"You were gone," Kira said.
She walked into the cargo room naked. She hadn't worn clothes for two days. Neither had he. The day after it happened, they got up, got dressed, talked about it carefully, and were all over each other before breakfast. They tried to get dressed for lunch. They tried to get dressed for dinner. The next day, they stopped trying. That morning, she found Agenord in the cargo room wearing pants.
"I was visited by Master Orgus," Agenord said. "He chastised me. Briefly. Then he told me I need to speak with the Council. He told me, Darth Angral started me on the path of my true destiny. He said the Council would understand."
Kira nodded and returned to her cabin. If any phrase could make her get dressed, it was "the path of Agenord's true destiny".
"Master Agenord," Master Satele said as Agenord and Kira entered the chamber. "This is fortuitous. The Council was about to summon you."
Agenord said, "I was visited by Master Orgus this morning. He told me to speak to the Council."
Master Braga said, "The Force wants our mission to succeed, Master Satele. This is proof."
"I knew he was the nexus of our fates," Satele said. "But events are transpiring faster than I foresaw."
"What events?" Agenord asked.
Satele replied, "This is not the time for such revelations."
Kira thought, That bad, huh?
"It's good to finally meet you," Braga said. "I had my doubts, but, after Darth Angral, I can't deny it. You are a Champion of the Force. I believe the Force has guided you to me. Together we'll defeat the Empire."
Satele said, "Is this what Master Orgus told you?"
Agenord said, "He told me I would find the path of my true destiny."
"Still dramatic as ever," Master Kaedan said. "You're sure about this one, Braga?"
Braga said, "I'm organizing a top secret strike team of our best and brightest, Kaedan. Who else would I choose? Master Agenord, twice you've saved the Jedi Order from destruction. Now I ask you to confront the ultimate evil, and help me capture the Sith Emperor."
Kira's brain switched off for a moment while she processed those words.
"You don't dream small, do you, Master Braga?" Agenord said. "But, why capture him?"
"Killing the Emperor only creates a power vacuum," Braga said. "My plan will end the Sith Empire forever."
"No," Kaedan said. "The Sith would return one day. You would end the current threat, but that is a worthy goal."
Braga said, "The Emperor rules his people from a cloaked fortress. Not even the highest-ranking Sith can find him. But we're going to locate that fortress, get inside it, and seize the Emperor."
Kira thought, Revan tried that and failed. Have you forgotten? This is a suicide mission. She looked at Agenord. He understood what she didn't. The Force wouldn't repeat its prior mistake. Something had changed after Revan's attempt. Agenord was determined to find out what. And she'd be there to watch it all happen. Shit. She really was his Bastila.
Braga was saying, "...fellow strike team member, Warren Sedoru, when you reach Balmorra. He'll explain the mission."
"We've placed great responsibility on you," Master Satele said. "But I know you won't fail us."
"We'll leave immediately," Agenord said.
"Not yet," Kaedan said. "Your new rank entitles you to privileged information. You will need to memorize certain code phrases. For the last six years, we have had a Jedi working undercover as a Sith."
"Oh," Agenord said to Satele.
Satele held back a laugh.
"Shut up, Satele," Kaedan said.
"Master Kaedan thought that would take you longer," Satele said.
Agenord said, "He didn't grow up with her."
Kaedan said, "He still needs to memorize the code phrases. In case of a written transmission."
"Who?" Kira asked.
"Kriranda," Agenord said.
"Your cousin?" she asked.
"Yes."
"The scary one?"
"Yes."
"I get that now," Kira said.
A short time later, they were aboard the Guardian, jumping to hyperspace.
"How long have we got?" Kira asked.
"Two days," Agenord replied.
Kira nodded, and they were all over each other.
At the sound of the tone, Agenord charged forward. Master Jasaesh tried to use his momentum against him, but he slipped past her attack and struck her on her shoulder. The score changed to Agenord 20, Jasaesh 6.
The Pureblood groaned. "I'm supposed to be a Battlemaster."
"You did well," Agenord said. "Every point was a struggle."
