015 - Week 3 Day 4: In Their Shadow

"What is it, Zhâlu? What kind of ship is out there?" Dominik asked hurriedly. He picked himself up and took his walking stick. Paying no mind to Aren or Evie or even Cora, Dominik hurried out of the tent. Zhâlu's next words were about to determine what kind of decision the Master Jedi would have to make.

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"You forget, Evie," Aren said kindly, taking the bag from her fellow Jedi before moving to the side and sitting down, her legs crossed in an almost meditative posture. "I can see through the Force and feel what these objects felt not long ago. It may give us some insight before the Zabrak wakes up. Any information might be helpful."


Aren sat quietly as she removed the lightsaber pieces from the cloth bag Evie had handed her. Removing the pieces, Aren set the bag aside and held the remains of the lightsaber lightly in her hand. There was nothing but silence that filled the space around her as she focused the Force into the pieces of the lightsaber. The expression on her face shifted to that of a frown. Slowly, it grew deeper and deeper as emotions came flooding to her. First it was the rage, then a bright flash of white light and Aren could see a clearing, the same clearing the Zabrak had been found in. She saw a flash of a red saber, and heard the begging voice of another. Begging to spare the Zabrak's life, but another flash of red came. Fear overwhelmed by anger, and then pure terror before Aren saw another bright flash of a white light. The younger Jedi took in a deep breath before her eyes opened, and her focus returned to the present. She visibly shuddered at the emotions that had came through from the Force, from her Psychometry. Her eyes looked up to see Evie, then she looked to Cora. 


"I think we have more than just a traitor among us to deal with now, Cora."

Zhâlu did not immediately answer the Jedi Master as he'd already begun speaking with the two guards outside of the caverns, one of whom ran into them to begin an effort to gather the Twi'leks. "It's a Terminus-Class destroyer, Master. I can feel the power of the Sith aboard it faintly even here and we are not prepared for that many blaster rifles or that many lightsabers." He didn't bother mentioning the contingent of war droids or the small team of spec ops that were likely on that ship as well, the situation looked dire enough as it was. "I'm begging you, Master Dominik. Get these people and yourself out of here. We can worry about getting off world after we've gotten off their radar. And that means finding the traitor amongst us before we can flee."

The older Jedi stopped in his tracks when Zhâlu named the ship that was overhead. There were Twi'lek running all around him, some trying to relay the new information, others not quite sure what was going on, and children still seemingly going on without a care in the world. Dominik closed his eyes and held his head back as he breathed deeply. Bringing the comlink back up to his mouth, Dominik spoke again. "Return to the cavern. Gather your things. Pack as many provisions as you can." 


There was no further response from Dominik on his end. The old Jedi turned, and moved to find Sar. It was time for the Jedi to leave.

Nodding Cora smiled up at Evie. "Would that I could Evie. But I shall attempt to after Aren tells us what she sees. I need to order my thoughts afterwards and will need this bit of information before I lay down."

Looking at Aren with expectation Cora smiled wearily at Aren then Evie. Something about the saber tickled the back of her mind. She couldn’t quit put her finger on it but it stayed there.

Aren's response caused Cora to blink. She was about to open her mouth when Zhâlu came back over comms and told them it was a Terminus class. Cora blinked and cleared her throat. "Time, it seems, is of the essence."

Cora turned and started packing things up. Due to her preparedness she was done within seconds. Getting the Zabrak packed up took a little longer. She gently lifted him and carried him with the Force. "I believe that Aren or Evie will have a greater understanding of the terrain where it would be possible to take cover. If either of you ladies would lead please. As we go Aren can tell us what she saw."

Hearing their words before Dominik stepped in, he seemed in a hurry as he flung the tent flap aside. Blind eyes open just slightly and looking through the Force at those in the space, he then spoke. "Aren, I want you to stay back. Let the four of us go first." Dominik began, changing Cora's plans without a moment's notice. "Take Val, leave through the Northern tunnel. Do you remember the coordinates to Cora's ship?" 

Aren looked at Dominik, listening to his orders; listening to his tone. It had changed, and was suddenly more serious and demanded the respect that the Master Jedi had earned. "I do." 


"Good. Take one of the speeders, the scouts parked one at the end of the Northern tunnel the other day. The others we'll have to access through the Eastern tunnel.  the rest of us will meet you at the ship."


"Master Rothul. I know... even though you're blind you must remember that the tunnel is blocked by the collapse?"


"I'll get that taken care of. Now, pack as much as you and Val can comfortably carry. We're splitting from the Twi'leks. We're going to be on our own. Go."


