CHAPTER 10 - RAKATA PRIME PT. II

Now (3953)

Cannon fire screeched and boomed from all directions as the Ebon Hawk swooped through Rataka Prime's atmosphere, breaking past the light cloud cover and skimming closer to the ocean than was probably advisable. Vann could see it all from his position near the exit hatch, which was prepped to open the second the freighter passed directly over the main battle for the Republic's base. He clutched a handle in the bulkhead, his knuckles white as he mentally prepared himself to leap out of the freighter while it was still airborne.

Atton's voice was strained as it crackled over the shipwide comm system. "You three are sure you want to do this, right?"

On the other side of the hatch, Meetra chuckled humorlessly. "Want to and need to are very different things."

"It's not the first time we've done this." Vann tried to sound nonchalant, even as he muttered, "Or so I've been told."

"The last time we made an aerial entrance into a battle you laughed through the entire drop." The wistfulness in Alek's tone was unsettling. Almost as unsettling as the fact that he was on the Hawk in the first place.

"That was before I almost died in a fiery ship crash. Or did you already forget about that?"

Interrupting what was sure to become yet another verbal sparring match, Meetra ordered, "Both of you hush, we're getting close. I can feel the Sith."

The cold prickle of the dark side had been raising the hairs on the back of Vann's neck for a few minutes now, though the sensation was rapidly morphing into a chill that raced down his spine as the Hawk neared the base. But as he extended his awareness he also felt a familiar shimmer through his Force bond. "They're not the only ones down there. I sense Bastila, which means the others are probably nearby. Rand, prepare to open the hatch!"

"For the record, you're all idiots. Opening the hatch in five, four, three, two…"

The rush of air that buffeted Vann's face was strong enough to blind him for the few seconds it took for his body to adjust to the sensation. As his vision cleared he saw Meetra shielding her eyes with her forearm as she carefully scanned the battle below. Bright sunlight glinted off of the Sith troopers' armor as they marched forward firing their rifles indiscriminately at anything that moved. The bolts carved streaks of red through the air, only to dissipate into sparks as they were deflected by multiple lightsabers that flashed a rainbow of colors. Even from a distance, the Force crackled with power that flowed forth in a dappled field of light and shadow.

A distant wave of frigid energy caught Vann's attention and he squinted against the wind as he searched for the source. He spotted several figures dressed in black slipping behind the line of troopers, their clothing partially camouflaging them against the craggy cliffs that surrounded the base. It appeared that dark Force users had been sent to support the Sith soldiers, a good tactic that could have deadly consequences for the Republic's fighters.

"There are dark Force users approaching the base. I'm going to try to head them off!" Gathering his courage, Vann took a running start along the landing ramp before flinging himself out of the hatch. The initial drop made his stomach plummet and he struggled to regain control of his limbs as he tumbled through the air. Sucking in a breath he summoned his power and managed to use the Force to guide his body, making it easier to control his trajectory and significantly slowing his fall.

The Ebon Hawk had been flying relatively low, especially for a spacecraft, but the drop was still enough to kill any normal person who wasn't equipped with a parachute. As it was, all of Vann's concentration was focused on restraining his speed while also steering his body to an exact point on the ground. Behind him, he could feel two familiar Force presences falling in the same controlled manner, each surrounded by a mixture of excitement and mild terror. Consciously, he found it disconcerting to be relying on individuals who he barely knew, especially when one of them had spent months trying to kill him. But a deeper part of him whispered that this felt right, like a small piece of a much larger puzzle finally sliding into place.

A flash of yellow alerted Vann to Bastila's position and he aimed for it, holding back a scream as his speed increased. His heart was hammering in his chest as panic and adrenaline made his limbs quiver while he fought to land upright. While he was able to strike the ground feet-first, his rear end ultimately absorbed most of the impact. Quickly rolling to his feet he drew and ignited both of his lightsabers, the brilliant red of the weapon in his off-hand feeling less foreign than he expected. Shaking off the last of his nerves he leaped forward, slashing at the nearest trooper and taking them down with three hits to the neck and shoulders.

Sensing Vann's presence through the bond, Bastila turned towards him, her eyes wide. "Where did you come from? And what are you wielding?"

"It's kind of a long story!"

Using her dual blades to deflect a series of rifle fire, Bastila glanced around just long enough to notice Meetra and Alek. "Wait, is that…?!"

"That's an even longer story." Two shots whizzed by and Vann dove to deflect them back to their source. "There are dark Force users incoming. Fight now, talk later!"

Turrets screamed as the Hawk made a second pass over the battlefield, Brianna and Mira manning the guns as Atton expertly steered around the chaos. The plan was for the ship to initially provide aerial coverage and then land when things were clearer so that the crew could help on the ground if necessary. They were almost certainly going to be needed.

Carving through a Sith's helmet and shoulder with a whirling strike, Vann moved towards the edges of the fray as he tried to sense the dark Force users who were trailing the troopers. He cast a quick glance over his shoulder expecting to spot Bastila following his lead, only to be startled by a red blur somersaulting elegantly through the air. Juhani landed between two Sith troopers, cleaving through the head of one before turning to kick the other hard in the gut. The former mercenary had forgotten that the Cathar replaced her drab garments and battered leather vest with longer, flowing robes that helped to disguise her motions in battle. The new attire was obviously a tribute to her heritage.

Bastila nodded to the Juhani and swiftly moved to cover her ally, shifting to a more defensive style as she focused on deflecting shots from the troopers. Flowing into a complementary series of maneuvers the Cathar tumbled and flipped around the other Force user, taking advantage of the protection to attack the Sith more aggressively. Striking to her left before twirling right she managed to cut down two troopers in one motion, her lightsaber rending their armor and leaving deadly gashes in their chest and abdomen. In the background Bastila was calm and focused as she flowed through the moves of her preferred Soresu, almost no bolts managing to slip past her. As she perfected her rhythm she began to deflect the fire directly back, one Sith collapsing as his own shot shattered the visor of his helmet before boring into his skull.

Watching the two women work together sent a surge of pride through Vann, though he couldn't deny the tinge of jealousy that joined it. He used to be the individual Bastila worked best with in the middle of a firefight, but that was before he unintentionally abandoned his friends for two years. There were consequences to his impulsive decision and drifting apart from his students as they forged individual paths was only one of them. But he didn't have time to linger on his mistakes. The cold chill of the dark side became smothering as two dark Force users appeared amidst the storm of blaster bolts. Not for the first time, the former mercenary wished that he could have gotten HK-47 functional before the Sith attacked. Having an assault droid on their side would have been extremely advantageous, especially since he could have picked off a few of these Force users before they reached this point. But some of his necessary parts had been accidentally misplaced…

Giving his lightsabers a twirl to help clear his thoughts, Vann rushed to meet his opponents. The moment they spotted him they also drew their weapons, the brilliant crimson shining ominously against their black robes. A wicked hum reverberated through the air as all of their blades clashed, the former mercenary holding a Sith off with each hand. It was only his Force-enhanced strength that enabled him to push back one of his opponents, allowing him to turn and parry the second with ease. His main blade caught an incoming attack as the weapon in his off-hand slipped through the black-clad figure's guard, wounding them deeply in the arm. Ducking beneath a swing from the first Sith, he summoned his power and used it to throw them into the nearest trooper.

The color of Vann's lightsabers may have been new but the thrum of the crystals resonating through the Force was comfortingly familiar as he blocked a sloppy stab from his injured adversary. With a wide swing of his main arm, he slashed low and sliced through their gut, ending their fight. But he'd been careless and now his other opponent was descending on him with unnatural speed. The heat of their blade was near enough to burn, the attack already too close to be fully deflected. The best the former mercenary could hope to do was dodge enough of the blow to stay upright and then use the pain to give him strength. He was bracing to do just that when the dark Force user suddenly stopped, their weapon slipping from their hands as their whole body went limp thanks to the silvery plasma piercing their heart.