"Yeah," Jasaesh said.
Kira processed as much of the fight as she could. Most of the time, they moved too fast for her to follow. Teeseven seemed to follow it, but she wasn't sure.
"Master Kira," Jasaesh said. "Care to try?"
"Yes," Kira said. "To ten."
"Has your endurance improved?" Jasaesh asked.
"Yes," Kira said. "That's not the reason." Teeseven beeped something that might have been support. "Thanks, Teeseven."
An hour later, the score read Jasaesh 8, Kira 3. Kira had just scored a fourth point.
"Well done!" Jasaesh said. "Training with Master Agenord certainly pays off."
"I guess it does," Kira said.
They were returning to their starting points when Master Sedoru contacted them over the comm.
"Have you spoken to the resistance?" Agenord said.
"They came to me," Sedoru said. "They're giving us a test. A resistance medical facility is about to be overrun. I'd go, but an Imperial armor column's in my way. I need you to save that medical facility."
"Give me the coordinates," Agenord said.
"We're spitting distance from the base," Kira said.
"I know," Agenord replied. "They want to know if we really mean it this time."
Once inside the facility, they heard a noise like Killik warriors swarming. They rushed toward the sound and found half a dozen Colicoids bearing down on a group of resistance fighters and medical personnel. Agenord and Kira swept through them quickly.
"The Jedi bought us time," one of the medics said. "Get our wounded to the secure area." He turned to Agenord. "I'm the chief medic. Just call me Doc. You and your gorgeous friend cleared a nice path, but we can't leave. Got a whole nest of Colicoids massing to attack."
Agenord said, "My gorgeous friend is already spoken for."
"He doesn't need to know that," Kira told Agenord.
"Yes, he does," Agenord replied.
"No offense intended," Doc said. "You seem like a happy couple. I've got dozens of wounded here. Hope you're not one of those junior Jedi."
Teeseven beeped, and Kira probably agreed with him.
They heard a clawing noise from under the deck plates, and Doc said, "Incoming!"
Agenord killed three more Colicoids. "Kira, Teeseven and I will take care of the nest. Keep everyone here safe. Keep your comm open, so I know what's happening."
"Got it," she replied.
"He's doing that with one droid?" Doc asked.
"He does that," Kira said.
Agenord and Teeseven returned a short time later. "Colicoids are dead, tunnels are collapsed, what's next?"
"Look at that," Doc said. "We're alive. Nice work. I don't know what genius picked a Colicoid breeding ground for our medical facility, but we need to evacuate."
"Figured that out on your own?" Kira said.
Doc said, "Say, you might be wounded and not know it. Let me check you over."
"Can you still operate with a cybernetic hand?" Kira asked.
"You look fine," Doc replied.
"I need to see the resistance leaders," Agenord said.
Doc said, "I can arrange that, if my patients survive. Problem is, my critical patients are too fragile to move, and the Empire stole my trauma kits. Our scouts say the Imperials sent my trauma kits to their front-line troops on the plains nearby. The depots will be guarded, but I'm sure you'll figure something out."
Agenord activated his comm. "Commander Madine. Master Sedoru told me you could provide assistance. I need one dozen trauma kits at these coordinates. We're less than a kilometer from the Republic base. Yes, Colicoids. I'll have the entrance cleared by the time you get here. Agenord out."
"Or that," Doc said. "All right, let's get these people ready to move."
"Master Agenord?" the Republic officer said. "Commander Madine. Good to have you here."
Sedoru and Jasaesh were with him.
"Doc?" Agenord said.
"I'm a man of my word," Doc said, gesturing toward an approaching man. "Pyther, second in command of the resistance. Pyther, this is Master Agenord."
"Strategy room is this way," Pyther said. "Doc, I'd like you to come with us."
"Me?" Doc said. "I have wounded."
"And other medics," Pyther said. "You worked well with Master Agenord. We might need that."
Pyther led them to a large room, empty except for one woman. "Master Agenord, Chemish Or, leader of the resistance. Chemish, this is Master Agenord, the Hero of Tython."