Aren wasted no further time before she quickly stood. Returning the lightsaber pieces to the bag and handing the bag back to Evie, Aren wasted no further time before she quickly made her way out of the tent.
Dominik then looked to Cora. "Can he travel?" He asked, referring to the Zabrak.

Zhâlu would have replied to the Jedi master, except it was clear that he was not meant to reply from the older man's tone. Sighing, he exchanged several more words with the Twi'lek still at the entrance before reentering and running to where his fighter was. In the short time since he'd initially arrived, he'd taken his two power naps in the secure location of his cockpit, where he couldn't be ambushed without the sound of his ship being tampered with alerting him to the activity. And now, as the Sith made their presence and intent known in orbit, it seemed that he would be leaving in it. I might be able to squeeze our Zabrak friend in here if I make some space, but this isn't an astromech capable ship...

He wasn't about to leave it here either, less because he didn't want the Empire to get a hold of it if they found the Twi'leks and more because he didn't want any of the Twi'leks to try and play the hero by picking a fight with Imperial fighters that the Pureblood was sure would begin sweeping the area soon enough. Sighing, he starts trying to make room while also packing a pack in case things didn't work how he wanted. At the very least, he could lock it down until he could come back.

Can the Zabrak travel? Well yes. Would I normally advise it? No. Extraordinary times we live in. Is that not a curse? Certainly is not a blessing.

Cora nodded. "Yes." Her eyebrow rose at his statement of the collapse. She watched Aren hustle off then turned back to Dominik. "You have it taken care of do you? Pray enlighten me. And before you ask all of my belongings are packed. I had this feeling they would need to be."

"Well as soon as your Padawan returns, I will have him help me clear it. I can't do it on my own, not now. But I'm sure the two of us can move the collapse, or at least some of it." Dominik replied, shooting Cora a look from his blind eyes that was almost sassy in nature. "The Twi'leks are fitting one of the speeders with a litter. We can move him with that for now. Pack anything extra, we're going to be on our own and I'm not sure when our next opportunity to resupply will be." 


Turning and exiting the tent, Dominik brought the wrist comlink back up to his mouth before speaking again. "Zhalu, I need you here and packed as quick as you can. I'll need your help clearing something that's been plaguing me for far too long."


Waiting for a response, Dominik decided to take this time to pack what he could. Once in his old tent, one he hadn't used since the ambush, he packed the necessary items. Clothing, a slim bedroll, and a few ration sticks he had yet to use. As he neared the end of his packing, his satchel comfortably packed and prepared, there was one item that made him pause. 

Despite his blind eyes, he could see it clearly through the Force. 

Laying next where he used to sleep was Lo's journal. His mind moved back to the last argument they had. His temper had got the better of him, his overprotectiveness showing where it should not have. He had yelled at her for trying, for bettering herself and protecting those around her. He regretted every second of it. Packing it into the top of his satchel, Dominik closed the makeshift drawstring opening before heading back towards the tent Cora occupied with the Zabrak.

Sitting peacefully, Dominik Rothul faced something that to many seemed so small but to him was a nearly unbeatable roadblock on the road to his attempt at recovery. This spot, or rather right behind it, had started a spiral downhill that the Master Jedi had never seen coming.

Despite being a Master Jedi, moving a rock pile this large was still a daunting task. It was something that he may have been confident about before, when he was in good health both physically and mentally. But now, with so many daunting tasks on his mind, he needed this one cleared. Clearing the collapse that blocked the third tunnel leaving the cavern would allow the Jedi an escape route that Dominik hoped their enemy had forgotten about. He could not do it alone, however. But he also knew the Jedi he wanted by his side to get it done.

After spotting the Terminus destroyer in orbit above their position, the Jedi scrambled to pack up anything they could carry and use to support themselves for as long as they could. Dominik sat in a meditative position in front of the collapse, all packed and ready to leave but waiting patiently for Zhâlu to return from wherever he had gone.

Having finished what he could do to move things around and make more room within the small one person fighter as a makeshift transport, Zhâlu climbed out with a small backpack on his shoulders before closing the cockpit and heading back to where he’d left the others. Upon arrival, he was redirected to where Master Dominik had gone. The walk was relatively quiet as the Twi’leks were all busy setting up defenses and traps in the event the Sith came after them, so the usual hubbub and bustle was non-existent.

As he walked the short distance, the Sith Pureblood couldn’t help but wonder what it was the Jedi Master wanted his help with. Even with the poison crippling him like it was, he was still an incredible fighter and powerful in the ways of the Force, not to mention more knowledgeable than many other Force users the Padawan had met. Still, as he spotted the Jedi Master as he rounded a corner, he would do as he was asked. Approaching the meditating man, Zhâlu made his presence known. ”Cora said you needed me for something?”

