Anoat Sector: Tagora Base
3.2 APC

Though the Paneau base was buzzing all around her with activity as dozens of covert agents and medics she had hand picked to staff it were busy tending to her brother, their High Commander, and his family, Deilia heard none of it. She was too focused, running the past year's events through her mind, trying to piece it all together...but she kept coming back to one thing, and it both frustrated and perplexed her.

She hadn't moved from her seat for an hour or more, and she hadn't moved at all for at least that long, wrestling with her emotions and her thoughts that wholly consumed her. No one had bothered her, thankfully; she needed the time to herself. The chatter and motion behind her was easy enough to block out, and it actually helped her think, ironically. The watery cave under the Lexcen Lake she called home on Paneau was always full of heavy background noise from the air filtration and pressurization systems working around the clock, and on lengthy missions when she spent months alone in space aboard transport ships both large and small, their engines provided a constant, familiar droning hum that she affectionately regarded almost as an old friend. She had even come to enjoy it, a fact that others would surely find strange. Some long-time spacers and drifters would eventually go crazy because of the incessant noise, but oddly enough, it comforted her, the only way someone like her could be comforted by solitude.

Solitude wouldn't judge you. Or hate you. Or try to hurt you. No one she served or tried to protect understood her at all, mostly because they had no idea what she sacrificed for them every day. She was their Guardian, but at what cost to her?

Mentally exhausted and tired of thinking about it, she sighed and closed her eyes briefly, bringing a hand up to massage the back of her neck. Her muscles were tight and stiff after sitting for so long, but recovering quickly by stretching a little, she opened her eyes to find Koril seated quietly in front of her, watching her patiently. He was still dressed in light, plain clothes the medical center had provided for him, and his left arm was in a sling across his chest to allow his shoulder to heal. Though she tried to mask her surprise, she knew she wasn't successful; he grinned and shook his head at her.

"How long have you been sitting there?"

He shrugged his right shoulder a bit. "A few minutes. I...wasn't sure you were still with us."

Realizing how uncertain she was about the amount of time that had lapsed, she looked about the room to see if anyone else was as concerned as she was that Koril was out of bed. "Shouldn't you be resting some more?"

His expression became serious, though, as he studied her, and he even looked somewhat confused. "You're upset, and...I think...I think I can feel it."

She didn't think it was so strange. Though a whole sector had separated them, she had been chilled to the bone through their connection, feeling the numbing cold of Hoth that he had endured for hours. It was the first time she had felt anything like it, and despite not being sure how it worked or why, she was beginning to appreciate it. She had never before felt so connected to her twin brother, even if it was only to share his pain.

Taking in a slow, deep breath, she considered her thoughts for a moment, deciding how to start as she settled back into her chair. She kept her tone light, even though it was going to be a heavy subject.

"When we were kids," she began quietly, gazing off to the side with the memory, "...I hated you. I loathed you. Cade had me watching you remotely day after day to get me used to surveillance, so I saw you playing with your friends at school without a care in the galaxy, while I worked hard all day, every day. I resented the fact that you were out there in the Known world, free to do whatever you wanted, while I had to stay hidden and obey orders I didn't yet understand.

"But I grew out of that," she continued with a brief grin, "because I eventually realized that it wasn't your fault we were where we were. It was Dad's. He was the one who chose which one of us became the Ghost Heir and which became his Known Heir." Her voice faltered briefly as she looked up at Koril. "...he wanted his son back, the one he lost before we were born. Ceraéo... So he kept you by his side and sent me away with Cade.

"At first, I was angry, thinking that he didn't want me or that he didn't love me, but when I grew up enough to understand just how...unbelievably important and necessary this job was...I had to prove to him that I was the stronger one. That I was the right one for this job. I almost wanted to make him regret sending me away, like he could change his mind and switch us or something... But although he may not have shown it the same way, I know that he was proud of me. At least," she breathed shakily, her eyes glistening over, "...until I got him killed."

