Chapter 8: Leaving Taris

Ralph was having a very bad feeling. Strange things were happening around him. First, he had let that prisoners inside the Governor's office and now the droid and turrets around him had deactivated all of a sudden. The first thing he thought about was a power failure, but that was not possible. The base had a backup generator to power all defenses in case of an emergency, not to mention the lights were still on.

He was shocked out of his wits when the alarm started wailing. A voice crackled through the intercom. *Attention all personnel, there has been a security breach. The west wing has been compromised. All personnel defend the west wing, repeat, all personnel defend the west wing.*

This was beyond strange; this was definitely not standard procedure. Despite his doubts he grabbed his weapon tight and started running towards the west wing. Disobeying a command in an emergency situation was simply not done, as was taught harshly during their training. On his way there he was joined by many soldiers, all abandoning their posts and following the orders from the intercom.

When he reached the main hall that connected the west wing with the east and south wings, he found out that it was completely abandoned. Every soldier had gone to defend the west wing. Seeing the base undefended got him very anxious. His suspicion got the better of him and he carefully opened the door into the south wing that housed the entrance. The last thing he saw was a Wookiee aiming a massive bowcaster at him.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Blue, that was absolutely awesome!" Dawn grinned, while sitting on the bed inside the abandoned apartment with the launch codes safely tucked away in her inner pocket. "That alarm was absolutely convincing, how the heck did you manage that?"

The Twi'lek looked extremely proud and happy with the compliment. "A bit of me and a bit of Mister Gears," she said with a nod at T3-M4. "After sneaking in and finding a security terminal he got rid of its firewalls like it was nothing. Full access to the security system. My little voice generating program took care of the rest."

"You're a very valuable asset to the team, Mission," Bastila said with an approving smile. "The blueprints you had stolen were very valuable for our preparations, but that diversion was absolutely terrific. Without it I doubt we would've gotten out alive."

"Thank you, Lady Knight Shan," the small thief said timidly. She was clearly glad being praised by the Jedi Knight.

Bastila turned to Willow, Zaalbar and Carth. "You three also did an excellent job."

Zaalbar did his best to mutter his thanks,

"Praise should go to Mission," said Willow. "Also, for Sarryn for the quick thinking with the Hidden Beks when they wanted our Sith uniforms."

"You should've seen Bastila, Blue," Dawn said. "The closest thing I've ever seen to a Jedi Knight was my sister." She looked at Bastila. "You're fighting styles are different, but you remind me of Buffy."

"She must be a good person," said Bastila.

"The best," said Willow. "From what Dawn and I have gathered from what we've been told of your Order, you and Buffy share similar ideals. There are some differences of course, but not much."

"We should start planning what we're going to do when we head to this Davik Kang's house," said Dawn.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Dawn, Willow and Bastila were cramped in the back of a small shuttle together with Sarryn. The Mandalorian was flying the vehicle to bring them to the mansion of Davik Kang, where they would hopefully steal a ship fast enough to escape the planet. They had left Carth, T3, Mission and Zaalbar behind to be picked up as they left the planet. They figured the less that went to Kang's estate the better their odds were. Zaalbar had objected to the plan immediately, reminding them of his life-debt with Dawn. Dawn had patiently explained that the plan as discussed wouldn't work if he was with her. That Davik Kang would question why a potential slave would have a Wookiee guardian. The story they were to tell Davik Kang was that Dawn, Willow and Bastila were Sarryn's slaves. Zaalbar reluctantly agreed to remain behind.

Sarryn grinned at Bastila. "Like what you see, Knight Shan?" he asked when he noticed Bastila looking at him.

"That totally depends on what you're referring to," answered Bastila.

"I think you know exactly what I'm referring to," Sarryn answered with a wide gesture at Bastila's body.

Dawn rolled her eyes. "Can we leave that talk for after the mission," she suggested.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Kang's estate was located at the very top of a large skyscraper, overlooking the endless city beneath. Not only the location was topnotch, the massive mansion was also luxuriously decorated and expensively furnished. As Dawn followed Sarryn with Bastila and Willow she looked around with a mixture of disgust and awe. The marble, thick carpets and classy paintings were a tad too much to her liking, but she did realize this was where the true money was. It looked more like it belonged to a noble than to a crime lord.

