Mistaken Identity Chapter 66 - The Gala Part 2 (25k) (Patreon)

Collan stood quietly on the private balcony of his luxurious suite, overlooking the immense bow of the Eternal Horizon. From this vantage point, he had an uninterrupted view of the ship's grandeur, illuminated decks stretching endlessly forward beneath the dome of the atmospheric bubble. The technology that created the protective shield was state-of-the-art, allowing the ship to drift high above Coruscant while passengers walked open decks as if they were on solid ground. Stars twinkled beyond the transparent barrier, creating the illusion of standing amid the void itself. Yet, despite the cosmic display, Collan's eyes lingered only briefly on the distant stars. His attention was fixed downward, upon the ship itself—upon his domain.

He gripped the balcony railing lightly, the cold metal grounding his thoughts as he surveyed his kingdom. Guests milled below, unaware of his watchful gaze, sipping expensive wines and exchanging empty pleasantries. Senators, politicians, businessmen—they believed themselves powerful, their egos buoyed by credits, titles, and influence. But Collan found their definitions of power laughable. They measured their worth in credits and influence among equally shallow peers, utterly blind to what true power meant. True power did not come from credit balances or lavish parties. True power, he thought, was something entirely different, something intangible yet potent. Something he would soon hold securely in his grasp.

Collan smiled slightly, enjoying the irony. The Jedi and the Sith had spent centuries squabbling over control of the Force, wasting their energies on philosophies that either restrained or consumed them. The Jedi chained themselves in rigid codes, fearful of fully embracing the strength available to them. The Sith drowned themselves in that same strength, falling prey to their own ambition and rage. Both were blind, misguided. But he—he would not succumb to either folly. He would harness this power without being enslaved by it. He would become its master, in every sense of the word.

His reflections were abruptly interrupted by footsteps behind him. Collan did not turn around immediately; instead, he remained still, sensing the hesitation in the steps approaching him. Three masked men stepped onto the balcony, their movements cautious, tense. They stood quietly, shifting uncomfortably, awaiting acknowledgment.

"You're back," Collan finally spoke, his voice calm, emotionless. He continued staring outward, deliberately not looking at them. "I assume that means you have good news."

The men exchanged uneasy glances beneath their masks, unsure how to proceed. The silence stretched until the leader, gathering courage, finally spoke. "I'm sorry, sir," the man began hesitantly. "We searched Amidala's suite exactly as you ordered. We turned the room upside down, but...we found nothing. No object matching your description was there."

Collan's fingers tightened on the balcony railing, knuckles going white. The men immediately noticed the slight motion, their anxiety visibly increasing. They knew well how Collan handled disappointment. Two of them even stepped back instinctively, prepared to bolt if his anger erupted. But Collan steadied himself with a controlled breath, loosening his grip slowly.

"I thought not," he said quietly, his tone cold but restrained. "It was unlikely she would leave something so precious unattended. More likely, she's keeping it close, on her person."

"Should we make our move now?" the leader asked, his voice betraying nervousness but attempting to appear confident. "She won't expect us so soon."

"No," Collan said decisively, finally turning to face them directly. His gaze was piercin. "Acting now would be reckless. The attack on her at the pre trial has already raised suspicion. Targeting Amidala directly at this moment could easily draw unwanted attention to me."

He paused briefly, considering carefully before continuing. "We'll wait until the midweek gala. It will be the largest gathering yet, attended by everyone aboard. During the chaos, you'll assist the Mandalorian in capturing Amidala. Kill a few others while you're at it; confusion will mask your true intent."

"Yes, sir," the masked men replied quickly, almost in perfect unison.

Collan looked at them carefully, sensing they were holding something back. "Is there anything else I should know?" he asked pointedly, his tone leaving no room for evasion.

Again, the men exchanged nervous glances, their body language radiating reluctance. No one wanted to volunteer the information.

"Spit it out!" Collan snapped, his patience worn thin.

The leader swallowed hard. "Sir," he began cautiously, "we were seen in Amidala's room. Her aide caught us searching and fled. We gave chase and managed to shoot her—"

Before he could finish, the leader's voice turned into a choked gurgle, blood suddenly spurting from a deep wound in his neck. He stumbled forward, clutching helplessly at his throat, eyes wide in confusion and terror. Behind him, Collan calmly held a thin blade now slick with blood. The man collapsed heavily onto the floor, twitching briefly before falling still.

The remaining two men stared in shock, stepping away instinctively, their masked faces unable to hide their fear and disbelief.

Collan slowly wiped the blade clean with a cloth, regarding the fallen man with contempt. He pointed to the masked man standing nearest. "Congratulations," he said coldly, "you've just earned a promotion."

The newly appointed leader visibly trembled, unable to speak. Collan moved close, his presence intimidating. "Find that aide. Silence her permanently. If you fail—well, you need only look down to understand the consequences."

The new leader quickly nodded, his voice barely a whisper, "Yes, sir."

Collan slapped the man's cheek lightly, an insulting gesture more than reassurance. "Good. Now, clean up this mess."

As the two men hurriedly began to move the body, Collan turned back toward the balcony rail, his face composed once more. The cold breeze drifted gently across the deck, carrying away the scent of blood as the men dragged their fallen companion away. He gazed outward, again surveying the vast ship below him.

His mind returned to planning, considering contingencies and outcomes. Collan understood clearly that the path he chose would require ruthlessness, and sacrifices were inevitable. But he was ready to pay any price necessary to achieve his ambitions. Tonight's incident was merely a small inconvenience, nothing more.

Soon, the senators, the Jedi, the Sith—everyone who had dared underestimate him—would witness the magnitude of his vision. Standing straight, hands clasped firmly behind his back, Collan smiled slightly again, feeling fully in control once more. Soon, he would ascend to the heights of power he'd always envisioned. Soon, all the galaxy would recognize him for what he truly was. Soon he would obtain a power beyond their comprehension.

___________________________

Jaden stirred awake in Aubrie's suite, a jolt of panic spiking through him at the unfamiliar surroundings—the plush bed, the soft hum of the ship, the viewport framing Coruscant's twinkling skyline. Then memories of the previous night flooded back: boarding the Eternal Horizon, reuniting with Padmé and Aubrie, and the passionate hours he'd shared with Aubrie, their bodies tangled in the sheets. His tension melted, replaced by a quiet warmth, a rare sense of peace.

He turned his head, finding Aubrie asleep beside him, her breathing soft and steady. She lay sprawled gracefully, one slender leg curled upward, her curves bathed in the faint glow—a sight that stirred him. Her small, firm tits rose with each breath, pink nipples soft against her pale skin, her flat stomach leading to a faint patch of dark fuzz between her thighs, her dark hair fanned across the pillow. For a moment, Jaden wanted to wake her with a slow kiss, to fuck her again, lose himself in the tight heat of her vagina, but thoughts of the mission pulled him back. Time wasn't on their side. Reluctantly, he slipped from the sheets, stood, and stretched, his joints popping, muscles loosening. Sleeping in an unsecured place usually left him on edge, but Aubrie's presence had given him a deep, restful sleep, free of the nightmares that plagued him—Jabiim's blood-soaked fields, the screams of the fallen. He paused, struck by the absence of those visions, a quiet relief settling in his chest.

As Jaden gathered his scattered clothes, a familiar, rhythmic beep caught his ear. He grinned, spotting a small metallic form scooting from under an ornate table. "SD8," he said, warmth in his voice. "You little scrap pile, you made it."

The droid chirped excitedly, zipping over, its blue-and-black frame gleaming. Jaden knelt, stroking SD8's angular head. "I was worried," he admitted softly. "Did you keep it safe?"

SD8 beeped confidently, its chest compartment sliding open to reveal the Holocron, nestled securely inside. Jaden's shoulders relaxed, relief washing over him. Despite his tense fallout with Satele, losing her guidance would cut deep—she was the closest thing to family he had. With the void brand gone, he clung to hope for reconciliation. "Good job," he said, patting SD8 gently. "Keep it hidden, alright?"

SD8 chirped an affirmative, sealing the compartment and resuming its vigilant stance.

Jaden glanced at Aubrie, still sleeping, her face serene, lips slightly parted. He approached the bed, touching her shoulder lightly. She stirred, blinking awake, a sleepy smile spreading across her lips. "Morning," she murmured, stretching her arms above her head, her slender frame arching, tits shifting enticingly.

"Good morning," Jaden replied, smiling at her drowsy charm. "Sleep well?"

She nodded, sitting up, her dark hair tumbling over her shoulders. "Better than I have in months," she said, her voice soft and wondering, like a Padawan marveling at a new Force trick. "I feel so calm, so rested. I don't get why the Jedi would ban something that feels this good."

Jaden chuckled, shaking his head. "Beats me. But we gotta move. The others are waiting."

Aubrie stretched again, then rose, dressing quickly in a simple tunic and pants, her movements smooth and efficient. They left the suite together, stepping into Padmé's main suite, where, as Jaden expected, everyone was already gathered. Padmé and Anakin sat close, talking quietly, their heads bent together. Sabe and Zule debated something with serious expressions, their voices low. The room fell silent as Jaden and Aubrie entered, and Jaden caught a faint blush on Padmé's cheeks when she glanced at them, her eyes lingering a moment too long, a flicker of something—guilt, desire?—crossing her face.

"Good morning, everyone," Jaden greeted calmly, giving them a brief nod.

"Morning," Padmé replied warmly, though Jaden noticed that she had a slight blush on her face when she looked at himself and aubrie. The others murmured greetings and settled comfortably.

"So," Padmé began, leaning forward slightly, "what's our next step?"

Jaden considered for a moment, looking around the room carefully. "For now, we act normally. Don't draw any extra attention. Scout and Velea can't join us until midweek, so until then, our focus is on preparation without raising suspicion."

Anakin leaned forward, interested. "Makes sense. Anything specific you have in mind?"

Jaden glanced at him with an amused expression. "How good are you with tech?"

Anakin chuckled confidently. "I'm not too bad," he said modestly, though the glint in his eyes said clearly he was more than capable.

Jaden smirked in understanding. "Good. You'll help me ensure everything is ready on our side. We'll need to make sure there aren't any hidden security surprises awaiting Scout and Velea when the time comes."

"Sounds like a plan," Anakin replied, nodding firmly. Everyone else agreed without hesitation.

Over the following days, the group remained discreet, moving casually through the ship, engaging in normal activities, and blending into the crowd. Jaden and Anakin spent hours together each day, poring over system diagnostics, studying security layouts, and discreetly altering key entry points to facilitate Scout and Velea's eventual arrival. Padmé and Sabé worked together on maintaining social appearances, attending minor gatherings and ensuring no suspicion fell upon them. Aubrie stayed close, her presence providing Jaden a quiet but reassuring support, while Zule monitored communications discreetly, watching for any sign that Collan Eislo suspected their movements.

At night, Jaden continued to sleep peacefully beside Aubrie, their quiet conversations providing him unexpected solace. He was once again reminded of how much he missed her, Aubrie more than anyone understood him in ways that Jaden didn't quite understand. He felt a lot more confident about the mission now that she was here, as he knew he had her to lean back on should something go wrong.

...

Finally, the day arrived when everything would unfold. The early morning found Jaden and Anakin hunched over a secure comm channel near the docking hatch, carefully verifying their final preparations. Scout and Velea appeared on the comm, seated inside the cockpit of the Chiss starship.

"We're in position," Velea reported calmly, her expression determined behind the clear visor of her space helmet.

"Systems checked and ready," Scout confirmed, running diagnostics on her suit controls one final time. The cabin lights of the Chiss starship bathed them in a soft blue glow, illuminating their tense expressions. Jaden leaned forward, eyes carefully scanning the data readouts. "Once we trigger the feedback loop, you'll have exactly twenty seconds. Are you sure that's enough?"

"It's tight, but we'll manage," Velea assured confidently, despite a slight edge to her voice. "We're ready."

Anakin studied the systems monitor intently, his fingers quickly dancing over the controls, verifying the calculations again. "Everything looks good here. Docking corridor gravity systems are stable. If you time your jump precisely, you'll enter the artificial gravity zone cleanly."

From Padmé's suite, Padmé, Sabé, and Aubrie watched anxiously through their comm feeds, their expressions tense with concern. Jaden straightened up, turning toward Anakin. "It's time."

"Begin the sequence," Jaden instructed calmly.

Anakin swiftly input the commands, triggering the engineered feedback loop. A countdown immediately appeared on the display, marking each passing second clearly.

Scout's voice remained calm despite the mounting pressure. "Feedback pulse confirmed—window opening now. Preparing for jump."

In the vast emptiness of space, Scout and Velea stepped onto the exterior platform of their ship. The dark expanse around them was illuminated only by the distant glow of the Eternal Horizon, as well as Coruscant bellow. The hatch they were aiming for was small, only six feet by six feet, a tiny point of entry set against the ship's massive frame. Scout initiated the jump first, her trajectory precise. Velea followed immediately behind, the two figures propelled forward by their suit thrusters. Suddenly, an alarm flashed urgently across Velea's visor. From the blackness of space, a piece of debris hurtled towards them without warning.

"Scout, debris incoming!" Velea called desperately, attempting evasive maneuvers.

Scout narrowly avoided the debris, but Velea's luck ran out. It struck her forcefully, knocking her violently off course. She spun wildly, thrusters malfunctioning, her trajectory dangerously skewed.

From the hatch, Jaden saw it happen, dread filling him instantly. He didn't hesitate.

"Jaden, wait!" Anakin shouted, realizing Jaden's intention too late.

Without answering, Jaden launched himself through the atmospheric barrier and out into the void. Immediately, a harsh vacuum enveloped him, stealing his breath and chilling him to his bones. Using all his concentration, he enveloped himself in a protective Force bubble, holding onto consciousness as long as possible.

"Jaden! What are you doing?" Padmé's voice crackled urgently through comms.

Ignoring them, he focused on reaching Velea, his eyes locked on her tumbling form. As his vision began darkening from the strain, he reached out, grabbing her arm and pulling her close. His mind raced, realizing they didn't have enough momentum to return to the hatch safely.

"Jaden you have Ten seconds!" Anakin's voice responded sharply. "You have to get back now!"

Jaden quickly assessed Velea's damaged suit, mind racing. "Velea, reroute your suit's remaining power into a single burst through your thrusters," he commanded urgently.

"But that'll overload—" she began, realizing his intention.

"Exactly," he interrupted, gripping her tightly. "Trust me. Do it now."

Hands shaking, Velea obeyed, rapidly jury-rigging her suit controls. Alarms screamed inside her helmet. "Five seconds!" Anakin shouted.

"Brace yourself!" Jaden commanded, preparing himself mentally. "Now!"

Velea triggered the thruster overload. A massive burst of propulsion exploded backward from her suit, hurling them violently towards the ship. Jaden held tightly, calculating their trajectory mentally, desperately guiding them with the Force.

"Three... two... one—" Anakin's voice was frantic.

They crashed through the artificial gravity field at full speed, momentum carrying them roughly toward the hatch. Anakin activated the internal airlock, and Jaden pulled them through just as the hatch began sealing shut. They tumbled heavily to the floor, breathless and bruised but alive. Jaden gasped, struggling for air as Anakin knelt beside him, eyes wide with concern and relief.

"You crazy—" Anakin started, shaking his head in disbelief.