She had to look away from Koril as she confessed to him for the first time, studying her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She couldn't keep her voice from trembling. "It was my fault he was in the Dalon Palace when it fell. I thought he was in danger on his trip, so I had him return home, but I had grossly misinterpreted my intel on when the attack would happen...and I brought him back...just so he could die. Lucky for me, he had recorded that message about his part in the Governor removals, so the Prophecy was still valid, but...he shouldn't have died.

"I have second- and third-guessed myself ever since. Everything I've done, I've debated and argued with myself for hours. I'm never sure of anything anymore...except that it is my sole responsibility, what I've trained for my whole life, to protect you. And recently...I haven't done that."

Koril only looked sympathetic. "Deilia..."

But she shook her head. "There have been far too many close calls, Koril. It is very obvious...that I am not the Ghost Heir that you need and deserve."

Koril released a long breath, his brows furrowed. "Close calls are just that, Deilia: close calls. They're not failures."

"Eventually one of them will be," she continued with a hard tone. "And I can't have another Rys'tihn death on my hands. I can't. Dad was wrong," she gave a short, bitter laugh. "I am not the strong one."

Moved with compassion, Koril leaned forward, softening his voice. "Deilia... I can't even begin to understand everything that you do. I mean, this base," he said as he looked about with wonder. "I am the Head of Security. I am supposed to know everything going on in and around Paneau...and I had no idea this place even existed out here. Elena told me that all these people are Paneau, and that you created this base and chose the staff to watch over the Lyrans, and us, I assume, when we came here. It's incredible." He quieted his voice even more, deeply empathetic. "I know that this might seem like a thankless job, but Deilia, believe me... I know what that feels like, and no one is more grateful to you than I. Because of you...I'm still here. My wife and my children are safe. But I don't think this is over yet. I need you, and your skills, now more than ever. Please...don't abandon us now."

Feeling his heartfelt plea, she sighed as she shook her head, keeping her own voice soft. "I would never abandon you, Koril. I wouldn't get very far," she remarked with a short laugh, recalling how he had perhaps unknowingly pulled her back to Hoth to rescue them. "I just...I try so hard, but trouble always still seems to find you."

"I know," he nodded with a small apologetic smile of his own. "I don't make it easy on you." Glancing over at Elena who was nursing Dirani while Derek excitedly ran in circles around her, his smile broadened. "I think I married into some of it."

Deilia playfully rolled her eyes at him. "No, I'm fairly certain it's the other way around." Returning her gaze to Elena across the room, though, she sighed tiredly, watching her pull Derek into her lap, too, to calm him after she finished feeding Dirani. The boy looked on his baby sister with beaming curiosity, helping to carefully tuck her into her blanket. He was already proving to be a wonderful big brother for Dirani, and the thought made Deilia smile bittersweetly. But when Elena met her gaze with a blank look, Deilia's expression fell as she recognized the broken relationship she'd have to repair with her sister-in-law.

"She hates me," she told Koril quietly, shaking her head as she looked down. "Hazard of the job, I guess."

"She doesn't hate you, she's just...confused. I'm the one she should be mad at, anyway. Give her some time. She'll come around."

But Deilia didn't believe him. If she had been in Elena's shoes and the same had been done to her, she would want more than time. Time was something they didn't have at the moment, she realized, and though she hated to bring it up while he was still recovering, she had to.

"...we still haven't found her, Koril."

His jaw clenched; he knew whom she meant. "I know."

"Do you remember Nasu?"

He looked over at the medic who was making his way around the room, performing a couple last check ups on Swip, Leikam, and Elena. "I recognized him, but I'm not sure where from."

"You would have seen him frequently a few years back." She hesitated... "He was the head medic...under Dr. Herrell. Other than the doctor himself...and you, Nasu knows Brylie better than anyone. He's coming back with us to aid in the search, and he should be able to help us find her."

Understandably, Koril cringed at the mention of her name, his former girlfriend who had caused him so much pain when she had cheated on him after a long, involved relationship. A few days ago, he had identified her in a security recording where she had left a diner on Paneau with the most recent spice victim, and they had linked her to almost all the other overdoses that had been happening throughout the sector for more than a year. They had yet to find her, much less capture her, but with another long look over at his family, Koril seemed anxious to end the search.

