"Why are they here?" Master Ryen asked without turning. He watched his Padawan train.
"Anti-Force Sensitive training," Master Ocera replied.
Ryen sighed. "We really don't have the time."
"I know," Ocera said. "But, she wanted to meet you anyway."
"Me specifically?"
Ocera shrugged.
"You should help," the Padawan called out. "I could train with them. It would be good."
"Focus, Ashara," Ryen said. She still wasn't using her second blade enough. Why have it if she didn't use it?
"Nothing wrong with meeting them," Ocera said.
"True," Ryen replied. "Strange, though. You have more experience."
The two Jedi, Ashara in tow, met the Republic troopers at the entrance to the training grounds. A Twi'lek, a Cathar and a human, Ryen noted. Two males and a female. No, the Twi'lek was also female. Damn, she was as big as Tau.
"I'm Master Ryen," he said. "You wanted to meet me?"
The Twi'lek stepped forward, saluted, and said, "Yes, sir. Lieutenant Cyr'rnin Onoka, Commander, Havoc Squad. It is an honor, sir."
"Oh," Ryen said softly. "I don't know why. I didn't do anything."
"You were a witness, sir," Cyr'rnin replied.
Ryen nodded. "I suppose I was that."
"Witness to what?" Ashara asked.
Ryen and Ocera looked at her. She dropped her eyes. That wasn't the first time they scolded her.
"Just asking," Ashara said.
"At the Sacking of Coruscant," Ryen replied. "Master N'drosal Onoka was one the Jedi tasked with getting Padawans out of the Temple. I was one of the Padawans in his care. He died saving us. Like I said, I didn't do anything."
"Oh," Ashara said. "Wait." She looked at Cyr'rnin. "Does that mean you know Master Agenord?"
"I do," Cyr'rnin said.
"Could you ask him something for me?!" Ashara said. "Sorry."
"You could ask him," Ocera said.
"I'd be too nervous," Ashara replied.
"Never stopped you before," Ocera added.
"I can ask," Cyr'rnin said. "What is it?"
"I want to challenge him! Sorry."
Sergeant Jorgan blinked. "You want to challenge Master Agenord?"
"You've seen him fight?" Ryen asked.
"Yes, sir, I have."
"I would be happy to ask," Cyr'rnin said. "But I don't know where he is."
Ocera said, "He's on Taris. He's at one of the other training grounds."
"Oh," Cyr'rnin said. "Very good. And, Master Ryen-"
"I'll make time for your training," he told her. "Don't worry."
Kira Carsen swung at Agenord, trying to find any hole in his defenses. After an hour of sparring, the score was twelve to zero.
"When using a double bladed saber with a single blade-" Agenord began.
"Use it like a pike," Kira finished. "Take advantage of the length." She shifted her grip and continued fighting.
After a moment, Agenord said, "Wait," and looked toward the entrance of the training field.
Kira tried to take advantage of his distraction and attacked. He deflected her blade blind and hit her for a thirteenth time.
Shit, Kira thought.
"You're getting better," Agenord said.
"Yeah," Kira said and grabbed her water bottle. "Why did you stop?"
He nodded toward the entrance. Master Ryen and Master Ocera arrived with their Togruta Padawan. Behind them walked Cyr'rnin, Sergeant Jorgan, and a new- Wow! Kira thought. She's as big as Master Yvie.
"Cyr'rnin," Agenord said. "Didn't know you were on Taris. Sergeant Jorgan. And...?"
"Sergeant Elara Dorne, sir," the blond woman replied with a salute.
"New medical officer," Cyr'rnin said.
"Is this your brother, ma'am?" Dorne asked.
"Master Agenord is my cousin," Cyr'rnin said.
"Oh, very good," Elara said. "Uh, what I meant was-"
"We know what you meant," Kira told her.
"And you are?" Elara asked.
"Wondering how you stand up straight," Kira said.
"Years of practice and lots of core work," Elara replied.
