The revelations Vaylin brought forth were most intriguing, even if disturbing to an extent. It explained much about the nature of their enemy and how their conspiracy managed to remain a secret for so long. Much and more was possible with a mastermind like this behind the operation. Cassian had to inform his closest allies as soon as possible.
"Darth Jadus?" Jaesa wondered as the two of them stood amidst the base balcony, surrounded by Alliance members going about their usual routine. "That name sounds familiar. I think you told me about him back in the day. Can you remind me, master?"
"He was a member of the dark council in charge of the Intelligence. A very shrewd man with a power who was said to be second to none in the Dark Council. When terrorists attacked the Empire, they seemingly assassinated Jadus, but it was all a ploy. He was the one pulling the strings and giving him commands. Atiel discovered his plot…And chose to join him." Cassian spoke in a grim tone; Jadus was a menace; saying others talk about him made it clear.
"And what was his plot?"
"To spread Sith ideals, chaos, and misery to all people of the Empire. He wanted them to revel in the darkness, to enforce it upon those people and make the dark side absolute."
"That's…Horrifying!"
"Jadus was merciless in his assault. He destroyed enough of the Dark Council's power base that they had no choice but to take him back when he returned."
"Didn't you say that you never met him? I thought everyone in the Dark Council saw you when you killed Baras."
"He left shortly before that. No one knows why; it's just that he simply disappeared one day. I suspect Atiel knew the truth, but she never told us…This was the end of Jadus's 'Empire'."
"Until he returned now…What do you think he wants?"
"I can only go by what Atiel told Temple." Cassian sighed. "Something about freeing the galaxy from the yoke of force-sensitives…But why would a devout Sith want that?"
"Maybe someone assumed his identity?"
"I had that thought, but Atiel would never follow an impostor. It's almost impossible to trick her. It doesn't make much sense, but…"
"Commander!" A loud voice interrupted Cassian and Jaesa as a tall Chagrian soldier. Fideltin Rusk is one of Jac's former associates and a stern general. To see a man of his caliber distraught was a rarity. "I have news." He announced, making some of the people that surrounded them turn around and watch the discussion unfold.
"What is going on, soldier?"
"Our radars caught a star cruiser approaching Odessen just as it exited hyperspace. It is on its way to…"
Just before Rusk could finish, Cassian and Jaesa looked at the sky above them. An imperial starship emerged out of hyperspace, towering above Odessen. The coming was sudden, shocking many of those unfortunate enough to be on the balcony to see it. Some recoiled, others reflexively reached out for their blasters.
"A visit from the Empire?" Jaesa theorized, but Cassian's intuition hinted at something far more sinister.
"Be careful…" He warned moments before a large hologram emerged in front of the balcony, clearly translated from the ship's bridge. A tall man with dark hair, pale skin, and only one yellow eye overlooked the crowd that watched him in awe.
"Greetings, people of the Eternal Alliance. I trust you can hear me?" The man spoke calmly and confidently,
"Your name, now," Cassian responded in kind.
"I will take that as a yes. I am Archon Jadus." So it was him, after all. The revelation caused Cassian to feel his heart start beating faster while fear emerged in Jaesa's eyes beside him.
"Darth Jadus?"
"I do not cling on to that title. It doesn't define who I am any longer. And what of you? Does 'Emperor's Wrath' still hold any meaning to you, Cassian Narok?"
"You came here prepared…"
"I did. Our meeting was long overdue."
"I know you are behind the Copero conspiracy, Jadus. Those Chiss spies were your agents, too."
"So you got Vaylin to talk. An unimpressive achievement, but I'm glad you're not below my expectations."
"I am not here to play your games, Jadus. Why are you here?"
"To claim Odessen." The sheer certainty with which he spoke those words was both unnerving and absurd; he would not make this move without certainty of success, but what was his game? "I will give you one chance. Surrender and allow me to take control of your base; this is your only way to reduce casualties. If you refuse, I will take it by force."
"Are you serious?"
