Rey takes a deep breath. And looking at both Mara and Xanthe, she comes to a decision. "I can't allow a monster like him to control the galaxy. Let's go to Exegol and finish this."
As Rey starts to head back to the ship, Xanthe grabs her arm. "Are you sure you're ready to face him again?"
"It's not a matter if I am ready or not, it's something I have to do regardless of how I feel." Rey responds.
That statement sparked some anger in Xanthe. Frowning, she asks, "Is that what you think?" and letting go of her arm before she actually injures the naive girl Xanthe continues, "This will be all pointless if you go and get yourself killed, or better yet, become a vessel of his or brainwashed. You already lost a sister to him. If you feel vulnerable to him then he has already won." Seeing that Rey still doesn't get the severity of the situation, she adds, " I am not allowed to assist you. You will be on your own for this."
Rey's eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean? This whole time you have been helping me and saying you won't abandon me and now you're saying you can't get involved!?" She asks incredulously. Xanthe sighs and rubs her face. "Basically yes. Lana told me-"
"I don't care about what she told you! You made a promise!"
"Yes. I did." Xanthe calmly agrees. "I will be on Exegol, but unlike the Death Star ruins, I cannot be in the room with you when you face him. Luke and Lana have stated it is your fight. I am to hand over the Dagger of Mortis and then step aside. I am not to interfere." Xanthe says sadly.
"That's ridiculous!" Rey responds. "Since when do you follow orders? If that was the case, then you should never have helped me to begin with! I never thought you were a coward." Rey spits out angrily.
"I'm no coward!" Xanthe bites back, the rage bubbling up inside her. "I will do what I have to in order for the galaxy to survive. The Force is becoming… unstable due to Palpatine's manipulations. Everyone who has become one with the Force has told me to stay out of the way. You think I don't want to be there with you? I would like nothing more than to personally take his head off his shoulders. In fact, I would probably enjoy it immensely."
"Then help me." Rey pleads. "They're all telling you that you can't get involved, yet none of them said that to me. How do you know that all of it is real? How do you know that none of it has been manipulated by the Emperor?"
Xanthe opens her mouth to respond, but the answer gets caught in her throat and she snaps it back shut again, trying to piece together all of the past conversations-
"The Force has "rules" I suppose you could say."
"Surely you know about clones and the Wayfinder Darth Imperius?"
"These actions and events were done on purpose, perhaps even orchestrated?"
"All I can tell you is that you must follow the path you see before you and see where it leads. Go with Rey to find the ruins of the Death Star and follow wherever the path leads you from there. Be there for Rey. She has no one else."
Interrupting Xanthe's thoughts, Rey adds, "Luke also told me that you will help defend me if need be from the Emperor. And whatever I do, I should not go alone."
Xanthe stares at Rey for a few long moments before slowly nodding. "I…" Xanthe sighs. "You may be right. But you may be wrong. Regardless, we need to head back to the ship and figure it out from there. We still need to meet up with Lando and Leia and then with Kylo Ren." Xanthe states and starts walking towards the ship, not bothering to look back.
As they all walk quietly back to the ship, Mara purposely trails behind and signals Rey to join her, putting some distance between them and Xanthe. She glances at Rey and then at Xanthe and starts chuckling softly. "What?" Rey asks, somewhat annoyed. "Oh nothing really. I don't remember the last time I saw someone hit a nerve and lived." Quickly becoming somber she continues, "She thinks she's doing what's best based on the information she's been given. Yes, from what I have observed about her, she does make her own rules, makes her own choices, her own destiny. But with you… She is afraid to lose you. You're the only family she has left and she doesn't want to take the risk. That's all it really is. You shouldn't be too hard on her."
"I thought all Sith were fearless and ran on passion and all that. That is a poor excuse for her to go back on her word."
Mara sighs. "I understand to a degree her fears. Yes the Sith thrive on passion and anger and they use fear to fuel their connection to the Dark Side, while fear is the undoing of a Jedi. However, just like anyone else, fear can also make Sith insecure. Fear of those closest to them can be used against them. The Emperor did that to me with Luke. He was constantly in my head telling me to kill him and out of fear, I ran to keep him safe. Was it a good idea? Maybe? At the time I definitely thought it was. Xanthe is in a similar predicament. If it truly is the will of the Force that she cannot face him with you… Then I will go on her behalf. After all… I have a score to settle with my old "Master"." Mara finishes with a small grin and they continue to the ship in silence.
When they reach the ship, Xanthe orders HK to prep the ship and go to Kijimi but not before advising HK- "No one is to disturb me under any circumstances. Subdue them by any means necessary if they refuse, but no deaths."
HK nods. "Acknowledgment: Understood Master."
She glances back at her other two companions making their way onto the ship and quickly goes to her quarters.
