With the planet Had Abbadon now secure, Vala Skywalker and Arvon Cade return to their flagships, leaving behind a small number of troops to occupy the captured world.
At this moment, Arvon is in his office aboard the Alliance Command Ship. He is seated behind his desk, facing toward Demarak, who is standing with his hands behind his back.
"I have spoken with the chancellor, and the Jedi Council. They are all aware of your actions earlier today. The council can't decide what to do, so they've voted to leave it up to the senate. As for the senate, their decision is… there will be no formal charges against you, but I have been strongly advised to discipline you in some way." Arvon says.
"I know I made a mistake, and if I have to answer for it, then so be it." Demarak says.
"I'm sorry to do this, but you've left me little choice. I am relieving you of your command, and reassigning you to my general staff. The Fifth Division… will be given to General Tylek. You can stay on your flagship and keep your office, but you'll have no command authority there. Until I say otherwise, your duties will be whatever I assign to you." Arvon says.
"Understood." Demarak says.
"We're about to get underway, so return to your ship for now. I'll contact you when I have an assignment for you." Arvon says.
Demarak nods, then leaves the office.
A few minutes later, Vala enters the office. Arvon stops reading his datapad, and stands up. He walks to Vala, and embraces her briefly.
"I didn't even know you were on board! Nobody said a word!" Arvon says.
"By my own request. I wanted to surprise you." Vala says.
"Well, it worked." Arvon says. Vala smiles.
"I've actually been on board for about thirty minutes. I just made sure to wait until you were done with Demarak. I have calmed down compared to earlier, but I still have no wish for a conversation with him." Vala says.
"You can't avoid him forever." Arvon says.
"I realize that. Speaking of Demarak, what's going to be done with him?" Vala asks.
"The Jedi Council… can't decide what to do, so they've chosen to do nothing. Typical. Ever since your grandmother left the order, the council can't seem to get anything done." Arvon answers.
"Yes, I know. Grandmother was a stabilizing force on the council. She always seemed to be able to get the other masters to work out their differences. Master Varn tries, but… he doesn't have the same influence that she did." Vala says.
"That's because Master Varn is just a Jedi. Your grandmother is one of the founders of the Alliance… and a Skywalker. Everybody listens to her." Arvon says.
"What about the senate? Are they going to bring up charges?" Vala asks.
"No. The chancellor… has decided to leave things to me. I've been advised that I should punish Demarak in some way, or he might still decide to step in." Arvon answers.
"I see. So, it's up to you. I know Demarak's been your friend since you were children, but he needs to answer for what he's done. You know that." Vala says.
"I know. That's why I've relieved him of his command, and reassigned him to general staff." Arvon says.
"You actually… relieved him. I know that wasn't easy for you." Vala says.
"No, but it had to be done." Arvon says. Vala takes his hand.
"I'm sorry it's come to this." Vala says.
"Me too." Arvon says. Vala embraces him.
This is not easy for him. Demarak has been Arvon's friend since they were nine years old. Longer than I've known either of them. I don't know what I can do, other than… be here for him. I hope that is enough. Vala thinks.
The two stand in their silent embrace for a moment. Eventually, they separate, and Vala decides to break the silence.
"All of my ships are ready to head out as soon as you give the word." Vala says.
"We'll be ready to go in about an hour. I'm waiting for the Seventh Division to get here. I've assigned them to patrol this sector while we go after the Sedition Council." Arvon says.
"Sounds good. Have the probe droids gathered any more intel?" Vala asks.
"Actually, yes. The nebula's empty, but the probes have picked up Sedition signals in… the Xenoth system." Arvon answers.
"Xenoth? We can't go there. It's off limits. Council orders." Vala says.
"I know. It's an old Sith world. That being said, according to records, it hasn't been used in centuries. The council might not like it, but… this is for the Alliance. In the here and now, that has to take precedence over the wishes of the Jedi Council." Arvon says.
"You're right. If that's where the Sedition leaders have gone, then... we have to go after them." Vala says.
"But…" Arvon says.
"You know me too well. I feel… uneasy about this. We are about to go to a former Sith stronghold. Grandmother warned us about such places." Vala says.
"I know. She always used to talk about how the taint of the dark side remains in those places, even years later." Arvon says.
"That's why she declared those places off limits to Jedi. The council has kept that rule in place." Vala says.
"Those masters used to be her students too. I'd like to think they still respect her, even if they've made some changes in the last ten years." Arvon says.
"We may not agree with the council all of the time, but… " Vala says.
"Your grandmother outgrew the Jedi Order. Perhaps we have as well." Arvon says.
"I will not leave the order. I've made that clear to you before. Grandmother started me on the Jedi path. It would disappoint her if I were to quit. I owe it to her, and every Skywalker before her to be the best Jedi I can be." Vala says.
"You owe? What about… what you want?" Arvon asks.
"I have a duty to the Alliance." Vala answers.
"So do I, but we don't necessarily have to follow the Jedi Council to perform that duty." Arvon says.
