"You're against the clock on this one Kir; you've got maybe two hours before the Empire get to Lorrick's location as well.

Last thing you want is a three way fight, intelligence is that the Chiss who killed your father is heading up the strike team on the way."

Memories rush back, the muck and crime of Bella Vistra. One Sith goes down under my blades, a Pureblood. The next is a gigantic Chiss; the pain of being impaled by the lightsaber, the sheer power of the blow from the gauntleted fist still linger in my mind.

My Cathar friend is correct, I don't want to get into a three-way battle here. I'll fight that Chiss again, I know it on my bones, but next time it'll be on my terms.

"Thanks Xackor. And be careful, the Empire is suspicious of aliens as it is."

"What is it you humans say? Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs?

I'll be fine. See you around."

The holocom image dissolves.

"Ok, my contact says we've got two hours before the Empire gets here.

That means we're in and out in one. Take prisoners if possible, but if they resist shoot first and ask questions later."

This is the first time I've lead a raid, at least officially. I'm nervous but the righteous fury out ways it more. If I'm going to make a mistake it'll be from pushing too hard and fast not from indecisiveness.

The shuttle touches down so gently that I almost miss it; Lass is getting much better at handling smaller craft.

"Kir; promise me you won't loose your temper out there."

I look over to Lass and Vel, she insisted on being the copilot. She can feel the the cold fury radiating off me. Vel puts her hand gently on my arm, I can't really feel the pressure through my arm guards but the gesture is enough.

"Please."

I don't say anything for a while, I don't know if I should be the one leading the assault on this place but if we don't get there first the Empire will.

"I promise."

The words are forced out but I mean them.

***

"Kirain Dulius; I half expected your Imperial counterpart to get here first."

Lorrick is insane, no that's not right. He's perfectly rational which makes his crimes even worse. He's also well informed, exceptionally so in fact.

"Tell me, where was the moral high ground you Jedi so love to take when you turned the Cademimu missiles against the Imperial fleet."

It was a perfectly sound tactical decision. The treaty of Courscant was being broken on a near constant basis by both sides, the peace was soon to end officially and the Empire possessed a distinct advantage. I was given a chance to hit first and save lives, so I did.

"What happened to your assistants? We heard the logs, they worked out what you where up to and they were trying to stop you."

I look over to Shirley; Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. I have a good idea what's happened to them, there are the same number of tanks as assistants and this so called Doctor is unethical enough...

"They tried to stop me; but now they've joined my children."

Sometimes I hate being right.

"Doctor Lorrick, I'm officially arresting you in the name of the Republic.

Your unethical experimentations and biological attacks on the Tion Hegemony will not be tolerated.

Come quietly and you will not be harmed."

My voice is full of trembling fury but I will not attack first. He will stand trial for what he's done.

"I think not Master Jedi. Before you got here I injected myself with the perfected strain; all the physical benefits with none of the drawbacks. It should be taking effect right about... Now."

***

"Are you ok Kir? I could feel you walking close to the edge."

"I'm fine Vel, or I will be. I just need to get out of this armour, have a shower and get a drink."

"The caff machine..."

"Not the kind of drink I meant."

I drop myself into the shuttle seat and try to settle into a calming routine it takes time but I'm starting to get there before the detonation occurs. It's a pretty crude way of doing it; what isn't vaporized by the torpedo warhead will be destroyed by the lava rushing in. But we didn't have the time for anything fancier and the knowledge contained in the lab was evil.

"Sensors confirm the detonation. You don't do subtle do you Kir."

I barely acknowledge my sister's comment, I want sometime to myself before heading back to Courscant. Satele and Chancellor Saresh will be waiting for me and no doubt they'll want to know what happened.