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_ "Look at the size of that thing!" _

~Com chatter from Wedge Antilles (Red 3), during the Battle of Yavin

Thresher's black eyes stared out into the vacuum, watching the chaos unfold, his long, thin tail-tip flicking sharply. The depths of space were not unlike the abyssal depths of a sea – tranquil on its face, yet chaotic below its waves. In the oft unspoken bottom, where the remains of the dead lay at rest, life thrived and struggled, fighting to survive.

Perhaps, he thought, it was a perspective only a Karkarodon could appreciate. In a strange way, the battle was not unlike looking through the glass of an aquarium. Ships darted expertly around floating boulders and scrap hunks, like fish darting through fields of coral and between valleys of sea-rock. In the distance, visible only through senses aided by the Force, he witnessed a trio of TIE fighters as they chased a pair of the station's starfighters. They were like a school of venom-lance bettas from his native world, Karkaris, hunting and nipping at red-striped flounders. He scoffed at their meager attempt to dodge through a shipwreck to lose their tail; a flash of flame erupted within the wreck, and only one patroller emerged. Second later, the TIE trio's cannons tore the remaining ship apart, it's wreckage peppering the surface of another wreck.

Thresher shook his head. Amusing. And pointless. At least the venom-lance betta chased its prey for food. What he was witnessing served no true purpose. He turned his eyes to the rest of the Star Destroyer bridge. The crew pits to either side of the walkway to the bridge buzzed with activity, monitoring the ship's systems and coordinating the TIE squadrons to vulnerable targets. Their superior officers bent over their shoulders with intense eyes, like a Corellian osprey scanning a lake for a salmon. To them, these pirates and mercs were little more than prey.

He glanced back to Southern Star Station. It may as well have been a hornet's nest, yet to be stirred. He turned from the viewport and strode the length of the bridge walkway. At the other end stood the ship's commander, a dark-skinned, white-haired male with clear blue eyes.

"Report, Captain Nethan."

The captain's eyes flicked toward him, then back at the carnage along the station. "Ten boarding craft have successfully landed on Central Rock. Three have docked with the Polaric Center. Three craft have been destroyed. Four are still in transit."

Thresher nodded. "And Knight Ulfric?"

"He is aboard Central Rock, Agent Thresher."

"Then I don't suppose I could convince you to recall your fighters and retreat," Thresher sighed, folding his arms.

"I have my orders, Agent," the captain replied evenly.

"'Orders,'" Thresher scoffed. "The bastard is thick both physically and mentally, he has no authority to give orders."

The captain gave him a thin smile. "Perhaps not. Inquisitor Tesque, however, was quite clear on our orders. I have no interest in rousing her anger."

"Due respect, Captain, but the Circle will not look unkindly at any attempt to preserve our limited forces. This is an unnecessary risk," Thresher pressed.

"I'm well-aware of our situation," the captain nodded. "I'm preparing to mobilize our gunships when the station finally rallies. I intend to give Inquisitor Tesque's minion the time he needs, and not a second longer."

A nearby console let out a warning ping. The captain's face hardened fractionally and he approached, punching a series of key. A nearby hologram platform flickered to light, its base glowing for several seconds. Static filled the projection site, slowly taking the form of a robe-wearing Zeltron, sitting upon an obsidian throne. Thresher felt his snout wrinkle slightly at Tesque's sharp visage, her brow creased and her fingers pressed together. She stared straight ahead at the captain, apparently unaware or ignorant of Thresher's presence, before speaking clear and sharp as a crystal needle.

"Report, Captain. Has Ulfric secured the relic?"

"Unknown. Our spies have tracked relic's location to Central Rock, my lady," Captain Nethan replied calmly. "Ulfric's transport has just docked with the station. The nearest units have been instructed to locate and follow him."

"He was sent alone?" Tesque queried, glaring.

Thresher did not miss the captain's jaw tightening. "He was most insistent," he told her. "He slaughtered three men attempting to board the ship. I had no intention of sending others to their death. But he has boarded the station without further incident. We will contact you once the relic has been brought aboard."

"See that you do, Captain. Make no attempt to contact any other members of the Circle," she warned. "And do not come back without Ulfric. No matter how long it takes."

Thresher growled, stepping forward with half a mind to reveal himself. He only stopped short when the captain held his arm out, keeping him from entering the recording field. "Yes, my lady. It shall be done."

The hologram faded into static, the platform going inert.

Thresher glared at the captain. "You have no idea what agreeing to her orders will cost you."

"On the contrary, I'm quite certain what it means," Captain Nethan sighed. "When the shock of our surprise visit has faded, I fully anticipate the station's pilots, smugglers, pirates, and mercenaries to band together and take the fight to us. I am prepared to do all I can to mitigate our damage."

"You haven't factored in Ulfric," Thresher warned him. "Whether he succeeds or fails, you will need to retrieve him."

The captain's smile was thin, but genuine.

"As I said... we are fully prepared."

It was likely a trick of the eyes, or perhaps their last meeting had inflicted some mental fear – but Kajex could swear Ulfric was bigger now than he had been on Abaat.

He had expected the massive Sith Knight to do one of three things. He would either ignite his lightsaber and charge; use the Force and try to knock them all down in a single sweep; or to say something profound and threatening to the group of six that stood next to the viewport. What he was not prepared for was Knight Ulfric letting out a bestial roar, stooping to the side and easily tearing a well-secured, bolted-down steel table from the floor and lifting it over his head. The act unnerved the gray wolf badly, as he had a very bad feeling that what he'd just seen was an act of purely natural physical strength, with no aid from the Force. But as stunned as he was, he had the presence of mind to speak.

"COVER!"

He grabbed Syrra and pushed her to the floor; Keris and Miles lunged to either side while Talrik rolled behind an upturned table. The table sailed across the pub, hurtling right towards Kajex. Fear halted his feet for a critical second. The wolf braced for the impact, covering his head.

When the blow didn't come, he opened his eyes. The table was frozen in mid-air, only a meter away from him.

Movement behind him drew his eyes to Locke, the only one who hadn't attempted to take cover. His paw was outstretched over Kajex's shoulder, his gaze focused on the Sith brute blocking their way. He stepped around and in front of Kajex, and with little more than the flick of his wrist, the table flew back at the Knight. The flat tabletop slammed directly against his chest, buckling and bending slightly from the impact.

He didn't budge. No hint of pain, no flicker of annoyance. The table fell to the floor like a wooden board breaking against a pillar of stone.

Kajex gaped at him, then at Locke. "What the fuck do you even feed this barve?!"

Ulfric raised his hand and a startled yelp rang out as Talrik was yanked forward, pulled from behind his cover as his satchel was wrenched into the air. "Shit! Kajex, help!" he shouted, clinging to the bag. Miles sprang forward with a curse, grabbing the fox around the waist and digging his heels into the carpeted floor. Talrik's foot touched on a bolted sitting booth and he pushed back against it with a strained growl, twisting the strap around his wrist.

Kajex darted toward them, drawing his sidearm and firing on the behemoth. Ulfric's other hand moved like a blur as he drew his lightsaber and ignited, batting away the bolts like flies; one flew over the wolf's shoulder, while another exploded against the sitting booth. "We got you, kit!" Kajex told him, grabbing the bag.

Three separate snap-hiss sounds pierced the air. Kajex looked back towards Locke, who was no longer alone. Syrra and Keris had gotten to their feet, standing to either side of Locke with weapons ignited. All three glared back in defiance. The eyes of what few patrons had been too scared to evacuate the pub, were now drawn to the trio of Force-users standing with their blades at the ready. Kajex heard the mutters and whispers of relief for their Jedi saviors, but those were hushed a moment later. Ulfric stepped forward, pointing at the hovering satchel. A deep, yet clear word rumbled from his lips.

"Mine."

Keris grimaced. "Well... that's just fucking great. Tesque taught her monster how to speak."

Locke glared at the larger Knight. "Stand down, Ulfric! You're meddling in things beyond your power! Return to Tesque!"

Ulfric said nothing in response, but it was clear to all that he regarded Locke's demand offensive. With a skillful flourish, the Knight brought his weapon into a ready stance.

Locke glanced at the women on on either side of him. "Can I trust the two of you to put your quarrel behind long enough to fight this lout efficiently?"

Syrra stared at the massive Sith Knight. "Anything to make this easier."

