Soon after repairing the cloaking device, everything was set. All the Seeker had to do now was to pay an innocuous visit to one of the Cabal-controlled listening posts and secure a frequency to contact Odessen. This was a plan he and Xarion rehearsed many times. An efficient virus that shielded a small portion of the communication system from Jadus's trackers, something so seemingly minuscule that no one would even be able to notice. Another ploy on the Cabal, another step that will take them closer to stopping Jadus's plans.

Ever since bowing before Cantor and infiltrating the Cabal, Seeker wondered if there was any purpose to his fight. Wondered why he was still fighting. The Imperial intelligence was long disbanded; there was no one to give him orders. Atiel, Jadus, the Dark Council…They let him go and gave him a single chance to live out the remaining years of his life in peace in a world of his choosing. And even with this chance, this was where Seeker ended up. Docking on a remote listening post in open space, home to the hive of conspirators that just couldn't be extinguished. He remembered how the second galactic war started and how Cabal was pulling the strings. They would continue stroking the flames without end, and with Jadus and Atiel on their side, no one knew what they could do.

Stopping them was far more important than yet another galactic war. Even siding with a Sith was worth it. Xarion was as manipulative and cunning as his predecessors, yet unlike them, he had no delusions of grandeur. As Sith goes, his motives are simple and understandable, to maintain the power base that he has built in the new Empire. If this meant having a powerful ally against Jadus, Seeker was more than willing to team up. It was rare to find a Sith who was willing to see those without force as equals, yet Xarion's pragmatism allowed him to look past those barriers.

When Seeker left his docket ship, he found himself amidst the endless halls of the repurposed space station. Star Cabal members had no time for chitchat or levity. Every single soul here was busy with something, be it technical, strategic, or defensive concerns. Seeker was among those who played the part of the scout. This allowed him to stay away from their prying eyes while still doing his duty. Alas, there was no way to avoid them here, not when Cantor's recorded holo message echoed in his ears; the Togruta's hologram rose above everyone on the station, continuing to preach of their glorious future.

"For generations, we have watched from the shadows, saw our galaxy torn apart by petty wars and conflicts. So many people perished, and so many soldiers were sent to their deaths for causes that they were manipulated into supporting. How many of you have family or friends or know someone who fell at a force-wielder's behest? The Dark Council still holds power in the Empire, and the Jedi are restoring their influence in the Republic. They have already begun another galactic war, and for what? The force-wielders want to prove that their ideology is the only correct one, light, darkness…And we all know what happened in the last six years. How a family of tyrants born with unmatched force and power used it to oppress the entire galaxy. Two psychotic children who would watch an entire galaxy burn for their entertainment and their father, the monster who used the force to transcend death and consume entire worlds! Even the Sith and Jedi who took them down simply returned to their political games, this endless war between groups of cultists who sent honorable men and women to their deaths in billions. Enough of this, I say! My predecessors lost their way; they cared about maintaining their power and not about fulfilling our goal, but now, we have a chance to change the galaxy's course once and for all, now that we have the Voidcaller…We can free us all. We will show the entire galaxy what Jedi, Sith, Knights of Zakuul, and Voss Mystics all of them, are without the force! They are nothing. Pathetic weaklings scrambling for power and domination in a galaxy that belongs to us by right! Remember my words, fellow comrades, and keep your heads up. The day of reckoning is nigh."

Sweet, promising words, Seeker had to admit that it was perfectly clear to him why someone would cling to those promises. This freedom, this sweet taste of triumph, an opportunity to direct their anger and spite at their friends and family being murdered towards a clear, tangible target. In his youth, Seeker would find many of those promises intriguing himself. But not today. Not when he knew that the man behind this operation was the master of life himself.

The Seeker disappeared just like he emerged, unseen and undetected, yet he planted his main weapon. A miniscule alteration to the comm structure, and the virus has been unleashed.

The time to contact Odessen was coming soon, and their new allies would be the key.

…

Ever since Cassian and Vaylin escaped, Doran Mart could not let go of his fear. Those two were among the most powerful people in the entire galaxy. Even without any allies, the sheer power of force was enough to make anyone kneel. And just when he had them in his hands, had his greatest gift that he could present to his mysterious ally, the two of them slipped away. This was a harrowing, mortifying thought that he could not let go of. He sent his men to hunt them, but something told Doran that it would not be enough. He should have been in his quarters now, yet the Paragon found himself pacing around the halls of the upper spire, trying to contain his endless stream of thought.

When he first met the First Archon, the man told Doran about his grandiose plans for the galaxy that he knew. Jedi and Sith, Republic and the Empire, all was about to fall and a new government would arise, the one that wouldn't be bound by dogmas of old. Zakuul could evolve too, if only he helped Jadus with his plan.

