Clearing the rest of the spaceport proved sufficiently easy. There were a lot of Exchange thugs loitering around, but many panicked the moment they realized who it was that got on their tail. They tried to run and beg; those became their last moments before getting turned into corpses. Vaylin was especially brutal in her actions, even impressing Cassian. She would break their limbs, tear out their hearts, choke out the last life from them as they shook and begged for mercy. Cassian allowed Vaylin to have her satisfaction. It revealed a lot about how she truly felt. She might have been a sadist who enjoyed the pain of others, yet there were those whose pain she enjoyed much more, the people who harmed defenseless children. Those who did were quick to earn her wrath.
When they finished their job, Koth and other Paragon's soldiers swarmed in to retake the spaceport. Cassian called their 'employer' once everything was stabilized.
"We're done here; made sure no Exchange thug escaped."
"Ah, yes, Koth already told me about it…Wonderful job! I knew the two of you were powerful, but to annihilate such a force in a matter of hours is still incredibly impressive."
"That's all well and good, but what about our payment?"
"Yes, of course. Koth told me about the current state of the spaceport and ships; much of its systems must have been sliced by someone very talented; they put most of the platform sections on lockdown. It will require some time to get all of it back in order…"
"This isn't what we agreed for."
"Don't worry, all you need is one section and one ship, it shouldn't take long! At the latest, it will be ready before dawn."
"You want us to wait an entire night?"
"One night won't slow you down. I'll gladly provide you accommodations in my tower after how helpful you've been. After all you've been through today, you deserve a proper rest."
"I hope this isn't a ploy to get us to do more dirty work for you…"
"You have my word. Stay for as long as it's necessary for my men to prepare the spaceport and your ship, not a second longer."
"Very well…But we are leaving tomorrow immediately."
"Of course. In the meantime, if you fancy a respite and some refreshment, I have some to share!"
At first, Cassian and especially Vaylin were averse to wasting their time sharing meals with some Zakuulan politician, but eventually, they decided that if they were stuck in this world for the coming night, they might as well make the most of it. A brief break and a meal would be just what they needed after an eventful day like this. The two of them returned to the penthouse, expecting the honors they had now earned. Koth came back, too; he left the spaceport in what he co sundered to be 'good hands.'
"Welcome, welcome!" Doran spoke in a rather chipper tone when the three walked into the dining hall. There was a table with four seats and food waiting for guests. There were fruits, exquisite meats, olives, all elements of 'high' Zakuulan cuisine. "You've all done incredibly well today, so don't hold yourself back; I'll gladly share with you."
"Some, it looks nice," Vaylin said with a semi-admiring smile. "The kind of stuff Arcann used to have."
"I usually shared 'feasts' like those with my fellow politicians," Doran explained as he and his guests took their seats. "It's been a while since I had one without discussing mundane matters."
Cassian decided to enjoy their brief break while he could, taking some of the meat and fruits for his dinner. Others did the same thing, especially Vaylin, who didn't care for table manners and made sure to have as much as possible. Cassian couldn't blame her for gluttony, considering how lackluster food in Odessen prison must have been compared to this. Doran was a bit more reserved, choosing a meal of the average size, while Koth turned out to be remarkably modest, spending most of the time with but a few fruits, which was quickly noticed by Doran.
"You aren't hungry?" He wondered. "If there's anything wrong with the food, I can easily fetch a replacement…"
"No, no, it's not that. It just feels a little strange." Koth admitted.
"What do you mean?"
"Having a fancy dinner with…I guess all of you are politicians, in a way? I'd rather share most of this food with homeless people on the streets. We have a lot of them now that Exchange is driving them out. They definitely need it more than we do."
"You know we're sending them supplies every day, Koth; this doesn't mean we can't enjoy a nice meal ourselves."
"Yeah, but…Still feels wrong. Especially with the current company." Koth looked at Cassian and Vaylin, making the latter roll her eyes.
"At least you don't have to deal with someone so aggressively dull as…Well, you."
"Please, no need," Doran spoke up. "I'd rather we all part on good terms, as much as that's possible."
"Speaking of parting," Cassian interjected. "Any news on when our ship will be ready?"