As the Sith crumpled, Meetra tisked playfully. "You always leave your flank open."

Frenzied blaster fire erupted as another wave of troopers marched swiftly towards the base, the shriek of rifles punctuated by the heavier boom of grenades. The Republic was responding with their turret defense system, the turbo cannons recognizable by their twinned shots. But behind all of that chaos was something gnawingly cold, a moaning and insatiable hunger that swallowed the energy released by every death across the battlefield. The Sith Lords were getting closer and their presence was just as menacing as their reputation.

"That's Nihilus." Meetra's eyes narrowed as she reached for her comm. "I should contact the Hawk and tell Brianna to stay onboard."

"No. Give her the chance to face her darkness. It's the best thing you can do for her." Behind him, Vann could still feel Bastila fighting off the troopers threatening to overtake the base. Distantly he wondered if he had somehow betrayed her by bringing her own dark past into their home.

Red sparks flew through the air as Meetra deflected bolts with practiced precision, her stance firm and her grip easy. She flowed with the battle and the longer Vann fought beside her the easier it was for him to fall into the same rhythm. There was something inspiring about the way she approached combat that almost reminded him of Bastila's battle meditation. While it lacked the pinpoint precision of that power, it still created a mental link that made moving in tandem and anticipating each other's actions seem nearly effortless.

Meetra was a skilled lightsaber combatant but that obviously wasn't where her strength lay. Though she deflected rifle shots with little trouble she preferred to attack her opponents using the Force, throwing them across the battlefield or trapping them in place. That tactic worked well for Vann who took advantage of the opportunities provided by cutting down multiple enemies with a few quick strikes. He was dispatching a line of troopers who were held in stasis, his lightsabers humming fiercely as he carved past their armor, when he felt a prickle of warning slide down his neck. Whirling around he brought both weapons up just in time to block an aerial chop from another dark Force user, their blade hovering dangerously close to his face until he managed to deflect them back.

Parrying the next attack with his off-hand, Vann pivoted and then struck with his main blade. The move was unexpected, catching the Sith by surprise when it cut a long gash across their ribs. As they roared in pain the sickly yellow of their eyes seemed to glow and they drew a ragged breath before attacking with renewed vigor. The next two strikes were barely evaded and the former mercenary shifted his crimson 'saber into a reverse grip to better shield his vitals. Diving low he mostly ducked beneath a third blow, suffering a small gash to his shoulder as he lashed out with both blades simultaneously so that he could cripple his opponent's leg. They fell to one knee as he rolled to his feet and stabbed backward with his off-hand, searing through the Sith's abdomen.

The shout of warning that reverberated through the air was both heard and felt, causing Vann to look up just in time to see a hail of rifle fire headed directly towards him. He immediately dove out of the way, deflecting shots as he moved. But he was reacting quickly and missed more than a few rounds. The remaining bolts sped towards him, ready to puncture his side, only to be blocked at the last moment by a brilliant flash of orange. The lightsaber was handled with surprising deftness as it deflected the fire with raw power.

"Watch your flank," Alek commented dryly.

The pair subconsciously shifted so that they were back-to-back, Meetra's command of the Force helping to coordinate their movements. They flowed around each other with ease, more refined than the duel with Ell despite never practicing together. Just like on the Star Forge, Alek was far more agile than his towering stature suggested. But unlike that fight, his stance remained defensive as he used his superior height and reach to block incoming shots and clear a wide field for his allies. Vann felt strange as he took advantage of this technique, his agility enabling him to maneuver around the taller figure and deliver a flurry of hits before dodging back into the defended area. He was used to protecting others, not being protected.

Eventually, there came a lull in the battle, an eerie calm settling over the now-ravaged path leading to the Republic base. Smoke and dust clouded the air, obscuring everyone's view beyond a couple of meters. Vann held his position for a minute even after the Sith assault stopped, the glow of his lightsabers helping him to see through the gloom. Panting hard, he eventually powered down his weapons before dragging the back of his hand over his forehead to wipe away grimy rivulets of sweat.

"You changed to Soresu," the former mercenary remarked as he glanced at Alek from the corner of his eye.

"I only use Djem-So when I'm fighting you. It's more effective against Juyo."

While that was technically true, it still made Vann scowl.

"I can feel the Sith Lords nearby, but not close enough to strike. And they're not moving." Staring into a cloud of grenade smoke, Meetra frowned. "What are they waiting for?"

By extending his awareness Vann could also pinpoint the location where the Sith were biding their time. It was close, disconcertingly so, but the former Consular was correct in noting that it was too far for either side to attack without compromising their current positions. As he scanned the battlefield he could also feel the fainter glow of additional Force-sensitive individuals moving towards his location. He recognized them, though none was particularly familiar.

"The Hawk just landed outside of the base and your crew is on their way to add support." Looking over at Meetra, Vann recognized the moment when she unraveled the Sith Lords' plan.

The flare of concern added a chill to the void that had become the blonde's presence. "They're waiting until we're all together, probably hoping to kill us all at once."

"Or they're looking to somehow pit us against each other. It's a common Sith tactic and would save them the trouble of fighting us personally." Alek's words settled uncomfortably as they considered the possibility. Multiple Force users on the base had a history of mixed allegiances, making the suggestion that much more disturbing.

One of those individuals came sprinting up while Vann was still contemplating the possibilities. "There you are! I lost track of you in the midst of all the chaos." A thin smile tugged at Bastila's lips, though it quickly disappeared when she noticed who else was in the area. "Are you alright? Any injuries that I should be aware of?"

The gash in Vann's shoulder barely stung so he shook his head. "I'm fine, but I'm not sure if anyone else is hurt."

Noting the way that Alek was favoring one side, Bastila curled her lip in distaste as she announced, "You can rot in Sith hells for all I care."

The former Supreme Commander grimaced. "I'm not saying I didn't deserve that…"

"Oh, you entirely deserved that." Giving her old friend a faint smile, Meetra gathered healing energy in her hands. "Now hush and hold still."

Seeing that the situation was handled, Bastila cleared her throat as she attempted to adopt a more formal demeanor. "Carth is safe. He's in the base's main war room doing his best to implement the plan that you sent him. The base itself is holding so far, though I must admit that your intervention was incredibly well-timed. Unfortunately, we lost the Star Forge roughly half an hour ago. The Sith destroyed it rather than trying to use it if that makes you feel any better about the situation."

"I know about the forge, I saw it happen just as we came out of hyperspace. Wait, why didn't you start with the tactical information?" When he received nothing but an exasperated shimmer through the bond, Vann rolled his eyes. "Alright, fine. You know what my priorities are. How's Dustil handling all of this?"

"He's helping to guard the area immediately in front of the base. While he hasn't seen as much combat, he seems to be appropriately determined about the entire situation."

"Kriff, he's only a kid! He shouldn't be out here."

Now healed, Alek quietly reminded everyone, "From what I remember, he's the same age Meetra was when she joined the Revanchists."

"Dustil wanted to defend his home." Bastila's pale eyes were pleading. "Can you of all people blame him?"

"I understand why he's here, but that doesn't mean I like it. Can you keep him away from the worst of it, especially what's coming?"

Bastila sucked in a sharp breath as she also sensed the waiting Sith Lords. "I'll do my best to ensure he stays well back from whatever they have planned."

"Meetra, glad to see that you're alright!" Atton was racing away from the base, some of his crewmates trailing behind him. "We lost sight of you once the grenades started going off and while I thought that you felt okay I'm glad to, you know, confirm things."

