A day after their visit to Tatooine, Cade and Zhalia headed to Coruscant aboard her ship. Cade left the Mynock to Blue and Syn to allow his cousin time to settle into the Homestead, much to the frustration of Deliah Blue.
Above Coruscant, fleets of both Imperial and Alliance ships patrolled in orbit. The vessels represented what the Galactic Triumvirate stood for, a union of the Fel Empire, the Galactic Alliance and the New Jedi Order. Upon the Sith ship coming onto the sensors, a comm line hailed the ship.
Cade looked at Zhalia and said "Show them that I'm with you, that'll get em to shut up."
"I'll just let you do the talking." Zhalia, who was standing up to move around after having been sitting for a while, soon headed to the middle of the ship to activate the comms as her ship was hailed.
The projection of Grand Admiral Rulf Yage appeared on screen as he saw Cade. "Skywalker? What are you doing on an old Sith ship?" He asked with a raised brow.
"It's a long story, Moff Yage. Just know that we need passage to the New Jedi Temple." Cade told the man.
Yage sighed. He knew better than to ask questions of Cade's whereabouts. "Fine, whatever. Go on through." He told Skywalker as the transmission ended.
"I'm guessing he learned not to question things when it comes to you," Zhalia said as she headed to where HK was piloting the ship. "Take her down easy HK, there is no telling how much longer this old ship has left." She said as HK did as told.
As the ship headed towards the New Jedi Temple, Cade smiled looking through the window. The Temple took two years to restore to its old look, but it had paid off. There were still remainders of the Sith's occupation of the Temple, but for the most part much had been restored. Cade pointed to the Temple. "This is the New Jedi Temple, built after the Yuuzhan Vong wrecked the old Temple. The One Sith ruled from there for 8 years, until I killed Krayt in the Temple." He explained.
Zhalia, who had raised her hood once more due to the headache she was gaining from the bright lights, turned to Cade. "What is a Yuuzhan Vong and how much did I miss while I was in stasis?" she asked, confused.
Cade nodded, having forgotten she was from an age long past. "The Far Outsiders, they were also called. An extragalactic species that existed outside the Force and invaded the Galaxy lil over 100 years ago. They destroyed the New Republic, forcing the Imperial Remnant to align with the newly formed Galactic Alliance. Took my ancestors everything to stop them." He told her, looking at the Temple as they landed.
"Right, forget I asked." She said as she looked to HK. "Stay with the ship HK but try not to shoot anyone." Zhalia said as she frowned. "And if you can try to determine how much longer these old engines will last on her. I'd rather not be stranded anywhere anytime soon." She said as HK acknowledged her words with a simple nod. Turning to Cade, she spoke. "Lead the way. It's been ages since I was last here."
Cade led the way down as he noticed Master K'Kruhk and a few other Jedi walked towards Cade and Zhalia. "Cade, mind telling me why you are arriving aboard a Sith ship from the Old Republic era?" K'Kruhk asked his student.
The young Jedi Knight chuckled. "I keep getting asked that, and she isn't exactly a member of the One Sith." He turned to Zhalia to let her explain.
Zhalia sighed. "Thank you for that reminder on just how old I really am." She huffed. "Don't know if your records still hold any facts from those days but I am Zhalia Shan, former Commander of the Eternal Alliance and even more distantly a former Sith of Vitiate's Sith Empire."
K'Kruhk's eyes widened as he looked at her. He then sighed and said "Well I was there during the days of the Clone Wars, so I saw mentions of you in the old Jedi Archives. I assume stasis kept you alive. I digress. I am K'Kruhk, Master of the New Jedi Order." He introduced himself with a slight bow.
Zhalia frowned for a moment, "Not surprised that the Jedi kept records of me. It's not everyday a Light side Sith comes around, even less so one achieves becoming the Commander of a powerful group that could turn heads in an instant." She sighed. "Let me guess, those records claimed I had "disappeared without a trace" am I wrong?"
"More or less, yes." K'Kruhk then led the way into the New Jedi Temple. They passed by many statues of old Jedi Masters on their way there.
Cade finally said "Master, we didn't just come here to bring her here. Something is wrong with me."
K'Kruhk stopped and looked at Cade. Closing his eyes, he felt it. The evil presence of Darth Krayt lingering within you. Opening his eyes, he said "We need to get him out of your-"
"Zhalia already tried, it's no use." Cade cut him off. He then sighed before adding "Apparently Krayt has another spiritual half in his Holocron. We suspect that we'll have to destroy it to get rid of the half in my head."