"Good to know," Kira said. "I'm his Padawan, Kira."
"What brings you here?" Agenord asked.
Cyr'rnin said, "Master Ryen has agreed to provide Havoc Squad with anti-Force Sensitive training."
"That's a good way to do it," Agenord said to Ryen.
"But before that," Cyr'rnin said. "Master Ryen's Padawan, Ashara, wanted me to ask you something."
"I want to challenge you!" Ashara said. "Sorry."
"Like that," Ocera said.
"Is she any good?" Agenord asked Ryen.
"She's one of the best I've trained," Ryen replied.
Agenord looked her up and down. "Okay," he said. "Kira, pay attention. Ashara, right this way."
They walked to the middle of the field, ignited their training sabers, and attacked each other.
She's good, Kira thought. Ashara was fast, focused, and imaginative. Agenord needed almost three minutes to hit her. Ashara gasped and stared at him then at the faint burn mark on her arm.
"Good hit," Ashara said.
"You have talent," Agenord told her. "But you don't use your second blade enough."
"I keep telling her that," Ryen called out.
Ashara nodded. They returned to their start positions and began again. Agenord scowled after a couple of minutes. She was irritating him, and Kira knew he was about to do something very bad to her. After another minute, Agenord deflected Ashara's main blade, twisted her offhand blade to the side, and took the smaller hilt from her hand. He intensified his attack, showing her, decisively, how a second blade should be used. He scored his point with her saber and held the weapon out to her. She took her saber back with a frown.
"Ashara!" Ocera said. "Do not give in to hate!"
"Yes, Master Ocera," Ashara said.
"But you can give in to severe irritation," Kira added.
"Thank you."
They began again. Ashara watched Master Agenord's expression. He was smiling this time. She used her second blade more, almost vindictively so, and it pleased him. She was fighting for her life, and he was focused on teaching her. She needed to surprise him. She looked for an opening, saw a hint of one during a transition... No, that was a fake. She waited for the transition, attacked where he didn't expect, and got hit.
"Better," he said.
I did it right, Ashara thought. What the hell? Did he fake the fake? Fine. She had a move she'd been saving for Master Ryen, probably her best chance to beat him. The move was desperate, but it forced an opening. Very kill or be killed. She calmed herself, and called on the Force. Be one with the Force, Master Ryen always told her. Treat every fight like it's your last. She turned toward Master Agenord, dropped into a combat stance, waited for the signal, and attacked. He wasn't treating the fight like his last. He might not expect this level of desperation. That gave her an advantage. She waited for the right moment, forced the opening, and stabbed at him. And connected.
Silence from everyone followed, then an honest smile from Master Agenord, and Ashara screamed, "Yes! Ha! Yes! Yes! Sorry."
Kira said, "Why? That's what I would have done."
"Was that real?" Ryen asked.
"That was real," Agenord replied. He patted Ashara on the shoulder.
"I'm going to catch up to you," she told him.
"I hope you do," he replied.
He returned to his start position and dropped into a combat pose. His smile was still there, but it had more intensity. He saw her as an opponent now. She had more moves she'd been saving. She should use them, show him he mattered to her. She took her position and waited for the signal.
She didn't catch up. The fight ended five to one. As soon as he treated her like an opponent, she didn't have a chance.
"I see why you like her," Agenord told Ryen.
"Thank you for the match," Ashara said.
"You too," Agenord said. "I liked that move. A gamble, but it paid off."
"Will you be able to help with the anti-Force Sensitive training?" Cyr'rnin asked Agenord.
"It depends on rakghoul activity," he replied. "It's intense right now, but, if it dies down, we need to get back to our investigation. But don't worry. Master Ryen has trained a lot of troops. And, Elara, nice meeting you. It sounds like Cyr'rnin warned you about Xal."
"Is he really that bad, sir?" she asked.
"Yes," Jorgan and Kira said together.
"Oh," she said. "Very good."
Agenord said, "Kira, time for a run."
