"Nor do I wish to kill you." I nod slowly. "Okay. We shall fight. If I win, then fate has decreed that I am worthy to remain Mand'alor, and I will spend the rest of my life making up for my mistakes, and proving that I can be the leader I always wanted to be. But, if I lose, then I will renounce my title... and spend the rest of my life making up for my mistakes by serving the NEW Mand'alor." I give Temari a mournful smile. "Name the arena."



It was admittedly a bit frightening to see Ava switch so easily between seemingly stable and completely unhinged. I'd underestimated just how strongly she'd been effected by stress and Sucal's dark taint. I cross my arms and stand with Hank. There was too much to say, and it would all come out messy if I tried. "Hank, my friend... Consider yourself lucky you aren't organic."

"The Senate Square should be near enough. It will give the Alit'alors time to get together and prepare to witness what happens."



"Dismissive Statement: Organics have their advantages, Master HJ. I just like mine better."

"Very well. I should make some preparations of my own." I look down at the floor, not wanting to look at HJ. "You should... probably go. We'll talk later... if you want."



"Yeah, maybe we will." I pat Hank on the arm. "Let's leave them alone. I need to sit down for a while."





I am thrown onto the hard floor of a boiler room in the lowermost levels of the hotel/command center. The Mandalorian Protectors stand over me, their leader aiming a blaster at my head. Through it is difficult, I manage to reach out with the Force to the first person that comes to mind. Korre... I'm sorry.



Before Tomar Rau can pull the trigger, a stun bolt hits him in the back and knocks him to the ground. The remaining Protectors turn to see me, flanked by Organa soldiers. “Hold it! In the name of the Galactic Senate of the Republic, I order you to drop your weapons and step away from the Senator immediately.”

I hadn't yet left the lower levels, my instincts telling me that if there were anywhere they'd want to get rid of a Sith Witch with no witnesses, it would be there. Stopping at one point, I reach out to try and find her through the Force. "Come on, Xanthippe. Reach out to someone..." And then I found it, a thought sent to Korrè in desperate apology. And it was all I needed. Using the Force to augment my speed, I rush to where she is two halls over. "Don't let me be too late..."

As expected, the Mandalorians don’t surrender, and instead turn their weapons against Armond and his guards. As a fire fight breaks out, I squirm over to Rau unconscious body, trying to find the key to my cuffs.



My eyes widen as I hear Xan’s voice. At that same time, Valkorion wakes up with a start and begins to cry, almost like he senses it too. “Senator Naberrie is in trouble!”



“That explains why she isn’t here yet. I’ll go after her!” I grab my gear and run for the doors.



“Lowest level! Boiler room! Hurry!”



“And be careful!” I scoop Val up and begin trying to smooth him. Very perceptive child. It went without saying he would one day need an exceptionally powerful teacher to help him control his abilities... and hopefully control his darker feelings as well.”

As the fire fight continues, the doors to the boiler room fly open and I rush in, my black blades activated and already singing when I reach the other Protectors. The first one finds his head missing before he can even finish switching targets, my right saber dispatching him as my left deflects a pair of bolts away from me. The next one got off several shots on me, but they were all deflected away before my sabers removed first both arms and then also his head. The third had managed to pull his bes'kad free, but looked hesitant. "I'll give you one chance to leave alive."

The Protectors exchange looks. With half of their numbers already down and their leader out of action, they decide its better to stand down and fight another day. They drop their weapons and lower their shields.



“Everyone freeze!” I jump out, lightsabers ignited, only to discover that the fight is already over. Looking around at everyone, I strike an awkward casual pose. “Oh... guess I missed it.” I look at Zar’kun. “I’ll get em next time.”



I step out from cover and give the two Jedi a polite clap. “Well done, my friends! Well done indeed... Though I’m sure that, given enough time, my men and I could have handled it ourselves. Your intervention is appreciated none the less though, of course.”



I roll my eyes. “Yes yes. We can all pat each other on the back later. In the meantime...” I hold up my shackled hands. “Please take these off me and I’ll consider being thankful.”

Retrieving the key to Xan's binders from the unconscious Rau's belt, I undo her binders and then turn to leave. "I'm always happy to help, Lord Organa. But I need to speak with Manda'lor about something and ensure our guest is alright."

"I'll see you and your men safely back to your ship, Lord Organa." I direct them to follow me as I lead them away.



