Chapter Two: Crying in the Dark

The emergency happened quickly. One moment, Master Yuon was with Canlyn Dessan in the Jedi Temple archives, cataloging artifacts from the ruins of Kaleth. She was talking merrily about the symbolism of some ancient carvings.

It was her voice that alerted Canlyn. It grew slower, the words beginning to slur. Even then, it was only Canlyn's feline reflexes that allowed her to catch the older woman before she felt to the floor.

"I didn't sense anything," she told Satele Shan, the Jedi Grandmaster. "One moment she was perfectly fine, the next…"

She was in Satele's office, along with Qyzen Fess, the Trandoshan hunter Yuon had befriended long ago.

Master Syo Bakarn joined them, coming straight from the infirmary.

"She is resting comfortably for now," Syo said. "I won't lie. Her condition is grave."

"We have the finest healers in the galaxy," Satele protested. "Surely they can treat her."

Qyzen spoke up. "Yuon tried to heal. Was no sickness she knew."

Syo's eyes flashed in a rare show of temper. "You knew Yuon was ill?" he snapped. "And you didn't inform us?"

"Is not for me to tell secrets," Qyzen replied. "Was her wish to train one last hunter." He nodded to Canlyn. "I understood."

Canlyn's mind raced to keep up with this revelation. Her Master was deathly ill, and had known this. Qyzen had also been aware, and had kept the dying woman's secret.

Dying. No, Canlyn thought. Death might be a part of the natural order – but not without a fight. Not at least without understanding why.

Satele seemed to be of the same mind.

"We will send Master Yuon to Coruscant," she declared. "The capital has the finest medical technology in the Republic, and our researchers there continue to recover artifacts from the Jedi Temple." The Temple that had been destroyed by the Sith invasion twenty years earlier.

Syo protested. "It's a fragile hope at best. Technology might suspend her condition for a time, but if the disease cannot be identified – "

"A fragile hope is better than no hope at all." Satele spoke firmly, her tone allowing no argument. Syo bowed his head and departed.

Satele turned to Canlyn. "The fastest way to get Master Yuon to Coruscant is to rendezvous with the Brentaal Star. It's a Republic military ship, returning from the Imperial border. As it happens, there is an important passenger aboard. An Imperial defector, with critical information he plans to reveal to the Senate. I am officially tasking the two of you with his protection. At all costs, he is to reach the Senate chamber safely."

Canlyn nodded gravely. "I will protect him with my life," she promised.

Satele smiled in reply. "I wouldn't worry," she said. "Almost nobody knows about the defector. The ship's captain has requested Jedi protection for the final leg of the journey, and granting that request will get Yuon to Coruscant quickly. Be mindful, of course. But I expect this mission should be entirely uneventful."

As soon as they boarded the shuttle, Qyzen froze, sniffing the air.

"What's wrong?" Canlyn asked.

Qyzen sniffed again, then relaxed. "Is no threat," he said simply.

He sat as close to Yuon as the medical team would allow. His posture was rigid, as if on guard. Though Canlyn did not feel completely satisfied by his answer, she chose not to press, instead taking the seat beside him.

The shuttle was not capable of light speed, making it a two hour flight to reach the rendezvous coordinates. A little over halfway there, Canlyn heard a noise that sounded like it came from inside the hull.

She tensed. "What is that?"

"Relax, Herald." Qyzen rose. He walked three steps and opened one of the upper storage compartments.

Ashara Zavros came tumbling out, letting out a startled cry as she crashed to the floor.

A member of Yuon's medical team and the shuttle's co-pilot came running back. Canlyn waved them away, assuring them all was fine. Then she wheeled on her friend. Ashara had recovered enough to grin sheepishly up at her.

"What do you think you're doing?" Canlyn demanded.

"You need me," Ashara said. "Master Yuon needs me. Besides, do you really think I'm going to stay on Tython stacking rocks while you fly off to Coruscant?"

Canlyn glared at Qyzen. "You knew!"

"Smelled her when boarding," Qyzen acknowledged. "Recognized scent of friend. I said no threat. Is no threat."

Canlyn turned back to Ashara. "They will kick you out of the Order for this!"

"Like they aren't on the verge of doing that already! I believe in the Jedi, Lyn. But I won't choose the Order over a friend."

Canlyn frowned, turning the situation over in her mind. They could not turn back to Tython. If they missed the rendezvous with the Brentaal Star, it might take days to get Master Yuon to Coruscant. Time she very well might not have.

"Very well," Canlyn said. "But I will not lie for you, Ashara. And when we reach Coruscant, I will have to report this to the Council."

"I know. I'm prepared for the consequences, Lyn." Ashara tried for a casual shrug, but Canlyn sensed her friend's sadness even as she smiled. "Maybe I was never suited to be a Jedi in the first place."

Sith, Cipher Nine fumed. Why does it always have to be Sith?

