Oricon, near the Watchtower

Xenli noticed that D'leah was much of a talker. She wondered if it was simply the Jedi's personality, or if it was something else. Nomen Karr wouldn't shut up. Master Timmns didn't either, but he was a funny man, so it didn't bother her. D'leah's adoptive mother, Ursulina, could talk, but she was good at speaking and therefore it didn't bother Xenli that much.

She decided to break the ice. "Is the war getting you down, Jedi?"

"To an extent. I have been through a lot in my 23 years already." The fire headed Miraluka turned to the Red Sith with jet black hair and bright orange eyes. "You carry a lot within yourself, too, Xenli."

"You're one of the few Jedi that hasn't judged me."

"Because I know what you're really like. Regardless, a Jedi should never judge."

"So this is how you see?"

"What did you think? That I released a sonic wave through my mouth?"

Xenli laughed. "No, I didn't think so. But I haven't met a Miraluka before you."

"The Force itself provides my vision. I know that your apprentice Jaesa isn't corrupted, and that you and your sister Aayes are not the people you tell your peers that you are."

D'leah handled the computer core delicately. "Now what do we do? We can't both bring it to our camps."

"Then I'll tell my people that a Dread Guard destroyed it. They won't question the Wrath."

Lying was unbecoming of a Jedi, but D'leah understood why a Sith like Xenli needed to lie occasionally. She began to pick up the core when the room got very, very cold.

Xenli rolled her eyes as five figures surrounded the two women. "Ah, shit, here we go again. What do you want now?"

"Lord Wrath," sneered Bestia. "So rude. Typical of a young brat as yourself."

"Hey, at least I'm not a dead woman walking."

"Empty threats will only bring your end faster, young one," Raptus warned gleefully. "You and your Jedi friend will watch your governments burn as you feel every pain, every fear that has every crossed your mind, all at once."

"Been there, done that," D'leah sighed. "Not a fan. It won't happen again."

"You are as disobedient as your mother, Jedi," mocked Brontes, "and you will both suffer."

"You're a horrible grandma."

"Enough!" snapped Calphayus. "When this is all over, the galaxy will fall under our feet, and we will crush you all." The Masters disappeared.

Xenli was seething. "I'm getting really tired of them."

"You know my medic friend, Doc? He pointed out that at my next family reunion, we will have two less place settings to worry about."

The Wrath snorted. "We need to leave, Jedi. Our apprentices should be checked on."

Outside the computer room, Kira Carsen, a redhead full of spark and Jaesa Willsaam, a brunette who radiated patience and kindness, kept guard for their respective masters. Both were tired but were fighting through exhaustion to do what needed to be done.

Jaesa found Kira charming and adorable. She was relieved to see her master's rival's former Padawan-Kira had been a Knight for a long time-didn't judge her or view her as a threat. In fact, the young woman was impressed that the former Padawan was trying to reform her newfound faction. Did Kira think it was a waste of time? Probably. But she didn't judge Jaesa and Xenli for their efforts.

"I'm worried about D'leah," Kira spoke, breaking Jaesa out of her thoughts.

"You still care for her a lot, don't you?"

"We...when D'leah was captured by the Emperor...we argued a lot after she broke out. We were causing each other a lot of anxiety and grief. We had to end it or risk losing our friendship."

"I'm sorry, but you did the right thing." Jaesa finally had the chance to suggest something. "So the Jedi would be okay with you pursuing a new relationship?"

Kira was caught off-guard. "Well, yeah, when I don't have bigger fish to fry. I mean, I would actually love someone to-oh, Dee!" She approached her master exiting the room.

Jaesa had never been more annoyed at being interrupted. Xenli gave her a knowing look. "I'm sorry, Jaesa, but we need to get back to camp now."