"Zar'kun Je'and?" I grown. "As if your son wasn't bad enough." I shake my head in exasperation. "Listen, I don't know what your fixation with me is, but we really don't have time to get into it. Things are going to hell in a hand basket out here. The Mandos are turning on each other and massacring civilians in the streets. I need to get Korre out of here before they decide to turn on us too!"

"And just who arranged for the Saxon youths to gun down Gavin Gressh as he addressed the populace? Who would have had the glorious idea to set up a Mandalorian Civil war so soon after their victory?" One of my lightsabers flies into my hand, the black blade springing to life with a snap-hiss. "Your magic leaves a distinct stench. And you reek of abundant use of it."

Instinctively, I activate my main lightsaber. It slides out of my sleeve and sparks a violet blade. However, I do not attack. "I 'reek' of magick because I have been using it to protect myself, you dolt! I've been fighting for my life all morning!" I hold my lightsaber in a Makashi defensive stance. "Why is it whenever something goes wrong, you assume it's my fault?! Why can't you just accept that I'm not the bad guy anymore?!"



I watch the exchange from a distance, ready to drop in and help take the witch down if necessary.

"Have you? I've spoken with my son, Xanthippe. Never once did the Saxons fire on you. Awfully strange, wouldn't you agree?" Xan and I begin to circle each other, though neither of us makes a move to attack. "Be a good chance for you to snatch Korre and Valkorion away, while the Mandalorians are busy with their infighting and staving off a potentially enraged Revolution. You could deal with whoever you felt was in your way and by the time we caught on, you'd have already left the planet. Pity you used the youth of a loyal clan to do it."

My anger begins to boil to the surface, though I am trying to contain myself. "Back off, Zar'kun. This is your only warning. I'm telling you right here, right now, I'm not responsible for any of this. But if you don't end this foolishness now, I swear I won't hesitate to do what I have to. You've already tried to cripple me once. I won't give you the chance to try it again!"



"Hold on, now!" I yell from the side lines. "Lets not tear each other apart here! What evidence is there of what you claim, Zar'kun? And I mean REAL evidence. Jedi senses don't hold up in a court of law, I'm afraid."



I walk out, fully dressed in my armor and accompanied by a group of elite Mandalorian Protectors. "What evidence do we need? She's a witch. She's obviously guilty." I pull my beskad sword, and the protectors power up their shields. "Why are we wasting time talking? You know she specializes in getting into people's heads. Making them doubt themselves. Let her speak long enough and she'll have even you believing her, Zar'kun. She's already bewitched this hapless fool." I point to Organa.

"There will be no court of law, Lord Organa, not for this. You were there, you saw the lives her manipulations took." My second saber activates and I cross the pair in front of me. "This is between myself and Xanthippe, Manda'lor. I ask that you not get involved." I uncross my sabers and slide into a fighting stance. "This is as much a matter of pure exhaustion as it is duty. First you involve an innocent girl who trusted you simply by her association with you because you conspired with Darth Trayus. Then you put my family in danger by trying to play both sides." Blue flames dance along the length of my sabers and I move forwards. "And now the hundreds of innocents and a young man who only wanted to make the galaxy a better place." Lunging, I unleash a rapid flurry of attacks against Xan, putting her immediately on the defensive. "There will be no mercy this time, Xanthippe."

As I jump back, Iwan’s acid green lightsaber activates in my off hand. I do my best to deflect Zar’kun’s attack with both weapons, though I do not attempt any counter attack. After a few moments of defending his powerful barrage, something clicks in my brain. Using the Force to increase my speed, I quickly twist away from Zar’kun and kick him away from me. I then backflip across the pad to give myself extra room for what I’m about to do next.

Looking directly at him, I hold out both my lightsabers... and drop them. They deactivate and clatter to the ground. I then drop to my knees. “I will not fight you, Zar’kun. Please... I just want to go home.” Tears welling in my eyes. “I know I’ve been manipulative in the past... and I know my mistakes cost everyone greatly... but I swear I’m not responsible for this.”



I roll my eyes. “Crocodile tears? Really?” I turn away in apparent disgust. “Finish her, Zar’kun. The Revolution needs justice. I thr mean time, I need to meet with Cosen Greshh before she leaves.” I signal the Elite Protectors to stay behind while I walk away to find my own shuttle.

