Talyc and Void were ushered off the transport. Talyc recognised the insignia on the Mandalorian pilot’s armour as being of Mandalore’s clan. Few knew the Crypt’s location and Mandalore surely would have trusted the information to only a select few. Not everyone in even Clan Kandera knew the rock station’s coordinates.
Talyc drew in a deep breath, looking around. ‘Mandalore’s bunker is that way.’ He motioned with his head. ‘It’s faster if we…cross the field, but, better if we take the long way.’
‘And why is that?’ asked Lord Void.
‘Because that field leads to my place and it’s where they took Fane.’ Talyc shook his head. ‘They weren’t supposed to take him, they came for me!’
‘But he is no longer in the enemy’s custody,’ said Lord Void.
‘But we don’t know where he is!’ Talyc began walking briskly. ‘So what did Shadie tell you to convince you to come with me? I know you probably would have preferred to go to Nar Shaddaa or to remain at the Crypt.’
‘She asked me to keep an eye on you, to keep you safe.’
‘I can keep myself safe, thank you very much.’
Void folded his arms and stopped in his tracks. Talyc turned around. The former dark lord had a sardonic smile that said he knew Talyc was trying to bluff himself. Talyc reflexively reached for his helmet. Void used the Force to grab it from his hands.
‘Hey!’
‘You can’t hide away every time you feel overwhelmed with emotion, Talyc. You need to utilise those emotions.’
‘Now you sound like Master Herl’unik, except for the utilise part,’ said Talyc.
Lord Void gave a low-pitched chuckle. ‘The Jedi Grand Master is very knowledgeable and powerful, but in the light side of the Force.’ They resumed walking, but Void cut through the field and started in the very direction Talyc was trying to avoid. ‘I know you’re not a Force-user, but it doesn’t mean you can’t use those emotions to fuel your strength and power. You are a warrior, a Mandalorian warrior, you know honour, you fight valiantly, you’ve killed Sith and you have looked Sith in the eyes and lied to them without the lie being detected. Your skills are beyond a mere acolyte’s.’
‘To be fair, Darth Kromus was weak and newly revived and had trouble sensing anyone other than Shadie,’ said Talyc. ‘I had to convince myself that Knarf was dead because Bes’laar had been “born.”‘
‘You bent the truth,’ said Void. ‘You saved your friend’s life in the process. You told the truth to Darth Kromus insofar as it could be interpreted as he wanted it to be with the words you were using to express it.’ Lord Void looked at Talyc as they walked. ‘I have mastered the skill myself. It was a good thing too, otherwise, Relsor would have known me to be his father a lot sooner than he had.’
‘Well, being able to bend the truth isn’t going to help me not want to get drunk and hide away in my helmet.’
‘On the contrary, it is merely an example of you using the urgency and fear you had for your friend’s life, and you turned it around in your favour.’ Void pointed at the field. ‘Here?’ Talyc nodded. ‘Breathe in, take in the memories, however painful they may be. Think back, perhaps someone dropped something, left a piece of evidence behind, left a clue. Perhaps someone looked at you a certain way, glanced away peevishly, or gave away their feelings regarding their mission. While their Force signature no longer lingers, the events that happened and the ripples it caused, even all this time later, remain embedded in the Force in this area. Feel again what you felt then, it will guide you to the truth.’
‘The truth of what?’ asked Talyc.
‘The truth of why they left with Fane and did not merely kill him to get to you. You say they pulled him from the house, yes?’
‘They removed him from their way to get to me,’ said Talyc. ‘They probably didn’t kill him because they suspected the regeneration.’
‘They could have struck him in the heart,’ said Void. ‘This tells me they thought Fane would be valuable even if Awgro wanted you. This also means that the Reformed Sith did not care to take you to him. They left before they would all be killed, which means they care to keep themselves alive and do not wish to sacrifice themselves for Awgro’s cause.’ Lord Void lowered his tone and narrowed his eyes. ‘This means that he is not their leader and they have no loyalty to him.’
‘Shadie thinks there is a Chagrian who might be one they look up to,’ said Talyc.
‘There are more clues we can gather,’ said Void. ‘The way they fought you will give away their training, and I might be able to find who their master may have been. The way they spoke will give away their true loyalties, perhaps an ulterior motive. But only if you let yourself recall and feel will you be able to find and understand your enemy. Such understanding will grant you an advantage, and almost always leads to victory.’
‘A lot of them were alien,’ said Talyc.
‘Then we know that they, as former True Sith, do not like the Empire regime. Of course, we knew that from their name, Reformed Sith, but any little clue to their political affiliations and nuances will help. Gaining the upper hand when conversing with the enemy can be a great benefit.’
‘Did Shadie tell you to train me?’ asked Talyc, sticking his head out as something dawned on him. ‘Because she told me to train you with some Mandalorian…essence.’ He shifted his weight to one leg, crossing his arms. ‘It sounds like you’re trying too hard.’
Void smiled. ‘Perhaps I am trying to focus on you rather than my anticipation.’
‘Ah, so I’m not the only one trying to escape something right now. Come.’
