A New Status Quo

"Speech"

"Radio or calls"

'Thoughts'

Bridge of the Vagabond

Marie stood in front of Tieria, Christina and Lyle. She had been guided by Allelujah, taking in her love's home for the last several months. It was a bit battered, probably imperial surplus if she had to guess. 'Or stolen.' But until she could get a look at the systems, she had no idea what had been done to it. Though standing in front of three rebels was minorly nerve wracking, it was still nothing compared to dealing with Imperial officers while trying to hide her trick with her cousin's blood. Allelujah waited at the bottom of the ramp, Tieria clear on wanting to talk to her without him there. She could feel him comforting her through the force, relaxing her a little bit.

Marie spoke in an even tone as she started to finish up her story, "So I then ran after I had been outed, eventually reaching the hanger and stealing the shuttle. I was lucky I ran into an ally and hope he's ok."

Lyle was sitting down, Christina the same while Tieria leaned against a wall, "Ribbons doesn't do things in half measures. Betraying multiple people in one day." Lyle's voice was a bit tense, and she could feel the frustration rolling off Tieria and Lyle, and the worry radiating off Christina.

Tieria tilted his head, "So why did he go after your adopted father? Surely a skilled admiral would be of better use."

Marie responded simply, "My guess is that it comes down to the crime and imperial infighting. Plenty of branches have issues and try to compete or undermine each other's efforts." She let out a heavy breath, "But I don't care about his reasons. Sergei kept me safe till I could take care of myself." She sat down in a chair they had previously offered, "But what did he do to you?"

All three rebels looked at each other, and explained what happened in the past couple days, Christina and Lyle sounding a bit more tense. Tieria looked collected, but Marie could sense a ball of tight emotions being restrained. She listened to the story, and her hatred only grew. 'Not only did he betray them, but he also took control of a woman to do it.' More guilt sunk into her soul, realizing the sheer depth some dark force users could go. 'And I tried to investigate him. What would have happened if I dug deeper or had more time?' The fact that he was aware of who she was hung in the back of her mind. 'I would have disappeared and only a few people would have noted.'

She shivered at the idea, and when they finished, she grunted, "I'm sorry that happened to you. Anew didn't deserve that, and it seems we have a common foe now. So, what is your plan now?"

Lyle looked at her, spinning in his chair for a rotation, "To get our ship restored so when can chase him down and kill him. Even if he hadn't gone after us, anyone getting their hands on a potentially dangerous weapon is too much."

Marie's eyes went wide, and hope formed in her heart, "What about my plan I suggested?"

Tieria hummed under his breath, "We are already busy getting ready to go after Ribbons. It would be a distraction and could give him more time."

"Hold on." Lyle raised his hand, "Rescuing an admiral would be a win for the rebels, whether as a prisoner or as a defector. And it might cover us breaking protocol."

"But the time."

Christina chirped in, "It still will take a few more days to get the ship up and running. And we still need to do tests to make sure everything is calibrated right." She internally sighed at all the work needing to be done, but the woman's words tugged at her heart.

Tieria crossed his arms, grunting, "Fine, but if it takes too long…"

"You'll say I told you so." Lyle rolled his eyes, "Marie, do you have any idea where he could have gone?"

Marie shook her head, "Not entirely sure. He's definitely in this sector, but there are several prisons that he could have gone too. And more imperial facilities have smaller holding cells for prisoners of value." She gripped the arm in her chair, and saw a growing idea in Lyle's eyes, "You have something?"

Lyle nodded his head, "Maybe. Not a prison, but someone who would know or at least might know where he could be." She raised her eyebrow, and Lyle shook his head, "We'll get back to you if they don't know. We can't tell you everything."

Marie shrugged her shoulder in fairness. 'Honestly they shouldn't even be trusting me.' She shifted in her seat, "There anything else you want to ask?" The rebels shook their heads, "So I am free to go?"

Tieria spoke in a low tone, "Yes, but Allelujah will watch you." She held back a smile as she stood up and bowed.

"Thank you for taking me in." She walked past them down the stairs, and as soon as they could hear her steps getting further away, Lyle took a deep breath. 'This hole keeps getting deeper, and we are going to be in a lot of trouble if things go bad.' He put a hand on Christina's shoulder.

"Open up comms with Nena." Their eyes met, and both let out a breath. Christina nodded, and Tieria walked past them as he seemed to be following the pair of Jedi. Neither stopped him, Tieria more stiff than usual. Lyle chuckled. 'Probably still doesn't like her. Not that I disagree.' It took a moment, but soon enough a lizard-like face appeared onscreen, before shifting to her familiar human face.

"Want to chat?" She smirked at them, clearly relaxed and looking very comfortable where she currently was, clearly in the old office her boss had.

Lyle nodded, "While I would love to make small talk, we have business we need to discuss."

Nena leaned forward, "Business you say? I always like business." He was unnerved by her greed and took a deep breath.

"Have you heard any news about any traitors of the Empire recently?"