Zhalia sighed, "He has to be destroyed in both at the same time." Zhalia corrected Cade. "Vitiate tried this same tactic with me. I had to destroy him at the same time his original physical form was destroyed. With this situation, however, Krayt has to be destroyed both within you Cade and his holocron must be destroyed at the same time."
K'Kruhk rubbed his chin. "A'Sharad Hett, how wicked have you become…" He said in disappointment.
"From the sound of his name, he was born Tusken, that makes things a bit easier for me." Zhalia chuckled.
K'Kruhk elaborated on the story of Krayt. "Darth Krayt was not always a Dark Lord of the Sith. First born as the son of Jedi turned Tusken Warlord Sharad Hett, A'Sharad Hett was the Padawan of Jedi Master Ki-Adi Mundi. Hett was eventually a prominent Jedi Master in the Clone Wars, but the Clone Army that the Republic gave to us Jedi were a ruse. The Supreme Chancellor, Palpatine, was in fact the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Sidious. He turned our Clones against us, forcing the Jedi into exile. Hett gave into his savage nature, resuming his Tusken heritage, but after being beaten by a Jedi named Obi-Wan Kenobi, A'Sharad found his way to Korriban where he became a Sith student of XoXaan, one of the first Sith Lords. After being captured by the Vong, Darth Krayt was born from torture drawing him deeper into the Dark Side, and then Krayt returned to Korriban to form his One Sith."
"Just when I get used to hearing one thing over and over another comes to throw me for a loop." Zhalia sighed. "But this information gives me a bit more to work with." She smiled. "Cade has already seen into my memories but one thing that is not stated within any of the old records is that I, myself was born of the Tusken. I was the daughter of a powerful Tusken Warlord but was taken by the Sith when my force sensitivity was discovered. My Birth name was Theza." She informed them. "Knowing that Krayt was Tusken aids me greatly. He might be Sith but by our natures, Tuskens are very war-like beings, even amongst each other, and I know how best to use that against him."
Cade stated with a concerned tone "Yeah, but don't underestimate the old sleemo. He cheated death once after we kicked his butt on Had Abbadon, so I think he's more than willing to try again through my body."
Zhalia looked to Cade, "I've done this before, pup." She chuckled. "He might believe himself clever or even brillant, but that is what all Sith believe. Actions speak louder than words and right now, he is stuck as a spirit but this next part of what I will say may cause you to throw a fit but you'll have to keep calm." She told him, "But it needs to be spoken of in private."
Cade turned to K'Kruhk. "The Sith sent Talon and a bunch of rogue Stormtroopers to try and capture me on Nar Shaddaa. We barely evaded them." He told him.
K'Kruhk paused, thinking at the implications. "The Triumvirate has many suspicions that the Sith are being sheltered into the Unknown Regions by the Chiss Ascendancy. The fact that the Chiss alone knows of the Hyperspace Lanes in the Unknown Regions would make a large-scale invasion of the Sith Empire practically impossible if the Ascendancy indeed shelters them." He stated in return.
Zhalia crossed her arms, "How do you think I was woken up from Stasis?" She inquired. "Odessen is in Unknown Regions and I was in stasis for 3766 years before being awakened by a member of the One Sith."
"By Darth Maladi, no less." Cade added, looking back at Zhalia.
The Jedi Master sighed and said "This confirms our theory, then. We'll need to inform Empress Fel and Admiral Stazi."
"That's not going to end well for me." Zhalia sighed.
K'Kruhk tilted his head. "What do you mean? You may be a Sith, but I can easily vouch for you. Surely as can Cade." He told the old Sith Lady.
Zhalia sighed. "Exactly. I am a Sith. I am actually one of the rarer Light Side Sith, but still Sith regardless. There is that detail along with the fact that I am pretty sure my ship was already reported as you don't exactly see something that old flying around anymore. Very likely reported straight to this Empress Fel herself. While they may not be surprised with Cade doing whatever he does as he doesn't exactly strike me as doing everything through protocol. Which I will say is good on him, Emperors and Empresses usually have a protocol to go through." She sighed. "And my existence at this moment pretty much defies every single one and will throw her for a loop."
Cade chuckled as he placed a hand on Zhalia's shoulder. "Oh don't worry, Sia and I go a long way, given we're cousins." He assured her. "I'm sure it'll be fine."
Zhalia looked to Cade. "Famous last words, pup."
