Author's Note: Man, 1200 favourites already? Thank you!


-Chapter 144: Me, Myself and I-

Location: The Jade Moon, Loronar System

"The pieces of life make for the hardest puzzle to build."

"Anakin…" Obi-Wan put a hand on his shoulder, the Knight seemingly sagging under the weighty realization he just imparted.

"I… I can't…" He trailed off, struggling to comprehend what he'd just heard. "How could I have been so stupid? How did I not see it?"

"None of us did. His deception was well-planned and carefully executed." Obi-Wan told him. "Don't take it personally, there's nothing you could've done."

"But-"

"But nothing. Don't dwell on it." He cut him off. "Word is being spread throughout the Order, we're going to handle this quietly. I thought you should know… you should be the one to tell Ahsoka." Kenobi said no more and kept moving, leaving Anakin to process the news and prepare himself to tell his Padawan.

His hands balling into clenched fists, every memory of Dynnal Karn was contorted in the light of his hidden alias. The simple fact that the young man he'd fought side by side with was the very same man who slaughtered his men, humiliated him, attacked his wife, and murdered his fellow Jedi, caused his anger to simmer and boil like never before.

The next time they met, Anakin vowed, it would not end well for him…


Her eyes opened slowly and she groaned at the effort it took. Her entire body felt sluggish and stiff, like she hadn't moved for an eternity. At first, it seemed entirely probable that she shouldn't get up and just lay there comfortably. But the longer she realized she was awake, the more awake she became until her eyes adjusted to the bare design of the Halls of Healing.

She forced herself to sit up, finding the only struggle to be the soreness in her limbs. She rubbed her headtails, recognizing the white robes worn by Jedi-in-healing, until she was suddenly set upon by a set of hands. Ahsoka flinched, reflexively, until the calming words of Master Vokara Che, an older female Twi'lek and an accomplished healer within the Order, settled her.

"Calm, Padawan. You are safe now." She promised. Ahsoka paused to breathe, looking up at the blue-skinned Healer as her scattered memories slowly reformed.

"M-Master Che." She said slowly. "I… Where am…"

"You were unconscious when you returned and we've kept you in a medically-induced coma for three days. Today is day number four." Vokara explained, using the Force to adjust her bed until she was in more of an upright position. "The Bacta has healed the majority of your physical injuries, your body should be feeling normal in a few hours. But you must rest for now, I want to make sure your body has recovered properly." Ahsoka fell quiet, dwelling on her words. Physically, she felt like a sack of hammers had fallen on her head; sore but able to recover.

Internally? That was a different story…

Ahsoka felt lost and confused, her mind constantly spinning and reeling, never able to truly settle on one thought. Vague flashes of distant memories came to her, memories of the piercing red gazes of super-soldiers… too close for comfort. The details of their involvement were sketchy and sporadic at best. But Ahsoka knew that something had happened… a word scarcely uttered in any polite society given the ramifications that follo-

"Padawan?" She shook her head, suddenly realizing that Master Che was speaking. Speaking to her.

"Huh?" Her gaze turned up at the seemingly-expressionless eyes of the Twi'lek.

"I asked you a question." Che stated flatly. Ahsoka felt embarrassment flush her headtails, blue stripes darkening to almost black.

"U-Um…" The Togruta stammered, clearing her throat. "Can you repeat it?" She meekly asked.

"Do you feel any sort of pain?" Vokara repeated. Ahsoka looked down at her robed body. Suddenly, her mind envisioned super-soldiers, Chimera, Cerberus and Spectre, before her, around her…

"N-No. Not really." She lied.


Elsewhere in the galaxy…

The planet in question had no reputable name, nor was it in a well-known system let alone a watched sector of the galaxy. It would be an easy place to disappear to and then be forgotten altogether. That was what concerned Count Dooku, whether this meeting was to truly converse with a lost man or if its purpose was to be an attempt on his life in an effort to make the galaxy forget him.

The Sith stayed ever vigilant, probing ahead with the Force as his solar sailor emerged from hyperspace and began its descent. He sensed no traps, no treachery or trickery afoot. For now, at least. Breaching the clouds, a forested, mountainous environment was revealed to him, his ship coasting across the treetops as it approached a massive rock formation, the peak of a singular, lonely mountain. The coordinates entered into the nav-computer directed him to a simple flat outcrop near the summit, as if a portion of the mountain had been carved out and smoothed flat in an effort to create an impromptu landing pad. It was certainly big enough to accommodate his solar sailor, the simple craft touching down with ease.

