Contacting Odessen took longer than expected, much to Theron's surprise. Of course, the channels could be busy with all incoming holo calls, but Cassian hasn't answered for over a few hours now despite Jac's continuous attempts to contact him. The spy didn't want to put too much thought into it; the last thing he desired was to make this moment of reprieve and reunion sour due to what could be a simple malfunction or delay. Jac would surely find a way to contact Cassian. He just needed a bit more time.

Meanwhile, Theron could enjoy the rare sight of hospitality on Tython. Satele kept far away from the war and focused on meditation, healing, and training her students, allowing herself more flexibility and free time. Theron wondered if she wanted to spend her remaining years in peace, helping those close to her. That included him.

"Here, have a drink." Satele put a few cups of green tea on the table as a very faint smile emerged on her face. Hospitality on Tython of all places…The galaxy really has changed. "My students really like this one, a Voss recipe."

"Do you have teatime often?" Theron wondered. "Doesn't seem like a part of the Jedi training."

"They need a break from time to time, as do I," Satele explained. They were not alone there; however, another man, Scourge, sat at the table. His presence made this entire situation feel even more absurd…The Emperor's Wrath is a welcome guest in the Jedi temple.

"We have no time for breaks." Scourge said with an undertone of anger in his voice. "We know who could be behind this plot, but we can't contact Cassian, and now we're having 'breaks'?"

"It's always good to refresh, whatever we do next," Satele reassured him. "I know it's hard after all you've been through, but now that you're free from Tenebrae's grasp, you can start enjoying ordinary pleasures again."

Scourge raised the cup and drank all the tea in seconds before placing it on the table. The Sith Lord took a deep, relaxed breath.

"Ahh…It burns." He said with exhilaration. "Just a shade of the fire that Tenebrae infused me with…I never thought it could feel so liberating, so sweet!"

"Well, after that description, I guess I just have to try it." Theron chuckled and took a sip. "Eh, not bad, but a bit too sour for me. Not sure what's there to get excited about." The spy shrugged, making Satele interject.

"We all suffered due to Tenebrae's influence; Scourge had his feelings numbed for three centuries. He served as the Wrath; I'm sure a lot of it feels novel to him now that the Emperor is gone for good."

"It takes time." Scourge admitted. "But I'm starting to remember how it was before I bowed before him, back when I was just another Sith." He said with a quiet undertone of sadness in his voice, Theron used this pause to speak up.

"You know, Jac told me a lot about your little op with the Emperor, but we never really got a chance to talk on Yavin…I wondered why Revan was so mad at you there. Well, guess now I know." Theron sighed.

"Judge me if you want, it doesn't matter." Scourge said with confident dismissal.

"It's not for me to judge after the stunt I pulled on Umbara, but…At least it wasn't three hundred years."

"I did what was necessary to end the Emperor. I could've fought side-by-side with Revan and Meetra Surik, but what for? To die in a blaze of glory and a clear conscience? That's something a Jedi would do. I followed the vision, and now we are finally free…" Scourge clenched his fist. "It is still hard to believe sometimes. For hundreds of years, I saw his twisted image, heard his voice every time I closed my eyes…Now, it's just silence. Peaceful, almost too peaceful for a Sith, but I enjoy it for now. No point ruminating on the past."

"I agree," Satele added. "You caused our ancestor a lot of grief, Scourge, doomed him to go through unimaginable suffering…But in our final moments, I was able to talk to Revan before his spirit became one with the force. He made up his mind. There was no point in clinging to anger and hatred, even if he could never truly forgive you. I am not going to hold grudges on his behalf, not after all we've accomplished together."

"Thank you." Scourge said. "I will not apologize, either; words are just an empty gesture."

Before anyone could speak again, Theron heard loud steps approaching. Jac and Kira walked into the room, both looking rather distressed.

"Did you get through?" Theron said with anticipation.

"I wish…" Kira said quietly, allowing Jac to talk.

"Nothing but silence. We tried different channels, but no one answered. Not Cassian, not Jac, not Rusk…And when we tried to send a message, the channels were encrypted."

"So does that mean…"

"Yes, someone or something is blocking our way."

…

Cassian always despised surprises.

Especially the ones that came at the worst possible times, following one after the other and ruining his plans. He and Vaylin could've secured a safe passage into the city by manipulating the idiots at this post, but of course, their cover had to be blown in a most absurd, unbelievable manner. Exchange took one of his former associates and happened to interrogate him right under their nose.

