A quick snap of her fingers was more than enough to take the life of a weakened foe falling to the floor of the landing bay. Vaylin would've delighted in hearing the defeated Mandalorian's attempt to breathe as she broke his fragile neck if it wasn't for Father's presence. She never showed any signs of it, but his arrogance, his confidence, and the feeling of superiority with which he always looked at her and her brothers still made her seethe. Vaylin had to remind herself her chains were broken; he couldn't hurt her with words anymore, and neither could any of his pathetic puppets that stood before her.
"He can't even protect his own people!" Vaylin scoffed as she looked at the Madalorian's lifeless corpse. Cassian, the Outlander and father's main host, rushed towards Torian's body. He knelt down to check his pulse. Did he truly believe that Vaylin would leave her enemies any chance to survive? She could feel the hatred and rage coming from the hearts of Cassian's companions, Lana and Jacques. Vaylin didn't have a habit of learning her enemies's names, but those two were always by Cassian's side, his most trusted and most powerful advisors. She had more than enough conflicts with them to remember.
"You sick, twisted…" Jacques clenched his fist. He would've said something worse, but he tried to hold back his rage; how typical of a weak-spirited Jedi. "Torian didn't deserve to die like that!"
"Now we are going to make you suffer before you die!" Lana added, making Vaylin chuckle. At least Sith knew how to have real fun sometimes. She welcomed the bloodthirsty attitude. But they were insignificant; their anger was clear and predictable. She could sense it well. The Outlander was different; his pain was harder to trace no matter how hard she tried…Was it because of the father's influence? No, there were times when his feelings were far clearer, even when Valkorion controlled him.
"If you think that this is enough to break my spirit, you are sorely mistaken, Vaylin." He said in a stern and pained voice before standing up and looking at her with his red eyes. What a disappointing response…Vaylin expected more. She came here to scorch the eternal alliance and annihilate any resistance to the eternal Empire, but more importantly, destroy Cassian and Father. With his demise, she would finally be able to rest easy. She and her fleet killed hundreds during this onslaught, and Cassian himself urged her to descend. No one else was powerful enough to destroy Valkorion except her. But now, even when she executed an ally at his feet, Cassian still wavered. Something she wouldn't expect from a vaunted Sith Lord.
"Perhaps, but your death will be more than enough to affect theirs." Vaylin clung to her lightsaber, sensing her father's spirit emerging.
"She won't stop until all of your allies lie dead at your feet." He whispered to the outlander. "You know what must be done."
"Even Valkorion is scared to face me now that my chains are broken," Vaylin spoke with pride, giving her squad a command to prepare for battle.
"But we are not." Lana stepped forward.
"Your reign of terror ends today, Vaylin. This is the last life you have ever taken!" Jacques followed. Finally, some spirit from all of them. This was going to be fun.
"Do you have any last words before I end your miserable life?" She taunted her enemies, hoping that Cassian would finally show his fury.
"Your father has manipulated us both; this battle is exactly what he wants!" Cassian ignited his saber. "Would you really play into his hands?"
"His motives don't matter to me, not anymore. I have the power to destroy him…And you."
After a life of being hurt and tormented by one man, she finally had her chance. No chains, no code words, absolutely nothing to hold her back. This was a duel to the death, and no matter how it ended, Vaylin would be free from her pain. She just wished she could make Valkorion suffer a fraction of what she went through. A quick death was a fate far more merciful than what he deserved. Vaylin felt her eyes getting wet…They couldn't be allowed to see it.
"Time to die, father!" She screamed before raising her hand up, letting unleashed lighting spur from her fingers. She created a destructive wall around her, blocking her enemies's approach. "It must have felt good for you to have such power over me on Zakuul…Did you enjoy seeing me on my knees? When I make you beg, you will have no knees to even stand on!"
"Her defenses are almost impenetrable!" Jacques shouted. "Lana, we will need to absorb some of it if Cassian is to get through!"
"I'm on it. Cassian, are you ready?"
