20. June 2016: chapter updated
A/N: in which rei goes to dromund kaas, everyone else goes to yavin, and zaara gets nosy about everyone's love lives.

I did say I was going to get better about posting right? I likely won't have much (if any) free time the next couple of weeks, so I'm hoping to get chapter 13 up maybe by tuesday since I'm not sure when I'll have time to keep editing/posting after that.

anyway. there's lots of arguing for these guys in the near future.

As soon as Davri set foot on the surface of Yavin 4, she knew she was making a mistake.

They'd landed near the main camp, with the rest of Havoc staying on the ship until Davri checked in with Theron and knew where they were needed most. A good choice, she quickly decided, considering that the camp was filled with both Republic and Imperial soldiers.

There was a clear divide, with the Imperials on the far side of the camp and the Republic forces tucked away in a corner of a ruined building. Beyond both camps was a clearing that Davri assumed had been set up as a sort of middle ground; Darth Marr, Lana, and Jakarro were huddled around a cluttered table.

As much as she hated the idea, Davri very nearly reported to them before catching sight of Satele Shan. She'd only met the grandmaster once before, but the woman wasn't the sort to be forgotten.

"Master Satele," she greeted warmly.

"Major Sohms." Satele returned the greeting with a nod. "I wasn't aware we were receiving additional Republic support."

"Havoc isn't here on any official business. Theron said he needed help, so," she shrugged, intentionally failing to mention that it had been Zaara who'd originally called for their assistance — as a condition of helping Davri clean up after Eclipse Squad, "here we are." She placed her hands on her hips and scanned the camp, part of her wondering just what exactly she was going to do with Forex. "How's it looking out there? Theron mentioned this is the center of the Revanites' operations?"

Satele frowned. "We haven't been able to locate the Revanites yet," she admitted. "The wildlife is our biggest issue right now. We've got a solid hold on this camp, but we've had little success establishing a forward camp out in the lower wilds."

"That's where we'll go, then."

"Good. Havoc's presence should be enough. At the very least, it'll boost morale."

Davri nodded absentmindedly, still searching across the camp; she'd assumed the team from Rishi would be joining them, but hadn't yet seen any of them. "Is anyone else coming?" she asked, before quickly clarifying, "From Rishi, I mean. Master Cori Ven, or any of the Imperials?"

"I expected Master Cori to be here already," Satele mused. "Darth Marr assures me that both Agent Ven and Darth Nox will be joining us. The Emperor's Wrath is here already — she was part of the original strike team on Manaan, I believe."

"Yeah, I'm familiar with her." Davri crossed her arms, biting back a string of curses. Why anyone thought it was a good idea to involve the Wrath was beyond her; she rivaled Forex for most blindly patriotic, and she didn't even have programming to blame. "If you don't mind, we'll just head out."

Satele motioned for Davri to wait. "Have you been filled in on the situation?"

"Revanites?" she guessed.

"There's… more than that."

"I hope you weren't planning to start without me." Zaara sauntered up to the conference table with a grin, endlessly amused by the odd gathering.

Marr seemed to be simply observing as Lana, Davri, and Theron ran through the situation with the Revanites. Their discussion came to an abrupt halt as Zaara approached, but she waved away their attention.

"Please, do continue."

"Agent Ven." Whether Marr meant it as a greeting or a warning was unclear.

"I'm sure you can carry on without us. I'll fill Zaara in," Lana offered, motioning for Zaara to follow. They walked deeper through the camp, towards the clearing where Zaara's ship was. It wasn't until they were well out of earshot that Lana spoke again. "Things are… tense. As I'm sure you can imagine."

"That bad?"

Lana let out a short, breathy laugh that Zaara had come to realize meant she was worried. "Not as bad as I'd expected, really. It doesn't help that we've been unable to even locate the Revanites yet. We've got an outpost in the wilds, but between the wildlife and the jungle it's difficult to push any further."

Lips pursed in thought, Zaara slowed her steps until she quit walking entirely. "Do we have ground sensors we could set up? Probe droids, maybe? If we can get a better idea of…" She trailed off as Lana shook her head.

"Theron's suggested sensors—multiple times, now. But there isn't enough trust between troops to establish a common perimeter, and negotiations will move incredibly slowly until Nox and Master Neiri arrive."

"I know Nox had to stop by Kaas City," Zaara mused, "but what about the Jedi?"

"Satele mentioned that a sizable portion of the Republic fleet over Rishi belonged to Master Neiri," Lana reminded her. "Evidently, it's less that it's T'sereen's fleet to command, and more allies that have pledged themselves to her. She's off negotiating with their leaders to ensure they'll continue supporting the Republic."

"Well," she sighed, "it's a start, at least. What information do we have?"

Lana led the way back towards the conference table. "Not much, but I can get you some of the reports from our scouts. Perhaps," she added thoughtfully, "you might have more success out in the wilds than they did."

"I was just thinking the same thing." Zaara followed Lana back to the table, where she handed her a datapad. Settling into a chair near the main terminal, she skimmed through the reports; as Lana had said, there was little relevant information — much of it on the wildlife or impassable terrain — and most of it was repeated several times.

