"Welcome aboard." Nico greeted them with a tilt of his cowboy hat as they walked into his ship.

"You're still around?" Malgus asked with slight amazement looking at his face. Then he added as he measured him up. "And you haven't changed at all."

Winking at Lana, Nico said. "Thank you for the priceless artifact, Lana."

With a mischievous smile, Lana asked. "That little thing kept you young and beautiful?"

"Indeed, but shhh." He said placing his finger on his mouth. "Don't spread it please."

Squeezing his shoulders, she said in a hushed tone. "Your secret is safe with me."

After everyone took their seats, Nico lifted his ship and left Dromund Kaas.

While Lana and Lyrna engaged in a conversation, Gilina curiously listened to them.

"My parents were crushed after my sentence." Lana said in a sad tone. "They've never truly recovered from the shame I had caused."

"It's in the past now." Lyrna replied with a smile. "Stop worrying about it."

"I know." Lana replied staring at the ground. Before their departure, she wanted to look for her parents to say goodbye, but at the same time she didn't want them to know about her return, at least not yet, she thought disheartened. The mission had to be kept a secret. Hopefully, they'll find Satele quickly, and after her rescue, they can return to Dromund Kaas. Then, she will have all the time in the world to explain to her parents in person the decades-old crime she had committed.

Then her eyes landed on Gilina, who had barely changed in twenty-four years.

"You look good." Lana said with a smile. Then she added. "I guess you are still Marr's favorite."

Nodding her head, Gilina smiled and then placed her hands on Lana's arm reassuringly squeezing it.

While the girls talked, Malgus with the other two Sith were also engrossed in a serious conversation.

"She is dead?" Malgus asked. "How did she die?"

"No one knows for sure." Scourge replied. "But if I have to guess, I believe Adraas had a hand in her demise."

"Looks like he had enough of her." Malgus said. Then he added with distaste. "She and I had unfinished business."

"Lord Darkspanner is gone, but the Revanites are still there, waiting for Revan or Satele to return." Scourge said with a serious expression. Then he added. "Unfortunately we can't return him, not until Satele is back."

"You still have his body?" Malgus asked with amazement.

"Yes." Marr replied. "I have been keeping him for decades in a safe place."

"Why haven't you woke him up?" Malgus asked, looking from Marr to Scourge.

"He is not in the right state of mind to be awakened." Scourge said, then he quickly explained what had happened.

While he spoke, parts of Malgus's mind went back to the dream world that Revan had created. To be able to spend all that time, which didn't seem that much at all, with Satele was amazing. Because of Revan, they lived a life that Malgus was truly grateful for. He hoped that one day he would have the chance to meet him in person and thank him for everything he had done for them. Then his troubled thoughts went back to his father. Once they were back, he'll go and visit him and tell him how sorry he was about everything that had happened. Also, he wanted to let him know that he was going to be a grandfather soon.

Thinking about the baby, Malgus felt nervous. He had no idea if the fetus had survived. Although Satele assured him that everything was all right, still he felt anxious to think about losing it.

His troubled mind was interrupted by Scourge.

"Are you even listening?"

Shaking his head, Malgus looked at him and said.

"My head is swimming with millions of thoughts right now."

"I can see that." Scourge replied. Then he turned to Marr and asked. "So, how are we going to do this?"

"We have to be very careful." Marr said looking at Scourge and then Malgus. "Since the Eternal Empire took over, the Coruscant you once knew is not the same anymore." Then he added. "I have a plan, which I'm not truly happy about, but this is for the greater good."

"What plan?" Malgus asked.

Looking at Scourge, Marr said. "I was going to send you in, but then I realized that your face is like a torch in Naga Sadow's tomb, it would draw attention right away."

Malgus surpassed a smile listening to Marr.

"So I decided we will go in with Malgus and Lana as my children."

"Children?" Malgus asked pulling up one of his eyebrows.

Turning to Malgus, Marr said. "I'm much older than you now, have you noticed?"

With a grin, Malgus asked. "And how would anyone know when you are wearing that mask?"

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Marr said. "This is where the not so happy part comes in."

"Don't tell me you are going to take that mask off?" Lana asked as she stood above Marr.

Looking up, he looked at Lana and said.

"When you see me without the mask, and if you dare to crack even the smallest smile, I will personally put you back in cryostasis. Do you understand Lana?"

