Writing Again.

Senate Building, Landing Padd 45 C, special access only 

The LAAT/i’s were coming in hot. She could see the urge in the clone pilots to land as soon as possible. That ball of untamed emotion was fast approaching and Valanthe found it hard to breathe under the onslaught, in her already emotionally weakened state. 

What had gone so wrong? Who got killed? 

As she stood in the back, behind the requested dignitaries and the Jedi, Valanthe tried to get a mental headcount but the Force was very clouded. 

She watched the LAAT/i’s land and people started slowly clambering out, the Jedi and the navy officers first. Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Anakin, Plo-Koon, a non-clone Captain, one whom she didn’t know, then more navy clones in various states of injured, then came Commander Cody, another clone whose name she didn’t know. 

Vala’s heart sank. Where were they? 

Rex came into view first then, sticking close to the clone with the Rishi eel on his helmet. 

Fives. Riis let out a breath of relief briefly only to catch it the next second. Where’s Echo? 

Then she realized another was missing. The man they had gone to rescue. 

Master Piell...I hope you died well, little Master. 

Now she understood the grief, the guilt, the confusion and anger. Then the Chancellor and his entourage stepped forward, speaking briefly with Ahsoka and the non-clone Captain. Tarkin was his name if she heard correctly. 

The dignitaries soon departed with Ahsoka and Master Plo going with the Chancellor and Captain Tarkin. 

Yoda, Mace, Obi-Wan and Anakin remained, along with the clones. Riis approached as the dignitaries left, trying to keep a calm facade. 

Obi-Wan was tired, the mission had been a tough one, physically, mentally and emotionally. Losing so many good troopers, and Master Piell… the others had said that the mission was a success, he’d even said the same to Ashoka. But it was hard to feel that way, they were supposed to rescue the Lannik. 

Running his hand through his literally dirty blonde hair, the Master noticed Valanthe walking over. There was something off about the woman, something in her demeanor was off, stressed… pained.   

Valanthe knew the guilt now too. “How many?” She asked quietly as she approached her friend. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Rex talking with Fives, hand on the other’s shoulder. Comfort? 

“Seven, including Master Piell and Sergeant Echo…” Obi-Wan said solemnly, his gaze shifting over to Fives and Rex before returning to Valanthe. 

The grief. Valanthe swallowed hard, glancing over at Rex and Fives again before turning her attention back to Obi-Wan. “The coordinates?” 

Did Ahsoka have them? Or was it that Tarkin fellow? 

“Secure, apparently Master Piell and Captain Tarkin came up with a contingency plan in case they were captured. Ahsoka now has one half, Tarkin, the other.” Obi-wan wasn’t entirely sure how much more he should be sharing, there was already some contention if the coordinates should go to the Council or to the Chancellor. Bringing Valanthe into mix… who knew how that could make things turn. 

Valanthe nodded, “it’s not a bad plan, actually.” Valanthe shrugged, “how are you doing, old friend?” 

Anakin then passed by them with a nod to Valanthe, Cody and Rex in tow, leading the injured navy clones towards an exit. Fives, however remained for a moment and glanced at her. 

She wasn’t sure what prompted her to just give him a silent nod, but she did and the man returned the gesture. Valanthe would find him later. With that silent communication over, Valanthe returned her attention to Obi-Wan. 

Raising his eyebrow at the small interaction, Obi-wan decided not to ask. He was curious of course, but it wasn’t his place to pry. “It’s been useful thus far, although now that it’s back in safe hands, the plan might have led to a complication or two.” Sighing with a shake of his head, refocusing on her real question. “All in all I’d say I’m well, tired, and in desperate need of a shower… how about you?” 

“Happy I didn’t lose too many friends today.” She replied with a slight falter in her tone. “I...:” Vala halted when she saw the expression in his face, “I can’t discuss it. I’m just glad you’re back, all of you.” 

The expression in her eyes couldn’t help but voice, ‘what happened to Echo?’ 

Obi-wan frowned seeing the pain in her eyes, he’d seen the connection Valanthe had made with Fives and with Echo. His loss on top of Master Piell must have been very hard for her. “I’m sorry we couldn’t recover his body.” 

Valanthe nodded, “I know you would have done your best,” she said her composure returning, “I should go to HQ and do the debrief. I’ll need reports from you, Anakin and the others soon too. I know you all need a break, but you know GAR will want it.” 

“Of course, we’ll be ready whenever you are.” Obi-wan said with a nod, the secondary meaning if Valanthe’s own life had gotten too deep for her to deal with. Unfortunately from the way it sounded, there wouldn’t be much he could do except offer to help. 

Valanthe nodded, “Force be with you, my friend.” 

She wanted to embrace him, take relief in the comfort of a friend being alive, but they were out in the open, too exposed. Valanthe would not embarrass Obi-Wan like that. 

“Force be with you too, old friend.” Obi-wan said with a small smile, one only Valanthe seemed to be able to pull from him when things were darkest. “Hopefully the next time we meet, we’ll have a chance to really catch up.” 

“I’d love that.” Valanthe nodded and stepped away. She had to, she had been selfish too much of late. Much as she would have loved to share Obi-Wan’s company more. Others needed her now, she would not indulge her own desires for comfort at this point. 

Fives needed her now, probably more than any of the others. True, Valanthe thought Rex would be a more present fixture in the younger clone’s life. But she assigned them to the mission at Anakin’s behest. It was partially her fault that Echo had perished. 

Would Fives accept her help though? That was the question of the day. She had to try , she had to do right by someone today.

 GAR Headquarters, ARCA Barracks, Arc Trooper Barracks, sometime later

It was a bit difficult at first to discern a specific presence among numerous so very similar presences as she entered the Barracks. So, she focused harder, calling to her mind all the sensations Fives had made her feel, how he affected her, how she affected him. They’d been through alot together since the rescue on Balmorra. Nodding subconsciously, she went deeper into the complex. After a few moments, her mind stopped in the Arc Trooper gym, her body continuing the trek towards it.   

He’d been a very blank signature in the Force when they disembarked the LAAT/i at the Senate building.. Now though it was anything but the blankness that she sensed from inside. Grief, self loathing, guilt, sorrow, fury, loss, crippling loss. Those were but a number of emotions floating around, jutting against each other, scratching, grazing, punching within the Force. Quite a powerful, overwhelming feeling. 

Valanthe had hoped that he had spoken with General Thirsan and gotten debriefed before he sequestered himself in the gym, tearing the life out of the training devices. The few fellow ARCs in there seemed both confused and respectful at their new colleague. They knew what loss meant and respected the need to vent. 

Riis stood outside the door for a while, wondering just how to best approach the problem ahead of her. She had silently promised him back at the Senate building that she would come see him. What could she do for him though? The clones mostly kept to themselves with their problems, rarely confiding them in the Jedi and the non-clone personnel. Would he accept her help? Then again, was she in the right state of mind to offer proper help? She’d had her own losses and her own darkness to deal with. Could she really help him? 

It is through helping others, especially those with less experience that we help ourselves as well. Heal oneself through healing others. Wise words of her old Master Tera Sinube echoed in her mind, always guiding her focus away from herself, but reminding her that through understanding another, one comes to understand themself as well. 

Kriff it! Vala decided and stepped into the gym. 

The smell of sweat was strong as she entered, almost a overwhelming, but she soon tuned it out as the doors closed behind her. The gym grew quiet around her, most of the clones stopping what they were doing and turning to see who came in. 

She didn’t have to be a Jedi to read the expressions on their faces. From wondering at a female form, a lot of clones never having seen one, to wondering why one was in their gym. From wondering why one of their Commanders was in there to wondering who was getting punished. Then they would start following the direction of her head, after she nodded her acknowledgement of them. 

Her target was ARC Trooper 5555, known as Fives. “Give us the room, boys,” she said, looking over her shoulder. Her brows knotted into a frown as she felt a wave of pity and compassion directed towards Fives as the other clones cleared the gym. They thought she was here to punish him? 

The clone in question was at the other side of the gym, massacring the punching bag. He’d not turned nor acknowledged that she was there. She didn’t take that to heart, considering he was lost in his own pain, his own grief over what had happened. 

What, by the Force would she do now? Now that she was actually here and the man was lost in his own world. What would Renia do? What would Obi-Wan do? Vala wondered. Nothing came to mind as neither would likely go to these lengths. Renia would likely send one of her ARCs to deal with it, Obi-Wan would doubtless send Cody. 

What would Valanthe do? She wondered finally. 

Her eyes fell on the hand wraps off at one of the benches. Eyes darting towards Fives’ back then back to the wraps, back to Fives, back to the wraps, she made a decision. She shirked her duster and her pistol and strap, her lightsaber and even her boots. She remained in her signature cargo pants and a form fitting t-shirt. Leaning down she picked up the wraps and began wrapping her hands to protect them. 

