Talyc stood by the stand he had rented in the market area near some Manaan ferns not far from the water’s edge. A beautiful fountain cascaded the planet’s natural waters and flowed into small streams all around the dais. He leaned forward, slouching, resting his chin on his hand, his elbow on the countertop of the stand.
            He sighed. ‘No one’s interested in our beskar, Nriwe.’ His voice sounded dull and bored.
            ‘That Selkath earlier was asking an awful lot of questions about how much beskar would be equal to how much kolto,’ Nriwe reminded him.
            ‘Not to mention wanting to know how much is required to cover the exterior of a submersible,’ said Talyc. ‘Good thing Emerick gave us all the necessary data before we left Mandalore.’
            The place was calm and quiet. A stand not far was selling medical supplies; a few Duros were trading nearby as well. Most of the vendors were Selkath. A petite Rattataki woman was fixing up her kiosk further down the market area.
            ‘That Rattataki sure likes to move around, doesn’t she,’ said Nriwe. ‘She can’t sit still. I saw her doing stretches earlier and walking around from kiosk to kiosk.’
            ‘She’s a bit short for her species, no?’
            ‘Yeah. She gave me a business card earlier. Not much to it.’
            ‘Gave me one too,’ said Talyc. ‘She’s persistent, if anything. Shadie said she gave her one on the transport. Knarf said he ran into our vendor friend on his way to the caf yesterday.’
            ‘Our friends aren’t too bored locked up in the room we’re renting, I hope?’ inquired Nriwe.
            Talyc shrugged. ‘We’re a bit cramped. I mean, we’re a motley bunch sharing the same room.’ Talyc chuckled, shaking his head. ‘We’ve been here a week already. You’d think people on Manaan wouldn’t shy away from buying the more refined products.’
            ‘It’s expensive.’
            ‘I know that, Nriwe, but all we need is one submersible, one excuse to demonstrate and go down into that ocean.’ Talyc pointed towards the ocean view.
            Nriwe put a hand on his armoured shoulder. ‘Hey, we’ll get there.’
            ‘I’m sure we will. The question is: when?’
            Talyc bent down and started fiddling with some of the compartments of their stand, sticking his head in, trying to busy himself reorganising some things.
            Nriwe crouched beside him. ‘You don’t have to hide your head in there.’
            ‘I’m not hiding my head,’ Talyc complained.
            ‘I know you’re trying to resist putting your helmet on.’
            ‘What gave you that idea?’
            ‘The tears I saw in your eyes.’
            Talyc wiped his eyes. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ He closed his eyes and put his hand to his face.
            ‘This stand open?’
            ‘Uh, yeah!’ Talyc stood, wiping his eyes. ‘Sorry, allergies, fern pollen.’
            An older woman stood staring at him. She was dressed in proper attire and had her shoulders back in a pristine posture. Talyc couldn’t tell if she was dignified or arrogant.
            ‘Manaan ferns don’t have pollen,’ she said. Her accent was Imperial.
            ‘Florist went by,’ said Nriwe. ‘Anyway, what can we do for you?’
            ‘You’re selling beskar?’
            ‘The finest, straight from Mandalore, ma’am,’ said Talyc, all business-like. ‘We’re offering a service to showcase what our best beskar’gam can do when applied to a submersible.’
            ‘Interesting,’ the woman said. ‘How much for the whole lot and how quickly can you work?’
            Talyc saw Nriwe’s eyes widen before she caught herself. ‘Well, we brought a crew of helpers.’ He told the woman. ‘It depends how many submersibles you need done.’
            ‘Let’s just say, if you can do a few, show me the benefits so I can record it and take it back to my firm, then we can order en masse. Say, hundreds.’
