Xinnaa walked up to the large transport that Saa'na and So'lia were standing in front of.

"Coruscant, huh? I tried to disappear there at one point but even with that many people around… I kept getting this feeling that everyone was watching me."

"The past is the past, now is now," Saa'na said with a wide shrug, before pointing to the sky. "And now is the time to party!"

"Responsibly," So'lia said.

"Heh."

"Where's Tycho?" Xinnaa asked, looking around. "If we're honoring the three of you becoming Knights, why isn't he here?"

"Stealing Kazu," So'lia responded.

"Stealing? He didn't want to come celebrate?"

"He's probably telling Tycho he doesn't but we know he really does," Saa'na said. "He used to be able to let loose and have a bit of fun every now and then but… the older he's gotten, the more fixated Kazu has become on… something. He's spent more time in the archives studying history than anyone we've ever known. He won't tell us why either."

"You have any guesses?"

"We all think he's trying to prove something existed… or maybe he's looking for someone… Every time we ask, we get different vague answers."

"Hmm," Xinna responded, rubbing her chin. "All I've ever been able to get out of him is he's trying to balance duty and devotion… wouldn't tell me to what though. You think we can get him to talk?"

"No," So'lia said. "We wait."

"So's right," Saa'na said. "He'll tell us when he's ready… if he's ever ready. And if he never does, then that's his choice."

# # #

"Mos Eisley!?" Tycho yelled, watching Kazu pack a small bag. "For kriff's sake, why do you want to go to that wretched hive!?"

"If I told you," Kazu said, looking at the other man. "You'd try to stop me."

"I'm trying to stop you even with you not telling me! Does… does this have to do with those dreams you mentioned a while ago?"

"It has to do with research I've been doing."

"Research on what!?"

"Eh…" he started, giving Tycho a shifty smile. "If this works, I'll let you know. You and the twins and… and Xinnaa."

"Koz…" Tycho said, putting both hands on his friend's shoulders. "We all know something has been driving you for a while. We've been… okay… with you not telling us… but it's starting to consume you. Even Xinnaa knows something's up. She's told me you've been cryptic around her. The twins and I… we've been able to sense that you're shutting us out of whatever's on your mind. You've got to tell us what's going on before… before something happens to you."

"Nothing's going to happen to me, Tycho," Kazu responded, brushing Tycho's hands off of him and grabbing the bag. "And I'll tell you the same thing I told Xinnaa: it's really, really complicated."

"That's a load of Bantha fodder and you damn well know it, buddy."

"Tough," Kazu said, moving around Tycho and opening the door. "I'm going to Tatooine."

Tycho leapt and shut the door in Kazu's face.

"Not alone you're not," he replied, sternly.

Kazu glared at Tycho and opened his mouth to say something before closing it.

"You and I are going to join the twins and Xinnaa. We're going to Coruscant to celebrate Saa'na, Solia, and I passing our trials. And then… you and I… will go to Tatooine… together."

Kazu stared at Tycho for a few seconds before opening the door back up.

"Fine," he said walking through. "I guess I can force myself to have a little bit of fun."

"That's the spirit, Koz," Tycho replied, walking after him and shutting the door. "We'll probably go to one of the bigger nightclubs. They'll have Sabacc. You like Sabacc."

"How am I going to play cards with no money, genius?"

"I'll loan you a couple credits."

# # #

Khondo stood on a balcony, arms clasped behind him, watching the thunderstorm in the distance and smiling at every lightning strike.

"It seems like you're out here for every storm, sir," Aldreck said behind him.

"The lightning inspires me," Khondo said, pointing out in front of him. "Take a look at all the bolts before us. Every one of them strikes the ground and leaves a scorch mark. Wherever lightning has made its presence known, the area feels it. Sometimes it brings more than just a scorch, sometimes it produces a fire that left alone grows into a magnificent force of destruction." Khondo breathed in heavily. "Nothing is more beautiful than a destructive and deadly force borne about by one single strike."

"I do like the smell of rain, myself."

"Kazu has not yet felt my lightning," Khondo continued, ignoring Aldreck. "He has only heard my thunder, each boom growing ever closer. The lightning shall soon be upon him and when it hits, it will create a fire the likes of which has not been seen since Palpatine established his Empire. Those around him will be consumed."

"Speaking of the boy, I do have news," Alreck said. "He has started researching you. Kazu seems adamant to find out everything about you following your ejection from the Order."

"All according to plan," Khondo said with a smile. "All according to plan."

# # #

Kazu once again found himself in a dark, endless void. He turned around a few times before speaking.

"I know you're there," he said. "Why don't you come out and face me instead of hiding."

"But I like hiding," Khondo said, appearing before him. "It's so exhilarating when no one knows you're there and you can do as you see fit."

"Yeah, that tracks," Kazu replied, moving into a defensive stance. "You and visions… you and apparitions… you don't like to show up and make things even."

"But we can make things even," Khondo replied. "All you have to do is join me, like I said. With you as my apprentice… we could bring true order to this rambunctious galaxy. You and me… we could rule together."

"I already told you no," Kazu said.

"A young man like you without any cravings for power or glory?" Khondo asked. "You're lying to yourself. You want it… I know you do."

Kazu glared at Khondo.

"And how do you know that?"

"Because I know young men," he said. "I was one once."

"You don't know me," Kazu said turning around. "Take me out of this vision, put me back wherever you found me and leave me—"

Kazu paused. He could feel something probing his mind, digging deeper into the recesses of his thoughts and memories.

"I see…"

"Oh… you… didn't… just… do… that…" Kazu hissed, turning around.

Khondo began laughing. It started as a series of small chortles before turning into deep, howling guffaws.

"Find me, Starskimmer…" he said, disappearing as his voice echoed in the darkness. "If you want her that much… you will find me."

Kazu closed his eyes and opened them again to find himself sitting in one of the seats of Tycho's transporter. He looked around and saw Tycho flying and talking to So'lia while Xinnaa and Saa'na were chatting.

He breathed slowly and closed his eyes again.

Maybe it's time to tell them.