Chapter 9: The Jedi
We're too late.
A growl escaped Shyra Viel's lips. Even from this far away, cramped inside the cockpit of a starfighter, she could see that this was true.
Her squadrons had just launched from the Resolute. The only alliance ship and task group in this sector. The Eternal Throne's attention was being drawn more and more to the core, and the center of the Sith Empire, leaving isolated worlds like this one to fend for themselves.
Good for us, the Jedi master thought.
Every system and sector that Arcann ignored was a place where the alliance could expand and grow. Soon, they would have the ships and resources to strike at the heart of the Eternal Empire.
Soon, they would be able to take the fight directly to the invaders.
First, however, they needed to prove themselves to their potential allies.
Responding to a call for help, the best way to do that.
Sadly, this time, their help had come too late. The Force was awash with pain and fear.
Yes, she thought sullenly.
They HAD arrived too late.
In the distance, the world of Staukhause was growing. A tan and black marble against the blackness of space.
You could just make out one of the ore processors in orbit, from its tilt it was clear that the stabilizers were offline. Emergency crews would need to be dispatched immediately, provided there was anyone left alive to need them.
"Lead, this is two."
Shyra opened her comms.
"This is lead."
"We got drive trails, boss. Looks like the party is over."
She nodded.
Yeah, she could see that too.
Eight or nine ships had broken orbit, and were on an escape vector. The Resolute and her task force were out of position to intercept them.
They would be in hyperspace before the alliance ships could engage.
"Wolf Lead, this is Polearm lead."
"I'm here Polearm Lead," she answered, "Talk to me, Otho."
"We still got an enemy in orbit. Galleon class carrier by the look, and we got active starfighters as well, harassing the processor. Are we clear to engage?"
Another growl escaped Shyra's lips.
She reached out with the Force; she touched the enemy ship. Before she ordered the attack, she needed to make sure that there were no innocent people onboard.
If this was a slaver raid, she wanted to make sure not to kill the people who had been taken aboard that ship, if any.
The Force around the ship radiated with greed and aggression, she could sense rage, and a sense of black confidence.
Hardcase raiders this lot. They were either very tough or very foolish.
Maybe they thought they had time, with the Resolute hanging back.
Shyra's eyes narrowed.
She…she sensed no innocent beings aboard that ship, only its crew.
Good.
They were clear to engage.
"Are we holding back, or do we engage, Wolf Lead?"
They should let it go, she thought, there were wounded people down on Staukhause that needed their help…but…
Her eyes narrowed.
"If they think they can stand up to an alliance task group, why shouldn't we oblige them? Polearms, Wolves, accelerate to attack speeds."
"Copy, lead," Two called out, "Let's get em!"
"AWHOOOOO!"
Shyra rolled her eyes.
The howl had come from every member of her squadron. She had made a mistake five missions ago, of howling in victory after they had disabled a Terminus class destroy that had been preying on the Corellian trade spine.
Her fellows had heard it, and now had picked it up. When she had joined this group a year and a half ago, they had been known as blue squadron, now…thanks to her…
Shyra gave a toothy grin.
It had taken years, but she had finally found her pack.
Wolf Squadron had been born.
"That galleon is still in orbit, Wolf Leader," Polearm Lead reminded her, "You want me in and the kids to give her some heartburn, or do we leave her for the Resolute?"
"Resolute is protecting the medical ships, Otho. If your bombers want a crack at that ship, we will get you there."
"Copy that. You heard the Jedi, boys and girls, time to introduce ourselves."
The two fighter squadrons advanced. Three squadrons of enemy fighters boiled up from Staukhause's orbit, uglies all.
Shyra's large paws tightened in the stick of her ship.
Uglies were standard vessels for pirate gangs, ships cobbled together from parts of many different ships.
She was surprised that they would be so quick to challenge Republic fighters in a light fight.
"Resolute," Shyra said, hailing their base ship, "What is the status on the rest of those raiders, they moving to engage?"
"Negative, Wolf Leader," the comm officer on the Resolute responded, "They are not slowing, and remain on their exit vector."
Leaving their friends behind, Shyra thought with a snort.
Not surprising.
"There they go," Wolf Two said.
And so they were.
One by one, the other raider vessels were vanishing into hyperspace, their shapes elongating slightly, as they made the dimensional shift, and then…gone.
"Yeah, you better run!"
A series of laughed came over the comms.
Shyra herself chuckled.