Antares Draco had his silver Lightsaber ignited at the entrance of the Senate Building. "Are you insane, Skywalker?!" He shouted as Cade stood in front of Zhalia alongside K'Kruhk.
Zhalia sighed. "Told you." She thought this moment over for a minute. "Haven't been greeted like this for a while… Last time I think was when I was still an Emperor's Wrath…" She seemed far away at the moment.
Cade stepped forth. "Look, I know what you're thinkin, but-"
"Shut it! I am not letting her through!" Draco angrily protested.
Zhalia sighed before raising a hand and immediately disarming Draco. "Are you always this dense?"
Antares stumbled forward before growling at being disarmed. "Why you-!"
"Master Draco, that is enough!" K'Kruhk commanded. "I vouch for Zhalia, and thus you will take us to your Empress."
Antares frowned, glaring at Zhalia. "Fine, but she tries anything and I'll gut her." He said as he pulled his saber back to him and led the way in.
Zhalia chuckled. "You'd be more than welcome to try, though don't expect an easy fight from me, pup."
Antares scoffed as they stepped inside. He led the way in as several Imperial Knights, Stormtroopers and Alliance Troopers kept their guard up at the sight of the Sith Lady being escorted to the Triumvirate.
Zhalia felt the glares coming from the troopers and merely ignored them. It wasn't the first time nor would it be the last she would feel such looks being shot her way.
Inside the meeting room, Marasiah Fel and Gar Stazi awaited patiently as the doors opened. A seething Draco entered first, followed closely by K'Kruhk, Cade and Zhalia.
Marasiah closely inspected the Sith Lady, as did Stazi. But being attuned to the Force, Marasiah closed her eyes and felt the great power Zhalia possessed as well as the fact she was not fully in the Dark Side's grasp. "Interesting, you aren't what I expected from the Sith." She said out loud.
Zhalia chuckled. "I am, by all rights, ancient, child." Zhalia told her. "If you wish, explore my memories as Cade did. You will see what I mean."
Antares protested. "Your Highness, I don't think-"
"Noted, Antares. Now let me focus." Fel answered as she delved into Zhalia's memories. She saw the many trials that this ancient Sith went through. "So you are indeed ancient." She told Zhalia as she opened her eyes. "I do wonder why you trust the Jedi, however, given your Sith past."
"I was taken in by the Sith by force, and once had a Jedi Padawan entrusted to me for training though not from her own Jedi Master who had become emotionally unstable." Zhalia informed her. "In all the times I interacted with the Jedi, outside of a few cases, I never really once had them try to backstab me." She sighed. "As much as a part of me hates to admit it, I trust the Jedi better then I would trust any Sith."
Gar Stazi then spoke up, having remained silent thus far. "Pardon my caution, but after fighting the Sith for so long, I don't exactly trust you yet." The Duros told Zhalia.
"It's good to be cautious," Zhalia chuckled. "But my loyalties stopped lying with the Sith and their ideals a long time ago." For a brief moment the flicker of a memory of one of her companions came to her as she shook her head. "Especially when I became Commander of the former Eternal Alliance."
K'Kruhk sat next to his two fellow Triumvirs as the meeting began in earnest. Draco stood by the door, carefully eyeing Zhalia. The Jedi Master then spoke. "It has come to my attention that our theories about the Chiss Ascendancy proved correct. Odessen, a world in the Unknown Regions, was where Zhalia was awakened."
"And only the Chiss knows of the Hyperspace lanes…" Marasiah added with a sigh.
Gar Stazi leaned forward. "Can you tell us anything about the forces that reached you?" He asked Zhalia.
"Only thing I can really tell you is that they were led by a Sith and look like the troopers you have here." Zhalia said as she sighed. "My HK had a little too much fun in the department of killing them." She chuckled at that.
Stazi chuckled. "A rare model. Might have to ask you if we can get schematics for some of our troops." He suggested.
Zhalia smirked, "Lucky for you I happen to have the schematics for the HK-51 version." She said as she pulled out a communicator and hailed her ship as HK soon appeared.
HK soon spoke, "Query: What is it, Master? Have you been injured?"
"No, my dear friend. Merely a request of you. Search through the databanks on the ship and bring me the schematics for your particular unit of Hunter Killers." Zhalia smiled.
"Statement: I will do just that and be there momentarily, Master. I am pleased you chose such a superior model for any future HKs!" He said before ending the call.
Zhalia couldn't help but laugh. "And this is part of why I love having him at my side."
Antares scoffed. "Sure, manufacture droids that could turn on us at a moment's notice." He let out sarcastically.