I sit on the floor, rubbing my wrists. "Thank you... For a minute there, I actually thought my scheming days had finally caught up to me." I hold up a hand. "Look, before you say anything, I just want to say... You weren't entirely wrong to assume it was me. I mean, you were kinda entirely wrong since every accusation you launched against me proved false, but you weren't wrong in ASSUMING it was me because... well, this is something I'd totally do. But even though I was completely innocent in this situation, I realized there was nothing I could say or do to prove it because up until this point, I've only ever shown myself to be untrustworthy. Organa only come because I compelled him to." I wave my hand. "Oh yeah. That reminds me. That wasn't a protection rune on his head. I lied. It was a mental block to keep him loyal to me and stop him from spilling my secrets. I'll remove it next time I see him." I shrug. "So... yeah. It really sucked to realize I was about to die and nobody cared, and it was all my fault. So thank you for coming after me even though I'm sure you didn't really want to."

"Lord Organa can wait, as you said." I turn back to Xanthippe and sigh. "If you want me to say that saving you wasn't a priority for me, I would be lying. I had you arrested in the good faith that the Protectors would be better than their brothers, perhaps even live up to their title but they did not. If you want out of this madness, I can hardly stop or blame you. And I will even convince Becca to let you take Korrè with you, but I want you to understand that your only way out is to head to Dantooine. I understand that you are likely out of a job on Naboo and your secret lair was exposed by Trayus. But I want you to understand, and help Korrè understand that Valkorian will receive training to control his power and guidance to avoid him retreading a dangerous path that we've all seen the results of once. In exchange, I only ask you do your part in the compound until we can get you and Korrè a home of your own set up on the island."

I nod, relief washing over me. "Korrè likes it on Dantooine. She'll be happy there, and what's more, safe. I'll do what I can to help Valkorion control his abilities as he gets older, though I imagine everyone will want a hand in making sure that boy turns out better than he was intended to be." I sigh. "A quiet life for me on Dantooine? Doesn't sound too horrible. I would have made a terrible Chancellor anyways. I just hope I don't get bored." I half smile. "Oh, what am I saying? Your family attracts drama like flies to a bantha. I'll never know a dull moment again."

"Redeeming Vitiate will be no one person's task, not by any means. And as for trouble..." I look around and then knock on a piece of wood. "Force let this be my LAST galactic scaled adventure."

I am sitting in a detainment room of the space port. Nearby, two medical capsules float; one containing the near dead Salazar, and the other containing Gavin’s dead body. With puff, bloodshot eyes, I look up at the Mandos keeping guard. “Haven’t you jerks bothered us enough? Just give me my daughter back and let us go already!”



I ignore her, instead focusing on keeping watch. I didn’t want one of their Revolution friends coming to attempt a half baked rescue. The Mandalorians has the space port under close watch, allowing only those we are sure are no threat to leave the planet. As I look around, I see a cloaked, hooded figure materialize out of of their crowd. I hold up a hand to stop them. “Hold it there! State your business, citizen!”



I wave my hand in front of her helmet. “Your shift is over. These prisoners are no long se your problem.”



“Hmm... guess my shift is over. These prisoners are no longer my problem.” I lower my weapon and walk away.



I step into the detainment room and lower my hood, going immediately to Salazar’s capsule. “I am glad to see you are alright, Vette. When I heard about the attacks, I feared the worst. It is good that Clan Wren was so willing to help you escape... though it seems not all were as kind hearted.”



“Mand’alor’s orders, they said.” I look disgusted. “I’m surprised the Saxons didn’t try to come after you too. Or did they?”



“They might have, but I was gone before they reached my room. I regret that I could not help further, but I had preparations of my own to make.” I press the button to open Salazar’s capsule. “I still have one part to play here before I leave.”



“Step away from him!” I say as I stalk into the room. I stare at Satele; even as my mother rushes over to give me a hug, I don’t lower my eyes.



I turn away from Salazar, but I don’t distance myself at all. I nod a greeting to Cosen. “Cosen Greshh. I am glad to see you alive as well.”



“Where were you?” I ask, skipping the pleasantries. My lightsaber, which was laying in a bin of contraband, flies into my hand. Without activating it, I walk towards Satele. “While the Mandalorians were killing dozens of people in the streets, while their leader was murdering innocent people to cover her tracks, while the Twilights and Je’ands were running all over the place trying to make heads or tails of all this chaos, where were you?”



My face remains passive. “As I was explaining to Vette, I had personal matters to attend to. I helped where I could, I assure you, but I regret that I could not take a larger role in this conflict. You understand how much the Mandalorians distrust Jedi. Had I interfered, I fear I may have only made things worse.”



“What does it matter where she was? She’s here to help us now, right? Let’s just get out of here.”