Departing his vessel, Dooku strode across the smooth rock as he was approached by a pair of hulking mechanoids, each a good head taller than the Count. "State your business." They ordered.

"I have an arranged meeting with your master." Dooku responded crisply. "You will take me to him at once." He commanded.

"Hold." The mechanoids stated, apparently processing his statement with some prior protocols. Dooku stood patiently, but it was wearing thin. It seemed his mysterious invitation cared little for his own time or schedule. A moment longer and the security personnel finally spoke again. "Come with us." The turned and proceeded towards an open carvers hollowed out of the side of the mountain. Dooku followed, equal parts curious and wary. The cavern was dark and devoid of light, only the continues clanking of metal feet against stone kept Dooku moving as he sensed his escorts rhythmic footsteps.

Lights soon flickered on, revealing a chamber rife with technology. Dooku recognized many pieces of maintenance and medical equipment, some of which lined the walls while the rest lay spread out in various consoles. At the centre sat a simple repair table, upon which a human head rested. Bald and pale, skin both scarred and ruined clung to a portion of his face. The rest of his jaw exposed to metallic instruments sealing his bones behind mechanical supplements. His eyes opened, bloodshot yet steely grey.

"I apologize for the delay, my lord." He replied, in a voice mixed with smooth organic tone and also a gravelly synthesizer. "This… treatment was suddenly required sooner rather than later."

"I understand a need for personal maintenance." Dooku responded. "But it does not bode well for the proposition you offered."

"You are correct, for which I apologize." The head replied. "Permit me to introduce myself." A series of mechanical claws gripped his head and lifted it it high as the table converted positions, rotating down until it was a verticals structure. Floor panels slid apart as machinery began to whir, a platform gearing up as a body rose from the ground. It was tall, heavily mechanized, fully armored and dangerous. Without a head it was even taller than Dooku.

But the Count had a feeling he knew which head was to go atop it.

"I am Roen. Roen Kilvaari." The head announced, as it was lowered into place and fitted into a neck socket. Servomotors quickly fused joints in place as Roen's body booted up, fully capable of moving and functioning like the average organic. Stepping forward, tall and imposing, Roen chose to kneel before Dooku. "And I think you, Count Dooku, for agreeing to meet me under such sparse terms."

"Dispense with the pleasantries, Roen. And tell me why you have pulled me from my laborious duties." Dooku replied curtly.

"The answer is quite simple. I wish to offer the services of myself and my company to the Separatist Alliance." Roen explained. "For some time I ahve been a secretive donor, lurking in the shadows as I watched your movement progress. I think it is high time I stake my claim as a benefactor, full and unhindered." Dooku raised a silvery brow.

"Such bold claims. You have yet to prove yourself to me, Roen, what makes you think I would want to accept your offer?"

"In recent years I have made incredible advances in technology. Blending organic and mechanical in ways few would ever consider. I supplemented a division of the Techno Union with enough material to build one of your super-soldiers, the one called 'Reaper'." Roen explained.

"Agent Reaper is deceased. He was killed in action." Dooku stated simply. Roen cocked a brow, as much as he could that is.

"So Cai has fallen. Shame. He was a good boy." He mused. "He gave me this, you know." He remarked, pointing to a long, pink scar stretching across the top of his head. "Nevertheless, I have the means and resources to benefit your droid army with far more advanced mechanics than the Republic could ever anticipate. Trust me in this, my lord, I am your ally and not your enemy."

"That remains to be seen." Dooku retorted. "I have yet to grasp the notion of who you are in the grand scheme of things."

"Oh I am many things." Roen responded. "My family line is long and celebrated. Secretive, yet celebrated." He intoned. Reaching for his armored skirt, a panel split apart and he plucked from within a sizeable hilt. It was thick and ornate, like specially carven metal decorated the top and bottom. "There is much about me I could tell you, Count. But in some cases, perhaps it is better to see than hear." Roen mused, toggling a switch on the hilt. At once, a pair of panels flipped apart at the top, a dark red glow emanating from some hidden power cell. Forming in the air above it, pieces of hardlight began to crystallize and form, taking the shape of an antique vibroblade. Dooku's gaze widened at the display, watching as Roen took hold of what could only be described as a legendary weapon.

"A shardsabre." He whispered under his breath.

