The vacation lasted a few days longer than Iris had anticipated, but it had been the most fun she had since the war began. Her night with the captain was enlightening, and she had felt better than she had in years. Plus, this time off was what the rest that the crew had needed after the last couple of months. Soon, they were back together and searching the galaxy to aid in the war. Iris also kept her head to the ground, always listening for potential leads on the Revanites. They had seen a few battles both on the ground and in space, but the war had started to take its toll. Not that Iris was surprised. Jedi were trained to be keepers of the peace, not warriors.

Now that Tython had recovered and the rebuilding had finished, some of the jedi thought that joining the war effort would be a worthy cause. Iris could see that some only sought to avenge their fallen, and others wanted the sith to pay for what they had done. Darkness had touched the temple, and it didn't help that the council moved to Coruscant. War called for desperate measures.

Iris had decided to read in her quarters while they waited for their next assignment. She reminisced about when her missions involved rescuing someone or finding a piece of technology that would change the war. Now, her missions involved leading jedi charges against the imperial army and rallying the troops. With a sigh, she returned her attention to her datapad as she read a cheesy romance novel. It was a guilty pleasure, surely something that the council would frown upon, but it relaxed her. For a few minutes a day, she could put herself in a normal person's shoes and forget about her duties.

A knock at the door broke her out of her false reality as she sighed. She tossed the datapad onto her nightstand as she motioned for the door to open. It slid away and revealed Kira standing on the other side. Iris sat up, bring her legs to the side of the bed.

"I hate to interrupt, but you have a very important message waiting for you," she informed as she brought forth another datapad. Iris stood from her bed and walked over to her, opening the encrypted message. Kira glanced over her shoulder to see the device as the words fell into place to reveal the content. Iris grinned as she read Theron's good news. They had located where the Revanites were, and he needed her to be at Carrick in the next couple of days.

"They've found the hideout," Iris whispered before she handed her the device back. "We should head to the station immediately."

"I'll talk to the others and get moving," Kira mentioned before pursing her lips for a moment. "I'm assuming that the sith lord is also involved?"

"You mean Beniko? I would guess so. She helped us on Manaan, so I would think that she would want to see this through," she answered. "I have a feeling that the new Wrath will also be there when we confront the Revanites."

"And you're bringing Doc this time instead?" Kira asked as she leaned against the wall with her arms crossed.

"He wanted to get a good idea about who we were working with. He managed to persuade you to stay here?"

"It took some convincing, but he managed. I'm going to monitor the situation from the ship with Scourge while he give us regular updates," she explained. Iris raised an eyebrow at Kira before shaking her head.

"Completely understandable," she agreed. "Do we need to resupply while we're on the station?"

"We should be fine, we resupplied at the last docking station. I'll have Teeseven double check while we're gone. I think it's better to remain focused on the task at hand." Iris watched her leave before closing the door behind her.

It didn't take long before they found themselves at the Republic spaceport. Kira seemed a little irritated that she wasn't going to meet Theron with her, but she stayed on the ship as Iris and Doc departed. She mentioned that she would be in the cantina later if she was interested, but she didn't say anything about the mission.

The duo made their way down to the sublevels of the station and back to the SIS office. Theron kept the door ajar and motioned for them to come in when they came into view. Iris closed the door behind them as Theron deactivated the holotable. He had been talking to Jakarro briefly before they came in.

"Glad you made it," Theron greeted casually as he faced them. "Our friends are eager to get started."

"Then we know where the Revanites are hiding?" Iris guessed.

"Luckily, Lana found a couple of Revanites in the Republic army, and they told us where Darok and Arkous have gone. There's a secret base on a planet called Rakata Prime," Theron explained as Iris grimaced. She remembered her time on Tatooine and the creature in the machine who said that they were Rakata. "Remember that cyborg that attacked you on Manaan?"

"That's not an experience I could forget," Iris countered as Theron hid a smile.

"Well, it seems that was just a prototype, and now they are in full production on the planet. Lana and I are planning an assault on the base so you can nip this in the bud," the spy continued before he started to pace in front of them. "They are using pieces of the star forge. It was an ancient self-replicating machine that was destroyed by Revan over three hundred years ago. That's how they're creating their infinite army."

"Then we better get moving," the jedi mentioned as Theron nodded.

"Lana is gathering her team as we speak, so we should get to Rakata Prime around the same time. Jakarro is already there, so we should hurry," he sighed. Iris suppressed a smirk, recalling the Wookie's brutal nature. "I have a shuttle prepped and ready."