She scowled at him. "Don't give in to hate," she said but without much enthusiasm.
"Twenty kilometers," Agenord said. "Much better."
"Yeah," Kira groaned. She made it to the Guardian's common area and collapsed onto the couch. She laid on her back and closed her eyes. "What did you mean by 'good way to do it'?" she said after a while.
"You mean to Master Ryen?"
She nodded.
"He was one of twenty-four Padawans saved by my uncle N'drosal at the Sacking of Coruscant," Agenord told her.
Teeseven beeped.
Seetwo translated, "He said Master N'drosal was a good Jedi. He fought Sith to protect them."
Agenord said, "The twenty-four Padawans vowed to repay an Onoka if they could. Do something for them that really mattered."
"Like training Cyr'rnin. I get it." She looked up. "So, did Ashara really hit you?"
"She did," he said.
"You seemed-" Kira began but was cut off by the holocomm.
RE-M0, Doctor Godera's droid, appeared on the emitter. "Master Agenord," he said. "I have successfully triangulated Doctor Godera's location but I fear the Imp scum may have monitored my activity. We must hurry, or they will capture him."
Kira said, "Rakghoul activity hasn't died down."
"That won't stop the Imps," Agenord said.
Kira nodded and stood up with a groan. "Time to earn our pay."
Agenord rushed a position of Imperial droids, finished them off, and kept moving.
"Mostly droids," Kira said, catching up to him.
Agenord nodded. "It suggests they were here and left."
They cut through the remaining troops and reached the innermost room of Godera's lab. They found Watcher One standing over Godera's body. Anti-Force Sensitive troops flanked him on either side.
"Stand down, Jedi," Watcher One said. "I'm afraid we both lose this contest. Doctor Godera killed himself rather than be captured. It's a tragic loss."
No, Agenord thought. Something was wrong with the man in front of him.
Watcher One continued, "I assured him he wouldn't be harmed, but his hatred of the Empire-"
"Your voice isn't coming from your mouth," Agenord said.
Watcher One paused. "I beg your pardon?"
"Senses are easily manipulated," Agenord said. "We're trained to look for tricks."
He watched Agenord for a moment then deactivated the hologram, revealing a much taller commando.
"What did that do?" Agenord asked.
The commando shrugged. "I follow orders."
"Wait, Master Agenord!" RE-M0 called out, rushing into the room. "These filthy Imps are lying to you. My maker is not dead. I conducted a second triangulation on my maker's bioscan, when I saw the Imps at the lab."
The commando fired at RE-M0. "Irritating machine." He turned to Agenord. "Now you-" he began, but Agenord was already on him. The fight that followed was quick and one-sided.
"Teeseven," Agenord said, then stopped. The astromech was already working on RE-M0.
"Transmitting my maker's new coordinates to you now," RE-M0 said. "Save him. Do not let my functions end in vain..."
Agenord thought, The galaxy might be better off. But, no, it could survive a little melodrama. "Your memory core is intact. You'll be fine."
"Hello again," Watcher One said from the nearby holoemitter. "Your ability to survive is impressive, to say the least. Do not fear, Doctor Godera is unharmed. I painlessly rendered him unconscious and gently carried him to safety."
"The holo-disguise?"
"I hoped it would slow you down," Watcher One said. "Obviously not. We could continue this chase forever, but-" He looked at the bodies of his men. "What a waste of resources. I suggest a compromise. Give me time to administer truth serum to Doctor Godera. Once he reveals his secrets, he's yours. We'll both have what we want."
"I'm supposed to believe that?" Agenord said.
Watcher One shrugged. "My deceptions have failed to produce the desired result. Now, I'm telling the truth. I will purchase time for interrogating Doctor Godera by offering you something of great personal interest. A Sith assassin is on Taris preparing to massacre a small Republic settlement. I can tell you where."
Agenord replied, "A Sith Lord is randomly violating the Treaty of Coruscant for no reason?"