"Absolutely." Something didn't feel right, but Cassian had no other choice but to take his shot. He gave command to turret operatives, telling them to target Jadus's flagship and turn it to dust. Alliance's turrets might not have matched Gravestone's firepower, but they were still an incredibly formidable force that could damage any type of ship.
However, instead of shots, Cassian heard explosions.
"What was that? "Jaesa said with worry as Cassian felt the smell of smoke coming from the top of the base, right where turrets were supposed to be.
"How is this possible?" Rusk spoke up. "All our turrets went offline!"
Someone sabotaged them, making Odessen's base the perfect target for Jadus.
Moments after, the hologram disappeared, and the veil of hyperspace was pierced once again. A dozen more ships emerged, encircling Odessen in a blockade. There were flagships of both Republic and Imperial design, united in a single Armada that came to claim them. In a matter of seconds, the tides have turned, leaving members of the Alliance to watch in fear. How could he allow such a failure to happen? There must have been more traitors that avoided Cassian's gaze…
Moments later, countless small shuttles emerged from the cruisers and flew towards their base. There were no turrets to bring them down.
"Everyone, prepare!" Cassian commanded. "Stand behind me. We will defend the base with our lives!"
Before landing, the shuttles unleashed countless rockets on the balcony. Cassian raised his hands and attempted to deflect some of them into the shuttle. He took control over the one that was about to hit him, Jaesa and Rusk, managing to turn it back with a powerful push. The rocket hit one of the shuttles, causing its engine to explode as the ship itself fell down. However, this was but one of many. All other rockets hit the balcony and unleashed a series of powerful explosions all around it. Cassian felt the whirlwind of flame and dust surround him as the cacophony of agonized screams clawed into his ears. There was not enough time for them to prepare, and many fell to the onslaught. By the time dust had settled, the balcony was filled with corpses of soldiers and engineers alike.
"Damn it…" They couldn't fight spaceships, not in the open, where they could get easily shot. "Rusk, Jaesa, get survivors to safety. The war room, the lab, doesn't matter as long they're inside!"
"At once, commander!" Rusk said and rushed to aid the wounded, but Jaesa was not so eager.
"And you?"
"I'll hold them back and then join the others."
"I won't leave you behind!" Cassian was about to protest, but Jaesa was not wrong in her desire. He would need help if he were to face whoever Jadus brought with him. He sent a signal to Lana and others everyone would know that the base was under attack, but he wasn't sure whether this would be enough to defeat such a force.
The first shuttle to land opened its doors, allowing Cassian to look at a group of various warriors. Soldiers, operatives, a number of Zakuul knights, and even a Zabrak Sith woman with a crimson lightsaber and glowing yellow eyes. But the one that caught his eye was a fellow Chiss. The sniper stood front and center, surveying the base before her. Eventually, their eyes finally met.
"Atiel." The Sith Lord said with spite in his voice. He called her an ally once, the one who stood by his side as he stepped on Odessen for the first time.
"It's been a while, Cassian." She said calmly before stepping on the floor along with her squad. "Thank you for taking care of SCORPIO; it's a shame I wasn't there to see it."
"Have nothing to say for yourself, traitor?"
"I am only loyal to Lord Jadus, and he I will never betray." The Chiss said coldly and uncaringly. Afterward, she talked to her allies. "Seize this base. Kill anyone that resists."
Cassian was about to attack Atiel, but something stopped him. Another array of rockets launched towards the balcony from nearby spaceships. This time, however, there was something different about them. The vessels gleamed in violet color; they were filled with something different, the poison that could weaken or outright break one's force connection. Cassian still questioned how such creation was even possible, but it gave their opponents yet another massive advantage. It was no surprise that Jadus would use this weapon at any opportunity.
"Is it the poison?" Jaesa said with caution.
"Yes…" Even though only small and fading clouds of the poison reached Cassian, he could already feel his body ache, just like it was back on Nathema. This corrosion strokes his spirit, trying to force him into becoming a weak, defenseless man without his powers. Charging into the battle meant charging through the heart of this cloud and a certain death. They calculated everything.
The only option was to retreat to the war room.
