"Are you certain of that, Darth Maul?" Darth Sidious demanded. Even in holographic form he was intimidating.

"Yes. There is no doubt in my mind that it is her," Maul nodded gravely.

Sidious stared at his apprentice for what seemed to Maul like hours. "You must bring her to me."

"As you wish, my Master," Maul stated, keeping all emotion out of his voice.

There was a long silence, and Maul knew that Sidious was probing his mind.

"It is not open for discussion," Sidious snapped, then cut the transmission.

Maul lowered his eyes. He had been running errands for his Master for weeks, and he was weary from the relentless space travel. He had aided in the destruction of four Rebel outposts, and single-handedly taken out the small but vital station on Léonna VI.

Maul yawned, an act that he had rarely experienced. He was run-down, and suddenly barely able to keep his eyes open. He put his Sith Infiltrator II into autopilot, and retreated to the small bunkroom, disrobing as the door slid open.

He carelessly dropped his cloak and robes on the floor, then curled up on the mattress, thoughts of the blue-skinned, orange-eyed dancing girl he had encountered four years ago replaying in his head...


* * *


There was a rapping on Lou's door, so she switched off the screen she had been reading, and went to the door. "Who's there?"

"It's Kane."

Lou rolled her eyes, opening the door for him. "Can I help you Captain?"

Lindsey smiled, realizing that she would probably never call him by his first name so long as she lived. "I just wanted to see how you were. Park explained the situation to me."

"He did?" He's dead.

"Yeah," his voice was clouded with suspicion at the way she had responded to his revelation. "He said that you haven't been sleeping well and sometimes that...'affects your mental state'?" Lindsey quoted Park for the last part.

"He did?" He's very dead. Lindsey nodded, even more suspicious now. "Well," Lou forced a smile at her Captain. "It's true that I haven't been sleeping well lately." She pondered for a moment. "Come to think of it," she lied, "I guess it really does affect my mental state." In fact, it turns me into a loonie ready to kill her crewmate, she seethed inwardly. Park was going to get his this time.

"Alright," Lindsey was saying. "You can return to the Bridge whenever you feel ready."

"Thanks, Captain. I'll be there shortly."

"Good, good," Lindsey was clearly relieved. "I'll tell Breckin." He could not keep the smile off his face. "He's been bitchin' at me for hours." He started back to the Bridge.

"I'll bet he has." Lou had to smile, too, thinking about Breckin, sitting on the Bridge, wondering where his relief was, probably harping on Taggart...the smile dissolved. "How's Raine?" she called after Lindsey.

The Captain stopped and came back. "He's...he's been better, but...I dunno, he doesn't want to talk about it."

Lou nodded in understanding. They stood in silence for awhile, wondering what the other was thinking.

Lou glanced over her shoulder, then stepped out of the way, allowing the door to slide closed behind her. "To the Bridge, then?" she arched her eyebrow at him.

Lindsey nodded, motioning for her to lead the way.

"Thank you so much for deciding to show up," Breckin snarled, surrendering his station.

"You could have called Rustin," Lou shrugged.

Breckin narrowed his eyes at her. "Rustin doesn't know the chair from the monitor," he snapped, then left.

"What's he got stuck up his ass?" Lou asked Taggart.

"I don't know and I don't care," he answered, not taking his eyes off the screen ahead of him.

"I see," she watched him fidget with his wedding ring. "How are you?" she almost whispered.

Taggart stopped fidgeting. "I keep meaning to take it off, but it's a...habit," he stumbled over the answer. He looked like he wanted to say something more, and Lou waited for his thoughts to express themselves. "I miss her," he said finally. "I haven't seen her in two months, and fourteen days-give or take a few hours." Taggart shook his head, closing his eyes. "And now I'll never see her again."

Lou squeezed his shoulder reassuringly, as he began fidgeting with his ring again. "You don't real have to take it off."

"You don't have anyone, do you?"

Her eyes went distant. "No, no I don't."

"Good. That's the best way to be right now, with this war on, and all." Lou nodded, unable to speak. She was thinking about Darth Maul. Taggart still was not looking at her, otherwise he would have caught the sadness in her eyes. "Anyways," he sighed, his fingers hovering over the keyboard.

