Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kenobi was dead.

Maul had abandoned everything he had built, had followed the Jedi's trail across the galaxy, only to now be told by this- this child that Kenobi was dead.

Killed by Darth Vader.

"I'm sorry for your loss," the boy offered, shivering despite his thick jacket. "Ben was a good man. I miss him too."

Maul scoffed. Miss him? Maul didn’t miss Obi-Wan Kenobi. He was angry because Kenobi hadn’t died by his hand.

"Why don't you come in? Any friend of Ben's is a friend of mine. A friend of the Rebellion. And if you've come all this way, we can't turn you back out into the snow. We don't have a lot to offer. Maybe Han can give you a lift on his next supply run? No clue where they'll send him, but it'll get you off Hoth, at least."

Maul let himself be led inside. Because the truth was, he had survived some truly awful planets, but Hoth seemed suddenly too cold to bear. The boy led the way silently, likely giving Maul room to gather his wits. Another small kindness. It was ludicrous to mistake Maul’s anger for grief, but kind nonetheless.

Kenobi was dead - and with him, Maul’s vengeance. Sidious remained (as always) far from his grasp. What was he to do now? Return to Dathomir and take back the reins of the Crimson Dawn from Qi'ra's capable hands? Hardly. He'd found cartel life too soft, too administrative. He had been more than happy to leave for Malachor when he'd learned of the Emperor’s interest in the old Sith Temple. Yet despite tracking Kenobi across the galaxy, despite all his efforts with Ezra Bridger (now missing and presumed dead after the Battle of Lothal, his poor apprentice), he had been too late to have his revenge. Because Kenobi was dead.

And who was Maul without Kenobi out there somewhere in the vast galaxy?

With Ezra's unwilling assistance, he had learned that Kenobi had retreated to Tatooine after the Republic's collapse. But Maul had arrived too late. Kenobi had already abandoned that place. He had followed rumor and instinct - and a whisper in the Force urging him inexorably forward - meandering across the galaxy, here, to Hoth.

But this child, the one that baffled Rebel guards had shuffled forward when he'd demanded to speak with Kenobi (standing knee-deep in snow outside their hanger door, wondering how the Rebels had survived this long if it was so easy to sneak up on them), claimed to have seen Vader cut Kenobi down himself. There was no whiff of deception about him, only a ringing endorsement from the Force. Kenobi was dead, and with him the purpose that had been carrying Maul forward since he had fallen on Naboo. Without it, he felt empty, he felt -

When the boy set a tray of food before him, Maul realized he had been slowly slumping in his seat. The boy looked sympathetic. "We're at the end of the frozen vegetables, so these are a little freezer burnt, but the nutrients are still good. We ran out of fruit last week." He was horribly apologetic, as if this weren't a treat Maul would have killed for as a child.

"But I did convince the chef to give us a bit of hot chocolate!" He put a steaming cup of weak brown water in front of Maul as if it were a real triumph. There was something so earnest in the way the child waited for his guest to taste that Maul gave in. Honestly, it wasn’t bad; the hot chocolate was warm and sweet in the best ways and it did almost make him feel a little better. The boy broke out into a wide, pleased grin and took a tiny, sparing sip from his own mug.

"Oh! I just realized I never really introduced myself! I'm Luke Skywalker. Ben was my mentor for - um, for a few days, before he died.” His face fell. “We were neighbors on Tatooine. He helped me find Leia and the Rebellion after my aunt and uncle were murdered by the Empire."

Luke didn't seem to notice that Maul had stopped eating to stare. Skywalker? Even Maul knew the identity of the "Jedi" that had destroyed the Death Star, but Darth Vader had created someone this guileless and kind? And to judge from his age, Kenobi must have taken the child during the fall of the Republic and run to Tatooine...

The last piece of a puzzle he hadn't realized he had been solving fell into place. Ezra had asked the Holocrons how to defeat the Sith and Maul to find his purpose. The Force had scrambled the vision, he had thought at the time, giving them nonsense pieces of each other's answers. But what if it hadn't? What if it had been one vision all along, their sight interwoven because their answers were so entwined? In their first vision, Maul had seen Kenobi, had gotten real, tangible proof of his continued existence, and Ezra had seen… twin suns.

And in their second vision, Ezra had seen Kenobi for himself and Maul had seen the twin suns. He had understood it then to signify Tatooine and been right; Kenobi had hidden himself away on the very planet where he and Maul had taken the first steps along their shared path. But what he had never stopped to consider was why Kenobi and twin suns were also the answers to Ezra's question.

What he had wondered was why Kenobi had gone to Tatooine. He hadn't joined the Rebellion, as Lady Tano had, nor had he gotten himself killed doing another one of the brave and stupid things Jedi were inclined toward (Maul should know, he had checked all the Imperial lists personally). No, Kenobi had gone to ground on Tatooine. That did not sound like his Kenobi. It rankled him, moreso when he'd found Kenobi's pathetic hut in the wastes. Had his nemesis become so pitiful?

(Had Maul?)

But what if Kenobi had been protecting something - something that fulfilled Ezra's desire to destroy the Sith?

"Sir? Are you alright? Do you need help?" Luke asked, blue eyes wide with concern. "You blanked out there for a minute."

Not something. Someone. This child was the prophesied destroyer of the Sith?

"What did that Jedi fool get you into?" he found himself demanding.

"He was trying to help the Rebellion. And me. That's how he died: fighting Vader on the Death Star when we went to rescue Leia," Luke instantly defended Kenobi. "I didn't have anywhere else to go, with my family and Ben all gone, so I stayed with the Rebellion. Besides, Vader and the Empire have to pay for what they've done!"

Maul would have laughed if he weren't so horrified. Kenobi had protected the boy, had set him up to go to war with Sideous and Vader, and yet Maul wouldn't have guessed he was a trained apprentice. He had, Maul thought as he peered at Luke through the Force, a ridiculous amount of raw power, but no refinement. No skill.

"How long did you say he had been training you before his death?"

Luke blushed. "Only a few days. We didn't get a chance for any more than that. But I'm trying to train myself." The boy looked deadly serious as he said these words.

"Train," Maul repeated despairingly, "yourself. Kenobi put you in Sideous's path completely untrained? What was that fool Jedi thinking? Sidious will crush you without a second thought -- or turn you in an instant! I thought that little Ezra was a half-trained mess, but you are so ignorant! And there are no others now; Lady Tano is dead, as are Bridger and Jarris. No more Jedi," Maul crooned softly. The words were less triumphant than he had imagined they would be.

"Yeah," Luke said sullenly, something dangerously like a whine in his voice, "I know all that already, even if I don't know who any of those people are. I don't see what other choice I have, though!"

"Well..." Maul said slowly. An idea was forming in the back of his mind, perhaps desperate and half-baked, but offering him a new sense of purpose. "The Jedi may have died with Kenobi, but they were not the only masters of the Force."

Yeah," Luke hedged, for the first time beginning to look at him with suspicion. "There are the Sith, like Vader."

"Mmm, yes, the Sith too consider themselves masters of the Force. But there have always been others; they are less well known, perhaps, but no less powerful for their obscurity. The Bardottan Mystics, the Night Sisters, and renegades - such as Lady Tano and… myself."

"So you are a Force user," Luke breathed. "I'd wondered. But not a Jedi?"

"No," Maul confessed carefully, drawing out the word, lowering his voice, and leaning in conspiratorially, "not a Jedi. An exile. Once, I was apprenticed to the most powerful Sith. He threw me away when I failed him, left me in squalor and madness for years." He hissed out a breath, steadying himself in the Force. His next words came out resolute. "But I have carved my own path, neither Sith nor Jedi. Like so many, I seek an alternate route to power." Luke's eyes were wide, and he had unconsciously leaned across the table to hear Maul's murmured tale. "Perhaps… perhaps I could teach you."

"You would do that?" Luke gasped, blue eyes wide with wonder and excitement. Yes, Maul had him!

"But - but wait, 'most powerful Sith'?" Luke jerked back suddenly, realization lighting up his face and then rapidly being replaced by anger and fear. "You mean the Emperor. You're a Darksider. Ben warned me about the Dark Side!"

Of course Kenobi had already warned the boy of the Dark Side. Mere hours of training with a Jedi and that was their first lesson: Fear the Dark. Maul was pleased to say Kenobi could keep up with him even in death. In the Force, Luke threw up weak mental shields. They were nothing Maul couldn't have destroyed easily, nothing that would stop Sidious.

"Little Jedi," Maul coaxed gently, "in the Emperor's galaxy, the lines between Light and Dark blur. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Luke's chin only jutted out defensively. "How did you say you knew Ben again?"

"We've had dealings throughout our careers," Maul lied smoothly, "since we were both apprentices not much older than yourself. We did not always see eye to eye, but Obi-Wan Kenobi…" Beneath the table, Maul could feel cold metal through his trousers; he could still smell burning flesh mingling with sickly sweet garbage when he let his mind drift. "Kenobi changed my path irrevocably."

Luke did not relax, but some of the hostility left his gaze. "You're no friend of the Empire, then."

"No!" Maul cried earnestly. "No. The Emperor has no friends, only pawns. I would align myself with the Rebels - with the Alliance to see him brought down."

The boy looked truly torn. On one hand, Maul was a skilled Force user willing to train him and aid him in his goals, and on the other, he was a professed user of the Dark Side. "But how can I trust someone who uses the Dark Side? Who the Emperor trained? How do I know you won't betray us to your old master?"

The mere thought of supplicating himself before his master with Skywalker in tow, of throwing this innocent child before Sidious and begging to be taken back, made every part of him rebel.

Sidious' horrible laughter echoed in Maul's ears. Savage was dead; his corpse had not yet cooled, but Maul was already defeated. He was not strong, as Savage had always believed; he was no Sith. Maul was a worm, begging for pity from his brother's murderer.

"Please, Master! Please - have mercy!"

"There is no mercy," his master cackled, and lightning blazed.

" - Never!" Maul found himself roaring. "I will never allow him to rule me again! I will not be Sidious's pawn, some weapon he can wield and dispose of. Vader is welcome to that miserable honor. I will cut him through as he did my brother and drag his legacy through the garbage!"

Luke's eyes were wide, and Maul realized he had lost control - he had been screaming his tirade against Sidious. The cafeteria was, thankfully, practically empty, only a group of confused-looking engineers watched them from across the room, but as Maul glanced warily at them, one peeled away and slipped out the door. He would inevitably bring trouble, and for a moment Maul entertained the idea of killing the fool. But perhaps that was not the most amiable way to begin his alliance with the Alliance.

Maul wilted, lowered the accusatory finger he had been brandishing, and settled himself back on the cold metal bench. "I apologize. I have been alone for a very long time, and my manners are somewhat rusty." Maul took a sip of cocoa to cover his awkward apology.

Luke's eyes grew, if possible, larger. "Oh. Um. It's okay. A-are you okay? Only, it sounds like you've been through a lot." Luke took his hand and squeezed in a way that Maul (unpracticed as he was in interpreting interpersonal body language) thought was meant to convey comfort. "You're among friends here. Almost everyone has lost someone to the Empire. The Alliance has resources, too, if you want. To help you work through, uh, what you're going through."

Maul was at a loss for words. Luke had meant the gesture completely - he offered his condolences and comfort to a man who only a moment before he'd accused of being an agent of the Dark Side. Hoth suddenly seemed a little less cold.

"I - "

"Luke!" a female voice greeted, and Maul jumped. He had (foolishly) been so focused on Luke that he'd lost awareness of what was happening around him. Luke and Maul both looked up at the petite human woman who had joined them, and from the corner of his eye, Maul watched the engineer slip back onto his seat, still eyeing their table. Was this girl the backup they'd sought? She turned scrutinizing brown eyes on Maul, not hostile, but with (in Maul's opinion) the correct amount of suspicion. "I heard we had a guest."

"Leia, this is Maul. Maul, this is Princess Leia." Luke gave them both a lopsided smile. "Leia, Maul's a Force user! He's offered to teach me!"

Maul met the princess's sharp gaze with a small bow at the waist. "Your highness."

Princess Leia, the last surviving member of the Alderaanian royal family, was a name with which Maul was familiar. A young, savvy politician with one of the highest bounties in the galaxy, she'd garnered a formidable reputation. Damn her timing; Maul disliked politics on a good day, but his hearts still pounded in his ears and he could taste blood. (An illusion or had he bitten his tongue?) He did not want this now.

"A Force user? How… fortuitous." The princess was tiny, but when she crossed her arms and looked down her nose at him, it was not without effect. "Assuming you're not an Imperial spy."

"Leia!" Luke cried aghast.

"Generally friends don't sneak up on you in the snow, they announce themselves. You're lucky our scouts didn't shoot you on the spot." It was a clear threat.

"They are lucky they didn't try," Maul snarled.

The Princess tensed and scowled impressively. "I think you need to meet General Draven, now."

Maul growled and launched himself to his feet, swiftly followed by the boy.

"Leia!" Luke cried. "Can I talk to you? Over here? Please?" Before Maul could act, his apprentice dragged the princess just a few steps away and began a hissed argument that was still clearly audible.

"I was just talking to him about this, and he totally broke down. He doesn't need Draven, he needs a grief counselor! And I need him."

"I understand that, but Luke, Force users don't just show up! What if he's a plant? The Empire used to use Darksiders to hunt down the surviving Jedi. They called them Inquisitors. We thought they were all killed, but who knows what kind of things the Emperor has been creating in the meantime!"

"That's the thing - he knows! Leia, he says he used to be the Emperor's apprentice before Vader! But the Emperor betrayed him and now he wants to help us!"

Leia gaped at him. "And you think this makes him more trustworthy?"

"Alright, fine, obviously that makes him either Force-sent or a total trap. I get that. But you didn't see what happened when I suggested he would turn us over. I think he really hates the Emperor."

The princess gave him an unimpressed look.

"...but you're probably right that somebody should check him out first. Just not Draven. They'll kill each other."

Maul was indeed not brought before this General Draven. (Unfortunate though that was; he could have used a fight.) Instead, he had to contend with the head of the Alliance herself, Mon Mothma. She was soft-spoken and hard as steel, even over holo, but she requested his story and listened as he told it. His pitch to her was much the same as what he had told Luke. Although he here emphasized the boy's lack of training. As he described in as few words as possible his final encounter with Sidious and Savage's death, Mothma paled.

"I confess," she said quietly, "you have a convincing story, and Commander Skywalker has vouched for your character. The problem is that we have no way to verify your claims."

"The lightsaber your people took from me was not proof enough?" Maul grumbled.

"It lends credence," she allowed. "Is there anything else you have to offer?"

He sighed and scowled at the table. "Qi'ra, leader of the Crimson Dawn, knows my story." He disliked having to invoke the syndicate; it made him feel reliant on them. And Qi'ra was certain to call with questions as soon as the Rebellion contacted her.

"The crime syndicate?”

“The same,” Maul confirmed.

Mothma sighed softly. “Very well. Here is what I shall do. I will have General Draven look into you and your contacts. In the meantime, you will be given a place to stay and freedom under Commander Skywalker’s observation.” The holo flickered. “I hope for your sake that you are what you say you are.”

“My lady,” Maul said with a small bow, “believe me when I tell you that I desire Sidious’s downfall as much, if not more, than you.”

Mothma leveled cool grey eyes at him. “That, I do not doubt. My concern is that you will burn Luke up in the process.”

Maul snorted. “Are you saying you wouldn’t?”

Mothma dismissed him and ended the call, off to pass down her orders. Maul took a moment to collect himself in the quiet. There was a chance this was it - his last opportunity to strike against Sidious. The Emperor would destroy him when he learned of Maul's intention to train the boy; Luke was too powerful to be overlooked. His final gambit, his last chance to destroy the man who had used him and killed his brother... relied heavily on the Rebellion to Restore the Republic.

Maul strongly disliked irony.

He pushed open the door to find Luke and the princess waiting in the hall, already aware of the verdict. They had also been joined by a rough-looking Corellian in leather and a rougher-looking Wookie.

"Mothma called. Congratulations, you passed the first test." Luke grinned as if he meant it to be funny, but Maul did not see the joke. "Until she and Draven clear you, someone has to be with you whenever you leave your room. No offense - it's pretty standard when new recruits show up through unofficial," he made quotation marks with his fingers, "channels. They'll verify your story and you'll be allowed to move around freely in no time.

"I think Mon likes you," he said apropos of nothing as he offered Maul the pieces of his 'saber back. It was the thing of a moment to reassemble his cane. Maul disliked presenting as weak, but it was better to be underestimated than arrogant. The boy began to lead the way toward his newly assigned quarters on the Rebel Base.

"What's it take?" asked the Corellian. "We've been working together for ages and she still hates me."

"I believe Master Maul doesn't charge for his services. I suppose that helps," the princess said with undisguised irony.

"Hey! I'm taking a significant discount for a pilot of my skills. It's hyperlane robbery is what it is!" he snapped back.

"You would know all about that, wouldn't you?" she said primly.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Luke said, as if this sort of interaction were entirely normal. "Maul, this is Han Solo and Chewbacca. They're smugglers. They're the ones who got Ben and I off Tatooine, and they were there on the Death Star, too."

"A pleasure, I am sure," Marl said tonelessly, exhausted by so many introductions.

"What, no threat for us?" Solo demanded, only half in jest.

"Do you require one?" He shot a glare at Solo out of the corner of his eye, but hunched further over his cane. Please let them be getting close to whatever ice cave he'd been assigned.

The princess snorted a quiet laugh. "Don't antagonize him, Flyboy. If he is what he says he is, he's dangerous."

"Yeah," Solo drawled. "They tell me you knew the Old Man."

"Indeed."

"Guys, give it a rest," Luke ordered. There was no authority in his voice, but both Organa and Solo fell silent. "Han," he changed the subject without segue, "how'd your mission go?"

Solo snorted. "I got the fuel, kid, but I'd bet the Falcon it's been cut with something. Ain't pure."

The Wookie howled in agreement.

"Poodoo," Luke swore. "You were right, the price was too good to be true."

"We had to try," Organa soothed. "But what do we do with all the fuel? Can we purify or repurpose it?" She turned her big brown eyes on Solo even as she wrapped a comforting arm around Luke.

"Maybe." Solo shrugged, then began babbling when the princess's gaze turned to a glare. "I mean, sure, why not? The heaters are already busted enough as is, they could probably handle it."

Humans, Maul decided, offered comfort in the strangest ways. But he appreciated that, for a moment, he was not the subject of everyone's focus.

"See? I'm sure the engineers will think of some use. It won't go to waste," the Princess insisted.

"Yeah," Luke gave a weak smile. "We just have to keep looking. Oh, uh, and we're here, Maul. This'll be your room while you're on Hoth. It's not much, but. Well. It's not out in the snow?" His smile became more ironic.

"I'll be by at nineteen-hundred to bring you to dinner, okay? And Leia will arrange to have some clothes brought for you. You’re going to need something a lot warmer than those boots, or you’ll lose your toes!”

The door closed behind Luke, the child never ceasing his babbling long enough for Maul to correct his concerns. Soon, he found himself in his barren room blissfully alone.

Maul, having no personal possessions to unpack, shoved the cot into the corner and settled into the first form of a meditative kata, content to spend the next few hours familiarizing himself with this planet's (and by extension, the Rebellion's) particularities in the Force. He had always preferred movement to idleness, if given a choice. But he required meditation, and the katas were a meeting of the two.

He was exploring in the Force another series of ice caves a few dozen clicks to the north, which housed a particularly irate Wampa, when the Force prickled. He was being watched.

Maul knew instantly it was not Sidious; there was no accompanying wave of darkness, only faint amusement. But neither were these watching eyes mortal. He did not break his stride; refocusing his gaze in the Force, Maul zeroed in on this place, weeding through the tangle of Rebel Force signatures. There, in this room with him, was his guest, but he was like nothing Maul had ever felt before - and yet somehow familiar.

“Hello there."

Maul spun abruptly, one end of his ‘saber lit, and slashed at Kenobi.

His blade met only empty air.

And yet, there was something there. Where his saber has passed through uselessly, emanating light and taking familiar form, Obi-Wan Kenobi appeared before him. Perhaps he was a bit older than when they had last met, perhaps a bit more ragged, but he was unmistakably Maul’s nemesis.

“Is that any way to greet an old friend?” Kenobi scolded.

Maul's gut dropped to somewhere near his long-lost ankles.

Kenobi looked nothing short of an apparition - like an avenging spirit in the Old Tales, or perhaps a Sith turned immortal. But no Jedi would make use of the dark arts necessary for such means of preservation. A hallucination, then? He had experienced them before, but never so vividly or with so many specific, little details. Hell, he could even smell Kenobi: familiar human musk and hormones, ozone, and an underlying sweetness that had always been unique to the Jedi.

Despite his near-certainty that it would do nothing, Maul slashed through the ghost of Kenobi once, twice more. Each time, his blade passed through only air, and Kenobi’s response was to tuck his hands into his sleeves, unimpressed.

“Are you quite finished?”

Maul lowered his ‘saber and extinguished the blade, wrinkling his nose at the apparition. Kenobi made for an irreverent spirit; well then, so too could Maul be. “Kenobi. This is a new hallucination.”

The ghost laughed quietly. “Fortunately for us both, I am not a hallucination. Merely a concerned party.”

Maul bared his teeth in a mockery of a smile. “Do not lie; you are here to chase me away from my new apprentice. May I remind you that I am alive and you are dead? I have outlived you, Kenobi. I have won. And Skywalker is my prize.”

“To the contrary, Maul,” Kenobi settled himself on the military-style cot, an oddly mortal gesture for a spirit. “I suspect that you and Luke may be good for each other. I am here to encourage you in your mentorship.”

Maul (who, for a moment, had foolishly begun to believe he had some grasp on the situation) laughed. "Death has worsened your sense of humor."

"I'm afraid we must lay that crime solely at the feet of Tatooine's desert," Kenobi corrected with a wry grin. "A shame you arrived so late, for in life, I would have loved to entertain you for dinner."

"I saw your hut. It wasn't fit for entertaining a Jawa." Maul shook himself; he was allowing Kenobi to distract them. "Enough of your stalling and word games. What is your purpose here?"

Kenobi huffed out a small breath, but that horrible enigmatic smile stayed. "I know that it seems impossible, but I spoke truly. I am here to encourage you to train Luke. I believe it will benefit you both."

Maul laughed, the sound a touch unhinged even to his own ears. "Are you so desperate you'll let me turn the boy into a weapon against the Emperor… and his own father?"

Kenobi, who had been about to protest, fell silent. Maul allowed the accusation to hang between them. Let Kenobi defend himself now.

"Darth Vader," Kenobi's Core accent emerged as he said the name, granting it gravitas, "would tell you that Anakin Skywalker is dead."

"Melodramatic fool," Maul scoffed. "He has bought Sidious's lies. But would my apprentice see it the same if he knew? No Jedi could bring himself to commit patricide; he would fall."

"What choice does he have? Regardless of his lack of preparation, the Force has repeatedly pushed Luke and Vader together. And Vader knows who Luke is, knows that he intends to become a Jedi. He will kill the boy without training."

"No. Turn him, more likely, and then train him to kill Sidious and inherit the Empire. It is the Sith way."

Kenobi's eyes lit up, as if he'd hit on Maul's weakness. "But is it what you would do?"

"Obviously," Maul sneered. "I may not be able to defeat Sidious, but that boy can - and I'll see it happen."

"You are training Luke to take over the Line of Bane? You intend to become Emperor yourself, with Luke as your right hand - your Vader?" Kenobi, damn him, couldn't even get through the question without chuckling.

But he wasn't wrong. Maul had long ago shed Darth, a Sith Lord's highest given title, and he didn't want it back. He didn't want the Empire. He wanted ‐

"Fuck you," Maul snarled. "I may not be Sith, but I won't help a Jedi."

"What happened to 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend'?" Kenobi threw his own words to Luke back at him, proving he had been eavesdropping. "I have every confidence that Luke can defend himself against your darkness."

"And you're willing to gamble the Jedi's last hope on that confidence?"

For a moment, Kenobi hesitated, his eyes darting away and refocusing on something over Maul's shoulder. He didn't dare to take his eyes off Kenobi, lest the Jedi take advantage of his distraction and prove this to have been a trap all along. In the Force, however, he could see that they were indeed alone. He didn't want to entertain the idea that Kenobi had allies like him: deceased Jedi that had taken on ghostly form and watched them, invisible even in the Force. Unfortunately, he couldn't discount the possibility. Wasn't he paranoid enough as it was?

"Yes."

Maul was jerked from his reverie. "What?"

"Yes. Luke can face your darkness and overcome it." Kenobi's eyes had refocused on him, their blue depths clear and confident. "Train him, Maul. He needs you."

"You have lost your mind," Maul protested. What the hell was happening?

Kenobi laughed, the sound wholly inappropriate in the face of Maul's angry befuddlement. "I must go, but we shall speak again."

As quickly as he had appeared, Kenobi was gone, and he left Maul wondering if he had hallucinated the whole conversation. But no - even as deluded as Maul was (and he was, make no mistake) he would never have conjured Kenobi's ghost to encourage him to take Luke as an apprentice all on his own. This methodology didn't match up with Sidious's mode of operations or goals, either. But that then only left the absurd notion that the conversation had really happened.

Kenobi was a Jedi ghost, haunting him and… encouraging him?

He was still turning impossible explanations over in his head when Luke came to collect him for dinner, as promised. But he held two trays already heaped with Rebellion rations when he arrived.

"I thought we could eat in here." His voice climbed an octave, turning the statement into a question.

Maul held the door open wider and allowed Luke entrance. "As you wish."

The boy looked sheepish. "Pretty much everyone's heard about you now, and they want to meet you. But you seemed pretty beat earlier, and the Rogues are bad enough on their own, let alone everybody else. So I thought tonight it could just be us, if that's okay? I'm sorry. I shouldn't've assumed."

Maul swallowed awkwardly. "That is very thoughtful of you, Apprentice. I would be pleased to share this meal with you." The words seemed both inadequate and too formal, but they were enough for Luke. He pulled off his heavy overcoat and tossed it over the cold duraplast tiles before settling himself down with his plate, silently deferring the room's only seating to his elder. Maul settled himself on the cot and dug into his dinner.

For the first few moments, they ate in silence, but that didn't seem to suit Luke. "So, where are you from, Maul?" he asked.

"Dathomir," he murmured around another bite of reheated vegetable mash. "And you are from Tatooine?"

"Yeah. Lived there my whole life, right up until Ben and the Rebellion. I always wanted to see the Galaxy. I'd heard of rainforests and hurricanes and, well, snow," he gestured to the carved ice walls with a grimace, "but I almost thought I'd never get a chance to see them for real. I wanted to join the Imperial Navy, see, but my uncle wanted me to stay and work the family moisture farm."

"He may have saved you from the Emperor by delaying your recruitment," Maul mused almost absently. He nearly continued, but Luke's face twisted in what Maul first would have called pain, and then (after a moment of searching in vain for the cause), recategorized as horrible sadness. "Ah," he backpedaled quickly, desperately hoping the boy wouldn't start crying. "He… seems a worthy guardian."

"H-he was," Luke sniffed. "Sorry. We were fighting about that when he died." He sniffed again. "It's hard to think about, sometimes."

"I didn't know," Maul said lamely.

"Yeah, I know. It's okay." Luke took a moment to pull himself back together, and Maul took a bite of dinner to cover his discomfort. The boy was nothing like a Jedi; he felt every emotion acutely and grappled with it, not rejecting even negativity. "Sorry. I'm alright. It's been an emotional day, huh?"

"The Empire leaves many scars, not all of them visible," Maul murmured in agreement.

"Yeah," Luke was looking at him a bit oddly, and Maul only had time to wonder what he'd done now, before the boy was off talking again. "So, I have a question: you knew Ben, and Ben knew my father - did you know my father, Anakin Skywalker?"

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell the boy everything, damn Kenobi and all his Jedi plans. Luke needed to know the truth if he was to survive. Besides, that was the best breaking point for all the Jedi nonsense with which Kenobi had inevitably filled his head. If they could establish that the Jedi were liars now, about something as significant as the elder Skywalker's fate, it would be that much easier to help the boy Fall.

Luke let out another loud sniff that stilled his tongue on the first syllable. If bringing up Luke's uncle had brought him nearly to tears, what would revealing the truth of his father do to him? And, given the timing and circumstances, it had more than likely been Vader, directly or indirectly, who had ordered the Lars' deaths. Perhaps this was not the night for hard truths, while those feelings were raw.

Weak, whispered a disparaging voice in his mind. You are a weak master and will raise a weak apprentice. If he cannot face the truth, how can he face the Sith?

And that would be Maul's failing, wouldn't it? Luke could do nothing against Vader or Sidious while ignorant. How many times had Maul's own master used such moments of weakness as valuable teaching opportunities? They had certainly stuck, had kept him alive during his exile on Lotho Minor -

A fate which he refused to inflict upon his own apprentice. He would not be Darth Sidious. Luke could be taught to understand harsh truths before Maul inflicted them upon him.

"No," he said. "During the beginning of the war, I am given to understand that Kenobi and your father were inseparable, but by the time I'd left my exile, the Jedi's forces were spread so thin that our paths never crossed. My dealings were almost exclusively with Kenobi, until the end. That was when I met Lady Tano."

"You've mentioned her a couple times. Who is she?" Luke had finished his dinner and was wholly focused on Maul's words now, blue eyes wide with wonder.

"Ahsoka Tano was Anakin Skywalker's only apprentice. By the time we met on Mandalore, she had left the Jedi Order, displeased with their wartime decisions." Maul set his own finished meal aside to better tell his tale.

"The war. You mean the Clone Wars? Ben talked about them a bit. I know that the Jedi were warriors, but I thought they were supposed to be peacekeepers first. On Tatooine we were always told stories about Jedi freeing slaves and stopping pirates."

Maul scoffed. Here was the first lesson his apprentice needed. "The Jedi were high-minded fools corrupted by politics long before their final defeat by the Emperor. They were directed by the Senate, itself a corrupt organization, and therefore its actions benefited only the Senate. When Sidious began his schemes, the checks and balances that had been put in place on that august," he sneered, "body had already degraded to such an extent it was easy for him to manufacture the conflict that put him in power. And then, again, to start the Clone Wars themselves.

"The Jedi were reactive and easily manipulated. Repeatedly, Sidious, as Chancellor Palpatine, ordered the Jedi to work against their own self-interest, and they complied. They were so blinded by their arrogance, and their belief that they had to unquestioningly follow the Senate's orders, that they did not take the time to think of the larger consequences - for themselves or the Galaxy."

"I don't understand," Luke confessed. "How do you mean?"

"Do you know why the conflict is called the Clone Wars?" His apprentice shook his head. "Because the Republic had no standing army. The Confederacy of Independent Systems had contracted the Trade Federation's droid army, an open and clear declaration of war. While the politicians argued about the legality of secession, the Jedi stumbled upon a clone army - literally millions of identical soldiers - perfectly trained for the upcoming war. The scientists told the Jedi that one of their own, who had disappeared over a decade prior, had been granted visions of the upcoming war by the Force. When the Jedi Council ignored his fears, he went to the geneticists on Kamino and had an army created to defend the Republic in the upcoming conflict."

"But that's a Force-sent miracle!"

"No. It was a trap." Maul fixed his gaze on Luke, and the boy sat up straighter. "Sidious sent those visions of war to the Jedi, used his fears to stoke paranoia in his heart, and, when Sifo-Dyas was no longer useful, disposed of him. Even a Jedi Master can be exploited by the Emperor."

"And the Jedi didn't know any of that? They took the geneticists at their word and used the army?" Luke looked appropriately upset at that thought.

"Yes. And in the end, when Sidious gave the word, those soldiers turned on their Jedi Generals. The Jedi attempted to fight back and attacked him directly, but Sidious called it an assassination attempt and declared them traitors to the Republic. By that time, their wartime choices had made the Jedi so universally disliked that it would take a canny mind to see the Jedi Purges for what they were - a genocide."

"How could so many wise people be so misled?"

Maul snorted. "The Force is like any other sense - your expectations can trick you. The Jedi Masters had been told for generations that the Sith were gone, and so they did not see clearly when one stood before them."

(And oh, how glorious he had felt when he'd revealed himself to Kenobi and Jinn. How powerful. And from that height, how far he had fallen.)

"Oh." Luke sat back and seemed to be mulling over Maul's words. After nearly a minute, he finally said, "They were blinded by their preconceptions. If they had asked questions and really listened to the answers, they might've realized what was going on. Like with these scientists, their story was crazy, but the Jedi were so focused on the war that they decided the wrong things were important. Didn't anyone see what was happening?"

"Some insightful few. Lady Tano, with whom our story began, was a young padawan when the war began. She was forced to face the ugliest side of the Jedi Council when she was wrongly accused of a crime against the Republic, and in response, the Jedi Council ousted her from the Order. She faced a military tribunal and would have been killed had they found her guilty, but the truth was revealed in the end. Ultimately, after all that, she could no longer call herself a Jedi, for they had forsaken her in her time of need."

Luke looked stricken. "Even Ben and my father didn't believe her?"

"Well," Maul hesitated, the truth stuck in his metaphorical craw, "I was not there, mind you, but I am given to believe it was Skywalker who cleared her name." He snorted. "I wouldn't know what Kenobi thought of the whole affair as he was hardly inclined to confide in me."

The clouds cleared from Luke's eyes as his father's name was exculpated. Perhaps Maul should have lied. Ah, well, Skywalker's true fate would be revealed to him soon enough. "I'm sure Ben liked you a lot," was Luke's baffling response. But then his face grew serious again. "So, what you're saying is that the Force will point to the truth?"

"That is complicated," Maul hedged. "There are those of us with the talent to directly sense lies within the Force as they are being told, but that is not what you are asking. You imply that the Will of the Force will guide the skilled user toward some Ultimate Truth, no?" He waited for Luke to consider his words and nod before continuing. "That itself is a point in contention. Does the Force have some ultimate goal toward which we inevitably hurtle, or do we shape our own ends? In short: does destiny exist?"

Luke grinned self-deprecatingly, "I guess that's kind of the big question, isn't it?" Then, he narrowed his eyes shrewdly. "But what do you think?"

The acrid scent of blood and garbage washed over him. Blood on his hands, guts and bones between his teeth - he starved! Oh, how he starved! Around him the Force hummed, yes! Yes! Yes! Consume. Live. You are needed, Maul. Do not forget!

At the center of himself, that swirling hurricane of anger which was all he had left took the face of a man. The man who had defeated him: Obi-Wan Kenobi. He both loathed and cherished that face, his spark and tinder.

Yes, the Force insisted, don't forget. Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Before him, Luke's bright eyes swam into view. He was not there. He was here on Hoth. Here, with an apprentice who needed him. Maul took a breath and dug his blunt nails into the palms of his hands to ground himself.

"I do not see why it cannot be both," he said at last. "I have at multiple points in my life found my goals aligned with the Force's, and at other times we have conflicted. I think it may be in my nature to clash with the Force's Will. But Destiny? I've never seen evidence of it, myself. If it does exist, it is cruel. Whatever the case, it is left up to us how we respond."

Luke was quiet and thoughtful for a moment, and Maul took the opportunity to take a sip of water. It washed away the reek of Lotho Minor.

"But that's the thing," Luke said at last, nothing but earnest determination in his voice, "my response isn't to use the Dark Side. I don't want to."

"Ah, Apprentice, but as you train, it will coax you. Not so you'll notice at first, but it will always wait on the periphery." Maul held Luke's gaze, willing him to understand. "Then, one day something will happen - Vader will catch your princess again, perhaps, or Solo will be threatened by the Hutts - and when your need is most dire… it will offer a solution. It will likely be brutal, but oh so very effective. And this power, this toe into the ocean, can be justified. It saved your friend. But with it comes a new yearning. The Dark Side offers so much, but always at a cost. You have known war; you understand sacrifice, Apprentice. The Dark Side may consume you, but the power it offers is more than worth it. It is the only thing in the Galaxy that will grant you the ability to defeat the Emperor."

Luke looked solemn. "You said I always have a choice. I can choose to say no to the Dark Side and find another way. Please, Maul, you're my only hope to become a Jedi. I know it's not perfect, and I know you'd rather have an apprentice willing to train in the Dark Side, but I bet we can - no, I'm sure that between the two of us we can beat Sidious! I just - please."

Was the boy conspiring with Kenobi? This sounded like the same warm-hearted drivel the… ghost had been spewing. He gave Luke a long look, both at his earnest blue eyes and at the honest determination radiating off him in the Force. There was no sign of guile, nor of corrupting Jedi spirits. But then, that didn't mean anything if his fears were correct.

"You sound like Kenobi," he grumbled, trying to bait out if the Jedi had been whispering in the boy's ear.

"That's not a no," was Luke's hopeful response.

The boy held his gaze, unblinking. Maul broke first. "Fine," he half-snarled. "Try, Apprentice. You will fail, but I give you permission to try."

Before he knew what was happening, Maul had an armful of enthusiastic would-be Jedi hugging him. "Thank you! You won't regret this, Master Maul!" Unsure of where to put his hands, Maul eventually settled one on the boy's soft head and patted his back with the other.

Their dinner didn't last much longer than that; Luke's squad had an early-morning rotation and he needed rest. He promised he would send the princess to fetch Maul for breakfast in the morning. It had indeed been an exhausting day, and so Maul was happy to nod along with his apprentice and contribute very little to the conversation. When he'd seen Luke out, Maul settled back on the cot, fully intending to return to his meditations, but found himself drifting in and out of true sleep. He flicked out the yellow electric light and let himself go; after all, he was going to need all his energy if he was going to begin Luke's training properly on the morrow.

He woke early and had more than enough time for his morning ablutions in the bathroom down the hall, which Luke had shown him the night prior. He wasn't allowed to roam any further than that on his own until the Rebel Leadership could clear him for active duty. The princess arrived promptly at the appointed time with a smart wrap on his door. She was well-bundled in an Alderaanian white (he was quite sure the color was significant, but it had been too many years since he'd studied such things and the details were blurry) coat and holding a bulking package under her arm.

"Good morning, Master Maul," she greeted politely and offered him the bundle. "I'll take you to breakfast momentarily, but the quartermaster prepared you a few warmer options, since it sounds like you'll be staying with us for the foreseeable future." Her smile did not seem genuine, and Maul appreciated her ongoing suspicion of his motives. It was good to find someone appropriately cautious among the Rebels.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Maul said as he took the package.

"There should be warmer boots in there for you." Maul glanced down at the facsimile of boots that were his robotic feet. "Han had to guess your size, so if they don't fit, let us know and we'll find another." She was all business and gruff efficiency, and Maul liked her more for it. Even if the boots were unnecessary. He left the Alderaanian princess flicking through her datapad in the hall while he examined his new wardrobe. He first pulled out a proper heavy coat to replace his rather ragged cloak. There were several sets of thermal shirts and pants, a whole array of gloves, hat, scarf, and balaclava, several pairs of thick, wooly socks, and some kind of pilot-style jacket made of old, soft leather (it was well-cared-for, and Maul suspected that the original owner had died for the Cause), and - yes - atop the whole bundle were the promised boots.

Maul sneered.

He had tried several variations of The Foot since losing his own, and had never found the right fit. He needed something both sensitive and sturdy but also light enough for combat. Sidious (surely with malicious intent) had allowed the state of technology in the Galaxy to degrade to such an extent that no suitable options existed any longer, and Maul was forced to accept mediocrity. His current set was not his favorite, but they did have a full foot, which he preferred, and were well-balanced between the heel and toe, offering a larger range of motion in battle. This style, however, did not lend itself well to shoes. They were designed to mimic boots themselves - surely the reason that the Rebels had not yet noticed his affliction - and layering any kind of additional footwear over them utterly ruined the sensitivity.

He tossed the boots aside.

Maul stripped down, goosebumps crawling over his arms and chest as he set aside what was worth saving from his pockets (only his lightsaber maintenance kit), and then pulled on a thermal set of pants and shit. They were in the same style that Luke and the other Rebels had been wearing last night. The clothes were warm and the fit was excellent; Maul didn't want to know where the smuggler had picked up that skill. Still, he could appreciate efficiency. He grabbed the lighter of his two new jackets and, now appropriately adorned, returned to the waiting princess.

She looked him over without comment and led the way back toward the mess hall. The Rebellion rose early, it seemed, and controlled chaos surged around them. The ice caves appeared to be half-natural and half-carved by hand, a mild miracle of engineering. Although the way was at times claustrophobic - when they were forced to share the narrow tunnel with both a group of pilots late for their rounds and several crates of ammunition simultaneously, for example - the princess navigated them with ease. This was at least partially due to every soldier, pilot, and engineer rapidly leaping out of her way.

Maul gave her an amused glance. "You command a great deal of respect, your highness."

"It's not me they're trying to get a look at, though. The rumor mill is abuzz about you, Master." She shot a smirk over her shoulder. "Soldiers, especially cold ones, have nothing better to do than gossip."

"Oh? Any interesting guesses?" He doubted they'd get anywhere close. His truth was most definitely stranger than fiction.

The Princess of Alderaan held open the cafeteria door. "Oh, dozens and dozens."

They each grabbed trays and her highness showed him around the cafeteria's offerings. He took a little of everything, diversity a novelty unto itself. Breakfast was in full-swing when they arrived, and the Rebels that weren't already on duty had gathered here over weak caf and hot food. Even as they offered Maul and the princess a wide berth, whispers dogged their steps. She found them a table toward the back, which blessedly offered an easy view of the entire room; it was no coincidence, as she also settled with her back to the wall, eyes rapidly scanning the crowd. Yes, Maul decided, he liked Luke's princess.

"Let's see," she said as if the conversation had never been interrupted, "best guesses… that you're a veteran who's been stranded on Hoth since the Clone Wars and lost your mind."

"Is that a frequent problem you have? Angry veterans appearing out of the snow?" Maul dug into his breakfast with gusto before it could cool.

"It's not an infrequent occurrence."

"Well, I followed you. I haven't been laying in wait. Do not worry."

She scoffed softly, "Thank you, that's so much more reassuring. Speaking of which, the guards who first spotted you are convinced you're the avenging "Spirit of Hoth". You made quite an impression."

"With that much ice in my horns, I felt as such," Maul grumbled around a bite of some kind of spiced meat. The princess let out a tiny, surprised laugh. "Besides," he continued, "insofar as I can tell, this planet is unremarkable in the Force."

"Planets can be Force sensitive?" She seemed interested despite herself.

"Indeed, although they are rare and most often trouble."

"I know I am," an unfamiliar voice said as a man in a pilot's jacket dropped himself across from them, "but it's sweet of you to say all the same. Good morning, can I join you?"

"Good morning, Wedge," her highness said, managing to sound both fond and exasperated. "Master Maul, this is Lieutenant Wedge Antilles. He flies under Luke's call sign and has the dubious honor of being the Rogues' head troublemaker." She cast a warning look in Wedge's direction. "I don't believe Master Maul needs any introduction."

"None at all," the lieutenant agreed cheerfully. "Now, what were we talking about?"

"Princess Organa was telling me about the gossip the pilots have been passing around."

Wedge looked delighted. "Did you tell him about the Spirit of Hoth? Yeah? What about how you're a Bardottan Soulsucker here to drain Luke's essence?"

Maul paused with his fork half-way to his mouth. "Bardottan Soulsucker…there is no such being. Do you speak of the Temple of Frangawl? It's no creature, but a machine built by the local cult." (Which Mother had taken advantage of to regain her power, and lost to the Jedi at the end of the war.) "Honestly, how do these rumors begin?"

"You, my friend, are a fount of knowledge," Wedge said with his mouth full, to which the princess rolled her eyes. "What about the one where you're an escaped gladiator from the fighting pits of Bendeluum?"

He thought for a moment. "I wouldn't call myself a gladiator, but I have fought there," he made a musing sound, "perhaps fifty years ago, now." It had been a test suggested by his master when he was fourteen. He'd broken four ribs (not to mention suffered countless smaller injuries), but survived. The same could not be said for his opponents.

The lieutenant whistled low. "Well, shit. Then, have you ever worked as one of Jabba's exotic dancers or are you actually just a tooka who learned to walk on his hind legs?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Jabba the Hutt is a well-known bigot and would never invite homoeroticism into his court. And there are no tooka with red-and-black coloring. You will have to do better than that."

Princess Leia shot a broad, mocking smile at Wedge. "Hear that, Antilles? You better tell the boys to get busy. The rumor mill needs greasing."

"Ma'am, yes ma'am." Wedge saluted her with his fork.

This set the tone for the rest of the morning. The princess took Maul around the base, offering a tour of all nonofficial facilities accompanied by Wedge’s running commentary. The lieutenant wasn’t in the air with Maul’s apprentice as he’d caught the illness that was going around the base and been grounded. “Cleared this morning,” Wedge assured him. “I’ll be back on full duty tomorrow.”

They showed him to the small, cramped gym, the small, cramped kitchens, and the small, cramped pilot's lounge. Everywhere was tunnels made of ice, make-shift electronics stuck into walls, and shivering rebels. As Maul let himself be led about the base, he came to an interesting conclusion: The Battle of Yavin had done more damage to the Rebel Fleet than they had let on. Given the dominance of pilots and lack of senior leadership on Hoth, he was beginning to suspect this was either a small outpost or a new Rebel base in its earliest stages.

Yes, he thought as another group of ragged-looking engineers jogged by, breath forming a haze in the cold, they seek answers and are far from Mothma's influence. There is room to work here.

The princess maintained a cool distance as she gave the tour, disinclined to approve of him or get too attached before leadership approved. He did wonder if Hera Syndulla were still alive - if she would voice concern over his presence after their disagreement. He was self-reflective enough to be aware that he had not been at his best when he met the crew of the Ghost, but he hoped she could be mature enough to see that they were on the same side now. The time for petty squabbles had passed.

He was pulled from his thoughts when the princess cursed softly. She'd stopped in the middle of the tunnel, forcing a tech to dodge clumsily passed, eyes trained down on her datapad. "Master," she called back to him, "I'm afraid we're going to have to cut your tour short. I'm needed for an urgent meeting. Lieutenant, please escort our guest back to his room."

Wedge looked just as interested as Maul felt. "Is it about the fuel - ?"

"Antilles!" she hissed. "Not around our guest." Then, her highness addressed Maul, "Luke will be by this afternoon." Maul watched with amusement as, without waiting for an answer, the princess turned about-face and rushed down the hall. Her tiny figure nearly flattened two imperceptive pilots.

He glanced over at the Lieutenant, only to see his eyes on the princess as well. "She's a firebrand, that one."

"She'd make you eat your tongue if she heard you say such things."

Wedge grinned. "I know."

Maul had a little time to himself, which he used for refreshment and meditation, before Luke knocked at his door almost two full minutes early. In the cold hallway, Luke's cheeks were red beneath his mop of blond hair, and he'd pulled his heavy jacket on over his flight suit. "Good afternoon Master Maul." He looked so excited he could have jittered out of his skin, but was obviously fighting to exude a Jedi-like calm.

"Good afternoon, Apprentice." He would never admit it, but a similar feeling had begun fluttering in Maul's own chest. This would be his first real lesson with an apprentice who had chosen him since Savage. Oh, how long ago that had been! But for now, he had to set an example of sophisticated wisdom.

"Today, we shall begin with basics," he said. "Remove any clothing which might restrict your movement. Do not concern yourself with the cold; we will be in motion soon enough." He began by removing his own thermal tunic and stretching his arms high above his head, enjoying the ghost of a full-body stretch in his missing limbs. "Your body," Maul continued as Luke pulled off his coat and flight suit, "is your greatest weapon. While it is your mind and spirit which connects you with the Force, your body is its conduit. It can go through much strain during that process, and so, like any weapon, it must be cared for and honed. Stretching is one such means of bodily care I will teach you."

Luke's eyes had drifted slightly downward during Maul's monologue, and as they landed on the seam that divided flesh and machine -

- the walls of the garbage chute closed up around him, Kenobi's wild eyes the last thing he saw - 

- a tiny, half-silenced gasp escaped him. When Maul's gaze turned into a glare, his apprentice turned a dull shade of embarrassed red and hurried to look attentive.

He gave the boy a slow, serious once-over, waiting to see if he would crack. Luke stared back, holding his breath (a tell and a bad habit they would have to break). Finally, when it seemed Maul had Luke's full attention, he continued. "I will lead us in a routine of stretches. I recommend you memorize it and frequently incorporate it throughout your day: when you wake, before you fly, prior to these lessons and meditation. It prepares your body for potential Force work, centers your mind, and generally promotes health."

Maul walked the boy slowly through his preferred routine of stretches, explaining the muscles they were engaging, the pace of his breathing, and occasionally correcting stance or balance. He didn't consider himself a particularly harsh taskmaster, certainly not when compared to his former master, but he held high standards. Luke was clearly an unpracticed student, but he was both an attentive listener and asked intelligent questions. The Force came to him with an ease the likes of which Maul had never before seen. He had so much potential but no skill - no finesse.

When they were both limber and sitting facing each other, cross-legged, Maul said, "Now, I would like to begin with you telling me everything Kenobi taught you." Best to start, he thought, by dispensing with any incorrect preconceptions.

Instead of listing katas, mantras, or even the Jedi Code, Luke spoke of a few hours on Solo's ship with his father's lightsaber and the most basic of training droids. Kenobi had, for once in his damn life (and death), at least been practical, and he had taught Luke first and foremost to defend himself. Admittedly, Luke's miraculous shot on the Death Star seemed to be more a matter of his strong connection to the Force than any training; he had natural talent in heaps. But beyond that, all Kenobi had offered were a few platitudes about "reaching out with one's feelings" and stories about Anakin Skywalker.

If Kenobi's ghost returned to haunt him again, they would be having words about telling heroic tales from Darth Vader's past life. Assuming, of course, that the bastard wasn't merely a figment of his madness.

"And he left me a journal."

Maul snapped to full attention. "A journal?"

"Uh huh," Luke nodded. "He left it back at his homestead on Tatooine. The Jawa and the sand had stripped most of it, but he'd hidden the book and it… called to me, I guess."

Maul had been to that hovel; he could well believe Kenobi had hidden secrets beneath the desert. He himself had been in no state of mind to search the house when he had finally stumbled onto Kenobi's path on Tatooine, driven mad as he was with heat stroke and thirst. He had been so close. Again.

"It's just a bunch of stories," Luke continued on as the wheels turned in Maul's head. Then, he blushed. "I mean, that's not fair. The stories are all about Jedi, like legends and myths and stuff. Leia called them "morality tales". She said they're probably full of important lessons, but it's not like a story about a Jedi taming a krayt dragon will help me fight Vader!"

"That's it?" Maul asked, deflating somewhat, although he couldn't quite determine why; it was good that Kenobi had only communicated drivel with the boy. "Merely younglings' tales?"

Luke shrugged. "There are a couple other things, like how to make a lightsaber, and in a couple places he kinda just rambles. I think he was lonely. But otherwise, yeah."

"May I read it?" The words were out before Maul could check himself.

"Of course! I'm sure Ben wouldn't mind." Luke grinned wide and bright.

"Thank you." Maul pushed aside his desire to see Kenobi's words now, and refocused on the lesson. The Jedi damage wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Luke, explanation complete, waited eagerly for Maul's reaction; when Maul didn't immediately answer, he wilted. "It's way worse than I thought, isn't it?" he asked softly, ashamed.

"No..." Maul hedged; truly, it could have been much worse. "What you've learned is practical. Defensive. A more… traditional training regimen wouldn't have been realistic given the circumstances, nor would it have served you terribly well against the Emperor. You are alive and the Death Star is gone; that alone speaks highly of your abilities."

At this, Luke brightened. "Oh good. So, where do you wanna start?"

"That is indeed the question," Maul mused aloud. "What work have you done with meditation? Meditation acts as a bridge between body and spirit, and once they are in harmony, you gain a more complete control of your power. It is a Force User's greatest tool, a chance to gather and refine your power - your anger - into a finely-honed weapon."

"Ben said that anger blinds us to the truth and what the Force wants. He said meditation was for releasing our emotions into the Force."

"Jedi nonsense," Maul corrected sharply. "What is anger if not our truth? Anger has power; it can be dangerous, but all power is dangerous. If you forget your blaster is a weapon and begin thinking of it as a toy, it is only a matter of time before you shoot yourself. But if you learn it, know it as an extension of yourself, and use it with cunning, then you are to be feared and respected. The same is true of the power that anger provides."

"But wouldn't there be just as much power in joy, then? It's an equal and opposite emotion - like magnets. And the Force is about balance, right?" Luke had leaned forward, engaged with the discussion.

Maul let out a long-suffering sigh. "Which is the stronger emotion? Joy or anger? Which causes the greatest change? Suffering, anger, and misery are universal; one being's pleasure is built on the suffering of a hundred others in this galaxy. Of which have you more experience? Life is suffering; use it. Find power in it."

"But it's because life on Tatooine is so hard that the good times were so good!" Luke cried earnestly. "We Rebels have something to fight for that's more than the Stormtroopers have: we have hope."

Maul huffed. "Why are you so bent on these circuitous philosophical debates?"

"Cause I think eventually I'll annoy you into the light," the cheeky little brat managed to say with a straight face.

"You are very much a product of Kenobi's influence," Maul growled, but the child's grin only widened, somehow. He huffed and gave the conversation up as another draw. "Do you wish to learn my teachings or shall I leave you to your helpful Jedi stories?"

At least the boy was as thirsty for technique and knowledge as he was for stories of his father, and he listened to Maul's quiet explanations of meditation with enthusiasm.

Thus commenced the lesson. Meditation would take some work - Luke quickly proved as fidgety as a child - but Maul had been much the same during his own early lessons in meditation. There were tricks he had learned that could ease Luke's way. In his few short minutes of success, Luke was a radiant and warm in the Force. He really was unlike anything Maul had ever experienced. If Ezra's presence in the Force had whispered of power and potential, Luke sang with it.

It was late when they finished the lesson, although night and day had little real meaning when they were buried deep beneath the snow. As they drew toward the natural conclusion of the lesson, Luke began once more to look as if he had something on his mind.

"Speak, Apprentice."

Luke blushed. "I have a question?"

"Go on, as long as it is not more philosophy. That must wait for tomorrow," he growled. It was only half-jest.

The apprentice grinned in response, "Okay, no more philosophy." But the smile faltered when his eyes slid down to Maul's abdomen. "I just wondered - I mean, if it's okay, I wanted to ask about your - " He faltered and couldn't seem to make the words come out.

"Legs?" Maul couldn't help the slightly hysterical chuckle that spilled out of him. "Yes, it is an… old injury." Truth be told (and it was only very rarely), Maul had know this conversation would come sooner rather than later. However, there were implications and questions for which he did not have answers. Or at least, answers which Luke would find satisfactory. Still, the conversation was inevitable, and Maul's best plans were usually improvised.

"How - I mean, is it as bad as it looks?"

"I was bisected just below the ribs, severing my intestines, spine, and severely damaging my stomach and several related organs. My wounds were such that I was thought dead by both my opponent and master for years. It was a pain beyond imagining, but my rage and agony kept me alive during my exile. I asked you if you had experienced more joy or pain, but I did not answer for myself. It is pain, Apprentice. Pain has been my constant companion all these years, and it fuels me even now. This is the power of the Dark Side."

Luke's blue eyes were wide with some emotion that Maul couldn't immediately place. It bordered too close to pity for his liking, though. "That's horrible."

"Perhaps," Maul sneered. "But it has made me who I am, and I would not trade back my freedom for mere flesh."

Luke's mouth had fallen agape. "I didn't even know the Force could do that!"

"The Dark Side is a gateway to many things some would consider to be… unnatural…" whispered Sidious in Maul's ear.

"Is it a gift or a curse?" Maul snapped, although which voice he answered, he could not say. "There have certainly been days when I think it would have been kinder to let me die. Oh," he clenched his hand into a fist, "but I was not ready to die then. Nor am I now."

When he turned back on Luke, he found those blue, compassion-filed eyes fixed on him. "That's amazing, Maul. You're amazing! I can't imagine what it must have been like to go through all that and come out the other side a good person."

In his shock at Luke's proclamation, all that came out of Maul's mouth was, "I am not a good person."

Luke grinned lopsided at him. "Nobody's perfect, but everybody deserves a second chance, and you're here now, helping us fight Vader and the Emperor, and that means something."

Pushing himself to his feet, Maul rose and crossed the room to open the door for Luke. "While I appreciate the sentiment, Apprentice, I'm afraid that's not how the galaxy works," Maul said and sighed in unison with the door's opening. Luke obediently joined him, accepting the nonverbal end to the lesson with ease.

"Sure it is." Luke pulled his coat back on and stepped out into the empty hall. The lights had been lowered in deference to the late hour. "Goodnight, Maul. Han'll be here to bring you to breakfast tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Apprentice."

It was with a strangely light, fluttery feeling in his chest that Maul watched the door close. "That foolish boy," he said aloud to the duraplast, but even to his own ears there was an undeniable fondness to his words, "is determined to see the good in everyone."

"I think it is his best quality."

Maul's lightsaber was in his hand and lit before his mind caught up to his instincts.

"Kenobi. You should know better than to sneak up on me."

The Jedi's ghost looked much the same as he had at their last meeting: grey, thinning hair, features aged yet recognizable, that damned fucking compassion in his eyes. Kenobi laughed, "What would you do, kill me? I'm already dead."

He growled but extinguished his lightsaber. "What do you want?"

"I was watching your lesson. You are an excellent teacher, if a bit biased."

Maul sneered. "Ah, I should have known you would come with more of your empty compliments and cloying words. Well, I am not interested in your pretty tongue. Speak plainly or leave me."

Kenobi smiled and Maul felt his temper rising, but the Jedi's next words brought him up short. "You haven't told Luke who Vader is."

"I have not," Maul hedged.

"Why?"

Maul dragged in a breath. "I don't have to tell you anything."

"You don't," Kenobi agreed, "but I can't help but wonder why you didn't carry out your threats. It was not for Anakin's sake and certainly not for mine."

"I want to build him up into a power the likes of which this galaxy has never known. He has lessons he needs to unlearn, but those truths do not have to break him," Maul found himself snapping just to get Kenobi to shut up.

"Because you have known what it is to be broken down, and would not wish it upon another," Kenobi murmured with too much understanding for Maul's liking. What did this Jedi know of being torn down to your most basic instincts and then dragged, kicking and screaming, back into the galaxy against your will? What did he know of being driven by one impossible quest?

Nothing, damn him.

"I will tell him when I deem the time is right!" Maul hissed.

"Yes," Kenobi agreed with a small smile. "I'm certain you shall."

That smile filled him not with rage but with exhaustion. "Against my better judgment, I've answered your question. Now get out."

