Coruscant

"Master Ursulina, what are your thoughts on the intel that the Dread Masters are planning a strike on multiple planets?"

The Barsen'thor smoothed out her robes. "If the Sith are reporting on their own elders, it is enough to believe that the report is true. Rest assured, the Republic will fight back against them."

"Major Medora, you helped take down Styrak on Darvannis. Is Havoc Squad ready for the other five?"

"Of course we are," assured the Mirialan with a bob and crooked grin. "But it can't be done without the support of the rest of the Republic's military."

"My daughter, Master D'leah, and her crew, along with Captain Chudo and her crew, have already pledged to proceed to Oricon." Ursulina closed her deep brown eyes and drew a deep breath before addressing the media again. "This will be our top priority until the Masters are defeated."

"But the war with the Empire–"

"That has to be put on the back burner," Lehusa interrupted. "If we ignore this for too long, the wampa in the room will destroy everything."

"Are you saying that–"

"What she's saying," Ursulina cut in, with an unusually blunt tone, "is that should the Dread Masters actually assault the entire galaxy, everything will fall apart. Billions will suffer unnecessarily and our Republic will be in shambles. I suggest you look at the bigger picture, or at the very least, clean out your ears."

The Barsen'thor bowed to the media then made her exit, Lehusa trailing her. The young soldier tapped her shoulder. "Master, are you okay? You seem tense."

She couldn't tell Lehusa. It was a complicated, delicate matter. "I'm fine, Major. But these aren't your ordinary Sith. We have an incredible task ahead of us."

–

Dromund Kaas

Xenli turned off the teleholo, then stretched. She sensed that her apprentice was confused. "Jaesa, is something on your mind?"

"There's something unusual in the Barsen'thor's mannerisms, my lord. She's very stressed out and even a little hurt. She is usually serene and gentle when I've watched her talk."

Aayes raised her hand before speaking. "I know why. Master Ursulina is the daughter of Brontes and Styrak."

Xenli fell out of her chair. Vette choked on her beer and Jaesa gaped. "I'm sorry, Aayes but she's…what?"

"I learned a lot when I infiltrated Oricon. The Dread Guards said that there was a plan to kidnap Ursulina and bring her to the Masters."

Vette picked at a hang nail. "But how did…you know…isn't their stuff old by now?"

"Dark side alchemy leads to many things that can be considered…unnatural. However, it does appear that she was created the old fashioned way. And such longevity in a Force user is highly unusual."

Xenli still scratched her head. Ursulina WAS a very powerful Jedi, and a good, righteous one at that. But to be descended from two of the most powerful Sith to have ever existed and to be a good person? Yet Xenli herself managed to avoid the usual cruelty and power grabbing of the Sith for years, and Jaesa helped her stay on the right path as much as Xenli taught her what she knew. Perhaps some things weren't always obvious.

Aayes rose. "I take it we're leaving for Oricon first thing in the morning?"

"Yes," Xenli affirmed.

"I am going to call Adira then get some sleep."

The two half sisters chatted for a long time. Finally, Adira asked a huge question. "Are you okay after Oricon?"

"I'm fine. I've trained for this for years." Aayes excelled in infiltrating where non Sith would be liable to fail, either due to mental stress or their general lack of Force sensitivity, or where it would be more beneficial to Intelligence and the Empire to send a stronger candidate. "Cipher Nine is finally recovered from her more recent missions and may be joining us."

"Full offense but Intelligence fucked her up." Adira thought the quiet Togruta a foil to her own loud personality and wasn't surprised that the laid-back Aayes befriended the Cipher Agent.

"I agree, Adira. But the Masters would have trusted me over a non Sith alien, and they did."

"Oh no. They're going to be pissed if they see you on their property again."

"Let them fight me. Tyrans won't."

"Why not?"

The silence was loud. Aayes tried to hide her snickering.

It finally dawned on the smuggler. "Sis, did you…"

"Did I what?"

"The thing. THE thing."

"…there are many ways to gain a man's trust, Adira."

Adira bust out laughing, rolling on the floor for five minutes before Akaavi very loudly and bluntly reminded her that it was very late at night and that warriors needed sleep.

"All right. I should head to bed. Be careful, Aayes. I love you. Sleep well."

"Good night, Adira. I love you too."

–

Oricon

Raptus looked over Oricon from his room. He cackled. "It has begun!"