"Always…"
How clever. Each of them would've been no match for Vaylin alone, but together, they were a formidable squad. When both advisors unleashed their strength, a breach emerged in Vaylin's defenses, allowing the lone Chiss to get by. He ran towards her with an ignited lightsaber, and Valkorion's shadow looming from behind. Vaylin was ready for this. When Cassian leaped towards her, she blocked his strike as swiftly as possible, making their lightsabers clash. As much as Vaylin hated to admit it, he was a better duelist than her, even if her force powers exceeded his. She remembered how he fought ruthlessly aboard the Gravestone; it wasn't easy to keep up. However, today, he seemed weaker…Or perhaps Vaylin's power grew so strong that all she could see in her opponents were sniveling worms. Cassian began his onslaught, one hit after another, but each was met with Vaylin's powerful block. When she got her chance, the Empress attempted to bypass Cassian's defensive stance and pierce his body. Just when she was about to hit him, the Sith jumped back.
The skytroopers and her horizon guard were about to join the fray, but Vaylin quickly realized that they would only get in her way. Their power would be far more useful as part of her own essence. The Empress unleashed a storm of lightning around her, annihilating the skytroopers and causing the knights to squirm in agony. Their life force filled her veins, made her even stronger…Vaylin wanted more, whatever it took to destroy Valkorion. She raised her arm, her lighting pointed at Cassian this time, but the Sith was prepared. He blocked the onslaught with his lightsaber and deflected the lightning. He could've turned it back towards her, but instead, the Outlander pointed it towards Vaylin's right, allowing it to dissipate amidst the air.
"Is that all you can do, Outlander?" She gave him an arrogant stare. "I understand that that you are nothing against my power, but even so…It feels to me you're not fighting hard enough!" She rushed towards him, once again met with a swift block. Cassian picked a perfect moment while Vaylin was distracted and force-pushed her away to the nearby wall. "Argh!" She grunted during a brief moment of disorientation before getting up to continue her battle. Cassian stepped forward, getting further away from his allies, who still held back Vaylin's dark might. "It's like you don't want to kill me!"
"I don't," Cassian said firmly, making the Empress surrender to a reflexive recoil. "I don't wish to fight you at all, only for you to listen…"
"A-ha…" Vaylin chuckled, but it quickly evolved into a malicious cackle. "Seriously, after all I've done?! You can't be so pathetic, no…Is that another trick of yours, father? Care to show up?"
"Vaylin…" Cassian's lips quivered. "I've been to Nathema. I know what he's done to you." Those words caught Vaylin off-guard even more than the last; she had to resist her urge to shake.
"H…" How could he know? She destroyed the Sanitarium, and no one reported to her about any invaders… "Liar, you couldn't have been there; father must have told you!"
"No, I've seen it with my own eyes. When you went there to get rid of your conditioning, Lana and I followed…I know who Jarak is, what he did at Valkorion's orders!" Why was his voice so pained, even sympathetic? He really saw it all…Saw recordings of all the pain, torture, and humiliation she went through, saw Jarak poisoning her brain, inflicting physical and mental anguish upon her, treating her like a lab rat…How he forced her to watch all those test subjects suffer and die, hurting her for any empathy she displayed, heard her cries…Or was it psychotic laughter? She did both many times over.
"It…It doesn't matter! I'm free now. I've put that place behind me the moment I gave my fleet command to destroy the asylum!"
"I will not presume to know what it felt like to live in this nightmarish place for you…But I know how it feels to have your natural potential squandered and caged, to be feared and despised for it. Those aren't the scars that ever heal. If you stop this rampage, I will help you, I promise!" His pleas sounded genuine, but Vaylin wondered if this was nothing but wishful thinking on her part that twisted her perception. She has done nothing to make anyone want to help her.
"I know how this works, Outlander…I know who is really putting the strings here."