"One of only two ever constructed." Roen stated, swinging his blade lightly as an electric buzz filled the air. "You are looking at the original prototype." He added with a knowing look. "At times it seems to come off as nothing more than a holographic toy, let alone a pale imitation of the modern lightsaber, I confess-" sudden hacking his blade down with force, Roen neatly sheared a console in two, the metal left glowing in its wake as a portion fell to the ground, "but it's cutting power is second to none, I assure you." Dooku nodded slowly.

The legend of the shardsabre was well known to both Jedi and Sith. One of the original attempts at proper lightsaber construction, it was said that many dozens of kyber crystal fragments were stored within a single hilt, generating a blade that should be shaped into different forms, given the multiple controls and regulators. As such it lacked the simplistic finesse of modern blades, but was a good first step in generating a column of pure plasma capable of so many wonderous feats of skill.

"And how came you by this? Did your mechanoids steal it?" Dooku inquired. Roen laughed, a harsh and grating sound that Dooku would prefer to never hear again.

"This is mine, my lord." Roen stated. "It has been handed down over the generations until my hands grasped it. And these 'mechanoids' are in fact my Cyber Kilvaari's. My own family members submitting to a process that transforms them into the finest warriors in the galaxy. Tougher than Herglics, faster than Lurmen, more cunning than Trandoshans. Flesh and metal unified in the name of something so much greater." He described. Dooku paused to study the 'Cyber Kilvaaris', realizing for the first time that they were alive in the Force, not nearly as nonexistent as droids were.

"You intrigue me, Roen." Dooku finally said. "Perhaps you could accompany me as I go about my work. I should like to hear more about what you have to offer." Roen nodded in agreement.

"It would be my pleasure, Count Dooku."


Meanwhile…

Still bedridden, Ahsoka was forbidden from leaving until Master Vokara was satisfied with her state. A few final tests needed to be run, so until then the Togruta was left alone with her thoughts… thoughts she could barely control.

Her memories of a time before her blackout were scattered and incohesive. All that came to her was pain. The pain of being tortured, the pain of being beaten, the pain of too many hands clawing at her body, gripping her, tugging her…

She stopped, sputtering as she shook her head. The Togruta had no desire to explore whatever memory those scenes were connected to. She needed to focus on something else… but what? She could barely remember what she was supposed to do once back at the Temple. Having so much trouble trying to remember things, she beat her brow and growled in frustration. "What… What…?!" She growled, getting her teeth and trying to concentrate only for her mind to wander again. So engrossed her this menial task she didn't even sense the arrival of her Master.

"Ahsoka?" Anakin softly asked, a gentle hand on her shoulder. The combined touch and sound jerked her visibly and Ahsoka's wide blue gaze darted up to meet his.

"Oh! Hey Master!" She greeted, sounding more surprised than happy.

"Hey," Anakin greeted in a calmer tone, taking a seat beside her. "How are you feeling?"

"Um… okay, I guess." Ahsoka responded hesitantly. "M-Master Che says I can leave soon. The, uh… T-The bacta did its job."

"Good. Good to hear." Anakin praised with a smile. "You ready to take on the Separatists again?"

"Uh… y-yeah. Sure." His apprentice gradually responded, her voice shaky and sounding uncertain with every syllable. Despite her prior affirmations, Anakin knew there was still something amiss.

"What do you remember about Olanet, Ahsoka?" He gently pried, hoping he would stir up any kind of negative reactions. Ahsoka paused, considering the name.

"Olanet…" She repeated out loud. Her mind began to wander, desperately reaching for those scattered memories again. A word came to mind, a word that likely was tied to Anakin's probing question, but she shied away and recoiled as the very pronunciation attacked her senses like a sharp pricking sensation. "I… I remember a factory." She slowly said.

"Yes, that's right. We were there to destroy a droid factory." Anakin affirmed.

"And… And Master Obi-Wan was there. They had shields a-and these new kinds of droids." She continued, fragments of memory stitching themselves together. Anakin was beaming. "And there were… super-soldiers…" Ahsoka suddenly trailed off, memories of fighting Banshee suddenly intermingled with the recollections of being pressed hard between two others, their rough, groping hands everywhere in her mind, clouding her vision and her memories as her inquisitive expression turned to dismay. "Three of them… oh Force, Master, there were three of them!" She cried. Anakin's expression fell as he realized the meaning behind her words.

Rig Nema and Vokara Che had both confirmed on separate analysis', after DNA tests were performed, that at least three super-soldiers had instigated her abuse. Ahsoka had just confirmed that now.