"I promise I will behave." Lana said with a grin.

"Good." Marr said. Then he stood up and approached Nico.

After exchanging a few words with him, Nico stood up and said.

"Follow me to my treasure room."

"Treasure room?" Malgus asked looking at Nico. "What's that?"

"A place to find awesome things." Lana said with a wink.

Clearing his throat, Nico looked at Lana, and with a mischievous grin, he asked. "Speaking of awesome things, by any chance do you know what happened to the viper?"

"No clue." Lana said shrugging.

With a frown, he looked at Lana, and then shaking his head, he started to walk toward the rear of the ship, followed by the others.

As he opened the door, Malgus was amazed by the stolen goods that lined up the walls taking up all of the space of the small room. From the different kinds of weapons to the many colorful clothing and cyborg parts, the room looked like a flea market.

"Here you'll find anything that will take your fancy." Nico said, as he motioned for them to step inside and take a closer look.

"We need Jedi garbs and some lightsabers." Marr said scanning the room.

"Suit yourselves." Nico said with a wide grin.

Picking up a deep purple Jedi outfit, Lana placed it against her body and asked.

"What do you think, does this go with my hair color?"

"You look splendid my dear." Nico said gazing at Lana.

"Thank you, Nico, you are the best." She said with a flirty smile. Then she approached the weapons and picking up one of the lightsabers, she said. "Now I just need a matching weapon and I'm good to go."

While Lana tried out a few lightsabers, and Marr procrastinated over what to pick, Malgus picked out a Jedi outfit that was large enough to fit him. Then he went to look for a weapon. As he searched amongst the lightsabers, Sith and Jedi alike, he wondered where Nico gets all these from. Then his eyes landed on one of them and for a second, his breath hitched in his throat. Lifting it up, he looked at it with amazement and then turning to Nico, he asked.

"Where did you find this?"

For a second, Nico looked like he was in deep thought, and then he said.

"After the sacking of Coruscant, while the city was in ruins, I collected many things, including a lot of lightsabers." He said pointing to the weapon.

"Go ahead." Nico said. "Turn it on."

As the lightsaber buzzed to life, a bright green glow enveloped Malgus's amazed face. He couldn't believe how ironic it was to hold the weapon of the man who once was Satele's Master and the man who he killed so long ago."

"Now we just need to find you a pair of green contacts and you are good to go...Veradun." Lana said with a smile looking at Malgus's puzzled expression.

After everyone had picked out something to wear, Lana retired to her cabin to try out her new outfit, while Malgus, Marr, and Scourge analyzed the map of the Jedi temple and its surroundings.

"She has to be kept somewhere in the former Jedi temple."

"Former?" Malgus asked looking at the glowing hologram of the temple.

"During the Empire's invasion, a small group led by Adraas and Lord Anglar attacked the Jedi temple and killed everyone including the chancellor himself." Scourge explained. "Then the whole city was destroyed, to show the Republic the true strength of the Empire. Then there was the treaty that lasted until the Eternal Empire arrived. Coruscant, which was always deemed to be the center of the galaxy, became a place of corruption and crime."

"What happened to the Jedi?" Malgus inquired. "Where did they go?"

"They went back to Tython to start over and lick their wounds over their shameful defeat." Scourge replied.

An instant worry enveloped Malgus. If the Jedi left Coruscant, then they might have taken everything with them including Satele. He didn't want to think about losing her again, now that he was so close to getting her back. If worse comes to worst, he would have no choice but to go to Tython to retrieve her, and this was the last thing he wanted to think about. The planet full of Jedi was not for his liking and he knew he would not be welcomed with open arms.

After Scourge shut down the map, they talked for a while, and then they all retired to their rooms. While lying in bed, Malgus held the Jedi's lightsaber in his hand thinking about that night on the space station. Every time he replayed that day in his head, he felt angry and guilty at the same time. Turning it on, he gazed at the green blade contemplating the choices he made. Then he shut it off and as he closed his eyes, Satele's beautiful face appeared behind his eyelids. He missed her terribly and hoped to see her again soon. The comforting thought that Revan was keeping her company made him feel better.

"I'm coming for you." He whispered into the darkened room.

A few days later they arrived at Coruscant.

Stepping out of his bedchamber, Malgus approached the control room, where Lana and the others were waiting on him.

As he walked in, Lana whistled, and then she said in a playful cynical tone.