"We're leaving as soon as the Celestia is fueled up," he demanded intensely, standing to go inform the others. Though she wanted to protest because of his condition, she knew he wouldn't hear it.

"What about the Lyrans?"

"They'll come with us. There's plenty of room for them to stay with us at the Manor until we're clear of this."

She nodded, glad he was thinking the same thing. She stood, too, but before she could go far, he pulled her into an embrace, as tightly as he could with one arm. She returned his hold carefully, hoping he wasn't worsening his injury.

"Thank you," he breathed quietly. "I know that what I asked of you wasn't easy."

Restraining herself form laughing at his severe understatement, she simply nodded, reaching up on her tiptoes to give him a light kiss on his cheek. "Just don't make me do it again."

He nodded with a resigned smile, and together they began to make the necessary preparations to return to Paneau.

Paneau Sector
Leveyn Asteroid Field

It had been at least two days since Horatio's captors had visited him...at least, that's how long he thought it had been. He had no way of knowing, and it easily could have been longer. He suspected he was falling in and out of consciousness periodically, but he wasn't sure; with no light or chrono to reference with, he had no idea how much time had passed.

He was almost too weak to care, though. He had lost a fair amount of blood from his various injuries sustained at the hands of his tough Trandoshan friend, and he had gone for days without anything to eat or drink. Broken and desolate, he repeatedly considered letting go, giving in to the darkness that kept pulling him under, but each time, he fought back. He couldn't. He had to get Max's message to Recero. He had to tell her that her son was alive and well...Max...

When he had last seen the boy, Max had told him he would get him released without putting him in Soran's crosshairs. If Horatio had taken off with Max, Soran's pursuit would have been dangerous for them both and anyone else in his way. Max hadn't told Horatio what his plan was...but apparently, it hadn't worked. He was still sitting in a dark, cold cell, alone, with nothing but the silence to keep him company...

Silence...

It had become so quiet a few hours after Max had left, and nothing had made a sound since. Had Horatio lost his hearing? No, he still heard his own labored gasps as they echoed about the small room, though they were getting softer as he weakened. He was constantly lightheaded, even worse than before, and as he continued forcing his eyes to work in the dim lighting, they spun the room around as if to retaliate, disorienting him further.

Where had it all gone so wrong? He had been on the asteroid for more than seven months, working through the spicers with Mand at his side. She had helped him set their plan in motion, but why would she betray him like this after so long? They were getting closer to Soran, yes, but they weren't close enough. They were going to go to Soran himself to inform him of Groller's attempt to undermine him, but they hadn't gotten the necessary evidence put together yet. In fact, they hadn't even finished the op before he had been knocked out by something he couldn't see. Groller wasn't informed how they were going to provide him a distraction while he switched out the spice batches; Mand was the only one who knew where he was in the ventilation shaft, cutting the power to the main hangar, and she was the only one who would have turned him over.

She was probably enjoying her freedom, rid of him and the crude, carnal spicers that had been all over her since they had arrived. She was also probably long gone, returned to Paneau without any second thought to stop her. But...what of Soran? Her vendetta against the spice dealer for Veon Banarecc's murder kept her focused as they endured the hard, physical labor on the asteroid base, and he had even briefly thought her back on the dark path she had once followed years prior. She had used dozens of dark Force powers liberally on their missions for the Huxnel when the situation called for it, and he knew full well how powerful she was, but since being converted to the Light Side, she had been...restrained...reined in...

He could hardly think anymore. He felt himself repeatedly flirting with unconsciousness as his breathing both quickened and deepened, as though he wasn't getting enough oxygen. The air was getting...thinner?

Horatio!

A female voice called for him, but it was distant and distorted, so he quickly dismissed it as his imagination. Maybe it was his mind projecting Recero's disappointment in his failure, intent on keeping him fighting for each breath...but even though he thought he was completely numb to any further sensations, he was sure he felt two hands on each side of his face, tilting his head up as he clearly heard the anxious voice once more.