"It's okay, Ahsoka, it's okay… you're safe here, they can't hurt you." He whispered, pulling his distraught apprentice close. Her breathing had accelerated, obvious panic in her eyes. Ahsoka couldn't remember all the details, but what did come to mind was deeply unpleasant. Leaning into Anakin's hold, Ahsoka sought safety in the shelter of his embrace as horrific memories flashed through mind. Still scattered and far from cohesive, the mere actions portrayed in each was enough to disturb the teenage Togruta.

"M-Master…" She clung to him, clutching his robes, desperate to bury herself within the safety he provided and never emerge…

The Jade Moon orbited the planet of Loronar, in the eponymous system of the Colony Regions. Skirting around the Core Worlds, the Colonies were part of the gateway to the galaxy, leading to the Inner Rim and Mid Rim worlds. Loronar in particular was home to a potent constructicon business that worked in favor of the Republic's war effort.

The Jade Moon, however, was dim and desolate. Empty expanses of moonscape stretched on for miles in every direction, while massive craters and valley's dotted the surface. It was here that Dynnal Karn sat quietly, alone with the abyssal expanse of space above him and the quiet, undisturbed lunar landscape around him.

There was no one for him to hurt with his presence, no one for him to fail, no one for him to anger…

That outburst, the sudden fiery rush of the Iron Demon's presence had sapped him of all his hope and strength. He didn't know what to do let alone make of himself. Maybe it was best if he simply spent the rest of his days here… alone… He'd closed himself off from the Force, doing his best to silence any further attempts from the Demon to unleash itself. He could feel rippling tendrils of Dark Side energy striking his fortified shields, like some wicked hand knocking on a door and asking to be let in.

And yet for his all efforts, the Force still knew exactly where he was.

A noise disturbed the silence and Dynnal lifted his haggard gaze upwards. There on the ground, a small black bat descended, perched squarely across from him. "What're you doing here?" He asked in a murmur, as confused as he was disinterested. The bat scurried over to him across the ground, soon sitting by the toe of his boot and peering up at him. Dynnal glanced down, keenly noting how the animal seemed to have some vested interest in him.

Once again he could feel the Force pressing against his soul, reaching out to him. It was a sensation he was vaguely fai lair with, like someone or something wanted to speak with him. Intrigued, he allowed a tiny sliver of that persistence to filter into his mind. He listened, feeling a presence, and soon Dynnal could hear a name being repeated, over and over again. "Kovak? What's a Kovak?" He wondered aloud. The bat squeaked and flapped its wings, as if responding to the name. Dynnal looked to him, narrowing his eyes. "Are you Kovak?" He asked. The bat did nothing as far as vocal affirmations went, but its behavior did seem to respond accordingly. "Kovak… alright." Dynnal held out a hand, Kovak taking flight with a squeak until he was perched on the back of his offered arm. Preening himself, Kovak remained where he was, much to Dynnal's amusement. "What are you, little guy?" He queried, pondering the possibility that Kovak was connected to the Force someway somehow.

Suddenly, he flinched, Dynnals' expression knotting up in pain as a searing sensation riddled his mind. "You're so weak…" a voice growled, "pathetic and frail, the exact opposite of what I was intended to be. You do my body a disservice by merely dwelling in it." Pushing past the most intense headache he'd ever suffered, Dynnal forced his eyes open as a bleary out of focus visage of Wraith appeared on the distant horizon. "I will reclaim my body. And when I do, you will be rendered nothing more than a bad memory! I tell you this as a courtesy. This IS going to happen." His voice was like a cacophony of grating sounds, a thousand voice incapable of speech merely crying out in a desperate act to be heard.

"ENOUGH!" Dynnal cried, shooting to his feet as Kovak took off in a flutter. The teen looked around, searching for some sign of this phantom menace that plagued him. But there was none. "Leave me alone!" He shouted to the emptiness. "Get out of my head and leave my body! DO YOU HEAR ME?! MINE! I WAS BORN WITH IT!" His anger aroused, Dynnal let it flow, hoping it might force Wraith out. "I've had enough of your belittling! Enough of your insults! I am who I am! And I want nothing to do with you!" The heat came too quickly for him to bear and he suddenly realized what was happened as the veins in his arm began to glow orange. "No… No no no no no!" He screamed in alarm. But he was too late to do anything.

Force fire shrouded his body in an uncontrollable mass, like a raging inferno consuming his physical form.