As they walk further in the ship, they hear the engines starting up, so naturally they make their way to the cockpit, only to find HK there. "Where is Xanthe?" Rey asks. "Salutations: Ah greetings, meatbags!" My Master has asked not to be disturbed while we are enroute to Kijimi." HK responds while checking the cockpit instruments. Rey frowns, "But why? What is she doing?"
"Answer: I do not know. But she did tell me to use extreme force to subdue either of you if you do not comply with her orders."
"My my, she's in a really good mood." Mara comments and turns to Rey, "Heh, you really pissed her off. You pissed her off and lived to tell the tale. Congratulations." Mara adds, patting Rey on the shoulder.
Meanwhile, Xanthe settles into her meditation stance and starts repeating the Sith code, "Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion I gain strength, through strength I gain power, through power I gain victory, through victory my chains are broken. The Force shall free me..." She is vaguely aware of Rey and Mara's presence on the ship before she falls into her meditation trance.
"This is Lord Zash."
"I have high hopes for you, acolyte."
"Be wary of Lord Zash, flesh of my flesh. She is like a snake."
"I will share all of this with you … if you will only kneel."
"Revan has staged all this so the Republic and the Imperial fleet destroy each other!"
Many other memories flashed and mixed with each other in her mind. "Focus!" She hears someone say. She couldn't tell if it was herself, Lana, Cora or maybe even the... Exile? Regardless, she obeyed and willed the images to slow down and focused her breathing even more. Slowly, a pattern started to appear.
"You do not have to stand against me. Instead, I will share all of this with you … if you will only kneel."
"You have done well Outlander. The throne is yours."
"I am watching your progress eagerly. I have high hopes for you acolyte."
"Her words smell of honey and taste of poison."
"When will you realise I am not your enemy? I am merely trying to help you reach your true potential."
"I genuinely like you. But it was that or death, and I don't like anyone that much."
"Do not trust her, flesh of my flesh."
"Ah, we will accomplish so much once I am in command of that wonderful vessel of yours."
"I will consume all life on Ziost, but I will let you live for now. The galaxy will be more interesting with you in it."
"All of this is according to my design!"
Immediately Xanthe's eyes snap open while heavily breathing, reeling from the vision in her meditative trance while in the back of her mind she could swear that she heard a voice saying "trust your instincts."
'Cora? Sounded like her voice in that…vision? I don't even know if I would call that a vision…' Xanthe thinks to herself. Massaging her temples, a memory of Iokath comes to mind.
The unusualness of it all, starting to click into place, Xanthe abruptly stands up and hurriedly walks to HK, ignoring Mara and Rey in the mess hall 'I can't run like a madman to HK, afterall, I have a Dark Lord image to maintain.' Xanthe tells herself.
"Exclamation: Master! What a pleasant surprise to see you here. However we haven't arrived at Kajimi yet. Hesitation: the meatbag assassin and apprentice have been unusually compliant Master. I am slightly concerned." HK admits.
"Don't worry HK, I think it is the fact they realised that one of them overstepped. Anyway, I have more pressing matters… we need to stop off at one of our outposts. I think the situation regarding Kajimi is more… insidious (Xanthe mentally smiles at her own inside joke) than we realise. If it is what I suspect, we are definitely going to need another ship."
Returning to Mara and Rey, she lifts up a hand stopping either of them from speaking. "This conversation- if it needs to be continued, can be done after we sort out Palpatine. Right now, I have a feeling that something isn't right regarding Kajimi. Sidious is most interested in you Rey, either to recruit you or kill you. I don't know, but it may be a trap intended for you. That is why we're making a pit stop to grab another shuttle. You and Mara will stay on it while me and HK head to the surface to get Lando and Leia out of there before Sidious makes his move."
Xanthe immediately walks away before Rey has a chance to speak. Rey- having none of that- is about to call after her when she's stopped by Mara. Mara grabs Rey's shoulder gently but firmly and when Rey turns to question why, she shakes her head, silently telling her to let it go and to leave Xanthe to her own devices.
"HK, set course for… Athiss." Xanthe instructs as she enters the cockpit. "Affirmation: Yes Master." After a beat, HK speaks up again. "Query: Why Athiss Master? It isn't anywhere near the route to Exegol or Kajimi?"
"Exactly." Xanthe replies. "It's… A precautionary measure. I don't want to take any chances with Sidious." I'd rather lose Athiss than Dromund Kaas or Malachor."
HK turns back and enters the new coordinates, "Resignation: Very well Master."
Many hours, a few threats and a Force choke later, two ships, restocked and refueled, left the space dock of Athiss. "Remember, stay away from Kajimi, not even in orbital distance. Stay at least a planet away and I will meet up with you. Don't come looking for me and if you see First Order or Imperial style ships- get out of there." Xanthe reminds Mara and Rey over the comm link.
"Understood. If anything changes, we will rendezvous at my safehouse. Not that you need it, but be careful out there." Mara replies.