"I am not Valkorion's servant, and I wish him out of my head more than anyone else. We will find a way to expunge him; if you kill me now, he will simply find a new host like he did before!" It was just like when Cassian killed the mortal incarnation of Valkorion…His spirit easily clung to his body and stayed with him until now. Would the same happen to her if she strikes down his current host? Vaylin squished her lightsaber, trying to control her doubt, but she couldn't attack just yet. Cassian didn't make a move, either. Both of them were forced into an agonizing moment of silence and uncertainty, the moment that was interrupted by the commanding voice that made her shiver.
"You know better than to repeat the same mistakes. You trusted Senya, my son, SCORPIO…You allowed them to turn on you."
"Shut up! I am not going to heed your advice…I know you're scared, father, because you know that you won't live for much longer!"
"Do not trust a snake who thinks himself a dragon…You know what he and his allies did to Senya and Arcann. They will not stop until our entire family is exterminated." This voice was unbearable to listen to, and even more unbearable was the thought of Valkorion being right. Justice…This was the virtue Cassian claimed when he executed Arcann before the entire Galaxy, and she wasn't any better than her brother. Their crimes were beyond forgiveness and redemption. If she submits and is lucky, she will be executed the same way Arcann was, and if not…She will have to look Valkorion in the eyes once again, forced into chains by his puppets.
"No, I've gone too far to surrender!" Vaylin screamed before tossing her lightsaber towards Cassian, but someone blocked its path.
"Hold on, commander!" Lana jumped in, finally pushing through the lightning; she forced Vaylin's lightsaber back into the Empress's hands. "Are you alright?"
"Yes…" Cassian sighed. "Looks like we have no choice but to fight to the bitter end."
"You didn't assume anything else, did you?"
"Enough!" Vaylin shouted and raised her hand, immediately claiming control over Lana. She choked the Sith woman, forcing her to cling to her neck and wriggle like a desperate animal. Vaylin quickly tossed her aside like the weakling she was. Cassian was her only focus.
"This is between you and me, Vaylin! If you choose to fight, then so be it…I will not let you take any more lives."
"Spoken like a Jedi…Ah, just when you mention them!" Vaylin giggled as she saw Jac rush towards them. He helped Lana get up, offering some of his healing powers to her.
"You have nowhere to run, Vaylin!" The Jedi battle master chanted. "The entire Galaxy despises you, even your own people. For far too long, we're you allowed to commit atrocities without punishment, but today, you will answer for all of them!"
"More self-righteous nonsense." Vaylin smiled. This was more than enough to switch her focus from Cassian's words and make her opponents seem no more than flesh puppets once again. "Perhaps it's time for you to back it up?"
"With pleasure." Jacques accepted the challenge, rushing forth and crossing blades with Vaylin. Lana was quick to join him; an array of lightning bolts emerged from her hand, forcing the Empress to fight on two fronts, absorbing Lana's power with one hand and resisting Jacques's attacks with the other. They were strong together, but still not enough.
"She's too…Poweful…" Lana clenched her teeth and spoke through pain. Finally, Cassian stepped in by deflecting Vaylin's lighting once again, this time directly at her. The Empress screamed in pain and retreated, giving Jacques more ground to stand on.
"She's reeling, come on!" The Jedi rallied his allies; they were coming closer, with Cassian leading the charge. Vaylin could feel Valkorion's power fueling him; his mere presence was alone to make him want to destroy him…Even if he sought to offer genuine sympathy, it was too late for her. Vaylin blocked Cassian's strikes, but eventually, he got through. The Empress reeled as she felt his saber push through her armor, leaving a mark on her body. Even now, he went across without attempting to employ a deeper strike…This hesitation began to fill Vaylin with rage.
"You…Are not fighting to the fullest!" She screamed at the Outlander. "Do they know how you feel? Do they approve? I wonder how quickly they'd brand you a traitor…"
However, another problem emerged before Vaylin could finish.
A small spaceship emerged from underneath the landing bay, both of its guns pointing at the Empress.
"What the…"
Before she could react, it unleashed the fire. Vaylin attempted to protect herself, but such a short period of time was not enough to set up an effective shield. The blasts pierced her armor and scorched the floor around her. The Empress felt burning pain overtaking her entire body, making her fall to her knees.
