From the moment they exited hyperspace, all Maarani could think about was what waited for them on Dantooine. The light shade of green lying ahead was so different from what she had seen on other postings, especially the darker, almost bluish tones of Sarka.

She knew from stories that it was a world of grassland and rolling hills. And yet it was difficult for her to truly picture it in her head. So completely removed from the orange caves and canyons of Ryloth, Mandalore's sprawling cities encased by thick forest, or Mirial's mountainous hot springs.

"Arriving vessel, we have you on sensors, please identify."

Maarani glanced to Dana on her right before switching on the comm relay.

"Distant Star here, I realize we're not scheduled to arrive, would've called ahead but…" She bit her lip. Was it better to tell them of the dangers following them, or keep it secret so they wouldn't become involved? "We uh, kinda forgot. I'm here with two Jedi, we'd like to visit the enclave, if that's alright?"

"You'll want to head towards Khoonda then. Relaying the details and lock-on signal now. Travel safely."

The guidance computer brought up the planned trajectory shortly after, which she noted to memory quickly.

"I feel like if I say 'that was easy' I'll be chewing those words within two hours."

Jayden rolled her eyes and quickly departed the cockpit. "We will be safe here, I assure you. Dress appropriately."

"Dana didn't like my navy coloured robes when I put them on."

"Teegs I said nothing of the sort."

"Whatever." Her attention settled on making the entry course to Dantooine itself. At some point, Izan left his seat to presumably change as well, leaving the two of them alone at last.

A rare opportunity for Maarani to speak freely.

"I'm still not letting Zariba go. And I don't want any puffed up Jedi at the enclave telling me what to do about her. Okay?"

Dana shrugged at that. "If I haven't made it clear, my word will carry very little weight with them. I supported Surik, as did your parents, and that kind of divide doesn't fade easily. But I can try, so long as you do the same in not overreacting."

As had happened more often, Maarani took that in stride. No back talking, no sarcastic remarks. "I'm already trying. But sometimes, I just want to scream until I pass out from how utterly screwed my life has become. I hate being like this."

"I know, Teegs. It's good that you are making the effort to take back control. Don't falter now."

The rest of the descent went quite smoothly. Within minutes, the rolling hills of grass came into view, and then a sprawling lake fed by several winding rivers that weaved around. By the time they had passed through the upper atmosphere, Khoonda itself was visible to the north of the lake itself. There were quite a few noticeably new buildings dotted around the original spaceport. The enclave was north west of the port itself.

"They've really bounced back huh? A lot of this looks different from a holo I saw one time."

While on the deceleration path, they had a good view of the enclave itself. It too had a few new buildings extending off the courtyard. The original structure had been expanded upwards by at least two floors, and she could barely make out the very top of an apparently immense tree growing up through the middle.

For all her deep seated distaste for Bastila as a whole, even Dana was in awe of the place. "It is impressive, I'll grant them that."

There was a small wait for landing approval, which Maarani used entirely to get a better look at the rest of the place, before finally bringing the Distant Star down to the ground at long last. After so long in deep space, the sensation of real gravity was wonderful to experience.

And then the obvious questions came to mind.

"Should Izan come along? I think we can trust Cecile enough to stay and warn us if Zariba or someone else does something sneaky while we're at the enclave, but it wouldn't hurt for him to watch as well. And should I really get changed into those robes?"

"He can come back to the ship if he feels uncomfortable. I doubt they're going to bar him from entering, so he has the choice." Dana looked over Maarani's attire again while finally leaving her seat. "Don't wear the robes, not until we know what the attitude here is like. You have other outfits surely?"

"Apart from the dinner dress? I suppose I can find something."

She too left her seat once the way was clear. By then, Izan had already changed back into the outfit he had bought on Twa'janii. While it now looked tacky without the context in mind, it was still a step up from the Czerka jacket that smelled of alcohol.

"I was gonna see about getting some other supplies we had to pass up back at Ord Lagaran. Maybe hang around the cantina when that's done."

Dana was quick to nod in approval. "Sounds fine. I don't think we'll be here longer than two nights at most. Just don't cause a scene."

Maarani's expression lowered a little again. Causing a scene was exactly something she was likely to do just by being a face others would recognize. For once, she was quick to notice herself and let the concern slide.

"If anyone asks about me, just brush them off, okay? I really don't want attention on me when the Senate announce their decision."

The arm placed around her shoulders by Dana brought an unexpected comfort. A reminder that she still had friends looking out for her that she apparently needed more than she first thought.

That moment quickly changed when Jayden returned to the common room. She was now entirely free of her armour, dressed in Jedi robes instead, and for a few moments looked far more stunning than Maarani had ever guessed was possible of her. Somehow, nicely fitting cloth and hair hanging loose around her head made her look genuinely attractive.

It took a confused-turned-disapproving glare from Jayden herself to snap out of the dumbfounded gaze she had settled into.

"I am married, happily, to a man you know."

Dana's arm fell away very quickly at that, though her disdain was not for Maarani in the slightest. "Real diplomatic there Jayden. Why don't you go and tell her to-"

After turning her glare to Dana, which cut the insult short, Jayden softened back up in her return to Maarani. "I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be offensive. It just made me uncomfortable."

"Uh, no kidding. I'm feeling a little weird about it myself now." She glanced at Izan, who couldn't look any more awkward if he tried. "I guess I'm sorry you had to see that too. Let's just pretend it never happened."

By the time she had changed into a less scruffed outfit, and remembered to retrieve her lightsaber for questions she intended to ask later, she had indeed forgotten about the matter, as had the others while they waited outside. The landing pad was surprisingly active, with people unloading a ship to their direct left, and what appeared to be performing some upgrades on another beyond that.

"Izan, think you could have a word with that maintenance crew over there when you get a chance? They should have a better shield generator than what we've got at least."

"I'll see what I can do. Maybe they'll give Jedi a better price."

The four continued on into the settlement itself, where the level of activity rose quite a bit. There had to be a hundred people at least bustling around the main market square, and half that in droids of varying sorts.

"We just passed what used to be the Matele estate. Last time I was here, they were moving the admin into the new hall over there." Jayden gestured to a large building right across the marketplace, situated just to the left of a long road that seemed to go right down to the lakefront. It was all a far cry from the small village it had been twenty years earlier.

Izan left the small procession as soon as he found what he was in search of, which surprisingly wasn't the cantina after all.

Maarani really couldn't care less at that moment. Once the enclave grounds had come into view, the lightsaber tucked under her jacket felt a lot heavier. Twice now she had almost come clean with a truth she didn't understand herself. Only now she truly had the confidence to see it out in a calm setting.

"Jayden, is it still technically an enclave if it's been amalgamated into the settlement? The Temple on Coruscant isn't technically an enclave because of all the other non-Jedi employed there, right?"

"That would depend on how Bastila sees it. I think Master Marr kept calling it that because she didn't want the validation of calling it a new temple."

"And Master Pala?"

After a sigh, Jayden carefully brushed her hair back to properly look Maarani in the eye. "She really doesn't like Bastila. I don't know if anyone other than herself really knows why, from what I hear she used to be brash about everyone in the Order. Now it's just any Jedi on Dantooine."

They crossed over the small bridge linking the enclave to the settlement, the water below notably pristine on its way down to the lake. It was there that she asked one last question before they entered earshot of the other Jedi, who had already begun to take notice.

"And you don't like her either Dana, right?"

She stopped immediately at that, her hands cupping around her face for a moment. It was such an inevitable question, and yet having it posed at last made her wish to be anywhere else. And since it was entirely likely Bastila herself would expose any lie she made up…

"Maarani, do you know what Bastila did to Darth Revan? The real story, how they created a new personality in him?"

Maarani nodded sagely. At the time, she didn't quite understand why her father was so upset when telling her the story. And now she had a very bad feeling that she was going to understand why at last.

"It was only four years ago I found out... " Dana took an affirming breath, her hands dropping down to clasp both Maarani's shoulders, to support them both. "Master Pala told me Bastila and Surik gave me the same treatment. That I'm only mentally thirty years old, the rest of me is well over a hundred by now or something."

