Author's Note: Thank you very much to everyone for reviewing/following/favourite'ing this story. I hope that you liked it. I'm sorry for ending on something of a cliff-hanger as I want to take some time off writing Star Wars for a bit. I do intend to continue this series although the next one won't be for some time.


"Well Kory my dear, I'd say you've done very well" said Dr. Hale. "You've put an end to Nem'ro's tyranny, freed his slaves and saved the people of this village, not to mention Uatu and myself."

"Thanks" she replied with a bright smile. "But I couldn't have done it without the Evocii"

All of them were back in Baratatta Village. Although several warriors had died in the raid, they were all regarded as heroes whose sacrifices were honoured. The overall mood was one of jubilation over their oppressor's fall and the children's return to health. The former slaves were also elated by their newfound freedom.

Only two did not share the festive mood. Uatu had been distant and withdrawn since they'd fled the palace. Huttsbane also seemed troubled.

Kory went over to Uatu and put a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?" she asked gently.

"I appreciate the risk you took to save my life" he said in a low, subdued voice. "But I should have died in that pit. That would be better than living with the shame that I betrayed my comrades just to spare myself pain."

"Oh Uatu" she said tenderly. "No one blames you for that."

"I blame myself."

"Nobody is perfect" she pointed out. "Don't be ashamed of having a limit to your strength. Everyone does, that's part of being mortal."

He sighed. "I know what you're saying is right. But I still feel guilt over my failure."

She nodded understandingly. "It's natural to feel that way but if you truly want to make amends then do so by living and continuing to work for the good of the galaxy. That will help people far more than dying in a pit would have."

A small but genuine smile appeared on his lips. "I will. Thank you."


At the same time she was consoling Uatu, Juxx was talking to Huttsbane.

"What is troubling you my son?"

He frowned deeply. "As you know Spirit-Leader I have dedicated myself to overthrowing the Hutts and freeing our people. I hated the Hutts for what they did to us and our world. Last night I slew Nem'ro as I have long dreamed of doing. Yet when I stepped back and saw what I had done, how I had completely given in to bloodlust and rage, I realised that he was right about me. I am a savage."

"Are you? Would a savage feel remorse for killing an enemy? Or question his feelings?" Juxx said gently.

"I.. No, I just… I don't know what to do anymore" he replied. "I want our people to be free of the Hutts but I see now where this path is leading me and what it's turning me into… I cannot continue without losing myself."

"My young friend you have fought bravely to help our people for years now and sacrificed much in doing so. But perhaps now it is time to find another way…"


Some time later, once things had settled down, Benji asked, "where do we go from here?"

"Uatu and I have been talking about that" said Kory. She turned to Huttsbane.

"I know you want to reclaim your world from those who stole it from you. I respect that and I admire your courage, but sometimes the bravest thing to do is to admit when you can't win."

Benji, Jay and a few others tensed, expecting him to respond with anger. Instead he merely nodded.

"It pains me to say it but you are right. The Hutts are too powerful. Their forces vastly outnumber us and are far better equipped. Even if we could drive them from this world, the environmental damage is too extensive to undo."

His warriors stared in dismay. "But we can't just give up!" one of them exclaimed.

"You won't need to" Kory reassured them. "The people of Alderaan are recovering from civil war. They may be willing to provide a new home for you if you're willing to help them rebuild."

"But the Hutts would never allow that" said Benji.

"They will this time" replied Dr. Hale. "The Cartel won't risk losing their Republic contracts. They'll be doing everything they can to distance themselves from Nem'ro. Losing a village worth of workers will be an acceptable loss."

The villagers looked at each other as they pondered this.

"We will hold a meeting to discuss this further" said Juxx. "You will have an answer tomorrow."


While the villagers held their meeting Kory, Uatu and Dr. Hale travelled back to Jiguuna. Fortunately word of Nem'ro's passing hadn't reached the streets yet so things were still relatively calm. Once aboard the Jewel Bird, Kory contacted Alderaan and explained the situation. Thankfully the newly crowned King Organa was sympathetic to the Evocii and agreed to grant them refuge.

The next day the villagers announced their decision to relocate and start anew on Alderaan. Uatu agreed to transport them there and as he said so, Kory sensed his guilt beginning to ease.

Once everything was in order she and her friends returned to the space-port. Kory would take Dr. Hale home while Uatu would begin transporting the Evocii to Alderaan. It would take several trips back and forth but he was more than happy to do so.

"After all this I will actually be glad to get back to Nar Shaddaa" sighed Dr. Hale. "Are you sure I can't persuade you to stay awhile Kory? After all this you've earned some R & R."

She laughed. "Thanks for the offer but I need to get the people we freed from Nem'ro back to their homes. I also have to contact the Jedi Council to let them know about this."

"Won't you get in trouble for coming here, to neutral territory, without orders?"

"The Council won't be happy" she admitted. Her smile returned as she added, "But I'm confident that preventing an alliance between Nem'ro and the Empire will be enough for them to let me off the hook."

"Well I know that Duras Fain would certainly approve of what you've done here."

"Yes" she agreed, her smile widening at the thought of telling Master Fain in person. Once her report was delivered she'd do just that.

The Jewel Bird lifted off and rose up until it was clear of Hutta's polluted atmosphere. From there it was a short trip to Nar Shaddaa.


As they were coming in to dock Kory felt an oddly familiar presence in the Force. She tried to recall where she remembered it from. It didn't feel dangerous or threatening so she decided not to mention it.

The ship touched down and she sent a transmission to the Republic requesting a transport to come and pick up the slaves they had freed. Once she was sure that a transport was on its way she disembarked, intending to escort her friend back to his clinic.

But as they descended the ramp she froze as she saw someone was standing there before them.

He was a Sith Pureblood, tall and strong-looking, with neatly groomed black hair, bright red skin and bony ridges over his eyes. He wore deep indigo robes and a lightsabre hung from his belt.

Despite his attire she recognised him immediately. A memory jolted across her thoughts:

"Watch your back friend. And don't worry, it'll be alright. He can't kill us all."

He smiled. "Thanks. That means a lot coming from such a beautiful girl."

She gave a small laugh. "You're cute." Her voice turned serious again as she added "just watch you don't get yourself killed."

Coming back to the present she said, "Zachary is that you?"

"Hello Kory. Yes it's me" he replied. His expression was neutral and his voice was polite but wary. "I've been looking for you. We need to talk."