"Then explain your manipulation of Lord Organa." A wave of Force energy passes over the Alderaanian noble and the run shimmers briefly into sight. "I'm willing to bet I'd find something similar to it on Zarka Saxon. He had no memory of being manipulated, but his warriors swear that he said he passed the order along on Manda'lor's wishes."

“That is a bet you would lose, Zar’kun! Put aside your hatred for me and LISTEN for once!” I wave towards the rune on Armond’s head. “It is a PROTECTION stave! I didn’t know which Mandalorians were friends and which wanted us dead, and since we’re about to walk straight into the Mando’s nest, I wanted to me extra safe. As for Zarka... wouldn’t you have sensed it? You sniffed out Armond’s ward so easily, so why not Chief Saxon? Find him and try to dispel the hidden mark. I promise you he doesn’t have one.” I stand up. “Look back on the facts, Zar’kun. I mean REALLY look back. Your brain has done so many mental gymnastics that rather than connecting the pieces to form a theory, you’ve recut the puzzle to fit your own preconception of me!”



The leader of the Elite Protectors speaks up. “You were seen at the after battle celebration the other night, speaking with Allit’alor Saxon for a great length of time. It can be deduced that that was when your conspiracy was conceived.”



I glare at the Mando with the shield. “I was speaking to Saxon, yes. But it had nothing to do with this!”



“Says the witch. Can we just finish her off already?” My squad ready to advance on my order.

I hadn't moved, but I fixed Rau with a look. "I asked that you stay out of this. Please respect that as I did Manda'lor's handling of Zarka Saxon." I turn back to Xanthippe. "Every warrior involved in the attack at the plaza was a Saxon youth, either newly earned their Bes'kar or rookie enough to be looking to simply appease their clan chief and follow his orders. Much easier to manipulate or trick through illusion or mentally influenced Clan Chief, as they wouldn't know him as well, than any of the clan's older warriors. You knew that and you knew enough about Zarka that either influencing him to think Manda'lor had spoken with him or using an illusion to make him believe he was speaking with her would have been possible."

I pause as I mull over the rest of my information. "And as I mentioned before, manipulating a civil war between the Mandalorians and war with the Revolution would create enough Chaos that you could snag Korrè and run. My opinion of you, Miss Naberrie, was formed on our first meeting, which was preceded by you attempting to get my grandson and his cousin to murder each other on this very planet. And since we first met, you have repeatedly committed yourself to the same mistakes for a different purpose. Give me a reason to believe you didn't do this and I'll only see you put in prison. Even if this wasn't your fault, you colluded with a Lord of the Sith and attempted murder on numerous occasions."

I rack my brain trying to think of something to say that will clear my name... but I can think of nothing. “What were you expecting? Me to reveal some huge detail that’ll change your whole perspective on things? The simple fact is I had nothing to do with Gavin’s assassination. I don’t know why the Saxons didn’t attack me. Maybe whoever did this WANTED you to believe I was guilty. You’ve been looking for a reason to finish me off for a while now, so why not?” I look at the Mando protectors. “Notice how eager they are to silence me? What if this conspiracy runs deeper than you think? You say the young warriors believed it was a massive attack rather than a one clan operation? Well... what if it was originally? What if the Clan Chiefs all wanted to discredit Mand’alor, but they chickened out at the last minute and left Saxon our to dry?”



I don’t interfere, as per Zar’kun’s request, but my grip on my weapons tightens, and I look poised to attack at any moment.



I notice that. “Saxon was afraid something like this would happened. He told me that at the party. He said he was worried for Mand’alor’s health. I think he suspected someone was going to hurt her. Perhaps they were the ones that set him up; to silence him!”