"The what?" Chemish said.
Pyther said, "He saved the planet of Tython from Imperial forces."
"The whole planet?" Chemish asked Agenord. "By yourself?"
"No, I had help," Agenord said.
"Right," she said. "What can we do for you?"
"I'm here to steal something from the Empire," Agenord said.
"A prototype cloaking device," Sedoru said.
"I'm not sure what we can do," Chemish said. "The resistance can narrow down its location, but we need access to the enemy's computer network. The only connection point is at Sobrik."
Agenord said, "The Imperial stronghold, if I remember the briefing."
Doc said, "It's covered in Imperial forces. Troop legions, walkers, heavy bombers. Fun place."
"How do we get there?" Agenord asked.
"We don't," Chemish said. "We thought we had a window of opportunity when the prison was destroyed. But the window is closing fast."
"Meaning what?" Agenord asked.
"At this point," Chemish said. "We'd need to capture Sobrik itself."
"All right," Agenord said. "How do we do that?"
Chemish scowled at him. "Master Agenord, I do not appreciate jokes."
Kira said, "He wasn't joking."
Commander Madine said, "We would need to take control of Balmorra's satellite defense system. If we try to do that, we go against Admiral Riserre, the best the Empire has on Balmorra. We need to organize the resistance, assemble the Republic troops, and find a way through Sobrik's defenses."
"Sounds like a plan," Agenord said. "Chemish, get your people ready to move on Sobrik but keep them hidden. If you want Balmorra back, it's got to start there. Commander, Master Jasaesh, same thing. Tell your people in the field they need to be ready to move on Sobrik at a moment's notice. Kira, Teeseven and I will deal with the satellite system. If we do it right, the Empire won't notice until it's too late. And, we need to find someone who knows a way through those defenses. Questions?"
"Just like that?" Chemish said. "We take Sobrik?"
"Yes," Agenord replied.
Chemish said, "I risk a lot of people if you're wrong. What assurances do I have?"
Agenord said, "When we move on Sobrik, I'll lead the assault."
Chemish said, "You're serious, aren't you?"
"Yes, he is," Kira said.
Chemish looked at Kira, the other Jedi, and Madine. "Fine. I'll get my people ready."
"Anything else?" Agenord asked.
"Madel," Pyther said.
"Madel?" Agenord asked.
Chemish said, "One of our spies. She's being held in their highest security prison. She was looking for exactly that, a way into Sobrik. The Empire has had her for a week. We don't even know if she's alive."
"I'll find out," Agenord said.
Madine said, "They're also holding two scientists we desperately need. When you're ready, go to Gorinth outpost. Major Triam can give you intel on the prison."
"Understood," Agenord said. "Commander, how do we get control of the satellite system?"
Kira didn't say anything after they left the Republic base. She didn't say anything at the outpost. Once they were in a speeder, she said, "Are you serious about this? Are you really going to save Balmorra?"
"The Republic wants to take Balmorra back," he told her.
"I know that," she said. "The resistance has been fighting the Empire for years. You just walk in and declare victory."
"I didn't declare victory," he said. "I put together a plan."
"To capture an Imperial city like it was a bunker! When did that start? When did you turn into that?"
After a moment, he said, "When I fought Darth Angral. And when I heard the Emperor's voice. Master Satele told me about Revan and the path of the Champion. I finally accepted it. I was made for bigger things. Literally. I don't have the luxury of thinking small anymore."
"A planet is small?" she said.
"It is now," he told her. "Why are you so upset?"
Kira said, "Because, I get to be Bastila Shan, and she had a shit life too. They had a few years together, and she mourned him for the rest of her days."
"Are you telling me you want to leave?" he asked.
"No," she said. "Sometimes, you need to be grounded. That's also my job. You might save an entire planet, but I'm not letting it go to your head. Your ego is bad enough already."
He chuckled. "Do you feel better now?"
"I'll feel better when you actually save Balmorra," she said. "You said it; you're going to do it, or Teeseven and I will take it out on you later."