Not that she really needed them but it was something one did when in the gym, she reasoned. She didn’t need to be the more agile, Force augmented creature now. Now, she needed to be the sponge, the sounding board. As her fingers fiddled with the straps, she found her eyes roaming over Fives’s back. 

It was only now that she realized that he wore nothing on his torso. The usual body glove most clones wore off duty was now only the figure hugging leggings, or pants...she wasn’t quite sure how to classify the grey material he wore from the waist down. 

Her lilac eyes studied the corded muscles of his shoulders and back as they flexed and bulged with each hit. Valanthe realized that clones weren’t necessarily tall nor big men, but they were wiry and strong, insanely well sculpted. Broad shoulders, sculpted back, tapered but firm waist, a firm round rear end, firm, thick, sculpted thighs and… 

And he’s finally noticed me…. Valanthe realized as she did her best to appear casual in pulling on the other hand wrap and cover her slight embarrassment over the fact that she had just shamelessly ogled the man she was trying to figure out how to help. 

Still he didn’t turn, instead of leaning against what was left of the punching bag, breathing heavily, sweat glistening on his skin. “You’ve been there a while, Commander. Like what you see?” His tone seemed amused, but he was anything but, Valanthe could tell even without reading the projections from his Force signature. 

Vala finished her last strap calmly, “if this were another day, I might have said yes.” She said finally then mentally gasped at herself, Valanthe! Behave! “Right now though, no.” 

Right now I feel only sympathy. Valanthe hated herself for the lie she tried to convince herself off. It wasn’t right to use the moment of such vulnerability for personal indulgence. Not here, not now. 

Finally he turned to her, “I didn’t think you’d be the type to come to punish one of your people like so after an incident of the scale we had on Lola Sayu.” He said bitterly, noting her bound hands. Then his expression changed momentarily, as if he was fighting something deep within himself. 

Are you and your brothers so used to punishment for failure that you expect it from everyone? Oh Force. Vala realized. 

“Spirits, Fives!” She exclaimed, letting her arms drop to the sides, shrugging, “I’m not here to punish you, my friend.” 

His eyes took her in, inch by inch, his eyes still lingering on her wrapped hands, “you’re dressed for a fight though.” Amber eyes burned with a myriad of emotions. 

She raised her hands, “thought you might have wanted to blow off some steam, is all. That bag...its...well, you killed it.” Vala motioned to the raggedy remains. 

He looked back behind him, blinked, realizing she was right. A ragged chuckle escaped him as he rubbed the back of his neck somewhat awkwardly and turned back to her taking her in again with his eyes. 

It had felt uncomfortable when Burner would watch her like that, especially after the kiss. Was she dismissing this on the account of his state? Or was she comfortable under those particular amber eyes? 

He cleared his throat, and looked to the floor, then to the mats near them. Hoping to deflect from the slight embarrassment he felt at his own boldness. He’d never seen his Commander in this state of dress, or rather undress. The problem was, he didn’t mind at all. Sure he’d seen her in work out clothes back on Kamino, when he and Echo were starting out. 

Just thinking of his fallen brother brought him back to reality. He looked at her again, pain colouring his features, 

“I can’t fight you, Commander.” He said as he saw her get into a stance, “I don’t want to hurt you.” 

Vala who was dancing on her heels as she warmed up her muscles and waited, “you won’t, I promise.” Besides I could use a good ass kicking after everything I did...or didn’t do lately. 

Fives observed her for a moment, seeing something very much akin to what he was feeling in her own features and it scared him a little. He wasn’t sure why this mirror scared him. Deciding he wouldn’t dwell on it at that moment he got into a stance too.

“Commander, are you sure?” He asked again, gathering the courage within himself. He was about to hit his Commander. 

“Considering we’re about the beat the kriff out of each other, Fives, you can call me Valanthe, or Vala, if you like.” She flashed him a grin, extending one arm forward, fingers wiggling in a motion saying, come on then. “Yes, I am sure. You need to get it out of your system and aside from your brothers, I’m probably the only one who can take a hit from you and stay on my feet. Dance with me, Fives.” 

He nodded slowly as he eased into his stance, nodding again. “Alright, let’s dance.” Normally, this would bring a smile to his face, but now, he was a blank board, or punching bag. At least, he wanted to be. 

The first few hits were easily dodged, they served to test reaction anyway. Vala deflected and side stepped easily, experimented herself. He was just as agile as she was when she wasn’t using the Force to augment her movements. Valanthe could tell the man was holding his true power back, probably from the ingrained fear of hurting a Jedi. 

So, she would have to coax it out of him. Coax the energy, the power, the emotion. She knew she needed to get him to talk about it, to explain to him that it was okay to hurt, that it was going to be a bit better in the end. That it wasn’t his fault. 

So she started hitting a little harder, forcing him to defend himself. Both of them were quite proficient in their combat styles, Vala’s more focused on agility and precision, while his was a mix of strength and tactic, how to take care of your opponent in the quickest way possible. Soon, it developed almost into a dance. 

Valanthe was developing a sweat, and she could see he was glistening even more than before. 

“Talk to me, Fives. Tell me what happened? Ooof!” Valanthe dodged a left hook, but was swept to the floor the next moment and rolled away quickly. His next attack came more forcefully. 

“What is there to say! You know what happened! It was a clone’s fault! It always is!” He growled. 

“What?” Obi-Wan’s take on things had been much different. Had someone had a go at them already? At Fives himself? 

“Charger slipped on a loose piece of rock and fell into an electro mine, tripping the alarms. The whole kriffin’ prison knew we were there in three seconds flat!” Fives landed a heavy jab to her kidney. 

Valanthe groaned but kept moving, “go on.” 

He went through the subsequent events. As the event drew to the landing pad where their shuttle awaited them with R2 and the reprogrammed battled droids, his movements grew sloppier, easier to deflect, easier to sneak a hit or two in of her own. 

Even still, he had less impact zones than she. Every hit she let him land, she believed she deserved, for what she had done to Tomno, for how she lost herself in her own darkness.

She only really put up a defence for any hits going towards the face. 

“They just kept coming!” Fives said, dodge rolling out of her way. “We thought we were going to get out...unf..” he blocked Vala’s attack and sent her rolling behind him, only to earn a foot straight to the chest as she kicked out and pushed him away and rolled away herself. “We had to stop them from getting to the shuttle...and Echo…” 

He was on his knees, one hand bracing against the mat. “Echo didn’t hesitate. He took the initiative,” Fives’ breathing grew ragged. “He raced forward, took the energy shield of the guards and made for the shuttle, I was…” A choked sound left his lips. 

Vala had rolled into a low crouch, both of her hands braced against the mats, listening intently, watching the breakdown in front of her eyes. 

“I was behind him I was supposed to support him.” Fives wasn’t looking at her any more, more through her, then through the mat, then through her again as the memory replayed behind his eyes. “I told him to look out, I could see that turret was going to hit him! Maker! I could see it, I could feel it!” 

But something happened, didn’t it? Valanthe knew this was the moment Echo had died, but how? Why was Fives feeling so damn guilty? What did he do? 

She knew it in the next moment, as he looked at her with pained eyes, “I froze, Commander. I stood there and let the droid manning the turret hit him.”   

Tears rolled out of amber eyes, “I froze…” his voice grew soft, “I froze and my brother is dead. He’s dead because I couldn’t save him, Commander. I failed them all, the Domino’s, Echo, the others, you, the Generals, I failed everyone…” he hung his head, his shoulders shaking. A sob escaped him then, then another and another. 

You think it’s your fault, Obi-Wan thinks it’s his. Valanthe crawled over to him, shirking her hand wraps and kneeling in front of him as he covered his face with his hands. “Fives, no one blames you for this,” Vala said softly, but her words had no effect. 

How could she say that? Of course it was his fault! He was supposed to watch out for Echo. Why would she be trying to distort the truth? 

“Fives,” Vala placed her hands on his shoulders, “Fives, look at me.” Then when he didn’t, she added a soft, “please.” 

His head finally raised slowly, why was she being so kind? He was a clone built for one purpose. He wasn’t even able to do that. They’d not only lost Charger, Echo and several others, they also lost Master Piell and they had gone to rescue him. 

“I spoke with the Generals,” she said gently, her heart breaking for him, the grief and guilt he projected rivaling her own, threatening to overcome her. Vala fought it down, she needed to help at least someone today. She needed to do right by someone today. “Lola Sayu was a disaster waiting to happen from the word go. Everyone knew it, the Generals, the Jedi, me, Force even you and your brothers did. You went in with what little intel we had and you did your best, all of you did your very best. Wars are unpredictable. You could not have anticipated for every eventuality, Fives.” Vala said, eyes holding his. 

“We are clones, Commander. We are born and bred for war, we should have anticipated it all. It’s who and what we are.” He countered, unwilling to hear her. How could she be excusing it? 