"They accidentally uncovered some artifacts," Watcher One said. "She wants them. And she doesn't care about the Treaty. I know you won't risk innocent lives. It's not in your nature. Rescue your settlement. When that's done, come here and you'll receive Doctor Godera unharmed. You have my word."
"If you try to double-cross me..."
"I've seen what you can do," Watcher One said. "Sending the coordinates now. Lord Seake is noted for being a master of beasts. She likely won't be alone. I advise caution. And, good luck, Master Agenord."
"Great," Kira said. "Now what? Can we really trust this guy?"
"I think we can," Agenord said. "About the settlement, anyway."
"And Doctor Godera?" she said.
Agenord activated his holocomm. "Master Ryen." The Cathar appeared.
"Master Agenord," Ryen said, a little out of breath.
"Everything okay?" Agenord asked.
Ryen glanced behind him. "Your cousin is... enthusiastic."
"That's... a good way of saying it."
"How can I help you?" Ryen asked.
"I need to call in my favor," Agenord told him. "A Republic settlement is about to be attacked by a Sith Lord beastmaster. I need to finish my mission. I'm not sure I can do that and save the settlement."
"Tell me where," Ryen said.
"Master Agenord?" Cyr'rnin said, coming into view. "Did you say something about a settlement and a Sith Lord?"
"Yes," Agenord said. "I've received word that a settlement is about to be attacked."
"Any idea why?" Cyr'rnin said.
"They have artifacts the Sith Lord wants," he told her.
"Understood. Havoc Squad is ready to assist."
Ryen stared at her. "Was she always like this?" he asked Agenord.
Agenord nodded. "Keep her safe. Sending coordinates now." He turned and found Kira staring at him. "Yes?"
She blinked at him. "I just saw you... delegate. I might need a moment."
He thought about it and shrugged. "That's fair. Just recover before we get there."
"Progress report," Darth Angral said from the holoemitter.
"I've administered the drugs," Watcher One replied. "But they will take time."
"I don't like delays," Angral said.
"I have been hindered by a very tenacious Jedi," Watcher One said. "I had to sacrifice Lord Seake to gain any time at all."
Angral sighed. "You've made far too many decisions without my consultation, Watcher."
Watcher One turned toward Doctor Godera but was interrupted by his second in command.
"Sir," she said. "The Jedi is here. He's cutting through the rakghouls and will be at our door in moments."
"Impossible!" Watcher One said. "He'd never sacrifice that settlement."
"More delays?" Angral said.
"Orders, sir?" the lieutenant asked.
"Stand down," Watcher One said. "Let him through."
"Sir?" she asked.
"Do it," he told her. "Only a fool fights a Jedi in a hallway."
The lieutenant nodded and left.
"'Let him through'?" Angral said.
"I've seen him fight, sir," Watcher One replied. "We wouldn't stand a chance."
"You can't let him have Godera," Angral said. "Do it now."
"Sir-" Watcher One began.
"I'll have no excuses, Watcher," Angral said.
Watcher One prepared an injection, quick and painless, but the lieutenant returned before he could use it.
"Of course you're behind this," Agenord said on seeing Angral.
"Explain yourself, Watcher," Angral said.
"As I said," Watcher One replied. "He was tenacious. I had to compromise with him."
"You... compromised?" Angral said. "With the Jedi vermin who killed my son?"
"I had no choice, my lord," Watcher One said. "I could do nothing to stop him."
"Stop throwing your lackeys at me, Angral," Agenord said. "Face me yourself."
"You underestimate the strength of my wrath," Angral replied. "You cannot win. Watcher, bring me this filth alive. I'll kill him myself."
The Watcher said, "Respectfully, my lord, I believe it's wiser to honor our bargain."
"Do as I command!" Angral shouted.
"Very well, Lord Angral," Watcher One replied. "You surprise me at every turn," Watcher One said to Agenord. "Sacrificing the settlement was very unexpected."
"I didn't," Agenord said. "I called in another Jedi."
