"General, we're on Alderaan," Agenord said. "Have you heard from Master Orgus?"

"Negative," Var Suthra said. "Considering the chaos there, it's a wonder any messages get through. Alderaan's a war zone."

"I know," Agenord replied. "I familiarized myself with the conflict before we arrived. Why are we here?"

"My people developed the Death Mark weapon to end this conflict with surgical precision," Var Suthra explained.

"Extraordinary device," Doctor Godera added. "It marks targets with a microscopic tag. Undetectable. Tracks targets anywhere on the planet. Cloaked satellites can hit the target anywhere on the planet."

"What does Darth Angral want with an assassination laser?" Agenord said. "He's building a planet destroying weapon."

Godera said, "The Death Mark is powerful enough to hit a target deep underground."

Agenord nodded. "He wants to use it to dig holes for the Shock Drum missiles."

"Exactly," Godera said.

"Count Alde was the last to see Master Orgus," Var Suthra said. "He co-funds the Death Mark project with us. I tried informing the count of your arrival, but communications there have been crippled. Reports indicate multiple holorelays destroyed. Standard Imperial battle tactic. House Organa can't spare the troops to get their holorelays online. Maybe you can help?"

"Can't spare the troops?" Agenord said. "Show me their deployment." Var Suthra and Godera were replaced with a map of the region. Organa troops were highlighted. Agenord scanned the map. "There," he said. "That's a feint by the opposing forces, House..."

"Ulgo," Var Suthra said.

"Organa can pull half their troops from there and send them to the holorelays," Agenord said.

Var Suthra and Godera reappeared. "Force vision?" the general asked.

"Strategy classes," Agenord replied. "I always did well. I even beat Kriranda."

"I will contact General Organa. Var Suthra out."

"Count Alde? Agenord Onoka. I'm an associate of Master Orgus Din."

"Yes," the count said. "Much gratitude for restoring our communications."

"I didn't restore them," Agenord said. "I just redirected some Organa troops. They did the work."

"Thank you for that. Aleyna, tell Master Agenord what you told me."

"I worked at the Death Mark research facility," a Mirialan woman said. "We were conducting routine tests when Imperial forces breached our security doors. There was a... hideous little man with them. A Sith, I think."

"Tell me about him," Agenord said.

"He barely spoke," she said. "Let the Imperials do all the fighting- until the Jedi came. Before anyone knew what happened, a single Jedi wiped out all the Imperial troops."

Kira smiled. "Way to take care of business, Master Orgus."

Aleyna said, "I'm sorry, but the Jedi... he didn't survive. The Sith was deadly. He'd vanish, then leap out of the shadows. He surprised your friend. Stabbed him in the back. It was horrible."

"I'm not surprised he blew it," Agenord said. "Master Orgus was old and weak." Kira and Teeseven glared at him.

"When the Jedi fell," Aleyna said. "The Sith summoned reinforcements. But not Imperials- Killiks."

"I've heard of them," Agenord said. "How did the Sith communicate with them?"

"Oh, they're highly evolved," Count Alde said. "That's what makes them deadly."

"That doesn't answer the question," Agenord replied.

Aleyna continued, "Those things poured into the facility. Started tearing everyone apart. I ran."

Count Alde said, "There was nothing you could've done. Thank the stars you survived to give us this news."

"We need to move quickly," Agenord said. "Where is this lab?"

"It's blasted dangerous," the count said. "Killiks in such large numbers? Virtually unstoppable."

"Not for us," Agnord said, nodding toward Kira and Teeseven.

"Wynne Organa is organizing peace talks with the other houses," Count Alde began.

Agenord suddenly looked around. Kira did the same. She sensed it too. "Count Alde!" Agenord yelled, but too late. The Death Mark laser burned a hole through the palace wall and hit Count Alde where he stood. Everyone else was thrown back from the blast.

Agenord sat, fuming, while a medic looked him over.

"Any warning at all?" Captain Yils asked.

"Kira and I sensed the attack, but too late to do anything."

"Do you know what it was?" the captain asked.