"Don't worry, Phyliss," she said, "We still got active targets in system."
"Not for much longer, lead," Wolf Six responded.
The Jedi nodded.
Yes.
Not for much longer.
The Wolves and Polearms continued to advance. Polearm fell back, to prepare for their attack run on the capital ship. The Wolves formed up in front, ready to meet the fighter wave coming in.
"Hook and lance on three," Shyra called out, "Polearms, at the ready."
As ordered, lead," Otho responded, eleven other acknowledgements filled the comms.
Shyra growled low.
Here we go!
"Shift power to front deflector screens," Two ordered.
Shyra acknowledged.
This might be her squadron now, but Shom Dixon in Wolf Two had led them for almost two years before her joining, the Corellian had survived more than a hundred light fights, and he had seen dozens of engagements against both the Sith and Eternal Throne.
She was more than happy to let him pick up the slack when her orders missed out on something.
"Here we go, wolves," she called out.
"This is it!"
Laser fire flashed from the Galleon. Red bolts from anti-fighter turrets, opening up as the alliance ships drew closer. Shyra brought up her targeting computer, she let the reticle settle on one of the advancing uglies. The computer chirped as it attempted target lock.
When the chirping turned into a solid tone, she squeezed the trigger.
Twelve missiles launched from the Wolves as the enemy tried to go evasive.
They were not entirely successful.
Flashes of light marked the end of at least nine of the incoming pirates. The remaining ships opened up with their own lasers and some even launched a missile or two of their own.
The wolves fired their own lasers, killing any missiles before they could reach their targets, and then…they were through.
The enemy fighters passed by, and would soon be turning around to try and engage the alliance forces from behind.
Shyra didn't worry.
A second wave of fighters had launched from Resolute; the newbies would engage the remaining uglies.
Shyra and her people had larger prey.
The Galleon carrier continued to grow in her viewport.
Laser fire intensified.
The computer beeped a warning, shields were taking a beating, but still the Wolves moved closer.
Almost there, the Jedi thought.
…Just a little closer.
Her ship shuddered, her shields were draining, maybe about ten seconds from collapse.
Plenty of time.
The Jedi bared her fangs.
Should have run when you had the chance, she thought.
Too late now.
"Hook and lance," she ordered, "On One…two…MARK!"
She pulled back on the stick.
Shyra's starfighter broke left, her squad mates following suit. Shom's broke right, and away.
The Galleon's guns tracked them, trying to get a kill.
The polearms, following so close behind them, were clear, no cannons targeted them.
"FIRE!"
Otho's bombers opened up, launching a spray of concussion missiles. Launching, and diving beneath the Galleon…
The now DOOMED Galleon!
The missiles caught it midship, the shields held for a few moments, dissipating the energy of some of the missiles, some, but not all.
The remaining explosives made it through, detonating against the Galleon's hull, vaporizing armor and deck plates.
Shyra's ship bucked as the explosion behind her tore the enemy carrier apart!
The cannon fire behind them ceased, as the shockwave from the explosion buffeted the fleeing starfighters.
Shyra triggered her comm, again.
"Otho?"
"I'm still here, Wolf Leader," the bomber jock called back, satisfaction in his voice.
"Scratch one Galleon."
Shyra resisted the urge to howl in victory.
They were not done yet.
"Wolves, sound off," she ordered.
One by one, they did, Phyliss in Wolf Six had lost her stabilizer, but she was still okay, Five was defending her, just in case they needed to go back into the light fight.
No casualties, she thought, with a nod.
A good day.
"Wolves, Polearms, take up defensive positions, engage only if you are attacked. We got stranded pirate fliers still in the system, let's see if we can get some of these uglies to surrender."
That would be best, she knew.
Maybe we can find out who they were, and who they were working for.
This could have just been another pirate raid, but…something seemed…off about it.
A disturbance in the Force, she…she could not quite explain it.
Regardless, they had done good work.
Too much of the outer and mid rim had fallen into chaos.
The Alliance was trying to change that, as they grew, they expanded, in a few months, they would clean up this sector, removing pirate bands, like this one, was part of that.
"About the remaining pirates, you don't have to worry about that, Wolf Lead."
She blinked.
"Why is that Shom?"
Wolf Two responded, he sounded, subdued.
"All enemy fighters are gone."
"Gone? Did the newbies take them all out?"
"Negative, they exploded when their carrier went."
Shyra blinked.
Exploded?
How?
