#Satele is STUNNED

[serenxanthe]

After Ziost, a SWTOR Story

Part One: In which Theron is thoughtless and self-obsessed after Ziost.

(He will regret it in Part Two, and even more in Part Three)

Quick background note on my OC Jedi Knight; she's a former Sith who defects after her Warrior training on Korriban, tired of hiding her Lightside nature. After dutifully completing her Knight training on Tython, she heads to Coruscant on The Esseles, where she saves the ship with the help of one Theron Shan. They've been together(ish) ever since - well, nobody said she was always a good Jedi!

Seren strode through the Imperial space station orbiting Ziost, her red cloak swirling behind her, Scourge at her side. Scourge was masked to conceal his identity as the former Emperor’s Wrath; he had been a well-known face among the people who now considered him the worst kind of traitor.

Dressed in the Sith armour and wielding the red-bladed lightsabres she had been forced to use during her time as the Emperor’s puppet on his cloaked fortress, her hair braided into a long rope rather than her usual multiple braids, and of course using her real voice rather than her Republic accent, still faked after all these years, Seren hadn’t been recognised as the Hero of Tython, the Jedi Battlemaster. 

She wasn’t happy about the attire or the attitude she was having to project to pass as Sith, but Seren was enjoying not having to fake her accent and adjust her speech patterns. It was surprisingly relaxing. She wondered idly if she could stop once she left the Jedi Order. That was all still up in the air as far as she knew. Seren had been stunned when Satele had named her Battlemaster in the aftermath of Yavin IV. Satele knew that she intended to leave the Order once the situation with the former Sith Emperor’s spirit, or essence, had been dealt with. 

Theron congratulated her publicly of course, as did everyone else, but she saw his eyes slide angrily to his mother’s face. He suspected Satele of trying to manipulate Seren into staying in the Order and giving up their relationship, he’d told her later, when they were alone. Seren didn’t for one second agree with him, but she hadn't known how to go about persuading him when her argument hinged on the fact that she knew his mother substantially better than he did, and they hadn’t had time for the whole can of emotional worms that would open up.

After the defeat of Revan, Seren and Theron had headed off to their Temple and Headquarters respectively to discuss next steps in the fight against what was left of the Emperor, with only a few hours of downtime to spend together on Yavin IV before they did so. Obviously they’d spent most of that time in bed rather than talking, incapable as always of demonstrating any level of self-restraint. And this time Seren was concerned that there had been… unintended consequences. 

They had had even less time alone on Ziost, certainly not enough to discuss what to do about that, so Seren hadn’t said anything, focussing on the fight, and now Theron was gone; he’d headed back to Tython to take Master Surro and the other surviving Sixth Line Jedi, including Masters Onok and Landai, to be healed after their ordeal as the Emperor’s puppets. Seren felt desperately sorry for them of course, and she knew exactly how they felt, their bodily autonomy violated, forced to kill instead of rescue. She hadn’t been able to suppress a stab of hurt however, as Theron walked away from her without a moment’s hesitation after the events at the People’s Tower, supporting Surro.

Why had he even gone to Surro instead of Seren when he wanted to infiltrate Ziost anyway? She was his girlfriend and he’d kept secrets from her, she hadn’t even known about the Sixth Line, let alone the fact that Theron was working with them, had developed such a close, trusting, relationship with their leaders. Her professional pride was wounded too. Had Theron forgotten that she was uniquely suited to this type of mission? Not only could she easily pass as Sith; but also, having broken free of the Emperor’s control once before, she was much less likely to fall under his influence than any Jedi other than perhaps Kira.

Seren felt no satisfaction that his secrecy and reliance on the Sixth Line had been disastrous, only grief for the dead and tortured Jedi. She hadn’t been able to save all the possessed Jedi she’d fought. She’d dragged or lured as many as she could to generators or electricity towers to overload and shock them, but some had attacked her nowhere near anything she could use, and she’d been forced to kill them. 

She wasn’t jealous of Surro exactly, Seren didn’t think for one moment that there was anything romantic or sexual between her and Theron; but the fact he had felt that Surro was better suited to do whatever Theron had been trying to do on Ziost than she was? That hurt. As did the sight of her boyfriend walking away from her without a backward glance, his arm around Surro.

Her thoughts were circling around on themselves, clearly, and Seren sighed audibly. “Is there a problem, J… My Lord?” Scourge asked her, the ‘My Lord’ uttered through gritted teeth. “No problem.” she snapped at him, her tone convincingly imperious. She felt his approval at her shortness and tone of voice, and that made her sigh again. She needed to get off this space station and away from Imperial Space before this charade became way too comfortable.

Lana had gone too, heading back to Dromund Kass to brief the Dark Council on the events on Ziost. Their last interaction had been somewhat acrimonious. Lana had wanted to study Surro and the other surviving Sixth Line to learn more about the Emperor’s connection with his puppets. Seren had refused to even consider it, telling Theron to take them to Tython. Lana had argued, clearly angry, but hadn’t tried to do anything more than that to stop them. Why had the Minister of Sith Intelligence, a powerful Force-user in her own right, deferred to two Republic officials on an Imperial core world? 

Seren thought back to her and Lana’s first meeting, first as adults at any rate.  They had been in the Manaan office suite Theron had hired for them to operate out of while chasing the Revanite conspirators.  That was now well over a year ago, she realised. Back then, their relationship had been more equal. If anything Seren was in effect subordinate to Lana, and, professionally at least, to Theron; just the muscle to get things done as the two spies orchestrated the campaign against the Revanites. When had things changed? When did Lana and Theron start deferring to her? Accepting her decisions as definitive? When had she become the de facto leader in their fight against the former Sith Emperor?

Seren was still here on Ziost days after the other two had left. She wasn’t completely sure why. She headed down to the planet from the space station several times a day to coordinate rescue and evacuation efforts, ensuring as many people as possible escaped the Emperor’s control and if possible the planet. People. Imperial people, both civilians and military. Her enemies.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to see the conflict, or rather war, between the Republic and Empire in the black and white terms that had characterised most of her career as a Jedi thus far. She recognised that the Republic had numerous faults and flaws, but she still emphatically believed that it was infinitely better than the Empire. That hadn’t changed. But the cooperation between themselves and Lana, and then eventually between Satele and Marr’s forces, felt better; more right, more comfortable, than endless war. 

On Yavin IV she saw Imperial troops and Sith develop newfound respect for the bravery and professionalism of the Jedi and Republic forces, and in return, she saw Republic troops finally begin to realise that citizens of the Empire were people in the same way that they were; with hopes, dreams and fears of their own. She saw the gratitude on the faces of the Imperial Reclamation Service every time a Republic soldier carefully handed them an ancient Sith relic for study rather than unthinkingly throwing it into a pile as part of a defensive barricade.

Was that why she was still here? Or was it the guilt? Scourge believed that her momentary hesitation over killing the Emperor when she defeated him on Dromund Kass had allowed his spirit, or essence, to escape. Was that true? Had that split second of inaction directly caused the loss of life on Ziost? 

Seren mentally shook herself and tried to focus on the task at hand rather than fruitless introspection over the events of years ago. She and Scourge had their gear repaired by the space station’s resident armourer, then prepared to make their way back down to the planet’s surface. As they headed for a shuttle, there was a sudden power cut. The space station shuddered and groaned alarmingly, before the emergency power kicked in and the lights and stabilisers came back online.

Seren rushed to a console to check the status of Ziost below them, and saw to her horror the inexorable tide of death sweep across the planet; every living thing still on the surface turned to ash in minutes. She and Scourge looked at each other; even with his face masked she could sense his consternation, and something almost like horror. The Emperor may have blunted and dulled Scourge’s emotions, but they were still in there, somewhere, even if he couldn’t access them.

Neither of them had any doubt that this was the Emperor’s doing. What he’d tried to do on Belsavis, Voss, then Corellia; Seren and Scourge thwarting him at every turn, he had finally succeeded at, and on one of his own core worlds. The Emperor had destroyed Ziost, syphoning the life out of it to fuel his own diabolical power. 

Seren thought about the last dead planet she’d seen from orbit, Uphrades; destroyed by Imperial forces at the behest of Darth Angral in revenge for his son’s death. That had been no more her fault than this was. Terrible people making horrifically immoral decisions. She had always done her best to do the right thing, and she stood by her decisions. She could mourn the deaths of innocents and mostly-innocents without feeling guilt. Usually.

Wait. Uphrades. There had, incredibly, been survivors down there. Seren looked at Scourge and told him that she was heading down to the planet’s surface to check for survivors, given that the sensors must have been fried during the event that had just taken place. 

Scourge ground out a token objection, surely the Jedi could sense that there was nobody left alive down there? But he knew it was fruitless, as always, and they headed down on the next departing shuttle.

Seren stood on the surface minutes later, dust and emotion choking her throat. Being down here, the horrible wound in the Force was assaulting her senses; the imprint of the last few terrified seconds of life the inhabitants had had before the cataclysm overtook them. It hadn’t been instantaneous, they had had time to feel fear, to try and run. Billions of people. Seren leant against Scourge, her head against his huge arm as he towered over her. He may have been ‘full of awful’ as Doc had put it back on the cloaked fortress as Scourge helped them flee, but he was comfortingly familiar to her now, nearly three years later. She felt Scourge flinch in surprise, but he let her remain there, his body relaxing.

Seren had a sudden awful realisation; Theron. The space station orbiting Ziost was still fully up and running, and therefore the news of the destruction of Ziost would be all over Imperial channels by now. And she knew that the SIS, and by extension Theron, would have intercepted and analysed their transmissions, encrypted as they were. He must be absolutely beside himself, terrified that she had been on the planet during the cataclysm. She grabbed her communicator; no signal. Of course not, the event had knocked out the transceivers on the surface.

Scourge looked down at Seren, still leaning against him as she clutched her useless communicator, staring at it. “Shall we go, Jedi?” he rumbled at her, “There’s no more we can do here.” Seren nodded at him gratefully and they headed back to the shuttle.

Back on the space station, they headed straight for the Defender’s airlock; there really was nothing more they could do for Ziost now. Before they jumped to lightspeed to head back to Carrick Station, Seren insisted on trying Theron’s frequency, firstly from her own communicator, then from the Defender’s communications array when there was no answer.

T7 informed her that he thought that Theron was on another call from his communicator, which was why Seren’s calls weren’t getting through. Seren nodded with relief; that would make sense. Theron must have tried to get through to her inactive communicator when she’d been down on the surface of Ziost, and was now probably calling all his contacts to see if they could confirm whether she’d made it off the planet before its destruction. He must be frantic with worry, Seren thought, feeling awful that she’d put him through this. Seren couldn’t decide whether to keep trying him, or jump straight to lightspeed; getting back to the Republic Fleet as soon as possible. She eventually decided on the latter.

As soon as the Defender docked after the day’s travel to Carrick Station, Seren rushed to the SIS outpost alone; she knew both she and Theron were going to be emotional and neither of them would want an audience for their reunion. As she arrived in Theron’s office almost at a run, she saw he was on a holocall. With Satele. Of course. He was thanking her for something, his voice heartfelt with gratitude. 

He turned to see her, and Seren expected him to rush across the room, sweep her into his arms with relief, like he had after she’d been in danger on Manaan and Rakata Prime. Instead, Theron told her, “That was Satele, Surro is recovering.” 

Seren stared at him, nonplussed. “That’s great news, Theron.” she eventually found her voice to say. “What about Onok and Landai? And the others?” she asked. 

“I er, I’m not sure. Satele didn’t say.” Theron said awkwardly.

He hadn’t asked Satele about them, Seren realised, even more nonplussed. Belatedly, Theron crossed the room to greet her properly, but his movements were unhurried, and he seemed distracted. He put a casual arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead briefly, before stepping back to speak to her.

“I lost my job.” he told her. “Saresh forced Director Trant’s hand, I’m sure. He shook his head, “I probably shouldn’t even be here in my office.” He grimaced and corrected himself, “My former office.”

“Theron, I’m so sorry about your job, but about Ziost…” Seren began.

Theron grimaced again, “I know. I heard. We managed to evacuate some of the Republic personnel, but we lost a hell of a lot of people. I know I made a bad situation worse with the Sixth Line, and I’ll never forgive myself for what happened to h… them. But this is on Saresh. Saresh and her snake Kovach.”

Seren said nothing. She didn’t want to have to beg her own boyfriend to care about what had almost happened to her, and she wasn’t great at dealing with Theron when he was like this. Spiky, defensive, and full of wounded pride. It reminded her of how he was with her towards the end of their time together on Coruscant, and when they’d first run into each other again on Taris.

A wave of bone aching fatigue swept over her and she was reminded that she needed to talk to him about that too. She stared at him, not knowing where to start. She wanted to ask him to come with her, be with her, full time; rather than the snatched periods of weeks or occasionally months they’d had together over the years. But the way he was looking at her, or rather through her, made voicing that idea seem ludicrous. 

Instead she said, “Join me on the Defender? I could use your skills on my crew.” As soon as she said it Seren realised she could hardly have put it worse, and she wasn’t surprised when Theron’s facial expression changed from blank introspection to angry reproach. 

“I’m sure you could!” Theron said hotly. “But I’m not your… sidekick!”

Seren opened her mouth to explain what she’d really meant to say, but Theron continued, talking over her. “The SIS is part of my identity, it’s who I am! I’m not giving up on it.”

“I know, Theron, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… Listen, can we talk? The cantina here, or the VIP Lounge?

He shook his head, “I can’t now, I’m sorry, I need to get to Coruscant. Maybe if I can get in to see Trant face to face, I can persuade him…” 

Theron was back inside his own head again, Seren realised; there was no point in trying to push him further, no matter how much it hurt to leave things like this. They weren’t breaking up; he almost certainly still loved her, she just… wasn’t his priority right now, for whatever reason or reasons. Seren swallowed and said, “Ok Theron, another time maybe.” She tried to keep her tone neutral.

Theron suddenly seemed to notice her again and stepped towards her. He bent his head to kiss her with a little bit of his usual affection and passion. As they broke the kiss Seren looked up at him, and his gaze was softer, almost warm as he met her eyes, and her heart lifted with hope that they’d be ok. But then he stepped back, and without another word walked away from her, leaving her behind in his old office.

Seren looked at his retreating back, but said nothing, determined not to beg him for further scraps of affection when his current focus was clearly as far away from her and their relationship as it was possible for it to be.

Unexpectedly he stopped in the doorway, and not fully turning around to look at her said, “But I won’t make the same mistake in future. That I made with Ziost, I mean. Next time something happens you’ll be the first person I come to. I won’t leave it until it’s almost too late ever again.”

He turned again and left before Seren could reply. At least he’d salved her own wounded professional pride a bit, she thought, even if his own was making him behave like an absolutely terrible boyfriend right now. She sighed, she’d have plenty of time to talk to him later no doubt, it wasn’t like her current issue was going away any time soon.

[sepptember]

𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 :: obx smau

a silly smau I wanted to make because I'm rewatching obx!! included @satelitis <3 it’s not very good, but that’s okay.

pbjb.routledge

pbjb.routledge :: our impression of jj while he takes his sweet ass time to get here

view all comments

rowan.mb :: you posted this the exact minute we arrived 😭

-> auggi.rl :: HOLD OM IM COMINF

mayjayjay :: so fucking unfair that you decided to post this as I was driving.

hey.pope :: we are looking quite good.

