Obi-Wan straightened up and did as he was told, but not before taking a quick second to look back at the girls. The look on his face seemed to be one of pity. At least from where Vana was sitting.

As Kenobi followed his captor down the catwalk, he looked around. He seemed to be in some kind of underground facility. Or maybe a water pipeline? Judging by the flowing man-made river far below them.

As they took a turn, Kenobi once again spotted 'Lady Vi'. Waiting for them by an exit tunnel.

"Hope he didn't make too much of a fuss," Melinoe jabbed.

"Quiet as a mouse droid," The guard joked back.

Melinoe nodded to the guard and motioned for Obi-Wan to follow her. The two made their way down the much smaller hall. Eventually, reaching an elevator. They stood there in uncomfortable silence as Melinoe pressed the button for one of the top floors.

"So 'Lady Vi'?" Kenobi wondered out loud. "Was Raza not to your liking anymore?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

As the elevator made its ascent, the scenery changed. From the dark caves to a glowing red skyline and polished buildings with workers running about. The thing in particular that made Obi-Wan want to huff was the giant golden statue of the Karkarodon off in the distance.

The quiet was interrupted by a recording over the loudspeaker. "People often say to me, Drax Horne, why do you pay your employees in a currency that's only good at the company outlets?' Well, to be upfront, I hate the thought of any of my hard workers getting robbed at some shady establishment. Horne Company supplies only the best to its customers."

Obi-Wan looked over to Melinoe in shock. She was having a hard time hiding her disdain for this little speech.

Melinoe reached into her pocket and fished out a beeping communicator.

"What's going on?" She asked as the holo of a bearded man appeared.

"Wanted to check in with you," The man told her. "We're in position and ready to go."

"I just have one small thing to sort out."

"I think I'm owed a bit of an explanation," Obi-Wan interrupted.

"Who is-"

"No time," Melinoe said as she put away the holo. She rolled her eyes and turned back to Kenobi. Handing him a small holo map. "Follow this to the main square. From there, you'll be able to find the boy and get out of here."

Obi-Wan stared at her surreptitiously. "What are you up to?"

"I don't have time to explain all of it. Something important is going on, and I can't afford you getting in the way."

"Excuse me?" Obi-Wan said in disbelief. "You think I'm just gonna let a Sith go about her business."

"If you want to get your apprentice back to Coruscant safely, yes," Melinoe said as she stepped out of the elevator.

Obi-Wan rushed out of the lift and stepped in front of her. "This isn't over."

"Unfortunately," Melinoe sneered. She pushed him out the door and slammed it shut.

Obi-Wan huffed and started walking. He stopped for a moment when he heard the door open again. Only for something to come flying at his head. Obi-Wan continued to grumble as rubbed his head with one hand and picked up his fallen lightsaber from the ground with the other.

As the Jedi walked across the square, he noticed beings had started to gather near another statue of the Karkarodon. A wine-coloured Twi'lek stood at the base.

"In the last few months, my husband has been gathering information," The Twi'lek spoke to her fellow workers. "Information that will help us win this fight against Drax Horne. Soon we will all be free from his greedy desires and impossible demands. We will take back our home! Take back the freedom that was stolen from our forefathers!"

Obi-Wan watched in concern as several guards started making their way over. "That's enough out of you, 'daki."

The cowrd started pushing them back. Loudly shouted at the guards to back off. Obi-Wan stepped forward to help them but then spotted the guards pulling out small trigger devices. It seemed to make the workers back off a bit. Looks of concern flashed in their eyes.

"I think the lot of you need to be taken down a peg," The head guard smirked. Pressing down on the shocker.

"No!" Obi-Wan shouted as he willed the controller out of the man's gasp a second too late.

The only thing was... it didn't seem to be doing anything. The workers all looked at each other. Surprised that hundreds of volts weren't rushing through their bodies.

"Wha- What's going on?" Another guard said as he tried pushing the button on his own remote.

"The collars aren't working!" Someone in the coward shouted in realisation.

The red Twi'lek spoke up again. Yelling to her people in a confident tone. "Now's the time! Fight back!"

Obi-Wan stood there. Surprised as the tides turned and the workers started rushing ahead. Knocking the guards down. Obi Wan was able to discern that this place would likely become a warzone very quickly. He rushed off. Wanting to find his apprentice as soon as he could.

A ways away, two men worked towards shutting down a power generator.

"The defective collars should make things a bit easier," Karaay smiled as he worked.

