

"I can't," Dresco said sweetly, "they have chosen to become mine; they are…"

"I SAID LET THEM GO, SNOT VAMPIRE!"

Erkady Dresco wrinkled his nose, he looked upon Jas with distaste.

"Snot Vampire," he spat, "How rude, Jas Dar Bynn. Did your Jedi Master not teach you to respect your elders? I am superior to you in every way, you would be wise to try and cultivate my favor."

He heard giggling behind him, the two Yimm sisters remained at Dresco's side, Jas could only assume their time among the collective was over.

It seems they had found a new master, one that shared their desire for the suffering of others.

Not unlike their sister, he thought, though…she paid for that desire.

He pushed such thoughts away, at least…for now.

He would answer for what he did to their sister, later, for now…

…he had to save himself, and the others.

What happened next…it didn't matter.

The Anzati glared at him.

"Lower your blade, boy, NOW!" he ordered, "YOU ARE MINE!"

Jas felt it, that pull to obey, to let himself slip into his fears and doubts, to await the will of the creature before him, the ageless evil that demanded his respect.

Yet, one thing kept him from submitting, one piece of knowledge helped him stay where he was, in the here and now.

Exar Kun and Darth Revan.

Two names that were as well-known as they were reviled.

This Anzati had worked for the Sith, or so he claimed. If it was true, then…he was a problem. Who knew how many Jedi he had slain over the years? It was tempting to believe that he was lying; that what he was saying was some type of trick.

He couldn't be that old, or well connected…could he?

Yet, he knew my master, the hate that radiated when he said her name was real, and…legends spoke of Anzati living for centuries, if not longer.

This creature could be telling the truth; that he was some ageless servant of the darkness, and now…it fell to Jas to deal with it, to survive it.

Lucky me.

He took a deep breath, and reached out, deep into the Force, it was there, the sea of light, its warm embrace pushing back the cold darkness that the creature before him was using, burning away the snare that was trying to hold him.

Jas was unafraid.

The light…it was always there.

He would not submit.

He glared right back at the creature.

"No," he growled. His saber guard not faltering.

"You do NOT control me!"

For the briefest of moments, the Anzati's smile faltered, a brief sense of disbelief and fear echoed out through the darkness, but then…it was gone.

Erkady Dresco smiled.

"You are strong," he purred, "Far stronger than other Jedi that I've met in recent decades."

He chuckled.

"It has been far too long that I sensed a true Jedi Knight. Yes, so very long."

Jas didn't answer, he didn't get distracted.

A true Jedi Knight?

Hardly.

He was merely seeking to protect his friends, protect the galaxy from the thing standing before him.

This evil.

It was not a word he threw around easily.

Jas had never been one to call someone or something evil. Evil was normally just a point of view. To the Republic, the Mandalore clans were evil. To the security forces, he, Coop, and the rest of his organization were evil. It was all a matter of perspective…usually…

Jas frowned.

…sadly, there were exceptions to that rule…what stood before him, the creature he now faced…he sensed only malice, and the desire to feast on others, to revel in pain and loss.

In this moment, he realized that he had been wrong. Evil…was not just a matter of perspective, he had finally met one of the exceptions.

Erkady Dresco, this Anzati, was one of them, he was…evil.

Jas would not let it escape.

He couldn't.

"You're different," the creature continued, "Your power is rooted in the Force, not the order, or the Republic that seeks to control it. The Republic could fall tomorrow and you wouldn't care, would you?"

Jas shrugged; he had never really given it much thought.

"I don't need some chancellor or Senator to tell me where to stand. I know where I will be. I will hold the line between the people of this galaxy, and…monsters like you."

"Monsters," Dresco cackled, "Oh, we are going to have such fun you and I. My employer was right to be intrigued by you, and now…so am I."

He looked between Val and Miri; black saliva was dripping from between his white perfect teeth.

"But a hero must be tested," he said playfully, "A hero must suffer as he is forged, the pain of loss makes him all the more potent, ready to do what is needed when the time comes."

The Anzati's smile widened, it almost seemed to go almost completely around his head.

"I think YOUR story needs a bit more tragedy, more loss and pain. Take a look at these two cute little morsels. So strong, but weighed down by the past, guilt, loss, and suffering…"

The Anzati licked his lips.