“See that’s the paradox right there, Fives.” Valanthe’s palm touched his cheek, her own eyes having difficulty remaining dry, “clone or not, you’re still human, a living being. All of us are, which also means we are flawed. Even the wisest cannot see all ends.” She could feel him stiffen under her touch, yet, he remained rooted in place. 

“I came back and Echo didn’t,” his voice was ragged as he looked at this green Jedi still so intent on absolving him from his guilt. “I promised you I’d bring him home.” 

“Fives, no one can make such a promise for certain, not in the type of job we do.” Vala’s hand returned to his shoulder. 

He missed the warmth of her hand the moment it left his cheek. At the same time he hated himself for daring to think it, to think about anything else but Echo. This alone brought him to tears again. 

“How can you say that, Commander? Especially after I froze…” 

“Oh Fives,” Vala sighed, gingerly wrapping her arms around him, “everybody has a moment like that,” she murmured as her chin settled in the crook of his neck. 

She could tell he was shocked at the contact, not that he didn’t know what she was doing, they had hugged before. Vala knew it was because he didn’t believe he deserved one. 

When she wasn’t letting go, something deep within him released, telling him it was okay. Okay to put his arms around her and bury his head in her shoulder. So he did, tighter than she was holding him and he wept. For Echo, for Charger, for the long gone Dominos. He wept for his failure, for the loneliness he felt amongst the 501st. 

The only one he was really close to had been Captain Rex, on the odd occasion he’d get assigned with them after he and Echo made ARCs. 

Valanthe’s arms tightened around him, “it’s okay, Fives.” She whispered softly, “it’s okay. You’ll get through this.” Vala felt his arms tighten further around her, “you can get through this. I believe in you.” 

Something in his Force signature changed then and it seemed to brighten a little.

“Why are you doing this, Co...Vala?” He muttered into her shoulder. She had asked to drop ranks, so he determined it was okay. “Why? You don’t have to.” 

“I know I don’t,” she said leaning her head slightly against his as she felt his breathing evened out. “I want to. I care about what happens to my boys. I care when they are happy, when they are sad, I care when they are in trouble, I care when they are at the ‘79’s having a drink.” 

“Look, I know you prefer the company of clones, and I understand that,” Vala continued, pulling back slightly to look him in the eye. She was amused at the fact that he didn’t release her either, in fact, he even resisted the separation a bit. A part of her she shushed away didn’t mind. 

“I am so sorry, about Echo’s loss. I know how close you two were.” Vala said earnestly, “I will listen and keep your confidence, if you will have me. A different perspective often leads to problems solved.” 

He did not deserve such kindness. From anyone, let alone from a Jedi, let alone from his Commander. She seemed insistent though, stubborn even. Fives could even see her point. Fives would not refuse her and he would would do his best to be a friend to her too. She deserved no less from him. That is, if she would have a clone as a friend. A true friend. 

This time, he followed his urge and tightened his arms around her, pulling her closer, “thank you.” He said, his chin resting on her shoulder, hoping he was conveying his gratitude correctly. 

Valanthe smiled as she buried her face into his shoulder this time, squeezing him gently. There was brightness in him, and that bit of cheek she had come to like, perhaps a bit too much. 

She had succeeded though, she believed. She had done right by someone today. At least someone. 

Fives felt her shudder in his arms a little and choke back a sob. “Valanthe?” He asked, pulling back a little, shocked at how red and watery her eyes were. “What is it?” 

“I can’t…” Vala swallowed thickly, “it’s not you…” she added quickly, “it’s just not safe to talk about it, not here, not now.” 

His Force signature clearly echoed his concern. 

“When you can…?” He wiped a stray tear with his thumb. 

Valanthe nodded, “when I can.” 

“Thank you, for trusting me. For everything.” He said to her, in all honesty.

 Doom City District, Coruscant, sometime later 

It killed Vala not to be able to tell Fives the truth. But with what she had learned, she could not risk his life or involvement in what she was going to do. She had already cost him so much, sending him on that mission. She would not risk him so again if she could help it. 

There was a friend she had to warn though. Valanthe had to warn Ren. Someone had to know, to hopefully continue what she started. Sure there were Vanth and Tomno, but Vanth, once identified would soon become a liability and Tomno, Tomno had been through enough. So now, Valanthe sat at a secured terminal of a Doom City building, a scrambled, outbound communication waiting to be picked up. The place was a well-known red-light distict, complete with narrow streets, painfully ugly neon lamps on the walls and shady dealings. Perfect for what she wanted to do. 

Whilst on the inside she was trying to keep herself together, on the outside, to anyone who knew her, it was quite clear that Valanthe had had an extremely difficult few days. Pain and sadness echoed from her features and a lot of unshed tears. 

Ren had been meditating when Vala’s call had come in, she felt the ripple through the Force, this disconcerting wave that left her feeling antsy. Making her way to a nearby section of her garden she activated the holoprojection system. Ren had insisted on getting a communications system setup in the garden, while she would need to work, it was nice to have a space where she could do so in peace. Opening up the communication Ren felt her chest clench, the ripples in the force becoming so much more intense as her eyes settled on Vala. 

Her friend was distraught, that much was obvious, her face tight and flushed like she was trying to hold herself together by shear force of will. 

“Valanthe… what’s the matter?” 

“So many things, old friend.” Valanthe’s voice was hollow as she spoke. “ Remember what I told you when you were last here? They’ve started to catch up. Night is dead…” She said softly, her tears spilling over her eyes, “they had a friend kill him…” 

“By the Force… Vala… I am so, so sorry.” Seeing the tears begin to fall down those deep green cheeks, the break of her already hollow, lacking voice. Ren wanted to order the ship to turn round, race back to Coruscant so she could hold the woman in her arms, reassure her that everything would be alright, protect her from whatever she’d gotten herself into. Instead she was here, hurtling off toward her next battleground and all she could offer was words… “I know you aren’t alright, but are you holding up?” 

Vala shook her head, “Echo’s dead too..” Her voice came out even more broken. “I failed my team again. Eventhough Fives is convinced its his fault...it’s not. I should never have authorized them to go on the mission.” 

“Oh Vala no…” It was worse than she thought, Ren truly was a moment away from turning the ship back. “It’s not your fault and it’s not Fives’…” It pained her to say this, but it was something she learned more than once since the war started, since Sameria. “It’s war and we are all soldiers, sacrifice walks hand in hand with each of us.” 

Vala nodded slowly, “does the name Asajj Ventress mean anything to you?” 

She knew Ren would go to the ends of the cosmos for her and Vala would do the same for her sister, right now though, Ren was safer doing her job, and Vala was safer doing hers. 

“I’ve heard of her yes, haven’t faced her in battle yet, but it’s something I’ve been trying to prepare Mina for.” Ren hoped that Vala wasn’t simply deflecting to bottle up her feelings, the Mirialan always felt so deeply and when she compartmentalized her heart, Ren worried. “She’s Dooku’s assassin, a Dark Force user as skilled with her lightsabers as she is with seduction. At least according to Obi-Wan’s report.” 

Vala nodded, “I need to find her. If you see or hear anything, will you let me know?” The Mirialan sighed, trying to focus on what she needed to do instead of what she felt. What she felt had gotten her into a lot of hot water lately and she needed to regain control of herself again. She needed to detach. 

How ironic, that the more I break from the Jedi, the more I fall back on their teachings. Vala thought to herself in that moment. 

“Vala, you’re not planning to do anything rash are you?” From what she’d learned of Ventress, even Skywalker had trouble matching her in single combat. Vala was out of practice and hurting, a dangerous and often deadly combination. 

“I’m going to do my job, Ren. Just like you’re doing yours. She’s tied to this, somehow. To what’s happened.” Vala sighed, “she influenced someone to kill Night.” 

Of course she did… Vala wasn’t wrong, she was doing her job. But there was more, Vala was unbalanced, the loss of Xan pained her deeply. “It’s different Vala and you know it, when I act I have a whole battalion and Mina behind me… you can’t go after Ventress alone.” Too many have died doing the same, I won’t lose you… 

“It’s less of a risk. This way noone else can get hurt. I won’t risk you or Mina, or any of our guys on this.” Vala shook her head. “I can talk my way into going off on an off world mission easily…” 

In truth she was considering doing more than just talking her way into it. 

“You and I have obviously developed a very different definition of less, how is you going in to this situation alone less risky than taking along two Jedi and lets just say a squad of highly trained and battle hardened clones?” Ren was on a mission but that didn’t mean she couldn’t take a detour to help rid the Republic of a rather large thorn in its side. 

“I can hide, for one.” Vala raised an eyebrow. 

“And if you’re discovered?” Ren crossed her arms over her chest, raising an eyebrow of her own. 