Keris leveled her glare on Ulfric instead of the Trianii. "As you wish, Master."

"Kajex, get Talrik and Miles out of here – we'll hold off Ulfric and regroup," the wolf ordered. "Syrra, Keris, stay close and strike as one!"

They charged in unison, rushing across the pub in seconds. Syrra leapt on a table and flipped over Ulfric, her weapon humming dangerously as she slashed from above. Keris ducked the giant's blade and slid between his legs, slashing at them. Locke engaged right after her, aiming a heavy-handed blow at his head. Ulfric twisted his weapon, with one blade glancing against Syrra's and diverting it only an each away from his ear, leaving her to land behind him; the second blade intercepted Keris', guarding his leg as she rolled to her feet next to Syrra. Ulfric darted forward and slammed the wide hilt of his weapon against Locke's arms, stopping the attack short. Before Locke could back away, Ulfric slammed a boot into his chest, knocking the wolf away with a sharp yelp as he crashed into a table. Half-filled glasses fell and shattered on the floor, and a second later Locke joined them, groaning as he struggled to get to his feet.

Kajex swore, tearing his eyes away from Locke and helping Talrik to his feet. With Ulfric no longer focused on the satchel, this was their chance to move. Central Rock started to shake as TIE fighters starting strafing runs, causing loud, dull thuds to echo through the station. " You guys alright?" he shouted over the din of the battle as they pushed for the exits. "We need to get to my ship!"

"Contact!" Miles shouted, kicking over a table and kneeling behind it with his rifle at the ready.

Kajex spun toward the entrace, but saw nobody; Ulfric's duel had left the doorway clear. On instinct he aimed his pistol ahead, trusting the soldier. Sure enough, a pair of stormtroopers charged into the pub, weapons raised and ready to fire. Miles shot first, his bolt nailing the Imperial dead center. The second Imperial's shot went wide; he never fired another, as Kajex brought him down with one to the neck. Talrik ducked behind the table with Miles, with Kajex following as he dropped a third trooper.

"How many are there?" Kajex grunted, peeking around their cover.

"Five more," Miles told him, breaking cover briefly and squeezing a few more shots. "That's not what worries me right now. Locke's informant told us Ulfric was gathering Shadowtroopers for the assault. Same ones from the Reborn movement."

"Fucking great," Kajex growled as blaster bolts flew overhead. A pair of bolt exploded against the tables, the embers igniting spilled, dried alcohol on the floor. "More corrupted Force-users is just what this shitty shindig needed." He leaned over the table and aimed, catching another stormtrooper in the helmet. Another one spotted him and fired; the wolf leaned back, narrowly avoiding the bolt. Miles returned fire, suppressing the doorway just enough to cause the remaining troops to dive behind cover.

"Only three more," Miles told him. "I can't sense any other troops nearby."

A cry of pain pierced the din. Keris had fallen to her knees, a deep, glowing gash burned in her calf. Locke snarled and stabbed at the Ulfric, only to be backhanded by the giant and sent flying several meters away, landing near the trio. The stormtroopers spotted him, and Kajex's blood went cold. He broke cover and fired wildly at the remaining soldiers, rushing to Locke's side.

"Get up!" he snarled, grabbing the white wolf's arm. "Get up, Locke! You better the hell not die today!" But Ulfric's blow seemed to have stunned Locke, the white wolf barely stirring in response. The wolf swore and aimed at the soldiers again, but they already had their weapons pointed in their direction.

He felt a thump slam into his ribcage and for a moment he was convinced he'd been shot, but that same pulse of sound slammed into every surface throughout the pub, shattering glasses and splintering nearby wood as a bolt of blue energy flew over his head. An explosion tore through the center of the soldiers in a flash of blue light. Glass and armor fragments flew in all directions, while screams erupted from the few remaining patrons.

The sound was enough to rouse Locke, his eyes wide as he jerked back to life. "What the hell was that?!" he cried.

"Sorry, had to set it up," Talrik grunted, reloading his smoking concussion rifle. "Let's move already!"

"Wait, Keris!" Locke shouted. He turned back to the duel, where Ulfric had turned his attention to Syrra, striking at the Trianii repeatedly and crashing against her blade. Syrra's defenses held firm against his assault, but she could not find a gap to retaliate, forced to back away slowly.

The back of her foot bumped against the wall she was backed against. Rather than dodge to either side, she blocked Ulfric's overhead slash. She quickly shifted her grip, grabbing Ulfric's lightsaber to prevent the upswing, only to find herself lifted off the floor. Her feet danced up the wall, moving in tandem with Ulfric's momentum, until she was tossed into the air towards them. Her feet touched the ground and slid back several meters, stopping as Kajex caught her.

"You okay?!" he shouted.

"No – Keris!"

With Syrra out of the way there was nobody to guard Keris. Injured and limping, she sidestepped a slash and tried to counter. Ulfric blocked the desperate blow from the kneeling Keris before slamming his armored boot into her chest with rib-cracking force, knocking her to her back. She coughed and wheezed, holding her chest while her weapon clattered to the floor.

"No!" Locke cried out, a look of anguish on his face as Ulfric plunged his blade down towards the vixen's heart.

Only for his weapon to punch a hole into the bare floor.

Keris slid away just in time, rolling to a stop right in front of Syrra. The vixen swore and whimpered in pain as Syrra grabbed her under the arms dragged her back. A look of deep hatred was etched into Ulfric's features. The situation was worse now; Ulfric still blocked the way, and Keris was in no condition to fight.

"We're outmatched," Locke said gravely. He groaned, holding his midsection and reigniting his weapon, though it trembled in his paw. "Kajex... take Keris and get out of here. I can hold him off."

"I have a better idea," Talrik said. The fox had not remained idle, setting the table back upright and bracing his concussion rifle against it. "Clear my line of fire."

Locke staggered out of the way, eyes wide as Talrik aimed directly at Ulfric. The giant glared, holding his palm out.

Another BOOM filled the pub with the noise of a turbolaser cannon. No bolt of blue accompanied it, but the air distorted and warped as an unseen projectile sailed right into Ulfric's chest. Where the table had done nothing to faze him, this unseen bolt exploded shattered his breastplate and blew him back through the pub's entrance, taking out a part of the door frame as the giant sailed through the air like a rag doll into the corridor.

Kajex was the first to move, sprinting towards the damaged doorway and stopping just beyond it. Though Ulfric was nowhere to be seen, Kajex could see the path which he'd been sent; several meters down the corridor, past a now-broken railing, and down to the lower floor. The wolf let out a sigh of relief, then stepped back into the pub. "We're clear, everybody! Get to your evac zones!"

The pub's patrons hurried through the damaged entrance, Kajex stepping around them to rejoin his allies. Syrra was knelt beside Keris and examining her wounded leg, while Locke was held the vixen close with a look of relief. Miles had broken away from the group and was gathering their gear. Talrik approached him, securing his rifle.

"Kit, that's twice you've saved our asses from that big bastard," Kajex sighed, clasping hands with the fox. "We owe you."

"Don't mention it," Talrik replied, managing a half-smile.

"You guys good?" Kajex asked, looking between Locke and Keris.

"I'll be fine," Locke nodded, passing his arm over his eyes briefly and giving Syrra a grateful look. "You saved her life. You didn't have to, but you did. I'm never going to forget that. Thank you."

Syrra nodded, giving him an awkward smile. "Yeah, well... 'just because we're enemies' and all that."

"Do you think this really changes anything, cunt?" Keris fumed, her eyes narrowed at the Trianii.

But Syrra's face didn't harden. Instead, she nodded. "Yeah, I do." A pause, then a smirk. "... Bitch." Keris glared at her for a moment, then snorted and looked away, unable to hide her reluctant smile.

Locke got to his feet, gazing at the exit. "Did Talrik get him?"

"I think so," Kajex sighed. He spotted Miles getting back to his feet and called out to him. "Lieutenant, can you see if he's dead?"

The Miraluka gazed off to the side and didn't answer immediately, his brow furrowed. "I can't tell if he's dead... but he's certainly not moving. You sent that bastard a couple of levels lower, kid. Good shot."

"I aim to please," Talrik nodded.

"It'll be a while before he gets back to us, if he can," Locke muttered. "I suggest we don't wait to see if he's still alive."