"That might be an even greater surprise," Watcher One said.
Agenord heard bootsteps behind him. The Watcher's lieutenant must have summoned the other Imperials.
"You're heavily outnumbered, Master Agenord," The Watcher said. "These are my very best agents." He had a pleading in his eyes when he said it. "I would prefer that you surrender."
"We are both bound by duty," Agenord said. The floor was heavy durasteel plate, but designed to be temporary. They had been dropped in place, not bolted. Agenord selected four panels between them and the agents.
Watcher One nodded. "This is not the ending I would have chosen."
Agenord nodded. He pulled the four panels up as a wall, ignited his saber and rushed the Watcher. Blaster fire hit the panels like a thunderstorm. Agenord cut through the Watcher's gun before the agent had a chance to aim and shoved him into the emitter table.
"I'll do what I can," Agenord whispered. He stabbed through the agent and into the holoemitter, aiming for its receiver. Angral flickered and disappeared.
"A little help!" Kira said.
Blaster fire had already punched a few holes in the panels, and they were growing with each hit. Kira deflected everything she could, but she'd be overwhelmed soon. Agenord turned, focused all he had on the Imperials, and threw them into the far wall. They hit hard and dropped in a pile, and he pulled their weapons away.
"Surrender!" he said.
Some of them struggled to reach backup weapons.
"Stop!" the lieutenant yelled. "We can't beat him. And it's what the commander would have wanted." The struggling slowed, and they began to untie the pile. "Why?" the lieutenant asked Agenord.
"It's what the commander would have wanted," he said. "And I owed him. You'll be prisoners of war. It's the best I can do."
The agents dropped their weapons and filed out. The lieutenant was the last to leave.
"Are you going to kill Darth Angral?" she asked.
"Probably," Agenord said.
She looked at Watcher One's body. "You'll make some friends doing that." She followed the other agents.
When they were gone, Kira said, "How the hell did you throw that many people?"
Agenord looked at her, gasped for breath, and staggered against her.
She caught him with a grunt and said, "Well. Shit. Nice to know you have limits."
He leaned against her until his ragged breathing returned to normal.
"Doctor Godera," he said. "How is he?"
Kira examined him and said, "They gave him something nasty." She looked over the drugs on the table, selected one, and injected Doctor Godera.
"What are you doing?" Agenord said.
"We've been working together for almost three months, and you didn't know I had medical training?" She sighed at him. "You need to spend less time with your lightsaber."
Doctor Godera groaned and opened his eyes slowly.
"Doctor?" Agenord said. "Are you all right? General Var Suthra sent us to rescue you."
"Var Suthra?" Godera said. "That old man never gives up, does he?" He lifted his head with a groan. "The Imperials gave me a class-four truth serum. Don't remember the interrogation-"
"We stopped them before the interrogation could begin," Agenord told him.
"I suppose you plan to take me back to Coruscant? I left for a good reason, you know."
"Circumstances have changed, Doctor," Agenord said. "We need you. Desperately."
"Are we ready to finish this war?" Godera asked. "Or will we sit back while the Empire devours the galaxy?"
Agenord said, "If they start the war, I'll finish it."
Godera stared at him then looked at Kira. "Is he serious?"
"Yes, he is," Kira said. "He's like that."
"Perhaps it is time I returned," Godera said. "I finally met a Jedi I agree with. Hell of a day."
"I hate it when you do this," Master Ocera said and applied antiseptic to the claw marks on Master Ryen's back.
"Stop fussing," Ryen replied.
"Sit still," Ocera said and continued working.
Ryen sighed. "We're going to talk about this."
"Yeah," Ocera said. "That's what's going to happen."
"You saved a settlement," Master Satele said from the nearby holoemitter. "That's something to be proud of. And Master Agenord was able to complete his mission. And capture an Imperial cell. Master Ryen did good work."
"I know," Ocera said. "But he goes too far sometimes."