“I’ll just have to make sure I won’t be and that a copy of my files is deliverd to you if I don’t reset the dead drop in time.” Vala shrugged, “I need to do this, Ren. For Xan, for Echo...for all of us.” 

“But why…” Ren stopped herself, a lump forming in her throat, it was pointless even if she were standing right in front of the woman there was nothing she could have said to dissuade Vala. “Why won’t you let me help you, I just got you back…” 

“Because I just got you back too,” Vala replied, her lilac eyes watering a bit. It was as close to an admission of affection and love Vala could muster at the moment. 

The distance between them seemed to close as Vala spoke, instead of millions of lightyears separating the two women it was only a few inches, Ren could almost reach out, almost feel the warm touch of Vala’s cheek on her hand… almost. The lump in Ren’s throat threatened to spill over and turn into tears. 

“I don’t…” She couldn’t even finish the thought, the words and consequences too awful to make real. 

“Keep them safe, Ren. Please.” Vala swallowed hard. 

Why were these always so hard? She was shaving a hard time dealing with all of the other already accumulated emotions and now...now Renia was just cutting at her heart, making her wish she was on that ship now instead of this dingy place trying not to have her signal picked up and traced here in the bowels of Coruscant. 

“I will Val, I promise…” Ren wasn’t sure if she could hold back, the code was of no solace to her now and the one person who would be was so very far away… “Don’t…. Just come back to me ok?” 

Xanth had also scrapped together a change of clothes, so as to not get immediately recognized by the old man. He had gone ahead of Vala, to scout the place and make sure the man was alone when Valanthe joined them.

It was nearing the end of the day sales and Tomno Sol would soon begin to put his produce back into storage units inside.

It had not been the best day of sales for Tomno, the colder ‘autumn’ air driving away some of his more regular customers. Sometimes the tedium of this life made him want for the old days; blaster in hand flying the space lanes looking for adventure and profit. Of course what did he have to show for it, a fruit stand… well and his health, loyal customers and even a few he could call friends. Not to mention his duty, Tomno might not be a soldier anymore but he still had the Republic.

Looking around the market, Tomno sighed, most customers had gone home for the evening and even many of his fellows had packed up. Running a hand through his salt and pepper hair. The human started to pull crates to store away, a task that was easier said than done considering all amount of fruit and veg.

Vanth took the chance and approached the man, taking hold of one of the crates. “Here, let me help you,” he flashed the man a rather menacing grin.

“I appreciate the sentiment but I think I can…” The man’s words died in the wind as he recognized the scared Weeqay from a few days ago. “What are you doing here?” Tomno hissed, grabbing the crate from the man’s grip and putting it in the back of his stall.

“Came to get some of those peppers.” Harsak grunted as he stepped into Tomno’s shop without invitation and set the crate aside.

“Fresh out, I’m afraid, try the market on level seven hundred.” Holding out his arm, Tomno politely indicated Vanth was free to leave, even as he backed toward the bench where his blaster was hidden. He didn’t know much about this man, just that he wasn’t someone to trust and hopefully that the police wouldn’t look too deep into if he ended up being shot in self-defense.

“Oh no, I desire these particular ones. You sold them to a mutual friend.” Vanth stepped over to the door, but instead of exiting, he waved through it.

It was a signal for Vala to approach. Which she did at a steady pace.

“You remember him, no? Xan?” Harsak continued.

“Can’t say that I do, lots of people order those peppers.” Reaching behind him, Tomno’s fingers grazed along the grip of the small hold-out blaster he kept from the old days.

“That’s interesting, because Xander recommended you to us.” Valanthe spoke as she entered the shop, using the Force to close the door behind her. “Tell me, Tomno Sol, how goes business these days? With the war and all?”

Vanth locked the door and planted himself on it, thick arms crossed and frown on his face.

Jumping at the sound of a voice behind him, Tono was cut off from his weapon and any escape. “People need to eat, I provide.... It pays the rent.” Tomno doubted that he could talk his way out of this, but he had to try. The Weeqay was obviously much stronger and younger than he was, and this strange woman certainly…’felt’ dangerous.

“Xander Night. You are one of his informants. You recently facilitated a meeting between our friend here.” She pointed over her shoulder towards Vanth, “and Night. Not a couple of days ago, in fact. He bought bellassan peppers from you.”

“Yeah? What of it?” Tomno huffed, crossing his arms across his broad chest. “I’ve facilitated a lot of meetings over the years and probably sold him as many peppers.” It seemed pointless to lie, both of the assailants having full knowledge of his other activities.

Vala’s eyes darkened as she glared at him. Her tone, however was ice. “He’s dead.”

She could sense the man trying to lie his way out of this, but it wasn’t clear yet why.

“Died the night he returned from this place.” Vanth supplied, his anger seeping through in his tone.

Holding up his hands defensively at the angry man, Tomno did not want to be on the receiving end from either of them. “Whoa hold on a second there Pal, what do you mean he’s dead?”

“I mean expired, sleeping with the maggots, stone cold...dead.” Vanth replied.

Lie. Tomno was worried about himself, not shocked.

“Anything you want to tell us?” Valanthe took a step forward.

“What you think I had something to do with this?” Tomno threw back at the pair. “I’ve worked with the man for years!”

Lie.

“Just now you all but claimed you barely knew him.” Valanthe stepped closer, her fists balling as she tried to keep herself from lashing out at him, though her rising ire and anger at his lies were making it very difficult.

“What I’m just supposed to start talking to the first person that barges into my shop, dropping a name that not many would know!?” Tomno was more than a little agitated at this point, the pair’s accusations having him on the defensive. “How am I supposed to know who you are… I did tell this one not to contact me again.” Pointing over his shoulder at the Weeqay, Tomno had fully turned to face Valanthe.

Lie.

“Does the name Riis tell you anything?”  In all honesty she doubted it would, she’d never met this man before. This man so keen to hide something. She also doubted that Xan would have spoken of her to him.

“It doesn’t, I suppose that’s someone else I’m supposed to have killed?” He asked, arms still crossed defensively across his chest.

There was something about the way he said it. As if he both confirmed it and asked the question at the same time.

“Did you kill Xander Night?” Valanthe asked in an icy tone, her eyes darkening, muting to a thick, brown shade.

“I don’t make it a habit to kill people who serve the Republic!” Tomno’s tone shifted, aggression, cutting through the annoyance. “I may not wear the uniform anymore, but I haven’t forgotten where my loyalties lie.”

Lie.

“Your feelings betray you.” As she spoke her hand shot out and pushed through the Force, slamming Tomno into the wall. For now, she simply held him pinned. “You are hiding something from us. Something to do with Night. What is it?”

“I’m not hiding anything you psycho!” Tomno yelled at the woman as she held him against the wall, a crushing sensation making it hard to breath. Struggling against the invisible restraint, it became quickly apparent that he wasn’t going anywhere.

“See,” she gave a push against his chest through the Force, “your every excuse so far was either a lie or skewing of fact. Like I said, your feelings betray you. This could go a lot smoother if you told us what we needed to know. If not, this will only get worse.”

Harsak Vanth watched quietly as the green woman exercised her power on him. Hells, are you one of the dark ones too, Riis?

“I don’t...know what you’re... talking about!” The man struggled out, the crushing force keeping him from moving almost entirely. “I didn’t, kill him!”

Valanthe closed her eyes and focused. Her mind slammed into his with no small amount of violence. She was running out of time and out of patience.

“I can sense when you’re lying, Tomno…” Valanthe pressed.

The human cried out as he felt the press against his thoughts, the woman pushing past his mental barriers roughly. “I’M NOT….LYING!!!” He yelled through gritted teeth, his memories starting to flash before his ‘eyes’.

“Riis!”

“See I believe you when you say that you are loyal to the Republic. But I don’t believe you had nothing to do with Night’s death. Your feelings are hiding something.” Vala leaned her head to the right as she spoke, “what are you hiding?”

“GET HER OFF ME!!! SHE’S CRAZY!!!” Tomno yelled, barely able to move his head to look at the Weequay. He could feel the pressure in his mind, it was like someone was drilling into him.

Valanthe’s eyes grew slowly golden, “I gave you the solution, Sol. All you have to do, is take it.” She pushed deeper against his mind. There was a barrier there, one someone who was not using the Force could not sustain, not for this long.

Which meant…

“Who told you to do it?” Valanthe changed tact, stepping closer to him.

“Riis!” Vanth called again, then as she asked, he grew confused. “What?”

“No one!” He yelled back, still struggling both physically and in his mind.

Lie.

Valanthe pushed harder mentally and physically. “I start breaking bones next. Or should I break your mind first?”

At this downright menacing tone Vanth took a step towards Valanthe unsure if he should tear her away or not. What in all hells was she doing?

Tomno let out a cry of pain as the woman pushed against his mind. “WHY. DO. YOU. CARE!? HE WAS A TRAITOR!!”