Velea lay beside Jaden, breathing hard, stunned by the near-death experience. She looked at him gratefully, her voice weak. "My very own knight in shining armour, I'd kiss you if I wasn't in this damn thing."

Jaden managed a weak nod, his vision slowly stabilizing. "We...made it," he gasped.

From Padmé's suite, audible relief washed over the comms. Padmé spoke softly, her voice filled with concern. "You took years off all our lives."

Jaden smiled slightly, breathing slowly returning to normal. The ache lingered in his lungs, sharp enough to remind him of the vacuum he'd just survived. The Force had kept him alive, limiting the damage, but the pain still tugged at him, grounding his thoughts. He took Anakin's extended hand and pulled himself upright, steadying his legs beneath him. "Come on," he said simply. "We're not done yet."

Scout had already begun assisting Velea, carefully unlatching the helmet seals and placing the heavy gear aside. Jaden motioned toward the storage crate nearby. "Put the suits in there and seal it tight. We might need them again." Scout obeyed immediately, silently carrying out the order, her attention focused solely on the task.

Before Velea complied, she stepped quickly toward Jaden, throwing her arms around his neck and covering his face with brief, enthusiastic kisses. Anakin, leaning casually against the wall, chuckled softly at the display. Scout's expression tightened slightly, averting her gaze as she continued to pack the gear. "I'll properly reward you for saving me tonight," Velea murmured close to Jaden's ear, her voice low as she nipped gently.

Jaden felt his face heat up. He cleared his throat and stepped back, regaining his composure quickly. "Mission first. We've lost time," he reminded her, turning deliberately toward the suits and activating a sealing device. He checked the lock twice, ensuring it was secure. "We need to get to the Kyber crystal immediately."

"That may be easier than you think," Padmé's voice came clearly over the comms.

"How so?" Jaden asked, pausing as he stood upright again.

"Tonight will be the largest gathering yet," Padmé explained steadily. "It's happening in the One of a Kind room, exactly where the Kyber crystal is displayed."

Jaden's fingers rubbed thoughtfully at his chin. "Then the crystal is surrounded by witnesses. That makes our task harder, not easier."

"It means security will be more lax," Padmé stated plainly.

Scout and Sabé spoke simultaneously, confusion evident. "Does it?"

Jaden considered carefully, sorting through the scenario quickly in his mind. "She's right. A room full of intoxicated elites will draw attention away from subtle movements. They'll be bumping into displays, maybe even trying to handle the artifacts."

"Wouldn't that risk theft?" Zule interjected sharply over the comm.

Padmé responded immediately, confident in her knowledge of the ship's occupants. "These guests aren't ordinary. Their wealth is vast. The notion of stealing something is beneath them, almost absurd. They value reputation above everything."

Sabé elaborated, her tone calm and clear. "If they're caught stealing, their status collapses immediately. They become pariahs, stripped of their influence. No object is worth that risk."

"But the workers might try," Anakin commented, still leaning casually against the wall.

Jaden nodded sharply. "The workers' quarters are searched daily. Surveillance is tight. The staff knows they're monitored closely, discouraging any attempts."

"Then it's possible," Aubrie suggested, sounding hopeful.

Jaden paused, drawing in a slow breath as he evaluated their chances. "It could work," he finally said, cautious but determined.

Jaden stepped forward, giving clear instructions. "Velea, you're assigned to Collan. Enter his suite unnoticed, gather everything relevant about him—habits, weaknesses, anything we can use." Velea nodded briskly, understanding her role fully.

"Scout," Jaden continued decisively, "I need you in the security room. Verify the security systems around the crystal. If necessary, be ready to cut power momentarily for the switch."

Scout responded promptly with a crisp salute. "Understood, sir."

Jaden then turned toward the comm device, speaking directly to Zule. "You'll make the switch. I'll modify your prosthetic arm to help you with it. The replacement must be wuick and silent."

"Got it," Zule replied firmly.

He looked directly at Anakin, meeting his eyes squarely. "Can you cover Zule if there's trouble?"

Anakin answered without hesitation. "You can count on me."

Jaden's attention shifted to Padmé's hologram. Her discomfort was evident, a tension that she didn't fully conceal. "Padmé, you have the hardest job. Distract Collan. Keep his attention away from both the crystal and his suite. Sabé and Aubrie will back you up, ensuring your safety."

Padmé's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly troubled by the assignment. "I don't want to be near him any longer than necessary. He makes me uncomfortable, the way he looks at me, his entire demeanor. Please hurry."

"I'll be quick," Velea promised softly.

Jaden exhaled slowly, the weight of the operation settling fully onto his shoulders. He scanned the assembled team once more, confirming everyone's roles. "We have our plan. Now let's execute it efficiently. Get the crystal and get out swiftly."

...

As the ball, a nervous tension settled over the team. Jaden, pacing in Padmé's suite, was hit hardest, a deep unease stirring in his gut—a vague warning from the Force he couldn't name. It felt like a shadow moving just out of sight, a danger he couldn't grasp. During a wuiet moment in Padmes suite, he confided in Anakin and Scout while they kept an ear on the ships comms for any relevant information.

"I don't know what it is," Jaden said, rubbing his neck. "The Force is trying to tell me something, but it's unclear. Do you feel anything?"

Anakin nodded, his expression tight. "Yes, there's something off. Like a disturbance I can't pinpoint. It's unsettling."

Scout, adjusting her datpad, looked up, her eyes sharp. "I feel it too. Like a bad vibe I can't shake. I know there is something bad coming, but it feels like it's so big or there is so much that I can't narrow it down." Their shared unease deepened Jaden's worry. Later, in the suite, he mentioned it to Aubrie and Zule, but Aubrie shook her head as she looked at him softly. "I don't sense anything," she said gently, touching his arm. "Could it be the stress of the mission?"

Zule, calibrating her prosthetic arm, gave a curt shrug. "I feel nothing. If the Force is speaking, it's not to me. Stay focused jaden, we can worry about whatever you're feeling when it becomes relevant." Her words were blunt, but her glance held a flicker of concern, a rare softness for him. The lack of consensus only sharpened Jaden's instincts, but he buried the feeling, turning his attention to the plan.

...

As evening fell, Scout and Velea moved through the Eternal Horizon's lower decks, their stealth suits blending into the corridors. Jaden's forged Level 5 passes, clipped to their belts, glowed faintly, granting access to restricted zones. They slipped past patrolling guards and hovering security droids, their steps silent on the durasteel floor, the ship's hum masking their whispers. Scout, leading, glanced back at Velea. "So, what's it like with you and Jaden? You two are close, aren't you?" Her tone was curious . "I read things on the holonet—about relationships, intimacy. What's it really like? Is it as intense as they say?"

Velea chuckled, her voice warm but playful, muffled by her helmet. "You're full of questions, Scout. Yes, Jaden and I are close. It's not just physical, though that's... very intense." She paused, checking a corner as a guard passed, her suit shifting to match the wall. "It's about trust, feeling connected. Jaden makes you feel like you're the only one who matters. The physical side? It's powerful, makes your whole body come alive and feels so incredibly good. But it's the afterward too ya know? Lying there, knowing he's got you, that means the most."

Scout tilted her head, her curiosity genuine. "So, when you're... together, is it all touching and sounds? The holonet mentions positions, but it seems strange. How do you know what to do?"

Velea smiled, though Scout couldn't see it. "You learn together. It's not a guidebook. Jaden's good at sensing what you need, sometimes before you do. It can be gentle, all slow kisses, or fast, like you can't get enough. You make sounds, sure, and hold onto him—his arms, the bed. It's natural, Scout. When you care about someone, it just flows."

Scout nodded, processing. "Sounds complicated. Do you love him?"

Velea hesitated, her step faltering as they ducked into an alcove, a patrol droid's red eye sweeping past. "Yes I do. And I'm glad I get to be with him, so is Zule. We're all intertwined, and it works for us." She turned it back, her tone light. "What about you? Do you like Jaden?"

Scout froze, her suit's cloaking rippling faintly. She thought for a moment, then shrugged, her voice uncertain. "I'm not sure. Jaden's... reliable, always there for us. But I wouldn't say I feel the same way you do, I'm not good at figuring this stuff out."

Velea nudged her gently. "You'll figure it out eventually. Jaden has a way of drawing people in. Don't overthink it." She paused, her voice teasing. "Ever think about intimacy, Scout? Who you'd want to share that with?"

Scout's cheeks warmed under her helmet, her voice a mumble. "Maybe. I've read about it, watched some holos. It seems overwhelming. I'm better with tech than emotions."

Velea laughed softly. "That's fair. Stick to your strengths, but don't close the door. Life's too short." She started to say more, but her suit's cloaking flickered, a low hum breaking the silence. "Blast it," she hissed, tapping her wrist controls. "Power cell's failing."

A K-series security droid rounded the corner, its red sensors scanning, clawed limbs clicking on the floor. Scout grabbed Velea's arm, pulling her into a cargo bay, the door hissing shut. They crouched behind crates, the bay filled with durasteel containers and buzzing power cells. The droid's sensors swept the room, its whir growing louder, claws scraping as it prowled. Scout's hand hovered over her blaster, but Jaden's rule—no violence, or the theft would be obvious—held her back. Velea worked fast, rebooting her suit's cloaking, her fingers steady despite the sweat on her brow. "Come on," she muttered. Scout held her breath, heart pounding, as the droid's sensors lingered on their crates, then moved on, its whir fading as it left.

Velea exhaled, her suit's cloaking stabilizing. "Fixed," she whispered, standing. "Let's go."

They slipped out, sticking to shadows, their passes unlocking sealed hatches. At a junction, Scout paused, the security room's corridor ahead. "This is me," she said, nodding toward it. "Good luck, Velea."

"You too," Velea replied. "Don't get into too much trouble."

Scout smiled under her helmet, then vanished into the dark.

...

Scout crept toward the security room, her stealth suit blending into the corridor's walls, the durasteel cold under her boots. The door's holo-panel glowed red, a K-droid guarding it, its sensors sweeping. She flashed her Level 5 pass, the lock clicking, and slipped inside, the droid unaware. The room was tight, packed with holo-monitors and blinking consoles, four security officers hunched over screens, watching gala feeds. Scout's pulse quickened—Jaden's rule was clear: no hurting anyone, or the theft would be exposed. But how was she supposed to clear the room?

She scanned the space, her mind racing. The officers were engrossed, but they weren't budging. She needed a distraction, something to pull them out without raising alarms. Her eyes caught a pile of spare parts—wires, a busted comm unit, a small power cell. An idea formed. Moving silently, she grabbed the items, her hands quick, assembling a noise device in minutes—a rig to emit a loud, erratic hum, like a glitching droid. She slipped back to the door, planting it in a maintenance panel outside, hidden, its timer set for the gala's peak.

When it's time, this'll drag them out, she thought, checking the wiring. They'll chase the noise, I'll jam the door, and I'll have five minutes to hack the crystal's security. Her stealth suit kept her invisible, its cloaking humming softly. She crouched in a corner, watching the officers, her nerves taut, waiting for the gala to hit full swing.

...

Meanwhile Jaden and the others remained in their suite, they'd have to go their separate ways soon as technically Jaden and Zule were still works staff, but for now Jaden felt an urge to just be here and spend time with his friends, even if it was risky to the mission. That was quite a peculiar feeling to him, he couldn't remember a time ever being selfish in such a small yet massively consequential way; risking the whole operation for such a small comfort. It made him smile.

"Jaden?" Aubrie said from beside him, her voice pulling him from his thoughts.

He looked up, blinking, and sat straighter, meeting Aubrie's and Padmé's eyes. They'd clearly been trying to get his attention for a while, their faces showing concern. "Sorry, yeah?" he said, rubbing his hands together.

"Are you ready?" Padmé asked, her eyes searching his face with worry. "The gala's started, and I'll be expected there soon."

Jaden nodded, glancing down at the spring-loaded blaster pistol he'd been tinkering with—a compact six-shot weapon hidden in his sleeve, perfect for emergencies. He tested the mechanism, satisfied with the click, then tucked it away. Standing, he looked at the group gathered around him: Padmé, Anakin, Sabe, Aubrie, and Zule, all watching him, ready to follow his lead. They were here for him, and the thought warmed his chest. With the void brand gone, his emotions were settling, and clarity was creeping in. He had friends—real ones, the kind some people never find. People who loved him. Gratitude surged through him, stronger than ever.

He opened his mouth to say it, to tell them how much they meant, but the words caught in his throat. Fear flickered—did they feel the same? It was a silly worry, laughable after all they'd been through, but it felt heavy, raw. The void brand's absence left him vulnerable to these small, human doubts, and they didn't feel trivial at all.

"Jaden, are you sure you're okay?" Aubrie asked, stepping closer, her eyes studying him like she was searching for a wound. "We can wait, you know. We don't have to do this now." Her voice was gentle, full of care, and Jaden knew she meant it, even though delaying would mean more danger. This was their best shot, and still, she'd risk it for him.

"I'm fine," he said with a smile, looking at her with affection. "Come on, let's get moving." He grabbed the rest of his gear—vibroblade, comm, and a small slicing kit—slipping them into his jacket.

"Zule, you're with me," he said, turning to her. "We'll take the service entrance. The rest of you, head to the gala." He gave Zule's prosthetic arm a final check, his fingers moving over the upgrades he'd made: lighter, conductive metal for speed, mechanical joints that could extend or thicken to compensate for reduced durability, and a fusion cutter and splicing kit built into her fingers. With her shapeshifting and Force abilities, she was perfect for swapping the Kyber Crystal with their fake. "Looks good," he said, stepping back.

"Padmé, be careful around Collan," Jaden added, his face tightening with concern. "Something's not right about him. If I'm correct about his actions, he's behind the attack at the pre-trial hearing, and I still don't know how he pulled it off." His warning hung in the air, and Padmé's nod showed she understood the gravity.

"I'll be careful," she said, her voice firm.

"We'll have her back too," Sabe chimed in, pulling Aubrie closer with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry."

Jaden smiled, grateful. "Let's do this," he said, leading them out.

The group split at the suite's door, Padmé, Anakin, Sabe, and Aubrie heading toward the gala's main entrance, their elegant attire masking their tension. Jaden and Zule turned down a service corridor, their work staff uniforms—crisp gray tunics and pants—helping them blend in. Jaden walked briskly, Zule matching his pace, her prosthetic arm concealed under a sleeve. As they moved, he gave her instructions, his voice low and precise.

"Stay close to the Kyber Crystal," he said, checking a corner for guards. "Get in position near the display, but don't touch it until Scout cuts the power. The fake crystal's in your arm's compartment—swap it fast, then slip out in the chaos. If anything goes wrong, use the fusion cutter to break the case, but only as a last resort."

Zule nodded, her face set in a stern mask. "Understood. I'll be ready."

Jaden pulled an injector from his pocket, its needle glinting. Before Zule could react, he pressed it to her arm, injecting a clear liquid. She scowled, pulling back. "What was that?" she asked, her voice sharp with irritation.

"It'll block your pheromones," Jaden said, tucking the injector away. "Collan's got sharp senses, and we can't risk you drawing attention."

Zule's scowl softened, and she gave a small nod. "Thanks," she said, her voice grudging but appreciative. "That would've complicated things."

Jaden smiled, relieved. "No problem."