“She says she’s here to help, but so far I haven’t seen her do anything that didn’t somehow benefit her agenda. She wouldn’t shut up last night about how important it was for Dad to live. How he needed to be revived in order for the universe to be saved or whatever. She took on Sucal for Dad... but she wouldn’t even fight a few Mandos to save Gavin.” I get up very close to Satele; she is taller than me, but I look up into her face with red hot intensity. “Gavin told me you’ve seen visions. You’ve seen the future and all it’s outcomes. So tell me, in all those visions you saw... did you know what was going to happen today?”



I remain silent for several long moments before finally speaking. “I did.”



Without another word, I activate my lightsaber through Satele’s chest. A tear rolls down my cheek as I drive my blade as deep as it will go. Satele barely flinches in response, simply closing her eyes and accepting it. I see her hand moves to touch my father’s shoulder. She doesn’t so much collapse as fade into nothingness, her lightsaber clattering to the ground and her robes falling down over my father’s body like a shroud.



“COSEN!!” I am completely shocked. “What... what did you...!?!”



I ignore my mother, deactivating my lightsaber and picking up Satele’s as well. I spare a look at my mother, one that is full of pain and regret. None of those feelings slow me down as I walk towards the door.



“Cosen?” I want to chase after her, but my legs don’t move. “Cosen!!” I watch helpless as my daughter disappears into the crowds of people leading for the transports off world. Defeated, I sink to my knees, left all alone with what remained of my family.



My eyes snap open, and I gasp for breath.

Everything having seemingly calmed down, we return to Korrè's room. I immediately give her a big hug, and I smile down at the once again sleeping boy. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you both safe. The Mandos didn't try anything?"



"The Twilights wouldn't have let them if they did. I kept the door closed tight like you said, and they stayed with me the whole time."



I bow my head to Becca. "Thank you once again for keeping them safe."



"It's the least we could do for..." A tremor in the Force hits me like a title wave, and I have to grab the arm of my chair to steady myself. From the way that Xan and Zar'kun are similarly caught by surprise, I know they have sensed it too. It isn't a bad feeling, but it isn't good either. It simply is a ripple of very powerful, very familiar energy. "Satele..."



Valkorion wails awake, also sensing the energy wave. I take him in my arms. "What the heck just happened?"

I sigh sorrowfully and look between Becca, Xan and Korrè. "That was the passing of Grand Master of the Jedi Order, Satele Shan. She has become one with the Force." I walk to the window as the sun sets. "Today has been a very long, very sad day for many of us. Let's just...take a moment, reflect."

I lower my head and think about all the memories I have training under Satele, back when I was trying to be a good Jedi and resist Jakito's 'charms'. She was a good mentor and an even better person. She made mistakes, but she always did what she felt was right. Be one with the Force, Grand Master.



I sit down next to Korrè, feeling suddenly very heavy. We lean on each other, holding Val between us.



As Armond's shuttle flies away from the command center, I turn towards the distant spaceport and the sunset behind it.



I'm walking back towards the command center, deciding to take the long way to reflect. I can sense Satele's passing through the Force, though I can not properly place it. I never knew her, after all, so all I know is something momentous has just occurred.



I turn towards the window, suddenly fully alert. Koraline, lowering the ice pack from her forehead, asks me what's wrong, but she sounds like she's speaking to me from across the universe. "Satele... she's gone."

I stop where I am in the streets and look down them towards the setting sun. Satele's passing made the turning of an age we were in all the more real and I can't help but to stop and reflect. A figure in brown robes walks up besides me, her presence in the Force all too familiar. "Surprised to see you off of Tatooine so soon." The older woman looked at me.



"I sensed my son would soon have need of me, as well as your father." I follow Jerus' gaze out towards the sunset. "Satele's passing marks an important point in the galaxy's history, both a beginning and an end."



"The only question that remains, is will we still come out on top..."

I walk into Korre’s room and look at everybody. “I’m not the only one that felt that, right?”



I shake my head. “Satele has returned to the Living Force. As if this day couldn’t get any more troubling. But... I sense she was at peace, at least to some degree.” I look at Zar’kun. “So what now?”

"We bring down Trayus and send that hag Kreia screaming back to the Living Force. Her time has come and gone."

“And get Hayden back. This time for good.”



“Oh, I’ll be very happy to finally have that insane tyrant out of the way, but I feel like we have another, much more pressing matter to deal with that the moment: these Mandalorians. What did you learn from your interrogation, Zar’kun? Any leads on who was really behind this? Because I’d really like to know who tried to frame me.”