Hiccup, Ragnar and the others were located in a bunker on Balmorra. Despite winning the space battle they still had to deal with the First Order troops on the ground, fortunately the Resistance on Balmorra had them around greatly raised ever since they landed.
"So, sir, you have any idea where to start?" Ragnar asked.
"Fortunately two of my colleagues have already returned from exile," said Tai. "And we can walk safely here. As for the rest of the forces on the planet, Balmorra's strength is in its huge corporation here. They have money, political pull and militarily droids. So far, the First Order has left the corporations alone, in return for 'donations' of weapons and credits."
"So we have to get them onto our side," said Hiccup.
"Don't worry, they're easier to change sides," Tai assured. "I've already call my old corporate contacts here. We have their attention. Their resources are invaluable to building a new government. I want their commitment."
"You do realise if the First Order finds out their corporations will be purged," said Astrid.
"Which they understand, so they're driving a hard bargain," said Tai. "The Director Fenn is head of Troida, and speech for the other companies. He is asking to discuss a deal with us. There's an old records vault outside Sobrik he's chosen for the meet."
"Me and Heather will go and discuss terms with Director Fenn," said Ragnar.
"Meanwhile, we'll see if I can't push our forces deeper into territory," said Hiccup.
"Not without me you not," said Astrid smiling.
"You better be careful, General," said Rex. "The First Order has everyone with important schools and with droids. For 'protection'."
"And not to stranger to battle droids," said Ragnar.
"Either way so you have to destroy them quickly, or they'll report to the First Order. Then it's over," said Rex.
With the coordinates Tai gave them Ragnar and Heather soon entered into the old records vault. They have a found several droids, they did remind Ragnar of the old battle droids he fought against during the Clone Wars, but clearly the design had been refined.
Once the droids saw then they quickly fired at them and Ragnar and Heather quickly drew their lightsabers. Ragnar had taught Heather how to deflect shots with her lightsaber, but she still needed practice for most of the shots missed the droids.
Two droids then fired their blasters and Ragnar, but he deflected the shot and they struck their chests causing them to topple over. He then tossed his lightsaber at the heavily assault droid and it plunged right into its head.
"This certainly brings me back," said Ragnar as he used the Force to retrieve his lightsaber.
"You mean during the Clone Wars?" Heather asked.
"Yeah, now that I come to think Villa don't see much difference between the First Order and the Separatists wanting war."
"I see Tai Cordan picks his negotiates well," said a voice. They looked up and saw looking down at them from the railings above them was a man you seem to be Director Fenn. He pulled out a strange looking device, no doubt why the droids memories. "That should wipe your presence from the droids' memory."
The director then gestured for them to meet him on his level. When they reached him they found him accessing his data pad and Ragnar assume that he was talking to the other officials, he had a feeling that this was going to be a man hard to bargain with.
"Director Fenn, Troida. I've been considering Tai Cordan offer," he said crossing his arms. "Given that we risk Darth Zhuil's anger if we are caught, we want a special favour."
Ragnar frowned. "Who's Darth Zhuil's?"
"Darth Calculus' apprentice and let me tell you she's a nasty piece of work, but like I said were not doing anything until you agree to our terms," said Director Fenn.
"That depends on the favour," said Ragnar.
"With the return of you Jedi comes the return of our business arrangements, your people sometimes oppose are more… unconventional weapons. Your 'ethics' costs us credits," said Director Fenn. "If we support Tai, I want to promise that the Jedi won't interfere with our weapons development."
"Companies like yours need the conscience of the Jedi," Ragnar pointed out.
"Still, that is the price of our help," said Director Fenn firmly.
"You're asking a lot," said Heather.
"Maybe, but how much is it worth to free a planet from the First Order?" Director Fenn asked.
"How about a compromise instead," Ragnar offered. "We sent a few Jedi overseers? It would keep us Jedi happy and be good for your public image."
Director Fenn nodded as if the idea had merit. "Yes. In fact that could boost our sales considerably. Very well, we'll support Tai and the Resistance, when the First Order invaded, we had stockpiles of arms, secret blueprints, credit accounts. They're now yours—and Tai's."
