I couldn't sleep.

All of my thoughts had been consumed by her. Her smile. Her laugh. Her blush. Her lips. Her touch.

Her tears. Her terror.

I tossed to my other side—the cloud of a mattress now felt like knives digging into my chest. The moment of her running away replayed again and again—supplanting all the wonderful memories before. Somehow, I'd screwed up. Had I pushed her too far? Came on too quickly? Maybe…maybe kissing her was a mistake.

I turned.

No…hell no. I may have started it, but she ended up pushing for more at the end! If…if that stupid vision hadn't stopped us, we would have gone all the way. And that…

Turned again.

Were her Jedi ideals still stopping her? Possibly. Well, if that was how it was going to be, then I'd be patient. After all, suppressing any and all emotion for most of your life had to have had some mental toll, right? It was understandable that she'd run away from me after feeling something that intense. It was like flinching away after dipping a toe in steaming hot water. Just needed to go slow—ease in. Yeah, that was it.

I growled and flipped the pillow over my ear. But that did nothing to quiet the thoughts. Not just my own thoughts either. I could sense Bastila's turmoil as well—though I could tell she was trying to suppress it. She'd suppressed it enough that I had no idea what the hell I'd done to make her run.

No. It was obvious why she ran. Completely obvious. Denying it was only going to make it worse.

She didn't love me. Stupid. I'd been so stupid. Why did I believe that she felt the same way? Heh, you would think I'd be able to tell due to the bond, but I'd overestimated my ability to read her on more than one occasion. Should have known better, really.

But then why? Why did it feel like love?

That hadn't been me. That's why. The Wes who talked about his prissy little emotions like a whiny child? The one that "opened up?" Yeah, that Wes was an idiot. That Wes should have learned to stop talking. Maybe that Wes would have been able to sleep at night if he didn't reveal these worthless feelings in the first place.

Guess I had Carth to thank for his pointless advice.

The Manaan sunrise interrupted my intrusive thoughts. I sighed and sat up—wincing at my aching joints. I showered, shaved, and dressed to the best that my exhausted mind could manage. What happened...last night? It didn't happen.

It wasn't me, after all.

Hooking my lightsaber onto my belt, I stepped out into the hall. First things first, caffa. Food.

HK-47 still remained turned off beside the door. I pushed his switch and the droid's photoreceptors flickered on.

"Query: Master, why did you have me shut off all night? Recollection: Five meatbags passed through the area and any of them could have been assassins plotting your demise. I strongly advise you not to do that again."

I raised a brow. "How, exactly, would you have known that five 'meatbags' passed by? You were shut off."

"Answer: Why, because I do not really 'shut off,' Master. I always leave on my audio receptors in case I need to take emergency action. Observation: That female meatbag left your room in a hurry. Suspicious. Query: Did she attack you, Master? Is this related in any way to the slimy, mucus sounds my receptors kept picking up? It sounded...absolutely revolting. I sincerely hope the torture session didn't last too long."

My face had warmed till I was pretty sure it was the same shade as HK.

"You—how the hell did you hear that from out here?"

"Answer: Oh, I hear with 99.8 percent accuracy, Master. Within a hundred meter wide radius, at least."

"Why...why do you need to hear that far and that accurately?"

"Answer: To better detect targets and/or threats. I thought this would have been obvious—"

"Don't—" I waved a finger at the droid, lowering my voice to a whisper. "—ever tell anyone about the 'slimy, mucus sounds.' Ever. Or I will get out the spanner. And Bastila isn't revolting."

"Statement: So, then it was the female meatbag making those disgusting noises!"

"HK!"

"Relenting Statement: Fine, Master. I will not tell anyone though...if my next master happens to ask—"

"Well, thankfully I intend to keep you and if I wasn't I'd wipe your memory core in a heartbeat!"

HK didn't seem too happy about that. The droid hissed a sigh. "Sarcastic Statement: It has been nothing but a pleasure to serve an intelligent, rational, and flawless meatbag such as yourself, Master."

"Okay, that's it—you're grounded."

I waved the door open with my datapad.

"Complaint: But, Master! You need to be protected from hostilities—which include the female meatbag that attacked you last night. You really shouldn't have allowed her to live for doing so."

"Bastila didn't attack me, you—" Wait. It didn't happen. Right. I waved at the door like one would a kath hound to a pen. "In."

"Query: Is this because I called you a meatbag? Or is it because I insulted your intelligence?"

"No, it's because you're just going to complain about not killing things all day and I'm not in the mood." I crossed my arms. "I'll give you attention later, alright buddy?" HK-47's photoreceptors blinked. Then, with another mechanical sigh, he stomped into my room with a heavy swagger. Before the door closed though, I called out to him. "Wait, who were the other four meatbags? We're the only ones on this level and I'm pretty sure everyone was already in their rooms."

The droid twisted his head. "Answer: One was the Mandalorian meatbag. He brought another female meatbag with him." Ugh, of course. "The other two...I do not know, Master. But they almost went completely undetected."

The hair raised on my arms as I closed the door. Well, that was alarming. Someone was sneaking around and keeping tabs on us? Why? And who? Was it the Sith? Or…Roland Wann? Though did it matter who? Any type of stalker meant bad news.