They passed other servants—cooks, cleaners, and waitstaff—rushing through the corridors, carrying trays or pushing carts. As soon as they entered the service area Jaden started to noticed odd details a waiter dropping a glass, another fumbling a stack of plates, their movements clumsy, unlike trained staff. One server, a broad-shouldered man, with numerous scars on his face; not someone Jaden expected to be serving high society. While nothing was conclusive he couldn't help but have a bad feeling about this. Why would they hire such inexperienced staff? Now that he thought about it the staff seemed entirely different than when he first stepped on the ship. While he couldn't say to remember everyone, there were a few servers that he knew should be here but were not. 'What is going on...' he thought to himself.

Zule nudged him, breaking his thoughts. "Focus," she said, her voice firm, pointing to a service door ahead. They flashed their passes, the lock clicking open, and stepped into a staging area where a supervisor—a wiry man with a datapad—barked orders.

"You two," the supervisor said, pointing at Jaden and Zule. "Take those trays to the One of a Kind room. Stay sharp—guests are picky tonight." He shoved a stack of trays loaded with drinks and appetizers into their hands, barely glancing at them.

Jaden nodded, his eyes scanning the other "servers" grabbing supplies. More dropped glasses, more awkward movements. His suspicion grew, but he followed Zule, balancing his tray, as they headed toward the gala.

...

Padmé, Anakin, Sabe, and Aubrie arrived at the One of a Kind room, the gala in full swing. The massive chamber was a spectacle, its high ceiling glittering with chandeliers, thousands of glass cases lining the walls and forming rows, each holding a priceless artifact. Ancient Sith Empire relics—jagged daggers etched with runes, a cracked holocron pulsing faintly—sat beside Old Republic-era treasures: a ceremonial blaster from the Mandalorian Wars, a Jedi knight's meditation orb, its surface worn smooth. Other displays held oddities—a Gungan shield from Naboo, a Wookiee warbow, a fragment of Alderaanian crystal sculpture. In the center, glowed the Kyber Crystal, its facets catching the light, casting prisms across the room, its power almost tangible.

Guests in lavish gowns and tunics mingled, their laughter loud, wine glasses clinking. Servers wove through, their trays unsteady, their eyes too alert for simple waitstaff. Padmé's stomach churned, Collan's presence somewhere in the crowd a weight on her mind.

Anakin turned to the group, his face serious. "I'm going to find Zule," he said, adjusting his jacket. "Be careful, all of you." He looked at Sabe, his eyes softening. "I love you," he said, squeezing her hand before slipping into the crowd.

Sabe smiled, her cheeks warming, but her focus returned to Padmé. "We've got this," she said, her voice reassuring.

Padmé took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Let's find Collan," she said, her voice resolute despite her unease. She led Aubrie and Sabe through the throng, eyes scanning for Collan; with hundreds if not thousands of people in the room it wouldn't be an easy task, but the bad feeling in her gut told her that they would be sure to run into him.

"Look at this!" Sabe said with wonder in her voice as she dragged Padmè over to one of the exhibits. Padmè followed her gaze and saw something that was for lack of a better word beautiful. In fact, beautiful wouldn't even begin to describe what she was seeing. It was a crown, but even calling it that felt like an understatement; a priceless treasure seemed a more apt name for it, for it was made out of a metal that glowed a soft blue like it was made of pure starlight. Each gem encrusted in the crown was a different colour and each seemed to have their own swirling nebula inside of them, with the exception of the larger one in the center which glowed a blueish green and seemed to have a burning star trapped within.

"Are those...?" Padmè began to say, but as if sensing her thoughts Aubrie nodded. 

"Those are Kyber Crystals... ones I've never seen before, they look much different than the ones I saw on Illum," she said, finishing Padmè's sentence. Each Crystal seemed unique and beautiful in their own way, it was incredible, truly giving meaning to the name of the room they were in. Aubrie and Padmè both looked down to the plaque at the base of the showcase.

*Crown of Wisdom*

Further below the name of the artefact was more information about it. As Padmè and the others read it their eyes only seemed to widen more.

*The Crown of the First Queen of Naboo. 'Wisdom does not dwell in the will of one, but the concord of many; for only together may we reach a better tomorrow'*

Padmè smiled as she read that, Sabe did as well. Both of them had grown up on stories of the first Queen of Naboo, and to see the very crown she wore felt like an honour. Especially to Padmè who had tried her best to follow in her footsteps during her term as Queen. "How did Eiso get such an artefact? I always thought the crown was lost millennia ago," Sabe said as she looked at the crown, still entranced by its beauty.

At the mention of him Padmè's frown turned into a frown. "No doubt everything he got here was through less than legal means, historical artefacts like this belong with their home worlds," she said passionately.

"I couldn't agree more," a voice said from behind them, causing all of them to turn and be greeted with the smiling face of Chancellor Palpatine. "Lady Amidala, Former Padawan Wyn and Lady Sabe. It's good to see you all again," he said to all of them.

Padmè smiled and greeted him back with similar enthusiasm. "Im glad to see you as well Chancellor, I'm sorry we haven't had much time to speak."

Chancellor Palpatine waved her off casually. "Quite understandable my Lady, we've no doubt had numerous attendees all desperate for our attention... keeping us otherwise occupied," he said while eyeing other guests in the room—though certainly not fondly. Padmè understood that all too well; the last few days had been a constant of avoiding wandering hands, smiling at sleazy business men and senators and keeping good relations with people she suspected were involved in various crimes.

"Indeed, I'm quite glad that the other guests seem to be enthralled with the various exhibits," Padmè commented as she looked around.

"And who could blame them? The artefacts in here are truly remarkable," he said while he walked up to the Crown of Wisdom in front of them. "To think such an important relic to our people has been found once again, perhaps Eislo would be open to an offer, so we can put it back where it belongs."

Padmè couldn't help but snort at that, she very much doubted Collan would give up anything in this room. "I do not believe you'd have much luck Chancellor, Collan Eislo isn't the type of man to allow such treasures out of his possession."

Palpatine smiled and laughed lightly. "Then it's good that I mean to speak with his father instead." He then turned to Padmè. "As much power as Collan thinks he has, his father has much more, though the man is content with letting his son run the day to day business these days."

"You believe Roland would allow you to purchase it?" Padmè asked, surprise etched into her face, and she wasn't the only one. Both Sabe and Aubrie were surprised at what they were being told. If it was true did that mean that Roland knew about what Collan was doing and allowed it? Or was he just as guilty as the son was. While they all had similar thoughts it was Padmè who dismissed them, she'd never met Roland Eislo before, she couldn't think of a single reason he would want to harm her or Jaden.

"Me and Roland have quite a history, I'm sure once I tell him of its significance he would happily sell it to me," Palpatine replied. He then walked past the exhibit and gestured to some of the others. "As you can see they are not short of wondrous treasures."

One of Palpatines aides then caught his attention and whispered something into his ear. "It seems I am needed elsewhere, so I am afraid I'll need to end our encounter a little earlier than I'd have liked, but before I leave there is something I wished to ask you."

Padmè smiled. "Of course Chancellor, don't let us keep you, and I'd be happy to answer anything I'm able to."

"I've noticed that Vaylin has not been at any of the balls the past few days, may I ask if she is doing well, she has not responded to any of my attempts at communication so I'm a little concerned," Palpatine said, concern showing on his face.

Padmè looked to Sabe who looked back at her and then to Palpatine. "Vaylin had been quite busy coordinating with the staff on the ship, she left a message a few days ago saying she would be occupied, likely till the end of the gala."

Palpatines frown didn't disappear he just nodded. "Enjoy the rest of the exhibition, my Lady," he said, before nodding to the rest of them and leaving.

As Palpatine walked away Sabe shuddered slightly. "I don't know what it is about him, but sometimes he sends chills down my spine."

"The Chancellor is a good man Sabe, you have nothing to worry about from him," Padmè said putting a hand on her shoulder. "He might be one of our only allies on this ship," she added a little more seriously. Sabe looked like she wanted to say something but before she could Aubrie spoke.

"Let's not think of that, for now why don't we look at the other exhibits while we try to locate Eislo," Aubrie interjected. While she knew the importance of the mission at hand, she wouldn't lie and say she wasn't interested in the exhibits here, if the Crown of Wisdom was just the tip of the iceberg then she wanted to see what else they had to offer.

"I suppose it wouldn't be any harm if we had a look around," Padmè said with a small smile on her face. "Sabe?" She turned to her handmaiden.

"Let's go already!" Sabe said dragging Aubrie and Padmè by the hand making the girls giggle.

The one of a kind room was truly a wondrous place, not only because of the treasure that it held, but because of the sheer history that was held within. Hundreds of artefacts stretching thousands of years, going from all the way to the Great Hyperspace War, to just a few years ago. There were numerous lightsabers on display, both Jedi and Sith, as well as ones that looked much older and didn't have a design consistent with either faction.

There were also numerous holocrons, but sadly many of them looked to not be functional and were mainly there for aesthetic purposes. A full suit of Mandolorian armour—the beskar metal included. Padmè commented that Mandalore would not be happy once they discovered they had it. Though she doubted that anything would be done about it. While they looked around they were constantly harassed by the other patrons, all of whom would side up to them with a charming smile—one that looked positively slimy to the women—and make grandiose offers to them as though their possessions or wealth make up for a complete lack of personality or wit.

Padmè had played this game far too long however and easily side stepped them while making sure to assist Aubrie in fending off their advances. Eventually once they had seen over a dozen exhibits they caught sight of their target. He stood in the middle of the exhibit speaking to various senators that Padmè vaguely recognised, though as if things weren't already hard, Collan happened to be standing close by to the Kyber Crystal exhibit.

"Damn..." Sabe said as soon as she noticed it. "What are we going to do now?" She asked.

Padmè feeling a little anxious started to chew on her finger nails, a habit she'd long thought to have gotten rid of. "It's not too bad, he might be close by but once Scout cuts the power he won't notice." At least that's what she hoped, though like Sabe she had doubts as well.

"Look, Zule is there with Anakin," Aubrie pointed out. Padmè and sabe followed her gaze and they saw both Jedi standing close by, Zule still dressed as a server and Anakin pretending to occupy her time so she isn't harassed by the guests. They were both right next to the Kyber Crystal which meant that the plan would be happening soon.

"We need to move now," Padmè said with a deep breath. "Let's go," she said before walking to approach Collan with the others. As the walked closer she couldn't help but feel the knot forming in her stomach get worse.

___________________________

While Padmè and the others were fulfilling their part of the plan in the one of a kind room and Scout was in the security office. Velea struggled in her approach to find the turbo lift that went to Collan Eislo's private suite. While she had been given the full version of the blue prints from the ship by Jaden, the corridor that it seemed to be in didn't exist. After a bit more searching she eventually found a panel that was hidden behind wall that opened up the corridor when she held her level 5 ID up to it.

Velea snorted when she found it. "Paranoid much?" She whispered to herself. "You and Jaden would've been good friends Eislo... at least if you weren't such a dick." She moved through the corridor slowly, glad that she had her stealth suit as the corridor was littered with cameras. She'd need to send a pulse that would knock them out for a few seconds. It was a little suspicious but she couldn't take the risk someone was watching her through the cameras when she went into the turbolift. Seeing the doors magically open was a lot worse than a camera glitch—at least she hoped.

Velea moved quickly over to the turbo lift before typing on her wrist terminal and sending the pulse. She then scanned her ID and moved into the turbolift before pressing the button for Eislos private suite and letting the door close. It took a second, but when the door closed Velea finally let out a breath  she felt like she'd been holding for an eternity. The hardish part was over, now she just needed to splice into whatever terminal he had up there and comb through it for any relevant data.

'He probably has a state of the art system up there installed by some genius splicer... shame he didn't get me to install it, maybe then it would be unspliceable,' she thought to herself as a small smirk grew on her face. Once this mission was over and they had the damn Crystal they could finally leave—at least after Jadens trial. Velea couldn't wait, she was going to be travelling the stars, seeing new ones, seeing old ones, travelling completely unknown regions of space; and all that with the person she loved. It was a dream come true.

The turbolift doors opening snapped her out of her stupor, and the silly smile on her face morphed into a look of determination. If she wanted that future she needed to put the work in. Velea moved carefully out of the turbolift while activating a handheld scanner, they had very little information on his private suite; before they got the blueprints they essentially only knew it existed. The scanner would help identify any extra security methods that may be installed.

*BEEP*

Velea ducked down as she looked at the readings she was picking up. 'Who knew you were so tech savvy,' she thought to herself with a grin.

A multiphasic intrusion detection scanner equipped with high-intensity proton penetration arrays, capable of phase-shift analysis and deep-structure resolution across composite materials and biological signatures. That was quite the security system he had; no doubt that he was the only person keyed into it. The proton arrays would easily see through her cloaking device, so she couldn't just walk through.

"Shit... this might be a little difficult," she thought to herself, though the thought of the challenge did bring a small smile to her face. She moved back slowly and moved towards a door panel, taking out a plasma cutter she opened one of the panels and brought out a small terminal and connected it to the inside. Multiple screens started popping up on the terminal and Velea quickly started going through them until she managed to find the security algorithms. "Kriff..." she whispered. She then touched her earpiece. "Scout, come in," she spoke.

She waited for a few seconds but there was no reply. "Scout, come—"

"Im a little busy here Velea, can this wait?!" Scout whispered over comms. From what Velea could hear it seemed she was moving something heavy, though she had no idea what.

"It can't wait," Velea replied. "I'm outside Eislo's suite and I can't get in, the security is way more advanced rehab I thought, if I alter anything it might trigger an alarm."

There was a bit of a scuffle over comms, as well as a large clanging sound. "Scout? Is everything okay?" Velea asked, a look of concern and confusion etched onto her face.

A few seconds went by then there was a slight rustling over comms. "Sorry... yeah I'm fine, just a small issue, patch me into your terminal I'll take a look," she said.

"Copy that." Velea immediately went to work granting access to her terminal so Scout could help her with the issue.

Veleas terminal pinged as Scout patched into her feed, her eyes scanning the data streaming across the screen. "Wow," she said with awe in her voice. "This is some next-level security."

"I know, right?" Velea said with a grin, her fingers hovering over her terminal outside Eislo's suite. "Eislo's got a multiphasic scanner with proton arrays. It'll see right through my cloaking. Any ideas?"

Scout's fingers flew over her console, analyzing the system's structure. "It's tied to his biometrics," she said. "We can't fake that since we don't have his data, but... hang on. The arrays are tuned to organic signatures. If we tweak your suit's cloaking field to emulate a droid's electromagnetic output, it might read you as a maintenance bot."

Velea nodded. "Smart. Can you guide me through it?"

"Yeah," Scout said, pulling up the suit's schematics. "Reroute the cloaking module's power to the EM emitter. I'll send you the frequency. Give me a sec." She typed rapidly, cross-referencing droid signatures from the ship's database. "Got it. Adjust your suit's output to 3.7 gigahertz, low amplitude. That'll mimic a M-series droid."

Velea worked fast, her terminal displaying the changes. "Done," she said, checking her scanner. The proton arrays' hum didn't shift—her suit was registering as a droid. "You're a genius, Scout."

"Don't jinx it," Scout said with a laugh. "Go, before it resets."

