I swivel on my chair. “You should try playing by Rodian House rules. Cheaters lose fingers.” I keep one hand on the control yoke even as I talk to Zar’kun. “How’s the moral back there? I haven’t had a chance to talk to any of them, but I imagine they are getting antsy. I sure as hell am.”

"Aside from being cleaned out of their credits for the time being, they're fine. It's taking longer than any of us would like, but we are fine with that so long as we don't hit a black hole."

“Yeah, I’ll try to avoid that.” I turn back to the front view screen, checking the radar. “I don’t know about this, Zar’kun. How recent is Oroboro’s info? How do we know the Tempest Eye didn’t drift into a black hole and get crushed to molecules?”



Without waking up, I murmur in my sleep. “The Eye... remains... The hive... has seen it.” Snores.



Eyes Luci nervously. “Damn bugs. She’s broken from the nest, but she still dreams in their thoughts.”

"Regardless, the bugs would want to keep track of something as dangerous as the Tempest eye. Nor do I think a trip into a black hole would be enough to destroy it, otherwise it wouldn't have been hidden in here and instead sent off into one of them."

“Good point. I just don’t...” The radar pings, and whatever else I was planning on say trails off. I lean over to the radar. “Hang on. Looks like we have something.” I look excited as I enhance the signal, but my smile falters after a moment. “Damn. Nothing big. Probably not the Eye. More likely another ship.” I look at Zar’kun. “Could be smugglers or pirates. Or maybe some stupid spacer that got lost.”

I narrow my eyes. "Knowing that Jorg Sucal is hunting for the Eye as well means we can't take risks. If we see them, we remove them from play."

“I’ll keep an eye out. If they are close enough to ping our sensors, we probably already pinged theirs.” I reach open and gently shake Luci awake. “Babe, I’m gonna need you on co-stick. Things might get dicey in a minute.” To Zar’kun, I say, “Mind letting the crew know? I need all hands at stations if we’re about to start a fight with so little maneuvering room.”

I nod and head out of the cockpit. Several minutes later and the sounds of the crew getting everything together and getting to their stations can be heard. My own voice comes from one of the consoles as I'm powering up one of the guns. "Crew's just about ready, Captain. If that really was a boogie, they'll get a nice surprise."

As Koraline flies the Redshifter closer to the other ship, I monitor the readings on the radar. “I’m getting an ID. Looks like a BT-7 Thunderclap. Republic Spec Force class ship.



“Oh, great. Guess we know where they stand at least. Be ready to open fire on my command.” Within moments, I can see a white and orange dot against the complete backness layer out before us. I maneuver my ship closer, and the dot slowly grows into a full BT-7.



“Careful. We’re dangerously close to one of the smaller black holes. Our engines should be able to resist its pull, but the Republic ship...” As I say that, I notice that the BT-7 is indeed struggling. It’s engines are on full power, but it isn’t moving. “They’re stuck.”



“Good. Saves us some trouble. Whether we blast them or let them be crushed doesn’t matter. They’re dead already.”



“Is that how we do things?” I give Koraline a look.



“What, you want to help them? They’re the bad guys. They’re probably gonna shoot us as soon as they get free!”



“Or not. They are sending a distress signal. They might be grateful for the assist.”



“Yeah, or not!” Luci continues to give me that look, and I eventually sign in annoyance. “We’ll let Zar’kun be the tie breaker.” I press a button to hail him at his station. “You hear all that, Zar’kun? What do you wanna do?”

"Hail them, see who they are. I'm willing to bet they're out here on Trayus' orders however, so we should be prepared. Don't get closer than you have to either."

I nod to Luci, and she opens a channel to the Republic ship. “BT-7 Thunderclap, this is the... civilian ship Redshifter. You look to be in a bit of trouble. We might be able to end, but first tell us exactly who you are and what you are doing so far from Republic space.”



A few moment later, a voice cracks over the comm. “This is Captain Camden of the Thunderclap. We are here on a mission from Spec Force High Command. We were ordered to retrieve a prisoner from Kessel, but our ship came under attack and we were forced to flee into the Maw. Now we are lost and can not find a safe way out. Please, we would appreciate any help you could offer.” The sound of groaning metal can be heard, and the ship outside the viewport visibly shutters from stress. “Please! We don’t appear to have much time left!”

I frown at the story, looking out from my station at the ship. A mission from Spec Ops Command..."Bring them aboard, but have them contained to the hold and every member of the crew with weapons drawn. If they're telling the truth, we let them free. If they're lying, I'll send them out the airlock personally."