"Classified," a woman said from the door.

Yils turned and saluted. "General Organa. I was taking statements."

"I understand," Gesselle Organa replied. "Find a room for Aleyna Hark and put a guard on her. For her own safety. I'll talk to Master Agenord." The captain left with his men, and the medic departed. "Are you the Jedi that redeployed my troops?"

"I am," Agenord said.

The general sighed. "You were right. That was a feint. I don't know how I missed it."

Agenord said, "You were focused on the big picture."

"That's polite of you," Gesselle said. "Is there any way to protect ourselves from the Death Mark?"

"A sufficiently strong shield," Agenord said. "Or, if you're far enough underground, but I'm not sure how far."

"At least we have the Hark woman," Gesselle said.

"Don't trust her," Agenord told Gesselle. "She lied to us."

"When?" Kira asked.

"She told us Master Orgus was dead," Agenord said. "He's not. I would have sensed it."

"Is that why you said that?" Kira said.

Agenord nodded. "I wanted to see her reaction." He stood with a groan. "It hits hard; I'll say that."

"Now what?" Gesselle said.

Agenord replied, "We find out what happened in that lab."

"It's overrun with Killiks," Gesselle said.

Agenord shrugged. "Not for long."

"What is all of this about?" Gesselle asked.

"The Death Mark will be a component of a more powerful weapon," Agenord said. "The attacks on Alderaan are a distraction to give Darth Angral time to build it."

"How powerful are we talking?" Gesselle asked.

"Millions," Agenord said. "Possibly billions."

The general coughed. "That explains why Killiks don't faze you."

"We have an audience," Agenord said, nodding toward the crowd outside of the room.

"House Alde," the general said. "The count was a good man. He didn't deserve this."

"War is like that," Agenord said. "Let's get to that lab."

A woman approached Agenord from the crowd. The large man behind her said, "My lady, we should return to Castle Alde."

She ignored him. "Can you tell us anything?"

"I'm sorry," Agenord said. "It's classified. But I will find the man that did this. You have my word."

"Your word didn't save the count," the man said.

"Stop, Windredd," the woman said. "He's my bodyguard," she told Agenord.

"He's right to be afraid," Agenord said. He looked at Windredd. "There is nothing you can do except die together."

Kira said, "Stop talking to people like that!"

"I'm right," Agenord said.

Kira groaned. "He saves a world every month or two. It... affects his dialogue."

"It what?" Agenord said.

"We'll talk about it later," Kira said. "Lab. Go. Sheesh."

"Heh... what took you so long?" Master Orgus said. Agenord gestured toward the Killik bodies behind him. "That would do it."

"You've looked better, Master," Kira said. "Sure you're all right?"

"I've looked worse, Kira," Orgus said. "I'll be fine."

Teeseven beeped vehemently.

Orgus said, "Relax, Teeseven. I think. I'm still in one piece."

Teeseven beeped happily.

"Blasted Sith almost killed me," Orgus said. "Was all I could do to save Doctor Parvux."

"The enemy left us here as food for the Killiks," Parvux said.

Orgus said, "Have you met a woman calling herself Aleyna Hark?"

"She's in protective custody," Agenord said. "She was there when Count Alde died."

"She has the targeting device," Parvux said.

"Aleyna's a spy," Orgus said.

"I figured that out," Agenord said. "Let's continue this back at Castle Organa."

"We need to destroy the power stations supplying the satellites," Parvux said.

"We'll do that on the way out," Agenord told him.

"The Killiks?" the doctor asked.

"Won't have more in place this soon," Agenord said.

A diplomat approached them when they arrived at the castle. "Wynne Organa," he said.

"Chief negotiator of the peace talks to end this war," Orgus explained.

"I organized the peace summit," Wynne said. "That's all."

"Aleyna Hark is a spy," Orgus said.

"We know," Wynne replied. "She killed her guards and fled."

Orgus said, "She had the targeting device."

Wynne sighed. "Aleyna Hark had free run of Organa Palace. Everyone there could be a target, including me."