She looked over the now pacified battlefield, only alliance ships were active.
"Anyone see what happened?" she called out.
"Wolf lead, this is lead of dagger squadron."
"Go ahead, dagger leader."
"The fighters all exploded when their carrier went down. Maybe a self-destruct, a dead man signal if the carrier was destroyed. The carrier goes boom, and when the signal stops…"
"The fighters blow up too."
Shyra shook her head.
Why though?
Why?
"Who in their right mind would jump into a ship, knowing you had a bomb on board?"
"Maybe they thought death before dishonor, Shom," Otho offered.
"Doesn't sound like typical pirate behavior to me, old man."
Shyra nodded.
She had to agree.
She doubted if the pirate fliers knew about the self-destruct thing. It didn't sound like something a smart captain would tell his pilots, not if he wanted to keep them.
Her comm crackled.
'This…this is Staukhause control, to unidentified ships. Repeat, this is Staukhause control, please identify."
"Staukhause control, this is Shyra Viel of the Alliance and the Jedi Order. We picked up the distress signal from your freighter that got away before the attack."
"We're here to offer aid, and medical supplies."
"Thank the Force," the man replied.
Shyra nodded grimly.
They had been late, true, but at least they had made it.
She contacted the Resolute, it was now safe for the medical ships to begin their approach.
"Wolf Squadron, this is Doctor Kort Antilles of the Galactic Medical Corps, any chance of getting an escort down to the surface?"
Shyra could not hide her grin.
"Copy, Doctor. Form up on our wings, and we will see you safely down."
Confirmed, Shy," her lover responded, she could almost see that goofy smile he had when he was pleased.
"See you, planet side."
"Indeed," she answered.
"See you soon."
The Polearms peeled off, heading back to Resolute, they passed by the GMC shuttles that quickly formed up behind their Wolf escort.
Shyra watched as the planet grew to fill her cockpit.
She had chosen to join up with the alliance because she wanted to make a difference.
This is how it starts; she knew, we can bring the galaxy back…
…one system at a time.
IOI
"It is not as bad as it could have been, Shyra."
The Jedi nodded as she followed along with Roxanna Tagge and Nom Tabbins, the Foreman for the Staukhause, mining corporation. A short stocky man who seemed more comfortable in mining overalls then the rumpled business suit he now wore.
"I'm not entirely sure if I can agree with you, doctor," he said, "We lost all hands when the processor was disabled, five hundred good men and women. On top of that, the pirates took out entire stockpile, a year's worth of work. Vladium, Kammeris, all of it."
The man shook his head.
"You may have saved lives today, but I fear our colony is doomed. I…I'm not sure how we can recover from this."
Shyra frowned, she wished that she could offer him some comfort. Say that the Force would show them the way, but those would be empty platitudes at this point.
She would rather offer something more…substantial.
"The alliance needs allies in this sector, Mister Tabbins. I will speak with the Commander, myself. We will see what we can do about getting your operations back up and running."
She sighed.
"On a personal note, I am sorry for your losses. If…If we had gotten here sooner."
"If you hadn't gotten here, there would have been no one left," he replied, "We will mourn and bury our dead, but at least we are here to mourn, and bury them."
The man bowed slightly.
"The alliance has my thanks, in this, at least."
The man hurried off, he was needed elsewhere, he said.
Shyra shook her head.
The damage she was seeing was…horrible.
Several of the colony building were still burning. The others were just blackened husks. The attack had come mid-shift, otherwise the casualties would have been much higher. The pirates had begun with a bombardment from space, destroying the living quarters and mining office.
The only reason Nebbins survived was because he had been down in the mines at the time. His staff and many of the miners' families had not been so lucky.
Shyra shivered, the deaths and pain echoed out through the Force.
So much pain.
So…so much DEATH!
After the bombardment, the raiders had come down. They looted every mining container they found, and all the while, sent men in to kill any survivors the bombing had missed.
Ruthless and brutal. There had been few left on the surface that had been spared. The rest of the miners, down below had barricaded themselves inside. The pirates had not attempted to dig them out, so concerned were they with their thievery.
Shyra shook her head.
She had seen many horrible things in the last few years, but this…this…
The wanton destruction of it!
Horrifying.
"It never gets easy."
Shyra nodded, looking over at Roxana Tagge.
Yes, the doctor would know.
She had seen much during the first galactic war. Then, with the destruction of Survivor Squad…
The woman shifted where she stood, leaning heavily on her cane.