Kajex nodded. "Miles told me to expect Shadowtroopers. We shouldn't stick around, not if more lightsabers are going to pop up soon. Can you walk, Keris?"

She winced. "It hurts pretty bad. Guess that's up to the doc here."

Syrra gave the wound a more thorough look, opening her satchel and withdrawing her medkit, unrolling bacta patches and a painkiller shot. "It's not too deep, at least. You won't be jogging for a week, but it'll be easy to heal given enough time. Three hours submerged in bacta, tops; or a full day with bacta-treated bandages. No allergies?" Keris shook her head, whining as Syrra jabbed the shot into her thigh. "Don't be such a baby, it'll help with the pain," she admonished the vixen as she wrapped the wound with a patch and gauze. "One of you will have to support her and keep her bad leg off the floor."

"I'll do it," Talrik volunteered, stooping at the vixen's side and helping her up.

"How's your breathing?" Syrra asked. "You took a kick to the chest."

"Hurts like a bitch, but I'll manage," Keris groaned.

Miles jogged up to them, rifle in hand with a grim look on his face. "Locke, they've started launching deployment pods. We need to leave."

Locke shook his head. "Not until Captain Surnahm leaves with the Yoke in his possession. And our vessel is likely to be locked down, anyway." He nodded to Kajex. "We'll have to accompany your group, Captain. If you trust us to."

Kajex glanced at Syrra, half-expecting her to refuse. Instead, she gave him a reluctant nod. It seemed they had little choice but to trust the white wolf. "We're perched at Bay 3," Kajex told him. "It's halfway through Central Rock. If you can help us get there and protect the ship, I'll take you where I can."

"We've got your back, Captain," Miles told him. "Lead the way."

"So much for this being a simple retrieval operation," Syrra sighed, following Kajex as they left the pub.

"Yeah, remind me to kick Kyle in the balls when we get back to Yavin 4," the wolf fumed. "'Couldn't be easier' my ass..."

The chaos of the Imperial attack on the array had done much to alter the environment in just the few minutes since it had started. Though the corridors had been crowded since they had arrived, they had also been fairly well-kept, the storefronts open to any and all. Now the corridors had only a fraction of visitors running through the littered and damaged halls, while most of the shops were sealed tight, their inhabitants cowering within and hoping the attack would blow over. The siren continued to blare through the station, drowning out the sound of their steady footfalls. Kajex led the way with Syrra at his side, blasters drawn, while Miles followed behind. Talrik supported Keris, keeping her moving without aggravating her injury, while Locke covered their rear, lightsaber in hand.

"No, not this way," Miles said suddenly, grabbing Kajex's shoulder as he nearly turned a corner. "Got eyes a squad of troops coming down the adjacent hall."

Kajex raised an eyebrow.

Miles sighed. "You know what I meant." He pointed. "Keep heading straight. It's a longer path, but there won't be any troops until we're close."

Kajex nodded and kept moving forward, keeping his blaster at the ready. "Can you sense those Shadowtroopers?"

"Not reliably," Miles admitted. "They're equipped with active camouflage, trained in conventional stealth and skilled in Force concealment." He smirked at wolf. "Could give you a run for your money."

"Mental conditioning can only take you so far," the wolf reasoned. "Just keep your eyes open. Figuratively," he added.

The siren paused briefly, a static crackling through the station speakers. "Squad 7, get to the northern sector and cut off those Imperial reinforcements!" Ray's voice barked through the speakers. "Do not allow them remain in the primary docks! Captain Surnahm, if you're hearing this, get to your designated hangar immediately, your hangar is compromised! Your cargo is coming, give me twenty minutes!"

"Fucking hell!" Kajex swore, breaking into a sprint. He rounded a corner, catching sight of armed station guards in teal uniforms taking cover behind concrete pillars. Ahead of them, a squad of Imperial stormtroopers were laying down suppressing fire, filling most of the corridor with blaster bolts. "Dammit, the hangar is right there!" he shouted, pointing to the right side of the hall and feeling like their luck couldn't get any worse.

Locke and Syrra sprinted ahead while Miles joined the station's defenders and returned fire. "We've got the trash covered, Captain," Locke called back to him. "Get the door open!" He and Syrra advanced on the squad, deflecting their blaster bolts and allowing the station guards to move from cover, pressing the attack as they kept behind the two.

With the way ahead being cleared Kajex followed the defenders down the hall, taking a moment to squeeze off a few shots. Once they passed the hatch for Bay 3 he sprinted the remaining distance and slapped the controls.

Nothing.

The wolf swore again, guessing the hatch had been sealed dockside. He was halfway towards pulling out his slicing pad when his eyes were drawn to the center of the hatch, now glowing yellow with heat. Kajex threw himself out of the way just as a red shaft of light pierced through the door and slashed upward where he'd been standing. He drew his blade and pistol just as the door burst open, and two black-robed figures charged through, lightsabers held high.

The first Dark Jedi was not agile nor skilled enough to block or deflect Kajex's blaster bolt, dropping to the floor with a clean hole burned into his right eye socket. The second one was lucky enough to have time to react before the wolf could fire another shot, slashing through the barrel and powercell swiftly, narrowly missing his trigger-finger. He tossed the remains away and backed up, raising his blade just in time to parry, knocking the assailant off-balance. Before the Dark Jedi could regain his footing, Kajex lunged forward and ran him through. The darksider's strangled cry died as quickly as he did.

"Door's open, help me secure the ship!" Kajex called back over the deafening din of blaster fire, his nerves on end as he sheathed his vibroblade. Three Imperial officers were crouched near the ramp of his ship, trying to slice into the Gold Rush's security. Cursing himself for not bringing a rifle along with his now-inoperable sidearm he sprinted into the hangar, ducking and taking cover behind a stack of recycled metal as two of the officers drew and opened fire on him.

"Don't scratch the ship!" Kajex yelped as Talrik sprinted in after him, diving headfirst into a sniper position with his C-rifle. The Amaran's aim was true even with the explosive weapon; blast radius blew away trio without dinging the ramp. The wolf let out a sigh of relief, watching Talrik get back up and return to Keris, whom he had left leaning behind another stack of scrap.

Happy though he was that Talrik had prevented them from breaching the ship, Kajex slowed to a stop, staring at the ship.

Talrik and Keris joined him. "What's wrong, Captain?" Keris asked.

"They were trying to break in. I don't know how much time they had left before they would have gotten in, but... they might have been here long enough to sabotage the ship," the wolf muttered.

"Should we hold off until we've scanned it?" Talrik asked.

Kajex considered it, but then shook his head and keyed in the code. "There's no time. Gotta risk it." The ramp hissed to life and lowered, just as Syrra and Locke approached the ship, with Miles not far behind.

"Keris, can you work a ship console?" Kajex asked. She nodded. "Get the ship's sensors online and tell me if you see anything out of place. Syrra, get the ship warmed up and prepped for takeoff. Talrik, Miles, grab some headsets from the lounge and get a word with one of the station guards. Key us into their main channel and figure out when and where Ray's passenger is going to show up." He watched as Syrra helped Keris into the ship, while Talrik and Miles jogged ahead.

"It's not Ulfric's style to sabotage a ship," Locke told him as they entered.

"I don't want to take any chances, Locke," he replied. "I've had enough nasty surprises for one day, I want to double-confirm that things are green before we leave."

"Am I among those nasty surprises?" the white wolf asked.

Kajex half-smiled. "You're about the only bright spot on this rotten day," he answered, leading the way to the armory. "Give me a sec, I need another weapon. I'd rather not have to rely on a lightsaber. I've had this ship since Kane passed away, I'll be damned if I'm going to let the Empire rummage through it again. No offense," he added, pulling down a weapons rack.

"None taken – I had to be sure, that's why I ordered it scanned the first time," Locke shrugged. He watched as Kajex pulled a rifle and several magazines from the rack, his brow furrowing. "A slugthrower?"

"I swear by them in these situations," Kajex smirked, loading his weapon and hooking two more mags onto his belt. "Let's see those Reborn bastards try to deflect an armor-piercing round moving at fifteen-hundred meters a second." He hurried back out into the lounge. "Syrra, is the ship clean?" he shouted towards the cockpit.

"She's clean, they didn't attach anything to the hull, and the ship's been locked since we left," she responded, jogging into the lounge a second later and following them as they headed for the ramp. "Pre-flight checks are complete."