I made for the elevator, dragging my feet due to the lack of caf and sleep. Most were still asleep—it was 0500 in the morning. No one would be up this early.

Except the elderly.

I heard voices down the hall past the corner. Their voices were lowered but I could make out Jolee's. Since they were in my path, I had no choice but to walk into the conversation.

"—since the war. See you have a student now, Sully. How is that going for you? Last time we spoke, you swore up and down you'd never train anyone. Guess we all change."

Sul Koth's back tightened. "I only said that after what happened to you. But the Order has changed a lot since you ran away, Bindo. For the better. I've learned patience and control—"

"So you got boring then, eh? I see how it is." Koth let out a peep of a word, but Jolee interrupted him. "Ah, kid! You're up early."

Koth turned and his face twisted as if he'd smelled a Gamorean taking a shit. He also took a step towards the hall like he was going to make a run for it.

"Padawan…"

I returned the expression and crossed my arms.

"Master."

We both glared at each other for a moment before Koth broke the silence.

"What are you doing here?"

"I don't know." I slammed the button to call the elevator. "Am I not allowed to get a caffa?"

Koth watched me, studied me, before addressing Jolee as if I didn't exist.

"Is your…meddling some misguided attempt to 'redeem' yourself, Bindo?"

The old man sighed. "How is what I'm doing meddling?"

"The Council disproves of this infiltration. Not only that…" He glanced at me. "…but it's a waste of time. My last Padawan fell to the Sith's influence. You think I didn't try to save him? It's because of Revan that our Order has had to change. Reflect. You'd best remember that while you continue to poke the kinrath nest."

Jolee's voice grew dark. "Ah, but doesn't fear lead to the dark side? I'd rather 'poke the kinrath nest' than reflect. After all, I've reflected for twenty years in a jungle." The elevator dinged and I stepped into it. "What have you done in that time, Sully? You don't even know why your students are falling, do you?"

"That is—"

Unfortunately, before the doors shut Jolee jumped into the elevator. The old man chuckled to himself.

"Ah, Sully—used to be quite a jokester. He did not age well."

I pursed my lips while narrowing my eyes at Jolee.

"Why did you leave the Jedi?"

"Heh, heh…finally asked." His warm laugh peeled past his lips. "Who said I left the Jedi?"

"Uh...you did?"

"I did?"

I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "It is too early for your stupid games, old man."

"Someone's a little cranky this morning, I see. Well, you're always cranky. Bit like an old man yourself." I glared at his bald head as the elevator doors opened. Jolee sauntered out into the lobby and I reluctantly chased him. We made our way to the canteen following the posted signs. I could smell the caffa already. "Technically, I was a Padawan when I left...not that it makes a difference to most. But no, I never left the Jedi. The Jedi left me."

"So, are you a Jedi or not? You told me you weren't."

"If you define 'being a Jedi' as following their ways...then yes, I suppose I would be one. But if you define it as being a part of the Order...then no."

"Is there a difference?"

Jolee chuckled. "Oh, a big difference, kid. It's one thing to preach about something. Another to actually show it through your actions."

The red light from the Manaan dawn flooded the spacious room. Holoscreens blasted the news in the corner—a bunch of chaos as usual: food shortages, riots, Sith. Some hotel employees had set out some caffa pots—breakfast hadn't been served yet due to the early hours.

As I made for the caf, Jolee still followed me, rambling behind my shoulder.

"You know what I hate?" I raised a brow. He smirked. "Well...you know, lots of things, really. But I'm old and easily annoyed." Oh, like I am right now? I sighed, grabbing the pot and a cup in one motion. Too tired to even reply with that. As I poured, Jolee got the hint. "What I really hate is how most people view the Jedi. Everyone thinks the Jedi are perfect, that they can do no wrong. They think the Council is completely incapable of injustice."

I tested my caffa and snorted in the cup. "Well, I certainly don't think that."

"Ha, well you wouldn't, would you?"

"I mean, weren't the Sith technically Jedi before?" I said.

"Humph, I guess you aren't as stupid as you sometimes act." I finished putting together my caf and shot him another glare that he ignored. Jolee tilted his head. "No, I'm not talking about how some of us fall to the dark side. No…no, that's plenty indication of our fallibility, but it's something else entirely. I'm talking about how, more often than not, your average robe-wearing Jedi can try to do the right thing and still be completely wrong."

I found a booth near the window and sat—staring out at the bare Ahto City streets. The caffa burned my tongue, but I didn't care. I needed to stay conscious…otherwise, I'd start dreaming about things that didn't happen.

Jolee collapsed in the seat in front of me.

"For example, Master Hortath—"

"Is there going to be a point to this?"

"If you don't interrupt me? Maybe." Jolee leaned back, resting the back of his head in his hands. "Where was I, then? Oh. Oh, yes... Master Hortath. He was a kindly old Jedi who meant well, but the most near-sighted thing in the Core, I swear. He would walk into walls, knock over tables, mistake apprentices for rancor beasts...that sort of thing. And he was too proud to submit to proper treatment. The other Jedi resignedly passed it off as the amusing quirk of a compassionate old man."

"Again—the point?"