She could hold back enough of the truth, enough to avoid hurting her further, if only for a while until it was truly necessary. "I've spent those four years trying to piece together my memories of that time. I don't even remember a thing about who I was before, there was nothing in hard records. I'm far from ready to forgive either of them for it."

And then came the one lie she could get away with. "I still don't know who I even was before then. I don't know why they felt I was worth… erasing away like that. That's why I only have contempt for her."

Perhaps a few months ago, if Dana had told her when they were on Telos in the arctic base, she might just have been brought to the point of tears over such a gut-wrenching revelation. After everything that had already happened, all the things she had learned in that time, she just closed her mouth with a firm look she still struggled to keep.

"Should I just shut up from now on?"

Dana managed just a hint of a smile before releasing the hold on her. "It was well overdue I told you, as my padawan, and as my friend. I suppose it'd be a bit stupid of me to ask now that you don't let my personal issues damage your view of her?"

Maarani glanced at the enclave again. By then, some of the resident Jedi had apparently decided to come and greet them, and were drawing closer now.

"Stupid yes, but I'll try anyway."

With just time enough for a glance to Jayden that made it clear they would talk later, Dana turned her attention at last to their approaching counterparts.

The effective leader opened his arms slightly in greeting, a warm smile on his face. He looked particularly Jedi-like with his shoulder length hair and pointed goatee.

"It's been a long time Jayden. What brings you to the grounds of the Reformed?"

"That it has, Vaner." Jayden glanced over to Maarani quickly. "I'm on protection duty for my friend here, Tegama. She has a request to ask of your mother."

Maarani drew a sharp breath at that, more about actually meeting Vaner than being put on the spot. If anything, it actually assured her that she wasn't going to be brushed aside.

"I'm looking for Yuthura Ban, and I assumed that this would be the better place to start my search." After another breath, she tightened her fists up a little. "I'm not sure I'll be welcome in the Republic for much longer, you see."

Vaner himself was quick to make the connection, soon recognizing the real person from what he had seen as a hologram. His warm demeanour remained unchanged. "You have nothing to fear, Tegama'Arani. Republic politics are of no concern here."

He nodded to the Jedi that had accompanied them, who for the most part were merely curious about the arrival of their counterparts, and knew to return to their activities when requested. Once they had dispersed, he motioned for the trio to continue on, moving into step beside Maarani.

"I feel as if you are vaguely familiar to me, I noticed it as well when you made your empowering speech to the galaxy. A relative I may have seen in childhood perhaps?"

"Probably my father, Masadar. From what I hear, my mother didn't get along with Bastila, so I doubt you met her."

"That is unfortunate."

He nodded to some of the Masters observing the grounds outside the courtyard, where some Mandalorians of all people were training in combat forms with young men and women. Noting Maarani's surprise, his smile formed into a bit of a grin. "After Jayden's time here, more Mandalorians sought the peaceful life offered. We train in defensive forms strictly, and I do not mean that as any slight against the Jedi on Coruscant."

"I've spent some time on Mandalore itself, gotten to know people, just seeing them work so closely with Jedi is a little weird. I thought Jayden was a unique case."

"More like a trendsetter, though I'd rather not be described as such."

They rounded the corner where the fountain lay soon enough. Several children were perched up on the lawn wall watching an instructor on the other side of the path demonstrate meditative forms that were not unlike what Dana had taught her at all.

"A lot of families have come to Khoonda to allow their children to train with us. It has helped both the Reformed and the settlement grow, and provided the Republic with a generation of diplomats, healers, counsellors and advisors already. All voluntary of course, we do still have some agreements with the Order's ideals."

"Right…" For once she caught herself out, waiting until they were near the entry hall before explaining herself. "Sorry, I know you really mean well, I guess I'm a little too used to switching off after so many military tours. It's a hard habit to get over."

Vaner chuckled softly at that. "No need, this a habit of mine as well. I often give tours of the place to prospects and their families, it's a lot rarer that we have guests with different intentions."

Just inside, they came across the base of the tree that Maarani had noticed from the approach to Khoonda. Despite its size, the bark looked quite young indeed.

"We're not sure what spurred its growth to this day. Just another mystery of Dantooine."

She shrugged, giving an appreciative nod at the swift answer to her unvoiced question. "Reminds me of the trees back home actually. They get larger than some starships. Maybe not Kashyyyk big, but somewhere up there."

After finally moving around the immense tree, he led them down a small corridor to a newly furbished part of the building, quite reminiscent of the Council chambers on Coruscant and Telos. In the middle were several older Jedi, two of which Maarani already began to recognize.

"Mother, Jayden Mires has returned with Tegama'Arani and…"

In an awkward moment, Vaner glanced to Dana. It hadn't yet occurred to him that she had deliberately avoided being asked the question.

She wanted to announce it herself.

"Dana Lauran."

By then, Bastila was half turned, ready to greet an old student, and meet the daughter of a man she had met a long time ago. All that was swept away by the mention of a name she never thought would be heard again.

"They let you off Coruscant after all?"

"Charming as always, Bastila. We speak in private, if at all. I'm here for Teegs' sake and that reason alone."

To prove her point, she broke away from the procession to take an observer's seat right near the doorway, keeping her gaze strictly on Bastila.

She herself glanced to Juhani, who proceeded on with the discussion so that Bastila could greet the others properly. "I suppose I've had less warm receptions from familiar faces. It's good to see you again Jayden, and to meet you Tegama."

Maarani extended her hand to meet Bastila's, trying very hard not to glance at the two cybernetic fingers that had been spliced into it, having replaced what used to be her middle and ring. In noticing all that, she realized she had stared anyway, and immediately looked up in panic.

"Sorry. It's uh, nice to meet you at last. Met Mission and Zaalbar already, they told me a lot."

"Oh I'm sure she did." She let Maarani's hand go, putting her own out of sight to try and put the young woman at ease. "So, what brings you to Dantooine?"

"Uh, well, I'm actually hoping to find Yuthura. Jayden suggested we come here, and I assumed you might be able to help look for her. I can't really stay long."

After listening intently, Bastila gave a knowing nod. "Something that must be discussed more then." She glanced over at Dana, still glaring away, before looking back to her. "Would you prefer a sitting or walking conversation?"

Maarani took her turn to glance at Dana. She was still quite displeased, but there was a sense that she had no intention of getting in the way whatever the decision was. As she had implied on the bridge.

"Whatever works. I guess I wouldn't mind seeing more of the, uh, place?"

"Then that is how we can proceed. Fortunately things have been quiet lately, I have time enough to spare." After motioning towards a staircase back out in the left corridor, she turned to Jayden with a look to Vaner. "You're all free to move about the place as you please, and there are guest quarters if you plan to stay the night."

"We'll be fine sleeping on the ship. Although we do have a Zeltron man in our crew by the name of Izan, he might come here at some point. It's possible he'll be…" Jayden chewed her tongue. "Inebriated."

"It would hardly be the first time. Vaner will see to any other needs you might have."

"Of course mother."

While they dispersed again, Bastila continued on to where Maarani had ended up at the bottom of the stairs. "We have a serenity garden on the upper floor that is often used for this kind of discussion. It is private enough, and offers a lot of the calming effects that the gardens in the Coruscant Temple offer."

"I never got to visit them, actually. This sounds nice."

The pair made their way up there in relative silence, Bastila occasionally stopping to greet some that passed by, sometimes with a further word about matters Maarani deliberately avoided eavesdropping on. When they got to the serenity garden at last, bathed in white to further accentuate the lush greens and other colours of the plant life, she stopped again to let Maarani past.

"I could tell you had concerns on your mind that you were unsure about sharing in front of others. I assure you, I maintain very strict confidentiality when needed."

Maarani's lips tightened in a moment of irony, at least until she had time to become accustomed to the garden itself. "Well, firstly, I'm on the run from a lot of bad people. And droids. And the Sith, I think. Well I know my sister is out to get me, but I don't think Kiarna is just yet, and I don't know much about the other Sith Lords…"

"You are quite safe here I assure you. Given what happened during the Civil War, we took a lot of defensive steps, even before Darth Lasidia made her presence known."