The droid whistled agreement.
"Fine," he said. "Let's save Balmorra."
They returned to the Republic base three days later, exhausted and dirty, but intact. They pushed an injured Madel into the base on a stretcher.
"Doc!" Agenord called out.
"Master Agenord?" Doc said. "Shit, Madel?"
"You didn't say it was him," Madel said to Agenord. "I mean, thanks for the help, Doc."
"I've got her," Doc said.
"Master Agenord," Pyther called out. He stared for a moment. "Shit. You... did it. All of it."
"I didn't get Admiral Riserre," Agenord said. "He fled to Sobrik."
"You sent him running," Pyther said. "Right. That's just terrible."
"Strategy room?" Kira asked.
"Safe house," Pyther said. "We've been meeting with Tai Cordan. He's next in line to be Balmorra's president."
"Tell us where the safe house is," Agenord said. "We'll join you as soon as we've washed up."
Agenord stood in the shower, leaning against the wall, while the dirt puddled at his feet. The brown water had a hint of red to it, but he tried not to think about it.
"Need help?" Kira asked. "You've been in there for a while."
"Thirty soldiers in that prison," he said.
"I know," Kira replied. She joined him in his stall.
"And four prisoners we couldn't save," he said.
She started scrubbing his back. "I thought you were ready to save the world."
"I am," he said, turning around. "But I feel like I'm getting used to this part."
"Oh," she said. "We saved the Hawkeyes."
"True," he said.
She started scrubbing again. "Come on. I'm not going to do all of the work."
"Yvie's here," Agenord said as they approached the safe house.
"You sensed her?" Kira asked.
"No," he said. "I saw Qyzen enter."
"Two more Jedi!" an Imperial on holo said. "I am impressed."
"Who are you?" Agenord asked.
Madel had told them everything she knew, defenses, troop placements. This Colonel Marric repeated most of it. A good plan, like Madine said. So, why was Agenord scowling?
"It's a trap," Agenord said. He detailed every part of it and gave them a better plan. He'd done that on Alderaan too. Revan was supposed to be a brilliant strategist. Was the Force repeating itself?
Chemish found Agenord after the meeting. "Master Agenord. You're actually going to do this, aren't you?"
"That's the plan," Agenord said.
"Chemish!" Doc called out. "Sorry I missed the meeting. How did it go?"
"We have a chance," Chemish said like she was afraid of the words. "To do all of it. But, how's Madel?"
"Recovering," Doc said. "Master Kira, you're looking as beau- whoa! Who is that?"
"My cousin Yvie," Agenord said. "Yvie. This is Doc."
"Really?" she said.
"Master Yvie," Doc said. "A considerable pleasure. You are far and away the most succulent Jedi I have ever encountered. If, at any time, you need any part of you checked thoroughly, feel free to contact me. 'Dedication' is my middle name."
"Wow," Yvie said. "He's actually worse than Xal."
Kira and Agenord held back laughs.
Doc said, "I am certain that is a complement of the highest order."
"Of course it is," Pyther said. He had an odd habit of appearing out of nowhere. "You know, Master Agenord, if you need a medic, I know where to find one."
"Kicking me out already?" Doc said.
"Not until the battle's over," Pyther told him. Chemish wrapped an arm around Pyther and pulled him close. "Are you all right?" he asked her.
"I'm hopeful," she said. "But don't spread it around."
"Hope?" Madine asked. Triam was with him along with Jasaesh and her new Padawan.
Pyther said, "Let's go with 'cautiously optimistic'."
Triam said, "Master Agenord, the Fifty-Third Recon is at your disposal. I'd be honored to fight at your side in Sobrik."
"Good enough," Agenord said.
At Sobrik, Agenord spent as much time issuing commands as he did fighting troops. He peeled apart Admiral Riserre's strategies piece by piece and turned them against him. They fought their way to a network station just as Yvie crashed a shuttle into the spaceport. Iain Sarkus pulled the data on the cloaking device, and Agenord turned toward the Imperial base. They fought through troops and Sith Lords to Riserre himself. The Admiral smiled and nodded his respect before Triam killed him.