In the enormous living area they were introduced to the man himself. Davik Kang was a human man in his early sixties wearing a suit with perfect cut. Dawn could easily see why the Exchange had chosen him as their local leader on Taris. He was a man that looked like he could stand his own, a man that made you think twice before crossing him.

Kang was accompanied by two men, one of which Dawn, Willow and Sarryn recognized as Calo Nord, the short bounty hunter. The other guy they didn't know. "Ah, so you are the promising new mercenary I've been hearing so much about," the crime lord greeted Sarryn. He studied the man from top to bottom. "Arena champion, swoop race champion, vanquisher of Brejik… where does the list stop?"

Sarryn smirked confidently. "Currently at the assassination of Lord Malak, haven't quite come around to that one yet."

The crime lord barked a laugh. "Canderous hasn't said a word too much, your confidence leaves nothing to be desired." He looked at Bastila, Dawn and Willow curiously. "Who are the spares?"

"Just my slaves," Sarryn said, without even granting a glance at his companions. "Done a bit of slaving back on Nar Shaddaa. Couldn't help but keep these little candies to myself."

Kang studied the supposed slaves and a small smile curled around his lips. "A connoisseur I see. You must be someone who enjoys the finer things in life."

Sarryn made a wide gesture at the exorbitantly luxurious mansion and allowed himself a small smile. "Don't we all?"

The crime lord laughed and smacked Sarryn amiably on the shoulder. "Self-assured and a tad audacious. I like you." He grabbed Sarryn around the shoulders and walked him to the window. It gave them a panoramic view of the city of Taris. "This city. God damn, this city right here… I love it. Lived here all my life. Started as a lowlife thug in the Lower City. Was a gangster, a bounty hunter, a mercenary… took every shitty job I could get my hands on."

"We all start on the lowest step of the criminal ladder," Sarryn mused. Kang still had his arm wrapped around his shoulders like he was his son.

"Damn right we do. But what sets the thugs aside from the leaders is vision. I was a visionary; I saw the true potential of this forsaken planet. Back in the day I was the first to start organizing crime around these parts. Successfully too, it didn't take long for the Exchange to notice me. With their help I expanded my criminal network over the entire globe. No matter where you go in this city, I own it."

"An all-encompassing network of organized crime," Sarryn smirked. "The Sith can't like that."

"The Sith Empire and the Exchange have come to a very satisfying agreement," Kang answered. "At least, under Revan it was still satisfying. With Malak behind the wheel things are quickly turning bad. It gives to think how much longer this situation will hold."

He saw Sarryn's face scrunched up in thought and sighed. "Ah, but that's none of your concern." He finally let go of Sarryn's shoulder and moved to the sitting area. He sat down on a comfortable couch and indicated Sarryn to take a seat in the couch in front of him. Nord and the unknown man went to stand behind Kang, while Dawn, Willow, Bastila and Ordo stood behind Sarryn.

"Tell me a bit about you," he asked when they were sitting face-to-face. "You pop up out of nowhere, defeat Twitch in the arena, win the most important swoop tournament, kill a gang leader and then knock on my door, asking if you can join the Exchange's upper echelons." He picked up an expensive bottle of whiskey that had been standing on the table and filled two glasses with the brown liquid. He handed Sarryn one of them and sat back in the couch. He took a sip from his drink and studied the man with keen interest. "What's up with that?"

Sarryn also took a sip and enjoyed the flavor of the expensive liquid for a moment, giving him time to think of his answer. "I have been a smalltime criminal up to this point. Mostly minor offenses, burglary, extortion, bounty hunting…" His eye skimmed over Dawn, Willow and Bastila for a second, who was standing submissively behind him. "…slaving. Don't get me wrong, the money and rewards were more than good. I've been living a very comfortable life up to this point."