"You're just in time, Theron!" Lana said cheerfully while looking at the spacecraft.
"Resisted my urge to take a scenic route just for you." A confident voice echoed from the ship's dynamics. Vaylin looked up, seeing Cassian and Lana approach him.
"This isn't over." Valkorion's spirit emerged beside them. "Even now, my daughter is a threat."
"Oh, father, you know me so well…" Vaylin smiled; she had more than enough force to spare. She might have been outnumbered by her father and his puppets, by those who wanted to hurt her and continue her torment, but she would never give them the satisfaction. Better to bring this entire base down than allow them to claim their triumph. Vaylin stood up as her eyes gleamed with purple; she unleashed the most powerful force wave yet. Lana and Jacques couldn't resist; she tossed them aside with ease. Theron couldn't do anything, either. Vaylin annihilated his cannons with lightning. Only Cassian still persisted, Cassian and Valkorion.
"I no longer have power over Vaylin. Only you can strike her down!"
The Sith ignored him, continuing to walk through the storm with his lightsaber ignited, not allowing his resolve to waver for a single second. He was getting closer, father was getting closer…Vaylin felt her heart beat faster, felt the fear crawling in her veins. She wouldn't let him claim her, not again, not again, not again…
"THE ETERNAL THRONE IS MINE!" She screamed in rage, trying to reclaim control and stop Cassian.
"V…Vaylin…It's still…Not late…" The Chiss pleaded. "We can still…End it…"
"Yes, with your death!"
Vaylin seized the opportunity and leaped above Cassian, landing right behind his back. It was time to…
"Aargh!" Vaylin shouted as she felt her heart burning out in a matter of seconds. A lightsaber pierced through her chest, a moment of agony that immediately turned into slow fading. All she could see was the azure color of the blade and Jacques's voice.
"Forget the throne, forget everything!"
At last, she was finally free…And yet the voices persisted.
"Wake up, mistress Vaylin. Your surgery was successful."
…
When she opened her eyes, Vaylin found herself lying on an operation table with a medical droid watching over her. It is not the setting she liked to be in, but in this case, she asked for it herself. She needed time to think whether she wanted to accept Jadus's request, and while she pondered on that, Vaylin wanted to make use of this space station's resources. She loved having her old hair, but Vaylin wanted more. She demanded that Jadus and Atiel arrange an operation to reconstruct her face from the ground based on the holos of her old body.
"Eh…" Vaylin yawned and opened her eyes. Despite not sensing some of the bones in her face, she felt rejuvenated. "Show me my face, now."
"At once." The droid gave her a mirror, allowing Vaylin to look at the result of their work. A spitting image, perfect reflection…Vaylin smiled at finally seeing her own face; the only missing element was the Zakuulan jewels on her forehead, but she felt no need to respect the customs of a society that decried her.
"Droids that do their job well? I certainly haven't seen that in a while."
"Mistress Atiel awaits you outside. She wished to speak to you after we finished the operation."
"She's not too patient, is she?" Vaylin sighed as she stood up from the table. It must have been a while since Atiel began her wait; better not to prolong it anymore.
As she walked towards the exit, Vaylin thought about the dream she had just seen. It was a memory of her last duel, the night of her death…At the beginning of another nightmare, after she died, Valkorion absorbed her spirit and forced her to submit, and she was never truly freed until Tenebrae's fall into outer space. At least she could spend some time with Arcann and make peace with him…She still held a soft spot for her brothers; they were the only reason she did not go absolutely insane.
But it wasn't Arcann who plagued her thoughts the most, but Cassian. For a long time, she failed to separate him from Valkorion, but after he spoke those words of kindness to her, she couldn't deny that their wills were not only separate but opposed to each other. Any doubt she got erased when Cassian used the Holocron to free her and Arcann, called them to his side to claim vengeance upon their father, giving her the moment she yearned for all her life…
It was better not to think about it. Even without Valkorion, they were enemies with too much bad blood between them. Meanwhile, Vaylin walked into the hall and saw a lone Chiss sniper waiting for her. The moment her steps echoed across the room, Atiel immediately turned around towards her former enemy.