Cassian and Koth never saw eye-to-eye. The latter clung to the idea of the Outlander, someone who would fight for freedom and bring peace to Zakuul. Cassian only ever cared for revenge. Tenebrae had to die by his hand before Cassian's mission was complete. Koth betrayed him and took the Gracestone, an error for which he nearly paid with his life. First by falling into Vaylin and SCORPIO's trap and then by facing Cassian after all that he did. Jac convinced the Sith Lord to spare the rebel's life and send him on his way. Without the ship, Koth wasn't a thread, and he already suffered a punishment for being a wretched fool. The Sith Lord took three of his fingers on one hand as a punishment, promising to kill him if the traitor dared return to Odessen again. Koth kept his promise and stayed away, at least until this fateful reunion.

"The Outlander?" One of the guards wondered. "As in the Alliance Commander? Narok?"

"Yes, but that makes no sense, I…"

"Idiot…" Cassian whispered to himself.

"What was that?" The Exchange thug said with suspicion. "What's your…Actually, no, screw that, just take off your mask. Everyone knows how Narok looks!"

"Now?" Vaylin whispered from behind. Cassian took a deep breath, finally accepting that he could say goodbye to an opportunity to use this checkpoint to get into the city. They'd have to do it the hard way. Cassian lifted his lightsaber and threw it at the opponents. Moments later, the lightsaber sliced all of their heads off, making their lifeless corpses fall to the floor. Koth remained unscathed, closing his eyes for a split second. Perhaps he expected Cassian to kill him, but he had other plans. He might tell them more about the situation in Zakuul, perhaps even help them get into the city.

"So, just to clarify…" Koth spoke with caution as he stood up. "It's really you, isn't it?"

"Yes, and you just blew my cover. Do you think you'll learn to not be a nuisance one day?"

"Well, sorry that I didn't read your mind and understand all of your plans in that one second."

"Aren't you forgetting anything?"

"Thank you for saving me." Koth sighed. "What are you even doing…Ah, doesn't matter; let's just get out of here!"

"What the…" A shocked voice of another man echoed from the doors as a pair of Exchange thugs walked into the room. They were armed, and upon seeing the corpses of their allies, they immediately pointed their weapons at the trio. It didn't last long, however, now when Vaylin raised her arm and immediately fried their organs with her lightning.

"Wow, that's a display!" Koth cheered reflexively. "I probably shouldn't even ask…"

"Yes, you really shouldn't." Cassian shook his head. "Follow me!"

The three of them ran towards the exit, fully expecting yet another battle. Cassian knew that Koth would soon realize that Vaylin was his partner; even if he didn't want to believe in her survival, it would be impossible to deny. He would hardly want to help after this, but that was irrelevant. He would, whether he wanted to or not.

By the time the three of them rushed out of the building, the alarm had already sounded, and one of the cameras had caught them. Dozens of Exchange guards expected them at the entrance, all pointing their blasters at them. For a moment, Cassian wondered if they would try to take them alive, but it did not take long before he had his answer. They opened fire immediately.

Luckily, none of the shots reached them.

Cassian prepared to create a force rift that would halt the blasts, but Vaylin was quicker. The dozens of blasts charging towards them all stopped mid-air as they reached the impenetrable force wall that Vaylin created. She must have gotten back in form. Cassian could only imagine how liberating it felt after her imprisonment.

"W-what is this…" One of the men shivered, making Vaylin let out a prolonged, playful giggle. Despite their faces being covered by protective masks, Cassian still felt their fear and terror, and it wasn't just theirs. Koth cowered, too.

"Who is this friend of yours?" He asked in a quivering tone. "Why does she…"

"Just watch."

Vaylin continued giggling before raising her other arm and taking the protective mask off. Cassian immediately saw the wide smile on her face.

"You know…" Vaylin began. "I would've hated cowards like you if they weren't so fun to play with. The Outlander told me a bit about you. Apparently, you maggots are some influential gang? Syndicate? Whatever, I don't remember having to deal with you back in my High Justice days…"

A few guards tried to run, but Vaylin immediately deflected some of the static blasts directly into their heads, forcing the renegades to drop dead on the spot.

"I haven't finished yet, you rude buffoons!"

"What the…" Koth's whisper brimmed with disbelief.

"So, I wonder why none of you were brave enough to challenge Zakuul when my brooding brother and I still had the power? When did we still have the fleet? I'll tell you why because you're all pissy little wimps who can barely take over a broken world. I see you thought you had a chance now that Zakuul grew as pathetic as it did, but oh no…Looks like the scary and mean Empress isn't actually dead!" After those words, Vaylin didn't hold back. She deflected the remaining shots, piercing the hearts of as many enemies as possible. The few that remained attempted to run, stepping over the corpses of the fallen. "See, that's what I meant. You're all cowards! You should've known that I won't let you go!" Vaylin raised her hand, immediately lifting the remaining guards from the ground, making them cling to their necks as she choked them slowly and painfully. "You were so, so stupid to even try and come to my home…Not that I like my people, but if anyone gets to squash them like bugs, it's me, not some gangsters from the core worlds!" After those words, Vaylin finally snapped their necks, annihilating all remaining enemies. She smiled and even jumped in excitement. "Yes, take that, idiots!"