"So, we're leaving now?" Doc clarified as Theron shrugged.

"Unless you want to give the Revanites more time for their plans," he reminded. "If you have an issue about the shuttle, I'll remind you that you have a very recognizable ship. The Republic Revanites will recognize you long before we reach the planet."

"The shuttle will be fine," the jedi reassured before sending a warning look towards her medic. Doc clenched his jaw, but he didn't argue further.

"Great, then right this way," Theron guided as they walked to the hangar.

Theron started up the engines, and the ship left the hangar as Iris got a message out to her crew. She kept it short and vague, but she sent the coordinates to the planet in case they didn't return in a few days. If their team failed, Iris wanted to make sure that there was a backup plan to take down the Revanites.

Soon, they emerged from hyperspace after a silent ride to Rakata Prime. Iris decided to meditate as Doc double checked his med kits and emergency supplies. Theron warned them before they entered the atmosphere. They could see the small beach that they agreed to meet on as a few figures came into view.

Theron flew the shuttle onto the beach before the ramp lowered. Doc let Theron disembark first before walking after him, making sure that Iris was behind him. She wanted to tell him that he was being a little dramatic, but she didn't think arguing with him while they met up with the imperials would send the right message. Theron walked over to Lana and Jakarro as Alys stood a few feet away from them. Iris regarded the imperial soldier next to her, but she ignored Quinn when he didn't look at her.

"I had a feeling that I would see you again," Alys smiled as she crossed her arms. Iris gave a serene smile, one that she practiced in the presence of other jedi.

"I plan to see this through," Iris reminded before both felt an intense unease. They turned to their companions, who seemed to be engaged in an enraged staring contest. Iris and Alys exchanged a look before the sith nudged her captain.

"Everything alright?" Alys wondered as the man breathed in slowly. Doc folded his arms and shrugged.

"Doc?" Iris muttered as he gave a her a quick side-eyed glance. He seemed to be debating what to say before the imperial spoke.

"We met a few times on Balmorra," the man explained evenly, his anger just under the surface. The jedi looked at the sith, who now looked rather worried.

"When you disappeared, we at the Resistance had hoped that you were dead," Doc informed as he glared at him. The imperial's lip twitched upward before he chuckled under his breath.

"I hadn't realized there were enough of you to celebrate," he goaded. "I remember several attacks that I orchestrated that nearly wiped out your rebellion."

"Luckily I'm a damn good medic," Doc countered. Iris started to wonder if bringing Doc instead of Kira was a good idea. Alys pressed her lips together as she stared at her captain.

"It is good to see you again, Captain Quinn," Iris informed, catching the imperials attention. She bowed deeply to him before she straightened, hoping to distract him enough to remind him why they were here. Quinn clenched his jaw, but he bowed his head slightly.

"Likewise, Master Vao," he whispered. Iris smiled at him as she heard the falseness in his voice. He did not trust her, nor did he enjoy her presence. At least he was polite.

"Alys, this is my medic, Doc. Doc, this is the ally I mentioned," Iris pressed. He took his gaze off the imperial to see the sith. Iris could feel his unease as Doc's eyes met Alys's. The sith smiled and dipped her head.

"It is good to have a medic. We don't know much about the stronghold, but I can't imagine that we will have an easy time reaching the traitors," she informed kindly. Doc froze for a moment, surprised by the soft voice of the intimidating woman. "Of course, I wouldn't blame you if you left us for dead. I can see you already planning the captain's demise."

"I don't abandon wounded people," Doc informed as he bowed slightly. "Iris trusts you, which will be enough for me. For now."

"I suppose that's all I can ask," Alys agreed as Quinn kept his gaze on the medic.

"If you are done catching up, let's get moving," Theron reminded as he, Lana, and Jakarro walked up to them. The tension subsided as they remembered why they were there.

"Jakarro scouted earlier, and their stronghold is deep within the jungle. You will have to approach on foot, and you will have to go through Rakata territory," Lana began as she glanced at the jedi and her companion. "There are primitive tribes that patrol the area for the Revanites, so you will have to get around the patrols before you can get close to the Revanites."

"Are we sure that Arkous and Darok are here?" Alys asked.

"Jakarro spotted them during his scouting, so we're going to hope they're still there. At the very least, we can stop their infinite army," Theron answered as he pulled out a datapad. "Jakarro will be creating a diversion as Lana and I use Jakarro's ship. We will monitor your progress and warn you of anything that's coming your way."

"A solid strategy," Iris informed as Ceefour started to argue with the Wookie. The rest of them ignored the duo as they went over the finer details of the plan.