That made Maarani turn away, just until she let herself ignore the grief that had been reignited. Before an apology could be made, she sucked it up and looked back at her. "Good. I really don't want any trouble to follow me here. Or anywhere really. I just seem to be a magnet for it lately."

"I'm glad to see that didn't stop you from standing up for yourself, and your ideals."

The two began to walk at last, Maarani blinking a few times at the light water mist that was sprayed over some of the plants. "Yeah well, there's a lot of reasons I've been treated badly for that I could have ranted about. Being Twi'lek, being a woman, being gay, being part of the Republic military, being blue even. Guess there's enough pride left in me to pick the fight that actually means a damn to someone other than me."

Bastila nodded in her way, very patiently hearing her out. "Being able to own up to mistakes is a key aspect of what makes good people great. It's admiring to see someone in a position like yours not only take charge, but take the fight back to where it belongs." She sighed again, this time to herself with a glance at the soft lights above. "If I'm overstating it, please, tell me. I have a lot of regrets of my own, and unfortunately it's impossible for me to correct many of them. That tends to leave me waxing philosophical."

As they passed an array of flowering plants, she noticed Maarani's continued silence. "I didn't mean to let things drift that far off. You wanted my help in seeking out Yuthura, I assume because the Council will not give you that themselves?"

Maarani tilted her head with a bit of a shrug. "I guess. I definitely can't ask until I know if I'm going to be pulled in for questioning by the Senate or not. Dana already got into a big argument with them trying to protect me, and Jayden suggested I come here earlier for training."

"Training?"

The lips tightened again. Even with weeks to think it over, it was all a convoluted mess that even she couldn't keep track of. And to explain it to Bastila Shan, someone she had revered for years, was just as hard if not moreso than working out what to say to a childhood idol of hers upon meeting Mission.

Ultimately, she opted for the straightforward simplicity approach. "When the massacre happened, my Force powers were finally starting to come out, no longer the only one in the family without them. Then, I crashed on a planet and lost them altogether. Flat out, gone. The Jedi weren't sending anyone to take me to the funeral, so I assumed they were abandoning me and went to join the military instead. And eight years later after a load of crap and some such I'm here, trying to get back what I lost. And you'd think I'd be better at telling that story after how many times I've had to lay it out."

"It's clear enough for me to grasp what you mean." Bastila stopped again, this time for deep thought on the matter. "It certainly raises a lot of questions, and I don't want to burden you with all of them. There is one I would ask in particular however."

"Shoot."

"What exactly on that planet cut you off from the Force?"

Maarani's irises dilated a little, her face going a paler shade of blue than her usual skin tone. "I… I don't really know. I had no pilot training back then, the entry vector was botched, I just ploughed right into an island in the middle of nowhere. When a rescue ship got there and woke me up, I couldn't feel anything." Her gaze drifted downward, towards her shaking hands. "I had the screams of all those Jedi echoing in my head, then dead silence. For a whole month after, it felt like I was deaf, dumb and blind, and had to learn how to walk again. Only I was still physically fine, nothing ever showed up in brain scans." She clenched her hands together and forced herself to look back up. "It was terrifying, feeling so helpless, and yet being otherwise perfectly normal."

Bastila nodded, this time much slower, a pained understanding at the forefront of her mind. "And they didn't find anything else on the planet? I don't mean to sound dismissive, it just worries me that someone could be cut off in such a sharp way, over such a long distance across the galaxy from where the traumatic event occurred. Any other explanation would put that worry at ease."

"If they did, they didn't bother telling me, probably because it wasn't relevant. I haven't been back there myself since."

"Well, perhaps if you happen to be in the part of the galaxy it would be worthwhile. In any case, you believe Yuthura is the one most likely to help you restore the connection?"

"She's a family friend from what I'm told, and I figured that Jedi who go off on their own to study ancient ways are among the best for performing miracles that modern science and Force doo dah just can't compare to. No offence."

Bastila managed a smile at that. "For a moment I forgot that I'm not your age and talking to Mission in her teenage years. I'm well beyond being offended by 'Force doo dah' as a phrase. But, as far as finding Yuthura goes, the most I can do is ask contacts of the Reformed if they have anything of worth to say. I assumed she didn't want to come here in person after what Malak did to her when the bombing stopped."

It was still more than what Maarani had prepared herself to expect. Hope pointed to a direct location, or starmap, and cynicism pointed to a lack of care. "I really do appreciate this, Master Shan. With my sister turned into some kind of freakish Sith, I've got no other family to turn to for help."

"I suppose that explains why you have the Dreshdae Sith tattoos, something I wasn't going to ask about mind you."

Maarani went pale yet again. "Sith tattoos? I thought they were just Twi'lek, since they came up in a public parlour database." She was about to reach up to her face in that moment of worry before Bastila stopped her with a very light hold of her arm.

"I wouldn't worry about it too much. She chose to keep them even after returning to the Jedi, and I doubt they're of significance to Darth Lasidia's Sith anyway. If it's a way of honouring her in absence…"

"Something like that, yeah."

"Then there's little harm in them. The danger of Sith markings is in the ink, not the pattern. Some compounds are designed specifically to drive Sith deeper into controlled madness as they sink in."

Maarani's face went even paler.

"Perhaps I need to be more aware of my rambling. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?"

After recovering from the withering thought, Maarani began to reach into her jacket at last. While it might have been better to show Dana first, in that moment she wanted expertise over understanding.

"I started building a lightsaber. It's rather crap yes, made from what was lying around in a toolhouse." She brought it out into the open and held it out, still missing the top segment of the casing, and the grip section bearing several welding marks from her amateur efforts.

Despite all that, Bastila took great care in picking it up herself, holding it over both hands and getting a feel for the weight. "It is balanced well, considering what seems to be missing from it. And the construction may be crude, but it would function. Lightsabers do not have to appear elegant if the wielder does not feel it is necessary."

She handed it back to Maarani, who immediately turned it around to open the grip cover.

"There's one thing I haven't told anyone yet, not even Dana. You see, when I was much younger, I found a small crystal cave near the village, and, well…"

The cover slipped free. With a gentle nudge from her finger, she pushed the crystal itself out into her waiting hand.

A distinctly red crystal, cracked through, but still holding together.

Bastila's next breath was sharp. She had only seen one red crystal that had naturally grown in her life, and that was in the possession of the one person she had hoped to forget.

"I was upset at the time I met with the Council, afraid they'd lock me up or something if I walked in with that. My mother always taught that red crystals are always linked to the Sith."

She held out her hand again, this time for Bastila to examine the crystal itself.

That was done with a great amount of reluctance, but from the moment it landed in her palm she was hit with a great relief. While the crystal itself felt dull, rather akin to Maarani's presence in the Force, there was nothing dark or sinister lurking beneath.

"Undoubtedly that's something the Sith taught her in turn. It's an unfortunate result of so many Sith blades carrying red crystals that even the Sith themselves simply assume the two are linked. It really is as foolish as assuming all Lethan Twi'lek are destined to become Sith."

Maarani giggled at that, something that surprised herself greatly. "I dated a Lethan girl once, and made that kind of joke to my father. I get what you mean."

They began to walk around at last after the crystal had been replaced and the lightsaber itself tucked back into her jacket, leaving conversation aside in favour of enjoying the silence for a while longer. When the stairs on the opposing side to those they had climbed came into view, Maarani stopped one last time.

"Thanks for taking the time to chat, and for putting up with me. Dana kinda got worked up over me coming here, but I guess this time she was wrong."

It raised another question that Bastila had elected to avoid, but with the opportunity now at hand. "Did she tell you why she's so hostile towards me? I don't recall a reason why, at least from when I last saw her."

There was a longer pause while Maarani weighed everything up in her head. It wasn't really breaking something said in confidence when Bastila had to have known. "She told me that you and Surik wiped her old mind away, and created a new one. Like with Revan."

To her surprise, Bastila wasn't upset in the slightest, only a little concerned. "Is that what she believes? When Surik and I both left Coruscant, under unpleasant circumstances, the process hadn't even been started. In fact, it was her old personality that requested it of us, I merely assumed that others had seen to it."