-> auggi.rl :: you always look good

-> pbjb.routledge :: @.auggirl august, for the love of all things holy, please don’t be weird with your bf in my comments. thx!

kie.p4l

kie.p4l :: my girls 🩷🌊 @.notcleo @.rowan.mb @.sarah.cam

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sarah.cam :: golden hour looks so good on all of us.

auggi.rl :: you're all stunning and I love you guys soso much omg

-> sarah.cam :: we love you too <3

pbjb.routledge :: my girl my girl my girl 😍

-> rowan.mb :: HEHHEHE I LOVE YOU

-> pbjb.routledge :: I love you too ❤️

[relevant-url-incoming]

🌼 Write a short drabble from your OCs POV meeting their LI (or if they don’t have a love interest, their best friend. If you don’t want to do a drabble, describe their first meeting instead!)

For Kit

this is actually so funny because I was just thinking about how little I've written for Kit and Theron rip. thank you for reading my mind and also just sending me this ask in general!!!

It is late and writing is hard, but their first meeting is just how it goes in the game where you get recruited to fight on Korriban, albeit on the inevitable day when I do write that part out it'll be flavoured with a lot of Kit's self-loathing disguised as introspection and a smattering of "this guy is hot. now what" because Kitiver Valath has never had a single thought that didn't send him into a panic spiral. Theron being Theron is very focused on the mission at hand the whole time and only kind of notices that Kit is unusually flustered around him. Also, Kit immediately asked if Theron was related to Satele upon meeting him, because he was thinking Theron might have preconceived notions about him being a fallen Jedi, and Theron took that to mean Kit had preconceived notions about Theron. Because they're dumb like that.

However, I do have this little not-technically-a-drabble from deep in the vaults about one of their slightly later meetings, because the fact that Theron says "I need a drink" to signal that he wants to talk to your character is... too good to pass up.

“I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink,” Theron said meaningfully. Kit blinked, too stunned to muster a response as Theron walked past. It had obviously been an invitation. Maybe in a darker tone than Kit might have expected, but it wasn’t like Kit had ever asked or been asked for this kind of thing before. And Theron was – not that Kit had noticed, being a Jedi. Even if he was a terrible one. Honestly, would meeting a man for drinks be so bad, given the ways Kit had already fallen? And Theron didn’t seem to flinch back at the sight of his eyes, had only raised an eyebrow when Kit accidentally let a little lightning loose. It would be nice to be around someone who wasn’t afraid, and who wasn’t trying to push Kit one way or the other. “Jedi = meet Theron?” T7 asked. “Yes,” Kit said. “Yeah, I – will. A drink sounds good. Uh –“ “Have fun,” Kira said, and Kit didn’t know what expression he’d find on her face if he looked but he knew from the incredulous tone that he wouldn’t appreciate it. “I’ll be wandering the fleet.” Colonel Darok didn’t even acknowledge them as they left. That was for the best. Even as Kit rehearsed the things he might say to Theron – how did people flirt – he couldn’t shake the feeling that something with those attacks had been very, very wrong.

[anchanted-one]

Legend of Lightning 47. Provoking the Storm

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43208574/chapters/112206238

Several Days Later

Vajra dodged the heavy blow from the Keleth Guardian, then slapped the blade out of another’s hand. Two more tried to rain down a hail of strikes on his body, but he was able to dance around them with ease. A third one roared and ran at him, intent on stabbing him from the rear as he held its comrades at bay, but he flipped over the droid and landed on its head. Caught in the middle of its charge, the droid fell under his weight. He kicked one of the droids back, and turned in time to catch the second one’s blade with his bare hands. His free lower arms struck at the droid’s body, knocking it into the ground. Six more guardian droids joined the fray, coming at him with a series of attacks so well-coordinated, that he was momentarily pushed into a corner.

Recovering from their momentum, he swept one droid’s legs out from under it. He rolled with his momentum, right into another droid’s legs. He leapt back to his feet and ran toward the spot between both droids. He crouched and leapt to avoid the one blow going for his head, the other for his legs. Upon landing, he spun into a whirlwind of punches and kicks. Both droids went down one after the other, and he reflected on his performance, feeling pretty good about himself.

He was nearly at a hundred percent again. He worried that brief though it was, his infirmity would set him back a few years, but he needn’t have worried. Behind him, T7 applauded enthusiastically before saying,

<Time now = 0725.>

“A perfect time to end this, then,” Vajra nodded. “Why not get yourself an oil bath? I’ll take a nice soak in the tub today. I’ll meet you outside the Council Chamber by 0855.”

<Affirmative!>

Vajra hummed a merry tune as he returned the Keleth Guardians to their posts, then skipped past a thoughtful-looking Master Devel. He went straight for his room and began preparing for his next meeting with the Council.

He had eggs and tomatoes with bread and melted cheese for breakfast before donning his ceremonial robes.

When he reached the Council Chambers, he was mildly surprised to find Kira already waiting there.

“Someone growing into an early bird?”

“Haha, like that could happen. No. I just couldn’t sleep. I can’t believe this is happening! I’m not ready for it!”

“You better be.”

The doors opened, and a Protocol Droid let them in.

The one to greet them was Master Satele. “Welcome, both of you. Vajra, it’s good to see that you’re able to train again.”

“Thank you, Masters.”

“Kira, we have reviewed your Master’s… well, Vajra’s statement that you are ready for your trials. But I would rather we wait until Master Kiwiiks’ mind is whole again. I think she should weigh in on this decision, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course, Master!” Kira’s relief was evident. “I still have loads to learn.”

“That said, I wanted something be mentioned for the record. Kira Carsen: we have also gone over both yours, and Vajra’s accounts on your ordeal on Peragus, and agree with the sentiments he expressed immediately after. You most certainly are one of us. You belong with the Jedi.”

Vajra suppressed a chuckle; Kira was stunned speechless by the vote of confidence. He looked around at all the faces. Almost all of them looked like they agreed with the sentiment. Everyone, except for Master Kaedan, who harrumphed loudly.

Vajra resolved to rig his chair next time.

“I heard you’ve been trying to learn the art of Force Healing,” Master Syo said genially. “How are the studies going?”

“It’s tough,” Kira admitted with a sigh. “But I think I have enough to work with now. Best I can hope is that no one hurts my Master while I’m perfecting my skill. Again.”

“That’s good,” Master Braga said. “We were thinking of sending you both on an easier mission this time—"

Suddenly, T7 started wailing an alarm. <Open broadcast = detected. Origin = Darth Angral’s ship.>

“Put it on the holo,” Master Satele ordered.

The lights in the chamber dimmed, replaced by the ghostly-blue light of the holoprojector.

There were only two people on the holo, and Vajra knew both very well. Darth Angral stood tall and triumphant, looming over the battered but resolute figure of—

“Master Orgus!”

“I owe Nefarid a raise,” Angral gloated. “I always knew you would overreach someday, Orgus Din, but to think you would assault his base alone... utter foolishness!"

He loosed a jolt on the beaten Jedi Master, who grunted, but made no other sounds.

“And now, I have you at my mercy again!” He shocked the old Jedi again. “You escaped your fate on Coruscant, so it pleased me greatly to know I had a chance to right one of my few failures!” Another jolt. This time, Master Orgus barely flinched.

“Your whole life has been a failure, Angral. That is why you are so eager to lash out at those around you. You think it makes you powerful, but on the inside, you will always be just as weak as your victims until you heal from your trauma—” He was interrupted by another jolt of lightning, then Angral kicked him repeatedly.

There was no more pleasure on his face, only rage. A barely restrained mania. “DO NOT PRESUME TO KNOW WHO I AM,” he screamed, slamming the metal-tipped front of his boot into Master Orgus’ side again and again. There was an audible crack as bones broke. Blood poured out of Master Orgus’ mouth. He grunted and groaned with each kick, but still did not cower or beg. “I AM DARTH ANGRAL, ONE OF THE GREATEST DARTHS OF THIS GENERATION! HAND PICKED FOR TWO MAJOR STRIKES AGAINST OUR ANCIENT ENEMIES! ENTIRE CIVILIZATIONS TREMBLE AT MY NAME! HOW DARE YOU CALL ME WEAK?”

Eventually, he stopped the pummeling. Using the Force, he lifted the wounded Jedi Master into the air, where he struggled for breath.

“It is a pity your student isn’t here, so I can show the galaxy what happens when you earn my ire!”

“You can’t beat him, Angral. If he was here, your entire ship would be crewed by the defeated.”

Angral slammed a fist into Master Orgus’ cheekbone.

“Such an overblown reaction,” Orgus taunted him, fighting to breathe evenly despite his broken ribs. “Does the thought of defeat frighten you so? Of death?”

“Do you fear death, Jedi?”

“There is no death. There is only the Force.”

“If there is no death, then where is my son?”

“He is in the Force now. He is all around you… if you could only listen. It’s not too late, Angral, stop ranting for once, and just listen—”

He was cut off by a bar of red plasma entering his chest.

“NO!” Kira screamed. “NO, NO, NO!”

Before them, the Chamber erupted in cries of dismay.

Vajra felt something in him break. A cool rage simmered beneath his horror, the first whispers of a mountain storm unlike anything he had experienced. Vajra had known anger and rage, but this… this was something beyond both of those emotions. The icy thunderbolts and swirling blizzards that he felt welling up inside his chest had one word, and one name.

Wrath. Everything he had been upto this point, seemed to slip away. Jedi. Raudra. Good guy. Student. Hero. Savior. All of that was frozen solid and struck by a chain barrage of lightning, leaving only the vow he was about to make.

Angral… I swear that you will suffer for this. You have no idea what you just unleashed this day. I am going to show the galaxy just how scared a little lamb you are before you die. If the Sith mention you at all, after our paths have crossed, it will be as a cautionary tale.

I’m coming for you, my poor, frightened prey.

*

Unsurprisingly, the Council decided that the mission to finish Master Orgus’ work was the boss. Even Master Kaedan didn’t blink. It was at times like this that Kira wondered if the Jedi didn’t believe in revenge. Her Master was hurting, he was shaken! He was still a teenager, for crying out loud!

Was he really expected to behave as a Jedi, under these circumstances?

She could see the changes already, and so had Jasme.

They called Major Var Suthra from their ship once it was in orbit.

“I’m sorry about your loss, Master Vajra,” the Major said softly, bowing his head. “And to see it on a broadcast like that!”

“Thank you, Major. He will be missed.”

Kira shivered. She was feeling a chill despite her sweater.

“Darth Angral left the body in space for us to find. We were able to recover it from the edge of the Alderaan system.”

“So, Angral is not on Alderaan anymore.”

“Shame. It would have been nice if justice finally caught up with that monster.”

“What can you tell me about Master Orgus’ mission?”

“I’ll give you the details when you’re in orbit over Alderaan—”

“Now would be better.”

“Alright. The weapon is codenamed the ‘Deathmark.’ It’s a satellite in orbit around the system. It can fire a laser beam on a target with pinpoint accuracy.”

“So, it’s an assassination tool,” Master Vajra sighed. “With a rather straightforward codename. I imagine it has… drawbacks. Otherwise, I’d have heard of people getting killed by orbital laser.”

“Right you are,” Doctor Godera Coward said. “It can only fire a few times every day, since it needs to gather the solar energy first. In addition, it takes hours for it to position itself. But the biggest design flaw is that it requires an operative to mark the target with a laser tag, one that can be seen from space. The tag’s range is about two and a half meters.”

“Sounds like a deadly tool for the Empire to have.”

“Right now, they have just the prototype. Orgus managed to destroy all documents related to the project and dismiss all scientists. All of them are still accounted for, and being kept in secret bases. The only thing Nefarid managed to seize was the prototype’s controls, and the tracking laser. But he’s had another setback; Master Orgus destroyed the satellite array which transmits the signals in the first place. Unfortunately, there should be enough data on the prototype’s computer for them to find the right frequency. Eventually. I estimate that it’ll take them months.”

“It would have been faster if they had Sadic,” Var Suthra chuckled darkly. “But without him, they don’t have their most brilliant mind.”

“I should mention that the satellite is cloaked,” Godera added. “It’s impossible to find until the stealth field generator runs out in a few months’ time. So, the Sith getting their hands on this technology in order to reverse engineer, is pretty low. But a cloaked orbital laser would be quite the prize for our enemies, which is why Nefarid is still on Alderaan, attempting to re-establish control of the satellite. Remember, if he gets control, he can station the satellite anywhere he chooses, meaning he’ll know precisely where to look.”

“So this is your mission,” Var Suthra continued. “Find the prototype so we can find the satellite. I’m warning you; it’ll be a difficult one. We have no leads whatsoever. You will have to wade in, and hope for the best.”

“Do we have any collaborators on Alderaan? People who knew about the weapon?”

“He was killed by the agent who stole the targetter. The aid of House Organa and their allies and vassals are all you have to work with, along with the Republic Second Fleet.”

“Got it. I’ll let you know when I land. Bridge, set a course for Alderaan, please.”

“ETA: Seven hours.”

Figures. Traveling out of the core stretches travel time.

Kira followed her Master to the lounge, where he began noting down all he’d heard. On pen and paper.

He sniffled every once in a while, furiously rubbing his eyes and redoubling his concentration on his chosen task.

It was then she realized why he’d asked for the details beforehand. He wanted something to occupy his mind on the way there.

*

Alderaan

There were no warships in orbit around Alderaan, except for those painted in Alderaan colors. Space, at least, was a neutral zone. Vajra could Sense a few Sith in the ships arriving or leaving the planet.

“Master… we’ll catch up with Angral. I promise.”

Vajra nodded, silent as a distant storm. Alderaan was a blue world of whose beauty many songs were sung. A part of him was looking forward to seeing it in person. The rest, well… the rest was focused on Angral. On what he’d been forced to witness.

As the seconds ticked by, the scene filled most of his mind. He saw, again and again, his Master’s final moments. Angral’s evil face filled his head; his callous love of inflicting pain and suffering, his utter disregard for all lives aside from those he deemed worthy, and Master Orgus’ words about his fear.

Vajra stayed submerged in his thoughts until Kira’s voice forced him to resurface.

“That was the most beautiful vista I’ve ever seen!”

“Uh…” It was then he noticed the ship had almost reached the spaceport.

“Don’t tell me you missed it? It was so beautiful! And you’ve always talked about wanting to visit Alderaan—"

“I was thinking about the mission,” he said evasively. That sense of regret one might feel by missing a sight like this? He didn’t have it yet. “Huh… look at that, it seems we have a welcoming committee.”

There, at the entrance to their docking bay, was a short young man and a trio of guards.

“I think he’s impatient,” Kira noted. Vajra nodded and prepared to disembark without another sound.

“Greetings… urm. Master Jedi,” the greeter said, clearly thrown off by Vajra’s youth. “We are in urgent need of assistance. House Thul have launched a massive attack close by. They have Sith with them! And they’re arming high-yield baradium explosives! If we don’t stop them, they’ll be at the gates of House Organa itself by—”

“Just tell me where to go,” Vajra sighed, and one of the scowling bodyguards handed him a datapad. “That’s close… good. C2, see to it our luggage is ready. We’ll have to pick it up later.”

“Of course, Master Vajra.”

“Kira, T7, with me.”

*

[keldae]

Drastic Measures (Chapter Twenty-Three)

Lightsabers igniting around him, Corso Riggs ducked into the back of the chamber and scrambled his comm link. Kriffin’ hoped I’d never have to use this, he silently complained as he tapped in a particular sequence. There was a slight tremor to his touch, movements hurried. Designed to alert the network of an attack and request assistance, he had only used the alert code once before -- a test run on Thunder’s orders. Balmorra’s resistance cell managed to scatter and escape the Zakuulans before they needed to sound the alarm. Dantooine was not going to be so lucky.

“Hope someone nearby’s listening,” Corso muttered with a final tap to the comm. Shoving the unit back onto his belt, he pushed to his feet and hefted his blaster rifle. As he held the stock against his shoulder, he listened for the sounds of approaching enemy forces, one eye trained down his scope. “Sounds like we’ve got our work cut out for us, Torchy.”