Kenobi tucked his hands into his robe's long, draping sleeves and bowed. "But of course. And if you should need me, you need only ask. Goodnight, Maul." With those baffling courtesies, Kenobi faded from existence, leaving, as before, no trace but his words in Maul's memory.

"Damn you Kenobi,” Maul said aloud to himself.

And so went his days with the Rebellion for the next three cycles. Maul woke to breakfast with Luke and whichever of his Rogues was on shift that morning. He was left to his own devices the rest of the morning, usually using the time to meditate, until either Solo or the princess (whichever was available) roused him for lunch. In the afternoons, he trained Luke. Their lessons were rewarding - if frequently frustrating. Luke's questions never ceased and he absorbed information like a sponge, so they were more likely to get sidetracked or find themselves out of time than exhaust a topic.

Kenobi's ghost did not return. Maul couldn't help but wonder what it was ghosts did when they were not encouraging their arch-nemesis to take on new students. Did Kenobi haunt Vader too? Pester him with Jedi drivel at all hours? Maul found himself disquieted by the thought.

"Guess what!" were Luke's far-too-chipper first words as Maul's door opened to him that morning. Without waiting for an answer, he continued, "You've been cleared for duty! Mothma said there was one more person they've been trying to get a hold of, but I guess the Empire is blacking out the communications in the Lothal sector. Anyway, you're cleared because everything else lined up!"

The Lothal sector? That likely meant Hera Syndulla or Sabine Wren; neither would have flattering things to say about him. Still, it would be good to finally move freely, without an escort. "That is… very gratifying, Apprentice. Thank you," he said. "Do you know who it was they were trying to contact?"

Luke shook his head. "Some big-wig general, I think. I'm still not good with all the leadership. The Rebellion hasn't all been in one place since Yavin, so there are a lot of people I've never met," he said as he led the way toward breakfast. "How would you know an Alliance general?"

"How indeed. I've developed a wide acquaintance over the years; perhaps we have some friends in common?"

Luke rolled his eyes. "You and your secrets. Fine, don't tell me - Han!" This last was said with a wave as the spacer wove his way through the other breakfast-goers to join them.

"Mornin' kid. Maul, Communications needs you. You got a call.” Solo jerked a gloved thumb over his shoulder. “Guess whoever it is has been trying ‘ta get ahold a'ya for a couple days.”

“No kidding?” Luke looked intrigued. “Look at you, Mr. Popular! First day on active duty and you’re already getting calls. Who is it, Han?”

“Donno - I’m just the messenger,” Captain Solo said as they split off from the crowds and down a hall Maul hadn’t yet been allowed to explore. A short walk later, they entered the Communications Hub, which was a riot of hot machinery and sentients gathered together in close quarters; it was a miracle the ceiling hadn’t melted away.

A harassed-looking Nautolan met them. "Solo, excellent. So this is "Maul"?" The man turned his fathomless black eyes on Maul, questions shining in their depths. "Your call is waiting on the private line in room three. She insisted."

Ah, Maul thought, Qi'ra.

Maul followed the Natolian's pointing finger to the tiny ice cave designated "Room Three", only to turn and find both Luke and Solo close on his heels. The curiosity of Rebels would get them killed sooner rather than later.

"I think I should prefer to speak to my associate in private, if you would be so kind." He closed the door in Solo's snooping face. Once alone, Maul accepted the call. "What?" he greeted curtly.

Even across the static of a long-range connection, he could hear anger in Qi'ra's practiced Core accent. "You've aligned us with the Rebellion."

"You question my decision?" he asked levelly, the threat present only in its absence.

"No, my lord," she hedged, reeling in her temper. Even after all these years, during his travels and experiments, Qi'ra had remained a steadfast ally. She questioned him, certainly, but he had quickly realized the value of her perspective. He had worried, at first, that her (literal) cut-throat corporate ladder climbing would eventually be turned against him, but he refused to surround himself only with idiots and sycophants, either.

Eventually, they had struck a balance. Qi'ra was a ruthlessly efficient officer, but it was the streak of kindness in her that made her a better leader than Dryden Voss had even been aware existed. She inspired loyalty. But it was an uphill battle for her to establish herself in the galaxy. Maul was more than willing to step aside and let her take the administrative reins of the Crimson Dawn. In exchange, she used his name as the leader of the Shadow Collective to threaten her political enemies. They'd fallen onto a pattern and it was… good.

"Why now, my lord?" she asked at last.

"I've stumbled upon an opportunity, and the Rebellion gatekeeps it." He settled on the rickety plasti bench provided by the Rebellion, leaving forward on his cane. "The situation isn't ideal, but it is worth it."

"Of course, my lord." She still sounded irate. "Then I'm calling to report that I received a call from a General Draven of the Alliance to Restore the Republic asking about your credentials. I recommended you, of course. Do you have new orders?"

"They didn't believe my tale," he grumbled. "Thank you for your assistance. Regarding my orders, carry on as you are; for the time being, I've offered only my own services, not yours."

She sighed in a burst of static.

He had to admit, he had not considered what impact his allegiance might have on Qi'ra or the Crimson Dawn when he had walked into Mothma's office. He hadn't even had the foresight to warn Qi'ra that he had given the Rebellion her to contact. Poor manners. And obviously whatever she had told Draven had pacified both he and Mothma, otherwise, Maul imagined, he'd be fleeing through the snow at this very moment. He owed her. "I will do better to keep you abreast of my plans in the future," Maul offered finally.

Still, she said nothing. Frustration and disapproval radiated across the Force. Great. He had done something.

"What concerns you?" he tried prompting. Sometimes she was willing to answer if he asked early enough in the conversation. He rarely caught his mistakes with her before they happened.

There was another long pause. "The other Syndicates won't like it," she argued at last. "As soon as we openly show our support for the Rebellion, everyone - the Pykes, the Black Sun - will cut ties, regardless of your position. They will not risk an imperial rebuttal."

"Bah. Let them wallow in their neutrality. I believe the tide is about to turn."

"Is that what you think you've found? Some weapon against the Empire? What happened to finding Keno-?"

"Dead," he interrupted quickly, hoping that invoking the name wouldn't summon the spirit. "But he died fighting for the Rebellion. I found what he was protecting."

"Are you saying the Rebellion has a Jedi superweapon?"

He chuckled. "From a certain point of view I suppose so, yes. You are correct, however: it would be wise to nurture our connections outside the Syndicates. Please reach out to our unaffiliated colleagues and send them our regards. See where their loyalties lie and who may be willing to lend assistance."

"I shall do so. What do I tell them if they ask what convinced us?"

It was Maul's turn to hesitate. Luke was not an unknown quantity to the Empire. The pilot who'd destroyed the Death Star had one of the highest bounties in the galaxy. The Rebellion had turned Skywalker into a rallying call and promoted him accordingly - it was no secret that the son of Anakin Skywalker, the Hero with No Fear, was training to be a Jedi. But did Maul want to draw others' attention to his interest in Luke? Maul had absolutely crossed a line taking Luke as his apprentice, and Sidious would strike back with all his fury. That was an inevitability he would prefer delay as long as possible.

"The Death Star," he decided aloud. "I know how long the Emperor had planned that monstrosity, and the effort it must have taken to see it destroyed. If the Rebellion is capable of that, they are capable of much more."

"Understood. And the unofficial reason?"

He chuckled at her sharp instincts; she was much more adept at seeking information than his apprentice, if no less direct. "Not over the 'comms; there's no such thing as a truly secure line. We shall speak of such things when we are next face-to-face."

This, finally, was enough for his proxy. "Very well. But I will be buying myself a new pair of shoes on your behalf."

"Materialistic," he chastised fondly. "Make it two. And do let me know if you require any assistance enforcing your will; I think I may finally be in a position to reach out in a timely manner once again."

"Refreshing. Then for many reasons do I hope we see each other again soon, my lord. Do be safe."

"And you, Qi'ra."

As it occurred, being cleared by the Rebellion's security changed very little in Maul's day-to-day life. Still, for two 10-day weeks, he fell into an almost seamless pattern with the rebels. He still rose with Luke and the Rogues and trained his apprentice in the afternoons. But now additionally in the mornings he was found some menial task to attend to as a part of his duties to the Rebellion. Generally, as he had no official skill set aside from training Luke, this meant either shuffling crates and equipment down Echo Base's too-small hallways or running patrols out in the snowy tundra.

The Rebels, Maul had realized upon being introduced to their inner workings, were hopeless. Oh, they were doing fine - better than, considering the brutal efficiency of the Empire - but their greatest successes were due in large part to luck and a few Force-chosen heroes (Captain Syndulla, Mon Mothma, Ahsoka Tano, he could go on…). Their training, equipment, and personnel were tragically lacking. The Rebellion's base on Hoth as understaffed as it was, Luke occasionally pulled him for supplemental work, such as filling in on afternoon patrols instead of studying the Force, which they ought to have been doing.

"Echo Three to Echo Eleven," Luke's voice said in a burst of static from the bulky weatherproof comms unit strapped to Maul's snowsuit. "Do you read me, Master?"

Balancing on his fidgety tauntaun, Maul pulled aside his mask to answer clearly. "Yes, Echo Three. All clear to the East. Have you encountered any trouble?"

The Force seemed to tense around him as he said the word, and Maul found himself waiting for Luke's response with baited breath.

"No trouble. I finished my circle and I'm not picking up any lifeforms. I think I'll head back. There's just this meteorite that hit the ground near here and I'm gonna check it out first."

Like a drawn bow string released, the tension in the Force vibrated and struck. In a burst of insight, Maul saw the glint of long metallic legs and heard the incessant, hideous chatter of an imperial probe droid as it pulled itself from a smoking crater.

"Wait!" he gasped into the com. "I think there may be something more malicious at play. The Empire does not always require organic life to do its dirty work. Let me attend to the meteorite. You return to base and forewarn your princess that we may have a probe. I'll try to bring something of it back, if I can."

"A probe droid? Are you sure?"

"Yes. We must hurry! They are experts at blending into most terrains and we must not lose it. Send me the coordinates to which you tracked the meteorite."

"Copy. See you soon," Luke signed off. Maul took only a moment to repin his facemask and turn off his comm unit so it would not give away his position before urging his tauntaun into a run toward Luke's indicated coordinates.

The Rebels relied too heavily on fair play. Did they imagine the Empire sent human Stormtroopers or ISB agents to every planet that had the potential to be a Rebel base? That was what droids were for. And yet they scanned for lifeforms.

Turning the Rebellion into a force that could reasonably defeat the Empire once the Emperor was gone would take work. He would have preferred to take over the established power structure given the opportunity, but the imperial hierarchy was too firmly entrenched in Sidious' image. There was so little worth salvaging, he may as well burn it to the ground. As long as Sidious' plans were ruined, he was finding he cared less and less what was instigated in their place.

Just so long as it wasn't his responsibility.

Approximately a klick out from Luke's coordinates, Maul dismounted his tauntaun to creep closer on foot, laying low to the snow and careful to keep his footsteps light. Alert to the nature of his prey, Maul heard the droid's chatter before he saw it, although it was but a mere murmur beneath the wind's roar.

The trick with probes was that they were constantly sending information back to their masters; destroy a probe openly, and the Empire would know the exact details of its destruction in the next moment. However, if the only information the Empire received was environmental, they had been known to conclude a planet too hostile for life and write it off. It was with this in mind that Maul began whipping a Force blizzard into existence. Still tracking the probe droid's slow, practically unseen journey across the tundra, Maul broadened the scope of his storm.

Like most arts of the Dark Side, Force Storms took on a life of their own, growing exponentially once they gained power. He sought just the moment when the storm was large, but not yet capable of more than a quick burst of chaos, and sent it off to intercept the droid.

He watched the snow encircle it, and then the droid disappeared from view. With any luck, the storm would do enough damage that he wouldn't have to destroy it directly. If he could return it to the Rebels in something like one piece, they may be able to learn something from it.

Maul had estimated correctly, and the storm burned itself out after several long minutes of swirling ice and wind. He trailed behind, waiting to see in what condition the probe would be. The droid's corpse tumbled out of the air like a dropped stone. Maul could see ice caked in its sensors and it had lost two of its arms. Still, he approached with caution; the closer he came, the more certain he was that his storm had sufficiently frozen the creature. Several of its antennas had been broken as well, so even if it were able to record, he was confident it couldn't signal back to its masters. The Rebels could handle it from here.

Maul lugged the probe (they were always so much larger in person, and needlessly heavy as well) tediously through the tundra, using the Force to aid the journey back to his tauntaun. The stupid beast was at least waiting for him where he'd left it, stamping and braying its displeasure. Using the ropes the Rebels always stowed in the tauntaun's saddlebags, Maul lashed the droid to the beast like a toboggan and followed alongside, easing his prize's way occasionally with the Force.

The Rebels had apparently not expected him to return with anything for he received no assistance until one of the guards spotted him. A moment later, an entire patrol emerged to help - too late to be of any real use.

"There you are!" The princess came sprinting out of the hanger's low, gaping mouth, her own set in a furious line. "You can't miss check-in like that! I - what the hell is that? Where's Luke?"

This, at last, gave Maul reason to look up from his careful work. "This is the probe droid. What do you mean "where's Luke"? I sent him back with news of the droid; did he never return?"

"No. When you missed your last check-in, we tried to contact you both, but there was no answer. We were about to send out search parties." Her eyes slid to the probe. "You destroyed it?"

"Froze," he corrected. "It should be handled with great care; I do not know what shape it will be in when it melts. Luke was meant to tell you all of this. If he has not returned, something has happened to him."

"Yes. The Empire?"

From the ground, Wedge piped up, "Nah, this is a long-range model, meant for autonomous recon. I've never seen one up close before; usually if you're this close, you're already dead." There was something like respect in his voice, but Maul had no time for him now.

"The tundra's dangerous in other ways," Solo growled as he joined them. The princess's ire redirected itself on the smuggler instantaneously. "How'd you manage to lose the kid between here and the perimeter?"

Maul glared but did not dignify the captain with a response. Instead, to the princess he said, "Prepare your search parties and take this inside to be examined," he gestured at the probe. "I'll return to his last known coordinates and try to track him from there."

"Be careful," the princess cautioned as he slung himself back up onto his exhausted tauntaun. "There's only about forty minutes until sundown and we'll have to close the doors whether you're here or not."

He nodded wordlessly.

She put a hand on his knee and leaned close. "Please find him, Master." Her brown eyes were huge and solemn and he was reminded quite suddenly of the image of another young woman - red and gold, Naboo, Amidala, Kenobi -

Cold wind whipped around his face pulling him from his reverie. He set those thoughts aside; mysteries had to wait for another day. He nodded to the girl and kicked his tauntaun to a run.

He tracked the straightest line to Luke's last known coordinates allowed by the terrain, imagining that with his orders, this was the hurried route Luke would have chosen. As night drew nearer, however, the winds picked up to brutal levels such that even the tauntaun was having difficulties. Maul cursed; the trail, if there even was one, would be unreadable by the time he arrived.

And indeed, there was no sign of Luke when he reached the boy's last known location, neither footprints nor blood. He cursed again, more viciously this time. What he needed now was to concentrate. Meditate. Seek Luke out in the Force…

"Maul," Kenobi said, his phantom voice carrying easily over the wind. "Maul, you must come quickly. Luke has been taken by a wampa."

It seemed surreal that for the first time in his life, Maul's response to seeing Kenobi was relief.

"Show me."

Kenobi may have been surprised by Maul's easy acquiescence, but they both allowed their professionalism to take control. Maul spurred his wampa into motion, following Kenobi's ghostly form through the now-driving snow.

The wampa's cave was relatively shallow but deep enough to be protected from the wind and snow. Kenobi hovered beside him as Maul again dismounted his beast. It bayed a warning as it caught the stench of wampa, and Maul patted its neck to sooth it. They were far enough back that the tauntaun would be safe - assuming he could corner the monster. He took a breath and moved to engage.

"Good luck," Kenobi murmured. "May the Force be with you."

Maul did not respond. He did not know how. Instead, he plunged into the cave.

The first thing that struck him was the smell: rank meat, unwashed beast, and fear. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he spotted Luke hanging from the icy ceiling of the cave next to a number of mangled, torn corpses. His hearts nearly exploded from his chest until, with trembling nerves, he caught sense of Luke in the Force. He was still breathing.

The wampa roared, having already caught sight of him, and Maul sprang into action. The fight was short and brutal: he dodged out of the way of the wampa's first swing and, while the limb was exposed, ignited half his 'saber and cut the arm off with one clean swing. While it was screaming and rearing back in pain, Maul cut into its belly and disemboweled it. To end its suffering, he beheaded it.

He turned away from the corpse and found Kenobi standing between Luke and the fight, as if he could have done anything should Maul have failed. (Could he have?) Using the Force, Maul released Luke's feet from the ceiling of the cave and lay him out to assess his wounds. His shoulder was mangled and there was a brutal scratch across his face. His nose, too, might have been broken.

"There's very little internal damage, Kenobi murmured, suddenly so close to Maul's ear he could have sworn he felt breath stir on his neck. "The cold is his greater threat. You must hurry back before Leia closes the door."

Maul didn't bother to answer, only pushed himself to his feet and scooped Luke into his arms, but he couldn't help but get the impression Kenobi was smiling.

With their window for a safe return narrowing dangerously, Maul didn't risk stopping long enough to administer first aid. Instead, he threw the apprentice over his tauntaun's back, mounted up behind him, and pushed the beast into run one more time. It bleated piteously but did as it was told, struggling against the storm.

He didn't let himself dwell on any possibility but success, and the Force hummed with his desperation and determination. There was a reason the Rebels had to close that door at night; the driving winds and snow that came were deadly even to most of the local fauna. He could feel the waves of anxiety coming off the tauntaun. It knew as well as he what would happen if they didn't reach the safety of the base. The growing blizzard obscured his vision, and it was only by the Will of the Force and his tauntaun's instincts that the dark gape of the hanger appeared out of the swirling snow. They were going to live.

Medics rushed out to meet them, pulling Luke from Maul's increasingly weak grasp. He felt himself being eased down from his mount as well, and only realized how frozen he had become when he couldn't find the strength to resist. His vision tunneled with the late stages of hypothermia. The Force must have kept it at bay until he could reach safety, and now the consequences were catching up to him.

His last sight was of Luke being hurried inside before unconsciousness took him.

Maul was only asleep for a few hours, and aside from some long-term exhaustion, he had escaped any real consequences. Of course, as his doctor had wryly pointed out, he was only at about half the risk. Even his robotic legs had not suffered any lasting damage. He found himself part of the vigil at Luke's bacta tank alongside the Rogues, Princess Leia, Captain Antilles, Captain Solo, and Chewbacca. It was too crowded to be comfortable. He desperately needed to meditate, but he needed to see to his apprentice's health more.

What if he had failed again? He couldn't imagine losing Luke as he had Savage… and Ezra, to a lesser extent. They had only just begun his training, could the Force be so cruel? Yes, it could. He knew from experience.

There is no mercy...

And so there he sat, wedged between Antilles and the princess, watching Solo pace and Chewbacca rumble comfort and the Rogues keep up a running commentary from the hallway. The Rebel Doctors kept Luke submerged for twenty-three hours. At hour twelve, a slow, building light began to pulse within Luke's Force presence. Maul released a sigh of relief; Luke would survive. He was healing, slowly but inevitably. When he spoke these observations aloud, it seemed to bring the princess, at least, some level of comfort. Solo scoffed under his breath.

While they were forced to disband their vigil sometime late in the night with strict orders to rest and return in the morning, when Luke was pulled from the tank they were all once again present. Not long after they stopped the flow of anesthesia, the boy stirred, blinking awake and looking dazedly around at them. A massive wave of relief crashed through Maul. This time, he'd been fast enough. This time, he'd been good enough. This time, he had been able to save his apprentice.

In the following week, Luke grew steadily stronger, and most days Maul sat alongside him (as he, too, had been taken off rotation to recover) telling him legends of the Force from around the galaxy.

"Oh, I just remembered," Luke said suddenly one evening. "I had a dream back at the wampa cave I wanted to ask you about."

Maul looked up from where he was thumbing through Kenobi's journal. "Go on, Apprentice."

"I dreamed that Ben was there, talking to me, keeping me calm," he said, and Maul's mouth went dry. "He promised everything was going to be okay, because he was going to lead you to me. And you did. Come for me, I mean. But I have to ask… did you see him too? Could it really have been Ben and the Force that saved me?"

Should he lie? Could he, if Kenobi (damn him!) had opened that line of communication?

"Yes," Maul said slowly, still unsure if this was a wise answer. "The Force is capable of many things and… it was most assuredly the Will of the Force that I find you…"

"You saw him too, didn't you?" Luke said shrewdly. "It really was him."

"It was unlike anything I have ever before encountered," Maul conceded. "More like Dathmiri magic than any Jedi skill. We must be cautious, Apprentice. Spirits of any sort have their own secrets to hide and can be just as dangerous as the living." He thought of his sisters tearing after Jarris and Wren, of his Mother's avenging ghost. "Even moreso, perhaps."

Luke nodded very seriously, "I will. But I do think he's our Ben. I think his spirit's here to help us."

Maul didn't have anything to say to that. Indeed, Kenobi's ghost had done nothing but aid him in good faith. It seemed impossible that any Jedi, much less one he had been tormenting for most of his life, could look on him now as an ally - or expect allyship from him.

And yet, here they were.

Chapter Text

"What have you got for me, Sabine?" General Hera Sydulla called as she entered Lothal Base's communications hub. She'd just returned from the mission that should have - in theory, if their information was good this time - finally knocked out the imperial station that been supressing Lothal's communications with the rest of the galaxy. It had been more than once galactic standard month since they had heard from Alliance command and everyone was anxious for any update from their friends and fellow rebels.

"Good news! We definitely got it this time. Communications have been restored. Good job, Hera!" the Mandalorian said from her place next to Rex at the console.

"Battle's over! Now it's time for the paperwork. We've got a backlog since comms are up; especially you, General," Rex said, grinning through his moustache.

"Thanks for getting it up and running again, you two. Can you send mine to my office?" Hera asked as she took a long look at the readouts. "I should get a head start while Jacen is still down for his nap."

"Sure thing!" Sabine chirped and turned back to her work.

Since the Battle of Yavin had scattered the Rebels across the galaxy, Hera didn't regret making Lothal her new semi-permanent base of operations. She had spent the last few years splitting her time between Yavin and Lothal anyway, so it had only made sense to work from Lothal full time.

She had kept the rest of the Rebellion away. The Empire may have chosen to pretend that Lothal didn't exist after the Ghost crew had chased Pryce and Thrawn off-world, but that wouldn't have been the case had the Rebellion tried to settle there. Lothal and her people had become Sabine's first priority, her tribute to Ezra, and not even the Rebellion could sway Sabine to endanger her. But Hera, Chopper, Zeb, and a handful of others were always welcome.

Settling in at her desk, Hera's eyes strayed to the picture of Kanan she kept there. She had others - of the whole family or of she and Kanan together - but this one was her favorite. It was a candid shot, taken at one of Ezra's first lessons, and in it Kanan still looked so young. He had fallen asleep teaching Ezra to meditate, and she had managed to capture the moment he awoke: embarrassed, amused, and bright-eyed. She loved the Jedi that Kanan had become with all her heart, but this silly, warm man was her Kanan. The Kanan she conjured when she needed to remember what she was fighting for.

Hera refocused herself on the task at hand and began sorting through her correspondence. Working from highest-priority to lowest, she had just finished recommending the best path the Rebel fleet could take to avoid the imperial blockade around Kashyyyk when the next transmission caught her eye:

New Recruitment Information Retrieval, it said, Recruit Name: Maul. Heart hammering, Hera opened the file. Inside was indeed an image of Darth Maul - if a bit older and rougher around the edges than the last time she'd seen him - along with the usual forms that General Draven used to request information on new recruits. Were they insane?! The Alliance thought Darth Maul really wanted to join their rebellion? An ex-Sith Lord? And alongside it was a short, hand-written note from Mon Mothma:

Hera -

I hope this letter finds you and all of Lothal well. I write because it would seem Echo Base has gotten itself another Force User. I should appreciate, familiar as you are with the Jedi, your judgement on our potential new friend. Commander Skywalker is hopeful that he could be a great boon for our rebellion and his personal development.

Yours,

Mon Mothma

Hera was going to be sick.

She had never met Luke Skywalker. This was partially because they had never stumbled across each other's paths, not since the Rebellion had fractured back into cells to stay ahead of the Empire. And partially… because she hadn't wanted to give him false hope. She didn't have any more Jedi secrets than anyone else; Kanan and Ezra had taken them all when they'd gone. What advice could a Jedi's widow offer a Jedi student? Apparently, don't trust Maul for one.

But that was her fault too, wasn't it? It had been her decision not to tell the Alliance everything that had happened on Malachor or later when Maul had taken the Ghost hostage. At the time, she'd decided it was Jedi Business, and in the interest of protecting Jedi Secrets from the Empire, she had chosen not to detail anything that could benefit Vader or the Inquisitors should they capture Alliance records. More the fool her.

She was six sentences into a scathing response that Maul should have been shot on sight when logic caught up to her. Maul was vicious and bloodthirsty; if the Rebels on Echo Base engaged him directly, they would probably end up a smoking crater and the Sith bastard would still be out there, plotting his next move. An undercover operation then? Hera had never loved General Draven's underhanded techniques, but even she had to admit he was effective.

Oh, who was she kidding? Maul was not going to go quietly into that good night. Pretending this was anything but a Jedi problem was a good way to get the whole Alliance destroyed from the inside, without the Empire ever having to lift a finger. She groaned and buried her face in her hands. They were running out of options, fast.

Hera took a long breath. She needed a clearer head and a new perspective. This was what family was for.

Sticking her head out the door, Hera called down the hallway, "Sabine! Rex! Can you come in here for a second?"

It was probably for the best that it was Rex and Sabine, actually, she thought. They were more strategically-minded than Zeb or Chopper. When they were all together and the door firmly shut, Hera showed them the file. It went about as well as could be expected: Sabine began cursing colorfully and Rex fell oddly quiet.

"We have to take him out, right?" Sabine demanded. "If it gets out to the Mandalorians that we're harboring him, they'll end all aid to the Rebellion. And he's obviously planning something! Hera, what are you even asking?"

"Calm down, Sabine. Of course I'm not planning on letting him stay, but how we go about it matters, too. We never saw him in action, but we know what he's capable of. I'm not sure Echo Base could handle him on their own if it came to open warfare. But I'm not positive subterfuge is our best route, either. Besides all that, we have no proof of anything if it comes down to it. We have to think this through."

"Isn't our word enough? Isn't Mandalore's?" Sabine snapped, but at Hera's look, she took a breath and reigned in her temper. "Alright. You're right. I know I could get together some Mandalorians who could identify him, though. That would help our case."

"Good idea," Hera agreed. "Rex? You've been awfully quiet."

Rex had been chuckling to himself. "Eh? Sorry. I was just thinking: General Kenobi told Ahsoka that Maul was hard to kill - he told us to capture the loth-rat back at the Siege of Mandalore, and that's the closest I know of anyone besides General Kenobi taking Maul down a peg. And both times he still managed to slip between our fingers anyway." Rex clenched his fist.

"No offense, Rex, but I'm not sure we're going to be able to capture him, either," said Hera.

"Oh, definitely not. He's one of the best duelists in the galaxy. There's only a handful of people I could even imagine winning against him. And as much as I'd pay to watch him go up against Vader, I'm not sure how we'd orchestrate that."

Sabine made a little noise of inspiration. "You said only two people have ever beaten him, right? Well, Kenobi may not be here to finish the job, but Ahsoka - "

"Gave us explicit orders not to involve her in the Rebellion again!" Rex growled. "Those were the conditions she set for reestablishing contact."

"Yeah, but she would never forgive us for not calling her in an emergency. If she's faced Maul before, she knows how important it is that he's taken down once and for all. I don't hear us coming up with any other great plans to get rid of him, but we all agree he's got to go!"

"I don't like that she's chosen a different path either, Sabine! I don't understand it any more than you do, but if the Force has dictated another direction for her, then that's her decision! She would have given her life for this cause. That she was spared was a damn miracle, and if she wants to use her second chance to do something other than fight in another war, I say let her!"

The Captain was breathing hard like a bantha bull and Sabine was gesturing expressively. As their bickering rose to a dull roar, Hera blocked them out. What could they do against Maul? Without Ahsoka, she feared, nothing. But they had sworn to respect the path she had chosen. Turning the problem over and over in her head like it was a piece of Chopper's hardware, Hera's gaze strayed automatically to her picture of Kanan. Her eyes traced the lines of Kanan's face, lingering over his eyes...

"You're both right." She said suddenly, evenly. "Ahsoka is probably our only real chance of taking Maul out, and it's also her decision whether or not to get involved. Let's call her and tell her what's happened. At worst, she tells us to handle it ourselves and gives us some advice. Agreed?"

That, at least, seemed a reasonable compromise to both. Now, Hera could only hope that Ahsoka was able to offer some assistance with their problem.

Chapter Text

"Apprentice, what can the tauntaun teach us about life?"

Maul scratched Naa'leth's wooley ears and watched Luke as he wandered among the other tauntauns. They weren't the most intelligent animals, nor the most Force sensitive, but on Hoth they had important lessons to teach the boy. Although his attention was wandering far from Maul's instruction and he despaired at ever getting this lesson through the boy's head.

Luke crouched down beside a bull and peered into his eyes curiously. "Wear a coat when you go out in the snow?" he joked. Maul rolled his eyes. Luke was an excellent student - filled with endless  thoughtful questions - until he was distracted. Then, his mind would run just as fast in unrelated directions, and it was all Maul could do to drag him through a lesson. As with this moment.

"Alright, alright. Sorry. Uh, there's strength in numbers?" Luke tried again, more seriously.

"Yes, certainly, that isn't a bad place to start," Maul allowed. "The tundra is merciless. Tauntauns huddle for warmth and use their numbers to trample predators, but when the individual is lost from the group or grows ill, they are abandoned and the tundra consumes them. Hoth is a home and a grave. Like the tundra, the galaxy is a harsh place filled with harsh, complicated truths."

The tauntaun bleated and continued to chew its cud.

"Oh," Luke flopped back into the hay. "When can I start learning something useful? You keep telling me how awful everything is, but if I have the power to change it, why can't we start? The sooner I can fight, the sooner I can make myself useful to the Rebellion!"

He merely rolled his eyes at Luke's proclamation. "There is no need for melodrama." 

"But people are dying because I'm taking too long!" 

Maul imagined that even Naa'leth looked unimpressed with this logic. "You ought not run toward your inevitable battle with Vader. You must have patience with the Force; it will not be rushed. The Rebellion grew and survived for twenty years without you, it will last long enough to see you fully trained." 

(Although, the Force only knew how that would have happened had Maul not appeared.)

With reluctance, the apprentice sat up from the hay, bits of it falling out of his golden hair and off his heavy jacket. "I know, but it's still frustrating. Being stuck here on base while everyone else is out there fighting is awful!"

"Your time on medical leave is nearly over, and you have made great strides in your training during these last four weeks," Maul said reasonably. "Perhaps not in the form you desire, but it is significant progress nonetheless."

"That's not how it feels at all. Han's out there running jobs for the Rebellion even though he doesn't even want to be here! He's picking up my slack and everybody knows it."

And here we reach the crux of the problem, Maul thought. He rose from where he sat beside Naa'leth, and the tauntaun followed Maul through the enclosure to where Luke pouted. She nudged the boy's shoulder with her snout. 

"This is about Solo?"

Luke turned red.

"And the princess," Maul said, satisfied that at last they may now begin to make some progress. "Speak, Apprentice. What troubles you?"

The little Jedi didn't immediately offer an answer, but Maul had learned that he only had to be patient. Luke would crack on his own, he just needed time. Maul silently patted Naa'leth, who nosed at the hay in Luke's hair.

"She kissed me!" he burst out at last. "Leia kissed me! Right there in front of Han and Threepio!" 

Maul had seen the way the three friends interacted, had learned too (from Captain Antilles, little surprise there) that tensions had been high between them since almost the moment they'd met. And Maul had been watching the princess closely, ever since she had looked up at him and he had seen Queen Amidala. He didn't know what significance this held, but the Force sang with its veracity. 

And the Force also drew Luke and Leia together; when they worked in tandem, the flow of the Force changed and shaped itself to them. He'd never seen anything like it. 

Maul had to remind himself of his own advice to Luke: the Force would reveal itself with time, pushing things would only cause missteps and frustration. 

"That is what you wanted, is it not?" Maul said slowly, testing out the words. He was still very bad at offering comfort. "But you are more upset now."

"Because nothing changed! She hasn't done it again, but she and Han are fighting more than ever. I was worried he was going to finally leave, like he's been threatening to for months, but he just keeps taking more jobs when we offer them and complaining about the pay! Nothing makes any sense!" With this proclamation, Luke flopped back into the hay, causing one of Naa'leth's sisters to brey at him unhappily. 

"Well, perhaps you ought to begin by asking yourself what it is that you want."

"What do you mean?" Luke asked from the hay pile.

"You said the princess kissed you, but I am given to understand that among humans these things are meant to be reciprocated. Have you kissed her?" 

Luke sat up. "Well, no. It was kinda sudden and I didn't really have time to react…" He blushed again. 

"And you have not sought her out? Every being, even those as confident as your princess, needs encouragement in romance, Apprentice. What you must now ask yourself is what you want, and then act with surety." He offered a hand to help Luke up. "But I recommend you decide quickly, for Princess Organa is not a patient woman."

This, at least, seemed to finally be actionable enough advice that it got through to the boy. "Alright. I'll think about it. Thanks." With a little half-grin, Luke took Maul's hand and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. "Hey - speaking of, have you heard from Ben lately?"

Maul, who had turned away to don his coat, looked slowly back at Luke, "Pardon?"

"Have you heard from Ben lately?" Luke repeated obediently, carefully not meeting Maul's eyes as he pulled on his own jacket.

"...no, not since he helped me to locate you. Kenobi has been reticent of late." And didn't that just irritate him - the bastard had gone and made himself useful, for once, and then disappeared. More than that, though, Luke had finally confirmed that Kenobi wasn't a figment of Maul's imagination. It raised questions on which, until Kenobi deigned to reveal his presence to the living once again, Maul could only stew.

"I'm sure he's just off doing important ghost stuff. He'll be back soon, don't worry."

"I am not worried," Maul protested, but the boy had stopped listening. 

Luke was already out of the tauntaun pen and babbling about his stomach. "Poodoo! Do you see what time it is? Come on, we should go now if we want to have dinner with Han and Leia." 

And just like that Luke was his usual bubbly self again, seeking his friends out regardless of his troubles with them. Maul should have silently despaired at Luke's mercurial moods, but he was just so pleased to be able to raise Luke's spirits. With one hand on Maul's forearm to tow him along, they joined a handful of other stragglers headed to the evening meal. 

Among them was the towering form of Chewbacca. The Wookie had to duck and dodge occasionally to avoid the errant hodgepodge of wiring or an out-standing ventilation shaft embedded into the ice, but he still towered over the crowd. Luke angled them in Chewbacca's direction and they could soon hear and see Solo as well. 

"I ain't saying she doesn't need rewiring, just that maybe now ain't the time to do it! We got jobs to do and Jabba- "

Chewbacca roared something that Maul was almost certain was a shot at Solo's courage (but may also have simply been a remark about trees and not an insulting idiom, Maul's Shyriiwook had never been stellar). Based on the way Solo cried, "Oh, so now this is my fault!" Maul was quite sure his translation had been correct.

"Did you take apart the Falcon again, Chewie?" Luke said in lieu of a greeting, all glowing smiles and laughter.

The Wookie barked an affirmative, and his great woofing laughter joined Luke's giggles. 

"I got jobs!" Solo groused to Maul. "We've got obligations! Taking my baby to pieces in this icy hellscape is not how a smuggler makes money!"

Maul too chuckled. "It seems your obligations here will keep you a little longer."

Solo threw his hands into the air, the gesture somewhat softened by his heavy blue parka, "You're all against me!"

"Aww, c'mon Han," Luke said, nudging the smuggler with his elbow. "Somebody's gotta pick up my slack."

"Your pity-party's just about over, kid," said Solo, unconsciously echoing Maul's earlier words, "soon you'll be back to full duty and then Chewie and I got places to be." The captain glared up at his companion. "And this time, I mean it! No more "repairs"!"

The princess was already seated across the cafeteria alongside several of the Rogues. Their group of four queued for their portion of the (again swiftly dwindling) rations and then joined her table. 

"I'm afraid we're going to have to start cutting back to half-rations on fuel," Leia was saying as they approached. 

"Ah hell. We'll make it work, but has the fuel situation gotten that bad?" Wedge asked, then looked up and grinned when he saw them. "Oh, hey guys!" 

Maul found himself sitting between Luke and Wedge while Solo and Chewbacca slid in beside the princess. At the far end of the table, the youngest of the Rogues, Hobbie and Dak, listened with interest to Organa and Antilles talk shop. There was a chorus of greetings as space was made for them. 

"Did you have a good lesson?" the princess asked. 

"Yeah, I asked the tauntauns for advice on my love life," Luke joked. "How are preparations coming? Did Intelligence get you that report on the probe droid yet?"

"Not yet; I think they're still reviewing some things. We'll get all the details at the meeting."

A grumble went up from the pilots. Echo base was rapidly approaching its first base-wide meeting - a comprehensive breakdown of their projects and accomplishments to date as well as their long-term prospects on Hoth. The Rebels had been hard at work preparing, but Maul had to confess he found the administrative work utterly dull.

Conversation buzzed around Maul's horns and he let it lull him as he ate his ration bar. It was strange to be included in this group of friends like he was one of them. He still felt like a foreigner, but with Luke and Wedge's warm shoulders pressed up against his and the weight of food in his belly, Maul could almost pretend for a moment that this was where he belonged. 

You'll never be one of them. Cease these foolish, weak thoughts. 

Maul's eyes flew open and he froze for a moment, needing to reassure himself that Sidious's voice was just an echo of his damaged mind. That the Sith wasn't really there. Maul was safe.

The conversation didn't change around him, but he felt Luke gently nudge his hand under the table. When he looked up, their eyes met, and in Luke's he saw gentle concern. Maul forced a small smile and nodded. The little Jedi needn't worry about Maul's delusions; they were not a matter he needed to put on his apprentice's shoulders. 

Dinner broke not long later as most of the Rogues were assigned an early call-time. Luke and the princess would spend the next two days in relentless preparation for the meeting. After a brief goodbye, Maul attended to his evening ablutions and then retreated to his room for his own meditations and sleep. It was the same routine he had been practicing for weeks.

In the middle of the night, however, Maul snapped awake. His lightsaber, hidden safely beneath his pillow, in his hand and lit before he was even fully conscious. Kenobi only looked amused, standing with his hands raised passively at the end of the red blade.

"We must stop meeting this way," the ghost said, like it was a joke. 

"You must announce yourself or I shall keep doing so!" Maul snarled back, but he extinguished his lightsaber. 

Still smiling, Kenobi said, "I apologize for waking you. That was not my intent."

Maul sat up and gathered some semblance of dignity. "Then you admit you were spying on me?" 

Kenobi raised an eyebrow, "I check on both you and Luke periodically. You have been doing fine; I haven't had anything to add."

"I can hardly believe the day has come when the Negotiator has no opinions to share," Maul sneered. He'd heard Kenobi's pompous title during the Clone Wars and threw it in his ghost's face now.

Kenobi only laughed. "You would rather I make my presence known?

"I would rather know when I am being watched, yes," Maul growled. "Is that all? As you can see, I am neither tempting Luke to the Dark Side nor slaughtering innocents. May I sleep, O' great Jedi?"

"Since you asked so nicely," Kenobi teased. (Teased! Him!) "Sleep well, you ornery old Sith."

"Get out!" Maul could only snarl as the ghost vanished in the next second. 

The next afternoon, Maul and Luke were working through a more advanced lightsaber form when Kenobi struck again. 

"Very well done, Luke. Your training is progressing admirably. Your father would be proud," Kenobi called out as Luke came to a smooth finish, the Force flowing through his movements with enviable effortlessness. The ghost appeared from the Force where once there had been nothing, and Maul fought the urge to skewer Kenobi on principle.

Luke, of course, was already talking. "Ben! Thank you! We've been working on it since the doctors gave me the go-ahead. It turns out these exercises are as good as the physical therapy they were gonna order, so Master has been teaching me. Um… thank-you again for rescuing me, by the way," he finished shyly.

Kenobi walked (a strangely mortal gesture) to where Maul stood rigidly and placed himself at Maul's right hand. "You are most welcome, young one, but it is your master you ought to be thanking. He did all the hard work; I was merely the messenger."

The conversation lapsed, and Maul realized that was because it was his turn to speak, but he was still trying to process Kenobi and his frustrating ways.

He took a steadying breath. Luke thought that they were friendly, and having Kenobi's endorsement lent more power to Maul's teachings. He could not break the illusion of civility, much as he wanted to take his usual tone with the intrusive Jedi. 

"You are indeed growing skilled at these exercises, Apprentice," he said at long last. "When your physician clears you, you are ready to begin sparring with me." He had been planning on telling the little Jedi today in any case; he may as well give him a moment to preen before his dear Ben.

Luke's eyes grew wide and bright. "Are you serious? Ben, did you hear that?"

Beside him, Kenobi chuckled warmly and said, "Yes, congratulations Luke. It is well-earned. And you could not have a better teacher; Maul is one of the most skilled dualists I've ever faced." 

"Save your flattery," he snapped, but couldn't stop a burst of pride deep in his chest. Kenobi also looked back on their duals with satisfaction? That was - ! Well, he didn't exactly know what it was, but it warmed something deep inside him.

"Can I learn to fight with two blades too?" cried Luke.

"Learn with one first; when you have gained suitable competence, then we will train you in other techniques," Maul said. And the boy would need another kyber crystal if he sought a second blade, although the Empire still maintained a tight hold on any producing worlds. 

Problems for another day. 

"You master is quite right, Luke," Kenobi agreed. "There will be opportunity for these things in time. Your training is not to be rushed."

Maul rolled his eyes at the Jedi. "Is this what you meant when you said you had nothing to add?"

"I told you you were doing fine." The world seemed to narrow down to just Kenobi's smiling lips and blue eyes. "You're the one who told me to come say hello."

He tore his gaze away with a derisive snort. "We should get back to work."

Luke, who had been watching them with thoughtful eyes, grinned brightly. "Actually, I got roped into doing a rotation with Wedge and Dak, so I better run." He lied so perfectly that Maul (nearly) didn't catch it. "You two should hang out though. Sounds like you've got a lot of catching up to do." He was out the door and down the hall so fast that Maul could only marvel at the sudden slipperiness of his student. Perhaps he had learned something of Sith cunning. 

"That's the Anakin in him," Kenobi said as he watched the door close behind Luke with a pneumatic hiss.

Maul glowered. "Such comparisons are unhelpful. He will have to learn the truth eventually. You only hurt him in the long term."

"Should I erase the man Anakin once was? The good he did and the impact he's had on his son?" Kenobi asked sharply.

"We should not tell him such things without context. Sidious will weaponize his ignorance. If he faces the Sith without knowing the truth, he will fail." Maul's words rang true in the Force, a stunning burst of insight that seemed to leave even Kenobi wrong-footed.

"Do you see?" Maul cried as the feeling settled in his gut like an anxious lead weight. "Lies do not become us! They only strengthen our enemies." 

Kenobi's eyes were fixed again in the ether, appealing to someone Maul could not see. "Surely even your dead Jedi cohorts must understand!" Maul cried.

"You - !" For the first time, Kenobi looked almost angry, but it dissolved as quickly as it had come. 

Leaving Maul even more enraged. 

"Yes. You are right," Kenobi conceded at length, although this did nothing to sooth Maul's fury; he knew he was right. "Luke must learn of his relation to Vader before they face each other again." He met Maul's eyes. "How will you do it?"

They had reached the point on this topic  where Maul's thoughts always stalled, circling the same worries over and over. How did he tell Luke of how far his lauded father had fallen and all the damage he had done without breaking the boy? 

And all at once his rage petered out as well, leaving Maul with only the leaden anxiety at his core and Kenobi to ground him. They were on even footing again - which was just as strange as it had been when they were working together to rescue Luke. He did not like this alliance.

Beside him, Kenobi stroked his beard in that old, familiar way. Maul must have been making some sort of face, because he hummed, "Yes, quite. Luke can be... fragile."

"I am working on it," Maul snapped.

"His uncle was very overprotective. Owen Lars was only ever exposed to the worst of Anakin, and he did his best to scare Luke away from any traits he thought may lead him down a similar path. I'm afraid Luke was never given much of a chance to grow up before he became a rebel."

"And the Rebellion has thrust him into a leadership role," Maul added despairingly. "With no training."

"Luke has a great deal of natural charisma and an adaptable personality - both enhanced by the Force - are you surprised? They lost many soldiers to obtain the plans for the Death Star and yet more to its destruction. Luke was a hero. His advancement was very natural."

"Be that as it may, it does not make it easier to speak to the boy on the matter of his father."

Kenobi blew out a breath. "You are correct. We will both work to prepare him for the truth. I will do… better about the way I speak of Anakin. You have my word."

Had Kenobi just agreed with him? He hated this! It was awful!

"Good. Perhaps we may yet bring Sidious down." He looked Kenobi very seriously in the eye. "I still hate you."

"I know." Kenobi smirked and vanished. 

The next day, Maul had been volunteered by Wedge to assist with de-icing the ventilation systems in the X-wings, and he was deep in a fighter's guts when a sharp rap on the hull rattled him. 

"Antilles," he said without thinking, "hand me that spanner-"

But it wasn't Wedge who looked down on him as he rolled out from beneath the X-wing, but the unmistakable face of Ahsoka Tano.

"Hello Maul," Lady Tano said, looking torn between angry and amused. She had grown taller, somehow, outstripping every being in the hanger but the Wookie (himself immersed in the Falcon's guts), and replaced her armor with more Jedi-like white robes. She had even acquired a coordinating staff.

Maul was suddenly, horribly aware that he was covered in grease and had snowmelt dripping off his horns. 

"Lady Tano," he said, unable to keep the shock from his voice. "You survived… again."

"Yes, thanks to Ezra Bridger. And so did you, it seems."

From the beginning, Maul had been prepared for objections to his presence to come from many directions: Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, perhaps even Bo-Katan if she was still alive. He had been appropriately confident, however, that Ahsoka Tano was dead. He had not prepared for this. Maul had felt her wink out of existence on Malachor.

He had thought fondly on her memory! 

"Master, can you believe it? Ahsoka Tano is here! She's alive!" Luke cried, making his presence known. Dear, sweet Luke, who certainly thought that he had just brought his master a great gift: a friend still living. Was the Force itself laughing at him as it thwarted his attempts to plan? "She just landed in the auxiliary hanger, and when I told her how excited you'd be to see her we just had to come right away. Master - you didn't tell me Lady Tano was Fulcrum!"

Tano was glancing between Luke and Maul with narrowed eyes, gauging, no doubt, how far he had corrupted the apprentice (by his estimation, Maul couldn't help but reflect, not at all). Maul eased himself to his feet, telegraphing his moves and keeping his hands in sight at all times, but trying not to act as if he were. In the hanger surrounded by rebels was not the place for a fight. The part-time Jedi never moved, just watched him with a gentle frown. 

"That would be because I was not aware," Maul answered Luke's question. "It is... good to see you alive, Lady Tano." 

"It's a damn reunion," said another familiar voice, and Maul noticed for the first time a burly old man just a half-step behind Lady Tano. "Shame Bo-Katan couldn't make it." 

The "she'd already have killed you" was left unsaid.

"Commander Rex," Maul croaked, finally recognizing the old clone. 

"Captain. I was demoted before the end of the War. Think that was while you were busy stealing our ship?" He raised a bushy eyebrow. 

Maul drew himself up in offense. "It was made very clear when Lady Tano recruited me that I would not be welcome to evacuate with you. Did you expect me to die in the crash?"

"That you caused," Rex snarled.

"Commander Skywalker," Tano's low, melodic voice cut easily through Rex and Maul's bickering, "could we make use of a private room, please? They could keep this up for hours."

Luke, who was listening with absolutely rapt interest, nodded. "Yes, of course! C'mon, I'm sure there's an empty room around here somewhere."

"Try the equipment room on the far side!" Wedge called from where he was perched on another X-wing. "And I want my defroster back, Skywalker. I'm not done with him yet."

"Thanks, Wedge! Dunno how long we'll be, we've got Jedi Business. I'll send you Dak and Hobbie," Luke called back, and Wedge saluted him with a grin. 

Tano watched the exchange, glancing between the boys and, eventually, Maul himself, with interest. She said nothing when their eyes met, only held his gaze steadily until they had to follow Luke. If the boy found their silence strained at all, he did not show it.

"Apprentice, may I first speak to Lady Tano and the captain in private?"

"No," Tano said, for the first time sounding almost angry. "Commander Skywalker deserves to be a part of this conversation." She silently dared him to disagree.

And damn her if she wasn't correct; they both knew what it was to have a Master (or, in Lady Tano's case, an entire council) who lied, manipulated, and used them. He knew better than anyone what a difference knowledge could make. 

He would not be a master like Sidious. (Weakness, Sidious scoffed in his mind.)

"Very well," he conceded after only a heartbeat's hesitation. He knew even as he held open the door for Tano and the captain that this must surely be the unraveling of all his plans. Luke entered last and tried to catch Maul's eye.

"Master?"

Maul sighed, wondering if this was the last time he would hear that title from Luke. It made his chest ache to even imagine losing his apprentice like this. By the Swamps, had he grown so attached to the boy in only a few short weeks? You have lost half your body and your brother; what is one more petty loss? But his silent beration rang false to his own mind: Luke's loss would be anything but petty.

"I did try to tell you that I am not a good person," he said and followed the boy in, closing the door behind them.

"Is that some kinda sick joke?" Captain Rex snarled. "The shit you pulled on Mandalore alone was gonna get you executed!"

"Rex," Tano reprimanded lightly. "We can all agree that what happened on Mandalore was as manufactured as the rest of the Clone Wars. That's obvious with hindsight."

"Hindsight?" Maul sneered. "I told you what was happening as it unfolded, and you were so blinded by your love for him that you could not see the truth before your eyes. Were they opened on Malachor, Lady Tano? Do you believe me now?"

The captain was on his feet, breathing heavy and looking ready to beat him bloody with his fists alone (please, please; Maul needed a good fight). Luke obviously wanted to interrupt but didn't feel it was his place. If Maul survived this, he would be answering questions for hours -

And by the Force, let this not be the moment Luke had to learn Anakin Skywalker's fate.

"Yes, in more ways than you could possibly know," Tano answered simply. "What happened on Mandalore is in the past. But that does not mean you have nothing to answer for. And it most certainly does not mean I trust you anywhere near Luke Skywalker or the Rebellion."

"Wait, hold on now." Luke finally could no longer keep his mouth shut. "We know - I know - my master hasn't always been on our side. We know he used to be Sidious's apprentice and that he's involved with the crime syndicates. We know he's a Dark Side User. He's been honest with us about all that, but he and Ben - that is, Master Kenobi-"

"Of course you do, Commander Skywalker," Tano interrupted him, tone patient. "But he has told you lies and half-truths as well. Maul isn't just a smuggler or even a crime lord; he is a Darksider. He has fought and killed many Jedi, and his actions have directly or indirectly cost the lives of countless innocents. Whatever he has told you, Maul would not hesitate to sacrifice you and the whole of the Rebellion to save himself."

"That is untrue," Maul protested, but it was for not. The captain scoffed loudly and Tano's eyes narrowed.

"Master's already saved me," Luke persisted. "And he's agreed to train me to be a Jedi!"

Even Tano's perfect serenity broke at this proclamation and disgusted shock leaked through her shields and into the Force; she was otherwise, as always, invisible. "With what knowledge? Your lies to Ezra were transparent, Maul, but this? How long did you imagine such feeble deceptions could hold? Luke," she turned back to the boy and her whole demeanor softened. "Maul could no more teach you to be a Jedi than a Loth cat could teach you to fly. He is a Jedi killer. He killed Master Obi-Wan's master, Qui-Gon Jinn. When Obi-Wan cut him in in half-"

All at once, Maul discovered that there were indeed fates worse than being put back at Sidious's mercy as Luke turned to him with wide, brokenhearted eyes. "What? No, Ben and Maul are friends!"

"Is that what he's been telling you?" Captain Rex barked. "He was obsessed with General Kenobi, sure; he chased the general across the galaxy. But they were enemies until the day Kenobi died."

"An accurate assessment, Captain," murmured Kenobi, and suddenly the ghost was standing next to Maul as if he'd always been there. "If a bit behind the times. Hello Rex. Hello Ahsoka."

Their silence was deafening; Luke was, of course, the one to break it. "Ben! I think there's been some kinda misunderstanding or something. Lady Tano and Captain Rex think you and Maul are enemies! They said you - " here, he stumbled over his words. "They said you cut off Maul's legs." 

"This is some kind of trick, right? More Sith shit?" the captain asked Tano. 

Tano's brows were pulled together in an upset crease. "I don't think so, Rex. Hello Master Obi-Wan. It seems we've stumbled into something big again."

"Oh no. Nothing so grand as you're imagining, Ahsoka. Just two old enemies who've finally realized they have a great deal in common," Kenobi said with a warm smile in Maul's direction.

"What does that mean?" asked Luke, his voice loud in the little room. "Old enemies. So they're telling the truth? You're the one who did that to him? You were never friends?"

Kenobi stayed quiet, offering Maul the chance to respond to his apprentice. Guilt roiled in his gut (next to that feeling, the dark anxiety); what could he say? They'd lied to Luke and done so knowingly. Hadn't he thought those very things to himself just the other day?

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Maul said at last. "Kenobi is dead; I cannot get at him. The Emperor lives," his lip curled. "This, we can do something about. It is a mutual goal, ergo we are friends. The galaxy is more complicated than Imperials and Rebels, Apprentice. You know this."

Beside him, he caught the faintest whiff of pain in the Force from Kenobi, as if his words were anything but the truth.

"But I thought-" Luke cut himself off. "So when you showed up here looking for Ben, you were here to what? Fight him? Kill him?"

"Does it matter?" Kenobi asked, fully recovered and shields locked into place. "It does not to me, and I am the one he sought. When he met you, Luke, he realized there were other paths available to him. Despite being trained by a Darksider, you yourself have only taken steps down the path of a Jedi. I have watched. Maul has put your life above whatever feud once drove us. Are these the teachings and actions of a monster?"

Luke looked away; Maul could read in his posture, in the clench of his hand, that this was far from over. Kenobi may have soothed Luke's immediate concerns, but a storm of questions had been stirred up. Force, what a disaster. 

"Jedi bantha shit," Rex snapped finally. "What about Kanan and Ezra and all the shit you pulled with them? You blinded that man! Ezra wasn't ever the same after he got involved with you. Luke seems like a good kid, sure, but so was Ezra. What've you got to say for yourself there?"

"Do you want excuses?" Maul snapped. "Remorse? You won't find them here. I am aware of my sins, and most of them I don't regret. This is a harsh galaxy and your idea of justice is laughable in the face of Darth Sidious' power." They wanted honesty? Fine. He met Lady Tano's eyes and said with brutal sincerity, "When I told you to let me die in Sundari, I meant it. When Sidious' clones were ordered to execute me, it was a relief. Then, at least, he could not reach me.

"You have refused to let me die so many times, Lady Tano. Now, I am openly your ally. Either kill me or let me help you." He was whispering by the end, his words petering into nothingness. He'd thought he would be angry, yet all the fight had gone out of him.

"Alright," Lady Tano spoke for the first time in a long while. "I can see that things are more complicated than we could have imagined. I'm not prepared to leave matters as they are, however. If you'll permit me - us," she corrected with a glance back at the captain, "to stay on base and observe for a few days, perhaps we can come to some sort of compromise. Alliance leadership is waiting for Rex's report; I am willing to at least consider giving my blessing if I see evidence of what Luke and Obi-Wan claim."

Captain Rex scoffed but did not otherwise contradict her.

Luke was silent until he realized that this proposal was, in part, directed at him. "We can take you on. We'll have to speed up that supply run, I guess," he added in a mutter. Then, more loudly, he continued, "Let me go get that cleared with everyone. Someone'll come get you and show you your rooms in a minute."

Maul caught his arm, "We must speak when you are finished."

"Yeah." Luke didn't meet his eye. "I'll meet you at your room this evening, okay?" When Maul gave confirmation, he pulled away and left without another word. 

"We'll secure our ship," Tano said. "Master Obi-Wan, Rex and I would like to speak with you in private, when you have time."

The ghost bowed. "Yes of course. I owe you both that much at least." When they were alone (and the captain had cast one last scathing look back at Maul), Kenobi said, "Well, that could have gone better. What will you do now?"

"Perhaps I can offer to clear Solo's name with Jabba in exchange for a quick escape. I hope that damn Wookie didn't spend the afternoon reconfiguring the motivator again," Maul said, only half in jest.

Kenobi laughed. "Knowing your luck, that's exactly what he did. If escape is impossible, may I offer an alternative?"

"As if I could stop you."

"I will speak to Rex and Ahsoka. I believe they can be made to see that you represent no threat to Luke or the Rebellion. You need only help Luke to understand the rockier aspects of our relationship."

"You are the Negotiator, not I. 'Rocky' is not how I would describe our dealings."

"And you are Luke's master," Kenobi rebuked him. Then, softer and with something dangerously like fondness, he said, "How many times must I tell you you are a good master before you believe me? Of course Luke is upset; he feels foolish for having not fully grasped the complexities of the situation. But he will not throw you away for one lie of omission, my old friend."

To cover how wrongfooted Kenobi's compliments left him, Maul snapped, "Is that how you justified lying to him about Vader?"

The ghost scowled. "Regardless, Luke's immense capacity for forgiveness mustn't be overlooked."

"Or taken advantage of," Maul growled and pushed open the door, determined to finally have the last word.

With Dak and Hobbie helping Wedge, Maul was left without purpose and followed his robotic legs pacing through Echo base. Somehow, despite his legs' long absence, they could still grow restless and send him wandering aimlessly. 

Yes, run. Run, you fool. The boy will realize what a failure you are now and turn on you, Sidious whispered. Maul shoved those dark thoughts aside viciously. 

Perhaps he would try to call Qi'ra. He hadn't heard from her in some time and he had promised he would contact her more frequently. The thought brought Maul's roiling anxiety back. Yes, he ought to check in.

The princess's shouting and a scathing retort from Solo stopped him at the mouth of the communications corridor, the heat produced by the equipment ghosting across his face. A passing tech caught his eye and shook her head. Come back later, the gesture said, they're at it again. Maul was denied yet another distraction. 