"Good, then let's spend our time wisely," Kajex sighed as they returned to the hangar. They'd only taken a few steps when movement at the ship's fore caught his eye. A flare of alarm shot through his back as he saw several droids pushing crates and loading equipment towards the Gold Rush. "Hey, get away from my ship!" he barked angrily, sprinting towards them. "The fuck do you clankers think you're doing!?"

"Kajex, leave it!" Talrik shouted from the bay entrance, jogging up to him with a headset in hand. "The commander sent a remote order to the hangar droids, they're gonna load the Gold Rush with ordinance." He held out the comm device to the wolf. "He's on the horn now."

The wolf frowned, taking the headset. "This is Captain Surnahm."

"Captain, good to hear you're still alive," Ray sighed. "We're a ways out, but we're on Central Rock and using the utility tunnels. Security is trying to stop Imperial movements, but it looks like they brought some darksiders to the game. They'll reach you before I do. I've instructed the squad posted at your hangar to follow your orders."

"We'll be ready," Kajex told him. "And the ordinance?"

"You'll need them. We've sent a distress signal to the New Republic for support, but they'll be another half hour out at the soonest. We're coordinating with the station's mercs and smugglers, gonna give the Imps a black eye. Nobody is going anywhere with that Interdictor-class ship still active. You go in there with those torpedoes and they'll have to retreat." A pause. "Consider it a gift... and an apology."

"Just get here as soon as you can with the passenger, and we'll call it even," Kajex told him.

"Fair enough. We'll be there in fifteen. Give those Imps hell. Over and out."

The line went silent and Kajex turned to everyone. "All we can do now is hold out. The Reborn are on their way."

"This is your show, Captain," Locke told him. "How can we help?"

Kajex gave him a bland smile. "Never thought I'd live to see the day when a Sith Knight and an Imperial soldier would be helping me survive." He glanced around the hangar, his mind racing. "I've got an idea, but we'll need to work fast."

"Captain, we've located it!"

Thresher looked away from the space battle at those words. A younger officer jogged up to Captain Nethan, handing him a datapad. The Captain gazed at it for a moment, then nodded. "Good work, Lieutenant. I'll see to this personally. Commander Daus, the bridge is yours."

"Aye, sir – standing orders in effect!" his replacement barked.

The captain gestured to Thresher. "Agent Thresher, if you would be so kind, I would like your involvement. Follow me to the hangar."

The shark nodded, striding up the bridge and flicking his tail with a snap. Anything was preferable to waiting on the bridge and watching resources being wasted. They left the bridge behind, heading for the turbolift. "Has Ulfric been located?"

Nethan nodded. "His body was found by one squad. They have yet to give us an update."

"I doubt the beast is dead," Thresher hissed. "But I can hope."

"Ulfric is not our main concern; securing the relic is the primary objective. Our soldiers have tracked its whereabouts to Hangar Bay 3 of Central Rock. It's being delivered to a Jedi-aligned vessel. A Corellian XS Light Freighter, named the--"

"-- Gold Rush," Thresher finished for him, his snout curling. "Locke's fellow mutt is involved, then." The lift came to a halt and they stepped out. "And it's still on the station?"

"Station reports state that the ship's cargo was on its way to the hangar," Nethan told him. "They were undoubtedly referring to the relic. We're to board the station and intercept the cargo before it can be loaded, but we have only a few minutes to do it. I'm taking two squads of stormtroopers with. I believe I'll require your help for this."

Thresher raised a brow. "Very well. If the captain of this ship himself is bold enough to wade into the fight to complete the mission, then I shall follow."

"I'd prefer not to. I didn't earn my rank being a bold idiot." He gave the shark a bland smile. "But I was, after all, ordered to see to it personally."

It was a crude plan; but Kajex had learned from years of mercenary work that 'crude' wasn't the same as 'stupid.'

Injured though she was, Keris was still able to help Syrra and Locke construct a simple barricade against the hangar's hatch, using the stacks of recycled durasteel lining the walls and the Force to prop the heavy sheets and scrap cubes into position, forming a bottleneck With plenty of junk left over, Kajex guided their efforts to set up cover and a raised firing platform for the squad defending them. It wasn't pretty – but it would work.

Outside, the thundering sound of ship cannons impacting Central Rock shook dust from the ceiling, yet Central Rock still seemed intact. The station's automated turrets appeared to be doing their job well, warding away or destroying the Imperial fighters. Every so often, a mercenary ship would fly past the hangar, in hot pursuit of a TIE or evading them. Disorganized though they were, the denizens of Southern Star were matching blows with their attackers.

They had just finished setting up when footsteps coming down the ramp drew their attention. Syrra approached, lightsaber in hand. "I've secured the relic and set Keris up with the ship's surface-defense cannon. She can provide cover fire from that position."

"It'll help, but that cannon tends to overheat. If the fight takes too long, it might not last." Kajex turned to Locke. "You were able to mind-trick a belligerent racist on Abaat last time. Could you convince the Impericals to back off using the Force?"

Locke shook his head. "Regular stormtroopers, yes, but not shadowtroopers."

"It was worth a shot," he sighed. "So much destruction over this damn relic."

"That's Ulfric for you – no subtlety," Locke nodded. "And in the end, everyone else will pay for it; Imperial, Republic, and neutral folk alike.

"Get ready, they're massing at the hatch," Miles alerted them. "Heavy explosive breach charge. Twenty troopers, four darksiders. More incoming." The security team got into position, weapons trained on the chokepoint. Locke and Syrra stepped forward, lightsabers in hand, while Kajex, Miles, and Talrik took positions with the rest. For a moment the station seemed to go silent, and the trembling of the Imperial assault seemed to cease. Tension hung in the air as they waited. "Twenty seconds," Miles muttered.

Kajex closed his eyes, fighting back the stress and uncertainty. Without really thinking about it, he brought a paw to his pendant, squeezing it firmly. The situation was too familiar, not unlike the scraps he and his fathers had faced when they were alive. They always seemed to know what to do, getting them out of the worst scenarios alive. He focused on them, recalling fond memories in mere fractions of moments, clinging to every second as if to extend them longer.

Then those thoughts turned to his crew: to Syrra and Talrik, friends he'd come to trust and rely on, who had saved his life. They extended now to Locke, who was now standing at his side in his defense; to Keris, whom had found an understanding and peace with him on Sua; to Miles, who even now was watching out for all of them, not bound merely by Imperial loyalty. They deserved his best, for him to do what he could for them in turn. Slowly, as each second passed, he felt the tension fade away, tempered into determination. He was not alone, and that would be enough.

It was what his fathers would have wanted.

"... May the Force be with us," he murmured.

The explosion tore through the hatch, blowing apart the heavy stacks of durasteel to all sides and raising a din that caused ears to ring. The defenders covered their heads as metal fragments rained on them. Smoke and dust billowed out into the hangar, and had not even begun to settle when multiple blaster shots broke through the veil. Three stormtroopers leapt out of the ash, peppering the barricades. Talrik was the first to return fire, a blue-hued blast engulfing the trio and blowing them apart. Three more stormtroopers sprinted in and laid down suppressing fire, moving to find cover as their comrades followed. Heat and light filled the hangar as both sides traded fire, shots either splashing against the magnetic field, popping against the Gold Rush or exploding against the hangar walls.

Standing between them were Locke and Syrra, their blue blades intercepting and deflecting Imperial firepower. Their presence alone seemed to give the stormtroopers pause, as they focused their fire on them, to no avail; Locke's defense seemed nearly impenetrable, honed from years of combat, while the fruit of Syrra's training was keeping her well-protected. With the Imperials fixated on the Jedi and Sith duo, the defenders kept the pressure going, aided by Keris' controlling the ramp's defense cannon.

"You're keeping up well, Padawan," Locke told her, giving her a calm smile as he blocked another bolt.

"Thank you, Locke – I had a good teacher," she replied with a smirk.

"Darksiders incoming!" Miles called out.

Three black-armored soldiers sprang through the debris and among the bodies of the troops, crouching with their lightsabers drawn. One raised his hand and a giant block of durasteel scrap slid in front of him. Kajex's eyes widened, realizing what he was about to do.

"Break cover!" he shouted.