Satele conceded. "Master N'drosal would be pleased. He would have loved- Oh." She looked up as Agenord and Kira entered the room. "Master Agenord. Kira. Well done. Both of you."
"We are officially even, Master Ryen," Agenord said. "I hope that was good enough."
"What do you think of Cyr'rnin?" Master Satele asked.
"She reminds me a lot of Master N'drosal," Ryen said. "More than he does, in fact." He nodded toward Agenord.
"Yes," Satele said. "They have a similar... dedication."
"That's the word," Ocera said.
"Did Ashara actually hit you?" Satele asked Agenord.
"She did," he replied. "Risky move, but it paid off."
"Very good," Satele said. "We'll have to find a good mission for her."
Kira said, "Whatever happened with the Matriarch, by the way?"
Master Satele looked at Kira and paused. "Yes. We... spoke. It can wait. Until the next time Master Agenord is on Tython."
"Oh," Kira said. "Okay."
"His current mission-" She looked up. "Yes?"
A Padawan had entered the room.
"My apologies for the interruption, Grandmaster," he said. "Master Agenord, we have a smuggler outside who says he's your cousin."
Agenord groaned. "What did he do?"
"Nothing I know of," the Padawan said. "He just wanted to speak with you."
"Oh. Sure. Send him in."
"Is this the brother?" Ocera asked.
Agenord nodded.
"Cyr'rnin told us a few stories-" Ocera began.
"They're all true," Kira said.
Xal entered a moment later with Corso in tow. "Agenord. Kira. Master Satele. Looking good."
"Seriously?" Agenord said. He looked at Satele. "Seriously?"
Satele said, "No."
"She shot me down," Xal said with a smile. "I'm up for a rematch."
Master Satele replied, "As I said, Captain, I would have you at a disadvantage."
Still smiling, Xal said, "I don't mind if you're on top."
Agenord smacked him on the back of the head.
"When are you going to stop doing that?" Xal asked.
"When you stop deserving it. Why are you here, anyway?"
Xal shrugged. "I have been on Taris, conveying completely legal items from one upstanding citizen to another, and I happen to do some work for Governor Saresh. She paid well, then asked for a personal favor. I like having politicians owe me a favor. The Governor would like to meet you. I have a couple of guesses why."
Kira sighed. "Do you ever get tired of that?" she asked Agenord.
"Sometimes," he said. "Sure, Xal, it'll probably help the Order."
"There you go," Xal replied.
Master Satele said, "She's a green Twi'lek, isn't she?"
"Is that important?" Xal asked.
"Probably not," Satele replied. "Well done, all of you." Xal winked at her, and she rolled her eyes. "Good day." The signal ended.
"Master Agenord," Ryen said. "I still want to be there if you go after Darth Malgus. That doesn't count as a favor."
After they left, Ocera said, "I get the feeling Cyr'rnin held back the best stories."
Ryen agreed.
Kira returned to the ship and trained. A few hours later, she sensed Agenord arrive. She went out to meet him.
"Have fun?" she asked.
"We mostly talked," Agenord said.
"Uh-huh."
"She heard about the Temple," Agenord continued. "She's ambitious. She wants to go to Coruscant. She wants an ally in the Order."
"Uh-huh. What's special about green Twi'lek?"
"Nothing I know of," Agenord said. "What were you going to ask about Ashara?"
"Oh. You smiled when she hit you."
"Yes," Agenord said. "I envy her."
"What?"
"It's said the Force makes Champions as strong as they need to be," he said. "Sometimes, I feel like I don't earn anything. She earned that hit. I miss feeling that way."
Kira shrugged. "I figured it'd be something like that. Anyway, the General wants an update. And I will go train."
She returned to the training room and reactivated the remotes. She could sense it on him, another presence, too strong for just "talking". She wouldn't let it bother her. She missed an easy block, and a remote stung her. Shit. She was a Jedi. Focus. Wait. The Matriarch was green. Forget it. She returned to her training.