Velea darted through the corridor, her suit's cloaking now pulsing with a droid-like field. She scanned her Level 5 pass at the suite's door, slipping inside as it hissed shut. The suite was a display of obscene wealth—gold-trimmed walls, a massive viewport and balcony showing Coruscant's skyline, plush rugs underfoot, and a crystal chandelier casting rainbows. A marble table held a decanter of Corellian brandy, its price likely enough to buy a starship. Velea snorted, shaking her head. "Compensating for something, Eislo?" she muttered.

She moved through the suite, her scanner active, searching for the terminal. The main room was a dead end—only furniture and art, no tech. A side chamber held a holo-sculpture, but no console. Frustration crept in as she checked another room, finding only a meditation alcove. Finally, a hidden door behind a tapestry caught her eye, its seams barely visible. She pressed her pass to it, and it slid open, revealing a large office with a glowing holo-terminal in the center, its screens dark but active.

"Found it," Velea said over comms, crossing to the terminal.

...

Collan stood in the One of a Kind room, mid-conversation with a senator, his tailored coat pristine, his smile perfect. The senator droned about trade routes, but Collan's attention split when his datapad, tucked inside his coat, beeped sharply. His smile didn't falter, but his eyes narrowed. "Excuse me a moment," he said politely, stepping away to a quiet corner. He pulled out the pad, his face darkening as he read—a security alert from his suite. A unregistered maintenance bot had entered his suite, suspicious but inconclusive.

He accessed the cameras, flipping through feeds of his suite's main room, corridors, and office. Nothing—no movement, no intruder. His jaw tightened, suspicion growing. Switching to a secondary camera in the office, he activated a K9 security droid stationed there, its red eyes flaring to life. "Scan for intruders," he typed, his expression murderous.

...

Velea plugged her slicing kit into the terminal, its cables snaking into the ports. "Scout, I'm at the terminal," she said over comms. "Help me crack it."

"Patching in," Scout said, her voice tense, the sound of typing filling the comm. "It's got a triple-layer encryption. I'm bypassing the first firewall—reroute the data stream through my terminal. Should speed this up."

Velea followed Scout's instructions, her screens lighting up as the encryption weakened. "Got it," she said, her fingers dancing over the controls. The terminal unlocked with a soft chime, and Velea's face lit up. "We're in!" she said with excitement in her voice. "Scout, you're amazing."

"Save the praise," Scout said. "Comb through it fast."

Velea dove into the files, her scanner beside her. Initial folders held dodgy business dealings—bribes to senators, off-world accounts, smuggling contracts. Useful, but not what they needed. She dug deeper, her grin fading as darker files surfaced, each one worse than the last.

Log 47: Ordered grain shipments halted to Ryloth's outer colonies. Starvation projected to force compliance within three months. Local resistance crushed.

Velea's stomach churned, her hands trembling. "He's starving worlds," she whispered, disgust in her voice.

Contract 19: Hired Black Sun pirates to raid Mon Cala supply lines. Payment: 2 million credits. Objective: Destabilize trade in sector 42

Her eyes widened, horror creeping in. "Pirates," she muttered, scrolling faster.

Transaction Record: 500 slaves purchased from Zygerrian markets. Deployed to Kessel mines. Losses acceptable.

Velea gagged, her hand covering her mouth. "Slaves... he's in the slave trade," she said, her voice shaking with revulsion.

Spice Distribution Network: Oversaw production on Nar Shaddaa. Distributed through Coruscant undercity. Profits laundered via shell corporations.

"Spice," she said with anger in her voice, her fists clenching. The deeper she went, the more monstrous Eislo's actions became, a web of cruelty spanning the galaxy. Then she found it—evidence of the attacks on Jaden and the Jedi Temple.

Operation Shadow: Paid 1.5 million credits to mercenaries for assault outside Jedi Temple. Target: Jaden Katarn. Secondary operation: Full-scale attack on Temple. Mercenary casualties: 82%. Republic response delayed.

But that wasn't the only thing she found. Numerous deals and bribes made with senators and judges and all manner of officials and politicians. All of it to make sure that Jaden was arrested; Eislo had spent millions, on making sure things went his way in the actual trial. Digging a little further she discovered he was behind the smearing campaign, that he was the reason everyone believed Jaden was a Sith Lord. He had spread that through bribed news outlets.

"Jaden never had a chance..." she whispered to herself. This was fixed from the start, but why? Why did Collan obsess over him so much? She didn't know, and right now she was too angry to care. "We got you, you son of a bitch," Velea said with both anger and excitement, downloading the files. But a strange file caught her eye: "Infinity." Curious, she opened it.

The file detailed a Jedi Holocron, but further reading revealed it was no ordinary relic. Holocron Analysis: Sith origin, corrupted by Darth Nihilus. Grandmaster Satele Shan infused her spirit to seal its secrets. Contains last known location of Nihilus' mask. Velea frowned, unfamiliar with Nihilus but still sensing danger. Eislo's notes speculated the mask held immense power, and his notes also detailed rituals—blood sacrifices, dark chants—suggested he aimed to gain Force sensitivity, perhaps to absorb Nihilus' strength. He's insane, she thought, her pulse racing.

Then she found another file within "Infinity," labeled "Fermata Cage." Eislo's notes chilled her.

Sith artifact. Requires Force sensitivity to activate. Developed bypass: ritual sacrifice of Force-sensitives. Three Jedi younglings acquired. Initial tests successful.

Velea's breath caught, horror etching her face. He's killing Jedi to power it.

Experiment Log: Fermata Cage in my possession. Final test: Sacrificed Padawan J. Kren. Cage activated, temporal distortion achieved.

She gasped, her hand shaking. "I have to warn Jaden," she said, reaching for her comm. Before she could speak, the office door exploded inward, a K9 security droid marching through, its red eyes locking onto her. "Intruder," it said in a cold, robotic voice, its metal arm raising a blaster.

Velea drew her pistol, firing, but the bolts sparked uselessly off its armor. The droid lunged, slamming its arm into her gun, sending it flying, then grabbed her head, smashing it into the console. Pain exploded, stars bursting in her vision as it threw her across the room, crashing into a holo-screen. She blacked out for a moment, luckily the stealth suit's padding softened the blow. Groaning, she pushed herself up, before diving as the droid's fist came down and dented the floor where she'd been.

She fumbled for her comm, but it was crushed, sparking uselessly. "Kriff," she muttered, sprinting for the corridor, dodging blaster fire from the droid's wrist. The turbolift corridor's door began sealing, a heavy blast panel descending. "No, no, no," she said with panic in her voice, reaching the door panel, ripping it open, and plugging in her terminal to splice it.

Heavy thumps echoed—the droid was closing in, its metal feet pounding the floor, the sound drawing closer. Velea's fingers shook, her terminal flickering as she bypassed the lock. The droid entered, its sensors scanning the area. "Target acquired," it said, its voice devoid of any empathy. Velea dove prone, rolling as it fired, bolts scorching the wall. She scrambled behind a luxurious sofa, her mind racing for a plan, her stealth suit was sparking—damaged from the impact of being thrown across the room.

She worked frantically to fix the cloaking, rerouting power and trying to fix the broken circuits, the droid's steps growing louder. "Surrender, organic," it said. "Resistance is inefficient." It grabbed the sofa, hurling it across the room, shattering a sculpture.

Velea's suit flickered back online just as the sofa flew, her form vanishing. The droid scanned, switching to infrared, then ultraviolet, finding nothing. Velea, cloaked, grabbed her vibroblade from her belt, stabbing its back, Jaden had given her this and promised that it would go through most non exotic metals—and it seemed he delivered. It spun, firing blindly. She struck again, then again, targeting weak points. She then grabbed a cable from a torn wall panel and lassoed it around its neck, she looped it to her vibroblade, aiming to short it out. "Adaptation complete," the droid said robotically, grabbing her arm. Velea screamed in pain as its mechanical arm crushed her wrist, she could feel her bones creak under the pressure—soon to give way.

It threw her across the room, her body slamming into a wall. She managed to quickly get up only for it to punch her, the blow dazing her, then it hurled her upward, denting the ceiling. She crashed to the floor, the stealth suit failing making her form visible. Crawling she cried out on pain as her ribs burned though she managed to reach the vibroblade. The droid loomed, behind her, raising its blaster. "Threat eliminated," it said. Velea spun, throwing the vibroblade into an open panel in the wall, electricity arcing through the capable. The droid convulsed, and she grabbed her backup blaster, jamming it under its neck, firing shot after shot. It collapsed, smoking, its lights fading. Velea stumbled to the wall, her breathing rough, ribs cracked, pain lancing with each gasp.

She was alive.

Velea stumbled out of Collan Eislo's suite, clutching her broken ribs with one hand, her backup blaster in the other. Pain shot through her chest with every step, her breathing ragged from the fight with the K9 droid, now a smoking wreck behind her. She reached the turbolift and slapped the button to take her to the One of a Kind room, where Jaden was. Before she could press it, the lift jolted and started moving on its own. She jammed the buttons, trying to override it, but nothing worked. "Kriffing hell!" she cursed, slamming her fist against the panel. Someone—or something—was taking her somewhere else.

The turbolift doors opened, revealing the ship's lower levels, a maze of dim corridors lined with pipes and humming machinery, far from main engineering but close to the engine core. Velea stepped out, her blaster raised, and tried to call the lift back, but its panel sparked and went dark, the system shut down. "Son of a—" she muttered, cutting herself off as a metallic clank echoed nearby. She froze, her heart pounding, and two K9 droids rounded a corner, their red eyes glowing, blasters raised. "Intruder detected," one said, its voice cold and mechanical.

Velea bolted, pain flaring in her ribs as she sprinted down a corridor, the droids' heavy steps thundering behind her. She ducked into a side passage, pipes hissing steam, and pressed herself against a wall, holding her breath. The droids' sensors whirred, their claws scraping the floor as they passed, missing her by inches. She waited, then slipped out, moving silently, her blaster trembling in her grip. Another droid appeared ahead, its back to her, scanning a junction. She crept past, but her boot grazed a loose panel, the clang echoing. The droid spun, firing a bolt that scorched the wall beside her head. Velea ran, weaving through corridors, the droid's shots sizzling past, one grazing her arm, pain searing but no blood drawn.

She dove behind a crate, her ribs screaming, and peered out. Three droids now, their red eyes sweeping, closing in. The air felt thick, the hum of the engine core oppressive, and shadows danced on the walls, making every corner a threat. A droid's claw scraped closer, and Velea scrambled into a narrow duct, crawling frantically, the metal cold against her hands. She emerged in another corridor, but a droid's sensor locked onto her, its blaster firing. She rolled, the bolt hitting a pipe, steam bursting out, and sprinted again, her lungs burning.

Just as a droid's claw reached for her, a hand grabbed Velea's arm and yanked her into a vent, the panel slamming shut. She gasped, pain shooting through her ribs, and turned to see a woman with short, dark hair and a scarred face, her eyes sharp. "Who the hell are you?" Velea asked, her blaster half-raised.

"Vaylin," the woman said, her voice low. "You're with Jaden, aren't you?."

Velea lowered her weapon, relief flooding her. "Yeah, I'm Velea," she said. "You're an friend, then. How'd you end up down here?"

Vaylin glanced at the vent, listening for droids. "I saw people rummaging through Padmé's room," she said. "They chased me, and I fell down a maintenance chute. Woke up here. Been trying to get back ever since, but these droids have a kill-on-sight order."

"Kriff," Velea said, wincing as she shifted, her ribs throbbing. "I need to get upstairs. I have to warn Jaden. Collan's dangerous—way more than we thought. He's got plans, artifacts, things that could ruin everything."

Vaylin nodded. "You know a way out? Or any comms?" Velea asked.

"No way out," Vaylin said. "But I found a maintenance terminal yesterday. Workers used it to communicate. It might work."

"Perfect," Velea said, forcing herself up. "Let's go."

They crawled out of the vent, moving through the corridors, Velea's blaster ready, Vaylin's vibroblade in hand. A droid's steps echoed, and they ducked behind a generator, its hum masking their breaths. The droid passed, and they moved on, but another appeared, its sensors sweeping. Velea pulled Vaylin into an alcove, the droid's claw brushing the wall where they'd stood. They reached a junction, but two droids blocked their path, firing bolts. Velea and Vaylin ran, dodging shots, one hitting a pipe, steam blinding their pursuers. They turned a corner, but a third droid cut them off, its blaster raised. "Intruders," it said, firing.

Velea shoved Vaylin aside, the bolt missing them, and they sprinted to a small control room. Vaylin slammed the door shut, locking it, and dragged crates in front of it. "Hurry up!" she shouted, bracing the door as droids pounded on it, metal groaning.

Velea reached the maintenance terminal, its screen flickering, and plugged in her slicing kit. "Come on," she muttered, her fingers flying over the controls. She bypassed the primary encryption, accessing the ship's subsystems, but the comms array was locked, its protocols scrambled. "No comms," she said, cursing. She tried rerouting through auxiliary channels, but the system rejected her inputs, its firewalls too complex. The droids' pounding grew louder, the door buckling, and Vaylin strained to hold it.

Velea switched to the camera feeds, her eyes widening as she saw Jaden in the One of a Kind room, arguing with Collan, passengers shouting. "I can help him," she said, plugging her portable terminal into the system. She uploaded the evidence she'd stolen—Collan's files on starvation, piracy, slavery, and temple attacks—and patched it to the room's screen. The files played, and Velea smiled, thinking she'd turned the tide. Then she saw Collan draw a dagger and slit his father's throat, blood spraying as Roland fell.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit!" Velea said, her hands shaking. Vaylin was pushed back as the door dented, but she rushed to brace it again. "Hurry up, they're almost in!" she shouted, her shoulder against the crates.

Velea scanned the terminal's options, her heart racing. She found an intercom link to the One of a Kind room. "Got it!" she said, hacking the access code, her kit bypassing the security in seconds.

She activated the intercom and shouted, "Jaden, stay away from him! He can st-

___________________________

(Just after Velea destroyed the K9)

Collan, stared at his datapad, his face twisted with fury. He'd controlled the K9 droid remotely, watching through its sensors, yet Velea had escaped. His terminal held everything—his plans, his crimes, his secrets. She'd seen too much. She had to die. He had sent her down to the bowels of the ship and soon she would be killed by the rest of the droids he had patrolling down there. A soft voice broke his focus—Padmé, approaching with Sabe and Aubrie. Collan forced a smile, slipping the pad into his coat, his facade sliding back into place. "Senator Amidala," he said smoothly bowing. "A pleasure."

"Mr Eislo," Padmè said with a similar head bow.

"Please call me Collan, despite our differences of late I do hope we may come out of it as friends," he said, the charming smile never leaving his face.

Padmè's smile strained slightly, but her years of being a politician shone through and she was able to maintain her facade and hide the distain she felt for the man before him. Though mixed in with that distain was also a little bit of fear... fear at what he's done, what he could do. Padmè would've struggled a lot more had she been alone, but the reassurance of having Aubrie and Sabe beside her did a lot in helping her maintain her mask. "Of course... Collan, there is no reason that such proceedings should have any effect on our private life," she said, her forced smile tightly in place.

Collan chuckled and touched her arm. "That truly brings joy to my heart, now why don't you introduce me to these lovely ladies beside you, I believe I've met your handmaiden before but you'll forgive me if I don't remember your name."

