"Authorities are still working to determine the full scale of the attack aboard the Eternal Horizon, but what we know already is devastating. The ship, a state-of-the-art luxury vessel built to be a symbol of democracy, was hosting its maiden gala when armed assailants breached security and opened fire. Dozens were killed before the attackers were stopped. Among the confirmed dead are Senator Vahrin of Corellia, Governor Eluna of Ghorman, and Commander Thyrek of the Republic Security Bureau. Roland Eislo, the founder of Aratech Industries and one of the most influential industrialists in the galaxy, was also killed in the chaos."
"But it was not a stray bolt or a hired gun that ended his life. It was his son. Collan Eislo."
The second anchor, seated beside her, picked up the story with a grim nod.
"Investigators have confirmed that Collan Eislo stabbed his father during the Gala, and new evidence shows this wasn't an act of panic or confusion. It was premeditated. Surveillance recovered from the ship, along with decrypted messages and financial records, point to a long history of criminal activity tied directly to Collan Eislo and his inner circle."
"Charges now include bribery and blackmail of Republic state officials, illegal trafficking of restricted technologies, theft of classified prototypes, and direct involvement in the assassination of political rivals. More disturbing still, investigators have found substantial links between Collan Eislo and at least three known slaver syndicates operating in the Outer Rim. But the most shocking revelation is his connection to the attacks on the Jedi Temple. According to multiple verified sources, it was Collan Eislo who funded and coordinated the assaults."
Her co-anchor nodded again and leaned forward slightly.
"None of this might have come to light if not for Jaden Katarn. A former resident of the Coruscant Undercity and recent War Hero, Jaden boarded the Eternal Horizon while the ship was under siege, he managed to bypass security, uncover hidden files, and retrieve the evidence that led to Collan's arrest. He also prevented the ship from being destroyed after it was sabotaged by an unknown party. According to engineers aboard, the damage to the hyper-reactor would have caused a full-core breach if not for his intervention."
"Sadly Collan Eislo was able to escape with a hostage, who was none other than Senator Padmè Amidala; sources from republic security have informed us they are doing all they can to recover her."
The co-anchor to the right shook his head with a grim expression on his face. He then added.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to her wherever she is and we hope she is returned to us safely."
The woman nodded in agreement be fore continuing the story.
"Documents recovered from the ship reveal the lengths Collan went to in order to silence Jaden. Millions of credits were transferred through government channels and private firms to ensure his prosecution. People at every level of power worked together to discredit him, and yet he continued to act. He exposed the truth, even when he knew the entire weight of the Republic was against him."
The older anchor turned to the camera directly.
"There is no question now. Jaden Shan is not a fugitive. He is not a traitor. When the Senate turned its back, he stood his ground. When justice was buried beneath corruption, he dug it out with his own hands. He risked his life to protect others, and he did it with no reward and no recognition."
The woman nodded.
"He acted when no one else would. He acted when it was dangerous. And when the moment came, he saved thousands of lives. The galaxy needs to remember that."
The screen held on their faces for a brief moment longer. Then the image vanished as Aubrie reached forward and turned the holoscreen off.
She hated seeing this, after watching these same news outlets slam and drag Jadens name through the mud, they're now praising him as a hero because it's now become convenient. None of them care one bit about Jaden, or they would've supported him when he was in danger of being executed for crimes he was innocent of.
Aubrie sighed. "I need to stop getting worked up about this," she said to herself as she walked out of her room in Padmè's apartment. She had put Aubries biometrics into the security system so even though Padmè was gone Aubrie was still able to live here and use the place. Though the warmth and joy she felt at living here was a thing of the past.
Velea was dead.
Padmè was gone.
Jaden was... he was gone in a way too.
Aubrie walked through the corridors of Padmes apartment, it felt cold and lifeless, but most of all empty. Even though she knew most of the rooms were full they still felt lifeless, it had been a week since the gala and people had yet to recover from it. Aubrie moved into the living area catching a glimpse of Scout who sat herself on one of the luxury sofas, her legs tucked to her chest and her feet on the lip of the sofa. She was watching she same broadcast as Aubrie was only she'd not had the foresight to turn it off. Ironic considering it was her only talent.
