Star Wars: Vergence IV, Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

Takodana 

“Malvis, you say.” Sidon Ithano spoke the name with a thick veil of disdain. He kicked back in his seat, propping his legs up on the table in front of him, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes. I remember you now.”

Sitting across from him, Sare Valrisa regarded the Delphidian pirate carefully. A few months ago, she had hired him and his crew through the Desilijic organization on Tatooine to recover a Sith artifact from a castle on Teth ruled by Vondara the Hutt. She would have done the operation herself, but her superiors in the Cabal at the time did not want the Hutts to directly connect the artifact’s theft to the Cabal, and thus she had acted as a “middle-woman” for the operation. In the time that had passed since the operation and the subsequent auction on Ord Talavos, Valrisa wondered if it would have been worth the trouble for the Cabal if it hadn’t been stolen from them, as well as why they had even wanted the artifact in the first place.

Such questions would have to wait, of course. Right now, her only hope was that the Crimson Corsair did not hold that whole debacle against her. When Kyla had called her and the other Renegades in to speak with Sidon Ithano and his crew, she had considered the prospect that the pirates held a grudge against her for having dragged them into that mess in the first place. So far, they weren’t confirming or denying those concerns. 

While Sidon continued to sit there in grueling silence, his Gabdorin first mate Quiggold squinted his eyes at Valrisa. “You’re not with the Cabal anymore, are you?”

“No,” Valrisa said. “I left not long after you guys delivered the artifact. Why I left is kind of a long story, and I doubt you guys would be interested in hearing it.”

“And you would be correct.” Taking his legs off the table, Sidon Ithano leaned forward, bringing his masked face closer to Valrisa. “Suppose we agree to helping you—which we haven’t yet. What would our role be in taking down Malvis?”

“That would be a question for Booster Terrik,” Valrisa replied. “And I doubt he’ll tell you until you’ve sworn loyalty to our cause. He wouldn’t want you to go blabbing to Malvis if he told you before that point.”

“He is a smart man,” Sidon said. “But even if I do swear loyalty, how does he know I won’t go back on my word?”

“He doesn’t,” Valrisa admitted. “But if you do, what do you think the galaxy is going to think of the Crimson Corsair? That he’s a coward who’s not brave enough to go up against Malvis?”

Quiggold sneered. “Watch yourself, girl.”

Sidon, on the other hand, let out a hearty laugh, a sound that was slightly distorted by his red Kaleesh mask. “Ah, you know me better than some of my crew, Lady Valrisa. I wouldn’t dare cross you or Captain Terrik when you are that savvy.”

“You will help us, then?” Valrisa asked.

“Of course. So long as there is some compensation of the monetary variety in store for us.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll get your reward.” Valrisa rose from her seat. “Let me find Booster so you two can….”

She trailed off as she felt a prickling sensation at the back of her head. While she had not relied on the Force since she had left the Jedi, she was not stupid enough to ignore its warnings whenever it gave her one unsolicited. Turning away from Sidon and Quiggold, who were staring at her in confusion, she scanned the room for the source of the danger. Her eyes passed over Ubdurians playing dejarik, Twi’leks dancing to music, assorted beings yelling over a game of sabacc, before finally landing on Kadar. The former Mandalorian was sitting at the bar with her crewmate Zarin Kal, mulling over drinks in a shared sullen silence. Neither of them appeared to be in any sort of danger… until she saw the man in a red Mandalorian helmet stepping up to them, walking slowly but with purpose. With one hand, he pushed back his trenchcoat, revealing a holstered sawed-off blaster rifle.

As soon as she saw his fingers brush against the handle of the blaster, Valrisa opened her mouth to let out a warning. Before she could utter a single word, Zarin Kal whirled out of his seat, throwing his drink aside, and seized the masked man with the Force. He kept one hand held in an upward position as he lifted the man off his feet while igniting his red lightsaber with the other. Valrisa heard a collective gasp ring out around the room as everything and everyone went silent, their attention redirecting to the altercation.

“Hey!” The warning yell came from an archaic-looking droid pushing its way through the crowd. “You know the rules! No fighting!”

Zarin did not appear to be listening, however. His eyes had taken on a sickly shade of yellow, something which Valrisa knew was associated with his use of the dark side. Kadar, meanwhile, had turned around to face the man being suspended in the air by the Kiffar ex-Jedi, his expression hidden by his mask.

“Dax,” she heard him say after a long moment; his voice sounded thick with emotion. “What are you doing?”

“What do you… think?” his would-be assailant managed to say from beneath Zarin’s invisible grip. “Trying to… kill you….”

“That helmet… where did you get that helmet? How did you—”

“If you do not cease this altercation, you will be punished,” the ancient droid interjected.

“Zarin,” Valrisa called out to the former Jedi. “Let him go!”

To her relief, her words got through to the Kiffar and he released his Force grip on Dax, letting the man drop to the floor before shutting off his lightsaber. Coughing, Dax pulled off the helmet and gasped for air, sweat trickling down his face.

“Can’t do it,” he mumbled between panted breaths. “I just can’t do it.”

Kadar slowly dropped down to one knee, lowering himself to be at approximate eye level with his would-be killer. “How did you know I would be here?”

“Argus has a contact on the Errant Venture. Said that—”

“Wait,” Kadar cut him off. “Did you say Argus? As in Argus Ordo?”

“He blames you for his daughter’s death,” Dax said. “Can’t say I understand the story behind it, but it was not really any of my concern anyway.”

Kadar grabbed Dax roughly by the shoulder. “Is he here? Argus. Is he here?”