"I am Sabe, Lady Amidala's handmaiden," she said coolly, with the same practiced face that Padmè wore. She then offered him the same bow Padmè had, but if one looked closely you'd see it wasn't as low. As a handmaiden Sabe was an expert in subtly disrespecting her 'betters'.

"A pleasure," Collan said as his eyes gazed across her entire body, as if he were inspecting her. It almost made her shudder, but she managed to keep it under control.

Padmè, sensing her friends discomfort interjected. "This is Aubrie Wyn, a former Padawan of the temple and one of the War heroes from Jabiim," she said drawing Collans attention away.

Collan turned to face Aubrie, his smile just as bright as before. "Ah, always good to meet one of the warriors keeping the core worlds safe," he said as he reached his hand out to shake her hand. Aubrie didn't particularly want to, especially with all the trouble and danger that he had put Jaden through, but she also didn't want to bring any suspicion upon herself. She reached her hand forward and she took his and shook it.

The moment their hands touched the smile from Collans face melted away and his eyes seemed to go dead, it was as if an entirely different person was standing in front of her. Aubrie tried to remove her hand from his grasp but he tightened it and didn't let her go. She then tried a harder and yet his grasp wouldn't loosen. Though what was worse was the complete unfettered bloodlust and anger that poured off him in waves that only seemed to grow stronger, and all of it was directed to her.

"Collan!" Padmè snapped at him, which seemed to snap him out of whatever daze he was in. The light quickly returned to his eyes and he quickly let go of Aubries hand, though his gaze never left hers. While the anger had mostly disappeared—seemingly buried deep somewhere—he still let off small amounts of it.

"I apologise Miss Wyn, if you'll excuse me ladies," he said before turning away and moving through the crowd until he was out of sight.

"What the hell was that?!" Sabe whispered loudly to Padmè and Aubrie.

"I'm not sure, he seemed to have a problem with you Aubrie. You've never met him before have you?" Padmè said as she turned her gaze to Aubrie.

Aubrie shook her head. "I'm unsure why he seems to have a problem with me." Despite not knowing why, she could feel a warning echo through the force, yet she couldn't make sense of it.

"Padmè! We can't let him leave, Velea might still be in his suite," Sabe whispered in a panic.

Padmè's eyes widened as she realised the gravity of the situation. "Velea!" She whispered through the comms earpiece that Jaden had given her. "Velea come in!" She said again, but there was no response on the other side.

"Why is she not responding?!" Sabe said, panic creeping into her voice. "Could she have already been caught?!"

"Sabe, calm down," Padmè said grabbing both of her shoulders. "It'll look suspicious if we are all panicking in the middle of the room."

Sabe nodded and took a deep breath. "You're right, I apologise my Lady," she said.

"I'll try Scout, perhaps she will have more information," Padmè said to both her companions. She then switched frequencies and tried to get in contact with Scout. "Scout, are you there?" Padmè whispered through her Comms; both Aubrie and Sabe both aimed their bodies in front and behind Padmè to try and deflect any attention that she might bring using her earpiece.

"I'm here, is it time? Can I cut the power?" Scout said in an almost excited tone.

"No no no, Scout do not cut the power!" Padmè whispered loudly, there wasn't a reply for a moment, which made Padmè's heart drop as she expected the lights to suddenly cut out.

"Fine... what is it then?" Scout asked over the comms.

Padmè exhaled a breath that she felt like she'd been holding for minutes. "Have you had any contact with Velea?" She asked. "We weren't able to distract Collan for long, we need to warn her that he may be on his way back."

"Kriff..." Scout said through the comms. "The last contact I had with her she had just gotten into the terminal, I'm not sure why but the connection to her comms has been severed, either it's being jammed or it's broken."

"Either one does not sound good," Aubrie interjected.

"No... I can go and try and get to her myself?" Scout offered.

Padmè thought about it for a moment, as much as she would like to have some reassurance, she couldn't get Scout to go, she was integral to the plan. Zule would be left hanging dry if Scout wasn't there to get rid of any lingering security. "No, don't go, one of us will, just give us a path to Collans suite, hopefully we will make it there before him." Padmè said.

"Sending a route to your pad now," Scout replied.

"Thank you Scout," Padmè said before turning off her earpiece.

Padmè then turned to the others. "Aubrie, you'll get there the fastest, you should be the one to go."

Aubrie nodded. "Of course, I'll keep you informed on the situation," she said as she went to head out, though before she could there was a slight ruffling underneath her dress. Aubrie sighed as she looked down and then looked back to Padmè. "Would you mind looking after SD8, I believe he wants to stay here incase he is needed."

Padmè's eyebrows raised as she looked down at the droid that quickly crawled from underneath Aubries dress and moved beneath her own. "I suppose so..." she said.

"Thank you," Aubrie said, as she turned to leave.

"Be careful Aubrie," Padmè said, the younger woman smiled and gave her a nod before continuing to walk out of the room.

...

Meanwhile Jaden continued to play the part of the server, though honestly he was distracted. He had a bad feeling when he first entered the service corridors, and that feeling only continued to build and build until it was screaming at him. If there was ever a time he wished a Jedi Master was here it was now. He couldn't make sense of the danger he was feeling, it wasn't like the feeling he would get when he was about to be hit or attacked. No, it was like a soft foreboding that continued to build yet provided no details—and wouldn't until you were staring it in the face.

Jaden moved smoothly through the crowd, balancing trays of food and drinks, his eyes scanning the One of a Kind room. He should've been helping Zule with the Kyber Crystal swap, but the Force's warning consumed him, urging him to find the danger he knew was here. Guests tried to talk to him, their voices a blur, but he brushed them off, even shoving past when they blocked his path. The danger was growing louder, closer, a pulse in his chest he couldn't ignore.

"Watch where you're going!" a senator shouted, stumbling as Jaden pushed past, his tray nearly spilling. Murmurs rippled through the crowd, guests complaining about the serving staff's rudeness, their unprofessional behavior. At first, Jaden thought they meant him, but glancing across the atrium, he saw it—every server was acting off, just like in the kitchens. They bumped into guests, knocking over glasses, some arguing openly with senators, their voices raised, hands gesturing wildly. A waiter spilled wine on a diplomat's gown, ignoring her protests; another snapped at a general, pointing aggressively.

Jaden forced himself to calm down, letting the Force guide him as Satele had taught. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them, his gaze locking onto Collan Eislo storming away from Padmé, Sabe, and Aubrie, his face a mask of anger. Collan beelined for a massive man with a scar on his cheek, dressed in a server's uniform too tight for his frame. 'No way that guy's a waiter,' Jaden thought, his suspicion flaring. He watched Collan grab the man's arm, whispering fiercely. The man nodded, speaking into a comms device, his expression hard.

"Oh kriff," Jaden said to himself, the pieces snapping together.

None of the servers were servers—they were mercenaries, and Collan had just given the signal to attack.

Jaden's eyes darted around, catching every "server" freezing in unison, their trays clattering to the floor. "Shit!" he said, dropping his own tray and sprinting toward Padmé and Sabe, noticing Aubrie heading towards the exit, her gown vanishing through the crowd. He shoved guests aside, ignoring their shouts as they stumbled or fell, his heart pounding. But he was too late. The mercenaries moved, pulling blasters from under jackets, some firing into the air, others aiming at guests. Screams erupted, a wave of panic sweeping the room. Senators and diplomats scrambled for the exits, tripping over gowns, shoving each other in desperation. A merchant fell, trampled by the mob; a young aide clutched her arm, blood seeping from a blaster wound. Mercenaries laughed, clubbing guests with blaster butts, their boots stomping the fallen. One fired point-blank at an unimportant banker, his body crumpling, credits spilling from his coat. Another dragged a screaming noblewoman by her hair, tossing her into a glass case before kicking her numerous times.

Jaden ducked under a spray of blaster fire, his instincts kicking in. He reached the nearest mercenary, a wiry man aiming at a fleeing senator. Jaden grabbed the man's blaster arm, yanking him forward, and drove his knee into the mercenary's stomach. The man doubled over, sputtering, collapsing to the floor. Jaden pivoted, slamming him face-first into a display case, the glass cracking under the impact, a Sith dagger inside rattling.

The One of a Kind room had become a slaughterhouse. Guests screamed as they fled, their once-elegant gowns and tunics shredded, their faces contorted with panic. A senator scrambled beneath a table, but a mercenary seized her ankle, dragging her out and jamming a blaster against her temple. She froze, whimpering, her hands raised. A Rodian diplomat bolted for an exit, his robes flapping, but a crimson bolt pierced his spine, and he collapsed face-first, limbs twitching. Mercenaries moved through the chaos with predatory intent. Some fired blasters into the air, the bolts sizzling, while others aimed with chilling precision, targeting specific guests as if following a list. A chandelier exploded overhead, its crystals shattering and raining down, slicing skin and sparking fresh screams. Padmé crouched near the Kyber Crystal's display, shielding a trembling aide with her body, while Sabe scanned the room, her eyes darting for a clear path. Jaden locked eyes with them, gesturing toward a side exit, but a line of mercenaries blocked it, their blasters leveled at the crowd.

The killing spree halted abruptly when three lightsabers ignited with a resonant hum, their blue and green blades casting an eerie glow. Over half the mercenaries froze, their faces paling—lightsabers meant certain death to most. Anakin Skywalker and Zule leaped into a cluster of mercenaries, their movements a deadly dance. Anakin's blue blade arced high, catching a mercenary's wrist mid-aim. The hand fell to the floor, cauterized instantly, the man howling as he clutched the stump. Anakin pivoted, his saber slashing downward, severing another mercenary's leg at the thigh. The man toppled, his scream cut short as Anakin used the Force to hurl him into a display case, glass exploding. A blaster bolt streaked toward him, but he twisted his wrist, deflecting it back with his saber, the shot burning through the shooter's chest, dropping him in a heap. Anakin surged forward, his style ferocious, each strike powered by raw fury. He extended his free hand, using the Force to rip a mercenary's blaster from his grip, then drove his saber through the man's stomach, the blade sizzling as it exited his back.

Zule matched Anakin's aggression, her green saber flashing as she lunged at a mercenary aiming at a cowering guest. Her blade cleaved through his shoulder, the arm dropping, the man staggering back with a guttural cry. She blocked a volley of blaster bolts with her prosthetic arm, the metal sparking under the impacts, then angled her saber to redirect a shot into a mercenary's face, his body crumpling. Charging another, she swung her prosthetic fist, the force shattering his jaw, teeth flying as he crashed into a pillar. Zule reached out with the Force, lifting a heavy plinth topped with a Sith relic, and flung it at two mercenaries. The stone crushed their legs, pinning them as they wailed, and she finished them with a single sweep of her saber, slicing through their torsos, the halves falling apart.

Aubrie joined the fight, her blue saber igniting as she vaulted over a fallen noble. She landed beside a mercenary firing at a diplomat, her blade slashing across his chest, the armor splitting as he collapsed. A bolt flew toward her, but she spun, deflecting it back, the shot hitting the shooter's thigh, sending him sprawling. Aubrie extended her hand, using the Force to pull a mercenary's feet out from under him, then drove her saber through his chest as he fell, the blade piercing clean through. She dodged a swinging rifle butt, cartwheeling to the side, and slashed upward, severing the attacker's arm at the elbow, the limb dropping as he screamed. Her movements were fluid, her Padawan training evident, but the sheer number of enemies was relentless.

Despite their prowess, the mercenaries' numbers—hundreds strong—began to overwhelm them. A blaster bolt struck Zule in the chest, the impact throwing her backward, her armor scorched, pain radiating but no blood spilling. Aubrie took a bolt to the stomach, the blast knocking her to her knees, sparks flying from her tunic. Before they could recover, a mercenary clubbed Zule's spine with a rifle stock, sending her sprawling, and another hit Aubrie's head with a stun baton, her vision blurring as she collapsed. Anakin, his saber a whirlwind, saw them fall. Blasters aimed at their heads forced his hand—he dropped his saber, raising his arms in surrender to save them.

The mercenaries herded Anakin, Zule, Aubrie, and the surviving senators into a corner, blasters trained on them. Chancellor Palpatine stepped forward, his robes untouched, his expression stern. "What is the meaning of this outrage?" he demanded. "Who sent you? State your demands."

A mercenary sneered, slamming his blaster butt into Palpatine's stomach. "Shut your mouth, old man," he growled. Palpatine doubled over, gasping, but his eyes burned with defiance.

The leader, a towering man with a scarred cheek, strode forward. "Listen up," he bellowed. "We're taking a few of you today. Don't cause trouble, or you all die."

Jaden, who had melted into the crowd, moved silently, his server's tray long discarded. He'd held back, recognizing the futility of fighting a swarm, preserving his cover for a counterstrike. Slipping beside the injured Aubrie and Zule, hidden among the terrified guests, he knelt to check their wounds. Aubrie's stomach was charred, her breaths shallow; Zule was in a similar state. Jaden placed his hands on them, closing his eyes, channeling the Force. A warm light pulsed from his palms, knitting scorched tissue, easing their pain, their breathing evening out. He couldn't reach Anakin, he had been restrained as he remained uninjured and still presented a threat.

"What are we going to do?" Aubrie asked.

"I don't know," Jaden said, his voice strained. "I need to think."

"Think fast," Zule said grimly, nodding toward a mercenary shouting names.

"Aubrie Wyn! Padmé Amidala! Step forward!" the mercenary roared, listing others, his blaster raised.

Jaden's mind scrambled, trying to understand why Collan wanted Aubrie. Her connection to him? The Force's warning screamed, offering no clarity. The mercenaries grew furious as no one complied. "Show yourselves, or we shoot everyone!" one shouted, firing into the ceiling, sparks cascading. The crowd surged, guests shoving, screaming, some collapsing under the press, others cowering behind the exhibits.

Jaden counted the mercenaries—over a hundred remained, too many for a direct assault. He leaned to Aubrie and Zule. "Wait here for my signal," he said. Before they could question him, he slipped away, weaving through the panicked crowd.

He tapped his comm, reaching Scout. "Scout, you there?" he whispered, sidestepping a sobbing noble.

"What's going on?" Scout said, her voice panicked. "I saw it all on the cameras—"

"Calm down," Jaden said. "I need your help to take them out. Can you overload the floor panels in the room?"

Scout's typing echoed. "I can, but it'll only take out a few dozen—fifty, tops," she said.

Jaden cursed softly. "That'll do," he said. "Kill the lights too, on my signal."

He moved toward a display he'd noticed earlier—ancient Jedi lightsabers, their hilts in a glass case. He waited, watching the crowd. A woman screamed as a mercenary dragged her by the arm, her gown ripping. Jaden seized the moment, smashing the case with his vibroblade, glass shattering. He grabbed three sabers—blue, green, purple—and tested each was functional and powered. Pocketing them, he started back, but SD8 scuttled in front of him.

Jaden smiled, stroking its head. "Always here to help, aren't you, little buddy?" he said. The plan just got better.

He pushed through the crowd, just as Padmé was yanked forward, a mercenary gripping her arm. Sabe lunged to stop them, only to take a fist to the face, blood gushing from her nose. Anakin roared, thrashing against his bindings, his face a mask of fury.

"Shit," Jaden said, locking eyes with Aubrie and Zule, who still pretended to be injured. "Scout, now!" he said into his comm.