            ‘Uh, wh.. Whoa! Wow!’ Talyc didn’t know what to answer.
            ‘But first, you have to convince me why your beskar is worth my money and why submersibles need it. I have an interest, but I need compelling arguments if I’m to convince my superiors.’ The woman stared at Talyc as he just blinked. ‘Well, I’m waiting.’
            ‘Oh, right. Sorry.’ Talyc began explaining some of the ins and outs and benefits of having submersibles layered with beskar. ‘And of course, a large order will grant some significant discounts, which I’m sure a lovely woman such as yourself would appreciate.’
            ‘Oh!’ The woman blushed, giggling. ‘You flatter me, Mister…?
            ‘Kandera.’ Talyc held out his hand. The woman shook it.
            ‘Mrs. Holt, Czerka Corporation.’
            ‘Czerka, eh,’ said Nriwe. ‘No wonder all those big credit questions.’
            ‘Yes, but flattery alone can’t sell me the lot?’ Her tone become one of curiosity. ‘What would your discount be, potentially?’
            ‘I’ll need to round up some figures for you,’ said Talyc. ‘And I’m not just trying to flatter you. You look a well-kept woman of high standards.’
            ‘Thank you. A woman my age has to look presentable,’ replied Mrs. Holt.
            ‘Of your age?’ said Talyc. ‘You can’t possibly be older than forty, surely.’
            Mrs Holt blushed again. ‘Try sixty.’
            ‘What? No way, I know women half your age who aren’t as gorgeous as you.’ Talyc was being serious; the woman was of astounding beauty, especially for her age.
            ‘You sure know how to talk your way into a woman’s heart, Mr. Kandera. I’m sure you’ve charmed many a-woman that way.’
            ‘And men,’ he admitted.
            Mrs. Holt laughed. Talyc could tell that by her tone she was amused and his flattery pleased her greatly.
            ‘Really,’ said Mrs. Holt, touching her well-kept bun with her hand, ‘that isn’t the way to talk to a woman much older than you in front of your wife.’
            ‘Oh, he’s not my husband,’ said Nriwe. ‘My husband’s not human.’ Mrs. Holt nodded.
            ‘And mine is,’ said Talyc. Mrs. Holt gave him an intrigued smile. ‘But I’m sure you rather we round up prices rather than ages and species.’ Talyc felt himself blush. He smiled sheepishly. ‘Give me a number and I’ll send the info back to Mandalore. I’m sure he’ll approve the discount, but I’ll put in a good word for it anyway, the best in fact. You’ve been our only customer in a while, if I’m honest; I’m not letting you slip away. I’m a man of fine taste and when I see something I like, I grab onto it with all I’ve got. And you’re just the woman I’ve been waiting for.’
            ‘You can ease up on the flattery, Mr. Kandera.’ Mrs. Holt suppressed a smile. ‘I’m interested.’
            ‘Flattery is his middle name, though,’ said Nriwe.
            ‘Talyc Flattery Kandera,’ said Talyc. He chuckled, feeling excitement at the potential of finding Fane soon. ‘Now, would you like us to arrange one sample? Then we can demonstrate the benefits for you to see first-hand, as we dive deep into the ocean. With beskar, you can graze the ocean floor without any worries at all.’
            ‘I’ve got a Czerka Corp station down near the ocean floor with dozens of submersibles waiting to be upgraded and outfitted with a better hull than they currently have. I can take you down there. We outfit one of them, and we can go for a stroll if you’d like.’
            ‘Your words are music to my ears,’ said Talyc. ‘Allow me to call in my crew.’
            ‘Excellent. I’m going for a spot of lunch. Try to get your Mandalore to have some figures for me so I can send them to my boss ASAP. Try not to delay, I’ll be at the table over there, waiting.’
            ‘Yes, ma’am!’