“He’s just outside. Waiting for me to kill you. Said if I didn’t do it, he would finish the job.”

Kadar let go of the man as he stood back up, angling his helmet to look at Zarin and then Valrisa. “I have to leave,” he said firmly.

“Still running away from your problems, I see.”

Kadar moved with a jolt as he spun around. Standing there at the bar, where there had been no one moments before, was Maz Kanata. The pirate queen adjusted her goggles as she stared pointedly at Kadar.

“Don’t think I don’t know about that little altercation you had outside my castle last year,” Kanata said sternly. “I must say, I have very little tolerance for visitors who repeatedly bring their problems to my doorstep. Especially those who leave them for others to deal with.” 

Valrisa saw Kadar clench his fists, his whole body tensing. As she walked over to join him, Zarin, and Kanata, she saw Vessin walking over to them as well, having pushed her way through the crowded castle as soon as the altercation with Dax had occurred.

“I’m not running from my problems,” the Mandalorian growled. “I’m going outside to face Argus so he doesn’t come into the castle. This—whatever this is—is between me and him alone.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” Vessin protested. “He’s my grandfather—my kin. I have just as much right to be out there as you do.”

Kadar started to shake his head, no doubt about to object, but then stopped. Instead, he rolled his shoulders with a huff. “Fine,” he muttered. “Gear up and let’s head out there.”

While Vessin put her helmet on, Valrisa looked down at Dax, still sitting there on the floor, tired and defeated. “What about him?” she asked.

“Watch him,” Kadar said simply before heading for the castle’s exit, Vessin trailing close behind.

As the two Mandalorians departed, Valrisa looked back over to Zarin. The Kiffar ex-Jedi stood there with a brooding expression, not looking to either her or Dax, or anything at all in particular for that matter. Kanata looked between the two of them before shaking her head and walking away, leaving them to their thoughts and woes.

*  *  *

As soon as he and Vessin had stepped out of the castle, Kadar spotted the Gauntlet-class starfighter located just on the outskirts of the surrounding forest. Within minutes of them approaching the ship, a figure clad in entirely black Mandalorian armor stepped down the ship’s open ramp, carrying a Galaar-15 blaster carbine in his hands. The blocky weapon was an old design, dating back to the Clone Wars, but Kadar knew that Argus was stubborn enough to not want to transition into a newer type of weapon.

The three Mandalorians came within several steps of each other before stopping, Argus holding his ancient weapon and Kadar resting a hand on his holstered one. Vessin stood a few steps behind her father, weapon already drawn but not raised as she waited to see how this confrontation between her kin would play out.

Angling his helmeted head to look at her, Argus Ordo said, “Still wearing your grandmother’s armor, I see.”

“You gave it to me,” Vessin icily shot back. “I hope I’ve made her proud.”

“We’ll see.” Argus then redirected his attention to Kadar. “I take it Dax didn’t make it out. Can’t say I was expecting him to, to be honest.”

“He’s still alive, if that’s what you’re implying,” Kadar replied. “Despite what some people may tell you, I’m not a cold-blooded killer. Not anymore, in any case.”

Argus snorted. “No, but you are a coward. I heard what happened at Mandalore; you killed Atinar Cabur, with the Darksaber no less, and then you faked your death to run off with your smuggler friends.”

“I didn’t think you’d be the type to support someone like Cabur,” Kadar remarked.

“Support him?” Argus snapped. “As if I would ever support a ruthless brute like him. No, I consider you a coward for not claiming the title of Mand’alor for yourself. You held the Darksaber in your hands and used it to liberate from Cabur’s iron grip… only to then leave the planet in the hands of your brother, who will prove to be no different than all of the other Vizslas who have ruled Mandalore.”

“And I would?”

“You were always different, Kadar. Even I will admit that. Deep down, I had always felt you had potential to be something greater than your clan, and that you would prove all of my misgivings wrong. But you failed. You had everything in your hands… and you threw it all away.”

“And that calls for my death?” Kadar asked.

“In my eyes, it does,” Argus said. “For bringing disgrace to not only your clan, but to all the Mandalorian clans. For abandoning your people to your brother, who is sure to be as tyrannical as his predecessor. For putting yourself before Mandalore.”

The elder Mandalorian raised his blaster, pointing it straight at Kadar’s chest. Vessin started to raise her own weapon as well while Kadar remained motionless, continuing to stare at Argus.

“What is happening on Mandalore now?” he asked, his tone calm and even.

Argus rested a finger on the carbine rifle’s trigger. “I haven’t been there in ages. I’ve only just recently learned about the battle that happened last year.”

“Then perhaps we should go there now to see how things are going under my brother’s rule.”

Argus snorted again. “Oh, so now you care? For the past year, you haven’t given a damn about your people, and all it takes is one conversation for you to change your mind?”

“You could put it that way,” Kadar admitted. “The reason I turned my back on Mandalore was because I thought it would be the best for everyone. I was already a controversial enough figure, and even with the backing of Beviin and his Protectors I knew there was no chance I would get all of Mandalore to rally under me. After all, I am still a Vizsla, no matter how much I try to distance myself from my past. But, if they’re already willing to accept someone like Tral to lead them….”

He trailed off, leaving the rest unspoken. Argus did not waver in his stance, keeping his weapon trained on Kadar. Vessin, meanwhile, looked to her father with her head tilted slightly to the side.

“Do you mean all that?” she asked quietly. “You told me you had wanted to start life anew, to leave the Mandalorian way behind….”

“That was before I realized that I can never escape my old life,” Kadar replied. “Tyrius’s return from the dead showed me that, and what Argus and Dax are doing here has only settled it. Maz Kanata was right; I need to face my problems rather than run from them.”

