A/N: Character death in this one.

Daiyu

Hela pushed open the door to the apartment, expecting to see Zur up and about; he had been better, even joked but now he was slumped over unconscious.

She rushed over, checked him, shook him gently, finally he came around.

"I was just resting my eyes."

"You frightened me. What happened? How are you feeling?"

"Fine."

She sat next to him, shoulders touching, "Don't lie to me, not now. You're in pain, I can see that. I managed to get some different painkillers." She dug into her bag.

"I'll take one later."

She considered his face, the pain was etched into it

"I'll make sure you do. Dag's coming soon with food."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek; he rolled his eyes.

"You're getting soft in your old age."

She forced herself to grin and stood up, "Less of the old." And walked over to clear the small table for Dag's food, noting that Zur had not eaten what she left for him. She didn't say anything.

"When I go this is yours." He said, pointing to his ceremonial knife, "I don't have anything else."

"You're not going anywhere."

"Here and the ankle sheath. It should fit."

She frowned at him.

"Humour me. Put it on." Held it out to her.

"Only if you hold onto it for me."

He laughed, "Agreed but you're family. It will belong to you."

Dag stood at the door watching them, they had not it heard him knock. He left it a few seconds then interrupted, "Hey. I've brought your favourite." He forced himself to be cheerful just like Hela.

Zur's face relaxed a little; that told Dag all he needed to know. Despite their recent arguments the feelings were still there.

"It just needs warming up."

"Sit! You've been cooking all day. I'll sort this out."

Zur watched Hela, until he heard her clattering in the kitchen, then he pulled Dag close.

"This isn't what you signed up for is it?"

"Life's shit sometimes."

"Can I ask a favour?"

"You can." He thought he knew what was coming.

"I don't think I'll survive this—"

"Don't talk like that—"

"Just being realistic. So look after her for me, won't you?"

"No need, nothing—"

"Promise me!"

Dag searched the Falleen's face before he answered, "I promise!"

Zur dropped back and Dag leaned over to rest his forehead against him. He wasn't going to think of that again, not tonight.

.

Hela sat up straight in the chair, stiff from the cold; Zur stirred, letting out a moan. There was little she could do about his pain; he had taken the recommended dose of painkillers but what disturbed her sleep? She didn't think it was him.

The Rodians had been a trap.

She slipped out from under the blanket, shoved her feet into her boots, picked up the blaster and stood ready to fire at who or whatever came through the door. She knew it wasn't Dag; he had the key code. Memories of the Rodian attack flooded back. She wasn't going to go down without a fight.

She tried not to gasp, when she saw the man in black standing in the door.

He was supposed to be dead, killed in the Jedi Purge. His gift of a locket had given her a few more credits to work with for Zur.

She pointed the blaster; she wasn't sure about him, about anyone.

He walked slowly, silently towards her, eyes fixed on her.

"I don't think you want to fire that. Do you?"

It took a few seconds before she was certain she recognised the voice and the slight smile.

"Baylan." She whispered, not daring to say his name out loud.

He pushed the hood back.

She lowered the blaster.

"I'm here now."

She relaxed a little. He sounded just the same.

"I thought you were dead. The Purge. The Temple."

She could still see the burning spires from all those months, no years ago.

"It was a close thing."

"How?"

"The clones couldn't get all of us, although I'm still not sure why they wanted to. I've heard rumours. The erstwhile Commander Cody even killed Kenobi."

"He didn't."

"What? Kenobi survived?"

"He told me. He fired on him. But never found the body."

Baylon sensed she believed that; she continued.

"He didn't want to but couldn't help himself, couldn't resist the order. Something to do with a chip, embedded in their brains, in all the clones. They were being controlled."

"And you believed him?"

"I did, I could see the guilt in his eyes."

"I've heard this too. All this, this coup, to raise the Empire had been planned for decades, by the Emperor himself."

"Mayday is dead." She whispered, it always sounded so much worse when she said it aloud.

He nodded.