"You shouldn't watch such things Scout, it won't make you feel better," Aubrie said as she picked up the remote and turned it off for her.
Scout nodded solemnly. "I... I was just hoping there was some news about Padmè..." It was clear to see there was some pain in her voice, like everyone else she felt responsible for what happened at the Gala. All of them felt, if they had done something differently or if they'd acted sooner then Velea wouldn't be dead and Padmè wouldn't be missing.
"I used to wonder..." Scout suddenly said. "I used to wonder how it was possible for Jedi to fall... how our lives were filled with peace and serenity, that we had everything we could possibly want... I used to think the fallen Jedi were just greedy, that they were never satisfied with what they had and always wanted more."
Aubrie moved around the sofa and sat down next to her. She could see the trembling in Scouts hands and the slight watering of her eyes.
"I was wrong..." Scout said as she clenched her fists. "J-Jabiim... The Gala... I desperately wish I had more power... I wish I could've saved more people... I wish now that Jaden wasn't suffering because I was weak..."
Scout looked up to Aubrie. "If Jaden hadn't of been on Jabiim we would all be dead... yet when we had the opportunity to repay him we failed..." Scout started to cry though she was doing an admirable job of not showing it.
Nonetheless Aubrie leaned forward and hugged her and held her tightly. "I understand how you feel, we all do." Aubrie said as she held the Padawan. "But remember that going down the darker paths often leads to more pain and more suffering, you've heard the same stories as I. None of the fallen Jedi or even the Sith end up happier the more power they obtained."
"They led miserable lives that often ended up alone." Aubrie said as she rubbed her back.
"Is that not the life a Jedi leads too?" Scout asked as he looked up at Aubrie. "We live at the temple and while we have friends we are told never to get attached to them, as if they can be nothing more than colleagues."
"Perhaps you are right... but maybe things will be different now that you've left the order," she replied. "I consider you a friend and I know the others do."
Scout smiled and leaned into Aubrie. "Thank you... I know there are more important problems at the moment... but I—"
"Think nothing of it," Aubrie said with a smile as she stood up. "I'm going to go and check on Jaden... would you like to join me?" She asked.
Scout thought to a moment before shaking her head. "I best not... he doesn't like seeing lots of people at the moment." She then turned back to the holosvreen and turned it back on.
Aubrie nodded, her gaze lingering on Scout, who remained curled on the sofa with her knees tucked to her chest. Scout's hands fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, twisting the fabric as she stared at the screen. Aubrie wanted to say something to ease her pain, but even now she couldn't, she shared Scouts pain and if she couldn't make herself feel better she doubted she could say anything to make Scout feel so. She took a deep breath and walked toward the guest wing.
Outside Jaden's door, Aubrie found Zule sitting against the wall, her knees drawn up and her dark hair falling over her face. Zule's hands rested loosely on her lap, and her shoulders slumped as if she were asleep. Aubrie approached quietly her presence was unnoticed until she spoke.
"How is he doing?" Aubrie asked softly.
Zule looked up startled, and quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She stood, brushing off her pants, and her voice trembled slightly as she answered. "He hasn't changed at all. He refuses to talk to anyone. He barely says a word to me, even when I sit with him for hours," she said quietly.
Aubrie placed a hand on Zule's arm, trying to comfort her in any way she could. "You need to rest, Zule. You can't keep pushing yourself like this," she said gently.
Zule hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering with exhaustion and even a bit of grief. She shook her head slowly. "I can't sleep... Every time I close my eyes, I see Velea, and I... I just need to clear my head. I'm going to get some air," she said, stepping past Aubrie and walking away, even without reaching o it Aubrie could feel the pain Zule felt through the force. Zule had been closer to Velea than anyone except Jaden. They had laughed together, confided in each other, and faced danger side by side. Velea's death had shattered Zule, leaving a wound that mirrored Jaden's but burned in its own way.