Moments after the man disappeared from view, the Demon lashed out with a roar as the flames receded to reveal his iron form. With a bellow that shook the stars above, his wings snapped out in full glory as the glow of Force fire lit the dark landscape for miles around. His presence reverberated through the Force, like a great bright beacon for those who sought it. The sheer power of the Demon was incredible, felt across the galaxy by a meditating Count Dooku who immediately gave orders for his cruiser to follow his leadings. It also resonated with someone else… someone already on route…


Hours later…

Master Che had finally permitted Ahsoka to be discharged from the Halls of Healing and as such the Togruta was required to relinquish the white robes of her tenancy in favour of her everyday tunic. A fresh set of clothes had been brought in by Anakin, for which Ahsoka was thankful for. She had no desire to wear the pair that had been ripped and ruined during the course of Olanet.

But in slipping her clothes on again, Ahsoka felt… wrong. There was too much skin exposed, too much of her rendered vulnerable through sheer exposure. Cutouts in her tunic and leggings were far too common for her liking now, making it too easy for an enemy to… to…

She swallowed back the words that formed on her tongue, shuddering as phantom laughter and sneering comments lingered in the back of her mind. She physically stopped, a partly folded robe in her hands, closing her eyes in an effort to drive out the memories.

That was a mistake.

They came fast and furious. A barrage of Spectre, Chimera and Cerberus. Using her, abusing her, mocking her, tormenting her with their actions and words. It was smothering, the Togruta's eyes jerking open with a gasp as she struggled to fend off the horrid sensations. Her breathing hastened, Ahsoka quickly went through an exercise to calm herself. While her breathing evened, it did little to quell the voices plaguing her, the sharp, crude remarks of the super-soldiers still lingering in her mind.

"Ahem!" The clearing of a throat jerked her attention to a sudden presence behind her and to Ahsoka's surprise, it wasn't a Jedi. "Am I interrupting?" She recognized his blue-white armored instantly.

"Rex, hi!" Ahsoka greeted, taken aback by his presence but not complaining. "How did you get in here?"

"General Skywalker managed to let me in. Apparently it's not entirely uncommon for Clones to visit the Jedi Temple… I just haven't done so." Rex explained.

"Yeah… been a while since I've seen you outside the barracks." Ahsoka noted, dropping the white robe on the bed before giving him her full attention. "What, um, What brings you here?"

"Well, I was told my Commander had recovered, which was good news for me and the men. They, uh, elected me to bring you a little message on their behalf." Rex stated, almost sheepishly. Ahsoka cocked a brow marking.

"A message?" She queried.

"From… all of us. Well, those who couldn't come, more specifically." The Clone elaborated as he reached for his belt and produced a holoprojector. With a click of a switch, the device powered on and quickly revealed pre-recorded renders of Sixshot, Jolt, Ransack, Backlog and Reverb.

"Hey Commander! Happy to hear you're up and about!" Backlog greeted with a cherry smile.

"We knew you'd pull through, we all did." Jolt quickly added.

"Can't wait to have you back in the ranks, Commander Tano. The Company just isn't the same without you." Ransack confessed.

"Yeah, we're missing our euk vod. You brighten the place up, Commander." Sixshot stated.

"Tempest Company's got your back, Commander. You need us? We'll be there." Reverb promised and his brothers nodded in affirmation.

"Here's to a quick recovery! Hope to see you again, real soon!" Backlog saluted, the rest of his brethren copying him as they waved goodbye and the message ended, pausing on the lingering hopefully, chipper expressions on each of their faces.

Ahsoka smiled at the sight, feeling somewhat choked up by the well-wishes of her troops. She knew they cared about her, but to see it firsthand was something special. To hear their offers of assistance, their ready promises of support and acceptance… this was just what she needed to hear.

"I… I don't know what to say." She whispered, looking up at Rex. The Clone was straying somewhere between equally moved and also emotional. He did his best to rely on military decorum and stay both rigid and stone-faced.

"On behalf of Tempest Company of the Five-Hundred-and-First Legion, we wish you a very speedy recovery, Commander Tano. We eagerly await your return to the Legion." He told her in a crisp, rigid tone. Despite it, Ahsoka still felt warmed through and through by the compliments of her men. This was just what she needed to brighten her day.

although there was… one thing…

"What does 'euk vod' mean?" She queried.

"It's, um, Mando'a for 'little sister'." Rex answered, a dash of color flooding his cheeks. Cocking a brow as her smile turned into a smirk, Ahsoka offered him a sideways glance.