"Definitely by morning. It might be earlier, but I wouldn't want to disturb your sleep. I left two bedrooms for you, though, if you only need one…"
"No." Vaylin shook her head. "I like to have my space."
"Two it is, then." The man nodded and looked at Cassian again. There was both intrigue and doubt in his gaze, yet the man tried to avoid eye contact.
"You have something to say. Go ahead; if so, it might be your last opportunity."
"I did have something on my mind, yes, though I'm not sure you will like it."
"Go on, we don't have the whole day."
"Very well." Doran sighed. "I've been thinking about any possible…Alliances we might form in the future."
"I already told you what I think about your endless civil wars," Cassian said coldly.
"Yet with your might, you could bring peace to our world with barely any effort! Of course, I'm not asking you to help before you solve your own problems, but once that is done, perhaps we could try and help each other in some way? I will be willing to share some of Zakuul's resources…"
"The only way you can help me now is by lending your support against Jadus."
"My hands are tied while this war is still not over, I'm afraid, but I'll be willing to consider many possibilities afterward."
"I could've given you the benefit of the doubt when it came to one ship; it doesn't mean I'll continue playing that game."
"I understand but…Think of all you could do for the people! You might not care about them, but they will hail you as a hero after that." Doran pleaded, making Cassian let out a tired sigh.
"I saved your people from a planet-eating maniac. Isn't that enough?" He said as Vaylin let out a chuckle and looked towards Koth.
"See, bore, that's why I stuck around. The Outlander doesn't do more than necessary and has a talent for putting people down…Delightful."
"And you, Vaylin?" Doran asked. "Do you really not care about redemption in the eyes of Zakuul's people? I know you believe that nothing of this would've happened, and you're probably right, and here is your opportunity to prove it by annihilating the Exchange!"
"I don't have to prove anything. Not to them. And anyway, it's pointless to try; I can't imagine them forgiving me after I executed a couple hundred of their friends…"
"You'd be surprised at how noble actions can change their outlook. As much as I hate to admit it, the masses are easy to sway when you know how to do it. Just look at Valkorion…Now we know what kind of monster he was, but he had our people fooled for years. He was a cunning manipulator, and despite his true motives, he did a lot for us."
"Don't go there…" Koth began to warn him, but it was too late; Vaylin had already clenched her teeth.
"I am nothing like him! He cared for wearing masks and pretending to be a hero, and I didn't! He manipulated our people because they were easy to manipulate because most of them are idiots!" She shouted in anger, causing a couple of nearby apples to fall off their basket and get squashed against the wall, leaving wet stains.
"Sorry, I understand he must have brought you a lot of grief." Doran tried to speak with sympathy, but Cassian knew this would only end up provoking her. "But it doesn't mean that we can't look at his better deeds and…"
"Shut up!" Vaylin undercut him. "Valkorion doesn't have 'better' deeds; everything he did, he only did for himself. He…" Vaylin stuttered. "He's a monster! Evil, evil monster that you all worship because he was good to you for a time…I get why Sith hate you so much; they know who Valkorion really is, but you refuse to see it; you just try to suck up to your 'god,' you…You hypocrites!" Vaylin couldn't stop her malicious raving.
"I'm sorry if I offended you, I…"
"I don't care!" Vaylin stood up and began breathing heavily as the table beneath her stirred. "I…I'm not hungry anymore." She said as she gazed towards the exit.
"Vaylin, wait," Cassian said, but she was already on her way out, leaving Koth and Doran speechless. "You really don't know when to keep your mouth shut, do you?" The Sith Lord said coldly and rushed towards the exit, following Vaylin. She stormed around the corridor, barely containing her anger. "Ignore them; they are fools who…"
"Leave me alone! If I have to spend another minute with those fucks, I'm going to kill someone!" Vaylin said with rage as force lightning danced around her fingertips.
"I…" Cassian was about to argue, but he quickly stopped himself. She needed time, a moment. "Alright, take your time; I'll keep them 'entertained.'"
"Thanks…" Vaylin said quietly and awkwardly before continuing to walk without looking back. Hopefully, some peace and quiet would help her settle down.
…
Serenity.
