Kyradia covered her eyes as the Fury touched down in front of them blowing dust and sticks in their direction. They had decided they would need to be crafty if they were going to catch Zash's people, Ashara's bug had been working wonders they knew exactly where they were and what they were saying but catching up was still an issue. This temple was in the middle of a lake so Ashara had suggested an arial assault, definitely the right call apparently their adversaries had jumped over stepping stones for like an hour. As the boarding ramp lowered Kyradia could see the rapid foot tapping of seemingly Andronikos, as soon as it was down he strode over to them folding his arms as he arrived this was gonna take a while.

"so I'm guessing you didn't capture them" Kyradia nodded not making eye contact. Andronikos put his hand on Kyradia's shoulder Kyradia let out a small smile but that's all she could muster at the moment

"come on let's get inside we can explain in there" Ashara began heading into the fury leaving Kyradia with Andronikos, Kyradia still not looking at him

Andronikos held her by the shoulders "hey Ky are you alright you look pretty shaken up" Kyradia took a deep breath before wrapping her arms around him burying her face in his shoulder. Andronikos awkwardly put his arms around her "hey hey hun it's ok just tell me what happened ok" they were both bad at hugs and general signs of affection so Kyradia didn't blame him for being surprised by this

Kyradia held him for a few more seconds before she looked towards him and shakily said "Zash is back" Andronikos' eyes widened raising his eyebrows

He stumbled over his words as he responded "what wha what do you mean back h-how can she be back?" he seemed to still be processing the information frowning heavily

Kyradia swallowed "I uh I dunno how but she got out of the prison and I uh dunno but we gotta stop her" Kyradia hung her head and sighed heavily

She felt a hand clasp the back of her head and hug her tightly "hey it's ok hun we'll stop her and trust me I wouldn't mind showing her the back end of my blaster, I'm not afraid to hit a girl" he paused "at least one like that" Kyraida let out a small chuckle

"yeah right she's a sith lord she'd kick your ass" she smiled at him as he frowned lifting his chin up feigning anger

He raised his eyebrow grinning at her "she may have the force but i've got you, with you around I think I'll be just fine" he was right there Kyradia couldn't wait to destroy her

She leant in close to him "oh yeah you just assume I'll protect you" in response Andronikos leant and passionately kissed her

Kyradia let it last for a few seconds before Andronikos leant back "yeah I do" Kyradia looked away turning a deep red

"shut up" she punched his arm playfully

Andronikos chuckled "never" they grinned at each other before turning towards the ship. Ashara was standing there arms folded tapping her foot impatiently, Kyradia just grinned at her as her frown broadened

Kyradia took Andronikos' hand for a second as they walked "uh thanks"

Andronikos cocked his head as they walked "for what hun" Kyradia sighed she didn't want to have to say it out loud she was so bad at touchy feely stuff

Kyradia toiled with her hair "for uh cheering me up" ugh why was she so bad at this. They made their way to the ship in silence Ashara looking relived as they finally arrived.

The Holoterminal flickered to life with the temple structure coming into view "this is the temple of Exar Kun" Ashara explained, she was taking point on this one which seemed like the best idea she would explain it with less anger and cursing.

Xalek cocked his head at the display "and this is where the Dashade is hiding?" they all frowned turning to him

Ashara turned to him "what no" Xalek held an icy glare towards Ashara before turning to Kyradia, Kyradia let out a small sigh even now when Xalek was a sith lord he was still jealous of Ashara.

Xalek folded his arms confused "you said we were after Zash right?" Kyradia frowned but then it hit her Xalek only ever knew her as part of Khem

"um Xalek you're aware that Khem had Zash's uh essence inside him right, they're not the same person" Xalek took a long moment

"oh I uh I always assumed the two voices was a Dashade thing" Kyradia pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed "that does make a lot more sense actually" Andronikos sarcastically nodded her head at him

Ashara stifled a chuckle "well so you're aware the real Zash is currently inside a holocron and should be some sort of human, maybe blonde but the ritual is unclear as of yet" Xalek stroked his chin nodding "ok well with… that out the way Zash's followers, a milirian named Terri and a human named Lusari are performing some kind of ritual" Kyradia nodded, the bug had certainly given them insight on those two, they seemed very naive and unaware of the seriousness of what they were doing. She was almost positive Zash had lied to them but she wasn't sure how much, Zash had always been lying to her so she could only assume it was the same.

Xalek got out a small notepad "so kill them and take the holocron" they all let out a long but expected sigh as Xalek began seemingly jotting that down

Kyradia spoke up knowing it would be much easier to convince Xalek if she said it "no they seem like they are somewhat being manipulated and as a result we should take them alive" Xalek nodded crossing out what he just wrote

Xalek murmured quietly "I see useful for interrogation" Ashara sighed looking towards Kyradia

Kyradia shrugged "sure but make sure they're not that injured alright?" Xalek nodded taking futher notes, Kyradia had given him the notebook after a few incidents where he forgot key orders like that and compromised their plan, she was pleased he actually used it.