"I thought you were leaving! Luke's ready for full duty again, so you can go get a better paying job elsewhere!"

"Well, your worship, I would, but I know how much you'd miss me!" Solo's enormous blue parka came into view.

He was about to make a strategic retreat, as the tech had recommended, when the princess spotted him and called with brisk politeness, "Master Maul!"

Maul froze and grimaced at the wall where neither captain nor princess could see (imagining that Kenobi or one of his dead Jedi spies would at least find it humorous) before turning to the little rebel leader. "Good afternoon, Highness." Maul bowed politely. "Captain."

"I've been looking for you," she said as if Solo was not there at all. "I wondered if you had time to spar with me? I haven't had time to practice with a blade in months."

"I already told you, if you need a man good with a knife, I'm right here!" Solo groused. "Whatcha need fancy sword skills for anyway? A good blaster will do ya better than a laser sword. Leave the Jedi training to the kid."

She scowled up at him, "I'll have you know that I am capable of at least defending myself with most weapons! Swordwork is something I find relaxing and it's excellent exercise." The princess turned back to Maul, "If you have time, of course, Master."

Oh yes, to judge merely by how quickly the hallway had emptied, they had been at this awhile, and Chewbacca certainly had the motivator in pieces. Escape was a lost cause short of stealing a ship, which took time and there was less than an hour of sunlight left. Dammit, he hated acquiescing to Kenobi's plans. 

"I suppose assisting you is more entertaining than simply waiting for death," he sighed half-sarcastically, thinking of how Lady Tano would react when she realized his easy access to the Princess of Alderaan as well. "Come. Tell me of your training." He spun on his artificial heel and began leading the way toward the cramped recreational area he had laid claim to for Luke's training. 

"You really know how to flatter a girl," she said as she fell into step beside him. 

"That is not what I was doing. You were telling me of your training?"

From behind them, Solo yelped, "Are you serious?" and scrambled to keep up.

The princess glanced back at Solo before responding. "As I said, I was trained to be at least sufficient with most weapons, including blades. But more specifically, there is- was a form of sword dancing on Alderaan which requires a rather complete literacy of swordplay."

"Mm… I do not know of Alderaan's tradition specifically, but I have studied a similar concept from Naboo. And both Jedi and Sith lightsaber techniques have a set of exercises not dissimilar to dancing which exist to teach vital forms and footwork."

"The katas that you've been teaching Luke?" she asked, eyes shining. 

"Indeed."

Solo was still following them. If they were going to play this game, he was going to put the children through their paces. At least then they would have less energy for their disruptive arguments. 

Maul threw a training blade (wooden sticks he'd made to reflect the weight of a lightsaber as best he could for beginning combat training with Luke) to the princess and captain each.

"Hey, I'm not part of this!" Solo whined.

Maul gave him an unimpressed look. "Why else would you have come?"

Faced with joining their practice or admitting that he had just followed to be with the princess, Solo took the stick. With his own mock-weapon in hand, Maul sized up his opponents. Solo held his weapon down at his side, treating it more like a club than a sword. The princess had better form and grip, but her size would be a limiting factor until she learned to use it to her advantage. 

Perhaps Lady Tano could make herself useful and teach the girl some tricks while she was here.

"Both of you, attack me," he barked.

They hesitated, but at least had the wherewithal to come at him from different angles. Maul batted away their attacks, and in a few short seconds had Solo on his ass and the princess disarmed. Neither seemed to know how this had happened. 

"Again," Maul said, not even breathing heavily. "Solo, you are larger, you should be putting yourself forward as a target and giving the princess a chance to slip behind and get in a hit. Princess-"

"Leia," she corrected lightly and adjusted her grip on her weapon. "If you are going to humiliate me on the battlefield, I at least expect you to do so while using my given name."

"...Leia," he repeated begrudgingly. "Your forms are good, but your fluidity needs improvement. You are too rigid and you broadcast your moves. You have both fought together before, have you not? Use that experience now!"

And so progressed their lesson. They were both capable fighters and worked well together when they weren't bickering (an uncommon occurrence). He may make something of them yet, although it was obvious both had a preference for blasters. 

"When adapting to work with others, particularly those with whom you will coordinate frequently, understanding each other's skills and weaknesses is vital. Your partner's speed, reach, and style must be considered. It ought never be incumbent upon Leia to reach over you, Solo, but you have the reach to parry overhead attacks while she invades my defenses," Maul lectured as they fought. When they performed his instructions and Leia forced him back a step, he crowed, "Yes, well done!"

"Oh here you guys all are," Luke said from the doorway, and they fell back. Beside him, Ahsoka Tano silently watched the scene. There was something of a studied, unnatural neutrality about her. Had Kenobi already spoken to her? Maul could not tell.

Luke still looked upset, although in front of his friends he'd put on a brave face. Maul watched as he introduced Lady Tano to Solo and the princess. 

"My father spoke highly of your work as Fulcrum," Leia said politely. 

Lady Tano inclined her head gracefully. "Thank you. I worked alongside Bail Organa for many years. He was a great man, and his loss is felt across the galaxy."

It was a kind sentiment, and Leia accepted it gravely, but she was obviously uncomfortable dwelling on the topic. In her next breath, she turned to Luke and said, "I'm sorry we borrowed your master without asking, Luke."

Maul fought a flinch. 

"I don't envy the shit he's gonna put you through." Solo wrapped an arm around Luke's shoulders, jolting him from his pout. "The crazy powers ain't worth the asskicking." 

Leia laughed, "You'll have Vader quaking in his boots before Maul's done with you, though."

Luke gave them a weak half-smile.

Fascination broke through Lady Tano's neutrality, like they were a particularly interesting holofilm she was studying. "Maul is certainly one of the most intimidating dualists I have ever faced," she said like a test.

"Yeah, I've," Luke paused, reminded suddenly that he had a secret he'd been keeping from his friends: Kenobi's ghost. "I've heard something similar."

"May I sit in on your lessons, Maul?" Lady Tano asked politely. 

Maul scowled at her; she assumed that after her stunt this afternoon Luke would permit further lessons. "The apprentice may decide," he said.

This proclamation seemed to baffle both parties. Tano recovered first and turned to Luke for his answer.

"Uh, sure, I guess," Luke said. "Master and I need to talk alone tonight, though, please." If he were seeking to sound stern, Luke had missed the mark completely. Hope bubbled in Maul for the first time, though. Perhaps the boy was still willing to listen. 

Maul nodded. "Yes, I agree."

Lady Tano inclined her head. Maul was so distracted by the wave of relief he felt, he nearly missed Han and Leia exchange a brief-but-knowing glance. Then the princess said briskly, "It sounds like you two have work to do. Lady Tano, allow us to escort you to dinner." And with the princess on one arm and Solo on the other, Tano was steered down the hall before she had the chance to respond. The last Maul saw of her face, she looked genuinely amused.

Into the silence left in their wake, Maul said quietly, "You have very loyal friends."

"Yeah, I do. And they like you too." When their eyes met, Luke looked angry, but Maul could glimpse the real sadness that lay beneath. "I think we need to have that talk now."

"Agreed."

Their walk back to Maul's little abode was taken in silence. Luke chose to hold his peace until they were alone. Although he was tempted, Maul refrained from skimming Luke's thoughts in the Force; he deserved his privacy. 

Maul was not like Sidious .

When they were alone at last, Luke wasted no time in saying, "Tell me the truth. Please."

Maul closed his eyes, praying to his absent gods for the right words. Oh Spirit of the Negotiator, hear my plea, he thought sarcastically, and began to speak.

"When I was twenty-four, Sidious set the first of his plans into motion: the Trade Federation blockaded the small outer-rim world of Naboo," he decided to begin. "Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi had been dispatched by the Republic to negotiate on behalf of Naboo. I had orders to kill them if they deferred from their course.

"After several... misadventures, the Jedi helped Naboo's queen, Amidala, to reach the Republic Senate on Coruscant. There, she pleaded the case for her planet and, ultimately, overthrew the Chancellor by calling for a vote of no confidence when it seemed her planet's needs would be lost to the ceaseless churn of bureaucracy. All had gone according to his plans." Maul met Luke's eye. "That day, Darth Sidious was elected Chancellor of the Republic."

Shock fell over the boy's veneer as he began to realize the scale of Sidious's machinations.

"But Amidala did something unexpected, as he had predicted, and she returned to Naboo with her guards and Jedi to route the Trade Federation. I was there waiting for them."

This was where he needed to make Luke understand the nature of his and Kenobi's first meeting. It was a difficult part of the story, both to make Luke understand and to remember. In his mind, Maul edged carefully around the gaping maw of the reactor shaft and its dark memories.

"When a Sith apprentice kills their first Jedi Master, it is a moment of evolution in their journey. Even Sidious would have honored such an accomplishment. Killing Qui-Gon Jinn was a moment I had dreamed about my entire life." Maul paused and took a breath, steeling himself. "Only minutes later, Kenobi killed me. He bisected me and tossed me down the reactor shaft. This was the end of my time as Sith and the start of my exile."

At some point, Maul had begun to pace as he spoke. It helped him to find the words. Luke had moved to sit on the cot, and his eyes followed Maul's path back-and-forth thoughtfully, but there was still a spark of frustrated anger in his eyes. 

"Why did you lie to me about it? Why make me think you and Ben were friends? I just don't get it."

Maul sighed and offered, "Because I have a complicated past and you seemed content to fill in the gaps. I did not - I still do not - understand why Kenobi has endorsed this apprenticeship. However, I saw no need to upset the delicate balance."

Luke's face darkened, "And now that everything's come out what are you going to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"Lady Tano and Captain Rex both seem to think you aren't loyal to the Alliance."

Maul snorted. "I am not, but I will not betray them regardless. Here, with you, I can pass on what I have learned and perhaps even see Sidious defeated. I am almost satisfied. You need not fear me, as Lady Tano put it, 'sacrificing you and the whole of the Rebellion'. I've nothing left worth sacrificing you for. Either we destroy Sidious together or I die trying. There is no alternative."

The mistrust that Maul sensed around him lessened somewhat, and Luke nodded. "Okay. Alright, I'm listening. Tell me how you ended up on Mandalore."

"For more than a decade I rotted on the junk planet Lotho Minor," Maul took the invitation to launch back into his tale, "driven mad and living animalistically. My brother, Savage, found me and brought me to Mother Talzin, the Dathmiri witch. Using her dark powers, she restored my mind and crafted my prosthetics. When, for the first time, I was given a choice on how to move forward, I could imagine nothing but to seek out Kenobi, the man who had humiliated me, and have my vengeance." He clenched his fists, even now furious at the thought. 

But the anger was not sustainable and soon drained from him. "I was young and foolish; I did not consider who my true enemy was. I threw myself into hunting Kenobi with everything I had. When you are trained to be a blade, every problem is solved with violence. Kenobi defeated me time and time again, and I grew smarter, if not wiser. 

"Violence and intimidation have always been my greatest weapons. When Savage and I were rescued from the aftereffects of another run-in with Kenobi by the Mandalorian cult Death Watch, which desired to take control of Mandalore, I was quickly made leader. Using Death Watch, I took control of the crime syndicates and formed the first Shadow Collective."

"So it's true!" Luke gasped. "We - that is General Draven and his spies - were following rumors that you might be the Shadow, but we weren't sure. You're really the Shadow, the real leader of the Five Syndicates?"

Maul wrinkled his nose. "That is something of an overstatement. Perhaps I once had such influence. Back in the early days of the Empire something of a united front was valuable. But Qi'ra and I suspect the era of the Shadow Collective is coming to an end. The Syndicates are by their very nature incapable of real collectivism, and Sidious has been working to divide them from the outside for years. He will succeed sooner or later. It is only a matter of time before the Collective is completely obsolete.

"I maintain nominal control of the Crimson Dawn, of course, but Qi'ra manages it in every practical sense. That is to my preference." 

Luke gave him a serious look. "Rebel intelligence needs to hear this. We're writing them a memo about the Shadow Collective tomorrow." He offered no room for argument, and Maul did not contradict him. 

"As you wish, but we have jumped ahead in the story. You wished to hear about the Battle of Mandalore. With Death Watch and the Syndicates at my command, we took control of Mandalore's capital city, Sundari, and the systems she controlled. I had but one ultimate goal for all of these plans: vengeance against Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"I used," he hesitated over his word-choice, "cruel games to draw Kenobi out. I took something from him I thought equal to the loss of my legs and my place at Sidious's side. And then I let him go to lick his wounds." 

"Why? After all that time, why not just kill him and move on?" asked Luke. It was jarring to hear it from his voice, for Savage had once asked the same. "You allowed Bo-Katan to free him, Brother, why? He was in our grasp - you could have had your true vengeance and shown the galaxy how powerful you have become! Why not just kill him?"

Maul looked away; he had lied to his brother then, but now he owed Luke the truth. "Because by that point, I had already realized that what I desired was not Kenobi's death, much as I still sought it. What I truly wanted was to meet him on the field of battle as equals once more." He closed his eyes. "Nothing - not my position as Shadow, not ruling Mandalore, and no battle in the years to come - ever brought me the satisfaction that facing Kenobi did.

"By this drive I was blinded. I made foolish mistakes." His voice turned hoarse as he again walked the thin line between remembering and losing himself to despair. "Sidious descended upon Sundari mere hours later and cut through us like we were toys. He killed my brother to show me the price of my ambition and left me alive to remind me that there are worse fates than death."

As his voice petered out, Maul realized there were tear tracks on his cheeks. This was a pathetic show of weakness before his student when he needed to display strength. He must, above all things, demonstrate that he could help Luke defeat Sidious, and here he sat sobbing over his brother like a child! 

A warm hand landed on his shoulder and Maul looked up into Luke's face, met his unwavering gaze. "I'm so sorry Maul. I'm so sorry Sidious did that to you and Savage. Take all the time you need, okay? Can I get you anything? Water, maybe?"

"No," Maul said softly, covering Luke's hand with his own just to make sure it was real, "thank you. I only need a moment."

His head was reeling, both from Luke's repeated kindness (and he must teach the boy some self preservation, this was getting ridiculous) and from fighting back the spiral. He had so much left to recount, so many sins, and already he had broken down. 

Only for Luke to gently pick him back up and give him another chance. 

Sidious had always told him that there were no second chances; outside of one's training every action had deadly consequences. Much of Sidious's training had itself been lethal. 

And yet now, when Maul could imagine nothing with greater consequence than this conversation, Luke was an ocean of patience. He didn't know what to do with this. 

Maul took a deep breath, pulling himself together through sheer force of will, and said, "I am ready to continue."

Luke nodded encouragingly. 

"In the end it was not Kenobi who came to face me, but Lady Tano, only months removed from her ejection from the Jedi Temple. As she and the Republic forces laid siege to Sundari, I sensed the next great step of Sidious's plan taking shape. I tried to recruit Lady Tano to help me stop what was coming, but her feelings clouded her judgment until it was too late."

The anxiety in his gut twisted again - a sign, perhaps, or a warning? But of what he did not know.

"Sidious proclaimed the Jedi traitors. When the clone soldiers turned against their Jedi generals, we rescued each other. Of course, we fought again as the ship crashed, and in the end myself, Lady Tano, and Captain Rex were the only survivors. We went our separate ways. 

"The transition from Republic to Empire was similarly disordered. I was able to take advantage of my influence among the Syndicates and, as I mentioned, bring the Shadow Collective an era of great power. But none of it mattered. Sidious still reigned and my brother was dead. In light of these things, my criminal dealings were a petty success. I yearned once again for a greater purpose. And then I met Ezra Bridger."

Luke sat up straighter. "You've mentioned him before. And that other Jedi, Kanan Jarrus." He hesitated. "The captain said you blinded him."

Maul hesitated over his words again, weighing his options. "I did. I confess it was an accident; I meant to kill him cleanly. I miscalculated. I was in a rush."

"That's not better, Master!" Luke cried, and hearing that title again was enough to keep Maul humble. 

"I know… I know. I am sorry." Maul took a breath, looking down at his hands where they gripped his cane. "I forget more frequently than I should that Sith and Dathmiri practices are… considered rather barbaric in the wider galaxy. In either, you see, defeating the master and kidnapping the apprentice is a matter of course. I would have treated Ezra well, trained him as I have you." (Although Ezra might have eventually fallen, where Luke clung stubbornly to the light, Maul thought a bit snidely.) "I confess the practices are brutal."

Luke sighed and muttered, "I can't believe you sometimes." Then, louder, "So you did all that because you thought having an apprentice would give you purpose?"

"No. I did not meet Ezra with any intent to take an apprentice, but as I observed and interacted with him, I sensed his great potential, and I - " another truth he was rather embarrassed to confess, " - I felt we worked well together. I liked the boy."

"So what were you there for? Why did you keep going after them?"

"As I said, I sought purpose. I had heard that the Emperor was interested in a Sith temple on Malachor, so I went to investigate." He would skip the story of his crash and subsequent stranding (Qi'ra had been furious at his disappearance). "There was a Sith Holocron there, and when all was said and done, Ezra was the one who left with it.

"A little-known truth of holocrons is that when combined, Sith and Jedi holocrons will answer any question you ask. Desperate as I was, I had to ask for some tiny shard of hope to go on. I had to know," he rasped.

Silence fell, Maul's own voice ringing in his ears. The answer the holocrons had given was seared into his memory: the image of an old man, alone in the vast wastes of the desert. In his eyes glinted the last vestiges of Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi. Like a light shown in the darkness, Maul had seen his life fall into perfect order with Kenobi flanking his beginning and end. In that moment, he had felt himself slide seamlessly back into his place in the galaxy. He only had to find Kenobi one last time.

"They showed me Kenobi, alive," he continued after several long moments. "When I finally determined his location, I wanted to go after him immediately, but Qi'ra called and waylaid me. The Crymorah Syndicate was attempting to rise up and usurp us." Maul squeezed his fists, still frustrated with them for interrupting his plans. "So I returned, and together we put them back in their place. The fighting was long and drawn out, though, and by the time I had the syndicates back in line, the Battle of Yavin was already finished."

"And Ben was dead," Luke filled in. "But you thought he was still alive and with the Rebellion? That's how you ended up here?"

Maul shrugged. "I was following rumors and instinct - a feeling in the Force. It was hardly an exact science. That is essentially correct, however."

"If what you wanted was to bring the Empire down, why didn't you join with the Alliance sooner?" 

"You forget," Maul said with a flat look, "the Rebellion was wholly unimpressive before the Battle of Yavin They had won only a few small victories and gained no ground against the Empire. The Battles of Scarif and Yavin changed that. This isn't an uncommon opinion."

Luke fell silent, taking his time to digest all this information. He looked solemn and thoughtful whereas Maul himself felt exhausted. He had no idea how successful he had been at convincing the boy of his good intentions (or at least his loyalty to Luke and disdain for Sidious), but their conversation had been so reasonable he couldn't imagine Luke turning him away now. 

"You and Ben are the same, you know." Maul's head snapped up, a baffled denial on the tip of his tongue, but the uncanny wisdom in Luke's eyes stopped him short. "You were both raised to be the absolute epitome of your ideologies, that one battle made and broke both of you, and the Force keeps bringing you back together. Ben realized you're stuck in this awful cycle where nobody wins if you keep fighting each other, but if you work together you have a real chance to make an impact that benefits both of you and the galaxy by defeating Sidious and the Empire. And isn't that basically the same thing you said to Ahsoka and Rex?"

Maul hummed softly, resisting the temptation to reject his words out-of-hand. "I suppose..." He turned his nose up. "I will not pretend to understand Kenobi's vexatious ways."

Luke grinned and it was like the sun coming out after a storm. "Yeah, he can be a bit of a pain, but he brought us together, so I can't be all mad." He sobered slightly. "A lot of what you told me is really upsetting; especially the way you hurt Ezra Bridger and his master. That kind of thing isn't acceptable, no matter what the situation."

He hesitated, blushing. "This is weird, you're the master, but this time I have to yell at you. Okay. You've, um, you've done a lot of bad stuff, but you're also here now and trying to help us fight and, like I said before, that matters. But it isn't enough on its own."

Maul flinched, but Luke plowed without stopping. "You've gotta promise me that you're going to make a real effort to change your behavior. The Rebellion is about second chances - about hope - and a part of that is you making the choice to change. Can you do that, Master?"

With Luke's huge, hopeful eyes gazing up at him, Maul couldn't find it in his (shriveled, blackened) heart to disappoint the apprentice. When Luke defined the galaxy in such terms, he could almost see himself as Luke saw him, but the image was so at odds with everything he knew about himself that Maul flinched away before he could gain any further insight. 

"I… will try, Apprentice, if it is what you wish."

Before he could properly react, Luke had flung his arms around Maul's middle in an enormous hug. "That's all I ask." He stepped back and looked up at Maul sternly. "And no more secrets. I mean it. I don't want to learn any more of the big stuff from other people, okay?"

Maul nodded wordlessly. The anxiety squirmed in his gut like a nest of serpents. He needed to tell Luke about Vader, but how could he possibly do so now? It would be a very long, difficult journey back to their previous level of trust. To a place where the news about Vader wouldn't break him. 

Feelings finally on the mend, they checked the time only to realize how late it had grown. Luke bid a hasty retreat, but not without giving Maul another quick hug. 

When he was finally alone with the thorny tangle of his feelings, Maul said to the empty room, "I know you're listening, Kenobi. Get out here."

"You did very well. And so did he," Kenobi said conversationally as he appeared from thin air to stand next to Maul. "I'm terribly proud of you both."

"I don't want your empty praise," Maul said around the lump forming in his throat. He had surely been talking too much today. "You spoke to Tano and the captain?"

Kenobi smiled and the years seemed to fall away. There was still the man who had laughed and mocked him with his (Maul had once hoped) last breaths. It made Maul's hearts squeeze unpleasantly. "Yes. They are willing to give you a chance, although Rex may still try to kill you out of sheer frustration."

"I can't fathom what you must have said to them."

"Oh," Kenobi waved a hand airily, "I just reiterated what Luke was saying. They simply needed to hear it from a different perspective."

Maul rolled his eyes. He didn't want to know, he was sure. 

"Did you mean it?" Kenobi asked, apropos of nothing. 

"Mean what?"

"That you had stopped wanting to kill me?"

He fought the urge to flinch. Of course Kenobi had been listening. "Yes," he confessed, nothing else to lose. "More so after Savage's death. I have only ever known how to hate, but I have grown so tired of it all. I came here, to you, to die. There was no one else I could let do it… But if it was you, I thought I could let go at last. 

"And then you had to go and get yourself killed first."

The ghost, who had been looking very sad and sober, snorted with sudden laughter. "And yet I'm the dramatic one for haunting you."

"You are. Anyone else would have stayed dead."

"Have you any idea how ironic that is?"

Maul snarled, but Kenobi only laughed, delighted.

Maul didn't rouse until late, meditating in his room until Luke collected him after his first shift back in his X-wing. The boy practically floated through their early lunch so excited was he by flying and swordwork and being back on full-duty. Maul told him stories of battles and answered Luke's excited questions as they ate. 

"Were lightsabers all really that distinct during the Clone Wars?" Luke asked, wide-eyed.

"Certainly. Most could recognize a whole catalog of blades, both friend and foe. The truly skilled could guess a wielder based on burn marks alone," Maul lectured over the weak tea the cafeteria had resorted to. "For example, Kenobi uses a thin, blue blade of approximately 145 centimeters and a simple hilt of alloy metal. He is a master of Soresu but is also proficient in Shii-Cho. Ahsoka Tano," he spoke up, spotting the woman approaching along with Rex and a small band of Rogues, "has used two sets of blades since I've known her."

"This ought to be good," Tano said with forced civility as she joined them at the table. The captain, Wedge, Hobbie, and Dak gathered around to listen too.

"On Mandalore you used two sabers, both blue, one traditional and one shoto. Hilts made of Naboo chromium, if I recall correctly." Maul followed her lead. If Kenobi had spoken to her already, it was Maul's job not to give her any reason to mistrust him now. "By Malachor, of course, you were wielding white blades, although your preference for the shoto had not changed. I confess, I don't know what the hilts are made of these days."

"Polished junk, mostly," Tano said with a crooked smile in Luke's direction and laid her curved blades out on the table. "Don't stop, I want to hear the rest."

"You prefer the reverse-grip variant of Shien and employ a number of acrobatics that use your opponent's weight against them," Maul continued. "Ezra also mentioned a variation on Ataru that you had helped develop specifically to counter blaster fire on the front lines of the Clone War."

Into Tano's surprised silence, Captain Rex growled, "You learn that all from Jesse?"

Maul's mug of tea thumped back on the table as he looked up and silently dared the captain to continue that line of questioning. He would not like the answers.

"I must admit, that is impressive," Tano said loudly, ending their fight before it could begin. "Your reputation as a knowledgeable dualist is well-earned." 

They, it appeared, really were going to dance around each other with their best manners and oblique references to the past. Very well, that suited Maul fine. 

"May I see your weapons, Lady Tano?" Luke asked politely. He had been staring at them since Tano had laid them out on the table. 

"You may - if I can see yours. But don't activate the blades. It's too crowded in here to do so safely."

Luke laid out his own weapon reverently before he took Ahsoka's hilts with gentle hands. The Rogues, too, crowded in for a closer look. "Woah, you seriously made these out of junk? They're beautiful!"

"Initially. I also took some of the essential components from an Inquisitor's 'saber. Over the years, I've had time to clean them up and collect better materials."

"Amazing," Luke murmured.

And they were. Made to fit perfectly into Tano's palms, the hilts were curved very gently, a style often favored by dual wielders. Dark and light metal alloys created a subtle design with their contrast, but they were clearly crafted to be lethal above all else. These, Maul thought with growing respect, were the weapons of a survivor.

By contrast, Tano and Captain Rex looked down at Anakin Skywalker's old weapon with heartbreak in their eyes. The things that weapon had done, both good and bad, resonated within the crystal, and it hummed a brokenhearted harmony. It was still pure and very loyal to young Skywalker, but the weapon was marked by tragedy. Neither captain nor Jedi said anything, and Maul looked away. It seemed needlessly cruel to gawk at their grief.

The Rogues' exclamations over Tano's 'sabers had died down and when Maul looked back at them, all their hopeful faces were fixed on him. 

"Master, may we see your lightsaber?" Luke asked with shining eyes. 

"Yes, yes, alright," he acquiesced at length; that innocent expression would be the death of him. Maul detached his saber from its home as his cane head. His blade was longer and heavier than either of the (would-be and part-time) Jedi's. The upper was made from scrapped bits of an Inquisitor's hilt and the bottom incorporated parts of Savage's old lightsaber along with his crystal. It was also much rougher, showing its age and use. Still, Maul thought the weapon an honest reflection of himself, and it had served him loyally for many battles. 

"I think I get what you mean now," Luke said, turning the blade over in his hands. "You guys have such different styles, and your lightsabers are totally unique." His face darkened. "Does that mean Vader and the Emperor would recognize you both if you used them?"

Tano, who had looked up curiously from Skywalker's blade to examine Maul's own, said, "There are few enough of us with lightsabers anymore, so I'd say so."

"This is why you must always weigh the drawing of your blade against the risk," Maul added. "Even in my work for the Crimson Dawn I only drew my lightsaber if I was willing to risk the Emperor himself learning of it." 

"Master Obi-Wan always taught us that this weapon is your life, and that is even more true in the days of the Empire," Tano said as they each passed their 'sabers back to the owner. She hung hers in their place at her hip and rose. "Treat your blade with that level of respect and you will always know the moment to draw your weapon."

"Like Kenobi didn't lose the damn thing constantly," Captain Rex chuckled. "I've never met a man so bad at following his own advice."

Maul huffed. "Of course he did. Well, enough of this. Come, Luke, Tano; we have work to do."

The apprentice bid his friends goodbye and Tano exchanged a long look with her captain before they followed him to the practice room. 

When their stretches were complete and Luke had his practice sword in hand, Maul began the lesson, doing his utmost to pretend Lady Tano wasn't watching him closely from behind. "These last weeks, you have been learning basic lightsaber techniques and rebuilding your strength. It is time to translate those skills to your saber. I will attack you; use your forms to block my advance and, when you feel the moment is right, attack."

The first few rounds, Maul moved slowly, broadcasting his strikes openly, but gradually he sped up the hits until Luke was struggling to keep pace. When he had knocked Luke down for a third time, along with a hand up, he offered, "You are doing well, Apprentice. I am a harsh taskmaster and your speed and stamina will come with time. You do well in remembering your forms although you might try to keep them a bit tighter. On the whole you are doing well."

They weren't mere words, either. Luke held his blade with skill and the Force came to his call even unintentionally. Maul had worked some with him on using these techniques in moving meditation and inviting the Force into the body, but never in this context. It spoke highly of his inherent abilities. 

"Thanks Master!" Luke said with a wide smile. 

"You already naturally call the Force to you," Maul voiced his thoughts as Luke fell into his next stance and Maul gently corrected his form. "What I want from you now is a purposeful focus of that power. Use it to help speed your blade and aid your endurance. When you gain further skill and control, the Force will allow you to foresee your opponent's next move and counter it as it happens."

"Like when I'm flying?" Luke asked. 

"Yes," Maul replied. "Call on that experience to guide you now."

Luke nodded and took a deep breath,  centering himself while Maul fell back to prepare his attack. He took that moment to get a glimpse of Tano. As always, her expression did not disclose her thoughts, but the way her eyes followed Luke so carefully was enough to hint at how emotional watching her master's son truly made her. 

Maul refocused on beginning the next round, not calling a warning before he attacked, but giving Luke ample opportunity to see the attack. After blocking the first handful of hits, Maul felt something shift, and so did the apprentice,  because suddenly Luke was on the attack, advancing on Maul with surprising dexterity. 

"Well done," he praised, blocking Luke's next move. The boy's eyes gleamed with pleasure, but Luke didn't let the talk distract him. The Force flowed through his movements, giving them strength and surety. 

Maul saw the final blow coming and fell with it gracefully, letting Luke get the clean hit. The boy's eyes were wide as he realized he'd won. Over the sound of their panting breaths, Tano applauded.

"Very good," she called. "Incredible, honestly, for having never done this before."

Helping his master to his feet, Luke blushed again. "Thank you, Lady Tano. But it's not really my first time. Ben worked with me a little before he died, and, I mean I had a lightsaber and no teacher so I taught myself and begged lessons from anybody who was any good with a blade. Master Maul's just the first formal training I've gotten," Luke finished. 

Tano nodded somberly. "There aren't many of us left. Your dedication is admirable, Luke."

Tano was otherwise politely quiet during the lesson, listening intently but refraining from comment. In fact, when he was fully focused on the lesson, Maul could have pretended they were alone. Her presence was much less invasive than Hobbie and Dak's, or even Solo and Leia's.

As the lesson wrapped up, and Luke hurried off ahead to inhale dinner and then take his place in the meeting hall, Tano hung back with Maul. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting you to be so good with him. He responds to you well."

"What a ringing endorsement," Maul said with irony as he followed Luke at a more sedate pace. "You were expecting me to hit him and scream?"

She met his gaze without flinching. "I wasn't sure what to expect when Luke said you were teaching him to be a Jedi. I couldn't imagine how it could be done. After your lesson, I think I'm starting to understand how lightsaber techniques can translate, but how do you handle the rest of it? Your philosophies are so different."

Maul snorted. "Start a philosophical debate with that boy and you'll lose three hours. I've never met someone who's morals aligned so perfectly with your goody-goody nonsense."

Tano laughed outright. "That doesn't surprise me in the slightest." Her whole expression seemed to soften. "He's a good kid."

They were immediately beset upon when they entered the cafeteria and shuffled to the Rogues' table, already packed and boisterous. Captain Rex was at the center, loudly regaling them with tales from the Clone Wars. Tano watched him with a mix of fondness and horror that reminded Maul of Kenobi. She must have picked up the expression from her grandmaster. 

Promptly after the dinner hour finished, the meeting began. As a group, Echo base crushed into the conference room, a large-but-still-too-small ice cave which offered a crescent of metal prefab risers and a large holo projector. Tano and the captain chose an unobtrusive place at the back of the crowd from which to watch the meeting unfold. The rest of Rogue Squadron had saved him a much-coveted seat, and Maul was ushered to a place of honor in the front row. To his left, Wedge grinned at him and knocked together their elbows in what Maul might call a friendly manner. 

It all left him feeling rather diffident.

"If I may have your attention, I would like to call this meeting to order," the princess spoke up over the murmur of the crowd. "I will begin by reading the minutes from the Alliance Leadership meeting which took place two days ago."

On his other side, Solo muttered, "Fucking bureaucracy," to Chewbacca, and the Wookie let out a soft chuff of laughter.

"Go on then, Leia," said Luke cheerfully from his place among the commanders.

And so began a series of dull speakers to which Maul listened with only mild interest. The princess delivered a list of missives and empty promises from their absentee leadership. Then a general named Rieekan, whom Maul did not know, spoke at length about the new sensor relays they had installed across this region of Hoth. As their topics ranged from ration requisition to realistic long-term prospects for Echo base itself, Maul began to notice a pattern: there seemed to be no end of optimistic fools (among which, he shamefacedly had to confess, he numbered) ready to fight for an end to Imperial reign. 

What the Empire excelled at was cutting off Rebel supply lines. They had soldiers they could not feed, pilots grounded for lack of ships, and ships grounded for lack of fuel.

"The Mining Guild cuts us off at every turn; between them, the sources directly controlled by the Empire, and the Syndicate-controlled deposits, our on-base fuel reserves are dwindling," Luke explained gravely to the group. "All of our current access is turning up diluted and freezes at Hoth's temperatures. We've been looking at several sources of tibanna gas, which, as our engineers will remind you," Luke grinned at the Mon Calamari women in question, "is liquid at freezing temperatures, but so far we haven't turned up any leads with potential."

Tibanna gas… Maul sat back, adjusting his grip on his cane. Why did that tug at his memory? He ruminated on it for a moment, and came to the all-but-certain conclusion it was because Qi'ra had some connection with ties to unaffiliated mining operations, conceivably even tibanna gas, which had worked with the Crimson Dawn in the past. Perhaps she could make an introduction? He would call her again; they hadn't spoken in several cycles in any case, and he had promised he would communicate with her more frequently. 

"And finally, many of you have heard about the probe droid that Master Maul froze and was able to return to base nearly undamaged," the princess said and set off an excited round of murmuring. Maul could feel curious eyes on him from around the room. "I am pleased to report that our slicers were able to crack the security encryption, and we've learned, among other things, that the Empire may have a new communications relay in the Endor system."

Luke and Leia's eyes were both fixed on Tano and Rex, watching their reaction to this news. "This may be very beneficial to our cause in that sector," Leia continued. "On behalf of the Alliance Council, thank you, Master Maul." She was drowned out by a cheer that went out from the Rogues, and the rest of the crowd took it up. Maul couldn't immediately identify the feeling in his gut, but eventually he settled on flattered. 

As the jubilation died down, her highness ended the meeting.

Maul came alongside Luke, pointedly avoiding Tano, with Solo a half-step behind him and already calling to rile up the princess, "Well said your worship. You sounded straight out of the Imperial Senate."

"Aww thank you, Flyboy," she responded without missing a beat. "It's called professionalism, maybe you've heard of it?"

Maul turned to see how Luke would react to these flirtations. To his pride, the apprentice looked thoughtful as he watched his friends banter. He gave Luke a moment to finish his thoughts.

"Sorry, Master. What's up?" Luke asked at length. 

"I think I may be able to help with your fuel problem," he said without preamble. "I oughtn't make any promises, but I seem to recall an associate of mine had convenient connections within mining circles that were unfriendly to both the Guild and the Empire. If I may contact her, I could gauge further our potential to assist."

Luke's face lit up. "Please do. I've pretty much exhausted all our more promising options, believe it or not."

"I will submit a formal contact request with Colonel Octmalin before I retire then. Good night, Apprentice. Do not let the Rogues keep you up too late, for I still expect you to meditate before you sleep."

He grinned lopsided. "For sure. G'night, Master."

With that, Maul eased his way across the room and through the crowd. He took the opportunity to look for Tano and her captain, and found them waylaid by the general Maul was still unfamiliar with discussing more old war stories. He was glad his conversation with Octmalin wouldn't have an audience. 

He found the Nautolan, Col. Octmalin, gossiping with one of his techs. Maul was eyed up and down before he was addressed. "Good evening, Master. What can I do for you?"

"I wish to request an official communique be extended in my name to the same frequency on which I was contacted several weeks ago."

"I've still got it, yeah." A spark lit in his dark eyes. "Who am I addressing the message to?" Beside him, the tech looked delighted to be present for a question with such potential for gossip.

"Qi'ra. The message is that I have questions regarding her tibanna mining contacts." It was a benign enough answer that he chose to be honest, this time.

"I'll pass it along. You'll want another private room?"

"Please." He was certain their conversations could be watched - were likely recorded - but it seemed the Rebellion had guessed most of those secrets anyway. "Good night, Colonel."

As he walked away, he heard the tech whisper, "So that's Maul. I hope he can miracle up some fuel like he saved Commander Skywalker."

He stepped out from the lights and dwindling crowds and went down his own empty hall. What an odd thought: Maul, bringer of miracles. 

He was jerked from slumber when a weight landed on his bed. Maul had his lightsaber in hand and aimed before he managed to pry his eyes open. Luke grinned brightly at him. "Up and at 'em, Master! We've got an emergency supply run this morning!"

Maul glared at his apprentice in the low light. 

"Meet us at the Falcon in thirty. We've got breakfast." In the low light, the boy grinned like the sun. "Also, this is revenge: don't lie to me again, please."

With that baffling threat, Luke bid a hasty retreat before Maul's sleep-addled brain could decide whether or not to gut his apprentice. In the end, it was easier to stare sleepily at the pack Luke had left him until he was awake enough to process more competently. Eventually, he opened it to reveal a set of clothing meant for a much milder climate than Hoth's (thankfully without boots to discard) along with the usual accoutrements the Rebellion furnished for off-world missions. 

He layered the light shirt and jacket beneath his heavy thermal coat, added his lightsaber to the pack, and made his way through the very (very) early morning crowd. The Falcon had been put back together at some point during the night and was being fueled up under the watchful eye of Chewbacca. The Wookie rumbled a good morning which Maul returned with as much courtesy as he could muster. 

Inside, Captain Rex and Lady Tano sat at the dajek table with cups of caf and sleepy expressions. The clone said nothing and hunched further over his drink when he saw Maul, but Tano poured him a mug from the shared carafe and offered him a seat. She looked offensively chipper for the early hour. "This is quite a ship, isn't it?"

"A junk heap," Maul agreed around a long drink. 

"I heard that, asshole!" Solo shouted from the cockpit, and Rex smirked. 

Apparently taking the hint, Tano let him sit and sip his caf in Force-blessed silence. He was half-asleep, thoughts wandering somewhere between here and Castilson, when Luke bounded in with Leia on his tail and arms full of ration bars.

"Alright, we're just waiting on Chewie and then we're off," Luke said brightly, handing out breakfast. 

"May I ask where we're headed?" Tano asked as she politely accepted her ration bar.

"Takodana." It was the princess who answered. "Only a standard supply run, but this is Luke's first off world mission since the wampa attack."

Tano threw a look at Maul, who had taken the opportunity to eat his ration bar in a few quick bites, and said, "Dak and Hobbie have regaled us with the tale. Congratulations on your recovery, Commander Skywalker. Getting back out there again is a big step."

Luke was blushing as he said, "Oh, you can just call me Luke, ma'am."

"Then please call me Ahsoka, Luke." Her smile turned mischievous. "Rex prefers captain or sir." 

The captain glowered at her over a drink of caf. "One time. I said that one time. And damn Fives for telling you that story anyway."

They reached hyperspace without incident. Although Takodana was not far from Hoth, they were taking a circuitous and meandering route to mask the location of Echo base, and so a trip of a few hours turned into a full day. With breakfast finished and the crew more awake, they gathered for a brief on the mission. Luke looked less gleeful with his vengeance now that he'd been awake for a couple of hours and his eyelids drooped slightly. Maul nudged him to attention fondly. 

"Alright, guys, this is a basic supply run," Luke instructed with a yawn. "Everything is paid for, we're just rendezvousing with the supplier. Han and Chewie know Takodana's matriarch, and so they're going to pay their respects. Meanwhile, Lady Tano - sorry, Ahsoka - Master Maul, Leia, and I will take R2 and make the pick-up. Captain Rex, if you would be willing to stay behind with the ship so we can make a quick getaway, this should be an easy in-and-out mission."

"Well, now that you've said that it won't be," the captain muttered, and Maul silently agreed. "Sure thing, kid."

From where she sat primly next to Maul, Leia cleared her throat. "Luke, don't forget about the - "

" - right, yeah, sorry," Luke responded, immediately catching on. "We had a memo come down from General Dravin late last night, and he said the Empire's getting antsy. They've increased most of our bounties, so we've got strict orders not to draw any attention to ourselves. Takodana is not someplace we want to bring the Empire down on."

"No kidding," Solo piped up. "That's Maz's number one rule: no fighting."

"And what about myself, Master Luke?" the princess's neurotic gold protocol droid asked.

While Luke reassured C3P0 that he would aid them most by remaining with the ship, Maul heard Rex murmur to Tano, "Ain't that Amidala's old goldie?"

"I believe so," was her response, but she didn't elaborate. 

From the way her shoulders stiffened, Leia had heard the exchange as well. Maul caught her eye and she shrugged: neither of them knew the significance of this revelation, but both agreed it had meaning.

Luke beamed at all of them. "Right, I think that's everything! Just a couple more hours and we'll get to Takodana."

As if on cue, the proximity alarm blared as the Falcon prepared to come out of hyperspace. The children all leapt to attention and scurried off to their stations (Solo and Chewbacca at the helm, Leia and Luke manning both gunnery positions) while Maul put himself in the cockpit near enough to the scanner and communications array that he could be useful if needed. Rex and Tano hung nearby in waiting. 

"Hey! Uh-uh, no. Get outta here; you called the Falcon junk!" Solo snapped as he prepared the return to realspace. 

"Do not take offense," Maul said absently, flicking a quick adjustment to the comm channel. "You were also my first choice for escape should Lady Tano have tried to chase me off of Hoth." Somewhere behind them, Maul was quite sure Tano was stifling laughter.

Solo gave him a look that was both irritated and amused. "Guess that's something. Not sure what, but it's something."

Chewbacca mocked him with a bark, but they were interrupted when the Eriadu system took shape around them. Dozens of lights blinked into being on the scanner as the Falcon fell into the long line of hyperspace-bound traffic. The meeting of many hyperspace lanes, Eriadu was an easy place to go unnoticed in the crowds of space traffic. 

"So many star destroyers," Lady Tano murmured as she stepped closer to look out the viewport. "Is Eriadu under siege?"

Solo snorted. "Been gone awhile, huh? They're "keeping the peace". Directing traffic and arresting anyone they think might be trouble."

"Why come this way if the imperial presence is so heavy?"

"It is heavy everywhere," Maul answered. "But here we are one of thousands on the Rimma Trade Route."

The comm crackled to life and Maul deftly sent the signal to Solo. "Name and cargo," droned the imp on the other end.

"This is the Amygdala and right now we're only carrying crew. Making a pickup on Sarrish and taking it down to Cerea," Solo lied without missing a beat.

There was a long pause, and then, "Affirmative. Stand by to be scanned."

Although there was nothing suspicious about them - they had the correct crew for a cargo ship this size and nothing illicit (aside from several lightsabers) onboard - the room seemed to hold its breath as they were scanned. Maul closed his eyes, letting his focus expand outside the ship to the thrum of traffic and life around them. There were of course the usual malignant few but nothing with its focus on them…

"Amygdala, you are cleared to await your hyperspace jump toward Sarrish. Fall into lane S57J and await further permission to jump."

"Copy," Solo barked, and as soon as the line was dead, muttered. "Nothin' to it, just fly casual."

They jumped to hyperspace without any trouble, quietly complying with imperial bureaucracy and doing their best not to draw attention to themselves. The same held true of their next two jumps, and before long they were looking out at Takodana. 

Solo put the Falcon down in a grassy clearing overlooking the lake, a small sign to the side was the only signifier that this was a landing pad, otherwise it was secluded and hidden from the sky above. It was just one of the many amenities that Takodana offered which kept smugglers, spicers, and Rebels thick on the ground. Of course, the Imperial Security Bureau was also cognizant of Takodana's popularity among the galaxy's ne'er-do-wells, and so the rebels took the time to pull up hoods and wrap scarves around their faces to blend into the crowd. Even Tano swapped out her white cloak for something less conspicuous. Maul covered himself from head to foot so his horns and tattoos were hidden from sight; let Sidious not become aware of his alliance with the Rebellion because Maul had slipped up on a simple supply run.

The group split up, with Solo and Chewbacca heading off toward the castle to pay their respects while the rest of them continued toward the market where they would rendezvous with their supplier. Maul knew these sorts of establishments well, although Takodana only by reputation. Rumor had it that the Pirate Queen who ran the planet was unfriendly to the Dark Side, and Maul was in no mood to push his luck. 

Takodana's market was bright and bustling in a way Maul hadn't seen since the days of the Republic. There were few places in the galaxy that were so friendly to nonhumans, and in this way they fit right in. Even their identity-disguising hoods were more the norm than not. With wide eyes, Luke and Leia fought the instinct to clamor around the market like younglings, R2 buzzing along behind. 

Tano smiled at them indulgently as they pulled ahead and Maul let them go, although neither Luke nor Leia ever left his line of sight. "It has been a long time since they've left the base, hasn't it?" Tano said softly. 

"He is a pilot. Having that freedom taken away while he recovered made the boy restless. It's why I started teaching him moving meditation. That it clearly improved his combat skills is an obvious benefit as well."

Silently scanning the crowd with the skill of a seasoned spy, Tano took her time to respond. "You told him about me. As soon as I landed and introduced myself, he knew exactly who I was."

Maul stayed silent, unsure what her question was and unwilling to proffer incriminating information. 

"You told him the truth - well," she amended, "a version of it. But you could have told him any lie about the Jedi you wanted. Why tell him about me?"

"He idolizes the Jedi. In life, Kenobi did a poor job of explaining the complexities of their legacy." He shrugged, using the excuse of watching Luke and Leia to avoid Tano's gaze. "Your story worked well as an entry point into understanding their fallacies and not making the same mistakes." 

She smirked. "And you thought I was dead, so no one could contradict you."

Maul sneered, "Yes, your resurrection is very inconvenient."

Tano laughed brightly, "Now you know how Obi-Wan felt."

"You two have the same sense of humor," Maul despaired, to which Tano only continued to laugh.

Suddenly, Maul felt a prickle across his senses, like they were being watched, but it was gone as soon as it came. His eyes tracked across the crowd again, but the very thing that kept them so well-hidden shielded any potential spies as well.

"Keep your senses sharp," he murmured to Tano, "I fear trouble may yet find us."

"That's what you haven't figured out yet," Tano said with deliberate sweetness, "with Skywalkers, trouble always finds you."

Their supplier was an elderly Duros with viciously pointed teeth and a drawling Outer-rim accent. While the princess exchanged news with him, Maul, Luke, R2, and Tano combed through boxes of freeze-dried vegetables and ammunition, making sure everything was accounted for and stacking the crates on hovertrollies. It was tedious work, lightened by Luke's tendency to exclaim over the smallest treasures - like a vat of powdered blue milk, apparently his favorite. 

"Oh, these are frozen bantha nuggets! Wedge is gonna be excited! And some dried galcot too, what a treat! They're Leia's favorite!"

While Maul watched him fondly, Tano got a glint in her eye which Maul was sure meant no good. "You and Leia seem close."

Maul wanted to groan and just barely kept the urge in check. Luke did not need Tano complicating his young life with talk of romance. Luke, though, only shrugged. "I mean yeah. We sorta helped each other after we both lost our families. At this point I don't know what I'd do without her and Han both."

A good answer, Maul thought. It seemed he had been following Maul's advice and thinking about what he wanted from his relationship with the princess. 

Tano looked surprised. "You mean you'd never met before the Battle of Yavin?"

"We only met because when she was attacked on her way to get Ben, I was the one who found her message. Otherwise I would have probably been stuck on Tatooine for the rest of my life. There's no way a guy like me could meet a princess otherwise. Ben said it was the Force at work. Guess he was right."

Before Tano could push any further, Han and Leia burst into the room, bringing with them the faint buzz of panic. "You about done?" Solo barked. "We gotta move, Chewie thinks we got company."

"And you led them back here?" Maul snapped. 

"Whoever they are, they're good. Chewie only realized we were being followed just outside!" Solo put his hands up. "I swear we were careful."

"Fighting each other isn't helpful," Leia intervened quickly. "We're as good as done. Let's just get these last few crates stacked and we can go. What's our plan?"

They fell quiet, each mulling over the best escape. But they couldn't waste too much time, lest their pursuant grow bored of the chase and resort to more violent tactics. That was a surefire way to blow their cover at large. 

Reaching out with his senses, Maul felt the same dark gaze fixed on them that he had felt while walking through the market. It sat in wait, like a great panther, but that was all Maul could see. He did not know this presence. At least that meant he could rule out Vader or one of Sidious's other, more powerful lackeys. Nothing he couldn't handle. 

Maul opened his eyes. "Luke, Leia, Solo, and Chewbacca, take the supplies and get back to the ship; Tano and I will exit through the back and follow at a distance. With luck, they do not know how many of us there are, and while you act as bait, Tano and I can locate and catch them by surprise. Circle back for us with the Falcon once the supplies are loaded."

After a moment, Tano nodded, "As good as anything I've got." This brought a murmur of agreement from the others as well.

"Let me go too! What if you have to confront them and there's a fight? I should be there to help," Luke said wide-eyed. 

"Absolutely not," Maul snapped. "You and Leia are our greatest liabilities, for you are the Empire's most wanted. We need to get you back to the ship with the supplies."

Luke looked ready to argue, but Maul put a quieting hand on his shoulder. "This is not about one fight; it is about completing an important mission for the Alliance. We must consider and prioritize."

The boy looked aside and nodded. "Yes Master, you're right. But if they report your lightsaber, it'll blow your cover. Take my lightsaber, at least, so they don't know it's you."

"Don't be ridiculous," Maul said almost fondly. "If it comes to a flight, you are not skilled enough to handle any blade but your own. I have ways of defending myself without a lightsaber."

Luke was going to protest again, but Tano beat him to it. "Your master's right, Luke. That blade is your life; keep it close. He can borrow one of mine." She took Maul's wrist in hand and firmly placed one of her 'sabers into his palm. 

He took it, astonished. It was warm in his hand, the kyber crystal within hummed at him curiously, almost like a living,  breathing being. It would be whip-quick, he knew from experience, and smooth as the wind. 

"The crystal likes you. But I want that back when we get to the ship." She winked and turned back to the others as if she had not just reordered Maul's world in a split-second.

"Alright, great. If that's all figured out, can we get movin'?" Solo whined. "I don't want to get caught in a shootout here. Maz'd kill us."

Chewbacca growled a correction and Solo groused, "Fine, she'd kill me! Happy?"

While the children and Chewbacca took the supplies and made their way back to the ship, pretending to be none-the-wiser about their pursuant, Maul and Tano were escorted to the back exit by their host. As Maul checked over his Alliance-issued blaster with distaste, he silently bemoaned the need for subtlety, even with Tano's lightsaber easily at hand. 

Tano gave him one last jaunty wave before she leapt to the nearest roof and disappeared into the flurry of brightly-colored flags and pennants. 

What the hell was happening to all these Jedi that they had suddenly decided to like him? But this wasn't the time to dwell on such things. He shook himself and plunged into the twisting back alleys. Now that he knew better what to look for, Maul could track the hunter at a distance while their focus was taken up with the bait.

As Maul scaled another wall, his instincts blazed to life and he allowed himself just a moment to relish the hunt. He pulled the Force around him like a cloak, masking and strengthening himself. As he moved closer, he slowed and took care with his approach. Chewbacca and the children were not far from the ship now; Maul needed to find an opening for the ambush.

Sure that Tano was close, Maul took the plunge.

He hadn't realized he would be attacking a Mandalorian until the moment was upon him. The bounty hunter was quick, becoming aware of the attack before he could take advantage of the element of surprise, and Maul's first shot went wide.

"There you are," growled the Mandalorian behind his faded green-and-red helmet. "I'd wondered if they'd traded you and the woman for the goods."

If the words were meant to sting, Maul was unimpressed. He merely aimed and took another shot. The Mandalorian dodged even in the small space and his retaliatory shot sent Maul's blaster tumbling away. That was when Tano finally chose to attack.

She brought her hilt down on the juncture of the bounty hunter's neck and shoulder, between the plates of that infamous Mandalorian armor. The bounty hunter grunted and flinched. Maul abandoned his lost blaster and spun in an acrobatic kick that he hoped would knock out their pursuant's legs. It on ly worked when Tano brought her interlocked fists down on his back. 

"You rebels are stepping up your game," the bounty hunter grunted as he hit the ground. "Not that it matters."

Fire burst from the Mandalorian's vambrace and he spun, catching Tano's cloak aflame and forcing Maul back several steps. To keep the bounty hunter's attention while Tano put out the fire, Maul grabbed the shoto hilt on his belt and ignited the blade. It snapped to life, crisp and clean in the dirty alley.

"Jedi," the Mandalorian spat. "Haven't killed one of you in a while."

"And you will not this day, either," Maul growled to goad him.

With a roar, the bounty hunter began shooting at him with deadly accuracy. Maul deflected the first few shots into the dirt, but the third sent the blaster tumbling. Never without tricks, the Mandalorian reached behind his back and produced a short, sharp vibroblade. They exchanged a few quick blows, but Maul very clearly had the advantage. 

Still, it wasn't until Tano rejoined him, her twin white 'saber snapping alongside his, that they finally backed the bounty hunter into a corner he couldn't escape. Maul raised his borrowed blade, intending to give the fool a nice, clean cut throat and be done with him, when Tano stayed his hand.

"We are not taking prisoners," Maul hissed.

She pointed upward, although her eyes never left their prey, and Maul saw the Falcon roaring towards them, causing the denizens to point and shout but keeping well above the rooftops. "Our ride is here, and you heard our orders: we're not supposed to fight on Takodana. Imagine how the Pirate Queen would take it if we left her a corpse."

Maul hissed a curse, turned back to the disarmed, cornered Mandalorian, and sneered beneath his mask. Fine, this was the sort of thing Luke would likely have frowned on as well, and Maul's promise still rang loudly  in his ears. He thumbed off his lightsaber and reached out with the Force, squeezing closed the bounty hunter's throat until, just on the cusp of suffocation, Maul let go and he slumped unconscious.

"He will live," Maul huffed in response to Tano's disapproval. "Weren't we leaving?"

Together, they climbed to the top of the nearest building and used the Force to leap onto the Millennium Falcon's lowered boarding ramp. With Luke's help, Maul was able to find his balance and stumble to safety. Beside them, Captain Rex was helping Tano do the same. From deeper in the ship, Maul heard Leia shout, "They're on! Hit it"

The boarding ramp closed with a pneumatic hiss and Maul felt the motivator rumble beneath his artificial feet as the Falcon headed for the upper atmosphere. 

"Are you okay?" Luke cried, patting Maul down like he was looking for injuries. 

"Fine. We're fine, Apprentice," Maul said, gently catching Luke's flailing hands.

Tano nodded, "Yes, I'm just a bit singed." For the first time, Maul noticed that Tano had been forced to shed her cloak during the fire. Her face was still covered, but her horns and their distinctive blue-and-white pattern were clearly visible. "I think that was Boba Fett."

Maul snapped to attention. "Jabba's bounty hunter?"

"You sure?" Captain Rex asked sharply.

"I'd know Jango Fett's moves anywhere. I met Boba once, when we were both children. It was him," Tano concluded grimly.

From the cockpit, Solo swore loudly. "It's my fault! I told you, Jabba's coming down on me. I gotta go deal with him."

Luke and Leia's faces fell in twin expressions of disappointment, and Maul heard himself say, "Calm down, Solo. We are all wanted by the Empire; this is the risk we take whenever we enter a populated system. There's no need for you to go throwing yourself to the Hutt's mercy."

Maul took a breath and, when Solo didn't disagree, continued, "If he recognized you, though, Lady Tano, I'm afraid word of your resurrection may find Vader's ear." 

Tano looked a bit grim, but shrugged. "Like you said, it's the risk we take."

Their team was none the worse for wear, and, as Luke had predicted, all of Echo base was thrilled with the restock of rations. In the days that followed, morale was high.

The exception being Han Solo. He had been fretting over Fett's attack more than even Alliance leadership, who disliked how close Jabba's bounty hunter had gotten to their star Rebels - they had, however, had complimentary things to say for Maul and Tano's handling of the situation. Solo seemed to blame Fett's appearance on himself despite all reassurances to the contrary. 

He and the princess were having regular shouting matches about increasingly ridiculous topics and Chewbacca had disassembled every part of the Falcon, twice. 

And so, of course, it was Solo who came to fetch him when Qi'ra finally called. The captain was often assigned to run errands for Octmalin when Leia finally got fed-up with him, and today he seemed particularly surly about it.

"Hey, old man, got a call for you down in communications," he barked at Maul, who along with Dak and Hobbie, was feeding the tauntauns. 

"Is it Qi'ra?" Maul asked, albeit needlessly, for who else knew to contact him here? Any others who thought they needed his attention would have gone through her anyway. 

Maul missed Solo's response as Hobbie chose that moment to say, "Go on, Master, Ralter and I can finish up here."

He took the boys up on their offer and hurried toward the communications corridor. It had taken Qi'ra long enough to return Maul's message that he had, in the back of his mind, begun to worry. Was she hurt? Had Sidious tracked her down? Or had another member of the Crimson Dawn tried to usurp her? 

Between his concerns for her, Fett's appearance on Takodana, and the ever-present question of how to tell Luke about Vader, the anxious feeling in his gut had begun to pulse like a bruise.

Octmalin and his techs all gave him amused looks as he hurried to the private comm, Solo left somewhere in his dust.

Qi'ra looked well in her resplendent suit and cape, and she bowed with dignity. Next to even her holo, Maul felt his age. "My lord," she greeted formally. "I apologize for my delayed reply, but the Baron Administrator was slow to respond to my message."

It was a relief to hear that it was only this which had slowed her, and nothing more threatening. But that then did not account for his mounting sense of dread.

"I am glad that was the only cause," he replied. "You are well otherwise? The syndicates have not caused you any trouble?"

She gave him an odd look. "No, thank you, my lord. I do, however, bring good news; I had already been feeling out Bespin Administrator Lando Calrissian's loyalties based on your previous request. I was right to think of him: he has worked with Rebel cells in the past and gotten into more than his share of trouble with the Empire."