"What a handsome Jedi you are."

"Quiet woman." Malgus said with a reprimanding look.

"It looks good on you." Lyrna said with a smile.

Then everyone's attention turned to Gilina, as she walked in, followed by a tall Jedi. Everyone's eyes instantly widened to see Marr's transformation. Pushing back his hood, his dark gray eyes, which matched his hair color, scanned their astonished faces. Then a small smile appeared on his pale aging face. Before Lana could speak up, Marr pointed his finger toward her and said.

"Don't you dare."

Lifting up her hands, she said with a guilty smile.

"I wasn't going to say anything."

"Good." Marr replied with a growl.

Looking at Malgus and Scourge, he said.

"Don't look at me like that. You are making me feel uncomfortable."

Malgus and Scourge glanced at each other. With a smile, Scourge said.

"I always knew you were a handsome devil beneath that mask."

"Well, that's a compliment I wasn't expecting from you." Marr said with a grin. And then he started to laugh, and then the others joined in with him.

There was a safe place on the outskirts of the city that Nico knew well, and that is where he landed his ship.

"Stay here." Marr said to Gilina planting a kiss on her lips. Then he let her go and then putting up his hood, he said to Scourge.

"We should be back in a few hours. Until then, stay low and safe."

Nodding in agreement, Scourge and Lyrna said goodbye. After Nico closed the ship's door, Marr, Malgus, and Lana took one of Nico's personal vehicles and headed toward the inner city.

"As we have discussed." Marr started to say while sitting in the driver seat. "I am your father and you are Jedi padawans under my care."

"I know…. father." Lana chimed in a sweet voice. Then she glanced at Malgus and with a mischievous grin, she asked. "Veradun, are you happy to have a sister like me?"

"I'm thrilled." Malgus replied with an unpleasant look on his face as he grinned at Lana.

The city was not what Malgus had imagined. The many different levels, especially on the lower ones looked like they had been abandoned for decades, festered with crime. The higher they got the better the conditions were getting. However, the sensation of doom was still lingering within the grandiose place. Although most of the city areas were restored, still there were many places where they didn't have enough funding to replace the damages caused by the Empire. Those areas looked bleak and uninviting reminding him a little bit of Korriban. Malgus wondered if Satele was held at the same place where he once was held as a prisoner. However, he didn't remember where that place was, but thankfully Lana did. Getting out of their vehicle, they headed toward the ruined temple on foot.

The once proud and beautiful building now stood in ruins, reminding everyone what a true war with the Empire had cost. As they approached it, Malgus curiously gazed at the looming palace that once was the Jedi's temple, that was now looking like a shadow of its former self.

Although the front entrance door was replaced a long time ago, still there were large spider web-like cracks on the facade running parallel with the metal door. It made the front of the temple look like it was divided into slabs of marble of all shapes and sizes.

"Whoa." Lana exclaimed as she strained her neck looking up. "No wonder the Jedi moved out."

"Lana stay quiet please." Marr said glancing her way. Then he added. "The walls have ears."

"Yes, father." Lana replied with a suppressed smile.

At the entrance were two Republic soldiers patrolling the grounds. Malgus quickly sized them up and then instinctively his hand went to the lightsaber. Then he swiftly reminded himself that he was in incognito and no one would question his identity dressed like this.

They have no idea who we are, he thought with a grin looking at the two soldiers approaching them.

"What is your purpose here?" One of the soldiers asked Marr standing in his way.

"Greetings my friends." Marr said in a deep, smooth voice. "We have come from far away to pay our respect to the Jedi temple."

"Who are you?" The other soldier asked.

"I'm no one important, just a humble father of two Jedi padawans." Saying that Marr motioned with his arms toward Lana and Malgus.

"The Jedi are no longer here old man." The soldier said sizing everyone up.

"Yes, I'm aware of that." Marr replied calmly. "However, with your permission, I would like to show my children the halls of this wonderful place where I used to roam as a young padawan myself."

"There is nothing wonderful about this place anymore." The other soldier said.

"Then why are you guarding it?" Malgus asked looking at him.

"The criminals like to come here and deal with their underground comrades and vandalize the place." The soldier replied. "We're here to prevent that."

"I see." Malgus said with a grin, thinking about how easy it would be to break this one's neck. Then he quickly reprimanded himself remembering Revan's teachings about staying calm and focused on the important tasks.