That in turn raised questions for Maarani, but for the moment she at least had something to hopefully ease Dana's bad mood. "She also told me that's what Master Pala told her. I guess if the old her wanted it, there's no-one who knows why anymore."

"Well I won't speculate on why Sereti told her that, for the sake of decency. Earlier, I was just surprised to see her when a condition was that she was to never leave Coruscant without supervision. I suppose it's to be expected of changing times."

"I guess. Anyway, I hope I haven't been too much of a distraction, you looked kinda busy."

Bastila laughed softly at that, prompting her towards the stairs at last to return back to the ground floor. "It's no bother to me or the others. With the Sith having retreated for months now, things have been very quiet. I appreciate the break from sorting through administrative files and other paperwork. Provided you are better for this talk, I would say it has been well worth it."

"Well worth it then." As they began the descent, Maarani shuddered again before shaking it off. "Kinda worried something bad is gonna happen now. That's usually how my luck runs."

"Then don't rely on luck. The Force is always with you, even if you can't call upon it yet. My son has been able to achieve a lot in his life already without ever having felt it after all."

Maarani's lip twitched a smile at that. Vaner certainly had a serene charm to him, it was really quite amazing to see someone who was so completely peaceful, but still warm in presence. "I can tell. He really seems fulfilled in life."


Izan's visit to the pazaak den had lasted all of ten seconds before he was swiftly booted out, the bouncers muttering something he couldn't even understand while they glared at him to leave the area.

"At least tell me why! Is it because I've got pink skin?"

"Actually yes. They kicked me out yesterday for that."

With little recourse, Izan sighed and looked to the Zeltron woman that had spoken up, only to have his jaw drop in shock.

"Chaser? How in the hell did you end up here?"

Chaser looked right back at him with a bit of a confused look herself. "What? How do you know my name?"

"Citadel Station, some big conference on shield generators I think, grey Zabrak with a soft voice in charge." When that got nothing out of her, he stepped a little closer. "I'm Izan, third cousin? Don't you remember?"

She reached up into her mess of deep blue hair, streaking engine grease through it without a second thought. "Izan… Izan… Barfly? Lonely drunk? Weird cousin who doesn't know if he likes sleeping with men, women or whatever's in between?"

Izan's expression quickly dropped as the descriptions became less and less flattering. "That's not even really the case… Look, let's stick with Czerka observer. Well, formerly. Actually I have no idea what I am at this point. I'm not getting paid that's for sure…"

"Right…"

"Look, Chaser…" He was about to grab onto her arm, but quickly avoided doing so upon noticing more engine grease on the shoulder of her jacket that had a notable similarity to Maarani's, only with a different colour scheme and patch. He wasn't about to put his good suit in danger after all. "You busy? I just got here, and without pazaak I've got little else to do. Sure, we're only third cousins, and we don't ever speak, but now's a great chance?"

Chaser sighed, looking back at him for a little while, then threw her hands up in defeat. "Fine, I'll clean up and come by the cantina later when I'm off duty. You're buying drinks though."


Maarani spent most of the afternoon wandering around the grounds of the Reformed complex as Bastila had clarified when eventually asked. As expected, there was an expansion to their own archives and relic hall. One of the newer buildings housed a botanic laboratory where quite a few Jedi and both Republic and neutralist scientists alike studied and worked on crops that were to be grown right across Dantooine itself.

It was the first real indicator of something she had been told on Coruscant, and yet hadn't really given all that much consideration to. That of just how varied the career paths open to Jedi were. After years of picturing herself defending Twi'lek from the Hutts, the wildlife and even the weather, and then eight years of being trained solely to fight and kill Imperial pilots, a more passive lifestyle no longer looked dull by comparison.

She really could play her part in bettering the galaxy as a whole without ever having to draw a weapon ever again.

It required deeper contemplation, as did many other things she had made herself think about. A few good hours passed before Dana found her in one of the meditation halls, still lost in thought about it all.

"Nice to see you actually taking the time. I've been starting to worry with how much you've been wanting to keep moving as of late."

"I can't meditate on the Distant Star, even with engines powered down." Maarani adjusted her posture, moving from a kneeling position to a cross-legged one after easing the strain in her ankles. "It just doesn't feel right trying to connect to the Force from the emptiness of space. I know some people prefer that, but, I need real, solid ground to make it work."

"Fair. It's more common than you realize. Those I've met of the Dust Monks say that they limit space travel where possible so that they can remain connected to the lifeforce of planets. And those of the Togruta that follow more traditional paths even go barefoot to maintain their connection."

For the first time that day, Maarani's lips twitched into an eventual frown, two disturbing memories brought right back to the surface. "I know. Masaka told me that Darth Lasidia doesn't wear boots. That, and Omena used to make jokes about throwing rocks and stuff at tribals when they came by cities, making them step through the sharp ones..."

She reached up to her face and let that bad feeling dissipate away. "There I go again with spouting depressing shit. I was going so well with actually feeling good about myself, without having to be told 'You did the right thing' or 'You're an inspiration'. That kind of crap gets grating so fast you wouldn't believe-"

"Teegs, calm down. No-one should feel like they have to complain about genuine compliments when they come."

Maarani bit down on her tongue until she had taken several deep breaths, letting the anxiety fade. "It's not the compliments, it's the feeling that everyone's too quick to forgive me. Just because I owned up to violating basic sapient rights against threat of ruination doesn't mean I'm absolved. It scares me a little when people act nice now."

"And Bastila? Does she scare you? I'll admit she's acting a lot more pleasantly than I expected, and it's unnerving me."

"Yeah about that. I brought up what you said to me with her, and either she's an incredible liar or Master Pala was wrong about her being involved. Just thought you should know."

Dana was anything but upset with Maarani for that. After all, if she wanted to say it in confidence, she certainly wouldn't have done it on an open air bridge just fifteen metres away from several Jedi. And she wasn't feeling any strong denial about that either, no innate feeling that Maarani was wrong.

"Well that begs a few questions. Why would Sereti lie about that, and if it wasn't Bastila overseeing it who else knew exactly what to do?"

Maarani shifted in her spot again, this time back onto her knees but in a sideways sit instead. "Master Pala acted kinda weird both times I met her, in the Council room and right after we brought the Distant Star to the Temple if you remember. Kept prodding me about recognizing corrupted Miraluka, about Kiarna. So I don't really have a clue myself."

Dana smiled in a bemused way. "I was asking rhetorically. In any case, I'd need to give it more thought myself, another time. This was about getting you much needed help and recovery, not me finding out about my past. I won't let it be hijacked."

"You're real sweet. I mean, just the way you're looking out for me like this. I really do appreciate you giving up so much time just to put up with my bullshit."

"It's not so bad." She scoffed while leaning back against the wall at last. "You're a pain in the ass at times still, yeah. But you've got charm, and you're reasonable when you want to be. That's enough for me to stick with it, wherever this leads."

The sound of others climbing the staircase up brought a pause to their discussion.

"Nice dodge on my supposed absolvement." Maarani prepared to get back on her feet until Bastila motioned for her to stay. Jayden wasn't far behind.

"I hope we're not intruding. Word has been put out about your search, with any luck there will be a response by tomorrow afternoon."

After a glance to Dana, who proceeded to move further to the other side of the hall, Maarani looked back with an appreciative smile. "I'll have something to wake up for then. So, can I ask yet another question of you?"

"Of course."

This time she was rather more hesitant to actually make the question known, mostly because of how little she already knew. It meant the odds of her hearing an answer she didn't want at all were much higher.

"I guess you're an expert on Force bonds, right? Do you have any idea how I could end up with one, despite being cut off?"

Bastila leaned back against the railing of the staircase lightly, again with a thoughtful look. "It's not unheard of. And I would be surprised if the damage hasn't begun to heal enough for one to form, despite how personal they are it doesn't require a particularly strong link on both ends. Who do you believe you're bonded to?"

And there came the painful part of it. "Kiarna. I've heard her voice in my head several times, and she's actually responded to what I've said. That and I've got a big hole in my memory from when I met her in person, before it started happening. Can't think of any other explanation."