"My employer said nothing about them, and if he is unhappy, I'm sure he will understand, he cannot put me before such soup, and deny me a chance to whet my palate."

"You won't touch them," Jas growled.

The Anzati was not worried, if anything, he was amused.

"You are strong, boy, but you are not that strong, you can barely keep that blade up. I don't think you will be fast enough to stop me."

Crimson eyes darted back and forth, taking in both Val and Miri. Once again, he looked at Jas; he smirked, an idea had come to him.

"One of these pretties is about to die, choose one, and I will spare her. The other will be mine, the next step on your journey. I will take this meal to go, and we shall settle this matter another time.

"Stay back," Jas said raising his lightsaber, "I'm warning you."

"You're not fast enough to stop me, Jedi. Choose quickly, now, before I make the decision myself."

"My lord," One of the Yimm sisters said, "We can no longer remain here, I sense…"

Dresco raised his hand, silencing her.

"I'm almost done, choose now, Jas Dar Bynn, choose now!"

Jas' heart was pounding in his chest, he…no…he wouldn't make that choice, he couldn't, but…if he wasn't fast enough…

He could almost see Vey Ilo then, his master stood before him.

Do, or do not, my padawan, she seemed to whisper.

There is no try.

"You won't hurt Val," he said defiantly, "and you won't..."

Dresco laughed.

"The choice is made."

He lunged; his long white hands reached out…for Miri. Cold pale fingers reached out and seized her…pulling her to him…

Time slowed down, and…

The wall behind them exploded!

Dresco whirled around his lips parting in an angry snarl, enraged at whomever, or whatever, stopped him from claiming his meal. The Force filled with fury, an all-annihilating mix of rage and hunger.

"WHO DARES! I WILL…"

It was just what Jas had been waiting for, the briefest of distraction, it had been a matter of a second, a few micro-seconds.

It was all he had needed.

The Force sang within him, the desire to protect the two women at his side.

He didn't think, he did.

He raised his blade and lunged forward.

The Anzati barely had time to move.

"DRESCO!"

His roar drew the creature's attention, in that brief moment, it had forgotten about Jas, in its arrogance, assumed he would remain frozen while it dealt with whatever was attacking it from behind…

…the Anzati had been wrong!

It turned its head, just enough that it saw the blade coming towards it, the flash of violet light. Fury turned to surprise, which then…turned to horror.

The monster wailed.

Jas didn't stop, he didn't get distracted.

"EAT THIS!"

He struck.

Dresco, the so-called Bane of the Jedi, dodged or tried to, Jas watched as the blade passed the Anzati's pale white cheek, passed, and…barely kissed his skin, darkening it with the barest of burns.

The wailing cry turned to a hiss of shock, and a yowl of pain. A hand came up, it struck Jas a glancing blow, but it was enough to keep him from following through, taking off the top of Erkady Dresco's head.

He spun backward, but quickly regained his footing. He stood ready to meet the next attack…

…it…never came.

The corridor was empty, except for smoke and ash.

Dresco, and the two Yimm sisters were gone.

Jas took a shuddering breath.

They…were gone.

He heard the two women collapse behind him, freed from the Anzati's grasp, but he had no time to check on them, no time for anything.

Smoke and blaster fire was rolling out of the hole before them.

Two cultists leap through, firing behind them, one noticed Jas and brought his weapon to bear. He fired two shots, but both were parried one into the wall behind him, the other through the shooter's eye. The second man didn't outlive his friend, he was cut down by return fire emerging from the smoke.

Jas paused, his blade at the ready. Val and Miri were on their knees behind him, trying to recover.

He would not leave them, not until he was sure they were safe.

Someone leapt through where the cultists had come. Jas was ready, but no fire came his way.

He almost smiled, recognizing who it was.

"Jas?!"

Hylla Ko stood before him, clad not in her armor, but a simple prison garb, she had a blaster pistol in each hand.

Jas let out a sigh of relief.

He had found the others.

Shusk poked his head out next, blaster in hand covering Rior. His shipmates looked a little worse for wear, but seemed mostly unharmed.

He was grateful for that…extremely grateful. He…

No…wait…

His eyes fell on Rior.

She was not armed, she was simply…standing there, her fur was singed, the blank look in her eyes spoke volumes.

Burr, he realized.

She knows about Burr.

He could feel her pain radiating out through the Force.