Jaden leaped forward and tossed the blue and purple lightsabers to Aubrie and Zule. They caught them and ignited the blades with a sharp snap-hiss. Jaden flipped over a mercenary and landed beside Anakin. His green saber flared to life as he slashed through Anakin's bindings in one smooth motion. At the same moment, floor panels exploded with electricity. Crackling arcs surged through fifty mercenaries. Their bodies jerked, armor smoked, and screams died as they collapsed in charred piles.

The lights went out, and the room plunged into darkness. "SD, battle mode!" Jaden shouted.

SD8 beeped loudly. Its metal plates shifted, and spider legs unfolded. Four wrist-mounted blasters extended. The droid skittered across the floor and fired bolts that punched through mercenary chests and thighs. Bodies dropped with each shot. Jaden charged a mercenary who aimed a blaster blindly. His green saber sliced through the man's wrist, and the hand fell. Jaden spun and swung upward, cutting another mercenary's leg at the knee. The man screamed and toppled. A bolt flew toward Jaden, but he twisted his saber and deflected it into the shooter's shoulder, knocking him down.

Aubrie jumped into a group of three mercenaries. Her blue saber slashed across one's chest, and he fell backward. She ducked a swinging rifle and pivoted, slicing another's arm off at the elbow. The limb hit the floor, and the man staggered. The third fired at her, but she blocked the bolt with her saber and sent it back into his stomach. He collapsed, clutching the wound. Aubrie moved to another mercenary, who swung a vibroblade. She parried with her saber, sparks flying, and kicked his chest, sending him crashing into a guest. She finished him with a quick slash through his neck, and he dropped.

Zule attacked a mercenary aiming at her. She swung her purple saber and cut through his torso. The body split apart and fell. Another charged her with a stun baton. Zule blocked his swing with her prosthetic arm, and punched his face with it, shattering his nose. Blood sprayed as he crumpled. A blaster bolt came at her, but she caught it on her arm, then deflected the next one with her lightsaber right into the shooters head. The mercenary fell dead. Zule grabbed a mercenary's arm, twisted it until it snapped, and thrust her saber into his chest, the blade exiting his back.

Anakin reached out his hand, and his blue saber flew to him from one of the pockets of the mercenaries igniting mid-air. He leaped over a fallen guest and slashed a mercenary's arm off. The man screamed, but Anakin drove his saber through another's chest, the body sliding to the ground. A mercenary fired at him, but Anakin deflected the bolts, one hitting the shooter's leg, another his neck, both dropping him instantly. Anakin used the Force to lift a mercenary into the air, then slammed him down to the ground. The man's body went limp and fell. Anakin moved to a group of two, dodged a grenade toss, and slashed both across the stomach, their bodies folding.

The mercenaries kept coming, but the team cut them down one by one. Jaden saw a mercenary grab a diplomat's arm. He sprinted and swung his saber, slicing the man's hand off. The diplomat fled as the mercenary screamed. Jaden blocked a bolt from another, redirecting it into the shooter's chest, and then kicked a third in the ribs, sending him into Zule's path. Zule finished him with a saber thrust through the shoulder, and he fell. Aubrie faced a mercenary with a flamethrower. She Force-pushed him back, the flames missing her, and threw her lightsaber which slashed his arm off, the weapon clattering. She caught her lightsaber as it came back to her and drove it into his leg, and he fell. Anakin fought three at once, deflecting their bolts with quick spins, sending shots into their arms and chests, then slashed one's torso, the others collapsing from wounds.

As the blaster fire slowly decreased and the sounds of fighting stopped, the lights flickered back on in the One of a Kind room, revealing the aftermath of the battle. Dead mercenaries littered the floor, their bodies twisted and charred from the overloaded panels. Guests huddled in corners, sobbing and clutching each other, while senators whispered in shock. Jaden scanned the room and confirmed every mercenary was down. His eyes landed on Collan Eislo, who stood among the guests, his face pale, pretending to be scared like the rest. Jaden's blood boiled, and he clenched his fists. He reached out with the Force, grabbing Collan and dragging him forward. Collan stumbled and fell to his knees in the center of the room.

"You monster!" Jaden shouted, his voice tinged with anger. He ripped off his server's disguise, revealing his face and identity, and the crowd gasped—not a single person in high society would not have recognised Jaden at this point. "You did this! You hired those mercenaries! You're responsible for all this death!"

Collan raised his hands, his expression one of shock. "I didn't do anything!" he said. "I'm innocent, Jaden! How could you accuse me of such things? I was here, terrified, like everyone else!"

The passengers stirred, their murmurs growing louder. "Let him go!" a noblewoman shouted. "You're attacking an innocent man!" a senator yelled. Others joined in, their voices a chorus of outrage, demanding Jaden release Collan. Roland Eislo, Collan's father, pushed through the crowd, his face red with fury. "How dare you accuse my son!" he bellowed. "You're a disgrace, slandering him like this!"

Chancellor Palpatine stepped forward, his expression stern. "Jaden," he said firmly. "Your actions here will not help your case. These accusations are reckless and dangerous."

Anakin moved beside Jaden, his lightsaber still in hand. "Jaden's right!" he said. "Collan's been behind everything! The attacks, the mercenaries, all of it!" Zule and Aubrie nodded, stepping closer. "We have proof," Zule said, her voice hard. "He's not what he seems."

The room erupted into arguments. Senators shouted at Jedi, guests defended Collan, and Roland berated Jaden, his voice shaking with rage. Collan stood silently, his eyes darting, but Jaden noticed his calm beneath the act. The chaos grew until a large screen on the wall flickered to life, its hum silencing the room. Every head turned, and the crowd fell quiet. The screen displayed files—Collan's files. Evidence of his crimes scrolled across it: deals to starve Ryloth's colonies, contracts with Black Sun pirates, slave purchases for Kessel mines, spice networks on Nar Shaddaa. Clips showed mercenaries attacking the Jedi Temple, with Collan's payments listed. The crowd gasped, and whispers spread. A senator covered her mouth, horrified. A nobleman shook his head, muttering in disbelief.

Roland's face twisted with anger, and he turned on his son. "What is this?" he shouted. "Collan, explain yourself!" Collan ignored him, his eyes narrowing, but Roland grabbed his arm. "Answer me!" he demanded, shaking him. "Did you do this?"

Jaden noticed movement near his feet. SD8 lay on the floor, its blue-and-black frame sparking, a gash in its side from the battle. Jaden knelt beside the droid, his heart sinking. "You okay, little buddy?" he asked softly. He opened SD8's chest panel to fix the damage, his fingers working quickly. To reach the power cell, he pulled out the Holocron, its faint glow catching the light.

Collan's eyes locked onto the Holocron, and his heart pounded faster. Roland continued shouting, berating him, but Collan's focus never wavered. His hands trembled, and his breathing quickened. Finally, he snapped. "Fuck this," he said, his voice venomous. He drew a hidden dagger and slashed Roland's throat in one swift motion. Blood sprayed, and Roland gurgled, clutching his neck as he collapsed, dead before he hit the ground.

The crowd screamed, and guests recoiled, some tripping over bodies in their panic. "I wanted to do this clean!" Collan shouted. "I wanted to do it quietly, but you animals pushed me too far!" He spun, facing the crowd, his dagger dripping. "Why should I care about my status? Why should I care what you think of me? Me!" He threw his head back, his laugh echoing. "I will be a god!"

Jaden felt the Force scream, a piercing alarm that shook his bones. He ignited his green lightsaber, its hum filling the air. Anakin's blue saber flared beside him, and Zule and Aubrie ignited theirs, purple and blue blades glowing. The crowd backed away, their faces pale, but Collan laughed louder, completely unfazed. "I'm done playing games!" Collan shouted, his laughter unhinged, as Jaden, Anakin, Zule, and Aubrie rushed him.

*Bzzzzzt*

Suddenly the speakers flared to life in the atrium. "Jaden! Stay away from him!" Velea's voice screamed through the room's speakers, frantic and shrill. "He has an artifact that lets him stop—" Her words cut off as Collan's hand twitched.

The room became silent as everything came to a standstill. Guests stood mid-scream, their faces locked in terror. Anakin's saber halted mid-swing, Zule's charge stopped, Aubrie's blade hung in the air, and Jaden's sprint froze, his eyes wide. Collan moved, while everyone remained still he alone moved, still carrying the dagger in his hand. He approached Jaden with a twisted smile on his face, and raised the dagger. He plunged it into Jaden's throat, the blade sinking deep. Blood poured, and Collan yanked the Holocron from Jaden's frozen hand, clutching it tightly. He stepped back, feeling the Fermata Cage pulse, its power fluctuating. Time resumed with a shudder.

"Time."

Jaden gasped, blood gushing from his throat, and collapsed, the Holocron gone. Everyone felt a wave of nausea pass over them as time returned to normal; the Jedi in the room could sense something was wrong, though it was Aubrie who first saw Jaden clutching at the dagger in his neck. "JADEN!!!" She screamed, a cold terror grasping her heart as she saw the man she loved in mortal danger. She dropped her lightsaber and dove to the ground putting his her on her thighs as she tried to assess the damage. Zule quickly joined her after trying to comfort Jaden and staunch the bleeding anyway she could.

Anakin felt his anger grow as he saw Jaden on the floor with Collans dagger in his throat, he then looked up and saw the man with a manic expression in his face as he held a Holocron like it was his lover. Anakin roared and charged him, his lightsaber held high as he aimed for an overhead strike. However before he could even bring his saber down, Collan disappeared from where he was standing.

He was now behind Anakin. "So predictable," he said before firing a blaster into his back. Anakin yelled out in pain before he fell to the ground, Sabe screamed as she rushed towards him, but was stopped when Collan fired at her. Luckily for her he missed, but it made her fall onto the ground. Collan walked towards her slowly with his blaster raised, he wouldn't miss this time.

However before he could fire, Padmè stepped in front of Sabe. "I won't let you kill her," she said coldly.

Collan looked at her for a moment before simply laughing. "I do not care about a lowly handmaiden..." he said as he lowered his blaster pistol. "You however..." he said as he raised it again.

"You will come with me, I have plans for you... come with me and I won't kill your handmaiden," he said with a disgusting smile etched into his face.

Padmè stood there for a moment thinking of the offer. "Padmè you can't!" Sabe said as she gripped the hem of her dress. "Leave me, you can't let him take you!" She begged.

"I'll go with you," Padmè said as let him grab her by the arm.

Collan chuckled as he lead her out of the room he took one more look at Jaden as blood filled his throat and he slowly twitched. He kept his blaster on Padmè's back as they left the room and he led her to the hanger bay.

A cold terror seized Aubries heart as she sat there cradling Jaden, her hands trembling as they pressed against the wound. Blood coated her fingers, warm and slick, pooling on her thighs, staining her gown red. "Jaden, no, please!" she said, her voice breaking, panic overwhelming her as his eyes fluttered, his breaths shallow.

Zule knelt beside her, her arm steadying Jaden's shoulder. "What do we do?" she asked urgently. "Aubrie, he's bleeding out! Tell me what to do!"

Aubrie didn't answer, her eyes fixed on Jaden, his face pale, blood bubbling from his lips. Her hands shook, unable to move, her mind frozen with fear. Zule grabbed her shoulder and slapped her cheek. "Snap out of it!" Zule shouted. "He's dying, Aubrie! What do we do? We need to act now!"

Aubrie blinked, the slap pulling her back. "Yes... you're right, yes," she said, forcing herself to breathe. She composed herself, her healer's training kicking in. "We need to remove the dagger. If we don't, he'll choke on his own blood. I'll heal him once it's out."

Zule nodded, her face grim. "Can you do it?" she asked.

"No," Aubrie said a little more composed now. "You pull it, Zule. I'll start healing the second it's out."

Zule gripped the dagger's hilt, her prosthetic hand getting a firm grip on it. "On three," she said. "One, two, three!" She yanked the blade free, blood spurting from the wound. Aubrie pressed her hands over Jaden's throat, closing her eyes, and reached out with the Force. A faint glow spread from her palms, knitting torn flesh and sealing blood vessels. The wound was deep, and Aubrie's strength faltered—she wasn't as strong in the Force as Jaden. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her breath grew ragged, and her arms trembled. She pushed harder, pouring everything into the healing, but exhaustion clawed at her. Her vision blurred, and she swayed, nearly collapsing, but the glow held, and Jaden's bleeding slowed, then stopped.

Jaden coughed, a wet, choking sound, and opened his eyes. Aubrie gasped, tears streaming down her face, and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Don't ever scare me like that again!" she said, her voice muffled against his shoulder. Zule joined the hug. "Never again, you hear me?" she said.

Jaden coughed again, struggling to sit up, his throat raw. "I'm... okay," he said, his voice hoarse. His gaze shifted to Anakin, who lay nearby, struggling to move, a blaster burn on his back. Sabe knelt beside him, crying, her hands clutching his. Jaden pushed himself up, wincing, and staggered to Anakin's side. He knelt, placed his hands over the wound, and channeled the Force again. A soft light spread, sealing the burn, easing Anakin's pain. Anakin's breathing steadied, and he sat up, grimacing.

Sabe threw her arms around Jaden, tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she said, her voice breaking. She turned to Anakin, hugging him tightly, her face buried in his chest. "Don't you dare leave me," she whispered. Anakin hugged her back but then pushed her away slightly as the room was still full of people.

Jaden stood, but his legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, exhausted. "What the hell was that?" Anakin said, his voice rough, helping Jaden sit up. "How did Collan do that? One second he was there, the next he's behind me, shooting."

Zule frowned. "It was like he moved faster than we could see," she said. "I didn't even sense him move."

Aubrie shook her head, her hands still bloodied. "It wasn't just speed," she said. "The Force felt... wrong, like it twisted when he moved."

Anakin clenched his fists. "He's got some kind of trick," he said.

Jaden, leaning against Zule, caught his breath, his mind racing. He'd heard Velea's warning through the speakers—Collan could stop time. It clicked, the pieces falling into place. 'That's how he attacked Padmé at the pre-trial,' Jaden thought to himself. "No one saw him because he stopped time. He's got an artifact, something powerful enough to do it."

Zule's eyes widened. "An artifact?" she said. "Like what?"

"I don't know," Jaden said, his voice grim. "But it's why he just kicked our asses."

Before they could say more, the ship's alarms blared, red lights flashing overhead. A robotic voice echoed through the room. "Alert: Engine core critical. Evacuate the ship immediately. All personnel, proceed to escape pods."

Jaden's eyes narrowed, and he pushed himself to his feet, anger surging. "Collan," he said, his voice hard. "He's doing this. He's trying to escape with Padmé and the Holocron."

___________________________

Velea scanned the terminal's options, her heart racing. She found an intercom link to the One of a Kind room. "Got it!" she said, hacking the access code, her kit bypassing the security in seconds. She activated the intercom and shouted, "Jaden, stay away from him! He can stop time!" Before she could finish, the camera feed showed Collan stabbing Jaden in the throat, blood gushing as he collapsed.

Velea gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, tears filling her eyes. "No," she whispered, her voice breaking. The door exploded inward, crates flying, and three K9 droids marched in, their red eyes locking onto Velea and Vaylin. "Intruders," they said in unison, raising their blasters, surrounding them as Velea clutched her terminal, frozen in horror.