Across the galaxy, the alert message had its desired effect as the signal rippled through the network. Each knew the day would come when it was needed, but the reality of it seemed surreal, especially coming as it had from Dantooine. No one expected the Enclave to be the first target on the Zakuulan radar. But then, no one expected Master Taerich to be alive, much less hiding there, either.

While the news was startling to Cole Cantarus and the Corellian cell, it was on Nar Shaddaa, Alderaan, and Tatooine that the alert provoked the most response.  

Kaliyo grumbled as she dropped the new scope she was attaching to her modified blaster rifle, scowling as she reached for the offending comm link. Blast, if whoever was contacting her right now didn’t have awful timing!

Her frustration turned to something approaching concern when she read the message. “Shit,” she whispered as she set her weapons to the side and lunged to her feet, running to find the old man. Cipher Nine needed to know this. “Agent!” she yelled, taking a corner at a run and nearly running right into her target. “Dantooine’s getting attacked, Agent.”

She couldn’t remember seeing Reanden Taerich ever going that shade of white before today.

Doc frowned as an alert started coming through on Vector’s computer console. “What’s that?” he asked, leaning over the Joiner’s shoulder to see.

“What is—” Vector frowned as he opened the alert. “It’s the Storm system. It’s an emergency warning code, coming from…” The Joiner paled and started frantically typing into the console. “Oh no. Oh, no.”

“What is it?” The Jedi who’d remained behind, Master Bel Iblis, stopped behind Vector and frowned at the anxiety she could sense. A few dozen metres away, Doc could hear the clicking of disturbed Killiks picking up on Vector’s anxiety. “Ambassador, what—”

“Dantooine’s under attack,” Vector hurriedly answered as he kept typing. “We need to warn Commander Malcom. Get Doctor Lokin and Doctor Oggurobb — we require assistance reaching Havoc’s comms while they're in hyperspace!”

Watching as Bel Iblis rushed off toward the resident scientists, Doc staggered back a step, fear lurching into his throat. Xaja was in danger -- again. Kriff, I hope that cure worked enough for you to fight, Red…

On Tatooine, it was Torian who delivered the news. Sorand -- Thunder, himself -- looked up sharply when he heard the Mandalorian’s shout echoing through the underground caves. He rose to his feet as Torian rushed into the command cavern. Alarm rippled through the Force from the blond-haired man, strongly enough to make Lana hurry in a second later, Corey right behind her. “What’s wrong, burc'ya?” the Sith asked as he started walking down toward the hunter, Korin right behind him.

“Dantooine��” Torian gasped as he shoved the datapad at Sorand. If he noted the Sith’s hands shake ever so slightly, he said nothing. “The Enclave’s under attack.”

All sound ceased in the cave as the resistance members struggled to process the news. Sorand looked down at the datapad, then at a rapidly-paling Korin, then back at Torian, feeling his face drain of colour. In an instant, however, his leadership mask fell into place. “Do your best to stay in contact with Corso; get any intel you can from him.” He whirled, looking to the former head of Sith Intelligence. “Lana, can you get in contact with the other cells and coordinate with their leaders?”

“I’m already on it.” The blonde Sith pulled her datapad out and began typing. Gloved fingers moved briskly across the surface, even as she spoke. “Your sister and Theron aren’t allowed to die before I’ve had a chance to tear them both a new one for sheer idiocy.”

“There ain’t a hope in hell that anyone’s gonna reach ‘em in time, Sith,” Andronikos spoke up. He was unusually sombre as he rested a hand on Sorand’s shoulder. “I know it’s your sister, but the only thing anyone’s gonna be able to do once they get there is scare off the vultures.”

“We have to try,” Sorand whispered, his fingers clutching onto the datapad hard enough to turn his knuckles white beneath his gloves. “We’re either saving them or avenging them.”

It was a hard toss-up, Theron thought, as to what was more terrible: the sounds of an orbital bombardment pummelling the ground overhead, or the sudden eruption of blaster fire and mechanical warcries of Skytroopers as the Zakuulans swarmed into the caves. Drawing his blasters in the same motion as he got to his feet, Theron fired as the hum of igniting lightsabers filled the cavern around him. Two of the blades were immediately extinguished as the Jedi holding them fell to the Skytroopers’ blaster fire.

He glanced over to the side, just seeing Corso fall back to frantically type a code into his comm link — probably a distress call to the Storm system. “Any odds we can get out of these caves and lose them?” he called over.

“Not likely,” Guss called back, guarding Corso with a lightsaber held in shaking hands. “Not unless we can get through the active kinrath tunnels…”

“Those are almost worse than the Zaks are,” interjected a raven-haired Jedi with striking violet makeup.

A particularly loud explosion rippled through the cave -- loud enough to temporarily drown out the sounds of battle. “And I think those were our emergency shuttles,” muttered Ashara, looking in the direction of the explosion.

“Great,” Theron muttered as he shot down another Skytrooper. They must have tracked us from Voss, he mused. The old man must not have been as good a distraction as he thought. If the explosion had been the destruction of the evac shuttles, then the ship they arrived on, the Corellian corvette belonging to his mother, might be their only way off world… provided that hadn’t been found and blasted apart as well. That, however, depended on them getting out of the caves. And right now, that didn’t look likely.

He had to give them credit: the Jedi were putting up an impressive defence. Satele had rallied the Jedi around her to form a wall of spinning blades, guarding the rebels who had already fallen and were out of the fight. How well could — Theron did a quick headcount — fifty-odd assorted Force-users hold off what looked like a full platoon of Skytroopers,  human Zakuulan soldiers, and, to his dismay, the incoming flood of Zakuulan knights?

Then he saw a blur of green and blue as two human women jumped into the fray. The taller Jedi wielded a bright green saberstaff, the shorter bearing two vivid blue twin lightsabers. His heart leapt into his throat when he got a feel of Xaja’s mental state — steely, stubborn determination, and a fierce combative streak that no Jedi training could tame fully. A week ago you could barely function! he silently protested, nanoseconds before he felt the hair on his neck stand on end and dodged to the left, a blaster bolt thudding into the stone wall behind him.

But apparently two years in carbonite and a month of being dangerously ill hadn’t diminished Xaja’s combat abilities. Theron wasn’t sure if it was the effect of fighting beside Kira again for the first time in so long, or if her reconnection to the Force had brought back the muscle memory of ‘saber duelling. Whatever it was, it was like he was watching her fly into battle on Rishi again, or Manaan, or Ziost, or Yavin IV. She handled herself like a dancer, fluid and graceful, yet deadly quick with her blades and too acrobatic with the fast-paced Ataru form to be easily hit by the Zakuulans. The Jedi Battlemaster, Hero of Tython, and Bane of Technically-One-And-A-Half Emperors was back in her element, a perfectly seamless unit beside her former Padawan.

The shouts from the Zakuulans rose in volume as the hated ‘assassin’ was recognized, fire focusing on her. One of the Knights lunged at Xaja, polesaber striking from above; the Jedi nimbly avoided the blow in a maneuver that made Theron’s back ache in sympathy. She then launched into a counter-attacked against the Zakuulan, switching to what Theron was pretty sure was the Juyo form of aggression —

“The terrorist! Take him!”

Shit. Theron dodged backwards as another Knight swooped in for the attack, just barely getting out of the way of the plasma blade. He wasn’t sure if there were orders for him and Xaja to be brought in alive, and he really didn’t want to find out firsthand. He fired a series of rapid shots at the Knight, forcing the Zakuulan on the defensive as a red-haired Miraluka woman darted in to help with the fight. Finding himself back to back with Corso, he unleashed another storm of bolts into the Zakuulans as the Mantellian shot down another Skytrooper with a challenging yell. “Any luck from the system?” he shouted over the sounds of the fight.

“If the signal got out. I’m kriffin’ hopin’ so.” Corso swore, using some expletives that Theron was pretty sure he picked up from Korin. “Be a good time for some gorram grenades right about now!”

“You’re not wrong.” Theron ducked another Skytrooper shot. For an instant, he allowed himself to wonder if his bond with Xaja was letting him leech off her Force-sensitivity, giving him Jedi instincts. “If the signal did get through, how long do you think it’ll take for Thunder to get help out?”

“Unless someone’s already on their way for other reasons?” Corso’s brow creased worriedly. “Dunno if anyone’ll get here in time.”

This time it was Theron who swore out loud. It was unclear as to whether it was from Corso’s grim words; from another Zakuulan Knight charging at him, only intercepted at the last second by his mother; or from Xaja catching an unlucky kick to her leg. He watched as she crumpled with a yelp. Kira dove in to cover her.

A warning prickled against Theron’s awareness, but he didn’t recognize it in time to do more than turn his upper body slightly. The blaster bolt that would have taken him in the chest instead slammed into his shoulder, making him stagger backward with a strangled cry. He heard an alarmed shout of “Theron!” before a slender, yet surprisingly strong hand grabbed his arm and dragged him out of immediate danger -- his mother’s hand.

The former Grand Master adjusted her grip on her saber-staff to provide something of a shield, reaching for Theron’s injured shoulder with her free hand. “It’s not lethal,” she murmured, inspecting the wound. “It looks like it should be easily treatable if —”

The caverns shook with the echoes of another explosion, and Theron looked away from his burning injury to exchange a look with his mother. “I don’t think that’s going to be a concern,” he quietly said. “Not unless you think the Force can work a miracle.”

Satele offered him a small, sad smile as she moved her hand up to gently touch his cheek, with a soft touch that Theron wouldn’t have ever expected to come from her. “Theron, whatever happens down here…” She hesitated, taking a breath to steady herself and blinking in the dim light. “I’m proud of you. I have always been a very proud mother, and I wish I had told you long ago.”

Those were words that Theron had never expected to hear from Satele Shan, not even during the few years under Master Zho’s care when he had actually been an idealistic child before he discovered cynicism. But it was something he would never admit he wanted to hear from her… no matter how desperately he did. “Thanks, Mom,” he whispered, and saw Satele’s eyes soften for possibly the first time that he could remember--

He sharply looked up as a Knight of Zakuul appeared over Satele’s right shoulder, polesaber raised to stab the Grand Master in the back while she was distracted. A sudden spike of protective fear lanced through Theron’s chest. He felt his blaster settle back in his hand and quickly raised his uninjured arm to fire at the Knight. The Zakuulan fell with a blaster bolt in the centre of his helmet, not having suspected the spy to have been able to shoot him down so quickly.

Satele whirled as the blaster discharged, eyes widening as she looked at first the Knight’s body, then back at Theron’s hand. “What was that?” she breathed out, sounding more startled than Theron could ever remember her being before. The spy looked down at the blaster in question, then felt his heart stop for a second. Hadn’t he dropped the weapon when he was shot? Then how had it returned to his hand…?

He looked up to meet his mother’s dumbstruck look, a second before he felt a prickle of warning and ducked another shot that would have grazed his ear. Giving her head a quick shake, Satele spun back to the battle, saber-staff lighting the air around her as she deflected more shots away from her son. Forcing himself to put away the thoughts of how his blaster had returned to his hand, Theron gritted his teeth around the pain from his shoulder and fired around his mother, taking out a Skytrooper with deadly accuracy. Chances were that he wasn’t going to survive long enough to puzzle out what had happened anyway. May as well use the opportunity to take down as many Zakuulans as he could before the resistance cell fell.

Arcann rested his chin on his metallic hand as he studied the intelligence in front of him regarding Taerich and Shan. From Rishi to Dromund Kaas to Voss to— he glanced at the latest update from Overwatch— Dantooine? You have been moving around quickly. From what he understood of the Core Worlds, the idea of a Jedi willingly going to Dromund Kaas was unthinkable, half due to the risks of being murdered by a Sith, and half to the negative impacts of the Dark Side on them. Taerich must truly have been desperate to flee there.

But then, she also had ulterior motivations to go there. Accessing the information on Darth Imperius once again, he compared the profile of the Sith to that of Xaja Taerich. Yes, he could now see the striking resemblance between them. Pulling up an image of Cipher Nine, he could then see the traits both children seemed to inherit from the illustrious spy. So she fled to her family, and brought her lover and her friend with her.

Empress Acina swore she knew nothing of Imperius’ loyalties, and had given orders for her fellow Dark Councillor to be hunted down. The Eternal Emperor was not keen on trusting the Sith’s words. She would need to be investigated.

So Cipher Nine had fathered Taerich and Imperius; risked his own safety to protect his daughter -- after selling her to the Jedi as a child. Arcann frowned, unable to wrap his head around that concept. If he, Thexan, or Vaylin had been in such straits, Valkorion would have simply abandoned them. Their mother, on the other hand, had always been sentimental, attempting to ‘rescue’ them multiple times. Cipher Nine must be weak to be swayed by his daughter. That must be it. Coddling was what mothers did, he thought, not fathers.

Still, rumours circulated wildly through his Imperial contacts of the agent’s prowess in handling even rogue Sith -- despite being Force-blind himself. Forced to protect his children, then, it was clear he had a skill set more than up to the task. Thus, weak though he might have been, the former Imperial spy remained a significant threat.

And while Xaja Taerich’s mother was confirmed to be long dead, she also had another brother, according to the files procured by Sith Intelligence: Korin Taerich, infamous Republic privateer and smuggler, who hadn’t been seen in months. Arcann frowned. Not knowing if the rogue captain was powerful with the Force like his siblings was a factor he wasn’t pleased with. Even if the captain had no connection to the Force -- which Arcann thought unlikely, given his Jedi mother and the power demonstrated by his two siblings -- there was a significant chance he had also inherited his father’s intelligence and ruthless characteristics. If he had half of Cipher Nine’s reputed intellect and vicious streak, he, too, could prove to be dangerous.

He sighed. It seemed the whole damned family, with concentrated effort, could possibly dismantle everything he had built, piece by piece. He couldn’t allow that to happen.   

Frowning, Arcann then accessed another report taken from the Republic’s intelligence services. Theron Shan’s face stared at him in holo form, alongside those of the former Supreme Commander Jace Malcom and former Grand Master Satele Shan. The bastard son of two Republic war heroes, the spy had become something of a hero in his own right. He had earned his own influence to wield, likely with Republic forces or intelligence services. If he was truly Force-blind as the reports claimed, perhaps, the Zakuulan emperor mused, that influence was what Taerich saw in him.

Best to take out both troublesome families now, he decided, before they grew to be problems. Unfortunately, Cipher Nine had vanished somewhere in the chaotic Hutta system, and Imperius had gone rogue, disappearing without a trace. Jace Malcom’s whereabouts were also uncertain… but Satele Shan -- she had been located. Even better, it was suspected that her son and Master Taerich were with her.

A slow grin crept across his features, only half-visible behind the mask. Even if she doesn’t have them, she’ll have information. And perhaps the terrorist will come out of hiding for his mother.

Settling back into the Eternal Throne, Arcann switched on the stream of data provided by  the Overwatch feeds. The Knight-Captain leading the attack force had reported finding a group of hidden Jedi rebels, likely under Master Shan’s leadership. Even if neither of the Shans was on Dantooine, there would be one fewer pocket of resistance in the galaxy by nightfall.

Zakuul’s flaw was pride.

The GEMINI captain looked down at the life sign readings from her ship’s crew. “I am fully assured of the Knight-Captain’s imminent victory, Overseer,” she addressed the holo figure of the Overwatch officer. “The Jedi cannot withstand an assault like this, or escape now that we have destroyed their shuttles.”

“We witness the last gasps of the Jedi resistance,” the overseer agreed, smugness in his tone even over the holo. “This will strike fear into the hearts of the rest of the galaxy’s would-be rebels. The assassin and terrorist will answer for their crimes.”