"You just insulted the Clan Chiefs, Xanthippe. Pardon them if it's an unappreciated gesture. And you seem to forget that one of those chief's is her own father and loyal to Mandalorian beliefs possibly more so than any other Mandalorians I've ever met." I sigh before I hear the approach of one of the transports and remember that one had been bringing Kamari, Talion Wren and a Saxon prisoner to the hotel and I deactivate my lightsabers before beckoning to a nearby pair of Mandalorians. "There are still more pieces to this puzzle that need solved. Until they are, you'll be kept in containment." The first Mandalorian to reach her put stuncuffs on her wrists, preventing use of any Force powers and much movement. "A younger me, Xan, wouldn't have hesitated and wouldn't have cared what you had to say. He would have separated your head from your body and been done with this. But age brings perspective, and with perspective brings deeper thought. I was once a Jedi Sentinel, I sought out the Dark Side to destroy it. While this may not be a Dark Side manipulation, those skills can still be of use. If you will, take her to sit with Korrè. I'll be along after the interrogation of the Saxon to speak with her."

As the Mandos drag me away, I look back at Zar’kun. “You know I’m right! If they try to silence me like they did Zarka, you’ll know I was right!!”



“Shut up, witch.” I push her forward, forcing her to walk back into the command center with us.



Inside Korre’s room, I put down my communicator and look at Jakito. “Everyone’s accounted for. Koraline and Luci are alive, though they won’t be able to help us investigate. Seems they overindulged on the Mandalorian brew last night and are now nursing severe hangovers. As for Caalin, it seems he got some ideas of his own. He slipped away late last night, stole a starfighter and disappeared off planet. All he left behind was a hastily scribbled note about tracking down Hayden.”



I shake my head. “Stupid love sick boy. Reminds me of myself.” I chuckle. “What about Satele? You don’t think Nab...” I quickly glance at Korre. “I mean... Saxon had her killed, do you?”



“You really think Satele would let a bunch of Mandos get the better of her? No, I’m sure she’s fine. But... she’s disappeared too... again.”



“Great! Just when we could have used her to help figure this mess out. Once again, we’re left to deal with it all alone.” I rest my chin on my fist.



I look between the two. “You know... I’m not stupid. I know what your not telling me. You think Senator Naberrie is behind all this. Well... as you could probably guess, I don’t believe it. And before you say anything, I KNOW what she has done. I know she’s deceptive, and manipulative, and all all around and person. But I also know that she knows that, and I know that she knows that you know... you know?” At Jakito’s confused expression, I clarify. “She’s obviously the one behind this... which is why I don’t believe she is the one behind it. Xan is too clever to have been so careless. She’d have layered her deception better. She’d have put herself in a position where she couldn’t be caught. And most of all, she wouldn’t have let you two watch me if she was expecting to make a quick get away.”



I think about it for a moment. “Maybe... or maybe not. But I trust my old master is wise enough to come to the right conclusion in the end.” I pick back up my communicator. “Status, Zar’kun?”

I walk with Talion and Kamari as they lead the Saxon to one of the lower levels for his interrogation, but I pick up anyways. "Xanthippe is on her way to you and Korrè. I feel our previous conversation may have her be less willing to talk to me, but perhaps you three can get more details. That's going to be the most important. I'll contact you with what I get from this Saxon when we're done interrogating him."

"Copy that. We'll have a little chat of our own." I put my comm away and go to the door. "Well, I guess everything is under control now. No need to stay locked up anymore." I unlock the door. Immediately, the door opens and a nurse droids flies in, complaining in binary. "Hey! Sorry to throw off your schedule. it was an emergency!" The droid ignores me and goes straight to Korre, flying around her and Val to make sure they are doing well.



The group of Mandalorian Protectors steer me down the hall, surrounding me on all sides. I can see the hall leading to Korrè's room. I make to go in that direction, but the Mandos stop me, instead forcing me to go down a different hall. "Uh, excuse me! Your going the wrong way!"



I press my vibro sword to Xan's back. "Shut your mouth. We heard what the Jedi said, but we do not take orders from him. Count yourself lucky we don't end your life right now." With Xan in Force-resistant binders, she is virtually helpless as we drag her away to the lower levels of the command center.



Finding a room to preform our interrogation, Talion and I sit Duny Saxon down in a chair and strap his arms down tight. "Gods, I hate dirty work like this. I'll leave the painful part up to you, Talion." I give Duny a look. "Unless you want to just skip all that tell us everything you know?"