Sarryn sighed deeply and took another sip of the whiskey. "But one day I thought to myself: is this everything? I had always taken care of my body and my mind, trained myself into a carefully honed weapon. But what is the point of all that brain and all that muscle if you waste it on mindless jobs that any thug could take? And then I realized continuing this life would waste me away, destroy me from the inside. It was time for a new challenge."

He gave Kang a meaningful look. "The Exchange is such a challenge worthy of my skill. I believe your organization has jobs for me that will push me to my full potential. And your organization will greatly benefit from having me as well, and that's not overconfidence. The victory in the arena? The victory in the swoop race? Killing Brejik? All done to get the Exchange to notice me, nothing more."

Kang laughed. "It certainly worked." They finished their glasses and Kang poured them another one. When he sat back with glass in hand, he gave Sarryn a serious look. "You seem ambitious. Where do you see yourself within five years inside this organization?"

"As your established and respected right-hand." Sarryn smiled and added a pinch of mischief to that smile. "Ready to take over control when you go on a carefree and well-earned retirement."

For a moment Kang studied him in surprise and Sarryn worried he had gone a step too far. Suddenly Kang burst out in amused laughter. "You are self-assured and ambitious, my god. And you got the brains too, I'm impressed."

"Sir, if I may," the unknown man behind him interrupted. He had been shifting on his feet for a while, shooting angry glances at Sarryn constantly. "Don't you think this man is overambitious? I mean, he makes no secret of his plans, becoming the new Exchange leader of Taris. Do you truly think it's wise to invite such a man into our ranks?"

Kang briefly glanced at his mercenary, then looked back to Sarryn. "Holdan makes a fair point. Why should we trust you?"

Dawn's eyes flickered briefly upwards as she remembered Dia. She noticed that Sarryn too recognized the name. It couldn't be a coincidence they had finally bumped into him.

"Are you the man that tried to rape Dia?" Sarryn asked in a low tone, ignoring Kang's question for a moment.

Holdan looked shocked. "How the hell…?"

"You are, aren't you? But the girl didn't like getting abused, didn't she? The little girl bit back, slashing open your face."

"I thought you got that scar from a group of Black Vulkars that overwhelmed you?" Ordo asked, looking absolutely disgusted.

"Oh no," Sarryn said darkly. "He got it from a tiny woman he failed to rape. To save his face he put a bounty on her head, didn't even dare dealing with her himself."

"Is this true, Holdan?" Kang asked, looking extremely disapproving. Even the stoic Nord looked at Holdan with a look of contempt.

"He is lying," Holdan spat. "I don't know what kind of conspiracy this is to besmirch my good name, but I won't have it. If I had wanted to rape this… Dia or whatever, I certainly wouldn't have been scared away."

"Care to prove that statement?" Sarryn asked with a challenging look, while stroking the hilt of his blade.

Holdan looked a bit uncertain, but he didn't back down, eager to save his face. "You bet I will. I can defeat you in a dual any day."

"That's an excellent idea," Kang said with an approving nod. "It gives us a chance to see Saber's skill for ourselves. My hangar has enough space for you two children to do your worst."

"If you lose you will lift that bounty from Dia's head," Sarryn demanded.

"I don't know what bounty you're talking about," Holdan growled. "And I certainly won't lose."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Sarryn hated to admit it, but Holdan hadn't gotten his position of Kang's top dog by slithering and smooth talking alone; the mercenary was genuinely skilled with the vibrosword. Not only were his hits accurate and moderately fast, they also packed quite a punch. Sarryn had to strain himself when parrying his blows and his solid defense gave him little opportunity for countering.

The two of them were locked in their deadly dance inside the massive hangar. To Sarryn's left were his spectators: Ordo, Dawn, Willow, Bastila, Kang and Nord. To his right stood the massive Ebon Hawk.

The steel of his blade passed Sarryn's face by only inches. His eyes grew wide from shock and Holdan laughed maliciously. "Look at you, all nicely dressed up, but hardly able to see a blade coming. You're nothing but a poser." He had continued to mock Sarryn throughout their fight and Sarryn realized Holdan was slowly getting to him.

There was a pause in the melee and Holdan used it to taunt Sarryn once more: "You're just worthless, why don't you just kill yourself? The galaxy would be better off without you."