"I know that you've considered leaving the order, but… I wish you wouldn't. I really don't want to have to choose between you and an order that I happen to very much still believe in, even with its flaws." Vala says.
"I know, Vala. I know. No matter what choice you make, I'll support it. I'm with you all the way." Arvon says. Vala smiles, then gently touches the side of Arvon's Mandalorian helmet.
"Thank you. Now, if you would please, take that silly thing off." Vala says. Arvon nods, then lowers his hood. He slowly removes his helmet, revealing the face of a man in his late thirties, with a thin beard and a few scars. Arvon sets his helmet on the desk, then steps closer to Vala.
"So, do I meet your approval now?" Arvon asks. Vala smiles.
"Yes, much better. I know the helmet is part of Mandalorian tradition, but… I don't like it. The only time I get to see your face is when we're alone." Vala says.
"Maybe someday, when the Alliance doesn't need us anymore, we can leave our fighting days behind us. Then, maybe… I can put this helmet away." Arvon says.
"I'm looking forward to it. Now, shut up and kiss me you fool." Vala says.
"Yes, master." Arvon says.
Vala and Arvon embrace, and share a long, passionate kiss. Eventually, they end their kiss, but remain in each other's embrace. Vala rests her head on Arvon's chest.
"Despite all the years of Jedi training, all that practice learning to control my emotions, I want nothing more than to be here, with you, my love." Vala says.
"I feel the same about you, Vala. I'm glad this isn't the old Jedi Order. We don't have to hide. We don't have to… live a lie." Arvon says.
"I know. Now… stop talking." Vala says.
Vala and Arvon kiss once more, then Arvon starts to walk toward a door to the side of the room. He stops, and turns to Vala.
"So, you coming?" Arvon asks.
"Of course. I think we have enough time, if we're quick about it." Vala answers.
"You could just stay on board. We'll be in hyperspace for almost a day, and we won't have much to do." Arvon says.
"A day together? It's been so long!" Vala says.
"I know, and I'm sorry. This damn war has taken up most of our time for the past two years." Arvon says.
"It's alright. Our duty to the Alliance has to come first." Vala says.
"Hopefully things will calm down once we find the rest of the Sedition leaders. I'm tired of war." Arvon says.
"So am I." Vala says.
Later that night, Vala and Arvon are both asleep in a large bed. Vala's arm is crossed over Arvon's bare chest, and her hair is freed from its usual elaborate style. Their rest is soon disturbed by a beeping comlink, which is sitting on a table next to the bed. Arvon opens his eyes, and starts to move slowly. Vala keeps her eyes closed.
"Ugh. Ig...nore it. You… left orders to not be disturbed." Vala says.
Damn whoever this is. It's the middle of the night, and we could both use the rest. Arvon thinks.
"I know. It better be important, or whoever this is will be hand washing every starfighter on this ship." Arvon says.
Vala chuckles, then moves her arm away so Arvon can get to his comlink. He gets out of bed, and slowly grabs the still beeping nuisance.
"What… is it?" Arvon asks.
"I apologize, for disturbing you, sir. I know it's almost 0100, but I believe this is necessary." A male voice says over the comlink.
Admiral Denon would not call me unless it were really important. Arvon thinks.
"Go ahead, admiral." Arvon says.
"Grand Admiral, we have intercepted a transmission that I think will be of interest to you." Denon says.
"Very well. Send it to my office holotable." Arvon says.
"At once, sir." Denon says.
Arvon shuts off his comlink, and looks at Vala.
"I'm going to check this out. I'll be back soon." Arvon says.
Arvon enters his office, dressed only in a pair of black pants. He looks around the room briefly, then walks to his desk and takes a seat. He then turns to face the holotable behind his desk, and turns it on. A hologram of a twi'lek woman appears. She is dressed in a black outfit, with a lightsaber hanging on her belt.
"Warriors of the Sedition! I, Mandara Ren of the Knights of Ren come before you with news of the war! The Jedi filth have taken Had Abbadon, and slaughtered our loyal citizens! Their leaders, Arvon Cade and Vala Skywalker… will answer for what they have done! We will emerge from the shadows, and destroy all who oppose us! The Jedi will fall! The Alliance will fall! A new Empire will rise, and restore order to the galaxy!" The hologram says. Once she finishes speaking, Mandara Ren vanishes.
"So, the Knights of Ren have returned." Vala says, from behind. Arvon turns around, and sees Vala standing in the doorway to the bedroom, dressed in only a short, gray robe.
"I thought your grandmother killed them all." Arvon says.
"I was there, remember. I saw the same thing you did." Vala says.
"That means she either missed some, or… a new order has risen in place of the old." Arvon says.
"If the Knights of Ren have reformed, then we had better put a stop to that, hadn't we?" Vala asks.
"We'll be at the Xenoth system in sixteen hours. Then, we'll find out what's really going on here." Arvon says.
"We need more information. We should send stealth probes to Xenoth." Vala says.
"Good idea. I'll send them immediately." Arvon says.
"You do that, then… back to bed. I just… have this feeling… that we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Vala says.
"Yeah, I think you're right." Arvon says.