"I see." Bastila by then had begun rubbing around the graft between skin and metal on her right hand, a result of her own encounter with the White Terror. "Hearing the voices of each other does fit the usual signs of a bond, but memory loss is something else entirely. Have there been any other gaps I wonder?"

"Fourteen hours on Coruscant, a night on Twa'janii Station, and possibly when I was drugged on an Exchange outpost. But that might have been the drug itself I couldn't tell the difference."

"And no success in trying to recover those memories?"

Maarani made another glance at Dana. She hadn't tried all that much, or even asked about how she would go about that, but now was really the right time. "I don't know how. I just kept waking up in a cold sweat and feeling like something was really wrong."

A sharp breath drew her attention right back to Bastila. Her face was definitely a little lighter, something Jayden had also noticed based on her look.

"What? Is that bad?"

"No, I'm not sure." She leaned off the railing and began circling around, gesturing to a nearby table of stones to bring one over and set it in front of Maarani. "A good place to start would be the neutral focus meditation. Juhani has become quite proficient in it after your father taught it to her."

"My father came up with that?" She glanced to Dana again, who looked away without a word. "I've learned that one, yeah. Guess trying to use my lightsaber as a focal point wasn't the right move."

"Perhaps. It will become a better focal point when your bond with it is strengthened again. In any case, the stone has a special purpose. Touch it first."

Maarani did just that, extending her finger and quickly tapping the dark polished surface. To her surprise, it was very warm despite the table it had been sitting on being well away from any source of sunlight or heat.

"We use these stones to explore the depths of the mind. It will keep you from falling into an unconscious state, and let you describe anything you hear, see or feel to us."

"Alright, magic rocks, here goes."

She settled back into a meditative posture at last, staring at the rock for a long while before closing her eyes.

"I exist, the rock exists, the Force exists. Nothing else matters."

Her next heartbeat sounded far louder than it ever had.

"I exist."

Thump.

"The rock exists."

Thump.

"The Force…"

Her visualization of the rock was swept away.

"I see… brown. Brown dust, and dirt."

Bastila nodded slowly, beginning to brush the hem of her sleeve.

"It's windy, there's dirt blowing everywhere. It's not touching me at all."

The image began to haze. Her hand reached out to clench around the rock, trying to hold onto the supposed memory. "This is more like a dream, this isn't Sarka. What am I even saying."

"Don't worry about that Tegama. Don't look for something specific."

Maarani took another breath, putting every bit of her will forward. A figure began to materialize, a blonde woman dressed in red. Trying to say something.

Her hand released the rock in a start as a face flashed past her eyes. It broke her concentration with such a start that she nearly fell back in surprise. Dana was there to catch her in a near instant.

"Ugh! That was freaky! I knew I was mucked in the head but that…"

"Was it something repulsive? What did you see?"

After recovering her bearings and settling down again, Maarani finally shook her head. "No, it was nothing like that, just real vivid. I saw a woman in the distance, then a face came right up in front of me."

Bastila slowly moved down to one knee opposite her, watching Dana's glare until she moved away. "Who's face? Kiarna's, or someone else? Try not to find meaning in anything just yet."

Maarani rubbed at her left temple, sighing in thought. "It was, weird. A blue face, blue eyes. And…" She concentrated on the memory again, trying not to let it fade. "I think there were markings, not tattoos or that. More like they were painted on."

Bastila went a shade lighter again, swallowing in a slightly nervous way. "Can you describe the markings?"

"They were big lines. Black, grey, white."

She could tell immediately that it meant something significant to Bastila. The way her face went very pale, eyes wide, and the sudden trembling of her hand on her knee.

"You've seen that before?"

After bowing her head, something only she herself knew was out of shame, she nodded and looked back up. "In a dream of my own. What happened doesn't matter, only that I saw myself with markings identical to those you just described."

"Bit of a big coincidence then, huh?"

She sat back up when Bastila unexpectedly settled into a meditative position of her own directly across from her. The colour was returning to her face, as was a look of determination.

"The Force doesn't create coincidences. It prompted us to this moment, reminded us of times we have tried to forget. We need to see it through."

"Alright, I'm ready."

While feeling nervous again, she did her best to remain focused, following Bastila's instructions exactly, and trying not to fidget when it came time for them to both hold the stone between them. Thankfully she had chosen left hands for that part.

"Try a more recent block. Something fresh in your mind."

Maarani looked at Dana again, then sighed a little in realization. "When I held my breath for three hours. I was doing this exact meditation, without the stone obviously. Maybe that's the same kind of hole."

She closed her eyes at last, thinking back to that period. This time the image was far more tangible. She wasn't just seeing a desolate planet, but actually walking around on it.

This time, she saw herself standing in front of her, bearing those exact markings.

"Guide her to the light, she will guide you to the Force."

Again she was broken out of the moment with more than just a shudder to show for it. Again, Dana was there to keep her steady, while Bastila merely opened her eyes with a bit of disappointment.

"It's not as revealing as I had hoped."

"Well knowing my mind, I'm glad it wasn't revealing." Maarani could practically hear Dana rolling her eyes for that one. Even she felt a little disgusted with herself for making it afterwards. "One more try. I've still got that night on Twa'janii to go."

"Very well."

They established the grip around the stone again, letting the focus set in.

This time, Maarani found herself much closer to the other version of herself. There were several echoes of her voice, one ranting while the other trying to calm her down.

"I can't make out what either me is saying."

"Don't force it. Let the words flow."

Her fingers gripped around the stone harder. Muffled words on the wind began to form into actual sounds.

"Az… Aze?" A chill went through her body. "Azera Vass?"

Save your mate from the darkness.

At last, she broke the focus of her own will, her hand lowering down to the floor to release the stone gently. It took her a few moments to realize Bastila had already broken from the link.

"Azera Vass. I don't recognize the name, but at least you now we know who it is you're intended to 'guide to the light'."

"Yeah, I'll get to it after I save the corrupted Miraluka, break the HK-50 droids and find a way to stop my sister from killing me."

"At least you now know something about the memory gaps. I'm going to meditate on these visions myself, perhaps I can find something further in them that will be of help."

"Right…"

Maarani grabbed onto Dana's shoulder for support when finally getting up, her legs sore from how long she had been sitting there. Hard flooring wasn't nearly as comfortable as thick grass or freshly matted leaves and damp twigs.

On the way down the staircase, she finally made herself let go of Dana. "That was really weird. I saw a woman in red the first time, but not the others. And this bit about Azera Vass?"

"I don't recognize the name either. But then I've been on Coruscant for most of my current life, and you know how isolated the Telos base is."

"I'll figure it out when I need to. I'm fine now. I just need time to think."

"Sure. I'll be on the Distant Star, gonna see how Izan's doing."

Coincidentally, Jayden moved to her side not long after Dana had left it, finding herself still in a search for words. There was a lot to be said indeed after all.

"So, what else did you find out in there?"

Maarani slowly looked up at her.

"I'm just wondering, it might have an impact I'm what I'm about to tell you."

There was a hum of thought before Maarani replied. "After Bastila broke the link, I heard 'Save your mate from the darkness'. So, is Azera Vass supposed to be my soulmate or something?"

Jayden's face tightened, her hand slowly reaching for the communicator she had held onto all that time, and always kept on her person in the slim chance she did get a call first.

"I've met Azera Vass. She's a Sith woman who helped me escape the hospital on Arkanis when a group we only know as the Fallen massacred the place. We both ended up there after the HK-50s attacked Dalchon, as I recall she was shot saving children from them. She even flew me right to Mandalore on her way back to the other Sith."

"Well, that sounds a hell of a lot better already. Sure, Sith are bad, but if she's not the nasty sort…"

"She has a husband."

Maarani's hands clenched again, though her face was one of disappointment. "Oh. Well that's just typical, isn't it? Turns out my soulmate is a lot closer than I thought, and might not even be that hard to redeem, but oh wait she's a straight woman fuck you Maarani."