"And what does this baron offer?" Maul asked as he settled himself down for a longer conversation. 

"He owns a tibanna gas mine on Bespin in the Anoat Sector. They're a small operation, it's how they've been able to stay out of Imperial purview, but a good producer."

"The Anoat Sector? That is easily managed," he murmured. In fact, it was almost ridiculously close; Hoth was in the same sector, only a system or two away. "I shall speak to the leadership, but I suspect we will be asked to facilitate an introduction in short order."

"I will be awaiting your request." Qi'ra bowed. 

Maul hummed under his breath, "I suspect, given our tenuous relationship with the Alliance leadership, you will be asked to make the introduction in person. I hope this is acceptable."

"Of course. It has been too long since we have seen one another in person, and I have not forgotten that you promised me information."

He couldn't help but smile; seeing Qi'ra well after days of worry soothed his temper. "I did indeed. And I will have introductions to make as well."

Qi'ra gave him another strange look. "You have been making friends?" she joked, although it sounded half-incredulous. 

For some reason, her words brought to mind Kenobi's face. 

"Collecting allies," Maul corrected sharply. Let her not imagine for even a moment his time with the Rebels was anything but work. His time with Kenobi in particular. 

She instantly straightened. "Of course, Lord Maul."

"Is there anything else I ought to know?"

"Both the Black Sun and the Pykes remain unaware of our affiliation with the Alliance, but they have openly discussed their disdain for the Rebellion. I have begun closely monitoring their activities. 

"More concerning, the Crymorah syndicate were recently defeated in a bidding war by the Hutt Clan to provide the Empire with raw materials. My operatives are in the process of learning the details of this transaction. The Cymorah may be vengeful over the implied snub, but every one of the families has heavy financial ties to the Empire. I doubt we have the resources to temp them to the other side at this time. I am not looking for allies there.

She paused, looking grave. "The Hutt Clan has fully allied themselves with the Empire. Two galactic weeks ago, they contracted their personal bounty hunters to Vader. It seems Jabba has some sort of personal vendetta against the Rebels."

"That is indeed not good news, but it does explain my recent run-in with Boba Fett." The Hutts had always been just frightened enough of the Shadow to stay in line, but he was not surprised that in the end they chose the Empire. "Ultimately, they are of little consequence. You have done well, Qi'ra. Continue as you have and stand ready should I need you."

"As you wish, my lord." She bowed one final time and cut the feed.

Maul sat there in the low light of the chamber mulling over this new information. He hadn't had high hopes for convincing the other syndicates to join allegiances with the Rebellion, but learning that they would all immediately run to the Empire was disappointing regardless. 

Still, Qi'ra kept his secrets and Maul's plans went unchanged. He would have to inform the Alliance that the Hutts and the Empire were working together; it raised the likelihood of Vader learning of Tano's resurrection, if nothing else. The news was nothing he and Qi'ra hadn't already predicted, but that did not make it any less infuriating. 

Luke had already taken it upon himself to send a missive off to Alliance leadership with the insights and information Maul had given him about the Crimson Dawn, as threatened. There would inevitably be another now, he grumbled to himself. 

Maul rose with a sigh and opened the door only to find Solo waiting directly on the other side. The captain looked nervous, a great transformation from not thirty minutes prior. "Can we talk?" he asked.

Even odder. Maul sized him up for a moment before nodding. Knowing Solo, this was about Luke and the princess or some other drivel. Octmalin gave them a look as they left, but the added bonus of having Solo by his side was that no one could come near enough to get more gossip.

When they had found an unused room off one of the auxiliary ice tunnels, Solo finally spoke, still looking uncharacteristically anxious. "Listen, it probably ain't my business, but since you saved the kid from that wampa, I figure I owe you one. You said you were talkin' to a Qi'ra. She a short brunette? From Corellia?"

Maul blinked, caught completely off-guard by Solo's chosen topic. "You know Qi'ra?"

"Ah hell! I was afraid it was her. Listen, she's bad news, Maul. I know she can put on a good face, and she's scary efficient, but she's bloodthirsty. There's a reason she's part of the Crimson Dawn."

The accusation hung in the air between them. 

Maul snorted and then began to laugh. "'Part of the Crimson Dawn'? My dear boy, she is the leader of the Crimson Dawn."

Solo gaped. "Wait, what? Since when?"

"Years, now. Since Dryden Voss was killed." He was still chucking. "I do not know what she may have done to earn your ire, but I can assure you that she is entirely reliable. I trust Qi'ra with my life."

"How do you even know her?" the captain asked, eyeing him now. "How's a Force guru end up hobnobbin' with crime syndicates?"

They locked eyes. Maul was much better at reading thoughts and memories with direct physical touch, but eye-contact allowed him to skim surface thoughts. Solo fancied himself a smuggler with a heart of gold or some similar, easily manipulated cliche.

"War creates strange bedfellows." As he'd hoped, his words conjured a sympathetic response from Solo. "The Empire - even the Republic - has not been an easy place to survive, and I have found my friends where I can. I will not judge them for their sins if they do not judge me for mine." 

Solo flinched. 

"Qi'ra has been a steadfast ally," Maul continued, pushing just a hint of Force persuasion into his words to ease their going down. "She does not threaten the Rebellion."

Curiously, Solo remained unchanged by the Force suggestion. Where Maul would have expected easy compliance, the smuggler was still eyeing him wearily, thoughtfully. Perhaps there was more to Han Solo than Maul had initially given credit.

"Listen, you don't have ta' tell me about getting into places you shouldn't - I got a Hutt bounty on my head. But I ain't inviting them to join the Rebellion, see?"

Like Luke, Maul thought a touch sourly, he would be forced to give Solo more than mere platitudes.

"Qi'ra, for reasons both professional and personal, wants the Empire gone as much as we do," he replied, changing tactics. "That is the best we can ask of any Rebel, don't you agree? The other syndicates are lining up behind the Empire, and she is the only one willing to listen. The Rebellion needs all the resources and contacts available to us. We can go back to fighting one another over semantics when the Emperor is dead."

"I don't like it. Qi'ra's not magnanimous." The captain stuck a finger in Maul's face (that he resisted the urge to bite off). "I just hope for everybody's sake you got a good read on her, or we're all dead men."

"Then at least trust that I would never knowingly endanger Luke."

Solo snorted, "That, at least, I do believe."

"Besides, she would merely be introducing us to a contact, and from there the Alliance would craft its own bargain. In most parts of the galaxy, that is merely considered a business transaction."

"You're a wiley old bastard, you know that Maul?" Solo almost sounded impressed.

"One would have to be to have survived my life," Maul grumbled and adjusted his grip on his cane. At those words, Solo's eyes drifted to the approximate (his eyes were slightly low) seam of Maul's robotic and organic halves. "What has Luke told you?" Maul asked bluntly.

Solo blushed. "Uh, he told Leia and me you got cut in half, survived, fought Ahsoka and Rex during the Clone War, became the Shadow - which I'm still tryin' to wrap my head around, here - caused some mishaps for the Rebellion back in the day, and you and Kenobi weren't actually lovers."

It took him a moment for the word to register, and when it did it was like the galaxy inverted. Solo was still babbling, but Maul heard none of it. He and Kenobi lovers? Ridiculous. To this day, Maul loathed the man despite their occasional collaborations.

And yet his treacherous mind couldn't help but conjure the memory of Kenobi's fond smiles, of their shared moments and secrets. Of the way Kenobi's face had fallen for a split-second when Maul had called them nothing more than grudging allies. He tried to refocus, ignore the growing realization that he was - 

That Kenobi -

" - Luke vouched for you, pulled the Jedi Card, everything. Leia said s'long as Rex files an all-clear with Mothma, there's not gonna be a problem."

Maul nodded, feigning calm. "I will leave it to Luke's discretion what to tell you. It seems you have the," he cleared his throat, "highlights."

"Well if that ain't reassuring, I don't know what is," Solo quipped, clearly also at a loss. Maul took that opportunity to escape, for which he suspected Solo was also grateful. 

Determined, after the awkwardness of the morning, to keep to himself until it was time for Luke's lesson, Maul found a job shunting containers about in a sequestered corner of the base for a few hours. The physical labor had the added bonus of driving any thought of - the ghost out of his head.

Which made Tano's appearance midway through his shift all the more aggravating. "You certainly made yourself hard to find," she said on her approach, expression and tone calm and open. 

"And yet you have broken my pointed solitude. I hope this is important," Maul replied, setting down his crate with a heavy thud. 

Lady Tano, if anything, looked amused. "Yes, actually. If we might find somewhere private to speak?"

"This in no way bodes well," Maul grumbled even as he quickly finished what he was doing and led Tano back to his empty little ice cave, the nearest privacy of which he knew. 

"It is time for me to leave," she said without preamble. When Maul only looked at her in surprised silence, she continued. "I can already sense Vader trying to hone in on my location. I won't threaten Luke or this base with my presence."

Maul swallowed, feeling like a fool for questioning his own good fortune, but driven to ask all the same, "And your report to Mothma and the Alliance?"

Her demeanor softened slightly, although Maul could still get no more specific a read off Tano. "I will give you my blessing," she said. "Obi-Wan was right; you and Luke benefit one another. Together, I believe you actually have a chance against the Emperor." Tano shook her head a bit ruefully. "I can't say I understand it, but you're doing the impossible: an ex-Sith training a Jedi knight. Maybe that's just what the Force needs to find balance right now."

"I don't pretend to understand it either." He swallowed, struggling with what he knew he had to say next. "Thank you. For trusting me."

Her lips twitched in what was very nearly laughter. "Oh, don't do that. This is at least partially selfish. If you didn't train Luke, it would fall to me. The only person worse at training Jedi than you is me." 

But then Tano was her solemn self again. "Before I go there's something you need to know: Luke and Leia are twins."

After the day's earlier revelation, this felt more like the final piece of a puzzle sliding into place. That accounted for their connection in the Force and the pull Luke felt towards the princess. "That explains a great deal," was what he said aloud. "They have felt a pull toward one another from their first meeting, and this should alleviate many questions they've had."

Maul felt the blood rush from his face. "Forgive me," he choked, "but human siblings are not supposed to mate, correct?"

"No," Tano drew the word out, worry stealing over her face, "generally the gene pool frowns upon it. Why, Maul, has something happened?"

"Something very nearly did," Maul hissed softly. His furious gaze darted back to Tano's. "Kenobi knows, doesn't he?" 

She didn't respond immediately, only a small line appearing between her brows as she considered this. "I assume so. He didn't tell me either; Rex and I figured it out because we knew Anakin and Padme so well."

They came to the conclusion at the same time. "She's back-up if Luke fails," Tano growled, eyes flashing. "It's exactly the type of thing the Jedi Council would come up with. Separate the twins to hide them and don't tell them about each other so one can't give the other away. That way, you have a spare child if the first dies or falls," she sneered.

Maul was glad she had said it, and he didn't have to convince her of the truth. 

"Thank you for telling me." This time the words were much easier to say. "I'll speak to them both as soon as possible. This oughtn't wait."

"And Obi-Wan?"

"You expected anything more of him?" Maul asked scornfully, almost certain Kenobi was listening. Let him revel in his sins. "I'll make his excuses to the boy, I always do." 

Anger with Kenobi was a familiar feeling, and he slid back into it with ease. It drove away those fears and wonders which had begun to accumulate that morning after Solo's blunder. His head was clear again, mind sharp. He knew what he had to do.

Tano had fallen silent, watching him.

"I am afraid I must ask you not to attend Luke's lesson this afternoon. Unless you would be willing to answer some difficult questions." His tone was as chilly as the tundra outside.

"Do you need me to? There are things you don't know about Anakin and Padmé. I would rather not speak of it, honestly, but if I must, I will. Rex, too."

"They don't know Vader is their father. He destroyed both their families - her entire planet - and is the reason they were torn apart at birth. Learning more wonderful things about their parents is the last thing they need. I must prepare them for a harsh truth. Your Jedi niceties cannot ease the way."

Tano nodded, expression somehow both sad and utterly opaque. "I know that you'll take care of them both, but if there is anything I can do to help, I won't be leaving until they open the hangar doors tomorrow."

Maul nodded tersely, but he was already moving to the door, mind whirling. He held it open for Tano and then hurried ahead of her down the hall to find the twins.

He had to pull Leia from where she had ingrained herself into the process of sorting and dividing their supplies, while he nabbed Luke the moment he left the pilots' locker room. Looking at them gathered together like this, Maul wondered how he had never before seen the resemblance. She was dark and he was fair, but the curve of their lips and the quirk of their brows were an exact match.

"What's this all about, Master?" asked the princess impatiently. 

"Yeah, I thought we were working on more forms with Ahsoka this evening."

Maul took a fortifying breath. (Why did these things always find their way to his shoulders?) "Lady Tano is leaving tomorrow. Before she goes, there are two things which we have agreed you both need to know."

The children exchanged a look, concern seeping into their gazes. "Go on," Leia commanded.

"You are twins. The children of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala."

There was silence, Luke's eyes were as wide as Maul had ever seen them while Leia squinted into space, contemplating. Maul let them decide how to react, giving them space to contemplate and absorb the information. The silence stretched between them for a long moment. 

"I think," Leia said at last, "that somehow, I've always known. I felt a connection to you - "

" - deeper than friendship, but I couldn't ever identify it..." Luke finished. Then, he seized the girl in a fierce hug. "Leia, you're my sister! I can't believe it!"

She hugged him back, just as tight, and Maul turned away. They were taking this well - better than he could have hoped, considering. In the Force, they shined together as one complete being, a beacon in Hoth's wasteland. It really was no wonder the Jedi had thought to separate them; seeing the two together like this, they would have been difficult to hide from Sidious. But even the witches of Dathomir had known that twins in the Force were a sacred power not to be separated.

Eventually, the glow of reunion subsided and the questions Maul had anticipated took its place. With some surprise, the first came from Leia. "Why? Why were we separated?"

"Lady Tano and I cannot be sure, but we believe it was to hide you from Sidious. You are," he hummed, "very bright together in the Force. If what was left of the Jedi Council did not consider itself adequate protection from the Emperor, they likely chose what they believed to be the safest of difficult choices."

The twins exchanged a look. "Why are we only learning about this now?" Luke asked.

"Because I only became aware of the fact an hour ago. Lady Tano did not know you were ignorant of your relationship until she was fishing for information on Takodana: she had merely thought you were keeping the fact to yourselves for security. Both Tano and the captain knew your parents; that's how they identified you."

"Does Ben know?" Luke almost sounded like he didn't want the answer.

Maul sighed and said, "As for that, I do not know what Kenobi knew before he died. I will be looking into it further."

Leia's thoughts had drifted, though, to darker places. She looked stricken, and all the color drained from her face. "Vader," she gasped, tears beginning to build in her eyes, "that monster has taken three families from us, Luke."

Luke wrapped his sister in another tight hug as Maul watched, helpless to stop the words that tumbled from Luke's lips, "I know Leia. I know. I'll get him for you, okay? For you and all our parents and my aunt and uncle and Alderaan. I promise." He pulled back just far enough to kiss her forehead. "I love you, Leia."

Maul watched his plans, along with his resolve, to tell them the truth about Anakin Skywalker crumble as the children held each other and cried. They were too vulnerable now, once again too raw for him to throw yet another messy truth at them. Leia in particular seemed terribly shaken about the revelation despite her claim that she'd always known. 

Eventually, around another enormous sniffle, Luke said. "Sorry Master. This is wonderful, but it's all a lot. You, uh, you said two things, right? What was the second thing?"

"Qi'ra has returned my call," Maul lied effortlessly, fighting the panic growing in his chest. "She believes she's found a source of tibanna gas controlled by a baron administrator on Bespin willing to do business with the Rebellion."

"That's wonderful!" Luke cried. 

"This could completely change our prospects in this region!" Leia chimed in, brushing away her tears. 

The anxiety in Maul's belly seemed to solidify into a deep, dark pit. He had made a horrible mistake. 

He released them not much later, once tears had been dried and Maul had answered a handful more questions, most of them with uncertainty. With Leia's parents and Alderaan all gone, what they had known couldn't be determined. As he began to realize the extent of Kenobi's lies, Luke grew quieter and quieter.

And yet, despite every given reason to despair, Luke clung to his sister and grinned as they meandered down the hall, plotting how they would break the news to Solo and Chewbacca. 

Maul closed the door and rested his forehorn against the cold durasteel, letting the chill sooth his stress-warm face. He was almost certain that when he turned around, Kenobi would be standing there apologetic and full of excuses about "best interests" and "complicated circumstances" and the urge to cut off his fat Jedi head would become overwhelming. It would be easy to simply leave and get a drink with Antilles or Captain Rex. Kenobi wouldn't be there when he returned. Might even get the hint that he wasn't wanted there if Maul walked away a few more times. He was doing fine, Kenobi had said, there was nothing the dead had to add.

This could be the beginning of the end for the terrifying thing that had grown up between them. 

When he turned around, Kenobi indeed stood there, looking more aloof and superior than Maul had ever seen him. He regretted the choice to stay almost immediately. "You shouldn't have told them," were the first words from his lying Jedi mouth. 

Bearing his teeth, Maul snarled, "They were too close to romantic entanglement; it had to be done. Now their feelings can be appropriately channeled. Your Jedi sensibilities ought to be appeased!"

"Their ignorance may have upset your sensibilities, but we had good reason for the choices we made," Kenobi said with just the barest hint of a sneer behind his beard. "Now, you've jeopardized everything."

Maul stormed forward, putting himself in the ghost's face and hissing like an angry tooka. "Then you could have made yourself known and answered their questions! Instead, I had to make your excuses. Luke will not tolerate this behavior for long, even from his hero."

"Do not try to guilt me, Maul. There is no room for sentimentality with so much at stake," Kenobi snapped in return. "Vader and the Emperor felt that burst of power. You were lucky it didn't give away the location of the Rebel base." 

Their eyes locked, and Maul stared Kenobi down. "Luke and Leia are stronger together. Keeping them apart now only benefits your plans, and they are none of my concern. Those children are. Every lie you tell hurts the boy. Hurts the girl now, too."

"Which is why you kept the truth about Vader from them, again," Kenobi spat back. "You told them of their connection and threatened everything we have worked for here, and now if Sidious gets his hands on one twin, he as good as has the other. How precisely does that protect them?"

"These children are not pieces on a board or sabaac cards in your hand! They must have the freedom to make their own decisions and we can but arm them with the knowledge they need to make wise decisions!" Maul laughed hysterically, his next words half-mad, "If this is how you were with Skywalker it's no wonder why he turned into Vader."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Maul knew he had gone too far. Although they had not - could not have even if they'd given into the urge - touched each other, Kenobi looked as though Maul had stabbed him. (How many times had he pictured causing that pain? But not like this, never like this.)

"Ah," Kenobi's voice was cold. "I can see you have the situation well in-hand. I'll leave it to your discretion, then, shall I?"

With those parting words, he was gone. Maul was once again alone. 

Tano's departure approached rapidly; after a miserable night replaying his fight with Kenobi over and over in his nightmares, Maul's morning was a tired blur. Around him, Luke, Leia, and the Rogues all seemed thrilled with themselves for "proving" to Lady Tano Maul's dedication to the Rebel cause. 

The only person that still held him in suspicion was Captain Rex, who had informed him glibly over breakfast that he would be remaining on Echo base "to keep an eye on things".

Although telling Luke and Leia of their relationship had torn a rift between Maul and Kenobi, it had conversely cemented Tano's good opinion of him. She smiled a bit ironically as she coded her private frequency into his comm (she was, after all, still officially dead as far as the Rebellion was concerned). "Call if you need anything. I'm giving this to you because I'm sure you won't abuse the privilege."

Maul snorted. "That will most certainly not be a problem. Stay safe, Lady Tano. I shall be sorely disappointed should I hear you are put down by a lesser adversary."

"Such a charmer. Keep these kids in line, Maul." She was interrupted by both the twins and Chewbacca piling on top of her in an enthusiastic hug goodbye. Captain Solo, meanwhile, only shook her hand, still himself looking a bit shocked by the recent revelation. 

And then Lady Tano was gone, taking the little star skimmer that she and Captain Rex had arrived in and jumping first back to Lothal and then away to wherever it was she'd found to seclude herself until the war passed.

"Master, you have a second?" Luke asked as they all dispersed, heading back to their day's work.

"Yes, of course, Apprentice. What is it?"

Luke glanced around him, to make sure there were no obvious eavesdroppers, and then said, "Ben came to talk to Leia and I last night. He revealed himself to Leia and then answered a bunch of questions for us - about how much her parents knew and a little bit about our mother and stuff. And I just wanted to say thank you."

Maul, who had been listening with some shock, nearly missed this last, most baffling declaration. "Thank me? Whatever for?"

"Ben said it was your idea. He said you had to yell at him to get him to come talk to us. So thank you. It means a lot how much you do for Leia and me." By now, Maul was used to Luke's hugs, and he was prepared for this one, but his mind still reeled.

Kenobi had gone and revealed himself to answer questions? He had listened to Maul after their harsh words? And he had attributed his change of heart to Maul's poor opinion.

What was Kenobi playing at?

Leia pushed Maul's tip about Bespin under Mon Mothma's nose, and they quickly received permission to make introductions. The plan was to rendezvous with Qi'ra on Ison in order to disguise the base's location in the neverending traffic along the Ison Trade Corridor, and then backtrack to Bespin with Qi'ra to make the introduction. 

The response Maul had received from her to his missive was affirmative and gleeful. He and Qi'ra hadn't been in one place together since the Crymorah Incident, and it would be good to see her again. They did not expect trouble. The assignment - to protect Leia while she bartered with the baron administrator - was considered inconspicuous enough that they even allowed Luke, with his high bounty, to attend on behalf of the pilots. (And, Maul imagined, the Alliance hoped to wow potential allies with their Jedi golden boy.) Of course, where the twins went, Solo, Chewbacca, and Rex followed. Maul would be attending not just as back-up, but as the formal link between the Alliance and the Crimson Dawn. 

Ison was a scum-ridden hole on the edge of the galaxy. It was one of the last stops before Wild Space and a popular hideaway for the lowest kind of galactic refuse. The transitory nature of the planet meant that all the local establishments were either prefab or run-down, and the debris field that littered the star system hung overhead like a perpetual threat. All in all, it was the perfect place for a clandestine meeting. 

In the interest of secrecy, Qi'ra had left her yacht and the majority of her security team behind. She met them in the basement of one of the nicer cantinas in the port town, much more upscale than the rebels' usual fare. They were eyed with some hostility until Maul let slip the passphrase, then the barkeep hurriedly led them to Qi'ra's private room. 

"Lord Maul," Qi'ra said warmly as she rose to greet them. "You are looking well! Come in, all of you. Let me meet you."

"Hello Qi'ra." Maul tipped into a shallow bow, grazing the back of her hand with his lips. "You are looking lovely as always." She murmured her thanks, and then her gaze drifted over his shoulder to the rest of the Rebels. He smirked and said indulgently, "Allow me to introduce Princess Leia Organa, Commander Luke Skywalker, Captain Rex, and I believe you are already acquainted with Captain Han Solo."

Qi'ra, who had been all polite smiles as she met the rest of their rag-tag group, grew ridged as Solo stepped into the room. Maul had honestly been surprised the captain hadn't sent Chewbacca in his stead and chosen to stay with the Falcon himself. 

"Hey there, Qi'ra," Solo said with irony. 

"Han," Qi'ra said with only a touch of discomfort cracking through her professional facade. "What a surprise to see you with the Rebellion."

"Looks like we both got mixed up in this insane crusade," Solo said with a swift, obvious glance over to the twins. "I hear you got fuel for us."

With a gracious invitation to sit, Qi'ra smiled and sipped her drink. "From another old friend, actually. Lando Calrissian became baron administrator of Cloud City, a tibanna refinery on Bespin." The segue allowed her to politely refocus her attention on Maul and Leia. "He dislikes the Empire as much as you do, and he told me that he has worked briefly with the crew of the Ghost smuggling mining equipment onto Lothal. They're rebels, yes?"

Leia had settled across from Qi'ra, expression diplomatic. Luke sat at her right hand while Maul sat with Qi'ra at his left. Solo neglected the last seat at the table and leaned against the back wall, obviously and loudly removing himself from negotiations. The old clone captain stood just behind the princess's left elbow, in parallel to Qi'ra's single guard, a heavily armored mountain Nikto.

"Yes. That must have been back before the Liberation of Lothal. Have you done much business with Baron Administrator Calrissian, Lady Qi'ra?" Leia spoke with all the confidence of a politician, if none of the needless simpering. 

"Not myself, but I've facilitated business deals between him and others in the past, and they have always been - " Qi'ra's long nails clicked a line down the side of her wine glass, " - satisfied." 

Solo snorted softly and Qi'ra spoke up, tone ever-so-slightly goading. "Han can speak to the quality of his work."

"When he ain't tryin' ta kill me," Solo grumbled. "Lando may cheat at cards, but cutting fuel's beneath him. It'll be the real deal."

"We can leave you on the ship," Leia said sharply, "if you're going to make a bad impression on him."

Qi'ra laughed, delighted. "Absolutely not! If Lord Maul can spring Han on me, I simply demand that we do the same to Lando. He'll be so happy to see you again."

"Wait, wait," Luke, who had been doing an admirable job of holding his tongue, interrupted. "I'm totally lost here. Han, how do you know all these people?"

Han and Qi'ra exchanged a long look, and it was Qi'ra who finally answered. "Han and I grew up together on Corellia. We went our separate ways, but worked a job together about a decade ago. Lando was there as well. It seems fate has brought us all back together again."

"Fate… or the Force," Maul murmured, and Luke frowned at him from across the table.

Leia cleared her throat. "As fascinating as this all is, we should take this conversation back to the ship and be off. We wouldn't want to keep the baron administrator waiting."

"Oh, my apologies. You're right, of course. Come, Ryland," Qi'ra added to her bodyguard, "let's go make a deal."

As they filed out, Maul offered his arm to Qi'ra, who looped her elbow with his and patted his hand. "It really is wonderful to see you again, my lord."

"And you, Qi'ra. Your work has been invaluable while I have been away, and your information regarding our friend on Tatooine has been passed to the appropriate channels."

"Excellent. Perhaps that slug will finally get what he deserves." She pulled up the hood of her nondescript, if expensive-looking, cloak as they stepped out into the cool afternoon. The rebels did the same, and they all made their way back through the rundown city to the landing platforms. As they walked, Maul reached out with his feelings, seeking the same dark malevolence that had portended Fett. There was nothing, only the swirl of dirty dealings and shady business. No eyes lingered on them longer than they should have. The mission was, by all accounts, going well.

So why did he have a horrible feeling about this? 

When they were back in hyperspace and en route to Bespin, Qi'ra and Leia settled at the dajek table and began speaking broadly about the potential support the Crimson Dawn and Alliance could offer one another. Maul listened with only half-an-ear while the rest of his attention was taken up by Luke edging close. In an undertone, he asked, "Did you and Han… prank Lady Qi'ra?"

Maul affected false offense. "I would never, Apprentice. Solo and I determined the shared acquaintance after our last communique, and I was not going to waste a secure call on a personal matter. Besides," he smirked, "I like to keep my lieutenants on their feet."

"Is this what I have to look forward to as your apprentice?" Luke looked almost properly alarmed. "Weird pop quizzes?"

"Eventually, yes," Maul confessed amicably. "When we reach a certain point in your lightsaber training I'll begin implementing surprise attacks, among other things. Tell me: which group was responsible for the blockade of Naboo?"

"The Trade Federation," Luke answered automatically. "Wait, seriously?"

"Correct, well done." With a chuckle, Maul patted Luke's head and wandered off to find Captain Rex.

Bespin was a gas giant made of tibanna in its raw, unfiltered form. Cloud City glowed silver where it hung in the upper atmosphere. The station was a relic of Republic architecture. Both beautiful and functional, the design incorporated the tibanna refinement system into the structure of the city like a piece of art.

While Rex did another once-over for Leia, ensuring her hair and dress were immaculate, Maul helped Luke get his hair into some semblance of order, quietly cursing pilots' helmets.

"Lando is very charming, but he bargains hard and won't do anything that may put the city in danger," Qi'ra warned as she watched them, a tiny confused wrinkle between her brows. "I believe he's ready to make a deal, but he'll play coy and make you work for it."

"Sounds like Lando," Solo said as he brought them to a smooth landing. "He's nothing Leia can't handle." Qi'ra nodded, confident.

Maul caught the look of surprised pleasure on Leia's face at the captain's compliment. So did Luke, who elbowed his sister playfully. There, at least, was a problem which had solved itself. 

Qi'ra and her bodyguard descended the ramp first. Maul was a step behind them. She greeted Calrissian like an old friend, laughing and letting him kiss her hand. "Lando, may I introduce you to my Lord Maul?" Qi'ra left his title simple, and Calrissian's eyes widened slightly at the implications. 

"An absolute pleasure, I'm sure," said Calrissian with a flamboyant bow that showed off what must have been a very expensive cape. "It's so kind of you to grace my little city with your presence, my lord." Lando Calrissian was a handsome human with equally elegant manners, Maul thought, but he looked tired.

"We are looking forward to doing business with you," Maul replied, already bored with ceremony. 

"And allow me to introduce Princess Leia Organa, your formal liaison with the Alliance, and her colleagues," Qi'ra gestured as the others joined them on the platform.

There was a spark of fear in Calrissian's eyes as they were introduced, but he took Leia's hand and kissed it with the same aplomb he had offered Qi'ra. "I have never had the pleasure of hosting royalty before. You must let me know if there's anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable, your highness."

"You are too kind, Baron Administrator."

"Please, your highness, call me Lando."

Beside Maul, Qi'ra smirked. "Her highness is accompanied by Commander Luke Skywalker, Captain Rex, and you'll remember Captain Han Solo and - "

"Chewbacca!" Calrissian crowed, striding past the humans and taking Chewbacca's enormous hairy paws in hands. "It's good to see you! I knew you'd drag Han into the Rebellion eventually, my old friend!"

Qi'ra, Leia, and Luke all had to hide their laughter at the dismay evident on Solo's face over being ignored. After he'd finished greeting Chewbacca, the baron administrator finally gave Solo his attention. "Oh Han, don't think I've forgotten you." He gave Solo a dazzling smile and pulled him in for a hug. "You old rascal. Your better nature finally won out, huh?"

"Nah, I got suckered into it. I'll have to tell you the whole story later, when we can catch up. Maybe grab a drink." Solo, who had looked for a moment like he expected to have a blaster pulled on him, relaxed as the conversation stayed friendly. "Go, get your work done, Baron Administrator." Solo turned him around and shoved Calrissian playfully, sending him back toward Qi'ra and Leia.

"Alright, but I want to hear how my ship's doing. You better be taking good care of her, Solo!"

"She's my ship and you bet I'm taking care of her. She's still the fastest in the galaxy."

Calrissian insisted on taking them on a tour of Cloud City, which was at least of interest to Luke, although the boy seemed jittery and was surrounded by a cloud of nervous energy. The rest of them suffered in polite silence as Calrissian waxed poetic about reactor bulbs, processing vanes, and carbon-freezing. After the first half-hour, Maul took to people-watching to pass the time. Curiously, there were few enough people to watch that it set off Maul's instinct for danger. 

Despite Calrissian bragging about the casinos upstairs - "Han, Qi'ra, let me buy you a drink at the Pair O'Dice tonight, we simply must catch up" - the cloud cars and tourist attractions - "I'll take you kids on a tour tomorrow, you'll have the time of your life" - Maul saw only the Ugnaughts and technicians who worked the refinery. The baron administrator, too, seemed out-of-sorts. There was an air of apprehension about him. It wasn't sinister, precisely, and Maul didn't sense a single lie from either the baron or his assistant, the cybernetically enhanced Lobot.

Maul leaned on his cane and followed the tour despite his suspicions. He would be ready if something went wrong. That was all he could do, for now.

"These will be your suites while you stay with us," Calrissian said, gesturing to the long hotel hallway. "Let me reiterate, if there is anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable," here, he shot Qi'ra a sultry look, "please let me know. Now, you folks take a little downtime and then prepare for dinner! Come hungry, I have the best chef this side of Takodana!"

The door closed behind him and Maul was terribly glad for that first moment of quiet; Lando Calrissian was a loud presence.

"Well, he's quite a personality," Leia said, but Luke wasn't listening. As they separated, each claiming a room, both Luke and Qi'ra reached for Maul.

"Master, can we talk - ?"

" - Lord Maul, may I borrow you for a moment?"

He resisted the urge to sigh; he had wanted to spend some time in meditation, to see if he couldn't trace the source of his anxiety. It seemed that work would have to wait. 

"I can be quick," Luke promised. The boy was wide-eyed and slightly pale. "Then he's all yours, ma'am."

Qi'ra looked torn between frustration and curiosity as Maul flicked his fingers dismissively at her and said, "Give us a moment; I will be with you shortly."

Luke followed Maul into his suite, an airy room so much larger than his space back on Hoth that it was ridiculous. He settled onto the curving white sofa and looked up at Luke expectantly. 

"Something bad is coming. I'm not sure what, but it's coming." The boy's eyes were wide. It was obvious that this had been bothering him through much of the tour. "I think we need to warn the others and get out of here."

Maul held up a hand, forestalling Luke's next panicked words. "I believe you. I too sense something amiss about this place. There are no tourists in the upper levels and the citizens aren't about, either. But I am not certain it is yet time to run."

"What do you mean?"

"We have nothing more than a feeling to go on, and this mission is important. If we leave now, we run the risk of insulting a possible ally and jeopardizing our alliance with Qi'ra as well. We must slow down and use these feelings to help us seek facts before we act."

Luke sighed and looked away, fear still evident in his crossed arms. "Yeah, okay. You're right."

Taking pity on the boy, Maul leaned forward and put a hand on Luke's shoulder. "Take the droids and scope out the city before we meet our host for dinner. Find out if the Falcon is being watched and take note of anything else that catches your eye. Do not engage. Consider this a test of stealth and cunning."

As he'd hoped, at his words replaced Luke's fear with anticipation. He responded, as Maul did, better to specific direction and action than vague platitudes. "Okay. You're right. I'm going to warn Leia and Rex, too, so they can keep safe and have an eye out. Thanks Master."

Maul smiled. "Be safe, Apprentice. And be crafty. I will see you soon."

The boy was out the door in a flash, off to complete his mission. Maul allowed himself only a moment to sigh before using his cane as leverage to heft himself up and go talk to his lieutenant. 

Qi'ra, the wonderful woman, had ordered tea and was talking quietly with her bodyguard when he joined them. She rose automatically as he entered and he batted away that nonsense with his cane. 

"Enough of that. Calrissian had enough pleasantries to last the decade. Pour me some tea and tell me what I have missed." He sat down heavily; his artificial knees disliked Hoth's temperatures and he was old enough that walking tours were hell on them anyway. 

"Little has changed since my last report," Qi'ra said as she prepared his tea. "The Hutts seem pleased by the bargain they've struck with the Empire, while the Pykes and the Black Sun resent their favoritism. None of these are official platforms, of course. In all of our formal communications, all remain loyal to you and to the Collective."

"For however long that lasts," Maul snorted. "Have they caused you any trouble?"

"Nothing Ryland and I haven't been able to handle. Why so concerned, have you heard something?" Qi'ra asked as she passed him his tea.

Maul took it with a word of thanks and settled back against the sofa (the same long, curving, white model his own room had). "We encountered Boba Fett on Takodana several days ago. There were precautions taken and I do not believe he recognized me, but Fett oughtn't be underestimated."

"Word would have gotten back to the Empire by now that you've taken a personal interest in the Rebellion and they would have been cracking down on us, were that the case. For the moment, I believe we are safe." Qi'ra sipped at her tea. "If I may change the subject, Lord Maul, you promised me information."

Maul chuckled and looked over at the bodyguard. "We require privacy; please vacate the room." The Nikto waited for Qi'ra's permission before silently slipping outside.

"You have a whole pod of younglings following you around now," Qi'ra said when they were alone. "Not to mention Han Solo and Chewbacca. Whatever did you find, chasing your Kenobi across the galaxy?"

"He is not mine," Maul grumbled, but he couldn't help but remember that it had been his goading that had gotten Kenobi to answer the twins' questions. "Kenobi was already dead. He died just before the Battle of Yavin by Vader's blade."

"I'm so sorry," Qi'ra murmured. "I know how much your quest for vengeance meant to you. But you found Commander Skywalker, instead? The Jedi boy who destroyed the Death Star?"

"Yes," he said, and told her the whole mad tale. He even spoke of Kenobi's ghost; Qi'ra was one of the few souls more fascinated by the dark side than afraid of it. She would have made such a wonderful apprentice, had she been Force sensitive. 

The story was long and naturally meandered as he answered questions and expounded upon history. Maul was careful with Alliance secrets and kept the truth about Vader hidden, but on the whole he gave Qi'ra a rather complete retelling of events. 

"Well, it seems you've been busy, my lord," Qi'ra said carefully, eyeing him over her teacup. 

Maul tilted his head to the side, amused. "You disagree with my choices?"

She didn't flinch, but it was a near thing. "No, not exactly. I can't overstate how thrilled I would be to see an end to imperial reign. But if we miscalculate, it's everyone's heads. I know the Jedi had high hopes for the boy, but they were disastrously wrong last time…" Qi'ra lapsed into silence for a moment before adding, "Luke seems like a nice boy. All your Rebels do. But will that and some ancient magic be enough to destroy the Empire?"

"Charisma, ancient magic, and a few well-laid plans were what created it. We have the best - possibly the only - opportunity to - "

He was interrupted when the door burst open and Calrissian tumbled into the room, closely followed by Qi'ra's bodyguard, who tackled the baron administrator to the ground. "No! Qi'ra, listen! You've got to get out of here! You're in danger!" Calrissian gasped as he hit the ground.

"What is the meaning of this?" Qi'ra snapped, all thoughtful softness lost and her icy facade back in place. She and Maul were both on their feet and Maul's lightsaber was in his hand.

"You have to leave," Calrissian said, voice still hoarse from Ryland's tight hold. "The Empire knows the Rebels are here. They're coming for them. You have to leave, Qi'ra."

Qi'ra stiffened. "Lando, you sold us out?" She sounded, for the first time, almost shaken. 

"No! I didn't have a choice. The Imps been here for weeks, taking all the tibanna and keeping the citizens locked in their homes. When you called, they ordered me to lead you on and try to get them an in with the Rebellion. Then you had to bring the Jedi kid and the Princess of Alderaan. You have to get out of here, Qi'ra, they're sending Vader!"

It felt like the ground had opened up and swallowed him. Vader was coming here, and Maul had sent Luke off somewhere into this enormous city unprepared. Luke had tried to warn him, and Maul had rebuffed his concerns. 

Into the thrumming silence, Qi'ra asked, "My lord, what's our next move?"

"Go tell the others what's happening. Luke is running reconnaissance, and I must get him back here."

"There's no time for all that!" Calrissian cried. "Why do you think I came here like this? Vader is already here! The Imps called him as soon as they realized who they had. Let me up!" Calrissian demanded and, after a moment, Qi'ra allowed it. "They didn't tell me he was coming until a few minutes ago. He'll hit the system any second now and from there he's less than an hour to atmo."

"Then we still have time," Maul insisted. "If you want to leave here alive you will go with Qi'ra and help the others plan the best route off this station. I must find my apprentice."

All three hurried to comply while Maul tapped into Luke's comm channel. "Apprentice, do you read me?"

There was a moment of only static in which Maul's hearts beat a tattoo against his ribs, then, "I read you, Master, what's up?"

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Come back to the - "

Vader's presence erupted out of hyperspace like an exploding star. It was just like Malachor: he was a dark pit, leeching the color and life out of everything around him. Maul had once wondered idly if, at the height of his powers, Anakin Skywalker had shed light to the same extent. Like everything Sidious touched, Vader was so twisted it was impossible to imagine there was even a man behind all that darkness. 

Maul felt any hope of them leaving without a showdown evaporate. 

"He's here," Luke's voice said over the comm, but it sounded as if he were speaking from far away. "Vader's here."

"You need to return, now," Maul ordered harshly. "We are formulating an escape. Calrissian gave us a few minutes' forewarning."

For several moments, Luke didn't respond, then, "No. Vader's after me. If I draw him away, you'll be able to escape. Maybe I can try to steal a ship, and - "

"Absolutely not! Return to the hotel at once. That is an order, Apprentice."

"I won't let him hurt Leia again. Not my sister. And he'll identify you to the Emperor. If we give him what he wants, he'll focus on me and let you go. I've escaped from him before and I can do it this time too."

The pit of anxiety in Maul's stomach bottomed out. This was what the Force had been trying to warn him about. Luke could not face Vader.

"No you will not! You are not ready."

"I'm sorry, Master. I have to."

The channel went dead.

Maul stared at the little piece of technology for a long moment, wondering what the hell he was going to do now. The answer, of course, was obvious. He simply hated it.

"Kenobi," he barked, voice hoarse. "I need you."

He honestly did not know if Kenobi would appear - nor did he know if the Jedi would agree that Luke shouldn't face Vader. But he had to try, even if Kenobi put up a fight. 

"I never expected to hear those words from you, Maul," Kenobi said in lieu of a greeting, but then the amusement melted from his face as he took in the situation. "He's here. Vader is here."

"Luke thinks he wants to face Vader," Maul began without preamble. "You must find him and convince him to leave with the others. I will distract Vader. Coordinate with Leia too; get them out of here, Kenobi." He disliked how his voice broke on Kenobi's name, but in his desperation, he ignored the hit to his pride.

The ghost nodded seriously, not a whiff of disagreement about him. "I will. And you too, Maul. Survive this. Luke needs you." With that, Kenobi vanished as quickly as he'd come. 

Maul was left speechless. He had been expecting a fight, but it was as if their argument had not happened at all. Kenobi seemed to hold no grudge and even had the gall to tell him to be careful.

With these thoughts still turning over in his head, Maul took off down the hall to Leia's room, where he could sense the others had gathered. When he entered, he found Rex and Solo with their blasters drawn and pointed at Calrissian and Qi'ra while Chewbacca had tackled the Nikto to the ground and was holding him there. Leia had her blaster out and trained at the floor.

"Vader has entered the system," Maul said loudly, interrupting the stand-off. "Luke, the little fool, has decided to try to draw Vader's attention and allow you all to escape. Rex, get everyone to a ship and get off this platform - them, too," he added with a jerk of his chin toward Qi'ra and Calrissian."

"You actually believe their poodoo?" Solo demanded. 

"I believe the panic Calrissian felt when he came to warn us. And Qi'ra has been with me this evening; she did not betray us to the Empire. Now, I must go get Luke and find our escape. You go, quickly! Vader will be here soon."

Solo looked like he was going to argue again, but Leia shoved her way forward and snapped, "He's right. We'll worry about this later. If we leave Lando now, he's dead. As long as he pulls his weight, he can come." This proclamation finally spurred everyone into action; they put away their blasters and began to speak of escape.

Maul turned to leave, but stopped when he felt a hand on his arm and found Leia beside him. "Bring my brother back alive again, please." The determination in her face only just overcame the fear. "I'll get everyone else to safety."

He nodded solemnly and went to find his foolish apprentice. 

Cloud City was enormous and sprawling, home to literally thousands. Keeping to the shadows and side-streets, Maul made his way to the nearest security station. Inside, he could hear the chatter of Stormtroopers - three or four, he estimated. Breaking in and dispatching them was a matter of systematic violence. The first man he cut through the heart and then used him as a shield to absorb the delayed retaliatory shots from his comrades. He tossed the corpse at his fellow Stormtrooper and turned on the third, redirecting his next few shots and slicing off his head before he could fire off any more.

Behind him, he could hear the last man finally struggle to his feet. With a roar, the foolish Stormtrooper threw himself at Maul's back. He fell with Maul's second red blade through his stomach. Stepping around splayed limbs and cooling bodies, Maul pulled off the nearest man's helmet. He reached into it, tore out the built-in comm, and flicked it to life.

" - Lord Vader landing in T minus eight minutes - "

" - where's Calrissian? The slippery bastard's disappeared again - "

" - The Rebels are on the move! Calrissian's double-crossed us. They're headed toward the Millennium Falcon, all available troops converge on hanger A13 - "

Maul sighed. All would be for nothing if those idiots went and got themselves caught before Vader even arrived. The time for stealth was over. With grim new determination, he descended through the station down towards the tibanna refinery. He needed something that would cause a lot of damage without compromising the station or threatening too many civilian lives, otherwise Luke and Rex would have his head. 

He finally settled on the reactor bulb. It was at the very bottom of the city, and a mess down there would draw Vader and his troops far from the Rebels and Luke - wherever he was. Maul quickly descended through the station, pausing only to cut down any Stormtroopers unlucky enough to stumble into his path or warn any techs or Ugnaughts he came across to flee. His wake of destruction was wide enough that soon the imperial comm was buzzing about an "unknown, rogue red-blade" in the lower levels. 

If Maul were perfectly honest, he did not know what purpose the reactor bulb had, exactly. But during Calrissian's tour, he had impressed upon them how much power passed through it. That sounded like as good a place to begin as any. 

As the comm announced "T minus thirty seconds" to Vader's arrival, Maul began to feel his way around the enormous transperisteel bulb in the Force. It was perfectly round and symmetrical, a necessity for the role it played, but as he applied pressure, tiny imperfections in the molecular structure began to give way. 

There were two high-pitched cracks and then an explosion. Maul was glad he'd stayed near the entrance of the observatory, because he had only a moment to scramble for cover before the shockwave ripped through the room. He was still tossed like a rag doll. For a moment, his vision whited out and all he could hear was the high-pitched whine of injured eardrums.

As Maul's senses returned, it felt like the world was tilting on its axis, and it was only when he began to slide that he realized it was because the station's thrusters were struggling to find equilibrium after the explosion. He scrambled to his feet using the singed wall and hobbled to safer ground. Maul quickly checked himself over for damage; barring a few burns and bruises, he was whole (ha).

When he had a moment to concentrate, Maul realized that, in the Force, Vader's dark gaze was trained on him. The dark lord was approaching rapidly. Well, he thought wryly, the plan had worked. 

Drawing on the Force, Maul felt the energy restore and strengthen his weary limbs. He would pay for this borrowed energy later. Reinforcement complete, Maul climbed a few levels higher, seeking the right stage for their fight. He found it on the floor of the refinement chamber, which reached up a dozen stories and was criss-crossed overhead by pipes, machines, and catwalks.

The first thing he heard was Vader's infamous breathing. In and out, ceaselessly. "Darth Maul," he intoned, emerging from a cloud of steam. 

"Only Maul, now." He smiled widely. "But I hear you have been wearing Darth with pride." The smile fell. "A pity. There is no pride in being Sidious's blade."

Vader's lightsaber lit red in the dark. "Do not be a fool. You know the power of the Dark Side, and you know you cannot defeat my Master. Why are you really here?"

"I was hunting for Kenobi - "

"I killed him."

" - I know, and for that reason alone I am happy to destroy you. But while I was looking for Kenobi, I found someone else." Vader froze and Maul laughed mockingly, beginning to stalk a wide circle around the Sith. "Luke Skywalker: the boy he had been protecting."

"What?" Vader hissed. 

"He was a naïve, half-trained mess," Maul continued to push, "but I've never had an apprentice make such great strides so quickly."

"No!" Vader roared and charged at Maul. With the Force behind him, stopping Vader was like trying to slow a Star Destroyer with his bare hands. Instead, moving more on instinct than thought, Maul twisted out of Vader's way. 

With a positively feral howl, Maul lit both blades of his lightsaber and met Vader's next strikes blow-for-blow. He aimed a kick at the blinking control panel on Vader's chest but was blasted back by a powerful wave of Force energy. He skidded several meters and had to catch himself on a nearby control panel. He was breathing heavily, but a cruel, thrilled smile worked its way over his features. Maul hadn't had a duel this exciting since Mandalore, and the familiar combination of adrenaline and muscle memory took hold of him. 

This was what Maul was born to do.

Vader barreled forward, lightsaber-first, and Maul redirected the blow. He used his second blade to slash at Vader's chest, but was fended off. Vader attempted a low thrust, which Maul dodged. He was able to slip past Vader's outstretched arm and draw first blood, slashing at Vader's back and leaving a path of melted duristeel in his armor. 

The Sith made a noise that his vocoder didn't translate well, but which Maul was happy to assume was an agonized howl. In his pained flailing, Vader's next slash went very wide and Maul ducked under his guard, slicing his second blade across Vader's hip. He retaliated by slamming his elbow into Maul's nose and forcing him back several steps.

Through streaming eyes, Maul was able to fend off Vader's next few strikes. He feinted to the left and nearly caught Vader's helmet when he brought his second blade around in an arc. Vader was forced to take several steps back to avoid the hit and Maul gained the space he needed to wipe the blood and tears from his vision. The pain was buried beneath the adrenaline rush. 

"Kenobi is so disappointed by what you've become," he taunted.

"You are obsessed with a dead man."

Maul smiled through his teeth. "And you aren't?"

Before Vader could respond, Maul leapt forward and brought his lightsaber down in a series of quick strikes, hoping that the change in angle would make Vader stumble, but the Sith met each blow. As Maul leapt away to prepare for another attack, he heard a grinding whine behind him and had to scramble and duck to avoid the huge pipe Vader dragged off the wall and threw at him with the Force.

While Maul's focus was elsewhere, Vader got in an absolutely brutal hit on Maul's left leg, shearing through the metal. He dug in his right heel, shifting his weight backward onto it and pivoting to avoid Vader's next blow. Maul attempted to bring his saber across Vader's chest in a wide slash, but this time Vader was ready for him and sent out another shockwave of Force energy to knock Maul off what was left of his feet.

"My master would offer you one chance to turn the boy over to us or be struck down," Vader intoned emotionlessly as he loomed over Maul.

Maul laughed in his face, his own mad visage reflected back at him in that shiny black helmet. "And I would spit at him, too!"

"Unfortunately for you, I am not so merciful." Vader raised his blade and Maul sneered at death one last time.

"No!" Luke cried as he barreled into Vader from the side, knocking the Sith away from Maul. "I won't let you hurt him! I won't let you hurt anyone else ever again!"

"Luke," Maul moaned. "No, you foolish child, you should not be here!"

"Foolish indeed," Vader agreed darkly, "to let this disgrace teach you. If you wanted to learn the ways of the Dark Side, Luke, you ought to have come to me."

Luke, witless and brave boy that he was, looked Vader in the eye and scoffed. "He's training me to be a Jedi. To defeat you." He charged Vader, ducking beneath the first swing of his red blade and shoving Vader back with his shoulder. When Vader retaliated, Luke danced lightly out of the big Sith Lord's reach.

Vader caught Luke's next strike with his blade and forced the boy onto the defensive, using his superior strength to hammer blows down on him. Desperate to escape, Luke dropped and tumbled out of Vader's reach.

"The Force is with you, young one. But whatever he has taught you is nothing but a bastardization of the power that I could show you," Vader proclaimed. "He is a failure, rejected by my master."

"I know. That's why I like him," Luke grinned defiantly as he hopped to his feet.

Maul, who had been taking advantage of the distraction to hastily cobble together a splint for his destroyed prosthesis, finally found his feet again. "Apprentice, come this way! We need to move."

"You have learned how to control your fear. Now you must be taught to release your anger." Vader mocked, "Has he shattered Obi-Wan's pretty lies for you yet, boy?" 

"Don't pretend you know anything about Ben or my master!" Luke cried back and charged again, bringing his own whirlwind of quick strikes down on Vader who batted each and every one away effortlessly. 

"You claim I know nothing." Vader's voice and steady breathing echoed around them. "But I know something about you, boy. Has your master told you the truth about your father?"

"Ignore him, Luke," Maul called above the clashing of plasma. "He is trying to make you angry." Even though he was able to stand, Maul could neither enter the fray himself nor intervene with the Force without risking Luke. 

Luke didn't respond, instead taking a few more hits at Vader and trying to break his guard. The Sith held his ground and then began to push forward slowly, unrelentingly.

"They never told you what happened to your father," Vader said, and Maul watched helplessly as all of his preparations came crashing around him.

"What's there to tell? You killed him."

"No, Luke, I am your father."

The boy looked like Vader had gutted him. "T-that's not true. You're a liar!"

"Search your feelings. Ask your failure of a master. It is true," Vader said with finality.

With a cry of denial, Luke threw himself at Vader, attacking with all of his might, but the Sith batted him aside easily. "Enough of this, boy. You are meant to rule at my side; together we will defeat Sidious and bring the Empire into a new era!"

Maul could see from across the room that Luke was shaking. He still held his ground, kept his lightsaber up and defensive, but the poor boy's world was shattering around him. "Stop it! Stop saying that! You're not my father! You're not!"

Vader roared furiously, lashing out with his lightsaber and Luke tried to block the attack. Maul and Luke both screamed as Vader's 'saber came down on Luke's wrist, cleanly severing it. The appendage, Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber still clutched in its fingers, tumbled through the air. The blade sheathed itself automatically, and when hilt and hand hit the floor, the lightsaber went tumbling down between the grates, disappearing with a loud clatter. 

The boy stumbled backward with a cry of denial and pain. "No! Why would you - ?" Luke's eyes saught Maul. "Master, help me!"

Maul acted without hesitation. His gaze landed on a looping tube that hung above where Vader loomed over Luke marked "carbon freezing". In one swift motion, Maul lit his saber and threw it, spinning, toward the tube. It sliced through easily, sending clouds of frozen carbon spewing through the room. As his saber arched back, Maul snatched it out of the air.

Vader reared back from the cloud and Maul used the opportunity to Force-pull Luke towards him and the far exit. "I've got you. We're going to get out of here," he promised, grabbing Luke's arm. 

Behind them, Vader was using the Force to clear away the frozen carbon and their cover was rapidly disappearing. 

"But Vader - ! M-my lightsaber - " There was a sob in Luke's words.

Maul pulled him close, the brief embrace all the comfort he had time now to offer. "I will tell you everything when we are safe, I swear it." Maul met Luke's eyes beseechingly. "Please trust me, Apprentice, we must leave."

With a soft sigh, Luke nodded and shakily helped Maul hurry up the stairs and away from Vader. The hallway they entered was dark but for the emergency lights bathing them in red every-other-second. Luke's face was pale and pained in the low light, and Maul wished he had the words to help. "Go left, toward the escape pods," he instead instructed quietly. 

They weren't moving fast enough. Vader's breathing followed them and soon his heavy tread joined it. When Maul chanced a look behind, Vader was in sight and gaining on them. 

Maul stopped and pushed Luke behind him, then closed his eyes and concentrated all his willpower on Vader. Slowly at first and then with increasing speed as Maul's power grew, strips of the hallway began to peel away from the station's frame and wrap themselves around Vader. At first, Vader could rip them off and the attacks barely slowed him, but as more and more layers of duriplast and duristeel twisted around Vader, he was soon left an unmoving mound of metal.

"Quickly; that will only slow him for a moment," Maul panted, sagging against Luke's side, who was staring at where Vader was buried with huge, confused eyes.

They had nearly made it to the escape pods before Vader's breathing began to surround them again. Luke's fingers shook as he tapped one-handed over the keyboard, overriding the lock and initiating the exit sequence. 

"Escape is pointless." Vader's deep, echoing voice promised, "I will find you, Luke. You will embrace your rightful place at my side."

Maul pushed Luke into the pod the second the door opened and all but fell in behind him. He punched the release just as Vader's black mask appeared in the viewport and they spun off into Bespin's atmosphere with a pneumatic hiss and a lurch.

There were several long seconds of silence as all either Maul or Luke could do was try to catch their breath. Luke didn't meet his eye and Maul wondered what would happen next. He had failed Luke. In his weakness, he had valued his apprentice's happiness over his knowledge of the truth, and Luke had lost his hand for it. 

Like Savage, Maul had failed Luke. He did not deserve to call himself master.

With shaking hands, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his comm, tuned it into Leia's frequency, and silently prayed that she was safe and able to respond. 

"M-master? Are you alright? Is Luke with you?" The princess sounded wrong, her voice noticeably distressed even over the comm.

"Yes, we escaped. Did you?"

There was a very long pause before she said, "Yes. Mostly. Where are you? We'll come get you."

"We're in an escape pod. I'll send our coordinates."

"We'll see you soon."

The line was cut and Maul dropped the comm back into his pocket and closed his eyes for just a moment, to brace himself. Then he opened them again and took proper account of Luke.

The boy was pale and shaking, clutching his stump wrist close to his chest and silently crying. Maul crossed the small space and pulled Luke into another hug, trying to pour the same level of comfort into it that Luke had shown him. Against his shoulder, Luke's sobs became more pronounced as he was finally allowed to break down. Maul cupped the back of his head softly and let the boy cry.

He didn't know how long they sat like that, be it minutes or hours, but eventually Luke whispered, "He was telling the truth, wasn't he? Vader's really my father."

"Yes," Maul's voice shook as he confessed. "I have been trying to tell you - to prepare you - but I thought we had more time - "

Luke pulled away, but where Maul expected to find anger, there was only heartbreak. The boy held up a forestalling hand. "No more. I can't do this right now, okay? I can't." With that, the boy buried his face back in Maul's shoulder and sobbed again.

Not long later, a shadow passed overhead. Maul gently separated himself from Luke and looked out the viewport to find the Falcon gliding quietly toward them. Luke only nodded numbly when Maul told him what he saw. Solo maneuvered the Falcon to scoop them gently into the hold, and Rex was there to hoist them to the ground. 

Maul, carefully balancing on one leg, helped pass Luke up to Rex first. "C'mere Luke- ah hell," he heard Rex say as the old clone got his hands on Luke. "You're alright, shiny. Just a flesh wound. We'll get you to a good doc and he'll patch you right up. Here, Leia, help me - "

With exhausted, shaking arms, Maul braced himself against the sides of the pod and attempted to heave himself up, only to find the captain's waiting hand. "I gotcha. C'mon Maul." As Maul was lowered to the ground, he only got a brief glimpse of Luke safely in Leia's embrace before his vision was obscured by brown hair as Qi'ra pulled him into a sudden, tight hug.

"Thank the Force you're alright! I thought we'd lost you both as well!" she gasped against his shoulder. Maul put his arms around her automatically, until Qi'ra's words sunk in fully.

At the same time, Luke cried, "Wait, who'd we lose?"

Leia, eyes full of tears, replied, "Han. We lost Han. It was Fett; he arrived with Vader and followed us when Vader went after you."

"Han took a stun shot for Lando," Qi'ra said softly. "He went down, and Fett got to him first. If I had to guess, I believe Fett will take Han to Tatooine and collect the bounty. Jabba is his benefactor, after all. Thankfully, the bounty wanted Han alive. There's still a chance we can save him." 