"Shh! So one day a young Padawan meets Master Hortath in the courtyard and, not knowing of his blindness, asks him for directions to the Temple. Quite sure of himself, Hortath gave the lad directions...which happened to lead outside and away from the enclave. The Padawan is confused, naturally. He asks Hortath if there was someone else who could help or if there was a map...but the proud Master was insulted that the boy wouldn't heed his advice. He tells the Padawan to take the route he prescribed and no other. Rather dejectedly, the Padawan did as he was told...and left the Jedi Order forever."

I finished drinking my caffa and tilted my head. "What? He left? That seems a bit...extreme."

Jolee shrugged. "It was decided that the boy's fate was to leave the Order anyway...though whether that was out of respect for Hortath or because the boy needed to do something else, well, we'll never know."

"Wait, you don't know?"

"Heh, well, I wasn't really around to know."

I let out a long sigh while swirling around the last of my caffa.

"Okay, so again, the point?"

"I already told you, kid. If I have to tell you the point of the lesson, then that would make me a pisspoor teacher, wouldn't it?"

"You're teaching me?" I paused. "Why? I've had enough lessons. It's a waste of your time, really. And you still haven't told me how the Jedi left you."

"Oh, no, no, trying to teach you isn't a waste of my time. The opposite, in fact. It's my...duty." Jolee smirked. "Say, why don't you figure out the point yourself? When you do, you'll have your answers."

I thought I had been done with Jedi teachings and trials—though, at least Jolee didn't insult my intelligence. I placed my caffa down so that I could cross my arms. My curiosity was too great to pass on this annoying game.

"It's an allegory about pride, obviously."

Jolee nodded. "Hmm...perhaps."

"Hortath refused to get treatment, and because of that even though he thought he was doing the right thing, he was blind, literally, to his mistakes. What I don't understand is why the Padawan would listen to faulty advice. He should have tried to find the Temple himself. Help himself. You're telling me he couldn't figure it out?"

"Hmm..." Jolee leaned on the table, crossing his fingers. "Why do you think that is? Why did he leave?"

I glanced out the window, crossing my fingers together. A frown set on my face and…an empty feeling set in my chest. I wasn't sure why. It was just a stupid story.

"…there was no point to stay. The Padawan believed the Jedi were 'infallible.' They weren't supposed to make mistakes. Since he questioned Hortath's advice, someone he saw as perfect, he would have started to question…himself."

"Would he want to be a 'Jedi' then?" he asked. "After he realized this 'fallibility?'"

I pursed my numb lips—meeting the old man's gaze again.

"No."

Jolee's expression dipped. His eyes once bright had darkened. Then, a smile grew on his face.

"Now you're starting to get it."

I flinched. "Get? Get what?"

"Oh, why, the lesson."

"But there isn't—" I huffed. "So, the Jedi left you because you realized they weren't perfect? That makes no sense. Is this because of your wife—?"

"Nope!" Jolee's normally dry face had grown a sheen of sweat. "No more questions. Too early for something like that."

"But you just—"

"Speaking of early, you are up early. That is unusual."

I shrugged—crossing my arms.

"Didn't get much sleep."

"Really? Hmm…"

Jolee watched me for a long time—so much so that it was uncomfortable. After a minute of this strange staring contest, I got out of my seat to get another caffa. When I returned, the old man was staring out the window. We sat there in silence—the old man pondering something or other. While I...well, tried to push away my thoughts.

Eventually, I felt myself drifting away despite trying to fight against the threat of dreams. Those thoughts dulled into a quiet numbness. Time passed either quickly or slowly, and...

"—wow, he really is out, huh, gramps? Sounds like a bantha too." Something shoved my shoulder. "Is he dead?"

Jolee's chuckles pierced the darkness. "I'd leave the kid be. Looks like he had a rough night."

"Oh, a rough night partying without me, huh?" The voice, which I now realized was Mission, snorted. "How about…'loser.' Cause he is one you know. A big. Fat. Loser."

"Hmm...yes, you're right, but it's not very creative. I'd write uller—"

"Gah!"

I shot up, waving my arms up to defend myself from graffiti assault. Mission had been standing by our table, holding a suspicious marker, and Jolee still sat in front of me. Gil the gizka had been chewing on my empty caffa cup on the table and occasionally meeped. The rest of the canteen...well, I was surprised I hadn't woken up due to all the people talking around us.

Mission started bawling—probably noticed the terror on my face. Jolee laughed along with her...they were already proving themselves to be a deadly duo. I ignored them and instead had a mini tug-of-war with my ruined caffa cup. Eventually, I yanked the cup from the mouth of the cute creature and waved it at the teen.

"Close but no spice!"

"Drat!" Mission snapped a finger. "I forgot that you can sense me using the Force."

"Nope. I just happened to wake up in time."

"Oh…" She grinned. "So, if you were still sleeping, you wouldn't have noticed?"

Noticed?

Jolee let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, to be young again…"

Mission smiled at me. "Everyone else is sleeping in or whatever—so lazy! We need to do something or we'll be wasting our vacation!" Hadn't it just been a day? "This is a resort planet, right? We should go to a water park or amusement park or a swoop race or gambling or—"

"Mission," I sighed. "Technically, we're not on vacation. The Sith are still around, you know."

She frowned. "Oh, right."

"Though..." I rubbed my chin. "There is that party."