"How'd we find the stockpiles?" Heather asked.
"This past world will let you access terminals in Sobrix to get data on the stockpiles, but that date is encrypted," Director Fenn said handing over the data pad.
"Don't worry, we've got a friend who's good with codes," said Heather.
"Then you're all sorted," said Director Fenn. "Now I believe before Darth Zhuil figures out what we're doing. By the way, defying her is quite the adventure."
They watched as Director Fenn walked away and then Heather turned to Ragnar.
"How did you do that?" she asked amazed. "I didn't think he would perch."
"The most important trait of a Jedi's diplomacy and when it comes to diplomacy you need to figure out how to get what you want while thinking that your opponent gets what he wants," Ragnar smiled.
"Do you really think you can send overseas?" Heather asked.
"Maybe not now, we're a little short when it comes to Jedi, but in the future," said Ragnar. He then looked at the data pad. "We better get the data presented to Fishlegs."
They soon returned to base where with the data they acquired from the terminals around Sobrix. Fishlegs was now hacking the encrypted data and they were all waiting eagerly.
"What you think will find?" Snotlout asked.
"Big explosives?" Tuffnut offered.
"A fortune credits?" Ruffnut yelled.
"You might want to remember that there not ours," said Astrid crossing her arms at them. "They're Tai's so he can rebuild his government."
"You take the fun out of everything," Snotlout muttered.
"I've away, this Darth Zhuil is troubling," said Hiccup. "I didn't imagine that the Emperor would have his apprentices to have apprentices."
"Maybe the Emperor doesn't know," Heather offered.
Hiccup shook his head. "Doubtful, he's a Sith they always expect a double-cross, it's in their nature."
"So they don't trust one another," said Astrid.
"Which gives us an advantage," said Hiccup. "It is how the old Sith Empire fell, it was only until Darth Bane that the Sith found an indomitable way of surviving. Not only could the master keep as I only on one apprentice, but the sharing of power was also limited giving them a considerable amount."
"But why would Drago share that power?" Astrid frowned.
"Maybe he thinks at this sort of time that it's best to have more than just one hammer," said Ragnar.
"Maybe, we should try and find out more about this Darth Zhuil before we do anything," said Hiccup.
"Aren't you Jedi able to sense the sort of things?" Astrid enquired.
"I do sense something dark, and familiar," Hiccup frowned.
"That doesn't bode well, to be another Jedi turned traitor," said Ragnar.
"I've got it!" Fishlegs cried out and handed the data pad to Tai.
Tai looked at it and smiled. "Excellent, with this data we should be able to find those stockpiles—it's better than I hoped."
"And Director Fenn has already sent some droids to assist us," said Rex gesturing to the battle droids on the other side of the room. "I have to say that this is strange, I used to fight against clanks, but now I'm fighting alongside them."
"The magic what impressed on how you manage to get Director Fenn to cooperate," said Hiccup. "There will take some time before we can rebuild the Jedi to what they once were."
"How strong were the Jedi?" Astrid asked curiously.
"We used to be ten thousand strong, but with the Clone War and the great Jedi Purge it's more like a hundred now," said Hiccup.
"And you still won't tell us where they are?" Astrid frowned.
"Look, it's not that I don't trust you, it's just that with so few of us I have to protect them, would you do the same for your people?" Hiccup asked.
Astrid didn't like it, but she knew that Hiccup was right. If she was in the same position she would withhold that information as well.
"Anyway, what do we do next?" Ragnar asked, hoping for change of subject.
"With the corporations' support, we're secured enough to begin the next stage of my plan," said Tai. "Word is our current president, Galthe, is 'ill'. He's very seen, and Darth Zhuil says she is acting on his behalf. But I need him. Unless president Galthe probably signed over power to me, becoming president will be difficult."
"But he could be anyone on the planet," said Astrid.
"We don't have time for a manhunt, the First Order is beginning to recover from our surprise attacks," said Rex.
"We may not have to," said Fishlegs. "Thanks the encrypted data that Ragnar and Heather retrieved I think I might have found his location."
"But he what you've got, Fishlegs," said Hiccup.