"That's a childish way of looking at it; there's no telling how things will turn out." She drew out the communicator at last, handing it out for Maarani to take. "I brought it up because she gave me this before we parted ways. We ran into a group known as the Following, they were looking to protect 'the One', and Azera and I agreed to share any information we found about this 'One'. But none of them have appeared since, and I thought you might want the chance to talk to her yourself."

"And you tell me this after Bastila makes a point about the Force guiding things? That makes this whole mess so much weirder!"

"Do you want to or not?"

After an eyeroll, Maarani grabbed the communicator and set it right on her hand. "Just you watch, I open it up, and it's either Darth Lasidia on the other end, or her husband. Bet he'll be pleased."

For a small while, there was nothing. A signal had definitely gone out, but even considering the size of the communicator, and the potential distance between Dantooine and wherever Azera was, it was a painful waiting period.

When it did finally blare into life, only the head of a masked woman was visible. Jayden immediately recognized it as Azera.

"I was starting to believe you had forgotten about our arrangement, or chosen to ignore it."

The raspy voice was unmistakably hers.

"I got roped into other duties Azera. The Following and the Fallen haven't done anything since our last meeting. That's not why I called anyway."

The projection rotated to Maarani, who shivered a little when she felt the scanner take her image.

"A Twi'lek? What do you want?"

"Uh, well…" She bit her lip in another bout of nervousness. What could she possibly say? "Your name came to me in a vision, and I am completely serious when I say that. I don't know anything about this 'One', but I have run into some reprogrammed HK-50s that said weird shit and called me 'Lady' with that same kind of emphasis. Don't suppose you know anything about a Seer, a Witch or a Silent?"

"No, I don't."

Maarani sighed in defeat. There seemed little point in continuing. "I suppose I should be sorry for bothering you, even if you are Sith. Have fun with your husband."

"What do you even mean by that? Who are you?"

Right before ending the transmission, she clenched her other hand up for a moment of courage. "I'm the one being hunted by half the galaxy. And I'll be sorry if I have to shoot you if we do eventually meet. You're supposed to be my soulmate after all."

She shut it off and chucked it back to Jayden with a cold look. "I tried. Now we go back to finding Yuthura." And she made her departure on that.


"Oh, I wish I could see your face right now!"

Kiarna twisted her head to Carudan, the hand printed on her mask glowing ever so slightly beneath the black overlay she had hastily pulled over it. "Be so very damn glad you cannot."

He laughed again for a solid half minute before finally calming down, making some small corrections to their course as a means of settling his amusement. "That alone is well worth enduring this agonizing cycle of flying Miraluka across the galaxy."

"And I will make it clear for the last time, Carudan. My kindred come before all else." In a fit of anger, she tore the overlay from her mask and set the voice modulator in the mask back to its default. "I'm still waiting for you to decide who goes to take her down you know."

"Oh, I'm more than happy to let you go and kill her." He waited for her to turn back around before letting that grin appear again. "She's already fine with killing her soulmate, only fair you have something in common."

"Get out!"

"And let a blind woman fly us to wherever it is we're headed next?"

Out came the lightsaber, the purple blade humming right under his chin while he glared back at her. Barely a flinch from him. "You're real tetchy from that. I'm surprised you managed to stay so calm."

The blade vanished back into the lightsaber, which Kiarna very nearly threw across the room in fury. Instead, it came to rest on her lap. She was still silent.

"Come to think of it, I'm surprised she didn't recognize you. A black cloth only goes so far."

"Twi'lek are human-shaped cattle, you're an idiot if you expect insight from them. If it weren't so important to keep the two names separate, I'd have gladly watched her mental implosion from learning the truth."

Carudan smirked at that before returning to the controls again. "You're a real credit to your kind Kiarna. So, once we drop that quaking mess off, where are we going next? I might want to purchase a good hat while we're there."

"Ketaris. And I highly doubt you'd ever buy a hat."

"Fine, I admit it. I'm hungry, and I have the distinct feeling you won't let me snack on any of your friends. A populated world won't miss one or two humans I suppose."

That made Kiarna turn away as well. Slaughtering villagers, duelling and beheading Jedi. Those were entertaining to her. Whatever Carudan practised, whether he really was just a superior being preying on those below, or actual cannibalism was far from that.

"Whatever. I really don't want to know more. We do this, and either I go to Katarr or we go and take Maarani down. And then you leave my ship."

"Anything you say, dear wife of mine."


The cantina was exactly where Dana found Izan, and he looked exactly as she had expected. Drunk as Zeltrons could get, and hopelessly alone.

"Oh boy, I thought Maarani was the one who had depressive bouts. This takes the cake."

"I got stood up by my own cousin."

Dana went through several different expressions. Pity, turned to confusion, turned to realization, turned to disgust, and finally turned to dismissal. "Izan, I'm… sorry?"

It took him a few glances at her to finally catch onto what she was thinking. "No! Not like that! That's… actually kinda racist I think. We were supposed to have an actual chat, like relatives should when they don't hate each other, but it's been hours and a no show."

"Well, these things happen." Dana finally took up the seat next to him, gesturing at the bartender that she wasn't ordering yet. "Were you planning to meet him here on Dantooine, or was this just happenstance? Can't really blame him if it's the latter."

"Her, and this was a spontaneous thing. I mean, okay, we're only third cousins, but that's about the closest I've got beside you, Jayden, Maarani and Cecile. I wanted to sit down with someone I'm not risking life and limb for on a daily basis, just for a while."

"Okay, well, you could tell me about her instead if you're so bored that you're reaching for third cousins to spend time with over shipmates."

Izan glanced at her, downed the last of his drink, and finally sat back up from his moping spot on the bar itself. "Name's Chaser. She's part of some Republic engineering division, didn't get a good look at her team patch. First time we met was way back on Citadel Station. The highlight of my day was actually meeting a relative for once. And then she was gone, and I went back to the routine."

When there was no further word from him, Dana frowned a little, twisting on her chair some more. "Is that really it? You met once, didn't bother to try and maintain contact, and that's grounds for being upset when she might just have actual commitments to worry about?"

"Well… Yeah, yeah that is it. And no, I can't back that up anymore. How am I even supposed to argue with a psychologist?"

"You start by not bothering."

"Figures. How's Maarani doing?"

Dana made a bit of a grimace at his forced change of subject. "Surprisingly well. I was worried she'd end up clashing with Bastila, or end up doing something stupid, but she's actually been able to make a lot more progress than I thought possible under the circumstances. She might even stop being such a moody bitch if this keeps up."

"I'm almost sad to hear that, I've gotten used to her being abusive half the time, crazed and raving the other half. And the third half actually being a decent person."

"I'm not falling for that Izan."

He picked up his glass in a bit of a mocking toast. "Worth a shot."

"Not falling for that one either."

"You're no fun. At least when I pretend to be drunk I don't start talking about burying my face in Nautolan tentacles. I think that's what Maarani was trying to get at."

"Right, good luck finding one actually willing… actually I don't want to think about that either." She moved out of her seat at last, but took the time to grip his shoulder before leaving. "For what it's worth, we all appreciate you sticking with it for Teegs' sake. I'm just sorry it ended up ruining things between you and your mother."

"I'm over Luxa, but thanks anyway."

He watched her part with a smile, and make her way back to the door. After further thought, he left a sufficient pile of credits on the bar and went to follow after her. She would need help keeping an eye on Zariba after all.


Zimorr muttered curses when thrust into the room by the unseen assailants he had somehow missed before they whacked him over the head. He was still bothered, and ironically a bit in admiration of their success in pulling off such a feat. They couldn't have known they were dealing with a cyborg after all, let alone a Miraluka one.

And in spite of having ample time to learn that, they had still moved him into a room that had several doorways he could perceive, and more importantly had nothing in the way of Force nullification or cybernetic dampening. Either very bold of them, or very stupid.

"You play a dangerous game messing with me, whomever you are. I have friends, powerful friends. Among the Jedi, the Sith, the upper reaches of the Exchange. I've even made friends with the largest HK-50 army in the galaxy."

"None of them will be of use to you."