Vaylin moved back until she bumped into Velea. "What do we do!" She said with fear in her voice. They were surrounded with no way out, they were going to die. Velea's eyes stayed glued to the terminal's screen, where Jaden had collapsed, blood pouring from his throat. Her heart shattered, and tears streamed down her face. She thought he was dead, and in that moment, she didn't care if the K9 droids killed her too. She was ready to join him. "Velea!" Vaylin shouted, grabbing her arm, pulling her back to reality.

The three K9 droids raised their blasters, ready to fire. "Intruders," they said, their voices cold and mechanical. Before they could shoot, several metal spheres rolled into the room and exploded in bursts of electricity. The droids sparked and collapsed, their circuits fried. Vaylin threw herself over Velea, shielding her, and Velea was blown forward, hitting the ground hard, pain flaring in her broken ribs. A few seconds passed, and footsteps echoed. A figure in Mandalorian armor walked in, her blaster rifle raised, her helmet glinting under the dim lights.

Vaylin scrambled up, panic in her voice, and grabbed Velea's blaster pistol from her belt. She aimed at the Mandalorian, but the warrior shot the weapon out of her hand, the bolt sizzling. "Calm down," the Mandalorian said, stepping over the droid wreckage. "I'm not here for you."

"What do you want?" Vaylin asked, her voice stuttering with fear.

"Move," the Mandalorian said, pushing toward the console. Vaylin stepped aside, but Velea stayed put, her eyes back on the screen. She saw Aubrie kneel beside Jaden, her hands glowing as she healed him. Jaden sat up, alive, and relief flooded Velea, her tears turning to a shaky smile, her chest loosening for the first time in minutes. The Mandalorian shoved her aside, and Velea hit the ground, pain shooting through her ribs. She got up, shouting, "What are you doing?"

The Mandalorian ignored her and started typing on the console. Velea rushed to stop her, but the Mandalorian stepped back, grabbed her arm, and threw her across the room. Velea slammed into the wall, grunting, and tried again, but Vaylin held her back. "Stop it!" Vaylin said, pulling Velea away from the armored warrior.

"What the hell are you doing?" Velea shouted, her mind clearing as the shock of Jaden's survival settled. She remembered reading the incident report of the attack on Jaden and Padmè outside the temple, it was Mandalorian who had attacked Jaden when he first arrived on Coruscant. "You're the Mandalorian Collan Eislo hired to kill Jaden, aren't you?" she said, her voice dripping with venom.

The Mandalorian turned, her helmet facing Velea. "I don't work for that slime anymore," she said, her voice growling through the modulator. "He's a disease, one I let fester for my people's sake, but I learned too late that letting him live would doom them."

"What are you talking about?" Velea asked, stepping closer despite the pain in her ribs.

"Collan is a threat," the Mandalorian said. "One I plan to purge. I've launched all the escape pods, and now I'm causing a feedback loop in the plasma nacelles. The engine will go critical soon, and the ship will explode, taking Collan with it."

"You'll kill thousands of innocent people!" Vaylin cried out, her hands shaking as she stood beside Velea.

The Mandalorian chuckled, a low, bitter sound. "This ship is full of businessmen, politicians, and mercenaries. No one here is innocent. I'm doing the galaxy a favor." She finished setting the feedback loop, pulled out a blaster, and shot the console. Sparks flew, and the screen went dark, circuits melting into slag.

"Stay or escape, I don't care," the Mandalorian said, walking out, her boots clanging on the metal floor.

Velea lunged after her, but Vaylin held her back, gripping her arm tightly. "Are you crazy?" Vaylin said, fear still etched into her boice. Velea glared as the Mandalorian disappeared down the corridor, then ran to the console. It sparked, completely fried, its wires a tangled mess. Vaylin leaned over, her breath uneven. "Can you fix it?" she asked hopefully.

Velea tried, yanking out wires and checking connections, but the damage was too severe. She slammed her fist against it, cursing loudly. "It's gone," she said, her voice shaking with frustration. "There's nothing left to work with."

"What are we going to do?" Vaylin asked, her voice rising in panic, her hands clutching her vibroblade.

Velea didn't know. She stood still, her mind racing, trying to find a solution, her ribs throbbing with every breath. The ship's alarms blared, red lights flashing overhead, cutting through her thoughts. A robotic voice echoed through the corridors. "Alert: Engine core critical. Evacuate the ship immediately." The words sent a chill down her spine, and made her panic more.

Vaylin kept asking, her voice frantic. "What do we do? How do we get out? Velea, say something!" she said, grabbing Velea's arm, shaking her.

"Shut up!" Velea shouted, turning on her. "I can't think with you yelling!" Vaylin fell silent, stepping back, and Velea paced, her hands pressed to her head, trying to block out the alarms.

The blaring continued, and Velea's panic surged. Eventually she screamed, bashing her forehead against the wall, blood trickling down her face from the gash. Vaylin gasped as Velea stumbled, wobbling, her eyes unfocused for a moment. Then Velea giggled, shaking her head, blood dripping onto her chin. "That's better," she said, her voice oddly calm. She pulled out her datapad, opened the ship's blueprints, and scrolled to the engine schematics, her finger tracing the plasma nacelles and coolant systems. She muttered. "No, that won't work, too much pressure in the conduits," she said, laughing softly. "But if I reroute the coolant through the secondary relays... no, too slow. Wait, the auxiliary plasma vents!" She corrected herself, her eyes darting, and laughed again, muttering, "Stupid, Velea, think!" Vaylin watched, her face pale, as Velea's muttering made her seem half-mad.

"YES!" Velea shouted, rushing to the terminal. She tore off the panel beneath it, exposing a mess of wires and circuits. She yanked out her broken communicator, and spliced it into the terminal's data bus. Her fingers moved fast, rewiring the power cell to bypass the fried relays, using a microfilament shunt to boost the signal. She rerouted the antenna's gain through an auxiliary pathway, her hands steady despite the blood on her face. The communicator flickered, then hummed to life, its signal strong.

She tapped it, shouting, "Jaden, are you there?"

"Velea!" Jaden's voice crackled through, relief flooding his words. "Are you okay?"

"Me?" Velea shouted. "What about you? Are you okay? Tell me everything's okay!"

"I'm fine," Jaden said. "Collan took Padmé and is trying to escape. I'm going after them now."

"Jaden, wait!" Velea said urgently. "You heard the announcement, right? The ship's going to blow, but I have a plan. I can stop it, but I need you, Jaden. I can't do it alone, and only you have the same knowledge and skill with engines."

"Get Scout to do it," Jaden said. "She's—"

"A splicing genius, decent at tech, but she can't do this," Velea interrupted. "We need to be in sync, or it won't work!"

Jaden stood staring down the corridor where Collan had fled with Padmé. Velea's voice came through an open channel, and everyone—Anakin, Aubrie, Zule, Sabe—heard her plea. Jaden's anger burned, fresh from Collan's attack, the scar on his throat still raw. Collan had nearly killed him, caused countless deaths, and now held Padmé and the Holocron. Jaden stepped forward, his lightsaber in hand, but Aubrie and Zule grabbed his arms, stopping him.

"Jaden, everyone on this ship will die if you don't help Velea," Aubrie said pleadingly.

"I can't let him get away!" Jaden shouted, his voice shaking with rage. "He's too dangerous to be left alive!"

Aubrie cupped his face, her hands gentle. "Jaden, you have to choose right now," she said. "Revenge or the lives of everyone on this ship."

Jaden's fists clenched, his heart torn. Collan's crimes were numerous and letting him escape made him angry, but the thought of losing Velea, Aubrie, Zule, and countless others weighed heavier. He exhaled, his resolve hardening, and tapped his comm. "Velea, where do I need to go?" he asked, his voice calm.

"Engine room," Velea said. "I'll meet you there."

"Alright," Jaden said, nodding firmly.

Anakin stepped forward, picking up a mercenary's blaster. "Don't worry," he said. "I'll go after Eislo. He won't get away with Padmé."

"Thanks, Anakin," Jaden said, gratitude in his voice. "Be careful."

Anakin checked the blaster, a grim smile forming. "I will," he said. "I don't need to get close this time."

Jaden turned to Aubrie and Zule, his eyes serious. "Lead everyone here to the escape pods," he said. "Get them out safely."

Aubrie hesitated, her hand lingering on his arm. "I don't want to leave you," she said. Zule nodded. "Me neither," she added.

"You said it yourself, Aubrie," Jaden said as he touched her face. "These people need you. Go."

Aubrie's eyes glistened, but she nodded. Jaden kissed her gently, then kissed Zule, both of them melting into him. "Contact Scout," he said. "Get her down here to help with the evacuation." He turned and ran toward the engine room.

He ran through the shaking corridors, the ship's alarms blaring, red lights flashing overhead. He stumbled as the floor lurched, nearly falling, but caught himself on a wall. He reached the turbolift and scanned his Level 5 pass, the doors hissing open. He stepped inside and pressed the button for main engineering. The lift started moving, but halfway down, it jolted and stopped. Jaden cursed loudly, slamming his fist against the panel. A robotic voice repeated, "Warning: Turbolift hydraulic subsystem failure. Emergency lockdown engaged." The warning looped, the voice stuttering as the lift crept downward, then sputtered out, lights flickering.

Jaden pried open the control panel, wires sparking, and hesitated for a moment. He triggered the emergency drop, and the lift plummeted. The force slammed him upward, his back hitting the ceiling hard, pain shooting through him. He cursed again, reaching out with the Force, and flipped the override switch. The lift screeched to a stop, and Jaden crashed to the floor, grunting in pain. He got up, wincing, and forced the doors open with his hands, stepping into main engineering.

The engine room was empty, a ghost town of abandoned stations. The engine core roared, a deep, unstable hum, and plasma fires burned across consoles and pipes, small explosions popping. Jaden looked at the core, its glow pulsing erratically, warning lights flashing red.

"Jaden!" Velea said, crawling out of a vent across the room.

"Velea!" Jaden said, running to her. He hugged her tightly, then kissed her, their lips meeting passionately despite the minor explosions around them. Sparks flew from a nearby console, but they held each other, lost in the moment, until a voice interrupted.

"Guys, the ship?!" Vaylin said, climbing out of the vent behind Velea.

Velea pulled away, giggling. "Sorry," she said, her cheeks flushed.

Jaden smiled, his heart lifting at seeing Velea alive. He touched her arm and said, "What's the plan?"

Velea nodded, her face serious. "Below main engineering is the engine core," she said. "We bypass the plasma regulators by rerouting the control systems through auxiliary conduits in the engineering bay. This lets us open internal venting channels not normally accessible in active status. Then we initiate a synchronous magnetic suppression loop in the plasma modulation chamber, using two synced magnetic field emitters placed at either end of the chamber. We need to sync them both within seconds of each other, or it won't work. The emitters will create a stabilizing force to collapse the feedback loop and allow the plasma to drain harmlessly into the radiation catch tanks."

Jaden understood immediately and said, "We'll need to prime the engine for a reset and purge the fuel before we start, or the loop won't hold."

Velea smirked and said, "You're not just a pretty face, are you?" She kissed him again, and said, "Let's get to work."

Vaylin stopped them before they moved. She said, "I believe in you, but just in case, I want to talk to someone before we die. Can I borrow a communicator?"

Jaden handed her his communicator and smiled. He said, "Don't worry, Vaylin. Also It's good to see you again." He and Velea left, heading to the main engine room, then descended a ladder into the chamber outside the core room, carrying the emitters.

Vaylin held the communicator and contacted Palpatine. She said, "Chancellor, it's me." Her voice was sad, and she continued, "I miss you… and… I'm sorry I didn't live up to your expectations."

Palpatine replied with three words: "Awaken, Daughter, Tenebra."

Vaylin's face changed, her eyes hardening. She dropped the communicator and crushed it under her boot. She reached into her boots, pulled out two hidden lightsabers, and gripped them tightly, her posture shifting.

Meanwhile Jaden and Velea worked in the chamber, setting up the magnetic field emitters, the engine core roaring louder, small explosions bursting around them, pipes hissing plasma. Velea shouted, "Jaden!"

"What?" Jaden shouted back, securing his emitter.

"I'm having fun!" Velea shouted, grinning.

"What?!" Jaden said, confused. "In a situation like this?"

"I'm with you, I’m about to save an entire ship of people, after just completing a partially successful heist," Velea said, giggling. "I've never felt so alive before!"

"Do you think we'll have these kinds of adventures in the Unknown Regions?" she asked, adjusting her emitter.

"Hopefully ones with less danger," Jaden replied, making her laugh.

"Jaden, I love you!" Velea shouted, her smile huge.

Jaden opened his mouth to reply, but a pipe exploded near him, forcing him to duck. "We need to get these done now!" he shouted, avoiding the sparks.

"I've almost set mine up!" Velea replied, tweaking the emitter's controls.

"Me too, let me know when you're ready!" Jaden shouted, checking his device.

However before they could continue Vaylin dropped into the chamber, landing loudly. Velea saw this and frowned, she shouted, "Vaylin, go back up! It's not safe down here!"

Jaden saw this as well and shouted, "Get out of here, Vaylin!" But she didn't respond and kept walking toward him.

Jaden felt a warning through the Force one almost as bad as what he had gotten with Collan. He noticed Vaylin's eyes were no longer blue but yellow, glowing with malice. He stood straight, stepping back from the emitter. "Vaylin?" he said cautiously.

"You thought you killed me?" Vaylin said, a sickly smile spreading across her face. "You thought throwing me down that chasm ended me?"

"No..." Jaden said, as he came to a sickening realisation. “It can’t be… it can’t be you!”

"You don't know the power of the dark side," Vaylin said, her voice dripping with venom.

"I hope you're ready, Jaden," she said, igniting both red lightsabers with a snap-hiss. "I won't be playing around this time."

Jaden ignited his green lightsaber, and braced for her attack. Vaylin was one of the sweetest most innocent people he had ever met, how could she also be a Sith Lord that had been hunting him down for months. “Vaylin! This can’t be you,” he said, his mind refusing to accept the reality of what he saw.

*BOOM*

A large explosion tore through the corridor beside them sending Jaden rocking. It was at this moment that Vaylin chose to strike, she screamed and jumped forward with both lightsabers outstretched as she sliced them inwards, intent on bisecting him. Jaden flipped backwards on one hand before leaning back and avoiding the subsequent swipe that Vaylin tried to deliver. She thrust her lightsaber forward and Jaden parried it off to the side, but her next one was already aiming for his neck and he had to duck.

Vaylin pushed him back more and more with fast and powerful strikes—much more so than she had in the black market in the undercity. Jaden parried and avoided them the best he could, but it seemed her skill with a lightsaber far outstretched his own—even more than he thought. “What’s wrong Jaden!” Vaylin screamed as she slashed his lightsaber away with one blade and attacked with another forced Jaden to jump backwards onto a higher platform, she followed, jumping into a somersault that ended in a kick that she delivered right into Jadens chest sending him crashing back into the wall.

Meanwhile Velea stood helplessly down by the core, unable to enact her plan and unable to help Jaden. “Scout? Aubrie? Zule? We need you! Jadens being attacked by Vaylin! We need help! Come in!” She screamed desperately as more explosions racked the engine core.

“Velea! *Bzzzzzt* come *Bzzzzzzt* help.” Velea heard through the comms, though she couldn’t make out who was talking. Velea figured that the radiation build up from the excess plasma was having an effect on communications. She could only hope that whoever had heard her understood they needed help and come quickly. Velea winced as she saw Vaylin kick Jaden from the upper platform where he then landed roughly below and only barely avoided her landing and impaling him with both lightsabers.