Her grip eased, “go on…”

A traitor! How dare you?! Vanth was now beside Vala. “What do you mean he was a traitor?”

Taking a deep breath, finally the weight from his chest being lifted. “He betrayed the Republic, sold the information I gave him to the CIS!”

A momentary flash of intense anger coursed through Valanthe as she tightened her grip on him before she realized he was telling the truth. Or at least he believed he did.

“Where did you get this information?”

“I was told and shown holo-tapes.” The man coughed several times still getting his voice back. “Showed him for what he really was.”

A believed  truth.

Though, if he believed it and the wall in his head had anything to do with that belief...could it have been planet there? Or did he actually believe that Xander had betrayed the Republic.

“Who showed you this? What holo-tapes?” Vanth pressed.

“Malenta…human, said she worked with Intelligence.” Tomno’s expression slipped when she brought the woman up.

Malenta. Malenta. Valanthe could not recall the name. But then again it could have been someone new in the last few months. Valanthe looked over at Harsak, eyebrow raised. The man shrugged at her.

“What was on the tapes, Sol?” Valanthe refocused on the man still pinned to the wall.

“Him transferring data to CIS sources and meeting with their agents.” Tomno growled out, disgusted at the images. All the years he’d worked with the man, all the information he’d passed along…

Vala felt angry then, both at the insinuations as well as the fact she could not discern the truth in this moment. She could feel Vanth getting increasingly angry and frustrated as well. Without a conscious filter, she fed off of the anger of both of them.

“You lie!” The statement was a gamble, she knew this much. “When did this Malenta give you this information?” Her eyes glowed amber still.

“She showed me a few weeks ago. First the data transfer records, I didn’t want to believe it, so she showed me a meeting.” Tomno grumbled looking away from the pair, the woman’s eyes were unnerving to say the least.

“Did you tell her about the meeting you last had? About Vanth and the database?” Vala’s anger brimmed further, she pushed against him stronger, “I suggest you tell the truth.”

“Didn’t need to, or didn’t think I need to. She said something was coming and then he showed up.” Tomno, tipped his head toward Vanth.  “I assumed it was him.”

Something didn’t track in that statement. Had whoever it was suddenly gone sloppy?

“What does this Malenta look like?” Valanthe changed tact again, the glow in her eyes dimming though her anger was still there, writhing, coiling. Part of her wanted to end his sorry existence  and she so easily could. The other part knew she needed to milk the walking clue first. Afterwards….

“Human, young…” Tomno thought back, Malenta was hard to forget, the image in his head was perfectly clear. “Brown hair, pretty… uh thin, but attractive.”

You got honeytrapped? A thought screamed through her head. What he described was a classic case of a female agent working a male target who had such preference.

This caused Valanthe to push against him and into his mind further.

“You got played you karkin’ di’kut!” She growled.

“Riis!” Vanth placed a hand on her shoulder as she bore into Sol. “RIIS!”

“You kill a good man on the word and images of a honey trap!” What made her even more angry was the fact that she did the exact same thing when they were needing to get the codes from Jax Rath in Balmorra. “On the words of a woman you just karkin’ met!”

Her eyes glowed again. She needed an image, a better image.

“I DIDN’T JUST MEET HER!!!” He yelled, the pain suddenly returning in his mind as she once again delved in. “SHE CAME BY FOR WEEKS!!”

Valanthe increased the pressure, both inward and outward, her anger boiling over. “YOU.GOT.PLAYED! You got karkin’ played!” The anger practically consumed her entire being and mind.

“YOU’RE THE ONE BEING PLAYED!!” Tomno could no longer see them, his vision had gone blurry as she pushed deeper into his mind.

Harsak could see the woman was clearly not in the right state of mind. She was going to kill this man before they got more information from him. He’d seen Force users go dark in his time under cover. This one was plunging dangerously into the dark pit.

So he stepped behind her, wrapped both of his strong arms around her and pulled her to the side. “Riis, stop it, you are killing him! He’s no use to us dead.”

The hold on Tomno broke as Vanth pulled her away. There was something about the action that broke through Vala’s blinding fury.

“We need something tangible, Riis.” He spoke into her ear, “listen to me, Riis. You are better than this.”

“You know nothing about me, Vanth.” Vala growled as she only put up half the fight against him. Something inside her listened.

“I know Night wouldn’t have trusted you if you weren’t on the right side of things.” Vanth countered. “He’s got to have some sort of surveillance in this place. He’s got to have her image somewhere. Unless she’s that good and she erased all traces of her.”

“Where’s your surveillance equipment?” Vanth looked over at the man slumped against the wall.

“Back...backroom, code is thirty-three-seventy-one.” Tomno was still trying to catch his breath and get a sense of himself. His head felt strange, like something had come apart.

“Go, get in there. I’ll keep an eye on him.” Vanth released Valanthe.

Her eyes had stopped glowing, though the colour was still a strange kind of brown, rather than her usual lilac. Vanth couldn’t help but wonder at that.

Later. He thought to himself.

“Don’t worry...he’s too weak to get an upper hand on me. Go.” He pulled out his blaster, though he wasn’t quite certain if he’d have to use it on her instead.

Valanthe glared at him, “I’m not going to hurt you, Vanth.” Her voice came out crackled, almost laden with guilt.

I don’t know, Riis. You looked pretty out of control just before. He thought to himself.

Shaking her head, Valanthe stepped into the back room, blinking. How had she gotten so angry? How did she allow herself to go that far?

The sight of the door made her focus. She input the code and stepped into the small room.

“When was the last time he saw her?” She called as she sat behind the console of the computer.

Vanth looked at Tomno, back in the main room. “When was the last time you saw Malenta?”

“I don’t… I don’t remember…” The man groaned out, rubbing his head trying to clear the webs. “Maybe a week… week and a half ago...”

“Week and a half to a week!” Vanth called.

Valanthe found access to the recordings and punched in a timeframe. One by one images warped and zoomed past her eyes. She thought she caught a flash of white at one point but the image rewinded further too fast. When she reached the start of the timeframe she pressed play and watched. At first, there was nothing suspicious. Day to day business.

Until eight days ago a woman came into the shop. Tall, skinny, pale, almost white in skin tone. A series of pale, somewhat darker than her skin tattoos graced the sides of her dark lips and the sides of her head.

Rattataki… Valanthe thought, her eyes glued to the screen. She’s…?

Tomno Sol had described a completely different woman. So why was this Rattataki here? One thing that worried Valanthe however was a confirmation of her fear. Whoever this person was they could use the Force. She was clearly performing hand movements that indicated use of the Force and they way she spoke to him, she was clearly influencing him.

So why had he described someone completely different?

“Ask him how his perfect woman looks?” Valanthe called again.

Vanth frowned, “what?”

“Do it!”

The Weequay looked at Sol again, “you heard her. Describe your perfect woman.”

“Um well she was… it was so long ago…” But it wasn’t, it was only a week ago… then why did it feel like more? “Umm she had… has long flowing hair, brown… a little pointed nose, freckles… I loved her freckles and her smile… you should have seen it...it was the only thing that made my day mean something.” Tomno sighed. “I left the service for that smile…”

Vanth shook his head and sighed, “you get all that?”

“Yeah. So why do I see another woman on the recording? Completely different from what he describes?” Valanthe’s voice came, almost devoid of emotion, laced with curiosity and confusion.

“What?” Harsak looked between Tomno and the door.

“Bring him in here.”

Vanth wasted no time and stepped over to Sol. Reaching down, the Weequay hauled the man to his feet and dragged him into the small room. Valanthe sat there looking at the screen, her arms crossed on her chest.

“I have this woman being seductive and intimate with him. But no woman matching his description.” She pointed at the screen with a finger.

Vanth pushed Sol roughly and pointed him towards the screen.

“But that…. That’s her, that’s my Ariaai…” Tomno said, looking between the two confused by the whole thing. The woman on screen looked exactly like the one who’d come by, the one he’d fallen for as a young man…

“No, that’s a pale white woman who’s doing Gods know what to your head.” Vanth grabbed the back of Tomno’s head. “Seriously, look!”

Force persuasion with a mix of honey trapping? Valanthe kept glancing between Tomno and the screen.

“Wha...what do you mean? That, that’s Ariaai! I’d know her any...anywhere…” Tomno’s voice trailed off as the image of this woman he loved was replaced by a pale, bald head. He couldn’t comprehend what was happening, he clearly could see Ariaai in his head! Or he could a moment ago. Letting out a whimper, he looked between the other two and the screen. “What’s happening to me? Why...why can’t I remember right?”

“Looks like you too got played, Sol.” Vanth commented, watching the man they just tortured and threatened break down in front of them.

Valanthe gave Tomno a broken look. Guilt was clearly written in her eyes and in her features. She had just practically tortured a victim of a nefarious plot. She had let her anger and her grief entirely get the better of her as she detected his own deceit. A deceit he wasn’t aware of.

