The branching path.

[Will]

Beric stared at the holo-projection of the woman. She was repeating her message. Her entreaty to him, to meet her. As he barrelled through hyperspace, one thought ran through his mind.

How did she know?

How did she know of his exile? Did the Imperial Knights have spies in the order? Had they turned his order against him? Yes... so simple. The Imperial Knights, the former guard of the Emperor, deposed when the Sith became ascendant. The Jedi and the Knights had always been rivals. And Beric was the head of them. A mighty foe to be deposed...

''NO!''

He slammed his fist on the console, banishing the thoughts. Something was happening to him... he knew it. It was the damn artefacts. They were twisting his mind, making him a creature of hate. But no. He controlled them. He was master of the light side of the force. He could destroy their corrupting touch.

He regained control. He shot a glare back, his gaze burning through walls and bulkheads to the artefacts. They would not win.

His ship, a custom personal vessel, fell from hyperspace into the darkness of normal space. And before him, a grand ship, the Excalibur, roving base of the Imperial Knights. Their grand symbol. And it was breathtaking. A marvel. A show of the might of the Knights. He opened comms.

''Banishment of the Dark, coming in.''

* * *

''The Jedi ship is coming in, ma'am.''

Vulkmir looked over the great expanse of space with a practised eye. His enhancement had given him gifts that others would see as a wonder. But the true wonder was the void before him.

And ripping through the silent expanse was the blade shaped Banishment of the Dark. It was a beautiful vessel, a piece of the finest Thustran manufacturing. The symbol of the Jedi order was emblazoned upon it.

The order that stole Nikola.

''Prepare an honour guard for the Grandmaster.''
​

 

[Dmitri]

In the command bridge of the stolen Predator-class Star Destroyer, Excalibur, was an odd site. A single wooden, stiff chair stood where one of the observing seats once stood. It was occupied by a woman in red armor, with hair dyed crimson. The additional wooden chair had been chosen by the woman, Knight-Commander Bellatrix La Rouge. It was to symbolize that she was not just sitting comfortably in some silk or pluffy chair while others were dying in a space battle.

Bellatrix was accompanied by Vulkmir 'Lightning' Valtiere, a strong and valiant man. He was one of the more experienced Imperial Guardsman the Imperial Knights had. Normally, a Knight-Commander would have been accompanied by Vulkmir's superior, but General Bythos had been one of the casualties of the Battle of Lehon.

Vulkmir reported the arrival of a vessel. Bellatrix could sense the powerful Grandmaster inside. No, former Grandmaster. The Jedi Order had grown anxious and unsettled, resulting in a few usurping their greatest member. Still, Bellatrix was a little bit concerned by what else she sensed. Something... dark.

Bellatrix sighed. She knew what it was like to be betrayed by those close to her, and so she felt it was best to approach Beric and speak with him. If Beric were to lose sight of himself, as she almost had, then Beric may be lost forever, possibly falling to the Dark Side. The presence of this dark taint troubled Bellatrix. She would need to be careful.

"Let him aboard," commanded Bellatrix.

Vulkmir acknowledged by issuing the order to have an honor guard be ready to await Beric's arrival. Bellatrix then ordered that Imperial Knights be on standby. As she left, she requested the VIP quarters be prepped in case Beric decided to stay longer. A room had already been set to house Beric's and Bellatrix's 'conversation'. She asked Vulkmir accompany her.

"Something's afoul," informed Rouge as she walked down the hall and entered a turbolift. "Something Dark is coming from the Grandmaster's ship. Have a squadron of Knights prepped and on guard, but do not board his ship, unless I say so or an attack comes from it."

Something whizzed by. Almost like an ember, but Bellatrix knew it was a wistie. She had brought many with her on her travels from Endor, and they were a good means of surveillance. She telekinetically requested a few wisties keep an eye on the Banishment of the Dark.

The turbolift arrived at a lower level and it was a bit of a distance of a walk to the hanger in which Beric's ship had been transferred to. She arrived as the ship docked, waiting at the end of a dozen-strong honor guard.

 

[Will]

The gangplank descended, hissing slightly as pneumatics propelled the metal slab outward, before it crashed to the deck.

Beric was stood on it as it fell. He looked at the assembled honour guard, his face emotionless, a mask. He still wore the ancient Karasu armour, heavily engraved over the milennia, altered for each wearer. He was an imposing sight in it, sword and legendary lightsabre belted at his hip. His eyes were flecks of flint, emotionlessly scouring the landing deck.