"Done already? Our staff are really productive when it comes to operations."
"Yes, I've seen that," Vaylin said as she came closer.
"You look exactly like your old body did. Impressive. Speaking of which, I fulfilled your request." Atiel took out a lightsaber and tossed it into Vaylin's hands. The woman ignited it the moment she had control, seeing a yellow blade emerge. Changing the saber's crystal was her other desire. "I trust this color suits you?"
"Yes…Perfect." She couldn't stand walking around with a blue lightsaber. Looking at it reminded Vaylin of her mother, and she wanted to leave any thoughts of her behind. She couldn't forgive Senya, but she no longer wanted to feel any more rage towards her, either.
"Now, let's get to the point," Atiel said hastily. "I trust you've had enough time to think on Lord Jadus's suggestion?"
"Somewhat," Vaylin said. "Tell me, if I refuse, he wouldn't let me leave alive, right?"
"That's up to him to decide."
"But you know him better than anyone, don't you? You've admitted to seeing him during his weakest, after all." Vaylin continued to push for answers.
"Lord Jadus doesn't tend to leave witnesses," Atiel admitted.
"Hah, as I expected!" The former Empress giggled playfully. "Seems like I'm the only one here not afraid to say it like it is. I don't like seeing others brainwashed…Can't look at it without some unpleasant memories."
"Yet you were the one who took free will from the GEMINI," Atiel spoke calmly, causing Vaylin to clench her fist. She felt a table nearby beginning to shake a few more seconds, and Vaylin would make it fly. That was a good point, but she'd rather not hear it.
"I did what I had to do after I learned of what father planted in my brain, rational or not! I couldn't have another SCORPIO in my midst!" She couldn't hold herself back, and moments later, the table flew across the room before crashing into a metal wall.
"So you chose efficiency over morals," Atiel said calmly and without flinching. "We do the same. We enslave precious few to, eventually, free everyone."
"More cryptic nonsense…"
"Trust me, Lord Jadus is not oblivious to the anguish you feel; he was there for five years, after all, and one day was enough to impress me. For how long were you there?"
"A decade," Vaylin responded coldly. "I'm not telling you more."
"As you wish." Atiel nodded.
"Jadus said you were brainwashed, too?"
"Yes…First, Sith made me susceptible to a codeword, the codeword that turned me into an obedient soldier. Then, the Jedi used it to force me away from the Empire. I broke free eventually, but not before having to serve as their puppet." Atiel's voice was fueled by disdain, something Vaylin could relate to. However, she couldn't let go of a rather funny thought.
"And are you sure your beloved Jadus isn't using some kind of new 'codeword' on you now?"
"Not at all. I am much more loyal to Lord Jadus than any brainwashing could make me because I chose him a long time ago."
"Choice…I never got to get used to it before dying. Did it feel good?"
"One of the most delightful feelings I have ever experienced." She said with confidence and unwavering belief. "This experience made me realize how unbalanced our Galaxy is; some possess the ultimate power that most others could never hope to achieve due to a simple fault of being of unfortunate birth. Few force-wielders understand the plight of those who never felt the connection. Lord Jadus is one of them."
"And I never was. I treated them worse than dirt under my feet, and are you going to say that you would still want an alliance with me?" Vaylin crossed her arms with suspicion.
"I am not the one making those calls. Lord Jadus is."
"I see; we won't get too far like this…" Vaylin sighed. It seemed like, just like before, she had gone too far to retreat. "Fine, bring me to Jadus. I'm ready to give my answer."
…
Home, sweet home.
Cassian wished he could think that as their shuttle landed on Copero, but all the Sith could feel was annoyance and disdain at the fact that he had to visit his planet again. He didn't mind the scenery, not in the slightest. Copero was a planet that housed both natural plains, lush forests, and icy mountain peaks, a good place to call home. It was the people that controlled it; the Chiss colonized it many years ago, and now House Inrokini held control over the planet. And, of course, this control came with laws that affected all of the Chiss that lived there. Most considered them fair and just…All those who thought so were not force-sensitive. It was a part of common etiquette among Copero's Chiss to pretend like force-sensitive Chiss were nothing but a madman's fairytale.
