"I'm with you…It's alright."
Those sweet, beautiful words were music to Vaylin's ears. They soothed her and made her breathe, forcing all horrifying nightmares to fade away. The warm hands that embraced her made Vaylin immediately forget about her fears and what was going on around her, completely surrendering to calming darkness. She could relax and give in, feel protected and safe, a feeling Vaylin had forgotten over unending years of pain and fear…
Even when Vaylin's body woke up, her mind still rested. She could feel the warm blanket covering her and an aura of warmth around her body. She didn't usually take well to being touched, but she didn't remember the last time someone tried to touch her so softly and gently. She didn't think of its source, just bathed in this bliss. It was alright…Everything was alright, indeed. What a foolish, naive thing to believe. Jarak told her that everything was alright, her mother told her that everything was alright, and her father, Arcann, even Thexan, and all of them ended up lying. Maybe this time, it was a lie, too…But she wanted to believe. Wanted to trust this voice and allow herself to be guided once again. Ever since she heard the apology…This genuine kindness that she craved.
But the bliss did not last long. Eventually, the thoughts kicked in, and realization overtook Vaylin. Those blue hands, this bed…It was Cassian hugging her.
"FUCK!" Vaylin shouted reflexively, squirming and feeling Cassian's hands get off her. She heard the echo of his recoiling and releasing her.
"Hey, what…" The Chiss said in a faint, still tired voice, rubbing his eyes and focusing on Vaylin, who began breathing heavily and stood up. She allowed him to touch her, slept by his side, and even felt good about it. Too good. Like when Thexan held her hands and helped her calm down after Arcann brought her back from Nathema…It felt so pure, so majestic.
"F…Fuck…" Vaylin didn't have anything else to say.
"I see you're better," Cassian said. "You can talk now…It's alright, I wasn't going to hurt you." The Sith reassured her. "Are you alright?"
"I…So, this wasn't a dream? I screamed in my bed?"
"Yes…"
"And you came in and…"
"Yes."
"And I…" Vaylin's face visibly cringed at the thought of her wetting her bed due to a nightmare like some stupid child. Out of all people, the Outlander was the one to help her through this episode and even aided in changing her clothes. "UUURGH!" She shouted and punched the nearby wall. Why did she have to be like this? So weak and vulnerable, so eager to find warmth and relief somewhere, so desperate. "It's…It's NOT what it looked like, alright! I had it under control, I can deal with them myself, I…I usually can.
"Everyone has bad nights from time to time. It's fine." He was so calm and understanding it didn't feel right.
"Yeah, I guess…I'll…I'll get ready. And clean the bed before his service droids come in.
"You need any more help?"
"I'm fine."
"Alright, then, and I'll go pester our host about the ship." Cassian stood up and said as he put on his costume. If I have to spend another hour on this planet, I might as well go insane."
"Same…"
The Chiss walked towards the door, but Vaylin paused him.
"Cassian…" She spoke, making him turn around. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
A simple exchange that somehow made Vaylin know.
This day was going to be far more pleasant than usual.
…
The chancellor's refusal to aid came as a crushing blow to Jac and his allies. On some level, each of them must have expected such a response. After all, why would the Republic help those who aided the Empire in the recent war? In Rans's eyes, that would be no different from aiding her crimes enemies and weakening her own power. She might have been a noble soul, but she was also pragmatic, which left Jac's team in search of other options. All of them gathered in one of the temple halls, pondering their next steps.
"So they just declined like that?" Theron asked with disappointment.
"They did." Jac nodded. "I should've expected it considering our allegiances, but…"
"We should've never aided the Empire," Kira interjected. "If Cassian wanted to rejoin his people, then this was a time for us to part ways…I guess it's too late to think about now that we are the enemy in Republic's eyes."
"We don't need their assistance." Scourge said firmly. "They always hesitated to do what must be done; that's why Vitiate remained in power for so long."
"Ugh…" Kira scoffed before Theron spoke
"Somehow, I doubt they will allow us to just set land on Dromund Kaas. Not without a clearance from Cassian, which we can't get now." The spy said in a grim tone. They still had no idea what happened to their friends back in Odessen. "Our best bet is to hope that he gets out of there somehow…If he's still alive."
"He is alive," Jac stated firmly. "Cassian won't fall to conspirators after defeating Vitiate."
"Well, maybe he did escape," Kira suggested. "Someone sent that message, so someone knows about the attack and managed to escape, or at least get in a position to send it in the first place."
"Hm…" Theron pondered. "They must have put up very sneaky for that."
