Chapter Text
*
Tatooine,
Ten months later
Kairegane Rooks felt a strange affinity to extremes. A lot of species out there either liked hot climes, or cold ones, never both. But she herself was alright with Tatooine and Hoth. She did prefer Hoth, but she liked it here, too.
Unfortunately, most of her comrades were not as good with Tatooine. Vette had labored through it, many years ago, but never again. Quinn decked himself out in full desert gear, and kept a full set of stimpacks ready. Jaesa was also wearing thick robes to protect herself from the twin suns, and carried so much water that she needed the Force to pick it up.
Their contact was waiting at the cantina. Sharack Breev was a dark-skinned woman with several piercings on each ear and white hair. Her face had grown lined since their last meeting, probably due to the planet’s twin suns.
“Ah, Dark Lord. It is my humble pleasure to meet you again.”
“Sharack Breev. How have the sands of Tatooine been treating you?”
“They are harsh to king and peasant alike, Dark Lord.”
“You know why I’m here.”
“Yes, Dark Lord. You’re here about the letter I sent you, three weeks ago.”
“I apologize that it took me so long. I’ve been getting swamped with paperwork. Even with five secretaries and droids for each, important letters slip through the cracks.”
“I see. I will remember to send three, next time.”
“That would be nice.” Kairegane held out her hand, and Quinn placed the datapad in it. “Here’s what you said:
‘I recently caught sight of someone distinctly out of place in the Dune Sea, apparently attempting to barter with a Jawa clan for lodging. When I closed in on her, I recognized her: it was the Sith wanted for the murder of Darth Arkous!
I shadowed her, hoping to see where she would ultimately find sanctuary. I am an excellent tracker, but she is Sith. She slipped away. I later learned that someone bearing her description departed the planet with the assistance of a Wookiee pilot. That is all I know, I’m afraid.’”
All eyes turned to Sharack. “I remember it. The sands bury their memories, but they keep them preserved, too.”
“As you might’ve guessed, we need to find Beniko. She’s a high-priority target.”
“Of course, Dark Lord. I have tried to follow her trail here on Tatooine, but was unable to find much of value. Whoever it was that she was running from, they were dangerous.”
“She was running?”
“Aye, my Lord.”
“From whom, Twin Suns? Exchange? Hutt soldiers? Republic ones? Surely, I’d have heard if the Empire was the one who nearly cornered her!”
“None of those, I think. Word gets around, if one of the many powers are hunting for someone. This was a different faction, one who came with a purpose and didn’t intend to stay long.”
“Tell me the story as you’ve discovered.”
“Lady Beniko stumbled out of the Dune Sea with wounds and a mild sunburn. I traced her path for nearly twenty minutes after losing her, and discovered a speeder that had run out of fuel and coolant, which she’d abandoned. It was evident that others had arrived before I had, for the speeder had been stripped and searched. Its computer had been pulled out. Not Jawas, for they would have taken the speeder.”
“Strange that Beniko stood out so much. If she was so unsubtle, she’d have been caught months ago. Or died.”
“She didn’t seem to know her way around the Dunes, that was for certain. When negotiations with the Jawas failed, she fled to other groups. She even approached a clan of Tuskens, though I lost track of her around then. Despite being out of her depth, she was able to lose me. She’s crafty.”
“Did you speak to any of these groups? Learn what she tried to offer them?”
“She started with credits. Five thousand, an amount which reeked of desperation. When that failed, she offered the location of moisture vaporators, buried close by. Then, her stores of water.”
“That is desperate.”
“She approached the J’rarrku Jawa Clan first. They are deep within the desert at the moment, making the Great Crossing. Several remote farmsteads; the Gray farm, the Mathisson farm, and the Deja farm. And finally, the Bhaille K’shorr Clan of Tuskens. That one almost gave in to the location of the moisture vaporators, but that was about when she noticed me, and begged their leave to depart. I have no idea how she disappeared. I thought she’d run off into the desert and died, but then I heard about a Wookiee pilot who came to her aid. She was picked up close to Outpost Rennar.”
“She got very far.”
“Yes. It’s easier in the dark, when you’re not beset by the heat. Still an achievement.”
“Did she have any other help?”
“Not that I’m aware of, my Lord. Only the Wookiee.”
“What do we know about this Wookiee?”
“His name is Jakarro. He’s a smuggler and mercenary who has been to Tatooine before, though I’m told he hates it here. He was on Tatooine a few months earlier, hunting down an old rival of his. Deszam. He’s recently had several death marks placed on him, though we don’t know why.”
“So, a fugitive helping a fugitive.”
“It appears so, Dark Lord.”
“Curious. Do we know he left the planet after picking up his traitor friend?”
“Yes. Scanners picked up his ship exiting the atmosphere and making the jump to Lightspeed. But there has been no word of him returning.”
