Jac wasn't certain how useful this interrogation process would end up being, yet the team was lucky. Their target might not have known much, but she was able to identify a flaw in Irol's facade, a moment when he assumed safety and ended up revealing a clue that could lead them closer to the conspirators. Therana gave all she knew, yet the Chiss still wanted to keep her in custody for further interrogation; Jac hardly liked it, but he had to accept the laws of this world.
There has been a lot the Jedi had to accept in those last years…Those thoughts plagued him as he followed Cassian to the rendezvous point where they would exchange information with Lt. Temple. Ever since he helped free Cassian from his carbonate prison, he accepted that the Sith Lord would lead the future Alliance. Lana and Theron would allow Jac to take the role if he wanted to, but that was never his desire. Despite his experience with his team, he never cared for the spotlight, never cared for becoming a commander or a symbol. At times, he wished he could be a simple Jedi, one of many who walk in among other people and help them out in any way they can. Alas, he couldn't stand aside during Zakuul's invasion, but he gave away his prospect.
Cassian was much more similar to Jac than he assumed when they first met. A passionate, ruthless Sith Lord, a prodigy among his orders despite relative youth, driven by his aspirations and desires. Desires that encapsulated avenging the Empire and striking Valkorion down for his betrayal and his actions on Ziost, the passionate drive that the galaxy needed at this time. However, he was also merciless in his methods. Terrorizing Zakuul with Kaliyo, executing defeated foes, sacrificing civilians…Even the few times Jac managed to change his mind, like with Koth, Cassian still didn't hesitate to take three of his fingers for his betrayal and then exile him from Odessen. All of which, of course, culminated in Cassian ruling Zakuul with an iron grip while they still had the Eternal Fleet.
Jac didn't agree with many of his decisions; they were the complete opposite of what he was taught to follow as a Jedi. Yet the Jedi order lost this fight the moment a few masters stepped into Vitiate's throne room, trying to give him a chance he didn't deserve. Cassian was not a saint, yet he wasn't an enemy to the galaxy. Quite the opposite, his methods brought Justice and Peace, as short-lasting as it was. However, something in him changed ever since one fateful day…
His visit to Nathema, the final battle against Vaylin, the defeat of the Eternal Empire, the fleet's rampage, Valkorion's rampage…All of this happened in a matter of hours for them, and Cassian had never been the same ever since. He became tired, more sheltered, disgruntled, and rarely happy. If his victories had brought him joy and satisfaction before, the same couldn't be said about anything that followed. Jac tried to talk to him about this, yet it never went anywhere. All he could do was watch his tired leader continue the never-ending battle.
"Master Elias…" He heard Jaesa's voice behind himself.
"No need for titles. Just call me Jac." He smiled and turned towards her.
"I'm worried about my master."
"Anything in particular?"
"He seems…Drained."
"It must be this world; it awakens some unpleasant memories in him…I'm sure both of us have such places, too." Jac wondered, knowing full well that there was much more to it.
"But it's the same on Odessen. It's been that way ever since we met back on Ossus. Don't get me wrong, I love being with him again after all those years, but he's very different."
"You've spent years apart; of course, both of you would change."
"You were by his side for longer than me, at least after he broke free from carbonite. Was he like this for a while?"
"It's…It's been a slow and complicated process, even I can't fully understand." Jac sighed. "I think the war weighs on him. I thought Sith would always find some satisfaction and fulfillment in bloodshed, but I was wrong…Everyone has their limits. Cassian might have reached him."
"I tried using my power on him back on Odessen. I sensed this, too…He's tired of it all. Tired of being here and wants something else."
"Do you know what?"
"No, I didn't see that…But something very different."
Before they could continue, Jac realized that they were approaching the coordinates Raina had sent. There was a patrol of three armed Chiss soldiers, and judging by their focus, they expected the trio's arrival.
"Commander?" One of them asked in a cold, even disgruntled tone, which immediately put Jac into a state of alert.
"Yes, that's me," Cassian responded. "And you?"
"I am in charge of the escort. We're here to make sure you stay here until Lieutenant Temple arrives." He laid out his terms, still showing no sign of respect in his voice.
"Raina is a member of the Alliance now; there is no need for your presence."