"Bless those girls and their insane suggestions," Sestu grinned.

"Once we get this shutdown, their communicators and means of escape will be out. Carnelian should be able to handle everything from there," Karaay walked through his own personal checklist.

"We've got company," The Dathomirian pointed to several armed men heading towards them.

"I'll cover you," Karaay assured the other man. Lifting up a blaster and taking aim.

"You there!" They didn't hesitate to start opening fire. Karaay, in turn, started aiming for their shoulders from behind his makeshift barricade.

"We're outnumbered!" Karaay shouted as he took one of them. Only to see another six of them pushing forward.

"Just a few more seconds!" Sestu yelled back.

Karaay panicked for a moment when his blaster ran out of ammo. He looked around and spotted another weapon lying on the ground next to a knocked-out guard they had taken care of earlier. He made a drive for it. "Let's see what you do."

To his surprise, the abandoned gun seemed to be some kind of grenade launcher. Firing it caused Karaay to be knocked to the ground and their attackers to go flying. "Holy kiff!"

"I got it!" Sestu grinned as lights and machines started to shut down around them.

"Get down!" Karaay warned as the three remaining guards continued shooting. Firing another grenade at them.

Karaay's shot was a second too late, as Sestu wasn't fast enough to duck out of the way. Right before they were hit, the guards managed to get Sestu in the shoulder and the chest a few times. Causing him to fall to his knees.

"Let's get you out of here," Karaay reassured him. Helping him off the ground and placing the other man's arm over his shoulder for support.

They were in the final stretch now. Karaay just hoped everyone was having better luck than the two of them at that moment.

Back at the centre of town, Cordelia and Melinoe were rushing their young friends to safety. Making their way down the dark corridors with light feet.

"Are we gonna see mum and dad soon?" Oriana asked Cordelia. Clinging to the older woman's side as they walked.

"Yes, sweetie," Cordelia tried to smile. She was trying to hide it. Anyone could tell that she was still worried. The guards may have left to deal with the insurgent, but Cordelia didn't want to take any chances by letting the group's guard down.

Horne had always been a slimy man, and Cordelia didn't doubt that he had backup plans for everything.

"Do you remember what you need to do when we get to the safe house?" Melinoe asked Vana.

Vana nodded her head. "Take a ship and get to Marazi. Then Lady Cordelia will be able to publish the files."

Despite the minor setback of the lack of chip, Horne had remained confident. He had effectively been able to blackmail her people back on Marazi by keeping her captive. Telling them that if nothing was released, Cordelia would remain alive.

And to make matters worse, she hadn't been able to fight back in the first few weeks. Horne had rubbed salt in the wound by threatening Oriana and Vana if she had tried anything.

Cordelia never lost hope. One thing about Marazi was that they had always been able to push through and find a way to fight back. Despite thousands of years of subjugation and misjustices, her people always found a way.

And her family was no exception. Karaay and Melinoe found a way to integrate themselves into Horne's so-called company within weeks. Finding allies and starting to destroy it from within. With Melinoe being hired as the new secretary and misleading Horne at every turn. Karaay found a place among the workers and worked with Vana and Oriana's parents to kick the revolt in gear.

"Stop right there," A greasy voice called out to them from the other end of the hall.

The four of them slowly turned to see Horne and two guards pointing blasters at them.

"It's over, Horne," Cordelia told him. "Just let us go."

"You really think you're in a position to give orders?" Horne laughed. "Take aim, boys."

The women were quick to put the younglings behind them again. Giving warning looks to the gunmen.

"It's funny that you thought a couple of Marazi was enough to bring me down," Horne bragged. "And to make it wor-"

Horne stopped his speech as his guards suddenly slammed into each other. Knocking them out instantly. He looked back around to see the sisters with their hands raised. "You're -"

"Stop talking," Melinoe told him. Using her own powers to lift him in the air.

"Wait, hold a second! Let's make a deal!" Horne panicked.

No one seemed to be falling for it. All four of them stared at the man in total contempt. Melinoe's eyes flashed towards one of the many windows lining the hall. Before Horne could say another word, Melinoe flicked her hand in the direction of the window.

Meanwhile, things weren't going quite as well for the Jedi Master and the Rebellion Leader. Obi-Wan had just made his way to the docks. He was still looking for Anakin and starting to panic a little (not that he would never admit it). It was quiet. Not surprising, considering where everyone else was.

Out of nowhere, Obi-Wan heard something getting knocked over. He turned with his lightsaber drawn. Only to see the same red Twi'lek from the square. She was leaning against some barrels. Holding her arm while wincing in pain.