Her eyes lit up. "Party?"

"Yup. Remember the one with that Republic retiree? The Sunry one."

Mission's entire face replicated her eyes. "What? Really?" She grabbed my attention again. Grabbed my arm, in fact. "Will everyone get to go?"

I chuckled. "I mean, Jordo extended the invitation to all of us…" Jolee turned to stare out the window. I tilted my head—I'd thought the old man would have been just as enthusiastic.

"We all have to go!" My arm was starting to numb. "I've never been to a fancy party. Griff, well, obviously we didn't have the money to. Do you think Bastila would want to go?"

"B-Bastila?" I frowned—my heart skipped a beat. "Uh...I don't know? I doubt it..."

Mission's happy expression dipped. That dark expression turned...resembling something closer to a mischievous womp rat.

"Well, I don't see that stupid Jedi Master around. So, she'll have to come too."

"No, wait, that is—"

She snatched Gil from the table.

"Be back!"

And with that, Mission shot out of the canteen towards the elevator. For the hundredth time, I wondered how the young Twi'lek kept up with all that energy.

I was about to head out myself, but I stopped when I saw a flash of orange.

"Wes." The pilot must have come from the far end of the canteen or else I would have spotted him before he said a word. There was a serious look on his face. "We've got a problem."

I gave Jolee a look.

"What now?"

Carth and I rushed down our hall towards one of the many rooms. Jolee chose not to come with us—giving some mysterious excuse about "seeing old friends." Whatever that meant.

As we walked, the pilot shot me a confused glance that I returned with a sneer.

"What?"

"What the hell is on your face?"

I rubbed my forehead. Black marks. Kriffing.

"Mission…"

Seems as if I hadn't escaped the graffiti assault completely. Fortunately, the pilot didn't ask as we stopped...before an open door.

Open.

The room was a mirror image to mine. Inside though...it was like a rancor had stormed around in the night. The pots on the walls had been smashed, the bed had been shoved close to the windows, and glass from those windows littered the balcony.

Someone had been attacked.

I marched to Carth's side. "Who's room is this? Who…"

He responded by pointing at something on the ground.

Yusanis' blade.

My breath hitched as I remembered the forlorn expression on Verena's face. Those two people HK mentioned...they must have been the culprits. Why didn't the damn droid also say that there was a fight? Ugh, of course that spiteful machine wouldn't. But...how did they escape without being noticed by the cameras?

Carth crossed his arms. "I checked the control panel. It doesn't look like anyone tried slicing into the door." As I approached the fallen blade, he continued. "No one should be able to break into these rooms. Did they come through the window?"

"The glass to the windows is on the balcony." I bent low. "They'd had to have broken it from the inside." They must have escaped out the window using stealth generators and wires. "This doesn't make any sense. Who would want to take Verena? And how?"

"Well," Carth said, rubbing his chin. "Whoever it was didn't need to slice or break in through the window. So, they must have had a key."

"But no one else would have had a key," I said.

"No…but people at reception do. If someone paid them off..."

"But why go through the effort for Verena?" I asked. "Why her and not...Bastila?"

After all, the Sith would have paid any price to get their hands on the Jedi. And the idea that the receptionists could be bribed...did not instill warm and cozy feelings that's for sure.

Carth wasn't the one who answered me though. Instead, heavy thuds echoed near the entryway. "Uh..." Canderous stepped on a broken pot. "What did I miss?"

I let out a long sigh. I couldn't have a day without something happening, could I? I gripped Yusanis' blade then hooked it on the strap on my back. After all, I had a feeling Verena was going to need this…

Turns out the receptionists had no answers.

The old man minding the grand desk had a deep frown on his face as I grilled him for a sliver of information on what occurred last night. Carth stood at my side with an annoyed face—the one a child would get after being embarrassed by their over-eager parent. Canderous, who had been brought up to speed, sighed with boredom. He joined without hesitation—after all, didn't want to miss out on the action.

The receptionist—Ignoot? Ignus?—kept saying the same damn thing.

"What you are accusing me of doing, Jedi, is impossible." Finally, Ignotus showed me proof in the form of his datapad. "The emergency key—the one you said we were bribed to give over—can only be used with the approval of our supervisor."

"Ha!" I pushed away the datapad. "So then it was your supervisor who'd been bribed then."

"Again, Jedi, impossible." Ignot pushed the datapad forward again. "The system also reports any use of these keys to the Selkath Government."

I clenched my teeth—realizing that Ignono was in fact correct. The Selkath stooped low enough to put cameras everywhere in a supposedly private business. It made sense they would snoop into their logs as well.

Carth interrupted our conversation. "Then just show us the camera footage from last night. The culprits must have come that way."

If I had my caffa still, I would have spit it out.

Oh.

Oh no.

A laugh—one that sounded a bit unhinged—rumbled my chest at the prospect of what didn't happen being broadcasted to everyone. As if it hadn't been embarrassing already, being rejected like that, now everyone could get the wrong idea! Hur-ray!

Canderous laughed with me. Carth gave me an annoyed look.

"Uh...are you alright?" he asked.

"No…" I whispered. "No, I don't think we need to see that."

"Why?"

"Because," I hissed, "we don't need to see that, Orangy."