She was finishing a third detailing of a creek near the outpost when a holocomm chimed; Zaara paid no attention until she heard Ashara address Theron.

"Nox says we're in Kaas City," the apprentice listed, counting off on her fingers, "no one knows where Darth Evris is but she left the city recently, and tell Zaara to answer her comm sometimes."

Zaara shook her head; for some reason she hadn't yet figured out, Rei had a habit of never calling Zaara's personal holocomm. "Remind Nox I'm not always on the ship," she retorted, loud enough so Ashara would be able to hear.

"Yeah, that's probably what it was. What about the Wrath?"

"Evris is here already," Theron informed her. "And — Ashara? Let Nox know I've got her book. Or, your book, I guess. She stopped by on Rishi to grab it and, uh, forgot."

Ashara deflated, massaging at one of her temples. "Of course she did." As her image blinked out, Zaara's brow creased in curiosity, though she said nothing.

"I'm guessing it'll be a few days before Nox gets here," she sighed, tossing the datapad onto the conference table. "Vector and I will head out into the wilds, see if we can find anything new. I'll send Raina down here to help. Lana? Are you busy or would you mind tagging along?" She wanted to be prepared if they did happen to run into any Revanites, and it couldn't hurt to have an extra blaster — figuratively speaking, she supposed — if the wildlife was as bad as the reports suggested.

Lana glanced up, hesitating. "I suppose I could accompany you. I haven't been out of the camp much, myself."

Zaara motioned for her to follow as she made her way back to her ship. "Isn't there a saying about bringing a Sith to a blaster fight?" she mused with a grin. Once they were well enough away from the main camp, she admitted, "I was curious about you and my sister — especially since I didn't get the chance to speak with either of you after Rishi. I know that Cori's…"

"Overwhelmingly disappointed?" Lana finished for her. "Any trust she held is gone."

"Not necessarily." She shrugged, tucking her hands into her jacket pockets. "Don't tell her I told you," Zaara offered, lowering her voice conspiratorially, "but I think her problem isn't with you, but with herself. You know how Jedi get about these things."

"Yes, I'm aware. Cori and I have discussed the issue."

Zaara rolled her eyes at Lana's curt tone; clearly it wasn't a topic she wanted to get into details about. "I'm not trying to pry, or anything." As they approached the ship, Zaara turned to face Lana. "She's my sister, and I want her to be happy."

Lana arched an eyebrow. "Your concern is appreciated, but unnecessary. If there's an issue, Cori and I will deal with it." Her voice softened as she added, "But, thank you."

She gave a simple shrug in return. As much as she wished Cori hadn't picked a Sith — Kira was nice, for example, or that sergeant who had been serving with her for the past two or so years — Zaara couldn't deny that Lana wasn't bad, as far as Sith went. And as important as tracking down the false Revan and saving the galaxy was, she would always take care of her sister first.

"You promised me details. Now I'm actually a little disappointed." Ashara, sprawled on one of the lounge chairs on the far end of Rei's office, looked up from the holovid she was watching to stare pointedly at Rei.

"I've told you all you're going to get." With a flick of her wrist, Rei tossed one of the decorative pillows from the second lounge chair towards Ashara.

She caught the pillow effortlessly, holding it as she mused, "So is this just a fling, or will it be an elaborate, cross-faction romance even after the truce is over?"

"You've been watching too many Imperial holodramas."

"But which is it?"

Rei sighed, and was saved from answering by Zash's arrival. "I have a message from Darth Praetis," she announced without greeting, "and a nautolan was looking for you before you got here — something about dinner reservations with Acina?"

"She's an old friend," Rei informed her. "Next time, just have her wait. What about Praetis?"

"She can't make it," Zash scoffed, "naturally. She's sending her apprentice."

"Naturally?"

"Praetis' power is more about connections and social standing than it is aptitude with the Force. She's been sending apprentices to do her dirty work since I was an apprentice," Zash explained, the disdain clear in her voice if not in her expression. "You'd think a family of pureblooded Sith known for their force insensitivity would be short on friends, but evidently not."

"The military and the Diplomatic Service, right?" Rei asked, only half-interested in the answer. All she really knew about Praetis was that she was well-connected, she thought she deserved a seat on the Council, and she was the Empire's foremost scholar on Revan.

So when Praetis had requested to meet with Rei, she hadn't hesitated to agree.

Zash nodded. "Her sister's with Intelligence, I believe. Should I send her apprentice in when she arrives?"

She gave a noncommital grunt. "Anything I should know beforehand?"

The Deshade's features twisted into what Rei assumed was a grimace. "Vrynn Malius. Praetis' niece — adopted, I believe. Her training at the Academy was interrupted by the Republic's attack several months ago, and Praetis has continued her training rather informally."

"Informally?"

"Yes, Darth Praetis isn't officially the girl's master. I think—" Zash paused, her voice taking on a curious tone as she continued. "Perhaps you could take her on as an apprentice. It would give you leverage against Praetis, if nothing else."