"If even a single one escaped…Here goes our secrecy." Cassian sighed. "But well done. It's always delightful to see someone who enjoys the process."

"I always do. And don't blame me for it. I went along with the plan until that…Where is he, by the way?" Vaylin raised an eyebrow, making Cassian turn around. Koth was here just a few moments ago. Surely he wouldn't try to run?

Perhaps he would. Cassian noticed a fading silhouette approaching the bushes and running as quickly and as far away as possible.

"Never easy with him…" Cassian sighed without showing any signs of worry. He knew that Koth couldn't outrun them. "Let's pin him down, shall we?"

"I was afraid you'd let him go… I'd love to see him cry at my feet."

"That wasn't what I had in mind, but anyway." Cassian shook his head and ran after Koth along with Vaylin. He would not let him go that easily. If he just had to ruin their plan, the only way to repay was to come up with a new one. They quickly reached the nearby basin, where Koth tried to make his way around the waters and trees.

"Why are you running? I thought we could be friends!" Vaylin shouted before dragging the man back with her force powers. Cassian leaped forth and blocked Koth's way, causing him to fall on his back.

"Not a step forward!" The Sith Lord said as he approached Koth. The man before him looked up in sheer disbelief, though he did his best to hide his fear, which was admirable for the situation he found himself in. Cassian finally took his mask off and revealed his face."

"So it is you…And she is…But this makes no sense!" Koth shouted.

"Want to make sense out of it? Maybe don't run at the first opportunity. Didn't think you were a coward."

"It's not cowardice; it's a tactical retreat!" Koth talked back. "No way I'm going to stay here with you and…And Vaylin!"

"That's just rude." Vaylin shook her head in disappointment. "Come on, I don't bite."

"You do worse things! I…I heard a rumor, but are you telling me she actually came back?"

"We aren't telling. We're showing," Vaylin said with a jokey tone.

"What are you even doing here? Shouldn't you be on Odessen, Cassian, and shouldn't you be…Fucking dead?!"

"We encountered some unexpected complications," Cassian said.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Odessen was conquered."

"W-what?" Koth's voice grew quieter at the mention, as if his heart skipped a beat. Primal fear switched to worry and concern. Such a naive, pure-hearted fool…Still caring for the people that cast him out without regret. "How? Even Eternal Fleet couldn't take the base!"

"Back when we had the Gravestone, yes. You must have heard about what happened to it."

"Yeah…Ghastly business." Koth scoffed. "That was when Zakuul seceded, and I was happy about it back then. If only I realized how much of an easy prey we became."

"Should've stuck with me," Vaylin said angrily. "Wouldn't be long before people start to miss my righteous reign."

"Oh, no, that is definitely not going to happen." Koth shook his head.

"Ugh, so pessimistic…Vaylin turned around, making Koth look at Cassian again.

"What happened?"

"A powerful Sith Politician, Darth Jadus, emerged from the shadows. It's a long story, but he amassed many conspirators who somehow were able to sabotage Odessen's planetary defenses. They also manufactured a substance called 'Voidcaller' that they can imbue their weapons with. It can temporarily cut anyone's connection to the force. Not even Vaylin and I could resist it."

"That sounds so insane that I wouldn't have believed you…But it coincides with the rumors. And you were never the one to lie…What happened with Lana? Is she still there?" Koth asked with desperate hope.

"Jadus's forces probably took her hostage…At best. She couldn't have resisted with the Voidcaller in her veins.

"Damn it…" Koth clenched his fist.

"Found a motivation to help us? Now that's more like it."

"What?! To help…YOU?" Koth looked at Vaylin. "And her, too? She would kill everyone on Zakuul the second she gets a chance!"

"Why are you still alive, then?" Cassian raised an eyebrow, making Koth pause for a moment.

"I…So, you weren't planning to kill me? I thought you'd love to after our parting."

"Corpses can't help us get into the city, and besides, I gave you one last chance to stay away from Odessen and Alliance operations. You held on to that…Thank you."

"Not sure how I should feel hearing that from you."

"Point is, I am not going to kill you unless you become a problem. Is that clear?"

"Clear enough…And Vaylin?

"What about me?" Vaylin wondered. "I only kill those I hate, I don't even remember your name! That said, you can be entertaining…And we need you."

"Why are you even together? Shouldn't you want to kill each other?!"

"Not really." Vaylin shrugged. "If you didn't know, I was actually dead and only came back in a new body to…Have some fun, let's say." She paused for a moment, her voice growing less confident. Cassian's life took a fun turn…I decided to stick around for now."