Was she thinking about her son, Shyra wondered.
She would not be surprised.
Temmin Tagge had been a good padawan, he would have been a good Jedi.
The cave-in that took his life had left his mother gravely wounded. Roxxi's left arm and leg had been crushed in the collapse. Shyra had managed to dig her out, and get her to safety but.
Her left arm had been amputated, now replaced with a mechanical one. Her leg, was salvaged, but she would need to wear a brace, and walk with a cane for the rest of her life.
Suffice to say, Roxxi's commando days were done, but that didn't mean she could not help. She was still an amazing doctor and biochemist.
She had joined Shyra's lover Kort Antilles in the Galactic Medical Corps, but had returned to service when the Alliance had formed. She was one of the top medical minds in the alliance now.
It was the least she could do to keep up the fight, to honor the fallen Survivors…
…to honor the memory of her son.
The two women stood silently for a time, watching alliance crews working to save what was left of the colony. They could…
"All this destruction…and just to steal a few cargo containers."
Roxxi shook her head.
"So much for the order of the Eternal Throne."
Shyra nodded.
Despite their promise to keep the peace, Arcann and his people were more concerned with covering their own worlds and collecting tribute.
Both the Republic and the Sith Empire were under their thumb, but that didn't mean that the new galactic overlords cared much for their citizens.
That was why the alliance was growing so quickly, that…and their leader.
Shyra nodded.
The Hero of Tython had returned, the man who had destroyed the Sith Emperor was leading them now…
The days of the Eternal Throne…would soon be coming to an end.
Shyra's commlink buzzed.
"Yes," she said pulling it to her lips.
"Shy. Its Kort. We need you down in medical now."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Problem?"
"We found a survivor of the attack, you…you are going to want to hear this. Colonel Locke wants you down here now."
A growl escaped Shyra's lips.
"I'm on my way."
IOI
"You cannot do this colonel!"
Shyra heard Kort's voice as they entered the medical tent, through the Force she could feel his anger, which was surprising.
He was probably one of the most even-tempered men she had ever met. Which was likely why she had been attracted to him in the first place. He was kind, compassionate, and had a soothing presence when she most needed it.
That was not the case now.
"I understand, doctor," Colonel Locke responded, the aged sniper, and military commander of this mission frowned.
"This man is the only one who knows what really happened here. I need to hear what he knows. WE need to hear what he knows."
"He is in a bad way, Colonel," Kort continued, "What you are hearing is likely just pained ravings. He was raving when we found him."
The Colonel's eyes narrowed.
"Is he going to die?"
"Yes," Kort admitted shaking his head, "I've done all I can, but the damage is too severe. All I can do is make him comfortable now, make his last moments as peaceful as possible.
"If he is dying then we need to know what he knows now. Shyra will get what we need."
"What is going on?" Shyra called out as she entered, "Kort? Colonel Locke?"
Both turned to her.
"Shy, thank the Force," her lover exclaimed, "Talk some sense into this woman, please!"
"I have need of you Shyra," Locke said without preamble.
"Please come with me."
The Colonel led their group into the heart of the medical tent, past two dozen empty cots.
Shyra shook her head.
Those in the mines had been relatively safe during the attack, those on the surface had been killed to the last soul…
…or so it seemed.
The screaming in the back suggested otherwise.
Shyra winced.
The Force was rippling with anguish and fear!
The miner was young, maybe twenty, perhaps younger, his skin was blackened in places, his cries panicked gibberish. The droids were trying to restrain him, but he kicked and fought mightily.
Fought…a losing battle.
Kort rushed to him. Running a medical scanner over him.
He reared on the Colonel.
"Let me give him something, damn you! You would not want to die like this!"
Before Locke could respond, Shyra stepped forward, she went to the man's side, seized him by one of his thrashing arms. He glared at her; his struggles continued…continued…
…until she reached out with the Force.
The man gasped he…he…
He stopped struggling, he looked at her with pained eyes, a single tear ran down his face.
"He…help me," he said in a strangled voice.
Shyra winced, but managed a weak smile.
His pain, so intense, she was using the Force to share it, but…it was so bad!
She didn't shirk her duty, she was a Jedi, she would recover.
This poor soul would not.
"Help me," he whimpered.
"We are doing what we can for you," she promised.
The man swallowed hard.
She could sense his fear.
"Am…am it Going to die?"
"Yes," she said sadly.
His fear spiked.
