With everything settled, as far as the situation allowed, the two captured Sith were bound, watched closely by Vila and Master Katarn. The latter was now leaning against the bulkhead, arms folded, keeping one eye on the prisoners and another on the stormtroopers, sweeping the hangar and the ship they wanted to use to escape. Vila, on the other hand, was now guarding the prisoners with all her senses, who, to my surprise, calmed down a lot and remained silent.
Of course, she wasn't the only one, as HK-O1 had taken it upon himself to pace behind them like a prison warden, occasionally muttering darkly about missed opportunities for creative disassembly and ideas on how to dispose of the human meatbags.
Nearby them, Grand Admiral Pellaeon stood beside his honor guard, speaking in low tones with my Master. As for what their discussion was about, I had no idea, and I didn't try to listen in on it, not by ears and not via the Force.
But... I got way too curious. So, with a quick exchange of glances with Vila, knowing she was just as interested in what was going on, I found myself stepping a bit closer, trying to listen in. The Admiral's posture was straight, tall, and with such dignity that it showed that although he was showing great respect towards Ben, he wasn't acting subservient. From what I know, it was a given, as the Admiral had fought against the Rebels all his life and was the greatest orchestrator behind the current Imperial Remnants, and why they could be reborn in the way they did after so many decades. And he wasn't even a Jedi...
Finally getting closer, I could catch some of the words being spoken between them. My Master listened without interruption, arms folded behind his back, his gaze peaceful as he let the Admiral say everything he wanted.
"You have my respect, Master Skywalker," Pellaeon expressed as I caught the conversation, "Your actions today likely averted a disaster—both politically and otherwise. But you also have to realize that we, and I mean the whole Imperial Remnants, don't want to take part in any of your Jedi matters. Force wielders have been way too dangerous for this Galaxy, time and time again."
"We understand," Ben bowed his head slightly. "And I didn't come here for thanks, Admiral."
"No," Pellaeon agreed. "I know you did not. But you must understand that for most people, when they learn about Force users coming into contact with one of the leading families of the Remnants... They will think that you came to finish what Caedus started. But from the other side of the line."
"That is a baseless conclusion," Ben flinched only slightly at the name, but I also caught the slight disturbance in his feelings. "This has nothing to do with his name."
"Are you sure about that?" Pellaeon sighed. "The Second Galactic Civil War is only years behind us. And, once again, it was caused by whom? The Jedi. You must understand why most people don't care about Sith or Jedi. Force users are the same in their eyes. Your Father was exiled from the Republic because of what his nephew did. Your Order was exiled because your Force users are, pardon my wordplay, a force to be reckoned with."
"That is why we decided that we can't take up any kind of position in any government. Anywhere in the Galaxy. That is our way." Ben said, keeping his voice calm and his emotions even, but only on the surface, "But there are groups who do not follow the same thought process. We are after those."
"Good." Pellaeon's voice softened just slightly, an undercurrent of something more human peeking through the facade of an old, hardened Grand Admiral. "But understand me, Jedi Master Ben Skywalker. The Imperial Remnants cannot afford an open collaboration. Not with you. Not with your Order. The memory of Darth Caedus is still raw in many systems, and your surname—however noble—is just not something we want to see mentioned together with us. The moment the Galaxy learns about it and sees Jedi and Imperials marching side by side, rumors will spread, factions will ask questions, and we'll have another schism before we finish patching the last."
"You don't need to hammer it this hard, Admiral Pellaeon." Master Ben exhaled slowly and nodded his head. "I didn't expect help. I wouldn't ask for it either, as I am well aware of the implications. I just need open space to pursue and capture the rest before they go completely underground."
"I agree." Pellaeon gave a short nod. "You'll have it. No pursuit. No interference on our part. Your crew may use our charts to follow the trail if it leads you beyond our borders and after the others. But when this is over… You leave. It is already a big enough issue to deal with the aftermath of this all... I don't need more on my plate. I am old... I want to rest, knowing that the Empire can live past me without anything endangering its existence."
"Don't worry, Grand Admiral." Ben looked toward me all of a sudden, making me flinch and begin to back away. "We have the same goals here."
I didn't know what else they talked about afterward because I quickly pulled back. Just when I was about to go over to Vila and tell her what I heard, someone came up to me—someone I did not expect or want to talk with—my Father.
"Kael."
"Grand Moff Alric." I nodded back, my arms at my sides, speaking with the man who once called himself my Father. I don't know what he expected, not that I could read his face and somehow... I didn't want to, so I never even tried to reach into his mind with my ability. I just wanted nothing.
