:: Chapter Seventeen ::

"Love?" Me'ghan nestled herself into Malavai's arms and let out a small sigh.

They sat together, snuggled up on the sofa in their own room on Odessen having just gotten off the holo with Malavai's mother and Selena.

His fingers gently brushed through her hair as he held her. "Hmm?"

"Can I share something crazy with you?"

"Always, my darling."

"I'm… stars I can't believe I'm about to say this but, I'm not convinced Scourge is really dead."

Malavai closed his eyes and a breath of relief escaped him. "No, neither am I," he admitted.

"You're not? So I'm not the only one?"

"No. I've had my suspicions ever since Regina's convenient death and it made me think."

Me'ghan looked at him, her index finger tracing the subtle lines on his forehead. "Think what, my love?"

"The only thing her story confirmed is Lord Scourge's presence in that throne room. The ring serves as proof he was there but there is no tangible evidence of his death—only Regina's word."

"Mm, that's what I've considered too and, the Sith Emperor, I do not believe he would be satisfied granting Scourge a quick death. He'd want him to suffer, punish him for his betrayal. Death would have been too kind."

She reeled at the mere thought, knowing she too had betrayed the man. Used him and the position he'd offered her to escape death and defeat Baras. At times she still wondered if there would ever be a reckoning, knowing now that the Sith Emperor lived on in Eliza.

"I believe you're right," Malavai agreed, "and I have my suspicions Regina escaped, and possibly ended her own life, not out of fear of Eliza but to take the truth to her grave."

"But who would have sent her out into the galaxy with that story in the first place and how did she get his wedding band?"

"Items confiscated from prisoners, getting the ring would have been easy. As for who, the Sith Emperor, perhaps, before his death? He'd want Eliza to suffer as well, she's been his greatest adversary in the past decade."

"True… leaving her to think her husband's dead," Me'ghan considered and held onto him tighter, "well, no amount of torture could ever weigh up to that level of pain.

"What do we do? We can't tell Eliza…"

"No, we can't. She's suffered enough through all this, we can't throw her life upside down once more based on conjecture—if we're wrong we'd break her heart all over again."

Malavai sat upright and retrieved his datapad from the side table. "We need to find out what we can about this Regina, see if there is anything Beniko missed."

"Is there anyone we can trust with this, you think?"

"I'm not sure."

Me'ghan rubbed her temples and considered everyone in their circle with the means and willingness to help.

"What about Vowrawn? You know he has a soft spot for her and he's spent years spying on the Emperor while trying to learn all he could about Scourge. He might have an idea or theory of his own."

Malavai smiled and leaned in to kiss his wife. "Good thinking—call him."

"So, Senya Tirall? What do we know about her, if anything?" asked Eliza when they docked on Asylum hours later.

"Not much, unfortunately. According to Koth, she's a former Knight of Zakuul, quite loyal, used to hunt him and his men down after they deserted. Something drastic must have taken place for her to walk away and turn her back on Arcann." Theron checked his datapad for the coordinates.

Nyssa eyed the group and clutched her supply bag to her chest looking for an excuse to go her own way. "If you'll point me to the refugees I'll go see if any of them are in need of medical aid."

Eliza nodded. "That's good thinking but take someone with you, I don't want any of us wandering this place alone."

"Yeah, sure, uh…" she paused.

'Not Theron, please, not Theron,' her mind pleaded and to make sure she'd avoid an uncomfortable pairing, she quickly chose, "Lord Cytharat, Praven, would you?"

They each linked an arm with Nyssa.

"Of course my lady," Lord Cytharat said playfully, "it would be our honor."

His joyousness brought her a welcome smile. She'd kept her chin up in the past two days and refused to give in to bitter sentiments, for her own sanity, but that didn't mean she didn't struggle. That seeing Theron, hearing his voice and being in his presence didn't sting and she embraced the idea of distracting herself by helping others.

"Charlie?!" Nyssa exclaimed when she saw an all too familiar face sit with a group of refugees at the medical post, "What are you doing here? Where's Jonas?"

"Hey girl!" Charlie flung her arms around Nyssa. "He's off trying to get his hands on a new shield generator for my baby, ours went bust."

"But I thought you were both in the Swamp with Havoc Squad?"

"Were, yeah, but we ran into a group of people who needed immediate medical attention so Jonas and I volunteered," Charlie explained while she observed the two Purebloods with some apprehension, "Are they with you?"

