"Here she is!"
Vaylin had to admit, that as surprising as this reunion with Kaia was, it brought her some unexpected comfort. When she and Cassian were busy fighting Exchange in the spaceport, there was no time to focus on her too much, not to mention how Vaylin terrified her with a display of force, power, and cruelty. Things that came naturally to her would be gruesome and monstrous in the eyes of a child…She never once stopped to think about that, not until now. At least Vaylin was able to see that the girl got better, allowing her to feel a measure of relief, but even this was temporary.
"W-what?" Kaia said with fear as she turned around and saw half a dozen of men in Exchange armor. The one who walked ahead of the others looked at the girl with anger in his eyes.
"Thought you could run away from us like that? We saw you leaving the spaceport, you aren't stupid enough to think we'd let you go, right?!"
"I-I can explain, please, just give me a moment!" Kaia shouted, making a few citizens that stood nearby to turn towards them, but they didn't care to intervene.
"I don't give a fuck about your explanations!" The man shouted before grabbing her and reaching out for her. Kaia attempted to rush away, but it was too late; the thug grabbed her hair and began dragging her away.
"No, no, please! LET ME GO!"
As Vaylin saw this display, another image flashed before the woman's mind. For a split second, Kaia's terrified screams became Vaylin's own. She was that child…A little girl trapped in darkness and screaming out for her mother, father, brothers, or anyone to come and help her. The keepers of the Sanitarium were among the most sadistic, heartless creatures Vaylin had ever seen. Physical bruises healed, but memories of humiliation never went away. They punished any slight hint of disobedience without holding back. Sometimes, she couldn't feel her legs, so they would drag her. By arms, most of the time, but before she got all of it shaved, some preferred the hair just to make it more hurtful. They were just like Jarak, reveling in others' pain, much like those thugs like Vaylin herself.
Disgusting monsters, all of them.
"Leave. Her. Alone." Vaylin spoke coldly.
"Yeah? And who the fuck are you to…" The man said furiously before looking up and finally looking at Vaylin's face. The moment he saw her, the thug shivered and took a step back, his eyes wide open in fear. "W-wait, you're… You're…"
"I'm the last person you're ever going to see!" Vaylin raised her hand and unleashed a surge of force lightning, striking at every single Exchange thug. This time, she decided to make it quick; she didn't want Kaia to see anything too traumatic. Vaylin could only hear a few squeaks before her enemies fell to the ground.
"Oh my…" Someone from the crowd said, in only a few moments, everyone was looking at Vaylin. Most did so with fear, and only in Kaia's eyes, there was a sense of being enamored and relieved. A power beyond anyone's control was on her side, an unbeatable force-wielded who stepped in to save her from cruel gangsters who gave her nothing but torture and abuse. "Who is this… What's going on?!"
"Hey, don't worry!" Kaia rushed towards Vaylin, desperately trying to calm others down. It was brave to go against the crowd like that, but she was still powerless against them. Of course, the patrolling guards didn't keep them waiting. Numerous skytroopers emerged from the streets' corners, so fat they had only been patrolling the plaza, but now they finally had a target. All of them focused their sight on Vaylin with their blasters pointing at her.
"And here goes our cover…" Cassian sighed before igniting his lightsaber.
They opened fire immediately.
Vaylin only had a few seconds to react, but she made the most of them. She reached out and dragged Kaia back to her with force. Moments later, Vaylin created a defensive field manifesting from her willpower. Countless blasts from the skytrooopers' weapons had no chance to reach them as Vaylin's field absorbed them all.
"You…You…" Kaia spoke quietly and in shock, still struggling to process all that was going on.
"Yes, I am Vaylin!" She declared with pride while continuing to deflect the endless blasts. "Not so much of an Empress anymore, but at least commoners haven't forgotten their past!"
"You saved me…Thank you!"
"My pleasure," Vaylin said confidently before pausing herself. She just realized that she was awfully enthusiastic about saving this child's life. A child she only met for the second time in her life. She might have never hurt children directly, but it was the first time Vaylin felt genuine joy from helping one. But this moment of catharsis was quickly dissipated by her realization of the battle. More skytroopers joined their comrades and continued the onslaught. Cassian ran towards Vaylin and Kaia, quickly entering the forcefield. The woman could hold it for a time, but even so, even she wasn't omnipotent.
"We can't stay here!" Cassian spoke up. "The more time we waste wrecking those droids, the sooner Doran will know where we are."
"You need a place to hide?" Kaia asked. "I…I know where you can! I'll show you the way."