Parvux said, "We've shut off the power to the satellites. That will buy us some-"

Agenord's comm beeped, and Lord Nefarid appeared. "Well, well. The Jedi who killed Tarnis back on Coruscant. Determined to spoil my fun, aren't you? Now I have to set up new power stations where you can't reach. At most, you've bought yourself a few hours. Proud of yourself?"

"This is another distraction," Agenord said. "You don't want me going after Aleyna Hark. She's still targeting people for you. We'll capture Aleyna and the Death Mark targeting device."

"Well, I suggest you hurry," Nefarid said and disconnected.

Agenord snarled at the comm. "We have no idea where she is."

"House Thul," Wynne said. "They are aligned with the Empire, and it is the best place to create conflict."

Kira said, "She's going to target her own people?"

"Yes," Wynne said. "To perpetuate the war. The Death Mark is a Republic weapon. Thul will never believe an Imperial used it against them. Duke Thul openly advocates the peace process. His death would destroy our chances."

"Can we send a message to Duke Thul?" Agenord asked. "Let him know of the danger?"

"We'd have to use formal diplomatic channels," Wynne said. "There's no guarantee he'd receive our warning, much less believe it."

"Hate to say it," Orgus said. "But our best bet is to storm in there and stop Aleyna."

Wynne said, "How many Thul guards would you kill to reach them?"

"None," Agenord said. "If we did it right. They'd go through a lot of kolto and cybernetics, but they wouldn't die."

Wynne said, "The Thul won't restrain themselves."

Agenord shrugged. "I never said it would be easy. I'm ready to go when you are, Master Orgus."

Orgus shook his head. "You're in charge of recovering the Death Mark from House Thul. I have my own mission. There's only a few places Angral's apprentice could be operating from. We need to narrow down that list of candidates."

"The more Jedi we have, the better," Agenord said.

"I believe the Jedi Enclave could spare a few," Orgus said.

"And Nomar Organa just arrived on Alderaan," Wynne said. "If you've heard of him."

"I trained with him on Coruscant," Agenord said. "His help would be appreciated."

"We have a plan," Orgus said. "May the Force be with us all."

"Was Master Organa joining us?" one of the Jedi asked.

"After his business," Agenord said. Four Jedi from the Enclave volunteered. That should be enough. "We need to find Aleyna Hark without causing an incident. We can't kill anyone. Injured or unconscious, but not dead. The woman we're after is carrying a device that marks targets for the same weapon that killed Count Alde. Master Orgus is searching for the Sith Lord controlling the weapon. Until the control system is destroyed, anyone marked will be at risk. If you can't handle that, leave now."

A couple of them looked at Kira. She shrugged in sympathy.

One of them said, "This is what Jedi are for."

"Good to hear," Agenord said.

They advanced on the Thul base.

"Be reasonable, Duke," Aleyna said. "Your calls for peace-" The sound of lightsabers and screaming reached them from beyond the door. "What did I tell you, Duke Thul?"

An orange lightsaber cut through the doors, and they were forced open. A Jedi and a droid entered the room. Five other Jedi disabled the Thul forces in the corridor.

"Duke Thul? Agenord Onoka. I'm here to rescue you from Aleyna."

"Rescue me?" the duke asked. "How many guards did you kill getting inside?"

"All of them," Aleyna said. "And now he's going to kill you."

"No," Agenord said. "We didn't kill anyone. Kira! Bring the captain in."

A Thul guard limped into the room, Kira at his side. "My lord, we lost."

"How many died?" the duke asked.

"None, sir. There's not a man uninjured, but no one is dead."

"Aleyna?" Duke Thul said.

"Ignore him. He's trying to confuse you." She drew her vibrosword. "Be warned. I am prepared to kill you. Lord Nefarid trained me to fight a Jedi."

Agenord coughed over a laugh. "I think the term is 'hung you out to dry'."

"Guards!" Aleyna said. "Defend the duke!"

"Go ahead," Agenord said to the guards. "I'm not after the duke."

