22

At the sight of Wayland materializing in their front windshield, that uneasiness in Saedii's gut sharpened into anger.

This was the place that Omega had been held captive for the past year. A beautiful prison made of dark verdant forests and craggy mountainsides. But a prison all the same.

Kalth's face was deadly serious as he guided the ship into Wayland's airspace. The two of them had spent the past few hours going over the Tantiss base schematics in detail. Saedii could see the prints in her head, glowing like a maze.

Nala Se's lab was at the very heart of the base. In order to reach it, they would need to make it through an entire contingent worth of stormtroopers. If they weren't shot down upon arrival.

That was why they'd decided to go the direct route for now.

On comms, a voice demanded, "Attack shuttle I2559, identify yourselves."

Massive canons loomed from the distant ground – little more than pricks of light in the afternoon sun. But even from all the way up here, Saedii knew what they were. What they were capable of.

It was only thanks to the letters on the side of their ship that they hadn't yet been shot down.

"The Seventh Brother and Twelfth Sister arriving on order from the Grand Inquisitor," Kalth replied with all the cool confidence of someone who was supposed to be there.

"We have no record of your flight path –"

"A mistake on your end," Kalth interrupted gruffly.

Faint sweat beaded on the back of Saedii's neck. Now that the planet was in sight, her determination was like liquid fire in her veins. Her freedom, her family – all of it was so close. All hinging on this.

Finally, the voice on the other end replied, "Apologies, Seventh Brother. Welcome to Mount Tantiss."

The smallest mountain below suddenly opened up, splitting along an invisible seam in the trees to reveal a massive hangar bay. In the midst of all this green, the sudden splash of lifeless metal was jarring, like a slashing scar across the otherwise beautiful and untouched landscape of Wayland.

Kalth drew the ship down to land. Faint figures of dock workers and personnel scattered to make room for the large shuttle, looking like ants.

But as they drew closer, those figures quickly materialized into stormtroopers with blasters. Shadows by the doors faded into the clear but daunting lines of long-range canons. Saedii frowned at the sight.

"Easy," Kalth warned as he shut the engines off. Down below, a group of stormtroopers gathered, waiting to greet them. "We'll make it out."

"Not here. Not if they discover why we came."

"We'll make it."

The determination in his voice was edged in fear. Kalth was just as desperate for their mission to be successful as Saedii was. Perhaps more.

Air hissed, smelling of stale coolant. Stamping footsteps echoed in through the open doorway. Voices called as they ran post-flight checks on the shuttle. Saedii and Kalth both slid their helmets on and deboarded.

Ten stormtroopers were waiting for them on the landing platform, along with the tall, plain figure of a human man, who stood unarmed. Hands clasped at his navel.

Not just any man, Saedii quickly realized, recognizing his short-cut hair and piercing blue eyes.

Dr. Hemlock.

Rage bubbled in Saedii's chest, threatening to spill. This was the man that had personally taken Omega. He was the one responsible for her imprisonment. Her torture.

The Force pulsed around her in response. It felt charged with her emotions. Begging her to give it direction. Action.

Kalth turned a brief look towards her. A warning.

Settle down.

"Seventh Brother. Twelfth Sister." Dr. Hemlock greeted them with unruffled familiarity. As if their unannounced visit was perfectly normal. "I wasn't aware we were expecting a visit."

The mild greeting was a good sign. Krell hadn't sent out any alarms yet. If he had, the stormtroopers would have been ready to blast them on sight. Saedii relaxed a little and the Force settled around her.

"The Grand Inquisitor has sent us to see the Clone," Kalth answered in the same tone.

Dr. Hemlock rose a brow. "Which one? I have many test subjects here."

Test subjects.

Saedii gritted her teeth so hard that pain lanced down her jaw. If he had experimented on Omega, then Saedii would make his death long and excruciating.

"The defective one. Omega, I believe it's called," Kalth said. His voice was perfectly detached. In the past few years, he had become an excellent liar, Saedii realized.

"Omega?" If Dr. Hemlock was surprised by their request, it didn't show. "Isn't that the one we use to control the young Jedi in your care?"