"I'm…I'm scared!"
She reached out and touched his face.
She could sense it in that moment, everything the man was, or hoped to be. There had been a girl here too, she had worked on the ore processor in orbit.
Despite his pain, he still worried for her, prayed for her survival. They had had hopes, such plans…
…plans that were now over.
The young man shuddered. Shyra did her best to lessen his fear. She held him in the Force, her touch soothing, projecting calming thoughts.
She would not let this poor boy die in agony.
"There is nothing to fear, your body is just crude matter, the Force is calling you back to it. It will take you into its arms, and you will be safe."
He whimpered.
"Will it hurt?"
"No," she promised, "the transition is the end to pain."
He took a shuddering breath, he…
He…nodded.
"Wil you stay with me? Until…"
She nodded.
He winced and lay back.
She finally got a good look at him.
Horrible, she thought.
Horrible!
He was burned over most his body, but the worst was his shoulder, it was cleaved in two, a deep cut that went down into his right lung.
Her brown eyes narrowed.
The wound was partially cauterized.
A lightsaber cut?
"What happened," she asked, "Who did this?
The man shuddered.
"It…it was big. It…it fell upon us like a storm.
Tears ran down his cheeks freely now.
"She picked up Darri, tore into her throat with her teeth, drank her blood while we watched!"
Shyra blinked.
She?
"What was it?"
The man shook his head.
"Don't know, one moment, it looked like a woman, then…it was a monster, broad shouldered, pale…with…with wings like a hawkbat!"
Shyra suppressed a gasp.
A monster?
Wings like a hawkbat!
"What did it look like?" she asked, "What did she…look like?"
"A woman, red eyes…"
"Slicked back red hair, cut short?" Shyra asked."
The man nodded wincing in pain.
"Red hair. Red Blade! Red hair! RED…RED…REEED!"
He cried out, Shyra held tighter to the man's hand.
"I'm here," she promised, "You are not alone."
He gasped, looking into her eyes. He…
He took a weak breath.
He was no longer seeing her, he was looking past her, looking beyond the mortal world.
A hint of a smile came to his lips. His eyes filled with awe.
Shyra smiled.
"It is calling," she said, "Your friends are waiting."
She whimpered, tears in her own eyes.
"Go to them."
The man giggled.
The boy could see his girl, the one who had been on the ore processor.
She was calling to him, waiting for him.
"Th…thank you," he murmured, his strength failing.
She held his hand, held it until the end.
Shyra felt it as he slipped away, as the Force claimed him.
His grip loosened, his chest let out one last rattle, and then…fell still…
The young man was gone.
Shyra gently laid his hand on his chest.
"Good bye," she murmured.
"Until we meet again."
She shook her head, releasing the last of the man's pain, it was…uncomfortable, but she had bore that pain without fear.
She was a Jedi.
She…she had done her duty.
Kort, Roxxi, and Colonel Locke said nothing, they waited for her to recover.
She was grateful for that.
Kort came to her side, he put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you, Shy. Thank you…for helping him."
She nodded; the last echoes of boy's pain were still a part of her.
She took a deep breath, and let it out, blowing out the pain with it.
"Did you get it?"
Shyra and Kort looked up at Colonel Locke, that cold determined gaze.
"Did you see? Is…is the person who attacked this colony who I think it is?"
Kort glared at her.
"Give her a moment for pity's sake. Can't you see…"
"I'm fine, Kort," Shyra said, stopping an argument before it could take shape.
She didn't blame him, or the Colonel for that matter.
Galadriel Locke was among the last of Survivor Squad, she had seen her home, and friends destroyed.
She had also lost a part of herself, that part had died with Krys Capistan.
The man had not just been her leader, he had been her life mate, her soulmate.
Shyra understood why she had turned so cold these last few years.
"I saw it," she told the old sniper, " I saw HER. I was not around her much at Survivor Base, but I remember…it WAS her."
Locke nodded.
The name of the murderer went unsaid, but they both knew it.
A woman who was also a monster. Red of hair, and red of blade!
Abominus!
Shyra's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Abominus was a bound creature, it could not turn against its master.
If the thing was here, then they knew who gave the order.
They KNEW who destroyed this colony!
"We need to return to the Resolute," Locke said.
"Command needs to be told."
IOI
"You are certain that Avaryss was behind this raid?"
Locked nodded as she paced before the hologram, they were in her quarters back on the Resolute.