''Knight-Commander. You honour me. I believe there is much for us to discuss.''

He eyed the seven and a half foot monster leading the honour guard. There was a familiarity about that face... A Valtiere.

''Valtiere, I was honoured to teach one of your kin''

* * *

Vulkmir was about to get everyone moving when the ex-Grandmaster fixed his gaze upon him. It was as if the simple act of looking at the Imperial Guard commander was enough to flay his body open to peer at his mind. He was stumbled for only a moment.

''Then you knew him better than I did, sir.''

His voice took a hard edge, the tone slipping before he could take control of himself. He cursed inwardly.
​

 

[Dmitri]

Beric stepped from his ship, an imposing sight. He reminded her of the Grandmaster who had been in office during the time that she had been a Padawan. However, unlike that one, this one looked more like a warrior. Not just the armor, but the expression on his face. Cold, emotionless. Bellatrix La Rouge wondered if it was how Beric normally was, or he was just trying to hide what he was truly feeling inside.

"I honor those who deserve it," said Rouge. "Some may not think you deserve it, those outside my order, but I do believe you deserve such honor and respect." How she avoided mentioning the Jedi in particular was a clue that she was respecting Beric's wishes if he didn't want others to know what had happened. "We shall speak, though in private, I guess you'll wish." She gave a teasing smile. "Oh, what will people think, the two of us hidden away in a lonely room." She laughed.

Beric addressed Vulkmir, in which Vulkmir responded. Vulkmir seemed a little on edge. Rouge raised a hand at Vulkmir.

"Let us be at peace, boys," said Rouge. "Hostility will do us no good here." Rouge faced Beric. "This ship is equipped with a mobile command center. I believe the Empire had hoped to use it during occupations of conquered territories. Since it is not used, we can converse there. I no doubt guess that you'd rather us speak in private rather than having many eyes upon us."

Rouge motioned for Beric to follow her inside to the turbolift. As she walked, she sent a telepathic message to the ship's captain to follow Operation Red Rose. It was a precautionary measure. She would create an illusion of a rose in the command deck near the captain. If it were to disappear, the captain was to eject the mobile command center into space. If Rouge did not contact them within a prearranged time, the captain was to shoot the mobile command center into dust. Rouge didn't like having to do such a measure, but she was suspicious of what she felt inside Beric's ship.

"This ship was the first of its kind after we took it from the Yaga Shipyard," continued Rouge. "Please don't look down on us for it. The Predator-class was originally designed to be a ship for the Imperial Knights. All we did was take what should have been ours."

The walk to the mobile command center was only a couple minutes longer. Inside the central compartment, a table had been set up for Rouge and Beric to talk. She had the cooks on stand by in case Beric was hungry, but wasn't about to force a meal onto the former Grandmaster. He would probably prefer talking, which was why she chose silk chairs to be placed inside. She could sense a few wisties inside.

 

[Will]

Beric was about to reply to the hulking soldier before the Knight commander stopped them.

Beric smiled, the first smile that gad graced his face in a long time.

''You are far too kind, Knight-commander. Yes, let us chat. We have much to discuss, you and I.''

He looked about himself as he walked through the ship to their destination. This was the first Predator class he had ever seen, let alone come aboard.

''This is a marvellous ship, Knight-Commander. I've never witnessed a Predator class, let alone set foot on one.''

They came to the room where this meeting of the powerful would be held. A command centre. How fitting.

Beric sat down.

''Now, why did you summon me here, Knight Commander?''

He was straight to the point, as ever. The former Grandmaster had never been one for the meandering trail of conversation.

* * *

Vulkmir saw the Grandmaster bite back a reply as the Knight commander stopped their conversation. He had let himself act brashly. It was no way to talk to a Grandmaster, exiled or not. He led the honour guard to the room, taking his position at the door as the two force users passed inside the command centre.
​

 

[Dmitri]

Bellatrix La Rouge offered Beric to sit before she herself sat down on a maroon silk chair. She offered the same politeness to Vulkmir in case he wanted to, though was unsure if the soldier would feel comfortable doing so.

Beric's surprised that Beric went straight for the point. Jedi, including Grandmasters, were known for their cryptic conversations, but tended to dislike when it was done to them; a bit ironic, as everyone else tended to not appreciate the Jedi's crypticness.