Hanging back a bit, Brianna's gaze kept darting between her leader and whatever was cloaked by the smoke and dust. "My master is out there, feeding upon the death that surrounds us. He's only growing stronger while he prepares to attack."

The Force shivered as a gaping wave of hunger suddenly surged forward, joined by what felt like an eternal scream of pain and rage. Clenching his jaw, Vann glanced at the newly-arrived crew. "Seems like the Sith are done waiting."

"Then I should not be here." Shaking her head, Brianna stumbled over her own feet in her rush to leave. "I am a liability to you all."

A slender hand grasped the Echani's wrist, holding her back. "Do you plan to turn on us?" When Visas was answered with a firm head shake, she urged, "Then fight beside us. You are perhaps the only thing on this entire planet that can distract that creature. If you wish to defeat him you must remain here!"

Clenching her jaw, Brianna planted herself beside her allies.

Smiling fondly at her students, Meetra paused when she noticed that one was missing. "Where's Bao-Dur?"

"He's doing something with the turrets." Atton chuckled weakly as he drew a pair of lightsabers from beneath the back of his jacket. Both the shoto and the normal hilt were highly customized, slimmer than usual and featuring extra buttons on the sides. "I'm guessing that he has a plan and that we should all be ready to duck once he activates it."

Igniting his own weapons, Vann looked around at the gathered Forcer users as the chill of the dark side grew oppressively dense. "Be ready. Things are about to get dangerous."

As the former Revanchist spoke, two shadowy figures emerged from the swirling dust, flanked by another squad of Sith troopers. Before Vann could note any further details, brilliant bolts of purple electricity began to illuminate the gloom as forks of lightning rapidly gathered in the air above the group. Without thinking he jumped in front of the less experienced crew members and wrapped the Force protectively around them, belatedly realizing that he couldn't maintain the shielding and absorb the incoming lightning.

He was still debating his options when Meetra shook off her own surprise and shouted, "Alek, give me a boost!"

"You can't be serious." Despite his doubt, the taller figure hurriedly bent down and held out his arms just as Meetra leaped into the air. She angled her trajectory so that the ball of one foot landed in the palms of her friend's outstretched hands, enabling him to toss her much smaller form even higher. She soared… Directly into the path of the incoming lightning.

Vann was about to shout a warning when he saw Meetra stretch one hand towards the bolts, redirecting the attack in midair the same as he did at ground level. As she began to arc back down she released the electricity, the attack now stronger than what she absorbed as it exploded from both hands in a violent storm that struck multiple troopers at once. Her landing wasn't perfect, a little too much of her weight leaning to one side, but she still came out of the situation unscathed. A second later her lightsaber was out as she crouched defensively in front of her crew. Releasing his protective shielding Vann rushed to join her with Alek close behind.

"She never could produce her own lightning, so you worked with her to develop that technique," the former Supreme Commander explained when he noticed the other man's amazed expression. "During the latter parts of the war, she utilized that skill to enhance our attacks."

"Did I ever throw her into the air?" Vann grinned, already suspecting the answer.

"Only one of us was tall enough for that job."

The trio was ready and waiting as a black-robed figure stepped out of the smoke, his mask remaining a pristine white despite the dust that swirled around him. When he spoke it was nothing but garbled static, the sound enough to make Vann's ears ache. He was about to sarcastically ask for a translation when the second Sith Lord appeared, his cracked and broken body a stark contrast to his completely shrouded accomplice.

"Exile, we are impressed with who you brought to this battle."

Frowning at the Sith, Vann snorted, "I can't tell if I should take that as a compliment or an insult."

"Do not mistake me, I am not impressed because of who you are but because of what you are." Sion's one good eye scanned the war veterans. "You are all discarded students of my former master. Those who have failed her in a way that I will not."

Sorrow bloomed around Meetra as she gritted her teeth. "Kreia. You're talking about Kreia."

"No more words." Sion drew his lightsaber, the hilt almost as battered as the creature wielding it. "Allow us to demonstrate."

It was Nihilus who darted forward first, moving across the battlefield like a wraith. From somewhere within his robes he produced a lightsaber which he ignited just as he reached Vann and Alek. He circled the pair once, attempting to draw them away from their allies. Nearby, Sion was doing the same to Meetra, fixated on the former Consular who was studying him with nearly equal intensity. The first time their 'sabers met she was pushed back close to a meter, something that would have concerned the former mercenary if he wasn't completely preoccupied with fending off a Sith who made his own combat style seem sedate. Luckily, Atton rushed in to block the next strike from Sion as the blonde adjusted her stance.

From somewhere behind them a series of explosions rocked the ground, the troopers taking advantage of the Force users' distraction as they attacked the base from a different angle. Fear welled cold within Vann and he used it, infusing his slashes with new strength as he tried to trap Nihilus between himself and Alek. Already breathing hard he yelled out, "Bastila, help hold the base!"

The former Sentinel charged forward, ignoring the order. "Jolee and Juhani can do that. I want to be here!"

"You told me that you'd protect Dustil!"

That statement was enough to make Bastila pause, the bond flaring as she recalled her earlier words. Entwined with that thought was a reminder that Carth was also on the base, doing his best to hold the location and buy the Force users the time they needed to take down Nihilus and Sion. Protecting the Republic's stronghold was as tactically important as defeating the Sith Lords and in many ways, it was far more personal. That sentiment passed between them, followed by a burst of understanding from the Padawan as she squared her shoulders and nodded in acknowledgment. Gripping her lightsaber she sprinted directly towards another devastating blast, her form quickly swallowed by the fresh cloud of smoke.

That decision was barely resolved when Vann was forced to dive to his left to narrowly avoid what would have been a crippling blow to his right arm. Pivoting lightly he countered the attack with his off-hand, stabbing upwards into Nihilus's robes. The crimson blade struck something that felt like flesh and the Sith let out a garbled scream before sending out a strong Force push that knocked the former mercenary back half a meter. He had to crouch low to stay on his feet, putting him back on the defensive even as Nihilus whirled around like a living shadow and slashed past Alek's remarkable guard, wounding him in the thigh.

Flipping forward with a snarl of frustration, Vann swung out both blades as he landed directly in front of the robed Sith, temporarily pinning him in place as Alek retaliated against the earlier attack with his full strength. While part of the cleave was evaded, it still hit what seemed to be Nihulus's left arm. The acrid scent of singed cloth and flesh filled the air but the wound did nothing to slow the Sith. Using the momentum from the partial dodge he lunged at the former mercenary with two hard slashes. Vann saw that the maneuver left Nihilus open, but he also realized that he'd have to take a blow in order to remain close enough to capitalize on the opportunity. Diving forward he bit back a scream as the lightsaber burned past his jacket and traced a long slice along his ribs. Distantly, he thought he sensed Alek's alarm, but he didn't dwell on it as he drew upon the pain and lashed out with three rapid strikes. At least two found their mark and Nihilus shrieked inhumanly.

Using the distraction, Alek closed in on his adversary's other side and delivered a deep cut across what must be the Sith's torso. The move was startlingly familiar and Vann felt sympathy pains through the scar that marred his own abdomen. He knew from experience that the hit should have been enough to at least knock the damn creature down but Nihilus remained upright, his mood unreadable thanks to the mask. Suddenly, the Force became frigid enough to suck the breath from the former mercenary's lungs and he gasped for air, only to find himself crumpling as all of his strength instantly evaporated and he was wracked with such extreme exhaustion that every bone in his body ached. Glancing up, he watched his former friend fall to one knee as his immense might was also drained. Nihilus, however, was charging forward with renewed vigor.