Aubrie pressed the access panel, and the door to Jaden's room slid open. Inside, Jaden sat in a chair by the window, staring out at Coruscant's skyline. His appearance still managed to shocked her every time; even when on the battlefield he'd never managed to look as worse as he does now. His hair was matted and greasy, unwashed for days. His clothes, crumpled and stained, clung to a frame that looked gaunt from lack of food. Dark circles framed his eyes, and his face was pale, almost lifeless, as he gazed at the city's endless lights. Usually a Jedi could use the force for sustenance and Aubrie knew Jaden was aware of how to do it, but for some reason he wasn't using it.
Aubrie stepped inside closing the door behind her. "Jaden... you need to take care of yourself. You haven't eaten or bathed in days," she said softly, her voice filled with concern. She waited for a response, but Jaden remained silent, his eyes fixed on the window, not giving any indication that he heard her, just like all the other times he'd visited.
She moved closer, standing beside his chair, and reached out through the Force, hoping to sense something that could help her reach him, maybe something she could connect to. A wave of pain and anger surged from him, so intense that she pulled back, her breath hitching and her hear beating fast. She steadied herself and tried again. "Jaden, what happened to Velea wasn't your fault. She wouldn't want you to sit here, shutting everyone out. She'd want you to keep going, to fulfil the dreams you both shared," she said firmly.
He didn't move, didn't speak. His silence was like a barrier she couldn't breach. Aubrie's chest tightened, but she pressed on, desperate to reach him. "We're all hurting, Jaden, but we're here for you. You don't have to do this alone," she said quietly.
Still, he gave no reaction, his gaze locked on the city outside. Aubrie stood there, searching for words that might break through his grief. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" she asked finally, the desperation in her voice clear l.
Jaden remained silent. Aubrie waited, hoping for any sign, but the quiet stretched on. She turned to leave, her hand reaching for the access panel, when his voice stopped her.
"Find a way to put the void brand back in my head," Jaden said slowly, his voice quiet and hollow sounding, barely carrying across the room.
Aubrie froze, her heart aching at the despair in his words. She wanted to turn back, to comfort him, but the weight of his pain overwhelmed her. She pressed the panel, stepped out, and let the door close behind her, her eyes stinging as she fought to keep her composure.
Aubrie wiped her eyes with her sleeves and then moved back into the living area, her hands clenched tightly as Jaden's words lingered in her mind. His request to restore the void brand, a desperate plea born of guilt, had shaken her deeply. She wanted to return to him, to pull him from the darkness consuming him, but she knew he needed time. Scout remained on the sofa, her knees drawn up, her eyes fixed on the screen watching the holonews.
"Any change with him?" Scout asked quietly.
Aubrie shook her head, sitting beside her. "He's not talking much. He's in pain, Scout. It's worse than I expected. He blames himself for everything, for Velea, for Padmé."
"I don't know how to help him... I fear what may happen if he continues the way he is going..." she said, the pain in her voice evident.
"We can only wait now..." Scout said quietly.
___________________________
The Jedi High Council chamber was quiet, save for the soft hum of Coruscant's distant traffic filtering through the windows. The Council members sat in their chairs, their faces tense as they discussed the war. Mace Windu leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly. "The Separatists have pushed deeper into the Mid Rim. Their armies have overrun our defenses on Felucia, and supply lines to Ryloth are nearly cut off," he said grimly.
Shaak Ti nodded, her expression grave. "The clones are stretched thin. We lose more every day, and production cannot keep pace. If we don't reinforce our positions soon, entire systems could fall," she said quietly.
Plo Koon nodded in agreement as well before speaking up. "The Senate demands we hold the line, but offer little support in doing so. Our Jedi are scattered across the galaxy, leading battalions with no rest. If things continue as they are we risk losing more than just planets," he said solemnly.
Ki-Adi-Mundi's eyes narrowed. "It is not just the war either. Sabotage and espionage grow bolder. The attack on the Eternal Horizon proves the enemy moves closer to Coruscant's heart, if Collan Eislo has ties to the separatists or he decides to defect then I fear we may be in for a lot more trouble," he said firmly.