From directly opposite Zimorr came Rinzaan, no longer wearing the uniform of a Republic Intelligence officer, the head laden with native tattoos on full display now.

That made Zimorr smile. "Republic Intelligence are sinking lower and lower. From torturing Mirialan civilians to kidnapping a perfectly legitimate slicer."

Rinzaan's grin was wider. "This has nothing to do with Republic intelligence."

Several more people began to step into the room. A Jedi, some various Republic officers, two Sith, a Czerka administrator, and four others dressed in grey robes.

The smile wiped away when Zimorr realized he couldn't look beneath the hoods of the four mystery people. There was no nullification resin involved. Through sheer power in the Force they were blocking his sight, and that was something he had never seen before.

"The Following like to call us the Fallen. We came to see the truth about the False One, and they condemned us for it. That is all you need to know of us."

"Oh really?"

One of the hooded figures spoke the same language he had overheard back at Republic Intelligence to Rinzaan. She nodded when he was done, looking back to Zimorr. "You ruined a plan of ours. We intended to leak files that would destroy relations between the False One and the Jedi to them alone. You allowed the Hidden Hand to distribute them across the galaxy, and now the Lady has used it as an opportunity to sway opinion of her to be more favourable than ever. A horrific setback in our plans because of your interference."

"Hmph, I don't really care. I heard what you said about Azera, how she is claimed as a mate to this 'false one'. I was angry, and I do irrational things when I get angry. You should have practised better security."

Another hooded figure spoke. This time the voice had a feminine tone to it. She still spoke the same language that he didn't recognize at all.

"Whether you care or not is irrelevant. Your alliance with the droids is now null, you work for us."

Zimorr formed his smile again, making sure to let his eye camera get a good scan of everyone around him while he slowly turned. "And why would I break off a lucrative contract like that?"

Rinzaan stopped him in his tracks, and with a quick gesture disabled the camera in his eye using a jamming device located inside her wrist. "We know you have an infatuation with the False One's chosen mate. We did intend to kill her, but given the failure of our kindred on Arkanis, we are open to the possibility of letting her live. We also know that you would like nothing more than to take her as a brain dead body, which would suit our needs quite nicely."

"Funny, that's exactly what the HK-50s offered me. I'm still not seeing the benefit."

"They don't want you to kill the False One for starters. And if that is not enough to convince you…"

One of the Sith stepped forward and touched the direct centre of his forehead with two fingers.

"We have interrogated Azera Vass in the past, the Following allowed her to escape, then wiped her memories. She will not anticipate the gift we give you now."

A sharp pain went right through Zimorr's head, running through into the exoskeleton attached to his back in a hard jolt. He could barely make out the Jedi moving behind him while he stumbled briefly.

"Speak that name to her. The programming in her mind will leave her almost entirely defenceless. We could not counteract the dark powers contained within her mask, you will need to deal with that yourself."

Zimorr finally got out a laugh when standing back upright. For a group of secretive cultists, they were being quite liberal with their intentions. "'Tulara'. Someone she knew I take it?"

"Her mother's name, we believe."

That brought on a louder laugh. "Oh yes, now I remember. I'm sure she'll appreciate the irony someday, if she can remember any of it."

"Then you accept our terms?"

He made one more pass around the room with his sight, then nodded slowly. "It seems I've little choice in the matter anyway. I couldn't refuse an offer that guarantees me Azera's body intact. The droids were hardly as willing to negotiate on that."

"Then our business is done. Be on your way to Ketaris."

The Jedi behind him reached up to the back of his head and rendered him unconscious once more.


Night had fallen by the time Maarani came back from her walk through the grazing lands that extended out to the north. While walking around Khoonda was something in the way of exercise, it was hard to argue with the serenity of endless grass, and the occasional kath hound that came over and tried to lick her face until it grew bored and ran off.

But then, it was exactly the kind of distraction from soul searching that she needed at least once every hour. Something to keep her grounded, while admittedly on the ground for a change.

She was mildly surprised, and a little touched, that there were a few Jedi watching the perimeter section that had been left open for her. They nodded with a small smile as she passed; the hum of the field itself coming to life right behind her.

The main building was noticeably lacking in people compared to when she had left. A quick assumption was that they had either gone to the lower levels or one of the dorm buildings, and those that remained had duties of their own to attend to.

More surprising was that she found Jayden overlooking one of the pebble gardens, her reaction making it rather clear that she had been waiting for her return.

"I was starting to worry. Typically it isn't a good sign when someone runs off unannounced."

"I needed time to think. I'm sorry I blew up at you earlier."

"In hindsight, I should have waited until tomorrow. But at least you know."

A tense silence began to settle. Maarani could feel discomfort rising from within. So much had happened in the space of a day, perhaps too much for her to properly handle.

"Crazy, isn't it? Either I would have gone on from here with just a name and a concept of who Azera Vass is, nothing assured or reliable. Or, I actually do go on from here knowing who she is, vaguely, knowing all the reasons why things aren't going to work out, and the added problem of feeling like something is very wrong anyway. And no, I can't just pretend I don't know any of that."

"Then don't. Putting disbelief aside for a moment, Bastila clearly believes that there's some guidance from the Force involved here, so chances are you won't even need to try and seek her out. Things will probably happen that will open up an opportunity to set things straight while we continue the search for Yuthura."

"Yeah, maybe her husband will meet with a convenient accident along the way…"

Jayden placed a firm grip on her shoulder, but it was not accompanied by a dismissive remark. "Don't worry about the details, they're not important. Restoring the connection is what matters above all else, right?"

Maarani didn't have a chance to answer, as Vaner was briskly walking up the corridor in search of her in particular.

"Good, you're back. We've been given a reliable source on Yuthura's whereabouts after her departure from Coruscant. That, and the Senate is about to announce their decision on the Mirial incident."

After a look to Jayden, she sighed and made her way over to Vaner's side. "Sooner than I expected, but I'd rather be done with it now."

"I'll return to the Distant Star then. There's some things I need to discuss with Dana anyway."

There was a brisk walk back to the communications room, which was notably devoid of anyone else. Vaner moved to a nearby console as soon as he was inside.

"I asked the others to take a small break, seeing as this might not be a good announcement, and I didn't want you to feel pressured by observers."

"It wouldn't be the first time, but thank you." She moved up to the holotable in that time, waiting for the projection of the Chancellor himself to come up in front of her.

"As for the contact, she only identified herself as 'The Watcher'. She's based on Ketaris, been there for several years now, and she has a contact of her own that met with Yuthura a few months after the massacre. Apparently getting a meeting with her contact will require special arrangements; she'll be ready to explain the rest when you get there."

"Great, spy stuff."

Vaner grinned at that while making the final preparations. "Jayden has experience with that from what she told me earlier, so you are in good hands." He turned from the console at last and approached the holotable. "It'll begin any moment now. I can wait outside if you'd prefer as well."

"Actually, I'd rather you stayed."

Maarani finally made herself look over at him, a solemn look having settled over her. "I have a history of, well, not taking bad news well. I'd rather not be left alone completely if it turns out that way."

The holotable blared into life at last, bringing up the form of the Chancellor. An older Ithorian that had some notable battle scars from his early service. Small wonder that they had chosen someone with military experience to lead the Republic in a time of war. There was a small delay between his speech in Ithorian, and the table's translation to Basic.

"In regards to the atrocities committed on Mirial, recently brought to light by a still yet unidentified source, I and the members of the Republic Senate have reached the following conclusions;..."

Maarani held her breath in growing nervousness.

"In regards to those directly responsible from the military corps, namely the members of starfighter squadron Blue, and certain members of the 22nd Infantry Division, we have settled on a conditional amnesty for past actions."

She let out that breath in a great wave of relief. Whatever the conditions were, she still felt much better knowing that she was not going to be declared a fugitive.

"The conditions extend not only to those mentioned above, but all active and inactive military personnel and officers. Any further involvement in illegal operations will be met with the harshest penalties available from this moment forward. Failure to report any knowledge of said operations to a superior or appropriate ambassador will be considered collusion, and carry those same penalties. These penalties will range from dishonourable discharge and bound disclosure of activities, to maximum prison sentences and revoking of all diplomatic privileges. No one species will be allowed to hide behind the customs of their people we so charitably work to ensure remain uninhibited for all else."