Aleyna rushed Agenord, swinging toward his head. He spun her blade out of the way, took it from her hands, and hit her in the head with the pommel. She groaned and hit the ground.

"Search her," Agenord said. "She's carrying a targeting device."

Aleyna said, "I've just rendered the targeting device non-functional. No one will escape Lord Nefarid's purge. You're both dead- just like everyone scrabbling for peace. As the last person marked, Jedi, you'll be first to fall."

"Nefarid said he could pick the targets," Agenord replied. "Not that they were in a specific order."

"Whatever," Aleyna said. "You're still dead."

"We've heard enough from you," Duke Thul said. "Take her to a prison cell," he told his guards. "Blasted woman has doomed us both... unless we work together."

"Do we need help from an Imperial lackey?" one of the other Jedi said.

"Correction," the duke said. "An 'Imperial lackey' who knows where Lord Nefarid's hiding. I knew it would be wise to keep tabs on that Sith. He's using a mountain bunker as a base. I'll give you the coordinates. Kill him if you can."

"I plan to," Agenord said. "What defenses should I expect from this base?"

"The bunker repels torpedo bombers- and that's just the outside."

"Sir," another Jedi said. "We've been called back to the Enclave. We won't be able to help you at the bunker."

"Why?" Agenord said.

The Jedi took a breath. "Master Organa has been killed."

They reached Wardpost Hurne, and Agenord said to Kira. "Any luck?"

"I still can't reach Master Orgus." she replied.

"He should be in the area," Agenord said.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Kira said.

"Master Agenord!" someone called out.

"Miss Risha," Agenord replied, turning. "Xal, Corso,..." and a Wookiee.

"Rhooohwarararc," the Wookiee said.

"Good to meet you."

"Are you headed to House Thul?" Risha asked. "We could go with you."

"Possibly," Agenord said. "Kira and I have been tagged with trackers so we can be targeted with a satellite laser. It's offline at the moment, but that won't last."

Risha paused. "You've been targeted by an assassination satellite? Can you remove the tracker?"

"With a full body scan, but we don't have the time," Agenord said. "The laser will be integrated into a more dangerous weapon. I really shouldn't be telling you this, Xal. Consider it payback for the Temple."

Risha blinked. "Right. Superweapons. I'm starting to understand something Kixi told me."

Kira said, "We could use your help getting into the Thul compound." She nodded at Risha's rifle. "Are you any good with that?"

"Yes!" Risha said, coming back to herself. "Yes, I am. I would be happy to help."

"Then, let's go," Agenord said.

Agenord, Kira, and Teeseven pushed through the Thul defenses and into the bunker. Agenord paused, then said, "The Death Mark is back online. It's looking for me."

"Great," Kira said.

Teeseven rolled a few meters away.

"Feeling the love, buddy," Agenord said.

They fought past the Imperial forces, stopping when they encountered a Sith Lord.

"Jedi!" the Sith Lord said, igniting two sabers. "I've waited for- aahhh!" Agenord killed him.

Kira said, "Do you ever wonder what they were going to say?"

"What?" Agenord asked.

"You do that a lot," she said. "Sometimes I wonder what they wanted to say."

"You're asking this now?"

She shrugged.

Eventually, they reached an empty command center. "He's here," Agenord said. "Nefarid! Show yourself!"

"You're much too passionate for a Jedi," Nefarid said, his voice everywhere and nowhere.

"We captured Aleyna," Agenord said. "She can't target anyone else."

"How disappointing," Nefarid said. "But you're still marked. Angral will be happy about that. My master is transmitting the most amusing holomessage right now. You really should watch it with me."

The holoemitter activated.

"Assaulting my cruiser alone," Angral said. "Very careless of you, Orgus Din." Master Orgus, his wrists bound behind him, stood before Angral.

"Master Orgus," Kira said.

"Pity you didn't bring your student," Angral continued. "I could kill you both. Tell me, Jedi. Are you afraid to die?"

"There is no death," Orgus said. "There is only the Force."

"If there is no death," Angral snarled. "Where is my son?" He stabbed Orgus.

"No!" Kira yelled.