---

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Talyc sat with Lord Void, Emerick, Lashika and a few others. The others were sharing a bottle of ale, while he was staring at it, contemplating it, knowing it would be best for him to not even consider it.
            ‘Are you all right?’ asked Void.
            ‘I’m fine!’ Talyc snapped a little too abruptly for even his own liking. ‘Sorry, I’m tempted to drink.’
            ‘Remember your discipline,’ said Void. ‘Only you can decide and choose what is best for you. Do you drink, get drunk, let yourself escape your woes, or do you face what you are feeling, let yourself feel it, and allow the pain to exist?’
            The others looked at Talyc. ‘Whatever you decide, my friend, we won’t judge,’ said Emerick.
            ‘If you need us to put it away…’ Lashika began.
            Void put a hand up. ‘Temptation exists as an opportunity, for either ill or benefit. While it would be easier if none of us were drinking before you, Talyc, you would not have the opportunities and lessons presented to you otherwise. The choice, however, has to be yours, and its reasons, have to support your choice.’
            Talyc took the bottle and brought it to his nose. The smell reminded him of all his failures, all his mistakes, and it was enough to change his mind.
            ‘The pain is better than to fail and make a mistake I may regret forever,’ said Talyc. He gently pushed the bottle back towards the others.
            Lord Void nodded approvingly. ‘Very good. I know Sith who can’t discipline themselves even for a second.’ He looked at the other Mandalorians. ‘You Mandalorians are proving to be knowledgeable in disciplines that qualify you as worthy opponents. Worthy warriors.’
            ‘I don’t need your approval,’ said Talyc, feeling discouraged. ‘I just need…’ He trailed off.
            ‘Fane.’ Lashika put a hand on Talyc’s.
            At that moment Talyc’s comlink chimed. He took it and the small holo image of Shadie appeared. She looked anxious.
            ‘Talyc! We found him!’
            ‘What?’ Talyc stood from his seat and walked a few steps away to have a bit of privacy. Lord Void followed. ‘Where?’
            ‘It was Thera and Ren who found him while meditating. We’ll explain when you two get here, but you need to come right away.’
            ‘You’re going to have to give me more than that if I’m to convince Mandalore to let me go back so soon,’ said Talyc. His heart was racing with anticipation.
            ‘Manaan. They’re on Manaan, deep down on the bottom of the ocean floor,’ said Shadie. Talyc didn’t know if he felt relief or apprehension. He stared at Shadie’s holo image, his heart pounding out of his chest, or so it felt that way.
            ‘Manaan is a neutral world,’ said Void. ‘They won’t take kindly to a group of Jedi coming to say they need to extract something from the bed of their ocean. They will protect their kolto and everything near it, basically everything in the ocean. And if we make too much of a fuss, then it will draw unwanted attention. If word spreads of your presence on Manaan, then Awgro will get whiff.’
            There was a slight pause. ‘I have an idea.’ Talyc felt his eyes light up as a new purpose ignited within him. He gave the holotransceiver to Void and walked to the table. He heard Shadie telling Void about his grandson.
            ‘He says we didn’t kill Relsor, we saved the Force so that he can exist in it,’ said Shadie. ‘Says it was a shame Relsor was the vehicle of illness, but that protecting the Force will allow it to be safe from other beings like Relsor from spreading an illness.’
            ‘Wise kid,’ Talyc said over his shoulder. He looked at Emerick. ‘You still have your forging machine?’
            ‘Yeah, why?’
            ‘I might need to borrow it. Remind me again how it works?’
            Emerick went through the process; Talyc took a few notes down on his datapad. He walked back to where Void stood.
            ‘I have an idea, but I’m going to need help convincing Mandalore.’ Talyc looked at Void. ‘You good at persuading without the use of the Force?’ Void nodded. ‘Then follow me.’

* * *

            Mandalore stared at Talyc as though he had just told him he was going to dress up as a Twi’lek dancer.
            ‘Let me get this straight, you want me to give you a significant amount of beskar to bring to Manaan so you can forage it onto submersibles so that you can extract your husband from the bottom of the ocean?’
            ‘What Talyc has omitted to mention,’ said Void, ‘is that a covert operation would allow the Jedi and me to disguise ourselves, thus we would not draw attention to ourselves. Safer from Awgro that way. But also, such an exchange on Manaan would allow Mandalore to gain a significant amount of Kolto in the process. Such warriors who weather many battles and hunt many bounties need kolto to survive.’
            ‘You’ve only just arrived,’ insisted Mandalore.