Hearing the Sith Pureblood's steps coming from behind him accompanied with his question, Dominik's eyes opened and he stood slowly. "Yes, I do." He said, turning to face Zhâlu before he looked back at the collapse.
"As silly as it may seem, this collapse was the start of many of our troubles. It was something that I intentionally caused in order to save my Padawan and the rest of the Twi'leks from the inferno that ran through the tunnel. Now, I believe it's causing me some unneeded grief. Think of it as a Padawan who lost a duel and wants a rematch."

Dominik took a few steps back, ending up right next to Zhâlu as he looked over with blind eyes at the older Padawan. "I need that rematch. But I can't do it alone. Not in my condition. So I was wondering if you would help me move it all. You're a strong Jedi, Zhâlu, just like your Master. When I'm gone, I want you to be able to look back on this moment to help remind yourself that you have others who believe in you."

The meaning behind the Jedi Master’s words wasn’t lost on the Pureblood and he smiled softly as he set his pack down to help reduce any minute distractions as he helped his master’s master. ”I would be honored to, Master Dominik.”

A slight smile lit Dominik's features before his head moved to face the collapse once more. A few silent moments went by as he took in a deep breath, gathering all his strength and allowing Zhâlu time to collect himself. Both hands moved up, palms facing slightly down and fingers hanging semi-relaxed as Dominik reached out through the Force. He felt his influence duck and weave around the rocks, covering everything he could and feeling the weight and pull of the material challenge his ailing body. But where his body was weak, his mind and power through the Force remained untouched.

He allowed himself a few moments as Dominik made sure he was prepared. "Ready?"

Standing with his legs slightly apart, Zhâlu closed his eyes and inhaled deeply before exhaling slowly, his arms rising and pointing his palms towards the rock wall in front of him. Breathing in again, he reached out with the Force on the exhale, letting his power flow into the gaps and around the stones. He could feel the flow that Dominik was manipulating and where it felt weak, he buffered it with his own strength, eventually covering as much as the older man. ”Whenever you are, master.”

Dominik spoke no words as he began, but it would be obvious as he inhaled and exhaled deeply before starting to lift the enormous pile of rock and debris. In his prime, not burdened by the trauma the war had bestowed upon him nor fighting a deadly toxin coursing through his body, Dominik would have easily been able to complete this task alone.

Many had wondered why he constantly sat in front of the collapse before, meditating for hours on end. It took all that time for him to push past his stubborn pride and realize he would need his fellow Jedi’s help more than ever before, now. The game they were playing with the Sith on Ryloth was one Dominik planned not to see the end of. He did not count on losing, no; but he would give his all so that his allies could get out alive. And right now, the older Jedi wasn’t sure how much of ‘his all’ that his ailing body could take anymore.

His mind raced as he used his influence through the Force to push past the pain that was etching into his core; to ignore it and do what he knew he could do no matter that cost. He worked slowly, blind eyes open but his mind watching their surroundings. He was making sure the rest of the cavern remained intact as they moved the collapse. The last thing they needed was another catastrophe.

“Move as much of the debris to the side as you can. We just need to be able to get through.”

Nodding as he focused, Zhâlu began pushing part of the pile of rubble off to the left side, focusing on making a passable passage over trying to clear it completely. In some ways, the exercise reminded him some of his early days at the Academy on Dromund Kaas, where he’d spent days moving similar piles of rubble around a quarry. Because the slaves who were found to be Force Sensitive were sent exclusively to Korriban, the teachers were still strict, but not nearly as harsh and so the younger students often had a chance to truly refine their abilities, or some at least, before being sent to crush the struggling Slaves under their heel.

Often, the Pureblood had noted after arriving, those groomed students made the mistake of underestimating the slaves purely due to upbringing and station in life and as a result, they often died in the tombs. Zhâlu hadn’t made that mistake and when the slaves he was grouped with tried to ambush him, well, the overseers were still finding pieces the last he’d heard. His raw power was what had drawn the Sith Lord Darth Braxis’s attention to him. However, as he moved another section of rubble so that they could pass easily, he pushed the memories down. That was a time he had no desire to reminisce on. ”We should limit the size of the opening, master. That way the Twi’leks can reseal it if they need to with little concern.”

Dominik nodded, unknowing if Zhâlu saw his acknowledgement, but the older Jedi needed to focus on his task at hand. He made sure everything moved slowly, allowing the weight to properly shift and to make sure the rest of the cavern would remain stable. He couldn't see it and didn't realize, but his hands were shaking ever so slightly, his will over the Force fighting his weakening body.

Stubborn as Dominik was, he wouldn't admit nor let up on his hold over the debris until he knew Zhâlu was ready as well. He refused to force others to shoulder the burdens he would normally be able to carry.