"Captain Lindsey," McDougall strode past Lou to talk to the Captain. "I believe I have deduced the exact opposing force that laid siege upon our vessel."

Force, funny that he would choose that word, Lou thought.

"Who talks like that?" Taggart murmured.

Lou smiled at him. "Not I."

Taggart shook his head.

"Oh?" Lindsey looked up at McDougall. "By all means, share your finding."

Lou guessed what ship had attacked them before McDougall responded to the Captain's query. "The Sith Infiltrator."

"The Sith Infiltrator II," McDougall was saying. "Piloted by an unknown sentient."

"Piloted by Darth Maul, you-"

"Lou?" Taggart was shaking her lightly. She looked at him, confused. "You were talking to yourself."

"I was?" Taggart nodded. "Oh," Lou turned her attention back to her station.

"Are you alright?"

"I wish people would stop asking me that," she snapped.

"I was just returning the favour," he returned defensively.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Lou honestly felt bad that she had insulted Taggart. He was going through enough as it was already, he did not need her attitude. "I'm just a little out of it."

Taggart nodded, but did not reply. Lou tuned into Lindsey and McDougall's conversation.

"Where did it come from?"

"Presumably, the Sith Infiltrator II has been cloaked and following us for a lengthy period of time," McDougall explained.

"Why?" Lindsey asked the same question Lou was wondering.

"Do you want me to hypothesize?"

Lindsey folded his arms across his chest. "Sure."

McDougall stood in silence for a few moments, formulating his theory. "Perhaps the pilot's mission was to destroy the Angel and her crew." The Captain waited while McDougall speculated other possibilities. "Or he was following us to ascertain the location of our fleet, or a secret Base." McDougall looked directly at Lindsey. "I will research the Sith and their prospected abilities, and then I shall present you with a sufficient response to your query."

Lindsey nodded at him, seemingly thinking about what McDougall had just proposed. McDougall bowed his head, then returned to his station.

I was looking for you, Jareena. Maul's voice was talking to her again.

Lou closed her eyes. Leave me alone, Maul. You're dead. Why are you haunting me four years later?

I'm not dead, and I'm not haunting you. I need to see you.

No.

Taggart watched Lou curiously, but said nothing to her.

Park looked up from his station suddenly. He felt as though he was no longer alone with his thoughts, like there was another presence in his mind. He furrowed his eyebrows, wondering if this is what one felt like when one was crazy.

He looked down at the floor, then up at the ceiling. He reached his hand up to touch the light fixture.

Yes, Park decided, I am insane.

No, you're not, came a low, gravelly voice inside Park's head.

Right, was Park's sarcastic response. Then who are you?

You know who I am.

"Uh, Park?" Lindsey was standing below him, staring incredulously.

Though Lou still had her eyes closed, she could see what was happening. It was like a dream, and she could not wake up.

Stop it, Maul, she pleaded. Let him go.

Will you change your choice?

I can't, Maul.

Very well.

Icy, invisible fingers clamped around Park's neck, cutting off the air traveling into his lungs.

Lou wanted to get up, to scream, to do something, but she was rooted to her seat, watching it all play out in her mind. Let him go, Maul! He did not respond. Lou felt panic rising, but there was nothing she could do. Maul, stop it!

Taggart put his hand on Lou's shoulder, and her connection with the Sith Lord was broken. She got up quickly, and ran over to Park. She could see that he was losing consciousness.

"What the hell is going on?" Lindsey yelled at Lou, expecting her to know the answer.

"Alright, Maul! Let him go, and tell me where!" Lou ignored Lindsey completely, opting instead to save her friend's life.

Coruscant.

Park literally dropped to the floor, gasping. Lou put her hand on his shoulder, and he gave her a 'was that him?' look. She nodded, and Park looked down at the floor. He had many questions that he wanted to ask her, but they would have to wait until the two of them were alone.

Clarissa Nordat took up Park's station, as Lou helped him to his feet.