Now, everything crumbled. Every time Doran heard a sound, he couldn't help but shiver and look to his side, wondering if the vengeful spirits of darkness finally came to make him pay. He was safe for a few days, but eventually, the time had come. First, a reported skirmish on the lower level of the spire, then a power outage across multiple levels at the same time. All Doran could do was run back to his apartment, clinging to his Voidcaller-infused blaster, hoping that he still had some time to hide and prepare for their coming. But when he finally opened the door to his headquarters, he saw a man with shadowy blue skin and crimson eyes sitting in Doran's own chair.

"Just in time…" Cassian said in a mocking tone as Doran raised his blaster, prepared to open fire at any moment. "Mind coming over for a few words?"

…

The moment Doran moved his hands, Vaylin was right there to stop him. She hid in the shadows behind the nearby wall, patiently waiting for the Paragon to walk right into their trap. He ended up being as predictable as Cassian expected, immediately rushing back to his quarters at the first sign of danger. He might have been a good strategist, but at the end of the day, when facing danger himself, Doran's weak, cowardly side exposed itself.

"Nice try." Vaylin chuckled as she pulled the blaster from Doran's hands and tossed it to the floor.

"No, no…" The old man was about to shout and call for help, but just before he could do that, Cassian raised his hand and force-choked him, forcing Doran into pain and making him fight for every breath he took. He couldn't shout or speak. There was no chance.

"I'd rather we talk in private," Cassian said sternly. "Now, you will do exactly as we tell you, or else you will regret it, understand? We can start with you telling everything you know about Jadus. What did he promise you? How did you meet?"

"I won't…I won't betray him!" He spoke with what little energy he had left, making Vaylin sigh in relief.

"Thank you, Doran, I was getting worried that we're going to skip the fun part." The moment Vaylin spoke those words, she pushed Doran face-forward and slammed him on the table, only holding back by a little. The devastating crash that the Paragon had to suffer immediately drenched his face in blood and broke his nose. He would've screamed in agony if not for Cassian holding him back.

"That's a tad excessive." The chiss sighed. "We still need him to be in a condition to talk?"

"This is the only language this trash bag understands!"

"Let's see…" Cassian looked at the terrified man as Vaylin threw him to the floor and dragged him along like a mop. "Changed your mind now?"

"I…He contacted me via holo, we never met in person, we just exchange resources…"

"Is that it?"

"Y-yes…"

"You're lying." Cassian sighed. "We've looked through your archives; we know there's more to it."

"I…I don't know what you're talking about!"

"You don't understand your situation very well, do you," Cassian said sternly. "Do you know how agonizing it is to have the dark side of the force flow through your entire body while you can't even scream? Because we can arrange that easily." After those words, Vaylin raised her hand and began the forced torture. It was one of her favorite methods, making her victim feel as if it was torn from within. She could see the crimson in Doran's eyes, malnourishment in his veins, how he tried to shout yet was only able to cough with his own blood.

"Please…I'll tell you, I…"

"Go on," Cassian said, giving Vaylin a sign to weaken her grip.

"He…Contacted me just as I was starting my campaign. Promised to give resources if I…If I promise to ally Zakuul with his new government. He had a lot at his disposal. Much more than I did…It was a small price to pay for ridding our home from the bloody Exchange. He brought me into his inner circle…The nine with numbered titles. We met and discussed all our arrangements…"

"Where?"

"On Alderaan." So this was their next destination, now Vaylin had no doubt.

"Where exactly?"

"Near Castle Panteer…Jadus has sympathizers among the Alderaanian nobility. They gave him a personal place…It's called Westwind Estate. I don't know the exact coordinates…I swear."

"We will find someone who does, then," Cassian said. "Did you really expect a Sith from a foreign sector to care about Zakuul?"

"I…Didn't care for his motives. All I knew was that he could help. I did it for my world and my people…I won't apologize for it." Doran spoke through his pain.

"You have strong convictions, I'll give you that. Too bad they're delusional."

"So what now? Will you kill me?"

"No, it's your lucky day." Cassian said. "Partially because we gave a promise to spare your miserable life, partly because we need you to get off-world."

"But that would mean…Betraying my agreement with Jadus!"

"Would you rather us force you into it?" Cassian raised an eyebrow. "Good for Vaylin, not so much for you."

"Come on, please resist," Vaylin said playfully. "I was only getting started!"

"N-no, no more!" Doran shouted. "I'll…I'll help you. Just tell me what you want."

"Can you contact your men at the spaceport?"

"Yes…"

"Tell them to abandon it. Now."

For a moment, it seemed like Doran was about to resist, but he inevitably caved in. Doran took out his comlink while Cassian and Vaylin remained in the shadows.

"Captain Carter…This is Paragon speaking."

"I'm receiving your call, sir. Do you have any new orders?"

"I do…I want you and all your men to report to the spire immediately. Every single one of you."

"And abandon our posts at the spaceport? Are you sure about that?"

"You heard my orders, captain."

"We will move out at once." Those were his last words before communication got cut off.

"Good man," Cassian said. "Consider yourself lucky…You'll see another day."