"Ah, yes. Praven and Lord Cytharat, Lana briefed you about them right?"

"She did, sorry fellas—I'm not a fan of Sith, usually."

Lord Cytharat nodded and he quickly realized who she was—he'd read her files often enough.

"Charliandra Kothe-Balkar, formerly Charliandra Naimera. Also known as Cipher Nine, at least until your arrest and from there things get vague."

"Charliandra Naimera?" Nyssa frowned.

"Pretentious, I know. My adoptive parents figured having a fancy name would magically move us up the social ladder—it didn't." Charlie rolled her eyes.

"I've always wondered what happened to you, whether you defected," Lord Cytharat said warmly with a smile, "but I think I understand now, given your name."

"Well, after Intelligence messed with my head by order of the Dark Council, I was sent on an undercover mission to spy on a man who turned out to be my biological father—I still haven't decided if I owe Intelligence a thank you card or a good beating."

"I heard rumor, to your conditioning at least."

Charlie shrugged. "It's in the past I suppose, nothing to do with you."

"Agreed."

"So these patients," Nyssa started and looked around, taking notes on her datapad, "do you have a priority list?"

"Was working on one. The medic who usually works this post seems to have gone missing though," Charlie said, "so it's been slow going."

"Missing?" Praven frowned and he offered one of the injured men his water thermos, "how long ago?"

"Dunno, I never met the guy myself."

"That was Dr. Kimble ma'am, he gone and disappeared didn't he? Said he got important intel and wouldn't be gone long but that was 'bout three months ago," one of the refugees informed them, "we just been making do with the supplies he left behind but when we ran out, me and my wife returned to Zakuul to get more. Tis how we ended up in the Swamps, had to run from them Skytroopers."

"Kimble?" Lord Cytharat repeated and frowned in thought, "Where have I heard that name before?"

"It rings a bell for me too but I can't place it, maybe Beniko mentioned him to us during one of her briefings?" Praven suggested and the name rattled in his brain, it just wasn't clicking.

"Could be."

"Alright, well…" Nyssa pondered the situation and started to unpack everything she'd brought.

"Praven would you go get the extra supplies from the ship? Charlie, you take inventory of anything left in this post and Cytharat, help me sort through all these patients, names and injuries, so we can get started."

'I did ask for a distraction,' she thought to herself and sighed while she got to work. Most injuries were minor—blisters and foot sores, a few scrapes, a man who'd suffered a burn from a blaster shot, another with a dislocated shoulder and all of them were underfed and dehydrated.

Their meeting might have been agreed upon by both parties but that didn't mean Eliza was going to go in without a healthy dose of suspicion and vigilance. Her eyes scanned the area more than they looked at the woman awaiting them, at least until she got close enough and noticed the heavy armor Senya wore, the same model Knights of Zakuul wore to this day.

"Thought you were a former Knight," Eliza noted.

A half smile appeared on Senya's face. "I still have to protect myself."

"Hm, a fair point," she conceded, "thank you for meeting with us, I hope you weren't waiting too long?"

"No, I only just arrived myself," Senya assured her.

Eliza looked around a second time. "By yourself? Because if not, just call your people now and have them show themselves, save me the chit-chat and get straight to trading blows."

A twinkle lit up Senya's eyes and she laughed. "A healthy dose of skepticism, I don't blame you Commander but I assure you I came and am alone."

"So you won't mind if I make a quick perimeter check?" Theron maintained the same level of suspicion and excused himself to scout the area with his blaster drawn.

"Feel free Mr…?"

"Agent Shan," Eliza began introductions, "and this is my apprentice Darius."

"Senya Tirall, but you knew that already. Shall we take a seat?" Senya indicated at the small table and chairs nearby. "I'm sure you have questions."

Eliza hung her cloak over the back of her chair and took a seat. Once again she observed Senya, more attentively this time and she estimated the woman to be a couple of years her senior at least, likely old enough to be her mother.

Neat, nearly black hair was bound together in a tight bun and her blue eyes held the pain of her past. Unusual jewelry decorated her forehead, implants presumably although Eliza had never seen them in such an elegant design before. Senya looked fierce but if you paid close enough attention, there was a certain tenderness hidden beneath her harsh exterior.

"I do, starting with why you turned on Arcann," Eliza said at last.