Sluggishly tumbling away from a hit, Vann could barely crawl across the ground as he tried to refocus his strength, only to collapse onto his side from the effort. His head slumped at an angle that allowed him to watch the other battle taking place. Meetra and Atton were surrounding Sion's fallen form and for a moment a sense of triumph shone brightly through the Force. But the emotion quickly faded as the Lord of Pain let out a roar and climbed back to his feet, grinning. "You cannot defeat me, Exile. Nor can you break my will."

Panting hard, Vann stumbled upright only to be knocked back down as another wave of fatigue threw him off balance. Brianna was watching, her hands balled into fists as she muttered, "My Master is draining their energy to repair his own wounds."

Looking over at the Echani Vann hissed, "If you know what's going on here, a little help would be appreciated!"

"I do not know the specifics of how his powers work or how to stop them."

"You can distract him!" Visas shook Brianna by the shoulders. "By standing still you are acquiescing to his will. You are an Echani warrior, not a Sith puppet. Fight him!"

But the former apprentice shook her head as she clutched the Miraluka's arm, "We learned on Korriban that we are not strong enough to fight him. If we stay back we can remain alive to fight other battles!"

"I would rather die at the hands of that creature than know that he survives to destroy more lives because I did nothing!" A violet blade hissed as Visas snapped it open. "Remain here if you wish, but I know the path I must walk."

Alek and Vann were once again back-to-back, their weapons held weakly as Nihilus prowled around them like some feral beast. Though the pair were positioned to defend themselves, in their current state there was little they could do against a powerful attack. The Sith knew this and his blade flashed menacingly as he drew it back for a rending blow, the wicked hiss only drowned out by his ghastly howl. But the attack never hit. Instead, it was parried with enough force to knock him back almost a meter. Twirling gracefully, Visas swung her lightsaber around for a second slash that was barely blocked. There was finesse to her fighting style, showing that she had obviously been trained as a melee fighter before she ever held a 'saber.

Falling back with a sigh of relief, Vann mentally ran through his next options. His frustration with the situation was already causing faint sparks to appear at his fingertips, but since the revelation on Nar Shadda he'd been hesitant to summon that ability. Exhaustion still dragged at his limbs and made his chest feel heavy. He wondered if this was something that he could heal using the Force provided that he could find enough light… Something that was in direct conflict with his lightning. As those emotions warred a vague memory floated through his mind. He saw himself sprawled across a different battlefield, a grisly baster wound burned into his inner thigh as blood pooled thickly around his leg. Beside him crouched a younger and physically whole Alek whose hands glowed brightly with healing energy despite the supreme vexation on his face. When the vision faded, the former mercenary considered this new option.

Despite her strong entrance, Visas was already struggling to keep pace with Nihilus. She was good, but she couldn't take the Sith on her own. Turning to Alek, Vann gave the other man a shove with one hand as he began to gather lightning in the other. "Hurry up and heal yourself so that you can help her. I'll cover you for now!"

Without waiting for a response, Vann drew upon his depleted energy reserves and made the blackish-purple sparks dancing in his palm grew hotter and more volatile. They were wreathing up his forearm when he released the surge, directing all of the bolts directly at Nihilus who let out a garbled shout. Despite the Sith's speed, there was no way for him to avoid the attack and his shrouded body shook uncontrollably as he was electrocuted. Panting hard, the former mercenary tried to keep the electricity streaming forth but he was rapidly growing weaker. Suddenly, the electrical storm ceased as one leg collapsed beneath him, forcing him to his knees.

Strong hands wrapped around Vann's shoulders, hauling him upright. "You always push yourself past your limits." Alek leaned closer, sighing mechanically. "And in case you haven't figured it out, I can't heal anymore. Not since the Star Forge."

The words echoed through the former mercenary's mind and he replayed their earlier argument. 'I fell, but the Star Forge dragged me down further than I ever thought possible.' Shuddering at the implication he muttered a few curses as he allowed himself to be pulled to the side. Up ahead he could see that Nihilus had been slowed down by the lightning, but that only increased the Sith's rage. As Visas dove towards him, aiming to slash open his shoulder, he darted out one arm and caught her in midair by the throat. Lifting the woman above his head, a yellowish-orange glow surrounded his hand as he began to drain the Miraluka's energy.

Jolting forward in alarm, Vann let out a shout as he subconsciously released a burst of power. It wasn't much, at least compared to what he usually produced, but the push wedged directly between Visas and Nihilus, driving them apart. The Sith stumbled backward while the visibly dazed Miraluka was thrown in the opposite direction. Seeing an opportunity, Alek wrapped his own power around the black-robed figure, holding the Sith back with one hand as he used the other to half-drag and half-carry the exhausted former mercenary across the ground. They stumbled to where Visas was curled, her slender figure suddenly seeming so small.

It was no surprise when Nihilus broke out of Alek's grasp and raced towards the group. What shocked them all was the dual-bladed lightsaber that swung in front of the charging Sith, blocking his path. The hilt was almost identical to an Echani ritual brand, complete with flared guards built into each end. But the blade itself was the clear, deep blue that Vann associated with Jedi Guardians. Of course, it wasn't actually a Jedi wielding the weapon. Brianna's style was clearly that of a sword duelist yet she still used her 'saber with remarkable skill. The Sith was immediately overwhelmed by his former apprentice, buying the others a few precious seconds.

"You can heal!" Alek yelled at Vann as he tried to haul Visas to her feet, pressing her lightsaber back into her slack hands.

"Not when I'm this exhausted!"

"And normally I wouldn't push you to in this state but…" Still supporting Visas who was swaying on her feet, Alek stared at his former friend. His gaze softened. "There's nobody else who can help and I know you can do it."

Peering over his shoulder Vann could see that Meetra and Atton were still struggling against Sion, sweat beading on their foreheads as they pushed their exhausted bodies to keep fighting. While the Lord of Pain looked no worse than when he'd arrived, both of the former Jedi were clearly marked with injuries that the blonde hadn't been able to treat. If they could keep going, so could the former Revanchist. Clenching his teeth he nodded wearily, which drew a bright flare of hope from Alek. Clinging to the burst of light, Vann couldn't ignore the nagging sensation that it was incredibly wrong to be drawing strength from Malak of all people. But behind that was another, quieter whisper that soothed those fears, assuring him that he'd relied on this man thousands of times before.

The flicker of pride and the sheer, unyielding belief was growing by the second and the former mercenary focused on the brilliance of those emotions, drawing them into his presence until the familiar warmth of healing surrounded him. Reaching out he placed a palm on both of his companions and sent the energy into them, the sensation different from closing a wound since there was no visible injury to treat. Instead, he was using his power to replenish whatever Nihilus had stolen. A bright pulse of light engulfed the trio for a second before vanishing, instantly repairing the worst of the damage. Visas came to full consciousness with a gasp, jerking around just in time to see Brianna drive her former master back with a series of stabs that she punctuated with a hard kick to his chest.

"It's working!" The Miraluka tugged at Alek's arm. "We must help her. Hurry!"

Igniting his lightsaber, the taller Human nodded quickly before glancing at Vann. "You stay here. I can tell that you're beyond exhausted so just rest. We can handle this."

Scowling after his companions' retreating forms, the former mercenary resisted the urge to stick out his tongue. "Yeah, okay. I'll just sit here." He barely had time to roll his eyes before he was climbing to his feet and summoning more lightning by drawing solely upon his irritation.