Ashara turned back to the display "anyway we know that the ritual will be starting soon and as a result we need to get there ASAP so we're gonna fly over and drop out of the ship" Andronikos nodded looking a little frustrated to be on ship duty again

He said through gritted teeth "alright I'll get the parachutes ready" Ashara smiled at him

"oh don't worry you'll be seeing plenty of action apparently they have some mercenaries prepared for extraction so you'll be blocking their escape alright?" Andronikos smiled nodding seemingly pleased with his assignment "oh and don't bother with the parachutes they're too slow"

Andronikos looked taken aback "what? how are you gonna land?" he kept looking towards Kyradia clearly worried

Kyradia gave him a devious look "we got the force don't worry" she let a little lightning crackle in her hand

Andronikos stepped back "if anything that makes me worry more" that was fair but they'd be fine she knew it, that was the easy part

Ashara pointed at the temple "once landed we will most likely be met with one or both of the prior mentioned followers so that's why we're bringing you Xalek" Xalek smiled his hand brushing over his lightsaber

"sounds good I've missed the action" Ashara narrowed her eyes at him and Kyradia had to admit she was also worried about him accidentally killing sone of them but given the stakes they needed his help

"Kyradia will then head in and stop the ritual before Zash can I guess return" she looked to Kyradia who nodded, Kyradia wasn't sure how Zash would come back but she assumed it would have bad consequences

Xalek looked away for a second before asking "what if she doesn't stop the ritual" Xalek seemed reluctant to ask the question but Kyradia understood the reasoning.

Kyradia didn't want to think about it but it was likely to happen "then I'll have to fight Zash and hopefully you can help me" both Ashara and Xalek nodded, Kyradia felt a small well of pride knowing they'd have her back

Ashara looked to each of them "so we all clear" they all nodded "ok lets get going then" Ashara and Andronikos went to start preparing leaving Xalek and Kyradia in the room

Xalek moved to the corner and began practicing with his lightsaber, Kyradia stayed quiet for a second before speaking up "Xalek what's the key thing you need to remember about this mission?" Xalek turned around frowning in confusion for a second

"um" he looked away "don't kill the followers?" Kyradia nodded smiling at him, he attempted to smile back but it came out as more of a snarl, Kyradia had never related to Xalek more. "so she's back then?" Xalek gestured to the door Ashara had gone through as he folded his arms

Kyradia let out a long sigh "ya know Xalek you're not my apprentice anymore and neither is she there's no reason to be jealous of her" Xalek had always been jealous of Ashara back when they were apprentices, Kyradia kinda got it he was much more traditional for a sith apprentice so it must have been annoying how she always favoured Ashara.

Xalek looked away "I'm not jealous" he paused "I just think you already have a force using friend to help you out… who says you need another" Kyradia let out a long sigh before walking towards the cockpit she didn't want to deal with that right now.

As she walked into the cockpit she could see Andronikos plotting the course into the navicomputer "you got everything sorted up here hun?" he turned round to her with a smile

"oh yeah these mercenaries wont know what hit them" Kyradia nodded at him raising her eyebrow

"uh huh i bet they'll go down in seconds" she leant in giving him a quick kiss on his cheek before looking out of the view port

he put his hand on her shoulder "are you prepared for this Ky?" she continued looking out the viewport

"as ready as I can be" she paused "it's just well we have so much history I uh I dunno I thought I'd put all that past stuff behind me and could become better" she paused again "I'm a better person now right?"

Andronikos squeezed her shoulder "of course hun and for the record you've always been awesome, no one likes confronting their past" she held his hand tight

"yeah i guess I just…" she trailed off, thinking about her past always did this she should focus on the task at hand "never mind I'm gonna go check on Ashara" Andronikos frowned at her but didn't press her as she stumbled away.

when Kyradia caught up with Ashara she found her meditating in the engine room "brings back memories huh?" Ashara was startled nearly falling backwards but caught herself.

"uh yeah I uh guess so I dunno i feel kinda homely in here" she stumbled up looking around awkwardly

"yeah I get that, no matter where I sleep the Fury is more like home to me" Ashara nodded seemingly agreeing. Kyradia looked away holding the back of her head "I uh just wanted to check you were ready for this?"

Ashara gave a warm smile "yeah I think so, I'll have you're back" she cocked her head "but are yo-"

Kyradia interrupted "please don't ask me if I'm ready for this everyone is doing that" Ashara chuckled nodding

"alright sure no worries" she paused "uh I know we've gotten a little caught up in all this but I just want you to know I'm sorry I judged you so harshly" Ashara fidgeted awkwardly

Kyradia nodded "I think it was completely fair I can be a real grade A bitch sometimes" Ashara gave a half smile

"maybe the old you but you've changed since then Kyradia, this conversation is proof in of itself" Kyradia frowned she didn't really agree

Kyradia looked away "you're too kind I'm not that different if yo-" as she looked away she felt arms wrap around her as she tensed up turning to see Ashara hugging her "uh ah um Ashara I'm still not a hugger"

Ashara laughed deviously "take my complement then" Kyradia's arms went limp as she conceded

Kyradia groaned "fine" Ashara let go beaming, seemingly pleased with the results. Kyradia knew she wasn't right though and she'd probably agree if she knew everything about her, maybe she should tell her? no after they stop Zash just in case she needs Ashara, it's too much of a long story anyway.

A silence fell over the chamber that was broken when they heard Andronikos' voice through the coms "we're getting close guys get into position" looks like it'll have to wait she had a sith to eviscerate…