The older woman blew out a gentle exhale and nodded. "Straight to the serious matters I see."

"Well, we could discuss the weather first but I doubt that holds any relevance as to why we're here and who you are."

"True. Very well." Senya placed her lightsaber pike on the table before them as a sign of good faith, a gesture Eliza mirrored, and began to share.

"Arcann has become a disgrace to the Empire of Zakuul, a tyrant bringing war to our once peaceful planet and turning our own against each other.

"A small history lesson for you Commander. Before Arcann's betrayal, Zakuul was protected by two orders—the Knights, and Scions who see visions of the past and the future. Together, they made a formidable team but Arcann has always hated the Scions. He believes himself above destiny."

"Visions? Reliable ones?" Darius found his interests mildly piqued.

"The visions themselves, yes, I believe so but finding the correct interpretation is often more challenging. The Scions mastered this art, they're rarely wrong even when it may take decades for a vision to play out."

"Try centuries," Eliza muttered, a bitter hint in her voice, "so, what happened? I've never heard of Scions before."

"The moment Arcann took the throne, he ordered the Knights to kill their Scion brethren. Only a handful survived and fled—it was the last straw for me."

Senya's brows knitted and she looked down, almost shamefully. "When I joined, the Knights they were a shield protecting our home world. Now, they are weapons wielded by an insane child. They've lost their honor."

A realization struck Eliza who'd so far only measured Arcann's threat by Imperial and Republic losses. "It would seem we have not been the only ones to suffer at Arcann's hand."

"No. Your worlds may hold his focus but many people of Zakuul have become a victim of this conflict all the same—people he was sworn to protect. He may claim this is for their benefit, to defend them but it's a false justification for his ruthless war."

"You see now, why we must work together and end my son's reign?" the voice Eliza could have easily done without, spoke to her.

Time froze up all around her and color drained from the world while Valkorion's phantom form appeared. His apparition circled the table they sat around and paused by Senya, drinking her presence in. A rueful expression dwelled in his eyes, only for a second and Eliza tried to recall the last time she caught him looking that way but it didn't click.

She sank back in her seat, displaying clear disinterest in his babbling while she picked at her nails. "I see why Arcann needs to die, that much I've always known but I don't quite understand why I need you."

"Your defiance will be your undoing. You're not strong enough to face him alone."

"Then I will work harder, train more until I can do this without you. We'll never be a team, Vitiate."

"Still you cling to the man I once was but I have evolved in my time on Zakuul."

"Hmph. How did you manage to do both anyway? Be this Valkorion persona and the Sith Emperor?"

"That truth will reveal itself in due time," he promised and his eye fell on Senya once more, "you'll see."

Just as quick as he'd appeared, he was gone again now and the world around Eliza carried on as though someone had hit the resume button on a recording. A recording she hadn't quite caught up to yet and she sat dazed for a noticeable second.

"My Lord? Are you alright?" Darius sat forward and inspected the vacant expression in her eyes. "Was it…?"

Eliza merely nodded, not wishing to divulge her secret in front of Senya just yet.

Senya, though she'd noticed too, said nothing of it for the time being. "Arcann and the Knights of Zakuul must answer for their crimes, we must remove him from the throne."

"Agreed." Eliza got up just as Theron returned. "So, can we count on your support, even if it involves a direct assault on the Emperor you once served?"

A second of hesitation held Senya but she brushed it off swiftly—certain things were yet to be discussed she knew but now was not the time. "Yes, I stand behind you, Commander."

"Thank you. Theron, arrange level one clearance for Senya," Eliza said having decided to show faith in the former Knight, "it seems we'll have another guest sitting at our table tonight.

"That is," she added and turned to Senya, "assuming you'll be coming with us?"

"Yes, I'd be honored, thank you."

Eliza picked Senya's pike up and handed it to her with a smile. "Welcome to the team, Senya."

It was the strangest thing but after they'd said goodbye to Senya and walked back, Theron had taken her hand and held it, awakening a wave of confusion and longing in Eliza. She tried not to dwell on it much, banishing the hope his simple gesture brought and reminding herself of reality, but she did feel he'd been acting unusual ever since the previous night.

'He's probably just worried about you and trying to be comforting,' she rationalized and let go of him once they reached the elevators.

Theron stared down at his hand, feeling the phantom remnant of her touch and he frowned.