Yoda tapped his cane, his ears twitching slightly. "Dark, the path of this war grows. Yet another matter, we must address. Rumors of Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, alive in the Rattatak system, have reached us," he said slowly.
Mace Windu frowned, his shoulders stiffening. "Obi-Wan was reported dead on Jabiim Sending anyone to investigate these rumors, with Coruscant in the state it's in after the Gala, would strain us further," he said sternly.
Ki-Adi-Mundi rubbed his chin. "The city is unstable. Republic Security struggles to maintain order, and the Senate questions our every move. Diverting resources to chase a rumor in the Rattatak system could weaken our standing," he said cautiously.
Plo Koon tilted his head, his mask hiding his expression. "But if Obi-Wan is alive, his return would strengthen us. His leadership, his wisdom. It was him and his apprentice that have won us the most battles, as unorthodox as their tactics may be. We cannot dismiss this lightly," he said evenly.
Shaak Ti clasped her hands. "The risk is too great. Coruscant needs us now. Sending a team to Rattatak could be just what they want, especially if these rumors are nothing more than a trap," she said warily.
Yoda raised a hand, his eyes narrowing. "Enough debate. Investigate, we must. Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, this task I give you. Take Padawan Skywalker with you. Eager to find his master, young Anakin will be."
Ki-Adi-Mundi bowed his head. "I will do as you command, Master Yoda," he said respectfully.
Mace Windu nodded. "That matter is settled. Now we must address the Gala and the Sith Lord who was revealed there," he said gravely.
The Council members shifted uncomfortably, their unease filling the room. Vaylin, Padmé's personal assistant, had been a familiar figure, often seen in the Temple during meetings with the senator. Her polite smiles, her quiet demeanor, had masked her true nature. The revelation that she was a Sith Lord shook them deeply, a betrayal they hadn't sensed.
"I find it disturbing that a Sith Lord could stand among us, unnoticed, for so long," Eeth Koth said darkly.
Shaak Ti's fingers tightened on her chair. "Vaylin was in our halls, speaking with us, working beside Senator Amidala. How could the dark side in her go undetected? We should have felt something," she said tensely.
Plo Koon shook his head slowly. "Her origins are unclear. We know only that her mother was close to Chancellor Palpatine. That connection placed her in Padmé's service, but beyond that, her past is hidden," he said thoughtfully.
Ki-Adi-Mundi leaned forward. "The Chancellor's role in this troubles me. Did he know what she was? Or was he deceived, like us? We need to know more," he said seriously.
Mace Windu raised a hand. "We cannot act on assumptions, especially when it involves the chancellor. We need to uncover her training, her master, her purpose. That is the only way forward," he said firmly.
"Have any of you considered speaking with her?" Master Fay said suddenly. She sat at the edge of the circle. She was not a Council member but as of late had been permitted by Yoda to attend for the wisdom she might offer.
Eeth Koth turned to her, a look of distaste etched into his features. "What would we gain from talking to a Sith, she would never answer our questions?" he asked skeptically.
Fay's gaze didn't move. "You might gain nothing. But you lose nothing by trying," she said calmly.
Yoda's eyes crinkled, a faint smile forming. "Wise, Master Fay is. Disturbing, this situation I find. Something not right, I sense," he said thoughtfully.
Plo Koon leaned forward, his voice curious. "What are you saying, Master Yoda?" he asked.
Yoda's ears twitched, his gaze distant as he stared beyond the temple walls. "Destroyed Jaden and all aboard, a trained Sith Lord would have," he said, voice low and thoughtful. "Yet survive, Jaden did, with little training. Held back, did she? Or limited, her power is? Hmmm..."
"You assume she has great power," Eeth Koth said pointedly.
"She does," Master Fay said firmly. "Master Yoda and I walked the Eternal Horizon after the attack. We felt the echo of their battle. Her power is undeniable," she said confidently.
Fay then continued. "I agree with Master Yoda. Something about this Sith Lord is not as it seems. We should speak with her before deciding her fate," she said decisively.
Eeth Koth's eyes narrowed. "Master Fay, you are here to advise, not to decide Council matters," he said sternly.
Fay smiled gently. "And I have given my advice, have I not?" she said lightly.