Rior had always been so mercenary, she had not seemed to care about anybody. Jas had always wondered if her feelings for Burr had been real, or had it been a simple diversion…

…now he knew, and felt sorry for her. She was so…broken.

He…

Poor woman, he thought.

I'm sorry.

Hylla lowered her blaster, even out of her armor, she was still an example of the cool competence of the Mandalorian people.

"Jas," she said quickly, "Quire…he…he tried to get away, get to you. Is…is he here with you? Did you come together to free us?"

Jas closed his eyes, again…more pain, he couldn't sugar coat it, even if he wanted to.

"Quire never reached us. I…I'm sorry, Hylla."

He watched so many things flit across the girl's eyes, shock, pain, she had held out hope that her brother had survived the trap on Taris, and now…that hope was gone. Jas had not known Quire had tried to reach him; he had had his own problems at the time.

If he had known, could he have gone forward, could he have saved Quire, Burr, or any of them?

"I see," Hylla said, her pain blossoming in the Force, the final acceptance of what had occurred, but…when she looked up that pain was under control, and in its place the cold resolve of the Mandalore.

"I see," she said with a glare.

Behind them, Val and Miri groaned weakly, as if emerging from a horrible nightmare. Shusk went to them, trying to help.

Jas took a deep breath, tried to center himself.

He looked down at Shusk.

"Have you seen V'Lek? I sent him to try and help free you."

"He was here, yeah," the Chadra Fan replied, He let us out of our cells, but then took off again, said he sensed something…"

Jas cursed under his breath.

The padawan should have known better.

Whiphids are hunters by nature, and this place is still filled with enemies. Something had gotten V'Lek's blood up, but that probably wouldn't have been hard, considering what he had endured.

Jas looked around at his party, his crew. Rior was in no shape to fight, she barely seemed to be holding it together. Val and Miri would recover in time, and Hylla, though she seemed all business, was hurting too.

He looked back the way he had come. He told Shusk where to go, to find their way back to the hangar the Clan had secured, that way at least felt clear.

He reached out with the Force, he could sense V'Lek, but the Force was swirling like a hurricane, so many possibilities lay before them; they would likely win this battle, but their losses would rise or fall depending on what happened in the next few moments.

So much was still…uncertain.

Hylla didn't want to go, she wanted to stay…to fight, but Jas wouldn't hear it. Shusk couldn't watch over the others by himself.

The girl wasn't happy with him, she wanted blood, she wanted to make the collective pay for the loss of her brother, but she was still a soldier of Clan Nuna, she was trained to obey orders, and her respect for Jas was enough that she saw him as a superior.

She agreed to go, grudgingly, but she went.

He didn't leave until they were gone, until they were safely on their way back towards the others. Only then did he dart through the ruined wall that his allies had emerged from. He moved quickly and carefully forward, his blade up and ready to engage any hidden threats.

Again, the station shook beneath him, he couldn't help but wonder how the battle was going outside. The collective weren't warriors, but everyone got lucky…it was possible…

Don't worry about it, they are doing their job, you need to do yours…NOW.

Yes, he realized. Dealing with the station was Coop and the clan's task. He still had some threats to neutralize.

The Hand of the Faith, the Yimm sisters, and the Anzati were still here, until they were dead or captured, he couldn't afford to stop.

He let the Force guide him

One threat at a time.

IOI

The hum and clash of lightsabers drew him, the Force causing him to pause, just in time.

A chunk of debris flew past his head; hard enough to do damage had it hit him.

"YOU FURRY FOOL! YOU'VE RUINED EVERYTHING!"

A cruel smile came to Jas' lips.

Well, just the one I was looking forward.

He stepped out into the corridor.

V'Lek and the Hand of the Faith were locked in combat, crimson and blue light flashed as the Tunroth and Whiphid danced back and forth, parry, thrust, and block.

Finally, she fell back panting, her robes burned from touches of the Whiphid's blade. Finally, noticing Jas, she fell back, two against one.

Jas couldn't say that he hated those odds, memories of Alderaan, what she had done to Val.

Yes, he would enjoy this.

"Having trouble, Tatch?" he called out. Sweetly.

The Tunroth looked at him, her cold eyes furious and desperate. Yet, she still dared an arrogant sneer.

"Gonna' run away again, Jedi?"

"Not this time," he said with a shrug, he came up beside V'Lek, despite what he had endured, the padawan seemed ready to finish the fight before him."