And then Sarryn was thrown into another vision. He recognized Dawn's sister Buffy and another woman.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"What? I'm sorry, but I'm just not getting this. I'm full of love," said Buffy. "Which is nice to know. And then… love will lead me to my gift?"

"Yes," said the other woman.

"I'm getting a gift? Or do you mean I have a gift to give to someone else?" asked Buffy confused.

"Death is your gift."

"Death is my gift," said Buffy.

"Death is your gift."

Buffy shook her head. "Okay. No. Death is not a gift. My mother just died and I know about this. It's not a gift I want and it's not a gift I want to give to anyone else. If I have to kill demons because it helps the world, then I kill demons, but it's not a gift to anybody."

Suddenly Buffy looked straight past the other woman and Sarryn realized she was looking straight at him. "Do not die, rule number one of being a Slayer," she told him. "If you do then Dawn will be next. Then my sister along with Willow will be lost to me forever. You have to protect those I care for so that they can help you to reach your destiny."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

A major headache was pounding in Sarryn's brain when he woke up. He tried to get a sense of his surroundings and realized he was lying in a bed. Memories of the devastating flashback flooded her brain and she frantically tried to remember how she ended up here.

"You're awake," Bastila's voice came softly. Sarryn opened his eyes and found himself in a strange room. She was e sitting on the edge of the comfortable bed and looked extremely worried. Nearby stood Willow and Dawn.

"Dawn, Willow, Knight Shan?" Sarryn muttered. "What happened?"

"What can you remember?" Bastila asked. Her careful tone and worried face betrayed that something extremely bad had just happened and he did his best not to panic.

"Holdan he… taunted me. Suddenly… darkness."

"What did you see?" Sarryn shook his head, but Bastila pressed on. "Sarryn! What did you see?"

Sarryn looked directly at Dawn. "Death is your gift, that's what the woman told your sister. Then your sister said it wasn't a gift for anyone, that your mother had just died and that she wouldn't wish that on anyone." He didn't tell them that Buffy had given him a warning, that she had spoken straight to him.

Bastila looked toward Dawn and Willow. Dawn glanced at Willow who nodded. "What you saw was Buffy's intervention," Willow said. "Buffy and Giles went out into the desert on a vision quest. The woman you saw in your vision was very likely the First Slayer. That was why Buffy was set to die for Dawn, because of that vision. Buffy had realized that since Dawn had been created from her blood, that she could die in Dawn's place so that Dawn wouldn't have to."

"Something to discuss further later," Bastila said as she looked back at Sarryn. "Do you remember killing Holdan?"

"Kill Holdan?" The question confused Sarryn. "I killed Holdan? No way! There's no way!" Panic threatened to take over, but Bastila placed a soothing hand on his forehead.

"Calm down and think," Bastila said firmly. "You used the Force to choke him. Don't you remember that at all?"

'Was that what Dawn's sister meant by protecting Dawn?' Sarryn wondered. "I did what?" he said aloud. "How is that even possible? I'm no Jedi! Knight Shan, what's going on here?" He wanted to get out of the bed, but Bastila pressed him firmly down.

"Relax. Everything will be okay, you're safe now. Take a few deep breaths."

Sarryn did as he was told and indeed calmed down. For almost a full minute he lay in the bed, still with Bastila's hand on his forehead. "How could this have happened?" he asked.

"I have a theory," Bastila slowly said. "No more than a theory, really. The taunt caused the vision. What exactly did you see, everything, Sarryn?"

"Buffy, Dawn's sister, she talked to me," Sarryn answered. "She looked directly at me and talked to me. Told me to protect Dawn. That if I failed, that she would never see her sister or Willow ever again. Told me that I needed to protect them so they could help me fulfill my destiny."

"In the urge to protect Dawn, you must have reached out to me somehow. I believe you and I share a Force Bond," said Bastila. "Through the bond you took the ability to Force choke from my mind and used it on your enemy."

"If Sarryn has this bond with you," said Dawn. "Does that mean I share one with him? And through him with you? Since he is seeing things from my past and I am seeing things from yours."