He narrowed his eyes. "That is not a reason—"

"Do you need a reason?"

"Yes! Why are you being so...defensive about this?"

"Defensive! No, no, I'm not—!"

The receptionist interrupted me with a sigh. "I can't even show you the camera footage, spacers. By Selkath law, only arbiters, the SSF, or judicial officials are allowed to review recorded evidence."

I let out a large sigh of relief. For once the Force was on my side!

Still, there was the issue of trying to find Verena. Without knowing who kidnapped her, there weren't many options left to get information. The emergency key hadn't been used, unless…

I leaned away from the reception desk. "Is there another way to open the rooms? Because from the way you're describing it, whoever broke it had to have literally teleported. And that's impossible. Frankly."

Ignus froze and his sly gaze made contact with the corner of the room. At the cameras. I looked back at them myself...but didn't see anything unusual.

"There is...one thing." I turned back and nodded at the receptionist to continue. "The owner of this establishment has a master key. But Madam Takaon would never hire brute mercenaries like that. I would report this crime to the Selkath authorities—"

I slapped the desk. "Thanks but no thanks."

The receptionist flinched as I rushed away towards the doors to the hotel.

Of course! It had been obvious. The owner of the hotel, Madam Takaon, must have had some nerf with Verena. The Echani had been acting odd ever since we'd entered the establishment.

The bright Manaan sun made me wince in pain. The thoughts from this morning had all but disappeared now that I had something to focus on. While Verena's disappearance was unfortunate...at least it was a distraction. From other things. That didn't happen.

I sensed someone rushing to my side. Guess who.

"Where the hell are you going?" Carth asked. "Don't tell me…"

"We're going to take a grand tour of Takaon Corporation."

Canderous rushed to my left. "Ha, finally. Something's happening."

"Whatever he's going to do will definitely involve breaking and entering," Carth hissed. "And, if you have already forgotten, we can't just break the law willy-nilly like this is Tatooine!"

"Hey, who said we were going to break in?" I asked. "There are other methods."

"What other methods?"

"Well, we could start by knocking on the door. We aren't criminals, are we?"

"I can't believe this…" Carth muttered. "I can't believe you."

"I know," I said, smirking. "Who would have thought? I'm a genius, after all."

I ignored Carth's reddening face and instead searched for the shuttles.

The building to Takaon Corporation was in the busiest part of the Ring on the top of Ahto City. The sleek glass skyscraper was walled off to the tourists and soldiers crowding at the nearby casinos. Music from those casinos blasted our eardrums as we approached. The three of us watched the entrance as I thought of a plan to make my introduction.

Carth hadn't stopped complaining. Of course.

"We need to take this to the Selkath. A crime has been committed and—"

"Oh, so they can just ignore us?" I asked. "If you haven't noticed, the corporation owns this entire street. Probably most of the Ring. The Selkath would have no interest pursuing Verena once they learn Takaon is involved somehow."

That caused the pilot to be silenced. Finally. A few minutes later, however, he spoke up.

"How do you know Verena's even here?"

I sighed. "Only the head of the company would have been able to open her room."

"If you are even right about Takaon, shouldn't we let everyone else know what's going on? Like Bastila and—"

"No." I shifted. "They...she doesn't need to be bothered with this."

"Uh, why not?"

"It's better to not draw too much attention. And Bastila would draw attention..."

"But—"

I ignored Carth's protest and approached the gate.

If there was one thing I learned from Verena, it was that the Echani valued their weapons. Valued them so highly, they thought their bodies were weapons. So then, it was a good thing that a highly prized blade had been left behind. Almost as if the mercenaries who attacked the Echani didn't know of its value.

I marched up to the guard station—Carth at my side and Canderous at my rear.

The gate guard, a bored looking Selkath, waved at me in a lazy attempt to ask for my ID. I responded by taking the blade and stabbing it down.

"Tell Madam Takaon that I have Yusanis' blade and that her little attack was uncalled for."

The Selkath looked at me as if I'd spoken in some unknown language from the Outer Rim. After a moment of silence, I sighed, waving the weapon directly at the cameras.

"Tell Takaon that I have Yusanis' blade and that I will not give up without a chat. Face to face."

"I...do not understand, human," the Selkath blubbered. "There...I can't just—"

"If you pass along the message, I'll be out of your gills."

This seemed to rile up the Selkath. "I don't even know who you are, you—"

I waved a hand. "You want to pass along my message."

He froze as my words and the will of the Force entered his mind. Fortunately, he was as dumb as he looked.

"I will pass along your message."

I lowered my arm and relaxed my grip on the Force. Carth shot me a look of concern that I returned with a smile. Canderous let out a dark chuckle. It was a good thing she wasn't here. I wouldn't have heard the end of it after using the Force like that but...well…sometimes the ends did justify the means.

A minute must have passed when something past the dash flashed green. My message had been received by someone who knew more about what I'd been waving around, no doubt.

"Wha—you...you've been approved? How?"

A couple of white-dressed guards emptied out of the building—Echani. Their armor, helmets, and weapons were sleek, light, yet there was no doubt in my mind that it could still withstand at least a few explosions. They marched past the sand gardens and fountains before finally stopping at the gate.

Once they stopped, someone else exited the building.

Verena?

