The Centurion Eagle and several Alliance gunships depart from the fleet, and head for the Star Forge. The ships land in a massive hangar.


Vala, Aja, and BB-8 exit the Centurion Eagle. Aja is now dressed in a blue sleeveless tunic and gray leggings instead of her flight suit. Soon, Alliance troops exit the nearby gunships, and line up, facing toward Vala.

"Alright troopers! Listen up! We'll be facing combat droids, as well as possible darksiders armed with lightsabers. Do not engage the darksiders unless absolutely necessary. Your focus will be on the droids. Now, form up into your assigned squads, and standby." Vala says.

As her soldiers break into smaller groups and await further orders, Vala presses a button on her wrist comm, and a small hologram of Arvon appears.

"We're on schedule. All forces are ready to deploy." Vala says.

"Very good. I've just landed on the other side of the station. We'll make our way to the rendezvous coordinates and meet you there." Arvon says.

"Understood." Vala says.

"If these really are the Knights of Ren we're dealing with, then we should try to take them alive, if possible." Arvon says.

"Agreed. I think the Jedi Council might be able to get some answers where we cannot." Vala says.

"About that… we should turn them over to Alliance Security instead." Arvon says.

"Rogue force users… fall under the authority of the Jedi Council according to the law." Vala says.

"True, but if they are involved in open warfare against the Alliance, then that's military jurisdiction." Arvon says.

"Which means we could end up with a political mess on our hands." Vala says.

"Very likely. The Jedi Council and the military will argue for control of the prisoners. The senate will get involved, and that will lead to debate after debate." Arvon says.

"There has to be a better way to deal with war criminals." Vala says.

"There is. We'll take them to an ASB black site. We don't tell anyone." Arvon says.

"You know how I feel about those places…" Vala says.

"Do you have a better idea?" Arvon asks. Vala hesitates for a moment.

"No, I don't. Alright… I'm not entirely comfortable with this, but… I'll support your decision." Vala says.

"Thanks, Vala. That means a lot." Arvon says.

"We're going to get an earful from the council for this…" Vala says.

"We can deal with that later." Arvon says.

"Agreed" Vala says.

"See you at the rendezvous." Arvon says. His hologram vanishes, and Vala turns to her troops.

"Alright, squads! Proceed down your assigned corridors! Squad leaders, check in every fifteen minutes! Let's move out!" Vala says.


Vala and her forces leave the hangar, and begin their advance into the Star Forge. Along the way, they encounter a few droids that resemble large arachnids, but these are quickly dealt with.


Several minutes later, Vala and her group enter a massive, open area, which seems to go on forever in each direction, including up and down. Instead of a floor, there are catwalks at various heights. Directly in Vala's path are the five Knights of Ren, with Mandara Ren front and center.

"Vala Skywalker… Hero of the Alliance! Princess of Aquilae! Welcome... to the Star Forge." Mandara says.

"I know you… from the recording we intercepted. Mandara Ren of the Knights of Ren. Or so you claim. The Knights of Ren were destroyed ten years ago. For all I know, you… are a fake. Perhaps you don't even have force powers." Vala says.

"I assure you that our order is very much alive and well." Mandara says.

"If that is the case, then I will make sure your return is a short one." Vala says.

"The descendant of Darth Vader… You don't belong with the Jedi. You belong with us!" Mandara says.

"I am descended from Anakin Skywalker. Not Darth Vader." Vala says.

"Mere semantics. They are one and the same." Mandara says.

"I beg to differ." Vala says.

"I could argue this point all day, but I have a job to do." Mandara says.

"Whatever it is, you'll fail. This station is surrounded, and you have nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. Surrender now, and your lives will be spared." Vala says.

"We have no intention of surrendering. You're going to have to fight us. If you can. Other than your grandmother, none of you Jedi have ever seen a darksider, let alone fight one!" Mandara says.

"If you are attempting to intimidate me into retreat, your efforts are wasted." Vala says.

"You… and a child? Against the five of us? Your situation… is hopeless, but I am not without mercy. Call your Mandalorian friend. Ask him to come save you. I'll give you… one minute." Mandara says.

This darksider is correct. I don't think Aja and I can fight all of them alone. Vala thinks.

"Arvon, come in!" Vala says into her wrist comm.

"Vala? What's going on?" Arvon says over the comm.

"You know those supposed Knights of Ren? We found them! I need backup on the double!" Vala answers.

"You'll have it! The Mandalorian team is closer than me, so I'll send them your way! I'll be there as soon as I can!" Arvon says.

"Thanks, Arvon! We'll hold out for as long as we can!" Vala says.

"No unnecessary risks, Vala. I don't want a repeat of Kanderon." Arvon says.