It was quiet as they rerouted to meet with the Rebel Fleet. Luke needed more care than Echo Base could provide and so Leia had ordered the medical frigate to meet the Falcon in a nearby system. Maul stayed close to the twins, but they seemed only to find solace in one another. 

In the next room (where the Nikto lay unconscious from his own scuffle with Fett), Qi'ra called upon her contacts, trying to track Han's location. Chewbacca and Calrissian sat together in the cockpit talking quietly. 

As Maul sat half-dozing, he did his best not to dwell on the thrumming pain emanating off of Luke in the Force or his own guilt, although he failed spectacularly on both fronts. He felt a shiver go up his arm, like gentle fingers trying to catch his attention. He jerked awake, only to find himself alone.

It only took him a moment to put together what had happened. With a soft groan, Maul hoisted himself to standing and used the wall to hobble into the empty hold.

"Kenobi?" he called softly into the darkness. After a moment, the ghost stepped around the side of the pod, looking very small. They started at each other for a long moment without speaking. 

"...I am sorry," Kenobi said at last. "This is all my fault. You entrusted me with Luke's safety and I failed. If I had convinced him to leave - if I had been more candid with him in the first place - none of this would have happened."

Sagging against the wall, Maul was surprised to discover that he was too drained to be angry. Kenobi looked as devastated as Maul felt. He shook his head and then forced himself to catch and hold Kenobi's gaze.

"Perhaps. There's no way to know. If Luke hadn't come when he had, Vader would have killed me."

Kenobi ran a hand through his sparse hair, looking both more haggard and more mortal than Maul had seen him since his death. "Oh Maul," Kenobi choked and turned away. "Damn you, Anakin."

"He's going to need you," Maul said hoarsely. "He's going to need us both. You can't fall apart now. We must take responsibility for what we've allowed to pass. We owe Luke that much and more."

The Jedi smiled a bit, and it seemed Maul's world stopped and reset with that tiny expression. "Never one to mope, were you? You are right, of course."

Maul looked away, not sure what this feeling was that warmed his chest. "Good. Then drop the self-pity. We'll get him through this together."

"Yes," Kenobi agreed with an emotion Maul refused to identify in his voice. "Together."

Chapter Text

Darth Vader looked down at the prisoner, a scruffy-looking smuggler that Boba Fett had gagged, cuffed, and presented to him with a gruff, "I'm taking this one back to Tatooine." There was a defiance in Solo's eyes that Anakin Skywalker might have respected. Vader only doubted that the façade would take long to crack. "You may do as you wish. Once he has answered my questions," the dark lord proclaimed. 

"I need him alive," Fett retorted. Their short alliance had made him bold, and Vader wondered how much longer the Mandalorian would be useful. Like most of his kind, Fett had more pride than sense, and it would get him killed. By Vader himself, probably. "Jabba's got a grudge against this one."

Vader's fists clenched at the mention of Jabba the Hutt, and around him Cloud City shuddered with his rage. "Then convince the prisoner to tell me what I want to know." Vader loomed over Solo. "Or the Hutt will be the least of his problems."

The smuggler was, as so many Rebels were, brave to the point of petulance. As such, it took Vader a while to put together the series of events surrounding Maul's partnership with the Rebellion. At length, Solo cracked, and Vader was confident he had the whole sorry tale.

As Maul had told Vader, he found the Rebel base by following Obi-Wan's trail. Although how he had managed that when Kenobi was dead, the Sith Lord had no idea. And his ignorance infuriated Vader; Obi-Wan continued to vex him even in death. 

Upon meeting Luke, however, Maul had jumped at the opportunity to take the boy as his own apprentice. There were few enough Force users left in the galaxy that the Rebellion hadn't looked a gift blorg in the mouth. Solo spoke of Maul rescuing Luke from some sort of ambush, although he was tight-lipped about the details. If he'd had more time, Vader could have coaxed out this information and more, but he was on a mission. 

When Vader dropped Ahsoka Tano's name, Solo clammed up, all but confirming Fett's tip about a possible sighting on Takodana. So, the apprentice had returned once again. Vader couldn't say he was surprised; she had disappeared from Malachor, not died. His long experience had taught him not to make assumptions until he'd seen the corpse for himself. 

The other "Jedi" reported must have been Maul. Even at the time, Vader had known that it was unlikely to be Luke holding the second white lightsaber, for it had been the male, Boba had reported, who had advocated for his death. A act most un-Jedi of him.

But that meant, bafflingly, that Ahsoka had entrusted one of her lightsabers to Maul. (Snips, this weapon is your life. You've gotta be more careful with it, my very young padawan.) And, by extent, Ahsoka had also entrusted Anakin Skywalker's son to Maul's care. 

He scorned this thought. How could Ahsoka do something like that? How could she leave his son in such hands?

From there, the smuggler's tale had devolved into nonsense. The interrogation drugs must have broken down in his system, because Solo had babbled, "the kid totally got his heart broken when he found out Maul and Kenobi weren't some sordid love story." 

Vader had heard enough. There wasn't anything of value left to be learned from this fool. Jabba could have him now. 

He was standing at the viewport, watching Slave I ascend toward Bespin's upper atmosphere and mulling over this new information, when an envoy cleared her throat briskly from behind. "My lord Vader, the Emperor requests your presence in holocomm chamber one." His hands clenched to tight fists. He knew he had to report to his master eventually, but he had hoped to delay it as long as possible. Even Darth Vader didn't enjoy bringing the Emperor bad news, more so when it pertained to Maul.

Sidious rarely spoke of his former apprentice but to compare Vader negatively. While Vader had never met Maul before their battle on Cloud City, he knew that the Darksider had been handpicked as a child and raised in the ways of the Sith. Not for the first time, Vader wondered if Sidious wouldn't have preferred it be Maul at his side ruling the Empire. 

Where Vader had never shown any interest in the Sith arts - but for those that might have resurrected Padmé - Maul was a skilled practitioner of many dark magics. Sidious had promised Anakin Skywalker the secret to preserving the lives of those he loved, and yet it was Maul who threw off death like Obi-Wan shed cloaks. Over the years, Vader had grown to violently resent Sidious's only other living apprentice. 

Wordlessly, he spun on his heel and went to deal with his master. Around him, Stormtroopers and techs leapt out of his way; good, they should be frightened. They had no idea what he was capable of. Vader entered the comm chamber and knelt in submission, although his cybernetic knees protested viciously. 

"What news do you bring me, Lord Vader?" The holo of the Emperor loomed over him, larger than life and hideous in his anger. Darth Sidious was always angry, as if in anticipation of Vader's failure. And Vader had failed. Again.

"Maul has resurfaced, my master," he intoned, carefully keeping all emotion from his voice. 

"What!?" Sidious roared. Vader fought a flinch and held his ground. He would be punished if he showed weakness. 

"He has aligned himself with the rebel cause and is attempting to bring together the Rebels and the Crimson Dawn under his own control. I confronted and defeated him. Maul confessed to finding Luke Skywalker and..." He hesitated over his words just a moment too long, and Sidious immediately saw his vulnerability. A cruel smile played under his hood. 

"Maul has taken young Skywalker as his own apprentice," the emperor surmised lowly. "This is an unexpected development."

It was not lost on Vader that, by Sidious's estimation, Luke was his greatest possible contribution to the Sith Legacy. It was his purpose, as a Sith apprentice, to one day defeat Sidious and take his place as Master. Yet Vader was in a uniquely difficult position: he was reliant on a mechanical suit for survival and Sidious's specialty was Force lightning. It was obvious to them both that he couldn't defeat his master on his own. Only if Vader was able to recruit Luke would he be capable of fulfilling his destiny. The boy represented all the raw power and potential that the Line of Bane needed to bring the galaxy to heel and guide it into a new era of prosperity. 

Like his mother before him, Luke was a shining beacon in this miserable galaxy. And Vader would not let anyone, not Obi-Wan Kenobi or Maul or Darth Sidious himself, take that hope from him again.

"It changes nothing," Vader nearly snapped. "The boy's place is at our side. Maul is but a minor complication."

Sidious's lip curled like this had been a test, and Vader had failed. For several long moments, only the sound of Vader's breathing echoed between them. 

"What did he say to you?" the emperor asked at length. "Maul was content to lord over his little criminal empire. What has drawn him out now?"

"He claimed to have been searching for Obi-Wan. The rebel pilot Fett captured corroborated the story - "

Sidious interrupted with a scoff. "Of course it was his obsession with Kenobi that finally drove him to action. It seems all of my apprentices are lost on that fool." Vader didn't have time to parse his meaning, for Sidious demanded, "What else?"

"Luke claims that Maul is teaching him the ways of the Jedi. I am certain these are all lies he's told the boy to twist his mind. Although it does seem he told the Rebellion about his past as your apprentice to lend himself credence."

"Did he? How... interesting." The emperor's lips pulled downward in a displeased scowl. "Maul's actions lay bare his desire to use Skywalker to usurp our rule and take it for himself."

"Yes, my master. He also chose to hide Anakin Skywalker's true fate. When I revealed his parentage, the boy was deeply shaken." In fact, it disturbed Vader how horrified Luke had been. He'd known, intellectually, that it would take time to uproot Obi-Wan's deeply ingrained lies, but to see the boy shrink away from him and toward Maul burned.

"Maul has no doubt reinforced Kenobi's falsehoods and used them as the foundation for his own warped teachings. If he has been too successful, you may be forced to reckon with the boy rejecting you," the emperor cautioned bluntly, almost cruelly.

"No - !" Vader forced himself to reign in his first violent instinct to grab his lightsaber and slash ineffectually at Sidious's holo. Instead, he clenched his fists and tried to reason. "Luke is not so far gone. I am certain. He can still be made to understand our vision for the galaxy."

"I have no time for the lies you tell yourself. If he is beyond your reach I expect you to do your duty to the Empire. To the Line of Bane."

Vader looked away. He had, in his darkest moments, wondered what he would have to do if Luke rejected his offer of power. (I don't believe what I'm hearing. Anakin, you're breaking my heart! You're going down a path I can't follow.) Then, Vader would have to - 

Sidious would force him to - 

When Vader closed his eyes, he still saw the moment his lightsaber had met Luke's wrist. He had anticipated that Luke would be faster, thought he would reposition his hands appropriately. But Luke was still little more than a padawan, if one possessing a great deal of raw power and potential. His form was wrong. His reaction time was too slow. Vader had done what any dualist would and completed the strike. Luke’s scream echoed vividly in his memory.

Yet it was the moment when Luke had cried "Master, help me!" to Maul, that undeserving bastard, which Vader could not abide. Maul had everything Vader had been promised… and then he had gotten his hands on Luke, too. 

"Oh Vader, my old friend, you always have had a soft spot for family," Sidious murmured, some quiet sympathy seeping into his words and the angry twist of his lips relaxing. "I will do everything in my power to ensure the boy realizes his destiny lies with us, but you must be prepared for the worst."

"Then permit me to pursue them, Master," Vader begged. "I will destroy Maul and bring the boy to you on Coruscant. Together, we can show him the true power of the Dark Side."

"Your intentions are good, Lord Vader, but as always you do not consider the greater picture. The boy will reject us for cutting down this false master as you did the last. His Fall must be by choice, as was yours."

Chastised, Vader let silence be his acquiescence. Sidious did not require his approval. His master was wise; he would know the best way to help Luke realize his destiny, as he had Vader himself.

"I've no doubt Maul will speed up his plans for the Rebels now that he has been forced to reveal himself," Sidious mused aloud. "Without the element of surprise, he knows he is at a disadvantage. Unfortunately, the second Death Star is still several years from completion, and so we must adjust our plans accordingly."

Inside his helmet, Vader perked up. He'd loathed the Death Star from its inception. It was an ineffectual drain on the Empire's resources that served only to flatter Tarkin's ego. And then, so it seemed, the emperor's. There had been a time when young Anakin Skywalker had thought his master incapable of such vanity, but years in his service had taught Vader differently. There were other, more deserving projects that had been brushed aside for Sidious's superweapon.

"Yes, my master. Perhaps Thrawn's TIE Defender project could be resurrected?" Vader suggested cautiously. Thrawn, for all his faults, had understood the importance of equipping their pilots with the best the Empire could produce. Time after time Vader had watched as his men were blown out of the sky because of the limitations of their ships. Upgrading even a portion of the Imperial Navy could turn the tides in battle. 

Sidious was quiet for a moment, his thoughts hidden beneath his inscrutable hood. "Yes," he agreed quietly. "Yes, perhaps that will make a suitable distraction while I prepare Maul's downfall."

Vader was almost certain he had misheard. Had his master actually agreed with his suggestion? This was practically unheard-of. He chanced a glance up to see if he could glean anything from Sidious's expression, but his master had long since moved on with his planning, murmuring to himself gleefully.

"The Rebels love a martyr, so we must make Maul the architect of his own demise." The emperor's gaze snapped to Vader, his yellow eyes blazing with malicious pleasure as the plan came together before him. "You, Lord Vader, will use the Defenders to chase the Rebels across the galaxy, distracting them and draining their resources. I, meanwhile, will begin work on Maul."

Whatever that baffling threat meant, Vader shuddered at the joy it brought his master. Nothing good could come of it.

"Go, Lord Vader. Begin your preparations on the Defender project. Thanks to Maul, the Rebellion's downfall is finally at hand."

"Yes, my master," he agreed and the holo disconnected, plunging Vader into darkness. He knelt in silence for several moments, struggling for control of his emotions.

Upon his exit, Vader was greeted with a crisp salute by Commander Kimmund. "Lord Vader."

The Sith jerked his helmet in greeting. "Report."

"We found the object you requested, Sir," replied the Stormtrooper, and from behind his back, Kimmund produced Luke Skywalker's lightsaber. 

Chapter Text

They reached Kenobi's hut as the first sun was setting. Luke pulled the speeder in with practiced ease, and Maul lowered his macrobinocs from where he was scouring the craggy canyons to the southwest. Wordlessly, the two disboarded and moved toward the hut; Maul had his lightsaber in hand and Luke's blaster was at the ready. They flanked the door, the apprentice peering inside while his master let his gaze wander across the horizon, weary of approaching threats. 

The sudden staccato of blaster shots had Maul spinning and unsheathing his lightsaber, but the red glow only revealed a large, leathery, bat-like creature spasming its last on the sand.

"Just a 'sketto," Luke said. "It's clear." 

Maul followed Luke inside and eyed the sand dunes that had formed around Kenobi's possessions. The hut was stripped clean by jawas, sand, and time. Still it was in better shape than Maul would have suspected; clearly neither the Empire nor the Hutts had breached the sanctity of this place.

"Guess the Empire never made it this far," Luke said, echoing Maul's thoughts. 

Maul took a deep breath, letting his Force sense expand around them, and pinpointed the reason why almost immediately. "Clever Jedi," he muttered. "Reach out with your feelings, Luke."

The boy closed his eyes to follow Maul's instruction, and, a moment later, shuddered. "What is that? It feels so - " He had the same epiphany as his master. "Is that a Force Suggestion?"

"Very good," Maul praised. "Kenobi baked it into the hut's very bricks. This is a strong Aversion suggestion. I suspect it served him well to avoid Jabba's men, the Imperials, and other such threats. It is so strong it remains after his death."

Luke peered around the half-lit room with the same little, unhappy frown he'd worn for days. "Then it'll keep us safe, too."

Maul hummed in agreement. When Luke chose to say no more, Maul prompted, "Well, desert child, tell me: how shall we begin setting up our camp?"

The apprentice transferred his frown to his master for a moment before responding. "Let's sweep out the sand and try to find that hidden room. That'll be the best place to keep the supplies. We'll want them stowed before the second sun goes down."

And he was anxious to find the kyber crystal, which Kenobi had promised them was hidden beneath the hut, but Maul could hardly blame Luke for his anticipation. He had been locked up on a medical frigate without a lightsaber for the past ten days, and that would have driven any budding Jedi insane, let alone one with so much on his mind. 

It did not help, of course, that while Maul and Luke had been recovering under the care of Alliance doctors, Leia, Qi'ra, Chewbacca, Calrissian, and Rex had taken off after Boba Fett and Solo.

According to updates Qi'ra had sent them during the pursuit, the Millennium Falcon had chased Fett and Solo across a dozen star systems, only to finally lose them somewhere near Sullust. They had been forced to retreat back to one of the Crimson Dawn's boltholes on Rodia, but one thing was certain: based on Fett's trajectory, they were headed straight to Tatooine and Jabba the Hutt.

Luke and Maul made quick work of the sand, but it took longer to find the very faint seam that marked Kenobi's hidden trap door. If they hadn't known it was there, they mightn't have found it at all. Maul pulled a knife from his belt and traced the edge along the fine line until it caught, and he was able to wedge the door open. Master and apprentice together looked down into the dark space for a long moment, wondering what sorts of treasures the late Jedi Master might have hidden there.

Maul was certain of at least one. 

"Go grab the glowrods from the speeder," he ordered. 

The drop was about three yards or so, and Maul's repaired prosthetics took the landing with nary an angry grind. Luke followed a heartbeat later. In the glowrod's light, Maul could see the misshapen outline of what turned out to be two hydroponic tables, long since dried to a crisp in Kenobi's absence. There were a few bags and boxes of valuable supplies as well: spare parts, several pounds of a dried legume, and a single large bulb of emergency water. 

It wasn't until they located a chest in the furthest, darkest corner of the room that they found the kyber crystal. The little, deep green gem glittered in the weak light of the glowrod, and Maul gestured for Luke to take it. The boy's fingers shook slightly as he scooped it into his palm. As soon as it touched his skin, the crystal glowed bright, casting its faint light around the room. 

"It's so warm!" Luke exclaimed, forgetting some of his melancholy as he basked in the crystal's presence. He laughed aloud, holding it aloft to get a better look at the gem.

In the Force, they were a pair, like the twin suns overhead. The kyber crystal had been waiting for them - waiting for Luke. Maul wondered how Kenobi (frustrating, fascinating Jedi) could possibly have known that these two would match so well when he'd tucked the crystal away down here so many years ago. 

The second sun was just touching the horizon as Luke and Maul emerged, and they made quick work of shuffling down into the hidden basement the water and food rations that Leia had been able to coax out of Mothma. Looking over all that they had, it was obvious they'd been outfitted for a week of camping in the desert and not a rescue.

Mon Mothma officially disapproved of the mission to save Han Solo. The Senator, Maul suspected, had been putting up with Solo because of his effectiveness and the affection Luke and Leia felt for him. She and the whole Alliance Council would probably have been perfectly happy to see the end of the petulant smuggler, if not one quite so violent as Boba Fett. They had insisted that the Rebellion did not have the resources to exert on rescuing Han Solo. 

It was Kenobi who had provided the perfect excuse for them to go to Tatooine: there was a kyber crystal hidden beneath his hut, which was fewer than one hundred clicks from where Solo was being held. In the face of this request, the Alliance had finally acquiesced.

"Meditate with your crystal," he told Luke after the apprentice sighed for a third time while setting up their sleeping bags. "I will prepare supper."

The temptation to make progress on his lightsaber seemed to chase away more of Luke's gloom. Maul watched him for a moment, taking in the exhausted lines on his apprentice's face. Luke had been so unlike himself since the battle with Vader and its revelation. The rebel physicians attributed it to the physical and emotional shock of losing a limb, but Maul was certain he knew better: Luke was mourning Anakin Skywalker. He had tried to offer Luke space to grieve and any answers he had to give, but so far the boy had remained staunchly tight-lipped and reclusive about his feelings.

Maul readied their camp while Luke meditated in Tatoo II's twilight. He had set a pot of rehydrated stew boiling over a portable burner when Luke's stomach gave a great growl and interrupted his trance. 

"Supper is ready. Go refresh our canteens and then we can eat," Maul said as he took a sip to check the temperature. The boy did as he was told and his master dished out their meal into little plasti travel bowels. They ate ravenously for several minutes as the day's work caught up with them.

"What did you learn?" Maul asked finally, when seconds had been distributed. 

"The crystal's old. It's been used by a long line of Jedi before me." Luke's voice grew reverent, and Maul carefully didn't roll his eyes. Any enthusiasm from Luke these days ought to be encouraged. "It spoke to me, it said," he hesitated. "It said, "Remember: your focus determines your reality." What do you think it means?"

"Interesting." Maul chewed over this advice for a moment. "Perhaps it is a warning against allowing yourself to dwell too long on anxieties?"

"Or maybe it's a reminder to stay positive," Luke mused softly. He sighed, straightened, and continued, "The crystal is a defender and a peacekeeper. It doesn't strike first, but it strikes true." He broke into a little smile, "It's excited to meet us."

Maul realized he had a rather silly smile on his own face and covered it with another bite of stew. "I'm sure it will serve you well. But further progress must wait for the morning. We've had a long day of travel, so tonight we will rest."

That morning, they had awoken on the Alliance's medical flagship, Forebearance . After one final appointment with the cybernetics specialist, Mon Mothma herself had seen them onto a disguised freighter and off to Tatooine. "Good luck finding your lightsaber parts," she had said graciously, "and rescuing Captain Solo. May the Force be with you."

Maul broke from his reverie and concluded, "Tomorrow, we will begin work on your lightsaber."

The boy nodded wordlessly. 

Night on Tatooine was cold, not as cold as Hoth, but enough so that they rolled their sleeping bags together to keep out the chill. They had thirty-six hours of solitude in which to construct Luke's lightsaber before Qi'ra, Leia, and the others would join them on Tatooine. Maul only hoped it would be enough time. 

The next morning began with leftover stew and routine stretching and meditation. They had begun running their stretches and working to acquaint Luke with his prosthetic as soon as his physicians had permitted, nearly seven days prior. It helped Maul's healing as well. 

He was taking to his prosthetic well (thank the Swamps). The Alliance had spared no expense, and Luke's new hand was made of cutting-edge technology. The internal cybernetics were incredibly delicate, quite nearly a mimicry of the human nervous system, and the faux-flesh covering was surprisingly inconspicuous. Maul doubted there was a match for it in the whole galaxy. 

When Maul deemed Luke centered and focused, he laid his own saber out between them on a mat and carefully began to deconstruct it, naming the pieces and stating their purpose as he went. "You can see how the focusing ring and emitter bracket either end of the sleeve, one set for each blade. The sleeve houses the energy cylinder as well as the controls." Maul traced his fingers along the smooth lines of his lightsaber hilt.

Luke leaned in, attention laser-focused on the lesson. "And the energy from the crystal is stabilized by the lense at the base of the emitter, and that's how the actual blade is formed?"

"That is correct," he nodded. "Now, your lightsaber is not merely an extension of your arm, but of your power in the Force. Therefore, you must use the Force, not your hands, to craft it. Observe." Maul took a deep breath in through his nose and closed his eyes, picturing the clean lines of the hilt and the rough curve of the shattered rotation disc. He could feel the hilt building itself as he released his breath. The components came together like they were meant to be despite their disparate origins.

When Maul held out his hand, the familiar weight fell into his palm and the blades burst to life with a dual hiss. He opened his eyes and found Luke watching his lightsaber hungrily. 

"I'm ready."

The words rang false in the Force. There was still so much fear and anger and regret churning inside Luke that he was almost certain to fail. The kyber crystal demanded self-unity for success. And yet their necessity was great and their time short. 

"Are you?" he asked as gently as he could. "Building your lightsaber is difficult. It's construction requires harmony between the crystal, hilt, and yourself. Only then will the lightsaber form. You are conflicted and in pain. Rushing will not bring you the results you desire."

Frustration flashed behind Luke's eyes. "I'm fine. I can set it aside. You know I've been meditating!" As if realizing his very insistence sounded upset, Luke took steps to calm himself. "I apologize. But if we're going to be able to rescue Han, I need my lightsaber. I don't have time for everything to be perfect."

"If you would perhaps be willing to," Maul hated how foolish the word sounded coming from him, "talk about it, I could shed some light - "

"No!" Luke interrupted him. Then, reigning himself in, said, "No. I don't - I'm not - " he broke off, frustrated. "I'm not ready yet. But I am ready for this."

Running a hand over his eyes and tugging frustratedly at his foremost right horn, Maul could only say, "Then I cannot stop you from trying."

Luke looked so very focused as he dug through the pile of spare parts Maul had provided, some brought from the Fleet and some he had found among Kenobi's things. Although they had to repurpose and improvise a few specialty pieces, Luke was soon looking down at what had the potential to be a very respectable lightsaber. 

"Be patient with yourself," was the best advice Maul could give. 

The boy nodded determinedly and, sitting in the shadow of Kenobi's hut as the suns began their upward arc, settled into meditation. His teacher sat just inside, offering some small amount of privacy while remaining within earshot. He had his own meditations to attend to. Maul had been working to untangle his feelings about the events on Bespin, but the work had proved slow and frustrating. 

Maul closed his eyes and took a deep breath in through his nose and let it out slowly. Every time he thought about Vader, Maul felt rage like none he'd experienced since he was a mindless monster on Lotho Minor. How dare Vader? How dare he traumatize Luke as he had? He understood Vader's rage, but lashing out at the boy was the most irrational and cruel response he could imagine. For all his years at Sidious's side, had Vader learned nothing at all of self control? 

What a foolish question; of course he hadn't. Maul's single interaction with Vader had taught him a great deal. The Emperor's Fist was not a euphemism: Vader was little more than a mildly clever blunt instrument. Yet he was indomitable in battle for a reason. Maul doubted, as much as he hated to admit it, that he could win in a one-on-one fight against the Sith. They would need to find another way to deal with him, for there was no path to Sidious that didn't go directly through Vader.

Even when Maul had released his futile emotions into the Force, he found he was still precariously balancing on the knife's edge of rage and pragmatism.

The suns were directly overhead when Maul went to check on Luke. He estimated that about four hours had passed, and yet the pieces of the hilt still twisted about before the boy, refusing to connect. When he put a gentle hand on Luke's shoulder, the boy startled, dropping the roving array of parts, and Maul resisted the urge to frown. 

"Come," was all he said, "you need to move out of the sun and rehydrate."

They gathered up the pieces of lightsaber scattered in the sand, and Maul led the way inside where they tucked into ration bars and water. A creeping frustration had overtaken Luke, as if he had hoped he could conquer this task with sheer willpower, as he had so many others, despite Maul's warnings. 

Still, he could tell by the set of Luke's jaw that the apprentice wasn't yet ready to desist. Maul could only hope he would cease this foolish stubbornness soon. 

That afternoon, Maul wrapped himself in white desert camouflage and went out to scout Jabba's Palace. He took the speeder as far as he dared, and then left it stashed in a crevice, hidden by scrub brush. From there, he sneaked swiftly and silently through the scorching desert and across the last few clicks of the Great Mesera Plateau, using the dangerous midday heat as cover. 

There were only about five hours of daylight left when Maul found a good vantage point overlooking Jabba's Palace. He lowered himself to his belly and raised his 'binocs. The great towers of the palace were built into the exposed bedrock of one of the massive mountains that buffeted the northeastern side of the plateau. The only advance was up a narrow ridge, which Maul could see clearly was lined with guards and traps. 

As he watched, a speeder approached out of the desert and began the ascent up the ridge. They must have been expected, for no alarm was sounded. It moved past the great stone door where Jabba met his guests and took another side path toward, Maul presumed, a secondary entrance out of visual range.

When Maul had last besieged Jabba's Palace, he had controlled an army of Mandalorians. As surprisingly competent as their little band of Rebels had proven to be, he doubted they could pull off the same frontal assault, let alone escape with both Solo and all of their lives. An inside job was realistically their best option, but with his alliance with the Rebels now public knowledge and Jabba already aligned with the Empire, he couldn't rely solely on his reputation as the Shadow to intimidate the slug into compliance. Jabba would laugh him out of the room. As Maul lowered his macrobinocs to begin sketching out a rough map of the defenses on his datapad, he heaved a great sigh. 

"Is it already going that badly?" Kenobi asked, an amused lilt to his voice.

He rolled his eyes at Kenobi's refusal to announce himself. "Frontal assault is right out," Maul recited without looking up from his work. "Jabba knows I work with the Rebellion, so any attempt as subterfuge has a time bomb on it at best. And the children are too recognizable; he would immediately report us to the Empire."

"I have always found that a Hutt's arrogance is their greatest weakness." When Maul finally looked over at Kenobi, he was surprised to find the ghost lying alongside him in the sand, chin propped casually on one hand. "If you make him think you are trying to recruit him for the Rebel cause, he may be amused enough by the song-and-dance that he'll slip up and give you the opportunity to rescue Captain Solo."

Maul hummed and looked back over at the palace. It was risky, and he still disliked the idea of exposing Luke and Leia directly to Jabba, although they would both insist on being there to help Solo. "I'll consider it. Now, tell me what you want, Kenobi."

The Jedi's smile vanished in an instant, but, to his credit, he did not lie to Maul. "Luke is struggling."

"Yes, little surprise there." He very purposefully met Kenobi's eyes, willing whatever strange power he seemed to have over the Jedi (he dared not speak its name) to surface now. "You need to speak to him. He does not want to talk to me about these things, but he may be more open with you."

It was Kenobi who broke eye contact first. "He does not want to speak to me." A strange vulnerability had seeped into his tone.

"Regardless, he must. There is no one more equipped to handle his questions than you." Maul rose to his feet without waiting for a response. When he looked down, Kenobi was already gone. "Coward," he scoffed aloud, hoping the ghost heard him. 

Then, he set about scouting the rest of the compound. He made note on the datapad of the slave entrances and the guard rotation before circling back and surveying the palace's defenses from another angle. 

By the time he was done, the suns were low in the sky. Maul cursed himself for leaving the speeder so far away; he was no longer a spry apprentice who could manage a run of this magnitude without strain. He didn't return until the wee hours of the morning, yet a light still glowed in the hut's window. 

Maul pushed the door open with some trepidation to find Luke passed out unconscious among the scattered pieces of his unfinished lightsaber. It didn't take him long to notice the redness around his apprentice's eyes or the wheeze of his sleeping breath: the ridiculous child had cried himself to sleep. Maul stooped and pulled Luke into his arms, ignoring the way his exhausted body protested, and went to tuck him into bed. Luke barely stirred as Maul pulled the sleeping bag around him. Only pausing long enough to safely tuck away Luke's lightsaber parts and put out the light, Maul followed his apprentice to bed. 

It felt like his head had only just hit the pillow when consciousness began to creep back in, accompanied by the scent of frying food and caff. He cracked open an eye and was immediately blinded by the desert sun. With a groan, Maul rolled onto his stomach and pulled the pillow over his horns, feeling it catch and tear. 

There was a quiet giggle from the direction of the fire, and Luke said, "Morning, Master. There's caff."

Eventually, Maul was able to force himself up out of bed, and Luke greeted him with a weak smile and strong caff. He grunted something like a greeting and sipped his drink until he was fit for the presence of other sentients. And then Luke, bless the sweet child, put a frycake down in front of him.

"It's a Tusken recipe," he explained. "My aunt Beru used to make them, and I woke up craving them this morning."

Maul took a bite, and the cake practically dissolved on his tongue. "Excellent," he praised. Luke blushed. 

"Aunt Beru did them better." He took a bite of his own.

There was little conversation between them as they ate, although Maul was as much to blame for this as his apprentice. Luke kept his head down and fiddled with his fork. It was less that he refused to meet Maul's eye than that he never looked up long enough for Maul to make the attempt.

It was becoming obvious that Luke wouldn't breach the topic on both their minds without prompting. Loath as he was to do it, Maul finished his caff in one last fortifying swig and forced himself to say, "We need to talk about what happened last night."

There was a long pause, and Maul wondered if Luke would simply ignore his question. Then, the boy shook his head. "I don't know what you want me to say. Yeah, I'm not taking some things well. Like maybe being asked to kill my father without anyone ever actually telling me he was my dad has kinda gotten to me!" Luke's clenched fists shook with anger.

"Of course it has," Maul said, and his voice pitched high and rough with emotion. He cleared his throat and tried again, "Of course you are upset. I am not asking you not to be. But the only way to move forward is to work through your feelings. They are either an asset or a hindrance, and yours are stopping you from completing your saber. You must address them, or they will continue to fester and disrupt the flow of the Force around you."

"How do I even start to deal with this?" Luke demanded, finally looking up at Maul, his mouth pulled into a sharp frown. The apprentice was fighting to restrain his anger, but bitterness and frustration still leaked through the cracks in his resolve.

"Talk to me. Or Kenobi, if you prefer," he offered, but if anything, those words only seemed to make Luke curl further in on himself. "We want to hear your concerns. We want to help."

The boy snorted and muttered something too quiet for Maul to hear.

"Luke…" Maul reproached him, trying to remain patient.

When Luke finally met his gaze, he was glaring. "I don't want to talk. There aren't words! I can't just say the right thing to make it all better - I'm not Leia!" He jerked his gaze back to the fire, shoulders hunched to his ears. Then, he brightened, an idea lighting his visage, and he slowly unfolded. "Leia's coming today, and she needs to find out everything anyway. If - if she were here, maybe I could do it." 

Maul sat back, struggling between logic and sympathy. Luke wasn't wrong: Leia had existed in ignorance for too long as she chased Solo across the galaxy, and that had to be rectified as soon as  possible. It had been weighing heavily on Maul's mind as well. And yet, Luke needed to be able to face his own feelings and fears without being reliant on his sister's presence.

"While I would not be opposed," he said slowly, "you need to be capable of addressing this on your own as well as with Leia. Do not let your connection become a limitation. And she will have her own reactions to work through; she may need your support as much as you need hers."

"I-I know that. But you said yourself that we're stronger together," Luke urged. 

He sighed softly. "Very well. If you would prefer to lay everything out at once, as a group, I will not oppose you. However, this must be addressed when she arrives this afternoon. We cannot put it off any further.``

The apprentice was good enough not to mention Maul's hypocrisy in this. Instead, he nodded and said, "I agree."

Although not ideal, this was more progress on the subject of Vader than they had made in days. Maul would take his victories where he could find them. "Very well. Then since you appear to have hit a block with your lightsaber, this morning we will be doing something different." 

Luke opened his mouth (presumably to argue that he had not fallen asleep in a puddle of his own tears the night prior and was perfectly fit to carry on), but Maul continued over him. "I will teach you to wield my lightsaber."

Closing his mouth with an audible click, Luke nodded slowly. If the apprentice refused to deal with his anger, then Maul would at least give him a productive outlet for it. With that thought in mind, he led Luke through their stretches and meditations demanding, a higher level of focus and attention to detail than ever before. By the end, they were both sweating heavily, even in the pool of shade they were using to train. 

"Now, watch as I perform the first kata of form seven," Maul instructed when they were loose and limber. "Pay particular attention to my hands: the double blade requires frequent grip changes in order to utilize both blades to their best advantage." As Maul moved through the familiar forms of the kata, he kept up a running narration. "Although you have two lightsabers, they are still one single weapon, and where one blade goes, soon the other will follow. As wielder, you must be cognizant of both of their locations at all times."

Maul completed the kata and returned to resting pose, sheathed saber at his side. "Now you try." Without missing a beat, he tossed the hilt to Luke, whose Force-honed reflexes plucked it easily out of the air. 

Luke took a deep breath and stepped into the first form of Juyo. His footwork was acceptable and he was making a valiant effort to imitate the way Maul's hands had passed the double-bladed lightsaber back-and-forth, but it was ultimately slow and sloppy.

"The primary principle of Juyo is total surrender to the Force. In doing so, you allow it to flow through and strengthen you. It's ferocity becomes your own," Maul lectured as he circled around the apprentice. "Good. When you take your lunge, breathe out. Use your breath to direct and focus your blow."

Luke moved into the next form and grunted quietly as he brought Maul's red blade down hard in an overhead strike. His coordination was good, and, although the footwork needed practice, Luke never lost his balance. He finished the set and held the final form, sweating and breathing heavily from the exertion.

"Well done, Apprentice," Maul praised. "Tell me, how does the lightsaber feel?"

"Sad," Luke said, then grimaced. "I'm sorry, Master. That's not what I - "

Maul brushed aside his apologies. "No need. It is true. Kyber crystals were rare before the Empire began harvesting them. The few crystals available now have lived hard, unhappy lives. One of mine belonged to my brother and the other to an Inquisitor I defeated."

Breaking away from his tangent, Maul refocused their conversation. "But I was referring to the physical differences: balance, weight, the length of the shaft. What did you feel?"

Luke fidgeted, clearly more in the mood to move than think. "Hmm… I see what you mean about there being more to keep track of. If I don't know where the second blade is I could cut off my own leg or worse."

"Precisely," Maul said dryly. "As you gain confidence and speed, you will feel more in control of both blades. Do it again, but lower your stance and tuck in your elbows..."

They worked well into the afternoon, until a growl from Luke's stomach reminded them both to eat. While he was refilling their canteens, Maul noticed a message alert blinking on his comm. This far out from civilization, the signal wasn't strong enough for a full holocall, and so Maul and Qi'ra had resorted to quick written missives. The only thing they had used them for so far was a standard alert that they had arrived at their target location safely. 

The message from Qi'ra read simply, "Arrival delayed six hours. Meeting a friend en route."

Maul hummed. He wondered which friend they could possibly have that could help.

"Qi'ra and the others are behind schedule," he called over to Luke. "They've gone to visit a "friend". She says they should only be delayed about six hours or so."

"They better not be too long; it's hard to land something as big as the Falcon out here in the dark."

"A six-hour delay still offers several hours of sunlight. They will be fine," Maul soothed.

That did not stop them both from watching the sky anxiously all afternoon as they continued training. Luke made rapid progress with the double-bladed lightsaber. The apprentice excelled with a blade in his hands, and he made quick work of Form VII's katas. Maul soon found himself wishing for a second weapon so that they could spar properly. 

As the first sun touched the horizon, Maul called an end to the lesson and sent them both to wipe away the day's sweat with clean sand. While he began preparations for another supper of rations, Luke went out to look up at the red-stained sky. Maul didn't bother to point out that there was another hour before the Falcon's estimated arrival time.

He was just adding water to rehydrate several servings of rice when Luke shouted, "Falcon incoming!" Maul joined him outside to watch the big Corellian freighter approach from a distance; it swooped low and glided smoothly onto a flat stretch of sand nearby. It only skidded slightly on the slippery surface, and Maul wondered if it was Calrissian or Chewbacca in the pilot's seat.

As soon as they were clear, Luke and Maul approached, ignoring the sand and hot wind still whipping around their heads. The first figure off the Millennium Falcon's lowered ramp took them both aback. Leia bounded down in a suit of worn armor, an Ubese helmet tucked under one arm. She raced directly for her brother. 

Luke and Leia embraced tightly. It was a sweet reunion, tinged bitter by the cruel truth he and Luke would soon have to reveal. But for the moment, Maul gave them their privacy, and instead focused on Rex and Qi'ra, who next descended. They looked rather grim; no doubt their failure to catch Fett after chasing him across two sectors had taken its toll. Maul was intimately familiar with the feeling. 

"Lord Maul," Qi'ra greeted, shading her eyes against the bright desert suns. "How are you? Was the Alliance able to fix you up?

"Yes, more or less. I only permitted them to make repairs." He rolled his eyes derisively. "I finally found a set of legs I like, and I won't have the rebels ruining them. But how are you? Uninjured, I hope?"

"We're all in one piece," Rex grunted.

"Good. Then, come inside and tell us all that has transpired," Maul gestured toward the hut and tried not to remember the time he'd told Kenobi it wasn't fit to host a Jawa. Chewbacca was the last to stomp down the ramp; no one followed behind.

"We have a lot to tell you," Leia said, following Maul's gaze. "Lando arrived on Tatooine yesterday. We had a chance to implant him in Jabba's security, and we took it."

"How do you know we can trust him?" Luke demanded almost angrily. "He betrayed us on Bespin!"

"But he has been my friend - and Han and Chewbacca's - for many years," Qi'ra said firmly, and Chewbacca grumbled in agreement. "He is trustworthy."

"Lando is furious with the Empire for what they did to Han and Cloud City. There's nothing he can do for his colony right now, but he can help us," Leia explained gravely. "Lando is an honorable man: he sees it as his duty to rescue Han." 

The little Jedi reined in his emotions and deferred to his sister's wisdom. "Okay. Okay. Good job getting us an inside man, you guys."

Qi'ra caught Maul's gaze, and she said, as if in justification of her actions, "The opening in Jabba's security was lucky happenstance, my lord. If we hadn't moved him into place immediately, we would have lost the opportunity."

"I trust your judgment," Maul responded simply. 

With all six of them together, Kenobi's hut was a tight fit. Their meal finished rehydrating and heating, and conversation paused as they all filled their plates with the disappointing ration pack equivalent of spicy bantha curry and rice. Eventually, Maul broke the lull. "So, tell us what transpired on your chase."

"We caught up with Slave I near Sullust," Captain Rex answered, leaning against the stucco brick wall with his bowl. "Let him have a bit of a leash and tracked them all the way to Naboo. We nearly caught them in the Savareen System - even had a bit of a shoot-out - but Fett just slipped through our fingers." He sighed gruffly. "Can't deny he's a helluva pilot."

"Where did you get that armor?" Luke asked Leia. 

"Maz Kanata," Qi'ra answered with genuine admiration. 

"That friend we detoured to see was Maz," Leia picked up the tale. "Chewie thought she might be able to help us rescue Han. While we were there, this bounty hunter," she thumped her new helmet onto the table for them to examine in closer detail, "Boushh, attacked. Chewie, Maz, and I managed to defeat him, and she suggested that I take the armor. 

"I don't quite understand what she thinks it will do," Leia confessed. "Maz seemed to imply the armor could somehow help us save Han. The best I can figure, with our bounties so high, at least it hides my face."

Luke's brow wrinkled quizzically. "What do you mean?"

Instead of answering, Leia dug into one of the pockets on her new utility belt and produced four holopucks. "See for yourself."

Maul activated the puck she passed him and found himself gazing balefully at his own absolutely deranged snarl. It was an old image, from back during the Clone Wars. Beneath it was a ridiculous 15,000,000 credit bounty. "How petty," he murmured. This reeked of Vader; Sidious was more subtle. 

Beside him, Luke looked pale. The stipulation beside the astronomically high 20,000,000 credit bounty under his picture was Alive and Unharmed. Vader's work indeed. Leia also had a puck of her own (still 10,000,000 credits, the same as it had been since the Battle of Yavin, but updated with a more recent holophoto) and one with Calrissian's likeness glowing above it (a mere 100,000 credits). 

"Well, I think the armor is a splendid idea," Qi'ra said, breaking Maul from his thoughts. "The fit is perfect, and no one is going to expect the Princess of Alderaan to be hiding under an Ubese helmet. I'm still so impressed you speak Bocce."

Leia blushed. "Thank you. I picked it up while I was doing relief work on Toydaria. Oh! But Luke," she interrupted herself with a new thought, "I want to see your new lightsaber." Rex and Chewbacca both looked up at those words as well.

The apprentice shook his head, frustration coloring his cheeks. "It's not done yet. I've got everything I need, but I hit a wall. It won't come together…" he trailed off, running a hand through his sun-bleached blond hair. 

"When you finish working through this block, you will find completing your saber easy," Maul reassured Luke and everyone else. Then, he addressed the princess directly, "Incidentally, now that you are here, Leia, we will need to discuss what happened on Bespin. That will help."

"What happened on Bespin?" Leia demanded immediately, but Maul held up a quelling hand. 

"Later, and in private. We have more pressing matters to address first."

Beside her, Luke was doing an admirable job of remaining calm. When Leia shot him a very worried glance, he nodded solemnly in agreement with Maul.

"Right," Rex said, and the captain's militaristic tone snapped them all to attention. "What's our plan of attack?" 

"Yesterday, I went to the palace to scout out their defenses," Maul said, fetching the datapad which held the rough field map he had sketched. "You can see how they control the ground approach with armed and fortified guard stations here, here, and here." He pointed to each icon on the map as he spoke. 

"There are four ground-to-air assault cannons as well as a shield generator to protect from aerial bombardment. Jabba learned from my last attack. How inconvenient."

"Your last attack?" Leia echoed incredulously. 

"The Hutts initially did not want to join the Shadow Collective. Savage and I had to... convince them." Rex snorted and Maul scowled. "This is utterly beside the point. Given our limited resources, even with Calrissian on the inside, I don't believe a frontal assault is possible."

"What about the Crimson Dawn? Don't you guys have the manpower for something like this?" Luke asked Qi'ra.

She shook her head. "Not without sparking an all-out war between the gangs - one we would frankly not win. Lord Maul is the power behind the Shadow. The Crimson Dawn itself doesn't have nearly the resources or the reach of the Hutts or even the Pykes or Black Sun. If the Hutts wanted to, they could wipe us out."

Captain Rex took the datapad from Maul's hands and spent several seconds reviewing it and his other notes. Finally, with a scowl, he said, "Hate to admit it, but you're right; the Hutt's got this place locked up tight." He blew out a breath. "Alright, so the alternative is subterfuge. How do we pull one over on the slug?"

No one had an immediate response to this. Leia reached over and took the datapad next, sharing the little screen with Chewbacca. "Maybe we could use the droids as a decoy…?" Luke pondered aloud. Qi'ra fiddled with her spoon, eyes glazed in deep thought.

"You've worked with him before, Maul, you got anything?" Rex asked like it was torture. 

And Maul did have a plan; the problem was that it was Kenobi's. 

"There is one idea, but it is risky," he hedged. "And it would necessitate dividing our forces, much as I dislike it."

"Go on," Luke urged, and Maul realized the others had stopped to listen as well.

"Qi'ra and I could approach Jabba as if we were courting him as a potential ally for the Rebellion. The idea is ludicrous," he immediately acknowledged as their expressions turned dubious. "But Jabba enjoys ego-stroking absurdity. He may be willing to hear us out long enough to contact and free Solo. With Qi'ra, Leia, Calrissian, and I on the inside, Chewbacca, Rex, and Luke can wait nearby and act as emergency extraction or cover our escape." Maul spread his hands and shrugged. "It isn't perfect, but given our options, I have yet to think of a better idea."

Rex blew out a gusty breath. "No kidding. That's a risky maneuver."

"And what about Boba Fett? You think he's just going to let you walk in there?" Luke asked. Maul could see him fighting the urge to argue that he be brought along on the infiltration team, but he was wise enough to understand why he could not be included. 

"Actually," Leia corrected, "he didn't see Master Maul's face on Takodana, Qi'ra isn't a hot target right now, and I have my armor. Fett can't identify anyone we'd be sending in, except maybe Lando."

"Lando can keep hidden," Qi'ra added with confidence. 

"Chewie's a known associate of Solo, you have the highest bounty in the galaxy, and Fett would definitely recognize my face." Rex checked off. Maul snorted softly at the bad joke (Kenobi would have loved it). "If we're being sneaky about it, Maul, Leia, and Qi'ra are the only option."

"Are the details viable?" Maul asked Qi'ra.

She hummed and pulled out her own datapad from inside her white leather jacket. "It really would be an absolute farce," Qi'ra said as she tapped her way across the screen, "but if the Shadow requested an urgent, formal meeting with the head of the Hutt Clan it would be very distracting. And whether or not he believes our pretext for being there, everyone knows the slug likes the play with his food." Qi'ra seemed to glow in the light of her little datapad. "It could work - although I don't imagine it'll buy us more than a few hours - a day at most."

Chewbacca growled something which Maul missed and Leia translated. "Chewie wants to know about your escape plan. Getting in is great, but how do we escape once we have Han?"

"Does the Hutt still have that barge he used to sail around on?" Rex asked. "You could steal that and we could cover your escape in the Falcon." Grim amusement flicked across the clone's face. "Reminds me of one of General Kenobi's plans from the War."

Maul bared his teeth in a silent snarl, but couldn't bring himself to deny it, either. Rex's eyes narrowed shrewdly. 

"It'll take me a couple of hours to set up a formal meeting," Qi'ra interrupted briskly, fingernails clicking on the datapad's screen in her haste. "My lord, you'll need to create a message to accompany the request and we'll have to fake your arrival as well. Thank the stars you've always traveled light or such a small entourage might have raised questions. I'll have Ryland return to Tatooine in the Nightbrother and we can play that off as your arrival." 

"Most appreciated, Qi'ra."

This seemed to be a settled enough plan that some of the tension left the room. Even Rex nodded to himself and, snagging the datapad with Maul's map from where Leia had abandoned it, began reviewing the details. The clone captain had been one of the Republic's best strategists back during the war; it was strangely comforting to know that he was on Maul's side this time. 

Of course, with one very important conversation finished, it cleared the way for the next. "If that is everything, I need to speak to Luke and Leia. Privately."

Luke, knowing what was coming, rose silently, and his sister scrutinized them both. Chewbacca and Qi'ra offered only confused, sympathetic glances, but Rex seemed to have realized what was about to happen. 

"Let me know if you need any, uh, help, I guess," he offered gruffly from behind the datapad.

At those words, Leia began to radiate anxiety. Still, when Luke took her hand and led the way out into the desert evening, she followed. "Would this conversion be better had on the Falcon?" Leia asked.

Her brother nodded, and they trooped into the familiar freighter. The children squeezed onto the bench around the dajek table, Luke pulling Leia down beside him and staying close. She eyed him wearily. "Do you know what this is about? Am I the only one in the dark here?"

"Soon you'll know just as much as I do," Luke said, "Then we can learn more together."

"Was that meant to be reassuring?" Leia scoffed, trying not to let her mounting panic show.

Before the pair could work themselves into a tizzy, Maul began speaking. "I have been aware for some time now of a discrepancy in your knowledge of Anakin Skywalker. It was my hope to rectify the error gradually." He found himself pacing as he spoke, metal feet clicking back-and-forth across the durasteel grates. "However, when Luke and I fought Vader on Cloud City, he revealed to Luke this unhappy truth. You, Leia, deserve to be on even footing with your brother and know as well."

He stopped his pacing to stand before them and took a deep breath, steadying himself both physically and in the Force. Focusing on the calming flow of the Force's energy around them, Maul let it guide his tongue as it always had his lightsaber. "Anakin Skywalker did not die in the Jedi Purges. Like me, he was lured to the dark side by Darth Sidious." He paused to breathe. "And he himself perpetrated the purges under a new name." 

Leia's gaze met his head-on, and he found the truth already waiting in her savvy brown eyes. "Darth Vader." She concluded without needing to be told. Then, another realization washed over her, and Leia immediately turned to her brother. "He told you that? During the fight?"

Luke nodded. "Yeah, I - he told me right before he cut off my hand."

"He what?" Leia cried, taking Luke's face between gentle palms. "How could he do that?" 

"Our fa- " Luke started, but his sister's wrath had already been turned on Maul. 

"How could you let this happen?! Why didn't you tell us? Why did Luke have to hear it from - him?" There was venom in Leia's voice as she spoke of Vader, and her fisted hands shook ever-so-slightly. It must have taken a great deal of effort for her to remain so calm when she radiated so much anger.

"I knew it would be difficult for you both. I was trying to prepare you for the truth," Maul said honestly.

Her lip curled. "Look at all the good that did us!"

Maul bowed his head. "You are correct, of course. I - " he hesitated, fumbling over the words he knew needed to be said. "I most sincerely apologize to you both. We were - Kenobi and I were doing what we could to protect you, to try and help you come to terms with Vader's role in your lives without it tearing you apart in the process. Obviously, we failed. I valued your happiness over your knowledge of the truth, and it hurt you."

Leia didn't interrupt, only watched him with a defensive sort of imperious fury. In the Force she radiated a quiet, controlled rage. Beside her, Luke was trying his best to release his fury and sorrow and regret into the Force, but without the answers he needed to heal, he could not styme the flow. 

Spurred to end their suffering, Maul continued softly, "I am so, so very sorry for the pain I've caused you. Whatever I can do to make amends, by answering your questions or some other means, I would do so. Kenobi offers the same." 

His words had exactly the opposite of their desired effect. 

"Then why isn't he here?" Luke cried, this somehow the straw that broke the eopie's back. The boy could force aside his feelings no longer.

Taken aback by the sudden storm of anger, Maul could only reply honestly, "Kenobi expected you would rather not see him. He meant his absence to be an offering of space - "

"Stop defending him!" Luke snapped. "Obi-Wan should apologize to me himself. He told me all kinds of lies! He told me that Darth Vader killed Anakin Skywalker!"

"Yes, I did," Kenobi said, and it was as if the ghost had been there all along, standing at Maul's side. Likely as not he had, Maul thought a bit snidely, but the expected rush of loathing that usually accompanied that line of thinking never came. He was too relieved to see Kenobi finally being forthright with the twins. "I was not honest with you, and for that I offer my humblest apologies."

"You - !" Luke was so distressed he was lost for words. Leia grabbed his other hand under the table, interlocking their fingers and squeezing, to lend her silent support. It seemed to help Luke gather his thoughts. "Why? I don't understand why you would lie to me about him in the first place."

Kenobi looked so much older than his years. The grief and guilt he still felt for Anakin Skywalker was written plainly across his lined face. "I loved your father; he was my brother and my dearest friend. I did not want Vader and his sins to be all that Anakin's children knew of him. You all deserve so much better." 

The ghost's gaze dropped to the floor, and Maul wished, for one absurd moment, that he could take hold of one of Kenobi's hands and offer him comfort. He silently banished the ludicrous thought, hiding it in the dark place he'd put all others like it. 

"Your father was seduced by the dark side of the Force," the Jedi eventually continued. "At that moment, he ceased to be Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. When that happened, the good man who was your father was destroyed. But Maul is correct; I should have told you the whole of the truth. My weakness and my mistakes endangered you all - " 

"Endangered?" Luke cried. "Obi-Wan, that isn't why I'm angry. Every lesson you taught me, every path you've led me down, was ultimately about me killing Vader. You asked me to kill my own father without telling me who he was!"

"No," Kenobi corrected him almost sadly. "I led you down the Jedi path. In choosing to do so, I needed you to understand that it would make you Vader's enemy. That he would pursue you until you gave into the dark side or he destroyed you.

"Vader will not allow you to exist outside of his control," Kenobi continued. "That much he made clear on Bespin. I foolishly hoped that it would be easier for you to defeat Vader without your shared history weighing you down. I thought that, like me, you would find it impossible to do what must be done if you knew your relationship."

"And because you knew I'd never agree to be a Jedi if I knew you'd ask me to kill my own father!" Luke spat. "Because who in their right mind would leave on an adventure with a virtual stranger to go kill his dad?"

"Apprentice - " Maul began, appalled, just as Kenobi said, "Luke, I would never-!" He gestured tiredly for Kenobi to continue. 

"It is the purpose of the Jedi to confront darkness in all of its forms, be they external," Kenobi hesitated, old pain haunting his eyes, "or incredibly personal. As the last of us, the duty to defeat Vader falls on your shoulders."

Luke was silent for several long moments as he absorbed this information. "If that's what it takes, I'm no Jedi. I can't kill my own father."

"Then the Emperor has already won." Kenobi didn't sound angry, just infinitely sad.

The princess made a sound of distress, and Luke turned to his sister. "Calm down and think rationally," Leia said. "Vader may be our blood, but he is not our father." While her words were calm, there was a strained edge to Leia's voice.

Luke stared at her in wide-eyed shock. "How can you say that? After all the family we've lost, how can you throw anyone away?"

All at once, her careful control slipped and Leia turned icy. "Don't be an idiot. I will never accept the monster who destroyed my planet as family, blood be damned. As far as I'm concerned, this is just one more reason to put him down." Her lip curled. "Jedi or not, you're still a Rebel, Luke. No matter how you look at it, Vader is your enemy. Stop pretending this changes anything."

The boy's anguish expression morphed into one of deep betrayal. "Not you too."

It was as Maul feared: as much as the twins wanted to support one another, they both had strong - and adverse, Swamps save them - reactions to the news. They each required space to vent their feelings, preferably where they would not accidentally say something needlessly hurtful in the heat of rage.

"Master," Luke's voice cut through his woolgathering, and he realized, for a second time that day, all eyes were on him. "Please tell me you don't also think my father has to die."

Maul was at war with himself: on one hand, he wanted to offer Luke every empty comfort and platitude needed to take away the pain, but that was precisely the series of decisions that had led them here. "I think," he said slowly, feeling out the words in the Force, "that we are all far too emotionally compromised to make that decision tonight. Our distress clouds our judgment. You know the truth and why Kenobi and I made the choices we did, poor though they may have been.

"We all need to rest now. Even the dead." Maul shot a look at Kenobi, who managed to appear contrite. "It would be wisest to reconvene when cooler heads will prevail."

It was Leia's turn to look betrayed, but even she found his logic difficult to argue. (This was more evidence that she was emotionally compromised, but Maul politely refrained from expressing that thought aloud.) Luke's righteous anger did not disappear. His mouth was still pressed into a thin line as he looked over at Kenobi and his master. Maul felt another wave of horrendous guilt crash through his chest.

Finally, the apprentice sighed and nodded. "Okay. Okay, you're right. But this conversation isn't over."

"No," Leia agreed coldly, "it isn't." She rose, but instead of storming out into the desert, she rounded the corner and retreated deeper into the Falcon . Watching her go, Luke pointedly took the opposite path, his light footsteps padding off the ramp and disappearing as he stepped onto the sand. 

With heavy hearts, Maul gave the boy a few minutes to find a place to calm down and sort through his thoughts. Luke didn't need his master looking over his shoulder as he worked through such incredibly personal matters. A moment later, he heard the sound of the land speeder's motivator turning over and then peeling off into the night. He might have worried, but even without his lightsaber, Luke was more than a match for most of the mundane threats Tatooine had to offer, and Kenobi's old Force Suggestion warded off the rest. The apprentice would be fine so long as he didn't wander too far. 

Maul was several steps off of the Falcon when he realized that Kenobi was still following him. The ghost glowed faintly blue in the desert night, yet Kenobi looked exhausted. He looked tired and old and so very unlike the enemy for whom Maul's hatred had so long burned. He wished again that he could reach out and touch the Jedi, but even if it were possible to set aside their years of antagonism (and it was not), Kenobi was dead. Just like his lightsaber, Maul's hand would go right through him. This was all merely foolish sentimentality. 

"Thank you for speaking to them," he said instead, to distract himself from such thoughts. "I think they can begin to heal now."

"Will it really be so easy?" Kenobi asked, eyes still fixed on the rapidly shrinking speeder. "Anakin was also asked to choose between his family and the Jedi, and he fell. What if I've made the same mistake twice?"

"I've been trying to get that stubborn brat to fall for months now. If you do it by accident, I'll kill you again," Maul joked darkly, and Kenobi gasped out a peal of laughter before he could catch himself. It made Maul's hearts flutter in his chest.