"Please do not misunderstand me, Beric Kanasur," said Rouge, to clarify. "I did not summon you. To summon is to imply you had no choice. I invited you, giving you the option for this meeting. Choices dictate our lives. Generally, we dictate them. However, sometimes outside factors choose for us. In this case, I invited you here to discuss the choice a certain Jedi Master named Daisuke and many others made by voting no-confidence in your leadership." Her eyes narrowed. "Yes, to answer your suspicions, I do have some spies in the Jedi temples, but none of your students, or rather former students, are any of them."

Rouge pointed to a corner of a room where two wisties were playing.

"Those beings are called wisties, sometimes referred to as firefolk," explained Rouge. "They hail from Endor. While they look like fireflies, they are actually very intelligent. I'm on good terms with their Queen and she occasionally helps me out, as I to her." Rouge placed her hand back onto her lap. "Do not fret. I do not spy on the Jedi so that I can outmaneuver them or crush them, but rather the Jedi tend to be a good source of information. You see, many Jedi feel their fellow members are so trustworthy, and will spill out secrets believing they're safe within the confines of the temple. All I do is 'gather' the gossip.

"As you can guess, the talk of late has been the sudden dismissal of three Councilors, the Grandmaster amongst them. Of course, I no doubt surmise that Daisuke and his fellow campaigners will paint some stories that you stepped down willingly, even volunteered to step down, as to make the transition for the new Grandmaster less tensed."

Rouge eyed Beric. "You must be feeling betrayed, right now. I know how you feel. People may lie and feel sympathetic, but it's not that I can imagine what you feel, I know how you feel. I've been betrayed many times in my life. Each time I've been able to stand up due to my determination and loyalty. Mine has been the determination to fight the darkness. However, yours is more... confined, fragile yet strong. For you, the Jedi Order was your pillar. With it gone, you've lost your support, and on the verge of losing yourself. I have come to you, not you to me, so that I may offer my support. I do expect to fill the gap left by the Jedi Order, but wish to offer my help to give temporary support, so that you may find your own path. As Jedi Grandmaster, you swore to lead the Jedi and to combat the darkness of the Force. You've lost the Jedi, and only darkness remains. My question to you is this: Shall you continue to combat the darkness, or let your despair entrap you in darkness, enslaving you?"

 

[Will]

Beric stared at the Wisties. They were like dust motes caught in a beam of sunlight. Innocuous... and yet...

He snapped back to attention when the his overthrowing was mentioned. She spoke of the spies in his order.

He knew it. This one had her ears everywhere, it seemed. It was a sound choice. But it made him trust her even less. It was an underhand tactic. It allowed not only observance, but also the manipulation of events. The whole fate of an organisation could be tipped by a lone double agent.

''If I find any of those in my ship, Knight-Commander...''

His tone was without anger, but aloof. The tone the Grandmaster used when presenting himself to the lesser members of the order.

Betrayal. She spoke of it. What did she know? She had not built up the Empire to it's modern glory. Their Emperor had. And she was not betrayed by the Empire, the Sith simply infiltrated and usurped. Beric had been cut off from the Jedi by his own order. By his colleagues. Those he had taken into the order, and helped mould into the Jedi worthy to fight the Sith. He had given his life to them, and they had left him with nothing.

''I...am unsure. The Sith are ever the enemy. The darkness will descend. I must think on this. To fully turn my back on the order... it is a big decision. You must give me time to ruminate. Do you have a more...permanent base of operations I can contact you with my decision?''

Beric seemed to waver in front of her, his emotionless mask cracking, resolve fading. Someone to join again. Another way to fight the darkness.

But at what cost?

 

[Dmitri]

Bellatrix was disappointed that Beric seemed to be isolating himself more than loosening up. He didn't seem to be happy with knowledge of the wisties and commented that none better enter his ship.

"Your ship does intrigue me, Beric, due to the dark aura it holds; my guess is Sith artifacts," said Bellatrix. "I have given my orders to my men, and the wisties, to not board your ship. You are a guest, and I shall treat you as one, and thus your privacy aboard your ship, unless you give me reason to doubt its inability to do my ship and my men harm, which you'd be notified if such measure is taken, is guaranteed."

Beric didn't seem to take her sympathy well, and only then did Bellatrix realize her mistake. She had come at an approach as if she understood his pain. She knew the pain of betrayal, but not of his likes. She had not built a faction and improved it, only to have it betray her; in truth, she hoped that she would not have to ever experience this pain.