Mace Windu spoke before Eeth Koth could respond. "I agree with Master Yoda and Master Fay. Speaking with Vaylin costs us nothing and may reveal her origins. We should also question the Chancellor about his connection to her mother and contact any family she has. The more we learn, the better we can understand who trained her and why," he said resolutely.
Shaak Ti nodded slowly. "This is a prudent course. We cannot judge her without knowing the truth," she said carefully.
Ki-Adi-Mundi clasped his hands. "I concur. Let us proceed with this plan," he said decisively.
Yoda tapped his cane. "Agreed, we are. Speak with the Sith, we will. Investigate Rattatak, we shall. This meeting, ended it is," he said. The Council members stood, their robes rustling as they left the chamber. Master Fay rose to leave, but Yoda's voice stopped her. "Master Fay, walk with me you will. To the Republic prison, we must go. Question the Sith, we shall," he said quietly.
Fay met his gaze, her expression calm. "I will go with you, Master Yoda," she said respectfully. They both left the council room after all the others had left—Yoda was not as nimble as the other Jedi Masters and so always left the room last. They entered the corridor and started making their way to the turbolift that would take them down to the landing bay.
As they walked Master Yoda glanced up at Fay. "Well, are you, Master Fay? And young Jaden, how fares he?"
Fay slowed her pace. She clasped her hands behind her back but didn't look at him. "I am well Master Yoda, as for Jaden... I haven't visited him yet," she said with slight guilt in her voice. "I know I should, but I haven't."
Yoda watched her carefully. "Guilty, you feel?"
She gave a faint smile. "After two centuries, you'd think I could manage my emotions better."
She looked straight ahead as she spoke. "It's not guilt over what happened on the Eternal Horizon, nor is it that I was not able to help him there. It's that I don't know what to say to him. He's lost more than I can imagine, and I have no comfort to offer other than Jedi wisdom."
Yoda nodded as they entered the turbo lift. The doors closed, and the hum of the elevator descending surrounded them. He turned to her. "A rejoining with the Force, death is. To all, it must come."
Fay's voice lowered. "That doesn't make the pain less real. You've seen more death than anyone in the Order, Master Yoda. But not all of us carry your clarity or wisdom."
The lift opened. They stepped out and crossed a narrow walkway toward the landing pad. The air was filled with the scent of fuel. A transport shuttle waited at the end. Fay glanced at him. "When did you last feel loss, Master Yoda? Truly feel it?"
He didn't answer at first. He gripped his cane more tightly. "Long, a time it has been," he said. "Wise, you are, Master Fay. Always, anew you see things." He looked up at her. "This, a strength it is. What to say to Jaden, you will know."
"Careful you must be, a dark path Jaden might follow..." Yoda said warningly.
She nodded. "I don't believe he'll fall to the dark side. Even with the Boid brand, he chose to save lives. On the Horizon, on Jabiim. Again and again, he's made the right choice. His path may lead through darkness, but he always turns toward the light."
Yoda considered her words. "Mmm. Trust your insight, I do," he said. "Visit him, you must. Strong, he will become. But guided, he must be."
They approached the shuttle. The pilot lowered the ramp and stepped aside. Fay boarded first, followed by Yoda. He took a seat and rested his cane across his lap. She sat beside him and looked out the window at the city. The shuttle lifted off, rising through the air toward the prison tower in the upper sectors.
___________________________
Collan Eislo sat alone in the command office of the Oberon, a flagship cruiser nearly the size of a Republic Venator, and easily the largest ship in Eislo Interstellar's private fleet. The vessel had been outfitted with cutting-edge tech—military-grade shielding, long-range cannons, and a prototype cloaking array designed for deep-space infiltration. It hadn't been built for war, but Collan had made sure it could fight one. He had taken control of the ship three days earlier, just hours after the chaos on the Eternal Horizon. After a short and all too easy fight with Anakin, he had slipped away with Padmé and the stolen Jedi Holocron, disappearing into the vast shadows of the mid-rim trade lanes before the Republic could regroup.