A feeling that was always so close always shimmered before a little girl's eyes, yet always ended up out of reach. Just close enough to see, to reach out, but never touch. Just like now…A calm, lush forest, the heart of nature and peace, no one to disturb its harmony. None but a little girl with golden hair running around with a bright smile on her face. A happy, joyful child, unburdened by grief and pain, happy and unshackled. She danced on the water, toyed with her force powers, and tried to find the singing birds; it was bliss…But something felt different. Something felt wrong. The underlying darkness, an echo of fear, made the little girl shiver and look around in fear every couple of minutes. As if something watched her, waiting patiently, following in the dark.
Soon, the girl reached the glade, the edge of the forest. She was about to step out, return to civilization…But she couldn't take another step. Not because of anything that blocked her way but because of her heartbeat increasing as she got closer to the edge. She felt the chills running down her spine and felt herself shaking.
Why did she feel so afraid?
The girl didn't know why, but somehow, she felt that if she were to step forward, there would be no way back. Something terrifying and dark awaited on the other side. She wanted to stay in this forest forever, to enjoy its beautiful nature, to never have to deal with the horrors of the outside world.
"Vaylin?" The girl heard a kind, soft voice of a woman behind her, immediately making the child turn around with intrigue and caution. It was a spitting image of her mother, just like how she was back then. So happy and peaceful. That's how the girl wanted to remember her. "Vaylin!"
Once again, mother called out. She kneeled and opened up her arms, and the girl rushed into her warm embrace without hesitation.
"Mommy!" She squealed in delight and buried herself in the woman's arms.
"Oh, my sweet, sweet Vaylin…I was so worried! Why did you run away from me?" The mother spoke in a relieved tone.
"I…" Vaylin stuttered as she felt the dark presence return again, making the girl shiver. Something was behind them, making her close her eyes and cling to her mother tightly. "I'm scared."
"Why, my dear? What's wrong?"
"I don't know, but…Something is wrong." The girl's voice grew shaky, and her lips quivered in fear. It was impossible to put into words, but she felt it. The life around her slowly deteriorating, the grass dying and losing its green color, the trees aging by years in a matter of seconds, the clouds covering the sun…She knew all of this was happening; she was just too afraid to look. "Do you see it, mommy? Do you see?"
"I do…" Her voice grew grimmer; she was Vaylin's last source of warmth in this place. A place that was consumed by an overbearing power stripped of all life and became barren and Void.
"Will we be safe, mommy? Will you…Will you protect me?"
"Yes…Of course, sweetie, of course." The woman stroked the girl's hair and held her right. For a moment, she felt safe, but this moment wasn't lost. Mother's grip became tighter with every second, and it did not stop; it became hard for the girl to love at first, and then she had trouble breathing.
"M-mommy…"
"Shhh, Vaylin." Mother spoke again, though her voice sounded distorted and unnatural while her hands grew colder. It wasn't an embrace any longer. It was clawing into the girl's skin. "I'll always be here."
This wasn't her mother speaking any longer, and those weren't hands that held the girl any longer. Those were durasteel cuffs that bound her to a bed, restricting the girl's movement. The sun was no longer covered by the clouds. It was absent altogether. Only darkness and void remained, the cold walls of her prison becoming its harbingers.
"Now, let's get to it!" A chipper, anticipating voice of a sadistic scientist echoed in the girl's ears; Jarak stood right in front of her, ready to begin the experiment. She couldn't see him, not with the helmet he put over the upper half of her head, an experimental device that he used way too often. "Are you ready, my dear? It won't hurt too much at first." He said in his condescending, mocking tone of reassurance.
"P-please…Don't hurt me." The girl begged, knowing full well that this would only invigorate Jarak and his violent streak.
"Shh, don't be afraid. It isn't your first time, after all."
Before the girl could respond, she felt the agonizing pain. A dozen needles that Jarak installed in this belt pierced her head as if a wild animal clawed into her skull and slowly tore her apart. The girl screeched, and her body tried to shiver and squirm, but her chains were too tight. Feeling the needles cutting through her skin and tissue was agonizing, but it didn't compare to what followed. The chemical surge dosage circulated through her brain, making the girl feel as if her head was set on fire, making her scream even louder. It continued for a few long, drawn-out moments until Jarak finally paused the process.
"Now, how is it going?"