"It is possible," said Bastila. "I don't know for sure. I know very little about Force bonds."

Dawn and Sarryn looked at each other. It made sense, somewhat. He and Dawn were strongly connected to each other, that much had been clear from the very start. Which meant maybe he really had ripped the skill from Bastila's head in his panic.

Sarryn got out of the bed, his headache had subsided. "So how did I end up here? Didn't Kang suspect anything and kill me right away?"

"It was a very confusing moment. Holdan just dropped dead and you were looking like you were having a seizure. I think Kang suspects something, but he wanted to hear your side of the story. The Mandalorian is talking to him right now."

"We need to get out of here," said Sarryn.

But before they could exit the suite a group of mercenaries came through the door. Bastila and Sarryn attacked the mercenaries as they were the only ones to have weapons. Sarryn fired his blaster as Bastila, used her yellow lightsaber that she had hidden somewhere within the folds of her clothes, with the intent to kill. The criminals truly didn't know what hit them as one after another dropped dead. It was then they noticed that Canderous was standing in the door.

"I was coming to warn you that Davik is less than happy with your little show against Holdan," Ordo said. "He had decided to have you killed. Apparently, my timing was just a little off."

There was the sound of an enormous explosion somewhere close. No sooner had the noise pounded their eardrums or the ground started shaking violently, toppling them over. The entire building around them moaned from the massive strain that it suddenly had to endure. "An earthquake?" Bastila asked in disbelief once the shaking had subsided a bit.

"Impossible," the Mandalorian answered. "This part of Taris doesn't lie on a fault line, natural earthquakes just don't occur here."

Thumping noises were all around them, some far away, some a bit closer. It sounded like hell. "What could possibly make such tremendous noises?" Sarryn asked, eyes wide in shock. "And make the ground shake like this?"

"I can think of only one thing." Bastila's face had gone pale as a sheet. "To the Ebon Hawk!"

Bastila rushed out into the hallway. Dawn, Willow, Sarryn and Ordo followed. The ground kept shaking, which made it hard to keep a steady run. The hallway led back into the large living room, where Dawn, Willow, Ordo and Sarryn found Bastila standing in front of the panoramic window. The knight had stopped dead in her tracks and was staring out of the window with a mixture of horror and disbelief in her eyes. Her face was illuminated by red flashes with irregular intervals. With leaden step Dawn, Willow and Sarryn approached her and turned to look out of the window as well.

The incomprehensible evil taking place on the other side of the glass was enough to make their hearts stop.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

A minute earlier, Carth, Mission and Zaalbar had been standing just outside of the landing zone that had been picked out. They were in a corner away from the sight of any patrols, trying to keep from being noticed. T3 was next to them, patiently waiting.

Zaalbar was still as Mission played a solo game of pazaak. Carth was pacing in place when a loud boom echoed through the city. "The hell?" he asked, staring up. "Is that…thunder?"

The ground shook suddenly along with more booms. Carth raced over to a sidewalk where he could look up. He saw a streak of red-light sail from the sky to strike a skyscraper, blowing the top ten floors to pieces. Another bolt smashed the rest and suddenly the skies seemed to be raining with cannon fire, the towers of Taris wilting under the attack.

"Oh my God," Carth whispered. He had only seen this happen once before, when the Sith had blown up his homeworld of Telos. He swallowed and turned to the stunned Twi'lek and Wookiee. "Come on!" He began to run toward the door of the estate. The two guards had already run, seeing the chaos and seeking some sort of shelter.

"What about the signal?" Mission called out.

"If the Sith bombing us to hell doesn't count as a signal to haul ass, I don't know what does!" Carth told them.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Everywhere Dawn, Willow, Bastila and Sarryn eye could see the city was in flames, smoke and collapsing buildings. A deadly hail of red laser beams was raining down on the planet, destroying everything in its wake. Skyscrapers and smaller buildings alike, all became prey of the searing hot fire and brimstone that rained down from the clouded heavens. The scale of the attack betrayed that not a single soul was to be saved… all of them would face the wrath of whatever being was up there passing judgment on the planet.