“Empty words mean nothing, Kadar,” Argus growled. “Not unless you’re actions can back them up.”

“You’re right. But I can’t perform any actions if you kill me now.”

“Tell me why I shouldn’t.”

“To give me a chance to make things right.”

“A chance?” Argus barked out a harsh laugh. “I’ve already given you a second chance, and you threw it away. What makes you think I’ll give you a third?”

“The fact that you haven’t pulled the trigger yet.”

Argus chuckled, though Kadar could hear the uneasiness in his voice. “That doesn’t mean what you want it to. It just means that—”

“That you’re not a cold-blooded killer like me?” When the older Mandalorian said nothing, Kadar continued. “If she were here now, what do you think Corda would say? What she would think of you?”

“Don’t you dare use her name against me,” Argus snarled.

“She wanted unity between the clans more than anything,” Kadar went on undeterred. “For the past several centuries, the Mandalorians have been divided: the New Mandalorians, the True Mandalorians, Death Watch, the Children of the Watch, the Protectors, the Nite Owls. Even now, infighting continues to plague our clans. It is because of this disunity that we have become unable to reclaim the glory we lost with our many defeats at the hands of the Republic and the Empire. Corda realized this and wanted to do everything she could to bring our warring clans back together. Perhaps that is why she loved me, why she married me, despite being a Vizsla. She saw that a Mandalorian is defined not by their clan but by their actions, and she wanted to ensure that everyone else saw that as well.”

“Nice speech,” Argus grunted. “Gotta admit, I like this side of you, Kadar. Wish I saw it more often.”

“I guess you bring the best out of me. I guess members of Clan Ordo have that in common.”

For several moments, Argus remained in his position, keeping his blaster aimed at Kadar, the sun reflecting in his opaque black armor. Then, slowly, deliberately, he lowered his carbine rifle and relaxed into a straighter stance, although his body was still tensed in case either Kadar or Vessin made a move.

“You know me better than I care to admit, Kadar,” Argus said with a sigh. “You’re right, I can’t bring myself to kill you. Not because I like you, but because….”

“Because of her,” Kadar said softly.

“Yes. Because of her.”

Vessin looked between the two of them—her father and grandfather respectively—before putting away her own weapon, though she kept a careful eye on Argus. “So, is that it then? Have you boys finally settled your grudges?”

“Not yet,” Argus said gruffly. “But it’s a start.”

“So, what now then? We can’t leave for Mandalore until we help the others deal with the Cabal. It would be kind of rude of us to just up and abandon them at this stage.”

“If you can vow on your life that you will come with me to Mandalore, then I might be able to help you with this Cabal of yours,” Argus said. “It was a woman from this Cabal that told me Kadar was still alive. I might be able to get in touch with her and use that connection to get you what you need or where you need to go to.”

Kadar placed a fist over his heart. “By our creed, I will do whatever you ask of me to take back Mandalore and restore its former glory.”

“This is the Way,” Argus murmured.

“This is the Way,” Kadar and Vessin both echoed back.

“It is settled then. I have a Rybet informant on the Errant Venture up above. I will get in touch with him and use him as a way to get back in touch with my other benefactor.”

Kadar nodded. “Good. We should inform Captain Terrik and the others about this.”

“I’m not sure Terrik will be happy to learn that there’s a spy on his ship,” Vessin pointed out.

“I don’t think he’s happy about anything.”

The Errant Venture

The Rybet known as Cyclops was nervous.

Argus Ordo was supposed to have reported in by now whether he or Dax Goldam had succeeded in killing Kadar, so that he could then report to his contact in the Malvis Cabal. Any moment now, his contact was going to call him, and she was not going to be happy with the lack of news.

It was at this moment that he finally realized he had bitten off more than he could chew. Ever since Kadar had gained notoriety as the killer of Black Sun crime lords, Cyclops had hoped to make a name for himself by being the one to do Kadar in. Sure, he was relying on others to do the dirty work for him, and would most likely get most of the credit. But how wonderful would it have been to be remembered, even if by just one person, to be the one responsible for the death of such an infamous bounty hunter. 

When Kadar had first been sighted on Takodana a year ago, Cyclops had sought out the bounty hunter Remar Almor and sent his crew after the Mandalorian, although they ended up abandoning the hunt in favor of a separate bounty. Since then, Cyclops had been waiting for another opportunity, hiding among the members of the Smugglers’ Alliance until one arose. That was when he got in touch with the Malvis Cabal, who also had an interest in getting rid of Kadar due to his reputation, and he agreed to be their spy.

It was just Cyclops’s luck that Kadar and his new band of Renegades just so happened to join up with the Smugglers’ Alliance around that time. He just wasn’t sure if it was the good or bad kind of luck.

As Cyclops mulled over what his chances were of getting on a ship and slipping away to Hutt Space where he would change his name again and start life anew, his comlink chimed and he already knew who it was calling him. Knowing he could not escape the inevitable, he slipped away into a secluded corner of the ship and answered the device.

“Cyclops here. Before you ask, no, Argus has not reported back yet. I’m still waiting—”

“It is a moot point,” his contact responded. “The Despised One has made some… alterations to our plans.”

Cyclops frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You will see soon enough. My advice? Get the hell out of there if you want to live.”

Before Cyclops could ask for further clarification, the line went dead. At that moment, alarms began to blare throughout the Errant Venture and he heard footsteps rushing towards the bridge. Stepping out of his corner, he followed the moving smugglers and stepped onto the Star Destroyer’s command bridge, where the crew were moving around frantically.