"Are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I've been better," She answered. Trying to straighten herself out. "But I'll be fine."

"You can't go back out there," Obi-Wan reached out to stop her. "You'll get yourself killed."

The Twi'lek didn't seem to appreciate this. Pointing her blaster at Obi-Wan with an angry look. "Keep your hands away from me."

"I don't mean you any harm," Obi-Wan raised his hands. Not wanting to escalate the situation.

"I can't afford to stop now," She said with a hint of desperation in her voice. "We're so close."

Obi-Wan inched closer to her. About to say how everything would be okay, but since his focus was on her, he didn't notice Anakin sneaking up from behind.

The woman noticed right at the last second. Turning around with the gun still in her hand. Only to be met with a lightsaber through the gut.

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan shouted as the woman fell to the ground.

"She was aiming a gun at you!" Anakin shouted. Not realising this woman wasn't an enemy.

Obi-Wan leaned down to the woman. Trying to see if there was any way to help her. She looked up at him. As she struggled to breathe. Obi-Wan didn't know what to do.

It seemed things were starting to go belly up for the others as well. At least from Karaay and Sestu's perspective. They were dragging themselves across town. Trying to get to the safe house. And it seemed like Sestu was getting heavier by the second.

"Just a little further, Sestu," Karaay tried to confront him. "Then I'll get you some of the good stuff."

Sestu managed to let out a small laugh at that. Which was a good sign to Karaay. His goals were to keep Sestu awake and to get him to the safehouse for medical supplies.

They made it to the square, and the place did not look pretty. Half the shops had been lit on fire or broken into. There were people everywhere. At least the workers seemed to be overpowering the guards' forces, which was good.

Karaay continued on his way. Only to stop when he heard a smash and screaming from above. He looked up to see a familiar-looking Karkarodon falling to the ground. Karaay didn't have time to stick around, but the others had noticed this as well. They all started walking towards the (surprisingly still alive) CEO with angry looks on their faces. Horne started screaming at them to back off, but his demands fell on deaf ears.

Karaay tried not to look back. As much as a morbid part of him wanted to, he had more important things to focus on. A relieved feeling warmed his heart as they approached the building where the safe house was, but that feeling was crushed when seeing the inside.

Once they walked inside, they were met with ash-covered walls and everything in disarray.

"What happened here?" Karaay cried as he placed Sestu on a tattered couch.

"One of the guards accidentally knocked a bomb in here," One of the rebels answered.

"Kiff," Karaay muttered to himself. Running a hand through his hand while trying to think of what to do next. "Can you bring me some medical supplies?"

"Sorry, everything was damaged in the explosion."

"Kiffing kiff!"

Karaay did the best he could with what he had, but it didn't seem to be enough. When Sestu was hit, several of the shots pierced some important organs. Without the proper meds, Karaay couldn't do much for him. Which infuriated him to no end.

"Hey," Sestu whispered as Karaay applied more bandages.

"What's up, mate?" Karaay said with a forced smile.

"I... I wanna know if I don't make it..." He stopped to wince in pain.

"It's not gonna come to that," Karaay said firmly as he continued to work.

"Please, if something happens to Carnelian... someone needs to look after our girls,"

Karaay took another deep breath. He knew Sestu was being realistic, but it didn't make it any less painful to hear. He knew how much it hurt to lose someone. Too many people had died throughout his life, and the fallout was always so unbearable.

This was one of the things you had to bear when taking the Marazi Oath. It was gut-wrenching, but death was a part of life.

"I promise," Karaay stopped for a moment to look Sestu in the eyes. "I swear to protect them with my life."

Sestu smiled. Finding his answer acceptable.

Karaay thought things were going well for a moment, but then Oriana and Vana appeared in the doorway.

"Pa!"

"Hey, girls," Sestu grinned as his daughters ran over.

The girls started asking a barrage of questions. Asking if he was all right. If he knew where their mother was? Was it all over? Sestu just stared at them fondly. Not really sure how to answer their questions. It seemed like he was just happy they were alright.

Karaay decided to give them some space. Finding there wasn't anything else he could do for the man. He approached Cordelia and Melinoe. Both of them were giving him a concerned look.

"There's not much I can do for him. Too much damage to his eternal organs," Karaay hung his head in shame.

"Any sign of Carnelian?" Cordelia asked.

"Haven't heard anything," Karaay sighed. "I think we should start preparing for the worse."