"I do not ask you to turn your back on the Jedi," said Bellatrix. "I only offer aid. The Jedi confronted you, and you left, self-exiling yourself. Do not fret. With the exception of the Sith, and probably Chiss too, most will welcome back people. Even the Mandalorians will allow self-exiles to return, if even if only just once. The Jedi are not the Sith, and will let you back if you choose. It is true that whether they'll let you back on the Council, let alone Grandmaster, is up to you and your endeavors. My advice is this though: lay low for a while until Daisuke's campaign dies off."

 

[Will]

His eyes narrowed again, expression becoming cold.

''It would do well for you not to pry, Knight-Commander. You said you respect my privacy.''

She wanted to know what he had. She wanted to take them. And use them against him, to gain more power. She was the enemy. She had sent spies, she had known about his downfall, and she knew what was in his ship... She should be eliminated...

No.

They worked for the good of the Galaxy. They were like the Jedi, but they were active. They were hardened by their own betrayal. So much like him. He could continue his work here. He could drive back the darkness.

''You have enlightened me, Knight Commander. Your path appeals to me. I shall consider it while I lay low. I shall need the time to consider my next moves.''

He rose, smiling. The first true smile he had in many long decades.

''Obviously, I cannot contact you on this ship. It is moving. Is there somewhere else I can meet? Something more permanent?''

He was already warming to the idea, his very soul suffused with energy.

 

[Dmitri]

Rouge bowed her head down apologetically. "My apologies if I meant any disrespect. I was mearly stating my own opinion on the subject, nothing more. However, if my hunch is correct, I would suggest you make sure that you're not being affected by them; Sith artifacts have a way of borrowing through the mind. Introspection may be advisable. Still, like I said, your privacy is your own and the dark aura from your ship, as long as it remains inside your ship, does not threaten the well-being of this ship and crew and thus your ship will not be boarded."

Beric seemed conflicted on what to do. Finally he choose appeasement, an open door. He asked about a means to contact Rouge.

"On Ubuuqa, there is an estate called the Pelladioste Estate. We have a small hideout there. There, you should be able to obtain a means to contact me. If on the event you unable to do so, whether the base is destroyed or some other reason, you can always try the Jedi academies. On ever seen Western border of its properties is a nest of wisties where the wisties I mentioned previously use as home. Let them know that you're looking for me, and I'll contact you." She laughed. "Don't get the wrong idea, like I'd be spying on you. I mean to imply that I can use the wisties to send back a message, using them as a sort of medium.

"Remember, if you need any help, just let me know. I'm always open to help others. If you're needing places to stay, there is a few abandoned Imperial Knights safehouses that we don't use anymore. Due to our numbers."

 

[Will]

He would be taken aback by the lack of trust the Knight-Commander showed.

If he were a lesser man. It was understandable. He was an unknown variable. He should not be allowed near important assets. No. Not until he could be trusted. Until he had decided.

He smiled again.

''Well, Knight-Commander, I have some fading from the galactic conscious to attend to. I will contact you again within the appropriate amount of time.''

He shook her hand, leaving the command centre. He went straight for his ship. It had been to long. He needed to study. To unlock their secrets.

They cannot help you. You are destined to belong to us.

He gritted his teeth, pushing the voices away. They would not win.

He strode up the ramp, the doors closing behind him. The engine became a roar as it lumbered into the air.

The Grandmaster left the Predator class, his ship disappearing into hyperspace. He had options now. All he needed to do was remain undetected. Cause no trouble.

He looked over his artefacts. He picked up the helmet, turning it over in his hands. A warlords helm, horns rising up from the brow. He placed it back on the counter, his expression thoughtful as he stared into the baleful green eyelenses.

* * *

''What do you think, Ma'am?''

Vulkmir walked in through the doors after the Grandmaster left, taking a seat in front of her.

The Grandmaster had seemed good natured, peaceful, strong. The model Jedi. But there were flickers... a sharp word, or a barbed look.

He was sure it was nothing, but it never hurt to be careful, especially with such a powerful individual.

 

[Dmitri]

As Beric left, Vulkmir entered. Rouge offered a chair to the soldier, in which Vulkmir accepted. A screen lit to life, showing live security footage. Rouge would not let the ex. Grandmaster walk unwatched while he was on the ship. She had respect for the man, but that did not mean laxing on security.

"It's hard to say," admitted Rouge. "Internal conflict wages inside him. I would like to say that he won't avoid falling to the darkness but despair is such a subtle thing, always hidden its consequences are."