How could she have fallen so far?

Swallowing her shame momentarily, she spoke in a cracked tone. “You only remembered parts of your encounters, didn’t you?

“I… I don’t know, it was so clear before…” His voice had gotten small, confusion and fear had taken over. “I thought… what have I done? Did I, did I really kill him? Are you sure?” Looking at the Mirialan who’d so recently held him against the wall, he hoped that it was a mistake or that they weren’t sure.

“He was dead within hours of meeting with you two,” Valanthe pointed between the two men, “he was making dinner with those blasted peppers of yours. I need to get in there and look at the autopsy reports, but they say it was a heart attack. The GAR and RMOI don’t think it is...not with all the fanfare they brought out for it.”

Tomno was absolutely horrified by what he was hearing. How could he have done something like that, Xander was his friend… his comrade. “No this can't be right, there has to be some kind of mistake!?” He was practically pleading with Valanthe, hands grasping the end of her long black coat.

“Hold on…” Vanth was focused on the image, the movement of the bald woman’s lips. “Do you remember what she said here?”

“I…” The man looked up at the screen watching this strange woman speak to him, seduce him. “I don’t remember… WHY CAN’T I REMEMBER!?” He could remember the feelings when he thought it was Ariaai and before he could remember their conversations… Now he’d lost it, no idea what had gone on.

“This woman, whoever she is...she has influenced you,” Valanthe began, however she half choked in her own shame as she continued, “through the Force.”

Vanth heard the change in her tone and let out a breath he didn’t really realize he’d been holding. Perhaps there was hope for this girl.

“What like a Jedi? Why would they do this? Jedi are supposed to protect the Republic, people like me and Xander…” Tomno was so lost, he couldn’t even comprehend what was real anymore.

“Not a Jedi, no. They would not do this.” Vala shook her head. “There are others who use the Dark to suit their needs. Like her...whoever she is.”

Tomno didn’t understand, he’d only ever heard of Jedi that could do these kinds of things.. Now she was saying there were others, it was too much. “So what, what happens now?”

“Now I go find out who this woman is and you…” Vala swallowed hard, “you will present your judgement once I find this person and bring her to justice. Once we know who ordered the hit on Xan and why, I will return and accept whatever retribution for the way I treated you earlier.”

“I…” He didn’t know what to say, if anything Tomno felt he was the one deserving of judgement. He’d betrayed everything he held most dear and this woman was waiting for his judgement? What a twisted galaxy they lived in now. “How can I judge you? I killed my colleague, a friend… betrayed the Republic… and you freed me…”

“I have also tortured you out of pure anger. I must answer for that. Because I can never repay the pain I caused you.” Vala countered.

Tomno shook his head, stretching out to use the wall of the store room to stand up. Despite the intense pain he’d felt moments before, now that the woman wasn’t pushing on his mind it was almost like it had never happened. “Maybe so, but I can’t even remember the crime I committed, I don’t have to live with it… you do. When any of us do something we regret, remembering is usually the worst part. You don’t need me to add to it…”

Valanthe said nothing, just nodded. How did she let things go so far?

Harsak sighed, “alright enough of the simpering pity party. Are we going after this schutta or what?”

Valanthe nodded firmly, taking a deep breath. “I need to go talk to the Jedi, see if they know anything.”

Jedi Temple, sometime later

There was a strange buzz in the air as she entered the ancient halls so soon again. When she called the Temple to arrange an appointment, there was reluctance to arrange it, but she finally was given a time.

Riis did her best to keep her calm about her, lest too many questions were asked. Considering, however, that she was going to meet with Mace and Yoda, she wasn’t so sure her calm facade would fool the two men.

She paced the meeting room, her fingers subconsciously rubbing the little holo-projector, mind going over various clues she’d gathered at Tomno’s. It was in that pacing state that the tall dark and the small green man found her.

“Exercise, you are catching up on, young Riis?” Yoda asked as he and Master Windu entered one of the Temple’s many meeting rooms. Even for the old master who’d seen thousands of Jedi come and go, it was strange for him, seeing Valanthe here but not as one of them.

Valanthe couldn’t help a smile, “Masters,” she greeted them with a traditional bow. “I apologize for taking you away from your duties, especially in the light of our earlier meeting. However, I require assistance, if you are able to provide?”

“Provide help we will, if we can.” Yoda said returning the bow, glad to see that Valanthe had not forsaken all her teachings. “Troubled, you are. Explain, what occupies your thoughts.” Climbing up on one of the meditation cushions, Yoda waited for the other two to join him.

Mace motioned for Valanthe to sit first, which she did fluidly, crossing her legs.

“Masters, I’ve come across a Force user that has been on Coruscant for at least some time, and she...from what I can tell she is dabbling dangerously close to the Dark Side, or she has entirely fallen, I am not sure.” Valanthe began, feeling quite the hypocrite at the moment.

“What has this individual done to come to your attention, Riis?” Mace asked, his fingers steepled together as he watched her contain herself.

“She has interfered with certain events, which resulted in deaths.” Valanthe knew she had to give them something, yet not tip her hand. For all she knew the Jedi could unknowingly tip GAR’s hand that she had been snooping.

She extended her palm forward with the holoprojector and turned it on, the image of the pale woman and Tomno appearing. Valanthe played the recording for the two Jedi then.

“Operates without our knowledge, this woman does, here on Coruscant no less.” Sharing a glance with Mace, Yoda focused on the woman in the holo image. “Resembles she does, a Dark Force user, encountered we have.”

Valanthe frowned, “Master?”

“By all records, she used to be a Padawan learner under Master Ky Narec.” Mace supplied, “this was long before the outbreak of the War. We had thought her dead initially.”

“I am not familiar with Master Narec.” Vala looked between the two men. “Who is she?”

“A Watchman he was, Asajj Ventress he took as a Padawan, before his death.” Yoda said with a sad shake of his green head. Master Narec had been a promising Jedi and the reports he sent back of his progress with the young Dathomiri were encouraging, had he not been killed, she’d have probably been a great Jedi.

“Who’s she working for now, do you know?” Valanthe had a sinking feeling they knew very well whom she was working for. She also had a feeling she was really going to hate the answer.

“Dooku.” Yoda said simply, his large eyes narrowing a bit as the man’s name left his green lips. His gaze softening a moment later as the elder Master sighed. “Assassin and Commander she has become, for the Confederacy. Fought her many times, Master Kenobi, Knight Skywalker and Padawan Tano have.”

She had been right. Valanthe sighed as Yoda spoke. “Thank you, Master.”

“May I ask how she has come under your radar, Riis?” Mace looked over at the young woman, his large, dark eyes as calculating and studying as ever.

Valanthe looked over at him, wanting to tell the truth, but with recent events, she was loathe to confide even in the two honorable men before her. At this point, the Mirialan deemed it too risky.

“Cameras caught her interfering with one of our cases.” She replied matter of factly, or as best as she could to sound that way.

Mace raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

“The Jedi, this case will involve?” Yoda asked, his expression mirroring Mace’s. Technically anything involving Ventress, involved the Jedi. But Yoda wasn’t going to push too hard, the Jedi had enough to worry about.

Valanthe shook her head, “if I find her, I will notify you. But at the moment it’s a GAR/RMOI matter.” She said.

“Hmm very well, if support you need, we shall provide.” Yoda offered, hoping that perhaps Riis was onto something.

Then, she felt it. A deep, stabbing pain in the core of her soul. Fear, anger, grief, despair all bundled into one. It was a very strange sensation, as if it was coming from far away, and hurtling towards them at hyper speed.

Had something happened? She hadn’t felt something this strong in a while. There were no indications something was wrong at the Temple when she arrived.

Guilt, fury, confusion.

Where was it coming from?

A giant sense of loss.

Valanthe blinked, letting out a deep breath. An image of a planet torn in half flashed in her mind for the briefest of moments.

Lola Sayu.

Spirits, how could she have forgotten? The team. The briefing. In her state and distracted by Xan’s death, she had completely forgotten about Obi-Wan, Anakin, Echo, Fives and the others and the rescue attempt of Master Piell.

Force, she had gone down further than she thought.

“Masters, do you feel that?”

“A disturbance in the Force…” Yoda said grimacing at the sensation through the Force. “Gone wrong, something has with the rescue.”

Vala’s eyes widened, but Mace interrupted. “We had to send in Master Plo with additional troopers.”

“What?”

Fives, Echo. Obi-Wan. Spirits…

“We can discuss this later, Riis. We must get to the Communications tower.” Mace was already in his feet heading towards the door.

Valanthe wanted to run after him but chose to stay back with Yoda. “Master, what happened?”

“Their escape, detected it was, the shuttle destroyed.” Yoda said as he too got up from the small seat, calling his hover chair so they could also head to the Communications tower. “Many casualties there have been, among our Jedi there seems to have been as well.”