“Perhaps we can acquire the data about his ship,” Kai looked at Quinn. “It’s model, name, and ID.”
“I’ll make the inquiries at once.”
“Why did the farmers refuse her shelter?” Kai asked. “As I recall, they have something of a gentlemen’s code out here.”
“That only applies to anyone who looks like a civilian. Beniko does not.”
“Right. Pierce, Sharack: I want you to help me find out whom it is, that she was running from. Jaesa, maybe you can help me speak to the Tuskens. Quinn, find out how she got here in the first place. If she has any other associates still here. And if she contacted anyone while she wandered these sands.”
“Of course, Dark Lord.”
“This was our first real lead in nearly two years. Anything that we can discover about the fugitive, anything at all…”
Perhaps she has information on Mira too.
“As you command, Tiarna!”
“Let’s go.”
*
Dromund Kaas
Lord Hekaten Kallig—also known as Darth Nox of the Dark Council—rose to greet his right hand as she entered. “Ah, Imperius! You’re early today.”
“I’ve got to keep you on your toes somehow. Can’t have you slipping into a rhythm. Getting complacent.”
“What’s this? A joke?” Hekaten turned to her Apprentice. “Did you hear that, Kariya? Your Master just pulled my leg!”
The human smiled nervously. “Um. Yes, congratulations, my Lord.”
“No, truly, this is a day to mark on the calendars! What say we declare today the Imperial leg-pulling day?”
“Kat. Silence, or you will never hear a joke from these lips, again.”
“Right. So, what’s the real reason you were early?”
“We were supposed to receive that report on the Hapsaki pyramid today.”
“Oh, yes.” Hekaten turned to Talos Drellik, who cleared his throat.
“Apologies, Dark Lords. It’s running a little late. It should be here in an hour.”
“Shoot. I guess this means I have to entertain you for the next hour. Want to visit the Starfield gallery with me? Or perhaps, we can watch an opera on the holo?”
Kariya tugged on her Master’s sleeve, and Minara sighed regretfully. “Not with my girl here, Kat. Dates are for Date nights, only.”
“Right. Sorry. We can look through some of my other reports, if you like.”
“We need to get those out of the way, at some point.”
“Right. Kariya, do you have any preferences? I’m not trying to tease you.”
“Thank you, Dark Lord. I, um. How about this one? The Iridonia incident?”
“Iridonia, eh? That’s a Republic world, right?”
“Yes,” Minara nodded. “It’s where the Zabraks originate from.”
“Right. Well, it’s a world we’re not very interested in, at the moment. I wonder happened there, that would find its way to my desk?”
Minara began scanning the summary. “It’s from someone called Sergeant Tarsten. Do you know him? His tone’s a bit familiar.”
Hekaten had to squeeze his memory a little. “I think I met him while planning for the attack on Tython. He served Arkous. Like… served him. He was more errand and messenger boy than soldier.”
“Well, he says he found a lead on the traitor, Lana Beniko.”
“Lana Beniko… I haven’t thought of that woman in years. Clever or not, I’m surprised she’s still alive. Must have been hiding in some corner of the galaxy somewhere.”
“What does Tarsten say?”
“He says he was deployed to the planet on a secret mission. To assassinate a Republic Senator and his retinue. They were thwarted by Lana Beniko. He didn’t see her, but the team got killed by a Lightsaber.”
“I see. His teammates were killed by a Lightsaber. Anything else?”
“No.”
“That’s such a terrible, weak link! What next, ‘I saw an eclipse, so I think all the crops in the Empire are going to fail’?”
Minara snorted. “What are you going to do?”
“Xalek.”
“Yes, my Master.”
“Take a few of our soldiers. Seek out this Tarsten. Bring him in. See why he bothered us with such a bad conspiracy theory. Politely, if that’s enough. Rough, if it’s not. Don’t let him know you’re coming, until you’re in front of him.”
“I obey.”
“Well, that was a total bust. What’s next?”
“Here’s a report from Arkania. Someone called Marko Ka. A new turbolaser design and prototype that he was sent to steal, were destroyed… Lana again.”
“Any credibility in this one?”
“He claims to be a Cipher Agent. He claims that Lana is the only known Force user who can hit a target the size of a fist at three hundred meters. With a single shot.”
“Is she? Never knew. Was she working with anyone?”
“Yes, but he couldn’t tell who it was.”
“Does he describe them?”
“Human. Average height, lean build, dark skin and hair. No matches in Imperial or Republic databases. But he was likely disguised.”
“Here’s the second question. Why?”
“You mean, why would Lana be actively working against the Empire, if she’s trying to lay low?”
“No, why are we getting reports about her?” he typed the name ‘Lana Beniko’ in his search, and he realized he had at least seven more messages pertaining to her. “Why are we getting so many reports about her? Bringing her to justice is Mortis’ responsibility, not mine. As much as I would love bringing her in, I have my own house to maintain.”