A deadly cold feeling had settled in Dawn's stomach. There were people out there in those buildings, millions – no, billions of people. They were all being wiped out with a detached carelessness that she just couldn't understand. This wasn't done by a human being; it simply couldn't be. She knew she was fooling herself. She had heard enough about Malak to know he had ordered this attack.

Dawn pulled out a commlink from within the folds of her clothes and spoke into it, "Carth, get Mission and Zaalbar and get in here, quick."

"We're already moving, do you have the ship?" Carth asked.

"We will in a few minutes," answered Dawn before clicking the commlink off.

"…the Sith are bombing the entire planet, I knew those bastards would turn on us one day. We must get to the Ebon Hawk and pray that…" Davik Kang had entered the living area where Sarryn, Dawn, Willow, Bastila and Ordo were watching the ongoing onslaught. He had slipped on a heavy plated combat suit – that for some mysterious reason was painted pink – and was talking hurriedly to Calo Nord. When he spotted them, he stopped dead in his tracks. "Well, well… if it isn't the Jedi. Or should I say… Sith?"

Another loud explosion could be heard nearby, coupled with the thundering noise of a collapsing building. The entire floor was shaking underneath them for a while, until it subsided back into the soft vibrations that had been constantly plaguing the mansion since the first attack. "There's no time for this," Nord told his boss. "Let's get rid of them and be on our way." Not waiting for the approval of Kang he drew his double blasters and opened fire on the group.

The five of them rolled out of the way, Willow, Bastila and Ordo to the right, Sarryn and Dawn to the left. Kang engaged Sarryn and Dawn with his vibrosword. Just in time to parry Sarryn drew his vibrosaber. Dawn gave Kang a low kick in the gut, making him stumble back and giving her and Sarryn time to get in a battle stance.

The old crime lord didn't even bother with conversation, he was just eager to get them out of the way and try to escape Taris. His determination powered his blows as he attacked Sarryn and Dawn again. Sarryn and Dawn each quickly activated their melee shields and went at the old man with exactly the same determination. Despite his age he was still a good match for the pair. What he lacked in the power and speed department he made up for excellent skill, having honed it for decades.

Kang launched a flurry of well-aimed hits followed by a powerful slash from above. Sarryn parried them all and Dawn pushed the old man back. Sarryn then launched into a powerful slash. Kang did manage to parry, but Sarryn and Dawn pressed the attack. A second slash broke through Dawn's melee shield in a single hit and the third was met by the armor mesh under her clothes, sending sparks flying in the air.

Kang launched a quick counterattack this time at Sarryn, but Sarryn rolled nimbly out of its reach, ending up on his flank. In all his might Sarryn stabbed at him and the vibrating steel of his saber penetrated the weaker hinge of the armor underneath the armpit. When he pulled back Kang's arm fell limply beside him and his sword dropped on the floor. Dawn quickly scooped it up.

Sarryn quickly sliced Kang's throat to dispose of the threat as fast as possible and not causing him unnecessary pain. As Kang dropped limply to the floor a massive explosion could be heard directly overhead. For a moment Sarryn and Dawn's vision became white and their hearing was replaced by a high whiz. The impact caused a part of the roof to collapse, which came thundering down in a cloud of white dust.

Their hearing and vision slowly returned, just as slowly as the dust settled. When they got most of their senses back and most of the dust out of their systems, their eyes grew wide in shock as they frantically looked around the room in search of Bastila, Willow and Ordo. They saw the Mandalorian covered in white dust, but there was no trace of Willow, Bastila or Nord.

Terror overwhelmed Dawn and she quickly made her way past Ordo, who was out of breath. "They and Calo were exactly where the roof collapsed."

Sarryn joined Dawn at the rubble and they desperately started searching for Willow and Bastila. A sudden movement caught Dawn's eye; someone was pushing rubble out of the way. Through the clouds of white dust that lay heavy in the air they recognized the two women.

"Bastila! Willow!" Dawn called as she rushed over to Willow and helped her get out of the debris and stand up. "Are you alright, Will?"