Saedii made her voice very cold as she stated, "The young Jedi is being difficult. We have been sent to provide...motivation."

Hemlock gave the briefest of nods, as if that checked out. It chilled Saedii's blood at how quickly he accepted their lie. How often had Krell or another visited to dole out punishment for Saedii's failures in the past year?

When Hemlock turned towards a far door, the stormtroopers all fell in line behind them. Above, there was a loud shriek of metal as the hangar ceiling began to fold shut. Covering up their only exit.

Unease slid down Saedii's spine, but she forced herself to follow. There were other exits, she knew. Other hangars. If this one wasn't an option, they would find something else.

They had come so far. They would not fail here.

"I believe your Fifth Sister grows wearied here, keeping watch of my charge," Hemlock said with wicked delight as they passed into the hall. Here, the air was so cool that Saedii felt it faintly against her leathers. Like the stale and sterile air of a medical bay.

"The Grand Inquisitor may not need her here much longer," Kalth answered.

"Does that mean the illustrious Inquisitors are about to gain another sister?"

"It means we are about to have another body for our tombs."

A faint smile pulled at Hemlock's full lips. "If she's anything like Omega, I can imagine that will be a relief. Omega has proven to be quite difficult in her time here."

Fierce pride made Saedii smile behind her helmet. Of course Omega had made it difficult for them. Had resisted.

But that pride quickly died as Hemlock drawled, "No manner of punishment has yet curbed her rebellious spirit."

"Is a little girl too much of a challenge for you, Hemlock?" Kalth demanded derisively as Saedii's fist clenched at her side.

"Less so than the little girl in your charge, apparently," Hemlock answered mildly. That faint little smile still lingered.

Saedii tried to follow their path in her head, imagining the glowing maps and prints that she and Kalth had memorized on the way over. It was further to Nala Se's lab that Saedii had realized. The maps had made it seem much closer to the hangar.

The halls here were even more quiet than they'd been on Nur. Nearly as quiet as the tombs. A strange sort of smell, like bleach mixed with formaldehyde, made the air feel sinister and vile. When they passed by the white doors along the walls, muffled, agonized groans sounded from the other side.

Finally, they emerged into a round rotunda encircled with glass. Below, a dozen beds were laid in a circle, surrounding a massive computer with over a dozen screens. White-clad figures – some humans, others Kaminoans – bustled between the computer and the beds.

Some of the beds were occupied. Clones in varying states of distress were strapped to the clinical white beds. Most weren't moving but a few thrashed at the binds that held them. Screaming.

As Saedii watched, a female Kaminoan approached one of the soldiers and injected something into his neck. The screams ripping from his mouth increased in volume and intensity.

"Astounding, isn't it?" Hemlock watched down with impassive eyes, lips upturned. Gloating. "Our new RX models are truly remarkable. Completely obedient. Stronger and faster than the average Clone. More durable."

Saedii felt like she was going to be sick. She hoped this wasn't what Omega had been forced to do in her time there.

"Impressive," Kalth agreed.

"Our latest batch was just released for duty this week. We anticipate another full batch in another week or so."

Down below, the thrashing Clone suddenly vomited a fountain of blood and fell back against his bed, where he began to jerk uncontrollably. A few doctors and medical droids ran to his aid, but it was too late. He went deathly still.

Hemlock gave an aggrieved sigh. "Perhaps longer. Pity most of them die during the injections. At this rate, we're lucky if we get one from every two batches that survives. It's a frustratingly long process, waiting for results. But such is science."

Behind them, one of the stormtroopers adjusted his footing uneasily.

"We're not here for a tour," Kalth reminded Hemlock frostily.

"Of course." Hemlock turned back to the path ahead, leading them along the balcony. Saedii turned her attention away from the beds below.

In the hall, Saedii forced her hand to loosen from the fist at her side. They were nearly there now. She could see the remaining turns in her head.

"The Fifth Sister," Kalth said suddenly. "Will she be with the Clone?"

"Your sister lurks wherever she feels, though she never strays too far. I'm sure you will be able to see her while you're here."