"She seemed alright," Darius noted while the three of them stepped inside, "but those Knights of Zakuul, they're a whole different body of Force users, aren't they?"

Eliza nodded while she kept her eyes on the display showing each level they passed. "I believe so, judging by their style and approach. Perhaps Senya might be willing to teach us their ways, if only to have an advantage."

Their descent was slow, or perhaps it only felt that way to her and while he stood at least two steps behind her, it was as if Eliza could feel Theron breathing down her neck. She was suddenly so very aware of his presence she could practically hear his heart beating and it left her ill at ease.

"Darius," Theron put himself in the door opening once they reached the main level, "why don't you go on ahead to meet up with the others?"

He'd noticed it too, the uncomfortable and tension-filled atmosphere between him and Eliza and felt they were due another private conversation to address those unspoken things hanging in the air.

Darius quirked a ridged brow and glanced at Eliza.

"Go on," she told him with a smile, "we won't be far behind."

He appeared reluctant still, narrowing his eyes on Theron before he stalked off and cast the occasional look over his shoulder until he fully vanished from sight.

"He's protective."

"Hmm, and to think he once threatened to kill me." A memory of the first time she'd met the kid sprang to her mind. "What is it, Theron?"

'Oh, crap, now I have to figure out how to approach this…' he racked his brain instantly while running a hand through his hair, eyeing just as uncomfortable as Eliza felt.

"Are you sure we're okay? I mean, I know last night but… you seem different now, you let go of my hand, I don't know, I…" He fumbled with his words more than he would have liked to.

"We're good," she assured him and stepped out of the elevator, leaning against the outer wall, "I just thought it might look weird, or… wrong, somehow, us walking and holding hands? Is that a friend thing? It's strange, right?"

"Oh…" The small realization hit him that she was just trying to be respectful.

"I mean, Nyssa's been great but—"

"Right, yeah, that makes sense." He nodded and dug his hands in his pocket. "So we're okay, good? You are? I remember you said there are things you can't tell me… is that it?"

"No, I… those things are, they're me-things, I'll work it out you know?" She gave a shrug and turned into the corridors with Theron following in her shadow.

"I could help, maybe two minds can work it out better than one?"

"Hm, do you know how to stop loving someone?" she blurted and instantly scolded herself, cringing.

'Stop loving…? Oh…' His heart sank and he sighed heavily with the wrong conclusion. "Ravage."

Eliza immediately stopped in her tracks and spun around. "What?! No, never, not at all."

"Sorry, he was the first… I'm sorry that was dumb, I take it you mean Scourge? It must still hurt that he's gone."

"No. Well, yes, it does still hurt…" she admitted and held herself. 'But I meant you.'

An awkward silence fell and Eliza stepped back, dragging her feet towards the medical center in the far distance.

"You know, I'm not sure I ever said it last night but, thank you for staying with me."

Theron gave a half smile while his mind considered who it might be she no longer wished to love. "You're welcome. Did you know you talk in your sleep?"

'That was probably meant for this mystery man too,' a thought taunted him.

"I do? What did I say?"

"You just, out of nowhere said 'I love you too', then slept on as if nothing had happened," he said in the most casual way he could manage, adding a half hearted chuckle.

"Oh." She faked a chuckle too and hung her head down, letting her red locks fall over her face and praying they'd cover up the blush she felt warm on her cheeks.

"Were you dreaming about anything good, or anyone?"

"I guess."

He groaned internally feeling he had to drag the answers he needed out of her. "What was it about?"

"Just…" the lie started and she shrugged, pretending like she couldn't quite remember, "I don't know, it's all a blur by now, I don't recall."

In truth, she'd dreamed about him. She'd stood on a pearl-white shore listening to the waves crawl up on the sand, watching the water reflect the stars in the night sky like raw diamonds on a black velvet blanket and out of nowhere, he'd appeared. She'd heard him whisper to her professing his love and in return she'd told him that she loved him too—always had and would.

All things she couldn't say now, or ever. 'I'd be rejected, or confuse him as he did me all those years ago bringing him doubt about his relationship… I can't be a homewrecker. Just, shut up and keep walking.'

"Ah, yeah that happens I guess…" Theron mumbled.

Eliza hurried her pace and was grateful when they finally set foot in the medical post, effectively forcing Theron to drop the subject in the presence of their peers.