I close my eyes tight, looking extremely nervous. "I... I have nothing further to say! Zarka Saxon ordered us to kill the Greshh twins and their supporters! He betrayed Mand'alor! That's all there is to it!"



"You know, the more you say it, the less I believe it." I kneel down in front of him. "Why don't you just talk to us? There really isn't any other option. Holding your tongue will only make it harder for everyone, you most of all. And don't think your Clan Brothers are going to come and get you either, because most of them are dead. Mand'alor put out a death mark on all those who took part in the assassinations, so not only are the Mando'ade gunning for you, but every two-bit bounty hunter is coming after you too. But don't worry; we kept this 'meeting' extra secret. We didn't tell anyone we were here with a prisoner. For all Mand'alor or the Allit'alor know, you're already dead. So... you might as well just tell us whose really behind this."



"It... was... " Grits teeth, visibly trying and failing to stay strong. "Zarka Saxon. Our Allit'alor... betrayed the Mando'ade and... and brought dishonor upon us all."

When I speak, there's no uncertainty in my voice. "You're lying. Your speech is hesitant and your words are false. Continuing to lie will do you no good, because if you don't give me the information we want, then I will tear it from your mind and you will become a vegetable. Quite the dishonor, is it no Kamari?"



I shudder at Zar'kun's threat, trying to imagine doing nothing more than breathing for the rest of my natural life and being unable to. I knew Kamari had nearly been reduced to that and that had to be terrifying.

My eyes bulge. “You... you won’t do that! You’re a Jedi!”



I wince at the thought of his mind being shattered like Kamari’s was. On occasion, I still found Kam’s memories bubbling up to the surface, and some of his old personality had begun to blend itself with my own. “Zar’kun isn’t a Jedi. He does what he has to to get what he needs.”



“If... if you turn me into a vegetable, you’ll get nothing! You can’t afford to scramble my brains!”



Meanwhile, having finally found Temari’s contact info, I call her up. “Hey, or uhh hello ma’am. I’m HJ Twilight, in case you didn’t know. I’m uhh... kinda dating your boss, Mand’alor. Listen, this is gonna sound really weird, but... have you spoken to her recently? She seems exhausted and close to the breaking point. I’m worried being the leader of the Mandalorians is taking too much of a toll on her. Am I just being over protective or have you noticed it too?”

"You seem to misunderstand. I won't simply shatter your mind, I will tear the information I want from it while simultaneously turning your mind into mush. You will spend every single last day of the remainder of your life laying in a bed in an unending coma, in a dreamless sleep that won't even allow you to pretend you died a glorious death in combat like your brothers and sisters. There will be no remorse for it on my part, and there will be no one in this room who mourns you. So, will you tell us willingly or am I going to be leaving you a vegetable?"



There is no immediate response, however after a minute there is a loud bang followed by the sound of a string of Mandalorian curses. A moment later, Temari's image appears. "Ah, HJ Twilight. I have had a few discussions with Manda'lor, but she will not step away readily. Nor will she step down, if that is your next suggestion. I can try and convince her to rest, or we both could talk to her about it, but she would have to loose in single combat to be forced down."

“Okay. Maybe we can talk to her together. She went to go find Cosen Greshh. She’s desperate to keep the Revolution from breaking their alliance with the Mandalorians. She thinks Cosen can help, but I’m pretty sure that after what just happened, Cosen will want no part of it anymore. And well... I’m worried Mand’alor won’t be taking no for an answer here. Plus they already hate each other, so... we should probably get over to her quick.”



I sit in the office formerly reserved for the Supreme Chancellor, located in the upper levels of the Senate Tower. The one in Presidential Palace was pretty ruined after what happened last night. With my feet up on the desk, I watch as two Mandalorian Commandos bring in Cosen Greshh. “Ah, there you are! I was afraid you’d run off on me. Glad my men caught you in time. We have business to discuss.”

"You're right about that. Her youth makes her prone to poor prioritization, despite her skill in battle. I will meet you at the Chancellor's office." Cutting the signal, I retrieve my helmet and head for the lift. Manda'lor had to let this idea that she could control everything go before it got her killed. Stepping onto it, I begin wiping my brow of the oil from our war machines. Didn't do me any good to have grease running into my eyes.