Kalth's head tilted slightly in her direction. She knew what he was telling her. The Fifth Sister would know they weren't sent to Wayland. She'd know something was wrong.

It didn't matter. If the Fifth Sister dared to stand between Saedii and Omega, Saedii would cut her down.

Nothing would stop her from freeing Omega.

So close. We're so close to freedom.

Up ahead, the door to Nala Se's lab finally came into view. At her side, Saedii's fingers brushed the hilt of her lightsaber.

"Here we are." Hemlock swiped his hand across the controls and the door opened. With hands clasped behind his back, he strolled inside.

Kalth and Saedii followed. Kalth, Saedii noted, had his hand resting on his lightsaber hilt as well.

Inside, two medical beds sat empty, perfectly made with stiff white sheets. A much smaller computer sat at the far end, while a centrifuge with vials full of dark red blood sat at the other. Thin hovertables lined with syringes and gauze were waiting beside a wall stocked with empty vials, needles, and rolls of bandages.

A tall Kaminoan female lingered in the far corner. Her small round head tilted at the top of her long thin neck. Massive black and silver eyes took them in.

Twenty more stormtroopers waited beside the centrifuge, rifles raised towards the door. And at the very center, waiting before them with a smile...

A woman dressed all in black.

The Fifth Sister.

The door slammed shut behind them. Lock clicking into place.

Kalth and Saedii both drew their lightsabers as the contingent of stormtroopers behind them drew their weapons, boxing them in. Red light bathed their white helmets as the Fifth Sister engaged her blade as well.

"Brother, Sister," the Fifth Sister said excitedly. "We've been waiting for you."

Saedii didn't dare take her attention from the Fifth Sister – the largest threat in the room. There was anticipation in her wide yellow eyes – not surprise or shock. She'd known they were coming.

That knowledge was enough to sour Saedii's stomach.

If the Fifth Sister knew, so did Krell.

"Where's Omega?" Saedii demanded.

The Fifth Sister smiled. "You'll never find her before the Grand Inquisitor arrives. He'll be here any moment, to execute you both as traitors."

Behind her, Kalth gave an involuntary shudder.

Saedii looked desperately at Nala Se. If Krell was coming, then Saedii needed to find Omega now. "Where is she?" Saedii demanded of the Kaminoan.

Nala Se's wide mouth opened just as the Fifth Sister swung for the Kaminoan's rounded head.

Saedii threw herself forward.

Plasma screamed as Saedii and the Fifth Sister's blades came together, only inches above Nala Se's throat. Sparks danced as the red blades held one another, sending flickering rays of bloodred light over the walls. Little flares of pain danced along Saedii's wrists as they bathed along her arms.

Behind them, blaster fire erupted as the stormtroopers fired. Muffled grunts and screams followed the sharp buzz of a lightsaber, and Saedii knew without turning that Kalth was taking care of them.

Saedii shoved the Fifth Sister's blade off from hers, giving her space. In the same moment, her arm brushed back to push Nala Se out of her path. Away from the Fifth Sister, who launched herself forward.

"Traitors!" the Fifth Sister snarled, face only inches from Saedii's as their blades came together again. "I knew you would betray us! That you were never one of us!"

The two broke apart. The Fifth Sister's eyes flicked to their right, where Nala Se was cowering as blaster fire erupted off the walls above her.

The Fifth Sister lunged at the same time Saedii did, hand reaching towards the Kaminoan. Saedii caught her by the shoulder and flung her back, grunting as the Fifth Sister's other hand spun around to slam the hilt of her blade into Saedii's helmet.

A knee came up to catch Saedii in the gut. She grimaced but took the hit without flinching, swinging her blade up to parry the next swing that came for her face.

The Fifth Sister pressed forward, looming. Her strength was greater than Saedii's. Her size an advantage. But she was nowhere near as powerful as Krell.

Slanting her blade, Saedii pushed the Fifth Sister away from her. In the same moment, her free hand shot out and slammed the Fifth Sister's helmeted face into the computer.

Cracks splintered along the screen. The metal spike on the top of her helmet stabbed straight through the glass, piercing into the mess of wires and boards hiding beneath. The lights that had softly glowed beneath the keyboard suddenly switched off with a dying flicker.