"Or very strong." Scourge added. "Jadus is just another Sith Lord; he is no match for the Emperor."
"He's our biggest problem right now, though," Kira responded. "We can't just sit here and leech off Satele's hospitality. If someone escaped Odessen, then we need to find them!"
"Agreed." Jac nodded. "But we need to be careful or…"
Before he could finish, Jac's comlink rang and interrupted their conversation. The Jedi took his device out and attempted to check who was calling.
"Hm, I don't recognize the signal." Jac wondered.
"Be careful. It might be a trap from the conspirators."
"Even if it is, it can be our led." Scourge encouraged Jac. "Answer it."
The Jedi nodded and accepted the call.
"Here goes nothing." Kira sighed.
There was no hologram, only a robotic, distorted voice on the other side.
"Greetings. Jacques Elias, I presume?"
"And who is talking?"
"Someone who wishes to take down Jadus as much as you do."
"I'd appreciate all introductions."
"I cannot give you my name, not yet. All you should know is that I am on Tython's surface, and I can arrange a meeting."
"A meeting?"
"Yes. I will not send you the exact coordinates in case someone intercepts, but I trust you can come to the ruins of Aloy manor?"
"Just me?"
"You and your group. Theron Shan, Kira Carsen, and Scourge. No one else."
"Alright…You do realize that you've given me no reason to trust you? Where's the guarantee that this is not a trap?"
"There is none, I'm afraid; it's up to you whether to take my word for it. However, I am well aware that you and Scourge are among the most powerful force-users in our galaxy; I can assure you that a suicidal attempt to challenge you is not my intent. If you want to destroy Jadus and free Odessen, then we can help each other."
The terms were laid out…And it seemed like there was no other lead.
…
As Cassian walked across the door, he couldn't help but allow a faint smile to form on his face. He wasn't sure how regular such nightmares and panic attacks were in Vaylin's life, but the fact he was able to comfort her and allow her to release some stress warmed Cassian's heart. It was a feeling he hadn't felt for a long while now. Ever since Lana released him from carbonate prison, he was driven by vengeance in rage. They allowed him to crush the Eternal Empire and kill Valkorion, but even those accomplishments brought him no real joy. Temporary satisfaction, the feeling of triumph and dominance, but not something he savored long after this feeling was over.
Now, it was different.
The feeling of spending his time among people he truly wanted to be with, not chasing any grand accomplishment and simply enjoying the unlikely moment they shared together. He wanted her to feel safe, even if she seemed averse to it. Over the time Cassian spent with Jac, he learned much about the Jedi, and despite his disagreements with the code, there were some truths that he could not deny. A Jedi's desire to heal, to help, to be ready to become as patient as needed for someone else's sake. Jedi did it out of duty, out of their belief that everyone deserves help and empathy, but Cassian didn't care for those idealistic motivations in them in the slightest.
All he wanted was to see that smile of hers that Vaylin gave as she thanked him. She smiled regularly, but not like this…Usually, it would've been a smirk, a grin fueled by undertones of arrogance and malice, but not this time. This time, it was a genuine, sweet smile that she tried to hide and failed. Cassian could see her giddiness, all because someone else wanted to help. And he did…Maybe she will finally understand it.
They would talk about this later; for now, Cassian made his way towards Doran's office; it was time to ask for the ship. Despite that man being adamant that he didn't want any extra help from Cassian, something didn't seem right. He hesitated, lingered, and kept them here. The Sith wasn't planning on giving him any more opportunities. As he passed through the hall, however, Cassian noticed someone else walking across the adjacent hall. Two of Paragon's soldiers were carrying a container. Normally, Cassian wouldn't care, but something was different this time. Something felt worrying, felt off…He could feel his heart skipping a beat the moment he laid eyes on them.
"Couldn't we have someone else do this? Doran said we'll be striking at the Exchange today!"
"Stop whining already! We'll get our chance later."
"Should've sent some grunts to do it, not his best bloody soldiers!"
The Chiss slowed down and walked behind the nearest wall, deciding that it was worth taking a listen.
"Because this is more important than the Exchange."
"How is anything more important than the Exchange?"
"I don't know…Doran said he'll explain today, so just shut up, and let's finish the job."
The two of them opened a door and entered an adjacent room; Cassian got closer to watch them carefully; there was a storage room. The Sith Lord could only see fragments of it, yet something was clear. The two soldiers standing in front of multiple crates and weapons, some of them gleaming with violet.
"And this is the weapon that Doran says will free Zakuul, huh?"
"Yes…He calls it the Voidcaller."