"Won't you put yourself in danger?!" Vaylin said sternly while still maintaining the power of the forcefield.
"Maybe, but…You saved me twice, I want to repay."
"We don't have many options here!" Cassian interjected. "Kaia, you can show us the way…After we escape this damn place."
"This won't be a problem," Vaylin smirked. It was time to unleash her aura.
…
Atiel never trusted Doran and his lackeys to be skillful enough to capture Cassian and Vaylin, and soon she was vindicated. Lord Jadus informed her of the two escaping right before Zakuulan guards could reach them, and now they were out of Doran's reach. The Chiss Agent tried not to show it, but a part of her was glad that it ended up this way. It could be a perfect opportunity to prove herself and reach them. She already had Vaylin kneel powerlessly before her; she could easily do it again. But her lord's response was hardly what she anticipated or wished for.
"I need you to stay at my side on Odessen. Too many matters require your attention."
A disappointing answer, yet a reasonable one. Atiel was in charge of keeping peace in Odessen, while Lord Jadus focused on everything related to Voidcaller research. However, this didn't mean that Atiel couldn't find someone else, someone far more skilled and dedicated to bringing the runaway duo to 'justice.' Someone who would have a personal interest in seeing both of them fall. She knew a woman fitting those parameters, and as soon as Atiel realized how much potential this idea had, she made her call.
They agreed to meet on one of the landing pads; Atiel provided her contact with the necessary clearance. She knew Lord Jadus wouldn't mind, not when Cassian and Vaylin were the biggest threat to his plans. She didn't wait alone; however, Ki Sazen and two of her nekghouls were by her side. The rogue Jedi didn't waste any time; she began experimenting with Voidcaller the moment they took Odessen, even infusing some of her pets with it. They were completely obedient to anyone who held a remote control of their collars. Alas, Ki remained as feisty as she ever was.
"That friend of yours isn't too big on punctuality, is she?" The zabrak said in a mocking tone.
"We can tolerate that as long as she agrees to fight for us."
"And what makes you think she will?"
"She'll just need a location...And truth." Atiel smiled. "Once she knows it, there will, be nothing to stop her from chasing justice."
"How are you so certain?"
"Vaylin took someone very close to her…Her husband was a proud Mandalorian and a loyal soldier of the Alliance, but he died defending Odessen. Now, the Alliance's former leader works together with his killer and doesn't bat an eye. Who wouldn't be enraged after this?"
"So she's some vengeful thug? And this justifies you giving her the Voidcaller…And even two of my nekghouls?!"
"She'll need weapons." Atiel stated. "Your new pets are enough to disorient even the strongest force-wielders. Her skill with blasters is unmatched, she just needs her perfect ammo…Ah, here she is."
A start ship of D5-Mantis class emerged from hyperspace, making its way towards landing platform, home to the Champion of Great Hunt and her crew that has long been disbanded since the days of their shared adventures. Atiel met her on Makeb when both of them aided the Empire's operations. She was honorable, proud, and at times merciless, just like a true Mandalorian would, qualities that Atiel could easily direct towards their shared enemy.
After the ship landed, its doors opened, and Atiel heard steady steps, noticing a curiosity in Sazen's eyes. A Mirialan woman clad in Mandalorian grey armor emerged. Her dark green face was unmasked, and her stern brown eyes were focusing on Atiel and her companions.
"It's been a while." The Chiss smiled as she welcomed her old sister-in-arms.
"Atiel…Or should I call you 'Ninth Siren' now?" The bounty hunter said with her signature cold tone of distrust, it was nice to see that even recent battles and tragedies did not change her.
"I think we've been through enough together to go by name," Atiel reassured her.
"And who are they?" The Mirialan nodded towards Sazen and her new nekghouls. "Your new friends? You always had a weird taste for company, but this is too far."
"Excuse me!" Ki spoke up. "Do you know who you're talking to?!"
"Haven't seen your face among recent bounties, so clearly not someone important."
"Stop it, both of you," Atiel interjected. "We're here to help each other, not for skirmishes. Ki, meet Tasara, a Mandalorian and the best bounty hunter I ever knew. She has a lot of kills on her hands and hasn't failed in a long time. Tasara, this is Ki Sazen, once a Jedi, then Sith, now our primary nekghoul consultant." Atiel looked towards the two static beasts whose skin burned with violet. "I assume you know…"
"Yeah, I've been to Taris. Don't need a rehash." Tasara said starkly before looking at Sazen. "Nice to meet you. Sorry for not shaking hands. I don't want to get…Whatever rakghouls carry."