"PLEASE!" The girl screeched, barely able to put words together, tears streaming down her eyes and emerging from underneath the helmet. He must have enjoyed every moment, loved her suffering and screaming. "Please…I'm sorry!" The girl apologized, not knowing for what. If her parents locked her up in a horrible place, she must have done something wrong to deserve it. "I didn't want to hurt those knights, I…I didn't mean to!"
"I know, little princes, I know. But you can't control your power, and your parents can't allow any more accidents, can they?"
"P-please…Let me go…I want to see Mommy!"
"You can't leave yet, not until we finish the process."
"I'll never use the force again, I'll never lie to mommy, I'll…I'll be a good girl, please, let me out, PLEASE!" She screamed before feeling pain in her throat and being forced to become quieter. "Don't…Hurt me."
"A shame to see you in such a state, princess, it truly is, but sometimes, there is no other way. Now, let's not waste any time and try a higher dosage."
"No…No…" The girl shivered and was about to beg yet again, but another surge of pain stopped her. This time, there was even more toxin circulating in her mind, making it too hard to speak; she could only screech in pain and desperately wriggle, trying to get out of her unbreakable bonds. "AAAARGH AAA RGAARRRAA GHAAAAARA!" With every second, the girl's groans became more animalistic and irregular. She couldn't feel her limbs, and her entire face was drenched in a grotesque mixture of tears, snot, saliva, and sweat. By the time Jarak halted the process, the girl could barely sense anything around her, much less speak.
"Ghugh…Ugrh…"
"Don't worry, dear princess…It is for your own good."
"AAARGH!"
The screams of a little girl became screams of a grown woman as Vaylin finally opened her eyes. As she jumped up amidst the darkness, she let out a destructive force wave that made the walls around her tremble, tossing the wardrobe to the side as it crashed down on the floor. She was alone in a room, not as hurtful and terrifying, but still dark and silent…It was all a dream, and now she woke up.
"Wh…Wh…"
Vaylin tried to speak, but she still couldn't find it in herself to say any words. Every attempt ended up with mismatching sounds, as she couldn't even focus. She could feel the sweat pouring from her skin, felt the warm, wet stain underneath her, could feel her own heart beating and body shaking violently. She became her once again.
A scared, powerless, filthy, broken little girl who couldn't take it anymore.
Vaylin shook as she tried to move, her body not listening to her. Whenever her brain sent signals, they simply never reached her limbs. The woman felt the cage emerge around her, a disgusting, draining cage that made her feel so weak and pathetic. All alone…
Vaylin sobbed as tears streamed down her face; she shivered from the cold around her, too horrified to turn towards the nearest window. She knew she was back in reality, yet she still felt watched.
"Kneel…"
A distorted whisper echoing from the shadows made Vaylin jump back reflexively. She fell off the bed and onto the floor. It hurt for a swift moment, but it was nothing compared to what she could see lurking in the shadows. The dancing phantoms of Nathema, so close and so eager to feast on her flesh and bone.
"Ah…Ah…" Vaylin whimpered, still unable to stop shaking. Her mind told her to quench the fear, but her heart told her to beg for mercy. Something the echo of Jarak will surely enjoy.
The next moment, the echo of an opening door made Vaylin flinch as a dark, crimson-eyed silhouette emerged in the doorway. For a moment, she saw a reflection of her worst nightmares walking towards her, the man who was her father's 'Wrath'…She cowered as he towered over her.
"Vaylin…" Hearing his voice changed something. Made everything around feel more real, made Vaylin herself feel more real. It wasn't an echo or a phantom, just Cassian and his voice, sounding unusually soothing. The Chiss kneeled before her and extended his arm as slowly as he could. Vaylin moved away at first, but after seeing his arm slow down, she stopped. He didn't try to push it. He wasn't trying to hurt her. "It's alright, you're awake." He said calmly yet confidently, finally making Vaylin decide to put in the effort. She moved forward, extending her hand to his. The moment she touched his hand, she felt the warmth again, making Vaylin take a deep breath. "Did you have a nightmare? I used to have a couple, too. Nasty things."
"Uh…Hu…Aah…" Vaylin still couldn't speak, although she desperately wanted to. She couldn't hold back her tears, but at least she was finally able to relax and rely on Cassian. The Chiss helped Vaylin stand up and held her gently, wiping away some of her tears.