“How many did you say there were?” barked out the smuggler known as Jast Kyjar.

“Ten—fifteen—a lot!” replied a Mikkian crew member. “They just keep dropping out of hyperspace!”

“Raise the shields! Divert as much power as you can to forward defenses!”

“Um,” Cyclops started to say as Jast brushed past him, “what’s going on?”

“Cabal ships are entering the system,” Jast said briefly to him before walking away to shout out more orders.

“Ah.” Cyclops realized how dumb his question was when he saw an entire fleet of pirate ships dropping out of hyperspace and approaching Takodana. “That would do it.”

Star Wars: Vergence IV, Chapter Two

 CHAPTER TWO

Tython

Today was the brightest day the Jedi Order had seen in many years.

Since its restoration some thirty years ago, the Jedi had gone through many trials and tribulations, from Imperial warlords to the Sith to Glorian invaders. A year ago, they had suffered many losses at the hands of the resurgent Sith, forcing them to relocate from Ossus to the Order’s ancestral world of Tython, isolating itself from the increasingly corrupt Galactic Alliance while providing aid to the Resistance when it could. It had become a dark time for the Jedi Order… but a light had now been lit in the increasing darkness.

Luke Skywalker had returned.

No one understood how it had happened, of course; not even Skywalker himself. Sixteen years ago, he had seemingly perished in a fight against the Dark Lord Darth Vorath, moments before the Sith was destroyed by Skywalker’s former apprentice Toah Jarsan. Until now, there was no recorded precedent for a Jedi to return from the dead outside of returning as a spirit projected by the Force. It was possible, albeit incredibly rare, for Force users to resurface in clone bodies, but many doubted this was the case here. How Luke Skywalker could have possibly been brought back by the dead was a question that was on many Jedi’s minds, and would perhaps take a long time to learn the answer to.

But now was not the time for such questions. Rather, it was a time to celebrate.

Jacen Solo had insisted on gathering the entirety of the Order—at least those that were present on Tython—in the halls of the Jedi Temple to provide his uncle with a formal welcome and to restore the title of Grand Master to his name. Skywalker, humble as ever, naturally balked at the entire occasion.

“I’ve been dead for sixteen years,” he had said in protest to the promotion. “I still have much to learn on what’s happened since then. So many old faces are gone, so many new faces to become familiar with….”

“Historically, the title of Grand Master has been an honorary one rather than an official rank,” said Tionne Solusar, chief Jedi historian. “You won’t need to burden yourself with the responsibility of leadership until you are ready.”

Luke had smiled ruefully. “Are we ever ready for such a burden? Still, I’m not sure how much wisdom I can offer in these times.”

“Wisdom is timeless,” said Kyle Katarn. “At least, that’s what a certain someone always told me.”

Luke chuckled, shaking his head. “I suppose there’s not much point in protesting any further. Besides, who am I to argue with the wisdom of the Jedi Council?”

Following the ceremonial event, the Jedi Council and Master Skywalker had retired to the Council Chambers to discuss matters in private, leaving the rest of the Jedi to return to their lives, their day having become considerably brighter.

It was not a unanimous feeling, however. There was one Jedi out of the many who, while elated that Skywalker had returned, could not help but feel uneasy about the circumstances surrounding this miracle. 

His mind had become plagued by dreams in recent times; dark, twisted dreams. In those dreams, he had seen faces, both living and not, staring at him from a nebulous void, their eyes glowing with the white hot intensity of stars, as they chanted a single word.

“Mine.”

Skywalker’s face had been among them, as had those of his former master Kyle Katarn, Skywalker’s extended family, and his fellow Jedi Toah Jarsan. And at the center of them all was a face that he had only recently become acquainted with; that of the scavenger girl he had met on Jakku; that he had been sent to find by the entity known as Abeloth. He had hoped after that day, the day he had met Rey and saw to Atha Prime’s defeat, that the dreams would finally stop. But they had only gotten worse.

And now that Luke Skywalker had returned to the world of living, Jaden Korr could not help but fear that they were coming even closer to becoming reality.

*  *  *

“Hey, cousin.”

Owen Skywalker looked up from the piece of fruit he had been biting into, freshly picked from the trees in the Jedi Temple’s courtyard. Standing in front of him was a woman with long dark hair and a man of similar age with short sandy brown hair. Both of them wore the apparels of Jedi Knights, yet Owen could not help but pick up on a deeper connection than the one they shared over the Force. Once he had processed the words the woman had just spoken to him, Owen smiled as he realized what that connection was.

“Jaina and Anakin Solo, I presume,” he said, getting up from his cross-legged position and setting his meal down. After dusting off his hands, he extended one to each of his cousins. “Owen Skywalker. Pleased to meet you.”

“Same,” Jaina said as she shook his right hand while Anakin awkwardly shook his left one. “So, how come we’re only just now learning of your existence?”

Owen chuckled. “I’ve been wondering the same thing for pretty much my whole life. My mother can probably explain it better than me.”

“We’d like to hear it from you,” said Anakin. “You know, just to establish common ground between family.”

“Fair enough,” Owen said. “Well, from what my mother has told me, a year after my father’s death she went into hiding and took me with her. Apparently, even though the Sith had been defeated, there was still the fear that my safety—specifically mine—was in question. I understand that, years before my birth, I had another relative who got abducted.”

Both Jaina and Anakin’s expressions darkened at this. “Yes,” Jaina said quietly. “We had a brother named Ben who went missing before either of us was born.”

“He wasn’t the only one either,” Anakin murmured. “Our father’s friend Lando also had a daughter who got abducted. He’s spent the two decades looking for her but to no avail….”