At that, Ashara spoke up again, tossing the decorative pillow she still held at the other lounge chair. "Why? She already has two apprentices that she hardly actually trains."

Rei bristled at the suggestion — despite the truth to Ashara's words, she didn't like being reminded of her failure as a mentor — but kept her attention on Zash. "I'll certainly consider it. For now, I just need to figure out what Praetis actually wants. For now, you can just worry about sending her in when she arrives, and, Ashara — go find Talos. I'm sure he'll need the help."

She didn't really want another apprentice, but there were Sith with dozens of them; Rei had, as Ashara pointed out, a grand total of two.

Ashara gave a brief protest, but left, followed by Zash. Rei rested her head in her arms, squeezing her eyes shut; she'd only been back on Dromund Kaas for a few hours, but she was overwhelmed. It wasn't just catching up after being gone for a month and a half, or the added pressure from the Revanites, or Vowrawn's recent disappearance — which Rei was still reeling from — but everything that Rei had voluntarily taken on.

The project with Acina was drawing to a close, and all that Rei had left to do was to meet with Zhorrid to discuss any agents that could acquire information on the Republic's own projects involving the Revanite cyborgs from Lehon. The facility on Manaan was a total loss; Zash had been monitoring the situation closely, and discovered that the Barsen'thor herself had gone to smooth things over on behalf of the Republic. Her presence alone had seemed to give the Republic an insurmountable advantage, and Rei had decided only that morning to recall her teams from Manaan and send them instead to Yavin 4.

It felt like a loss — the Republic had a squad of soldiers out somewhere in the galaxy, enhanced with technology the Empire was only just beginning to understand.

If Zhorrid came through, Rei supposed she could simply hunt them down herself after Revan was taken care of. She could use the challenge, after all.

For now, the situation was challenge enough.

And if that alone wasn't enough, Rei still had Praetis to worry about. Along with, of course, Theron.

Not that they had much of a situation to worry about, but Ashara did make a good point — they would either have to end things soon, or risk almost everything for — what? A few messages and holocalls? Rei liked spending time with him, liked him, but not enough to stake her reputation and position on.

No, Yavin would have to suffice.

Before Rei could overrule her own decision, there was a quiet knock at the door that Rei assumed signaled the arrival of Praetis' apprentice. She was a thin, willowy mirialan, with short blonde hair and a cross of dark tattoos on her face. She gave a low bow as she entered the office, re-straightening her loose robes as she stood. "Vrynn Malius, my lord," she introduced herself, giving another meek dip of her head. "Darth Praetis sent me."

Rei cleared her throat and beckoned Vrynn to take a seat. "Good. And what, exactly does your master want? I've been told she's been asking incessantly for me for the past week or so."

"It's about the most recent reports, my lord." She sat on the very edge of her chair with her hands folded neatly in her lap. "About Revan."

Rei could've guessed as much. "I'm sorry to disappoint, but there is no Revan. It's nothing more than an elaborate scheme I'm busy trying to put an end to." While Praetis' expertise could be useful, it wasn't worth it if she simply wanted to use the situation to gain some sort of social leverage. Rei didn't have time for this sort of gossip and, at least, with an apprentice she could afford to snap at them without fear of retaliation.

If Praetis was genuinely interested in helping, however, Rei could be persuaded to listen.

"That's why she needs to speak with you," Vrynn insisted, some of her earlier hesitance disappearing. "My master has devoted years to studying Revan, and believes she's returned. She can sense her."

Rei cocked an eyebrow, wondering how long she should bother listening before asking the apprentice to leave. "Is that so." When Vrynn simply nodded, Rei pressed, "And I assume she wants something, in exchange for information about Revan?"

Vrynn hesitated again, her eyes widening. "She has a proposal, yes. Revan, the Star Forges, Rakatan technology — my master has studied them all. She knows about your research with Darth Acina, and wishes to offer her expertise."

"And her price?"

"Simply to study Revan."

"She wants to join us on Yavin 4," Rei translated.

Vrynn shook her head, admitting, "Darth Praetis isn't currently in Imperial space. She likely wouldn't make it back in time, and would have to interrupt an important expedition if she left. She's—"

"Sending you?" Rei guessed, cutting the apprentice off before she could finish; Vrynn nodded. Rei rubbed at her eyes, weighing her options and doing her best to suppress a groan. On the one hand, an expert — assuming Praetis was as good as everyone seemed to believe — could turn Rei and Acina's cyborg project into a huge success but on the other hand, a young apprentice trampling underfoot was the last thing they needed on Yavin, considering they already had an unsteady truce and the Revanites to worry about.

And that wasn't even taking into consideration the possible social ramifications, if Zash's warnings about Praetis were to be believed.

She decided to ask Praetis to wait until the Revanites were taken care of. That would save Rei from having to watch an additional apprentice, and would allow her to scout out the truly important areas and keep Praetis away from them while Reclamation Service teams could work. Not the best plan, and she'd wait to discuss it with Acina before making a final decision, but it could possibly end very, very well.

One insurmountable challenge down, numerous more to go.