Somehow, Brianna was causing Nihilus's impossibly agile maneuvers to grow sluggish and uncoordinated. It made him an easy target for Alek, who sliced a long wound across one hip that almost prevented the Sith from dodging Visas's blow to his stomach. He sidestepped at the last second before shoving the Miraluka back with a Force push. But the move left him open and his former apprentice seized her advantage, diving in with two hard chops to his shoulder and ribs. His screech of agony was enough to make everyone pause and wince, which seemed to give the Sith a moment of clarity. He used it to whip around, carving a gash into Alek's side before stabbing upward and catching Visas across the bicep. Sensing her allies' pain caused cold fury to swirl around the Echani and she let out a howl as she jumped into the air, trying to bring her blade crashing down on her former master's skull.

But Nihilus anticipated the maneuver. With a wave of his hand, he froze Briana in midair before clenching his fist to wrap the Force around her throat. She kicked and wheezed, her free hand clawing at the invisible hold around her airway, but nothing could release the grip. Seeing the Echani's distress, Alek charged forward and took a vicious swing directly at the Sith's shoulder. But with his former apprentice immobilized, the Lord of Hunger could once again move with inhuman swiftness and he easily ducked beneath the strike, all without loosening his grasp.

At least, Nihilus was fully mobile until the full force of Vann's lightning struck his body. The heat of the attack made the air shimmer and it was only the former mercenary's precision with the ability that prevented any of his allies from being struck by stray sparks. Bolt after bolt of blackish-purple electricity relentlessly pummeled the Sith, driving him to his knees as he twitched and convulsed. With a final surge of power, Vann forced his opponent to release the hold on Brianna, causing her to drop heavily to the ground with a hoarse wheeze. But even gasping for breath she managed to ignite her lightsaber directly into her former Master's gut. He screeched in agony and Alek raised his weapon to deliver the final blow, but Visas caught his wrist.

"Not you." Holding out a hand, she helped Brianna to her feet as both women kept their eyes and blades trained on Nihilus as he struggled to stand. The Echani delivered a palm strike to his chest to stop that effort.

Nodding respectfully to Alek, Brianna explained, "We must be the ones to end this."

Bowing slightly in understanding, the Human stepped back as the two women moved to surround their fallen foe. They spoke to him, the words too hushed for Vann to hear, though he could feel their emotions through the Force as anger and resentment whipped around them in frigid gusts. Yet, there was no hatred behind all of that darkness, just the golden glow of relief as Brianna stabbed her blade into the Sith's heart. His death reverberated, a sudden chill that made everyone shiver even as the surrounding temperature subtly warmed.

"I didn't realize it was so personal for them." Contemplation creased Alek's forehead as he watched Visas burrow her face into Brianna's shoulder and release a sob.

"With the Sith, it always seems to become personal." Arching a brow at his former friend, Vann quipped, "Except for our last fight. That was just business."

Alek ignored the verbal jab. "I told you to stay here and rest. The last thing any of us needs is for you to die from your own stupidity."

"And I stayed exactly where you told me to, honest. I barely moved at all."

Even with his prosthetic jaw, Alek managed to perfectly mimic the expression of supreme vexation that Vann had seen in his memory.

Before he could mention this fact, Meetra came sprinting by. There was a limp to her gait, but that didn't slow her much as she called, "Okay everyone, time to duck!"

Atton was right behind the blonde and he hurriedly explained, "Bao-Dur 'fixed' the turrets. Hit the ground now!"

Nobody needed to be told twice. There was a brief moment of chaos as everyone dived down simultaneously, Vann going last as he instinctively reached out and shielded as many individuals as he could through the Force. His protection wrapped around his allies just as a deafening boom shook the area, leaving behind a high-pitched ringing in both ears. He felt a second explosion, and then a third, though he didn't dare lift his head high enough to see what was happening. It was only when the ground remained still for several seconds that he carefully peered upwards, noting that Alek and Meetra were also doing the same. The former Consular flashed a hand signal that he recognized as 'all clear' and he withdrew his power before slowing standing back up.

The nearby paving was charred and cracked, the duracrete smashed into a large crater surrounding a battered body that shouldn't have remained whole. But Sion was no ordinary creature and even as his clothing smoldered he attempted to rise once more. But Meetra was there, pressing a boot between his shoulder blades to shove him back down as she aimed her lightsaber at his throat.

"Stop."

Sion chuckled dryly. "You are impressive but you forget that I am not made of flesh and blood. No matter how many times you break me I will reform, unchanged and unbowed."

Grinding her heel against the Sith's cracked flesh, Meetra shook her head. "Then you've learned nothing from Kreia. She doesn't want a student who clings stubbornly to old experiences and refuses to grow."

"Enlighten me, Exile. What does she truly seek?"

"She wants someone who moves beyond their past and looks to the future for guidance. A student who learns and grows rather than stagnating like a walking corpse."

"And how do you, the wound of Malachor, represent this lesson?" There was mockery in the Sith's voice, yet he also appeared intrigued.

"How do you think I defeated you again and again? Unlike you, I can't take a 'saber to the gut and keep fighting. I had to learn and adapt as I went. But you… Your strategy never changed. After the second time you popped back up, nothing you did surprised me. In the end, it was my student's ever-evolving ingenuity that knocked you down for the final time."

"I will stand back up."

"No, you won't." Meetra pressed her boot down just a little harder. "Your time is over, Sion. We both sense it. You keep dragging around a body that should have been dead a thousand times over and for what? You never learn or change. You're a dead thing that became obsolete a long time ago. If you have any pride left in that shell of a body you'll accept your fate rather than rotting away useless and forgotten."

"Perhaps you are right and my time has finally come." The Sith sighed, a sound caught between sadness and relief. "But know this, Exile. Her love is a twisted thing and it will break you the same way it broke me. Worse, perhaps, because she loves you more."

"Kreia? She doesn't love me any more than she mourns for her lost hand."

"No, Exile, she truly loves you. But that is a curse, not a blessing." Sion's good eye narrowed, his voice growing strained. "She has many names though only one reveals her true identity. It is the title I know her by, a title you already dread. If these are to be my last moments, then respect my parting words. Walk away while you still can."

Something about the Sith's warning clearly disturbed Meetra, but she quickly shook it off as she raised her lightsaber. "Rest, Sion. There is no death, there is the Force." Bringing the silver blade down in one clean slice she cleaved her opponent's head from the shattered corpse he called a body. This time there were no signs of him rising again, only a faint chill as he finally accepted death. The former Consular's eyes were hard as she turned to face the others. "Where's Traya?"

"I haven't seen any signs of the third Sith Lord. She might be above the planet, commanding the aerial assault." The scream of cannon fire punctuated Vann's statement, causing most of the crew to look up just in time to spot a pair of unique vehicles soaring low overhead as they shot a Sith fighter out of the sky.

"Wait, are those…?"

Vann nodded to Alek. "Basilisk war droids. It looks like the Mandalorians are on our side this time."

"I thought all of those droids were destroyed on your orders after the war."

"Nope." Smiling at the memory of his time with Clan Ordo, Vann added, "And I'm glad."

But Meetra just looked perplexed. "Who called Mand'alor?"

"Not me." Gesturing towards the sound of blaster fire, Vann somehow found the energy to begin jogging ahead. "We can figure it out later. For now, let's help clear the base!"

It didn't take long for the group to arrive within the base's walls. There were still some Sith troopers inside, though they were no match for the combined efforts of six Force users. As they sliced their way past, the trio of veterans slipped into the same easy synchronicity they had rediscovered during the earlier battle. The pair of former Guardians flowed gracefully around each other as the Consular used her powers to cover them. Time and memories blurred as Vann leaped upward, using both of his blades to carve into a trooper who was trying to snipe a Republic soldier. To his right he glimpsed Alek cutting down a pair of grenadiers just before they detonated the last of their payloads. Behind them, Meetra was deflecting shots away from the rest of the Republic forces.