A woman...who looked like Verena strode towards us. Her robes were intricate, a dark purple, and embroidered with rich thread. Probably paid a fortune and a half for that. Unlike Verena, she lacked a scar on her chin and didn't walk as if she carried a thousand stones. No, this woman's steps were light and the expression on her face, while still terse, was more amicable than Verena's usual grimaces.

This Echani waved away the guards so that she could approach the shielded entrance. The blue shield hissed as the gate guard shut it off and the woman who looked like Verena stepped towards us.

"Verena," Carth started. "We...we thought you were kidnapped. What is going on?"

The Echani woman crossed her arms behind her back in thought. Eventually, her gaze trailed away from Carth until she spotted the blade in my hand. Her shoulders sank as she let out a long sigh.

"I...apologize. The one you call 'Verena' is my sister. I am Erina Takaon. Head of Takaon Corporation."

I stepped forward, gripping Yusanis' blade tight. "Where is Verena? Why did you take her?"

Erina Takaon glanced down at my belt then back at the crowded gate.

"We shouldn't speak of this here, Jedi."

The inside of Takaon Corporation was as serene as the outside had been. Erina and her band of Echani troops led us through the enormous hall that was almost taller than the Republic hangers. More fountains decorated the area. And mirrors. Many mirrors. Our reflections traveled along the vaulted walls, making it seem like hundreds of people crowded the room. Though, really, only us and a handful of employees mingled about. Which was...unusual, considering the status of this company.

We arrived at the silver doors to the elevators, but…

One of the Echani guards shoved a hand into Canderous' chest.

"No Mando'vlath," the guard spat.

Canderous, of course, took offense.

"Is that a challenge, Echani?"

Erina took notice of the exchange and pushed the guard aside. "No challenges here."

The helmeted guard clapped his heels together in a semi-salute. For company lackeys, these Echani had a fierce loyalty to their boss. After that confrontation, Madam Takaon didn't continue into the elevator.

"Your weapons need to be confiscated on the upper floors. Company policy."

Oh, no. That wasn't going to fly.

I crossed my arms. "Then I suppose no one goes up? After all, to the Echani your body is your weapon."

A slight smile curved Erina's lips—the first sign of expression that had been on her face.

"I'm surprised you know that. Corusanti tend to be self-centered—that is where you are from, right? Your accent is distinct."

"Not quite. Though, I'm extremely offended by the comparison," I said.

A Deralian accent wasn't that close to a Core slime's accent. Surely.

She extended her hand as her apology. "If you do not comply, I will tell you nothing."

So she was just as stubborn as her sister. I met Carth's concerned glance and responded by taking my lightsaber off my belt and passing it to Erina. I also had to take Yusanis' blade from my back and hand it over. I hated parting with it, but for Verena's sake…

Carth followed my lead, handing his pistols to the guard next to him. Canderous grumbled while unstrapping his blaster rifle. He shoved it into the guard who accosted him earlier, almost knocking him off his feet.

Erina slid my lightsaber into her deep pocket while eyeing the vibroblade with wonder.

"I swear to return your lightsaber to you. I know you Jedi value them."

Once our weapons had been secured, Erina entered the elevator. I, Carth, and Canderous followed along with half of her troop.

The ride was short despite the fact that we were over a hundred stories off the surface of Ahto City. The doors hissed open and only Erina exited, leaving her guards behind. I stepped carefully into this new space.

More fountains. More mirrors. The floor beneath us had been made of a weave, grass-like material. Possibly from one of the Echani worlds. Plants of all kinds decorated the mostly empty room. There was a tank with some...lizard-like creature in the far wall. The room felt warm as if we had stepped into a tropical paradise. One with nature, huh?

Madam Takaon stopped in the middle of the room—there was no furniture except a low table at the far end.

After a long moment of silence, Carth took a step forward.

"Uh…"

Woosh.

I sensed it before it happened. In one smooth motion, Erina dropped her robe and kicked at the poor pilot. He spat out a curse as the kick connected with his chest. Both Canderous and I stared down at the collapsed man—flabbergasted. She…was attacking us?

Erina didn't let up.

Leaving Carth on the ground, she targeted Canderous next. The Mando, who had more hand-to-hand combat experience, blocked the Echani's quick jabs. Their fight moved towards the elevator, Erina's hits thumping at the wall that was Canderous. I trusted that the Mando could take down the Echani, so I rushed over and held out a hand to Carth.

"You need help?"

"Ugh…" He slapped away my hand and sent me a glare. "Don't laugh."

The smile, which I now realized was on my face, twitched.

"Well, your reaction time is laughable."

"I can't use the Force like you! And I didn't—!"

Danger.

A fist rushed past the space my head used to be in. Rolling away, I sprung to my feet and dropped my own robe with it. I unconsciously reached for my lightsaber but my hand met empty space. Canderous had been defeated. Somehow. His own fallen form leaned against the wall.

The wild Echani didn't wait for me to deduce what caused the Mando's downfall. She rushed towards me with blurred fists. I dodged all of her jabs using the Force to react in time to the speed of her movements. Hopefully, it would make her tire out. Unfortunately, she realized what I was doing and turned one of her jabs into a strong kick.