Shifting another section of the collapsed rocks out of the way, Zhâlu reached out with a steadying hand and rested it on Dominick’s shoulder. Despite the older man’s best efforts to put on a strong face and a stronger control of his body’s uncontrolled responses, the Pureblood could practically feel the strain doing this was putting on him. ”I can take it from here, Master Dominik. You need to take a moment to rest.”

"We can finish it together. I'll be fine." Dominik insisted, feeling Zhâlu’s hand on his shoulder and finding some strength in it. He held strongly onto his will through the Force and continued to move sections of the collapse with Zhâlu’s help. His hands continued to tremble ever so slightly, his breathing becoming deeper as his will through Crucitorn pushed the pain to the back of his mind. He used the Sith Pureblood's hand and touch as an anchor, keeling his mind steady as he pushed hard to finish moving the rocks together.

Zhâlu worked in tandem with the older master to get the way opened, sharing some of his own energy with the older Jedi to help him to push through. The pair made steady progress and eventually, Zhâlu spoke up again and strongly pushed for it. ”Rest up, Master. We’re almost done here. I can finish the last little bit.” He was already throwing his senses outside the otherside of the collapse, searching for any unexpected traps or persons, though he didn’t find anything out of the ordinary. ”And since I have you here, what should I do with my fighter?”

Hearing Zhâlu’s suggestion again and feeling the emotion behind it, Dominik slowly started to retract his will of the Force from the collapse to easily allow Zhâlu to take over. The old man quickly kneeled down and took his walking stick in hand, slowly making himself stand again, this time with extra support.

Trying to hide the fact that he was winded, Dominik spoke slowly, as if he was gathering his thoughts. "I'm still unsure of what to do with any of the ships. Mine was destroyed a month ago, without any warning. I would prefer the same thing not to happen while one of us is inside of one…"

The old man paused and his eyes closed as he slowly regained his breath. "How many ships did you see in orbit? Just the one?"

Nodding, Zhâlu finished moving the last of the rubble to finish their last bit of tunnel. ”One ship, but there’s no doubt that it’s deployed a squadron of fighters to keep anyone from fleeing the planet. It’s fairly standard containment protocol.” Finished with the rubble, Zhâlu sat himself down to rest. While he was sure that the effort was less tiring for him than for the Jedi Master, he had still broken a sweat. After all, it had been some years since his time in the Dromuund Kaas academy. ”What were you thinking though, master?”

Hearing Zhâlu take a seat on the ground, Dominik did as well. It took him a few moments to comfortably lower his body down, but he did it. ”How much space do you have in the cockpit? If we can fit extra supplies in there, it may be useful in storing them away, somewhere further from here but closer to where we may go.

The Pureblood didn’t reply right away as he took a moment to do some quick math in his head before nodding to himself. ”I think I can fit a good amount of supplies in it. I’d originally cleared the space for our Zabrak friend anyways.”

"We'll be installing a litter on the side of one of the speeders for him. We'll need that storage space in your fighter for extra supplies."

Dominik adjusted the way he sat as he tried to get comfortable. "Let's load your fighter up next, Zhâlu. If you're willing to take the risk, then we need your fighter to rendezvous at your Master's ship while we travel with the speeders."

”Better me than anyone else, master. Though remind me to request an astromech compatible model next time I’m on Tython. I think this situation would find a use for it.” Standing and stretching, Zhâlu helps the older man up before they start down the tunnel. ”Master Dominik, do you mind if I ask you something?”

There was a short silence as for a moment, Dominik nearly got caught up in his many thoughts. The question finally processed through his mind however, and the older man looked at Zhâlu before nodding. "What is it?"

Taking a deep breath, the Pureblood spoke up. ”Where are the rest of the Jedi? Where’s the aid supplies, the Republic soldiers? Where...where’s the AID mission? I’ve noticed a severely lacking amount of any kind of aid from anyone but you and the few Jedi here. And, perhaps most importantly, who sent you on this mission?”

A deep sigh escaped Dominik's lips at Zhâlu's questions. He had good reasons to ask them, Dominik just wished the need to explain them hadn’t presented itself in the first place. He was no fool, he knew now that he and Lo were placed here for more than one reason.

"We were receiving supply drops from the Council for the first couple of months. They've all but stopped now. A blockade would make it difficult to make supply runs, but there was no blockade before today. My Padawan and I did participate in aiding the Twi'leks when we first arrived. It seems, though, that there is more to our enemy than I was initially told."

Dominik rubbed one of his temples, his facial expression showing his frustration and ire at the situation. "The Council provided me this mission because it's part of my specialty. Diplomacy is one of my strong suits, aside from the obvious. I'm not sure where the communication faltered. Whether it was the Council when receiving the information or if it was when it was passed to me."