"Horatio! Horatio! Horatio!"

Though he didn't think he had the energy to, he somehow opened his eyes, looking up to see Mand's worried but unblemished face just a foot or two from his as she knelt just beside him. She looked severely fatigued, and she was breathing just as hard as he was, but surprising him, she looked genuinely concerned about him. Was he imagining her, too?

"Kil," he managed to say, feeling his anger returning the longer she looked on him with ironic pity. "You...you turned me over...to...to them..."

"No," she shook her head earnestly, quieting her breathing so she could hear him. "No, Horatio...they captured me, too."

He tried to put as much animosity as he could into his voice, but he was rapidly losing the ability to talk coherently. "You liar... There's...there's not a...a scratch on you..."

Noticeable pain rolled over her expression as she looked away from him briefly. "They did...other things to me."

Though he had no way of knowing if she were telling the truth, something he felt deep within his chest moved him, forcing him to close his eyes to avoid the look on her face. He...felt the weight of her words, and he believed her, though he couldn't explain why. She didn't dwell on it long, though.

"Horatio...they're gone."

Looking back up at her, he wasn't sure if he had heard her right. "...what?"

"They're gone. All of the spicers. There's no one else here... All their equipment, their ships, all the spice... Everything's gone."

As the shock settled in, his eyes refused to focus as he felt his lungs stop working. If they were gone, then Soran was gone, and so was Max...

"Horatio!" Mand demanded his attention, bringing his focus back to her as he resumed his desperate gasping. His chest ached with worsening anxiety, or was it the almost nonexistent air...?

"I'm sorry," she breathed with sincerity, though she was weakening herself. "The power generators...have been dead for too long...and they left with the remaining fuel... There's no power. I had to manually...pry all the doors open...to get to you. The asteroid's atmosphere...was artificial. It's leaking out of the hangar. There's not enough...gravity...to keep it here." Her own condition worsening, she dropped her hands from him and nearly fell against the wall beside him, barely landing in a sitting position. She was too weak to move, though, and she was only just able to keep talking.

"I'm...trying...to contact someone," she managed in between lengthening gasps, "but...they're so far...away..."

They were both suffocating to death, and powerless to do anything about it, he began to accept his fate, feeling a heavy darkness descending on him. But as he heard Mand's sad, terrified voice for the last time, he held on for a moment longer...

"Horatio..."

Though it caused him excruciating pain, he forced his arm to move toward her, grinding the shattered bones in his shoulder. Only just able to, he rested his hand atop hers, hoping to give her even the slightest bit of comfort as their final moments of consciousness faded away.

Paneau: capital city of Dalon
Rys'tihn Manor

With the Celestia safely landed in her home hangar, Deilia remained seated at the controls as Koril, his family, the Lyrans, the Edgepoints, and Nasu all left the yacht, retreating into the fortress that was the Rys'tihn Manor. She watched out the viewport as dozens of Royal Guard officers met with their High Commander in the hangar and received a few commands, and even though she saw Koril continue on into the Manor with Elena and their children, she knew it would only be mere minutes before he would begin making his way to the Royal Security Forces Center. He wouldn't have his shoulder looked at unless someone strapped him down, and that wasn't going to happen while a threat to his family remained. She still had a lot of work to do.

"Deilia," came her uncle and fellow Ghost Heir Cade's calm yet somewhat anxious voice over the Celestia's comm, "you won't believe this. Soran's group has disappeared."

Glancing behind herself to make sure the ship was empty, Deilia blinked. "You're right, I don't believe it."

"We were picking up on a lot of chatter right up until yesterday, then...nothing. Our closest scouts said their ships all left at once, and apparently they don't intend to come back. The asteroid's been silent since."

Deilia furrowed her brows, trying to figure out what had made them leave so quickly. "What about Mand?"