"You, okay?"

V'Lek nodded.

"Got my lightsaber back," he said.

"I can see that," Jas replied.

He turned to the Tunroth.

"Xarcce Tatch, you don't have to die here. You were a Jedi once…throw down your blade and return with us. The Council will take your history into account at your trial."

The Hand of the Faith snorted a laugh.

"I made my choice years ago, Jas Dar Bynn. You may not want to hear it, but the Jedi are doomed, they just don't see it…yet."

She looked down at the crimson blade in her hand. Tatch had lost her veil during the fight, pink froth stained her mouth.

"We were going to stay out of the way of the darkness. The First Speaker believed we could endure its arrival."

A fatalistic chuckle escaped her lips.

"He is dead now; do you know that?"

Jas nodded.

"Dresco killed him."

"Of course, he did," Tatch said shaking her head, "That Anzati…he thought we were a joke, maybe we were, maybe no one will escape what is coming."

"Help us fight it, Tatch," V'Lek growled, "Tell the council what you know, if there is a threat out there…"

"It's too late," Xarcce Tatch said dropping into a Djem So guard.

"I already told you, I made my choice years ago."

"You chose wrong," Jas said raising his blade.

"We'll see," the Hand said, "I won't live to see what is coming, and I'm fine with that, but first, a warning, Jas Dar Bynn. Something to make you wonder if I was right after all…"

"A warning," Jas said.

The Tunroth nodded.

"Saving that Bann girl, her world, you are serving the darkness. It is rising now, several worlds are under its sway, it will soon be a noose that will strangle the Republic. The Jedi will be swept away, and a new age will begin…"

"The Eternal Night."

Again, the Tunroth nodded, nodded and laughed.

"Oh, how I wish I could be there when you finally realize what is coming. Sadly, that is not going to happen.

Jas and V'Lek raised their blades, they could sense it, the Tunroth was done talking.

"Last chance, Tatch," V'Lek called out.

"Yours too, boy, yours too," she said grinning madly.

She took a step forward, and raised her blade.

Jas and V'Lek moved in, ready to engage.

Tatch swung her blade, not at them, but at the wall.

"FOR THE ETERNAL NIGHT!"

The Tunroth's saber slit the wall…part of the main hull.

The corridor decompressed…explosively!

The air screamed out of the chamber as Jas and V'Lek were lifted up.

NO!

Jas reached out with the Force, trying to pull himself away as the section began to blow out into space. They…

A powerful furry hand reached out and seized his wrist.

V'Lek.

The Force screamed painfully. Jas felt it. He felt the end of the Hand of the Faith, the final fate of Xarcce Tatch, former knight of the Republic.

The cut was not large enough to pull her into space, not all at once, but she was pulled through. She died painfully, little by little, torn apart, but…it was not mere pain that filled her mind as she was slain.

The Hand of the Faith was in a dark ecstasy, she believed herself the lucky one. She had failed the darkness….

…and the dark side didn't look kindly on failure.

Jas couldn't say how long it took, it felt like an eternity, but finally.

BOOM!

An emergency bulk head slammed down, cutting them off from the damage

Gravity and air restored; the two Jedi fell to the deck.

Both Jas and V'Lek were left gasping, barely able to move.

Jas looked up at the sealed chamber. Tatch was gone, and with her everything she knew about what was coming.

He took a pained shuddering breath.

Her words echoed in his mind.

You may not want to hear it, but the Jedi are doomed, they just don't see it…yet.

Saving that Bann girl, her world, you are serving the darkness. It is rising now, several worlds are under its sway, it will soon be a noose that will strangle the Republic. The Jedi will be swept away, and a new age will begin…

Jas didn't know what to think about that.

Bantoon seemed to be more important than anyone realized. It seems that a threat was rising there, something more than a mere issue of succession.

Vess…Val…their people.

They were danger.

He struggled to feet.

Tatch had had no reason to lie, she had thought to take them with her, but she had not…

Was the darkness rising, he couldn't say for certain, but if it was, it would not do so unopposed, not on Bantoon.

"I'll stop it," he murmured, and in that moment, he knew it.

For Val, and for Vess…and their people.

They would not face this evil alone.

He would be there.

"I'll stop it."

A/N: Merry Christmas 2021 everybody, hope this holiday finds you happy and safe. See you all again soon.

DG