It's not your fault.
Those words were stuck in Vaylin's head ever since she talked to Cassian the last time. He left after they finished discussing Nathema, but something changed. It was something Vaylin knew was true; of course, her torture wasn't her fault…But why did it feel so wrong to say it? Could it be that some of the Father's poison stayed with her and made her believe his lies? She remembered every time he spoke to her in his arrogant, condescending tone.
"Such hatred. You're my daughter. We are family."
"You had to learn, had to be conditioned."
"You were a danger to yourself and to others. I made you safe."
Vaylin wasn't good at pretending that those words didn't hurt. Every time she heard them, she wanted to lash out in fury and make Valkorion suffer the way she did. But he was a spirit who transcended mortality; he had the freedom to mock her. Always escaping the punishment he deserved…
Vaylin admitted to herself that it was sweet to hear Cassian care about justice, too. The way he talked about him killing Jarak made many lovely images crop up in Vaylin's head. How that worm ran away after betraying her and leaving her to die. How he must have begged for Mercy as Cassian tore him apart. It made her heart skip a beat. Made her just a little bit happier for a few moments…So much so that the next time Cassian came, she found herself intrigued, if not outright joyful.
"Awake already?" The Chiss said as he stepped through the gates of her chamber. He came early in the morning this time. If Vaylin felt a little drowsy before, this got her rejuvenated almost immediately.
"Do I look like a long sleeper? Though I guess there isn't anything else to do in this cage of all places…" Vaylin sighed.
"I brought you some morning sweets."
"Cute." She said calmly. "Don't think that will get you anything, though; you aren't trying hard enough. When you're bringing me all of my meals and cleaning my piss from that vessel underneath this chair, I'll consider it. Just consider, no promises."
"You know I have an Alliance to run, right?" Cassian chuckled. "With all the conspirators at large, I have to spend some time a day keeping the entire place in check."
"Ah, yeah, the Alliance…What do they say about me, by the way? Do they want to kill me? Are they scared?"
"Opinions vary."
"I think the Blondie Sith wants to kill me and be done with it…Your Jedi lapdog, too. I'm not sure about the spy boy; he seemed like a bit of a softie. And others…Who even cares about what they think?"
"They demand progress, and I won't be able to feed them empty platitudes for long."
"I can imagine…Surely you have some equipment for situations like those? Torture and all? Why haven't you still used any on me? Don't tell me it's because you feel bad about it…You haven't fallen that low in my eyes yet." She might have enjoyed toying with him, but this was genuinely interesting. Just like before, Cassian wasn't fighting to the fullest; he was holding back now just as much. Could it be that he truly cared? She wasn't convinced.
"Because after what you've endured, I doubt whatever pain we can inflict here would mean anything. Would probably feel like a tickle."
"Clever. Tell me, why should I tell you more?"
"Perhaps if you do, I would have more time to visit you." He stated, making Vaylin reflexively giggle.
"Come on, we both know that you don't really want to visit me. You're just good at pretending. The moment you get your answers, you'll just leave me to rot in this cell all alone or decapitate me if you're feeling merciful."
"Is that what you truly believe?" Cassian said in a quiet voice; he seemed to be in genuine distress, which amused Vaylin even further. "If I only wanted information, I would've been more direct."
"Alright, so you want something else, I get it. Help figure it out, then."
"Figure it out? I told you last time." Cassian sighed.
"And I don't believe it. There has to be some ulterior motive."
"And what do you think it is, if not information?"
"Uh…Boredom? I remember doing some funny things out of boredom while I was still the High Justice. Like going to the lower city undercover and snapping a neck or two. Maybe this is just the way you have fun? Going in circles with your enemies? Maybe you're just hiding from annoying admirers… I'm sure you have many."
"I don't consider you an enemy."
"Then what do you consider me?" Vaylin pressed on, making Cassian pause to consider his answer.
"Someone who I wish to understand…And then help. I am not sure if it's possible, but I believe it is."
"You want to help me? Then prove it." Vaylin said coldly. "Free me, and then I'll believe you are sincere."
"And what will you do after I free you?"
"So now you're cautious, huh?" Vaylin chuckled. "Well…I think I might walk around the base for a while. Say hello to old friends, check up on everyone, see them scream like little girls the moment they see me…Maybe toss some off the balcony and watch them flail just before they pop. Might be fun."
"And you think I will allow that?" Cassian said sternly.