They resumed. ‘Kelbourn,’ said Void, ‘was a berserker warrior, no?’ Talyc nodded. ‘You could train to be so too.’
‘Well, I’ve at times been able to channel it,’ said Talyc. ‘I did so when I fought to get Fane back before they left with him. It seems my ordeal at the hands of Relsor ignited a rage within me.’
‘Use your fear and anger, turn your temper inwards,’ said Void. ‘You wouldn’t be suppressing it like the Jedi might have taught you to, but storing it. Sometimes, suppression is necessary, I must admit, but storing it in yourself and keeping it for a fight can make you an even more formidable opponent.’
‘You think I’m a formidable opponent?’
‘I’ve seen you fight, Talyc. You are remarkably skilled and an admirable warrior. With a bit more discipline to control your temper to save it for key strategic moments, you could be even more powerful.’ They stopped in front of Mandalore’s bunker. ‘I’ll keep guard here, but know that you have not been defeated, no matter how defeated you might feel.’
Talyc didn’t know what to answer to that statement. His eyes swelled with tears and he blinked them away.
‘That was very kind of you to say,’ Talyc finally managed.
Void shifted awkwardly. ‘Well, don’t shout it off any rooftops, I have a reputation to uphold.’
‘You know, Void, I’m actually enjoying your company, and I know you consider us allies, but I think I’d like to consider you my friend.’
‘Then consider all you want.’ Void smiled.
Talyc turned and entered Mandalore’s bunker. The man looked stern but gave Talyc a sympathetic smile.
‘Talyc, you can’t be gone that long,’ he said. ‘Mandalore needs you, your clan needs you here on-planet.’
‘I’m sorry, but my husband is M.I.A. and I just can’t bear to be away from the Crypt. It’s central to our strategy to finding Fane.’
‘It’s been too long, though.’ Mandalore’s tone was direct, but not angry. ‘You are needed here. Sith keep infiltrating the planet and our blockade. I need my most trusted clans and leaders here to help me find the problem and solve it so that it can no longer happen.’
‘Well, the Reformed Sith were True Sith and followed Relsor for a time, they would know some of his tricks,’ said Talyc.
‘When they attacked, did they leave anything behind?’
Talyc shook his head. ‘We searched, but there was nothing.’
‘Fane doesn’t have his comlink for us to track him back to Awgro’s ship?’
‘I have Fane’s comlink, datapad, and lightsaber.’ Talyc pointed at his belt where his husband’s weapon rested next to his vibroblade. ‘Fane was taken with nearly nothing on his back. And he’s no longer in Awgro’s captivity. He is within the Sphere, which is hiding itself from everything and everyone, shrouded in the Force. Neither Lian nor Shadie can detect it. There’s nothing for it but to wait for any sign of life, if Fane is still alive. He cannot be detected either. He is as shrouded…but perhaps as protected,’ he added low.
‘I’m sorry, I truly am.’ Mandalore sighed. ‘You are certain he had nothing else on him?’
‘We were undressing each other!’ Talyc raised his voice. ‘We were…’ His voice cracked and he took a quick beat to steady his voice. ‘Well you have a wife, you know how it is, and they chose to attack at that precise moment.’ Talyc thought back to what Void had said. He balled his hand into a fist and wrapped his other hand around it, trying to regain his composure, but his body began to tremble instead. ‘I can’t do this. I have to stand down as clan leader.’
‘You will not stand down as leader of your clan,’ Mandalore commanded him, standing up. His tone was authoritative to a degree Talyc had never heard. ‘You think I don’t understand what you’re going through? You think I’ve never lived a moment where I didn’t know if my wife was alive or dead? You think I don’t remember what it felt like to lose–’ Mandalore paused. ‘Have you fogotten my son, your friend?’
Talyc swallowed hard. ‘I remember,’ he said gravely.
‘And did my son’s disappearance and death stop me from being a good leader to my clan and to all of Mandalore?’ the other man growled angrily. Talyc shook his head. ‘We have a duty to lead and we abide by our people.’ Mandalore’s voice softened, though his gaze remained as stern. ‘I will not let you stand down just because you feel you cannot lead at this very moment.’
Talyc drew in a breath. ‘You believe in me more than I believe in myself.’
Mandalore stepped form behind his desk and strode towards Talyc, stopping before him.
‘I saw you choose to die and be prepared to give your life for those in your clan when the galaxy’s existence was at stake. A coward does not face a Sith like Relsor knowing he has no chance of surviving if others around him fall and knowing he has no power to defeat him. You are not a coward.’ Mandalore poked Talyc’s chest. ‘So stop acting like one.’
‘Maybe I am a coward.’ Talyc bowed his head. ‘Maybe I’ve always been. All I know how to do well is to run away when I’m this scared. I’m…terrified.’
‘Then help me find the hole in the blockade, help me find a way to protect Mandalore, help me reinforce planetary defences. Help me strategise. Then, if you’re still scared and want to resign, you may, but only after.’
Talyc worked his jaw, turning his bowed head from side to side. ‘Thank you…for showing me you care. You could have let me walk away, told me off, shunned me. Instead, you’re letting me be honest and… Being clan leader has meant everything to me.’