Owen nodded solemnly. “Since no one knew if the Sith truly were behind the abductions or not, it was decided it would be best to keep my existence a secret. So my mother and I went far out beyond the Outer Rim, crossing into Wild Space and even the Unknown Regions, until we found a world that was secluded and isolated enough for us to live safely. She trained me as a Jedi there and told me as much as she could about what the rest of the galaxy was like, even if I could never visit it at the time. Naturally, when we finally returned to the known galaxy, we both had a lot to catch up on.”

“When did you return?” Jaina asked. “And why?”

“Less than a year ago, when we were drawn to Lothal to find something that we thought could bring back my father, although I’m not exactly sure what we were hoping to find. It was while we were on Lothal that we got caught up on the last fifteen years of events, and we had just established contact with Aunt Leia when her Resistance people found us.”

“You know our mother?” Anakin asked, surprised.

“I mean, I haven’t met her yet, but I know her name.”

“Did you… did you feel the disturbance that happened on Naboo a few days ago?” Jaina asked tentatively. “When they were in—”

“Yes,” Owen said. “I felt it. We both did. Unfortunately, we were preoccupied with something else at the time and wouldn’t have been able to reach Naboo in time.”

“What were you preoccupied with?”

Owen glanced around the courtyard, even though it was empty besides the three of them. “I’m not sure I can say….”

“Don’t want to let out all of your secrets, huh?” Jaina said with a smirk.

“Believe me, I want to. More than anything. I just… I just don’t know if I should yet.”

“Relax,” Anakin said. “You can tell us when you’re good and ready.”

Jaina, on the other hand, frowned. “I just don’t see how anything can be so important that you couldn’t be bothered to help your own father—”

“Jaina!” Anakin exclaimed while Owen held up his hands defensively.

“We wanted to!” he protested. “We would have left if we had been able to. But we weren’t, and by the time we were able, we had already sensed that everything had been set right.”

“Thank stars for that,” Jaina muttered as she folded her arms.

Anakin shook his head and gave Owen an apologetic look. “I’m sorry for my sister’s behavior. This has been a lot for us to process. First our brother comes back after having been missing for over thirty years, then our uncle comes back from the dead….”

“Wait,” Owen said. “You’ve found your brother?”

This time, it was Jaina’s turn to shook her head while Anakin looked like he regretted having said anything. “He’s not our brother anymore,” she said bitterly. “Let’s put it that way.”

Owen could see it was a sensitive subject and decided to let the matter rest. “Well, I can see why all this can put someone on edge,” he admitted. “Believe me, it’s been a lot for me to process as well. The best we can do is trust in the Force and hope that we all come out the other end of this for the better.”

Anakin chuckled. “Ah, yes, I remember when I was sixteen as well. Bright eyed and optimistic. I miss those days. Well, maybe not every aspect of them.”

“At least you finally got over your girl problems,” Jaina said with a wry smirk.

“True, there is that. Owen here still has a ways to go.” Anakin shuddered. “I can hear the fawning and swooning of many female Padawans from here.”

Owen frowned in mock disapproval at his older cousin. “You guys sure do know how to make someone feel welcome.” 

*  *  *

While most of the Order had answered the summons to the Jedi Temple to observe Skywalker’s return and reinstatement as Grand Master, Toah Jarsan had elected to abstain from attending. He had already had his reunion with his former master, and he knew Luke well enough to know that he was not exactly one for grandiose ceremonies. As such, Toah did not want to be complicit in anything that would give the elder Jedi discomfort, serious or otherwise.

He knew the ceremony had ended when Jedi Knights began walking out of the temple, a spring in their steps and hopeful looks on their faces. He spotted one Jedi out of the many who did not seem to share this enthusiasm, and he could tell she was walking towards him even before they had made eye contact with each other.

Walking briskly over to him, Rey said, “Master, I need to speak with you about something.”

“I could tell all the way from over here,” Toah dryly replied. “I hope Master Katarn didn’t tell any embarrassing stories about my adventures with Master Skywalker.”

“It’s not about that,” Rey replied. “It’s about something Finn and I found on Naboo.”

Toah raised an eyebrow. He recalled Rey expressing disappointment when she learned that the two of them were making a stop at Tython before rejoining the Resistance at D’Qar; perhaps this was the reason why. “And what is that?”

“We found that droid you and I spotted wandering around Theed Palace,” Rey explained. “It somehow knew my name and poked me with some of its needles before telling me….”

She trailed off and her hazel eyes seemed to stare off into the distance, her expression a mixture of emotions.

“Telling you what?” Toah asked gently, patiently.

“It says it knows where to find my parents,” Rey finally said, swallowing hard.

Toah nodded in understanding. He was well aware of the fact that Rey had grown up on Jakku without her parents, having been raised most of her life by junk bosses like Unkar Plutt. It had been a topic that she had rarely broached with him, no doubt because of how Jedi teachings often encouraged one to focus on the present rather than the past.

“Where is the droid now?” he asked after a moment.

“On D’Qar. Finn found a way to shut him down and took him onto General Organa’s ship. I don’t know what story he gave her, if he told her about the droid at all.”

“Then let’s go to D’Qar and find out for ourselves,” Toah said.

“Are you sure you want to leave already?” Rey looked back towards the Temple. “I would have thought you’d want to speak with Master Skywalker a bit more.”

“I’ll have a chance to speak with him another time. Besides, I’m sure the Council is keeping him preoccupied.”

He caught a doubtful look cross Rey’s face as he turned away from her but she said nothing as they walked away from the Jedi Temple.