"So there are limits to your generosity? I knew it! Can't trust anyone…"
"I am reasonable, Vaylin, but there are people I care about in this world. People who I swore to protect."
"How many?"
"Eight, though only six are on this base now."
"Hm…How about you give me names, and I spare them? Well, unless they absolutely force my hand."
"And the rest?"
"I'll see what I can do…You want to help me, right? So how about you begin by trusting me?" Vaylin spoke up. "If you really want to understand me…Then unchain me. Or you are no better than all the rest. All those to whom I just a crazy bitch to be put down or kept in a cage." She spoke coldly, noticing Cassian's eyes begin to run around as his resolve wavered. "And if that's what you are, then I won't speak a word to you anymore. Deal?"
"I…" Cassian clenched his fist. Finally, she cracked the code and brought out the truth. He was nothing more than a pretender, a classic Sith manipulator who tried to use his charm and feigned compassion to get this information out of him. Now, he will try to come up with a cheap excuse…At least, that's what Vaylin expected.
Instead, Cassian moved towards her chamber, making the young woman immediately focus on him. Where was he going? Soon, however, she noticed that the Chiss made his way towards the control panel of her chamber. His eyes were set on a few buttons, specifically the one that controlled the force-suppression field.
"What…What are you doing?!" Vaylin could not believe her eyes. She wanted her mockery and incitement to force Cassian to admit his defeat, but did he truly consider letting her go here and now? Even when she was powerful enough to crush most people on this base in one fell swoop? Yet still, he raised his hand, getting it towards the button. If it was some kind of ploy, Vaylin would've sensed it through the force, but the Sith's intentions were entirely genuine. He was about to set her free, unleashing Vaylin's wrath on his allies. He stopped just moments before hitting that button.
"No…No! "The Outlander said loudly and hit a metal wall near the panel. "I'm sorry, Vaylin…I can't. I can't let you hurt my friends."
"Were you…Seriously planning to release me?" Vaylin spoke quietly, still in disbelief.
"I told you I want to help. No one likes cages, and you have every reason to despise them, I know it." The Sith Lord said grimly. "I will release you, hopefully soon, I promise…But I will make sure my friends are safe first."
"Even if you save those six people…Do you know that everyone will want my head? Everyone on this base, everyone in the galaxy. They would start a hunt. All your allies and enemies… They'll hunt you, too, when they'll realize you released me. Are you just stupid, or were you really ready to endure that for…For me?" She was genuinely surprised, which made Cassian chuckle and turn towards her.
"Tell me, do I look like someone who cares about the galaxy? Does that have any interest in yet another war with the Republic or in endless political games of the Sith? Or even maintaining this Alliance of misfits who only united for one purpose, ending you and Arcann? I only ever cared about one thing. Killing Vitiate, Valkorion to you." He said with spite in his voice, though it wasn't directed at her. "I never thought of how my life would look after this moment. Maybe I never truly expected to do it, but here we are. This position…It chains me, just like Vitiate did. Now that you are back, I feel like I care for the first time in months. I don't know why, but that's how I feel. Here's your truth, nothing more to it." He said with a heavy tone. "I…I need to think about all this. I'll come back later."
After those words, the Sith began to move away, but a part of Vaylin didn't want him to go just yet. All of those words that he spoke…They shouldn't have made any sense, yet they came from his heart. In fact, it has been a while since Vaylin heard something so genuine in her life. There was a way to see how dedicated he was, but she had to make another move for that. Damn it…It was time to let the die be cast.
"Outlander, wait!" Vaylin called out to him, making Cassian turn around. "I… I'm ready to tell you more. I don't know much about this conspiracy, but I know the man that commands Atiel…His name is Jadus."
…
Jac expected the murderer to strike again, but not so soon. Not while the people of Tython were still reeling from the scars of his previous assault, but it was clear that their enemies had no mercy for the innocents. In fact, they seemed to relish in causing untold suffering upon them, and Jac couldn't stand aside. The attack on the newly-built spaceport was an act even more horrendous than striking at the Aloys, as there were far more than just three people for them to target. But at least now, there was still a chance to stop them before it was too late.
Theron stayed behind to look for any missed evidence while Jac, Kira, and Scourge rushed into the fray, hoping that it wasn't too late. With any luck, they'll be able to stop and apprehend the murderers, then force them to give more information about their motives.
By the time they arrived, the spaceport's exterior was engulfed in flames. People ran away from the smoke, desperately yearning for safety. Not everyone made it out alive; there were already corpses lying around the area, some of them choked in the cloud of smoke while others were mercilessly broken by the assailants; Jac could see the lightsaber wounds.