Shyra stood behind her, just inside the holofield. The holo of Lana Beniko stood before them. The blond-haired former head of Sith intelligence, now the right hand to the commander of the alliance, and the Hero of Tython…
…their best hope to save the galaxy.
"We are certain of it, Miss Beniko," Locke responded, "We have a witness, his description of the one leading the attack matches Abominus."
She turned and gave their distant leader a cold look.
"This was no mere pirate raid; these attackers were working for Darth Avaryss."
Locke spoke the treacherous dark lord's name like a curse, and had since her betrayal years go.
Shyra didn't blame her.
So many friends had died at the witch's hands.
Perhaps the time had come for her to face justice.
"Such a move is…unusual for Avaryss," Beniko said, "She has remained silent for almost three years now. Her interests focused only on her captured world."
"Well, she is moving now," Locke said, "Probably trying to take advantage of our moves against the Eternal Throne."
"She and many other warlords, Colonel," the Sith replied, "I can sense your desire, even from here. What is it you would like to do?"
"We need to offer up a strong response," Locke answered, "The alliance, if it intends to prove itself to the people, needs to respond. Since our declaration against Arcann, nearly two dozen warlords have sprung up, taking advantage of Arcann's distraction. Sith and former Republic military people are trying to carve up a section of the galaxy for themselves."
"We have reached out to several of the warlords," Beniko reminded them, "I'm in the process of trying to convince them to join us, their forces will be invaluable in the fight against Arcann."
Shyra had heard that.
The former Republic soldiers would likely agree, the only reason they turned warlord was because the Senate and the Jedi had proven so ineffectual against Arcann and his sister.
The Sith warlords though…
Master Jas had once believed that Avaryss could be trusted, or at least, trusted to act in her self-interest, interests that Survivor Squad had shared…
He had learned the error of that way of thinking…they all had.
"A show of strength might help convince them," Locke continued, "If we targeted one of the warlords, and destroyed them utterly, it would prove to the others that the alliance is to be both respected and feared. The others would sign up, to prevent their destruction, if nothing else…"
Locke stood at attention as she often did when making a request of a superior.
"I think we should put Avaryss' name at the top of that list. What she did on Staukhause is proof of the threat she represents."
Locke smiled, a cold and dangerous smile.
"The time has come to KILL Darth Avaryss."
Lana Beniko said nothing, the Sith merely stood silently, lost in thought.
When she answered, her voice was subdued.
"Such an elimination might be useful, Colonel, but the alliance cannot spare the forces to commit to such a campaign at this time."
Locke blinked.
"Beniko! This woman is dangerous. You know that!"
"I'm aware of how dangerous Councilor Avaryss is. I have not forgotten how she tried to have me killed and had her changeling ally replace me."
Beniko's eyes narrowed.
"Your logic is sound, Colonel, but the alliance would lose more than it would gain taking up a campaign against Avaryss right now. She controls Bantoon, and is safe behind their minefield, and her fleet of ships. We would lose many ships and troops if we tried to storm Bantoon. Ships needed to widen our campaign against the Eternal Throne."
"There is another consideration as well," Shyra added, "Avaryss is well connected throughout the galaxy now. She pays her tribute to Arcann, same as other planetary leaders, but she has also offered aid and material to the other warlords. Some have come to depend on her, and Bantoon for support."
Shyra shook her head.
"If we attack Avaryss openly, some of those warlords might join with Avaryss in order to keep her support. In seeking to kill one warlord, we could unify them into a coalition, one that would oppose the alliance, and might even openly support Arcann in our destruction."
Lana Beniko nodded.
"Well said, Master Shyra. It seems that I'm not the only one watching Avaryss and her people."
Shyra Viel growled.
"The witch and I have a long history. One day that history is going to end, for one of us."
Locke looked back and forth between the two force wielders, Shyra could sense both anger and a sense of betrayal.
She didn't blame Locke.
She would have felt betrayed too.
"The Resolute will continue on its patrol route, for now," she ordered, "I would ask you both to keep my apprised of the Avaryss situation, should she choose to move against another world."
"It will be done, Miss Beniko," Shyra promised.
Colonel Locke nodded, her anger silencing her voice.
Lana looked at her.
"You will have your satisfaction against Avaryss, Colonel, but for now, we need to focus on freeing the galaxy from Arcann's grip. Once the Eternal Throne has been dealt with, then we can turn our attention to warlords like Avaryss."
She stood at attention, signaling the end of the transmission.