Hela looked behind him and saw a child standing in the door, a black cloak pulled around her; it was the child from the alley.

"Is she with you?"

"Yes."

"How..?"

"Answers later. We need to leave. Get you to safety."

"I can't leave Zur."

Baylan hesitated, "He's here?" He'd been told the Falleen had been taken care of, although it was not necessary, he could do it but he hadn't sensed the usual anger that heralded the Falleen's presence.

"He's ill. Back there."

Baylan walked over to her and looked through the bedroom door; the Falleen was lying there. He walked over and felt his forehead; the Falleen was burning up.

"He has an infection, a toxin. It won't heal." She explained.

"Hmm."

"Can you help him? You helped me once."

She watched Baylan but was aware of the child watching them intently.

"Please. He received the injury helping me."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you." She turned walking back to Zur, expecting Baylan to follow her.

"Get your things, we can get you out of this. Away from here."

"Where?"

"Later!"

"Baylan?"

The child pulled at her, she was stronger than she looked; Hela yanked her arm away.

"You should pack, if you have anything." The child said, now seeming much older than she looked. Hela realised she was Force sensitive; she had that look about her eyes. Older than her years.

But weren't they all now.

Hela looked around but could not see exactly what Baylan was doing; the child, Shin, kept blocking her view, until she finally pushed past her into the bedroom.

.

Baylan stood over the Falleen, he did indeed have a toxin that was waging a war on his system. It was easily treated with the Force and a stronger antidote but they didn't have any.

He looked down at the Falleen. No longer a Jedi, he was doing what he had to, to survive, for his purpose, for the greater good.

He had avoided the Inquisitors and the clones, using Force healing would be a bright light in the Force, a red flag for them. He once heard one of them say that the Jedi cannot help themselves, if someone is in need.

He learnt a lesson that day, that he was no longer a Jedi. The man in need of his help died.

He put his hand to the Falleen's chest.

"Take your kriffing hand off me!" Zur snarled, his eyes wide open now and he pushed himself up.

Baylan took one step back, surprised at the ferocity of the response. He had expected something, he was a fighter but he had not sensed that.

"Leave her alone!"

"I'm taking her somewhere safe."

"I don't believe you."

His knife was inches from Baylan's neck who didn't need the Force to sense his anger but he knew his weaknesses, both physical and mental. Hela was his weakness.

"I can protect her better than you."

"I still don't believe you."

"I loved her."

Zur narrowed his eyes, "To a point, otherwise you would have been here before now."

The Falleen's hand shook.

Baylan gestured and the knife dropped, then he slowly closed his hand into fist.

Zur clawed at his throat but didn't drop yet, until there was finally a crack and Baylan lowered his hand.

Zur slumped to the ground.

He was his true self now and it wasn't Jedi. The Falleen was a complication he did not need. Baylan put his hand on the Falleen's chest drawing out his remaining life force. It didn't take long; he had learnt a lot since the Purge, he'd had to in order to survive.

Dathomir had been enlightening.

The Falleen died silently, for which the tiny Jedi part that did remain within Baylan Skoll was thankful.

.

No!" She screamed.

Zur was on the floor, his knife next to him, his eyes staring upwards. Baylan looking down at him

Shin stood at the door watching the scene.

"I'm afraid I was too late."

Shin watched him, she knew when he was lying, unless he closed himself off from her. She knew what he had done; she had felt it, felt the Falleen die.

"No! That can't be."

Hela knelt down next to him, "He was alive, breathing, burning up but alive. He'd been worse. Had worse episodes."

"His body could not take any more."

Hela knelt there, tears rolling down her face; it wasn't supposed to happen like this. Zur had not even looked peaceful but she was beginning to wonder how many other people she could lose. She kissed his forehead and dropped hers to his. She had to survive or everything he had done for her would amount to nothing.

Shin followed her, ready to do anything her Master wanted.

Baylan held her back, "Let her be."

She frowned, not understanding this kindness given to the woman now that she knew his overall plan for her.

"It will become clear."

She relaxed.