Fishlegs pressed a few buttons on the data pad and a holographic image of a base appeared on the control panel.
"I recognise this place," said Tia as he examined the hologram. "That's one of the old factories we used to create droids, it shut down now abandoned, but apparently Darth Zhuil has reopened it."
"So we can expect heavy resistance," Ragnar frowned. "Would help bring you more about this Darth Zhuil."
"I managed to get an image of her," said Heather.
"Good, at least we know what will be up against," said Hiccup.
Heather pressed a few buttons on the control panel and the holographic image of the base was replaced with a young female Mirialan. She had yellowish green skin and like all Mirialan she had black tattoos on her face.
Hiccup and Ragnar's eyes widened the moment they saw the face of this young Mirialan.
"It can't be," said Hiccup.
"I don't believe it," said Ragnar.
"Wait, you mean you guys know her," said Heather looking surprised.
"Her real name is Barriss Offee and she was Master Luminara's former Padawan," said Ragnar.
"You mean the Jedi corpse we found at the spire," said Astrid. "But you always said that Master Luminara was one of the wisest and most caring of the Jedi, how could up at one become this?"
"She felt the dark side long before the Jedi Purge," said Hiccup resting his hands on the control panel. "You see not every Jedi likes the Clone War, like my mother. As such most Jedi left the order afterwards, but some remained trying to help those in need and believes that they could convince both sides to a ceasefire."
"Barriss Offee believe the Jedi were corrupted, because of the war," Ragnar explained. "In a way she was right, but her measures were less than ideal."
"What did she do?" Astrid asked.
"No doubt you heard of a bombing in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant," said Hiccup.
"Yeah, that was all over the holonet," said Fishlegs. "People feared it was a Separatist attack, but it was later proved that a Jedi was the culprit."
Heather's eyes widened. "You're not saying that she was responsible."
Hiccup nodded. "I was part of the investigation on that bombing attempt at first it looked like it was just a civilian and no Jedi involvement, but as always it's much more complicated than we imagined."
"After we rested the culprit, the one who planted the bomb, she spoke to a Jedi Padawan, who was also part of the investigation," Ragnar explained. "The moment she spoke to the Padawan, she was killed by a Force User and many believe that the Padawan was the one responsible, for the bombings, the murder… everything."
"Me and Rex had to play a little game of cat and mouse with her and we discovered tons of nano bots in an abandoned warehouse, the same nano bots are used for the bombing," said Hiccup. "The Padawan insisted that she was innocent and I believe her. I then began tracking down every possible lead and it all led back to Barriss."
"Why did you believe the Padawan?" Astrid frowned. "I mean you must have known her pretty well if you trusted her that much, even despite all the evidence being pressed against her."
"He should," said Ragnar. "Because the Padawan been accused, used to be his Padawan."
Everyone went silent and stared at Hiccup, unable to brief or even move.
"You never said that you had a Padawan," said Astrid curiously. "Did she—?"
"No, she's alive," said Hiccup. "She left the Jedi long before the Jedi Purge."
"Why did she leave?" Heather frowned.
"Because she lost faith in the Jedi, you see by request of the Senate, we had a kick out of the order," said Ragnar. "It wasn't just Jedi business, the bombing that happened in the temple killed many civilians as well as Clones working on gunships."
"Can't say I blame," said Astrid. "I'd probably do the same."
"Not surprising," said Hiccup. "She does remind me a lot of you."
"I'm sorry to break this conversation up, but we need a rescue the president before it's too late," said Tai.
"He's right," said Rex. "It won't be long until Barriss figures out that we know the president's location. She was always the bright one and she is definitely well fortified the entire area."
"Then we need to draw the forces out," said Hiccup. "We need to make it look tempting so Ragnar you and Rex will lead the forces away giving me, Astrid and Toothless a chance to sneak into the factory and locate the president."
"You might very well meet Barriss along the way," said Rex looking concerned.
"Don't worry, Rex, you know very good when it comes to controlling my anger," said Hiccup.
"I know, it's just that she did hurt Ahsoka and she was the reason why she left the order and you, sir," said Rex.