"Maybe you should go back to your quarters and get some rest," Lindsey suggested.

"Maybe you should cut your hair," Park shot back.

Lou tried not to laugh, as she said, "Come on, Morty. Let's get you in bed."

"Ooh," Park snickered.

"That's not what I meant."

"Lou, I want to talk to you when you get back, so don't be too long," the Captain told her.

"Yes, Sir."

When he and Lou were out in the hallway, Park managed to ask, "Are you sure that was him?" his voice was a low croak.

"Yes, I'm positive."

"Only fools are positive."

"Are you sure?"

Park's laugh turned into coughing. "I'm alright," he assured her, swiping his keycard. "You'd better hurry back. Lindsey wants you."

"That's not funny. Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Oh, yeah," he coughed again. "I've never felt so fantabulous in my life."

Lou gazed at Park, not wanting to leave him alone. She sighed sadly, then said, "I'm so sorry, Morty."

Park shook his head. "Nah, it wasn't your fault. It's not like you wanted him to do it, or suggested for him to do it." He paused to catch his breath. "What I don't get, is...isn't he dead?"

"I...I thought he was. But now I'm not so sure." Lou forced a smile, and squeezed Park's hand. "I'll come by later to check on you."

"Sounds good." Sensing that Lou was not going to leave before he closed the door, he stepped back into his room so that the door could slide shut.

Lou forced herself to return to the Bridge.

"This way, Ensign," Lindsey directed her into his office. Lou followed him, noticing Breckin sitting at her station. "What the hell is happening, Lou? And don't tell me you don't know because I know you do. Why did you freak out the other day? And why the hell was Park floating?"

"It's a long story."

"Well, start talking," he ordered.

"I can't tell you, Sir," she said, taking a deep breath.

"Why the hell not?" Lindsey's anger was ready to wage war on everything in its path.

"Because, Lindsey, I-"

"Tell me something, Lou. I'm not stupid. I can see that your change in mood is linked with that ship that attacked. I know that you know who pilots that ship." Lindsey stared into her eyes. "I don't want to have to confine you to your quarters. Or lock you in the brig." Lou's gaze narrowed. "Tell me who it is, that's an order, Ensign."

Lou deliberated over her answer. Even if she did tell her Captain the truth, he probably would not believe her. But if she lied...Lou's exhalation came out in a huff. "You won't believe me."

"Yes, I will. You're the only person onboard with any kind of a clue. Tell me."

"It's...Darth Maul."

"It can't be. He died-"

"Three years ago, I know. But I don't think Kenobi killed Maul."

"Then who was it?"

"I don't know."

A clone.

"Maybe a clone."

It was not my idea.

Why do I care?

I just thought you would like to know. How's Morty?

Leave off, Maul.

As you wish.

"-and who did it?" Lindsey was pacing, trying to think this through verbally.

"Did what?" Lou had not been listening, as she had been 'speaking' with Darth Maul.

"Cloned the Sith. Who would have-of course, whoever his Master was...he must have foreseen Darth Maul's death, and decided that he needed him around still."

"It's possible."

"How much do you know, Lou?"

"That is what I know."

"I'm going to let you off for now, Ensign, but I want you to know that I'm going to watch you very closely, and if you do or say anything suspicious, I won't hesitate to lock you up."

"Well, thanks for the warning," Lou muttered sardonically. "I'll remember to watch my back from now on."

"Don't leave this office thinking that I'm out to get you, Lou, I'm not. But I am responsible for the well-being of my crew, and right now their well-being is threatened."

"You don't have to justify yourself to me, Lindsey." The Captain nodded at her. "So, can I go? Are we done?"

"Yeah, sure. Dismissed."

Lou turned on her heel, then waited impatiently for the door to slide open. Lindsey watched her go, struggling with his feelings for her and the overwhelming responsibilities faced by every captain. He did not truly believe that Lou was intentionally endeavoring to endanger his crew, but she had not been acting like herself lately.

Lindsey shook his head at his thoughts. He would dead with this as it unfolded.

"Kane, I need to talk to you," Taggart intercepted him exiting his office.

"Of course," he gestured back into his office.