“I do hope the Republic assets do not believe in ritual suicide in the face of defeat,” GEMINI commented. “It would be a shame to not witness —”

The proximity alerts sounded. GEMINI turned her head to view the new alert coming through on her screens; if she could have frowned in confusion, she would have. “What the—?”

Cannon fire pummelled the side of the distracted ship, and one proud vessel of the Eternal Fleet went up in flames.

The forces of the Eternal Empire were well-trained and well-armed, and outnumbered the Republic or the Empire’s forces by an almost hilarious amount. But no army was completely flawless.

The incoming ship swooped low into Dantooine’s atmosphere, easily tracking the battle at the falling Jedi Enclave. The Knight-Captain leading the attack frowned when she heard the sound of a large ship’s engines bearing down on her location, knowing that she hadn’t given the command for her ship to reinforce her troops. She looked up, pale green eyes widening. She watched in shock as she and the troops still outside the cave entrances were mown down by cannon fire.

Even over the din of battle, the rumble of a ship’s engines descending over the roof of the hidden Enclave was entirely audible. Theron groaned, only partially from the pain in his shoulder, feeling Xaja’s awareness shift toward the sky. She could sense new lifeforms, and through her, Theron felt a sense of their bloodlust and adrenaline. The Zakuulans must have called in reinforcements to ensure the defeat of the resistance cell and the last Jedi rebels.

He shook his head as Xaja’s awareness overpowered his own; she was growing too tired to maintain a shield between herself and Theron, and he swore he could feel everything she did. The Skytroopers radiated no emotions, but the Zakuulan humans more than made up for the droids -- all Theron could feel from them was greedy excitement, pride, and the feeling of an imminent, assured victory. It was a stark contrast to the growing despair of the Jedi, faltering wills, exhaustion, and fear mingling with grim acceptance of what was to come.

Theron turned his head as Xaja suddenly sensed new lifeforms entering the caverns at a hurried run, rage and stubborn determination colouring the Force to red. The spy sighed, shifted to stand back-to-back with Corso as the younger mercenary kept firing at the Zakuulans with a challenging whoop. He raised his blaster with his good arm. “Good knowin’ you, Riggs,” he grunted as his finger tightened on the trigger, the bolt shooting out and slamming into a Zakuulan’s leg. The attacker dropped with a scream.

“You too, Shan.” Corso shifted against Theron’s back, his arm jerking slightly with the recoil of his rifle. “The cap’n’s gonna bring me back to life to kill me again for dyin’ out here like this.”

“Hells, the old man’s gonna do that to me for putting his daughter in danger.” Theron scowled. “I think he’d do it twice, too.” Corso snorted a wordless laugh that wasn’t disagreement with Theron’s grim prediction before shifting again, taking aim as the new lifeforms stormed into the cavern.

A new round of blaster fire joined the chorus of battle, rounds of plasma bolts tearing into the fray. Shouts arose from the chaos -- sounds of confusion and sudden, new uncertainty. When Theron focused along Xaja’s piggybacked senses, he was surprised to realize the new fear was coming from the Zakuulans as they were attacked from behind. “The resistance?” he asked, mostly to himself, as Corso turned to frown in bewilderment.

A deafening battle cry sounded as the newly-arriving soldiers fully moved into Theron’s line of sight. His jaw dropped when he recognized first the large number of decidedly-non-Zakuulan aliens in the newly-arriving force, and then recognized the sigils adorning their armour -- not to mention the unmistakable war droid in the ranks, gleefully firing at the Zakuulans. “Havoc Squad!” he shouted, and wasn’t sure if he was relieved to see his father’s old squad here, or worried at the possibility of Havoc still being loyal to Saresh.

Either way, the mood in the caves changed abruptly. Panic stirred in the Zakuulan ranks as the Jedi found renewed morale and pushed themselves forward for a final stand. Those uninjured joined ranks with Havoc’s front lines, and what looked like an extra squad or two of Republic soldiers; the rest started to fall back to Satele’s rallying point behind the lines, the grievously-injured leaning on their comrades as they prepared to fight or flee the caves.

Theron felt a nudge against his back as Corso turned toward him. “Think that’s our cue to head out?” the smuggler asked over the din.

“Good a time as any,” Theron grunted in agreement as he let Corso start pushing him toward the shelter created by Havoc’s lines. Out of the corner of his eye, he recognized Aric Jorgan’s lean, angular features highlighted by the explosion of a Skytrooper. The battle droid crumbled under the Cathar’s matchless aim. Either Havoc’s newest CO had been on a recruiting spree, or he had called in some favours with other Republic soldiers sympathizing with the resistance.

A large hand closed itself over Theron’s elbow and pulled, disturbing the burned wound in his shoulder. The spy hissed in pain, and the hand loosened its grip slightly. When Theron looked up to see who had grabbed him, he felt his heart leap into his throat at the sight of Jace Malcom staring back at him. The old soldier appeared to want to say something to his wayward son, but couldn’t seem to make the words form. For a second, Theron felt both Corso’s sudden confusion, and a heavy wave of too many emotions to sort or name from his father --

Another Skytrooper exploded from a lightsaber strike, and Jace seemed to snap himself out of his daze. “Move!” he barked out, giving Theron a shove toward the tunnel his forces had just entered through. Theron gratefully let himself be guided toward freedom by Corso’s hand on his other arm, just barely aware of Jace shifting his own position as if to provide the younger men a shield made by his own body.

He lingered long enough to look back, trying to find Xaja’s bright hair in the middle of the battle. For a second, despite the bond connecting them, he felt a spike of fear when he couldn’t immediately see her diminutive frame in the middle of the chaos. Then he saw Satele pulling the redhead out by her elbow and giving her a push toward Theron and the stream of injured Jedi survivors fleeing the Enclave. At this distance, through so much chaos he was unable to hear or lip-read the comments his mother made to the petite Jedi.

Xaja nodded at Satele and finally bolted for the exit to the caves, Kira only a step behind her. Theron felt a probe along their bond as Xaja then reached out to find him. Emerald eyes met amber, and Theron felt her relief at seeing him upright and alive. She nodded to confirm she was all right and right behind him. It was only then that Theron finally turned to flee the cavern with Corso’s aid.

In the middle of the desperate battle, there hadn’t been time nor focus for Satele to consider what she had witnessed. And there certainly hadn’t been time to ask Theron what that was, as she had fought to defend her injured son for as long as she could.

Nor had there been time to ponder what she had seen as Jace’s forces stormed the caverns, much less time to wonder how the blazes the former Supreme Commander knew to come with backup. However he had known, Satele would be eternally grateful he had come when he did.  Then she had been too busy pulling her wounded Jedi back from the fight, barely looking up to make sure Theron and Xaja escaped alive. After that, it was running for Jace’s warship, one eye worriedly looking up at the sky for Zakuulan reinforcements. Jace had caught the first Zakuulan warship off guard, but he wouldn’t have that same advantage should the rest of the Eternal Fleet show up.

It was only after the entirety of survivors and their Republic rescuers had boarded the ship, and were fleeing the ruins of the Enclave that Satele let herself fall into a chair. Her mind raced as she tried to plan the next destinations of the Jedi survivors, or the impact this would have on the resistance. Thunder wouldn’t be pleased that the cell had been compromised, she knew, but at least most of her people had made it out. She closed her eyes in a moment of silence for the fourteen Jedi who had joined the Force. The loss of that many Jedi Knights was painful.

As her mind tumbled over the battle, the memory of what she had seen rushed back, and Satele opened her eyes with a frown. For thirteen years Theron had trained with Ngani Zho, never once experiencing the wonder that was an active connection to the Force. It had been assumed that he was Force-blind like his father. It seemed that, if he was going to become aware of a connection to the Force, he should have felt it years ago. Not even being permanently bonded to a powerful Jedi Master like Xaja Taerich should be enough to allow a Force-blind being to wield it.

Still, there was no other explanation for the way Theron’s blaster, lost when he was shot, found its way back into his hand, allowing him to fire a such a lethal blow so quickly. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t convince herself that she had hallucinated it, or that the strange brightness she could feel around him was just something she was only noticing after having not seen him for over a year. What did that Voss ritual do to you?

[roguescarlett]

FUCK YOU, VALKY, AND YOUR KNOCKBACK STUNS AND YOUR OP HEALS.

and Satele, stop flailing your hands in the air and HEALS PLS. At least Marr was a much better healer in this.

i hated this Echoes of Oblivion mechanics so much, it takes 84 years to beat stupid Valky.

[sullustangin]

Theron Shan AU

Rating: T

Word Count: ~3000

Unknown Planet

13 BTC (3666 BBY)

(with some text borrowed from Annihilation)

“It’s a boy, Satele,” Master Zho said as he cut the umbilical.  “You have a son.”

Satele had known the child she carried was male for months; she had felt him through the Force as his life grew stronger within her.  But hearing the words spoken aloud somehow made all this feel--

--  Zho’s breath caught as he wrapped up the child.  He was supposed to hand him to her.  But he didn’t.  Instead, Satele was distantly aware of a bright light suddenly being flipped on and directed at the child.

“Satele…” The light flickered out.  “I… I can’t take him.”  

Despite her exhausted condition, she pushed herself up to a sitting position, agony shooting up through her.  “You said you would take him –”

“Satele…”  Master Zho’s voice was so soft now.  He showed her the child.

She felt her heart plunge off the edge of a cliff.  

“He needs medical attention. Care that I cannot give while traveling.”  Zho rose to his feet, the baby still in his arms.  “You need to go back to Coruscant.  They… they will know how to help him best.”

…it wasn’t just hormones and biology, as she’d tried to insist to herself as the months had passed. She loved him.  And she’d failed him, somehow.

Satele shook with pain and frustration and guilt and – “…please let me hold my baby.”

**

Coruscant

Two days later

A comm unit vibrated on the top of a headboard-mounted bookshelf.  The first attempt at a call caused the device to bounce and dance halfway across the shelf.  The second attempt caused it to teeter at the very edge.

The third attempt dropped in on the unsuspecting head of Jace Malcom.  He jolted awake, limbs flailing at the impact.  He quickly realized it was his comm unit, not shrapnel or some enemy combatant.  “Sonuva—” He squinted.  “…what?”  He activated the comm unit, voice only.  “Satele?”

“I need to speak to you. I’m just outside your building.”  

Jace wiped the sleep out of his eyes.  He still loved her, but it was 0348 in the goddamn morning.  “Is this a state emergency conversation, or is this a ‘baby take me back’ conversation?  ‘Cause you can skip the dramatics and come on up.”

“Neither….I’m sorry.”

Jace stared at the comm as he thought he heard – “You crying?”

“Yes.”

Jace’s mouth dropped open and words refused to come out.   Serene, perfect, internally fortified Satele was a mess out in public. At 0348 in the goddamn morning. “I’m buzzing you in now.  Give me like … a minute to get myself together…you know the access code, just let yourself in.”

“Thank you.”  That was as meek as he’d ever heard Satele, and Jace double-timed it to his closet and then his ensuite bathroom.

The access code wasn’t needed.  Jace had the door open and was standing out in his hallway by the time the lift brought Satele up.

Jace was grateful for the duracrete-reinforced walls and tempersteel framing of his building, because he probably would have made a Jace-shaped hole in any other place as his body listed port suddenly at the sight –

Bundle. Baby-size.  Baby-shape.

That was definitely an arm reaching up.

It was making squawking noises.  No, not an ‘it’; Jace could almost feel his mother give him a good hard pinch for thinking such a thing.  

His mom was probably going to sense this through the Force or whatever it was that enabled his mother to know everything he had ever done, good or bad; after Satele had dropped that Alderaan mountain on Malgus and helped his stunned, sorry ass back to camp, Jace had found out his mother had comm’ed SpecForce offices on Coruscant because she knew ‘something was wrong.’

…This wasn’t something wrong.  This was something right – Jace did a quick recount of months since he’d seen Satele and seen seen Satele – yes, very right.

Jace’s brief, fiery joy was doused by Satele’s tears.  As she drew closer to him, he heard her apologizing, voice rough, something about vitamins, something about a mission that needed to continue, something about how he’d left her at the space port (who the hell was that asshole?), something about hiding, something about not getting the care she needed ---

His child was right there.  He knew the baby was his at first sight:  the way the nose was (more like his brother Kal’s than his), the skin that was a deeper brown than Satele’s, the tight newborn curls that would fall out in a few weeks –

And then the source of Satele’s distress:  the white translucence that covered over the baby’s irises. Something was wrong.

**

9 BTC (3662 BBY)

Coruscant

The humming from the kitchen in Jace’s new apartment only became louder as breakfast drew closer.  He had to smile; the kid could measure the passage of time better than any clock.  

Weekends were the best.  It gave Jace a chance to show off his pro-pancake making skills.  They weren’t perfect in appearance, but it was all about flavor and texture.  The time to practice such a skill was achieved by taking a desk assignment rather than deploying to Alderaan again.

Jace didn’t regret anything.  He only wished …

Satele had gone her next assignment – some Pub space navy attachment. And then the next.  And then the next. And then the next.

She was missing out – Theron was four and awesome.  Jace flipped the pancake in the air and the sizzling the wet side made on contact with the hot pan sent the boy into giggles.  

When the comm call came through, Jace went into the living room to get it.

When he heard the crash in the middle of a conversation with one of his second lieutenants, he belatedly realized he hadn’t switched the vacuum droid’s cycle to weekends.

Jace bolted back to the kitchen, panic seizing him – and then wonder:

The droid, as anticipated, had indeed tried vacuum under the kitchen table, which had been set for breakfast. It had caught on the table cloth and yanked it as it zoomed by.  The crash had been the droid slamming into the kitchen cabinets.

The breakfast dishes – Theron’s small plate, Jace’s large plate, the forks, Jace’s knife, the butter and syrup and their holders – hovered over the floor inches from the top of Theron’s small head.  “Got it,” the boy said. “I’m ok, Dad.”

Jace froze in the doorway.  This was the moment they’d been waiting for.  The moment he’d hoped for.  The moment he’d dreaded.  

Now Theron had to go to the Jedi.  Master Zho had disappeared, but Satele had apparently made discreet inquiries “on behalf of a friend who had his child left at his place by an ex-girlfriend.”

(“That broad from Taris” – there was no broad from Taris, Jace had reassured Satele, who brushed it off like it was nothing.)

“Theron….do you see it?”  Jace whispered.

The boy’s smile blossomed on his small face.  “I see the Force.  I see the Light. It’s pretty.”  Then he giggled and rocked a bit, as four-year-olds are wont to do.

Jace had never wanted to cry more than moment he said to Theron, “I’m so proud of you.”  It was the truth he wished wasn’t.

**

12 ATC (3641 BBY)

“At first, I was imagining myself wining lightsaber duels, getting revenge on all the kids who laughed at me.  But it turns out revenge isn’t part of the Jedi lifestyle.”  Guss blinked and then nodded, confident in his statement. “You’ve never known real rage until you’ve been lectured on controlling your emotions by a four-year-old in a robe.”

Eva stifled a laugh but didn’t hide her smile as she sat on a stool at the galley bar.  Bowdaar huffed his approval.  Fish Man was going to stick around after all.

“So what happened?  You said you got kicked out?”  Corso took a swallow of his beer.

Guss shrugged.  “I maybe overstated that.  They don’t really throw people out, you know.  Call of the dark side and all that.  But it was clear I’d never make the cut. Anything I could do with the Force was basically random.  Never even figured out how to work my old blind Master’s lightsaber.”