"I know, but I'm also the one that put him in jail in the first place," said Hiccup. "She would want to face me and while she's doing that Astrid and Toothless can look for the president."
"Are you sure that you don't need me and Toothless to back you up," said Astrid.
Toothless roared.
"I'm sure, she might have learned more about the dark side since last we fought, but I on the same Jedi as I was back then," said Hiccup.
"Then it's agreed," said Tai. "Just remember that I need the present alive. I can't be signed into power without a committee of Balmorra's citizens."
"Don't worry, we'll make sure the present get out of there safe and sound," Hiccup assured.
"May the Force be with you, all of you," said Tai.
Hiccup, Astrid and Toothless managed to sneak behind enemy lines as Ragnar and Rex led the attack against the factory. So far the plan seem to be working as they saw Stormtroopers and droids rushing over to where the battle was thickest.
"So far so good," said Hiccup.
"You know if this Barriss is Viggo's apprentice then she's probably expecting this approach," said Astrid.
Toothless roared in agreement.
"I know, but it owes anyone but me she would have pulled the president out of the factory and we may not get another chance and finding him," said Hiccup. "Like Rex said we don't have time for manhunt."
"I suppose you're right," Astrid sighed.
"Believe me, I wish I weren't," said Hiccup.
They soon entered into the factory and found the place completely deserted, there was no sign of life or droids. In the back of Hiccup's mind he knew that something was wrong, for he expected Barriss the have some sort of protection.
Toothless roared.
"I know, something is wrong," said Hiccup.
"You don't know how far from the truth you are, Master Hiccup," said a voice.
Then landing from the rafters was none other than Barriss. She didn't look much different from the last time Hiccup saw her, except she was tall and her eyes were now yellow. She was wearing dark robes and had heard over her head and she was gazing straight towards Hiccup.
"Barriss and here I thought you couldn't get any lower," said Hiccup.
"It's you Jedi who are to blame," said Barriss as she pulled out two curved lightsabers which glowed red. "You're corrupted by the dark side."
Hiccup then did the same with his lightsabers. "Last I checked you're the one who siding with the dark side."
"I'm trying to change it, it is something of light," said Barriss.
"A noble, but fruitless effort," said Hiccup as he narrowed his eyes at her. "I admit that the Jedi were blinded by the dark side, but you hardly proved to be the best of us. It was your actions that killed many innocents."
"To make a statement," said Barriss gritting her teeth. "Violence is the only thing the Jedi understand now thanks to the Clone Wars."
Hiccup could see there was no talking her down. "Astrid, Toothless, find the president I'll deal with Barriss."
Astrid looked as if she wanted to stay, but Toothless nudged her towards another door and she looked back at Hiccup with one worried look before she vanished.
"I believe that there's only one way for us to settle things," said Hiccup.
"Fitting, for it all the Jedi know," said Barriss.
Hiccup ran towards her and swung the lightsaber in his right hand, but Barriss blocked it with the blade in her left. She then swung the blade in her right hand, but Hiccup jumped back and then charged forward with both lightsabers raised.
Barriss dodged one blade and used the blade in her right hand to block the other. She then used the Force to push him backwards, but Hiccup was able to hold his ground. He then used the Force to toss to crates towards her, but she simply sliced into pieces with her lightsabers.
However, in the middle of the debris Hiccup charge at her again and this time she barely dodged in by somersaulting into the air over him. Hiccup took this opportunity to deactivate the lightsaber in his left hand and fired the stun blast.
The stun blast actually struck in the back and she stumbled, giving Hiccup the opportunity to swing the blade in his right hand. Barriss could see the movement out of the corner of her eye and use the Force in attempt to push in backwards again.
However, Hiccup was prepared this time and he raised his hand. The two of them trained as they try to overpower the other with their Force ability. The end result resulted in the two of them to being tossed in the opposite direction.
Hiccup was able to recover, but Barriss, who'd had already lost her balance previously was tossed onto the ground. As she pulled herself up she knew that there was no way she could beat Hiccup and then tossed her lightsaber other support columns on either side of her.
"No!" Hiccup yelled, and try to stop, but too late.