Zhâlu didn’t answer right away, but the familiarity of the situation disturbed him. Rival Sith lords often had similar setups that were supposed to remove the rival or threat to their power base, but usually it was a rigged military operation in dangerous territory against foes that outnumbered them. But these are Jedi...so then why can’t I shake this feeling… Still, without proof of such a set up, mentioning it was a waste of time for the older Jedi, so he kept his thoughts to himself. ”Perhaps the Council tried to warn you about the coming attack but communications were being blocked and intercepted even before now?”

"Perhaps… Lo took a risk contacting the Council after I was injured in the mortar attack. Even then it was unsure if the message would get out. I haven't tried myself in a long time because it can reveal our location to our enemies." Dominik sighed again, clearly frustrated. "We have no way to encrypt the message, or scramble our frequencies, or to secure any of what is said in the transmission. I feel like I've brought every Jedi here into a battle we're meant to lose. I couldn't even protect my Padawan."

”Not being able to protect one you care about due to unexpected circumstances that are both unexpected and are beyond your control is hardly a failure, Master. From what I can gather, the mortar attack was the last thing anyone expected.” Zhâlu rested his hand on the man’s shoulder again, gripping it slightly. ”I will return Lo to you, I promise you that. Even if I should die in the effort.”

“And now others must bear my burdens because of the mistakes I’ve made.” Dominik muttered, the hand not holding his walking stick moved to cover Zhâlu’s for a moment. “I do not wish anyone else to lose their life trying to reconcile a situation I failed to control.” The older Jedi, despite what others wished for him to believe, knew the outcome of their current situation and their failing odds came from his inability to protect the group in the beginning.

Zhâlu was beginning to wonder if he could get through to the old man, but he pushed on. ”Master, I think you’ve forgotten an important rule when dealing with unknown variants.” He smiled softly as he looked at the old man. ”And that’s that you couldn’t control them in the first place. Take the hit, get up, and adapt to continue the fight. That’s all you can do.”

Dominik couldn’t help but look back at all of the trials and tribulations he had gone through. All the hits he had taken, all the times he had gotten back up. Perhaps it was his ailing body, or the grief sickening him that made it seem as though this situation was hopeless. He would remain strong, as strong as he could be, for those around him. He wouldn’t bore Zhâlu with his past or make it seem as though his words were pointless because of what Dominik himself had gone through. He let the Sith Pureblood’s words pass, enjoying the fact that he knew how sincere and candid the Padawan’s words were.

“I appreciate your words, Zhâlu. I’ve been through more than many know, but each time is a new challenge. I’m glad that you’re here. Both your Master and I greatly value your help.”


”It’s always good to be appreciated.” As the split came up, Zhâlu was already compiling a list of what supplies they needed extras of and what they would need in general. ”Seems the path splits ahead. Will you be telling the others our plan to split up or keep that quiet?”

"Everyone deserves to know my intentions and why. If we make it to this evening, I'll make sure everyone is gathered so that I can explain all that I need to. There is a lot on my mind that I want to share before this toxin takes me."

”I wouldn’t be so sure that the toxin has won this battle yet, master. You’re still here and the Sith that made it is still around. When I rescue Lo, perhaps I can also convince them to share the antidote. And in any case, we need to get off Ryloth after we rescue Lo. We prove troublesome enough and the Empire will send a whole fleet.”

Dominik silently wished he could be as confident as Zhâlu was. But every waking minute he was reminded about the poison that was slowly eating away at his body. And every night when he tried to sleep, nightmares plagued him of the inevitable. It was on his mind constantly and would not let him rest.

“Perhaps.” He muttered quietly, trying to seem hopeful that he would live to see his Padawan again. The grief of losing Lo, of not knowing where she was or what she was going through; compounded with his condition and the toxin relentlessly eating away at him. It made for a deadly mixture. If Dominik had not been as mentally strong as he is now, he knew he’d already be a goner.

Noting the slight pang of remorse in his voice, Zhâlu couldn’t help but sigh. After a moment of silence, the Pureblood spoke up. ”You know, moving that pile of rubble reminded me of my time training at the Dromund Kaas academy, before my class was split up and sent to Korriban to finish our training.”

As the Padawan talked, Dominik took one of the paths, his pace slow and he stayed close to Zhâlu. He intended to head back and help the Pureblood pack supplies.

The old man smirked playfully and snickered, eyes closing as they continued to walk but his Force sense still allowing him to see. "Yet here you are, with the Jedi. Where you belong. Your past dictated you a Sith, but you made the decision to not let your past shape you Zhâlu- Always remember that. Our pasts do not define our future. I too have had to prove that to others many times in my life."