Then the soldier's eyes found Lana's and a flirty smile appeared on his face.

Noticing his stare, Lana smiled back at him and said.

"As you see, our father is getting old, and before he dies, he wanted to show us where he learned everything that made him the man he is today. This place is very important to him and if you would be so kind as to let us in, I would appreciate that very much."

The soldier looked from Lana to Malgus and then to Marr. Then he signaled his comrade to let them pass.

As Marr opened one side of the large door, the soldier yelled after them.

"Watch your step."

Behind the door the destruction was enormous. It looked like a huge storm had gone through the building, knocking most of the tall supporting pillars out of the way. Thus causing the roof in some places to cave in, letting in the early afternoon light. The balconies that ran parallel to the main foyer were also damaged, slowly crumbling away. The marble floor had huge gashes and some deep holes that looked like endless pits. Whatever went down in here was something that Malgus had wished he had been a part of.

"Adraas, you lucky son of a bitch." Malgus murmured looking around the demolished chamber. Then a sudden and scary thought came into his mind that he quickly dismissed. If Adraas had found Satele's pod, he would have taken it and would have definitely opened it.

No, he thought, she is not with him.

He still held onto hope that she was here somewhere within this wretched building, sleeping her endless dream.

"This way." Lana said, as she carefully tiptoed around the caved-in floor.

"If I remember correctly." She said as they made their way toward the other end of the building. "This was the place where they kept you." She said looking at Malgus, as they approached a door that led to the underground area.

"I choose not to delve into that memory." Malgus said with a grin.

The heavy metal door that led downstairs was locked, giving a little bit more hope for Malgus to find Satele. It looked like someone tried to get through here before, he thought measuring up the damaged door. There were huge dents and smaller ones all over the surface of the door, most likely from blaster fire and other weapons, Malgus thought. Then he impatiently asked.

"Are you sure this is the right place?"

"Yes, I'm sure." Lana replied gazing into his eyes.

"Move back." Malgus said as he activated the lightsaber and shoved the green blade into the door, slowly making a large opening for them to get through. When he carved a large enough piece out, he kicked it a few times. When the door finally gave in, it fell and traveled down the narrow stairs, causing an extremely loud sound within the temple.

"That's it, we're doomed." Lana said, with a look of disapproval as she stared at Malgus.

"Let them come." Malgus replied feeling irritated.

"Stop it you two." Marr said looking at them both. Then activating his weapon, he stepped over the threshold and said. "Let's hurry up."

At the bottom of the stairs, the two doors that led to the rooms were wide open. Rushing toward one of them, Malgus looked inside to see a small corridor with another door at the opposite end also wide open. Stepping inside the room, in the green glow of his weapon he looked around. As his eyes landed on the torture machine a sudden memory of his captivity came back making him shiver a little. However, there was nothing else in the room, making him feel more frustrated.

"The room is empty." Lana said as she walked back from the other room.

"Why did you think they would put her here?" Malgus asked feeling irritated and angry.

"Because this place was highly secure and only known by the Jedi council." Lana replied with a frown. "This place was made to keep high prioritized prisoners."

"We have to look elsewhere." Marr said looking at them both.

"Where?" Malgus asked.

"There is a place here in town where people like to get together and talk." Marr said with a grin. "Let's see if we can find someone who likes to talk."

"What place?" Lana asked.

After leaving the temple behind, they headed back to the vehicle. Marr then drove them to a different part of the city, that looked menacing enough that no-one in their right mind should enter.

Deep within the underground place where the sun's rays never reached, amongst the flickering bright neon lights and dirty gutters, was a large building full of people and aliens alike. The music that blasted from the building could be heard a mile away. There were so many people and creatures around, Lana didn't know where to look. Malgus, on the other hand, was not as impressed as she was. He hated crowds and people in general. He was not happy to be there, but if that is how they were going to find out where she was kept, then let it be, he thought as he looked around with a displeased expression.

The sound of the music grew louder as they entered through the door.

Inside were many patrons dancing and drinking, and brawling at the same time.

"Just keep close and stay alert." Marr said as they followed him in.

"This is amazing." Lana said with awe looking from left to right. There were so many inside; people kept pushing against her as she squeezed through the crowd. As a tall Chiss warrior walked past her, he grabbed hold of Lana's upper arm and as he looked into her confused eyes, he asked. "Do you want to dance beautiful?"