He looked away, back out at the desert, and continued more seriously, "Luke and Leia are both resilient enough to withstand this blow and become stronger for it. What they need now is the opportunity to come to terms with the truth. With any luck, Vader and Sidious will be busy recalibrating their plans for my presence and provide the twins the space needed to do so."

When Maul looked back at Kenobi, their eyes met, and his next words died on his tongue. Beneath his greying beard, a smile tugged at Kenobi's mouth; as if to hide it, the Jedi's hand came up to stroke his moustache. 

"What?" Maul asked, suddenly self-conscious: he had, after all, been camping and training in the desert for two cycles. The day had been long and hot, so his aged and fading tattoos were on full display beneath the loose lines of his Alliance-thrifted shirt. 

"When did you become so wise?" Kenobi asked, gaze soft.

Startled, Maul's first response was defensive. "There is no need to mock me," he snapped, spinning on his heel and making his way back toward the hut. The Negotiator couldn't turn off the charm when it was just him, just Maul. When there was no one around to impress. 

"I mean it," Kenobi protested, following a step behind. "You know them both so well, and have such compassion for their contradictory personalities." There was that dangerous fondness underlying Kenobi's words again, and he stepped out in front of Maul, halting his retreat. "I am trying to say thank you, you grumpy thing. Take the compliment."

Even dead, Kenobi's gravitational pull was undeniable, and Maul was being irrepressibly dragged into his orbit. "Y-you are welcome," he said weakly.

"There, was that so hard?" The crow's feet around Kenobi's eyes crinkled when he smiled. "Now, you ought to follow your own advice and rest. You have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

Maul managed to choke out an affirmative, and Kenobi eased back, tucking his hands into his sleeves. "Good night, Maul. Sweet dreams."

"Good night," Maul muttered, and although Kenobi vanished, his countenance haunted Maul. Even as he retreated to the hut and reassured the others that Luke and Leia only needed space and time, his mind replayed those private moments (the warmth in his eyes, the teasing smile behind his beard) over and over again. 

"You told 'em about Vader?" Rex asked lowly when Chewbacca and Qi'ra eventually retired back to the Falcon. 

"Yes. Luke wants to save him and Leia wants him dead," Maul said, torn somewhat between sarcasm and despondency.

Rex let out a bark of laughter. "Yeah, that sounds about right." The captain softened. "You did the right thing, being honest with them. They'll come around." With those parting words, he headed for the Falcon as well.

Alone at last, Maul set about preparing for bed, leaving a single lantern glowing in the window to help Luke find his way home. He pointedly locked down any stray thoughts of - the ghost - as he went through the loose routine he'd kept while on Tatooine. But when he lay down to sleep, he could no longer redirect the turn of his thoughts. Maul pressed his palms to his closed eyes until he saw stars, but Kenobi's smile still followed him into his dreams. 

There, when he reached for Kenobi, the Jedi was as solid as he'd been during their battles past, and they fought together across the stars. When Maul met Kenobi's eyes, he was grinning as he had that evening, warm and irresistible. Their battle was never-ending, neither combatant letting or gaining ground, more a violent, passionate dance than a fight. 

"My ridiculous Sith," Kenobi whispered, his breath ghosting over the shell of Maul's ear, "you don't want to fight me."

Maul spun quickly, slashing his lightsaber in a tight arc, but he found only empty air. Kenobi's warm, fond laughter wrapped around him. When he turned his head, the Jedi was right behind him, one hand wrapped around his bicep and the other hot on his back. His beard tickled against Maul's jaw as Kenobi teased, "You want to - "

A loud clatter startled Maul awake, and he jerked up and out of his sleeping bag before he was fully conscious. It was only Luke; the apprentice stood in the pre-dawn light with his bag of lightsaber parts half spilled on the floor. 

"Sorry Master," Luke said. His voice was a bit hoarse, but he otherwise seemed to have calmed down. "I can't sleep. Wanted to work on this."

Wrangling back his first, startled instincts, Maul shook himself and waved the boy off. "Carry on." Luke quickly gathered his parts and disappeared back out of the hut, leaving Maul alone with the fading memories of his dream. Fleeing those last imagined moments of intimacy, he blinked blearily at the chrono, which read 04:48. With less than an hour until dawn, he dragged himself up to make caff.

The caff percolated, filling the little hut with the familiar, warm scent, and Maul felt himself finally start to wake. He sipped his first cup, observing Luke as he set up a meditation space on the south side of the hut, where he could watch the suns rise. He had only finished his stretches when Maul refreshed his cup, poured a second for Luke, and went out to join his apprentice. 

Luke took the proffered mug with a murmur of thanks. To Maul's eye, he seemed steadier this morning, cooler, although still conflicted. He didn't fidget under his master's gaze, only met his eye calmly.

"How are you?"

"Better." Luke sipped his drink. "Sorry about blowing up at you last night."

"As I said, you are permitted your anger. But it is what you do with it now that matters. Will you let it propel you forward or hold you back? Strengthen or chain you?"

The apprentice sat slowly on the sand and Maul joined him. "You say that, but it's not so easy," Luke murmured, no longer combative. "I can't meditate away my feelings. Just because I know I should let go of all my anger at Ben doesn't mean it just disappears."

Maul chuckled around another sip of caff. "I'm familiar. In my experience, "letting go" is less a singular purge of all sentiment on a matter than a constant untangling and disposal of unhelpful emotions. You must always be analyzing your feelings and whether they benefit or hinder your goals."

"That sounds awfully cold and calculating." 

"Perhaps. But it was also that which allowed me to set aside my anger with Vader and consider your perspective last night," Maul pointed out mildly. 

"Heh, yeah, fair enough. Didn't think of that." Looking over at the dark, hulking form of the Falcon in the pre-dawn light, Luke hummed thoughtfully. "You hate him too - Vader, I mean."

Maul mulled over his answer for a moment, seeking honesty. "Before we met on Bespin, I suppose I loathed him on principle, for making himself Sidious's weapon. Now, my contempt has a mark, for I am very upset with the way he hurt you. Such is not befitting one who wishes to entice you into apprenticeship. Those were the actions of a brute and bully. So yes, I suppose I do hate him." He flashed a sharp smirk. "But it would seem that is an unhelpful emotion."

"You're not funny." Luke belayed his impertinence with a little grin. 

They drank their caff in silence and watched as the first sun crested the eastern horizon, out across the Jundland Wastes. It was beautiful in its own way, this empty, desolate place. Still, Maul couldn't imagine Kenobi exiled here, alone with his tragedies and the sand. Was it any wonder his ghost had found Maul to haunt? He himself couldn't have rested easy in his grave knowing he had left so much unfinished. (...alright, even he had to acknowledge the irony of that thought.)

"What I don't get," said Luke at length, "is why you're allowed to come back from being the Emperor's apprentice, but he isn't. Why did Ben offer you a way out, but now he tells me Vader has to die?"

"I wish I knew," Maul grumbled, "and I am certain Kenobi wishes he understood it himself, or he would have tried to turn your father back to the light decades ago. Though I am still unconvinced of any great change I've supposedly undergone; my lightsaber is as red as ever."

The look Luke gave him was pure disbelief. "What are you talking about? You are not the same darksider I found out in the snow. Would he be staying in Obi-Wan Kenobi's house, trying to save Han Solo? No, and don't even pretend otherwise. You think Ahsoka Tano would have left her comm signal to that guy?"

Maul scowled at his apprentice, but Luke blithely ignored him and continued to tease. "Master, I know it didn't happen overnight and I know it wasn't easy, but you've changed. Maybe you won't let me call you a good person, but you are a better person than you were. And you're one of my favorite people." 

Luke, Maul realized with mounting discomfiture, was not teasing. He was being entirely sincere. Maul felt he ought to interject, to correct the record, but the apprentice had yet to say anything strictly untrue. Even the Force agreed, humming happily around them.

"Master, you got a second chance," Luke said passionately. "Doesn't Vader also deserve that chance?"

A tinny, metallic clattering behind them had Maul throwing a glance over his shoulder, but there was only Luke's little bag of lightsaber parts behind them.

"I - I do not know, Apprentice," Maul confessed, refocusing on Luke. "Even if what you say is true - and it is far, far too early for me to coherently debate your thesis - my so-called second chance was not premeditated." (If it was, he would find a way to resurrect Kenobi just to kill him a second time, and he would do so properly, ensuring there would be no spirit left to haunt him.) "Tempting as it is to call it fate, perhaps it was just dumb luck. Circumstance.

"To pin all of our lives and the hope of the galaxy on replicating the same imperfect experiment with Vader feels foolhardy to me."

Luke nodded, biting his lip. "I understand what you're saying," he allowed. "But when we were fighting, back on Bespin, I could feel the conflict within him. He needs love and acceptance so badly that when I rejected him he didn't know what to do but lash out."

"It is not your sole responsibility to provide those things, Luke. He had them, once, and was still lured away by Sidious. Even if we could find a way for you to safely reach out to Vader, there may not be enough of him left to respond."

The apprentice shook his head. "You're wrong. He might be buried deep, but Anakin Skywalker is still in there, and he wants out. He just needs someone to give him the chance." The sunlight hit Luke's face, and he closed his eyes and tilted his head back, basking in its warmth. "You once told me," he said quietly, "that we can be blinded to the truth by our preconceptions. That's how the Emperor was able to gain power: because nobody was willing to hear the Force crying out."

When Luke opened his eyes, he smiled and reached for Maul's hand, wrapped their fingers together, and squeezed fondly. "I love you and Ben, Master." In the Force, Maul felt a wave of that endless ocean of love inside Luke crash over him, leaving him breathless. "But you're both obsessed with this hard-and-fast line between light and dark, like you aren't both shades of grey. Maybe he's a bit lighter and you're a bit darker, but nobody's all one thing. Vader's just the same, only a couple shades darker yet. You can always change, but you have to want to try. And I think he wants to try, if we give him the chance."

"Apprentice - " Maul began, trying to wrap his mind around everything Luke had said, when a lightsaber burst to life in his peripheral vision. 

Maul was up off the sand and facing their foe so quickly his hearts seemed to skip a beat, Luke only a half-step behind. He was livid with himself for trusting Kenobi's Force Suggestion enough to leave his blade back at the hut, but he would tear through their aggressor with his bare hands if need be to protect Luke. How had he not felt anyone sneaking up on them? Had he let his guard down so badly - ? 

What they saw stopped both master and apprentice in their tracks. A green-bladed lightsaber twisted slowly in the air, caught up in a little whirlwind of sand, sack, and surplus parts. Just as they began to comprehend what it was they were seeing, the blade extinguished itself and everything tumbled to the ground in a tinkling shower.

Even as he held Luke back from investigating, Maul already had his suspicions about what he would find as he searched the Force. And indeed, there was nothing lingering around them but Luke's vibrant passion, the same earnestness and warmth of feeling that Maul had felt when Luke had proclaimed his (oh Swamps, he couldn't even think the word) fondness. Which, of course meant that the lightsaber could belong to only one person.

"Is that mine?" Luke whispered.

Releasing his hold on Luke, Maul nodded. "I do believe it is."

Luke was appropriately cautious in his approach, testing the Force for traps before he finally picked up the hilt. "It's warm," he said, awed. With a slide of his thumb, Luke conjured the green blade, which thrummed happily to life. "It is mine."

He took the first pose of his favorite kata and moved through the forms with his blade. There was a new lightness to his step, a joy in the way he fell into the familiar exercise that had never been there before. It was good, Maul thought with a little smile. Given just a little more time and instruction, Luke would be a master of the blade, and this lightsaber would be a worthy partner on that journey.

"How? How did it happen?" Luke asked as reality caught back up to him. "This is exactly what I was picturing, and these are all my parts, but that wasn't me, was it?" He offered his master the weapon to examine hilt-first.

Maul accepted it, and examined the weapon closely. He turned it over in his hands, admiring the work as he pondered the answers to Luke's questions. The hilt's sleeve and endcap were made of practical, black durite. Both the switch and emitter, however, had been crafted out of bright, shiny copper, like the sun peeking out from between dark clouds. It was simple, sleek, and deadly: the weapon of a Jedi.

"The Force has always responded to your unconscious desires, sometimes better and more naturally than I could ever teach you. I suspect that you found harmony, just now, speaking of your father. The Force responded." 

He lit the blade and it leapt to life instantly. It was light and well-balanced, good for one-handed use and wide, powerful stances. 

"You think finally dealing with all this stuff with Vader and Ben, something in my brain just - clicked?" Luke scrunched his nose incredulously.

"Perhaps, but it feels like more," Maul mused aloud, testing how the words tasted in the Force. "It feels as if your will resonated with the Force; you found harmony not just with your crystal, but with something greater." 

Luke's gaze jumped from the glowing green blade to his master's face. "You think the Force agrees with me about Vader."

"It is a guess at best," Maul warned him, shutting off the blade and offering it back to Luke. "And any attempt to connect with Vader must be done under controlled circumstances. I will not have your compassion getting you killed - !"

He was cut off when Luke threw his arms around Maul's middle, nearly knocking him off his feet.

"Thank you thank you thank you, Master!" Luke gasped. "I promise I'll be careful and I won't do anything dumb."

As Maul relaxed into the hug, he grumbled, "Do not make promises you cannot keep."

The boy laughed against his chest and did not deny it.

"Greetings Jabba. I come to you with a business," Maul lingered over the word, letting it imply something not there, "proposal which I believe will be to the great financial benefit of us both. My partners in this venture seek access to your hyperspace lanes for movement of goods and personnel - outside of Imperial supervision. 

"They require the utmost secrecy, therefore I have been tasked with negotiating on the partners' behalf and gauging your interest in our potential alliance." He peppered in a hint, certain that the Hutt would catch on immediately. "As such, I require an immediate audience with you to discuss the details I do not trust to electronic channels. My ship will arrive in Mos Eisley in twelve hours. Be prepared to receive us. Shadow out."

Qi'ra clicked off the recorder and set about sending the call. "That will do nicely. I can't imagine Jabba will be able to resist the temptation."

"A bit hostile, don't you think?" Leia asked with a frown. Or perhaps that was the only expression she was capable of this morning. "I thought we were supposed to be flattering him."

"He still needs to believe it is really the Shadow making this proposal," Maul replied with a shrug, tossing aside the black silk cape Qi'ra had found somewhere on the Falcon and used to quickly invoke the appropriate ambiance for the call.

"What a strange relationship syndicate leaders must have," Luke mused aloud. Leia's frown soured further. She struck up a conversation with Qi'ra, pointedly turning her back on her brother. Luke sighed and Rex put a silent, steadying hand on his shoulder. 

For all that Luke's breakthrough had finally dispelled his bad mood, Leia still had to work through her feelings regarding Vader. Maul privately thought it might be for the best that the mission would both split up the twins and divert Leia's attention. He hoped it would give her the space to finish processing her feelings, away from Luke's influence. She, too, deserved to grieve.

They received Jabba's invitation to Tatooine not long later, and the following ten hours were a flurry of preparations. Luke, Rex, Maul, and Chewbacca cleared away their little camp in Kenobi's hut and shuffled the remaining supplies and valuables into the Falcon. Maul even used the Force to blow sand back inside and erase any sign of their stay on Kenobi's property. Qi'ra and Leia spent the time with their heads bent together creating a probable fake proposal on the off chance that their mad plan made it that far. They had decided that they couldn't risk warning Lando of their plans, but undoubtedly every slave and servant in the palace was aware of the Shadow's imminent arrival. He would know what it meant.

By the time the Nightbrother came to collect Maul, Qi'ra, and Leia two hours before their stated arrival in Mos Eisley, they were as prepared as they were going to be. 

"Be careful," Maul told Luke. "Mind Captain Rex; he is in charge. I expect you to practice with that blade while I am away. We will review when I return."

"Yes Master, I will. You be careful too. Go get Han." Luke said and gave him one last hug.

"I'm good at looking after padawans," Rex promised. Then, more seriously, he added, "Maul, don't underestimate Jabba. You may be running Kenobi's plan, but you don't have to make his mistakes." 

"I," Maul bit out around his scowl, "will do my best." 

They trooped up the ramp to Luke's parting beseechment for them to bring Han home and Chewbacca's roar of good luck. 

Qi'ra sent Maul off to wash and prepare before they had even ascended into atmo. Aware of the importance of his impression on Jabba, Maul allowed himself a few extra moments of grooming. He spent longer than necessary in the shower (real water, thank-you Duchess Satine), and filed and polished his horns into a crown of dangerous, shining points. He saved the Shadow's robes for last. The mantle settled back over his shoulders with a brush of soft velvet, but to Maul it felt like a yoke. 

It was easy to forget, trapped in the snow and fighting for his life with the Rebellion, that Maul had been happy to leave the Crimson Dawn. But back again in the role, the Shadow felt more chafing than ever. Still, when he stepped out in a swirl of cologne-scented steam, Qi'ra nodded in approval and even Leia managed to look impressed.

There was a sizable crowd awaiting them as they made the descent into Mos Eisley spaceport. Jabba had sent a luxury speeder as well as two platoons of Gamorean guards to meet them. The only difference between an escort and an arrest, Maul couldn't help but be reminded, was the generosity of the host. 

They were watched with weary gazes as the caravan zipped across the desert from Mos Eisley. Maul's dark, heavy formal robes soaked in the heat from the setting suns, leaving him boiling, and he didn't bother to hide his displeasure with the weather. It added to the general sense of low-grade, businesslike rage he was trying to project. 

When Jabba's Palace loomed into view on the horizon, he felt Boucch twitch beneath his armor, fingers itching for his blaster. Maul nudged Leia's ankle, a gentle reminder to remain in character. Qi'ra, sitting silently on Maul's other side, only clenched her jaw. Both had remained quiet, letting themselves be strategically overshadowed by the Shadow's overwhelming presence. Leia and Qi'ra knew the power of being underestimated.

The climb to Jabba's Palace was much more intimidating from the ground; the wide walls towering overhead were painted blood red by the sunset. The guard huts and artillery were hidden by rocky out-croppings and inside shallow caves. Affecting boredom, Maul let his eyes wander, memorizing what he could from beneath his hood, although he was careful not to let his eyes linger anywhere for too long.

They were greeted at the massive doors by Jabba's groveling Twi'lek manservant, Bib Fortuna. "My lord Shadow, you are most welcome here," he said in rough, accented Basic. "And may I say what an honor it is to play host to your eminence, even with so little notice. His Excellency hopes that you will find our meager hospitality to your comfort." 

Maul resisted the urge to scoff; nothing about Jabba the Hutt was meager.

The pale Twi'lek had been Jabba's most loyal enforcer for decades, and now represented Maul's first obstacle. He fixed Fortuna with the Shadow's severest glare. "I am certain he prefers this to my last visit, yes," Maul agreed icily. "Take me to Jabba."

Fortuna's sharp-toothed smile quivered, and to hide his fear he bowed deeply. "Of course, my lord. If you would follow me."

Jabba's throne room was much the same as Maul remembered: the chamber was dimly lit and smokey with sweet spice vapor. The Hutt's sycophants used it as a veil to shroud their illicit amusements. Slaves, mostly Twi'lek women but a handful of other species and genders as well, flitted here and there, doing their best to keep their masters happy and sated, lest they turn their hideous passions against the thralls themselves.

More slaves with trays of food and drinks began to flood the room as he watched. The band in the corner struck up a lively tune, and Maul resisted the urge to smirk: they had arrived just as the party was picking up. Excellent.

At the head of the room, on a centered, raised dias, sat the Eminence of Tatooine himself, Jabba the Hutt. The slug guffawed loudly, belching a cloud of spice vapor into the face of the pretty, emerald green Twi'lek woman whose chains he held. She shrunk back, putting the bowl of croaking gorgs she was supposed to be serving between herself and the looming Hutt. His groping, grasping hands plucked an amphibian from the platter and gobbled it up, all the while leering at her.

Around them, the Force shuddered with malcontent.

The pale Twi'lek motioned for Maul and his coterie to wait in the antechamber while he hurried up to whisper in Jabba's ear. The Hutt's orange, reptilian eyes sharpened and rose to meet Maul's gaze across the hall. Jabba's slack mouth pulled into a cruel smirk. He may not be a Sith, but Maul had never met a meaner creature than Jabba the Hutt.

With Jabba's protocol droid calling out a translation in Basic, the pale Twi'lek announced formally in Huttese, "May I present to the court of His Excellency Jabba Desilijic Tiure of Nal Hutta, Eminence of Tatooine, Lord Maul, Head of the Shadow Collective and the Crimson Dawn. He is accompanied by Lady Qi'ra of the Crimson Dawn and the bounty hunter Boucch." 

A hush fell over the assembled scum and villainy. All eyes were drawn to Maul as he stalked across the floor, Qi'ra and Boucch just behind. He sketched a shallow bow.

"Jabba, thank you for meeting with me on such short notice," he said in the Shadow's deep, dangerous voice.

"The Great and Powerful Jabba is most honored by your visit, Lord Shadow," the droid continued to translate Jabba's booming Huttese. "You certainly know how to tempt a Hutt with your mysterious business proposals." He laughed.

Resting his hands behind his back, Maul drew himself up, aware of how much of their plan relied on Jabba's perception of him in these next few seconds. If he overplayed his hand, their cover would be blown. They relied now upon making Jabba think he was in control of the situation. "Most excellent, then let us retire somewhere private and discuss the details. My business is urgent."

Jabba's eyes left Maul momentarily to circle his court and the beginnings of what was certain to be a most excellent party. He pouted. "Now, Lord Shadow, on Tatooine evenings are for pleasure. Your business can wait until the morning, surely? Permit me the opportunity to show off the hospitality of my hall." The Hutt, it seemed, did not have the same compunctions about masking his tone, and false obsequiousness dripped from his words. 

Feigning frustrated hesitancy, Maul pushed as hard as he dared. "My partners are anxious for a response. Time is of the essence."

"Surely your partners would not want you to insult your host," Jabba insisted firmly.

With a grimace which served well to hide his triumphant smirk, Maul inclined his head. "It is best to begin such things amicably, I suppose," he acquiesced.

The Hutt clapped his greedy fingers together with malicious glee, fully convinced he had the upper hand.

A small wood-and-durasteel throne was fetched for Maul and placed at Jabba's right hand, close enough that the kingpins could talk without having to raise their voices over the music. Maul splayed himself in the throne with all of the Shadow's arrogance, kicking one cybernetic heel up on the seat and surveying Jabba's court with bored eyes.

The Twi'lek slave woman brought him a dark ale for which Maul had to resist the urge to thank her. Instead, he must have scowled at her horribly, for she squeaked like a mousedroid and scurried off to bring more refreshments. Maul pretended to take a long drink, but he wasn't so foolish as to allow himself to become inebriated and in actuality tipped it into a conveniently placed floor vent.

"I was surprised to receive your message, Lord Shadow," Jabba said by way of his protocol droid. "I had not heard from you in so long, I was beginning to think the girl had gotten rid of you like she did Voss." He threw an amused look over to where Qi'ra was being seated at a private table. One of Jabba's guards, anonymous beneath their heavy armor, had struck up a conversation with her. Could she and Calrissian have already made contact? 

"You were not so lucky, I am afraid," Maul said, deadpan, and took another fake sip of ale. At Jabba's amused surprise he scoffed. "Come now, let us not pretend you wouldn't find her rule preferable to mine."

Jabba only chuckled. "You put such nasty words in my mouth. I think nothing of the sort! Not if you keep bringing me such interesting business proposals. What can you tell me about these 'partners' of yours, hmm? Anyone I know?"

The Twi'lek had returned with a platter of pallies, and Maul used the excuse of selecting a slice to mull over his answer. "Perhaps. There are some rather infamous names and faces among them. But I thought you did not want to talk business tonight."

"Not even one hint? You are no fun! But we will change that: another drink for the Lord Shadow!" The last was roared to the Twi'lek, who jumped badly. Her foot missed the edge of the dais and she fell backward, the heavy gold platter slipping from her hands. Maul moved without thinking, easily catching with one hand the pallies and with the other her wrist. 

There was a moment of tense silence as even the band stopped playing to stare in horror at what the Shadow would do to the poor, foolish woman. He met the Twi'lek's brown eyes and saw in them a bone-deep dread: she fully expected to die for her mistake. It was what the Shadow would do, Maul thought with dawning disgust. Even the Maul of six months ago might have killed her without a thought.

Maul set her back on her feet and released her wrist as quickly as he could. With a dismissive flick of his fingers, he commanded, "Go on. Bring me something stronger this time." She nodded, taking the opportunity to flee and leaving Maul with the platter of pallies. At a loss and still very much the center of attention, Maul popped a slice of fruit into his mouth and turned back to Jabba, who was watching him with a conniving grin. "I don't believe I've ever been accused of being fun in my life," he deflected (clumsily).

Around them, the festivities slowly recommenced, their entertainment having fizzled itself out. Jabba, though, still surveyed Maul like a great lizard eyeing it's prey. "I doubt you have," he agreed and gobbled down another gorg.

The slave who brought Maul his refreshed beverage was a different woman. Had he spared the Twi'lek only to pass her back into the hands of Jabba's twisted henchmen? By that logic he himself would have preferred the quick death of a lightsaber. Maul shook himself, forcing those dark thoughts away: he needed to focus on finding and rescuing Solo.

"Has the Empire been giving the Crimson Dawn any trouble?" Jabba rumbled, blatantly changing the subject.

"We have come to a working compromise," Maul replied, thinking of the briberies Qi'ra had been paying out to key Moffs and local governors. He echoed her complaint as well. "They are getting more expensive by the day. I begin to dislike the Empire as much as the Republic. At least they had the decency to handicap themselves with bureaucracy and leave us to our scheming."

Jabba laughed. "You need a better negotiator, then." (Kenobi's smile flashed through Maul's mind, and he shut that distracting thought down at once.) "The Hutt Clan, for example. We know what the Empire wants. It isn't money - that is for little men. We negotiate with the Emperor himself."

A shiver went down Maul's spine at those words. He suspected, on some level, that Jabba was bluffing; it was more likely he dealt with Vader, Tarkin, and their like. Sidious had always preferred to act through others and keep his hands clean, although he left his fingerprints everywhere.

"And what is it with which you ply the Emperor?" The Shadow asked boredly as he accepted a refill of his drink.

"Bodies, of course! The machines of war eat up so many of them. They need bodies for their mines, for their factories, for their fields. And not just that! I lent Darth Vader my man, Boba Fett, as a personal favor. He is a better shot than those koochoo Stormtroopers. Yes, we have a very good working relationship, the Hutts and the Empire."

It took everything Maul had not to show his visceral disgust at Jabba's words. Luke must have been rubbing off on him, for while Maul had always known he and the other syndicates left many corpses in their wake, the Hutt's pride in his slave empire affected him differently in that moment than it ever before had. Maul wasted precious seconds methodically calming his nerves before he could manage an answer.

"You have undoubtedly made yourself a valuable ally of the Empire. Most impressive. This is indeed why the Hutt's have outlasted so many of your rivals."

"Flatterer," Jabba rumbled happily. "But I notice you don't travel with any slaves, my lord. Just your man and your girl. Don't tell me you've grown soft in your old age."

The Shadow glowered at Jabba. "I prefer to travel light and move quickly. A large entourage would only slow me down."

He needed to change the subject, Maul realized. This conversation was not sustainable. "But you must tell me where you found such a fine specimen as Fett." He gestured to Boucch, who had taken his place against the back wall alongside Jabba's guards. "This one is new. He came highly recommended, but we shall see if he survives the trip."

"I cannot give away all of my secrets! That would be to give away the very heart of the Hutt Clan! But this tells me that you are a man of refined tastes. That is good. I have something you will like very much," said the Hutt with a sick smirk. "I added a new girl to my show…" 

Maul felt it safe to tune out Jabba's salacious description of his new dancing girl, humming at the appropriate moments to keep up appearances. Instead, he took the opportunity to properly scope out the room. He spotted Boba Fett almost at once: the Mandalorian had removed his helmet and was sitting with his legs spread wide and a date on each arm. As Maul watched, he took a long swig from his mug of spotchka and said something that made them laugh. Even with his guard lowered enough for merrymaking, the bounty hunter was a dark and dangerous presence in the Force. He was yet another obstacle in their path to escape.

Boba Fett was the only other real threat in the room. The rest of Jabba's court consisted primarily of a few pirates, a mid-rim prince whose family had fallen out of favor with the Empire, a disgraced hyperfuel magnet, and a few lesser-known bounty hunters - the sort that wouldn't threaten Fett's position. If they could neutralize Jabba, Fett, and Fortuna, then the only thing that stood between them and escape was the sheer number of guards in the Hutt's employ, and Maul liked those odds.

Qi'ra had disappeared from her table when Maul's gaze passed that way again, and so had the guard with whom she had been whispering. With any luck, she and Calrissian had indeed connected and were down in the holding cells locating Solo.

" - what say you, Lord Shadow?" Jabba's droid finished translating his jovial Huttese.

Maul snapped back to attention. "Certainly," he said without missing a beat, hoping that whatever he had agreed to wasn't utterly repulsive.

"Excellent! You heard our guest! Bring out the girls!" Jabba bellowed to the band. 

At once, the Ortolan bandleader struck up a loud, jazzy tune and the shades were lowered, bathing the court in smokey darkness. Three spotlights lit the stage, and from behind the curtain emerged a bejeweled Pa'lowick who began to serenade them. (It had been a very long time since he had engaged with popular culture, and he fully admitted that his tastes were dated, but Maul did not like this music.)

Jabba nudged him and gestured proudly at the display, to which Maul could only nod, slightly baffled. Two back-up singers, a Twi'lek and a Rodian, had joined the Pa'lowick on stage and together they began the tune's first chorus. At the crescendo, the Pa'lowick produced a long chain, and with it tugged a fourth figure into the spotlight. Maul very nearly dropped his drink in shock, for there on stage, swaying his hips with uneasy grace and clearly longing for death, was Han Solo.

The smuggler had been forced into what amounted to little more than a bikini of gold and jewels. There was a wisp of thin fabric between his legs, but the rest of Solo was on full display for the jeering crowd. And yet he danced, thrusting and gyrating in time with the music. Maul could only imagine what Solo had suffered to conclude that this was the least painful of his options.

He didn't dare risk a glance back at Boucch, but he imagined that Leia was seething beneath the helmet. Maul refocused on Jabba, who was watching Solo with a revolting leer. He cursed himself a fool; he should have paid more attention to all of that talk about Jabba's new "dancing girl". 

As the song progressed, Captain Solo's forced performance became more and more obscene, culminating in the Pa'lowick reeling him in by his slave collar and kissing him lewdly on the mouth. Solo shuddered at the contact, but otherwise submitted to the abuse without complaint.

The crowd erupted into cheers and catcalls. Maul only realized he had been leaning forward and clutching the handles of his throne when he had to unclench his hands in order to join the applause. Beside him, Jabba roared his approval. Those calculating orange eyes were fixed on Maul again.

"Is she not brilliant? Truly the most beautiful gem in my show."

"Absolutely spectacular," Maul agreed, his voice only cracking slightly. "You've not exaggerated the luxury of your palace."

Jabba puffed up happily at the flattery and called for another round. He kept the Ortolan playing and the Pa'lowick singing; Solo was dragged back out onto stage every few songs, to the crowd's sick delight. The Hutt drank and smoked liberally, foolishly confident in his own palace. Maul pretended to match him cup-for-cup, pouring each sip down the vent. He had both the upper hand and the element of surprise; he needed only to wait for the right opening.

At least now they knew where Solo was, although it didn't put them any closer to rescuing him. 

Qi'ra reappeared, sitting calmly at her table as if she'd never left at all. She caught his eye and then gave the stage an appalled look. Maul inclined his head very slightly in agreement. He cocked an eyebrow: had she been successful? She bobbed her head in a subtle nod - the last member of their team had been located.

The carousing lasted late into the night, and many of the court dropped into unconsciousness right where they sat, drinks spilling all over their finery. As the hour clicked from late evening to early morning, a tray of fine deathsticks was passed around. The Shadow begrudgingly took one, the little cigarette familiar in his fingers. He'd given up the bad habit by necessity when he'd been stranded on Malachor and never picked it back up.

As he inhaled the thick black smoke, he felt his nerves slowly begin to unwind. Gods curse Kenobi and his plans; this would be the last time Maul ran one of them. He blew out his smoke and it joined the ever-growing haze of spice vapor overhead. He needed a way to get Solo alone, but he was a dancing girl, not a servant that Maul could just call to his room...

And when he thought about it like that, the answer really was very obvious. Maul loathed it. He hated it almost as much as he hated Kenobi. He glanced over at Jabba, hoping the slug would be too sober to fall for such an obvious ploy, but alas, Jabba was by every indicator utterly wrecked. 

(Kenobi was probably laughing at him.)

"Jabba," Maul said, affecting a mild slur to indicate intoxication, "is your very pretty dancer occupied this evening? Could I - " This would have been easier if he'd allowed himself a drink. " - engage her services?"

For the first time since she had begun the charade, Leia made a noise: a single, sharp intake of breath barely captured by her helmet's vocoder.

The Hutt didn't seem to notice. His laughter was dark and disgusting. "I don't know, my lord, I wouldn't want her damaged." Jabba winked. Even now there was a cruel cleverness about him; Jabba was always plotting and weary, seeking a way to turn the situation to his advantage.

Maul forced down another disgusted shudder and met Jabba's tenor, to give him what he wanted. "Nothing permanent," the Shadow leered. "Perfectly reasonable."

"Perhaps..." Jabba hedged coyly.

"Come now," Maul coaxed, leaning into his performance. "I shall owe you most handsomely. You know I am a being of my word."

A long line of yellow, spice-stained saliva dribbled down Jabba's chin and he licked it up. "Mmm, very well." He smiled maliciously. "But in return you must tell me the names of your co-conspirators."

Maul felt himself smiling back. There was one partner in this venture with whom Jabba would be familiar. He leaned in, the better to whisper into Jabba's tympanum, "Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Do you take me for a fool? He's been dead for decades," the Hutt scoffed, but for the first time all evening, but there was fear in his eyes.

The Shadow only continued to grin viciously. "You know as well as anyone how many secrets the Jedi kept. You can't still be surprised by it, can you?"

"But - !" 

"Now Jabba," Maul said as he rose from his throne and sunk into a deep, rather flamboyant bow, "we will discuss business tomorrow. After all, nights on Tatooine are for pleasure."

The suite assigned to Maul was large and airy with a grand, roaring fireplace to keep out the desert night's chill. It was also situated high enough up the tower that escaping through the window and scaling the building was all but entirely out of the question. Once they were alone, Boucch emerged from the shadows, where he had been making himself inconspicuous.

He didn't speak, but in his silence was Leia's very loud disapproval.

"Go fetch Qi'ra. I will secure the room," Maul ordered instead of addressing her unasked questions.

Boucch stared at him for a long moment. Then, he nodded and the disguised princess stalked back out into the hall.

Maul took his time sweeping the room for bugs, first physically and then a second time in the Force. By the time he was done, he had located three cameras and two additional audio recording devices, all of which he dismantled with extreme prejudice. Jabba had likely installed them to collect blackmail on his VIP guests. It would be safe to speak freely here, for now.

Qi'ra and Boucch returned. "Lando says they've been keeping Han like that since Fett brought him in two weeks ago. He's been trying to talk to Han, but Fortuna won't let anyone near him," Qi'ra apprised them. "Lando hasn't had enough time here to gain the trust of his superiors, so this is as much as he knows. He'll meet us here as soon as he can slip away."

"We need to make our move tonight," Maul told them gravely. "I strongly suspect Jabba has already called the Empire."

"For once, I'm happy Tatooine is so far out in the middle of nowhere," Leia grumbled in Bocce. "It'll take them hours to get here."

Maul hummed. "I hope you are correct."

Another rap at the door spurred them back into character. The Shadow sprawled faux-drunkenly on the settee (hand on the lightsaber beneath his robes), while Qi'ra perched primly on her armchair and Boucch opened the door. Fortuna entered, and, to Maul's genuine shock, Solo followed close behind. The captain had been oiled, perfumed, and adorned in red and black silk. The slave collar at his throat glittered gold in the dim light.

"His Excellency hopes that you will find his girl to your liking, Lord Shadow. He also wishes to offer you a selection of our finest spice and wines for your enjoyment." On cue, a dozen slaves entered, bringing with them the promised indulgences, and set about creating a buffet of uppers, downers, and hallucinogens for Maul's convenience.

Fortuna's sharp-tooth smile was not directed at Maul, however, but at Solo. It was filled with vicious mockery, delighting in the smuggler's shame. Suddenly, Jabba's willingness to offer Solo up to the Shadow made a certain sick sense: Solo was not an object of temptation for Maul so much as Maul was an instrument of punishment for Solo. It was no wonder then that Jabba had immediately asked him not to leave any permanent damage - he wanted to encourage maltreatment. 

The overseer pulled Solo forward by his slave chain and placed the lead into Maul's outstretched hand. "Should you need anything else, send your man for me," he said graciously. "And may I say again how honored we are to play host to you, Lord Shadow." There was an air of expectancy about him, and Maul realized that, in order to sell the lie, he needed to do something with Solo now that he had him.

With a vicious tug to the chain, he upset Solo's balance and sent him tumbling onto Maul's settee. He ensnared Solo about the waist, pulling him close. With his free hand, he caught Solo's jaw and examined the captain like he might a prized fathier. There were many questions written in his defiant gaze, but Solo wisely held his tongue. "Tell your master he has my thanks, but I doubt we shall have further need of you until morning," the Shadow murmured dismissively. 

The Twi'lek did not move. 

Before he could overthink it, Maul used his hold on Solo's jaw to crush their lips together. Han whimpered very quietly as he submitted to the kiss, and Maul hoped that one day the abused captain would forgive him for the imposition. It was a terrible kiss, all bumped noses and clashing teeth. Maul would confess to not being well-versed in the art, but surely even Bib Fortuna would recognize this for the farce it was. 

He breathed in through his nose, emptied his mind, and let himself imagine it was another body sliding against him, different lips he was kissing. Someone more mature, with skilled hands and a cunning tongue. A being who could take everything Maul had and meet him blow-for-blow. He pulled his partner closer, using the leverage to  better slot their mouths together, and slid his fingers up through Kenobi's soft, grey hair - 

Han sprang away from Maul's embrace as soon as the door closed behind Fortuna. "You - !" he cried. "You asshole!"

"I apologize, Captain," Maul said, slightly hoarse, and straightened his robes to cover his discomfort. "He needed to believe the farce."

"Well, that was quite a believable show," said Calrissian, and the whole room, even Maul, jumped. 

"Lando!" Qi'ra snapped, rising to her feet. "Where did you come from?"

Calrissian smirked. "Sneaked in with Fortuna."

"Han!" Boucch cried, running forward to pull him into a hug.

"Whoa, what the hell? Will somebody please tell me what's going on here? Is this a rescue or am I being knocked off?" If Han was aiming for flippancy, he missed the mark entirely.

Leia finally pulled off her helmet. "Rescue, you idiot."

Solo looked down at the princess, aghast. "Leia? You've been here the whole time? You - " he choked, "- saw all that?" 

"Did you think we were going to leave you to rot? Han, the four of us infiltrated this awful place to rescue you! Chewbacca, Rex, and Luke are outside in the Falcon prepared to cover our escape," Leia said, pulling Han close again and burying her face against his chest, silk and perfume be damned.

Even as Han let himself return Leia's hug, the hands wrapped around her back shook slightly. He had suffered a great deal at Jabba's mercy, and it would take careful work to remind Han Solo who he was. But, Maul thought watching Qi'ra and Lando join Leia to bring Han up to date on the plan, he was in good hands.

"No, we can't leave." Solo interrupted, and the room fell suddenly silent.

"Pardon?" Maul asked, slipping into the Shadow's tenor accidentally.

"Hear me out," the smuggler insisted. "I've seen what Jabba's slaves live like; I've seen the shit he puts them through. We can't leave them here at his mercy."

Arguing was a lost cause Maul suspected almost immediately. Although it was not Solo's tenacity that tilted the scales in his favor, but the adoring look that had overtaken Leia's face. The princess, Maul thought, torn between affection and frustration, had never looked quite so besotted with her smuggler. She would undoubtedly be putting her considerable influence behind Han.

He turned toward Qi'ra and Calrissian, hoping to appeal to their sense of self-preservation, and was sorely disappointed. A tiny little smile had stolen over Qi'ra's face, unnoticeable if one did not know her as well as he did. There was quite a story behind their relationship, Maul was beginning to realize. And it very likely meant she would be supporting Solo as well. He may have an ally in Calrissian, but he didn't know the rogue well enough to gauge his body language and his face was still hidden behind his helmet.

"As lovely as that sounds," Maul replied, still obligated to argue in favor of reason, "we are seven - now eight. I can orchestrate an escape, but an impromptu slave revolt is beyond even my exceptional capabilities. Need I remind you that, if not now then as soon as Jabba becomes aware that we are making a move against him, the Empire is on its way?"

A strange air fell over Qi'ra, and he found it similarly reflected in Calrissian and Solo's body language. "Actually," she said stiffly, "we are quite good at starting slave revolts." Given the way Han pulled a face and Calrissian's posture grew rigid, Maul decided that he believed her.

"You are aware that if this is to succeed, we will have to assassinate Jabba as well? Or else we will only make another very powerful enemy," he said to them, looking into each of their grave young faces. He received four  serious nods. Maul let out his breath in a long hiss. "Very well."

"Here, Han, let's get you changed into," Qi'ra grimaced, "something else. I think Lord Maul has a robe that will fit you." 

While Qi'ra helped Han find more appropriate clothing for their caper and Leia and Calrissian found him a spare blaster, Maul prepared a quick missive to send back to the Falcon. He couldn't be too specific about what was going to happen - secure channels weren't, really - but it was a courtesy he could afford Captain Rex.

We have increased the scope of the mission. Stand by to assist and evacuate.

It was perhaps uninformative, but better a vague warning than none at all.

When Han was attired in some of the Shadow's spare black robes, Maul took stock of their little infiltration unit. "You three," he gestured to Qi'ra, Han, and Lando, "will go down and coordinate the revolution, since you are so skilled with them. The other slaves trust Han, so he must go with you. Leia and I will take care of Jabba."

"I should go with Han," Leia protested, stepping closer to her smuggler.

"I need back-up," Maul said. It was only partially true; he felt obligated to protect the princess. That would be easier if she were close to him. "If I fail, I am reliant on you to complete the task."

Calrissian put a reassuring hand on Leia's shoulder. "Don't worry, Princess, we won't let anything happen to this rascal, I swear." He winked. "Now, why don't you rebels go bag yourselves a Hutt?"

Although Leia frowned, she nodded. "Alright. No one should be alone anyway."

"You will likely need to contend with Jabba's guards and Bib Fortuna in order to successfully free the slaves," Maul said, addressing Calrissian, Solo, and Qi'ra. He formulated the plan as he spoke, letting the Force guide him. "I recommend you covertly raid either the armory or a guard station to collect a few additional weapons before you start the revolt. Then arm any of the freed you deem competent."

"We can take them and target the shield generator and at least one of those bombardment cannons," Qi'ra said. "We'll need to load directly into the Falcon. There won't be enough space for everyone on Jabba's barge."

"Agreed. Calrissian," he turned to their inside man, "where should we target? You know the palace's layout best."

The rogue hummed, tapping his lip. "The shield generator is located in the main guard station, which is on the south side of the palace. They rely on the cliffs to the south and east for natural protection, so if we focus on the third and fourth cannons, that should create a big enough blind spot for the Falcon to slip inside."

"Clear out the main guard station first. Be as covert as you can. Sabotage the shield generator and get your blasters from there," Maul instructed. 

"Fett's in here somewhere, too." Solo's face darkened as he reminded them of the bounty hunter. "He's not going down without a fight."

"He'll likely hurry to Jabba's side as a measure of protection against the incursion. In fact," Maul grinned wickedly, "I am counting on it. Leia and I will rendezvous with you when we have completed our task."

"If I may, Lord Maul, a word of advice," Calrissian cut in smoothly. "You'll likely find Jabba where you left him in the throne room. The place is loaded with traps and ambushes. Be careful."

Maul nodded. "Thank you. Is that everything? Are we prepared?"

They slunk from the room together and split at the top of the stairs. Maul and Boucch took the main descent while the others used the back service stairs. Leia Organa, Maul learned with a little burst of pride, was already very skilled at infiltration. They stuck to the shadows, moving as quickly as they dared, and made it down to surface level with almost disconcerting ease.

When they weren't far from the throne room,  Maul pulled Leia into an empty hookah lounge to formulate their approach. "I need you to take up position in the catwalk above the stage," he instructed lowly. "I will make my move against Jabba first. Should I fail, take the shot."

Leia grew still beneath Boucch's helmet as she realized what she was being asked to do. For several tense seconds, Maul thought she would protest. He would have changed his plans had she done so; asking the princess to turn cold-blooded sniper was a bit much, he realized belatedly.

But by that point, Leia had already made up her own mind. "Jabba won't get past me," she promised in crisp Bocce.

"I'll give you a five-minute head start to get into place," Maul replied. "I'm counting on you."

Boucch nodded, and without another word he disappeared out into the hall. Maul hoped he would be able to handle the Hutt himself and not shirk this responsibility onto Leia. 

He used those borrowed minutes to center himself in the Force. The dark side came to his call immediately; all of the misery and torture that Jabba had inflected attracted it to this place. He opened himself up to the echoes of screams and scheming, cries for mercy and dark laughter, so much familiar, horrible laughter. (Give the dark side your pain…) Maul embraced it all, drawing on that power and letting the darkness strengthen both his physical form and his resolve. 

Bolstered by the Force, Maul did not bother to hide himself as he strolled into the throne room. 

Jabba was waiting for him. The big slug was alone but for the emerald green Twi'lek woman whom Maul had earlier spared, now chained at his mercy. He must have brought her here to distract him. Maul only had time to wonder fleetingly where Fett was before Jabba called out to him. "Lord Shadow!" he mocked in booming Huttese. "Was my schutta so bad that you needed to come complain to me personally?"

"Times are changing, Jabba." Maul stalked forward, his artificial feet clicking on the metal floor. "The Empire and its peons have run out their value. Your parasitic ways will no longer be tolerated. I've come to rid the galaxy of your miserable presence." 

The Hutt laughed in his face. "I heard rumors that the Shadow had thrown his lot in with the Rebellion. You think a few optimistic fools can defeat the whole Empire? I thought you were smarter than that."

Never ceasing his approach, Maul pulled his lightsaber from his belt and ignited the first of the red blades. "There are forces at work here greater than you can understand. Submit, and I will give you a clean death."

"He thinks he is very clever," Jabba told the terrified Twi'lek, who had begun to cry, "but I know a secret he does not." He pulled a lever beside his throne and the floor disappeared from beneath Maul's feet.

The drop was at least fifteen yards and, although he landed on his feet, his robotic legs ground angrily as they absorbed the impact. An ornamental grate locked back into place above Maul, sealing him inside. Jabba's laughter echoed down the shaft and his bulbous eyes peered over the edge, waiting expectantly. Maul braced himself, gathering his power to spring up and break out, when a rumbling growl broke his concentration. A claw emerged from the darkness and took a swipe at Maul; sharp talons bit into his ribs and chest. He didn't resist the hit, but went limp and let it tumble him to a distance from which he could better assess the situation.

Another roar shook the pit, and a rancor crawled from the shadows. Ignoring his hurts, Maul pushed himself to his feet with a curse and reignited his lightsaber. Such beasts were notorious for tearing after their prey without regard for anything else. He dodged the next swipe of the rancor's razor-sharp claws, and took a slash at it's exposed shoulder. It roared in agony, and, as predicted, charged erratically, bent on destroying the source of its pain. 

The pit was smaller than Maul was anticipating, and his shoulders quickly hit clammy stone. He was just barely able to avoid the rampaging rancor. It barreled headlong into the wall not three feet from him, colliding hard with the bricks. Maul slashed again at the rancor's exposed backside and ducked beneath its retaliatory swing. He just had to wear it down: the big beast would rapidly burn through its energy and soon find itself exhausted and at Maul's mercy.

He feigned an obvious frontal attack and pulled back at the last moment, coaxing out a heavy, double-fisted downward slam from the rancor. Taking aim at its exposed forearms, Maul's lightsaber cut through several inches of hide, sinew, and muscle, half-severing the rancor's right arm. It let out a blood-curdling scream. 

Above them, Jabba's laughter stopped.

The rancor's next attack was noticeably weakened. Maul was able to easily avoid it and land another significant hit on its hip. Tired, injured, and outmatched, it took only a few more rounds of goading for the rancor to fall and not rise again. Maul wasted no time in bringing his lightsaber down through the beast's throat.

One unexpected opponent defeated, Maul spared a few precious moments to assess his own injuries. The rancor had left three shallow, bloody gashes over the ribs on his right side and a mess of bruises on his shoulder. They throbbed, but were ultimately superficial; the Shadow's reinforced robes had mitigated much of the damage. Maul let the dark side numb his hurts (...give it your weakness...) and redirected his focus back up at Jabba.

Where was Leia? We're she able, she wouldn't have hesitated to take the shot while Jabba was distracted. A sick anxiety twisted his insides, but Maul did not feed it. Leia was a capable warrior. She could protect herself. He had to finish the mission.

Drawing his power around him, Maul launched himself vertically into the air and caught the grate with one hand, wrapping his fingers through the looping metal. Above him, Jabba cursed viciously and began firing blaster shots. Hot scorch marks bloomed just inches from his fingers. 

"Fett!" screamed Jabba, "Fett where are you?"

With one red blade, Maul cut easily through the grate and launched himself back into the throne room. He used his momentum to keep moving, out-maneuvering Jabba's shots until he could turn and redirect them into the ground with an expert twist of his lightsaber. 

A distant explosion rocked the castle. Jabba's eyes widened in fear and he howled, "What have you done? Fett! Fett!"

"That will be my associates freeing your slaves," Maul mocked. "I told you: your reign of terror is over, Jabba."

"That may be the case," replied a familiar, modulated voice, "but this is still the end of the line for you." Another explosion from outside lit Boba Fett in profile, the distinctive silhouette of his Mandalorian armor unmistakable. He held Boucch at gunpoint; the captured bounty hunter rested his hands on his helmet in mute surrender. "Drop your weapon, or I'll disintegrate him."

Maul let out a long, hissing breath, desperately trying to think of his best course of action. It was clear Fett didn't know who was under the helmet. He expected to call Maul's bluff and use Boucch as a living shield. But Maul was not yet sure how to use Fett's ignorance to their advantage. Leia drew Maul's attention and shook her head very slightly. She had a plan.

Outside, the familiar drumfire of the Falcon's guns distracted them all for a moment. From the heavy explosions and gunfire, it sounded as if an air-to-ground battle had erupted on the palace grounds. At least Qi'ra's mission was going to plan. 

"Shadow, you fool," Jabba threatened angrily. "You didn't really think you had the upper hand, did you?

"Actually, that would still be me," Leia said, and removed her helmet. For a moment, Maul was terrified that Fett would blast her on the spot, but he needn't have worried. As soon as Fett saw her artfully braided hair, he realized who it was he had.

"Leia Organa?" the bounty hunter said incredulously. "What the hell are you doing here?"

The princess took advantage of Fett's surprise to spin and throw her helmet at him. The Mandalorian's reactionary shot was knocked off course by her heavy Ubese helmet crashing into his arm, and Leia scrambled to cover. With a snarl, Maul launched himself between Fett and Leia, redirecting his next shots into the floor.

"Get them!" Jabba screamed. "Fett, get them!"

The Mandalorian lept at Maul, using his jetpack to knock him off his feet and into the wall. Maul felt the stucco crack beneath his shoulders and his lightsaber glanced harmlessly off Fett's beskar. Although he heaved for breath, Maul was able to wedge one robotic leg between them and shove Fett away. He dropped the short distance to the ground but didn't have a second to catch his breath before Boba Fett was blasting at him again.

One of his shots landed true, burning a deep hole in Maul's left shoulder with a sickening hiss. He growled, clenching his teeth against the pain. The dark side flared around him, empowered by his agony. (...surrender yourself to it...) It ate away at the pain until Maul could feel it no longer, turning it into power.

He batted away Fett's next shot, and the next and the next, until he was close enough to swipe at Fett's blaster and send it spinning out of the bounty hunter's grasp. Maul spun and landed a kick in the center of Fett's armored chest; he put a burst of Force energy behind the blow and sent him careening into the far wall.

Leia dashed through his peripheral vision, easily dodging Jabba's erratic blaster shots. She held a vibroknife tightly in one hand, which she brought down on the chain binding the Twi'lek woman to Jabba, shattering the links. The last Maul saw of them, Leia was shouting at the freed slave to run, and then flames erupted around him. 

Maul flung himself to the side, pulling his hood up to protect his face, but Fett's flamethrower followed his path. He grabbed a nearby table with the Force and threw it into the line of fire. Flames licked at his robes greedily, forcing Maul to shed his cloak. Fett appeared over the top of the table, hovering with his jetpack and blasting at him with a pistol in each hand.

He threw a chair at the Mandalorian. It was swiftly followed by a bench, several dishes, and another chair. Fett dodged them all, looping gracefully through the air. Maul finally managed to clip him when he launched the half-burned table up from beneath, and he sent Fett spiraling into the wall.

Boba Fett was already rising, already reaching for another weapon, when a horrific gurgle drew both their gazes to the dias.

Leia and the Twi'lek slave stood behind Jabba, each pulling with all her might on a long, thin chain - which was wrapped around Jabba's neck. The Hutt thrashed and gasped, but they held tight. Leia stuck her boot in Jabba's back to gain more leverage and the Twi'lek shouted something in Huttese, grit her teeth, and found the strength to pull harder. The near-silent crack of Jabba's neck echoed around the throne room. The Hutt's corpse slumped at a grotesque, broken angle as the women's grasp on the chain slackened. They had, Maul realized, used the Twi'lek's own slave chain to kill Jabba.

Fett's jetpack roared to life, and Maul spun and lit his sabers, bracing himself to continue their battle. The bounty hunter, however, had other ideas. He blasted out one of the high windows and retreated, escaping into the early desert morning. Maul braced himself to follow, but a warning twinge in the Force stopped him just in time. The dark side, fickle thing that it was, drained out of him all at once, leaving with the threat. (...and it will grant you unlimited power.) A wave of pain crashed over Maul, from the sting of rancor claws along his ribs to the deep blaster burn in his shoulder, and his vision tunnelled.

In a controlled fall, Maul dropped to one knee, gritting his teeth against the shock that was trying to overtake him. He needed to pull himself together, stand, and evacuate Leia. There was an entire palace and an unknown number of guards between here and there. Through sheer force-of-will, Maul pushed himself to his feet. "Well done. Let us join with your brother and the others and leave this wretched place."

"Do you need help, Master, or can you make it on your own?" Leia asked as she picked up Jabba's discarded blaster and went to collect her now-slightly-dented helmet.

"I will manage," Maul bluffed. "Will your new friend be joining us as well?"

The Twi'lek, green skinned and adorned in silks, nodded emphatically. "Yes! Please do not leave me here."

"Know how to use a blaster?" Leia asked, offering her Jabba's blaster handle-first.

It appeared that the majority of Jabba's guards had gone to deal with the slave revolt, for they met with only a few stragglers in their escape. Maul stumbled a bit, his hurts and his exhaustion reaping their vengeance for being repressed, a fact which Leia did not miss. With a look that dared him to object, she took the lead. 

The Falcon awaited them in the pre-dawn light outside, just landing in the rubble of its own destruction. They had wrought hell on Jabba's guards, and Maul could see the smoking ruins of one of the anti-aircraft cannons that Qi'ra's team must have destroyed. Not far from their position, there was a group of rag-tag beings crouched defensively behind a low wall. Their cautious approach was noticed almost immediately, and a lone figure broke from the crowd, racing over to them. 

"Leia! Maul! Thank the fucking Force," Solo cried. He reached for Leia first, looking her over for injuries. "What happened? Is Jabba dead? What about Boba Fett? I - " Han spotted the Twi'lek. "Wait, Oola?"

"We're alright, Han!" Leia reassured him, catching his worrying hands and squeezing them tight. "Jabba's dead, but Master Maul's injured. Help him onto the Falcon , please."

"That is unnecessary - " 

Maul's protests were ignored as Han turned his anxious energy onto him. In a strange inversion of their earlier position, Han wrapped his warm arm around Maul's waist, directing him to put his own arm over Han's shoulders, and took most of his weight. "C'mon, Maul, I got bacta patches on the ship." Any further grumbling on Maul's part was silenced by the determination on Han's face as they began their shuffle toward the Falcon. Leia and Oola followed just behind, watching for any remaining threats. 

"This ship is affiliated with the Rebellion," Qi'ra was calling from the foot of the Falcon's ramp as they approached. "We can offer you a way off of Tatooine if you choose, but you may find an imperial target on your back. We won't force you to come with us, but we cannot offer you any protection if you stay here."

These words caused a stir as the slaves realized that they were being given a choice - not kidnapped and transcripted into more servitude. Maul could not quite get an accurate count of the freed slaves, but there had to be at least fifty. They stood in a tight, nervous clump which blocked the path to the ship.

"Let us through!" Solo shouted. "Shadow coming through!" The crowd instantly parted around them, the gazes of the freed fixed on Maul in a mix of curiosity and fear. 

"Oh thank the gods," Maul heard Qi'ra murmur. Their gazes met as he passed, and she gave him a relieved smile. Her hair was a mess and her fine coat singed and dirty, but his lieutenant looked none the worse for wear. Maul felt something in his chest loosen at this knowledge.

"Han!" Luke cried, exploding out of the ship like blond lightning, only to be pushed aside by a roaring Wookie. Maul, too, was half-shoved away from Han so that Chewbacca could give his human a proper hug. He caught the lip of the ship with his good arm and hung there for a moment, watching the reunion with amusement. Chewbacca snuffled Solo's hair and let out a whine of hello that was almost as frustrated as it was fond.

"Yeah, I know I smell. The perfume was not my idea," Solo groused, but he didn't pull away from the hug for a long time. 

Luke caught Maul's eye from over Han's shoulder and grinned big and wide. "Welcome back. Good work."

"Boba Fett!" 

Calrissian's warning shout shattered their moment of peace. "Boba Fett off the starboard bow!" They were spurred into a flurry of escape. It was Luke who pulled Maul up the ramp. 

"Put him in the captain's quarters and then get to the guns, Kid!" Solo shouted as he and Chewbacca raced for the pilot's seat. Luke helped ease Maul down onto Solo's bed, and he lay back with a groan as the boy ran out to take his position.

Maul's vision swam as his body was finally allowed to give into shock. His hurts may not have been bad, but he had used the dark side to push his body beyond its natural limits, and now he would deal with the repercussions. It was just lucky he had this safe place to rest, while his mind and body were so weakened. 