Ah, Kanderon… my recklessness almost got me killed on that one. Vala thinks.

"Understood." Vala says.

"So, you brought Mandalorians with you? Interesting. It won't matter. My master trained us to fight them." Mandara says.

"These are warriors of Clan Wren, Clan Bridger, and Clan Mudhorn. Among Mandalorians, they are considered the most elite. I'd think twice if I were you." Vala says.

"We will manage." Mandara says.

"Very well." Vala says. She ignites her lightsaber, and Aja follows suit.

"So, we're doing this." Aja says.

"That's right, Aja. Stay close." Vala says.

"Yeah… good idea." Aja says.

I sense her fear. Understandable. She's never fought a force user outside of training. Neither have I. But, we are Jedi. The force will be with us. Vala thinks.

"Remember your training…. and trust in the Force." Vala says. Aja nods in agreement.

"Alright, Jedi. Fight us, if you can. The kid can go if she's afraid." Mandara says.

"I'm not going anywhere!" Aja says.

"Your funeral, kid." Mandara says. She ignites her saber, and the other Knights of Ren follow suit.

"Troopers, lay down suppressing fire, and keep your distance! Flame troopers, stand ready! Aja, watch my back!" Vala shouts.

"Gotcha!" Aja says.

Mandara charges toward Vala, and strikes with great fury and speed. Vala blocks the darksider's saber, and pushes her back.

"I'd heard you had some fight in you. Good. I'm going to enjoy this." Mandara says.

"I think you'll walk away disappointed. If you walk away." Vala says.

"We'll see about that! Krogan, back me up! Vaxis, take the kid! Kordus and Seltar, deal with those flamethrowers!" Mandara says.

A tall male, whose race is unknown thanks to his outfit completely hiding his features, takes his place next to Mandara. Meanwhile, a deeply tanned woman with red dreadlocks approaches Aja. The woman's arms and legs are bare, with numerous tattoos.

It seems the twi'lek is the leader. They're obviously coordinated, and they all have lightsabers with red blades. Could they actually be Knights of Ren? I can worry about that later. For now, we fight. I hope we can hold out long enough until help gets here. Vala thinks.

"Aja! Defense only! Don't engage!" Vala says.

"Right." Aja says.

Mandara resumes her duel with Vala, now backed up by Krogan Ren. The two darksiders take turns attacking Vala, who holds her ground, easily blocking each strike.

They're taking turns? It would be a better strategy for them to attack me together. Perhaps their goal is to prolong this fight until they wear me out? Vala thinks.

My master said we are not to kill Skywalker. He has plans for her. We are to wear her down, then subdue her. The child, on the other hand, is of no use to us. Mandara thinks.


Meanwhile, Aja is now in a duel with Vaxis Ren, who fights erratically, but with great speed. Thanks to her training, Aja is able to avoid her opponent's strikes. However, she is caught by surprise when Vaxis suddenly hits her with a force push. Aja is unable to stop herself from falling off the narrow catwalk.

"Aja!" Vala shouts.

As Vala is momentarily distracted, Mandara strikes, aiming for Vala's left arm. At the last second, Vala blocks the lightsaber blade with her vambrace.

"Oh, what's this? Beskar? From your boyfriend perhaps?" Mandara asks.

"Cortosis actually." Vala answers.

"Lightsaber resistant armor to compensate for your lack of skill? The light weakens you! Embrace the dark side, and realize your full potential!" Mandara says.

"I don't think so!" Vala says.

"You already walk a fine line! You embraced the darkness once before! I wonder what the Alliance would think if they knew the truth about their poster girl!" Mandara says.

How the hell does this darksider know so much about me? Where is she getting her information? Vala thinks.

"If you are attempting to provoke me, you're wasting your time." Vala says.

"Your weakness has led to the death of your apprentice. You've failed her. Perhaps you've also failed as a Jedi?" Mandara asks.

I sense…. Aja… is still alive. But… it's weak. Perhaps she's unconscious. I need to finish this so I can help her! Vala thinks.


Meanwhile, on another catwalk several meters below, Aja comes to, and very slowly gets to her feet.

Okay… I'm gonna feel that later. At least I got my shield up in time. Otherwise that fall might have killed me. I'd better let Vala know what's up. Aja thinks.

"Vala, come in!" Aja says into her wrist comm.

"Aja! Are you okay?" Vala asks.

"Yeah. A little sore, but I'm good. Shield broke my fall." Aja answers.

"Thank the force! Now, see if you can make your way back up here!" Vala says.

"Will do." Aja says.

Alright… that's about…. Ten meters straight up. I can't jump that high, even with the force. I'll have to find another way back up there. Vala needs me, so I'd better hurry. Aja thinks.