For a few seconds, he left Lana confused, but then she politely pulled her arm out of his grip and said.

"I would love to but I'm a horrible dancer." Saying that she smashed her heel on the top of his foot, making him scream with agony. "You see?" She chimed in a sweet malicious voice. "I told you I was terrible."

"Is everything alright?" Malgus asked looking at Lana and then the Chiss.

"Everything is just fine." She replied with a wide grin, sending a mocking kiss toward the blue alien.

"Keep up." Marr said gesturing for them to follow him to a large oval-shaped bar.

"I'm not going to drink." Malgus protested thinking about the last time he shared a drink with Nico and Scourge.

"Then just pretend." Lana whispered into his ear.

Taking a deep breath, Malgus took the offered drink from Marr and then sniffed at it. He had no desire to drink it, but then seeing Lana and Marr emptying their glasses, with one gulp, he emptied his glass, making Lana burst out in laughter.

"Why are you laughing?" Malgus asked as the bitter drink ran down his throat.

"You actually drank that nasty stuff?" Lana said with a disgusted expression.

"You did the same thing." Malgus replied looking at her with confusion.

"No, I did not." She said with a mischievous smile, signaling him to look down. "I told you to just pretend."

"What about Marr?" Malgus asked, but then as he looked toward the floor he saw the telltale wet spot next to his boots.

"Damn you both." Malgus said through gritted teeth, as his eyes penetrated into Lana's.

While Marr was busy talking to the bartender, a delicate violet hand grabbed his shoulder. As Malgus turned around, he saw a female Twi'lek accompanied by a Togruta smiling at him.

"Hello, gorgeous." She cooed in a smooth voice like honey gazing into Malgus's eyes. Running her hand over his chest plate, she twirled her fingers on the shiny surface, and then she said to her friend.

"I told you he was a Jedi."

Quickly sizing him up, the Togruta said.

"I like them big and strong."

"Do you want to have some fun?" The Twi'lek asked winking at Malgus.

If he wasn't married and in love with Satele, he would have loved to have taken both of them and had his way with them until dawn, but this was just a frivolous thought that he quickly dismissed. Nicely, he peeled her hands off and said.

"Move on ladies."

"Your loss." The Twi'lek said with a scolding look. Signaling to her friend they walked away looking for another target.

"Lovely ladies." Lana said with a grin looking at Malgus. Then she was about to say something again when suddenly her eyes grew wide looking behind him.

As he turned around to see what she was staring at, he found himself face to face with a large Human-Sith hybrid staring into his eyes.

As his tendrils slightly jiggled around his mouth, with a raspy voice, he asked. "What, you don't like my girls?"

"Oh dang." Lana whispered looking from the Sith to Malgus's stern face.

"Your girls?" Malgus asked staring into his jet-black eyes.

Scoffing, the Sith spat in front of Malgus's boots and then he said.

"Is there something wrong with your hearing….Jedi?"

Lana was certain this would end ugly if they didn't leave now.

"Say it again?" Malgus asked as he moved his hand in front of his right ear, pretending he didn't hear him. "I can't hear you."

"I said." His words suddenly froze in his throat as he felt the air being sucked out of his lungs.

Stepping closer, Malgus looked into his terrified eyes and asked. "Do you mind repeating it?"

Clutching at his throat, with a squeak the Sith hybrid managed to say. "Please."

Then Marr's deep voice cut in.

"Let him go."

As he let go of the Sith, Malgus looked at Marr and then he said.

"I wasn't going to kill him."

"We cannot cause attention." Marr said displeased. Then he added as he looked around seeing others looking at them. "We better go. I found out something."

After they left the bar, and while Marr drove back to the ship, he said.

"I've been here once before the Eternal Empire took over. Back then things were a little different than now. However, at that time I didn't get the information that I was looking for. But this time I was luckier."

"What did you find out?" Malgus asked with anticipation.

"After the Empire's invasion, the Jedi decided to leave Coruscant and move back to their home planet Tython." Marr started to explain.

"That's not just their home planet." Lana chimed in.

"I know Lana." Marr replied. "We all know the history of Tython. Besides that, when they left this planet, they took everything with them."

"Who told you this?" Malgus asked with a concerned expression.