But I was tired of dodging. I grabbed and twisted her leg away before it connected with my chest. Erina didn't fall, though. She skipped, acting as if she was going to collapse, but her palm rushed to my face. Almost too quick for me to block. Pain rippled up my arm after her palm connected, but I couldn't focus on the pain. Not when her attacks were so unrelenting.

Erina continued her barrage like a storm, with kicks and jabs. So quick, I almost couldn't keep up even while using the Force. My chest heaved as the fatigue of this fight slowed my movements. I needed to go on the offensive. Seeing a break in the storm that was Erina, I punched the woman in the stomach—making sure not to hit too hard. I didn't want to kill her, after all, I needed answers.

She staggered back but didn't fall. Instead, my worthless hit only made her angry. Her blows pounded onto my arms, broke through to my chest, though I broke all of her attempts to hit my face.

This needs to stop.

I listened to that thought and sent a burst of energy at her leg. The bones within shifted. Crack. She yelped in pain as she collapsed for real. I opened my mouth to demand this fight to end, but something caught my tender heel. The ground connected with my back after she hooked her uninjured leg in mine.

Groaning, I tried to get up, but a heavy force collided with my neck. Her foot used pressure to cut off my breath. Through the blur of both exhaustion and pain, she shook her head.

"I will tell you nothing, Jedi. Because you are weak. And since you are weak, my sister is not your concern." She nodded to the blade on the table. "You will be recompensed for returning General Yusanis' blade. After that, leave or I will have you arrested."

Kriff. This couldn't be happening.

Something silver reflected in the warm lights.

A smile of my own curved my lips.

My response was a strong shove with the Force. She collapsed to the ground and I took the small amount of time that she was down to focus on her robes. My lightsaber flew into my hand. I depressed the switch and the blue blade hissed awake.

Erina flinched as I pointed the lightsaber blade down at her.

"I...see." Her body sagged. "You have no honor."

I shrugged. "I don't need honor. I need answers." When Erina moved, I forced the lightsaber into her face again. "Enough games. Where. Is. Verena."

Erina's silver eyes wavered, the blue from my lightsaber reflecting within them. "Fine, Jedi." She looked to the ground. "Extinguish your blade. I will tell you everything—"

"Yeah, no, I'm not falling for it this time."

"What will you do if I say nothing?" She nodded. "Hmm, yes, with a stance like that...you could."

"Could what?"

"Kill me without mercy."

I gaped, my right hand twitched.

"No, I—"

Erina didn't give me a chance to protest. "Though you seem disgusted at the thought. That can't be. Perhaps this is a deception? An act? Yes, maybe..."

"What the hell are you going on about?"

Was Verena's sister insane? Explained a lot.

"Did you know that we Echani can read the true nature of others as we fight?"

"No, though I'm pretty sure you have the wrong idea."

She sighed. "You lie."

"Lie? About what?"

"About your nature." She tilted her head. I pursed my lips and my brow creased. "This lie became apparent when you broke my leg using your powers. Your nature is of conflict and darkness, Jedi, and when you pretend otherwise it makes you weak. You could have broken my leg long ago, but you hesitated. Held back." She sighed. "That is why I refused to tell you anything. The Republic soldier and the Mandalorian hid nothing. But you...hide everything. I do not trust those who hide their true natures."

My grip tightened. "Thanks, but I wasn't asking for a horoscope. I was asking where you took Verena."

"Ah, yes, you want logic. Facts." She chuckled. "Well, it would be stupid of you to kill me since I own this building. You wouldn't make it out alive. You can either trust that I will not attack again, or you can follow up with your bluff."

My arm gradually sank with her words.

I depressed the switch, and the blade hissed as it returned to its metal casket. Fortunately, Erina kept her promise and didn't attack again. She grabbed her robe and pulled it over her shoulders as she stood.

The Echani waved at the table.

"Please. Sit. I will explain...everything."

Erina sipped her hot tea in a tiny porcelain cup. Carth watched the Echani with a sharp stare. Canderous fidgeted—expected, really, after being thrown aside like a bag of sand by someone half his size. I kept a hand on my lightsaber as I awaited this "explanation."

She finally set down her tea (she'd offered some to us but we'd all declined).

"I'm afraid that you will not like what I have to say," she began. "When I noticed my sister had come to this planet, I made arrangements with the Republic Ambassador to place your group in my hotel. It was the only way...I could have Verena arrested without getting suspicion from the Selkath."

"Arrested?" Carth spat. "For what crime? Disobeying her mother? Being betrayed by her own family?"

Erina let out a laugh. "You...that's what she told you? Really?" She laughed again. "No. Mother died years ago when the Sith occupied our planet. With the fortune I had left, the...connections I made, I helped the Selkath expand this city from a military outpost to the resort it is today. I had to after Verena took away everything when she betrayed me."

Carth sat back, growing pale with shock. I leaned over the table, glaring at the Echani.

"What betrayal?"

Erina set down her tea again. Her hand shook.

"She murdered Mother."

The temperature in the room dropped. A shiver rippled down my spine. This...no, that wasn't...

Carth didn't take the news well.

"No...that isn't right. Verena wouldn't—"

"You don't know." Erina scoffed. "Fools. My sister was a delegate for the Sith. Once Mother learned that my sister helped Darth Revan betray our General, Verena silenced her. Murdered her in cold blood."