In hindsight, taking Raina with them was the right choice; Cassian realized that he would need someone who would try and ease the inevitable tension. The trio of Cassian, Jacques, and Raina was met by a servant who asked to follow her to Aristocra Saganu's office. Cassian remembered the last time they met, Saganu met the Commander himself, but he wasn't willing to grant the same courtesy now.
"I hope he's willing to discuss some important matters," Cassian spoke up, watching for the servant's reaction.
"Aristocra Saganu will do everything in his power to oblige you." She responded coldly and emotionlessly.
"Don't push them," Jac advised. "We're lucky he granted us an audience at all."
"You've picked the wrong time for your moralizing…"
Suddenly, a familiar female voice rang from afar, causing the trio and the servant to stop.
"Master!" No, Cassian must have heard this wrong…He turned around and saw a young woman with brown hair and light skin rush towards him.
"Jaesa?" He said in disbelief, recognizing his apprentice and one of his closest friends. A naive Jedi Padawan when Cassian met her, he took her under his wing and oversaw her becoming a key member of his crew. He could've forced her into darkness, but Cassian decided to let her choose her own path…Jaesa leaned towards the light even after switching her loyalties to the Empire. They reunited on Ossus, and now she became a part of the Alliance. "What are you doing here?" Cassian was surprised to see her here but by no means disappointed.
"I received word of what happened at the base during my mission…I was torn between staying with Kira and Scourge and rushing off to help you, but they reassured me that they would manage and that I could go."
"How are they doing?" Jacques wondered.
"I think they're quite happy…We talked a bit about the Emperor and what they did to him. It would take time for them to adapt to living without this purpose in the back of their mind, but I think they're doing very well." She said with a humble smile.
"I'm glad to hear that…And I hope you're doing alright, too."
"I thought you might need my aid here." The young woman said Cassian nodded in response.
"Your arrival is very timely, Jaesa. We are hunting down some spies, and your powers will make it much easier."
"Thank you, master, I'm glad to hear that!"
"Ahem…" The servant stepped forward. "Aristocra Saganu is waiting."
"Yes, of course," Cassian said. "I suppose there is no need for all of us to barge in. Raina and I will be more than enough for now."
"Sounds good." Jacques nodded. "It's been some time since Jaesa and I got an opportunity to catch up."
And so it was decided: Cassian and Raina followed the Chiss servant, leaving their allies behind. The Sith didn't expect a warm welcome, but he hoped Saganu would at least be reasonable. Despite the spite Cassian held for the Chiss Ascendancy, if they weren't responsible for sending the spies in, there was no point in making enemies out of them.
"Commander, may I please ask you to remain civil?" Raina reminded him. "Previous disagreements are not a good reason for sabotaging the mission."
"You don't need to tell me twice, but judging by the lackluster welcoming, he isn't too eager to let go himself."
"I'll talk to him if that is the case."
Eventually, Cassian and Raina entered the office that the servant brought them to. The Chiss banner rose on the wall, making Cassian turn away with visible distaste in his eyes. They were guests here, and there was much to discuss…
"Aristocra Saganu, I brought you the guests. Commander Cassian Narok and Lieutenant Raina Temple." The servant announced moments before the Chiss Aristocrat stood up from his desk.
"Thank you, but I am fully aware of who they are. You can go now."
"At once." The servant said before leaving the trio alone. Cassian looked into Saganu's eyes, catching a glimpse of distrust in them. This was off to a 'wonderful start'…
"Welcome, Commander." Saganu welcomed him. "You too, Lieutenant; I suppose you've represented the Chiss Ascendancy with the dignity we deserve."
"I always do my best."
"Good…Truth be told, I wasn't expecting you to ever return, Commander. Not after our fallout over Zenta."
"Neither did I, and just like you, I am not too happy about this, either." Cassian sighed.