It was a rather unique assembly of people—soldiers of Imperial and Republic backgrounds alike now sat as brothers, family, having supported one another through the past years of survival. Taking care of Zakuulan citizens who'd been chased from their homes for questioning Arcann's reign and protesting the war.

"Didn't think I'd be seeing you again," said an older and rather large built man, a laurel of silver-brownish hair crowning his otherwise bald head, "what's it been, almost five years?"

A hint of familiarity struck Eliza though she couldn't quite place it, not until she retraced her steps all the way to Yavin and recalled the Republic man who'd spat at her feet, admonishing her for turning Sith. "Sergeant Kearns?"

"The one and only."

She smiled and took his hand, greeting him with kindness despite their past. "It's good to see you again Sergeant, I had no idea you were aboard Marr's fleet."

"I was in charge of the envoy the Grand Master sent with Darth Marr on his excursion to find the Sith Emperor. Volunteered for it even, guess your speech on Yavin and a successful joint effort with the Imps left an impression on me back then."

He sat down with her and beckoned another woman over. "Meet my wife, Captain Fora."

"Lilith! You survived!" Eliza exclaimed in surprise, instantly recognizing the Imperial woman who'd overseen the forces aboard Marr's flagship. "And married a Republic Sergeant?"

"Yes, my Lord, he swept me off my feet. First to save my life and he continued to do so while we built a new future for ourselves out here."

"Unbelievable. Congratulations you both, truly."

"Master Jedi, uh, Darth, Lord…" another soldier approached and shuffled his feet.

"Eliza's just fine, hi, please, take a seat."

"Hey, I'm Ralo."

"Ah, you're the one who told Lana about Kira Carsen, right?"

Ralo nodded and lowered his eyes in defeat. "I heard you found her but she didn't make it, I'm very sorry. You have to know she saved my life, put me in her escape pod."

"That sounds like Kira." Eliza placed her hand over Ralo's and saw the regret on his face, the responsibility he felt over Kira's fate. "She would have been relieved to know you survived, and proud."

"Thank you. I told her husband too, he was here not long ago but left to go find her—I guess he didn't."

"Wait, what?"

"Oh of course!" Praven proclaimed when he heard, having stood not too far from them, "That's why the name Dr. Kimble was familiar!"

"Huh… Doc, he's here?" Eliza didn't quite understand.

"Was," Lord Cytharat corrected now that he caught on as well, "up until about three months ago he worked the medical outpost here. Left after receiving important intel which I assume was the news on Kira."

"So where is he now?"

"Somewhere on Zakuul I would assume unless he got stranded elsewhere along the way," Ralo suggested and once more apologized in feeling responsible for this too, "I'm sorry, perhaps I shouldn't have told him, I had no idea who he was at first."

"That's, no, not your fault," Eliza assured him and looked around hoping to spot Theron but when she didn't, she turned to Lord Cytharat instead.

"Get the basic information from Doc's profile along with a holograph then mail it to anyone associated with our alliance, have them keep an eye out. Knowing he's here in Wild Space, well, it's a start, we might be able to track him down."

"On it."

"Uh, Eliza?" Sergeant Kearns sat forward and lowered his voice an octave or two. "We heard rumor you've got a base in this sector of space? Any chance we might join you?"

"Absolutely. What's kept all of you here for this long anyways? Why not try to return home?"

"Things back home ain't much better, are they? Both Republic and the Empire bent the knee to Arcann, to the man who killed our comrades, nearly cost us our lives. Nah, we decided to stick together out here and do the best we can.

"Besides, once I'd taken a deep look into these brown eyes," Kearns added and smirked at Fora, "well I wasn't gonna let her go now was I? Coulda defected I suppose but we figured staying here would be easier and preferable."

"Right you are." Eliza smiled and got up. She made a wide arc with her arms in a welcoming gesture while addressing everyone who'd gathered, "You're all invited to come with us, should you wish. Just let me…

"Ah, Theron, there you are," she said when she spotted him and instantly felt her heart flutter anew, "let's get a list of everyone we have here, who'll be joining us at the base so we know who's who and we can get going."

Theron nodded and got his datapad out. "Guess Lana was right about us needing way more than fifty beds."

Arrangements were made swiftly and while they'd arrived on Asylum with only six people, they would return to Odessen with twentyone—their original group, Senya, Charlie and Jonas, and twelve refugees wishing to aid the Alliance including Ralo, Sergeant Kearns and Captain Fora.