The helmet fell from the Fifth Sister's head, revealing a trickle of blood that dripped into her eyes.

Snarling, the Fifth Sister engaged her second blade, nearly impaling Saedii in the chest. As Saedii leaned out of the way, the Fifth Sister wrenched free from Saedii's reach and spun, slicing both blades straight for her head.

Sparks danced on Saedii's shoulders as she went to her knees, ducking beneath the blow. A plume of black smoke sprouted into the air as the Fifth Sister's blade sliced the computer in half, scattering smoking chunks of metal across the floor. Broken glass from the computer screen crunched beneath Saedii's knee as she rolled out of the way of the Fifth Sister's counter swing, which missed her by only inches.

"I've waited a year for this moment. To exact my revenge for my exile," the Fifth Sister hissed. Her attention turned back towards Nala Se as her lip curled.

Glass cut into Saedii's knees as she turned, moving in Nala Se's direction. But the Fifth Sister was closer.

Her blade swung for the Kaminoan. Red light washed over Nala Se's round head as she held up an arm in defense.

The blade halted only inches from the Kaminoan's face.

The angry gaze of the Fifth Sister went to Saedii, who had a hand raised in her direction. The Force swarmed under her hold, rife with steely determination.

Cold fury met Saedii's hold, fighting for control of the lightsaber. The Fifth Sister bared her teeth as she struggled to get the upper hand. Bursts of bright light flashed past them – blaster fire that had missed its mark. Dangerously close.

A broken piece of the computer plowed into Saedii's back, causing her to stumble. As she did, the Fifth Sister yanked her arm free and swiped it down, cutting deep into the raised arm of Nala Se.

Pale, silvery blood splashed the walls. Saedii shrieked, "No!" as Nala Se curled in on her arm, which had been cut to the bone.

Nala Se was her only hope of finding Omega.

She couldn't let her die.

Saedii forced herself up, catching the Fifth Sister's blade as it went towards Nala Se's neck once more. This time, the Fifth Sister pressed forward and the tip dug into Saedii's shoulder, sending a flare of burning hot pain down Saedii's back.

An outraged shriek tore from the Fifth Sister's mouth as Saedii slammed a knee into her gut. She stumbled back.

Before she could recover, Saedii was pressing forward, driving her back with her own attack. Shock flashed across the Fifth Sister's face as she struggled to meet Saedii's assault. At the sheer ferocity of Saedii's movements.

A year ago, Saedii had been a different duelist. The Fifth Sister, as much as she'd claimed to anticipate this fight, had not accounted for how much Saedii would have learned from Krell. How much of his own teachings she would have taken and applied to her dueling.

Her movements were confident and sure. Powerful. Uncompromising. A perfect mirror of Krell's own movements.

The Fifth Sister fought back, but she was vastly unprepared. Perhaps, if Saedii hadn't been so damn determined – so angry and desperate to save Omega – it would have been a more even match. But in her simmering rage, Saedii's every move was crisp and sure.

Saedii was faster. Too fast for the Fifth Sister, who roared her outrage as Saedii's blade found its mark twice, leaving blossoms of blood along her shoulder and back. Painting the floor in flecks of blood.

"The Grand Inquisitor will kill you for this!" she roared, voice ragged in exertion and pain as she struggled to hold Saedii's blade.

With their blades locked together, Saedii engaged the swinging motion on her hilt. Before her, the two blades spun around so quick that they formed a perfect glowing circle before her. Battering against the blade of the Fifth Sister, which was beginning to shake uneasily in her grasp.

"He can try," Saedii said coldly.

"Krell will be here soon. There is nowhere you can hide," the Fifth Sister hissed. The ruined half of her face was glistening in the flickering light. Raw and bloody.

Then, she leapt into the air and brought her blade down towards Saedii's head.

On instinct, Saedii ducked and rolled. Following the path of the Fifth Sister's body as she landed where Saedii had been only moments before. There was a shriek of metal as the glowing hot blade scraped against Saedii's helmet. A flare of threatening heat against her scalp as the blade nearly pierced all the way through.