"How come you didn't get your neck snapped already, brat?"
"I have a way with people, even with force-users."
"Ahem," Atiel spoke up. "That's exactly why I invited you here."
"Yeah, about that…I heard that Vaylin came back and that they held her to here. Didn't know what to make of it back at the time, and when I got my proof, it was already too late." She explained.
"Good, we can work together, then."
"You said you can tell me where Vaylin is if I found out you lied…"
"I didn't," Atiel explained. "But I'm afraid I have other news to share… I'm not sure if you will want to hear it." She needed to prepare Tasara for the coming revelation.
"Just spit it out already."
"Vaylin did not escape Odessen alone. You'd better take a look." Atiel took out a holo-comm and played one of her recordings, the one that was supposed to capture Cassian's execution when he kneeled before Lord Jadus but ended up capturing something else entirely. Tasara witnessed the moment when Vaylin made a fateful choice and saved Cassian from Lord Jadus. Atiel was close to neutralizing her with the Voidcaller but ended up letting both go. Now, she saw Tasara's eyes widen; she was unable to mask her raw fury.
"Where is she?"
"They are on Zakuul, a trusted source told us that. Working together and being friendly…Our contact said that Cassian showed far more care towards her than one would expect considering their history."
"HAAR'CHAK! "The woman shouted as she clenched her fist. "He will pay for this. They both will." She started at the floor, unblinking and in trance, fighting her feelings of disgust and spite.
"All because of your husband?" Ki wondered. "I thought it was an honor for Mandalorians to die in battle."
"He did not die in battle," Tasara said coldly. "Elias told me the details. Torian Cadera, the bravest, most selfless, and honorable man I knew…Tortured and brought to his knees. That bitch didn't even grant him the dignity of dying in battle…She snapped his neck and put him down like a rabid dog!"
"And don't forget that he could've saved him." Atiel added. "From reports I received, Cassian could've reached him in time."
"He…He didn't abandon him for nothing. He chose to save his close friend, Vette; both were overwhelmed, and it was one or the other; he chased the one who he knew personally…" She said as her voice broke for a moment. Atiel knew that it still hurt, no matter the justification. "I…I would've done the same. I should've seen this coming, Jacques said he hesitated a lot during his battle with Vaylin, but I didn't want to believe that…"
"I'm sorry, but it's all true." Atiel sighed. "For some reason, he took a personal interest and a very strong one, at that. Two unstoppable force-users…They will crush you like a bug."
"Mando'ad draar digu. I'd rather die fighting them than live without trying."
"That is why I called you here." Atiel smiled. "I have something that will not only give you a chance at fighting the two of them, it will make it easy. I take it rumors about the Voidcaller already spread around?"
"Yes, they have, though I still have my doubts."
"You will have the opportunity to test it yourself. Lord Jadus permitted me to grant you a considerable supply of Voidcaller, which will be transferred to your ship."
"You want me to fight like a coward?"
"I want you to give your husband justice."
"Come on, don't lie to me. We all know that's not why you're doing it."
"Either way, I'm your only chance. You won't just get the Voidcaller. There will be some personal assistants. Ki?"
"Yes, I remember." Sazen scoffed. "Look, I don't think that I like this arrangement; I'm just following orders. If you get my pets killed, you'll have to deal with me."
"I'm shaking in my boots."
"Uh…Here, take it." She passed the decision to Tasara. "Remote control of their collars; they're connected to their brains, and you can give them orders."
"This is all too generous," Tasara said with doubt. "You want something from me, don't you?"
"I do." Atiel nodded. "I want you to bring them to Odessen alive."
"And why would I do that? I'd rather take their heads."
"I know that, but I'm sure you'll enjoy the arrangement."
"What arrangement?"
"If you bring the two of them alive, Cassian will be executed in front of the entire galaxy. Lord Jadus said that if you succeed, you can be the executioner. You will be able to kill the man that spit on Torian's grave."
"And Vaylin?"
"Her fate is…In question. Lord Jadus still needs her for research, but she will outlive her usefulness sooner or later. Then, you'll have your fun."
"And if you lie to me?"
"We won't. But I'm afraid you'll have to take our word for it."
"As if it means something…Why shouldn't I just take the Voidcaller and kill them?"
"Because otherwise, we would hunt you down and kill you. Maybe make an example of your fellow Mandalorians. I'll give you one chance to back out now, but it's the only one. So make your choice…Are you in?" Atiel laid out her terms.
"Yes," Tasara said with a heavy heart. "I will hunt them down, no matter how much it takes."