"Come on, my room isn't far." He helped her walk slowly and patiently. Vaylin was still in too much of a disarray to think straight, to act upon anything, but she could follow his lead. Her soul burned with hope. Vaylin couldn't grasp any of her surroundings. All she knew was that she wasn't alone anymore.
His room was similar to her own; Vaylin felt her legs ache; what little strength she had was already leaving her.
"We're almost there, not long now," Cassian reassured her.
"Hu…" Vaylin moaned and looked down. She couldn't think of the last time she was so ashamed of herself, but she didn't want to wet yet another bed.
"Ah, I see…" The Chiss said. "I'll get some spares from the wardrobe. Do you need a shower?"
After a few seconds of thought, Vaylin nodded.
"Alright, come on, then."
Cassian led her toward the shower room.
"Will you be fine there? I'll fetch some clothes for you."
"Y…Ye…" Vaylin was almost able to say a coherent word, just enough for Cassian to understand the intent. The Sith nodded and let her go. The remaining images remained moot as Vaylin felt an overwhelming desire to fall asleep.
She felt the warm water drenching her skin, washing away her sweat and tears, allowing every pore in her body to finally relax. It was fine…It was alright.
Those were the thoughts that rushed through Vaylin's mind as she put on new clothes with Cassian's help. She wasn't at the sanitarium anymore; she wasn't a prisoner.
"I'm with you…It's alright." Cassian said in a soothing voice as he gently hugged Vaylin when she lay in the bed beside him.
As she finally stopped shaking, Vaylin closed her eyes and felt the warmth of a sweet dream's approach.
She was safe.
…
It was exhausting, being so powerless.
Each time Lana walked around the Odessen, each time she saw Jadus's cohorts having fun as they mocked and tormented their prisoners, she wanted to intervene. Wanted to teach those arrogant bastards a lesson, but every time, she had to remember that the void collar restrained her. If she tried to fight, she would break the tenet she spoke of to everyone in the Alliance, become a fool that those marauders will slaughter without a second thought, an 'example' that they'll set to the rest.
Waiting was painful, but it was her only option. Lana expected relative peace and quiet for a few days, but it soon turned out to be too much to hope for. Not when Jadus himself summoned her.
Lana couldn't deny that a part of her was worried; she hadn't seen Jadus ever since the conquest; the former Sith Lord simply shut himself in a chamber, wholly dedicating his time and energy to a plot they knew nothing about. There was no choice for Lana but to go through with it and indulge her new 'overseer.'
When she walked into his chambers, Jadus sat at his table, staring at his holo-comm and not even moving his eye toward her. Lana took another careful step, waiting for Jadus's reaction, but he continued to ignore her as if he had entered a trance.
"Jadus?" Lana asked.
"Sit down." He said calmly, finally looking at her. "I have to congratulate you on your cooperation. Not everyone was swayed by your words, but enough were."
"You aren't here to just rub salt in the wound, are you? That's way too cheap to work on me." Lana said before taking a seat, she wasn't intent on playing nice with Jadus, even if she had to go along with his plans.
"I'm stating the facts. Your actions saved lives. Take it as a small solace if you wish."
"I'll pass." Lana shook her head. "So, why did you want to meet me?"
"Administrative matters. There are a number of places where your aid will be appreciated. A matter of obedience."
"Obedience…So you want me to act as your mouthpiece again?"
"You could put it like that."
"Spit it out, then."
"I heard there was some tension surrounding the Force Enclave." Jadus began, likely speaking of Sana-Rae and Ki Sazen. "Who could've expected a Voss Mystic to end up so resilient even though without the guidance of her visions? Desperate times can truly push for change."
"You don't need visions to understand that training nekghouls here is not a good idea." Lana shook her head. "Especially the ones infused with the Voidcaller."
"Ki can be very passionate about her projects, and I understand that," Jadus said with mild amusement. "I let her have her fun for as long as her passion bears fruits. It has so far."
"And you expect us to just accept some megalomaniac using the base as her laboratory for creating murderous beasts?" Lana crossed her arms.