They will pay.
"M-master Jedi!" A running woman shouted the moment she noticed Jac and his allies, likely assuming their allegiance after seeing the lightsaber. "Thank the stars…Please, help us!" She shouted, fighting through her tears. "They attacked us and…And…They killed so many, they want to kill everyone!"
"We will stop them, I promise! Just tell me where they are."
"There…They went beyond the main entrance!" The woman pointed towards one of the halls, finally revealing the way."
"Thank you."
"Time to make those bastards pay," Kira said sternly.
"A real battle…Now that is more like it." Scourge brimmed with anticipation.
The trio made their way deeper, and soon, they heard the voice from the holo.
"You have nowhere to run. Accept your fate!" This voice was loud and spiteful, yet somehow still empty…Jac couldn't wrap his head around it. There was something off, something different as if it was too monotonous compared to how most people speak.
"Please…I haven't done anything to you…" A scared man pleaded. "Do you want credits? I'll give you all I have! I'll leave Tython and never return, I…"
"One leaves, another arrives. There is no peace to be made with the likes of you poisoning our planet. Tarnishing the sacred sites of the Jedi…Yet no one else is willing to take up arms, which leaves me no other option!"
"Juazo!" Jac shouted as he and his allies reached the twi'lek. The green-skinned Jedi turned around with his lightsaber still ignited. Upon seeing his eyes, the Jedi couldn't help but recoil. They were…Empty. There was barely any emotion or feeling in them, just the cold stare of a killing machine.
"I heard of you…Did that harlot Satele send you? Sent you to end my noble mission?"
"How can you speak like this of your master?!" Jac spoke with anger. "And 'noble mission'? This is utter insanity, mindless slaughter!" Jac expected his hatred and desire for justice to grow stronger the moment he saw Juazo, but the opposite happened. He seemed far too weak and broken, even afraid…Something was done to him. "Stop right now…And we will take you to the Temple."
"No, I will not return! Not back to those weaklings…Never. I'd sooner die."
Before they could begin the fight, a shadow emerged from behind. A slim figure in a black mask and with a crimson lightsaber attempted to attack Scourge. The Sith Lord blocked the strike and immediately counterattacked, attempting to slash the attacker. The assailants proved quite resilient and did not allow themselves to be harmed, but Scourge managed to slice the black helm before they jumped back toward Juazo.
"You're quick…Quicker than I expected such brute to be." The assailant spoke before raising her head. It was a break zabrak woman with pale skin and eyes glowing with yellow light, thoroughly consumed by the dark side.
"You…" Kira said cautiously. "Satele showed me a hologram, you're Ki Sazen!"
"That's Lord Sazen to you!" She snapped, showing emotion and dedication, contrasting with Juazo's hollow and empty demeanor. There must have been more to it. "And I could do without your bumbling interference, thank you. Didn't you hear my friend over here? We're on a noble mission here, the one that will change the galaxy."
"And you were once a promising Jedi?" Kira said with some mockery in her tone. Jac stepped forward.
"I don't know what you want to accomplish, but there is no nobility in murder. I will give you both one last chance to stop. I am Jacques Elias, the former Battlemaster of the Jedi order, and beside me is the man named Emperor's Wrath, the most talented Jedi I've ever known. You stand no chance against us."
"Hm… I'll take my chances." Sazen smiled. "You may be strong, but we're dedicated, and will sacrifice much and more!"
"What is it you're trying to achieve?" Scourge said. "You seek chaos and suffering. You act like Emperor's Hand…Yet I know that Vitiate is gone; you serve a different master.
"All we want to is to bring glory days to this galaxy…Right, Juazo?"
"Yes…We are the sparks that will create a flame of salvation, a flame of change!"
"And our work is behind here and now! Come, my servants!" Sazen called upon someone, using a remote control device that she held in one of her hands. Before Jac or anyone else could respond, the nearby wall got shattered as a dozen rakghouls ran into the room.
"Rakghouls? Here?! "Kira said with shock.
"You didn't think I'd come here unprepared, did you?" Sazen chuckled. "And look, they already begun their feast."
Those rakghouls were drenched in people's blood. Even though the opening they created was small, Jac could still see corpses lying around outside. It was a mass slaughter that Sazen orchestrated and did not intend to stop.
"You'll pay for this!" Jac shouted, once again giving into his rage.