Without warning, the Mon Cal pulled the saber hilt and lit up the blue plasma blade.  He waved it experimentally –

“Holy shit, turn that thing off!”  Eva slid off her stool and backed up to the wall behind the bar to stand next to Bowie.

Guss did as he was told.  “I wasn’t –”

Corso stared at him, irritated, “You just done said you didn’t even know how to use it.  You think we want you wavin’ it around like a giant glow stick?”

“Fair point.”  Guss was about to re-holster it, but then Corso stopped him.  

“Hey… that hilt.”  Corso stared it for a few seconds, then stuck his head out into the hall.  “AKAAVI.”

Corso stepped out into the hallway to speak in a low voice with the Zabrak.  Guss started to shift uncomfortably.  “Guss….” Eva said slowly, watching him.  “You wanna tell me what my small arms expert is whispering to the living embodiment of a weapon over there?”

Guss nervously chuckled.  Then Akaavi entered the room and he went still, as if pretending he was dead, large eyes fixed on opposite walls of the galley.

They’d already had a discussion about him looking at Akaavi too much.

Akaavi strode in and yanked the lightsaber hilt off his belt and inspected it, carefully.  The intelligent green eyes sparked and then snapped in anger.  “Your old blind master?!”

It took a second to register on Eva.  “You robbed a blind guy.  What the hell is wrong with you?”

Akaavi silently pointed at specialized sensors on the hilt.  Eva had seen similar tech on blasters in the fast draw competitions… Eva gaped at it.  “And he has trackers on it that are likely synched to whatever magical tricks he has up his sleeve….”

“You didn’t kill him!”  Akaavi shook the hilt at Guss.  “You cowardly leech.  He will come looking for this.”  

“No, he has come looking for it.”  Risha’s voice sounded over the ship intercom.  “We’re being hailed by a Defender-class light corvette.  One that has a few more bells and whistles than your standard issue Jedi ship.  I vote we blast the Mon Cal out the airlock.”

“Seconded.”  Akaavi adjusted her grip on the hilt.  

Bowdaar growled at Guss.  “How long did you say you were working for Rogun the Butcher?”

Guss stepped backwards holding his hands up slightly.  “Um.  Ah.  A couple of months, maybe?”

Eva pressed her forehead into her palm.  “So it’s still a hot item.  Kriff.” She made a sour face.  “And this isn’t the most awful Holo comm I’ve had this week, believe it or not.”

The crew had heard her conversation with Darmas.  They believed it.

Eva reached over to knock on the bar once, and Bowdaar dutifully served up a shot of something blue. Eva felt the heat shoot down her throat and into her belly, and then she grabbed Guss by the arm and dragged him over to the holo comm.

“You.  Stand there.” She pointed to a spot on the floor. Eva then squared herself up and tried to look as captain-ly as possible.  It was as good of an opportunity as any to practice that persona she and Risha had been working on.  “Ok, Rish, send it through.”

The transmission from the other ship flickered to life.  Eva stared at it for a good fifteen seconds.  “One second, Mr. Jedi.”  Then she reached over and muted the comm.  “Gus---uss,” she started slowly, dragging the one-syllable word out.

“Yeah?”  He cowered.

“When you said ‘old’, did you mean ‘geriatric’ or ‘former’?”  

“The second one.”

Eva sighed as Risha entered the lounge to see how the disaster of the day was going. “Oh, wow, if that’s what in the Jedi Order these days--–”

In unison, Akaavi and Eva said, “Heel.”  They knew exactly where Risha’s mind was going…

Because Guss’s “old blind Master” was built, dark-haired, and exuding confidence. The only sign of his disability was a visor over his eyes, likely meant for the comfort of others rather than his own. He was barely older than they were.

Eva looked over at him and shook her head.  Then she turned the mute off.  “Hi, Mr. Jedi.  I don’t suppose offers of killing Guss or sexual favors are going to work for you.”

Rather than looking scandalized, the Jedi laughed.  “No,” he replied, firmly.  “I want the lightsaber back… I have others, but that one is particularly well-calibrated.  And Guss, if he’s willing to come back.”  

Eva looked at him for a few moments, then over at Guss, then back at the Jedi.  “So, was the whole blindness thing caused by a blow to the head, or --?”

The Jedi shook his head, smiling.  Stars, he had a nice smile.  “No, I was born like this.  And Guss was born as he was too.  The Jedi rather keep him close to the Order than risk him falling to the Dark Side. I understand he hasn’t enjoyed his time at the temple, which led to … most of this.  I won’t deny Guss has criminal tendencies, but I always had the impression he was mostly harmless; theft is hardly the same crime as killing someone in cold blood.”  

“Heh, yeah, like we’d know anything about that.” Eva was not digging how this guy couldn’t see her, but she felt as if he could see her.  

“I’m pretty sure you don’t want to draw this out longer than necessary. Guss, what do you want to do?” The Master crossed his arms in front of him and waited for a response.

Guss rubbed the back of his head.  “I… I don’t belong with the Jedi.  It doesn’t feel right, you know?  I don’t want to fall to the Dark Side – I’ve met Sith already out here.  I don’t—”  He shook his head so vigorous Eva thought his eyes would bounce out.  “I don’t think the Captain is too bad.  I mean, she let the lady keep her kid and run the pirates on Hoth for her.”

“Guss!”  Eva spat through clenched teeth.

“You didn’t hear that, Master Malcom,” Guss piped back up.

“No, I didn’t.  Captain, are you willing to keep an eye on Guss for me, then?  Make sure he won’t get into too much trouble?”

Eva scoffed.  “Mr. Jedi –”

“Master Malcom is fine,” he calmly insisted.

“Listen, Guss isn’t on a cruise ship.  Or a Pub troop transport.  I… We exist in a grey area, legal wise.  Privateers. We –”

The Jedi interrupted her.  “I don’t need to know the specifics of what you do for the job.  I just need you to make sure Guss doesn’t… lose track of the Light.  He can see it.  He can’t use the Force, but it won’t abandon him.  Consider yourself a type of parole officer – don’t let him go too far astray from what he knows is right.”

Eva didn’t get what he was saying.  At all.  But yet she also got it.  “How about I keep Guss and give you the lightsaber, and we’ll call it even?”

“Fair enough.  We’ll start docking procedures and hand it off.  Master Malcom out.”

There was silence in lounge for a few moments.  Then:  “Gods, would I like docking procedures with him –”

“Risha.”  Eva scowled at her as she walked over to Akaavi to retrieve the lightsaber from her.

Risha leaned up against the wall and crossed her arms.  “What?  It’d be perfect.  You know what they say about Jedi and what they don’t do.”  Of course, that was Risha’s thing. “He’ll say, ‘May the Force be with you, because I sure won’t,’ and I’ll go home happy.”  

“Which is why I’m handing it off and not you.”  

“I’ll volunteer for the search party if you don’t come back, Captain.”  

Eva didn’t look at her as she walked down the hallway toward the ship exit to patiently wait for Corso to get the ship into position.

“Boss?”

Eva turned to see Guss, nervously twisting his hands in front of him.  “Thanks.”

Eva felt so damn tired after Hoth, Trick, and Darmas.  “Just… don’t let me down.  Don’t let him down for good measure.”  

When Eva made the hand off, the Jedi was standing at the entrance to his ship, not drawing any closer than necessary.  Her steps slowed.  Almost … intuitively? …. she held out the lightsaber toward him while she was still a good ten feet away.  He raised his hand, and it gently slipped from her grasp and flew into his hand.  He activated it, twisting and turning the blade carefully to see if it was still calibrated.  He appeared to be satisfied as he switched the weapon off.

“Catch you around, Malcom,” Eva said airily.  She turned her back on him to return to her ship.

“Be careful.”  That caused her to stop.  “Guss… knows where to contact me if you need help.”

“I won’t.”  Eva got back on her ship and flew away.

She didn’t contact him.  Guss did.

Because she did need help.

Author’s Note:  Thanks to @ayresis  for suggesting to change up the time/space in which the AU occurs.  I was stumped on this one for awhile until you said that!

Theron as a Jedi here is different from my other Jedi Theron AU. In the other Jedi AU I wrote, Theron is more mission driven; it’s why he’s a knight and is reluctant to take on a padawan.  He doesn’t want to risk losing someone or failing them. Zho stuck around until he was able to be put in the creche, then he disappeared as in canon. That Theron doesn’t know Jace.  I haven’t decided whether Satele became his Master. This Master Theron Malcom was raised with more attachments, and while less “correct” in a Jedi sense, I think it gave him the ability to become a Master while still young (about 25 in this fic).  He has the patience to put up with Guss (!).  Kel Dor are blind without their special goggles, so I’ve headcanoned that the Theron in this story was a padawan to Master Till’in, the poor guy who had to break it to him in canon that he was Force null.  I figure Till’in deserved a break (and I’m still ficcing in my head about him).

As to Satele being afraid of Jace’s darkness -- the first week after childbirth is a hell of a trip, physically, emotionally, and psychologically, even with an ideal outcome.  Satele does well in canon because Theron was perfect at birth, despite her hiding her pregnancy and being in battle during the course of it.  So what if Theron wasn’t?  Having a child without the ability to see is distressing and guilt-inducing (even though I’m imagining this was a genetic hiccup rather than anything Satele did; babies are shockingly resilient). Then (because I’m awful and keeping Zho consistent with my Master of Puppets headcanon) Zho does just leave her and baby at the spaceport -- Theron is not of use to him, and Satele is no longer of use to him, so he’s going off to do... whatever it was that led him to be in the Empire for 10 years and lose his mind.  Who else can she go to?  Who can she trust?  As Jace himself sees, Satele is not doing well post partum in this universe; she knows she can’t keep Theron, but she knows he needs help.  She loves her son enough to take a risk on his biological father.

[rainofaugustsith]

Rain Plays SWTOR: Echoes of Oblivion Survival Guide

I've now played through Echoes of Oblivion several times with both melee and ranged characters, so I thought I'd share what I've learned to be helpful. SPOILER WARNNG: I've tried not to name specific characters that appear in the storyline, other than those who appeared in the trailer for 6.2, but the nature of the fights does mean that I have to disclose some details. Thus, this is not entirely spoiler free.

The PC shown in the screencaps is the Lightning Sorcerer version of Suvia Kallig - Darth Nox. She's level 75 with 306 gear with three small set bonuses (+2% for Mastery, Endurance and Alacrity).

The action for this story occurs in the Odessen Alliance base, on Satele Shan's ship, and in Satele Shan's mind. Odessen is all story; the combat action begins once you reach the ship.

On the ship:

Your companions on the ship will be Kira and Scourge. At some points both of them will join you; at another point you and Scourge will be on your own.

The ship did not seem particularly problematic, with the exception of Servant Four, who inexplicably took down my Sith Assassin several times. Everyone else did fine. The number of people available to you for this fight differs with the choices you have made earlier in the game, and that may influence how quick this battle is for you.

Best case scenario, combat-wise: Arcann, Senya and Theron are all alive and in the Alliance. They will join you for this battle with Scourge. Middle of the road case scenario, combat-wise: You have either Theron or Arcann and Senya, which will give you at least one extra helper to assist you and Scourge. Worst case scenario, combat-wise: All three of the above are dead or exiled. The battle will be fought with you and Scourge.

In the mindscape:

The mindscape has numerous NPCs that seem to be similar to the lurkers on Yavin 4 and the Flesh Raiders on Tython. They are not difficult, but you will sometimes be fighting them in very precarious places.

Within the mindscape you will have segments with the following companions. Every single companion is melee. NB: I am not sure if Arcann and Senya accompany you through any of this if they are still alive, since they are never alive in my playthroughs. Without them, you will be working as a duo with:

Kira Guest Companion

You will then do a segment solo, without any additional help, before arriving at the site of the final battle.

Your companion during the final battle sequence will be Satele Shan. Satele is not armed, and thus her chief utility to you will be as a healer.

Helpful hints:

1. Presence stims can increase your companions' helpfulness. You may wish to avail yourselves of these stims for this adventure. Presence stims can be bought at the medical droids (the pink ones) or crafted by your toons who have Biochem.

2. Raise Scourge and Kira's influence by giving them gifts before going in. Every little bit helps, and the more influence they have the better they will heal and fight for you.

3. The rocks are very uneven and there are a lot of drops. Angling your camera overhead and zooming out may help.

4. It's also very dark, and if your toon is wearing dark clothing they may blend into the rocks. Light colors or armor with glowing pieces may help. I had my Force users draw their lightsabers to provide more illumination of where their characters were.

If you have access to any of the Light Side armor sold by the DvL vendor or have enough reputation with the Gree Enclave to get the white or blue Scalene armor, it's bright enough to be helpful.  In a pinch, Unity will make you glow so you can see where you are going.

5. Some of the enemy NPCs will attack you when you are on very narrow sections of the rocks. If you are ranged, get to safer ground and shoot from afar. If you are melee, put your companion on passive and make the enemies follow you both to more secure ground before fighting.

6. In the section you have to complete solo, you will see small plumes of smoke rising from the ground. These are heals. Run through them if you need them; you might.

7. Force Push, Overload and other such skills that allow you to throw enemies over cliffs will work here.

8. A few of the larger enemy NPCs, such as spite, have a knockback ability. Be careful.

Final Battle Sequence

In the final battle you will fight all three of the Emperor's known forms: Valkorion, Vitiate and Tenebrae, in that order.

Valkorion: 2 million + HP

Ironically Valkorion has the least HP of the three bosses but is the hardest. You do not have a lot of companions fighting with you at this point; and you cannot attack the "Essence Vessels" that appear. Nor can you target the Phantoms of Valkorion that appear. I would hope this is a bug. 

Anyway, even though you can't target the Phantoms, you need to find a way to attack them. Otherwise, Valkorion will keep healing himself. I let the companions wail on Valkorion and kept hitting the 'special ability' to have Arcann and Thexan attack Valkorion, while Suvia focused on the Phantoms with AOE attacks that did not need specific targets. If you're playing a toon that doesn't have a lot of AOE attacks, call Orbital Assault from the Heroic Moment if you can.

Vitiate: 

Out of the three, Vitiate is the easiest. The mechanics are similar to what you have seen in other battles: wail on him, and then attack the adds when they appear.

Tenebrae: 4 million + HP

Second hardest. You will have a full complement of companions attacking Tenebrae with you. The concept is the same as before: get the adds when Tenebrae shields himself. The tricky thing here is that Tenebrae seems to be able to call far more adds than the other two, has at least one unbreakable, very long stun, and is generally pretty horrible.

The adds will converge on your companions. If you have any AOE, this is the time to throw it. I like using Heroic Moment's Orbital Strike at this point to try to take down a lot of the adds, or at least decrease their HP, at once.

Helpful Hints:

1. ALL of your companions will be melee. They'll be right up close and personal with the Emperor and the adds.

2. Some of the companions may be defeated during the battle. You want to protect Satele Shan and Darth Marr. If Satele is defeated, you will  be unable to use your Heroic Moment and Unity abilities because you won't have a personal companion.

3. Your temporary abilities bar will fill with skills to make the other companions attack the Emperor, taunt the enemies or shield you. Spam the buttons. Seriously. I just kept at them.

4. After every piece of the battle you will immediately go into the next cut scene. PRESS ESCAPE when the cut scene begins after defeating Valkorion and after defeating Vitiate. This will give you a minute to call the repair droid, heal yourself back up to 100% or even wait until your Heroic Moment or Unity are available again. You will also be treated to the hilarious sight of the irate Emperor just patiently waiting for you to click and continue.

5. If you find yourself low on HP, you may be healed up by characters around you. I've found it easiest to run away from the battle and try to hide behind some of the rocks to give my HP a chance to recover a little.