"The bartender happened to know a guard who worked in the Jedi temple and loved to visit the bar." Marr replied. "When they were moving, he helped them move everything out of the temple, including Satele's pod."

"How did he remember her pod?" Malgus asked annoyed. Then he added. "It could have been someone else's."

"He said he knew her. Also, there were rumors about her killing the Emperor, and also falling to the Dark side after that, which he refused to believe." Marr said as he navigated through the city.

"He is right. She did no such thing." Malgus said defending her. "She remained who she was."

"So you are attracted to her because she is nothing like you, right?" Marr asked. Then he added. "Why did you marry her?"

Dismissing his questions, Malgus impatiently asked.

"Did they take her to Tython?"

"You didn't answer my questions." Marr pressed on.

Taking a deep breath, Malgus replied. "I like her the way she is. I wouldn't change anything about her. I married her because I love her and I believe in her." But deep inside Malgus knew that since she came into his life, he gradually became a different person. She was like a ray of sunshine passing through the dark stormy clouds, and he truly enjoyed being with her. To think about losing her would definitely drive him into the dark where there was no light, only chaos and destruction waiting for him.

"If you truly love your wife, you have to let me handle this." Marr replied.

"What are you talking about?" Malgus asked, intently looking at the back of Marr's head.

"She is not on Tython anymore but somewhere else." Marr replied.

"Where is she?" Lana asked.

"She is within the clutches of the new Empire." Marr replied.

"How do you know this?" Malgus asked feeling a headache slowly building up behind his eyes.

"The guard who helped to load her body into the ship went to Tython and guarded her there." Marr said. "But then when the Eternal Empire invaded the planet, they took everything with them. Their Emperor was mostly interested in some of the Jedi, including Satele."

"And you found all this out from the bartender?" Lana asked with disbelief.

"Bartenders are the best people to get information from." Marr replied. "And yes, with the right amount of credits, especially in a place like that, people tend to talk."

"What do you mean by handling this?" Malgus growled.

"I think Lana and I would be the best choice to get her back." Marr replied as he parked the vehicle in front of Nico's ship.

"What about me? "Malgus asked confused.

Turning around, Marr looked at him and said.

"Your anger will cost not just your death but most likely hers as well. You can't control yourself Malgus. You almost killed that fellow in the bar over some unimportant thing. You have to trust me and let me and Lana do the work."

Trying to compose himself, Malgus took a deep breath, and then he asked.

"You want to travel to Zakuul with Lana to rescue Satele?"

"Precisely." Marr replied staring into Malgus's puzzled expression.

"And what am I supposed to do while you two are out there playing valiant heros?" Malgus asked gesturing toward them.

"Return to Dromund Kaas and visit your father." Marr replied. "He misses you."

Malgus couldn't believe his ears. They wanted him to stay behind.

"What you are asking is plain nonsense." Malgus replied intently looking into Marr's eyes. Then he added. "I know I have anger issues, I'm not going to deny it, but I will not and I repeat, I WILL NOT let you and Lana go by yourselves to rescue Satele. She is my wife and my responsibility. If anyone is to rescue her it is going to be me."

Shaking his head, Marr replied.

"I knew you were going to say that, and I can't keep you away. I just hoped that for once you would listen." Then he added. "We have to return to Dromund Kaas and take my ship."

On Dromund Kaas, as they walked off Nico's ship, Marr turned to Malgus and said.

"Go visit your father. This might be the last time you see him." With a solemn voice, he added. "We might not make it back."

Then he turned to Lana and said.

"You too, kiddo, go see your parents."

Nodding their heads in agreement, they both took off.

"Are you going to take him with you?" Scourge asked as he walked off the ship and stood beside Marr.

"I hate to do this, but yes, otherwise he would come after us." Marr replied. Then he added. "After we bring her back, we are going to wake him up."

"You think she would be able to control him?" Scourge asked.

"You heard Malgus. While they were in cryostasis, Revan was there with them, guiding them. He has a strong connection with Satele. I believe that with his help, we might have the chance to take back what's ours and eliminate the new Empire for good."

"Do you need help preparing the ship?" Scourge asked.

"I've already prepared it." Marr replied.

"When?' Scourge inquired looking at Marr.

"Before we left Dromund Kaas." Marr replied.

"When are you leaving?" Scourge asked.

"In a few hours." Marr replied.

"This new Emperor." Scourge said scratching his chin. "Do you think it's him?"