"Are you insinuating that I am against your visit?"
"I can see it in your eyes. We Sith learn to read other's emotions, turn other's weaknesses into our strengths."
"Ah, the famed Sith training. I shouldn't be surprised. But I'd rather we skip the semantics and get to the point. I studied your inquires…"
"So you know that we are looking for whoever sent the saboteurs on Odessen," Cassian said sternly. Remaining civil was harder than he thought it would be, even if he understood just how unproductive it would end up being.
"Are you suspecting the Chiss Ascendancy?"
"It's one of my versions."
"You disgrace us by such accusations." Saganu denied vehemently. "We would never let a petty disagreement become a driving force of conspiring against another power, especially one aligned with the Sith Empire."
"All I have to make judgments are three Chiss lunatics and a chemical they snatched from us. Surely you'd see why we would suspect at least some connection to the Ascendancy, especially considering that they joined the Alliance on your behalf."
"I am well aware of what transpires between Ascendancy members. There were no attempts to send spies to the Alliance, and that is final."
"Please!" Raina interrupted them. "Commander Cassian, let's not jump to hasty conclusions. I have the names of the three recruits from Copero. Aristocra, all we want is your aid in finding out who is responsible, and the best we can do is to look at any connections those three had." She reassured him. "We can work together to remove this stain from the Ascendancy's reputation and ensure safety for both Copero and Odessen; I'm sure that's in everyone's interests."
"Yes…Indeed it is." Saganu admitted and looked at Cassian. "I will find whatever information I can regarding the saboteurs, and then you can begin your investigation on Copero with my permission. Until then, I have to advise that you stay off any further action."
"Very well." Cassian agreed. "But don't take too long; I have a feeling that they know that we are hunting them down."
Whoever was behind this, Cassian knew that it wouldn't be long before they met in person.
…
"You've returned." The melancholic Sith spoke coldly as he saw Vaylin and Atiel walk through the doors of his command bridge. His eye immediately focused on Vaylin, though the woman was unable to identify his emotions. A mix of anticipation and indifference, as paradoxical as it seemed. "I trust you made your decision, then."
"Yes, I did," Vaylin said casually. "Now, let's make it clear, I don't care for whatever cause you pursue; I just really want to make Zakuulan scum suffer and don't really trust you to not shoot my ship if I say no. Oh, and you fixing my face and lightsaber was nice; maybe that's worth a little help."
"Then you agree to join us?"
"Didn't I make this clear?"
"Good."
"I was hoping for more enthusiasm…"
"I have an important task," Jadus announced and looked at Atiel. "For both of you. The failure of our spies left our plot discovered, and with the Empire's Wrath following our trail. He is already on his way to Copero. He may yet discover our voidcaller facility there."
"The Outlander?" Vaylin wondered. "This is going to be fun…"
"Your primary goal is not to kill him, though you're welcome to utilize the opportunity should it arise." Jadus stopped her.
"You're not doing much to sell it to me…What's the actual goal, then?"
"You will be a part of a squad under Atiel's leadership and head to our facility on Copero. I've already notified the Fifth Forger of the impending danger, and he began the evacuation. Your goal is to ensure that it goes uninterrupted."
"Fifth Forger…" Vaylin scoffed with visible disgust. "Not only do you all have to pick odd numbers, but five…That's the worst of them all!" She said with spite, leaving Jadus and Atiel in an awkward state of silence.
"Your remark is childish and inappropriate." The Sith Lord wasn't impressed.
"By the way, if we're remembering our codenames," Atiel spoke up. "You've yet to pick one, Vaylin."
"Hm…Is ten free? Ah, forget it, doesn't matter, I'll take it anyway. I'll be the Tenth Dragon." This was a perfect fit. She was going to make them all kneel like Valkorion made her once.
"That works. Apologies for interrupting, Lord Jadus." Atiel looked back at her master. "I understand the task and will get to it immediately. You can inform Eckard that we will be there soon."
Now, her new life could truly begin.
Vaylin couldn't wait.