Valanthe let out a deep breath as they moved into the hallway, “do we know who?”

Not now. You can panic and stress later. Focus now and do your job. 

The best way to stop arguing with herself would be to just do it. So, she did it. With a lot of the buildings being relatively low on this level, considering the Manaraai mountains and all, Valanthe managed to quickly scale the neighbouring building up to the roof. 

Two troopers were patrolling the roof. 

They’re expecting interference? Looking for someone? 

It was easy to jump over that particular hurdle, as she simply slipped between them when they were at their furthest apart distance, looking in different directions. 

Must not be that tight, the exits are only being watched, but not locked. Vala thought to herself as she descended down the levels to Xander’s apartment. 

Four guards in the hall, she noticed as she watched merged with the shadows, two watching the lift, the other two at the entry to the apartment itself. People were going in and out of it, forensics and investigators mainly. 

Arren’s here too? Vala frowned from underneath her cloak of Force as she noticed the Zabrak who had interrogated her step out of the apartment. The expression on his face was that of sadness threatening to break out. The usually stoic man was clearly concerned. I need to get in there. 

So she inched closer and observed the patterns of the troopers for a few moments. Normally, she would create a distraction using the Force and slip by, but there were too many of them and she couldn’t afford to drop her cloak in order to perform other tricks. No, she needed a gap in their monitoring. 

As time went, Valanthe grew more frustrated as the clones seemed to be perfectly covering the small space she needed to cross in order to enter the apartment. 

Aha! Gotcha! She cried finally in her mind as she noticed a coroner exit the lift. She used all of her training not to consider what the coroner being there meant. It was her way in so she took it. 

Valanthe dashed up to the coroner, stopping short of the short human. He had obviously sensed a shift in the atmosphere next to him so he turned, looking behind him. Valanthe followed his turns swiftly, always keeping to the back of the man. 

“Sir?” One of the troopers asked. 

The coroner gave the clone a thoughtful look, “hmm?” 

“Are you alright, sir?” The clone asked again, turning to the coroner. 

Valanthe took the chance and slipped into the foyer, as the troopers were focused on the coroner. 

The first thing that hit her was the scent of fried bellassan peppers in the air. 

Were you making dinner? She wondered as she stepped over to the small kitchenette. 

There were two technicians from Forensics, taking samples of what looked like an omelette. They took several samples each, then they appeared to be scanning the counter, looking for trace evidence, or so Vala guessed. Meanwhile, Investigator Arren returned, looking even more grim than before. 

The coroner rushed in after a few moments, still looking concerned, heading straight for one of the agents who was speaking with Arren. He seemed apologetic and opened his case, heading deeper into the lounge room. 

Vala felt her heart sink as she carefully edged closer, taking care not to be in anyone’s way, lest she be discovered. Slowly, she managed to find a viewing point to the very corner of the room, having had to circle the group extremely carefully not to disrupt any evidence. 

There he was, limply slumped into the couch, the pale visage of death a stark contrast to his usual bright face. Her friend, her mentor, her former boss… 

“He is expired.” Said the coroner heavily as he stood up, sighing. “Without a detailed examination I cannot ascertain when.” 

Arren looked distressed too, “were you able to ascertain the cause of death, Doctor?” 

The coroner nodded thoughtfully, “scans indicate he had a heart attack.” 

What? Vala frowned under her cloak as she edged closer to hear. Xander was fit, despite his weight. Her heart sank further as she looked at the still form on the couch. 

“Heart attack? Natural or induced?” Arren frowned, his facial tattoos making him look even more imposing and intimidating with a frown. 

The cornorer seemed indecisive for a moment, “I cannot confirm with absolute certainty that it is natural, I need to run further tests on the body.” 

Arren suddenly looked in her direction, his sharp eyes cowled with a frown. Vala barely withheld a gasp as she saw it, realizing her control must have slipped somehow. Quickly she moved away, careful not to disturb anything or anyone. Had he seen her? 

“Investigator Arren?” The fellow investigator looked at the Zabrak quizzically. 

Arren blinked, still focused on where Vala had stood moments before. Had her cover fallen or had he sensed her presence? 

Either way, Vala knew she needed to get out of there quickly before her concentration broke fully. There was more going on than a simple investigation, that much she was sure of. She would need to look at the reports and evidence another way since she couldn’t do her own investigation on site. 

“Nothing, it’s nothing.” Arren shook his head focusing back on the coroner. “Doctor, the Director was in good health, how is it possible he just ‘has’ a heart attack?” 

Vala wanted to know that too as she turned around from where she had nearly reached the exit. 

“It is entirely possible, Investigator. It’s just unfortunate.” 

Except it’s too much of a coincidence to be unfortunate. Valanthe thought, stepping to the side to avoid a forensic investigator who exited the apartment. 

A tear slipped down her cheek and down onto the carpet. 

I need to get out of here. Vala snapped out of her growing sorrow momentarily and focused on slipping out of the apartment. Only no one was entering or exiting at that moment she could use as a distraction. 

Then, just as she was about to try and traverse the distance to the other side of the hall, Arren stepped by her and stepped outside. Valanthe hurried after him, hoping he wouldn’t turn as he had before. Which, of course, he did. It was only thanks to her natural aglity and the Force itself that she managed to stop in time as the horned head turned to look behind his shoulder. Her heart was beating fast now and she could feel beads of sweat on her face. 

There! A minute chance to dash away as the clones’ heads turned to the confused looking Investigator.

“Sir?” 

“Everything alright, Investigator?” 

Valanthe made a quiet dash for the other side of the hallway and dashed up the stairs, not seeing Arren look after her a mix of confusion and wonder on his face.  

“Investigator Arren?” 

“Yes...apologies.” Was all she heard as she ascended the levels. Only two guards to go and she’d be free. 

She hugged the wall as she neared the roof exit and peeked through the door. The guards were just nearing their intersection point. Three step, two step, one step. Cross paths. Turn. Perfect about face. One step, two step, three step. 

Eventually the two unsuspecting clones made it to the furthest distance they could go and Vala dashed for it, throwing herself over the rooftop into the neaby alley she knew wasn’t being guarded. 

As she fell through the air, she let go of the cloak and extended her hands downward, drawing on the Force again to ease her fall. She still landed a bit hard, falling down to her knees, breathing hard. Hard breaths soon turned into the precursor of the inner ravaging she was feeling. Her eyes watered and she could feel her throat constrict. 

How in all hells did they get to him? HOW? She cried in her mind as she leaned against the dirty floor for support. Was she exposed too? 

Valanthe still had enough mental control to realize she needed to move, find a safe spot before she could allow herself to grieve for her friend. So she forced herself on her feet, which were still pulsating from the force of the landing. Gritting her teeth, the Mirialan moved back into the less savory district away from Manarai. 

Sometime later, Sector 4805 - Zi-Kree 

Riis had forced herself to focus, to blend into the shadows in order to draw the least attention to herself. The further she went into Zi-Kree, the easier it got. Nobody wanted to be noticed there, nor did they want to notice people. This suited the Mirialan just fine. 

Forcing herself to think, rather than grieve, because she could do that later, Valanthe needed to figure out what had happened to her friend. Whilst, yes, it could have been a heart attack as the coroner had said, she did not believe it. Then again, she could just be paranoid. 

Stop! Just stop! Vala screamed internally at herself as she slumped against a dank wall in a dark alley, her force cloak dropping. Hugging her feet to her chest, she shook, trying to keep calm, taking deep breaths. 

Think, think, think, think. Her mind cycled. Just think. What did he do last? Who did he talk to? Did he find anything out? Find that out and you’ll have a better idea of whether he was killed or if it really was natural causes. 

A few deep breaths later, the dark haired woman finally leaned back, taking yet another deep breath and exhaling. “Okay...first thing’s first.” She closed her eyes and attempted to relax. 

She reached out through the Force in attempt to gauge motivations of people around her. Had she been noticed? Was she being followed. So far, it seemed she was just another blissfully ignored individual. 

There was a faint beep in the background. Faint so you could barely hear it. Something was needing her attention. Wiping yet another stray tear, Vala raised her arm, tapping at her wristcomm. A blue light flashed as faintly as the sound. The dead drop. 

Xander had arranged that one with her. He must have found something. A single thought ran through her head. She needed to get to a secure terminal and download whatever it was that was waiting for her, as soon as possible.

 Coruscant, Housing Block ‘Chorathon’, Apartment B-21

 It took her a good hour to get back home, making sure she wasn’t followed, running as much counter intelligence in the process before she reached the relative safety of her appartment. 

She sat there at her computer, a cup of caf in hand, tapping in the various authorizations and codes to access the dead drop. Part of her dreaded what she may find. Part of her hoped desperately that the information in there would help her figure out what had happened. 