“Right. I’ll pen a message asking everyone to kindly not reach out to us in matters related to law and order.”
“Unless they’re known to have trespassed on my domain, of course. Or threatened me or one of mine.”
“Right.”
“Here’s one you might like,” Kari said, holding up a report. “One of Angral’s caches have been found, and it’s suspected to be brimming with trophies he stole from Coruscant.”
“Anything formerly of Angral’s rightfully belongs to the Scarlet Queen. Verify the authenticity, then drop her a line telling her to pick it up if she wants it.”
“Yes, Lord.”
Lady Kai rarely ever took such articles, so Hekaten was reasonably certain he would be able to place it in his own vaults. But he wanted to maintain the courtesy. He was finally returning into her good graces. Perhaps she would be delighted to have such artifacts. Perhaps she would return it to the Republic, as a gesture of good faith.
“Anything else?”
“My Lords! The Hapsaki pyramid report is here!” Good old Talos was excitement cloaked in flesh.
“Ah, good. Let’s begin the main course, shall we?”
Minara smiled wide. “Yes, let’s!”
*
Corellia
Senator Krasul was touring the restored Corellian Museum when the assassination attempt occurred. A quartet of young, disaffected men and women with daggers and blasters. But before his bodyguards could intervene, a Zabrak stepped out from the crowd and shot all four assassins.
He already had his badge out when his bodyguards challenged him, but Krasul knew who he was right away. “Ah, Major Roban Queens. I take it, your presence here is no coincidence?”
“In part, Senator. I was invited for the parade that’s to be held later in the day, but Director Trant was worried there might be assassins after you.”
“Trant this time, eh? Hmm.” He looked at the would-be assassins. They were alive, having been hit by stun bolts. His guards were already binding their arms. “I suppose this is the second time I owe you, my life.”
“No thanks necessary, Senator. It’s my duty to serve.”
“And mine to show grace.”
The Zabrak took that as his dismissal. He saluted and left.
*
As Roban left the museum—shaking off a reporter to do so—he got a call on his personal comm.
Garza?
She hadn’t contacted him in months. It had to be important. He got into his speeder—for it was soundproof and regularly swept for bugs—and took the call. “Sir.”
“Hello, Major. I trust you’ve been well.”
“Yes, Sir. As well as can be expected.”
“Good. Are you in a secure location?”
“Roger that.”
“Good. I have a request for you. A new, experimental unit called Eclipse Squad has gone rogue. I need them dealt with discreetly.”
Just like old times. “Where are they?”
“They’ve scattered, I’m afraid. I have reason to suspect that some are on Iridonia, or will be there shortly.”
“I’m already on my way there, General.”
“No need. The parade on Corellia is important for morale. It’ll be good if you attend it. But take off before the sun rises tomorrow.”
“Copy that.”
*
Corvus
‘Lord Scorn,
The Council has accepted your generous gifts and terms, and ordered a full review of the Jabiim incident.
Unfortunately, our analysts went over everything we found at the site, including examining the bodies of all Imperials found inside the < - - - Redacted - - - >. None of them match the description of your missing comrade.
Master Gnost Dural says that he Sensed two Sith escape the fighting, but was unable to pursue due to lack of manpower, as well as the need to prioritize the safety of the cultural heritage site over the status of enemies.
Upon close inspection of all datapads, journals, and letters found among the dead, there was no reference to any Lord Travvor. Or, indeed, any indication of what they were looking for, in the first place.
Nevertheless, we are sending you copies of everything we found, including the full incident report (with sensitive information redacted) and names of the deceased. Perhaps this will help you find your missing friend.
We hope you find her soon.
Yours Truly,
Selma Hines, Archivist of the Jedi Order.’
“Darn it… another dead end…” Rrayden Scorn was desperate for answers. No, he was desperate a year ago. Now, he was bordering manic. He had allowed Gault to take over the running of his operations, as he was too frantic to do so.
At least the wily Devaronian was proving trustworthy.
“Hey…” Vette poked her head in and dashed to his side. She pulled a tissue from the box at his table and wiped his face. “Another bad lead?”
“I dunno… at least the Council was willing to entertain my request at all. Pretty nice of them. They sent me a list of her ‘friends.’ The ones who were killed in their dig.” He looked through the list. It was small, but had several Mandalorians and Sith in it. “I can ask our usual channels for info on these names. Hope they find something.”
“Actually, I went and did a little something myself,” Vette confessed. “Remember Jasme? Lady Kai’s old girlfriend? She’s with the Jedi Archives. Not a Jedi, just a librarian. I asked her about Mira this morning, and she sent me back a reply.”