*  *  *

Jaden Korr watched from afar as Toah Jarsan and Rey headed for their waiting transport. Standing by his own Z-94 Headhunter, he looked up at the R6 astromech droid occupying the ship’s modified droid socket.

“Are you about ready, Arsix?”

The astromech warbled at him in response.

“Good. You still remember how to get to Fhost, don’t you?”

Arsix answered him in an affirmative yet questioning tone.

“I have some friends there I want to catch up on. And to see if they can help me out with some things.”

Arsix let out a low, whiny tone and Jaden couldn’t help but laugh as he climbed up into the starfighter’s cockpit.

“You always feel that way. Nothing is ever going to change that.”

Ignoring the astromech’s protesting chirps, Jaden lowered the cockpit shield over his head and switched the Headhunter’s systems online. As he went through the routine checkup, Jaden could only imagine what his former master would be saying to him if he knew where he was headed and why. Which was precisely why he was leaving Tython without telling anyone. This journey was for him, and him alone, and he was not going to let anyone or anything dissuade him from taking it. Even if it meant peering into the darkness….

“There be dragons…” The words continued to echo in his head even after he had uttered them to himself, and the echoes only persisted as the Far Wanderer took off into the Tythan sky.

Star Wars: Vergence IV, Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

Takodana, now

Had it been anywhere else in the galaxy, the sight of a crimson Star Destroyer would have likely aroused fear and confusion in the people who lay eyes on it. Here on Takodana however, it was no different than the myriad of other ships that visited the verdant planet. For centuries, the castle of Maz Kanata had been known to attract all sorts of beings from across the galaxy, arriving in ships that made even a crimson Star Destroyer pale in comparison. On any given day, one could find a new type of ship parked alongside the shores of Nymeve Lake along with some ships that were practically regulars at this point.

Still, with so many ships being clustered together on the ground, there was not exactly a space near Maz’s castle that was large enough for a Star Destroyer to land, leaving its improvise. While the Errant Venture hanged over the lake in the sky, an old Lambda-class shuttle that had been done up in a variety of bright colors departed from the main hangar and headed down to the castle grounds, carrying Booster Terrik and an assortment of smugglers he had selected to meet with Maz Kanata herself.

Out of everyone that Booster had chosen for the forthcoming meeting, Kyla Kishanti was the one who regretted her position the most. As leader of her crew of Renegades, who had recently joined the Smugglers’ Alliance and the greater Resistance that it was a part of, she had been obligated to accompany Booster to his meeting with Maz Kanata. Had it not been for that though, Kyla wouldn’t have even set foot on the planet, let alone step into the castle itself.

It was something that she had always had a difficulty in explaining to her fellow Renegades—even to Ace, her closest friend and confidant. When the Smugglers’ Alliance had first convened on Takodana shortly before the Battle of Mandalore, she had done everything she could to avoid stepping into the castle while the other Renegades had gone in. The only explanation she had ever given her crewmates was that she and Maz had never gotten along and that the two of them could never stand to be in the same room as each other. That much had been the truth… from a certain point of view.

She had first met Maz Kanata early on in her smuggling career, not long after the Glorian War had ended. She and her crew had come to Takodana to get some much needed rest and reprieve, and it was while they were at their table, enjoying their drinks, that the pirate queen herself had stopped by. Maz had been cordial enough, asking them all if they were enjoying themselves and if they had enough to drink. Everyone at the table, including Kyla, had laughed and smiled in response. And then Maz had looked directly at Kyla, her bespectacled eyes peering into the Mirialan’s own.

“You should not blame yourself,” Maz had said softly.

Blinking in confusion, Kyla had answered with, “I’m sorry?”

“It is not your fault that your family fell apart.”

Those words had pierced straight through Kyla’s core and before she knew it she was storming straight out of the castle, leaving her spilled drink and confused crewmates behind. When the others had joined her back at the Renegade some time later, Ace had given her an earful about having to pay for their tab, but she barely listened to him, wanting nothing more than to leave Takodana behind and never come back.

Now, in as many years, she had returned twice to Takodana, to Maz’s castle, after she had made that vow. She wondered if Maz even remembered their encounter; it had been nearly five years ago, after all. Or would Maz recognize her face and bar her from the castle for the scene she had caused back then? If that were the case, Kyla would take that as a blessing.

Once the Lambda shuttle had touched down, Booster Terrik and his assorted crew disembarked for the castle. Kyla did not recognize or was familiar with any of the other members of Booster’s party. The Corellian smuggler had made a point of selecting a representative of each major group that comprised the Smugglers’ Alliance. Kyla wasn’t sure if she would consider the Renegades to be “major,” especially since they had only just joined the Resistance recently. Part of her wondered if Booster knew about her resentment of Maz and was bringing her along just to get back at her. She wouldn’t have put it past him.

Walking past a lumbering HURID loadlifter droid, Kyla and the others stepped through the open entrance of Maz’s castle and were greeted with a barrage of cheers and music. Pushing their way through the bustling crowd, the entourage made their way to the bar, where Maz Kanata herself was serving a pair of Shistavanen wolfmen. Upon seeing Booster, Maz’s face lit up and she flashed a smile at the old smuggler.

“Well if it isn’t Booster Terrik!” the pirate queen declared over the noise. “I wasn’t expecting to see you back here again so soon.”

“Neither did I,” Booster replied. “Unfortunately, we’re here on business rather than pleasure. Do you think we can speak somewhere… quieter, at least?”

Maz’s expression turned serious as she looked from one member of the entourage to the next. When her eyes fell on Kyla, the Mirialan could have sworn she saw some sort of gleam in them, but it was gone before she could figure out what it meant.