In a single graceful movement, Saedii got to her feet and struck.

Skin and bone tore beneath her blade, ripping a long line down the Fifth Sister's back. More blood burst forth, frothing from the heat of the lightsaber. Splashing against the white walls in macabre fashion.

A surprised breath escaped from the Fifth Sister's lips. She stumbled forward a step, dropping her lightsaber. One surprised hand reached over her shoulder for the wound there, which was weeping blood onto the floor. Flashes of white bone peered through the split muscle. A deep hit.

Without hesitation, Saedii drove her blade into the Fifth Sister's chest.

Shadows flickered in the Force as death claimed the Fifth Sister. They were cold on Saedii's skin as she yanked her blade out from the woman's chest, and her lifeless body crumpled to the floor. A ringing peal sounded as her empty lightsaber bounced on the metal floor.

Heavily silence washed over her. The blaster fire had died off. There were no more groans of pain or last breaths. Just a slight ringing in Saedii's ears.

The silence was broken by a silky voice that drawled, "Impressive."

When Saedii turned, her body went rigid as she found Hemlock standing behind her, Nala Se in his grasp. An arm was tight around her slender throat, keeping her in a headlock as he held a blaster to her temple. Nala Se looked at her helplessly, hand pressed to her bleeding arm.

The stillness of the room washed over Saedii then. Without having to look, she knew that Kalth had killed the stormtroopers. Knew that he lingered at her back, ready to help her save the Kaminoan.

"When Krell warned me that two traitors were on their way, I should have known it would be you," Hemlock said conversationally, directing his words to Saedii. "But I didn't recognize you in your Inquisitor blacks. You look very much the part now. You even move like an Inquisitor."

Anger boiled in Saedii's blood. Not at his words, but at the way that his arm was wrapped so tightly around Nala Se's neck neck. At the way the Kaminoan was trying to communicate without words, eyes wide and full of emotion.

"Omega talked about you. She said you would come for her," Hemlock taunted.

"Where is she?" Saedii's voice was death and ice.

Smile widening, he taunted, "You'll never find her. Not before your master arrives."

All the rage and fury that had simmered inside of Saedii since she'd arrived broke free, and her gaze flickered red. One hand rose on its own accord, fingers curling like they were wrapping around his throat from across the room.

The blaster was crushed in his grasp. Bone snapped as Saedii wreathed the Force around the arm that held Nala Se, shattering it. A startled scream slipped from Hemlock's lips.

It cut off with a choke as Saedii wrapped the Force around his neck.

At her side, Kalth was very still.

"You can't," Hemlock gasped. Voice raw.

Her hand flexed as she tightened the pressure. His choking grew more frenzied, eyes bugging.

Somewhere far away, a voice told her to stop. Revenge was not the Jedi way. Killing was a duty and nothing more.

Yet when Saedii looked at Hemlock, she thought of all the pain that Omega had endured. Thought of all the dead Clones who'd been tested on and ripped apart. And that voice quickly fell quiet as she yanked him towards her and struck her lightsaber up into his gut.

The choking quickly died. Hemlock's face, only inches from hers, went slack and his eyes grew distant. And Saedii knew that he would hurt no one else ever again.

The anger died inside of her and she let him go, feeling oddly cold. She'd never made anyone suffer in their death before. Not on her own. She swallowed as she lowered her lightsaber, fighting against a rush of guilt.

Krell would have been proud.

It was a terrifying thought.

A hand gently touched her shoulder. "We need to hurry," Kalth's voice said quietly.

Saedii took in a slow breath. They were nearly free. Nearly done with the nightmare. Once she and Omega were safe, Saedii would have time to undo all of Krell's teachings. Time to sift through all the terrible things she'd done. To heal and forgive herself.

Now wasn't that time.

Nala Se coughed, good hand reaching up towards her serpentine neck to gently touch where Hemlock had held her. Wheezing breaths scraped from her lipless mouth.

"Omega," Saedii said at once. Desperately. "Where is she?"

Those massive eyes of hers glistened. And when she spoke, her voice was like shattered glass.

"Gone."