"Well good, this was the one and only time. I'm really in the clear then."

While the Chancellor continued on about sanctions being imposed on Republic Intelligence, she slowly drifted away from the table. Her hands eventually went to her face to muffle out her great sigh of relief. For once, she wasn't bothered in the slightest by a hand being placed on her arm.

"Another burden off your shoulders, how do you feel Tegama?"

Her hands fell away from her face at last, reaching up with the free one to brush her lekku forward over her shoulders. "Better. A lot better." She looked up to Vaner with a small smile. "Thank you again. I really do wish I could stay here longer and not worry about who follows me."

"There's always another time. Who knows, you may see me on Coruscant at some point eventually. I intend to work towards restoring relations between the Reformed and the Order."

"Good luck with that. Er, I mean…" She bit down on her lip. "I don't know a good alternative to that. Sorry."

"It's appreciated nonetheless." His hand moved away from her arm at last while he led her back out into the hallway. "While you're here, might I recommend visiting one of the stores just off the marketplace? The technician there is a good friend of ours, he disassembles, refurbishes and even constructs lightsabers and their key components for the Reformed and those in need of unique parts. Mother mentioned that you had yet to complete your lightsaber."

"I'll take a look tomorrow before I head out then."

She left the complex grounds shortly after. While a little faster than she had expected, her visit had still proven to be well worth the trip over for so many reasons she could barely begin to count them. The only regret remaining was that she wouldn't have more time to meet some of the others properly.


It was a mild blow to Jayden's mood to see Zariba sitting in the kitchen area, looking even more defeated than ever. Sooner or later, her spirit would begin to break, and that would surely make things worse when it came time to return her to Seradan.

She could tell Dana was not going to budge on the matter however, and thus chose to avoid the subject. There were other things she had to ask of her after all.

Izan on the other hand greeted her with a polite nod. "The maintenance crew says they can have the new shield generator ready by noon tomorrow. Didn't think it was worth pushing for an overnight job when we'll be getting rest here anyway."

"Good, I get the feeling Maarani won't push for a fast departure after taking a five hour walk, but that will ensure she rests properly."

"She doing okay?"

Jayden's lips began to twist. What answer could possibly cover everything that had happened without causing more questions, or an incident when Maarani got back?

"Don't ask about Azera Vass, that's all I'll say."

Not long after, Dana finally escorted Zariba back to her cabin and began to return to the common room, as Jayden had been waiting for. She stopped her in the corridor outside and nodded to the port cargo hold.

Even after the door was sealed shut, she remained hesitant. After all, she already had a strong feeling she wasn't going to like what she was about to hear.

"On the bridge just outside Khoonda, you told Maarani that you're only mentally thirty years old, and you only had Sereti's word to go on."

Dana's arms began to fold. "Right?"

"That's completely at odds with your rant at Sereti herself, calling her a bratty young woman among other things. And if you actually do remember that time, including Surik and her decisions, why lie to Maarani?"

After several moments of glancing around, feeling very tense, Dana finally sighed and relaxed her posture. "I didn't want to tell her that it was her own father who destroyed the old me, and created the one you see now."

Jayden began to feel a little sick from the shock. She had only met the man a handful of times at large gatherings, but even that had painted a vastly different impression.

"I love her too much to destroy what little hope she has left by ruining the image she has of her father. Sereti would have come out with far too much for her to handle, and it would have crushed her. I refuse to let that happen."

"Love her? What do-"

This time it was Dana's turn to wave away any questions. "It's a complex situation. In short, part of a plan I gave to her father involved a purified crystal of my blood. It is what separates my people from normal humans and humanoids." She turned her head away slowly, no longer wanting to see Jayden's continued look that made her feel all kinds of uncomfortable. "Maarani carries the blood of Masadar, of Rilana, and myself. With her parents gone, I really am the closest blood relative left to her."

She took a strong breath before turning back to her. "Mandalorians adopt others into their family, regardless of race or age. For my people, the bond does actually extend to blood in tradition. And whatever I must do to protect Maarani, from the galaxy, and from herself, I will do."

Jayden backed away slowly, only so that she could turn around herself to try and comprehend what had been revealed to her. It explained a lot of her protective behaviour. And yet there was still something off about it all.

"You're not actually identifying your race for a reason then. Did the Mandalorians do something terrible to them, generations before I was born? Is that why you have been so passively hostile towards me?"

"I am only looking out for her interests, this has nothing to do with the Mandalorians leaving my people to die at the hands of the Jedi!"

There was immediate regret at her outburst. If Izan, or Maarani herself was out there in the corridor at that moment…

"Dana, what the hell are you talking about? The Neo-Crusaders didn't ally with other races in their war with the Republic."

And there, Dana found herself in the true moment of conflict. She could shut down any further discussion, and pray that Jayden would accept her need for silence and continue to protect Maarani. Or, she could take the risk of losing her trust altogether by coming out with the truth.

She chose the latter at long last.

"My people fought alongside the Crusaders, the original ones, under Exar Kun. When they retreated, when Kun fell and the war ended, my people were next."

The room began to grow darker as she stepped towards Jayden. Her normally brown eyes began to wash out, into a distinct shade of lavender.

"No-one remembers the Vahla anymore. The Jedi committed genocide of both the people and the culture. Every single reference to their name was destroyed. Their homeworld is now lost to the void because they erased every single reference and stellar path leading to it in all the records across the galaxy. I'm host to the memories of a living relic of a dead race. All I have left is Maarani, and I will protect her to my dying breath."

For all that had just been revealed to her, Jayden took the simple point behind it all for what it was. There was no wish for sympathy, or apologies, or any of that. "I am not my ancestors, on either side of my heritage. I might not have liked being put on this assignment to begin with, but I won't abandon it now."

She looked around when the encroaching darkness receded, and Dana's eyes returned to their normal colour. Immediately she could tell there was still more to come.

"That's not everything, is it? By my word Dana, I won't betray confidence now. I do need to know everything if I am going to properly protect her."

Dana's lip started to tremble, right before she turned away to hide the result of her small outburst. When she did calm back down, it was with an affirming breath, and a quick look around the ship itself with Force sight to be certain Maarani had yet to return.

"It's taken me awhile to notice, her confession about Blue Squadron activities tipped me off, but there is something very dark, very bad hiding inside her. I think it's a Sith mind, and I would stake my life on that Sith being directly related to why her connection to the Force was cut off."

"What? I've been told repeatedly it happened when she crashed on a planet-"

"That wouldn't have done it. If she were to cut herself off, it would have been directly in response to the massacre, not after it. And a crash is not enough to cause such a devastating mental break. Someone else is involved."

"And this Sith supposedly inside her?"

Dana wiped her eyes clear before she was able to shed any tears. For the time being, they both had to appear strong for Maarani. "I'm still looking into a way to get it out of her safely. I was terrified Bastila would sense it and try something stupid. Because if it gets out on its own, Maarani's mind will be destroyed. Just like Suroni before me. Only the one that replaces her will be far worse, and have the powers of a dark empath at their disposal."

She glanced back over her shoulder at Jayden. "Kiarna may have tried to get at it. Masaka almost certainly will if she gets the chance. Sereti is going to reveal that truth and assume she can stop the Sith, without any regard for Maarani herself. We are very much on our own in this matter, and if I can't find a solution, it will take a literal miracle to save her. Those are the stakes we are dealing with, Jayden Mires."

They both turned to the doorway when they heard Maarani clamour inside at last. Just moments away from setting things in motion far too soon.

"We need to get Zariba off the ship before then. And possibly Izan too, they're both in danger."

"I'm working on that. But we cannot push Maarani much further after all she's been through. Patience is what I need most right now, until I come up with a new plan." Dana sighed as she reached for the door panel at last, hoping for them both to leave the cargo hold before Maarani noticed.

"It was my plan that brought Maarani into existence to begin with. I pushed Masadar into breeding with Rilana. She's my responsibility now, and she'll learn that when it's safe to tell her."