"This is insanity…"

"Shut up and say 'thank you for not killing me, my merciful empress'…Wait, you can't say it if you've shut up. Say the thanks first and then shut up, understand?"

"Not a chance," Koth said defiantly.

"Oh." Vaylin shrugged and raised Koth from the ground, beginning to choke him.

"I…You…"

"Literally, all I ask of you is to be polite, but you can't even do that! Do you want to die? Or do you like being choked? I had a couple of knights who did…"

"Vaylin, please." Cassian interrupted. "He can help and is clearly not an enemy. Let him go. I think we both made our point abundantly clear."

"Ugh, fine…" Vaylin let Koth fall on the ground as he coughed in pain.

"You two are even more insane than I remember." He took a deep breath and sat at the nearest tree to restore his strength during a reprieve. "But at least I'm alive…Somehow."

"Now, where were we?" Cassian continued. "We didn't come to Zakuul by choice; it was a crash landing, and we need to strike back at Jadus as soon as possible. I know we would both like to save Lana, so I say we work together…And this isn't a request."

"But why do you even need me?" I lost the Gravestone, most of my crew… I can't even hold my own against Exchange; the bastards captured me. You two could kill hundreds on a whim."

"And that will attract unnecessary attention," Cassian explained. "People on Zakuul might be powerless against us, but Jadus's cohorts have the Voidcaller. One shot is enough to weaken our connection to the force, and from what I've seen, their aim is far better than any skytrooper."

"So…I guess you want to leave the planet?"

"Yes."

"That might be a bit of a problem. Since Exchange arrived, Zakuul has become a literal war zone. We have…Or had a council, I suppose. Representatives from different layers of society come together to build a new identity and future for our world. After what Arcann and your new friend over here did to our world, we had a lot to change. The councilors wanted to become a symbol of peace and hope…"

"And look how that turned out for you." Vaylin sighed.

"Not like your reign ended any better…But yes, it wasn't long before we fell into turmoil once again." Koth admitted with a heavy heart. "Exchange came in, started to claim our resources, purchase some of our people's loyalty… It wasn't long before they got violent and conquered entire sections of the city. Some councilors resigned, others changed sides, and some got assassinated. There isn't much left now; it's a war between Exchange and the loyalists, and Exchange is winning!" Koth grew more agitated. "There's only one line of defense left at this point…"

"The Paragon?" Cassian wondered, making Koth look up. "The patrol we encountered talked about him."

"You know him?"

"Not personally, but I heard stories. An ambitious man, that one."

"He is an inspiring leader and a real hero to our people. He gathered as many as he could under his banner; if anyone can spearhead the effort to drive the thugs out, it's him." Koth spoke with admiration.

"You shouldn't speak so fondly of the figureheads you don't know well enough. Remember what happened with the 'Outlander'?" Cassian crossed his arms.

"I knew something was off about you the moment you let the reactor go off…" Koth said before looking at Vaylin. "The one you destroyed, by the way."

"Not my fault that explosions are so pretty."

"Why am I even trying…Anyway, I know Doran myself. I joined his group the moment I knew about it and have been working for him ever since. That's why I was in these swamps in the first place, getting some info about the Exchange."

"Can you lead us to him?"

"Seriously?" Koth raised an eyebrow.

"Does he have means to get off-world?"

"Yeah, some starships, I doubt he'll just give any of them away."

"If he's a reasonable man, I'm sure we'll come to an agreement. What does he think about the Alliance?"

"He's grateful for you and your people liberating Zakuul…Perhaps too much, considering you weren't much better. He's inspired by the Alliance' bringing down gods', I suppose."

"And how will he react to seeing Vaylin?"

"Well…" Koth hesitated, allowing Vaylin to interrupt him

"You can be honest and say that he's going to skin me, I won't be offended. Well, maybe a little…"

"It's a difficult question. How would you react if, say, Valkorion suddenly appeared in front of you alive and well?"

"Kill him again," Cassian said calmly.

"Skin him alive!" Vaylin added enthusiastically.

"Okay, that was a bad example…" Koth sighed. "I think he'll be surprised…Like everyone would, but if you don't randomly try to kill any of his people, he'll still hear you out."

Cassian looked up at Vaylin.

"What? Why's everyone staring at me?"

"You won't try to cause any trouble, will you?"

"If that will get the big man angry…Unless someone provokes me, I won't." She said carelessly.

"Wonderful." Cassian turned back to Koth.

"Fine, I'll help you out…" The man gave in. "There is a checkpoint controlled by Doran's forces a few hours away from here. I can take you there and get you to the city. There's a listening post there with some space communication devices. You might want them."

"Let's not waste any more time, then. Lead on."