With a curt nod, Maz said, “Follow me downstairs.”

The group followed the pirate queen down a flight of stairs at the back of the bar, which led them down into a dark cellar filled with barrels of various drinks. After shooing off a droid that had been safeguarding the cellar, Maz lit up an overhead torch and dragged over a small chair for her to sit in and a similarly sized table, though she did not offer her guests any seats of their own.

Clasping her hands in front of her, Maz said, “What can I do for you?”

“You’ve heard of the Malvis Cabal, correct?” Booster asked.

“How can I have not? I’ve been hearing stories for nearly a year now.”

“Well, we’ve found out that one of their chief crime lords—an individual by the name of Drakmos the Despised—is operating on a planet called Ord Talavos, which is in this sector.”

Maz rubbed her chin at this. “Ord Talavos, you say? Yes, I’ve been there before, though it’s been many years. Its capital city, Vostal, was left in ruins following the Draggulch Period.”

“We don’t care about its history,” Booster said. “We care about who’s running it now, and that ‘who’ has posed a threat to the Resistance since day one. Are you sure you don’t know anything about the Cabal?”

“I know plenty of rumors,” Maz said. “I’ve never had the misfortune of crossing them myself, at least not yet.”

“That could very well change rather soon,” said Yalnis, one of Booster’s trusted advisers. “We have someone with insider knowledge of the Cabal and their operations, and we’re going to need a lot of help if we want to strike at the heart of those operations.”

“Ah. So you are here for reinforcements then.”

“Reinforcements and information,” Booster said. “If you don’t have it, then I’m sure someone else here does. You said you’ve heard stories about the Cabal, yes?”

“I have,” Maz confirmed. “There is a pirate here by the name of Sidon Ithano who says he has had dealings with the Cabal before. He might give you the help you need… for the right price, of course.”

Booster smirked. “Don’t worry, I came prepared for that. Thanks for your help again, Maz.”

“So long as you don’t bring your problems with you, I am always more than happy to help.”

Satisfied with how this meeting had concluded, Booster and his entourage turned to leave the cellar. Kyla turned to follow them, grateful that she had not been called upon to participate while also wondering why she had been asked to come along in the first place. As soon as she had turned her back to Maz however, she heard the pirate queen call out to her.

“Miss Kishanti, a moment of your time, if I may.”

Kyla froze in her tracks. Booster glanced over his shoulder at her but did not stop to wait for her, leading Yalnis and the others out of the cellar. Kyla did not move even as she heard Maz get out of her seat and walk over to her, hands behind her back as she stared up at the Mirialan.

“It’s been too long,” Maz said softly after a long moment of silence.

“Not long enough,” Kyla muttered under her breath.

Maz sighed, shaking her head. “I have met so many people like you. Unwilling to confront your past even if it would mean lifting the burden that has been weighing upon your shoulders.”

“You don’t know anything about my past,” Kyla snapped.

“I have an idea. It shows in your eyes. All it took was one bad day to lose your family you knew, the family you loved—”

“Stop it.” Kyla wanting nothing more than to storm away but something was keeping her rooted in place. “I don’t want to hear it.”

Maz rested an aged hand on her arm. “But you have found a new family to replace them, haven’t you? You have found purpose again by finding people that you love… and yet….”

Kyla squeezed her eyes shut, silently praying that the old woman would just shut up and mind her own business and just let her leave—

“You have been betrayed. Betrayed by someone you thought you could put your trust in. It has left a wound in your new family, a wound that only you can feel. A wound that—”

“Enough!” Kyla was finally able to break whatever invisible restraint had been holding her back and she started to storm away from the pirate queen. “Just… just stay out my head! Stars, this is why I hate you!”

Maz Kanata made no effort to follow her and Kyla Kishanti was soon able to escape the cellar, losing herself in the buzz of noise in the room above.

*  *  *

“Never thought we’d be back here again so soon,” Bedo said as he and his fellow Renegades stepped off their Corellian transport of the same name and headed towards Maz’s castle. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you.”

“Thank stars for that,” muttered the Cathar warrior Wiskin. “I’ve already had my fill of that.”

While the Ortolan bleated out some sort of protest, Kadar looked around the castle grounds warily. The last time he had been here, he had been confronted by his former partner Salvan Tai and his crew. He hadn’t heard from or seen Salvan Tai since then, leaving him to only guess whether or not the shape-shifter was still on Takodana. Granted, that confrontation had been nearly a year ago, and he had since exchanged his iconic Mandalorian armor for a different set entirely. But that didn’t mean he shouldn’t have been on his guard.

“I’m starting to think I shouldn’t have come here,” he muttered, loud enough for his helmet’s voice modulator to pick up and project but quiet enough that only his daughter Vessin could hear.

“Relax,” Vessin replied in turn. “You know Maz’s rules. No one’s going to pick a fight with you so long as you’re inside the castle.”

“And when I’m outside?”

“Come on, you’re a Mandalorian. We’re Mandalorians. These guys don’t stand a chance.”

Kadar could only hope that his daughter was right as they and the rest of the Renegades approached the flag-covered entrance to Maz’s castle. Overhead, he could hear the roar of ship engines as spacecraft from all over the galaxy arrived on the planet. It was such a typical sight on Takodana that he did not bother to look up.

If he had, he would have seen the distinct claw-like shape of a Mandalorian Gauntlet fighter. Then, he would have been certain that he should not have come back to Takodana.

*  *  *

“There he is. That’s him.”