"How...no, you can't just say that," I said. "Where's your proof?"

Erina shoved a datapad onto the table. "Here."

She waved a hand and an image appeared. An older woman sat at a table in deep meditation. From the shadows of the holo, a figure with Verena's face approached the older woman from behind. The image blurred and the older woman grabbed her neck as blood pooled on her knees. Verena's clear face came into focus as she picked up the capture. The last image was of her smashing the capture onto the floor.

Madam Takaon's shoulders shook. "We were able to recover that portion of the holo. I'm...sorry. It is hard to look at…"

Carth had frozen in place. Like a statue. Canderous had grown serious for once. Even he didn't like what he saw. And I studied the surface of the datapad.

Without asking, I waved a hand and brought the holovid back up.

"What are you…?"

I interrupted Erina by replaying the last ten seconds of her "proof."

"Where is her scar?"

Madam Takaon flinched.

"Scar?"

"Yes. Her scar. You know." I pointed at my face. "The one on her chin."

Erina watched me with cold silver eyes. Too much time passed before she finally gave an answer.

"She didn't have it then." She shrugged. "I know what you're thinking, Jedi. I did not impersonate my sister. I had no motivation. Why would I want to kill my mother? I was destined to take over Takaon clan, and Verena always held a grudge. You can deny the truth, but that doesn't change reality."

Her answer was calm. Almost...rehearsed. And it was strange. After all, I hadn't accused her of anything. Though, she could have been telling the truth. Verena might not have had her scar then. But...there was no proof that she didn't have the scar at the time of her mother's death either.

Carth had already made up his mind, though.

He shot up. "I...apologize. We will be on our way."

I shot up with him and grabbed his shoulder. "No, we're not going anywhere."

"Did you hear what she said?" Carth shook me away. "Verena is a Sith."

"So?" I waved at Canderous. "He's a Mandalorian. Fought in the last war on the other side. You didn't abandon him."

"There is a major difference," he hissed. "The Mandalorian Wars are over. The Sith war is still ongoing. For all we know, Verena could have fed the Sith army information. It could be her fault Uyter was ambushed—"

"Have you already forgotten that the Sith tried to kill her too? And if she was a Sith spy, she wouldn't have told...me about it, would she?"

"You knew?" He let out a humorless laugh. "Oh, this is just getting better by the second!"

"I wouldn't just trust someone like that without reason, Carth. Verena told me she deserted the Sith army at the beginning of the war…after her planet had been taken. She told me because I figured it out. Wouldn't she have tried to kill me if she was a spy?" I eyed Erina. "I...don't know if Verena killed her mother. Maybe. Maybe not. But shouldn't we at least hear her side of the story?"

Carth scoffed. "No way. She's a Sith. She doesn't deserve it."

"Ex-Sith."

"Oh, does it matter?"

"Come on, flyboy." Canderous stood. "Sure, the Echani acted like tough shit, but there's no denying that she's still a warrior with honor. You're really going to listen to this sneaky bimbo over her?"

Erina hissed. "Bimbo?"

"I'd trust her over a Sith." Carth sighed. "I just...I can't believe you wouldn't tell us about this, Wes."

"Hmm, I wonder why?" I snorted. "Maybe because I knew this is how you'd react!"

"You just…" He huffed. "Always you just...do whatever the fuck you want. Even when it puts us all at risk. Well, you know what? Fine. Do whatever you want. But don't be surprised when you end up alone."

With that final declaration, he stormed towards the elevator. Heat built in my chest and I opened my mouth to shout back at the pilot, but the elevator door closed behind him with a hiss. And for some reason, the bitter sensation of guilt replaced the anger.

Should I have told them? Verena was a murderer, after all. A Sith. Her actions caused an entire planet to fall under Darth Revan's rule. Why should we help her then? After all that she did? By all accounts, her arrest was justified.

I sighed, addressing Erina. "What will…happen to her?"

The Echani woman looked away. "Usually, she would be brought before the Echani Command…but getting in contact with them is difficult during wartime. If the council cannot decide her fate a week after her arrest, it is up to the family head."

That was...convenient.

"What will you do to her then?" I asked.

"The evidence is clear. She killed my mother. If it were up to me…she should die the same way."

I see.

"Then, I suppose we'll be going…"

The Echani nodded. "I am...sorry that you had to get mixed up in this, Jedi."

Honestly, yes, for once I wished we hadn't gotten mixed up in a dilemma like this. While Carth had acted like a child there, he had a point. Verena had been a Sith—they destroyed planets. Killed innocents. And she only vowed for vengeance against Darth Revan when she had been affected by their reign of terror. So, for once, I was conflicted. Part of me wanted to help the Echani out of loyalty. The other...wasn't so naive.

I had a week to decide. A week to act. A week for Verena's fate to be sealed.

Force. Why was I the one always faced with these impossible decisions?

Apologies for taking so long to get out this update! I wanted to make sure these new plot threads would link into Manaan's story arc...which meant more plotting ahead...which meant I lost track of time. Hopefully, the resulting chapter made it all worth the wait!

Preview for next time - the Sith start pushing buttons, Sunry's party, and Wes and Bastila finally talk about "what didn't happen" ;).