"He could be." Marr replied. "But I won't know until I'm in his presence."

"If you get captured he might kill you." Scourge said. Then he asked. "Are you willing to take this chance?"

"What else is out there for us Scourge?" Marr asked looking at him. "We have been defeated, humiliated, and enslaved. I was so close to getting us on the right path when this Empire invaded us. I have had enough. I want to bring peace and justice to the galaxy."

While they were reunited with their families and were getting ready to leave, in another part of the galaxy, on Zakuul, Emperor Valkorion sat on his throne seemingly lost in thought.

Since he became in power, his armada conquered countless worlds and enslaved many people and aliens including Jedi and Sith, bringing them all to their knees. He savored these victories that his twin sons accomplished throughout the years. However, these victories came with a cost when he lost Thexan. Although he never showed any compassion toward his children, Valkorion indeed loved them in his way. He was certain that once he achieved his goals, his children would continue his legacy by conquering others and ruling the galaxy with an iron fist.

Arcann was always a troubled child, short-tempered and aggressive. But he was loyal and easily controllable. Vaylin, on the other hand, was not as easy to control. She dangerously reminded him of himself. Strong with the Force and hardheaded, she was just like him. He had no choice but to lock her up on Nathema and subject her will to his. He feared her powers, but would never openly admit it. Then his thoughts went to the mother of his children, Senya. When he lay in bed at night alone, he still missed her sometimes. She was a great person and fun to be with, but her goals regarding their children's future were never aligned with his. Her motherly instincts and love almost spoiled his plans that he had planned out for them since birth. Eventually, he had no choice but to send her away. At one point, while Vaylin was still young, she tried to rescue her from the sanatorium, but she miserably failed, he thought, bringing up the memories of that night.

Standing up, he walked down the staircase and then walked past his loyal guards, leaving the throne room. His steps took him to another section of the palace. As he approached the door, the guards stood aside and after he stepped inside, he closed the door and approached the back wall, where he had pods after pods lined up in a row.

Folding his arms behind his back, he slowly paced in front of his collection, admiring the beauty of their frozen state. There were many within this room, locked inside their cage, sleeping for eternity. However, there was one special pod he liked to visit from time to time. Stopping in front of her pod, he reached out and touched it.

Locked inside was Satele Shan, the Jedi who defeated him. She still gave him nightmares when he thought about their fight. Her connection to the Force nearly matched Vaylin's, which greatly surprised him. Whereas Vaylin was already under control, she, on the other hand, was a different matter. Although he had played with the idea of waking her up and binding her will to his, still he was skeptical about her powers, therefore he dismissed this plan. No, he thought, she will stay where she is now.

Turning away from the pod, he walked out of the room and headed to his bedchamber.

As Valkorion left the room, Vaylin stepped out from behind one of the columns and approached the door. Stepping inside, she closed the door and headed toward the pods. She knew who these trophies were, having visited this room many times already, admiring them herself as well. With a wicked grin, one by one she looked at them, thinking about them as accessories perfectly accommodating her father's unique collections. She hoped that one day, she'd have her own collection lining up the walls of her trophy room. A few minutes passed when she heard voices. Quickly, she hid behind a dividing wall and waited.

"Why are we here?" Arcann's voice rang throughout the chamber.

"As we have discussed, I would like to show you the reward I want to get once we conquer the next target." The man said as they walked in.

"And this reward is in my father's trophy chamber?" Arcann asked with slight confusion.

"Yes." The man replied.

"Show me." Arcann said.

Pressed against the wall, Vaylin listened to their conversation. Carefully, she peeked around the corner and saw them approaching the pods. There was a man, she didn't recognize dressed in dark clothing and her brother stopping in front of a pod that encased a young female Jedi. Pointing toward it, he said.

"I want this one."

"What is so special about this that you want as your reward?" Arcann asked looking at him.

"She is someone I used to know." He replied. "I would like to keep her close."

"Alright." Arcann said. "She can be yours once we accomplish our plan."

"Thank you, my prince." The man replied bowing his head. Then they left the room leaving Vaylin alone with troubling thoughts. She wondered if the plan they were talking about had something to do with her despicable father. She wouldn't mind seeing his downfall, but he was just too powerful to challenge and Vaylin gave up a long time ago trying to bring him down. One day, she thought, yes, one day someone will come and challenge him, and then I can be free again.