"Aren't I always?" Xanthe replies and switches off communications, setting a course for Kajimi.
"Announcement: "Arriving in orbital distance of Kajimi Master." HK announces. Xanthe nods in acknowledgement. "Very good." Xanthe replies. "Now's the hard part… getting them off the planet in time." She mutters to herself. Reaching out with the Force, she tries to look for Leia's Force signature. 'Ah, there it is.' "Leia!" Xanthe calls out.
"Xrysi? Is that you?" Came Leia's confused reply. "The one and only. You need to get off Kajimi now. Who else is with you besides Lando?"
"Only a few troops and some resistance fighters we had persuaded to join our cause here. Why?"
"I have a bad feeling about this place. I need you to meet me at these coordinates which I will send on your comm frequency. I will pick you up. Your troops and "new recruits" can go on your shuttle. Tell them to go back to the Resistance base at Ajan Kloss."
"Understood. See you shortly." Leia replies, cutting off the mental link. Xanthe sighs, slumping back into her chair. "Set course for landing at these coordinates HK." Xanthe orders tiredly. 'I never thought I'd have to deal with another Valkorion situation. I'm getting tired of these manipulation master plans. Plans be damned. The longer Sidious is around, the more of a threat he will become." Xanthe thinks. "Cora… where in blazes are you?" She mutters to herself.
As HK lands, Xanthe patiently waits for Leia and Lando, continuously scanning the area for any unpleasant surprises. "Query: Shall I have my blaster ready for any hostile meatbags Master?"
Xanthe chuckles in reply. "I highly doubt it would come to personal one to one kills, but you may if you so wish. I prefer to use the cannons on The Rage."
"Disappointment: That is no fun Master."
"Welcome General Organa and General Calrissian to my personal ship- the Fury class vessel- "The Rage"." Xanthe greets and gestures with her hand as they come onboard. "I apologise for the sudden rush, but we must leave now otherwise I would have given you a grand tour of the ship." Xanthe informs them with a slight grin, leading them to the mess hall. "Please make yourselves comfortable. I will be back as soon as we're out of the sector."
Leia acknowledges her with a nod. "Very well, Major Sathor. You can brief us on the situation later."
Xanthe returns to the cockpit and falls heavily into the pilot seat sighing. "HK, I assume Mara and Rey's ship signature is not being picked up?"
"Correct assumption Master."
"Good. Go to these coordinates then. I will let our guests know what is happening and prepare a course of action. I will have to speak to Scourge and Marr, who will most likely want a meeting with the rest of the Dark Council." Xanthe groans, rubbing her forehead in frustration. "Statement: And that is why sometimes it is better to be an assassination droid Master."
"Hmm. Perhaps." Xanthe agrees and walks out to meet Lando and Leia.
"It's a trap." Xanthe simply states as she walks into the mess hall. "Excuse me?" Leia asks. "Kajimi, Exegol… the Resistance… it's all a trap. There is something about all this that seems familiar, not to mention that Palpatine purposely told me about Exegol, yet the tracking beacon I placed led us all to Kajimi. Sidious wants Rey, destroy the Resistance and the last of the Jedi. Kajimi may have been an ambush, or just to assess the status of the Resistance forces. I felt quite uneasy there. For all intents and purposes, you are the heart of the Resistance and before that- the Rebel Alliance. You must survive if this doesn't end well. You are a threat, as you've always been, to Palpatine. Stay hidden on your base." She turns to Lando and continues, "Lando, you can use that charm of yours to lead everyone in when we give the signal. Until then, probably best to wait on the Resistance base and gather your forces until Mara contacts you."
Leia stares at Xanthe for a few moments, thoughts warring with each other showing through her eyes. Eventually, Leia nods in agreement. "Very well. I normally would fight you with these things, but considering the circumstances… I trust your judgement. I will go back and help as best I can from there."
Xanthe releases a breath in relief. "Thank you General Organa." Looking between the two Xanthe continues, "Now, I need to give HK new coordinates and get Mara and Rey to meet us. I think it might be good for you to catch up with both Mara and Rey. I know you both helped Mara in the past when she… departed from what was left of the Empire. I'm sure she would like to speak to you both properly. Now if you'll excuse me..." Xanthe finishes with a bow, walking back to the cockpit.
"Master?"
"We're going to rendezvous with Mara as planned. After that, we will drop off General Organa on the Resistance base."
"Why can't we drop the Rebels off first Master? Ajan Kloss isn't far from here and makes more practical sense."
"True. However, I feel it is more important that they discuss things with Mara and Rey first. I feel they have a lot to say to each other."
"Resignation: Very well Master. Might I comment on one thing, Master?"
"Yes?"
"Sentimentality doesn't suit you, Master."
Xanthe turns to HK with an unimpressed look on her face. She's about to argue with the droid but changes her mind and simply says, "Duly noted HK, duly noted."