"Aristocra Saganu believes…"
"Why should I care what he believes?"
"Because the only reason you are allowed here is on his authority."
"Yes, and we agreed that he will allow us to research indepen…" Cassian paused before his eyes focused on the soldier's uniform as if he noticed something important. Jac attempted to trace his gaze, realizing that he was looking at the man's badge. A dark blue badge with an image of a refined, exotic blaster on it. "Ah, so that's what it is." He said with rising disgust. "You're an Oattashu soldier."
"Yes, I am."
"Which one sent you?"
"Doesn't matter." He shook his head. "Perhaps no one did, and I simply want to look at the wayward son myself."
"You think I'm wayward? Still holding on to hope that I will 'come to my senses' and agree to become a brainwashed, apologetic idiot? You'd sooner see Chiss Ascendancy allying with the Republic."
"You can't deny your nature, Delaoso."
"I do not go by that name anymore."
"Yet this is who you are…" Before the soldier could finish, Cassian took out his lightsaber and ignited it.
"If you believe that I will allow you to gloat in broad daylight just because we are on the Ascendancy's territory…You misunderstand. My patience has its limits." Cassian threatened him, causing two of the soldiers to recoil, but the one who talked to him stood tall.
"And here you go, showing your true face…The 'gift'."
"Jealous? I understand, wouldn't be the first time someone lamented being unable to feel the force."
"I pity you, and so does your family. You had a future ahead of you, yet the taint corrupted you." Those blatant lies caused Jac to interrupt.
"The force is not a taint; it is an inseparable part of our life; it guides us and serves as an ally during dark times."
"And yet only the chosen ones have it!" The soldier sounded agitated. "Force does not see us as equals. It is a privilege given to a few, the one that they haven't earned. Your commander is one of those few."
"Too bad." Cassian chuckled. "Father expected me to simply reject it and pretend like I didn't feel it…You know how it worked out for him."
"And where did it lead you? All of your victories and achievements are due to the force, a simple gift! You…" He said before Cassian raised his arm and began to choke the soldier.
"You shouldn't speak about something you know nothing about. Do you think stewards of the force have no challenges? I've been to Sith Academy long enough to know how much of a delusion that is. Father said he had no regret in exiling me, but it seems he can't let go…Why is that?"
"You…Wouldn't…Kill me…"
"You believe so? Confident for someone on the brink…" Before he could continue, Cassian heard Raina's voice.
"What's going on here?" The woman said as she examined the scene. "There's no need for violence."
Cassian let the soldier go.
"How wonderful to see that our society is as regressive as it always was…Run before I change my mind. If you see Father, tell him I sent my regards."
…
Now that Vaylin got introduced to her new allies, it was time to get down to business. She had a new task ahead of her: to help the local soldiers clear out wampas and secure the passage to other landing pads through the tunnels. A simple task beneath her in many ways, but Vaylin didn't mind. She never minded following orders as long as her superiors sent her to do something fun, and there was some potential with all the chaos Jadus and Atiel seemingly wanted to cause. It was almost freeing, in a way…As Vaylin descended the tunnel, she remembered the months she spent as an empress and how painful they were. The stress of leadership made all of her conditions infinitely worse. Her nightmares didn't allow her to sleep for long, her panic attacks and hallucinations became more frequent, and she couldn't think of a single moment when she felt calm during those years. And that's not even mentioning…
"You are my daughter. We are family."
His voice echoed in her eyes, and the figure of a sly, merciless old man flashed before her, making Vaylin recoil. She felt the floor beneath her becoming slippery as she moved to the nearby wall and leaned in. Vaylin heard whispers in her ears and saw flashes of darkness overtaking her surroundings and making her weaker, with only thought circling through her head.
Not now…Not when others can see.
She should've gone down the staircase, but she couldn't force herself. Every time Vaylin attempted to take a step, she felt an invisible wall emerge before her as if all her force powers dragged her back…It was almost funny how simple-minded she became during moments like this. All she could focus on were desperate attempts to avoid getting hurt in a world where everyone sought to hurt her. She saw father's silhouette appear in that direction. She didn't want to move…Because she knew he would hurt her like no one else could. Even torture machines were not as painful as being in his grasp, being his powerless puppet…And have him slowly corrode her brain. Vaylin hated the fact that her hands began to shake as she thought about this, soon asking her entire body to shiver. She clenched her fists, praying that it would stop before it became too much to take.
