Lord Greshh

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Becca Twilight

“Just over five standard weeks. A grueling month of fighting... and for what? Sucal escaped and Hayden’s gone missing again. He’s lost control of the Republic, which is a big step, but I feel like, in some ways, we have made thing worse.”

Caalin Daemon

“Hayden’s disappeared again?” I frown. “I’m sorry. I lost track of her on Kessel. If I’d stuck with her, perhaps I could have helped.”

Becca Twilight

“You did your best, Caalin. You aren’t her keeper, and I doubt she would let you be if you tried. You fulfilled your oath to Jakito and I by rescuing her from Boz Pity.” I give him a reassuring smile, but I can tell he isn’t fully convinced. To Zar’kun, I ask, “How did things go on your end?”

Zarka Saxon

I study Jerus for a moment. “My opinion of her is the same as my opinion of all you Non-Mando’ade. I don’t trust her, but I do not fear her either.” I look at Jerus’ armor. “You at least are an honorary member of Clan Ordo, and you have proven you are worthy to wear the beskar’gam. Your friends I tolerate because Mand’alor commands it.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Zarka Saxon

"If you feel strongly about it." I nod to Xan. "Look after yourself, witch. If your queen accepts you back, perhaps you can persuade her to improve your planet's defenses. Crushing painters and scholars is hardly worthy challenge."

Xanthippe Naberrie

"Oh, I'm afraid Naboo would be no match for any invasion force, and of no strategic value. Unless your Mand'alor is looking for a new vacation home." I look at Jerus for a moment before sauntering away, giving him and the Saxon Chief the privacy they need.

Becca Twilight

At Zar'kun's words to me, I give the room another look over. "I was expecting a quiet meeting between us and Mand'alor. Not... this. Either they aren't fully aware of what's going on here or this is intentional. I'm leaning towards the latter." As Koraline and Luci approach, I break from my seriousness for a moment to give them both a quick, welcoming embrace. I also give Caalin a pat on the arm. "Glad your all safe, by the way."

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Zarka Saxon

“They are impressive, aren’t they? Specially trained for urban warfare. When Mand’alor declared her intention to invade the Republic, I knew it was only a matter of time before we brought war to this... osik aloriya. As you can see, they got the job done.”

Xanthippe Naberrie

“It’s fascinating how an entire culture can be built around warfare. My homeworld of Naboo doesn’t even have a military. Our security force is made entirely out of volunteers.” I laugh in an obviously fake way. I was in full politician mode, trying to make myself as charismatic as possible.

Becca Twilight

Meanwhile, I slip away to scope out the ‘party’, keeping an eye out for Zar’kun and his group to arrive. The more allies we had with us, the better.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Koraline Okarr

I raise my hands. “Hey, I know enough not to watch my step around Mandos. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m practically an honorary member of Clan Spar, thanks to an old friend of mine.”

Millu’ci’vanda

“I wouldn’t go announcing that if I were you.” As we leave the ship, we are almost immediately met by Mandalorian guards. Having been told to expect our arrival, they lead us inside.

Xanthippe Naberrie

When Becca and Jerus arrive at the penthouse, they find that the atmosphere is very unlike they expected. Rather than a serious meeting, it looks more like the Mandalorians have thrown a party. Many of them hold drinks, and they gather in small clumps to talk and laugh with friends.

Off to one side, I chat quietly with Zarka Saxon. “Currents change, I’m afraid. We either go with the flow or get washed away.” I lean in. “Though, between you and me, I’ve learned that a properly placed stone can alter the course in dramatic ways.”

Zarka Saxon

“So says the witch.” I give Xan a wary look. “Though I’ll... keep that in mind.” As Becca and Jerus walk to the table, I nod my head towards them in a stiff greeting. “I see you survived the battle.”

Becca Twilight

“Hello to you too.” The energy of the room is strange. Everywhere else, I could feel the anxiety of the Mandalorians as the realization that this might not be a permanent conquest set in. Yet here, it was like they were all purposely acting blissfully ignorant to the facts; as if by acting like they weren’t leaving, they could somehow make it true.