Outside, Agenord found Yvie in Tharan's arms, unconscious but stable. A little kolto, and she'd be fine. Still, Tharan watched her like he was worried for her. He looked for Kira, when Chemish and Pyther found him.
"You actually did it," Chemish said. "We fought and lost for years. Today, we have Sobrik."
"We still need to capture the Arms Factory," Agenord said.
"My people will be ready," Chemish said.
"Madine is already at the safe house," Pyther said. "He's asking everyone to head back. Did you locate your cloaking device?"
"We did," Agenord said. "Arms Factory, like you said. Now we know the exact shuttle bay where it's being prepped for shipment."
Kira and Triam arrived together. Kira said, "Arms Factory? You located the cloaking device?"
"We did," Agenord said.
"Master Agenord," Triam said. "The Fifty-Third will be with you at the Arms Factory, if you'll have us."
"You did well," Agenord said. "Head back to the safe house. Madine is already planning the assault."
"Understood," Triam said. He saluted and left.
"Strange for him," Pyther said.
"How so?" Agenord asked.
Pyther said, "We've worked with Triam before. He usually avoids Jedi. Too difficult to work with, he said."
"He seemed a little uncomfortable," Agenord said. "But he got the job done. Anyway, let's head back."
Agenord said, "Once Yvie has secured President Galthe, we need to move in and capture the cloaking device. How do we get to it before they destroy it?"
"I know a guy," Doc said. "He can get us past the main defenses."
"Us?" Kira said.
"He won't trust anyone else," Doc said. "But it's got to be just the three of us."
Agenord said, "Once we have the device, we can attack the Imperials from behind."
Triam said, "The Fifty-Third will open a path for you, sir."
"Sounds like a plan," Agenord said. "Yvie, contact us when you have Galthe, and we'll start the assault."
"This is not the end," Tai Cordan said. "We will still have Imperial forces on Balmorra, but today is the beginning of the end. My considerable gratitude to Master's Agenord and Yvie for all that they have done."
"For Balmorra!" Pyther yelled.
"For Balmorra!" the resistance fighters echoed.
Four hours later, they received Yvie's message. Three hours after that, Agenord, Kira, and Doc were in the factory ahead of the Republic forces. They fought hard to get through to the factory and harder still to reach the service lift. Doc's contact was waiting.
"Doc!" the man said. "I thought the Imps had killed you!"
"You too, Remmy!" Doc said. "How are you making out, old fella?"
"Same as always," Remmy replied. "Pretend to cooperate with the Imperials... and stab 'em in the back every chance I get."
"We need your help," Agenord said. "Can you get us into the upper levels?"
"Jedi?" Remmy said. "Never thought I'd see someone that respectable with Doc."
"We're in a bind, Remmy," Doc said. "You know any way into the secure labs?"
"The Imps put me on waste management," Remmy said. "Gave me-" An artillery shell hit the factory wall. "Shit. My data card. It's all yours. Watch out. There's guards every two meters in there. And I finally have a way out of this place. See you on the other side, Doc!"
Kira said, "I can see why you two are friends."
Doc said, "I will assume that's a compliment."
They fought past more Imperial troops and a Sith Lord that was barely worth the effort. The cloaking device was still being prepped for travel, and hadn't been loaded onto a shuttle yet.
Agenord activated his comm. "Commander Madine."
"The Commander is occupied," an officer said. "Colonel Finley, here. Fifth Expeditionary Force. I have full authority to assist you."
"My team has secured the cloaking device," Agenord said.
"Understood," Finley said. "Major Triam and his team have penetrated the factory. They will rendezvous with you soon."
"That wasn't the plan," Agenord said.
Finley said, "Triam was alerted to increased activity in that section of the factory. His team advanced while you were still comm silent."
"Understood," Agenord said. "We will keep our eyes open. Agenord out."
Kira said, "We didn't find increased-."
"No, you didn't, Master Kira," Triam said. He and his team entered the shuttle bay with weapons drawn. A walker droid rolled into place in front of them.