Hela stroked Zur's face and closed his eyes, then took his knife and at the same time slipped it into the ankle holder he had given her.

She stood up and turned to Baylan.

"The Baylan I knew was many things but not a cold blooded killer."

He remained impassive.

"I saw you, what you did and your hand on his chest."

"You're mistaken."

"I know what I saw."

"He was dying. He didn't have long. It was a mercy."

He walked past her, then turned.

"Are you ready?"

They were standing at the door waiting but this was wrong. This was not the Baylan she had once loved.

"For what?"

"To leave. Go somewhere safe."

"No! I'm not going anywhere."

Baylan stiffened; he didn't want to use the Force again, if he could help it, plus there were eyes everywhere. He felt Shin was in tune with him.

"Why?" Asked Baylan.

Hela shook her head, "I don't trust you and I need to talk to someone, explain what happened."

A complication.

"Who?"

She shook her head.

Shin moved forward. Hela backed away.

"Who is it?"

"No!"

She felt she was being pushed hard for that information.

"How did you know I was on this planet?" She asked.

"The locket." He replied.

"I didn't activate it."

"I know, the Ithorian must have."

She had heard the shop owner had died in mysterious circumstances, now she knew why.

"So where do you propose to take me?"

"Somewhere safe."

"No!"

As she said that, she felt the child's eyes on her.

I must find out more about her.

There was no way she could get out; they flanked the door.

"I need to get something." She turned to go to the bedroom.

Baylan glanced at Shin; it was all he needed to do.

"Hela!" She shouted, the woman turned automatically, as she knew she would. Shin pushed her hands out gathering up the Force to throw the woman at the wall. She hit it hard and slid back down. Shin stood over her, hands ready.

"Enough! Baylan shouted.

Shin turned; her master was conflicted over this woman.

He gestured.

Shin grabbed a backpack for her, this woman didn't have much and she packed only the essentials for her. She wasn't sure where they were going, Baylan hadn't said, or for how long.

.

The day had started out so well for him.

Dag finished getting dressed; he was going to see Zur first thing before work, check on him, check on Hela, she looked tired. If she was too tired, she wouldn't be able to look after him correctly, things would get missed. They couldn't afford that.

He paused, smiled, amazed at how his life had changed over the last few months and despite the danger and not a little heartache, he would not have swapped it for control of the Galaxy. He felt more alive than he had in years and it wasn't just Zur but Hela as well. He had recognised her immediately. You don't spend time on Coruscant without knowing her face, especially later in the war, despite her previous hermit-like existence. He was surprised others had not recognised her. Despite himself he liked her, she was not the Diva he had expected.

He pulled on his coat.

Zur always seemed better in the morning and he had a lead on a healer who could help. An organic. He was feeling optimistic about this one, although he wasn't sure how they felt about ex-Jedi but that was only a rumour.

He closed the door of his Apartment and set off, feeling optimistic.

It didn't last.

.

Their door was locked, which was the first indication all was not well. Dag took a deep breath; the door should be unlocked. He used his key code and pushed it slightly.

"Hi! It's only me!" He announced himself before walking in.

The room was a mess. Nothing had been put away. They were both normally tidy. The furniture was moved, knocked over, a small table was broken.

"Hela! Zur!"

No answer.

He pushed the bedroom door.

His stomach lurched at the sight.

"Noooooo!"

.

Hela woke and tried to get up; her hands were bound to the bunk. She lay back down.

They were in hyperspace, she could hear the engines but not her companions, or rather she assumed she had companions; they were very quiet. Then she heard a few muffled words. There was just the two of them.

Tears pricked at her eyes but she couldn't afford that, she had to survive, she could mourn later. Both Zur and Mayday had told her that.

She blinked them away.

Was there just the two of them?

The child, Shin, seemed to do exactly what Baylan told her; she was a Force user. His Padawan but he was no longer a Jedi, that much was certain.

They would know she was awake, especially Baylan; she could still feel him.

The door opened.

Baylan.