"And now I'll finish you," Nefarid said. "After all, you can't fight what you can't see."

Kira felt a surge of power from Agenord, and found a focus in his eyes she'd never seen. The scar between his eyes burned with the orange of his saber. He scanned the room, then grabbed Kira and leapt away. A Death Mark bolt hit where they had been standing.

Nefarid laughed. He appeared from nowhere, igniting his saber and striking at Kira, but she deflected the weapon. He was about to disappear again, but Agenord had him. He grabbed the Sith Lord with the Force and squeezed. Nefarid laughed again. Breaking free of another Force Sensitive was a simple task. He pushed against Agenord's grip. And did not break free. He tried to slip through. And could not free himself. He attacked Agenord directly. And Agenord shrugged it off, and lifted Nefarid into the air.

"Agenord!" Kira said. "What are you doing?"

Nefarid fought and pushed. Still nothing. He threw objects and lightning at Agenord, and Agenord knocked them away. And lifted Nefarid higher. The Sith Lord finally realized Agenord's intent. The Jedi was putting him between the Death Mark and himself. Nefarid screamed and cursed and fought Agenord. And nothing.

"Agenord!" Kira said. "Not like this! Not like this!"

Nefarid continued cursing until the Death Mark cut him in two. Agenord let the pieces fall to the ground.

"What the fuck was that?!" Kira said.

Agenord looked at her, that focus still in his eyes. "I got the job done." He headed toward the Death Mark control. He dodged the laser again on the way. Kira heard combat and screaming. The laser fired again, and Agenord returned. "It destroyed its own control. We're done here."

They found Xal and the others at the speeder, loading the motivator.

"You got it," Agenord said. "Good luck. You'll need it."

Xal said, "I thought Jedi didn't believe in luck."

"It's still nice to say," Agenord told him.

Risha said, "Did you get your guy?"

Kira barked out a laugh. "Yeah! Agenord got him! Didn't you?"

"I did what I had to," Agenord said.

"Not like that, you didn't!" Kira replied. "I'm here to save you from the Dark Side. Do you remember that?"

"I didn't turn."

"Not this time," she said. She turned away, unable to look at him.

"We don't have time for this," Agenord said. "Angral is still building the Desolator."

"Darth Angral?" Risha said. "The Sacking of Coruscant Darth Angral?"

"Yes," Agenord said. "We need to go before Thul regroups."

"Right," she said. "Thul. Can't forget the planetary nobility."

"They're not all bad," Agenord told her.

"I know," Risha replied. "That's not what I meant."

"The Death Mark has been destroyed," Agenord told Wynne Organa. "Your people are safe. But at a cost."

"I know," Wynne said. "Darth Angral broadcasted the execution. We lost two great Jedi today."

"How did the peace summit go?" Kira asked.

"Well...," Wynne said. "We... we have peace. For now. But... the stories I'm hearing are... unusual."

"Unusual how?" Agenord asked.

"You know," Wynne said. "I'm just going to ignore them. We're moving forward. That's what matters. Oh! General Organa. How goes the conflict with Ulgo?"

"We have a temporary truce," Gesselle said. "Agreed upon at the summit."

"Something wrong, General?" Kira asked.

Gesselle looked at Agenord then back to Kira. "I saw something today, something I thought I'd never see. A Sith Lord... committed an act of kindness worthy of a Jedi."

"I'm sure this Sith Lord had a motive," Agenord said.

"Perhaps," the general replied. "But he helped an old friend out of... well... worse than I can imagine."

"I'm sorry to say it," Kira said. "I'll be glad to leave Alderaan. It's been a tough planet."

"Not quite the 'Jewel of the Republic', are we?" Gesselle said.

"I don't know, General," Agenord said. "Alderaan might still be the best the Republic has, but that says more about the rest of the Republic."

"What now?" Gesselle asked. "For the hero of House Organa?"

"Darth Angral," Agenord said.

"And then?" the general said.

"War is coming," Agenord told her. "Whether I stop Angral or not. Hone your skills, General. You will be needed."