Two days after the Black Talon had departed from Nal Hutta, the ship suddenly deviated from its course. It had been meant to go directly to the Imperial capital at Dromund Kaas. Instead, the captain issued a politely worded apology for an unavoidable stopover at Korriban.

As soon as they turned, Cipher synced her implants to the ship's internal cameras. Now, as their new arrivals boarded, she projected the image so the others could see. Zarek Voss, a bounty hunter who had proved useful on Hutta, lounged against the back wall. His wet hair, which almost comically flopped over the horns on his forehead, attested to his enjoyment of the Talon's shower facilities. His associate, Mako, sat in a chair beside him.

She was happy enough to host Zarek and Mako. She was less pleased about the third visitor to her room: Her unwanted new colleague, former anarchist Kaliyo Djannis.

Kaliyo whistled as the elegant blonde Sith Lord and her slender apprentice stepped into view. "They're actually cute," Kaliyo remarked. "Sith chicks usually go for the whole skeletal nightmare look, but I'd buy a drink for either of these two."

Cipher fixed her with a withering glare. "Go for it. Let me know how it goes."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you? They get offended and pull my internal organs out through my eyeballs, and you offer your sincere apologies to Keeper. 'I tried to keep her alive, honest. But she got in the path of a couple Sith.' " Kaliyo's grin didn't waver as she shook her head. "Sorry, boss. I'm not that easy to get rid of."

Like a bad rash, Cipher reflected, though she didn't give Kaliyo the satisfaction of saying so aloud.

"What is that?" Kaliyo gasped.

Cipher turned back to the image in time to see a monstrous beast following the Sith. Even from a distance, she could see the length and sharpness of its fangs and claws. Trust a Sith to have a pet monster.

"It doesn't match anything in the species database," Mako says. "No... wait." She looked up. "I couldn't swear to it, but I think it's a Dashade."

"Really?" Kaliyo stared at her. "I thought Dashades were a myth. A Sith horror story."

Zarek pointed at the holo-image. "Looks pretty real to me," he said. "Any idea who these Sith are?"

Cipher shook her head. "They're not on the passenger manifest."

"Must be high up the chain," Zarek grunted. "Still, there's no reason for there to be a problem. I'm sure they're just headed to the capital, same as us."

Cipher Nine agreed. Still, the presence of Sith was always cause for caution.

"The ship arrives at Dromund Kaas tomorrow," she said. "Let's stick to our quarters until then."

"You're that scared of them?" Zarek said.

Kaliyo raised her hand. "I am." Zarek and Mako were clearly startled by her ready admission. "You ever work with a Sith, bounty hunter?"

He shook his head. Sith were generally both willing and able to handle their own dirty work.

"Well, I have," Kaliyo said. "What I said a minute ago, about Sith pulling your intestines out through your eyeballs? That wasn't a metaphor. I've seen it happen. You do what you want, but I'm with the boss here - I'll stay in my quarters until we're on the ground and those two are safely off the ship."

Aboard the Brentaal Star, Sergeant Cress Va'Shann was giving up on sleep.

He had adjusted the thin foam pillow several times, but physical discomfort was not the problem. It was the eyes of the other Republic Troopers.

When he and Lieutenant Aric Jorgan had rendezvoused with the ship, under orders to return to Coruscant immediately, the Troopers had seen the HAVOC emblem on his uniform. A week ago, that had been a source of pride. Now, it was a mark of shame.

"It's not you they're mad at, Sergeant," Lt. Jorgan told him. "Everyone knows you behaved honorably. At Coruscant, they're probably going to pin a medal on you for disabling the ZR-57. It's just…"

"I know," Cress said. He did know. A lot of these young men and women had become soldiers because of HAVOC Squad. His presence on the ship was a reminder of a trust betrayed.

He slipped out of his bunk. If he couldn't sleep, he would engage in one of the other time-honored ways to pass time. He would eat.

Jorgan was already in the break room, snacking directly from a jar of protein paste. His eyes flicked up as Cress entered.

"You're supposed to be asleep," Jorgan said.

"So are you. Sir."

"So I am." Jorgan offered Cress the jar.

"Spoons are over there." He jerked his head toward a nearby cabinet.

Cress found a spoon, then took the seat opposite the lieutenant. "How long until the ship reaches Coruscant?"

"Well, the ship seems to be in a rush," Jorgan said. "I'd have said 0:600, Coruscant Capital Time. But we've deviated toward Tython, so that'll add a few hours."

"Tython?" Cress looked up at that. Jedi? "I've never seen a Jedi in person."

Jorgan barked a short laugh. "Not much to see if the journey's a smooth one," he said. "Just people in robes instead of uniforms. And they're terrible conversationalists."

"What if the journey isn't smooth?"

Jorgan's lips drew back in a grin, revealing his fangs. "If there's trouble? Well, a Jedi in battle is like nothing you've ever seen."