7. When you are up against Tenebrae, Darth Marr will heal you if Satele Shan cannot.

[rangerslayer-97]

Swtor OC ask thingy time again huh? These seem to resurface every now and then. I choose Violcrik for question numbers 10, 15, and 25. Answer if you wish. :)

Qs here

Sorry for the wait. I was procrastinating. Lmao

~~~~~

10) What is their specialization class? Was there a reason they picked that discipline?

Ans: Violcrik is a Jedi Knight Guardian, who specialises in Vigilance discipline. Vigilance mechanics wise was probably the easiest for me to master as a pretty much still a rookie to the SWTOR community and the game. Suffice to say, vigilance was very easy to master and I was pretty hooked on its single target DPS mechanics. While I tend to hum and haw about the limited AOEs, Violcrik shines in her displine when she focuses on a single target and heavily relying on Vigilance Thrust (formerly Force Sweep) to stun weaker enemies when she is surrounded. Since Violcrik can get overwhelmed in unfortunate and unlucky circumstances, especially if she generates more threat according to the game's algorithm, she needs to defeat an enemy fast. By fast in at least 20-60s minimum. Satele in KOTFE Chapter 2 was a record 17s, but on Story, so I need to time it for Veteran. Otherwise, being a half tank means she can take a few hits. Following that, her rotation relies on her heavy hitting attacks such as Overhead Slash, Blade Barrage and Blade Storm. Plasma Brand is useful for ticking fire DMG and most importantly for some who use Vigilance, need it to complete the cooldown of Blade Barrage. If needing filler attacks, Strike, Slash, Sundering Strike and Riposte are the go-to, if there's time, the finisher is Whirling Blade.

Otherwise, Violcrik likes to dish as much pain as possible with maximum DMG she can inflict and take down an enemy fast. With that style, she pours passion into it. Mechanics wise, it's easy for a beginner like me to grasp and even my SF server Knight is the same discipline. So it's my favourite.

15) Who is/are their least favorite companion(s)?

Ans: Least favourite companion? That's a hard one. For knight class alone, between Kira, T7, Doc, Rusk and Scourge? Violcrik is very attached to her crew, she really say one of them is her least favourite. They're her family, a family she never really had. If she were to admit her least favourite, it's Doc. As Kira says, he's a "walking hormone", even before Violcrik realised she is more gay than bisexual, Doc was not her cup of tea. Sure, she flirted with him, once, before threatening to turn him into Colicoid dinner. He kinda just grated her nerves with his not so subtle advances, when she probably would rather kriff the same sex and probably in front of him to make it clear she's gay. Otherwise, she and the others would be lost without a resident medic to patch them up on a daily basis. Violcrik being most accident prone out of all of them.

KOTFE/KOTET, was a different ball game. Of all companions who joined her, she HATED SCORPIO. From the get-go of KOTFE Chapter 6, Violcrik did not trust the droid. She could tell SCORPIO had her agenda and wanted her deactivated as quickly as possible when she served her purpose. However, Violcrik was willing to give SCORPIO the benefit of the doubt, until the tail end of 21 ATC at the end of Chapter 15 & 16. Violcrik already had Koth to deal with if he showed his face (ans he does by hijacking the Gravestone!) and SCORPIO pulls her little stunt. From there, SCORPIO also joined Violcrik's "Must Kill" list. Yes, she got her revenge in the most satisfying kill on Iokath in KOTET Chapter 5.

Two least favourite companions: Doc and SCORPIO.

25) Do they have any deep dark secrets?

Ans: Another hard one, when it really shouldn't. Violcrik has always been dark for a Jedi until she completely fell during the expansions. Her well known dark secret, kept by Lana herself, is her status as a Republic saboteur. Violcrik has made it clear she lost her love for both the Jedi and the Republic. Would they expect her to completely turn on them and offer her servitude to the Sith Empire? Probably not, she's the Hero of the Republic and that still stands for those who still look up to her and no doubt, even young, new Jedi.

Another one, unknown to T7 and Doc, she has lied to them. Back during the Prologue, when the Twi'lek Matriarch and her bodyguards betrayed her, T7 was temporarily out of commission due to a stun bolt. Violcrik killed them all, including the Matriarch out of anger and feeling hurt by her betrayal. Violcrik lied to T7 that Flesh Raiders killed them and T7 believed her. During Knight class Chapter 2 on Balmorra, Violcrik slaughtered the injured Imperials when the Colicoid swarm attacked. She told Doc to run ahead and she'll administer the medpacs after dealing with the swarm. Doc believed her and to this day, 16yrs later, he still doesn't know she actually slaughtered them like animals.

So yeah, those are a couple of dark secrets Violcrik kept hidden. Plus, she's a liar, she'll lie when it's necessary.

~~~~~

Hope those answers are suffice! Sorry for the delay again. Lmao

[emma-what-son]

Emma Watson Didn't Refuse the Corset Because Of FeminisM. She Did It Because Of Ignorance.

Factsoverfeelings Jan 2017: Harry Potter actress and noted feminist Emma Watson forgot to do her research after accepting the role of Belle in Disney's upcoming live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast. The media was awash in praise after Watson announced she wouldn't wear a corset in the movie... indicating that they didn't do their research, either.

See, many feminists (and fauxminists) demonize the corset as a symbol of female subjugation... which may have been true toward the end of the Edwardian era. But it's far from the whole story. Corsets have provided different shapes (from inverted cone to... insect) throughout the centuries, and it wasn't always about tightlacing and oppression. ​ For example, here's a video of Lucy Worsley, author of At Home with Jane Austen and If Walls Could Talk: An Intimate History of the Home, donning an Armada style dress. This replica outfit was worn by Elizabeth I for a portrait celebrating her victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588. Worsley is wearing a corset, which, in her own words, “isn’t at all like Victorian stays that give you a lovely waist.”

The end result is hardly a lung-restricting, organ-crushing hourglass. The purpose, here, was to be "queenly," taking up as much space as possible, projecting worth and confidence. The fact that the inside of the dress, which no one will see except the maids who dress the queen, is made of fine silk, kind of suggests that inner beauty is just as important as outer beauty. Other versions of the corset were often focused on much more practical things than queenliness and confidence. For example, warmth and safety. Wearing several layers of big, heavy skirts helped women stay warm in drafty castles — and these big, heavy skirts needed a sturdy base to anchor to. Moreover, the shape this base provided wasn't just pretty -- it also kept skirts from getting wrapped around women's legs, tripping them and causing injury, and even drowning. Throughout many eras, the corset also increased the comfort of the skirts -- those skirts were heavy. Think about how sore your shoulders would be if you wore a heavy backpack without a waist strap: 

(believe me: that waist strap makes all the difference!) ... But having a sturdy base also allowed dresses to be beautiful and elegant. I mean, here’s Lily James in Cinderella: 

And here, again, is the sad, deflated, and disappointing yellow gown from Beauty and the Beast: 

Without a corset, all the weight just kind of hangs. With a corset, it could have had gorgeous, airy sleeves and a skirt with shape and volume: 

Kind of like the Lily James/Cinderella dress -- which was stunning, magical and fantastical. But maybe it will look better on film. Going back to the history, rather than the functionality, of the corset. The male characters wear waistcoats and Gaston has a blunderbuss, which was fashionable for men of the 18th century. (Moreover, Gaston storming the castle calls to mind the French Revolution, 1978-1799.) At that point in time, French women's fashion was all about abundance. Hoop skirts, panniers, petticoats, and, yes, corsets. Court dress was restrictive and forced a proper standing posture -- but outside the court, dress had shifted to be more comfortable. The waist, at that time, was not particularly small, and stays were laced snugly, but comfortably. They offered back support for heavy lifting, and poor and middle class women were able to work comfortably in them. In fact, by the Empire and Regency periods (Jane Austen era), corsets fell out of fashion for a while. So historically, yes, she would have worn a corset. Yes, it would have been stiff, but it wouldn't have been unhealthy tight -- though the high-cut stays at the armpit would have forced her to stand up straight, with her shoulders back. Yes, it would have helped keep her warm in the winter (which is when much of the movie takes place). Yes, it would have allowed her to have "abuncance" in her dress.

Court dress, C. 1760, with wide panniers. From 1750-1775 in Western Fashion. 

Meanwhile, in England, clothing was becoming more inexpensive and durable, in response to an increasingly leisurely and outdoorsy lifestyle.) Honestly, though, this doesn't just bother me because the dress is so meh, and so many people with strong, positive memories will be disappointed by its poor construction. And I'm willing to forgive historical blunders, because it's a fairy tale. What bothers me is that this is yet another example of the "helping culture" that Christina Hoff Sommers, PhD, and Sally Satel, MD, described in their book, One Nation Under Therapy: How the Helping Culture is Eroding Self-Reliance. Undoubtedly, Watson has good intentions, here. (Or, maybe, she was afraid of being crucified by the body police if she looked too beautiful in the film.) But sometimes, good intentions have very negative consequences. As per Dear Well-Meaning Parents and Educators: Stop Giving Girls Self-Esteem Problems, most eight-year-olds don’t look at Disney princesses and start feeling inadequate. Children are experts at imaginary play — and they only learn that they “should” feel self-conscious around pretty and/or skinny women when adults teach them to.

Click the link to read the complete article.

[pineaberry]

Fictober: #29 and #30

SWTOR

STARRING: Satele Shan, and THERON SHAN having several moments!

PART 1: [X] | PART 2: [X] | PART 3: [X] | PART 4: [X]

PART 5: [X] | PART 6: [X] | PART 7: [X] | PART 8: [X] | PART 9: [X]

THE THRILLING CONCLUSION!

THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME! 

@sunsetofdoom @doomhamster @fluffynexu  @anchanted-one @kunoichi-ume @cinlat @velvetsunset and @the-sith-in-the-sky-with-diamond

_______________________

Theron woke up well past noon. A new record considering he hadn’t taken copious amounts of whisky. He rolled over to find the bed empty but Tikal’s scent lingered in the covers and he sighed happily. As his mind slowly woke up, his thoughts lingered on her. Tikal, The Gilded Lady, The Hero of Tython… different people, or perhaps just different aspects of the same person.

She confused him. A reasonable person would hate and resent her for what she had done to him. She had kidnapped him, infected him with an obedience virus, coerced him into helping her plans and that was just off the top of his head. Still, no one would ever claim that Theron was reasonable by any stretch of the imagination. He was chaotic and unpredictable to the point that he had torpedoed every relationship he had ever had.

His last tryst had broken up with him via text. ‘You take too much. You need more than I can give.’

Perhaps that was why it felt good to be with Tikal. With her there were limits. He took what was given and it always seemed to be exactly what he needed. It was warped and twisted but she had taken care of him all this time. Even when he had done something incredibly stupid, she had torn down the door and rescued him. Perhaps it was fitting that she was not the typical sort of Jedi.

Perhaps it’s all Stockholm’s.

Regardless, she had taken him to her bed last night and made the pain fade. That cold chill he always felt around his heart was gone. He sighed and stared at the ceiling all the while feeling foolish for believing she would have more than a fleeting interest in him. The mission was over. Their affair was finished. She had gone off to resume her duties and soon he would be well enough to travel back to Coruscant. 

Tikal would never think about him again.

At that moment door opened and a polished gold protocol droid walked holding a tray of food. As the droid set the tray down, Theron saw it was also carrying a fresh change of clothes. He took that as his cue to get up and hobble into the refresher. When he emerged, the droid was patiently waiting.

“Good afternoon, I am C2-N2. Master Tikal apologizes for not being here, but the High Council requested her presence. She has tasked me with providing food and drink.”

He noted that his blaster, and favorite red jacket were also laid out on the freshly made bed. As he slipped on the new trousers, he noticed the knees were reinforced to hide his injury while he finished healing. Inside his red jacket were his holo and a discrete parcel of strong pain killers along with a note:

‘Take WITH food. Not when you planned to eat, not at lunch time. P.S. I don’t care if you’re not hungry.’

She still thought about him. He mattered.

A strange emotion welled up inside him and he cleared his throat. He thought about dismissing the droid, but decided to interrogate him instead. The silly thing was far too eager to please to notice.

It came as only a slight surprise to find out he was in the Jedi Temple on Tython. Of all the places to end up, he supposed this was the safest. Tikal would be back that afternoon as soon as her responsibilities allowed.

“She asked that your remain in the room,” Ceetoo stated as Theron picked up a muja fruit from the tray and walked past the droid.

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Master Tikal predicted you would say that and so she requests that you not wander too far from the grounds as there are wild beasts roaming the forest. Additionally, she would like you to know that quote: ‘The amount of credits necessary to finance your medical bills would plunge the Republic into a recession’. End quote.”

Theron cracked a smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He wandered out of the dormitories and into the main hallway. Under the hazy overcast light of day, the temple seemed significantly less threatening. He could appreciate the delicate carved walls now that they were no longer obscured by shadows. Padawans mulled around the corridors, some hurried about as though completing a specific errand, others still were trading the latest gossip. Few if any paid him any mind.

As he watched this unexpectedly mundane part of Temple life, he couldn’t help but think of his own childhood. As much as he tried to suppress the thoughts, the reality was that for a large portion of his life this had been his goal. There had been a time when his only thoughts were on visiting Tython and learning how to hone his power. To be here now, surrounded by the very life he was denied was disconcerting. He made a sharp and eventually ended up in the meditation garden but even this only reminded him of a life that would never come to pass.

He didn’t blame Master Zho, how could he? But there were times when he wondered if it would have been better to grow up with a normal family doing normal things and with normal expectations. Yes, there was a galaxy full of wonders that he would never be able to perceive. But perhaps ignorance was bliss if not the more merciful option.

As though the universe continued to conspire against him, he walked around the corner and straight into a small clearing where Satele Shan was waiting.

Fuck me…

“You seem troubled. Is everything alright?” she asked.

Oh perfectly fine. Just walking around taking in the visible reminders of a life I will never have.

“Getting shot will do that,” he grinned as he concealed his emotions from her as best he could.

“Yes, I heard you had been… indisposed.”

“All better now. No need to worry. Or… you know… continue not worrying,” Theron opened his arms as though to put himself under her scrutiny.

Satele looked visibly uncomfortable. She never quite knew how to address Theron. A part of her blamed his lack of emotional discipline, but a quieter, constant voice asked if she were being unreasonable considering the circumstances.

“Yes. I see. If you have a moment Theron, there is something I wish to speak to you about,” she motioned to a pair of benches behind her. Theron eyed Satele warily but followed. He had a bad feeling about this.

“If this is about me being here, don’t worry. I’ll be on the next shuttle to Coruscant.”

“No Theron. I want to ask you about Tikal. I understand you were with her these past few weeks working on a project,” Satele chose her words carefully but ultimately, there was no gentle way of saying it, “it has also come to my attention that you two have been… intimate.”

Theron felt an unpleasant jolt of outrage but remained stoic. “Why don’t you just come out and say what you need to say, Grand Master.”

There was a sharp inflection in the title that hammered home just how much distance was between them. Satele flinched but pressed on.

“It would be an unwise course of action for you to associate too much with Master Ameron. There are tasks that she needs to complete; flaws that she must work on,” she very nearly faltered when Theron gave an incredulous smile.

“So what. This is you telling me to stay away from the wrong crowd?”

“Theron, I understand this may be difficult to hear, but her path is already shrouded in shadow. The dark side touches her actions, and they will only get worse if you indulge in this relationship,” her explanation seemed to ignite a fire in Theron’s eyes.

“Which actions exactly? Because, I read her file. I know what she did. I know that you and the council dragged her all over the the galaxy with a chore list and then had the gall to complain about how she went about it.”

“The motivation behind her actions-”

“Don’t talk to me about motivation. You were the one who sent her out there with a laser sword and a hit list.”