Only a second later, the durasteel block flew towards the barricade, just as most of the defenders leapt out of the way. Two guards screams were cut short as they failed to get clear just as it collided, the scrap block pulverizing the barricade and littering the entire hangar in metal shards. A deafening crash tore through their ears, the defenders staggering back into what little cover remained. The darksider moved to repeat the act, but Talrik raised his c-rifle and sent him flying through the air with a well-placed shot. Kajex dropped another with a shot from his slugthrower, just as another two entered the hangar to replace their fallen allies.

"You'll come no closer, scum!" a voice snarled suddenly. Had Kajex not been keeping an eye on him at that moment, he would never have believed it had come from Locke. But the normally calm white wolf's eyes were blazing hot with anger, his muzzle curled with a look of hatred. Kajex gaped in awe as the Sith Knight charged into the fray, crossing the gap between himself and the clostest darksider in a single, Force-aided leap. The darksider had no time to scream before Locke brought his saber down, cleaving him cleanly in half.

The three remaining darksiders moved on Locke with lightsabers ignited, meeting in a single combined strike that crashed uselessly against the white wolf's blade. He parried cleanly and immediately went on the offense, his weapon dancing in multiple angles. Locke's candances were abrupt and brutal, a combination of unpredictable yet powerful movements that rent through his foes' defenses. It took only seconds before they began to backpedal away, and Kajex could understand; for while he more deeply appreciated Locke for standing at his side, the white wolf's rage and violence were so far removed from the man he knew that he almost seemed unrecognizable. Even Syrra was hesitant to give him support, trading a look of unease with Kajex.

But soon enough they had more trouble to draw their focus. More stormtroopers poured in through the hangar entrance, followed by another darksider who engaged Syrra one-on-one. The acrid smell of burning durasteel and ozone was thick in the air as blaster bolts continued to fly. Two more guards went down, and while Miles pulled one of them to safety, the other did not get up. The ramp cannon began to smoke and sputter, the barrel visibly red-hot, yet it continued to thump and spit energy at the intruders, who were now beginning to take shots at it. Talrik swore and ducked behind cover, slinging his c-rifle onto his back. "Boss, I'm dry here!"

"Get to the armory, on the double!" Kajex barked.

"I'll be back in--"

It happened too fast. One moment Talrik was on his feet and jogging towards the Gold Rush; the next moment his next word was cut short when blaster bolt struck him in his chestplate. The Amaran soldier staggered back, wide-eyed in shock, and fell to the floor, a thin plume of smoke issuing from his chest.

With a cry of anguish the wolf sprinted towards the soldier, sliding to his side and panicking as Talrik stirred feebly. Somewhere in the back of his senses he could hear Syrra cry out in dismay, rushing towards them.. "No, nononono! FUCK!" He grabbed Talrik, forcing the fox to sit up – his eyes were unfocused, staring ahead. "Wake up, kid! Don't fucking die on us now!"

A twitch ran through Talrik's body, followed by a deep gasp and a pained cough as he jerked awake, agony etched into his features as he grabbed the wolf's arm reflexively. "Fuck! Gods, that really hurts!" he groaned, tears rolling down his face. Relief beyond measure nearly overwhelmed Kajex.

A moment later, Syrra knelt next to him, looking close to tears and struggling to focus. "Shit, I thought you were dead," Syrra whimpered, leaning in to check his injury. She winced, looking at Kajex. "He'll live, but he's in no condition to fight."

"Sorry, boss," Talrik groaned, shaking his head. "Gotta tap out here."

"Leave him to me," Kajex told her. "Go help Locke hold them off – and watch yourself!" he added as she got to her feet and returned to the fight. "Miles, get over here!" The wolf watched as Locke's aide squeezed off two more bursts from his rifle before crouching and moving to the pair, grimacing at the wounded fox.

"How bad is he?"

"He'll live, but I need you to take him to the armory and hook him up to the life-support unit! Don't come back out until that bacta starts flowing!"

"Aye, Captain," Miles responded, collecting Talrik's c-rifle and grabbing the fox around the waist, moving him out of the fray up the ship's ramp.

Kajex grit his teeth. "What the fuck is taking Ray so long?" he growled. The pressure of the situation bore down on him like a lead brick. Both Keris and Talrik were injured, Miles was occupied and unable to call out incoming enemies, Locke was still engaged in combat with two darksiders and only six more security officers remained; yet Ray, his security team, and his passenger were nowhere to be seen, and had sent no word.

Two more security guards fell and Kajex swore, returning to the fight. By now, a slew of bodies laid among the smoking remains of the hangar entrance. Anger coursed through the wolf and he advanced towards the remaining Imperials. The rifle kicked into his shoulder, his arm aching from the nonstop recoil, yet he ignored the pain and focused down his sights. His shots glanced off their armor, until one slipped through the gaps of their helmet and dropped him. One of the remaining foes remaining knelt to the ground, a rocket launcher set against his shoulder as he fired at Syrra. A jolt of fear ran through Kajex, but with a twist she sidestepped the missile and snatched it through the Force, hurling it back. The blast sent the last few troopers flying.

The wolf trembled with relief and exhaustion, securing his rifle and turning his attention back to Locke. Those mostly masked, his foe's eyes were unobscured, his terror in fighting the white wolf clear. With a strangled battle cry he charged at Locke and lunged; with a simple parry and flick, Locke's lightsaber cut through his chest, then silenced his scream with a heavy punch that left him sprawling on the deck. Kajex slowed his approach towards Locke. Even though the danger had passed, his hackles were raised, his breathing laced with a guttural growl, and his paws were shaking. He eyes were wide and pupils constricted, staring ahead at the corpse he had just created, as if expecting them to rise again. Kajex hesitated, his paw held out halfway, before committing and placing it on Locke's shoulder. The white wolf flinched and whirled on him, but Kajex was ready, catching his wrist and lightsaber hilt.

"Locke!" he said firmly, staring into his eyes. "Stand down." A pause. "It's over."

Locke jerked in place, blinking. His pupils swelled to normal and his trembling faded. The mask of fury and fear melted. In the space of only a few seconds, Locke looked like himself again. He lowered his weapon, extinguishing it, his ears pinned back in shame as he bowed his head towards him. "K... Kajex... I--"

"It's okay," Kajex told him, squeezing his paw. "You lost yourself for a second. It happens."

"It... it shouldn't," Locke shuddered. "Not around you. I'm sorry you had to see me like that, I just..."

Kajex grabbed his shoulder. "It's alright, Locke. You did it for us."

Locke swallowed and nodded, taking a deep breath. "I... yes. You're right. They gave us little choice." He ran a paw through his hair and sighed, looking around. The bodies of security guards were being tended to by those who still lived. "Where are Miles and Talrik?"

The query made Kajex's chest tighten for a moment. "Back on the ship. Talrik took a hit. He's still alive, but he's out of the fight. Miles is getting him to our medical station."

Locke winced. "I'm sorry. I gathered that you two were close friends. We should see to him before the station commander arrives, now that we're clear."

"We're not," Syrra quavered. Fear painted her features she stared back at the hangar's entrance.

Kajex followed her gaze, a sick, swooping sensation settling into his stomach. Though the entryway had been reduced to metal shards and dust, and the air tainted with smoke and ash, the outline of a giant dark-robed figure could not be mistaken. The noise of the space battle outside once again seemed to fade into silence as the gargantuan footfalls of Knight Ulfric echoed through the hangar, a look of seething hatred fixed on his face. The surviving guards backed away, looking as if all the fight had left them.

Kajex shoulders sloped in dismay. "By the Force, how is he still alive?"

"I feared Talrik's shot wouldn't be enough," Locke muttered. His eyes narrowed, watching as Ulfric approached. "He's hurting, though."

A flicker of hope stirred in Kajex as he watched Ulfric lumber through the smoke, his form becoming clearer. True, the Sith behemoth looked ready to kill, yet he was hunched over, his shoulders slumped and his knees bent as he lumbered towards them. His chest bore a deep, bleeding blaster wound, the armor fused to his flesh, yet despite his injured movements there was no pain in his expression – only hatred. This, coupled with his slow approach unsettled Kajex enough that he raised his rifle and aimed, only to be flung forward a few steps when the weapon was torn from his paws and into the grasp of the giant. The wolf watched as the Sith Knight effortlessly bent the weapon in half and tossed it aside, igniting his weapon. Syrra lifted her pistol and fired. The attack was no better than Talrik's back on Abaat, the bolts bursting harmlessly against Ulfric's open palm.