The lightsabers sliced right through the columns in seconds which caused the entire foundation of the factory to become unstable. Hiccup used the Force to hold the factory together, for he knew that Astrid, Toothless and the president was still in the building, but of course this left him vulnerable to Barriss, whose lightsabers return to her hand.
They looked at each other briefly and for one crucial moment Hiccup actually thought she was going to kill him. However, to his great surprise, she simply fled after she gave him a curious look.
There was no time to process this, for Astrid and Toothless emerged from the side passageway with a man in Toothless' arms.
"Get him out of here I can't hold especially together much longer!" Hiccup yelled.
The two of them comply without saying anything and ran towards the exit at once he was sure they were safe, Hiccup released his hold on the factory. Using the Force he zoomed forwards just as the factory collapsed.
He managed to dodge the debris that fell in front of him and managed to make it outside just before the factory caved in. He was soon welcomed by Astrid, who flung her arms around him, but as quickly as she did so she pulled away.
"I'm glad you're not dead," she said and he could have sworn she blushed.
"It's fine, I'm just glad you got the president to safety," said Hiccup gesturing to the man in Toothless' arms.
"Yeah, but we've got a problem," said Astrid.
When they returned to base, Hiccup and the others soon found what the problem was. The president, who would regain consciousness, was now huddled in a corner.
"Lonely. Gone… all who? Nhhh. No more. No. More," said President Galthe.
"Serious brain damage, from torture," said Ragnar. "There's nothing I can do."
"Do you think that Barriss did this?" Astrid asked.
Hiccup shook his head. "No, she's not that far gone. It's more likely that either Dagur or Ryker did this."
"You sure there's nothing we can do?" said Heather, looking at the man with deep sympathy.
Ragnar shook his head. "No form of medicine, mystical or scientific can heal this much damage. What he needs is a therapist, which we are in short supply of."
"Tai needs to know," said Astrid and she went off to get the secretary.
Moments later she returned with Tai at her back along with several other delegates both civilian and factory workers.
"We heard about Darth Zhuil," said Tai cheerfully. "Citizens are already rising up in Sobrik. The occupation is ended!" He then looked down at President Galthe. "Sir, it's marvellous to see you again. My exile was too long."
"Empty… all now. Go. None. Nhh…" President Galthe mumbled.
"Sir?" said Tai shocked. "It's Tia, your trade secretary." He then looked at Hiccup and Ragnar. "What's wrong with him?"
"His mind is irretrievably broken from torture," said Ragnar rubbing the back of his head. "May be with some therapy might be able to regain a normal life, but he'll never be the same person ever again."
The crowd began to mumble with one another.
"No. This can't be. He's… he's our leader."
"The First Order's atrocities," Tia spat. He then looked to the crowd below him with face of deep sympathy. "This is why we must never stop fighting against the First Order."
"President Galthe is incapacitated," said a civilian. "As senior officer, sir, you inherit his office."
Tia looked devastated. "I didn't want it to happen like this."
"Tia Cordan, we, as fellow citizens of Balmorra, bear witness to your ascension to the office of president."
The civilians began to clap and cheer.
"I pledge to carry out my duties with honesty, integrity and compassion. For Balmorra," said Tai.
"This will be a difficult time," said Hiccup. "Set an example for your people. Guide them well."
Tia nodded. "As my first act, I have issued aged to the Resistance in their fight against the First Order." He then turned to Hiccup. "We'll send ships, supplies, weapons and droids to help you fight against such a menace."
"And we are happy to accept," said Hiccup. "Let this mark a changing point in this conflict between the Resistant and the First Order and one to be put in our favour!"
The crowd and sheared for they had been freed from the tie radical First Order, but Hiccup was still concerned about Barriss and wondered why she had let him live.
"She actually that you go?" said Ragnar after Hiccup finished explaining what had transpired in the factory.
"Yes, she had a perfect opportunity to finish me off," said Hiccup. "Do you think she didn't kill me, because she knew if she did it the entire factory would fall down on top of her?"
"Maybe?" Ragnar frowned. "Or maybe there's still some good in her."
"I guess we can only know in time," said Hiccup.