”It was less looking at where I’ve ended up, and more at seeing similarities. Being away from the Force Sensitive slaves that are often sent to Korriban from day one, our instructors focused primarily on bringing out our strength in the Force before any kind of refining of that power was considered. My dad said it was a more honorable and reasonable approach to teaching the newer generations of Sith than the training on Korriban. He often called Sith who spent their lives training there ‘little better than wild, rabid animals that belong in a cage.’” The Pureblood’s Imperial accent really showed through when he quoted his father, and he did little to hide it as he continued speaking. ”I can remember my father demanding that my training group be kept on Dromund Kaas to finish our training, that we might understand not only the power of the Dark Side, but the honor we were to bring to our families. The headmaster laughed, stating honor had no place in the minds of practitioners of the Dark Side of the Force.”

Dominik brought a hand up to his mouth as he fell into a coughing fit for a few moments. "You've kept your honor well. I don't know your family, so I cannot speak for them. But I know there are many in the Order who will look up to you when they decide to look past your appearance and instead choose to trust you as a person."

Zhâlu sent a healing wave of Force energy through the older man, easing his fit some before he could speak, then smiling softly at what Dominik said. ”I hope that they will, someday. But what about you, Master Dominik? What is training in the Coruscant temple like? Or, well, was like, I should say.” The Pureblood had decided to use the conversation to learn more about his master’s master, to help him maybe feel closer to the man who’d done so much for the woman who had more faith in him than the Sith often had in himself. It was also a great opportunity to distract him from current troubles and perhaps ease his mind some.

[color=#0099ff]"Ah. It was nothing to remember if I am to be honest. Growing up, there was a strict regimen, and even stricter teachers. There are very few fond memories I have of the Temple… even fewer since it's destruction."

Dominik was silent for a few moments, leaning heavily on his walking stick as they neared the tent with excess supplies. "My second Padawan… Evin," Dominik almost choked on the name, but somehow it still seemed easier to talk than when Lo had brought it up. Perhaps it was her attempt which had helped him open up more in the future. "He was enthralled by the Temple. He loved it…" Dominik seemed to trail off, blind eyes opening slightly as he recalled the younger boy's antics. Evin and Lo were a lot alike, now that Dominik thought about it. He grew quiet, seeming to trail off from the subject as they entered the tent. "Most of my memories come from Alderaan. My home planet. It's conflicting, how I feel about it."

Stopping outside his ship, Zhâlu pulled a couple of crates over for the pair of them to sit on. ”I’m willing to listen if you want to share. I’ve never been to Alderaan myself, and I likely won’t ever, given the state of the planet’s government right now.”

Sitting down on the crate Zhâlu had also pulled over for him, Dominik's eyes opened slightly. His gaze moved closer to the ground and he leaned over, resting his elbows on his knees. "It's beautiful Zhâlu. Even after the siege, the planet has recovered well. I'd like to think it's beauty matches Tython, but I may just be biased. Though it's people are still suffering. It's something I should have been able to prevent as a diplomat." There was a silence between the two as painful memories came flooding back to the Master Jedi. It would have been obvious he was bothered by them judging from the silence and his fidgeting hands. "I've only been back twice since the siege- For more reasons than one. If I stay too long I often become distracted by what happened. By what is happening now.. Decisions I should’ve made that I did not. Battles I should have won. People that I failed, including your Master. If I had done more before being captured I might have been able to prevent the Civil war."

”You would have had to be able to read minds to know what was going to happen on Alderaan, Master. And I’ve yet to meet a Jedi or Sith that can do that.” Zhâlu got comfortable as well before he pushed on. ”What about your time during the war? What were things like from the Jedi side? What experiences did you have personally?”

“Too many young and inexperienced Jedi were tasked to lead.” Dominik’s tone was solemn, and he spoke quietly. “I saw many of my friends and allies killed. But it was war, we all knew the cost. Months into the war we started to discover traitors in our ranks. Spies for the Sith, the Hutts or just anyone who opposed us. One of my good friends ended up betraying me and gave up my location to the Sith. On Alderaan.” The older Jedi paused for a few moments as he slowly recollected the memories. “Your master was much younger then, but just as bull-headed and stubborn. I had just sent her away because the situation was becoming far too dangerous for a Padawan. About a week later my friend betrayed me and I was ambushed. I was incapacitated during the fight. Next I knew I awoke in a suspension chamber.”

Zhâlu was vaguely familiar with that sensation, but for an entirely different reason. When Darth’s made plays against each other, he had learned it paid to simply take a ship into a private section of space and wait until a winner was declared. But to focus back on what the Jedi Master had said, Zhâlu could sense that this was something that had affected Dominik’s outlook on many things. ”Who was the Sith who’d captured you?”