Satele clenched her hands as she kept her own emotions in check. “Is that what you truly believe? Or is that what you tell yourself in order to continue to pursue her? You must know by now that she is not a traditional Jedi. And yes, we use her skills as a last resort, but that does not mean the ends justify the means. She is incapable of holding a normal relationship. Her attachment to you would not be healthy.”

“Of course, it wouldn’t be the first time I almost ruined a Jedi’s career prospects,” he replied unable to keep the bitterness from his tone and Satele’s brow furrowed.

“You misunderstand, I’m not speaking to you on Tikal’s behalf. I’m doing this for you. If you insist on this she will reciprocate. No matter how much you believe otherwise, it will end poorly. I don’t want that for you, Theron. I want to spare you the pain.”

“Then spare me the rest of this conversation,” he snapped as the simmering rage within him bubbled over, “who do you think you are to tell me who I can or can’t fuck? You lost that right the moment you checked the box opting out of having a son. And you know what? That’s fine. You got everything you wanted out of it, but don’t come to me now and pretend we have anything resembling a personal relationship. We’re coworkers at best. And if we’re being honest, considering your track record, you’re the least qualified person to be doling out relationship advice.”

Satele watched as Theron got up, too stunned to respond.

“Good talkin’ to you,” and with that caustic parting he stormed back to the dormitories. He didn’t know what was more infuriating, the Satele’s condescending advice, or the fact that she would condemn their relationship as a failure.

“If you insist on this she will reciprocate. No matter how much you believe otherwise, it will end poorly.”

Right, because the idea that she would love me is so inherently wrong.

He stopped short as the words penetrated the fog of anger. Satele’s warning wasn’t that Tikal would reject him. Her fear was that Tikal would embrace him. Something akin to hope bubbled in his heart.

“How was your walk?” He looked up to see Tikal in front of him. Impulse won out once more and he hugged her.

“Theron? Are you alright?”

He closed his eyes tightly and held on. Later he would blame the painkillers, but for now he needed to feel grounded. He needed to belong somewhere.

“I’m with you, you know that. Right?” he asked quietly and in response he felt her arms wrap around him.

“Well yes, but it’s nice to be told,” she mused and, in that moment, he knew it would all work out. Despite what anybody else thought, they would be okay.

________________________

Original Fictober Promp List HERE!

[serenxanthe]

After Ziost, a SWTOR Story

Part 3 (Chapters 6 - 7): In which Theron is unaware of a catastrophe.

Part 1 is here.

Part 2 is here.

Chapter 6

As he headed round to his father’s apartment, Theron tried to call Seren on his communicator. He still hated having serious conversations over holo, but he was aware that the number of times he’d almost ruined their relationship by avoiding calling her so they could talk in person was… Theron thought about it; it probably had to be approaching double digits by now, he concluded. 

The call wasn’t connecting, Theron realised in frustration. It wasn’t that she wasn’t picking up, which, well, he’d fully understand at this point; but rather that his communicator somehow wasn’t finding her frequency. Had she blocked him again, like after the Teff’ith incident? No, there’d be a different error tone, he reassured himself. His taxi pulled up at his father’s apartment, and Theron jumped out, vowing to sort out the issue with his communicator as soon as they’d finished talking.

Theron had only been there a few minutes when it became clear that Satele had been right, Jace was sympathetic to his actions back on Ziost; telling him that he’d probably have done the same thing in his position, and pointing out that nobody could have predicted mass mind control on that scale, let alone the cataclysm that followed. There just wasn’t any precedent for it that they’d known about.

Theron was beginning to relax a bit now, feeling hopeful about his job for the first time in weeks.

Jace noticed that he kept looking at his communicator. “Expecting a call?” He asked Theron. 

Theron jumped and put the communicator away, he hadn’t realised he was being so obvious. “Kinda.” He told Jace. “I haven’t seen my, er, friend for a couple of months now, and I really want to speak to her.” 

Jace nodded. “Seren, right? Don’t screw this up, son, she really loves you.” 

Theron was stunned. His father knew? And had somehow formed an opinion on Seren’s feelings for him? “How did…” he began, then, “Did Satele tell you?”

Jace’s eyes widened, “Satele knows?!” He asked Theron, incredulously. “What were you thinking? This puts her in an incredibly difficult position as Jedi Grandmaster, you know that right?”

“She put herself in an incredibly difficult position when she decided to walk into my tent without warning back on Yavin IV.” Theron retorted acerbically. He really had no idea why his father continued to be so protective over his mother, despite her treatment of him.

Jace’s eyes widened again, and he bit his lip. Theron clocked it, and warned him, “Don’t!” 

Jace shook his head, trying to contain his laughter. He cleared his throat and managed to ask, in a vague approximation of his normal tone of voice, “What were you doing? Er, so to speak.”

Theron shot him a look that told Jace he wasn’t amused. “Not that!” he clarified quickly, his colour high. “Just sleeping. But I guess it looked pretty… intimate.” Theron sighed, now that they’d started on this topic, he had a strange urge to keep talking to his father about it. “Seren woke up,” he continued, “I didn’t. The first thing I knew about it was when Seren told me she’d spoken to Satele and told her she’d be leaving the Jedi Order to stay with me.” 

Theron suddenly realised that it might be painful for his father to hear how Seren had made the exact opposite decision for him to the one Satele had made for the Order almost thirty years ago. “Sorry.” he told Jace, “We don’t have to talk about this.”

Jace shook his head, he was just happy that Theron was opening up to him for once. “No, it’s fine.” he told Theron, “My situation with your mother was… different to what you have with Seren. And it was a long time ago now.”

Theron nodded awkwardly in acknowledgement.

Jace suddenly frowned in realisation, “But she’s still a member of the Order. What changed?”

“She and Satele made an agreement that Seren would stay on board as part of the Order until we’ve dealt with… whatever is going on with the Sith Emperor. His essence, I suppose.” 

Jace was nodding, “Yeah, that makes sense.” he told Theron, “Satele has always been nothing if not pragmatic.”

Theron knew he could stop this conversation now; this was the perfect opening to do so politely, but for some reason he felt compelled to keep talking. “I tried to get Seren to break up with me, stay on as a Jedi. Basically told her I didn’t care enough about her to make leaving the Order worthwhile.”

Jace was staring at him with what looked almost like… anger, realised Theron. He really should have stopped talking when he’d had the chance. Theron shrugged defensively, “Look, I didn’t know they’d come to that agreement.” he told Jace, “I thought our relationship was literally going to put the future of the galaxy at risk!”

Jace looked flatly at Theron, “And you really thought that Satele and your Seren would do that? You had so little trust in them you thought you needed to resolve the situation because they couldn’t?” 

How did his terminally single father come up with  this type of insight so easily, when he’d been in a relationship with Seren for literally years and still continually messed up, wondered Theron.

“I… I’m not great at trusting anyone.” Theron admitted. “And yeah, somehow Seren keeps forgiving me every time I pull shit like this. Like you said, she really loves me.”

Jace took a deep breath and said, “I’m still not sure you know how lucky you are, son.”

Theron was frowning, but in confusion, not annoyance. “How do you know she loves me, anyway? And actually, how did you find out about us?”

Jace shrugged, “I was outside his office when Marcus told Seren about your mission on the Ascendant Spear, and how he expected, or feared, it would go. I didn’t hear their conversation, but when she left… I’d never seen someone so beside themselves with shock and grief before, and you know I’ve had to deliver my fair share of bad news to bereaved relatives. I asked Marcus about it, I was really curious, especially as the girl I’d seen was obviously a Jedi. For whatever reason Marcus decided to be honest with me about who she is to you.” 

“But if you’ve known about me and Seren this long, why didn’t you ever ask me about her? We’ve met up to get to know each other better several times since then.” Theron asked Jace. 

Jace laughed, “You never mentioned her until today, so I assumed you didn’t wanna talk about her. You’re not exactly… open to personal questions, you realise that, right?” 

Theron laughed slightly awkwardly, he did know that, he guessed, but he didn’t feel great that it was so obvious it had become a source of amusement to his father. “Go ahead then, ask me anything!” he told Jace in a fit of bravado.

Jace’s face lit up with amusement and he rubbed his hands together with exaggerated glee.

“Within reason!” Theron warned him, his face flushing.

“Do you love her?” Jace suddenly asked Theron, with unexpected seriousness.

“What kind of a question is that?” Theron was annoyed, and not bothering to hide it, “Of course I do!”

Jace shook his head, “I mean, do you really love her? The way she loves you?”

“Like I said, of course I do!” Theron answered automatically, his temper still high.

But then he thought back to the way he’d treated her for the past two months, and all the times before that he’d taken her for granted, the times he hadn’t trusted her, hadn’t talked to her even. Over the course of their relationship it was… a lot. “Maybe I’m not always great at showing it though.” he finally admitted to Jace.

Jace nodded in satisfaction. “That’s what I thought. Like I said, don’t screw it up. You… deserve happiness, son.”

Theron nodded his own head, the sudden lump in his throat making it impossible to acknowledge his father’s words in any other way.

Chapter 7

After the men had said their goodbyes Theron stepped blinking into the bright sunshine of the formal communal gardens outside his father’s apartment. A lot of people lived there, and the gardens were busy. After a moment Theron’s skin prickled. He looked around, listening to the crowd. Something was off. The atmosphere was odd; a mixture of excitement and… fear? People stood around in clumps, discussing something very seriously. 

Once a spy, always a spy; Theron tapped a likely looking man on the shoulder and asked him what was going on, what they were talking about. 

“Haven’t you heard?” The man looked incredulous, and Theron shrugged impatiently, waiting for him to enlighten him. “Darth Marr’s flagship, his whole fleet, was destroyed. Just now. They’re saying Marr is dead.” the man continued.

Theron hid his shock, he’d really respected Marr, for a Sith. “What happened?” he asked the man.

“That’s just it!” the man continued, that strange mix of excitement and fear in his voice, “Normally we’d celebrate that, right?” 

Theron nodded assent. Hopefully this man would get to the point sometime soon. 

“But it wasn’t us that did it!” the man told Theron. “Apparently some alien fleet popped out of nowhere at the edge of wild space and just… destroyed everything, Marr’s whole fleet, in minutes! It’s all over the holonet!”

Theron’s forgotten communicator suddenly chimed, and Theron nodded his thanks to the man then turned away to answer it. It was Satele, and she looked… odd. He peered at her indistinct face in the holo image, and narrowed his eyes in confusion. If Theron didn't know better, he’d say she looked… upset? 

“Theron, thank the Force!” Satele started, “You need to come back to my apartment straight away, now!”

Theron automatically started to question her as to why; his objection to being told what he needed to do was clear in his tone of voice. 

Satele interrupted him, which was very unlike her. “Theron! Please don’t argue! For once… Just come back. Please.” she begged him.

Theron huffed but then agreed. Satele’s voice and demeanour were so… odd. She couldn’t be distressed over Marr could she?!

Satele let out an obvious breath of relief, then said, “And Theron, don’t call anyone, don’t speak to anyone, don’t look at the holonet, just get here as fast as you can. Please.” 

Satele cut the call, and an icy shiver of foreboding scuttled down Theron’s spine. He decided to do what she’d asked and headed straight to the nearest taxi rank, across the square.

Minutes later Jace stumbled into the gardens, looking around desperately but fruitlessly for any sign of Theron. Having just switched his communicator back on, he’d received the last briefing he’d ever wanted to hear.

He needed to head straight to the Senate Tower to take part in the emergency meeting being convened to determine the Republic's response to this new galactic threat. But he’d hoped that he could catch his son first, that Theron could hear the news from someone who cared for him rather than from some mindless chatter in the street.

At the same moment he and Theron had been sitting comfortably in his apartment, discussing how much he loved his girlfriend, how he’d do better at showing her that in future, she was… Jace swallowed the sudden bile that rose into his throat. He hoped that Satele was wrong about the Force; he hoped that the Force didn’t have a will of its own, because if it did, it was fucking vindictive.

[scionprotector]

His mind knew it was a dream, and yet he could not tell his heart such a thing. Fighting the memories of his past, making it to his friends and companions that had served and fought alongside him for so long... only stand before them rather than at their side...

When Valkorian asked if following the Jedi way was worth it, Vamien was honest. “If it means losing them, no, it doesn’t.” 

The laughter was dark, and Vamien couldn’t hold back the shiver that ran down his spine. It was painfully familiar, despite the new voice behind it. He’d heard this man before. He had him controlling his actions for months.

He felt himself crumbling, and while he spoke with bravado, it must have been obvious to Valkorian that Vamien was not truly in his normal mindset. “The Republic you serve does not deserve your loyalty. Look at what happens when you fail them.”

What happened next was nauseating: taking down Republic soldiers that came to attack him, demanding to know why he had failed them. Fellow Jedi - some he had taught, attacking him at mere sight. It was likely meaningless, but he tried to save what civilians he could... maybe, somewhere, it wasn’t entirely a nightmare...

Yet something else was wrong. One thing throughout it all rang true - he was dying. His lungs ached, his body froze as he gasped for air. He thought when the time came, he would be at peace with it... but there was so much left to do. He couldn’t die, not when the Republic - no, when his friends needed him.

At one point, just before the carpet to the Senate Tower, he dropped onto one knee, gasping for breath. He wondered if it was really worth it. He’d been fighting for so long, and had anything truly changed? It just hurt... surely it wouldn’t be so terrible to just... stop fighting for once?

When Master Satele dropped onto the carpet, he looked at her in desperation, but saw no sympathy in her gaze. Despite her composed demeanor, she had never looked at him coldly, murderously. And he knew then. He had to keep fighting. He could not let down so many people. 

The fight with Master Satele was hard, about what he anticipated. Breathless, worn, and pained, he nearly winced when Valkorian returned... but he spoke of empowerment. Of ruling over himself, not listening to authority.

Standing over Satele’s body was not the time to mention that. He felt his resolve returning to him, lashing out against Valkorian as his strength started to return.

And then a piece of a ship landed atop him.

He made his way to Valkorian, finding himself with his mind more at ease, even if his body wasn’t. When he dropped to the floor, it was sheer will that had him rising once more, sheer fortitude that got him through the fight with the Monolith. 

And then another jump. Vamien always wondered why he never remembered his dreams. If they were like this, he wanted little to do with them.

This time, they stood before the Eternal Throne, and Vamien was stunned when the woman sensed him. But if he thought he had been in pain before, he was wrong. Vaylin took her saber and ran it through him, making him drop to his knees.

“...I’m dying...” There was no peace, there was only dread. He’d failed.

“We are bring reborn.”

The dream gave way to light, and an all too familiar voice rang through.

Lana Beniko sounded like an angel.

[far-away-stars]

All the NPC asks for my evil son Illy (watch out Sia is gonna recruit him and put him on heals mode L O L)

Sia, that’s a bad idea. Just, I would advise against it. :’3

1. Would they be recruitable?

I kinda want to say no? I mean, he’s a member of the Dark Council, I wouldn’t say that’s easy to randomly recruit. :’D I could be a mission-specific partner, like Darth Marr or Acina, where uncontrollable events brought him to help you more than his own will.

It could be set in a time when he wasn’t that powerful yet, yes, but I would advise against having him follow you in any sense. Seeing how power-hungry and manipulative he kinda was it’s probably not advisable to have you where it would be so easy to be stabbed in the back. (well, he was a pretty unharming apprentice, it’s true. But then having him as an NPC that young would mean too many narrative branches depending on who he tutor could have been, and I’m quite fond of my Illyrio the way he is now, so eh.)