Sarryn rushed over to the Bastila and helped her get out of the debris and stand up. "Are you alright?" he asked Bastila.

Bastila and Willow were coughing violently and knocking the dust out of their clothes.

"I'm fine, Dawnie," Willow assured her friend.

"I'm fine," Bastila assured Sarryn. "Used the Force to dampen the fall of the rubble." Her eyes hovered over the remains of the roof. "I don't think that mercenary was as lucky though."

A nearby explosion made them remember the danger they were in. "Come on you four," Ordo called. He was kneeling at the body of Kang. "I've found the pass card to open the hangar and the key to the Ebon Hawk. Time to move!"

The Mandalorian had already rushed off to the hangar and the four of them quickly followed suit. He rammed the pass card in the security console and gained access to hangar control. Fortunately, the hangar doors weren't unhinged from the earlier impact and they slowly rolled open. Chased by the terrifying noises of a city under siege they hurried into the Ebon Hawk.

Ordo wasted no time to head for the cockpit and fire up the mighty engine. Once the loading ramp was closed shut, he lifted off and flew it out of the hangar. "I hope there is time to save your friends," he told them as Bastila, Dawn, Sarryn and Willow entered the cockpit.

Dawn looked grimly out of the window. "We're not leaving them behind. Fly to the landing zone we picked out."

Bastila looked pale. "There is no time to pick up those Republic marines from Zelka's clinic. We're going to have to leave them behind."

Mission, Carth, Zaalbar and T3-M4 were already waiting at the discussed landing zone. The area was miraculously unharmed, but the sounds of warfare lay heavy around them. When the Ebon Hawk had landed Dawn lowered the ramp and helped her friends inside.

Once the group had entered Dawn closed the ramp shut and the Ebon Hawk immediately lifted off. "Better get buckled in," she told them. She looked at Zaalbar for a moment refraining to tell the Wookiee how close she came to possibly dying today. She knew because of his life debt he would not take it well.

Carth headed straight for the cockpit as Dawn and Willow stumbled leaning against the holoprojector. Ordo was steering the ship up towards the heavens. Thanks to the launch codes they weren't attacked by the anti-air guns, but the lasers from above were just as lethal.

Ordo managed to evade the flurry of deadly lasers and it didn't take long before they left the planet's atmosphere. The mighty Sith fleet came into view and they witnessed hundreds of massive ships firing countless rows of turrets at the planet.

"What are they doing?" Mission demanded to know. "Why are they firing at the city?"

"Incoming fighters," Ordo bellowed before Sarryn could answer the girl. "Brace yourself, I'm activating the automatic defense turret. It'll be a rough ride." Sure, enough a squadron of fighters approached the Ebon Hawk and wasted no time to open fire at them. The small fighters managed to land a number of blasts at their ship, but the shields didn't give way and protected the hull. The small turret on top of their ship fired away mercilessly at the smaller ships. After a few more attacks the fighters were disposed of.

It was then they heard a yell of pain. Mission, followed by Carth and Bastila ran into the main command center at the heart of the ship to see Dawn, Willow and Sarryn gasping in pain. He was on the floor while Dawn and Willow still leaned against a holographic projector, all three of them grasping their heads.

"Dawn?" Mission said as she rushed to the older girl's side and shook her by the shoulders. "Dawn!" Dawn didn't seem to hear.

"What's wrong with them?" Carth asked the Jedi.

Bastila gravely nodded. "As I feared…they're feeling it."

"Feeling what?" Mission questioned.

"Everyone." Bastila's face was drawn. "Every death on this planet is echoing through the Force. Millions at once, all in pain and agony and it's overwhelming them."

"Why not you?" Carth asked.

"I've had training," Bastila stated. "Even so, it's a struggle. They can't block out the effects as I can, it's hitting them all at once. Once we get away, it should be better for them." She looked at Carth. "Plot a course for Dantooine," she demanded.