She needed to focus on her surroundings, on something that was real and incorruptible. The steps, the doors, the lighting…Even syringes of Voidcaller would do, even if it only made her feel worse as if their father's presence still persisted in it. Vaylin tried to imagine something calming, her seething at the beach, free and safe, eating Zakuulan chocolate and feeling the warm sand cover her skin. It was alright…Everything was alright.
In a few minutes, she began to regain control until finally, the shaking, the whispers, and corruptions, everything stopped, allowing Vaylin to take a deep breath of relief. It could've been much worse.
Before she could have any other intrusive thoughts upset her, Vaylin rushed downstairs to finally get into some action. As she approached the tunnels, the woman saw a few soldiers in both Imperial and Republican uniforms guarding the divide. They were already fighting a few ravenous wampas that emerged from the darkness of the adjacent tunnel.
"Take this, freak!" One of the men shouted and tossed a grenade, making an explosion tear the beast's paws away. The monster roared before finally retreating along with the rest. "Everyone alright?"
"Yeah…Never seen them as rabid as this. What happened?"
"Not sure if I want to know…" The soldier sighed. "We'd better clear them out quickly, or Ninth Siren will have our heads."
"She can't expect us to do all the job!"
"If only we had someone powerful here, the Sixth Inquisitor and her toys would do good."
"We could ask the Siren's new ally…"
"What?! You can't be serious. I'm not talking to her myself; do it yourself if you…"
"Hello, boys," Vaylin said playfully, making the soldiers shiver and turn around. Most recoiled in horror; some even raised their blasters for a moment before realizing that they shouldn't have done it. "Come on, I don't bite…I can do worse things, but I don't think I'm going to just yet."
"Yes, of course…" The soldier stuttered. "We…We are honored by your presence and…"
"I got told to help you so we can get the operation underway. Just point me at some things to kill."
"Alright…" He slowly recomposed himself. "We've been making progress, but the worst of that bunch are still there, right in that tunnel. They aren't giving up their territory so easily, but if you are as powerful as others say…"
"I am. Anything else I should know?"
"Not really…"
"Good." Vaylin smiled. "You're in luck; you'll have to do absolutely nothing and get to watch a fun show!" She said with excitement and stepped into the tunnel. Vaylin felt the wampas lurking in the darkness, a feeling many people would find utterly terrifying. Anyone but her, to her, those were just pests to annihilate.
Vaylin raised her hands and unleashed an array of lighting on the tunnel's walls, providing a momentary source of flight that made her see a dozen of Wampas inside, preparing for another attack.
This would be easy.
Vaylin leaped forward, this time pointing at her, lighting at the few monsters standing closest to her. She immediately heard their agonized roars, but they only lasted a few seconds before their vital organs were completely obliterated, and their charred corpses fell to the ground. Soon after, one of the remaining wampas tried to attack her, but the woman focused on it, immediately making the monster rise up into the air as she began to choke it. She could've made its suffering long and draining, but there was no time while some still remained. Vaylin snapped the monster's neck and turned towards the others.
Fighting against mindless beasts was no fun, especially when they were so weak. Vaylin ignited her lightsaber and charged into the fold. She sliced the beasts up, one after another, without mercy. They tried to claw their way through but were ultimately powerless in the face of her might. It was like a fun little game, just like when she would try to catch all the royal pets when she was still a kid…Only this time, it was a lethal game. Eventually, all of them were dead, or so Vaylin thought.
Another piercing roar emerged from behind as the last wampa jumped from behind the rock. Vaylin turned around and tried to crush it with force…But she faltered. Just as she raised her hand, she didn't feel anything at all. Her force left her as if Vaylin exhausted her limits and was at the mercy of the monster.
"How…" That was all she could say before the wampa clawed into her skin, making Vaylin scream and jump back before its claws got too deep. She felt her blood clotting and her force powers weakening, but it didn't stop her from cutting the wampa in two with her lightsaber. Finally, the threat was no more.