…
When Cassian spoke of the galaxy and the Alliance chaining him, Vaylin felt something click. As if it resonated with her far more than it should have. Something that made her hope that he meant every single word made her want to know the truth. She told him about Jadus's involvement, the only information she knew, and he seemed genuinely grateful.
He promised to return to her tomorrow, and Vaylin couldn't wait to see whether he would fulfill his promise.
However, something radically different happened. Vaylin heard countless explosions outside as if someone had begun to ruthlessly bombard the Alliance base. Some kind of battle begun outside…Vaylin was torn between smiling at the fact that the Alliance was crumbling or being disappointed that she was still in her cell, unable to participate in the unfolding carnage. For some reason, a third feeling overtook those two. A feeling of heartache and worry sprang in her heart. As if she was in danger…But why would she be afraid? Simple bombs wouldn't take her, and even if she died, she would not be losing much. Yet she still felt afraid, unable to understand why.
Vaylin's musings were interrupted by the sound of steps coming from behind her chamber. Someone rushed through the corridor, quite many, in fact. The moment the door opened, Vaylin saw a soldier with blue skin and horns leading a group of people.
"Here, this place should be safe." The gruff soldier said. "Anyone with a weapon, follow me. Keep here and avoid making sounds; my squad will protect you."
"And miss out on all the fun?!" An angry, grey-skinned rattataki shouted. "Give me a blaster, and I'll blow those freaks to bits!"
"We don't have enough weapons on us, and the armory is cut off. Once Commander returns, I'll let you know."
"Listen to him, Kaliyo." A human man said. "We can prepare and rejoin the battle later. It would do us no good to throw ourselves into the fray."
"Scared, Major Bootlicker? You can stay and cower while I…"
"Enough!" The chagrian commanded. "We don't have time to argue. Just let me do Mu duty, and I'll let you know when it's safe to come out. Understood?"
"Fine, whatever…" Kaliyo sighed and walked into the room, followed by Major Quinn, one of Cassian's friends. "Don't come back crying about us not helping, Rusk."
"You too, Vette." The soldier said sternly.
"I…" Vaylin heard that voice, the twi'lek that clashed with her decor. "Seriously, with that psycho? We won't be safe! "
"She is restrained and has been immobilized for days now. It is definitely safer here than outside."
"I hope we don't regret this…" Vette said meekly and walked into the room.
"Let's go, soldiers, time to hunt," Rusk commanded to his remaining men and locked the door. Now Vaylin had three bumbling idiots to watch, lovely. She could already see them side-eyeing her in fear, especially Vette. The trio hid in the room and looked at each other awkwardly; the only sounds that broke this silence were the blasts from somewhere in the halls.
"Are you actually going to listen to that bore and keep your mouths shut?" Vaylin said in a mocking yet playful tone. She noticed Vette staring at her with both fear and anger, yet she continued to stay silent. "Come on, you aren't that boring, are you? You're just making me sad…You do realize that they will come here anyway, right? They will try and free me, and that retarded soldier couldn't even put two and two together." After this, Quinn eventually spoke as quietly as possible.
"Your…Attempts to provoke us are subpar and ineffective." He said, trying to maintain calm. "Even Kaliyo can do a better job."
"Now, what's that about?" Kaliyo side-eyed him. "I don't even have to try to annoy you; I'm an anarchist who damaged the Eternal Empire more than your military ass did; my existence is more than enough."
"Fine, I take my words back; you two deserve each other."
"You know, I kinda like you." Vaylin looked at Kaliyo. "Were you the one that attacked the spire? A shame Arcann never recruited you… You'd look way better in uniform."
"Yeah, and you'd look better as a corpse."
"Aww, you're touchy, too? I thought that being a whiner was that twi'lek's job." Vaylin nodded towards Vette.
"Maybe your voice just makes my ears bleed. Haven't thought of that?"
"How prickly…If you hate me so much, why don't you try and kill me now?"
"And face Commander's wrath? Nah, spare me." Kaliyo shook her head and looked away, allowing Vette to finally look up into Vaylin's eyes with manifesting spite.