Into the comm, I say, “Okay, Thunderclap. We’re coming in for a pickup. Be warned though that my crew is rather jumpy, so for the safety of all, please keep your weapons holstered and don’t make any sudden movements.” I pull the ship up along side the doomed Thunderclap and send out the docking umbilical. Once it is attached, my crew of smugglers, let by Tren, go to the airlock to welcome the Republic troops.

The doors hiss open and, as instructed, the soldiers have their weapons holstered. With them is an unarmed young man who looks to have been beaten badly; likely the prisoner they were sent to get. Though they are so far cooperating, Tren and his crew already have their weapons drawn, and make it clear they will shoot if the soldiers try anything. They are then escorted to the cargo hold for safe keeping.

The Redshifter detaches from the Thunderstrike, allowing the Republic ship to tumble into the black hole.



Watches as my ship is torn apart by the extreme gravity well. “Such a waste, all for one prisoner!” Glares at the young man sitting in the corner. “I hope you’re grateful, after all the trouble we went though to get you. Someone must want you badly. High Command has some explaining to do.” I look up at the Mirialan guarding us. “And what is this all about? You rescue us only to lock us up? We have nothing of value for you. That all went down with the ship. But maybe if you bring us back to base, I can arrange a reward for you and your crew, despite this less than ideal treatment.”

"With respect, Captain, you're in no position to make complaints. I'm former Jedi master Zar'kun Je'and and if it's all the same to you, details on why you're in the Maw and who that is you rescued from Kessel would be well worth your time. We're on a mission of utmost importance and can't afford to risk having Darth Trayus' lackeys on board."

"I can assure you, THIS is the only Sith remaining in this sector." He nods towards the prisoner. The young man looks up towards Zar'kun, his face obscured by his long black hair, as well as by many cuts and bruises. He is bound at the wrists and held under close guard by one of the troopers. His Force aura is familiar to Zar'kun, as is what's visible of his face.

Camden continues. "We were sent by Republic Special Forces Command to clean up after a mission carried out by a different Spec Ops team. I don't know the full details, but they were apparently sent to wipe out a hidden Sith base on the planet. Sometime after, this one apparently showed up, like a wasp returning to find it's nest destroyed. He engaged the team on site and killed most of them, but he was finally beaten and taken prisoner. I guess there was something about this one High Command liked because they ordered the team to keep him alive and relinquish him to our care. We were to transport him back to Coruscant, but before we could leave the system, some beat up old freighter appeared and attacked up. We thought it was a pirates or something, and we tried to lose our pursuer by hiding in the Maw... but as you can see, that didn't work out well for us.



"He's telling the truth." Caalin Daemon says, giving a weak smile despite the pain. "They're good guys. Just... misguided."

The aura had been a hint, but the voice confirmed it. "Caelin, you're alive! Captain, let him go, now."

"Let him go? Are you crazy? He is a Sith Lord!"



I stand in the doorway of the cargo hold. "No, he isn't. He's a Jedi Knight." I give Caalin a welcoming smile. "Good to see you again, my friend."



"Luci!? But I... we thought you were dead!" I try to stand up, but the trooper nearest to me grabs my arm.



"It's a long story. I'll tell you later." I look at the Captain. "Now, release him. He's a friend."



I nod to the trooper closest to Caalin. "You heard the Jedi. Uncuff him." The trooper does as I say. "But... I don't understand. High Command identified him as a dangerous priority one target. That's why they wanted us to bring him back to base. Was there some mistake?"

"The error was in who the real enemy is. Captain, might I ask you something?" I stride into the room and help Caelin over to a wall that was more comfortable to lean against. "What did this enemy base look like? What did the bodies look like?"

"I didn't get a good at the bodies. We were sent to collect this prisoner. The Sith of the base were already dead."



"Also true. These were not the troopers sent to massacre the village. Hayden and I killed most of them. We probably would have gotten them all if a Sith Hunter droid hadn't literally stomped on me."



"Hayden was with you?" I step closer to Caalin and ask quietly. "Did she... I mean, is she..."



"She's alive. She fled after the droid knocked me out. Probably assumed I was dead or..." I consider something, then shake my head. "No, she wouldn't have purposely left me behind. She had no choice but to run."



I raise my hands. "Hold up a moment. What are you all talking about? What massacre? And who is Hayden?"

"That base on Kessel? It was a village, Captain. Most likely consisting of Sith Purebloods who were just trying to live in peace." I level a look with the Captain. "In short, your other spec ops team is guilty of slaughtering civilians, a war crime if memory serves." I intentionally leave out any information about Hayden, as that would likely...escalate the situation.