She was about to leave and retire to her chamber when suddenly she heard a beeping sound. Approaching the back wall, she noticed there were flashing red and green lights accompanied by a soft beeping sound coming from a pod that was placed on the end of the line. Looking at it with curiosity, she waited to see what would happen.

As the pod opened a man fell out, and with a loud thud, he landed on the floor.

Squatting down beside him, she turned him around and looked at his face.

He looked to be in his early thirties with light brown hair that matched his shapely eyebrows and long eyelashes. His handsome face twitched a little when she touched his bare chest that was slowly rising with each breath. As her eyes measured him up, a smile appeared on her face. He was a perfect specimen, young, strong, and most likely a Jedi, she thought with interest. Using the Force, she lifted his body off the ground and held him in front of her. After a few seconds of contemplating on what to do, she made up her mind.

I think I'm going to keep you, she thought with a grin. Calling for the guards, she instructed them to get rid of the pod and warned them if they say anything about this, she would not hesitate to end their miserable lives. Then she took him to her bedchamber and handcuffed him to the bed. Lying down beside him, she curiously watched him as he was coming to and wondered who he was and why her father had kept him on ice.

As he slowly opened his eyes, first he couldn't see anything. The darkness that surrounded him for eternity had become a blur of images confusing him furthermore. Then he felt a hand touch his brows and as he recoiled from the touch, through parched lips, he asked.

"What...is going... on?"

"Who are you?" She asked gazing at his face.

With a frown, he turned his face toward her. Unable to see her clearly, he swallowed hard and asked.

"Who are you?"

With an evil smile, she leaned closer and whispered into his ear.

"Your Mistress."

"Mistress?" He panted. Then his breathing became erratic when he realized he was restrained.

"Don't be a fool." She said tersely, watching him trying to free himself from the cuffs. She could sense that he was slowly regaining his powers, but she was certain he was not powerful enough to defeat her. Placing her hands on either side of his temples, she forcefully invaded his mind making him cry out in pain. After minutes of torturous mind control, she was able to break through his barrier and force him to agree to her will.

Panting hard, he opened his eyes again and looked at her grinning face.

"Shhhh." She shushed him tracing her fingers on his lips. "I know it hurts, but I can't allow you to roam freely around here. At least not for a while."

"What do you want from me?" He asked with a terrified expression.

From his lips, her fingers ran down his neck to his wide chest while her crimson eyes never left his. Then as her hands traveled further down, his terrified expression became confused. When he felt her hand touching him through his pants, he tried to move away from her, but she held him in place and said.

"Don't resist me." Then she added. "It will hurt more if you do that, I can promise you."

There was something in this man that instantly sparked her lustful desires. Maybe it was because he was a Jedi, or maybe the way his handsome innocent face stared into hers, she wasn't sure, but she knew one thing, she wanted this man more than she ever wanted anyone. Of course, she was no innocent girl, having her share of fun with others before. However, no one made her feel like this before and she truly enjoyed this pleasant sensation, thinking about having him in her bed behind her father's back.

Tugging on his pants, she pulled them off exposing his naked body. Pulling up one of her eyebrows, she looked at his manhood and then she bit her lower lip.

"Please don't." He begged, feeling the redness creeping up his face and neck.

"Shhh." She said with a wicked smile. "I can see you are not excited yet, but wait." Saying that she got up and started to remove her clothing.

With wide eyes, he watched as she removed her dress and everything with it. Her young and perfectly shaped naked body was something he hadn't seen in a long time. Her full breasts with their light pink nipples slowly rose as she took a few deep breaths. Then his eyes traveled to her arms that were marked with dark, intricate tattoos giving her a fierce look. Then his attention traveled further down to her completely shaved sex, making him swallow hard.

"I could tell you like what you see." She cooed in a cold tone looking at his erect manhood.

Getting on the bed, she placed her hips above his and as she slowly lowered herself onto him, she intently watched his face that showed no fear now but extreme pleasure.

"Now." She purred. "Be a good boy and make me happy."

As she slowly started to grind her hips against his, the amazing pleasure that took over Ven Zallow's body was something he hadn't felt in a very long time.

Despite the fact that she was a Sith, and under any other circumstances he would have most likely killed her, his lusting body betrayed his usually clear-headed mind making him enjoy his time with her.

To be continued...