As he neared the center of the base Vann sped up, trusting that his allies would take care of any stray Sith he sprinted past. He could sense Bastila nearby, joined by multiple familiar Force signatures, all of them forming a loose protective circle around the entrance to the base's central building. When he rounded a corner the group finally came into sight, all of them breathing hard with bloody blaster marks marring their robes. But they were still standing strong, their blades flashing as they turned to face whoever was approaching. Suspicion was replaced by relief when they recognized their leader.

"Vann!" Bastila's grip on her lightsaber was fierce, though her expression was tired. "I, we, felt something through the Force. What happened?

"Nihilus and Sion are dead. We don't know where Traya is, but for now…" Hesitating to make a proclamation that was too good to be true, Vann drew a deep breath. "For now, it seems like we won."

Juhani exhaled heavily. "Thank the Force. I do not know how much longer we could have held out."

"They're not surrendering, just regrouping. The loss of their leaders may have surprised them, but they're Sith. They have another plan." Narrowing his eyes, Jolee glanced up at the faint streaks of light that marked the beginning of the Sith's retreat.

"If they withdraw to heal and rework their strategy it gives us more time to do the same. Plus, they're down two Sith Lords. I'd say that this battle ended in our favor."

Tutting at Vann, Jolee noted, "And we're still down a lot of information. It's a hollow victory at best."

"What, you ran off for two years to chase down clues and we're still fighting blind?" Cold outrage surged through the Force as a dark-haired figured stomped closer, a scowl tugging at his familiar face. He'd put on muscle since Vann had first met him on Korriban, teenage lankiness giving way to a broad frame that closely resembled his father's.

"Hey, Dustil. How did you…?" The punch to the jaw came out of nowhere, the former mercenary only sensing it at the same moment that a fist connected with his flesh. He stumbled back a step, mildly dazed as he rubbed his stinging face. While he'd guessed that the teen was angry at him based on how pointedly he'd been avoided during his initial return, this was still unexpected. "Ow! What the kriff?!"

Wincing in pity, Jolee chuckled, "I hate to say it, but you deserved that."

"He sure as hells did! He left us all without any warning. One day he was here and the next…" Scrubbing his hands over his face in a habitual gesture that mirrored his father, Dustil let out a growl of frustration. "I know why you did it, okay? Bastila explained what happened and it's not like I can't feel the darkness that's gathering. But you weren't the one who had to look at my Dad's face every day and see the heartbreak in his eyes. I understand why you left, but that doesn't make it right, or fair, or kind!"

"I kriffed up, okay?" Throwing his hands up in defeat, Vann snapped, "Sorry I tried to make the galaxy a safer place for you and every other person in the karking Republic!"

"Yeah, well… At least you're back." Dustil's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You are back, right?"

"Er, well…"

Placing a comforting hand on her master's shoulder, Bastila informed him, "No matter your plans, you are going to have to stay here long enough to explain two very concerning issues."

"I'm guessing one is Malak… Er, Alek?"

"Obviously." Pointing towards the base's entrance, the Padawan added, "And the other would be the Basilisk war droid that just landed in front of a Republic base."

"Shit! I can see how that might be a problem."

By the time Vann reached the landing site, Meetra was already trying to smooth out the tensions between the surviving guards and the new Mandalore. She was doing an admirable job, though no amount of polite words could erase the resentment caused by years of violent warfare.

"He's fine… They're fine!" Vann called when he saw another Basilisk touch down nearby. "They're with us. They helped save all of our asses, in case you didn't notice. "

"We certainly did save your sorry asses." Though Canderous's words were modulated by his helmet, his voice was still recognizable. "But don't think that we suddenly developed sympathy for Republic pawns. We're only here because someone very important to my clan personally called to ask for our aid."

The comment caused Vann to finally notice a figure hovering towards the edge of the gathered crowd. Her usual bravado was replaced with an almost child-like bashfulness as a blush the same shade as her hair spread across her cheeks. Slowly walking forward, Mira bowed awkwardly to the armored Mandalore. "Hey, Pops. Thanks for lending a hand. Is uh, is Ma around?"

The second Basilisk's rider was already dismounting and tugging off her helmet, her icy blue eyes visibly wet as she jogged towards the younger woman. "Mira! When you commed us and explained the situation, we knew this was a battle that we had to join. I heard your voice and… I would have answered your call even if Mand'alor did not."

"Any chance to stick it to the Sith is a fight worthy of our effort. And any chance to see my daughter is…" Despite the modulator, Canderous's words were thick with emotion. "It's an opportunity that I can't pass up. You did us a great favor, Surik. I owe you a debt."

Rocking back on her heels, Meetra smiled meekly. "I'm pretty sure I didn't do much of anything. Honestly, it was all the will of the Force."

"Huh. A few years ago I would have called that a bunch of bantha shit, but now? Now I can believe it. Still, you have my thanks."

Looking up at the new Mandalore, Mira drew a deep breath. "I'm sorry I left. I know I abandoned our people in their time of need, that I broke the Resol'nare and shouldn't even be worthy of your aid right now. But I just…"

"Our people were defeated and the clans scattered to every corner of the Outer Rim. Many who still wore our armor had no honor and the Resol'nare was little more than a memory to us all. You did what you thought was necessary to survive. We are taught to take advantage of our situations when opportunity presents itself and you found an opportunity for a better life than the one we were scratching out."

Veela nodded, placing an armored hand on her daughter's shoulder. "When you ran away we were disappointed, but we felt no shame. There was nothing left for you. Until two years ago there was nothing left for any of us."

Gazing up at her father with a sense of reverence, Mira grinned. "You found the mask."

Jerking his head towards Vann, the Mandalore chuckled. "We had some help."

"I want to help you reunite the clans if you'll let me. It would be my honor to serve you, Mand'alor."

Holding out his hand, Canderous waited for his daughter to reach out and grasp his gauntleted forearm before returning the gesture in a warrior's handshake. "And it would be my honor to once again count you among our people."

"But there's, uh, there's just one thing. The Jedi over there…" Glancing at Meetra and her crew, Mira loudly whispered, "I gotta help them see this Sith thing through to the end. They need me, you know?"

"I understand. More than you realize." Giving his daughter a firm push towards her allies, Canderous barked out a laugh. "They sure as hells tend to need all the help they can get. But when you're done, come home to us."

"We can drop you off. I'm pretty familiar with the moon…" Meetra's words caught in her throat as her eyes went wide and she was doubled over in pain. A thin whine was all she could manage before collapsing to the ground, her knees curled to her chest as her hands gripped her abdomen.

"Shit!" Rushing to the blonde's side, Vann reached out his awareness to check for any injuries that might be causing this new agony. While he sensed a few lightsaber burns and the odd cut or bruise, nothing was severe enough to cause this reaction. He felt a cold surge of panic in his gut, his awareness sensing that the rest of the Ebon Hawk's new crew was experiencing the same alarm.

"What is it? What's going on?" Atton was racing towards the group, his eyes wide.

"I don't know, I can't find any injuries! You were the one fighting next to her, did you see anything?" Recalling his own fight with a Sith Lord, Vann wondered, "Did Sion do anything to her through the Force?"

"No! At least, not like what Nihilus was doing to you."

"Then I have no idea why she's in so much pain." Attempting to summon healing energy, Vann muttered, "Meetra, come on, talk to us!"

"Kreia…" the blonde gasped. "It's Kreia."

Punching the ground in frustration, Atton hissed, "Kriffing hells, it's the damn Force bond she has with that old witch!"

"The old woman who was traveling with you is causing this?"

"It has to be!" Nodding thoughtfully, Atton recalled, "Something similar happened back on Peragus when Kreia lost her hand to Sion."