Marasiah glared at him. "Antares, why don't you wait outside?"
Antares raised a brow and said "But I-"
"That's an order." Fel told him, leading to Draco angrily leaving the room.
Zhalia sighed, "I don't blame him. His heart's in the right place, but his anger could lead him down a dangerous path if he's not careful." She shook her head before turning to Stazi. "As for his comment, the HK-51 models can actually make their own loyalty programing set to being completely loyal to whomever they choose as their master. My dear HK is completely loyal to me and has been at my side for as long as I can remember." She said, "Though he can get a bit carried away at times." She chuckled as HK soon appeared, schematics in hand. "Speaking of, perfect timing HK. Mind handing them over to the Duros?"
"Statement: Of course master." He walked over to hand over the schematics before walking back over to Zhalia. "Query: How are you feeling, Master? My sensors indicate that you have been standing for a while and may need to sit or see a doctor soon."
"I'll be fine for a while longer, HK." Zhalia sighed.
As Stazi looked over the schematics as Cade gave a worried look to Zhalia, but said nothing of the matter.
Marasiah turned her attention to the HK briefly before looking upon Zhalia once more. "You will be a most valuable asset to the Triumvirate, you not only provided us much intel but even troop models. I will thus instruct my forces not to harass you any longer." She told Zhalia, with Stazi and K'Kruhk nodding as well.
"Thank you." Zhalia said as she felt HK move closer to her as if preparing for something. "It will help me greatly when I go to look for parts for my ship though at this point, I might have to just replace the entire engine completely, including the Hyperdrive."
Admiral Stazi smirked. "Have your ship report to my flagship, the Alliance. We'll retrofit your vessel." He told her.
Zhalia looked to Stazi, "You remind me of a child in a candy store." She chuckled. "I'll warn you now, she'll likely need more than just upgrades, she needs a whole new paint job too." She looked towards HK, "Go ahead, HK, take the ship to where it needs to go to be upgraded." She said as HK nodded before leaving to do as told.
Marasiah then said "I will consult Master K'Kruhk and Admiral Stazi on the matter of your position. In the meantime, you two are dismissed."
Zhalia nodded as she turned and left the room, feeling a particular pair of eyes land on her as she stepped outside of the room.
Cade followed her only for Antares to tell Zhalia "Why would we need your help, Sithspawn? What insurance do we have that you aren't in league with the enemy?"
Zhalia stopped and looked towards Antares, "As entertaining as it would be to try and explain to you over and over, I have neither time nor energy to go in circles with you." She told him point blank. "Believe what you will, keep your suspicions. But don't let this anger you feel towards the One Sith blind you to valuable assets when they arise." Zhalia told him as she sighed.
Draco scoffed and said "Rich coming from a Sith." As he then walked back inside the meeting room.
Cade frowned. "Real charmin, Draco." He thought out loud.
"He has every right to be suspicious, Cade." Zhalia sighed as she went to sit on a nearby bench. "Sith are Sith, no matter the form. I may have left much behind when I originally became the Commander of the Eternal Alliance, but my origins as a Sith still somewhat define me." She sat back and allowed herself a moment to relax. "Even though I married Theron Shan, and turned against the Sith Empire by becoming a double agent for the Old Republic. I was, and in many ways am, still a Sith in the eyes of many."
Cade shrugged. "I was briefly a Sith myself, though that was mostly a ruse to survive capture." He admitted as he sat next to her. "But tell me, why you stickin your neck out for me?"
Zhalia chuckled. "Because I see much of myself in you." She told him. "And I see you going through what I went through so long ago." She informed him. "What I, and now you, experienced is not something I would wish on even my greatest of enemies."
Cade saw much of her words of wisdom. "I'll do whatever I can to preserve peace in the Galaxy, to protect my friends, and anyone who needs my help. That's what we Jedi do."
"It's what the Jedi always try to do." Zhalia said as she rested her head on the wall behind the bench and closed her eyes for a moment. "But so long as the Jedi exist, so too will the Sith. A never ending battle." She sighed as she reopened her eyes. "I have seen many things throughout my years before I went into stasis…" She then gained a distant look. "I fought many Jedi and Sith alike, killed those believed unkillable and did both good and bad. But my biggest regret is leaving my family and dearest friends behind." She then looked to Cade. "I won't let the past repeat itself. Not if I have any say in it. And if it is called for, then I will die to ensure that it doesn't."
Cade saw the Mynock flying by through the window and smirked, saying "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."