"No, surely-" Cordelia started but stopped when she heard a ruckus coming from the next room.

The three of them peeked their heads through the doorway to see someone carrying what looked to be Carnelian in their arms.

"What happened?!" Cordelia rushed over to check on their ally. Only to gasp when she discovered the woman to be dead.

"She was found by the docks like this," The man said with a tear in his eye. "I have no idea what happened... Where's Sestu? He has to know about this."

No one said anything for a while. Having no idea how to break the news to the others. Especially the girls.

Karaay was eventually the one to do it. Carnelian was dead. Sestu wouldn't last any more than a few hours. Two parents gone within a few hours of each other.

That was until Melinoe stood up suddenly. Making her way over to the fading Sestu. Karaay watched the two from the other side of the room. He couldn't make out what they were saying to each other, but at some point, Sestu nodded at Melinoe with a hopeful look on his face.

Karaay wouldn't know what Melinoe did at that moment for years to come, but somehow after that talk, Sestu started getting better. Slowly but surely his wounds started to ease away.

It was one of the longest nights of their lives. Some of the others had gone looking for supplies but had no luck. Others tried to find something to do so they didn't bother the now windowed husband and his children.

Everyone sat in silence as the 'night' dragged on. With the exception of Vana and Oriana. Who could be heard whispering to their father throughout it. No one could really hear what they were saying. They all tried to give the family their space. Especially after telling them about Carnelian.

Even if they could think of something to talk about, it just didn't feel right at that moment.

A ringing started sounding off to indicate the day was starting. Along with a voice over the intercom saying the rebels had taken over and Horne was dead. It was a horrible example of a bittersweet victory.

Cordelia was quick to call Teeseven and inform him that he was clear to release the chip's information to the public. Now that outgoing holograms from the moons weren't being monitored.

She was originally expecting to leave Obani almost immediately but decided against it. She, Karaay and Melinoe ended up staying for a few more days. Mostly to help arrange funerals for Carnelian and to make sure her family was looked after.

Over the course of those days, something seemed to be bothering Melinoe. When Cordelia found the time to ask her about it, she was surprised by the Sith's answer.

"The wound that killed Carnelian," Melinoe said with furrowed eyebrows. "It wasn't a blaster. It was a lightsaber."

"What are you saying? Do you think the others will accuse you?" Cordelia worried.

"No, I was with you, Vana and Oriana the whole time," Melinoe sighed. "I just have my suspicions but nothing to back them up other than that wound."

Cordelia hung her head in disappointment. Due to the power outage during the riot, all the security cameras were out. That meant no footage of what happened to the workers' leader.

At this point, it just felt like more and more bad news had started to pile up. Although there was a small glimmer of light on the day they were leaving. Or two glimmers might have been more accurate.

Karaay was getting the ship ready for takeoff when Vana and Oriana came running to the ship.

"Wait for us!" Oriana shouted as she adjusted her bag over her shoulder.

"Clam down, kiddo," Sestu told his youngest as the three of them approached the ship.

"Are you sure about this?" Cordelia asked Sestu. "We can help find you somewhere to stay here if you want."

"We've been stuck on these rocks our whole lives!" Vana explained. "This is the last place we wanna be."

Sestu nodded in agreement. He had explained to Karaay a few days before that what Carnelian would have wanted was for Vana and Oriana to grow up somewhere that wasn't Obani.

"Are you sure Lady Vi won't train us?" Oriana whispered to Cordelia. "Dad told us it was okay."

Cordelia leaned down to the girls and placed her arms on their shoulders. "Give her some time. She's still trying to work a lot of stuff out."

After the victory over the Horne Company, many of the residents were spreading out. Some were returning to their home planets. Others had decided to stay and remake Obani for the better. In the case of 'dakis some were heading to Marazi to join Septs. Many apparently planned on joining Melinoe in helping make a new one.

It was a very surprising turn of events for Cordelia. She had hoped Melinoe would eventually agree to be a part of an official Sept when Cordelia suggested her for the rebuilding in the Cold Step regions. She just didn't expect it to be so soon.

For lack of a better word, Cordelia was proud. She was proud of Melinoe for building this life for herself. She was proud of Karaay and Jaks for staying strong even after what had happened with the Mandalorians.

And at that moment, Cordelia was so proud of those two girls. Proud of them for being determined to live the lives their late mother would have wanted for them.

This is another chapter I feel I rushed. Like if I were a professional writer, I would have another episode to develop Sestu and Carnelian some more.