"If that's the cause, I have no idea how to fix this. I might have before the crash but…"

Alek let out a mechanical sigh as he crouched beside Meetra, ignoring the glares he received from nearly everyone in the area. "You can't fix a Force bond. Especially not for someone like her who forms them so easily."

"She… what?"

Giving Vann a pointed look, Alek explained, "You must have felt it when we were fighting. We had a bond during the war and her mere presence was enough to reconnect it. It's the same type of bond that she shares with her current crew."

"What are you trying to say?" Atton narrowed his eyes.

"Haven't you ever wondered why the entire crew understands her so easily? Why you trust her without question?"

Sneering at the former Supreme Commander, Atton shook his head. "I trust her because she's trustworthy, unlike you!"

"I'm not saying that she wouldn't have your allegiance without a bond! I'm merely explaining that your connection runs deeper than you realize." Alek paused, carefully considering his next words. "She commands your loyalty because of who she is, but you understand why she's so deserving of your devotion because of the bond you share."

"If what you're saying is true, why can't we help her?"

"Because right now, nobody can!"

There were a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, punctuated by Meetra's soft whimpers of pain as she writhed on the ground. Everyone was still muttering helplessly when she let out a shout, her eyes going wide as her hands desperately grabbed at Atton's jacket. The thin, raspy words that she managed to grit out were almost inaudible. "Malachor! We have to go to Malachor."

Confusion flowed through the Force as Vann and Alek stared at each other with a combination of concern and thinly-veiled horror. But Meetra didn't notice as she collapsed into an unconscious heap.

"When you say 'poisonous gas,' do you mean poisonous to the average person, or to Force users as well?" Vann arched a brow as he looked at everyone attending the planning session.

"To anyone. The planet was cracked down to its very core and the gasses released are toxic to almost any species regardless of their connection to the Force." Meetra's skin was still unusually pale and dark circles hung beneath her eyes. Yet, she still looked better than she had two days ago while lying unconscious in the Rakata Base infirmary as her crew hovered nervously nearby.

Despite his best efforts, Vann only saw her twice during that period. The rest of his time had been spent trying to smooth over the continued presence of a small Mandalorian fleet and an escaped former Sith. Once it was made abundantly clear that Alek wasn't willingly returning to the Jedi's custody, the problem of what to do with him was debated for over a day. Eventually, Carth convinced the rest of the base's officers that they were in no way equipped to detain a Force user and that the best solution was to place the former Supreme Commander under Vann's watch.

It was an arrangement that was currently working because the pair needed to cooperate as they tried to discern why Meetra was being called back to Malachor V and if landing on the planet was even possible. According to Bao-Dur it was, but it would be a logistical nightmare.

Frowning, the Zabrak added, "It's not just the gases that you have to worry about. The local fauna isn't exactly friendly thanks to all of the trauma that the planet has suffered."

"Plus there's the academy." All eyes turned to Atton, who glared accusingly at his former master. "Did you not tell them about that?"

"'There's a Sith academy on Malachor Five that I used to break any problematic Jedi who refused to fall in line with my regime' didn't exactly come up in polite conversation!"

Glancing between Alek and his former assassin, Vann snapped, "Are you kriffing serious?"

"You discovered it!" the larger man insisted, as though that improved the situation. "I don't know this for a fact, but I suspect that Malachor's connection to the dark side is why you chose it for the Mass Shadow Generator."

Nodding uncomfortably, Meetra frowned. "I was never told about any academy, but I will admit that even before the weapon detonated the planet felt unusually dark."

"So, the planet is connected to the dark side, the surface is littered with poisonous gas vents, and there's an academy that's probably infested with Sith? Well, this just keeps getting better!"

Ignoring Vann's complaints, Alek looked worriedly at the former Consular. "What I'm confused about is why Kreia is summoning you to Malachor Five. More importantly, why do you feel the need to go?"

"Kreia has one final lesson for me. It's about betrayal."

"Wait… Betrayal? Does this have anything to do with the last Sith Lord?" Concern laced his tone as Vann asked, "Do you think Kreia was captured by her?"

"I'm almost positive that Kreia is Darth Traya. Or, at least, a part of her is. I didn't realize it until Sion mentioned that she has another title that we already dread. I don't know how I'm so sure but I just… I sense the truth in my suspicions."

Atton gritted his teeth."It's probably the damned bond."

Nodding to her pilot, Meetra concluded, "If I'm right, Kreia was probably controlling Nihilus and Sion the whole time even if they didn't realize it. That's how she knew we couldn't defeat them on Korriban and why she kept herself hidden from Vann, the Republic's best strategist."

"If she was manipulating everyone, even me, then Malachor is the last place we should be going. This has to be a trap!"

"You don't have to come with me. But I need to go, to confront what I did to that planet…" Meetra bit her lip, looking even paler. "And what it did to me."

"But what if the Sith Emperor is there?"

"I doubt it." Upon receiving an incredulous glare from Vann, Alek explained, "As I've already mentioned, I had a lot of time to meditate on everything that happened. I realized that the Emperor won't risk revealing himself this soon, not while the Republic is still so well protected. These current Sith Lords are just another way for him to destabilize its defenses. But the fact that he won't be there to confront us might work to our advantage."

"How? He's going to force us to face him again at some point."

"I'd prefer if we found a way to avoid that scenario." Alek's eyes slid to the side, the cold chill of fear wrapping around him. "As I recalled my various studies I realized that the Emperor might be close to immortal in his current state. Sith are often obsessed with their legacies, possibly because they can't become one with the Force after death, and many find ways to extend their lifespans far beyond their natural limits. From what I'm aware of, the Emperor has lived for centuries."

Desperation gripped Vann's chest. "Then how do we beat him? How do we defeat someone who potentially can't be killed?"

"We prove that what he's after isn't worth his time or energy. It's a big galaxy and there are other places for him to conquer. I'm not entirely sure how we can do this, but I think the key lies in defeating his last minion."

An idea was already forming as Vann recalled his time in Nyriss's employ. "We need to humiliate him in the process. The Sith purebloods are an arrogant species and getting outsmarted yet again by the same Humans will be a huge blow to the Emperor's ego. It's not too far fetched to believe that he might withdraw from his campaign against the Republic just to save his pride and his reputation amongst his people."

Meetra hummed, clearly impressed. "Alek, how did you figure all of this out?"

"When I first started meditating in my cell, I found my mind wandering to all of the Sith studies I'd undertaken over the years. At first, I thought I was just feeding my anger out of frustration, but I eventually realized that I was focusing on those lessons because I wanted to make amends for all of my mistakes. I recognized that within those studies lay the key to actually saving the Republic from the Emperor."

"Pretty wise for a Guardian." Grinning, the former Consular gave her friend a playful shove in his shoulder.

"I wish I could take credit for my epiphany, but…" Trailing off, Alek's modulated voice grew quieter. "I know that I felt some sort of outside influence guiding me, showing me that there was a way to victory beyond rage and violence."

Snorting derisively, Vann crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh, that's comforting and definitely not the Emperor trying to control you."

"I told you, I broke the last of his control when you almost killed me." Alek's eyes narrowed. "And I know what a Sith feels like. This wasn't that type of darkness."

"It could have been one of the Jedi." Meetra looked thoughtful. "They were tasked with holding you."

"Perhaps. Either way, I owe that individual a debt. They made me realize that true repentance for my mistakes begins with solving the threat that nearly destroyed me in the first place. I saw that, despite all of my unforgivable actions, I still have a chance to save billions of innocent lives."

Meetra balled her hands into fists, her eyes growing hard. "That's the same reason I need to go to Malachor. I lost almost everything on that planet… And I took so much more. But there's some type of justice, of penance, in going there and saving the Republic one last time."