“This morning? Damn, we should’ve reached out to her from the start. What does she say?”
“It’s better if you read it yourself.” She handed Ray a datapad, and he began reading at once.
‘Dear Vette.
As it happens, I was on Jabiim around the same time as Mira. She Sensed my presence and tracked me down. Twice. The second time being days after the battle in orbit. She seemed fine, when I last saw her. A little upset that her work had been interrupted, but fine, nonetheless. It’s my belief that she safely escaped Jabiim. No incidents were filed, of a ship being shot down while attempting to flee.
I don’t have any other leads for you, except a name she mentioned. A boyfriend named Turan Rasmus. A Sith Lord. Maybe he knows something, if he hasn’t gone missing either.
I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
I’m sorry she’s missing. Despite the circumstances, she was nice when she met me. I hope you find her soon.
Love,
Jasme.’
“Turan Rasmus…” Ray tried to recall anything about the name, but it meant nothing to him. “Nothing. Another name I have to look up.”
“I’m sorry, Ray.”
“No… I’m sorry. I’ve even put off our wedding because of it—”
“I’d be upset, if you hadn’t. I’d do the same, if Jaesa or Lady Kai went missing.”
“If Lady Kai went missing, the whole Empire would be in an uproar.”
“I guess… here, I’ll ask around for this Rasmus guy. And that list, too. You get some sleep. You look like you need it.”
“Thank you, Vette.”
*
Rishi
Mirabelle Travvor looked at her reflection. She did not like what she saw. She’d started getting soft. Literally. Having been forced to neglect physical training for months now, her muscles were starting to lose their definition.
Her hair was growing, too. If only she had some shears, she’d trim it herself. But she was no longer allowed anything that remotely looked like a weapon. She was a prisoner now.
She suppressed another pang of rage. I will get back at you for this, Revan.
Unfortunately, her threats felt empty. No, she tried not to call them that. She needed to hold onto her righteous fury. Revan had corrupted the Order that bore his name. They were fanatical cultists now, rather than a humane secret society. Willing to burn the galaxy, if it meant allowing their head honcho to get the prize he wanted.
If he can achieve what he set out to, it will be worth it.
The doors parted, and the man himself walked in. “Travvor. You’re looking well.”
“You need your eyes checked, you asshole.”
“Has being cooped up so long sapped you of your courtesy?”
“Courtesy… I’m your fucking prisoner here!”
“A dishonor you brought on yourself.”
“What dishonor did you bring on yourself, for your own failures?”
“Imprisonment. Death. Return. Do not pretend that I have lived a cushy life. Now get on with it. What have you found?”
Mirabelle glowered for a moment, then relented. “Here. I found the place we’re looking for.”
Revan approached her, and examined the document she was holding out. “The Yavin system. The third planet. A forest moon… a Temple of Sacrifice. Good work, Travvor.”
“What’s going to happen to me?”
“As a reward for your success, you will be allowed to join me on my expedition there. You will help me set up the base and explore this Temple. Are you excited?”
“I would’ve been, under ordinary circumstances. Your promise?”
“Yes. I won’t harm Scorn or Rasmus. We’re so close… so close… after all the failures this past month, I thought the Order of Revan was the biggest insult my name had ever taken. But you alone have proven the worth of my decision to seek you out.”
“Back to insults, are we? I wish you’d stayed the fuck away.”
Revan ignored her. He was already on his way out. “I need a distraction,” he was telling himself. “Something our enemies can’t ignore. Too often, have we been thwarted by Shan and Beniko. If we can tie them down here…”
“Oi!” Mira called one of his guards, who turned. “I haven’t seen Kraot in a while. Where is he?”
The pink-haired captain had visited her every week for a few months, until he stopped. Abruptly.
“He’s in prison. The rat was planning to turn tail.”
“Well, that’s got to have been hard on the Master.”
She was being sarcastic, but the guard nodded sagely. “It was. He was most upset. Good day, Lord Travvor.”
*
Tython
“Grand Master, are you well?”
“Yes, just tired,” Satele lied. She hadn’t noticed someone had approached her table.
Jaric nodded. “Well, here’s a report I wanted to pass along. We need to talk about this at the next session of the Council.”
“Thank you, Master Kaedan.” She quickly looked over the report. Pirate activity had started to increase along the Rishi Maze.
Satele would’ve been more interested in this, once upon a time. It was now almost two years since she last saw Jasme or Vajra. Or Theron, for that matter. She still received weekly messages, but she wanted their self-imposed exile to end. She wanted them safe and sound.
Unfortunately, it seemed like the day of their reunion was still a long way off.
Be safe, children.
She got back to reading the report. Her kids were hard at work killing shadows. The least she could do was show an equal commitment to the Republic’s safety. And the Jedi Order’s.
To protect their home, and have a triumphant celebration lined up for them.
*