And oddest of all was that Ava Cadera had yet to arrive.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Becca Twilight

“We can deal with loud.” Quietly, I say, “Ava knew what this was going in. If she throws a fit, it’s on her.” I signal Jerus to follow me as i walk out of the medical bay. As I go, I call Jakito. “Any luck finding Cosen?”

Jakito Twilight

“Yeah, she was outside. I guess being surrounded on all sides by Mandalorians was making her fee claustrophobic. She’s told Gavin about Salazar, so he should be on his way along with their mother.”

Becca Twilight

“Good. We’ll probably need Gavin for our little meeting. Come to the penthouse suite if you want to want to join in too.”

Jakito Twilight

I bark a derisive laugh. “Yeah, no thanks. The tension is already thick in the air here. I can only imagine how bad it’ll be when you finally come out and tell Ava she needs to pack up and go. I’ll... wait for you back to our room.”

Becca Twilight

I roll my eyes. “Get some rest, Leftie. We have work in the morning, and you can’t skip out on it.” I end the call give Jerus a look of dull amusement.

MEANWHILE

Koraline Okarr

The Redshifter lands at the Hotel Command Center. As the ramp lowers, I step off, followed closely by Luci, Caalin, and. Zar’kun. “Hmm. Fancy place.”

Caalin Daemon

“Been a while since I’ve been on Coruscant.” I look out over the battle warn city. “It’s seen better days. That’s for sure.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Becca Twilight

I sigh, knowing he was right. Though I’d left the Jedi Order many years ago, I still found myself venerating many of my old masters. Satele perhaps most of all. But, like any of us, she had made mistakes. Perhaps one of her greatest was abandoning the Jedi when Sucal began his early campaign of slander against them. When the Republic needed her Council most, she vanished... only to reappear now in order to rescue Salazar Greshh. There had to be a reason for that.

“I’ll speak with her in the morning. After we have all had some time to rest and collect our thoughts. Before that, though, we should probably get our post battle meeting out of the way. Update Zar’kun on our side of things and let him update us.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Becca Twilight

"Which means he isn't Cosen or Gavin's father anymore, or Vette's husband. And not someone we can trust as an ally, that's for sure." I tap my chin. "I wonder if this is could be something similar to Revan during the last war. When he was killed, part of him became one with the Force, but the darkness inside him refused to rest and he became some sort of... spirit of vengeance. Could Salazar have suffered a similar transformation? All that was good in him has passed, and the only thing that remains is his rage and hate. The part of him that was obsessed with destroying Sucal." After a moment, I shake my head. "I really don't want that to be the case. Satele wouldn't have saved him if he was completely gone."

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Becca Twilight

I nod. "Well, when Jakito finds Cosen, we'll see if we can get some answers." With some hesitation, I stop channeling my energy into Salazar. I wasn't doing much good anyways. If what Satele said was true, the armor would sustain him for a while yet. "He's changed. I can feel it. Not just physically, but mentally. This whole Stoneheart act. Murdering all those people. Not to mention your little confrontation at Monument Plaza. If it was Salazar the whole time, why would he try to kill Cosen?"

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Becca Twilight

"Yeah, your probably right. If I don't stop and rest soon, I'll be the one on the table. I don't know what'll happen if i stop though. Salazar could die... but then again, I'm not even sure if what I'm doing is helping. I said this armor is resisting my healing attempts, so there's got to be some other way to help. And if he does die... maybe that's for the better. Horrible to say, but I mean... look at him. Satele said the armor is what's keeping him alive, but at what cost?"

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Xanthippe Naberrie

I glare at Jerus. "So what if I do? Are you going to try and talk me out of it? I know you all think I'm undeserving, but considering who our last Chancellor was, I'm a saint." I look like I want to say more, but I hold back, taking a deep breath. "Look, I don't want to do this again. I know we aren't ever going to be on the same page, but just... don't jump down my throat just yet. I don't even know if I'm still a Senator. For all I know, Queen Myrcella might have fired me when it got out that I was helping you guys. Then there's a bunch of public relations poodoo I have to deal with..." I wave Jerus off. "Just save it for election season. If you really don't like me that much, don't vote for me. That's democracy." With that, I stick my nose up and take my exit.

Becca Twiligt

I rub my temples. "Just when I thought we were all starting to get along too."