Canlyn and Ashara stood to the side as the medical team carried Yuon's stretcher across the airlock and into the Brentaal Star. Once Yuon was clear, they followed.

The Brentaal Star's First Officer was waiting for them. He offered a crisp salute as they came into view. "Lieutenant Haken," he said.

The lieutenant seemed taken aback, his eyes flicking from Canlyn to Ashara and back. Canlyn guessed he was judging their youth.

"I am a full Jedi Knight," she assured him, "and while I have no love for combat, I have engaged in it." She indicated Ashara. "Ashara Zavros, Padawan. She has also faced physical danger."

Canlyn would not lie, but nothing in the Jedi Code required her to disclose all details, particularly to those not in the Order. Haken would conclude Ashara was her assigned padawan; but that was his assumption, not her deception.

Qyzen stepped through. Haken backed away at the sight of the imposing Trandoshan.

"Our friend, Qyzen Fess," Canlyn said. "I doubt I need to speak to his abilities."

Qyzen sniffed at Haken. He glared, settling in between him and Canlyn. As if guarding her from a potential threat.

"I-I see." Haken did not seem mollified. "Shall I take you to your quarters?"

"Let us meet your passenger," Canlyn said. "We are here to protect him. I see no reason for delay."

Haken led them through the ship. It was a large vessel, with winding corridors.

"It's a Thranta class corvette," Haken told them. "A proper battleship. Crew of 300, all Republic military. Normally, we would have requested HAVOC Squad accompany us on a mission like this, but…" He trailed off.

"I saw on the holonet," Ashara said. "I still can't believe it. The Republic's elite team, defecting?"

"It's like something out of a nightmare," Haken agreed. "The last member of HAVOC is aboard, along with his lieutenant. But two men are not a squad."

"What can you tell us of the passenger?" Canlyn asked.

"The General?" Haken said. "We arranged to meet him just our side of the border. He took a one-man transport, barely bigger than an escape pod, to avoid detection. It was done during routine maneuvers, so even most of the crew don't know he's aboard. He insisted he wanted Jedi protection, but to be honest I doubt you'll be needed."

"Who is he?"

"SIS is mum on that, and he'll barely talk to any of us. All we know is that he's a bigwig in the Imperial military."

They came to a secure bulkhead. Haken punched in a code, and it opened.

The area on the other side was tightly guarded. Republic Troopers stood at every door, weapons at the ready.

"He's through here," Haken said, indicating a door at the end of the corridor. "He'll be pleased to see you."

The room was dimly lit. A figure sat stiffly on a chair at the end of the room.

"Ah, my Jedi escort." The voice was low, but cultured. "Forgive the darkness. Bright light has been unpleasant to me ever since I received my implant."

Canlyn and Ashara stepped closer, while Qyzen stayed near the door. As she approached, Canlyn saw that "The General" was an older human. His face was grizzled and scarred, and a cybernetic implant had replaced his right eye.

"I lost the original putting down a slave uprising on Ziost," he explained. "It was a one-sided battle. We had tactics and artillery, they had whatever they'd been able to scavenge. But one of them got off a lucky shot." He laughed harshly. "A bit of revenge, from one old man to another. He was killed on the spot, but maiming an Imperial general? I suspect he died happy."

"Slavery is an abomination," Canlyn said stiffly.

The General smiled indulgently. "Slavery is the natural order of society, my dear. In the end, we are all slaves, whether we choose to admit it or not."

He raised his head to take in Qyzen. "How many Jagannath points have you accumulated?"

"Zero," Qyzen grunted.

The eyebrow above The General's eye implant rose.

"He was recently captured by an enemy," Canlyn explained. "Evidently, that – "

The General nodded, recognizing the significance. "Ah, yes. Total forfeiture." He kept his eyes on Qyzen. "How about before that? I know the Scorekeeper doesn't care," he added quickly, to cut off any protest. "I ask only for my own information."

Qyzen raised his own head high and grinned, displaying his shark-like teeth. "Many."

"Then I am well satisfied," the General said.

Ashara spoke, nervousness clear in her voice. "You seem to expect trouble. Why?"

"Imperial Intelligence has eyes everywhere. As cautious as we were, I still doubt my defection has gone unnoticed."

"If the Empire sent a ship after us, that would be a clear breach of treaty," Canlyn said.

"The Treaty of Coruscant?" The General laughed again. "It holds less power than a frightened child, crying in the dark. When the Empire is ready, tbe Treaty will be shredded like the paper it is, and the Republic will fall under the onslaught."

Ashara scowled at this. "If you're so sure about that, then why defect to our side?"

The General sighed wearily.

"Because I am a patriot. There are enough lunatics on both sides to see the Empire destroyed alongside your crumbling Republic. I may not be able to turn back the tide – But if you get me to the Senate, then perhaps I can delay it for a little while longer."