‘Then take that with you, and remember that each time you want to run away,’ said Mandalore. ‘You’re not just a clan leader, you’re a friend, and you are one of the few whom I trust.’ Talyc nodded. ‘Hey, where’s your helmet?’
‘Oh, Void.’ Talyc chuckled. Mandalore nodded and dismissed him. When he stepped back out, Void was speaking with Lashika and Emerick, who both looked very entertained. ‘What’s all this?’
‘Oh, show us again,’ Lashika giggled. ‘Look, Talyc, look what he’s going to do.’
Void lifted his hand and lightning lingered on his fingertips. Lashika put her hand close to his and giggled.
‘It tickles and it’s warm. Void says that small lightning bursts kept him alive during a storm on Ilum once when he went hunting for crystals.’ The red Twi’lek beamed enthusiastically.
Talyc suppressed a smile. ‘Honestly, you’re worse than Thera, and she’s six!’
Emerick laughed. ‘She gets entertained by the simplest things.’
‘Oh, controlling my lightning so that it doesn’t shoot out in a large storm to harm other people isn’t simple,’ said Void.
‘Oh,’ laughed Lashika. ‘Your Sith friend has such a sense of humour.’
‘I don’t think he’s kidding,’ said Talyc.
‘You want to join us at the tavern later?’ asked Emerick.
‘No,’ said Talyc, shaking his head. ‘I’ve got…things to focus on. I need to train. I’m going to work on becoming a berserker warrior like Kelbourn was, and Void going’s to help me control my rage.’
‘Then let us help,’ said Emerick. Talyc nodded. ‘See you tonight then.’
Talyc and Void started off. ‘It is admirable of you to discipline yourself.’
‘Thanks, Void. By the way, can I get my helmet back?’ Void tossed him the helmet. ‘Thanks. So, suppose Awgro and his Reformed Sith returned to Mandalore and attacked me again. You’re not worried they might try to kill you?’
‘Not in the slightest,’ said Void.
‘I knew it!’ Talyc pumped his fist in the air triumphantly. ‘You have the regeneration too.’
‘Not being worried about being killed doesn’t necessarily mean that I have the ability to regenerate myself.’
‘Yeah, but Fane and I talk. He told me how you were acting on Dromund Kaas. We all suspect it, well, “we all” as in Shadie and us Kanderas.’
‘You’re not worried that they will try to kill you?’ asked Void.
Talyc smiled. ‘I have a special shield. And beskar armour.’
‘Then perhaps so do I,’ said Void, ‘have a special shield. ‘I will neither confirm nor deny your assumptions, but know that your life is in good hands. I will save you if it comes to that.’
‘You really were born in the wrong faction, weren’t you!’ Talyc chuckled. His comlink chimed. ‘Talyc Kandera!’
‘Talyc? Void with you?’
‘Yeah, Shadie, go ahead.’
‘We found them. They are both safe. Awgro made a guest appearance at the cantina. He left. He’s got that smoke thing ability.’ Shadie sighed. ‘Anyway, we’re heading to the Crypt now. Maranna has agreed to talk with Lian. The boy… Maranna hasn’t revealed his name yet, but he seems to understand the Force a lot better than his mother. He doesn’t seem upset about Relsor’s death. He claims he wants to help protect the Force. Maranna says he’s been talking about a higher calling and a bond in the Force. I’m not sure who or what it means, but we’ll find out soon enough. I’ll keep you posted on how the talks go. With any luck, they’ll agree to stay.’ Shadie paused. ‘Void, Maranna was very adamant about her feelings regarding you, but Knarf’s working on letting her son meet his grandfather.’
Void let out a long breath. ‘Thank you. I am eager, but I will quell my anticipation. Talyc has duties right now and he needs me by his side to assist him.’
‘Yeah, we’re quite a good team, Void and I. I’ve agreed to stay a bit longer here. Mandalore’s not letting me leave just yet, not after I’ve just arrived. But with any luck, I won’t be tied down here for too long. Do what you need to do, and call us as soon as there’s more news.’
‘Will do. And, I’m glad you two are getting along,’ said Shadie. ‘I knew you would. And Talyc, we’ll find Fane, I promise. Take care.’ She chimed out.
Talyc looked at Void. ‘Longing, it kills, doesn’t it?’ The Sith lord nodded, and the two made their way to the sparring grounds.
“Connections in the Force” is written by Celinka Serre (2023).
Disclaimer: The Characters in this Fan-Fiction are new and have original names. The story is an original written work. The story is derivative and consistent of Fan-Fiction since it borrows the franchise world of Star Wars. Certain jargon and places, or concepts mentioned, along with the SW Old Republic universe belong to Lucasfilm Ltd. and Disney. No characters or story lines from the films are used. No story lines or characters from the games or books are used. A handful of characters from the games may be referenced, but are not the main focus in this fanfic story. This fan-fiction story falls under Fair Use.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
You might also enjoy other SWTOR fanfics, Dragon Age Fan-Fiction short stories, Mass Effect Fan-Fiction, or Stardust Destinies the High Fantasy Fiction series.
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