"Make me!"
Sazen was about to push Jac away, but Kira stopped her by leaping forward and making their lightsabers clash. Meanwhile, Scourge stood tall as he blocked the way for rakghouls, preparing to slash the beast one after another. Jac only had the Padawan to face, a man who could be both an enemy and an ally. Jac wished he could know.
"Die!" Padawan said and rushed towards the Jedi, making their lightsabers clash. Jacques quickly blocked all of his strikes; he was not nearly quick enough to create a breach in the Jedi's defensive stance; he had no chance of victory. Even though Jac could end this at any moment, he wouldn't want to kill a brainwashed Jedi. If he was a victim, he needed help.
"Why are you doing this?" Jac persisted as he maintained his stance and evaded Juazo's attacks. "Satele told me about you; you are not a monster! You're an exemplary Jedi who follows the code. You would never do this!"
"I…I was a fool! I…" Jac could hear him stutter, as if Juazo tried to say something, to show any emotion, to break free from this mysterious mental cage built around him, but the words just couldn't slip past the tip of his tongue. "I was shown the truth, now I understand…This galaxy is… It's complacent, stagnant, it…It needs the Great Reset!"
"What are you talking about? What kind of Great Reset? Is it something that you want to achieve through this senseless murder? Do you really think it would benefit the galaxy?"
"It…Would…Save many! It is necessary!"
"What has she done to you, Juazo? Did she brainwash you? I see you're in pain. I want to help! Just…"
"ENOUGH!" Juazo shouted with fury and continued his onslaught, beginning to strike even faster. "I don't need your help! I don't need it!"
Jac attempted to pacify Juazo, but one of the rakghouls attacked from behind and pushed the Jedi away. He was prepared to fight back, but Scourge ended up being quicker. The Sith Lord pierced the beast, making it let out one final scream before falling to the floor.
"They are my concern, focus on the Jedi!" Scourge shouted in a commanding tone before returning to the battle. Jac had his to fight.
Rakghouls were deadly, infectious opponents, yet they could not stand equal to the might of Lord Scourge, one of the strongest Sith, the one Emperor himself once raised to become the Wrath. He slashed all of them with extreme precision and no hesitation. The horde of those monstrous beasts quickly turned into a pile of dismembered limbs. After finishing, Scourge joined Kira in her battle against Ki.
"Last chance, Sazen!" Kira said as she stood beside Scourge.
"Surrender or die!" The Sith Lord commanded, but the fallen Jedi remained confident and optimistic.
"No, I think I'll pass." She smiled as she took something from her pocket. Before Kira or Scourge could react, Sazen tossed a peculiar grenade that brimmed with violet to their feet. This must have been the substance that the conspirators on Copero used…Suddenly, everything began to make perfect sense.
"NO!" Jac rushed towards his friends to save them, but the bomb already exploded. The shockwave was hardly damaging, but it unleashed a purple cloud of smoke that engulfed both Kira and Scourge.
"What…What is this?!" Kira said as she coughed in pain. Meanwhile, Kai charged toward the breach Rakghouls created in an attempt to escape.
"Don't you dare! "Scourge shouted and raised his hand, attempting to pull her back with his force powers but failing miserably. "What's…Happening? Why can't I use the force?"
"It's an anti-force poison!" Jac shouted. "I know what it does, it's…"
"DIE!"
Juazo attacked from the side and sliced Jac's rib with a lightsaber. The Jedi screamed in pain as he fell on the floor. His enemy dropped any pretense of serenity or calm and completely gave into his rabid, outright disturbing side. Jac made a mistake by getting distracted in an attempt to help his friends, but they had already gotten out of the cloud. Now, Juazo raised his lightsaber, ready to pierce his opponent once and for all. There was only one momentary opening and no time for more than one strike. Jac had no other choice.
He pierced the twi'lek's heart, causing him to let out a final pained cry and fall to the ground. With this, the battle was finally over. Jac felt his chest burn, not just because of pain but because of the thought that he might have killed a brainwashed man who had no control over his actions.
"We need to go after her, now!" Scourge shouted.
"No, wait!" Kira held him back and ran towards her friend. "We need to help Jac, and besides…If we fight her without the force, she'll easily kill us!"
"It's…Worse…Then I thought." Jac said as he breathed heavily. Kira kneeled before him to examine his wound.
"Easy, easy, don't waste your breath… We'll bring you over to the Jedi temple. Scourge, we must call Satele and tell her what happened here."