"I expect you to accept that whatever fallout this might bring, it is not your concern. Ki is under my protection, and she knows what the consequences will be if her experiments get out of control." Jadus spoke dismissively, making it clear that he would take no further debate on the subject. "Speaking of experiments, this is exactly why I called you here."
"What do you mean?"
"I ordered Atiel to make contact with Dr. Oggurobb, but he has proven uncooperative. Surprisingly principled for a Hutt, but he said that he won't share his knowledge with us."
"Then why don't you just kill him like the rest?"
"We can't afford to waste such a brilliant mind," Jadus explained, making Lana realize that there were limits to his derangement. Some were too valuable to kill and make examples of.
"Is that why you came to Odessen? To continue your project?"
"I needed to further my research. Lokin's knowledge is admirable, but I know the necessity of exploring different expertise. I want you to make him see reason and cooperate. Otherwise, there will be consequences."
"I suppose I don't have a choice," Lana said with scorn in her voice. "But I want you to answer a question first."
"You are in no position to bargain."
"Both Oggurobb and I are too valuable for you to kill, which gives me some leverage."
"Do not expect me to reveal the next stages of my plan." Jadus had a faint sneer emerge on his face.
"I'm not that blunt. All I want is to know how you created the Voidcaller." Lana asked her question. This chemical was the key to Jadus's temporary triumph and perhaps a new part of his plan, knowing more about it might give Lana a clue about what's to come.
"Very well," Jadus said after a pause. "You were on Ziost when Vitiate drained all of its life, correct? Have you stepped on its surface after the cataclysm?"
"I have…" Lana admitted, thinking of the sense of desolation and oblivion that overtook the planet.
"Then you know how it feels to walk the surface of a planet that became nothing but the purest manifestation of the void. This harrowing silence, the traces of obliterated spirits, a lifeless husk of a once-vibrant world."
"And how do you know all that? I doubt you had time to casually slip onto Ziost before Valkorion's death."
"I had other sources," Jadus responded. Lana had an idea of what planet he could have visited, but it was better not to betray her thoughts to him. "Sources that allowed me to study the void's properties, entrap it, and even create more from its root. The void is an abomination born of Vitiate's hunger. It is the trace that is left once he drains all the life and the force from a planet. An all-consuming nothingness that corrodes everything and everyone it comes across. A marvel to examine. When Vitiate died, life returned to the planets he stole it from, but I had everything I needed by that point. The Voidcaller is a work of Lokin and other brilliant minds who managed to evolve the void into a chemical that can be used in weapons and easily manufactured. Does that satisfy you?"
"And who were those 'brilliant minds'?"
"That wasn't the question you asked." Jadus undercut her, making the woman pause and think for a moment. At least now she understood the nature of the Voidcaller better, as well as a potential connection to Nathema. At least it was better than nothing.
"Alright, I'll talk to Oggurobb as long as you don't harm any of our people."
"You have my word."
"Would be better if it meant anything, but…"
Before Lana could finish, Jadus's holo-comm emitted a loud signal. Someone was reaching out.
"An urgent message…One moment." Jadus said to Lana and patched his contact through. An image of an aged man appeared on the comm; his eyes were full of eagerness and anticipation.
"Seventh Paragon to First Archon, can you hear me?"
"I can." Jadus nodded. "I believe you have a good reason to send me an urgent call?"
"I do. They are with me now…The fugitives!"
"What?"
"Cassian and Vaylin are here…They encountered one of my men in the swamps and forced him to lead them right to me."
"Cassian is alive?" Lana asked a rhetorical question with relief emerging in her voice. She shouldn't have doubted the commander, but she had to worry even with someone like Vaylin by his side.
"Quiet." Jadus undercut her, sounding more agitated and tense than Lana ever heard him before. "Where are they?"
"They want to leave the world, and I am convinced that I might be of aid…I don't think they're suspecting anything just yet. I allowed them to spend a night here after they helped with a menial task."
"And why did you not call me earlier?"
"I wanted to test out their strength…If I may, they may be the perfect weapons we need to finally liberate Zakuul."
"That will come in time, I need them for another purpose."
"I understand, but I have to keep all my options open."
"We already discussed this."
"Yes, I know…What are your orders?"
"Keep them there for the night, I will send reinforcement and means to capture them. Bring them to Odessen. Alive."