"It sounds like you're still planning on flying off alone on a suicide mission. Sorry, but that's not happening." Atton snorted at the idea as he gazed affectionately at the blonde. "You can go to Malachor Five and kick some Sith ass, but you're not going in alone. The rest of us are coming with you… Along with some additional backup to make sure that Vann also gets out in one piece."

The former mercenary narrowed his eyes. "What is that supposed to mean…?"

"From what I've been told, our crew will be joined by numerous members of your own enclave." Bao-Dur flashed an amused smile. "Bastila and Juhani were particularly adamant about joining this mission. The respect they have for you is admirable."

"Oh no, they are not…"

Interrupting Vann's planned tirade, Atton smugly announced, "Your boyfriend is also coming since you clearly need adult supervision."

A mixture of anger and absolute terror coalesced within the former mercenary, rendering him speechless as he stumbled out of his seat. Frantically gesturing between Meetra and Alek, he ordered, "Watch him. Make sure he doesn't try and take over the Republic while I'm gone. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go yell at my 'adult supervision'."

The march out of the conference room and through the base's hallways was mostly a blur, with Vann acting on muscle memory as he swept through the familiar corridors. Most of his anger had burned away, leaving behind a frigid lump of fear that made his chest heavy and his breath coming in panicked gasps. A cold sweat broke out on the back of his neck, running down his spine and making him shudder. To distract himself he began to mentally list the myriad of reasons why Carth should stay on Rakata Prime rather than traveling to a poisonous planet filled with Sith and other unknown horrors.

While Vann didn't like the idea of his students traveling with him into such a perilous situation, he was beginning to accept that it was their choice to make. They were Force users, and if this situation was set ten years prior they would be Revanchists marching into battle right behind him. The war was over but his allies still felt the same responsibility to the people of the Republic, wanting to use their gifts to save those in danger. It was a sense of duty that Vann had tried to foster in his own unique way and it pleased him that the others took the lesson to heart.

But Carth was different. Though the captain had pledged himself to serve the Republic, he didn't wield the Force like Bastila or Juhani. He wasn't a match for a Sith Lord. More importantly, he'd already lost his wife and his home in the course of his service and the thought of him losing his life was too much to bear. The other man deserved to grow old surrounded by family and friends, telling war stories to the next generation of heroes. Being shot down over a distant, crumbling graveyard was the last thing his dedication should earn him.

It wasn't long before Vann had found himself outside of the captain's office, typing in the door code that he'd sliced from the base's security system just over two years ago. It appeared that nobody bothered to change it in his absence. Drawing a breath, he prepared to deliver what he hoped was a compelling speech about why his partner should stay the kriff away from Malachor V. The door slid open with a pneumonic hiss, revealing Carth standing in front of his desk pinching the bridge of his nose. He held up a placating hand when the former mercenary started to speak.

"Before you start yelling, I'm coming to Malachor. According to the specs that I've been sent, you're going to need air support and a very tricky extraction. That means you need a good pilot who's also familiar with the Sith."

"There has to be someone else you can send."

"While there are a few other options, sending someone else to watch your back isn't a choice I'm prepared to make." Carth waited until the door breezed shut before walking over to his partner and gently cupping his face. "When you were missing, the only thing I wanted was to be at your side. I kept thinking that if I could just fly you out of danger one more time that would make all the difference."

Vann blinked back his surprise, murmuring, "But your place is here with your son, protecting the Republic…"

"My place is wherever you are." Pressing a gentle kiss on his partner's temple, Carth added, "It should also be noted that my son has decided to come with you, so that made my decision a little easier."

Fear made Vann choke on his words. "But what if you don't make it out?"

"I'll be up high, doing what I do best. And if it's my time then, well, I went out protecting the Republic and the person I love." Carth looked directly into the other man's eyes, his voice gentle yet firm. "You know that I'm speaking from experience when I say that if I die and you survive, it will hurt. You'll cry and scream and ask the universe why you're the one who lived to see tomorrow. Hells, you'll probably want to crawl into a hole along the Outer Rim and never come out. But you also have friends who will convince you to keep moving forward and remind you that life is worth living. Eventually, all of that pain will hurt a little less and you'll smile a little more. It never goes away, but it becomes bearable."

Vann dropped his gaze. "Sometimes I think that I got off easy by losing my memory. I don't have to wake up every morning and remember the pain and loss like you, or Meetra, or even Alek. And shit, that feels weird to say."

"It's been a pretty kriffed-up week."

Laughing at the blunt truth of that statement, Vann flung his arms around Carth's shoulders as he burrowed his head against the other man's neck. "Why do you have to be so damn brave?"

"Honestly, I should be the one asking you that question." Rubbing comforting circles into his partner's back, the captain assured him, "And you didn't get off easy. I see the same pain in your eyes that I see in everyone else's. If anything, you have it worse because you don't always remember why it hurts."

Still clinging tightly, Vann tried to slow his breathing by focusing on the steady thrum of his partner's pulse. This close he could feel every beat, the rhythm helping to ground him and quell his rising panic. He could also sense the familiar hum of the crystal he'd gifted Carth a few months after the Star Forge, the lump noticeable even beneath the heavy material of a naval uniform. With a faint twitch of his finger, he used the Force to shift the item a few centimeters so that it rested directly over the other man's heart. This made the crystal resonate louder, the Force flowing through it in bright waves.

Tilting his head up, Vann claimed a quick kiss before heaving a sigh as he accepted the reality of the situation. "I guess we're going to Malachor, the site of my greatest triumph and biggest karking massacre."

A thin smile tugged at Carth's lips. "It's a little ironic that we're traveling to the location of the last decisive battle of the Mandalorian Wars so that you can save the Republic yet again."

"By that logic, it should be Meetra's turn to save everyone. I'll just be there for moral support."

"If that's true, she's going to need all the support she can get." Carth's expression sobered. "From the information Bao-Dur sent me, the planet is worse than I imagined."

"It's that fun, huh?"

"The Mass Shadow Generator turned Malachor into a living hell."

"Oh good. That's just what I wanted to hear." Regret made Vann shiver as he subconsciously replayed the accusations of the hallucinatory Meetra who had tormented him on Korriban. 'Revan the butcher, the mass-murderer.'

Author's Notes

Thank you for reading. Comments and constructive criticism are always appreciated!

You can find me on Twitter (ergo_maria) and Tumblr (ergomaria). Feel free to say "hi" or ask me any questions.

1. A note on heights: Meetra is 5'2" (1.6m), Vann is 5'9" (1.8m), and Alek is 6'6" (2m). This isn't incredibly important, but it makes it easier to visualize Alek tossing Meetra into the air like a credit chip. It also helps the "Only one of us is tall enough…" joke to make sense.

2. In No Light Without Shadow, Carth manages to give Vann a surprise punch to the face as retaliation for pulling a double-cross on the entire crew. Jolee approved of that decisions, just like he approved of Dustil taking the same course of action three years later.

3. Obviously, Mira is not Canderous's adopted daughter in the game. The fact that she was partially raised Mandalorian really intrigued me and I wish that facet of her character had been explored a little more. This is a way to do just that while bringing her closer to both crews.

4. Alek's statement that Sith are obsessed with immortality because they can't become one with the Force is actually canon. Ironically, this fact is why Darth Revan wasn't made canon in the Clone Wars TV series. (Darth Revan was supposed to appear as a Sith Force ghost on Mortis, but the idea was vetoed by Lucas because Sith can't become Force ghosts. Seriously. Look it up.)

5. Carth isn't psychic. He knew that Vann was coming because Meetra commed him with an advanced warning, giving him time to prepare.