"Are you sure you four can work together?" Theron asked, glancing between Quinn and Doc.

"We'll be fine," Iris reassured as Alys agreed. Quinn and Doc said nothing but didn't protest either.

"As long as we all stay sharp and focused, we can finish this conspiracy for good," Lana reassured as she bowed her head.

They wished each other luck before Lana and Theron entered the ship and Jakarro ran into the brush. The droid protested further as they disappeared. Iris watched as the ship took off before turning back to her group. Quinn and Doc continued to glare at each other, each waiting for the other to start something. Alys rolled her eyes as she started on the path. Iris followed, almost leaving the two men by themselves. However, they caught on and followed them as well.

"I didn't realize they knew each other," Iris muttered once she caught up with Alys.

"I didn't know either," she replied with a sigh. "Maybe I should have brought Jaesa."

"I should have brought Kira, but Doc insisted on investigating you," the jedi informed with a small laugh. Alys chuckled and shook her head.

"Quinn insisted as well. He doesn't trust you."

"I can't blame him. He seems to be a diehard imperial."

"That's an understatement. I am sure that he would die for the Empire if given the chance," Alys groaned as they walked through the jungle paths.

"I'm pretty sure he would die for you, though," Iris remarked. Alys turned her head towards her quickly, surprised by the remark. The jedi shrugged. "He looks at you like you created the galaxy. I can also feel the affection he feels for you. Well, at least when he isn't staring at my medic so intensely."

"Would your medic die for you?" Alys wondered, wanting to steer the conversation elsewhere. Iris shrugged as she glanced back at Doc.

"He seems to think so," she replied. "I think he would try to save us both and end up getting us both killed instead."

"Interesting," Alys whispered, sneaking a glance. Doc and Quinn walked side by side, unwilling to let the other be behind them. "His affection for you is strong."

"Is it?" Iris commented as panic gripped her. Alys turned to her and grinned ear to ear, feeling the jedi's feelings. Although they weren't exactly what she expected. She wanted to tease the jedi about attachments, but the medic's affections hadn't been returned. Iris was just uncomfortable with the idea.

"You are not very convincing, jedi," the sith chuckled. Iris frowned and turned away from her. "You aren't very good at masking your emotions."

"I never had to before," Iris groaned before shaking her head. "I don't need a lecture on emotions, either."

"Do you often get lectures on emotions?" Alys asked, confused by her comment.

"Unfortunately."

"From your medic? Or your apprentice?"

"Neither actually. I picked up a stray sith during my first encounter with the emperor, and he has traveled with us ever since," Iris explained. Alys hummed in interest as she brushed a few branches away.

"Anyone I know?"

"Probably," the jedi shrugged and sighed. "His name is Lord Scourge."

Iris walked a few steps ahead before she noticed that Alys had paused on the path. The jedi waited as she watched the sith. Even Quinn and Doc paused their animosity to see the dumbstruck pureblood woman. Alys opened her mouth a few times before closing it, her mind running in circles as she tried to put together a timeline.

"The former Emperor's Wrath travels with you?" she finally asked a little louder than she had anticipated. Iris put a finger to her lips as she looked around, searching for Rakata. Alys stepped towards the jedi. "How did you manage that?"

"He found me while I was under the emperor's control. He said that I was the one that was going to kill the emperor, and he helped me with that goal."

"The Emperor's Wrath helped you kill the emperor?"

"And Scourge is very interested in meeting you, and it's probably a story that he should tell. It might be more convincing," Iris mentioned. Alys took a deep breath, but she nodded.

"I would very much like to speak with the man."

"I'm sure you will have a lot of things to talk about."

"Are we actually going to make it to the stronghold, or are we going to swap stories while the army gets bigger?" Doc wondered, his irritation mounting. Iris raised her eyebrow at him as Alys shrugged.

"You make a good point," Alys agreed before they pressed on. She glanced around when they came to a fork in the road. "Captain, which direction do we go in?"

"We should go to the right," Quinn replied, still acutely aware of the medic.

"We should try to avoid the patrols," Iris suggested as they continued. "We might have been able to fight our way down the laboratory, but the Rakata have us heavily outnumbered. Avoiding contact with the patrols would be the best."

"The jedi is right," Quinn informed reluctantly. Iris gave him a smile, glad that they could at least agree.

"Fine, we'll play it safe. We do have a long way to go after all," Alys groaned. They could see the temple where the Revanite compound was located, and it was still at least a mile away from their location. Iris grimaced before they pressed on, not excited to hike through the jungle.