"I studied the situation," he said at last, not even flinching at how I addressed him. "This whole debacle is all easily traceable back to one simple issue: The so-called Force. Now you see why I hate people like you."
"..."
What the hell could I even say to something like that? If I said I wasn't stunned by his words, I would be lying through my teeth.
"This whole debacle could very well damage the Valtherion name," The Grand Moff, whom I refuse to even call my Father after this, continued quietly. "Here's how this will be recorded," he explained. "Darian was manipulated. Swayed by outside forces. These... Sith. They had infiltrated the station under false pretenses and twisted his healthy ambition into treachery. A tragedy, really. But an understandable one and a reason why no Force-users should be trusted."
"Disgusting." I looked at him finally, eyes narrowing, trying to hold back the anger that I was starting to feel, which was slightly overwhelming me. But I had to remain calm—at least until I could release it privately. "You're going to save face by painting him a victim?" I asked sarcastically because I knew that this man would do just that. And, lo and behold, he simply told me to my face without ever feeling embarrassed about it.
"Yes," The Grand Moff declared flatly. "And you will be the one who exposed it. A Jedi—unaffiliated with our government—chasing their own brethren sheds light on the truth. Thanks to you and your companions, we and the Grand Admiral caught the ploy, and we resolved the situation cleanly. Professionally. With minimal disruption."
I felt my jaw clenching, but I didn't respond. What could I say? I wanted to call him something fancy, but I did not have the words to do so.
"This situation could have destroyed House Valtherion. The whispers alone will have an effect on us, staining our name across every fleet from here to Bastion. The day when you left had already done some damage... now, your eldest brother's blunder is piling on it. Still... with you both here, I have a scapegoat… and a savior."
"I am glad that I'm not part of this family anymore," I said, squeezing the words out through gritted teeth. "Remember?"
"No, you're not." He nodded, raising one eyebrow as if I had just stated something stupid. "I already declared you stricken from any family ledgers and from the Imperial registry. And I will not reinstate you," The Grand Moff continued, tone calm, detached from everything. "Even this appearance risks weakening our image, but that is an issue I will deal with. We'll make it clear that while you are a Jedi—and acted without ever informing us about your presence—you are an outsider. You did not come here because of family ties but because of the draw of your brethren." he nodded towards the captured Sith, "The corrupted ones. I will be grateful and place emphasis on the fact that your lot thwarted their plans and freed my eldest son from their mind control... but that is all I will do."
"How graceful of you," I offered sarcastically, "You will put all the blame on them, on us, and make Darian into a martyr."
"A necessary fiction," He acknowledged it without feeling ashamed. "One that salvages this mess."
I just stood there and studied him for a long moment. On the other hand, the Grand Moff didn't blink once. Didn't look away. Didn't waver. Just like always.
"You were going to name him your successor," I said quietly. "Even knowing what he was becoming. I guess he won't even be in jail for long, eh?"
"He was strong," Alric replied. "And strength carries weight in our world. You know that. You… walked away from all of it. As for how long he will be in jail, that is to be seen. Even if not for long, his career is over, and he will have to leave his family name behind. I can't risk it, and as nobody will ever trust him, he is as good as... dead."
"How sad," I laughed once, short and bitter. "And here I thought you felt some compassion towards him because he is your son."
"He was my son." He said firmly, "Not anymore."
"I suppose this is where you dismiss me," I interrupted him, raising a hand. Then... he said something weird.
"No," The man added. "I thank you."
"What?" That actually made me look at him again, thinking I had misheard him. His face hadn't changed, his voice remaining just as even. What was he on about?
"I will not welcome you home," he explained. "But I will not deny what you did here. We will not interfere with your mission, and I guess the Grand Admiral will also make the same decision."
"That's at least something..." I muttered, shaking my head.
This time, the Grand Moff didn't respond, so I just nodded, accepting it. It was better than nothing. Without waiting for anything else to come up, I turned and walked away, leaving him behind in the shadows of the hangar lights and joining the others.
I realized just then that Ben had also finished his part and was waiting for me just beyond the edge of the security line while the others began bringing the prisoners away.
"You alright?" he asked softly.
"No," I hesitated before answering, then shrugged. "But I got what I expected."
"I see." Ben gave me a small smile, one filled with understanding, and reached out to squeeze my shoulder. "Sometimes, that's enough."
"It will be enough..." I agreed while I let my eyes drift toward Vila, still watching the Sith, walking behind them in line. "Let's go, Master. We still need to find out what they were doing here."
"True." He nodded, walking beside me, "Let us see where they lead us next."