2. Would they be a class specific character? (ie. Imperial Agent only. Republic character only)

He’s certainly Empire-bound. I’m pretty should he would accept to oversee whoever (jedi, sith smuggler, bounty hunter) as long as they sided with the Empire. He would also be quick to leave if that was to change.

3. When would you recruit them? Vanilla story? an Expac? Post KOTET?

Mhn… probably either an Expac or post KOTET. Assuming the character is a Sith he may have been known to them since the character's first contacts with the Council, one way or another, (Also maybe, during the missions on Voss for other classes too, since he’s the Imperial representative there?) He could come into contact with any imperial character even during Vanilla I guess, but certainly wouldn’t be recruited before the situation really had more priority than dealing with Imperial politics or the dark Council.

4. Where would you recruit them from?

He would be the one reaching for the character when the time is ripe, probably (unless it was a unplanned recruitment of circumstances.). He would call for a private meeting in his office on Dromund Kaas or some more neutral ground if necessary, or just plain empty Council Room for drama. (he likes his throne.)

5. What would their recruitment mission be?

Assuming the enemy is Zakuul probably to get back some stolen Imperial Artefact. Otherwise to, I don’t know, help with some enemy troops marching on Voss. Or just reconstruction or effort for the moral and to regain field there.

6.What would be their original recruitment outfit?

Probably the Alliance Emissary armor, with a black and dark red die such as here. Or maybe a more war-like outfit like this one if the character's previous choices had an heavier toll on the Empire and/or Voss.

7. Would there be a character they don’t like? Would that cause you to choose sides?

Any big Republic representative probably. He is really not there to make friends with the Republic. Betrayers of the Empire as well are a big no-no. Choosing side would depend on the contest. He would certainly make a clear and painful reminder that you allied with him and the Empire. And there are no taking backs where it ends well for the character.

8. Are they romancable? Why/why not?

Possibly, yes. (HE’S MARRIED, OF COURSE NOT.) -emh. He would probably come with a number of warnings tho. He is certainly charming, charismatic, loving and very devoted. But. Well. He’s a Sith that doesn’t do things by halves. He will pretend a lot.

9. What would they say if you clicked on them?

“Beware of the power of the Sith.” “You better be articulate, I won’t lose my time in deciphering nonsense.” “Pleasant day for Victory.” “Manners are simply lost on you.” “Each conversation must be timely, or it is simply wasted air.” “What is it?” “Of course, I’m here to take charge.” “You wish my aid?”

10. Do they know any other in game characters? (ie. trained under Satele Shan during the civil war. Knew Talos before he went to Hoth)

Khatyrkite, his daughter, if she is somehow around. (as Emperor’s Wrath or something.) otherwise he is familiar with the members of the Dark Council and many other Sith, like Marr, Vowrawn and others.

11. What weapon(s) would they have?

His double-bladed lightsaber, of course, with its blood orange crystal. His charisma and political influence and all sort of hidden favors people own him and well, all his damn network of people he basically manipulated to “do what he orders, or else..”.

12. Are they better as a tank, healer or DPS?

DPS. He focuses on stealth attack and quick assassinations, with an added arrays of stuns and various tactical weakenings. He can hold his ground decently as a tank thanks to his agility in avoiding most blows and the Force shielding him, but can’t really do miracles against very strong adversaries. He has a basic knowledge in healing, but nothing truly useful during a fight.

13. What gifts do they Love? Like? What would they say when you gave them a gift?

Cultural Artifacts and Luxury. Can get behind some Weaponry or Courting gifts. - “Oh. Lack of taste. How unsurprising.” “Am I supposed to find some use to this?” “My thanks.” “It’s… unexpected. Thank you.” “I own you for this, I won’t forget.”

14. What would they say if you sent them away/changed them out?

“The war is not over.” “There’s still much work to do.” “There are calls I need to make.” “The Empire won’t stand on its own.” “I’m needed elsewhere.”

15. What do they say when they heal you? What do they say when they are attacking?

“Fill yourself with rage.” “It is not time to give up!” “Our enemies won’t have you.” - “Your life has no worth to me.” “Die, maggot.” “Disgusting.” “You will die fearing the darkness.” “Demise will strike you as lightning.”

16. What’s their idle chatter like? Do they talk a lot (when you arrive on each planet) or do they suddenly say something in some strange places?

“Probably some specific chatter for Imperial planets and Voss, and then some general Jedi/Republic hate comment. Probably would have a lot to say about Oricon too. Very quiet about Ziost tho.

17. What letters would they send post vanilla class story/SOR/KOTFE

I actually have no inspiration for this one, sorry. :’D It would depend greatly on the choices made and the general situation, plus, his relationship with the character.

18. If they are recruitable in vanilla story, where are they during KOTFE/TET? What are/were they doing?

Well, I’ll just finish this with my big confession. :’D Assuming Illyrio is not the Outlander in any KOTFE/KOTET au, I headcanon him as becoming Sith Emperor. So, yeah, that.

[anchanted-one]

Book of Storms: Legend of Vajra Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Rising Star

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43208574/chapters/108630996

A week later

Kira Carsen stifled her millionth yawn of the day as the Council talked. Her Master held the floor, looking as drop-dead gorgeous as she always did. Kira wondered if, in another life, Bela Kiwiiks could have been a popular actress. Or singer. She could just picture it, the Togruta crooning ‘Deliverance by the Rain’ at a live performance while thousands cheered.

But right now, even her stunning looks and refined demeanour did not save the utterly dull drivel she was presenting before the Council, something about movement of illicit goods on the streets of Coruscant.

Stars, how she wished she could sit the fuck down! Why weren’t there seats in the wings for observers and unlucky on-duty Padawans? She looked around the Council. It was another poor showing today, less than half-strength. The holo of the cantankerous Master Kaedan sat on Master Satele’s left, listening to every word despite his disposition. The man could listen, despite outward appearances. On her right was Master Kiwiiks’ empty seat, and beyond that was Master Syo Bakarn, and Master Gnost Dural after him. On Kaedan’s left was Master Orgus, who was deeply frustrated, going by his bouncing right knee. Master Braga sat next to him, radiating serenity and confidence into this room despite also being transmitting from afar.

Kira yawned yet again and sighed before turning her attention to the alien beside her. The hero of the hour. She’d heard the stories already circulating about him, and was secretly impressed that one Padawan could win such a big battle on his own.

Not a Padawan, she reminded herself. Not yet.

His apprenticeship had been delayed by recent events. Several of his prospective Masters had been killed or wounded, while others were called away to fight the Raiders.

But despite his achievement, he was just a kid. Kira had some difficulty taking him seriously, especially the way he was holding himself right now. He stood rigid and tall, like he was on display somewhere. He fought hard to keep the nerves from showing, but his fingers fidgeted with his clothes and his Lightsabers. His foot tapped up a more nervous rhythm than Master Orgus, and his eyes kept darting from the Masters to the door.

“Psst!” Kira whispered. “Hey. Kid. You alright?”

He looked at her with wide eyes, unsure of himself.

“It’s okay,” she assured him. “They don’t mind, if we’re soft.”

He hesitated a moment longer, then nodded nervously. Good boy!

“So, how are you doing?” she repeated.

“I’m fine,” he replied. “What about you?”

“Haven’t nodded off yet. Please catch me if you see me fall asleep. Last time was a little embarrassing. I fell with a loud scream. Challenged an imaginary enemy to a duel."

He stared for a moment, then burst into suppressed laughter. “I promise.”

“Thanks,” Kira smiled. “My name is Kira. Kira Carsen. I’m Master Kiwiiks’ apprentice. I’m secretly evil.”

He suppressed a giggle. “I’m Vajra. I was Uupa WenSuul’s. But she passed on two weeks ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Kira answered.

“She was unwell for a long time,” Vajra said. “Unable to even leave her bed. Most of my lessons the past year were inside her cottage. But I miss her.”

“Good. I don’t have respect for people who don’t miss the ones who raise them.”

Vajra nodded.

[keldae]

Stories

Spydad is being uncooperative (colour me surprised), so here’s the Theron/Xaja half of the ask!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daenril seemed to have come to the conclusion that sleeping through the night was highly overrated, and had taken to voicing his opinions aloud. Force, Xaja loved her son, she did…

… but right now, when it was barely after two in the morning and Daenril was loudly squawking his displeasure in the next room over, he was Theron’s son, not hers. She groaned into her pillow, mentally trying to summon up the willpower to crawl out of her warm bed and try to get the toddler back to sleep, or at least back to quietly lying down. 

The mattress shifted as Theron sat up with a soft groan, tossing the blankets back to land on Xaja. “I got him,” he mumbled as he swung his feet to the floor. “Go back to sleep, love.”

“Mmmph.” Too out of it to form any real words, Xaja just burrowed her face further into her pillow and closed her eyes, listening to the sound of Theron’s footsteps and the hiss of the door connecting their bedroom to the nursery. A few seconds later, she heard Daenril’s loud, high-pitched squeal of delight upon seeing his father. 

“I’m glad one of us is happy to be awake,” Theron’s voice drifted back to Xaja. She heard him sigh, and could visualize him raking a hand through his mussed-up hair. “You gotta settle down, Daenril. Your mama and I both need to sleep, even if you apparently don’t--”

“No!” Daenril’s new favourite word was accompanied by a giggle. “No!”

“Yes, sleep,” Theron argued back. “Sleep is good for little boys like you, and their parents.”

“No!” There was silence for a moment, before Daenril angelically cooed “Dada.”

Theron sighed again. “Too smart for your own good, kid. You know that?” To judge by Daenril’s giggle, he did. Having apparently given up the futile efforts of arguing with a wide-awake and, frankly, adorable toddler who knew just how to press his daddy’s buttons, he sounded resigned to being up for longer than he had wanted. “What’s it gonna take for you to go back to sleep, buddy? Playtime is not the answer.”

Daenril babbled nonsensically for a few moments. If there were any new words in his repertoire, Xaja couldn’t hear them through the door. She yawned and snuggled down under the blankets, fatigued, yet unable to fall back to sleep, for some reason.

“What about if Daddy tells you a story? One more bedtime story?” The happy babble seemed to be an affirmative answer. “Okay, one more story then. But we gotta be quiet, buddy. Mama’s still asleep. Heroes like her need sleep as much as you do.” There was a soft grunt, then the sound of footsteps; when Xaja cracked an eye open to look at the nursery door, she could just see Theron pacing back and forth in the dim glow cast by Daenril’s nightlight, holding the little boy. Even though she couldn’t see in the dim light, she was pretty sure their son was holding onto his favourite stuffed nerf plush -- a gift from Satele. “Did you know your mama’s a bona fide hero?”

Daenril made a happy little noise. “Mama.”

“Yeah, buddy. She is one. She was a Jedi hero a long time before Daddy ever met her, you know.” Theron lowly hummed in thought for a moment. “Daddy knew she was a hero when he asked her to help him with a big mission that turned into hunting down a bunch of trai-- of sneaky bad guys. Don’t tell Mama this, but Daddy had a crush on her all the way back then, even if he didn’t want to admit it to himself. Of course, Daddy didn’t think he had a shot with this super pretty Jedi hero, not when she was a Jedi, and when she was so pretty and popular that she could have had anyone she wanted. There were a few months when Daddy and Auntie Lana had to go into hiding since the other good guys thought we were with the bad guys, and I’ll admit, Daddy was pining for Mama the entire time. Auntie Lana would say Daddy was a grouch that entire time until your Mama came to help us track down the real bad guys, along with your Uncle Korin and Uncle Sorand and your granddad. By that point, Daddy had just about convinced himself that Mama only liked him as a friend.”

Despite her weariness, Xaja smiled fondly and settled in to listen to the rest of the story, idly wondering which one of her and Theron’s early adventures was tonight’s bedtime story.

“And then after Auntie Lana set Daddy up as bait, Daddy got captu-- uhhh, Daddy met Great-Great-Grandpa Revan, who was the leader of the bad guys. Grandpa Revan wasn’t the nicest guy around.” Theron made a soft hushing noise as Daenril babbled his opinions about ‘Grandpa Revan’. “Shush, buddy. Revan… wanted Daddy to stick around and join his bad guys. But Daddy didn’t want to, so he decided he was going to sneak out, find your Mama, and tell her what Revan’s plans were. Daddy stole a blaster from the bad guys, snuck out of his cell, hauled ass to the exit, came around a corner -- and there was Mama, yelling at Revan over the holo, demanding he tell her where Daddy was, lightsabers blazing and more upset than any Jedi I’d seen before. She had broken in to rescue Daddy when she had a bunch of other, more important stuff to be doing.”

At that, Xaja wanted to interject with a correction -- nothing had been more important in that moment than finding Theron and getting him back to safety. She could still remember the fear that had nagged at her from the moment she had found out he’d been captured, and then the relief she’d felt when she had seen him tear around the corner and run up to her -- beaten to within an inch of his life, covered in bruises and blood, but alive. Disregarding Revan on the holo, or her father a few metres away, she had deactivated her lightsabers just in time to catch him in a hug, under the pretense of keeping him from falling to his knees (and really, who would have believed that a five-foot-nothing woman could have kept a guy who towered a solid foot over her from falling, Jedi or not?). She still wasn’t sure if the memory of Theron clinging to her had been him returning the hug, or merely trying to keep himself upright.

“And then Revan tried to make the whole place crash down on us, and your granddad couldn’t override the systems to stop it. Fortunately, Auntie Lana managed to get into the computers from a long way off and stop the crashing before the roof could land on our heads.” Theron hummed thoughtfully for a moment as Daenril cooed. “That was one of the lousiest days of Daddy’s life, but it was also one of the best. That was the moment that Daddy realized that maybe he did have a chance with the pretty Jedi hero who’d come storming in to save him, if she liked him enough to come rescue him when there was a lot of other stuff she could be doing.” He lowly chuckled. “And considering that Daddy finally got to kiss Mama for the very first time after she saved the day again by wrecking Revan’s fleet and getting Grandma Satele and Darth Marr on board… I’d say it all worked out, don’t you think?”

Daenril gurgled something incoherent, which Theron seemed to take as agreement. “Glad you think so, buddy. I don’t think you need to hear the details about the first-kiss story though. We gonna try this whole sleeping thing again?” Xaja closed her eyes again as Theron moved out of her line of sight, feeling herself start to drift off again to the faint sounds of her husband tucking Daenril back into bed.

She finally felt the bed shift several minutes later as Theron crawled back in beside her, and rolled over to snuggle closer to him. “Shhh,” he murmured, soothingly stroking her hair. “Sorry, babe, didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Mmm.” Xaja shook her head, then smiled. “Story’s wrong,” she mumbled.

“What?”

“Your story’s wrong.” She opened her eyes again to see Theron’s bewildered look. “Rescuing you was the most important thing.”

“... Shit, you heard that?” Theron sounded sheepish; Xaja could imagine his blush. “How much of it?”

“All’ve it.” Xaja wrapped an arm and a leg around Theron, pulling herself closer to him and brushing a kiss against his shoulder. “Had a crush on you too, spyboy.”

Theron seemed stunned into silence for a moment before he finally smiled. “Still surreal that I got to marry the gorgeous Jedi war hero who liked me back and dropped everything to rescue me, for some reason.”

Xaja shook her head as she yawned. “Lotsa reasons. You’re cute, and smart, and brave, and kind, and my hero--” Another yawn interrupted her list of Theron’s admirable traits.

“And you need sleep, sweetheart.” Theron pressed a kiss into Xaja’s hair and snuggled down with her. “Go back to sleep, my lovely Jedi hero.”

“Mmmm.” Xaja let her eyes drift closed again as she revelled in Theron’s warmth beside her. “Love you.”

She just barely heard Theron’s murmured “I love you too,” before she had faded back into sleep, her dreams now filled with memories of Rishi and their first adventures together.