Carth nodded as he rushed back to the bridge and to the navigation computer and started working on it, while Ordo steered the ship through the enemy fleet with impressive speed. It didn't take long before they passed the last row of hostile cruisers and with the flick of a button Carth sent the ship hurling into hyperspace.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Bastila entered the hold to see Dawn, Willow and Sarryn sitting in the main room. The three of them appeared a little shocked, though she could see that Dawn and Willow were more shocked than Sarryn was. She knelt between Dawn and Willow and placed a hand at their backs.

"How are you feeling?" Bastila softly asked the three of them.

"Better, I guess," Sarryn said. He was sitting on a small seat by the hologram projector, rubbing his temples. "I wasn't…I wasn't expecting that at all. All those faces and voices…It's been…"

"A trying experience," Bastila interjected. "Yes, I can imagine. This connection you three have to the Force…" She looked at the redheaded witch. "Yes, even you, Willow. It surprises me that you aren't seeing the visions that Dawn and Sarryn are." She sighed. "…This is another important reason we should be on Dantooine. I believe the Council must be told of this as soon as possible."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Mission was sleeping when Dawn entered the portside dorm. She quickly stripped down to her underwear and took the bunk below the Twi'lek. She spent some time rolling around, mulling over the terrors she had felt because of a connection the Force. The cruelties had been so unfathomable, so out of proportion. She rolled over again and heard movement above her.

Mission climbed out of her bunk and looked at Dawn. "Can I please sleep with you tonight?" she asked with a quivering voice.

"Of course," Dawn immediately answered, while holding up the sheets. The Twi'lek climbed in and pinned herself against the human. Dawn wrapped her arms around the girl and pulled her close.

"Zaerdra is dead, isn't she?" Mission whispered.

"Blue…"

"Dawn, please tell me truth. I need to know the truth." Her voice nearly broke and Dawn could feel something break inside her as well.

Dawn hesitated. Because of what she had felt she was sure the answer was yes. "I don't know," she lied. "Bastila told you what Sarryn, Willow and I…"

"Yes," Mission answered.

"I've never felt anything like that. I've heard of stuff like that happening though. She may have been lucky, there is just no way of knowing." Mission started crying and clung on to her. "I'm so sorry, Blue."

"We had just made up," Mission wailed. "She finally wanted to see me again and now she's dead. It's so unfair."

"It is unfair, Blue." Dawn started stroking Mission's back in small circles in an attempt to calm her down, just as her own mother and later Buffy had done for her.

"This is all Malak's fault, isn't it?" Mission's tone had become harsh through her sobs. "He did this to Taris, didn't he?"

"Yes, this is all Malak's fault."

The girl pulled back her head and looked Dawn in the eyes. "You are strong. You must punish him for what he has done."

"I'm just a girl like you, I don't know if I could fight him and win."

"No!" Mission sounded absolutely adamant. "You are Force sensitive. You must become a Jedi Knight and kill him. Lady Shan will help you become one, I'm sure of it." She buried her wet face in Dawn's neck again. "You are strong. Please, you must stop him."

"I can't promise that I will kill him," said Dawn. "But I will make an oath that I will try. I will do everything to achieve that goal. Everything."

"Thank you," Mission muttered. "I'll stand beside you all the way."

Dawn locked the girl safely in her arms and whispered her thanks. Mission had calmed down from her words and it took her only minutes to fall asleep between the protective arms of her boss, exhausted from everything that had happened. Dawn lay awake thinking for a while longer, but eventually the rhythm of Mission's soft snores lulled her asleep as well.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In the Captain's quarters just behind the cockpit, Bastila was making her report to the Jedi Council. She had just told them about the fact that she and Sarryn shared a bond. That Sarryn shared one with Dawn and that Dawn very likely shared one with Willow.

"This is not unforeseen," said Master Vandar. "As you know she mysteriously appeared on the Endar Spire. Even here on Dantooine we felt her arrival in the Force. We have even gotten calls from Masters all across the galaxy on missions who felt her arrival. If you are correct and she is a Child of the Force, then she may be the one that the prophecy that was written down during the beginnings of our Order speaks of."

"You are referring to the prophecy of the Chosen One, who would bring balance to the Force," said Bastila.

"It is possible," Vandar said. "Only time will tell if she is the one or not."