"I thought you were awake. I'm sorry about what happened, she's a bit over enthusiastic at times."

He undid her binders allowing her to sit up; she resisted the temptation to hit him. She noticed the ankle sheath was gone.

Baylan pushed the heated ration packs and a bottle of water towards her. Mayday and Zur had always said eat when you can. Hela dove into hers, she never refused food now, and she was hungry. She had been hungry in the camp on Naboo. She survived that. When her hunger was eventually satiated she turned to Baylan.

"So how did you get the child?"

"She's Force sensitive and your friend the Emperor had sent a Bounty Hunter after her."

"He's not my friend and why would he do that?"

"Why do you think? He's Sith and has manipulated all this the War, just to get power and now he's using Force sensitives as either Inquisitors—."

She'd heard rumours of these beings on some of the planets they'd passed through before they finally settled on Daiyu.

"Or something else but I'm not sure what yet."

"So why are you doing this, to me?"

"So you'll be safe."

She didn't believe him and slapped him hard now.

It felt good but she paid for it.

He reattached the binders.

.

She wasn't sure how long she lay there; there was no way to work that out, apart from what her bladder was telling her, she was now desperate to use the 'fresher.

"Baylan!" She shouted, "Baylan! I need you!"

The door opened, Shin came in and crossed her arms.

"I need to use the 'fresher—now. Unless you've got a droid that cleans up." She squirmed.

Shin watched her, "Don't try anything!"

"What can I do?"

Shin smiled, "Nothing."

"I thought so."

She undid the binders and Hela rushed to the 'fresher and took time to splash her face afterwards.

She returned — the binders were gone.

The door was locked.

.

Baylan entered again with more food and water.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Somewhere safe. What's this?"

"It was Zur's ceremonial family knife. He gave it to me."

"He thought of you as family?"

"We both did."

"Hmm."

"Where is this 'somewhere safe'?"

"Not a place."

"A ship?"

"Possibly. But you will be safe. Safer than with the Falleen."

"His name was Zur and he kept me safe."

"And yet you were having to nurse him."

"It's what families do. Was this about the locket as well?"

He smiled.

"It was, wasn't it? Why?"

"You wouldn't understand, didn't understand, when I told you before."

"Then explain to me again." She pushed, hoping to get to him again.

"Oh you're good. You are a survivor, I never realised how much of a survivor you were and still are."

She watched him as he raised his hand.

"Now sleep!" He suggested.

Hela sunk into blackness.

.

Barton IV

Mayday leaned on the table staring at the holograph in front of him; it looked like a building.

"That's a ship?"

He had never seen anything like that before; all the ships he had been in were functional.

"It's called First Light. It's a Nau'ur-class yacht owned by Ddryden Vos of Crimson Dawn." Enfys explained.

"It doesn't look especially functional."

He twisted the image around. The First Light had a distinctive vertical design; a very narrow, tall spaceship.

"It's state of the art. He uses it as a personal residence and mobile base of operations."

"Mobile— clever."

Enfys glared at him.

"I like to know exactly who I am dealing with and their intellectual ability is the most important."

"The yacht has a crew complement of organics and droids and he has his own onboard security force."

"Ouch!" Muttered Finor.

"This Security Force?"

"Hylobon Enforcers."

Mayday frowned.

"Never heard of them."

"Study them. They're his personal guards. They're made up of members of the Hylobon species and armed with JND-41 percussive cannons."

"Those I understand."

"Hylobon — sentient species." Zak pulled up an image, "Grey skin, black eyes, orange hair. No deviation. Ruthless fighters. Not much more is known about them."

"So are Mandalorians but not as ugly."

Finor smiled.

"This is the layout of the ship. You can see the interior is divided up into several floors and decks located on top of one another. Vos' office and personal quarters are located at the very top. All floors are connected and accessible via an elevator which runs through the height of the ship."

"We need someone on that ship." Mayday declared

"Already on that."

"Weazal." Enfys looked at her Lieutenant, he was always with her, by her side.

"I have someone there."

.