He closed his eyes, listening to the clang and clatter of slaves' footsteps hurrying into the ship's hold, and allowed himself to drift. He hurt. Badly. Maul knew none of it was life threatening, that he could and perhaps should push himself up and begin tending his injuries. Or better yet, make himself useful by assisting with the escape, but all he could do was grit his teeth through the pain. 

This was the restitution owed to the dark side in exchange for its power. 

"You are weak."

"No, Master, please! I only need a moment to c-catch my breath - !"

The lightning was only in his memory, but the agony burned through him like it was real. Maul bit back a piteous moan. Sidious was not real; this was just a hallucination brought on by the dark side.

"There is no peace. There is only passion. Fight or die." Sidious loomed over him, the next bout of lightning throwing his hideous scars and wrinkles into stark relief. "You are weak. Incapable of true greatness."

"Master please! Stop," he begged from between clenched teeth. Would the pain ever end?

"How many times have you failed me?" his master demanded. "Too many. I should have thrown you away long before those Jedi had the chance."

" - Maul, wake - !"

He was plummeting backward, falling uncontrollably down, down, down the reactor shaft. Sidious loomed above, haloed in lightning, watching his apprentice's death with disinterest. "Defeated by a padawan. What a waste."

The wave of garbage caught him, sucking him into the sea of filth. The taste of pollution and poison filled his mouth, his nostrils, making him choke and gag. He couldn't swim, couldn't fight the current dragging him under. The filth knit to his torn flesh against his will, the dark side choosing the fit and form of his new legs. He felt that old, familiar madness fog his mind.

"Did you think me ignorant of the grotesque existence you'd carved out on Lotho Minor? I knew, and it was by my will that you lived. I felt it a fitting punishment for your crimes." Sidious's laughter echoed around Maul. He pressed his broken, bleeding hands to his ears. 

" - Master can you hear - ?"

"Make it stop," he begged. No matter where he scuttled, what twists and turns he took in the maze of tunnels beneath Lotho Minor, Sidious's voice found him. He could not escape.

"And then you betrayed me and threw yourself at the mercy of that Dathmiri witch, Talzin. Does your treachery know no end, Maul? No. Of course not. You are a pawn, a weapon to be wielded by greater men. 

"Alone, you will fail," Sidious mocked. "You will fail the boy as you failed your unworthy apprentice. As you failed little Ezra Bridger."

"No," Maul croaked. 

"Oh yes. You are no master of the Force; your teachings will never be enough. The boy will Fall, or he will die by my hand." Sidious's laughter was drowned out by Maul's own screams as more lightning blazed through him.

"Maul," whispered a soft voice, clean and pure among the filth. "You're having a nightmare. Come back to me."

A nightmare. His punishment from the dark side. This was not real.

"You always were so ignorant of the Force's subtleties," Sidious scolded him, his hooded face drifting out of the darkness. He was sneering, his disgust more potent than the stench of garbage around them.

Maul forced his lips to form the words. He made his throat work, said them aloud. "You are not real. You are a hallucination." 

"No - " Sidious hissed, but it was too late.

Something warm touched his hand. His real, solid hand, and at once, Maul was back in his body, back breathing the Falcon's recycled air, far from Sidious and Lotho Minor.

"Maul! Please wake up," said that familiar voice. "You're having a fit. Wake up, you bothersome Sith."

He still hurt, but it was only those wounds he'd received saving Han that throbbed angrily at him now. He opened his eyes slowly, and immediately had to shut them again against the light of Kenobi's glowing ghost. He groaned and cursed.

"Oh, thank the Force," Kenobi breathed, and the warmth disappeared from his hand. "I thought I'd lost you for a moment. You were having a horrible fit; the dark side was everywhere. You must be careful manipulating such power," he chided gently. "The physical repercussions are very serious. Luke was in a panic when he called me."

Maul squinted his eyes open and directed what he hoped was a glare up at the spirit. "Kept them alive, didn't I?" he grumbled.

A smile fought its way through Kenobi's worry. "Yes. You did very well. Can you stay awake while I fetch Luke?"

"I am not sure," he confessed, eyes already drooping.

"Of course not." The last thing he saw before his eyes closed completely was Kenobi's affectionate smile. "Sleep well, Maul."

Maul was slow to come conscious. The first thing he knew was the metallic scent of recycled air. Then the thrum of a ship that was not the Falcon. As he came further awake, Maul became aware of the steady hum and beep of medical equipment. Had he been injured?

Then, all at once, his memories of Tatooine and Jabba came rushing back. When he opened his eyes, they confirmed his guess: he had been brought to some sort of medical facility. Maul turned his head, and found Luke snoozing lightly in a chair pulled up beside his bed. He was wrapped in a jacket and several blankets. To a desert child, the void of space must have been very cold after a return to Tatooine, Maul thought fondly.

As if sensing that his master was awake, Luke's blue eyes opened and he grinned beatifically. Maul felt himself smile back. "You're awake! How are you feeling? Oh wait! Hold on, the doc said to let her know as soon as you woke up. Gimme a second." 

The boy went to the door and spoke in hushed tones to someone on the other side. Maul couldn't quite catch his words, but he did hear the distant echo of an announcement over the PA system: "Doctor Hirani please return to the recovery ward. Doctor Hirani."

His apprentice returned to his side a moment later, giving Maul a more serious once-over as he sat down. "You really scared us, you know that?"

"I apologize. I truly had not thought my injuries were that bad," Maul said honestly. "I must have miscalculated."

Luke's expression twisted oddly. "You weren't that badly hurt. The doc put a bacta patch on your shoulder and wrapped up your ribs, but none of that should've caused a seizure, she says. Ben thinks it was because you used a really dangerous dark side technique."

Maul sneered, suddenly defensive. "I have used that technique dozens of times. I know my limits."

"Then what happened?" Luke asked, carefully leaving any blame from his words. 

He opened his mouth to answer, only to realize that, indeed, he had no idea what could have caused this. Luke's description of his injuries matched his own recollection, and they both agreed that such hurts should not have had such violent repercussions. At last, Maul shoved aside his pride and confessed, "I have no idea. Tell me what transpired after I lost consciousness."

Sitting back down in his chair, Luke recanted the tale; "So, I dropped you off in bed and jumped into the quad-laser. Leia and Qi'ra helped settle the Freed down in the hold . After that, Han got us up into the air real quick. Obviously the plan was to head straight for atmo and jump as soon as the computer'd finished calculating - and that's exactly what happened!" The boy threw his hands up into the air to express his shock. 

"It was strange. Jabba's guards didn't chase us. Boba Fett just let us go, even though Lando saw him sneaking around. That was all about six hours ago. After we made the jump to hyperspace, Han went in to check on you, and found you in a bad way. We rerouted to meet the Fleet so you could see a doctor."

A twinge in the Force: Luke was lying. A lie of omission. But Maul was too tired to follow that thread properly, and he filed it away for examination later. There were more pressing matters at hand. 

"Did you check for a tracker?" he demanded instead.

Luke was unimpressed. "Of course. First thing we did after you were safe." 

"It does little good if we had already given away the Fleet's location."

"Master, I don't think you heard me: you were having a seizure . I had to call Ben to get you to come down!"

Maul jerked back. That did not sound right. He searched his foggy memories, trying to make sense of this new information, but all he could remember was the foul taste of trash and Kenobi's voice whispering, "Come back to me."

Luke softened. "We had to take the risk; you needed medical attention. Even Admiral Ackbar agreed with our assessment. Han and Chewie already did a visual search of the Falcon and didn't find anything. Ackbar's people are doing an in-depth scan right now. If someone managed to sneak a tracker on us, we'll know about it soon."

Maul sighed and acquiesced. "Yes. You have done everything you ought. I apologize."

His apprentice smiled, open and honest. "You're just worried about us, I get it. And we were just worried about you."

He was saved from having to think of a response to that by the arrival of his Bothan doctor, who shooed Luke from the room. She put Maul through his paces, testing his reaction times and reflexes, and ultimately judged that she, too, was unable to locate the source of his aliment. Maul was discharged three hours later with strict orders to monitor his health and report anything out of the ordinary. 

Once free of medical, Maul was immediately beset upon by his cohorts; Luke, Leia, Qi'ra, Han, Chewbacca, and even Rex and Calrissian awaited him just outside the ward.

"Thank the little gods," Qi'ra murmured, wrapping him in a hug. "You scared me! You can't do that!"

"I apologize." He patted her back awkwardly and marveled at how, during the time he had been waylaid, she had both fixed her appearance and found a sleek new coat to replace the one ruined on Tatooine. 

The others echoed her sentiment, and Maul allowed himself to be passed around for hugs. Luke was still desert-warm when he wrapped his arms around Maul. "You will tell me before it gets that bad next time," Leia hissed in his ear as she pulled him close. Captain Solo gave him a tight squeeze, although he didn't meet his eye, and Chewbacca grabbed him and pulled him in for a woolly hug. It should have been uncomfortable when even Captain Rex put a fortifying hand on his shoulder, but instead Maul only felt more grounded.

However, when he beheld them all a second time, he recognized the drawn and pinched expressions hidden beneath their well-wishes. There was a tenseness about them that Luke hadn't worn when he and Maul had spoken earlier.

"What happened?" he asked Luke flatly.

"You were right," his apprentice said solemnly. "There was a tracker."

Maul scowled, a lecture about prioritizing the mission on the tip of his tongue, when Rex grunted, "Save it. We weren't gonna let you die, idiot. We knew the risk, and we took it. Deal."

Before he could snap back, Leia stepped in between them. "Can we continue this conversation on the Falcon? You're drawing an audience." And indeed, a number of nurses in rebel scrubs had stopped to watch them curiously.

They made their way to the Falcon directly. Luke stuck close to Maul, and watched him anxiously. Qi'ra actually took his arm, as if she thought he would collapse without her there to support him. Walking three abreast, behind Han, Leia, and Chewbacca and closely followed by Captain Rex and Calrissian, they took up the entire corridor, forcing the Rebels they passed to squeeze themselves back against the curved wall of the medical frigate. They never broke formation.

The hangar was bustling with activity when they arrived; medics and technicians hustled past on their way between tasks. Several astromechs zipped by, each towing a single huge fuel pod. A small fleet of medical vehicles and two smaller med ships shared the hangar with the Falcon .

Stepping onto the old freighter, Maul felt a little bit calmer. His shoulders relaxed from where they'd been unconsciously tensed up to his ears. Luke and Qi'ra maneuvered Maul onto the bench behind the Dejarik table, one handler on either side. The others scattered themselves around the main hold with just as much familiarity as Maul felt.

"Now will you tell me what has happened?" Maul asked with a much more even tone.

"Ackbar's people found a tracker."

"Boba Fett's tracker," Calrissian added.

Leia looked at him quizzically. "He was near the ship, but we can't prove it was him, can we?"

Calrissian sneered. "It has his mythosaur sigil; he wanted us to know it was him."

"A threat," Rex confirmed what they were all thinking. "We pissed him off."

"He'll take our location straight to Vader," Maul said, sure of himself even before a flicker in the Force confirmed his words. "The Fleet needs to jump. Does Mothma know?"

"The Alliance Council already discussed it: we're not in a position to jump right now," Leia answered, keeping her own opinion locked tight behind a politician's mask. "The problem is that the Fleet is refueling. That's the only reason they were stopped and we could redirect to their location. Really, we got lucky."

Qi'ra leaned forward, "Where are we, if I may ask?"

"The Sinta Glacier," Han replied, and Leia didn't even bother to glare at him for revealing rebel secrets. "There's a pretty big fuel depot hidden inside the asteroid."

"Blast it," Rex cursed. "It takes cycles to refuel the whole fleet. What's our status?"

Chewbacca growled an answer, and Han translated, "About half-way, according to Ackbar's people." He frowned. "We're in the mid-rim, but only just. Nearest Imperial stronghold is on Kashyyyk. I think?" Chewbacca confirmed his human's guess. "It'll take them ages to amass any kinda big force this far out."

"Not if Vader was already on his way to Tatooine," Maul said darkly.

"He was!" Luke joined the conversation for the first time. "I sensed him just before we jumped."

"Why didn't you mention this earlier?" Maul snapped, and he wasn't the only one who protested: Leia, Han, and Rex all made noises of upset as well. So this was what the boy had omitted from his earlier accounting.

"I wasn't sure then, but I am now," Luke said. "They arrived just as we were leaving. Between the Empire entering the system and Boba Fett's tracker, it's no wonder nobody chased us." 

"Unfortunately, we can't prove that," Leia said sourly. "It won't be enough to sway the council. And Han is right - even Vader would need the entire 501st Battalion to take on this fleet. We would be able to see a force of that size coming out of hyperspace in time to initiate our response protocols." She frowned. "We have a debrief with the council soon, and we can bring up your concerns then, but I don't think it will be enough to change their decision."

Maul sighed and nodded, although a sense of dread still pervaded his senses. Next to him, Qi'ra put a gentle hand on his arm. "All will be well, my lord."

That seemed to signal an end to their impromptu tête-à-tête, and they broke to rest and recoup before the debrief. Qi'ra excused herself to go speak with Calrissian, and Maul used the opportunity to corner Luke, who had risen as well. "Luke." He put a hang on his apprentice's forearm and gently tugged him back to his seat. "You should have told me earlier that you sensed Vader."

Luke nodded and settled back down beside Maul. "I'm sorry. There was so much going on and, like I said, I didn't know for sure. I didn't want to upset you over something I wasn't positive about." He heaved a sigh. 

"Do not concern yourself with overburdening me," Maul admonished him gently. "It is my job to worry about you and those things which are on your mind."

"Thanks Master." Luke leaned his head on Maul's shoulder. "Maybe part of it was that I didn't want it to be him. Now that I know what I have to do, I don't even know where to begin. Being so close to him so soon made me realize I have no idea what I'm doing."

He wrapped an arm around Luke's shoulders and squeezed. "We will work it out, Apprentice. The Force is with you."

Luke snuggled closer to Maul. "Thank you. I'm really glad you're okay."

With the dreaded debrief looming, the Falcon hopped from the Forebearance to Home One, Ackbar's flagship, where the Alliance High Command awaited them. This was the first time Maul had met the council, aside from Mon Mothma. And even then, it continued to be almost odd to see the famous rebel in the flesh. Indeed, the only attendee not physically present was General Draven, head of the Rebel Intelligence Service, whose hologram watched them all with suspicious eyes. Admiral Ackbar and General Dodanna were already seated beside Mothma, and looked much more amiable, if worn thin.

The final presence in the room was Oola. Maul was not the only one to notice her: Han exclaimed and made a beeline for the Twi'lek, Luke and Leia a half-step behind. "Why'd the council drag you into this?"

Oola had found her own set of Rebel hand-me-downs and already looked more confident, if nervous at the prospect of facing Mothma and the council. "The others have elected me to speak on their behalf," Oola replied. It made sense; Hutt Slayers were held in great honor and prestige by many cultures across Huttspace. Who better to represent the refugees?

"Thank you for coming everyone," Mothma called, easily drawing all attention to her. There was an air of grace and regality about her, as if she embodied the old Republic Senate itself. It was no wonder she was the Rebel figurehead: Mothma had mastered the aesthetic for which they were so nostalgic. Maul had to resist the urge to sneer. "Let us begin."

Leia took the spotlight then, reciting the pertinent details of their plan and infiltration from memory. This was all information with which Maul was familiar, and so his thoughts took to wandering.

Why had he had such a violent response to his injuries? The doctor had ruled out the wounds themselves as cause. Could Kenobi be correct, and Maul had somehow misused the dark technique? It seemed unlikely. He had practiced it literally dozens of times over the years, and never suffered such whiplash. This was not even the worst he has survived with its use; it was the same that he had employed when Kenobi had bisected him, although that had been on a much larger scale. He knew his body, his power, his limits. He had been well within them. No, Maul did not think this was the cause either.

Then what could have caused such an adverse reaction? Had he been dabbling too long with Luke's light, and the dark side was vengeful? Could there have been some type of outside interference? Could he be getting - Swamps forbid - old?

Each idea seemed less likely than the last.

Maul's churning thoughts were interrupted as Qi'ra began to recount their part of the infiltration. This, he was interested in. "With Lando's help, we were able to evade detection and make our way to the main guard station. There, Han found and sabotaged the shield generator."

"It was one of those old KR series from the Clone War," Solo said with a mean smirk. "I just reversed the power cables, and when those assholes tried to turn it on, they blew themselves to hell."

"We found their weapons cache as well and stole as many blasters as we could carry, to arm the slaves," Qi'ra continued. "While we were explaining the situation to them, the guards spotted us. Lando and I went to intercept them, and a firefight ensued. The fighting drew Bib Fortuna to the scene. Luckily by that time, Han had convinced the majority of the enslaved to fight alongside us, and we were easily able to overpower our adversaries. Fortuna was killed in the scuffle."

That, at least, was one fewer foe with which Maul had to concern himself. He was not the only one who reacted positively; Ackbar and Dodanna exchanged an impressed glance.

"We moved onto our next target: the anti-aircraft cannons. By this point, we had drawn the whole castle's attention, and it was slow-going to get into position, but we didn't have to be subtle when we destroyed the cannon. And as soon as it was out of the way, the Falcon revealed itself and assisted us with destroying the other cannon and securing the area for our escape."

Leia picked up the tale again, telling of their subsequent escape and Maul's need for medical treatment. She soon turned to the more pertinent topic, "When we were conferring this afternoon, we realized that the Fleet may be in greater danger than first thought."

"Yes, your tracker. Tell me about it," Ackbar gurgled, leaning forward.

"The sigil painted on the tracker indicates that it was placed there by Boba Fett. While he was undercover talking to Jabba, Master Maul learned that Fett had been working directly alongside Vader over the past several months. And as we were jumping to hyperspace, Luke thinks he sensed Vader entering the system with the Force. The Empire may be as close as Tatooine and have our location."

Ackbar and Mothma exchanged a long look. "We understand your concerns, but rest assured that we have been scanning the system since before your arrival. If Vader or any of the Imperial Navy were approaching, we would know about it." Mothma sounded entirely confident. "And we would respond accordingly."

"You are making a mistake," Maul growled.

"The only mistake made was your choice to assassinate a major crime boss!" Draven snapped.

Maul openly scoffed. "I have killed greater beings far less deservingly. Besides, it was Leia and Oola who strangled him."

"Impressive," Ackbar murmured. Han gave them a huge grin, at which Leia blushed a fetching pink and Oola straightened her shoulders proudly. Draven looked murderous.

Mothma cleared her throat pointedly, attempting  to retake the room's attention, "Your bravery is absolutely to be commended, however your actions have also caused an uproar in the Outer Rim. We do not yet know what the ramifications of killing Jabba will be, and that is concerning." Her voice was carefully neutral.

"What we do know is that you've caused a huge power vacuum," Draven hissed. "There have been dozens of localized uprisings not just on Tatooine, but all across Huttspace."

"Is that necessarily a bad thing?" Leia demanded right back. "The people should throw off their corrupt and abusive leaders. This has been a problem for so long in that region we call it Huttspace. Let the people take back control, by violence if necessary. Isn't that exactly what we're doing?"

"It isn't that simple, your highness," bushy-bearded Dodanna said gently. "The Outer Rim is so corrupt that it is very likely that the next power structure, whatever form it may take, will simply perpetuate these abusive systems. It may have been kinder to leave Jabba in charge."

"Are we beyond saving to you then?" Oola asked angrily.

"Of course not - " Mothma insisted compassionately, only to be interrupted by Draven.

"We have no idea how many lives will be lost, and to what end?"

"Let those who choose to fight decide what they will die for," Oola retorted. "You have no right to dismiss our struggle. If you will not help us then give us a ship and we will go to Ryloth. Perhaps Cham Syndulla will be more sympathetic." 

"That is not our intention," Mothma said firmly over the offended protests of her generals. "General Draven was simply attempting to make a point to our operatives of the galaxy-wide ramifications of their actions. We do not seek to criticize you or your people."

"And what of we who are not your operatives?" Qi'ra asked coldly. "My attendance here is professional courtesy. I would appreciate it if you did not waste my time, Senator Mothma."

A tense silence fell. Maul's eyebrows shot up, and he had to resist the urge to smirk at the open power-play. Leia was clearly torn between admiration and mortification. The whole room held its breath, waiting to see which grande dame would flinch. 

Qi'ra did not break eye contact with Mothma, and the senator blinked first, sighing softly as she averted her gaze. "Of course, Lady Qi'ra. My apologies. We are," she hesitated for only a split-second, "unused to the Crimson Dawn's methods. I am certain you all made the best decisions available to you given the circumstances."

"We were there under the pretext of syndicate business," Maul reminded them blithely. "I suspect the Empire will be perfectly happy to pin the chaos on me and my corrupting influence."

Mothma and Draven were clearly unimpressed with this logic, however, they were not given the opportunity to voice their objections as an insistent trill began to sound from Ackbar's station. Huffing an apology to the assembled, the admiral answered the call with a gruff, "This better be good."

"Apologies, sir, but I believe the council needs to see this immediately," said the technician on the line "Stand by to receive transmission."

Maul leaned forward, curious.

The transmission was voice-only; instead, the glowing symbols of the Black Sun and Pyke syndicates were projected to revolve slowly in the display. "The Alliance's recent actions on Tatooine have impressed us," warbled a heavily modulated voice. "We believe that our organizations may be able to help one another stand against our mutual imperial enemy. Inform the Shadow that the Black Sun and Pyke Syndicates are ready to negotiate. We await your response."

The message cut and left in its wake dumbfounded silence. The council appeared genuinely shocked, even Draven. 

"What do you make of it, Qi'ra?" Maul asked.

"It's authentic," she replied at once. "I can tell you that much. As to whether their offer is in earnest or a trap, that I cannot say." She clicked her long nails against the conference table. "My latest intelligence said that they were still in negotiation with the Empire, but both syndicates were playing hard-to-get. I suppose it is not impossible that Jabba's assassination would be enough to sway their opinion. Or at least make them curious about what the Alliance has to offer. What do you think, my lord?"

Maul frowned, mulling over what he knew of Marg Krim and Ziton Moj, current heads of the Pyke and Black Sun Syndicates respectively. They were both cowards at heart with little interest in anything beyond maintaining and expanding their vast criminal fortunes. "The syndicate leaders remember what I was willing to do to build the Shadow Collective," Maul mused aloud. "Krim's predecessor bent the knee then, and he is enough of a coward to do the same. Moj's motives are more difficult to discern. They both likely view Jabba's death as another bid on my part to consolidate power and do not want to be on the wrong side of the conflict."

"And is it?" growled Draven, reminding Maul abruptly that he had an audience.

"Pardon?" he replied icily.

"Is all this - the Shadow's sudden streak of good deeds and anti-Imperial sentiment - all some big power play?" The image of General Draven crossed his arms, scowling mightily. "Because, I'll be honest, I see where they're coming from: Jabba's assassination throws all your actions into a suspicious light. And if you really are some kind of evil Jedi, that sounds exactly like something I'd expect you to do."

There was an eruption of sound around Maul, and it took him a moment to recognize the offended protests of his friends. Leia and Han had simultaneously broken into vicious screeds against Draven's person. Rex was red in the face and roaring about the Force, of all things. Qi'ra grabbed Maul's arm again and stood with him, proclaiming, "Unacceptable. Such unfounded accusations will not be tolerated. We are leaving."

But Luke's voice cut cleanly through the din. "That's uncalled for, General," he said calmly and clearly. "My master has demonstrated his loyalties. He has supported our efforts every step of the way. Now, his connections have offered us two very valuable potential allies, and you're using it as an opportunity to slander him."

"You-!" Draven began to growl.

"Enough!" Mothma snapped, finally forcing silence. "General, your concerns are noted, but it is not Master Maul we are here to discuss today. And we appreciate very much the effort and," her eyes flashed to Qi'ra and Calrissian, "allies he has brought to the Alliance. Master," she turned to Maul, suddenly much more polite, "tell me, do you believe this offer of allegiance is in earnest?"

Recognizing her words for the olive branch they were, Maul opted for blunt honesty. "They cannot be trusted. However, I believe that with the right arrangement," he exchanged a meaningful glance with Qi'ra, who smirked, "they might be made useful to you."

"What do you think they will want?"

Maul let Qi'ra help him sit again. "The ability to move freely. Perhaps even representation in your new senate; Moj can still remember a time when the Trade Federation and the Techno Union grew fat off legalizing their monopolies. The same could easily be done for spice- or gun-running. Of course, they will also turn on you the moment it becomes more profitable to do so. It is their way. I would send a wise negotiator and offer nothing you aren't willing to lose."

"I am willing to act as intermediary between the syndicates and the Alliance Council," Qi'ra offered. "As a trusted third-party, I will be able to ensure nothing that can be used against you is revealed to them."

Mothma looked thoughtful, although not yet convinced. "We do not generally work with criminals and gangsters. It creates a conflict of interest in the government."

"No offense, Senator," Luke said politely, "but can we afford to say no? If these people are approaching us, they clearly have more reason than just fear of my master - they hate the Empire, too. So much so that they resisted joining them even when it made sense." The Jedi shot his master a tiny smirk. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

There was a very long pause as the council members exchanged loaded glances. It was at length broken by Dodanna, who said, "I have to agree with Commander Skywalker. If the Empire has been trying and failing to court the Black Sun and the Pykes each independently, and they've reached out to us instead, it's because we have something they don't."

Maul realized suddenly that all of the Council's eyes had gathered on him. They thought that the factor driving the syndicates to see reason was him? Ridiculous. He was merely a weapon, a tool; Luke was the turning point.

"Thank you for being so candid," Mothma said. "I suppose it would not hurt to open up negotiations, as long as we have your support."

"All that I have and more," Maul agreed.

The debrief drew to a close soon after, and they parted ways with much to ponder. Maul allowed Qi'ra to help him up again, grateful for her support. The meeting had lasted for hours, and supper was now being served aboard Home One. The halls were mostly clear, with only the occasional group of pilots passing them on their way back to the hangar.

"I ought to return to the First Light and the Crimson Dawn," Qi'ra said as they entered. The Falcon was waiting for them not far from a squad of staged blue-and-black X-wings. "I need to begin coordinating a response to the syndicates."

"Of course," said Leia. "Do you need a ride anywhere? We're headed back to Echo Base, so we could drop you off…" She continued to speak, but Maul missed the rest of Leia's words as a shudder in the Force distracted him.

On Maul's left, Luke froze with one foot on the Falcon's ramp. "He's here."

Maul wasted precious seconds turning back to the boy, an ineffectual, "What?" on his lips before the cold hit him as well. The question was not "What?" It was "Who?"

"Vader," Luke breathed, grabbing Maul's left arm. "Vader found us!"

"Luke?" asked Leia as the others began to notice something was wrong. "Vader? That's impossible, if he were here, he would have triggered the sensors."

As if on cue, the alarms overhead began to wail. They let out three warning cries before the ship itself groaned and shuddered. Maul was almost knocked off his feet; it did send several of the others tumbling. The overhead lights cut and the red emergency lights flickered on. All the while, the alarms continued to screech.

"Ion bombs," Rex said, picking himself up off the hangar bay floor. "It's the Imps alright. They're trying to knock us out of the fight before it even starts."

"How the hell'd they sneak in a whole battalion?" Maul heard Han demand, but he didn't catch the answer. Another wave of cold broke over him, and at his side Luke shivered. His blue eyes slid half-closed, as if he were listening to something far away.

Maul pulled free of Qi'ra's frightened grip to catch both of his apprentice's shoulders, trying to ground him there. Luke's eyes flew open at his touch, full of fear and anger and determination. "Vader's calling out to me, Master. He wants us to surrender ourselves or he'll destroy the whole fleet!" 

Luke took a deep breath in through his nose. "I have to stop him. I have to - " he cut off, looking around frantically. Maul squeezed his shoulders and forced Luke to meet his eye.

"It is a trap; he will do that regardless," Maul said with false calm. "We must now mount a defense and give the fleet a chance to escape. That is our only hope."

The apprentice was still fighting for breath. He was shaking with adrenaline beneath Maul's hands. "Match your breaths to mine," Maul ordered. "Breathe, Luke. Your skills will be needed. You must be calm." He bumped his forehorn very gently against Luke's forehead and the boy's eyes fell shut again. They meditated together on borrowed time, letting the Force flow through and guide them. Maul listened to Luke's breaths even out and felt some of his own tension drain away.

The boy will Fall or he will die.

Maul choked on his next breath as Sidious's poison words wound their way through his thoughts. Lies. Just his own insecurities. He would not let Sidious hurt his apprentice. He would not -

An explosion somewhere overhead sent the ship off-kilter again, and Maul instinctively hugged Luke close as the hangar shook. Let them try to hurt his apprentice; the Empire would learn that Darth Maul was still a force to be reckoned with, even forty years from his prime.

As the ship restabalized, Luke looked up at Maul. "Thank-you, Master." There was a new, determined glint in his eye. "Let's save the fleet. I'm gonna steal one of those X-wings and get up there," he said, gesturing over his shoulder to where the fighters seemed almost to be waiting for them. "You go with Han and the others in the Falcon and - "

"I'll be coming with you," Maul responded firmly. "You will need a wingmate." Then, to the others, he called over his shoulder, "Go! Do what you can to stop the attack while the Rebels round up their defense. Luke and I will be right behind you."

"You got it, Master!" Solo called back and Chewbacca howled a war cry.

Maul hadn't flown a fighter in decades, not since he'd been Sidious's apprentice. It wasn't that he couldn't - he was technically quite skilled. It was simply that he did not enjoy flying. He did so when he had to but took no pleasure in the act. In battle, however, there was no better way to help his apprentice (and to ensure he didn't do anything foolish) than to fly by his side. Therefore it was with resignation that Maul reviewed the controls of the old X-wing. 

The dashboard blinked its familiar, technicolor readouts about the fighter's shields, load-out, and such. Behind him, a little astromech unit whistled at him shrilly, calling Maul a thief. He ignored it, flicking the sublight engines to life and raising the landing gear. In the X-wing next to his, Luke was doing the same, although R2D2 had ejected the previous droid and taken control of the ship.

He was in the air and angling the nose of his ship toward the hangar door when two TIE fighters swooped in low, missiles already firing. They weren't aiming toward Maul and Luke, however, but at the squadron of Y-wing bombers whose pilots were only now scrambling toward their ships.

"They're trying to strafe us!" Luke shouted over the short-range comm and let loose a burst of retaliatory fire toward the nearest fighter, which was absorbed harmlessly by the ship's deflector shields. They were too late, and the Y-wings erupted into flame and melted metal. "What kinda TIE has shields like that?"

That was not the only difference; these TIEs also had a third wing mounted behind the cockpit, making the whole ship more pointed and predatory.  Unsure himself, Maul opted instead to add his firepower to the attack. A moment later, when laser cannon fire from the Falcon joined the berrage, they broke through the first TIE's shields and sent it crashing into the hangar wall in a burst of flame. Its cohort turned sharply, veering out of the hangar and back into space, Luke hot on his tail.

Taking his place watching Luke's back, Maul tried to adjust his comms to pick up Rebel chatter, but all he heard was static. The Imperials must have already taken down long-range communications to stop the fleet from coordinating a response or calling for help. He flipped back to the short-range comm line that Solo preferred so that their little squad could hear one another.

Maul stuck close to his apprentice even as the battle opened up around them. The damage that had already been done took his breath away. More than half the fleet was already incapacitated, either ion bombed and dead-in-space like Home One, or flaming wrecks. From these ships, the first escape pods and smaller transport craft had already begun to launch. 

Luke, Maul, and the Falcon were not the only Rebels able to mount a defense. However, the Empire's strafing run appeared to have been devastatingly successful. Only around a dozen fighters were locked in battle with more of the strange TIEs. Maul's sensors indicated fourteen enemy targets. Thirteen were Imperial fighters, including the ship they were chasing, and none of them were larger than a TIE. The only other - and largest - enemy vessel was a Firespray-31. A quick glance through the Force confirmed the presence of Boba Fett. 

Yet neither a star destroyer nor even a light interceptor pinged the sensor. This indicated two things. First, that all of this destruction had been perpetrated by only a few incredibly dangerous TIE fighters. And second, Vader himself was likely also flying a fighter.

The Falcon joined them, and all three ships pursued their second TIE as it attempted to lose them in the maze of battle. The enemy ship was faster, too, than its traditional counterparts. 

"I can catch him. You two go 'round and cut him off from underneath!" Solo ordered, and the Millennium Falcon's boosted engines roared as he shot off after the target. Luke and Maul peeled off, swooping around either side of the bombed-out remains of a Rebel light cruiser to cut the TIE off from beneath. 

Maul's stomach swooped along with his X-wing as he embraced adrenaline and zero gravity. He and Luke zipped along the underside of the cruiser, and marked their target's progress above on the scanner. Calrissian let out a whoop over the comm as he landed a volley of blasts across the TIE, knocking out the deflector shields just as the enemy fighter lost its cover. Luke and Maul were ready; they swung the noses of their X-wings upward and the unshielded TIE fell into their sights. Their laser fire tore into the Imperial ship, sending it spiraling into the flaming wreckage of the cruiser. 

There was no time to celebrate, for in the next moment a brief alarm signaled a message from their enemies. The Imperials were broadcasting on all short-range channels.

"Rebel fleet, you are out-matched and in chaos," Vader threatened. "I demand your full and immediate surrender, without condition. I demand Luke Skywalker and Darth Maul be brought into Imperial custody. Failure to comply will be met with immediate, deadly consequences. Any ship attempting to flee will be destroyed."  

Cursing, Maul cut the feed. He had warned Luke this was coming. It was a burden to be this constantly veracious.

"Oh, fuck that," Solo proclaimed loudly, and he was met with a chorus of agreement from the others.

"Let's show him just how wrong he is!" cried Luke. 

A salvo of shots rained across Maul's shields, and both his X-wing and astromech screamed belated warnings. He leapt immediately to take evasive maneuvers, twisting the control stick and sending his little fighter into a complicated corkscrew. From their startled cries, Luke and Han had begun sustaining enemy fire as well. Maul didn't have time to see what happened to them next.

The enemy fire tracked him despite his evasions, and Maul jerked the X-wing into a sharp nosedive, speeding away from the others in the hopes that it would divert enemy fire. He outraced the next barrage of shots, pulling up abruptly to face his opponents head-on. There were three of them: two modified TIEs and Slave I herself. Luke had engaged the second TIE, and Solo had taken the Millennium Falcon up against Slave I in a dogfight that might have been a beautiful display of skill if Maul'd had the time to enjoy it.

Instead, he opened fire on his opponent, putting them on the defensive. The TIE twisted and swooped, Maul's laser cannon giving chase. A burst of insight from the Force guided Maul's aim, and he finally caught the TIE with enough fire to break through the shields. He grinned viciously and let loose a concussion missile at the unshielded ship, crowing with delight when the TIE exploded.

His celebration was short-lived, for Solo shouted, "I could use back-up over here!" Chewbacca roared his agreement.

"I'm a bit tied up at the moment," came Luke's response, and Maul caught just the briefest glance in his periphery of Luke's X-wing locked in a firefight with the second TIE.

"I am on my way," Maul promised, and punched it, sending his ship streaking across the battlefield toward Han and Fett. Slave I had already managed to turn the tables, and he had the Falcon in full retreat as Han and Chewbacca attempted to outmaneuver Fett's blaster cannon shots. The moment he was in range, Maul rained laser fire across Slave I's hull. The attacks dissipated harmlessly against Fett's shields, but he successfully interrupted the Mandalorian's pursuit. Han was able to pull the Falcon out of range, and Maul lost track of them as he and Fett fell into battle for the second time in as many days. 

Maul may have had the advantage on the ground, with blasters and lightsabers, but here, Fett proved himself skilled indeed. They danced together for several heart-pounding seconds, dodging and twisting through the wreckage of the Rebel Fleet. The X-wing trilled a warning as Fett landed a volley of shots off of Maul's port bow. His shields dropped to ten percent.

"Hang in there, pilot! I've got you," crackled a familiar voice over the comm. 

A new ship burst from seemingly nowhere, their fire driving Fett away from Maul. No longer pinned down, Maul was better able to maneuver his ship into position, and the return fire he sent at Fett was brutally accurate. And yet, even against their combined attack, the bastard's shields held stubbornly.

From over Maul's left shoulder, two new sets of cannon fire added themselves to the barrage. Solo whooped loudly over the comm and both the Falcon and Luke's X-wing swooped overhead, laying down heavy fire.

Even Boba Fett knew when he was beat. Slave I spun and zipped out of range. Maul thought for a moment to follow, only for General Hera Syndulla to call over the comm again. "Hold your fire. Swap to channel seven, that's where we're coordinating Rebel defense."

The irony was not lost on Maul that he had just been rescued by a woman who probably wanted him dead. Torn between laughing and groaning, Maul wordlessly did as he was told.

"Coordinating Rebel defense" apparently meant shouting incoherently at one another, for that was what Maul found on channel seven. Without their chain of command, the Rebels were floundering against Vader's well-trained killing machines. 

" - we can't withstand another attack like that - !"

" - I've got one on my tail - "

" - what kind of TIEs are these? I've never seen anything like 'em - "

"Enough!" commanded Syndulla, and the chatter cut immediately. Light from the distant sun glinted off the Ghost's carbon-scored white hull as the freighter drifted closer. "This is General Hera Syndulla. If we're going to survive this attack, I need you to listen to me. The Empire is flying TIE defenders. They have hyperspace capabilities, enhanced shielding, and are much faster than regular TIEs. At this point, escape is our only option.

"Who's out there? Sound off."

A chorus of call-signs followed, the Rebels immediately falling into line behind their general. 

"Red Five!"

"Gold Two!"

"Vanguard Three!"

And on and on they went, now only ten-fighters-strong, until -

"Rogue Leader," Luke called confidently.

- it was his turn. Maul cleared his throat. "Hello again General Syndulla," he said, aiming for amiable and likely just sounding silly. "I'm afraid I do not have a call sign. But I am here to help."

There was a painfully long pause, and Maul couldn't help but offer a sarcastic half-grin to Kenobi or whatever Jedi entity was surely there, enjoying the show. If he died here, by her hand, at least it would be poetic. He did love a good tale of vengeance.

"Karabast," the general muttered so quietly she almost mightn't have said it at all. "I heard you were meeting with the council, Maul," Syndulla responded properly, voice clipped and only barely polite. "Fly with Rogue Leader and keep your nose clean. You do anything I don't like and I'll blow you to hell myself."

"Perfectly reasonable," Maul agreed almost sheepishly.

In response, Syndulla scoffed.

"General Syndulla," Luke said, returning them to the business at hand, "let me take Rogue Six and the Falcon and try to find Vader. It's us he wants, so let us distract him while the rest of you escape."

The suggestion sounded familiar, Maul thought sarcastically.

Syndulla seemed to feel the same. "You Jedi all have just the one plan, don't you? Fine, but call me immediately if you need help. With Vader, or him," Syndulla ordered. "I'll deal with Boba Fett myself." Maul looked up just in time to see the Ghost streak overhead, on her way to confront Slave I .

Back on their private channel, Luke and Han were already discussing strategy. "Where's he at, kid? Can you tell which one Vader is?"

"He's hard to pin down," Luke confessed. "His presence is overwhelming."

The apprentice was not wrong; Vader's icy darkness pervaded the entire battlefield. While Maul and Luke's vision was hampered by the dark energy born of battle and death, Vader was empowered by it. He left fear and dissonance in his wake, spreading it all around them. In this, the Force could not help them.

And then, out of the corner of his eye, Maul spotted another of the TIE defenders speeding across the battlefield, itself pursued by two X-wings and an A-wing. As he watched, the TIE cut the power to his engines and twisted his ship to aim back at his pursuants. The unwitting fools had lined up perfectly to be destroyed. Still riding his forward inertia, the TIE's shots landed true, utterly destroying all three of the Rebel fighters.

Without missing a beat, the defender reignited his thrusters and zipped off.

"I've found him," Maul remarked grimly, interrupting Solo on the comms. "Marking target."

"How do you know it's him?" Luke asked.

Angling his ship in the direction his sensors indicated Vader had flown, Maul responded, "Anakin Skywalker was a notoriously skilled pilot during the Clone Wars, and one of his signature moves was the dead drift. It is a complicated and dangerous maneuver for even Force-sensitives, and that pilot just performed it perfectly."

"I want to try to talk to him first," Luke said. "Don't fire until we have to."

"You can't be serious," Leia snapped. "This is open war."

"I know, but he's my father. I have to try." 

Leia might have argued further, but her own logic betrayed her; they did not have time for a drawn-out quarrel in the heat of battle. She let out a hiss of frustration. "Fine. But when he tries to kill us, I get to say I told you so."

Luke took the lead, and Maul and the Falcon fell into position on either side of him as they pursued Vader. They found him bearing down on a group of fleeing transports, blaster cannons already tearing through the first of five. He wasn't alone: Vader was flanked by three more defenders, nearly a whole squadron.

Before the Imperials could react to the new threat, Luke was calling out on an open channel, "Lord Vader, this is Luke Skywalker. I heard you were looking for me."

It had not been immediately apparent which of the TIEs was Vader's, but the Sith gave himself away when he immediately broke off his assault on the transports and swiveled to face them. The transport he had been targeting fled safely to hyperspace in the next moment. The other TIEs scrambled to make up for their lord's break in protocol, and in the process, two of the three remaining rebel ships also managed to escape.

Vader did not even seem to notice. "Have you come to surrender yourselves? How unexpectedly wise."

"I've come to talk," Luke corrected firmly. "But I think we need to do it without armies and threats. That's no way to come to an understanding."

"This is not a negotiation," Vader growled. "The only thing that must be understood is that either you will submit to the Emperor willingly, or you will be made to."

"You're wrong," Luke said. "If the Emperor wants to talk to me so bad, he can come out here and do it himself. This isn't about Sidious. This is about us. I want to talk to you."

"What?" Vader scoffed, but he did not sound as certain of himself now. "Lies. You are trying to distract me."

"No I'm not," Luke was painfully sincere. "I have a lot of questions to ask you. And I'm sure you've got a lot for me, too."

"Lord Vader - " began one of the Imperial pilots.

"Silence!" the dark lord hissed. 

Around them, the Force grew tense with anticipation. It was like static electricity, making the fine hairs on the back of Maul's neck stand on end. Something vital had shifted. Unconsciously, Maul clutched the control stick tighter, sweat beading beneath the pads of his fingers. The darkness around them was lessening as Vader's attention was diverted and his curiosity piqued.

"I have the answers you seek, young Skywalker," the dark lord said. "Very well. But you must come to me, alone. As you said, this is between us. Neither your friends nor your false master may intervene."

Maul hated this. They had not discussed what to do should Vader actually agree to talk; he had honestly expected them to devolve into blasting at one another a full minute prior. He had no intention of letting Luke face Vader alone, under any circumstances. And yet undermining Luke at this juncture would hardly be productive.

"Alright. Call off your attack on the Rebel Fleet and let everybody go, and I'll come with you. To talk," Luke promised. "Just the two of us."

The boy will Fall or he will die, Sidious promised in Maul's ear. The hallucination was so real, he felt his master's breath ghost over his neck. Maul flinched violently, his instincts screaming at him to flee, to escape his master's voice. The scent of garbage filled his throat and mouth, and he gagged. His vision tunneled. 

Trapped! He was trapped in this horrible, claustrophobic place, held down and unable to move. He flailed and fought impotently. His master only laughed and mocked him. Maul's fingers found and clutched claw-like around the control stick. His thoughtless grip sent the X-wing jerking erratically, and Maul was tossed about the cockpit. His fingers slipped. A volley of shots burst from his blasters, scattering harmlessly across Vader's shields.

"Treachery!" roared Vader.

All at once, Maul was thrown back into reality. "No!" he cried, unsure if he were responding to Vader's accusation or railing against the Force's injustice. It was an accident! His hand had slipped.

But it was too late for excuses. Vader's men were already returning fire, and Solo had taken evasive action. The Falcon did not hesitate to shoot back. Calrissian blew one of Vader's wingmates to pieces. 

Luke's X-wing still hung in space, refusing to fire. "No, please stop! Master, what's going on? Stand down! Vader, please don't do this!"

"He is unworthy of you, Luke," Vader proclaimed, and Maul loathed that, in this, they agreed. "If you want your answers, you will shed these Rebel fools and come to me alone. The Emperor has foreseen your fall to the dark side. It is inevitable. We await you." He hesitated. "I await you."

Vader opened fire on Maul.

He was slow to respond, his whole body overstimulated and shaking from his sudden panic attack. The Sith Lord rained blaster cannon fire down on Maul, making his systems scream. He tried to take evasive maneuvers, but Vader was too skilled, and he tracked Maul's every movement. His shields dropped to thirty percent and Maul cursed. He was weighing his options and debating abandoning ship when Vader's attack abruptly cut off.

Finally able to move, Maul twisted his ship up and around to get a visual on the situation. He found Luke locked in battle with Vader, their ships ducking and weaving through space and debris. The open channel between adversaries had been cut and Maul could now hear only the grunts and soft curses of his allies as they battled for their lives.

Another smattering of blaster cannon fire across his shields finally drove Maul back to action. Luke had Vader well in-hand, but the other defenders still needed to be destroyed. With jerky, almost erratic, motions, Maul returned fire. He zipped about, making himself very hard to hit and landing quick shots before the TIE could get a lock on his position.

The defender's shields had been nearly worn down to nothing when Maul's astromech whistled a warning.

"Seismic charge?" he asked, distracted. "Where - ?"

And then he saw it. The Ghost was speeding in their direction, thrusters roaring, as Syndulla raced a wave of sonic energy. She only just outsped the radius, the explosion dissipating mere yards from the Ghost's rear exhaust port. 

"Move!" Syndulla ordered over the comm as she flew into range. "Go, go, go!"

The freighter may have been able to outrun the blast, but the ionized Rebel ships were not so lucky. The sonic wave ripped through them, shredding and scattering the pieces. But it was not only the ships that shattered in the attack: a long chain of fuel pods, still in transit to their destinations, erupted into a massive fireball. 

Superheated shrapnel flew toward them, propelled forward by the explosion, and Maul and his opponent both followed General Syndulla's example. Another alarm joined in the chorus, directing his focus overhead to where Slave I stalked them like a vulture. Fett released another charge, and Maul's alarms went wild, screaming warnings.

They put on another burst of speed as the next charge erupted behind them, bursting two more fuel pods and setting the impaired Rebel Fleet ablaze. In their flight, Maul and Syndulla caught back up to Vader, Luke, and the Falcon, who had already spotted the commotion and broken off their battle.

"Fall in and calculate your hyperspace route!" Syndulla snapped. "Jump on my command. Retreat to Echo Base."  

Vader and the TIE that Maul had been battling both broke away from the rebel squad and disappeared into the debris field. Slave I, however, stayed her course, and released a third seismic charge. Maul's X-wing chimed to indicate that his route had been calculated.

"Hold course," Syndulla ordered.

The seismic charge exploded, and for a few breathtaking seconds the four rebel ships rode the edge of the discharge, just barely outpacing the expanding sonic wave. 

"Now!"

As one, they leapt into hyperspace.

The hyperspace journey wasn't long, and yet Maul felt as if it lasted a galactic eon. He stared out at the indigo-and-white star streaks and ignored the muted, blinking notification that was Luke trying to contact him. He couldn't face the Jedi yet. Not after his breakdown had ruined everything and forced Luke to attack his father.

" - failure - "

Maul's hands were still shaking - were perhaps shaking worse than they had in battle, when at least the adrenaline rush had been beneficial. Now he could only sit in his too-small cockpit and tremble. Tears, impotent and pathetic, tracked down his wrinkled cheeks. He heaved a sob, trying and failing to catch his breath.

" - he is unworthy of you, Luke - "

Damn his broken mind. Damn this weak body. Vader was right: Luke deserved better than him. Maul could never give Luke the tools he would  need to defeat Sidious. His master would destroy this little rebellion as he had every other spark of hope in Maul's life. 

A gentle chime warned him a moment before they returned to realspace above Hoth. He emerged into a field of devastation. The normally quiet airspace was full of smoking, flaming wrecks that had only just escaped the battle. Hundreds of escape pods made their way toward the planet's surface in little puffs of propulsion. Yet more hung in space, awaiting rescue.

The further they descended through the atmosphere, the more whole and undamaged the ships became. Echo Base had begun to send out emergency response vehicles to rescue those unable to land. The list of casualties would be long, Maul knew for certain. 

" - your fault. You should have pushed the council harder. You should have made your intel more clear - "

They four joined the other ships landing on the ice flats outside Echo Base and regrouping on the ground. Before Maul's robotic feet hit the snow, Luke was there waiting for him. The Jedi pushed into his space, his emotions in the Force swirling and chaotic.

"What were you thinking? Why did you shoot at Vader? I was getting through to him!" Luke was not shouting, but his voice was deadly serious. Maul flinched back, wrapping his arms around himself.

"I am sorry," he gasped, his breath coming out in frantic, frosty puffs. He trembled uncontrollably, as much from the cold as the remnants of the attack. "Please, forgive me. It was an accident - a-a panic-driven madness. I did not know where I was."

"You mean you had another seizure?" Luke asked, unsure and obviously growing more upset. "Or a panic attack?"

" - pathetic - "

"I-I am so sorry. Please, you must believe me," Maul begged, voice breaking. Luke could not throw him away, as he must surely be tempted. Maul could still be made useful. It was very important that Luke understand. "I would never w-willingly go against your wishes like that."

The Jedi looked, if anything, more alarmed.

"Luke! Master!" Leia interrupted, bounding across the snow, already wearing a coat to fend off Hoth's chill and holding another in her mittened hands. "Are you alright?" 

Qi'ra was only a few steps behind the princess, dressed in an overlarge coat of her own. As soon as she reached Maul, she wrapped him in his heavy jacket. "You frightened me again!" she scolded.

Maul pulled his arms through the sleeves of his jacket and zipped it up to his chin. It didn't help the cold. He still shivered badly. 

Luke watched him with hooded eyes; he had put up his shields now, and no stray emotions sneaked through to tell Maul how he was feeling. "Master says he had another fit. Like on Tatooine"

"What?" Qi'ra demanded, "Again? You need to let medical examine you at once."

" - pitious - "

"Unfortunately, I don't think that will be possible." Leia's head was tilted up toward the sky and the many ships seeking refuge. "Unless it's something life-threatening, we're going to be at the back of the line."

"Good work out there, kids!" called Syndulla from the Ghost's ramp. She squinted suspiciously at Maul and he shrank deeper into his coat.  "Anybody hurt?"

"Nothing life-threatening, General," Luke replied. "Anything we can do to help?"

"Head back to base and rest up. Reekain is handling the rescue operation, so make sure you get yourselves checked in with someone." Syndulla didn't have time to wait for a response; already, her ornery astromech droid was grunting at her and the general was back to work. 

"Let's grab the others and head back," Luke said. "We all need some sleep."

The women murmured in agreement, and when Maul turned to follow them, he found both of them blocking his path forward. "Are you alright to walk?" Qi'ra asked, "Han could drop you closer - "

" - weak - "

Maul's temper flared. "I am not so feeble that I cannot walk a mile!" he snarled.

Qi'ra jerked back, at first shocked at his rage, and then her expression morphed into frozen politeness. "Of course not, my lord. I meant no offense."

He immediately regretted the outburst. It was unbecoming. "I-I apologize. It seems my temper has grown thin with the long day," Maul lied  "Let us find the others and do as the good general suggested."

The walk back to base was a blur of cold and exhaustion. No one spoke more than necessary, each lost in their own thoughts. Maul did his best to block out the intrusive thoughts -

" - because you're too scared to face the truth - "

- and, only the snow crunching beneath their boots broke the silence. The sun reflected sharp and bright off the ice flats.

By contrast, Echo Base's hangar was loud with activity and dark as his eyes adjusted. Maul tried and failed not to flinch at the surge of stimuli. He stumbled back into Captain Rex, who placed a warm hand on his shoulder. There was understanding in his voice when he said, "Steady on, soldier. One step at a time. Follow Luke."

They were easy instructions to follow, and Maul found and focused on Luke's blond head as they wove their way through the hangar. With Rex behind him and Luke before, Maul managed to make it through the crowds. They stopped only once, to confirm with Reekian that they'd survived the battle and be formally dismissed to bed. Maul was grateful he was not expected to speak. It had all been too much. He wanted nothing more than to be alone in the quiet. 

"Master?" Luke said at the junction where he would leave Maul and go to his own bed. Somewhere along the way, while Maul had been lost in his thoughts, the others had disappeared off to their own rooms. "Do you want me to sleep in your room tonight? In case you have another attack?"

"No! N-no thank you, Luke. I would like to be alone. I need to meditate." It tasted like a lie even as he said the words aloud.

The Jedi nodded, mouth still pulled into a frown. "Okay. Well, you know where I am if you change your mind. Or if you want anybody else. I'm sure Rex would be willing to help too."

"No," Maul repeated. The word tasted ashy in his mouth.

"You did a really good job out there, you know," Luke said, apropos of nothing. "I panicked when I heard Vader. We wouldn't have made it out of the battle alive without you." 

Maul couldn't meet Luke's eyes. "You are kind," he said.

" - he is lying - "

"Sleep well, Master." Luke moved his arms abruptly, and Maul flinched back. The Jedi immediately aborted the hug. His eyes grew wide and worried again.

"Goodnight, young Jedi," Maul murmured and fled in shame down his own hall. He did not know what to do with Luke's pity, with his kindness. War, nightmares, violence - these had always been the tools of his trade. 

"And they still are. You can only pretend at this role. Your true nature will assert itself and destroy all your plans. The Rebels will discover what you have done, what you are, and they will toss you aside."

Maul couldn't recall his journey from the hallway to the shower, but as he stepped under the spray, the shock of cold water finally drowned out the voice of his master.

"Lies," he whispered. "Lies and old fear. Not real. Not real!" He stayed under the freezing spray a long time, relishing the numbness that came from the cold water cascading over his horns and down his back, all the while saying aloud what he could not quite believe in his heart. "Old pain, old scars. Falsehoods. Lies."

Eventually, he had to leave the shower, when his fingers were clumsy and wrinkled. Maul stepped out into the cold refresher.

He looked up into the mirror and met the red-and-gold of his own eyes reflected back in the face of a stranger: a scared old man. His face, his entire body, was pockmarked with scars from years of neglect and abuse that not even two decades of soft living with the Syndicate could remedy. More than half his body, once his greatest pride and weapon, was droid scraps. His eyes were exhausted and mad and just a touch too earnest. To this repulsive stranger, he growled, "The Rebels must truly be desperate to trust you."

Maul retreated to his private room and hard cot. The cold had seeped into him, and Maul pulled the many thermal blankets (which Luke had requisitioned for him, thoughtful desert-child that he was) about his shivering shoulders. When Maul turned out the lights, he lay in total darkness, only the hall lights flowing beneath the door broke the pitch. For a moment, Maul wondered if he oughtn't seek out Rex or Luke, as had been suggested. Free himself from these dark thoughts.

"Pathetic. You are unable to be alone with your thoughts, too scared to face the truth. The truth that you will fail your apprentice and I will finally have the successor that you could never be."

"No," he told the darkness. "No, you will not have him. Not this one. Not this time." His protestations devolved into harsh, dry sobs.

He must have slept, eventually, for he knew he dreamed, but sleep and waking blurred into a twisting, thrashing nightmare as Sidious's blades slid through Savage and tossed his brother aside like a rag doll. Then, he turned on Maul, red eyes glittering. Maul could not move, lashed back into the Mandalorian Sarcophagus and delivered to his master bound and helpless.

"And so ends the tragedy of Darth Maul the Wretched."

"Maul? Maul!"

Maul's eyes came open with a snap and he thrashed wildly against the sarcophagus' bindings - Sidious would not take him alive!

"You are safe! Sidious is far from here. You are in Echo Base. Maul, please acknowledge me." 

He knew that voice; it flowed through him as vital as blood. "Kenobi," he croaked through parched lips. As he struggled free, Maul realized he was bound only by Luke's many blankets. 

In the darkness, the ghost's outline had an otherworldly glow. "Yes," he said. Kenobi reached out to place a soothing hand on Maul's shoulder, an impotent, useless gesture, but where his hand should have passed through, warmth blossomed beneath those ghostly fingers. Soothing and grounding, Kenobi's heat seemed to burn away the nightmare's residual fear. 

They sat in silence, Maul relishing in this unexpected comfort and Kenobi patient and steady. A reminder of what was real and what were Sidious's mind games. It was only when he was calm again that Maul realized he was nearly dozing alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi. But he did not want to move. It was so peaceful here. His eyes drooped. Kenobi smelt of ozone and musk and... 

He nosed toward the smell, breathing deeply and trying to determine that last, cloying scent. Mmm… brandy. 

Above him, Kenobi chuckled. "Oh, I think the last thing you need is alcohol." Blood rushed to Maul's cheeks. He had said that out loud. "Although, Cody used to say that there was nothing more fortifying on a cold night than a shot of whiskey," Kenobi continued absentmindedly. His warm, ethereal fingers traced the black lines that curved over Maul's skull. "But of course, his maladies were not Force-related."

"Do you ever stop talking?" Maul grumbled, but it was half-hearted at best.

Kenobi placed a warm kiss on Maul's temple. "Sleep, you grumpy old thing. I will protect you from the nightmares."

Maul would have protested, but he was already drifting off to sleep. As promised, he did not dream.

Chapter Text

Kenobi was gone when Maul awoke. He might have thought it all a dream but for the scent of ozone and brandy still lingering among his blankets. Maul stayed suspended in the no-man's-land between sleep and waking for several long minutes, basking in the ghost's leftover warmth. Here, Maul was safe, protected from the cruel galaxy by Kenobi's shielding presence. 

Outside his nest were the looming consequences of his actions. The motives behind which, when Maul tried to reflect upon them, slipped through his fingers like grains of sand. All he knew was the stench of Lotho Minor and his master's horrible laughter. When he had shot at Vader, there was no premeditation, no consultation of the Force, only blind fear unbecoming a Force user of his mastery. It was humiliating. And potentially catastrophic.

He squeezed his eyes closed and buried his face deeper into his pillow as the weight of his mistakes settled over his shoulders. He couldn't begin to imagine how to make amends to Luke, assuming the Jedi even allowed him another second chance. Maul knew he would never have permitted such a thing. If he were in Luke's place, he would have banished the failed master. 

Maul scoffed softly. He was trained as a Sith. At Luke's age, he would have thought it his duty to slaughter a weak master in accordance with the teachings of Bane. The young fool that he had been had never considered what those lessons would one day mean for himself when he became the master. He knew only that mastership was the singular goal for which he must strive. 