Agenord scanned the Republic troops, how they positioned themselves, and the weapons they carried. "You've had anti-Force Sensitive training."
"Every one of us," Triam said. "I am sorry, Master Agenord. I was genuinely honored to fight at your side, but you're a risk we can't accept. Oneonesix."
"Ready for combat," the droid said.
Agenord scowled at Triam. He reached a hand toward the droid and clenched his fist. The droid crumpled into a ball and dropped to the ground.
Triam said, "You really are a Champion. Fifty-Third! Target-!"
A sniper shot hit the major in the chest, and he dropped next to the droid.
The battle that followed was one of the most intense Agenord had faced. Sobrik had been easy by comparison. The Fifty-Third were among the best, as troops and as anti-Force Sensitives. Without the sniper, at least one of Agenord's team would not have made it.
"What the fuck?" Doc said. "Does this happen a lot?"
Agenord waited for the sniper to appear. He wasn't expecting Pyther, but he wasn't surprised either.
"Pyther?" Doc said. "I repeat, what the fuck?"
"What were they?" Agenord asked.
"Not Imperial," Pyther said. "They were part of a faction within the Republic. They've been working for decades, maybe longer. Some of them were forced to work with Jedi during the war, and the Jedi noticed. They're internal. A background check won't show us who they are. But, after a lot of trial and error, we've learned how to identify people who are safe."
"Who's 'we'?" Kira asked.
"General Garza, for one," Pyther said. "She's kept Havoc Squad safe from the beginning. We've also tried to make sure you and Master Yvie are safe."
"Who are you?" Agenord asked.
"A friend of a friend," Pyther said. "But not who you think."
"Agent Galen?" Kira said.
Pyther smiled. "Right house, wrong occupant. He's safe, by the way, but he's not one of us."
"And this?" Agenord asked, indicating the dead troops around him.
"They don't act often," Pyther said. "Not openly, anyway. We believe they were responsible for Kellian Jarro's victory on Coruscant."
"The Aurora?" Agenord said.
"Safe," Pyther told him. "Every member of that crew was hand selected by Master Jarro himself."
"And this?" Agenord asked again.
"You're a threat they don't understand," Pyther said. "Or can't handle."
"Now what?" Agenord asked.
"First of all," Pyther said. "Doc is safe."
"I am?" Doc said.
"He is?" Kira said.
"Are you sure?" Agenord said.
Pyther said, "You might need a medic."
Kira groaned. "Welcome to the team."
"I haven't agreed," Doc said.
Agenord said, "They'll be hunting you too."
"Glad to be on your team," Doc said.
"We'll be in touch when we can," Pyther said. "And we will try to find you more people. That's as much as I can give you. I've got to go. My assignment on Balmorra is over. By this time tomorrow, Pyther will have never existed."
"Why was he there at all?" Chemish asked. They were in Bugtown as a celebration broke out around them.
"He had worked in the factory," Agenord said. "He volunteered to guide Triam's team. Triam was right about the increased activity. They encountered a group of Sith Lords. They almost won. By the time we got there, only two Sith Lords were left out of a dozen. But Triam's team was gone."
"For Balmorra," Chemish said bitterly. "He's getting a fucking statue. I can tell you that." She left, no longer in the mood to celebrate.
"Well, you did it," Kira said. "But you had to make it complicated, didn't you?"
Teeseven whistled agreement.
"They were not my fault," he said. Fireworks started going off over Bugtown and Sobrik. This part wasn't so bad.
"You seem happy," Kira said.
"Kellian Jarro picked the crew of the Aurora," he said.
"They're safe," Kira said.
"And assumed dead," Agenord said.
"Ter'viro didn't kill them," Kira said. "That is something to be happy about." She saw Doc approach, dragging four suitcases. "And we've got that. No more naked training."
"I don't think he'd mind," Agenord said.
"Shut up," she told him.
"Ready when you are," Doc said. "'Dependable' is my middle name."
Kira thought, the things we do to save the galaxy.