Now, he sat with his legs kicked up on the desk, boots resting against the polished durasteel surface. The Holocron spun slowly in his hand, the etched metal glinting under the blue lights overhead. He had spent every spare hour since their escape trying to unlock it. The artifact resisted him at every turn. It had been bound by blood—not just any blood, but the genetic markers tied to a specific Jedi lineage.
At first, he had thought it a dead end. But Collan was nothing if not resourceful.
After days of scans, algorithms, and synthetic replications, he found a bypass. A corrupted pulse of Force energy stored within a Sith relic had allowed him to force the binding signature just enough to crack the seal. The Holocron hissed, flickered, then opened.
A projection flickered to life above it.
The room was suddenly filled with pale blue light. A figure stood in the center of the projection—a woman in Jedi robes. Her eyes narrowed as she looked around, and when they found Collan, her gaze hardened. "Who are you?" Satele Shan asked sharply. "Where is Jaden?"
Collan stared at her with wide eyes. For a moment, he said nothing. He stood slowly, his expression lit with wonder. "Incredible," he said, almost breathless. "To think... one of the most revered Jedi Grandmasters stands before me. I've searched for you a long time."
Satele didn't move. "Who are you!?" she said again.
Collan grinned. "I am your new master."
Her face darkened. "Where is Jaden? What have you done with him?"
"He is of no consequence," Collan replied. "You belong to me now. And for my first command... you will tell me the location of his mask."
Satele's expression didn't change, at least to the untrained eye. Collan was able to see the slight fear in her expression when he mentioned the Mask. "I will not," she said, slight anger in her voice.
Collan's smile didn't fade. He leaned over the desk and picked up a curved device made of black alloy. "I would rather not go through the process of removing you from the Holocron," he said. "It's time-consuming, and it would waste a great deal of knowledge rhat you possess. So I'll ask again. Tell me."
Satele straightened. "No," she said. "You meddle with forces you do not understand, the Mask will only bring pain and suffering."
Collan didn't answer. He pressed a button on the device.
The artifact in his hand glowed red. Lines of ancient Sith text pulsed along its surface as a tendril of crimson lightning shot out from it and struck the Holocron. Satele's projection distorted violently. Her expression twisted in pain. Her knees buckled as if something had pierced her, even though her body was not truly there.
"You will tell me," Collan growled.
Satele didn't speak.
He activated it again.
The red lightning surged. Her scream echoed through the chamber, raw and unfiltered, cutting through the sterile hum of the ship. Collan stepped closer. "Whether now or a week from now," he said, his voice low and cold, "you will tell me what I want to know."
He pressed the device again. Satele screamed louder.
....
In the bowels of the Oberon, Padmé Amidala lay curled on the floor of a small cell. The lights had been dimmed to a permanent dusk, and the air was dry and cold. She didn't know how long she had been here. There were no windows, no clocks, no sound beyond the low thrum of the engines far below.
She knew only that time was passing.
Her body ached. Her stomach was empty. They had given her just enough water to keep her alive, just enough food to stop her from collapsing. She hadn't seen Collan since he dragged her onto the shuttle, and she had no idea where they were now. But this wasn't the same vessel. They were on a much bigger ship. She sat up slowly, her movements stiff which made her slow. Her hands trembled slightly from hunger and the cold, but she forced herself upright and leaned against the wall. She had slept, though it was never restful. She had lost count of the hours. Her body screamed at her to give in, to let the exhaustion win.
But she didn't.
Padmé stood.
She steadied herself against the wall and moved toward the cell door again. She had searched it dozens of times already, but she searched it again. She ran her fingers along the edges, feeling for weakness or error. There was no panel to override. No loose seal. But that didn't matter. She hadn't given up.
She wasn't done.
Not yet.
(AN: So we are back, this is more of an epilogue to the gala, just giving an overview of what's happened and where our heroes are. The next chapter will be a bit more exciting and reveal a little more. Also before you mention it don't worry you won't have to worry about Jaden being all depressed for like 20 chapters that's not my style. While he is going to be different and may be on a darker path than before it's all just a part of his journey to find balance. Anyway I hope you enjoyed the chapter.)
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