Sipping her caf, she hit the start command once the decryption finished. His voice made her shudder a little, the touch of grief returning as he began talking. Xander relayed how the resurgence of Harsak Vanth concerned him, he also relayed the meeting time and place just in case something happened as well as his theories as to what may have happened with Vanth since the start of the war. 

Vala remembered the stories of Vanth, though she had never met him personally. She knew he had been a good agent and someone who could be very dangerous. As far as anything else went, she knew he was Weequay. That was it. 

Xander then resumed dictating, “be careful, Vala. Getting access to GAR R&D will be more difficult than either of us imagine, with the security protocols they likely have there.” 

“I have faith that you can gain access to it, at least grab us a copy we can sift through so we can gather the evidence and present a case…” He continued into what Vanth had told him, and his concerns over the matter. 

Oh Xan, I am so sorry, my friend. I will find it, I will get it and I will find out what really happened to you. I will find out, I promise. Vala took a deep, steadying breath, unable to keep her eyes from watering again. 

So, Vanth would be at the Stinky Fish tomorrow. She would go in Xander’s stead and talk to this Vanth fellow. If he knew anything, she would get it out of him. By ‘Force’ if needed. Once upon a time she would squash such thoughts in fear of it leading her down a darker path, now though… Now, she didn’t know anymore. She knew it was wrong. She didn’t care and she did at the same time. Her best friend wasn’t here to talk to, nor was Obi-Wan...he was off with Fives and Echo, trying to rescue Master Piell. So Vala would just have to rescue herself and deal with her angry, vengeful thoughts on the spot.

 Level 1313, The Stinky Fish bar, following evening

 She had come in early, taking her time to settle in, order food and appear as leisurely as possible. Having already been in there once, she may or may not be recognized, but her purpose had been unknown then and it would be unknown now. All in all, an infrequent customer at best would be what people would be able to say about a somewhat dishevelled looking green-skinned woman. 

She had sat at the right table and worn the clothes Xander had outlined. Only difference was who was wearing the clothes. Hopefully the Weequay wouldn’t bolt the moment he realized Xander wasn’t there. 

Vala casually checked her chronometer every so often. Any minute now Vanth would arrive, or not. She would glance sideways at the entry as she slowly munched on her food. 

There we go. She fought hard not to straighten in her seat as her eyes fell on the man. One would almost not notice he was a big and strong Weequay from the subdued, non-descript way he carried himself. Perfect for what we’re about to do….hopefully. Vala thought as he inconspicuously looked around. 

Yellow eyes met lilac then and she could see the indecision in them, even without using the Force. She reached out to him, sending a sense of peace to him through the Force, a notion that her being there instead of Xander was alright. 

A dark eyebrow then raised in question, a silent one to which he answered by stepping over to her booth and sitting heavily across from her.

“I told him to meet me here alone. Not one of his underlings.” Harsak growled as he leaned forward on his massive arms. 

“He won’t be making it.” Vala replied, leaning closer. “He’s dead.” 

A quick arm shot up and enclosed around her throat. “Then I will end his assassin.” Vanth leaned closer, forcing Vala closer too with his hand. 

Riis let it happen, knowing she needed to gain this man’s trust. If Xander trusted him, she’d give him a chance. Trust, however went both ways. Hence her letting him control the moment, rather than using the Force to tip the balance of power in her favor. 

“As...will...I.” 

The grip loosened. 

Vala took the chance and spoke, “I’m Riis. I used to work with him,” she said under breath. “I found the full regalia of RMOI and GAR personnel at his pad last night, with him dead on his couch. Even the full forensic team and Coruscant Guard perimeter.” 

“What?” 

“Arren, the Coroner, I wouldn’t be surprised if they got Commander Fox himself to secure the site.” Vala continued as the grip loosened further. 

“How were you not detained?” The grip remained, and now a pistol was pointed at her from underneath the table. 

“I’m good at not being seen.” Vala tried to flex her neck muscles a little, the position was getting very uncomfortable. “They say he had a heart attack.” 

“Heart attack?” Vanth frowned, making his menacing visage look even more menacing. 

Vala nodded slowly. 

“Natural or unnatural?” 

“They don’t know yet. They’ll be doing an autopsy.” Vala replied, letting out a relieved sigh as he finally released her, though the gun was still pointed at her. 

She leaned back, rubbing her neck a little. Vanth seemed genuinely shocked and angry rather than anything else. It was rarely that the killer had such a visceral reaction to such shocking news. 

She glanced around the place casually as she did so, her senses open to any unwanted attention. It seemed encounters such as theirs weren’t anything unusual here.

“He sent me a data file. Where he mentioned you and what you told him, they you two were meeting here tonight. He told me about a certain database.” Vala leaned forward again. “How do you know that database is at GAR R&D? I’m with bloody GAR now and I can’t even come close to that place.” 

Vanth raised his brow momentarily before leaning back as well. 

“It was you who found it, wasn’t it?” He asked finally, studying her. 

Vala nodded slowly, “taken from us the moment we hit Coruscant. Well the moment part of my team hit Coruscant. The rest of us were cycled elsewhere. Since then I hadn’t been able to get sight nor sound of what was on it and was effectively gagged. I stepped into something...something someone doesn’t want out. But what?” 

“The long needed proof that the Techno Union was supplying the CIS via the Balmorran Arms Factory.” He replied quietly. “Someone up high, as high as the Office of the Chancellor doesn’t want this coming out, Riis.” 

“Only someone with that level of authority can put a lid on this. The GAR is loyal to the Senate and the Chancellor. The Jedi...they wouldn’t sit on something that important.” Vala said. Her eyes narrowed then, “how do you know all this?” 

“It’s a long story, Riis.” He waved it off. 

“If I’m to trust you, I need to know. Xan would have needed to know. Last I checked you went MIA at the start of the war. How in the hells do you expect me to take you at your word, without evidence and without a damn good explanation as to where you have been all these months and how the kriff you came by that information.” Vala lowered her head a little, “and you can dispense with the gun, or I will dispense it for you.” 

He seemed a bit startled that she had somehow noticed the gun under the table, though if his memory served him correctly, she had a way of knowing things. Still, he put the gun away. 

“Alright, Riis. Alright.” He held both of his hands up, then put them down again. “I’d become aware in the weeks leading up to Geonosis of a number of individuals and Jedi going dark, changing allegiances. I didn’t go MIA, I went off grid in concert with my handler, Visik. How had he not told you or Xan that I was under cover?” 

Visik was a Miraluka native, one of the few who had made it to a civilian service, rather than being a Jedi, due to his low Force attunement yet high perception. The problem was, Visik was killed several days after the start of the war. 

“Visik was killed three days after the outbreak of the war.” Vala prepared for yet another grip to a part of her body. This time none came, the Weequay seemed a lot more restrained, more wary than anything else.

“So they killed him, effectively discrediting me and anything I say.” He commented. 

“Or you’re lying. I have no proof either way. Who are these people who went dark?” Which Jedi? She silently wondered. 

He began listing several names. Then he began listing the Jedi and Vala’s heart sank even further, “Artel Dar, Kadrian Sey, Tol Skorr, Sora Bulq and Quinlan Vos. Perhaps more, but those of, I know.” 

That’s why they wouldn’t talk about you...Obi-Wan and Anakin. You...you fell. Vala sighed deeply. I am so sorry, my friend. Was that why Aayla was even more hostile to her? Did she remind her of Quin’s actions? 

“What did you do, Vanth? How did you come by this?” Vala asked again. 

The Weequay grinned, “how does one learn anything from the enemy?” 

Her senses were not sensing deception from him. Could he really be telling the truth? 

“They become one of them.” 

He nodded slowly, “not as an agent of the Republic, of course. I woke up one of my aliases.” 

“So why’d you resurface?” 

“Because the CIS have noticed someone is poking around and their agents...Dooku’s agents have been sent out.” Harsak leaned forward, still keeping his tone low. “They are taking measures to keep the truth from coming out.” 

“The truth being?” 

“Look I don’t know with absolute certainty. I wasn’t able to get that close but everything so far indicates that this war has been staged. Don’t ask me reasons, Riis I don’t have them. If you want some answers, you better get into GAR R&D and get that database.” He shrugged and took her drink, taking a sip without invitation. 

Vala nodded slowly, digesting this information. It almost made sense. Conjecture was all well and good, evidence was what made the case stick. She had none at the moment.  He could be leading into a very self incriminating trap as much as he could be telling the truth. The Force was not helping her discern it. 

“Vanth,” she said after swallowing a bite, “who else knew about your return? About any of this?” 

“Just Xan’s CI, the go-between we would sometimes use. Tomno Sol, he runs a food stall in the Old Marked Bazaar.” He said.

She rolled her tongue over her teeth behind her lips, eyes slowly going side to side as she considered her next move.