"Is that what you guys call me?" She inquired.

"Ad'ika is also an option." Rex replied with a vaguely uncomfortable shrug. "It means 'little one'." Ahsoka had limited experience with her troops speaking the Mandalorian language, which was apparently far more widespread throughout the army, but everytime they did it surprised her. It made them a little more human, no longer the Republic's version of war machines. they had color and character and it made them more than mere soldiers. It made them people.

"Thank you, Rexster." She whispered, throwing her arms around her Captain. Taken aback, but also recognizing the importance of the moment, Rex slowly and awkwardly returned the hug. Ahsoka had always been important to him and over the years their bond had evolved from mere rank and structure to something more familial. Among the Clones, she generally was thought of as their little sister. Still a commander, but more of a family member than a cold and distant military rank.

"Anytime, euk vod." He promised.


Back on The Jade Moon…

The shuttle was plain and unmarked, just big enough to carry less than a handful of people. The Iron Demon watched it land, unflinching and unmoved by its presence. He watched as the thrusters powered down, watched as the boarding ramp descended, watched as a woman in plain brown clothes descended and began to approach him. The minds within him recognize her features the closer she drew. Wraith knew her to be the former student of Count Dooku, Dynnal knew her as the leader of the Birds of Prey Arashi Shan, and the Demon knew her from a different time and place.

Arashi stepped right up to him, seemingly unafraid of his powerful presence. Her eyes met his and she spoke slowly, "Long have I waited to see you. To look upon your face and know the truth." With a low growl from the back of his throat, the Demon addressed her,

"Daughter of Revan…" He rumbled. Arashi nodded.

"He was my ancestor. His stories have been passed down through the generations of my family line. Those stories… they do not do you justice." She replied. His gaze bored into her, as if his eyes surpassed her own and peered into her very soul.

"So you say." The Demon responded, his voice heavy, spoken as if through the Force itself.

"Revan revered you. He spent much of this private thoughts on your presence. He dedicated his family, the Shan's, to seeking the truth. Your truth." Arashi pressed. "Some thought it a fools errand, others the fanciful imaginings of a man who abandoned his family, and others a quest that would take a lifetime to complete."

"And what do you say, Daughter of Revan?" The Demon questioned. Arashi swallowed, her nervousness like a fresh scent within the Force the Demon could inhale.

"I say he was right. Every word in each of his journals was right. You are a force to be reckoned with… beyond the Force itself." She slowly told him.

"I am the Force." The Demon growled. "The Dark Side is me and I am it. I permeate all life, I exist where no one else can." Feeling the overwhelming weight of his presence, Arashi dropped to her knees before him.

"Surely, you… are mighty beyond comparison. You are the Iron Demon. You are…" She had no words for him, nothing that her mind could conjure. The Demon loomed over her, his gaze still piercing her features.

"Are you here, Daughter of Revan, to look as one in a stupor?" The Demon demanded.

"No. No, my lord." Arashi stuttered out in response. "I know the galaxy will seek you out, your presence in the Force draws all like a beacon to your power. I came to warn you, to promise you that the Shan's still remember you, that Revan's line has been awaiting your return." She stated, her body trembling the longer the Demon gazed upon her. Taking her words into consideration, the Demon knelt down, a single clawed finger curling under Arashi's chin and guided her wide eyes towards him. Though not his intention, his claws were so sharp a mere touch was enough to draw blood.

"Will you serve me?" Arashi swallowed again, the moment she had been dreading had come. Fearing for her life she could not nod and could barely speak either.

"If you call… I will answer." She responded in a shaky voice. The Demon learned closer, so close that Arashi could smell the soot of a great furnace on him, so close the very gleam from his armored body reflected her face, so close that she could see every chip and scratch in his age-old horns.

"If your vow is broken, the cost will be great." He threatened. His close proximity wrought new sensations from his voice alone, so weighted and powerful every syllabl caused her bones to quake. Arashi nodded as best she could.

"Yes, my lord." She promised. The Demon stood, his gaze turning sharply to the unblemished heavens.

"Flee now, Daughter of Revan. The first of those you speak of draw nigh." He told her. "Recall your ancestor's words, mark well his thoughts and feelings. All of them are true." He added as Arashi turned and started running. Narrowing his ember eyes, the Demon watched as the fabrics of space warped, broken as a Providence-class Dreadnought, none other than the Invisible Hand, emerged from hyperspace and loomed in the sky above him…