"Is this... what Darth Vader was like?" Syrra shivered, holstering her pistol.

Kajex backed away. "If he gets to the ship, he'll tear it apart – and everyone in it."

Locke stepped forward, holding his lightsaber out in warning. "Final warning, Ulfric. Take another step, and we will conclude this duel. Don't throw your usefulness to the Circle away out of your petty hatred for me."

Ulfric's eyes flashed and he straightened up, a growl issuing from his lips. He raised his weapon and activated it, his blood-red blades humming dangerously. The growl built into a long, terrifying roar that shook the walls and floor of the hangar, the scrap littering the floor trembling. The giant's words echoed against the walls, causing their ears to ring.

"YOU... WILL... DIE!!!"

Locke grimaced, igniting his weapon again. "So be it."

Kajex watched as Locke charged, leaping into the air and putting all his strength into a massive strike. Ulfric buckled under the blow and backed a half-step, snarling as their deadly dance started. Locke moved fast and erratically, striking from all angles like a vornskr defending it's pack; but even injured, Ulfric moved and struck like a maimed wampa, his blows heavy and his defense unyielding, driven mad by anger. Kajex could not tear his eyes away from the fight, away from Locke, even as his ally gave himself to darkness again. One blink, and it could all be over. A feeling of helplessness overcame him, wanting to stand at Locke's side and help, but knowing he would only get in the way.

Syrra grabbed his arm and he flinched, finally looking away. Her eyes still held a tint of fear, outweighed by determination and understanding. "I know, Kajex," she said, before he could even ask. "Stay here and wait for the commander, I'll watch his back."

Kajex nodded, knowing he couldn't keep her back even if he tried, unable to speak as she ran ahead. Locke was on the back foot now, committed to defense as Ulfric's blades battered against his. A heavy upward blow knocked the wolf back, his footing faltering just as Syrra dashed in and parried, knocking Ulfric's strike away. She fought with grace and agility, and no shortage of powerful blows, like a trained nexu clawing at its prey. With Ulfric's attention divided Locke rallied and fought at Syrra's side, Jedi and Sith working in perfect rhythm to push Ulfric back.

A large clatter behind Kajex diverted his attention. The captain turned and spotted some of the scrap wreckage shifting. He rushed to the pile and heaved a heavy durasteel plate off the floor, revealing a hidden hatch that had just started to open. Three pairs of gloved hands pushed from behind it. The wolf stooped and lifted, grunting and swinging the thick hatch open. Beneath it was a dimly-lit passage, with a ramp leading into a hall with a low ceiling, yet wide enough for three men to stand shoulder-to-shoulder.

The wolf sighed in relief and held his paw out as Commander Ray strode up the ramp. Four more security guards followed, pushing a stasis pod up the ramp. "About damn time, I was wondering what was taking so long."

The commander looked only slightly worse for wear, a large bruise on his face. He looked around at the wreckage. "Well, that explains why my comms weren't reaching you. You turned my damn hangar into a junkyard and comm-cage." He turned to the security following him. "Get that pod aboard and lock it down, then get clear so the captain and his crew can take off."

"Use the armory on the port side, it's fit with cargo locks!" Kajex called after them, then turning to Ray. "What's the status on the Imperial ships?"

"Not good," Ray grunted. "We've lost half our fighters, already. The Star Destroyers are on standby, they want to keep us from escaping." His eyes fell on the duel near the hatch, his eyes narrowed at the white wolf. "... That's your friend?"

"He's... a friend, yeah," Kajex replied uneasily.

"He looks powerful. I'm wondering why Master Skywalker didn't tell me about him," Ray remarked pointedly, giving the wolf a hard stare.

Kajex hesitated, realizing a lie would get them nowhere. "He's Imperial. But he's helping us to escape."

"I should have guessed," Ray sighed with a hard look. "What are you thinking? You of all people should know better."

"This one saved my life, Ray," Kajex responded firmly. "And against that huge bastard they're fighting, I'll take any help I can get."

"And what if that 'help' leads to old habits?" Ray countered, folding his arms. "Are you really going to risk your crewmates for that?" He leaned in close. "Or have you forgotten what it could cost you?"

Kajex growled at him, his paws balling into fists. He tore his pendant off, holding it out in front of Ray. "Not for a single day since last time," he seethed, his hackles rising. "Now drop it. I'll deal with the aftermath when it comes."

Ray grimaced, shaking his head. "As you say, Captain. Just watch your back. The Sith have a good track record turning friends into enemies."

A loud explosion jostled Central Rock and Kajex stumbled, managing to keep his feet. Several TIE fighters flew past the hangar entrance, pursued by station starfighters. Feeling the discussion had reached its end he changed the subject. "Sounds like they've brought their bombers out. We need to get out of here, Ray."

The commander shook his head. "No, you need to get out of here, you and your allies. I need to stick around with my people and make sure they're protected. Get rid of that Interdictor and those that want to escape will be able to. We can drive off the rest of the Remnant scum. We'll be fine long enough for the Republic to arrive."

"You'd better be," Kajex said, holding his paw out. "I might want to revisit. It'd be a shame if you weren't here to welcome me back."

Ray hesitated a moment, then smiled and shook it. "It was good seeing you again, kid. Take care." He turned and disappeared down the hidden hatch, his men following quickly.

Kajex sealed the hatch behind them before turning his attention back to the fight. The flow of combat had shifted once more. Ulfric's weapon had been severed at the middle, leaving him with a single blade, but he wielded it with just as much skill. Syrra's and Locke's their coats and pelts were burned and singed in areas, while Ulfric seemed to be ignoring what few more injuries he'd sustained. Exhaustion lined both their faces, but Ulfric seemed to only be getting stronger.

The wolf's heart leapt in his chest as he saw the knight twist and slash upward, catching Syrra along the right arm and causing a shallow gash from near her elbow to her wrist. The Trianii yowled in pain as she staggered away and fell to the floor, her lightsaber clattering away and extinguishing. Ulfric turned his attention to her, raising his saber high to finish her off. He was perhaps a second away from stabbing when Locke jumped onto the giant's back with a snarl and run the knight through with his blade. The royal-blue energy blade jut out from the behemoth's shoulder and he roared, throwing Locke off and giving Kajex enough time to sprint to Syrra.

He helped her up as she hissed in pain; Ulfric had managed to wound her upper leg as well. "The passenger is onboard and we're clear to leave! Can you co-pilot?"

Syrra nodded, growling in pain. "I can fly. Just get me to the ship."

"Kajex, get everyone out of here!" Locke snarled as he jumped onto Ulfric again, trying to wrestle his saber away. "I'll hold him off!"

Kajex nearly ran to him. "Locke!"

"Do it!" Locke snarled, his eyes filled with panic.

Kajex grimaced and complied, grabbing Syrra's lightsaber, handing it to her and guiding her back to the ship as quickly as possible, trying not to think of the outcome of Locke's duel. They'd just reached the ramp as a sharp yelp rang through the hangar. Kajex's nerve shattered and he whirled around, just in time to see Locke fly through the air and slam into the hangar wall with bone-shattering force. The captain hesitated as he saw the white wolf fall to the floor, now disarmed. He stirred weakly as Ulfric staggered towards him. For once, there was a look of pain his face, melding with his rage. Exhaustion had taken its toll on Locke, the wolf struggling to return to his feet. Ulfric was only a few steps away when something inside Kajex snapped.

A voice, calm and kind, echoed in the wolf's memories.

"Cling to it. Don't let it go."

"Not again," Kajex growled, leaning Syrra against the ramp. "No more! I'm not losing anyone again!"

Syrra tried to grab at him, snagging his sleeve. "Kajex, no! Don't do it!"

He tore his arm away from her. "I CAN'T LOSE ANYONE AGAIN!"

Without hesitating a moment longer, wasting no time on thought, he broke off from Syrra, ignoring the Trianii's shouting as he sprinted towards Ulfric. He lunged and snatched up a dead darksider's lightsaber, rolling back up to his feet with the red blade humming to life. The sound drew Ulfric's eyes towards him, yet he didn't care, whipping the blade around and slashing at the Sith Knight.