"I will…Be fine." Jac gathered his strength. "Tell her that we have new leads…By using that weapon, Sazen gave much away."
"Isn't that something relating to conspiracy you tracked on Copero?"
"Yes…It runs deeper than we thought." Jac said in a cold tone. The implication of this discovery couldn't have been more grim.
And yet they had no choice but to follow the trail of carnage and bloodshed.
…
The time was at hand.
Atiel wasn't sure whether she wanted their plan to move at such an excellent speed, but recent conflicts with the Alliance left them no options. All that remained was to wait for Sazen's return, and when the Sixth Inquisitor stepped onto Jadus's flagship, she brought news. Her acts of terror worked as planned, and even though she revealed her involvement, she also managed to distract some of the Alliance's strongest warriors, including the Jedi Battlemaster and the former Emperor's wrath. They might have discovered a trail to unravel the conspiracy, but it was too late by this point. They had no idea of the scale of Lord Jadus's assault, those pathetic fools.
Atiel waited for them to begin, standing outside of Jadus's chamber and occasionally pacing around. Atiel rarely showed impatience, but today was different, very different. The coming attack must be swift and deadly; that's the only way it would succeed.
"Atiel?" The Chiss heard Lokin's voice. The Doctor entered the room, calling out for her with some doubt in his voice.
"Yes?"
"I'd like a minute if you aren't too busy."
"Sure, go ahead." Atiel welcomed him and sat at one of the nearby seats.
"Did lord Jadus mention the exact timing of our attack? I have the Voidcaller ready, stronger than ever before, but the formula remains unstable. If we linger for too long, it might lose some of its effectiveness."
"He's still discussing something with our allies from the Core Worlds. When that's done, we will move out immediately."
"Ah, good, glad to hear it," Lokin said with approval. He was about to leave, but Atiel quickly noticed that there was something else on his tongue. "Another matter…From what I know, Kaliyo and Ensign Temple ore on Odessen, helping out the Alliance."
"They are. And?" Atiel responded coldly.
"I'd be curious to know what your plans are regarding them. We might be on opposite sides now, but we served on the same ship for years. I think it might be worth trying to convince them to join Lord Jadus. Perhaps your loyalty to you will win them over."
"It won't." Atiel denied. "I tried to convince Raina back on Copero, but she just threw her righteous bile and didn't even consider the benefits. After we take Odessen, I will give both of them one more chance. If they refuse, I'll see how useful they can be as hostages. If not…Then we won't need any extra mouths to feed."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"I see…Well, I will leave you to your preparations, then. Good luck."
"And to you."
After Lokin left, Atiel finally took a few steps toward her Lord's chamber. She touched the door and semi-opened it while still remaining on guard. Lokin raised a valid concern; they couldn't wait for too long. The Alliance had Vaylin and knew of Sazen, and their Voidcaller was limited as of now. However, she heard his voice. Jadus was still talking to a Togrutan man on the hologram, the Second Voice.
"Your concerns are unfounded," Jadus spoke calmly. "The Eternal Alliance has been crippled ever since it lost its fleet, and now its resources are split even further because of the war."
"And what of their allies, the Empire? Do you think Acina will tolerate this unprovoked overthrow?"
"Not at first, no." Jadus shook his head. "However, I have my agents within the Sith Empire that will make sure that she remains in the dark for long enough. By the time she learns the truth, cooperating with us will be in her own interest."
"Very well…You will have our full support this one time. I received reports about the virus, and Eight Lord's spies installed it. If we use Voidcaller in due time, it should go smoothly. The Voice sighed. "But remember our agreement. If this game of yours goes sour, the Star Cabal will retreat into the shadows, as we did many times before."
"I've never forgotten. Rest assured, it will not be necessary. Is your fleet prepared?"
"Yes, all ships are in position."
"Then it's time to begin. First Archon out."
"Second Voice out."
"Come in, Atiel," Jadus said almost immediately after the hologram disappeared. Of course, he could feel her presence. "I take it your patience is running low?"
"I'm sorry, my lord, I should have eavesdropped…"
"It makes no difference. I do not intend to hide any details from you."
"Are we ready to strike, then?"
"Yes," Jadus said with brimming anticipation. Atiel walked to the bridge and looked into the outer space. There were cruisers waiting, both Republic and imperial design…Their combined force. "Come forth and witness the might of our armada. Today, we crush the Eternal Alliance once and for all."