There was silence for a few more moments, Dominik's brow furrowed as he attempted to recall anything he could remember. "I don't remember their names. It's a detail I should be able to recall, but it eludes me."

Dominik rested his head in one hand as bits and pieces of that year flashed in his mind. Those Sith had nearly killed him, yet he had forgotten their names. He could only remember what they vaguely looked like. His mind had been assaulted countless times during his imprisonment and it was obvious the assault had taken its toll. "I was their prisoner for almost a year if I remember correctly. I had knowledge they wanted. Sometimes I fear they took far more than I recall. The hardest times were when a particular Sith Lord and her Apprentice were tasked to me. I… thought they had killed your Master. I saw it with my own eyes but it must've been some sort of illusion. I wanted that moment to be my last."

Frowning, Zhâlu tried to think of if he knew the name of the technique that Master Dominick had described, but unfortunately, he couldn’t, though he had seen it. ”I’ve seen that technique used, though I do not know its name. I do know it’s particularly dark, even for a Sith to use. As for what they made you see...there are many Sith who take pleasure in causing Jedi captives pain in any shape they can. Once they’d known what my master looked like, that’s all it would have taken to torture you with her image. I...I’m sorry that my people have encouraged such cruelty.”

"You have no reason to apologize for what others have done, Zhâlu. You are not at fault for what has happened in the past. I don't harbor any ill will towards you for that."

Dominik fought back a weak seize he could feel that threatened to pull away his focus. His mind battled with the fact that he might not make it off the planet; gone would be another person who trusts Zhâlu and who could help the Padawan, alongside Cora, through his time as a Jedi. Who could vouch for his trust and his character.

”And yet someone must, because if one of us doesn’t begin to do what is right, none of us ever will.” Zhâlu stood and stretched a moment before setting back down. ”And regardless, it IS my people who encourage such cruel behavior. We may not be responsible for it on an individual level, but as a whole, the Purebloods do nothing to temper it.”

For a moment it seemed as if Dominik had been pulled back into his memories, drowning in the flashbacks and painful emotions of that time. He blinked once before sitting up a little more straight, one hand rubbing his eyes as he felt them strain. “Let me help you move some supplies into your ship. After that,” the old man sighed quietly, “I should meditate. At least a short time before we leave.”

Nodding, the Pureblood stands up and then offers to help Dominik up. As the older man took his hand and stood, Zhâlu looked him right in the eyes, even though he couldn’t see it. ”This poison hasn’t killed you yet, master. And until it does, giving up is the last thing any of us should do. We will cure it.”

Dominik knew he would never give up, but giving in was something he would have to do. Give in to the fact that this poison could kill him at any moment, that he may have to leave these Jedi on Ryloth without a sure way off; no matter what he would be leaving everyone here, to deal with his failures and his mistakes. It didn't sit well with the older Jedi.

"Stay hopeful Zhâlu. The others will look up to you for that. Especially the younger Padawans."

Smiling softly, the Pureblood nods before turning to look over the crates. ”Well then, master, shall we get to it?”

Three hours later... Closer to dusk.

Dominik had made many hard mistakes in his life. He had witnessed allies and enemies slaughtered in front of him; friends' lives lost due to tactical errors or the hesitation of command and orders coming too late. Dominik had always pondered the outcome of his decisions; the what-ifs about the end and what a split second decision in that moment could mean for the future. Now, whilst making the ultimate decision for the small group of Jedi finding themselves stranded on Ryloth, Dominik was constantly rethinking the what-ifs and the hows of their situation. As the Master of the group, and a High Council member, Dominik felt responsible for each and every one of his allies. It was why his grief dug so deep. His Padawan lost, in the hands of the Sith, the Empire. Lo was at their mercy and there was nothing Dominik could do about it. It all added up. Each decision, he knew every little event could change the outcome of the future.

Dominik's mind returned to the present. His blind eyes shielded by goggles received from Sar and sitting on a speeder tethered to Cora's in front of him, they were making good time travelling across the surface to the last known location of Cora's ship. Having sent Zhâlu to rendezvous with his small fighter and carrying more supplies, the Jedi had packed as much into backpacks and onto the speeders as they could. Evemarie, Aren and Val went on a seperate scouting mission and were to rendezvous back with the four of them when the time was right.

