"Hold on, not IF she can gather followers guys. She HAS followers. It was her Sith Imperium that made taking the Foundry again back."

"Hmmm... then the war is closer than I thought."



"She's been helping us. She took the Foundry away from Sucal, and she cleared the blockade over Dantooine. I know a new Empire is bad news, but she isn't Vitiate. Perhaps an agreement can be struck. After all, the Republic has made temporary alliances with the Sith before in order to achieve mutually beneficial goals."



"Yes, and that is clearly what you've done. That is what we are doing now, seeing as how Naberrie and I are here. But once the goals of the Republic are no longer aligned with those of the Imperium, how long do you expect the new Empress to be friendly? As I said, charismatic and cunning. She will be your ally until it no longer suits her. Then she will be your enemy. Then you will wish you didn't allow her to take the Foundry."

"I wouldn't worry too much. My HK unit, Hank, helped with the Foundry capture and had orders to sabotage it. Even if they start producing units now, they'll be subpar and practically worthless for years to come." I chuckle. "You know I've never trusted the charismatic-type Sith, Salazar."

“Neither have I.”



“Yes, you’ve always been more of a brutish, smash things to get your way type of Sith.”



“Hey, it worked out for us. I’d rather be a jerk to someone’s face than a jerk behind their back. At least then, your honest.”

"Remind me again, Xanthippe, how scheming and plotting turned out for you?" I turn back to the others. "To get back on track, we know what kind of technology they're looking for. If we can figure out what would most effectively allow Trayus to hold Hayden, we've found them both."

“The Tempest Eye was Rakatan, yes? As was the Foundry. Perhaps there are other pieces of that ancient civilization that Trayus has on hand.”



“That’s possible. The Rakata left behind a lot of stuff. At least five space stations known to date, plus a ton of other random bits and pieces scattered around.”



An idea comes to me. “There is a planet I’ve been to that is covered in Rakata ruins and vaults full of ancient horrors. Formerly a Republic prison world. Now long abandoned.”

Jerus and I speak at the exact same time. "Belsavis Prison." Looking at each other, I continue. "We're all familiar with it, though I don't know that they completely abandoned it. I'm willing to bet they simply spread the population to other blacksite prisons as well to reduce the chance of a breakout. But that does seem the most likely source of Rakatan technology."

“As Chancellor, Sucal would have been in the know about all Republic activity on the planet. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a few items excavated from the sight brought to him for study.”



“Perhaps one of his bases of operation is located there. It is a good lead to start with, in any case. I will investigate it.”



“Alone? Not a good idea. You remember what happened the last time you tried going after him alone.”



I give Jakito a withered look. “I don’t intent to confront him. This is a scouting mission. Nothing worth gathering the whole team for.”

"All the same, having someone to watch your back won't hurt. I'll go too."

“Me too! I just got you back. You think I’m going to let you run off again this quickly?”



I nod. “Okay, fine. A group of three should be more than enough. We’ll need to use your ship, Jerus. Having just risen from near death, I don’t exactly have one of my own.”

I chuckle in spite of myself. "And no ship? Oh good lord, we need to find your stuff." I beckon the pair to follow. "Fortunately, the landing pads aren't exactly far, and there'll be time to rest up."

"Excellent." I go to follow Jerus, but hang back a moment to address those staying behind. "We will be in contact within a few days. In the meantime, I suggest you all rest up, and take stock of potential allies. The more people we have on our side, the fewer Trayus does." I look at Korré and bow. "My lady."



I bow slightly back. "Lord Greshh." Once he and Vette leave, I look at Becca. "He seems... friendly."



"He's usually nicer when I'm around. Part of an old bond we share. But he seems to like you regardless."



"Yes, it seems I'm very popular with Sith Lords these days. How luck for me."



I can't help but chuckle lightly at that.

"Of all the Sith Lords out there, he's the one you should worry about the least. His warning about Imperious should be headed, but the Republic will need time to recover, not to mention, the pe-"



"The Mando'ade will be leaving soon, do not worry." I had been informed of our guests leaving to return to the hotel and had followed out of curiosity. "We will be returning to Mandalore to rebuild of sorts ourselves. The Alit'alor have no objections to the idea, though they have suggested we see this through to the end."

I jump to my feet at seeing the new Mand'alor, but I don't salute or say anything.



"So, they are willing to help us at least one more time? To finally put an end to Sucal and his followers?"

"I am willing to, so so are they. They don't entirely grasp the threat he presents, even now that he's no longer in control of the Republic."

"We're grateful to hear that recent events haven't completely put you off. We welcome any help you and your people can provide." I look at Becca. "We should also see if what remains of the Republic military will be willing to help. They were, after all, tricked into fighting for a madman. Those that have come to their senses will want to see justice done."



"Good idea. We might need to give them a few days to reorganize themselves, but once things are squared away and the Republic figures out who to take orders from now that Sucal is gone, we can petition them for help."



"Tem... Mand'alor." I finally say. "I understand there is a lot to do, but the next time you are available, I think we should talk. Privately."

"Our people celebrate a new Mand'alor and our allies require rest. If ever there was a time, Kamari Ordo, now would be it."

"Alright. We should... find someplace secluded to talk." I go with Mand'alor to a different room and shut the doors behind us. "It goes without saying that you should be congratulated for claiming this title. You deserve it, Ba'buir." I find a chair and sit down. "That being said... I don't feel good about what happened. Any of it. That Ava would do such a thing to her own people, and how so many were manipulated into going along with her deception. She used their own honor and devotion against themselves. She took everything we stand for and Mando'ade and threw it back in our faces... and we let her do it."

"I suppose, to someone who's mind was still learning the ways of the Mando'ade even though your body is that of Kamari, that is what happened." When Hunter looks at me in surprise, I smile softly. "Jerus was unaware as the rest of you I was within earshot, so when he called you Hunter, I began to piece some of the things you'd done since your mind being shattered together. Ava did not get off free. She lost her place of leadership, a title she fought one of the most dangerous men in the galaxy for. She lost the trust of those of us who know the truth, and she lost the respect of a Clan's surviving youth. Saxon's future leaders and parents will not forget what she did, sadly. Clan Cadera will be mistrusted by them for many generations."

"And then the damage I did during our bout, well, that is self-explanitory. She cannot fight for many battles, even after the physical proof is gone that she is lost today. Healing takes time, even with Kolto and bacta."

I swat her words away. "I don't care about any of that! What I'm saying is that the Mandalorian way is flawed. Those Saxon youths... All they wanted to do was please their Mand'alor. Some of them were younger than me, with this being their first battle. They just wanted to prove they were strong and loyal warriors, and Ava commanded them to waste their lives for her. They died dishonorably because they were told to. Even if they knew it was wrong, they had no choice because their honor code forbid them from standing up for themselves." I stand up, clearly shaken. "When Talion and I interrogated Duny Saxon, I saw how messed up he was. He wanted to confess, and he knew what had happened was not right, but he was so afraid to dishonor his Mand'alor. He was almost willing to let himself be turned into a drooling idiot by Zar'kun if it meant he could stay loyal to his Mand'alor." I shake my head. "With respect, Mand'alor, I'm not here to ask for you to rationalize it for me. I'm not a child and I don't need you to explain what happened as if I don't understand."