"You… You're horrible!" The woman let out. "Do you know how many people you killed? There are those who lost family or friends because of you! Do you think they like that you're keeping here?! Cassian is being very kind to you, kinder…Kinder than you deserve!" She stuttered. "He talks to you, brings you food, sends guards away because they're being mean to you… Don't you understand that it's just because he pities you?" Vette said, making Vaylin feel her heart skip a beat.
"What? No…He wouldn't fall so low. I know him!" She felt a sudden urge to argue, something breaching through her seemingly impenetrable defense.
"I spent years by his side; you don't know him better than me! He saw you being tortured by those…Those animals! I know him…He isn't usually as selfless. He showed kindness to me, to you, we're both very damn lucky! But you repay his kindness by continuing to mock us and prove everyone else right! Prove that you're just a cruel, evil…"
Before she could finish, Vaylin heard the echo of lightsaber slashes from just behind the door. Moments after, a crimson blade pierced it and began to cut its way through. Vette quickly turned around with fear emerging in her eyes once again, giving way to her shaking hands. Quinn and Kaliyo recoiled, too. There was nothing they could do without their weapons. Vaylin, meanwhile, could just sit in her chair and watch…
When the door was broken from the other side, Vaylin saw a young Zabrak woman with a red lightsaber in her eyes, who must have been a Sith. She stood with a proud smile on her face, and dismembered limbs and torsos spread through the floor. Rusk's severed head was among them.
"I found them!" The woman shouted, calling someone to her side. Quinn, Kaliyo, and Vette stood together. Their fates were at the enemy's hands. "Now you have nowhere to run.
"Come on, do your worst!" Kaliyo taunted. "I've seen far scarier."
"Try not to provoke her, will you?" Quinn added with notable annoyance.
"What do you want from us?" Vette shouted; she expected an answer from the Sith, but another voice responded, the one Vaylin could remember.
"From you? Nothing, you are simply in our way." Atiel said as she and three armed soldiers appeared in the doorway.
"Fuck me…" Kaliyo recoiled and frowned as if she had just seen a phantom. Perhaps to her, that's exactly what this meeting was. "You?!"
"You sound surprised," Atiel said calmly and walked into the room. "If you want to live, follow my instructions. Hands up and get to the wall. Remain there until I allow you to move."
Vette was the first one to submit, putting her hands behind her head and moving aside. Quinn followed her soon.
"As long as it doesn't escalate…" The Major said quietly and moved aside.
"Kaliyo?" Atiel asked. "Do you need me to repeat my instructions?"
"The gall…I knew you were one arrogant bitch, but to come back here as if nothing happened, seriously?! You convinced me to join this shithole of an Alliance, promised profit and Zakuul's total destruction…And then you just abandon me here with those freaks? Running away without even leaving a note to join some conspiracy?"
"Last warning. Move."
"Or what? Gonna threaten me? I know how this goes, it's…"
With one swift blaster shot, one corpse fell to the floor. Atiel didn't hesitate to end Kaliyo's rant, forcing the room to fall into silence. It didn't last long, however, for the zabrak Sith approached Vaylin's cell.
"Is this Vaylin?"
"Yes," Atiel said as she approached her.
"The Empress and the High Justice?"
"Precisely…"
"So I'm famous now?" Vaylin chuckled. "I wonder why…Anyway, free me, and let's be done with it. I want to have some fun, too."
"Yes, of course…" Atiel sounded strange, almost dreamy. Definitely far too distracted. Vaylin could sense the hesitation in her spirit as if she wasn't willing to make a move. Of course, it shouldn't be a surprise, not with her reputation as a chaotic wildcard. Atiel and Jadus might have used her for their plans, but they were still afraid. Vaylin tried to hold back her smile as she saw this, the untouchable Imperial Agent, uncertain whether she should play with fate.
"Found it." The Sith said as she pressed the button. Atiel shivered for a split second but quickly regained her composure and took a deep breath.
"Good…Our lord awaits us."
Vaylin could feel her restraints breaking in a matter of seconds. It felt delightful, especially her force fusing with her body once again.
It was time to have some fun.