---

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Lian, Shadie, Knarf, Brenum, Trylia, and Maranna stood in the central chamber of the Crypt, speaking with voices raised as a heated debate had ensued. Nriwe had taken the children up and Thera had been keen on giving the Chiss boy a tour of the place, so thankfully the children were not privy to this argument.
            Maranna had refused to give the Jedi her child’s name and she seemed very opinionated about Jedi and Sith alike. It had been good that Shadie had convinced Lord Void to accompany Talyc to Mandalore. Knarf wondered how the two were getting on.
            Shadie pinched the bridge of her nose. ‘This is not the talk we agreed to. You said you were willing to hear us out.’
            ‘I said I was willing to speak with you. I am speaking, you must listen.’
            ‘Trying to.’
            ‘All we’re trying to say is that here your son can learn the balance in the Force, both light side and dark side,’ said Trylia in a soothing tone.
            ‘Why? So you can try to save him from himself like you tried to save his father?’ Maranna’s pitch had reached a new high. ‘Relsor didn’t want you to save him! You Jedi think you know best. Always trying to save other people.’
            ‘Well there was something clearly wrong with Relsor,’ said Trylia, her tone serene and poised.
            ‘In your eyes maybe. You weren’t trying to save him, you were trying to change him, turn him into something he wasn’t. The only reason he probably ever saw anything in you was because he pitied your pathetic view on the Force.’
            ‘Oy! Don’t talk to her that way!’ Brenum stepped in, looking imposing.
            ‘Relsor chose his fate,’ said Shadie, doing her best to reamin calm. ‘We offered to try to help find a way to coexist. His existence was killing people, and we still tried to find a way for that could stop so we would not have to kill him. He turned down our offer. We were willing to leave him be, but people kept dying. We saved the galaxy.’
            Maranna took on a mock voice. ‘“We saved the galaxy.” Is that supposed to impress me?’
            ‘Would you rather Awgro have taken you and your son then?’ demanded Shadie.
            ‘No, I am grateful that you helped us, but my son doesn’t need training and he doesn’t want it either.’
            ‘Have you asked him?’ Brenum queried, his tone indignant.
            ‘Was it a race against Awgro to find us before him?’ asked Maranna. ‘Was it to shape that little boy’s mind into the being you want him to be?’
            ‘We don’t try to brainwash anyone,’ said Trylia, looking appalled.
            ‘My passion’s dying wishes were clear, no Jedi training, and no Sith training,’ said Maranna.
            ‘I hardly qualify as a Jedi anymore,’ said Lian, ‘and Lord Void is no longer a Sith. We are teachers of the Force.’
            ‘You are still a member of the Jedi Order and a Master!’ Maranna retorted.
            ‘Then it’s a good thing that the Lady of the Crypt,’ said Knarf, his voice as reassuring as he could manage, ‘is neither Jedi nor Sith. She has found balance in the Force within herself. She can teach that discipline, and we,’ Knarf motioned to himself and Shadie, ‘are Mandalorians. We are part of no Order, no faction. We serve the Force. We would only guide your son in the direction he would choose. We are not trying to take him away from you. We are merely asking you to allow him to stay. For both of you to stay.’
            ‘I don’t need your protection and where I go, my son goes.’ Maranna crossed her arms.
            ‘You can’t coddle a child who is gifted as he is!’ said Brenum.
            Maranna took a menacing step towards Brenum. ‘Don’t you dare tell me how to raise my son who has lost his father because of you!’            
            Brenum contorted his face, but Knarf stepped in and pulled him back a few steps.
            ‘It’s a good thing your friend, Fane, isn’t here,’ Maranna added, ‘because I would give him a piece of my mind. He deserves everything he gets.’
            ‘That’s enough!’ Lian shouted, his voice resonating in the room.

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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.

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Continue reading Chapter Two

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Catch up on previous Star Wars Fan-Fiction from the Protectors of the Force series

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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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