"That was…Incredible!" One of the soldiers shouted, but Vaylin could hardly agree. How could she exhaust her power so quickly? Were those the limits of her new body? If so, this ruined all the fun…She needed to get to the medical bay and made her way back to the stairs, not even looking towards the soldiers. Her job here was done. However, one of them still called for her.
"Why…Why did you join us?" He asked in a quivering voice.
"Eh?"
"You swore yourself to the First Archon, right? Why would someone like you…" It was a good question, as much as Vaylin hated to admit that. Fun was one thing, but was this really the extent of it. Even if so, it had nothing to do with her sudden choice to try and come back to life.
"It's…Not that interesting. And why did you join? Got tired of the Empire?"
"You could say that…" The soldier paused for a moment. "Far too many regressive dogmas that held us back for centuries, the Sith ideals that made our great Empire unstable, caused so much death and destruction. But the First Archon opened my eyes…He will guide us to a bright future."
"And what is that future?"
"A future without chains of those that oppress us."
"Let me guess, you don't know specifics?"
"I trust in his vision."
"More cryptic nonsense, lovely…You would do well as a scion." Vaylin sighed. She wouldn't get any information here; it was better to simply move along with whatever flow the 'First Archon' would set.
…
He should've known better than to play into their hands.
That's what Oattashu hounds wanted from Cassian: for him to show weakness and vulnerability, to allow himself a moment of anger and loss of control. This would make him seem like a violent thug in the eyes of Copero's people, just like his scumbag of a father would want. Casd'ezun'oattashu, the famed weapon manufacturer and a retired military man, still can't let go of his 'disgrace.'
But he couldn't think about that too much when there was an operation ahead of them.
"Right, I think no one will disturb us here." Raina led the trio to a secluded place away from the noisy streets, eventually bringing them into the nearest military outpost. "You've done well, and I saw what you found. Saganu's scouts have begun their search immediately."
"Before we get to it, I'd ask if something," Jac spoke up. "If you are going to talk to Saganu again, tell him that I asked to free that woman, Therana. She doesn't know anything beyond what she accidentally overheard; it's not fair to punish her for it."
"I'll…Relay your concern, but Saganu's patience isn't limitless." She said before turning to Cassian. "I don't think he'll appreciate you getting into trouble like you did outside."
"Perhaps he should instead focus on muzzling his wampas," Cassian suggested. "Those Chiss were there supposedly on your behalf, but I knew that was a lie the moment I saw the Oattashu sigil."
"Your military family…"
"Former family. I don't consider them that anymore, not after our fallout, which probably isn't a secret to the people of Copero…" Cassian explained with some annoyance in his voice before hearing Jaesa's voice.
"I'm sorry you had to go through this, master; we don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Jaesa reassured him in her kind voice.
"No need to coddle me." The Sith Lord shook his head. "It's been a long time ago, and I stopped wasting my energy on them."
"I wish I could let go of my parents, too. It's been a while since we saw each other now that they're on Dromund Kaas…I'm sorry, I shouldn't be talking about that. Lieutenant, have you found anything?"
"Yes, our agents have." Raina nodded. "There are some traces of activity in the mountain pass, some shuttles passing by, all moving towards roughly the same coordinates." Raina pointed at the map before them.
"Not Ascendancy, I assume?" Jac wondered.
"No, unsanctioned movement," Raina confirmed.
"Some activity right under their noses, and they never found it out without our aid?" Cassian said with suspicion.
"It is strange…Saganu said that Ascendancy's patrols tended to avoid that region, but he doesn't know why exactly."
"And now?"
"Most representatives are too busy to help, but we can count on Saganu and his loyalists. They already identified a location of the outpost…The one that was considered abandoned, but someone must have claimed it."
"They might be aware of our approach," Cassian suggested. "We shouldn't waste any time."
"Agreed. Saganu shared schematics of the old outpost with me, but we don't know what state it is or how well it is guarded it is. If I may, I propose a plan…The three of you are powerful, even among other force-sensitives, and you could take on the bulk of their forces. While you do that and distract them, I will lead a small squad inside and attempt to gather as much information as possible and sabotage them from within."
Perhaps it was their best chance indeed.