‘Jaden please be okay!’ She pleaded internally. Reluctantly she turned her attention back to the plan; she had to otherwise they would all be dead. Without Jaden Plan A was shot, she had to figure out a Plan B and try to do something on her own. With a heavy heart she knelt down and got to work and tried to ignore the ache in her heart at Jaden being on the edge of life and death just behind her.

Jaden spun around Vaylins flipping his lightsaber behind him and deflecting her blade before be brought to back and slashed it diagonally, Vaylin avoided it, but Jaden moved into a pivot and delivered a force enhanced sidekick right to her waist which sent her crashing into the control panel. She growled and jumped off throwing a lightsaber at him, one he deflected though it caught him off hard when she through her hand forward sending a powerful wave at him which sent him flying backwards and skidding off the ground; before he could crash into anything he was stopped and then dragged back towards Vaylin who was also holding her second lightsaber with the force and dragging Jaden into it.

Jaden tried hard to break her hold over him but it was difficult, she was powerful and much better trained than he was. Channeling as much power as he could he forced it outwards repelling her back though it only made her skid back slightly and her second lightsaber promptly flew into her hand. “You are weak,” she said before spitting on the ground. She then lunged forward slashing both lightsabers down. Jaden held his own green lightsaber horizontally clashing with her. Spark flew from their blades as both pushed against each other. “Vaylin… please stop, we’re all going to die if we don’t fix the engine,” Jaden pleaded.

“Then I will have fulfilled my masters will,” Vaylin replied with a manic smile on her face before she pushed her lightsabers up opening him up she then spun and kicked him sending him tumbling back before she reversed her lightsabers grip and stabbed at him.

“AHHHHH!” Jaden yelled as two lightsabers impaled him in the stomach. Vaylin drew them out before going to end it, but Jaden managed to throw himself back only to be caught in the force as Vaylin started to choke him. Jaden felt his airways restrict and a slow crushing force surround his neck, he looked down at Vaylins face, the once blue eyes and innocent smile had turned into something he didn’t even recognise. The weeks he’d spent in Padmè’s apartment, the weeks he’d spent with her, she had even comforted him when he’d discovered the void brand.

It was all a lie.

Jaden found his anger growing even more, pushing against its cages. Ever since Jaden had removed the void brand he had experienced joy, lust, passion, a whole range of emotions. Right now he was feeling true anger, anger that wasn’t dulled by the void brand, anger that wouldn’t melt away within a few hours.

Gripping onto the force that flowed through him like a lake, he stopped it moving until it stood still. He let the anger fuel him, he let the power flood his body. Jadens eyes soon flashed yellow and he started to roar as he pushed back against Vaylin who struggled a lot more until finally he broke out of her grip and slammed her back into the core. Using the pain he felt from his wounds he jumped forward at a speed he’d never felt before and stabbed at Vaylin. She flipped out of the way, but Jaden followed. He reached out with the force dragged her back across the ground; she quickly broke out of it and slashed at him with a single lightsaber.

Jaden roared as he swiped his own to the left with such power it almost disarmed her, she used the momentum to try and slide him from shoulder to waist with her other lightsaber, but Jaden stepped inside her guard and shoulder checked her before grabbing her neck and letting a force wave emit from it, which sent Vaylin flying back into the wall.

She yelled out in pain and looked at Jaden murderously. “The darkside is not your ally, it will not save you,” she hissed. She then leaped forward screaming as she slashed down, Jaden deflected both blades and began slashing at her again and again pushing her backwards, she tried to slip to his right but he pivoted to her left and kicked her knee before smashing his hilt in her face then aiming to behead her. She blocked his lightsaber with a cross guard, one he pushed against, till the point she was on her knees.

“You were my friend…” Jaden hissed.

He then slashed down at her with an overhead strike.

Again

And again

And again.

“You traitor!!!” He screamed as he broke her guard and went to kill her only to be shot with a torrent of lightning from her which sent him skidding backwards as he grunted in pain.

“DIE!” Vaylin screamed as she sent as much power through her hands as she could, to the point where her hands were starting to blacken.

Jaden grimaced in pain however his eyes opened and he glared back at Vaylin before he started actively using Tutaminis to absorb the lightning into his body before he raised his hands and shot it back. Vaylin caught off guard was pushed back but soon got her footing and managed not to be overwhelmed. The area around them started to break apart and burn as their clash of power started to grow.

Velea could only watch helplessly as it happened, though her mind was still occupied with trying to save the ship. “Come on! Come on! Think!” She said before she tried to link both devices so she could control them only for it to fail. She then rushed over to the control panel and try to fix the automatic setting that would allow them to vent plasma, but like she thought that option had been taken away by that damn Mandolorian. She had somehow tied all the admin controls into that one maintenance panel and then destroyed it. “Kriff!!!” She shouted as she hit the control panel. Velea then looked up at the engine core, there was only one option left.

“Velea!” She heard someone shout from behind her. Velea turned to see Aubrie and Zule rush towards her. Before they could even get a word in Velea quickly grabbed them. “You need to help Jaden! He’s lost himself! He needs you!” She said quickly and in a panic.

“What about the engine!” Zule shouted over the sound explosions.

“Don’t worry… I know what I have to do,” Velea said to them. Both Aubrie and Zule nodded at her, they trusted Velea knew what she was doing. However before they could leave to help Jaden she grabbed both their arms. “Look after him… he needs you more than he’ll ever admit.” She said to them with a small smile on her face.

“Always,” they both said at the same time. Veleas smile brightened and she let them go. “Go save our pain in the ass,” she said. Zule and Aubrie both ignited their lightsabers and rushed into the fight.

When they left Velea slapped her cheeks “Okay girl, you can do this,” she said to herself. Velea moved to the terminal once more and set up the manual activation sequence for the plasma exhaust override.

*Warning: Plasma Exhaust Override requires—*

“Yeah yeah, computer bitch I got it,” Velea said as she turned the insufferable woman off; she’d been getting nothing but bad news from her lately. Velea started the sequence and watched as the chamber in front of her started flashing blue behind the transparisteel it lay behind. She then quickly moved over to a hatch that led into the inner chamber, her hand hovered over the button that opened the door.

She was shaking.

Velea laughed. “I guess… I don’t want to… heh…” she said looking down at her shaking hand before tightening it and punching the button opening the door. The moment she did she was hit with an unbearable heat, she quickly got inside and shut the door behind her; immediately in front of her was another hatch that led from the threshold into the inner chamber actual. She pressed the other button and was hit with an even more intense heat.

As she walked inside the chamber she looked at the exposed core and couldn’t help but smile. Behind the transparisteel a lot of the colours were muted. ‘This is beautiful,’ she thought to herself as she made her way to the plasma exhaust valve. She had to navigate over some very treacherous terrain as many live wires and open circuits were in the inner chamber. She quickly ducked as two rods started sparking electricity between them. While she was on her knees she felt her stomach turn and she threw up, she felt her stomach clench in pain but she pushed herself to keep moving and grabbed a cable and swung across a plasma junction to get to the valve.

“I made it…” she said a little deliriously, before putting her hands on the valve, her hand burned as soon as she made contact and she quickly drew it back, even with the stealth suit she could feel it on her hands. She looked at her hands and then at the core which was becoming increasingly unstable. She steeled herself and put her hands back on the valve. “AGHHH!!!” She screamed as her hands started to sizzle. She grit her teeth and turned the valve activating the manual sequence. She fell backwards on her ass after she was done and threw up once again, her gaze turned to the core where she saw the plasma being funnelled through in different directions.

It had worked.

Velea smiled as she pushed herself up and started making her way back to the hatch.

…

Jaden and Vaylin were still in a struggle, as Jaden who was now generating his own lightning clashed with Vaylins. The Sith Lord screamed as she channeled the frustration of Jaden overpowering her into more power. Jaden who was overwhelmed by anger, could still think rationally enough to know when he was about to be beaten. In a extremely dangerous manoeuvre Jaden increased the rate and intensity of the Tutaminis and sucked in everything Vaylin generated in only a few seconds only for him to release it back out in a shockwave that destroyed everything in a twenty metre radius and sent Vaylin through multiple walls.

Jaden then reached out and dragged Vaylin back with the force. The girls head was bleeding and she looked to be unconscious, but that didn’t matter to Jaden who had his lightsaber ignited and ready to strike the Sith Lord down.

“Jaden wait!” He heard a voice say from behind him, but it didn’t stop him. He continued to raise his lightsaber, however before he could raise it and kill his enemy a hand gripped his and stopped it, and another wrapped around him in what must’ve been an attack from behind. He dropped the lightsaber and caught it with his other hand, he then reversed the grip on his hand and through the person way from him before letting out a small shockwave to force whoever attacked him from the back. He then turned around and gripped both of them by their throats with the force.

“Jaden…” Aubrie croaked as she was being choked to death.

“It’s us…” Zule said as her leg kicked out trying to find any footing.

“We are here for you…” Aubrie said, seemingly uncaring of what he was currently doing to them.

Those words seemed to break through to him—in his haze of anger—and his eyes flickered before he looked up. “Zule? Aubrie?” He said questioningly before he looked down at himself, realising what he was doing and letting them go. “I’m sorry I didn’t—“ he tried to say but was stopped when Aubrie and Zule hugged him tightly.

“It’s okay Jaden, we’re here,” Aubrie said as she stroked his back. Jaden hugged them tightly, but their union was soon brought to an end by an alarm a different on this time.

*Plasma Ejection Underway*

Jaden looked at the core and saw the excess power being vented. “What happened? how did you fix it?” He asked as his gaze turned back to Aubrie and Zule.

“It wasn’t us,” Zule replied.

“Velea said she knew what to do and told us to focus on helping you,” Aubrie added.

Jaden frowned “But she couldn’t have done it on her own… not unless… No!” He shouted before rushing over to the core.

“Jaden is hats wrong!” Aubrie said as she followed him.

“Velea!!!” He shouted desperately hoping to see her somewhere.

“Jaden is what’s happening!” Aubrie said again.

“VELEA!!!” He shouted again, as if his very scream could summon her. Yet she was not there.

*Knock*

*Knock*

“No… no no no,” Jaden said as he put his hands to his head. He couldn’t turn around, even though he knew the truth, even though he knew exactly what he would see when he turned around.

“Velea!” Aubrie/Zule shouted as they rushed over to the hatch that led to the inner chamber.

“Hold on Velea we will get you out!” Zule said.

“Jaden come here quickly, we need your help,” Aubrie said.

“Jaden I can’t get the door open,” Zule added as she used her prosthetic hand to try and force it.

Jaden finally turned around, only to see Velea leaning against the transparisteel hatch that led to the inside of the engine core. He walked slowly towards the hatch ignoring Aubrie and Zule, even pushing them away as soon as he got there.

Velea was panting heavily looked at Jaden as he arrived and smiled.

“Hey,” she said as she slowly pushed herself further up the glass.

“H-Hey,” Jaden replied, his voice cracking as he spoke, tears threatening to pour down his face.

Velea coughed again her head bowing down letting Jaden see the numerous burns that were appearing across her skin. Tears started falling down his cheeks as he watched her.

When she looked up at him she smiled. “Don’t give me that look… I much prefer it when you smile,” she said in a low voice.

After a moment she spoke again. “Did I do it? Did I save the ship?” She asked.

“You did… even if it was foolish and reckless and downright idiotic,” he said his voice full of emotion.

“Sounds just like my style,” she said with a small laugh before coughing again.

“Jaden?!” Aubrie said as she grabbed his shoulder. “We should probably let her out now.”

“Yeah, come on and help me!” Zule said as she continued to try and pry the door open she even got her lightsaber out, but the thickness of the hatch made it so burning through was a slow process.

“You girls…” Velea said looking at Aubrie and Zule. “You’re truly greatest friends I-I could’ve e-ever hoped to have…” she said her voice stuttering slightly.

Aubrie frowned. “What do you mean? Why are you saying that? Jaden what does she mean?!”

“You… can’t open… the hatch” Velea said her breathing starting to get even more ragged.

“Don’t be a fool, we will open it, Jaden help me!!!” Zule said as she continued to try and open it.

“You understand… don’t you?” Velea said looking at Jaden.

Tears started falling freely down his face. “I do…” he said quietly.

“I could open the hatch… I could heal you, it doesn’t have to be like this,” he added after.

“You might… heal me… but what about everyone else on the ship… what about you?” Velea asked rhetorically.

“Jaden… what does she mean?” Aubrie asked as she started to get a sinking feeling in her stomach.

Jaden wiped his face. “To stop the core from going critical, Velea had to trigger the plasma ejectors manually.”

“The inner chamber is the most radioactive place on the ship, it’s why the plates are so thick around it, but the moment she triggered the plasma ejectors the radiation inside would’ve spiked to at least a hundred times normal.”

“A hundred… and fifty…” Velea corrected.

“The radiation will eventually normalise, but it won’t until the plasma has been vented… if we open that hatch before then everyone on the ship will die…” he said though he had to force the words out of his throat.

“No…” Aubrie said as she covered her mouth with both hands, tears spilling from her eyes. “Velea… can’t we—“

“There is… nothing you can.. do,” Velea said cutting her off.

“If you girls… don’t mind… I want… to have a moment… with Jaden,” she wheezed.

“Of course…” Aubrie said, crying freely now, though before she left she put her hand on the glass. “I wish I could’ve known you better,” she said.

Velea smiled at her.

Zule who tried to hold back the tears—that continued to fall freely—crouched down as well. “I owe my happiness to you… I hope to see you again,” she said in a quiet voice that almost broke.

“The stars… guide us apart… but the force draws us together,” Velea coughed. Zule couldn’t handle it anymore and left fully giving into the tears and hugging Aubrie for support.

With them gone it was only Jaden and Velea. Jaden looked at her. “I can save you…” he said, his voice tight with emotion, his fists clenched, as if ready to rip the door off. “P-Please let me save you…” he said, his voice breaking.

Velea smiled softly at him. “Jaden… my life never began until I met you,”

“The last few months we spent together were the best of my life…”

“I thank the gods or the force or whoever is looking down on me for bringing us together… and I hope… I-I hope they’ll bring us together again…” she said as tears started to fall down her cheeks.

“Velea… please… I can’t…” Jaden said as he leaned his head against the hatch door directly opposite her own.

“I wish…”

“I wish…”

“We could’ve flown away together…”

“Into the forever…”

“And beautiful sky…”

…

…

“Velea?”

…

…

“Velea…”

…

…

“Please come back…”

___________________________

(AN: Alright guys that’s the end of the Gala, of course it’s not the end of the arc we still got that bitch Collan to deal with. Anyway let’s address the elephant in the room, I’m sure a lot of you are gonna be upset about such a hot piece of ass dying, trust me I am too. I mean I developed her character, I have that father kind of connection. But she was always meant to die, from the moment she was introduced. Do you think Jaden would ever come back if he didn’t have sufficient motivation to fight in the war? Velea has always been a plot motivation for Jaden to fight and train sadly. Her death has meaning and when Jaden finds out about Palpatine let’s just say he’s not going to be a happy camper. But anyway apart from that I hope you enjoyed the chapter.)

If you like my stuff consider supporting me.

Patreon.com/captainalfie78works