Ulfric stepped back and blocked, twisting his weapon around at Kajex's head. He ducked and drove into the giant's range with a stab, landing a glancing his against Ulfric's hip. The Knight shouted angrily and smashed his blade into Kajex's, caught in a solid saber-lock. He glared at the much shorter captain, his eyes crimson and sickly yellow – and Kajex glared right back, no longer willing to stand and watching while his allies fought and bled. He could feel Ulfric's sheer physical strength, pushing hard against the lock, but Kajex pushed back with all he had, keeping the beast at bay.

It was long enough for Locke to shake away his disorientation, picking up his weapon and charging in again. Ulfric broke the saber-lock and shoved Kajex back, dividing his attention to the white wolf and blocking his first blow. Drawing on all his training in swordplay, Kajex followed up and struck Ulfric's hip a second time, forcing him to stagger back. Locke pushed the offense and the two began working in tandem, shifting the tide of the battle, their blades striking hard and fast as Ulfric was forced to back away from the assault. Locke advanced as the aggressor, jabbing and slashing at openings and preventing the brute from attacking effectively; Kajex supported defensively, blocking stray blows and parrying Ulfric's thrusts to create openings. Kajex moved without thinking, trying not to focus on their unexpected synchronicity, as they slowly drove Ulfric away from the Gold Rush, until he was almost at the ruined hatch.

With his back figuratively to the wall, Ulfric let out a challenging bellow, charging at Kajex with a slash aimed as his neck. The wolf parried, ducking beneath the blade and swinging into the blow, knocking Ulfric forward and off balance. The brute staggered, giving Locke a clear opening, but before the white wolf could exploit it Ulfric grabbed his blade-arm and pinned it against the wall, bringing his saber down. Kajex dove in and stopped his blade before it could reach Locke's head, groaning as his knees buckled under the blow. Ulfric bore all his power down, carving easily into the wall and trying to force the crossed sabers through Locke. Kajex held fast, summoning as much strength as he could. Locke grunted and grabbed Kajex's wrist, lending his aid, but they were slowly losing the contest.

"You... both... die!" Ulfric growled, his face curling into a twisted, evil grin.

Locke gasped, his strength waning. "I told you... to go..." he breathed, letting out a doggish whine. "Please..."

Kajex grit his teeth, the blades only inches away from carving into Locke's skull. "I'm not... fucking... done!"

Desperate, he braced against the floor and pushed with all his might, releasing a hand away from his saber and reaching blindly for his hip. His paw wrapped around his vibroblade and he thrust up, burying the blade under Ulfric's arm all the way to the hilt. The giant roared and staggered back, releasing Locke. The wolves snarled as one, lunging and slashing in unison. They turned, eyes gazing at the burning cloth and flesh.

Their lightsabers had cut clean through his midsection.

Both of them watched as Ulfric turned to face them. His look of rage was replaced with that of shock and fear. The giant regarded each of them with a look of wonder for a few seconds, a flicker of hatred burning in his eyes as he raised his hand up at Kajex. The next moment, he fell over in two directions, his lower torso falling towards them as his upper torso toppled away.

The scene seemed to freeze as they stared at the dying Sith Knight. The smell of smoke and blood, the rumble of explosions throughout Central Rock and the sound of the station siren; all seemed to be distant and irrelevant to both of them. Neither of them seemed able to speak, even as they glanced at each other, panting from the exertion. It was to Syrra's call that they were both roused.

"Stop staring at the bastard and get in here!" she snarled. "We can't stay any longer!"

Kajex was the first to completely snap out of it, his lover's voice bringing him back to the present. He tossed the lightsaber away and grabbed Locke's shoulder. "Come on, we can celebrate once we're out of here!"

"Bay 3 spotted and within range, Captain. Beginning landing sequence now."

Captain Nethan peered out into the battle, grimacing. A TIE fighter screamed past the surface, trying to evade a mercenary ship. A moment later it exploded in a ball of flame, scattering against the surface. The station was mostly intact, but focused bombing runs had finally disabled the closest surface weapons. The cost could not be ignored. Imperial wreckage floated throughout the area of operation, clattering against the shuttle's hull. He glanced back at Thresher, who merely shook his head.

"This is what one must be ready to expect from Tesque and Ulfric," the shark told him. "Voyde will hear about this."

The captain scoffed bitterly. "For all the good it will do. How many more years must the Empire suffer from these Sith plots?" Thresher didn't answer.

The shuttle banked around the wreckage of a station fighter and swooped towards an occupied hangar. Thresher's brow furrowed and he leaned forward, spotting a light transport within. "First Officer, scan that transport there! Quickly!"

The co-pilot's hands danced on the console and a readout appeared. Captain Nethan swore. "It's the Gold Rush! She's launching!" He shouted into his headset. "Khopesh Squadron, sending target information! Disable that freighter!"

"Divert!"

The helmsman reacted quickly, swerving the shuttle out of the way just as the Gold Rush shot out of the hangar at full speed. The TIE squadron that accompanied them broke formation and pursued, their cannons blazing along the surface of Central Rock. Captain Nethan and Thresher grabbed the overhead rail as the shuttle pitched back on course, gliding smoothly into the hangar.

"Damn it, they're getting away!" Thresher fumed, as the shuttle slowed to a stop and set down on the deck. The stormtroopers behind them removed their harnesses and moved to the ramp as Thresher looked out into the ruined hangar. "Where is Ulfric?! Why did he let them leave?"

Captain Nethan nodded ahead, his face grim. "They gave him little choice."

Thresher followed his gaze, going completely silent. The hangar was littered with smoking scrap and dead bodies, but the sheer size and girth of one such corpse was unmistakable. He traded a grim look with Captain Nethan and they moved to the ramp, disembarking.

The stormtroopers ran out ahead, covering the exit and keeping close to the captain as they stepped over bodies and through recycled durasteel. "Check for survivors and get them aboard, quickly." Captain Nethan ordered. "We've little time to spare."

"Leave the darksider bodies," Thresher added. Nethan gave him a look and the shark nodded. "Sith Code. The weak must be culled."

"Does that include this one, Agent?" the captain observed, motioning the the enormous body at his feet.

Thresher approached him, his snout curling at the sight. Though he lay face down, there was no mistaking Knight Ulfric's size and robes, even if he'd had been halved and separated. The shark smirked. "Looks like Locke and his apprentice bitch eliminated him. Damned dog makes a poor Sith Knight... but I must give him credit for his accomplishment. This should please Voyde."

"I doubt it will please Tesque," Captain Nethan muttered, stooping next to the corpse.

"Certainly not. Ulfric was her prize bull, her 'masterpiece' of Sith training," he scoffed. "She will find someone to blame and kill for this, even if you do bring his body back to her."

"I don't need to bring his body back," the captain replied. He reached into Ulfric's belt pouch, digging out a palm-sized gem of crimson. "Just this."

The jewel pulsed and glowed in his fingers. Thresher stared at it, his brow raising. It was gentle, almost beyond sensing, but he could feel Force emanating from the stone. His eyes flicked back to Captain Nethan. He knew exactly what the gem was. From the look on the captain's face, so did he.

"... Tesque is playing a dangerous game," he warned the captain. "Let us hope neither of us are to serve as pawns."

"What the fuck did I do!?" Kajex shouted, pitching the ship and avoiding another ion blast. "What's got this squadron pissed at me for!?"

Things had not improved even after they'd taken off. Only a half-second into their flight, Kajex had to swerve to avoid colliding into an Imperial shuttle, and it took only a few more seconds for its TIE fighter entourage to take offense and pursue him. Now the Gold Rush was being tailed by no fewer than eight fighters, forcing him to skim over the surface of Central Rock. What few surface guns remained fired on the TIEs, getting them to back off long enough for the wolf to catch his breath. Miles and Locke were seated behind him and Syrra. "Don't just sit there!" he barked. "Get on the turrets and help us get out of here!"

They nodded and hurried out of the cockpit, leaving Kajex alone with Syrra. "How's your arm? You still good to help me fly?"

The Trianii nodded and winced. "Just focus on your job and I'll do mine. We've got this." Despite her injury, Syrra's paws danced on the console as deftly as they did on her best day. In moments she had their pursuers marked and scanned. "Got 'em locked, all TIE variants; two Brutes, six Hunters."