Cade sighed. "We don't know. We hadn't heard from her for days before this...but if she is still on that asteroid, we'll find her. I've sent an extraction team, and her husband Rech is waiting aboard the Redemption just outside the field."

She rubbed her forehead, perplexed by the sudden change in their situation. How did it all fit? She hoped they'd be getting answers soon, answers that one person should be giving them once she's found...

"How's Koril?"

Deilia scoffed. "Ignoring his health, as usual. You know he was this bad before the virus, Cade."

"I know," he returned with the same irritation. "I guess I just keep hoping that one of these days, he'll realize he's not invincible."

She leaned back in her seat, crossing her bruised arms over her chest with a slight wince. "To him, pain insensitivity and invincibility are the same thing right now. And it's our job to keep it that way."

"At least you didn't lose your sense of humor."

Hearing her uncle's grin through the comm, Deilia laughed a bit and shook her head, having missed his constant antagonizing. Their messages over the past few months had been text only for efficiency and security, but his jabs and jokes were his way of relaying his relief that she was back. She sat up in the chair, still grinning herself as she prepared to cut the transmission.

"I'll be home once I do a few more checks around the Manor. Have something warm waiting for me."

"Will do."

Returning to the Celestia's sensor console, she used the ship's scanners to do a quick sweep over the grounds. After looking over the report, she found that all the guard patrols were in their proper places, and all the sentry droids were fully functional and quiet in their hidden locations. No alarms had been triggered, nothing was out of the ordinary, so everything seemed normal within the Manor. The only thing that stood out, though, was one small Royal Guard transport still sitting in the hangar beside the Celestia, but it had reason to be there. It had brought some of the officers that Koril had spoken to earlier, and though most of them had left aboard another similar one after receiving their orders from him, the one remaining stayed empty. Perhaps Koril would be taking it back to the Security Center once he was properly dressed and ready to resume his duties.

Satisfied that the Manor was secure for the time being, she stood from the controls and stepped down the ramp, making sure the hangar was clear before she continued on. She kept alert, constantly scanning her surroundings and listening for any sounds as she made her way over to the far corner of the hangar. She still didn't hear or see anyone, and confident that she was alone, she pulled her necklace up and over her head, pressing the Rys'tihn Crest against a portion of the wall that looked just like the rest of the gray stone walls surrounding it. With a subtle click and mechanical whine, a durasteel panel in the floor just beside her slid aside and disappeared, revealing a hidden passageway with narrow steps that descended into a dark hallway. It led down into the main corridor that connected the Rys'tihn Manor to the Rys'tihn Retreat, her second home, and it was the fastest and safest way for her to get to either location. Dozens of similar passageways existed all about the Manor, opened only with a Rys'tihn Crest, and she knew where each one was. She knew the hallway would be empty, too, so she checked around the hangar once more before she stepped down into the stairwell, sealing the panel above her when she cleared it.

The main corridor was dark and dirty, going mostly unused for hundreds of years, but beautifying it would be pointless. She and Cade were the only ones who used it regularly, and they didn't need to waste their time and resources on something that was merely a byway. It served its purpose well enough, and it was repaired when needed, so it was mostly left alone. She knew every meter of its length by memory, able to identify where each adjacent hall led to, which one would get her into the Manor the fastest...

Even in the dark, she could see something ahead that stopped her midstep. A small bag she didn't recognize was sitting on the floor beside the wall, and inside it was a heavy blaster that she knew neither she nor Cade owned--

"Never thought I'd catch a Ghost by surprise."

Deilia whirled around to face the female voice behind her, drawing her blaster as she moved. But before she could raise it, she felt something pierce her deeply just under her ribcage, halting her movement. The hooded woman in front of her was holding the hilt of the dagger, pushing it further into Deilia's chest with a fiendish grin. The shock of the pain kept her from breathing, but she was also paralyzed in disbelief. The woman's grin only broadened.

"You won't be around to save him this time."

With one forceful push, the woman ripped the dagger out of her, forcing her backwards into a crumbled, flooded stairwell without any remorse.