The smile that crossed her face was one of a cat that caught the canary, "Why do you ask?" Christina frowned at her clear knowledge of what they asked, and Lyle really hated having to rely on criminals, especially one that had played them recently.

"Because we need to find Sergei Smirnov, and I'm willing to call in that favor for it."

Christina chirped in, "We know you have your fingers in all parts of this sector, and no movement would go untraced."

Nena smirked, leaning back, "Oh I certainly have my hands in everything. And since you are calling in that favor, I suppose there is no need to play coy." She began to pull something up on her computer, and after a minute, she looked back up at them, "Well, well, well. The imperials were good at hiding this, but sometimes debts are very useful."

Lyle looked at her, groaning at her still being unhelpful right now, "So that means you know exactly where he is."

"Yes. He is at a small observation post near Cloud City. Seems the imperials are keeping an eye on the place. Run by intelligence, but they haven't had a full check in for a few months. Not technically classified but is not generally noted in most reports." Nena hummed under her breath, "And since we are friends, I'll send over the blueprints of the facility, though I do have a request if you want that."

Lyle saw coordinates were sent over, noting she wasn't lying. He looked her in the eyes as she said that and noted that she seemed to believe they would do this. He just grunted, "What do you want us to do?" It was clear they could try to go in blind, but Lyle wanted as much intel as possible.

Christina scowled slightly, not liking her vibes, same as she had before, "Do you want intel about the imperials there?"

The Clawdite just smiled, "The opposite, actually. They captured one of Wang Liu Mei's agents and probably found intel that they really shouldn't have. Unfortunately for me, they were important ones, though thankfully it was encrypted. Several higher-ranking informants were named, and I need this deleted."

The Corellian tilted his head, "And do you want us to rescue your agent?"

"Oh no. If they are already captured, I assume they are dead. Criminals often don't get public trials." She chuckled, "Or at least criminals like me. If you see them, you can kill them, as he is already compromised." The almost wistful tone of her voice caused Lyle to ball his fists.

Christina put a hand over his, "We'll do it. Don't you worry." Nena nodded, and more data was sent over, which would need to be unpacked. Christina steadied her own nerves, "Anything else you want to ask?"

Nena shook her head, "No. Can't wait till our next talk~. Tell Setsuna I said hi." The call ended, and Lyle let out an angry grunt. He looked in frustration at the display showing the data they got and let out a heavy breath.

"The worst part is if we ever want to use her again, we probably have to do it."

Christina smiled at him, "I don't think any of us would be ok with any of that. But we'll do the right thing, if need be, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but for once the imperials will make this easier for us if they have killed him." Her stomach rolled uncomfortably at the idea, but they hadn't exactly been the most comfortable out her.

Lyle looked at her and nodded, watching Christina copy the data and walk towards her station, "Once you decode it, please tell me."

She nodded, "Understood."

Engine Room of the Vagabond

The door slid open, Feldt and Setsuna continuing to focus on their train, both in a meditation pose, Setsuna's eyes closed. Setsuna's brow was strained as he pushed back against Feldt's intrusion onto his mind. Feldt was also sweating as she pushed to access some of his memories, one that he had shown her. She calmed her nerves as his walls were hard to break. 'It's strange to have to break through them.' A part of her wanted him to break them down, to let their bond flow freely, but right now she needed to focus.

Neither of them was aware they were being watched, the two Jedi at the door. Feldt took another minute, finally breaking through the wall, seeing a memory of them kissing for the first time. She blushed and both caught their breaths as he looked at her, letting her in once again, "That's not fair."

Setsuna just half smiled and put a hand on her knee, "You never said what memory to use, other than a familiar one." She pouted, but she realized they were being watched. Both force users looked over at the door and saw their new guest.

Feldt waved, "Hello. I'm sorry we kept you waiting. Were you standing there for long?"

Marie smiled at them, shaking her head, "No. I understand training can be very distracting." Nostalgia flowed through her, her mind going back nearly twenty years. Training with her fellow apprentices, going to classes and wandering the halls when they had free time. She squeezed Allelujah's hand, a tear threatening to well up, "May we come in?"

Setsuna looked over the woman, and it was strange to see her seem so soft. 'Normally she's keeping us on our toes if we met her.' He wished he had Feldt's ability to read people, though it was hard to pick up anything as her walls were just as strong as Allelujah's. And there was an ease in maintaining them, something he only wished he could do. Setsuna nodded at her, "Sure."

The two Jedi entered the room, and the couple stood up from the ground. They gave the older force users a chance to look around, and Marie smiled at both as Allelujah let her take the lead, "So which one of you is the engineer here?" Feldt raised her hand and Marie continued, "Allelujah said you had a unique ability to scan machines."

Feldt nodded, "I don't know why, but yeah. It's been useful for keeping the stealth drive running."

Setsuna smiled warmly, "It also got us into that vault. We wouldn't have been able to get in nearly as easily if you hadn't been there."