They had left via the tunnel that Zhalu had helped to unblock earlier. Dominik's assumption was that the enemy, if they were watching, had either forgotten or assumed that tunnel was still blocked and wouldn't have been watching it as closely as the others. The cloud of dirt and dusk left in the speeder's wake would be easy to see, but it was the only way to make good time. Once they arrived at Cora's ship, the speeders would most likely be ditched and the group would have to travel by foot. Dominik just hoped they had picked the right time to make a move. He did not know their enemy, not at all; which only made the man doubt his current decision to move the group. There wasn't much else he could do.

Cora drove the speeder that Dominik’s was attached to all the while going over what needed to happen once they got to her ship. The wind whipped her short hair as she worried about the Zabrak and Dominik. The Zabrak was armless for pity sake. But his ability to stay alive was amazing. He was in shock but his body was pushing through.

As they rounded a bend Cora motioned them to slow. They were coming up on her ship, she could feel it. They had to ditch the speeders. If only luck was an ability within the Force. She was going to need that, and it was in short supply. Not to mention that she was running low on supplies. Both food and healing. They needed her ship intact for; well for ever really but she'd settle for till they got out of here. It would make an excellent medical area.

Once they stopped they collected the wounded. The Zabrak and Dominik really, Cora had taken care of everyone else who presented the slightest discomfort to ease the transition as well keep moral as high as could be. Losing anyone was hard they were each essential and vital in their roles, even the unknown young Zabrak.

Thinking about him made Cora rub her temples and wish they had someone who was skilled in cybernetics. She would have to find someone sympathetic to the Republic on this backward hunk of rock. Not to mention that she'd need to find a damned good Apothecary or learned Herbalist to find an ingredient to slow the toxin in Dominik.

They came upon her ship and Cora almost kissed it. The minor boost in supplies was welcome. She'd had most of the interior turned into a triage bay but that also ment better beds than rocks. Reaching out with the Force she unlocked the ship and started to organize the supplies they had brought  with them

Getting the Zabrak settled Cora turned to Dominik. In a no nonsense voice she stated. "You. Bed. Now. Healing session. Do not argue with me. I have far and beyond the enormity of tasks to accomplish in too short time."

Fortunately for Zhâlu, his arrival several days earlier within his own fighter had either gone unnoticed by whoever had poisoned Dominik or they had assumed it had simply been in hiding and was of no consequence. But regardless, as the others had zoomed away from the Twi'lek settlement on speeders, he had skillfully maneuvered his ship up just high enough to hug the rocks as much as he could to the ground, where he'd used the Force to allow himself to vanish along the ground, below their limbs. He was positive that he couldn't keep up the effort all the way to his Master's ship, but the Pureblood merely needed to remain relatively undetected long enough to not draw attention to his master's ship's location. After half an hour of branch manipulation and flying, the strain of using the Force so much forced him to reemerge from under the boughs and fly close to the tree tops.

The flight was uneventful, as it would seem the Empire hadn't seen fit to send fighter patrols just yet, or at least not have them patrol the area he was flying through, and after about a forty-five minute flight, he landed in a covered  clearing close enough to Cora's ship that he could walk to it but far enough away that the two wouldn't be exposed at the same time. As he powered down the engines and opened the cockpit, he wished, not for the first time, the Council would give him a larger ship already. Of course, that likely wouldn't come until he was already a Knight, and that obstacle still seemed insurmountable, no matter what Cora said.Stop that, not the time for those kinds of ruminations. Climbing out, the Sith set to camouflaging his ship some so that it wasn't too easy to spot by low-flying ships or from that ground and then he settled in, waiting for word from his master or from Dominik that they were at Cora's ship and to bring the supplies that he and the older man had stuffed into the back of the cockpit.

All around him, he could hear the sounds of Ryloth's natural habitat, the various animals and bugs and their interactions in their multitude. However, he could also feel the creeping taint of the far more sinister and insidious predator that was now making its home on the planet, most likely with intent to hamper further Republic relief efforts for those twi'leks fighting the status quo as well as purge the members of the Order already on the planet. As he settled in to wait, he sighed. Hopefully they'd contact him before his imagination got the better of him.

"No, Cora. Your energy and efforts should go towards the Zabrak and your own rest. I do not want to stay here very long, we don't need attention drawn here." Dominik looked around the ship for a moment. It would have been easy; to simply pack everything up and leave the planet. They may be able to maneuver around the Terminus that arrived, there were other ways off the planet; but Dominik quickly put that thought aside. He owed it to Lo to bring her back, where she belonged. Even if it was the last thing he could do.

"Zhâlu and I will take first watch while you get some rest. I want to have a meeting once Bec, her Padawan and Barral arrive."

Dominik turned away from Cora to begin moving back to the entrance of the ship. Pulling the comlink up to his mouth, Dominik connected his frequency with Zhâlu.

"Your Master and I are here, Padawan. Have you seen anything or anyone suspicious?"