He pulled the ship starboard, narrowly avoiding a barrage. "Locke, Miles, you strapped in yet?" he called over the headset.

The earpiece hissed with static before Locke's voice broke through. "We're in, marks are logged into the targeting computers. Opening fire now." A second later the cannons went hot, the heavy thumping of lethal energy carrying through the ship. The radar pips scrambled and swerved around as their tail evaded the return fire. A distant explosion sounded and one of the pips on the radar fizzled out, disappearing completely. "They're still on our tail, Captain."

"Then shoot them until they're not!" Kajex shot back. "We need them off of us if we're going to hit that Interdictor!" He turned to Syrra. "Get us hooked up to Southern Star's comm line, we need to link with their combat grid and coordinate... something," he sighed. Between focusing on his piloting, giving Miles and Locke effective angles to shoot from, and trying to weave through the combat zone, he was running out of ideas.

"Patching us through," she told him. "Incoming, watch it!"

He swore and yanked the yoke to the left, clipping a TIE fighter chasing a station patrol. The ship jostled violently and nearly knocked them out of their seat; the TIE wasn't as lucky, its wing shearing off before erupting into flames. Syrra gave him a reproachful look and he grit his teeth. "Alright, so I'm a little out of practice!" he snapped. "I'm still keeping us alive!"

The console pinged and his headset burst into static again. A drawling female voice cut into the fuzz. "Gold Rush, this Captain Jen Ranna of the Sick Bastard. Glad you could lend yer ride for this furball. Movin' in on your tail, we'll get those Eyeballs to stop starin' at yer ass."

"Sick Bastard, this is Captain Kajex Surnahm; much appreciated," he replied. "The Remnant are gunning for my ship, they want my cargo specifically. Commander Ray set us up with ordinance, we're going to punch out that Interdictor so we can get clear. We need some cover."

A flurry of voices rang out over the channel. "Hold up, he just say he's gonna joust with a flamin' dragship?!"

"Karkin' insane, every one of y--"

"Fuck that, I'm out--"

"Hell yeah, that's what I like to he--"

"Crazy sunuvabitch... count me in!"

Syrra's eyes widened as the console pinged repeatedly. No fewer than twenty ships of different sizes and configurations had assigned themselves to his sensors. "They're following us," she muttered, accepting each link. "Have you ever..."

"Led a rag-tag group of scum and villainy to bloody the Empire's nose?" Kajex finished for her with a panicked grin and nervous laugh. He peeled his ship to the side and set their bearing towards the Imperial warships. "No, but I guess that's on my bucket list now. Miles, Locke, how's our tail?"

"Still five--" An explosion lit up behind them. "Scratch that, four pursuers!" Miles called back. "We're getting backup!"

"Gold Rush, we might have a problem," one of the captains cautioned. "The dragship's escort is starting to move to cover. We're gonna take some brutal hits once they're in position."

"Then we don't have much time, and only enough for a single run at this," Kajex told them, his hand clenched around his flight yoke. "Anybody want to back out, do it now. Otherwise, form up and give me cover. Anyone with ion cannons, start pouring it on them when we're in range."

The ship shook as it took another hit from behind; another ping disappeared. "Two marks left, but our deflector is down by forty percent," Syrra warned him. "We don't have time to build a better screen – if our shields go down now--"

"They won't," Kajex cut in, weighing their options as quickly as he could. The pressure he felt in the hangar returned twofold, yet this time he felt lighter than air. This was something within his control, something he knew. "Divert power from life support and cannons, shift it to our shields and engines; set deflectors double-front," he ordered. "Locke, Miles, use up what's left in our turrets, they're gonna run dry in about twenty seconds." He hailed the other captains, keeping his voice steady despite the exhilaration in his veins. "Fan out and get your weapons hot, we're going in fast!"

"Captain, are you crazy?!" Miles shouted.

"No," Kajex smirked. "I'm Corellian."

He yanked the throttle back and the ship shot ahead, easily outpacing the remaining TIE fighters on his tail. A thrill Kajex hadn't felt in years flared in his chest, his nerves tingling with excitement. The ships to either side followed suit, spreading out as more contacts appeared on the radar. Ahead, dozens of Imperial ships screamed towards them. He nodded to Syrra. "Tag them, Syrra! Fresh TIEs incoming, dry out the turrets!"

The turrets thumped and filled the vacuum ahead of them with lethal red bolts. A pair of TIEs burst apart and shrieked past the ship, while a third spun out of control. Several captains broke formation and engaged the starfighters. Cannonfire popped along the hull, dampened by the deflectors, yet they held firm. After a few moments the Gold Rush cannons went quiet. "Guns are empty, Captain," Locke told him. "Let's hope you know what you're doing."

Kajex pointed to the Interdictor. "Syrra, lock on to the strongest energy signature. We need to hit their gravity wells as hard as we can. Just one should be enough to drop their containment field."

"Hold on, getting a reading," Syrra said, punching her console. The radar added a larger blip, scanning the nearest gravity generator. "Got it, clean lock! Sending target to combat grid!"

"Gold Rush, we have your target locked," Captain Ranna said. "Starting our run now – any of you got ordinance, now's the time to use 'em!"

Several ships lunged past the TIE fighter screen and started their strafing run, peppering the Interdictor with ion and plasma. The warship returned fire, but lacking the teeth its escort possessed it could do little more than brush them away. Another group of merc ships flew past, landing clean hits on the Interdictor's deflectors. A stray turbolaser shot clipped one of the merc ships and it blew apart, its remains crashing hard into the hull. Kajex grimaced and flipped a safety cap on his flight yoke, switching to their warheads. The readout on his console showed his ammunition: eight proton torpedos, ready to fire.

"Interdictor shields down seventy percent," Syrra told him. "We're in range."

"Gold Rush, starting our bombing run – let's bloody that fucking nose!"

Several captains let out war cries as the Gold Rush dove straight towards the Interdictor. The Imperial ship's cannons concentrated fire on the incoming merc ships, but whether by luck or by nerve, they could not land a hit. Kajex smiled grimly as he launched the first pair of torpedoes, adjusting his flight path and firing the second. The Interdictor's deflector shield fizzled visibly, going inert; the third salvo exploded into the hull, the gravity well flashing blue and white. As soon as the final salvo cleared the torpedo bay, Kajex wrenched the ship up and hit the throttle, skimming over the Interdictor's hull as it fractured and burst into flames.

The Gold Rush shuddered and jostled, as if it had flown through muck and was now freed. The navcomputer flickered to life and Kajex let out a whoop. "That did it, everybody! Gravity well is down, get clear if you need to!"

"Fine piloting, Gold Rush," Captain Ranna. "You and the rest head out, we can handle this until the Republic gets here. Don't be a stranger, rounds are on me if you visit!"

"I'll hold you to that, Captain Ranna," Kajex grinned. "Give the Imps a few more from us – and may the Force be with you."

"Taking us on a core-ward short jump," Syrra said, keying in coordinates. "Thirty seconds."

Kajex nodded. "Punch it, partner."

She cranked the handle back and the ship lurched, the stars ahead stretching and streaking past the cockpit. The next moment they were flung through the blue ripples of hyperspace.

Kajex sighed, the tension and exhilaration draining from his body as he went limp. "Fuck... fuck!" he groaned.

"We made it," Syrra sighed, bowing her head over her console. "We got banged up, but... we're alive. Somehow." She shuddered, cradling her injured arm. "For a while there... when you ran off to Locke..." Her voice cracked and she went silent, shaking her head. She took a deep breath and reached for the lever, pushing it back and bringing the ship into realspace again. The blue waves faded and the stars streaked back into pinpoints.

Without the engines at full throttle nor the noise of a space battle, the ship felt eerily silent. A steady, quiet ringing buzzed in the wolf's ears, tinnitus likely born from the deafening noises of scrap blocks and the sharp clash of lightsabers. He tried not to think of Ulfric, of Ray's conversation, or of Talrik being injured. He tried not to think of the perhaps hundreds, if not thousands of lives lost, all over a Sith Knight's obsession over a Sith trinket. But as the second of silence between them wore on, he knew he could not put it off forever.

Syrra looked to him, her eyes filled with understanding. "I know, love," she said. "We need to talk. To everyone."

Kajex nodded. The battle was over, and they'd survived; but they weren't done yet.