Feldt blushed again, and Marie giggled, "You are both cute." They were so comfortable around each other, and Marie could sense the underlying bond between them. She pulled Feldt into a hug, who awkwardly let her. Setsuna chuckled under his breath, and when it broke Feldt rubbed the back of her head.

"What was that for?"

Marie simply smiled, "For being there for Allelujah. I don't think he would have come out of his shell without you." She hugged Setsuna too, who didn't even hug back, not expecting it, "That includes you too."

Allelujah laughed and pulled her away from the couple, "She's not wrong." Marie kissed his cheek, and a smile crossed her face.

"So, you two are a couple?" Her eyes scanned them, and a part of her was jealous at their connection as the pair just nodded. There was no awkwardness or doubt, only love radiating a bit from the couple. She just nodded back at them, "I'm happy you two found each other. These are dark times for people like us."

Feldt relaxed as a comfortable atmosphere filled the room, "We try to help as much as possible. I'm just happy you are safe too."

"It just took a lot to get here." Allelujah sounded tired, but there was still a strain in his voice

Marie looked between the two, and pulled a stool to sit down on, "So Feldt, Setsuna, I was curious what Allelujah taught you." Allelujah looked away, and just had to accept it as Feldt and Setsuna covered his lessons, highlighting how he shored up some of their weak points, as well as how he tried to help them with their more unique powers. Marie commented and asked more specific details, seeing lessons she was taught, as well as lessons that were clearly from his master.

She ribbed Allelujah a bit, referencing old teachers and masters, but as the explanation came to an end, Feldt looked at the older woman, "I was wondering if there was anything that you could teach us."

Marie just smiled, "I don't think I can teach you as many combat skills. I was actually training to be a healer before things…happened." A frown crossed her face, before a weaker smile came back, "I'm not opposed to training, but right now I just want to figure out what is going on and what to do going forward. Besides the Ribbons issue."

Feldt nodded, "I'm sorry for asking. It was insensitive of me." She looked down at the ground, and Setsuna put a hand on her shoulder, silently comforting her as she put her hand on top of his. She smiled warmly and blushed slightly.

Allelujah chuckled, "I forget how cute you two are sometimes." Both just smiled and Marie pressed herself into his side, "Though not as cute as you." She blushed and kissed his cheek, pulling back as Setsuna looked between both Jedi.

"There is no pressure on the offer. And you have my word that Ribbons will go down before all of this is over." Marie could see the confidence in his words, though she doubted if any of them could take him on. Even with her brief conflict with him, he oozed power, and she probably would have brought back up if she really wanted to beat him.

"I hope we can do it." There was an underlying tone of doubt as she said that, but feeling the determination of the force users in the room filled her with some hope, "He needs to pay for what he has done." Allelujah rubbed a wrist, his darker half growling in agreement at her words. 'The first time he had any positive reaction to her.'

Allelujah smiled as Marie waved at the couple, "Thank you for talking with me."

"Anytime. Though don't ask about the stealth drive. I can't exactly tell you how it functions." Feldt giggled a bit as she said that, though the words were true.

Marie nodded, "Understood." She turned to leave, and Setsuna looked at Feldt, saying something quietly that she missed. She looked at her old friend, and her voice wavered a bit as they left the room, "So are we…together?"

Allelujah looked at her confused, "I assumed so. Do you not want to be?"

Her eyes went wide, and she blushed, "We just…never said it and I didn't want to…" She groaned, and Allelujah wrapped his arms around her.

"I don't kiss people unless I really care for someone." She blushed deeper and sighed. 'Now you sound like a lovestruck teenage girl.' It reminded her too much of her feelings the night before both became apprentices. She didn't know if she should be embarrassed or feel good that she could still have those butterflies in her stomach.

He kissed her softly and was about to get deeper until someone cleared their throat. Tieria leaned against a wall, and just looked generally annoyed, "So this is what keeping an eye on her looks like?"

Allelujah rolled his eyes, but his face was a nice shade of red, "I know the worry, but she's fine. If she had intended to hurt us, then she would have done it already." He had no doubts in his words, and Marie just looked Tieria in the eye, not backing down as she wasn't fazed by his distrust. Not that she didn't understand it.

"No, I would have done the same if a rebel was defecting to us." As soft as she wanted to be, her training stuck hard, and her instincts were as sharp as ever.

But Allelujah gave a looked to Tieria, "Don't you need to be watching over Anew?"

Tieria tapped his foot, not doing anything for a minute, then nodded, "I suppose I do." He gave Marie a sharp look, but walked past them, Allelujah letting out a breath. He just smiled at her and guided her to the bunk room, currently empty.

He pulled her to his bed, and that happy feeling began to fade as the guilt settled back in. Marie leaned on him, and she looked up at him, "What's wrong?"

Allelujah's voice cracked a little, and the words slipped out, each a weight she could feel through their bond, "I almost killed Anew. I almost gave in to the dark side."

Author Note

Welcome back! We are nearing the last part of the story, and probably have around ten chapters left. This was a fun ride, and I hope you guys enjoy it as the last act unfolds for our crew. Please review and comment, and I'll see you guys' next time.