Dax Goldam peered out the viewport of Argus Ordo’s Gauntlet fighter as it landed on the outskirts of Maz’s castles. Up ahead, an entourage of various beings were heading into the castle; among them were two figures in armor, although neither of them looked like Kadar to him. One of them was clearly female while the other wore armor that, while white, did not appear to be Mandalorian in design.

“Are you sure that’s him?” he asked Argus as the older man got out of the pilot’s seat.

“That’s my granddaughter with him,” Argus muttered, nodding to the female Mandalorian. “She’s wearing the armor of her grandmother; I gave it to her adopted parents after she passed.”

Dax shrugged as he stood up. “If you say so.” After double-checking the charge in his blaster, he then said, “So, how are we going to do this? Just confront him here and now?”

“You,” Argus said pointedly, “are going to go in there and kill him.”

“Just like that?” Dax frowned. “But Maz Kanata doesn’t allow fighting in her castle.”

“Do you think I care what that old hag says or thinks?”

“Still, wouldn’t it be better to just lure him out and—”

Argus whirled on him, grabbing him by the shoulder and slamming him against a wall. “Do you want Kadar dead or not?” the old Mandalorian snarled.

“Of course I do,” Dax grunted, pulling Argus’s hand away. “I just don’t want to kill him by causing us more problems.”

“Once you kill him, nothing else will matter,” Argus retorted. “All that matters now is killing Kadar and avenging my daughter and grandson.”

“Right,” Dax mumbled. He turned as Argus hit the controls to the ship’s boarding ramp, lowering it. “I guess this is it then. After eleven years, it all ends here.”

“Oh, one more thing before you go.” Argus reached up into a compartment above the ship’s controls and brought down a red Mandalorian helmet. “Put this on.”

Dax regarded the helmet with a look of confusion as he took it. “Why?”

“Because I want his wife’s face to be the last thing he sees before he dies.”

As much as he wanted to, Dax decided against questioning this, already knowing what the response would be. After a moment of hesitation, he put the helmet over his head and headed for the lowered ramp, walking towards his destiny.

*  *  *

Argus Ordo watched as Dax departed from his ship, heading towards the castle of Maz Kanata. This was it, the old Mandalorian thought. This was the turning point. Whatever happened here on Takodana, his life would be changed forever.

Taking off his helmet, he took in a breath of filtered air. He found it hard to believe he was still doing this, running around in his armor when he was in his mid-seventies. As recently as a year ago, he had been perfectly content with living a retired life on his farm. But that had all changed after the Battle of Mandalore.

He had been on Ordo when the battle happened, not hearing a word about it until after it had ended. He had long stopped paying attention to galactic politics and was thus surprised to learn that Boba Fett, the last Mand’alor he had served under, had been killed and replaced by a warrior by the name of Atinar Cabur. Under Cabur’s rule, Mandalore had declared allegiance to a Sith faction, which had then resulted in a battle between said Sith forces and a coalition of enemy forces. Not only did Cabur perish in that battle, but it was rumored that it had been Kadar that had dealt the killing blow before being reported dead himself. Now liberated from Sith control, Mandalore had since fallen under the rule of Tral Vizsla, a member of Kadar’s forsaken clan.

As much as he had despised the fact that a Vizsla was once more in control of Mandalore, Argus had at least taken solace in the fact that Kadar had died a warrior’s death. He may not have liked the man, but he could at least respect him for that.

Then, mere weeks ago, he had been approached by a mysterious woman who told him that Kadar was still alive. He hadn’t believed her at first until she showed him recordings, taken from the logs on a star yacht, that supported her claims.

From that moment, any respect Argus held for Kadar, however minimal, had evaporated. While he had never thought highly of Kadar, Argus had never pegged him as a coward—the worst thing a Mandalorian could be in his eyes. The fact that Kadar would go so far as to fake his death and use it to escape the repercussions of his actions, good or ill, drove Argus into a rage and within minutes he was donning his armor—which he had not touched in decades—and setting out to find and kill Kadar. The mysterious woman he had spoken agreed to work with him and helped him set up shop on Kjimi to await further directions. It was not long after that that she told him about Dax Goldam and brought the young man to him for training.

Argus wasn’t sure what it was she had seen in Dax. He would have gladly done the job himself. Perhaps she and whoever she worked for simply wanted to use someone younger before letting him have the honor of killing Kadar. Ultimately, Argus didn’t care whether it was him or one of the pirates that frequented Maz’s castle that did the deed, so long as it meant Kadar’s death.

He was broken away from his thoughts by a beeping sound coming from his ship’s console, indicating an incoming call. Putting his helmet back on, he answered it and the holographic bust of the same mysterious female that had brought him Kadar appeared.

“Have you located Kadar yet?” the woman asked.

“Yes,” Argus replied. “He’s here on Takodana, in Maz Kanata’s castle. Dax has just gone in to do the deed.”

“I’m impressed that it didn’t take you so long. How did you find him?”

“One of the contacts you gave me—the informant in Talon Karrde’s organization—told me where to find him. Apparently Kadar and his new friends have joined the Smugglers’ Alliance.”

“Karrde’s organization, you say,” the woman said darkly, her expression hidden behind the mask she wore. “If you’re on Takodana, then that means you’re not far from where my people are operating. I should alert my superiors of this.”

“Do whatever you feel you need to. All that matters to me right now is Kadar. Once he’s dead, I will be able to rest easy.”

“That you will, Argus Ordo. Report back to me as soon as the job is done.”

The woman’s hologram winked out before Argus even had a chance to respond. Hardly bothered by this, the old Mandalorian leaned back in his seat and waited for everything to fall into place.