"We will speak again in twelve hours, Beniko out."
The hologram vanished.
For a moment, the two women stood in silence. Locke turned away, staring out the viewport, in the distance Staukhause came into view, both the planet and the destroyed ore-processor.
The processor that Avaryss' people had turned into a tomb.
"I thought you had my back on this Shyra," she said, hurt clear in her voice.
"I do," she answered.
"Then why did you support Beniko? You know Avaryss. We both KNOW her. If she risked moving like this, it is probably because she is finally ready to move, and that could be bad for the entire galaxy."
Shyra nodded.
The colonel was not wrong. Shyra had spent the last few years searching for any clues to what Darth Avaryss was up to. She still had the keys of Hecaetus, as far as the Jedi knew, the fact that she hadn't used them yet had put many of the dark lord's enemies at ease. They thought she wouldn't use them.
Or couldn't use them yet, Shyra thought, Avaryss was both patient and cunning.
Maybe she could not use the weapon yet, for some reason, maybe she had needed time to prepare…
Time that they had given her by doing nothing about the conquest of Bantoon.
Perhaps that had been a mistake…
…perhaps the entire galaxy was about to suffer for that.
"Beniko is not wrong to stay focused on Arcann, the Commander is not wrong to stay focused on him, but that doesn't mean we can't do something on our own against Avaryss."
Locke looked up at her, her eyes questioning.
"What do you mean?"
"We joined the alliance. We have our duty, but the alliance is basically a militia group. That gives us some leeway in how we obey our orders."
Shyra smiled.
"We can't go ourselves, our patrol route is no where near close to Bantoon, but that doesn't mean we can't talk to alliance people who could, or reach out to old friends who might have an interest in seeing Avaryss fall."
Locke nodded.
"We would need to proceed cautiously," she agreed.
"There is another consideration as well," Shyra reminded her, " Avaryss' conquest of Bantoon was not mere aggression, she had the support of local nobles, men and women who brought down the minefield, and invited her in. She does have local support, that will need to be dealt with too, if we are to be successful."
Again Locke nodded.
"I spent time on Bantoon during the last war. Jas brought us there to rest a few times. The locals don't like outsiders interfering in their world. Any attempt to unseat Avaryss without some Bantoon support will be met with hostility."
"We need a pretext then," Shyra suggested, "A reason for the alliance to get involved in the Bantoon situation."
Locke went around her desk and sat down in her chair a holo turned on, as she sat, an image of Krys Capistan.
Gilly Locke looked at her dead lover, murdered by Avaryss and her people.
"We have our pretext, if we can find her," the colonel said.
Shyra gave her an arched look.
"Her?"
The Colonel nodded.
"It is time for the alliance to reach out our hand and offer aid Shyra.
"It is time for us to find Bayla Istillo."
Shyra considered that.
Bayla was Master Jas' daughter. She knew that the girl had escaped when her planet fell to Avaryss. She had spent the last few years looking for support for her people, looking to build a coalition to reclaim her home world, and rescue her family.
Perhaps the time has come for the alliance to take up that call. If Bayla was a part of the alliance…maybe…
The two women looked at each other.
They knew what needed to be done.
"You think you could find her, Shyra?" Locke asked.
The Jedi considered it.
It was a large galaxy, but if the Force was with her?
"Are you willing to try?" Locke added.
Shyra nodded.
"There is no such thing as try," she said, repeating the old Jedi saying.
Do, or do not, there is no try.
She took a deep breath.
It seemed that the Force had taken a hand in her life once again, moving her back into Avaryss' orbit.
The Jedi frowned.
If the light wished her to oppose Avaryss, then that is what she must do. Finding Jas's daughter was only the first step.
The light was rising, but that also meant that the dark was moving, Avaryss was moving…
If the Sith was finally ready to put her plans into motion?
That could be bad. The remaining Survivors had told several powerful people about what had happened, about the keys of Hecaetus, and Avaryss plans for them. Most of those told had dismissed the danger of the weapons. They thought Avaryss' desires mere Sith posturing, but…
…what if it wasn't?
The dark lord seemed to believe that those keys would drop the entire galaxy into her hands…
…if she was not wrong.
Everyone was so focused on Arcann and the Eternal Throne, what if an equally dangerous threat was growing?
One thing was certain, time was no longer on their side.
They would have to find Bayla Istillo fast…
Avaryss was finally ready…
The galaxy was out of time.