With the lessons of hindsight, it had become clear that Sidious did not seek to make Maul - nor, indeed, Tyrannus or Vader - his equal. They weren't his students, meant to one day surpass him and become the master themselves. They were lackies, mere weapons to be wielded by Sidious. And Maul was but an old, chipped knife.

Luke had already far surpassed him in every way that mattered. Were he measured by Bane's metric, Maul had fulfilled his purpose, and it was now his student's duty to give him the death befitting an obsolete master. But Maul was confident Luke would reject that particular right of passage; he was a Jedi to his core.

And Maul himself was barely a Darksider these days, let alone a Sith. He was too devoted to Luke - to all of the rebels who had forced their way into his life - to leave. Poor master he may have been, but Maul would not break Luke's heart by abandoning him and his cause just because his own purpose had been fulfilled. So what did an anachronistic darksider with an apprentice far more talented and powerful than him do? 

What had the Jedi done? It had always been Maul's understanding that the Jedi Council sat on their asses and dispensed esoteric wisdom. Useless, he had once thought, to set aside space in society for the "venerated elder". What was obsolete was to be disposed of without mercy or regret.

He would be eating those words. He may never be the master Luke deserved, but Maul refused to be a dead weight. Qi'ra would still need his presence to bully the Pykes and Black Sun into compliance. His tactical knowledge and familiarity with Sidious could be of use to the Alliance. And, if he thought it would help, Maul was certain he could manage some incomprehensible advice of which even Kenobi would be impressed.

Reinforcing himself one last time with the smell of ozone and brandy, Maul sat up, blankets pooling around his robotic hips. Goosebumps prickled across his skin as he bared it to Hoth's icy air. He gave a great stretch and pushed himself to his feet. Maul didn't bother to look at the time until he had already washed and dressed. Now fully awake, the 04:23 blinked at him disdainfully. He sighed and set out in pursuit of caf regardless of the early hour. 

The rescue operation appeared to have wound down while he slept, and Maul met almost no one in the halls at this early hour. From time to time, he passed a hub of activity - the medical and communications halls were both abuzz - but he had no business in those places and left them to their work.

In the cafeteria, he found the others that, like himself, had been forsaken by sleep. Among them, sipping a mug of steaming caf and flicking through her datapad, was Qi'ra. They caught sight of each other at the same moment, and she politely raised one gloved hand in greeting. It was only years of closely working together that allowed Maul to spot the way her canny eyes took his measure. 

It was the same look that she had worn the first time they'd met, as she stepped from Dryden Voss's shadow and knelt before him. At that time, Maul had been arrogant enough to disregard her. No longer. He regretted the way he had snarled at her. He hadn't been thinking, only reacting (again). Though he had apologized, Qi'ra was not a forgiving woman, and Maul had made a great blunder.  

"Good morning," Qi'ra said neutrally as he joined  her. Her eyes searched his face as she put her datapad down on the table. "How are you this morning, my lord?"

"I am well, thank you," he lied.

Qi'ra's eyes flashed. She did not need the Force to see through his deceit, yet she recalled his prior temper and did not pry further. Instead, she pursed her lips and silently nudged her carafe of fresh caf toward him.

Her kindness, even accompanied by disapproval, made the urge to tell her everything rise within him. Qi'ra had been his close confidante for nearly a decade; she was thoughtful, strategic, and every time he had brought his concerns to her in the past, he had left with helpful new insights. She had proven herself invaluable time and time again. 

" - and in return you have given her power. Do you think Qi'ra will still stand by your side when she realizes you have nothing left to offer her - ?"

A cold shiver clawed its way up Maul's spine, freezing the confession on the tip of his tongue. Qi'ra owed him nothing. When he had set out in pursuit of Kenobi, he'd left his entire criminal empire in her capable hands. The revelation of his fragility would lay bare how little he had to offer her now. How she had nothing to gain from helping him in this mad crusade against the Empire.

With shaking hands, Maul poured himself a mug of caf from the offered carafe and wrapped his fingers around the warm plasti before Hoth could steal all its heat. The burn against his fingers was almost more than he could bear. "And how are you this morning?"

"I slept little, so early this morning I took the liberty of sending a communique to the syndicates." She smirked and tapped her fingernails across the screen of her datapad. "They have already responded with great interest. Unfortunately, further preparations require I return to the First Light."

This, Maul had to remind himself, had been her plan prior to Vader's attack on the Fleet. It was the logical next step. All the same, he couldn't help but see Qi'ra's departure as abandonment. And even if it was, he could hardly blame her for wanting free of him. 

"Well done" he praised hollowly. "Have you arranged your transport?"

"Yes, but when I tried to bring it up to the appropriate Alliance authorities, no one had any time for me," Qi'ra clicked her tongue in disapproval. "It does sound as if they have their hands full. I overheard some of the pilots talking - the ships out in the snowfield all froze in the blizzard last night. What a horrible planet this is."

Her scathing commentary stirred a fond amusement in him, and Maul covered his little chuckle with a sip of caf. "Part of the reason the Rebels chose Hoth for their base is that, by most metrics, this planet is considered uninhabitable. It decreases the likelihood of being found, but it does make day-to-day life rather inconvenient."

Qi'ra scowled and drew her thick Voorpak fur coat more closely around her shoulders. "Miserable. Do you really intend to stay here?"

Maul nodded, mirth drying up as she raised the very question that he had been bandying about in his head all morning. "I will go where I am most useful," he said at last. "For now, that places me at Luke and Leia's disposal. However, when negotiations begin, I will come to you, should that be your preference."

A tiny, worried line appeared between Qi'ra's brows. "Yes, it will be. I require your endorsement. We must present a united front, or those syndicate mynocks will suck us dry."

"You have my support," he promised quietly, "in whatever form it is required."

Her responding smile was small but genuine.

"I see the Crimson Dawn are living up to their name," said Hera Syndulla's voice from overhead. Maul fought back the urge to flinch; instead, he squeezed his mug more tightly and met the gaze of the woman who had only yesterday saved his life. The general herself looked as if she had not slept at all; there were deep bags beneath her eyes and her green skin was pallid. "You're both up early."

"It was a restless night for all," Qi'ra agreed, her face brightening as she spotted an opportunity to get what she wanted. "Won't you join us, General Syndulla? We have caf."

Following Qi'ra's lead, Maul poured the general a fresh mug and offered it up to her. "If you have the time," he added politely.

Syndulla looked from the steaming beverage to Maul's face, and studied him for a long moment. Then, much to his surprise, she accepted both it and the offered seat. "Good bribe. What do you want?"

Qi'ra gave her a charming smile. "I need permission to leave the planet. I can arrange transport myself, but I require the appropriate codes for my pilot to land safely. If I am to begin negotiating with the Syndicates on the Alliance's behalf, I must return to my office."

"Ackbar mentioned something about opening up a dialogue with the Syndicates," Syndulla said with clear disapproval. "If you've got your own ride, I suppose I can arrange for them not to be shot down."

"How gracious," Qi'ra replied.

"Sure am," she agreed sarcastically. Syndulla took a long drink of caf, and when she resurfaced the general had grown serious. "If you're going to try to make these negotiations work, then there's something you should know. They're going to make an official announcement in a few hours, but I suppose it's only appropriate that our allies hear the news directly." Syndulla looked between Maul and Qi'ra, gaging their reactions. "Senator Mon Mothma is missing."

Qi'ra gasped softly and Maul hissed a curse.

"No one knows if she's dead or been captured," Syndulla continued. "General Jan Dodonna was also killed during the battle yesterday. Ackbar confirmed this intel to the generals about an hour ago."

"Ackbar is in command, then?" Maul wondered how this would affect their negotiations with the Pykes and Black Sun. Mon Mothma's name alone held bargaining power; to lose their leader before they had even properly opened the dialogue robbed them of a significant advantage.

"Yes, he's next in the chain of command. And," Syndulla hesitated for only a split-second, "I've been promoted to the Alliance War Council."

A genuine smile tugged at Maul's mouth. "Good." He relished the idea of unleashing Syndulla upon Sidious in all her unfettered rage. "There is no one better qualified."

Shock wrote its way across the general's face. "What did you say?"

" - she knows better than to trust you - "  

"That you are incredibly qualified," Maul snapped, fed up with having his loyalties questioned again and again. "I have been your opponent, General Syndulla; you are a formidable foe. It will be a pleasure to see your righteous fury turned against our mutual enemy."

By the end of his short tirade, Syndulla had raised an incredulous eyebrow. Suddenly embarrassed and unsure from where his rage had originated, Maul ducked his head and scowled down into his caf.

The general pushed herself to her feet and looked down her nose at him. "Is that the line you fed Rex and Ahsoka?"

"The truth?" He grit his teeth. "Indeed."

She scoffed, "I'm sure. You may have everyone else fooled, but I haven't forgotten what you are - "

" - I am filth - "

" - a Darksider. In the end, you'll always serve yourself, no matter who you hurt." Caf in-hand, Syndulla stormed off, leaving the cafeteria all together.

Maul blew out a long sigh and dropped his head into his hands. That had gone very poorly.

Qi'ra sniffed disdainfully. "Well. How rude. What have we ever done to her?"

"I blinded her beau," Maul confessed to his caf.

"You - oh!” Qi'ra covered an incredulous giggle with her fingertips. "That would certainly do it." She paused. "If I may say so, my lord, you have a unique way of making allies."

Maul groaned very softly.

By the time the others joined their breakfast table, the news of Mothma's disappearance had been made common knowledge by the rebel rumor mill. Rex, who had gone straight to Ackbar after he woke, came with details that Syndulla had not shared. "They ID'd Dodonna's body," the captain growled and took a long swig of caf. "He stayed behind to cover the stragglers' escape. Even managed to save most of his own crew, but the bridge was blown out just as they hit hyperspace. It's a miracle so much of the ship even made it to Hoth." 

"How much of the Alliance leadership was lost in the battle?" Calrissian asked.

"About a third," Rex responded solemnly. "We're doing our best to promote from inside, but we lost a lot of good soldiers yesterday. They're going to have to redouble recruitment efforts."

Calrissian sat back with a pensive frown. 

Leia, who had come down with Han and Chewbacca (leaving Maul to worry about where Luke was, if not with his sister) insisted staunchly, "But Mon is missing. We can't be certain where she is."

"Better off dead than in Vader's hands," Han growled all too knowingly. 

Leia bit her lip and looked away, grief breaking briefly through her resolution. Qi'ra reached out and took Leia's hand, wrapping their fingers together. "Whatever the case, we will carry on in her name," she reassured Leia gently. "When I return to the First Light, I will have access to more resources and information. Just tell me what you need."

"Thank you," Leia said softly.

"You are most welcome," Qi'ra replied. Her smile for Leia was warmer than Maul had ever seen it. "The Crimson Dawn will not abandon our new allies in your time of need. All I have is yours." 

Han said something in reply, accused Qi'ra of attempting to "steal my girl", but their conversion fell from Maul's focus as he caught sight of Luke. He entered the cafeteria surrounded by a gaggle of chattering pilots, most of them Rogues, who appeared to have already been out on the tundra that morning. Once again among his peers, Luke stood out. The young Jedi had, like his cohorts, messy hair and cheeks flushed red with the cold, but there was a dignified sort of serenity about him that Maul had never before noticed. It was only now, back alongside Hobbie, Dak, and Captain Antilles, that Maul could see how much Luke had matured.

With a warm grin and a little wave, Luke bid the pilots goodbye and turned toward their table. His smile didn't waver as he caught Maul's eye. 

"It's cold out this morning," he announced in lieu of a greeting.

"And you appear to have already been out in it," Lando replied bemusedly.

"Rieekan had the Rogues trying to break the ice on the ships that overnighted in the field, and I couldn't sleep. The first one took us almost an hour, but then they finally got the droids out with heat-blasters and that sped things up."

"Did you hear - ?"

"About Mothma and Dodonna? Yeah. General Syndulla told me when she came out to de-ice the Ghost." Luke met his sister's eye. "She's strong, Leia. If she's out there, Mon will make it back."

Leia looked away, back down to where her hands were linked with Qi'ra's. "Yes, I know. And in the meantime, we will carry on for her." Qi'ra gave the princess an approving smile.

There was a lull in conversation as each turned back to their now-cold breakfast. An unpleasant squirm just above Maul's severed waist informed him that, even halved, he still required more sustenance than caf alone. As he rose to join the breakfast queue, Luke fell into step at his side.

"Master, can we talk?"

Maul fought the urge to shrink in on himself, and only just succeeded in keeping his shoulders down and his spine straight. "Of course. Shall we walk?"

Luke nodded, his blue eyes solemn (but kind, unfailingly kind). Snagging several ration bars and bidding adieu to their friends, Luke and Maul set off on an aimless walk about Echo Base. Luke was quiet as they ate, and it gave Maul ample opportunity to work himself into a silent hysteria. For all his attempts to parse Luke's psychology, this was the moment in which Maul's fate would finally be decided. 

The worst part was that he knew the Jedi would be compassionate. He would be all reassurance and smiles. Luke was so much better than Maul deserved.

"So, I've been thinking about what happened yesterday," Luke said when his ration bar was only crumbs and wrapper. "And we've got some stuff we need to talk about." 

Maul braced himself.

The look Luke shot him was as much amused as it was sheepish. "Do you want to start with your shit or mine?"

He didn't entirely understand what the Jedi meant (What "shit" did Luke have?), but Maul knew the answer regardless. "Mine. I would like to be in a state of mind to give your concerns my full attention, and I confess I am distracted." A shiver went through him, and Maul shoved his hands deep into his pockets. He had forgotten how cold Hoth was.

"You sure you're not distracted by Ben?" Luke's grin turned cheeky. "I heard he spent last night with you. He came to see me this morning."

"My apprentice has been corrupted by the Jedi's gossiping ways," Maul despaired. Luke's resulting laughter seemed to chase away some of the chill. "What did Kenobi have to say?"

"He's worried about you. Said he had some ideas but wouldn't elaborate," Luke confessed. "Can you tell me what happened yesterday? Or, if not me, Ben or somebody else you trust? We could even get you an Alliance councilor. I just want you to feel better - to not have to go through all this, whatever it is, alone."

Yes, Maul thought wryly, Luke was far kinder than he deserved.

They reached a quiet, empty alcove in the hallway, and by silent agreement settled there, leaning back against the carved-ice walls. Maul swallowed, throat tight. He struggled with himself for a moment; he ought to tell the Jedi everything. Luke himself had said, just moments ago, that he desired only Maul's wellness. The Jedi would not cast him aside for showing weakness. He never had before. 

" - Luke will soon realize what a hindrance you are - "

Maul flinched ever-so-slightly. "I do not want to burden you." The words tumbled from his lips. His hands shook violently with the cold.

This only seemed to make Luke sadder. "I assumed you would feel that way, but I still wanted to offer. You've done so much for me; someday, it'll be my turn to help you back." He looked into Maul's eyes and smiled. Maul found himself smiling back, as always charmed by Luke's irresistible warmth. "Please consider talking to Ben or somebody else?"

Maul nodded, although he knew it would not be as simple as the Jedi made it sound.

"Whatever it is, you'll be okay," Luke promised. He touched Maul's shoulder, slowly and gently, broadcasting the motion and giving Maul ample time to stop him. "Can I hug you?" 

Feeling emotional suddenly for no discernable reason, Maul nodded. Luke enveloped him in his desert-sun warmth, thawing some of the ice that had left Maul frozen solid all morning. "You'll be okay," Luke repeated softly. 

When the Jedi stepped back, Maul briskly wiped away the moisture that had gathered under his eyes and cleared his throat. "Now, tell me of your woes that I might feel less ridiculous in mine."

"There's nothing ridiculous about them," Luke reassured him. He shuffled his feet, then, a surprisingly childish motion in light of Maul's recent reflection on the Jedi's maturity. 

"I've been thinking about it, and you and Leia are right: whenever Vader and I meet on the battlefield, it's too tense to have a good conversation. We aren't ever going to make headway when there are always ships and lightsabers and armies between us. I need to stop being reactive and start making intentional steps forward." Determination wrote its way across Luke's face. "I need a plan."

"I am inclined to agree," Maul replied. "Purposeful action is always better than blind reaction. What did you have in mind?"

Luke smiled self-deprecatingly. "To be honest, I'm not actually sure. I know I need to get him away from the other Imperials - father won't speak his mind while there's someone around who could report back to the Emperor. But he's about as likely to show up without backup as I am."

"Which is to say not at all," Maul said tersely.

The Jedi shot him a little smile. "Exactly. How do we get him away from the Emperor's oversight so that I can have an honest dialogue with him?"

"No small request. Particularly in light of the fact that Vader himself will be resistant to your attempts to take control of the conversation," Maul added quietly. "Which unfortunately means we must prepare for the potential that he becomes violent."

All of the mirth disappeared from Luke's face, and his gaze dropped to his prosthetic right hand. "I - That thought had crossed my mind as well," he confessed quietly. "I don't even know where to begin with all of it. There's so much to consider." 

"Indeed. Perhaps Lady Tano and Captain Rex can offer some insight? Kenobi as well. They knew him best."

Luke nodded. "I want to get Han and Leia's opinions too."

Maul took a deep breath and thought for a moment how to best express his next warning. "They will oppose your intentions. I do not seek to dissuade you from your decision to include them, only to prepare you for the inevitable argument."

"Oh, I know." Luke smiled ironically. "But if I'm going to do this, there's no way that they won't be involved, even if Leia fights me on it. And I won't go behind their backs. I need their support; we're stronger together."

"Wise," Maul agreed softly. 

"Do you really think so?" Luke managed to keep the anxiety out of his voice, but Maul recognized its presence regardless. "Yesterday went so badly."

Maul squirmed. "My mistake - "

"Wasn't the only thing. Going off with Vader would have been a terrible idea, and I almost did it anyway. Knowing there's still good in him doesn't mean blindly trusting him to do the right thing. I need to be aware of that, even if it hurts to admit it."

"And you question your wisdom?" Maul teased him fondly. "You have a fair measure of what is needed."

Luke nodded and took a deep breath. "Thank you, Master." He looked up at Maul. "Would you do me another favor? Would you please contact Lady Tano and ask her to join us for a holocall this evening? And maybe mention it to Rex too? I'll have my hands full with Leia and Han… Chewie will help no matter what - he's a good guy like that. Maybe I could ask Lando for help, too? He's smart and cunning, and that's the kind of help I need right now."

"Yes, of course," Maul agreed. "I would suggest Qi'ra as well, but she will be consumed by her negotiations with the Syndicates."

He nodded. "You're right. She'll need to focus all her energy on them." Luke fell into a thoughtful silence, eyes unfocused.

"Do you feel better?" 

The Jedi blew out a sigh. "Yeah. It's good to have a way forward. Thank you." He refocused on Maul. "How about you?"

"I'm no longer concerned about being ejected back out into the snow," Maul replied drily, but Luke immediately saw through his sarcasm.

"I wouldn't do that," he told Maul seriously. "I don't know what I would do without you, Master."

Fighting another wave of emotion, Maul reached for Luke, pulling him into a tight hug of his own. "Yes, Apprentice. I know."

They rejoined the others just in time to see Qi'ra off. As promised, General Syndulla had alerted the correct authorities, and the little unarmed transport that Qi'ra had summoned made it to base unharmed.

"Goodbye, my friends," Qi'ra said with great dignity. "Be safe. I will be in touch regarding the negotiations shortly."

Lando dropped into a dramatic bow and kissed Qi'ra's hand. Solo gave her a cocky wave, and Luke and Chewbacca both wished her safe passage. But when it was her turn to say goodbye, Leia let out a little squeak and raced forward to throw her arms around Qi'ra. She hugged the princess back, pulling her in close and burying her face in Leia's hair. They exchanged a few murmured words, which Maul took great pains not to hear; he had no desire to gape like an idiot at the intimate moments of others.

When Leia stepped back, there were tears in her eyes and a bright, determined smile on her face. "I'll see you soon. Thank -you, Qi'ra."

"You have my code, should you need anything. I'll always answer for you," Qi'ra promised, brushing a tear from Leia's cheek.

And then she was facing Maul. There was still some weariness in her eyes as she respectfully bowed her head. "I will be in touch when I have orchestrated the negotiations, my lord," Qi'ra said, once again all business. "In the meantime, do let me know if you have further need of the Crimson Dawn."

"Contact me should your will require enforcing. I am at your disposal during the negotiations as well," was Maul's easy response. And then he hesitated. "Be safe," was the inadequate sentiment on which he finally settled.

"And yourself," she replied simply.

Without further ado, Qi'ra boarded her transport and disappeared out into Hoth's bright sky. An instinct, some frigid feeling at his very core, made Maul anxious to let her go. He shivered, as if trying to physically free himself from the dread gathering in his chest.

Shortly thereafter, they were recruited to assist with the defrosting efforts, and Maul joined the others without complaint. Slowly freeing ships from the ice and snow proved to be hard physical labor, and he could focus on the work of his hands, not the shame that still tormented him. The task also had the added benefit of putting him near Captain Rex, and Maul took the opportunity to pass on Luke's request.

"Of course he's plotting," Rex chortled as he shoveled away the last of the ice and snow covering the X-wing's landing gear. "I'm in." 

"Thank you," Maul said as earnestly as he could while shoulder-deep in the left engine's exhaust nozzle. "Your insights will be most appreciated."

"Can't let him get himself killed, now can I?" Rex joked dryly. "How do the engines look?"

With a grunt, Maul finally worked free the last icy obstruction. "The rear fusial engines are clear!" he crowed, waving the offending ice chunk over his head triumphantly. 

"Let's get her started up." Rex pried open the canopy with the blade of his shovel and set about trying to get the engine to turn over. Once the X-wing had hummed to life, they left it there to warm up. Luke or Han would be by when it was thawed enough to fly and bring it into the hangar with the others.

"I'm gonna invite Hera," Rex said, holding out a thermal of caf for Maul to share during their short, celebratory break.

Maul resisted the urge to groan and instead settled for taking a burning swallow of black caf. "If she will participate. She loathes me."

"Hera's a professional," Rex reproached him. "Besides, if this shit works and Luke can bring Vader over to our side, we're gonna need a voice on the Alliance Council. She's our best in."

With a long sigh that fogged his goggles, Maul agreed, "Very well." If nothing else, another strategic mind couldn't hurt their chances against Vader. 

"That's the spirit!" Rex said and stole back the caf.

The message Maul sent to Ahsoka was short and to-the-point: The apprentice is scheming, the likes of which would make your foremasters proud. Please join us tonight at 22:00 Galactic Standard Time to lend your much-needed perspective and insight. 

When he reflected on it, Maul realized that he did not know how Lady Tano would react to Luke's crusade. Once, in a simpler galaxy, he was certain she would have stopped at nothing to save Anakin Skywalker from himself. But this was a new age, and she'd had that optimism beaten out of her. Which would win - her better nature or the cruel practicality which had necessarily developed while living under imperial reign?

The Falcon was crowded and cramped with the conspirators all gathered together. Han was squeezed between Leia and Lando on the hologram board's bench. Lady Tano's glowing 'holo and Captain Rex were speaking softly, about what Maul could not hear. Maul and Luke shared for their seat an empty crate. Chewbacca leaned not far from where General Syndulla and her murderous astromech stood rigidly with their backs to the wall and the exit within easy reach.

Maul privately appreciated Syndulla's caution.

When it was time, Luke stood and called, "Let's begin," over the soft murmur of his friends and guests, drawing their attention.

"Will Master Obi-Wan be joining us?" Ahsoka asked. 

Luke looked to Maul, and the others followed suit. Syndulla made a sound of shock. "General Kenobi is alive?"

"Not remotely." Maul rolled his eyes. "Kenobi, enough of your lurking. Join us."

The ghost did not need to be invited twice. "You called, Darling?" Kenobi teased, appearing next to Maul in Luke's vacated seat. "Hello Ahsoka. Rex. It is good to see you again."

Lady Tano didn't bother to hide her pleased smile. "Good to see you too, Master." 

"Never seen anything like that before, eh?" Rex shot a grin over to Syndulla.

"You'd be surprised," General Syndulla replied quietly. Her face gave nothing away. Maul found himself wondering suddenly what sorts of Jedi secrets Kanan Jarrus might have made his widow privy to before his death. "It is a pleasure to meet you, General Kenobi. My father speaks very highly of you."

Kenobi inclined his head gracefully, the ghost of a desert hermit still managing to conjure all of General Kenobi's gravitas. "Likewise, General Syndulla. You have been a great force for good in the Galaxy. It is an honor to plot at your side."

"Flirt," Maul grumbled. "Do you ever stop?"

The smirk Kenobi shot him left Maul a bit breathless. "You weren't complaining about it last night."

"Oh," said Han somewhere in the periphery, "I see it now."

Luke cleared his throat; he was still smiling, but it had developed a nervous edge. "Thank you for coming, Ben." He took a breath. Now that it was time to make his proposal, Luke faltered, struck by stage fright. A dogfight he could face without flinching, but here, with so much riding on this conversation's outcome, Luke found himself overwhelmed. And yet he persisted past his nerves. Maul felt pride swell within him; his apprentice had come so far.

"I've called you all here because I need advice - and potentially your help." Luke met his sister's skeptical gaze. "I believe we can bring Vader over to our side and turn him against the Emperor. I think that's how we win: we have to take away the Emperor's right hand."

There was already a rumble of dissent building, led by Leia. Luke spoke over them. "Every time we've fought, I have sensed the conflict within Vader. He hates what he's become as much as we do, but he doesn't see any other way forward besides the Emperor's. If we can show him that he has another choice - with us - we gain a valuable ally and remove Sidious' most powerful weapon in one strike."

The response, as expected, was explosive. 

" - I can't believe you're still on about this - "

" - playing with fire, kid - "

" - it's an impossible task - "

Kenobi and Maul exchanged an exasperated glance. "This is a fortuitous beginning," the ghost murmured for Maul's ears alone, stroking his mustache. Maul hummed his agreement.

Luke was wilting in the face of such vocal opposition. When he tried to calm the arguments, he was drowned out by Leia's, " - Master Maul is an exception, Luke, not a rule - !"

Maul watched Luke flinch away from his sister's harsh words, and he was on his feet before he'd fully formulated the thought, hand steadying on Luke's shoulder. "The Force is with you, Apprentice," he murmured so that only Luke, and perhaps Kenobi behind them, could hear. The Jedi glanced over his shoulder at Maul, intimidation written in his eyes. Maul smiled softly, putting all the pride he had for his young apprentice in the expression. "You made it listen; you can convince your friends."

The Jedi set his mouth and nodded. When he spoke again, his voice carried steadily over the cacophony. "Enough."

It took a moment, but Luke had soon regained the floor (although Leia looked ready to stage a mutiny). "I understand your concerns, and I'm listening. But I need you to listen, too. I want to approach this practically and take your advice, if you'll give it."

He took a breath, and this time no one tried to argue over him. "Leia was right yesterday: the battlefield is no place to try to have an honest conversation. If this is going to work, I need to approach Vader as peaceably as I can. But I've also promised Master Maul that I won't do anything monumentally stupid." At those words, Luke threw a heartwarming little grin over his shoulder at Maul. "That means I need your help. If we're a united front, there's nothing we can't do."

"What exactly are you proposing, Luke?" asked Lady Tano in a measured voice.

"I need to get Vader alone. As long as he's surrounded by Imperials, he'll never speak to me honestly. Away from them, I might have a chance of getting through to him. But," he took a moment to quietly fortify himself, "if he decides not to cooperate, we need to be able to deal with him. No matter Vader's response, we can't waste the opportunity."

"Deal with him?" Leia echoed, immediately going for the throat. 

Luke met her challenging gaze steadily. "I know there's a chance I'm wrong, Leia. I know that even if my plans go perfectly, Vader may still choose the Emperor. If that happens, we need to be prepared to either capture him or - or kill him." He flexed his prosthetic fingers. "We already know what he's willing to do."

Leia was genuinely taken aback, and her response was a surprised, "You're serious. You actually mean it."

"If my father chooses not to fight back against the Empire and atone for his actions, we have to make the right choice for the Galaxy. Whether I like it or not." Luke's voice remained steady, although Maul knew the pain it must have caused him to say such things. 

"So you want to set a trap?" Calrissian asked skeptically. "Strip him of his ships and his Stormtroopers and force him onto even footing for a nice little chat?"

"It won't be that easy," Ashoka warned. "When Ezra, Kanan, and I confronted Vader on Malachor, we had already dispatched the Inquisitors. There were no other Imperial agents on the whole planet, and it didn't matter. I saw a glimpse of the man who had been my master, but he was so warped by hate and sorrow that he would not reach back out to me." She sighed and met Luke's gaze, her melancholy clear even across the comms. "I have seen the conflict you speak of, Luke, and it wasn't enough then."

"You didn't have the resources we have now," Luke replied steadily. "It was only you reaching out to him then. Now there's you, me, Rex, Ben, and Master to all show him that this is a real option. That the Alliance is capable of defeating the Empire. I really believe if he's given the opportunity to talk, without a battlefield between us - "

"Everywhere Vader goes is a battlefield!" Leia snapped. "You'll never manage to separate him from war and destruction; it's all he is." 

"I once believed that of Maul as well." Kenobi spoke softly and yet his voice cut through the room like a lightsaber. "I have learned since then that every being contains multitudes. People can and will grow if given the opportunity." The ghost turned from Leia to Lady Tano and continued, "Anakin has had more than half a decade to reflect on his choices since your confrontation, Ahsoka. He knows now that there are many people, not just you alone, ready to support him should he betray the Emperor. That is empowering."

Ahsoka hummed noncommittally, keeping her thoughts to herself. "What do you think, Rex?"

The captain had been very quiet, arms crossed and expression somber. "I still have a difficult time imagining General Skywalker under Vader's helmet," he confessed. "The Jedi I served under was good. One of the best men I ever knew. He stuck his neck out for me more times than I can count, right up until the end. I still sometimes - " Rex's voice grew hoarse, and Maul realized to his horror that there was a tear rolling down the old clone's cheek. "I still sometimes wonder if I could've changed something had I been with him on Coruscant and not off fighting on Mandalore." 

"Rex - " Ahsoka said, pain in her voice.

He held up a quelling hand. "There's nothing to be done dwelling on the past. I know that." Rex ran the hand over his bald head, and when he straightened his grief was once again hidden behind the soldier's mask. "I know there's a chance we'll fail, but I owe it to Anakin to try. If our places were reversed, my general would come after me."

"And what do you propose we do with Vader once we have him?" General Syndulla asked. "There are those in the Alliance who would say that all a man like Vader deserves, even if he has a miraculous change of heart, is a swift military tribunal for his crimes. And I'm not sure I can disagree."

Leia was nodding and the others exchanged loaded glances as Syndulla pressed on. "I understand that he was once your friend." Her eyes strayed to Luke and filled with sympathy. "That he is your family. But this is bigger than forgiving one man's mistakes. Billions of beings have been killed or enslaved around the galaxy because of the system that he has had a hand in maintaining for twenty years. You don't just come back from that."

"With respect, General," Maul replied quietly, "I'm afraid my presence here belies that line of argument." He smiled ironically. "We do not get to be picky about our allies when our enemies are so all-encompassing. If what Luke senses in Vader is genuine - and I believe it is - the Alliance cannot afford to ignore such an opportunity."

The general was quiet for a long moment (and around them, Maul's friends seemed to be preparing for another fight). Then, she blew out an angry sigh and said, "I may loathe you, Maul, but even I must acknowledge that your crimes aren't on the same scale as Vader's. It's one thing for the Alliance Council to disregard your - extenuating circumstances." She scowled at her own word choice. Maul felt his hearts throb in shocked pleasure; he hadn't anticipated even such a small concession from Hera Syndulla. "But they are not in the habit of negotiating with war criminals."

"May I offer an alternative perspective, Hera?" Calrissian asked. He spoke as if they were friends, although based on Syndulla's sour expression she would have disputed that label. All the same, she inclined her head, inviting him to continue. "Objectively, the Alliance is in a rough patch right now: nearly half the top brass is gone, the fleet's been grounded, and this base is too small and under-stocked for everyone it's taking in. If I were you, I'd be looking at this proposal as a boon! The Emperor's right hand might have a change of heart? And you already have a proven success story with another Darksider coming to the light?" Calrissian placed his hand over his heart. "In our line of work, that's a Sylop up your sleeve."

"You'd know all about cheating at cards, wouldn't you, Lando?" Syndulla rolled her eyes. "And since when is it "our" line of work? When did you join the Rebellion?"

"This afternoon, when Ackbar asked me to be the Alliance's lead negotiator with the Syndicates," Lando replied smugly. 

"You son-of-a-bitch!" Han crowed, throwing an arm over his friend's shoulders. "And you weren't gonna say anything?"

"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise," Calrissian laughed and hugged Han back, "but I couldn't resist a set-up like that."

There were several moments of celebratory clamor as Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and Luke exclaimed over Lando's revelation. Even Maul found himself pulled into the merrymaking, adding his own congratulations to the uproar. "Qi'ra will be most pleased. She has always spoken highly of you." Calrissian tittered his thanks, clearly flattered by their response.

When she could make herself heard again, Syndulla said, "At least all that wily charisma is on our side." She belied her own sarcasm with a truly warm smile. "Glad to have you on board, Lando." 

"Thank-you, General," Calrissian replied. He sobered. "I hope, then, you'll appreciate that I'm making this recommendation with the full knowledge of its potential impact on my own health and well-being. I think it's our best shot."

Syndulla didn't respond immediately, instead she took a few moments to study Luke's face. "Why do I get the feeling you're going to do this with or without my approval?"

"Because you know his type," Ahsoka said quietly. 

Syndulla's expression fell. It only took Maul a moment to follow their meaning.

Ezra. They were talking about Ezra. A lump formed in Maul's throat. So he was not the only one who had seen the similarities between Luke and Bridger. What a team those two boys would have made. What a bright future winked out.

" - and you will fail the boy as you failed little Ezra Bridger - !"

He flinched away from the thought, despair draping its weight across his shoulders. Maul had played his own part in tormenting Ezra. His cruel tricks and mind games had pushed the young apprentice needlessly to the brink. How could Maul imagine himself useful to Luke now when he had always left such destruction in his wake - ? 

Warmth covered his hand, tingling up his arm and chasing away those cold, dark musings. Maul opened his eyes (When had they fallen closed?) and found Kenobi leaning close.

"Maul? Are you still with me?" The phantom asked softly. 

"Yes," he replied, although it came out as little more than a sigh. Kenobi was unconvinced, and the searching look he gave Maul made the darksider's gaze drop in a moment of uncharacteristic timorousness. He instead studied their hands; Kenobi had draped his long, transparent fingers over Maul's white-knuckled fist. He could feel himself unwinding beneath the gentle touch. Hesitantly, Maul laced their fingers together, and Kenobi indulged him.

As it had been the night before, Kenobi's touch felt nothing like that of a mortal man, with all the intricacies of flesh and bone. The sensation reminded Maul most of running his fingers under warm water or through the gentle caress of a desert breeze. It was simultaneously ethereal and grounding. 

Kenobi squeezed their interlocked fingers and when Maul looked back up at the ghost's face, Kenobi's concern had melted into a smile. "This conversation is not over," he promised, but it was too fond to be a threat.

In silent mutual agreement, Maul and Kenobi refocused on the conversation unfolding around them. Their fingers were still linked.

"There is one person I won't do this without," Luke said as Syndulla stepped back to rejoin her astromech by the wall. The Jedi turned his attention to his sister. "Leia. Whether or not you choose to acknowledge Vader, you deserve to have a say in this decision. If you truly can't abide with giving him a second chance, then I will respect your wishes." Luke looked every inch a Jedi in that moment, and Maul wondered silently at his endless compassion. "But please consider carefully. I know you know how much depends on this choice."

The moment Luke had begun to address her, Leia had pulled the politician's veil across her face, and so her reaction was muted to a mere frown. Yet when Maul peered into the Force, he saw the turmoil of her true feelings. She was simultaneously resentful toward Luke for placing this burden on her and grateful for his acknowledgement. Both caught up in her brother's talk of hope and unable to forgive Vader for the crimes he had committed against her. She allowed in her expression no sign of how the dichotomy tore her up inside. 

Leia held Luke's gaze for several seconds, the twins examining each other with equal gravitas. "If it was up to me alone, I'd be taking General Syndulla's recommendation and handing him over to be sentenced for his crimes," she said at last.

"I know." Luke replied evenly.

"It's what he deserves."

"I know."

The princess's sharp eyes flashed to Solo beside her, who offered an encouraging nod. When she addressed Luke again, Leia let some of the pain she was feeling show in the unhappy twist of her lips. "He destroyed my planet. My family. I don't know if I can be the better person, Luke. I don't know if I have the capacity to see past our history."

For the briefest of moments, upset lit up Luke's image in the Force, but he never allowed it to bleed into his body language. Instead, he embraced the feeling. When it had run its course, he released it into the Force where it dissolved into nothingness. "Alright." Luke's voice did not waver. "I'm asking too much. I understand, and I respect your feelings. We'll find another way to end this war." 

Leia's mask dropped away completely, and love filled her face. "I - Stop. I said I don't know if I can." She drew herself up, proud and powerful. "But I will try. For you." Then, her face once again hardened. "He only gets one chance, though. If he fucks it up, that's it. We kill him."

"Leia - " Luke said, his own Jedi calm breaking down. He pulled his sister up off her seat and into a massive hug. "Thank you. Oh, thank you - !"

"I'm not doing it for him," she reiterated, hugging her brother back just as tightly. "This is for the Galaxy. And for you. If you can pull this off - hell, Luke, I'll take a miracle."

"So we're all in agreement?" Luke asked, stepping back from his sister to survey the assembled. "We're doing this?"

The chorus of affirmatives he received was perhaps not as enthusiastic as it might have been, but Luke seemed pleased by it all the same. Maul felt himself breathe a silent sigh of relief. They had found a mutual path forward. 

"Alright, what's the plan?" asked Han. "I personally vote we drug and kidnap the asshole."

Rex, ever the tactician, put his mind to the matter at once. "We need to be as direct as possible. Anakin always hated politics and mind games. If we're too underhanded or sneaky, he won't trust us on principle. He'll be the most receptive to a straightforward approach." 

"Then send him an invitation," Kenobi suggested, a familiar wily glint in his eye, "to have a conversation. Perhaps somewhere remote, where the Empire has not yet seen fit to colonize."

"It's certainly explicit, General, but how d'you propose we deal with the 'troopers he's gonna bring along?" Rex asked.

Kenobi's smile sharpened. "Straightforwardly."

"We will be setting the coordinates and therefore able to choose the terrain and position ourselves strategically prior to Vader's arrival," Maul pointed out. "This lends us a significant advantage."

"This all sounds great, but how do we get the message to Vader?" Luke asked. 

"Artoo can reach him, can't you buddy?" Tano replied with utter confidence. The droid, whom Maul had not even noticed enter, whistled affirmatively. "Give him access to any Imperial terminal and he'll get Anakin's attention."

Syndulla confirmed, "That's doable enough."

"We need to choose our location," said Leia. "Once we have that, it'll shape the rest of the plan. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

Her insightful question was met with blank, sleepy stares and Han hid a yawn behind the back of his hand.

Tano noticed this as well and took pity. "A question for fresher minds, I think. The hour has grown late, and we have the luxury of time. Our plan needn't come together all in one night."

Luke was already nodding. "You're right, Lady Tano. Thank you so much for your help. Thanks to all of you. I know this is a big request to make."

Tano smiled wryly. "I wouldn't miss it." Her holo winked out and the room dimmed. 

There was a general scraping and sighing as the company took Ahsoka's recommendation to disband. She was correct; the hour was so late that the night had ticked over to become early morning. Maul joined the crowd rising to its feet and stretched, feeling his back and shoulders pull tight and pop. He was too old to sit in one attitude for so long. 

"Time for bed," said Kenobi. He had risen as well and tucked his hands into his sleeves. "You were up very early this morning."

Maul only nodded. Perhaps he ought to have found the Jedi's familiarity disconcerting, but he was correct. At a loss for words, Maul opted to say nothing at all. Instead, he made for the ramp, bidding a quiet good night to the company as he passed.

Just outside the ship, Luke had caught up to General Syndulla and was thanking her for her attendance. "Good night, General," Maul paused to say politely. He clasped Luke's shoulder. "Good night, Apprentice. Good work today."

"G'night, Master. Thanks for tonight," Luke replied with a sleepy smile. "Lemme know if you need anything, okay?"

"I will," he lied and then headed deeper into Echo base. 

Upon returning to his own room, Maul stripped out of his jacket and collapsed into bed. In a show of shameless self-indulgence, he reached out with the Force and flicked off the lights. As the room  was enveloped in pitch-black and Maul's eyes began to slide closed, Kenobi's ghostly form unfolded itself from the darkness. Maul raised his head just enough to squint blearily at him. "We mere mortals require sleep."

Kenobi chuckled. "I know. I thought you might like company."

It was the easiest thing in the galaxy to slide over and make room for Obi-Wan. The phantom's arms around him felt like a warm blanket, keeping Hoth's chill at bay. They wound together tightly, Maul's forehead resting against what would have been the breastbone of a living man, and he breathed deeply of Kenobi's familiar, comforting scent. His eyes finally slumped closed.

"Sweet dreams, my darling," Kenobi murmured. His tingling kiss between Maul's horns was the last thing he felt before drifting off to sleep.

Despite the revelation of Luke's intentions and general agreement by the company to confront Vader, in the weeks that followed little progress was made on their plans. Instead, General Ackbar put every able-bodied rebel to work transforming Echo Base from a satellite post into the center of Rebel Intelligence. And they were no exception.

Maul threw himself into the labor enthusiastically, pleased to be given an opportunity to show the Alliance his worth. His time became consumed with defrosting ships, patrolling the tundra, and training with Luke. For when his days began in the freezing, early-morning hours and ended well after Hoth's distant, icy sun had set, Maul left no room for the scathing monologue of self-contempt that had taken up residence in his mind.

" - too cowardly to be alone with your thoughts - "

This was admittedly made easier by Kenobi's nightly presence in Maul's bed, holding him close and warding away his nightmares. 

But it was a system imperfect and short-lived, for Qi'ra's glittering, red summons arrived a mere twenty days following her departure. 

"Gentlebeings of the Alliance to Restore the Republic," said Qi'ra's prerecorded voice over the holographic rising sun emblem of the Crimson Dawn. "I come to you with a formal invitation from Marg Krim and Ziton Moj to join us on Cantonica. We wish to further discuss the business proposal set forth in their previous transmission. Please send your negotiator and their team to the Grand Coruscant Hotel three days nigh fully empowered to debate the terms of our collaboration. The Crimson Dawn is pleased to offer full accommodations to all attending members of the Alliance negotiation team. In fact, I insist upon it. We look forward to continuing this conversation in person."

The holo winked out and Maul looked around at Calrissian and the assembled Rebel generals, gauging their reactions. Ackbar's piscine eyes were canny but pleasant, hiding his true thoughts behind a mask of polite efficiency. Calrissian was taking it all with a smile, confident in his role as lead negotiator. General Draven wore his usual sour expression, which gave away nothing. Rieekan appeared exhausted and displeased with the affair as a whole. General Syndulla was absent, filling in at the last minute for a sick pilot, and unable to offer an opinion. The others - a handful of intelligence officers, aids, and administrators - were all watching Maul right back, curious for his response.

"There is another message addressed to you directly, Master Maul," said General Ackbar. "If I may be so bold, I request that you share it with the war council."

" - no! How dare you make such an insolent request - !?"

Maul shivered but threw off this first antagonistic instinct. Qi'ra knew the risk of sending a recording; no transmission was truly secure. She  would say nothing that would risk their alliship. And an act of trust on his part now would only strengthen their combined negotiating power with the Syndicates.

He nodded in quiet agreement even as anxious dread rose up in his chest. A prompt appeared on his datapad, requesting Maul's code to view the private message. His hand hovered over the pad and then hesitated. Despite his decision, for a terrifying moment it was as if his fingers refused to obey him.

Beep. Beep-beep. Boop. Beep-beep. Boop. Beep. Maul forced himself to type out the familiar pattern. The room was so cold his fingers shook.

Qi'ra's image appeared on the holoprojector before them. There was proud satisfaction written on her regal features as the recording began, "I have excellent news, my lord. Krim and Moj have been very receptive in our preliminary conversations. I would almost fear a trap, but it is obvious that the Empire spurned them badly in the very same negotiations that earned Huttese support. It is as we suspected; with Jabba's defeat, the Syndicates finally view the Alliance as a viable alternative to the Empire.

"They are aware of Senator Mothma's loss," she continued, "and it is from this tragedy that most of their concerns stem. Forewarn Lando that he will need to contend with questions about the Alliance's governance and next steps. To this end, I also recommend requesting the presence of Princess Leia Organa at the negotiations. We ought to place on full display the Alliance's legacy of strong leadership.

"To continue our prior conversation on their remuneration…" Qi'ra paused and tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I believe the Syndicates desire representation in the New Republic government. They speak of an arrangement like those of the Techno Union or the Banking Clan."

This brought a rumble of dissent from the assembled. Ackbar hushed them.

"To my mind, this exchange is more than fair. They offer not only their support and supplies, but have also hinted at security forces and Imperial secrets as well. The cost may be considered high by some. However, with Syndicate support, the Alliance will finally have the power it needs to topple the Empire."

The recording cut, and Maul felt his anxiety dissipate. Qi'ra had intended this information to be presented to Ackbar and his generals as proof of the Crimson Dawn's commitment to the cause. It was barely a personal message, much more a piece of propaganda, ripe with details and implications for their allies. He should have trusted her from the beginning, Maul silently scolded his own bad habits.

"A high cost indeed," Maul echoed. "Not monetarily, perhaps, but morally."

"How are we justifying this?" Rieekan demanded of Ackbar. "Once, Saw Gerrera was too extreme for this council. Now we're working with gangs?"

"This is the cost of doing business in the Galaxy," Calrissian replied pleasantly. "You can't pretend there's no power to be found in organized crime. You can use it to your advantage." He tapped his nose.

"Bah, you'll never convince some of these fools to get their hands dirty," scoffed, to Maul's surprise, General Draven. "You lot only get to fight your good, clean fights because my people do the ugly shit."

"How dare you!" cried Rieekan, rising to his feet. "If General Dodanna - !"

"Dodonna's dead," spat Draven, jumping up to meet him. "Look where his morals got him!"

As infighting erupted among the generals, Calrissian met Maul's gaze, aghast. Maul sighed in agreement. Mothma's loss had left what remained of her war council reeling. And in turn, their poor decisions would directly affect Calrissian's ability to bargain with the Syndicates. They would have their work cut out for them.

"Gentlebeings, that is quite enough!" roared Ackbar, launching himself from his chair. "I understand that we are all still mourning the loss of dear friends, but this is not the forum to air our grief. We are not here to relitigate our partnership with the Crimson Dawn. We are here to prepare our negotiators for success. If you are incapable of participating in this meeting in a civil and productive manner, then you may take this opportunity to leave!"

A chilly silence fell over the room. Both humans sank wordlessly back into their seats, glaring across the table at one another as they did so.

"To return to the topic at hand," Ackbar continued more calmly. "Master Maul, do you have any personnel requests for your accompaniment? Commander Skywalker, I assume? Any others?"

"I do not require anyone else," Maul replied. "Although I recommend Captain Rex to be the Princess' guard, should you agree to send her. He is well-versed in political matters and has proven a valuable asset in the past."

"Yes indeed," agreed the general. "Calrissian, then should I take it that you want Captain Solo and Chewbacca?"

"What can I say?" Lando laughed. "The Wookie's a mighty fine negotiator."

Ackbar nodded, scribbled something down on a datapad, and handed it off to his aid. "Deliver this to Princess Organa post-haste, lad." Then, the Mon Calamari turned his big, bulbous eyes back on Maul and Calrissian. "Now," he said, "it has occurred to me also to send along General Syndulla; she has taken a recent interest in the negotiations. If she were to join you, I would empower her to make high-level decisions in my stead. She has my full confidence. What say you?"

" - NO - !"

Calrissian was already nodding. "Absolutely. I know the good general well. She's an asset wherever she goes."

"No." 

Ackbar and Lando both looked back at Maul, startled.

"General Syndulla and I also have a history," Maul replied with an icy calm that felt almost foreign to him. "I respect her and her place on this council, but she has said herself that she loathes me. I must portray strength to the Syndicates. Syndulla would most certainly undermine my authority."

A concerned line had drawn itself between Lando's brows, but he did not contradict Maul. The other rebels exchanged curious glances. Ackbar popped his lips in fluvial disapproval. "I had hoped you would be able to set aside your differences for the good of the mission," he said. And then, "Very well. She certainly has enough to worry about without this too."

As Maul nodded his thanks, he tucked his hands away so that the general would not see how he shivered with the cold. 

It was in such a manner that the following days of preparation raced by, and, too soon, Maul found himself once again aboard the Nightbrother, this time en route to Canto Bight. It was a long hyperspace trip, clear across the Galaxy, and so while Luke and R2-D2 flew the ship, he took the time to transform back into the Shadow. 

Maul gazed into the little mirror above his sink and sighed at the old man who stared back at him. Weeks of hard labor, training, and eating nothing but high-calorie survival rations had packed muscle back onto his aged body. And yet the bags beneath his eyes and deep frown lines around his mouth portrayed a being ill at ease. 

"Coward," Maul scoffed aloud at his reflection. Turning away from the unpleasant image, he began to strip. Most maladies of the mind could be cured with a real water shower, and so Maul indulged in a long, hot wash. Such a luxury remained unavailable on Hoth even with all the improvements they'd been making to the base. 

By the time he had showered, sharpened his horns, and dabbed a bit of black beneath his eyes to hide the bags, Maul had slipped into a calm, almost meditative state. He could even ignore the weight of the Shadow's cloak as it settled over his shoulders and instead embrace for a moment the sense of power and pride that the Shadow possessed. Maul pulled up his hood and reached for the golden sunrise crest of the Crimson Dawn to complete his finery. Turning back toward the mirror to ensure the emblem would lay even, Maul looked again at his reflection… and found his master smirking back at him.

" - embrace your pride - "

Maul gasped and jerked back, dropping the heavy gold crest to the floor with a loud thunk and clattering of chains.

" - embrace your arrogance - "

"Master?" called Luke as if from a great distance. "Is everything okay?"

" - everything you do plays right into my hands - !"

He could not respond. He could not tear his eyes away from his master's twisted visage. Darth Sidious began to cackle mockingly.

The door to his washroom slid open and Maul flinched violently, finally forced to drag his gaze from his master. Luke stood at the threshold, dressed in his own best - a simple black jacket, slacks, and boots - expression furrowed with concern. "Master, are you okay? I heard a crash, and you didn't answer me."

Maul turned his gaze from his worried apprentice back to the mirror, and once again found only his own frightened face reflected there. "I-I apologize, Apprentice. All is well," he lied.

Luke did not seem convinced as he crouched to pick up Maul's fallen crest. "Are you sure? You look pretty upset."

"Yes," he insisted. "Yes, of course I am."

The apprentice opened his mouth to argue further, but, much to Maul's relief, the proximity alarm began to chime from the cockpit. "Well, alright," Luke said at last, returning to Maul the fallen Crimson Dawn emblem. "Get finished up; we'll be landing soon."

The wealth of Canto Bight was visible even from space, and Luke appeared to forget his worries gawking down at the massive Sea of Cantonica and its vivid purple sunset. Their ship was guided to a private landing pad just off of the Coruscant Hotel, well away from the crowds and bustle of the main port. Luke had only just wound down the Nightbrother's motivators when the Falcon joined them on the pad. 

"Now, Apprentice," Maul said as they moved to disboard. "I have been negligent in your political education. Take care during these negotiations to study the techniques at play, for you will not find more cutthroat diplomacy practiced outside the Imperial Council."

"Yes Master." Luke shot him a grin. "Shut up and don't get in the way. I hear you."

"Cheeky," Maul teased back, but as they began their descent down the ramp, he set aside the Master and allowed the Shadow to take control. A chill crawled up his spine, and his expression hardened into a scowl. 

Qi'ra led the small crowd that had gathered to meet the Alliance's representatives, including Marg Krim, Ziton Moj, and their councilors. Her smile was polite but strained as she greeted him with a formal, "My Lord Shadow, we are honored - " 

"Lord Shadow, it has been too long!" Ziton Moj interrupted. The large Faleen blustered forward, followed closely by his Pyke counterpart.

"We were surprised to learn that you would be joining us," confessed Krim slyly. "To take such a personal interest is unlike you."

The Shadow resisted the urge to roll his eyes at their sycophantic posturing. "Greetings, Lady Qi'ra. Gentlemen." He replied coolly. "Our reason for gathering is crucial to the survival of the Collective. It is only right that I be present. I am pleased that you have seen, as I have, that an Imperial future is none at all. Your - " 

" - opportunism - "

Maul cut off the thought in his mind before he accidentally said it aloud. "Your wisdom is apparent," he chose more diplomatically. "It is my hope we may find an arrangement that benefits us all."

At his invitation, Calrissian and Leia approached from the Falcon, flanked by Rex and Chewbacca, in a small-but-impressive display of Rebel authority. Both had dressed to the same degree of formality as Maul and Luke, and Leia practically glowed in white and silver. Calrissian had coordinated his apparel, and while the outside of his cape was black, the inside glittered with silver embroidery. Together, the princess of a lost planet and the exiled baron painted a handsome picture.

"May I introduce the representatives from the Alliance to Restore the Republic?" the Shadow requested formally. "General Lando Calrissian, the Alliance's lead negotiator, and Leia Organa, Huttslayer. You may know her better as Princess of Alderaan."

A Syndicate member (likely Krim behind his mask) gasped. Qi'ra's strained smile turned razor-sharp. "It is the Shadow Collective's honor to play host to you, General. Huttslayer," she said with a curtsy.

"We thank you for your kind invitation," replied Calrissian. "The Alliance is looking forward to working with such esteemed family businesses."

"Oh," said Krim flatly, "how delightful."

"And who is this one?" demanded Moj, gesturing to Luke. 

The Jedi, who had been standing quietly and watching the exchange, snapped to attention. "I'm Luke Skywalker."

"He is my apprentice," Maul added.

A whisper, almost soundless, went up among the Syndicate councilors. The Shadow is training the Jedi who destroyed the Death Star.

"Shall we adjourn to the hotel?'' asked Qi'ra. "I've arranged for a private room and a lovely local vintage."

"Lead on," he commanded, and then turned and offered Leia his arm. "Huttslayer."

"Lord Shadow," she responded, accepting his invitation. Lando did the same for Qi'ra, looping their arms together and strolling into the hotel.

As always, Qi'ra put on an excellent party; conversation flowed almost as freely as the exquisite nectarwine she had furnished for the occasion. There would be no negotiating this first evening. Tonight was for Leia and Lando to charm their potential allies and lay the groundwork for tomorrow's dialogue. 

Maul detested such functions; the false smiles and sycophantic conversation grated on him. After toiling in the snow for so many months, it felt like a frivolous waste of time. He sipped absently at his wine, letting the burn of alcohol ease his nerves, and forced himself to tune back into the conversation he had been holding with Luke and Krim.

" - Empire has been locking down the Moddell sector,'' the Pyke was complaining. "We've had to halt all our mining efforts in Kuna's Tail. It's costing me twenty-five million credits a week in lost revenue!"

"That's a lot of money," Luke agreed.

"I'm at my wit's end with these fascist cronies; we play their games and pay their tolls, but there's always another pocket to line!"

"It does make you yearn for the days of high-minded republicans, too ethical to take a bribe," Maul said, thinking of the defiant Duchess Satine. 

"Corruption was once so rewarding," Krim sighed nostalgically. "Back in my youth, you had to work on a being. Blackmail him; bribe him; beat him down. There's no pride in it anymore!"

" - hypocrite - "

"As I recall," the Shadow replied around another sip of wine, "the Pykes did not require any 'beating down' to be convinced to join the Shadow Collective."

Luke's eyes grew massive.

Marg Krim choked on his drink. "Y-yes, my lord," he spluttered. "Well. The underworld is too dangerous a place not to learn from the mistakes of others. The Pyke Family has always prided ourselves on our quick wits."

"That is indeed your finest quality," he agreed with a cold upturning of his lips. "And it is with that same mentality that I hope the family will approach negotiations tomorrow, for I believe you will find the stakes very - similar."

Krim visibly gulped. "I appreciate your advice, Lord Shadow." He bobbed his serpentine head in a quick bow. "If you will excuse me, my lord. Commander Skywalker." The leader of the Pyke family scurried away across the twinkling hall, skirting Leia - who was in conversation with Prince Xizor, a preeminent cousin of the Black Sun - before disappearing into the crowd.

"Coward," the Shadow scoffed.

"Uh, I'm gonna have to disagree," Luke replied, bemused. "If you gave me that kinda stink-eye, I'd actually just combust on the spot."

"There is no need to be dramatic," Maul grumbled, suddenly self-conscious. He went to take another sip of wine but found his glass empty. "I am only doing my part. It is Lando and Leia who will charm them, not I."

"Coming at them from different angles makes sense, I guess. But I don't think I'm scary enough to pull off such 'advanced political techniques'."

"It is simply a matter of allusion, implying your advantage without showing your hand," he began to lecture, leading the way back toward the refreshments. "A similar technique is employed in sabacc."

"Yeah, except this isn't a game. There's gotta be follow-through," the apprentice whined. "Nobody here actually believes I'd cut off their head."

Maul fixed him with an unimpressed stare. "These people have not forgotten the Jedi of old, Jedi defined by years of war. They know better than to underestimate you. And you have my reputation to build off of as well…" He allowed his words to trail off as they drew near to both the nectarwine and an ongoing conversation between Qi'ra and Ziton Moj.

The big Faleen seemed to loom over Qi'ra's smaller stature, and his expansive gesticulations emphasized their size difference. Yet Qi'ra held her ground, toying with the stem of her wine glass as his voice grew louder and louder.

" - been making a killing off Jabba's death. With the Hutts scrambling, we've had great success expanding into the Outer Rim. Everyone needs a blaster these days, and they don't care who the supplier is. You were not around for the fall of the Republic, but those were days of unmitigated success. In the wake of the Republic, there was a great void to fill. And we were only too happy to do so."

"I'm so pleased to hear of your success, Ziton," Qi'ra replied politely, but Maul could sense her growing unease.

Moj's yellow gaze was fixed on her, calculating. "My council informs me that the Crimson Dawn has not been expanding as aggressively as might be expected for a woman present herself for Jabba's assasination."

"Candidly, I prefer to maintain a tight ship rather than expand impulsively," Qi'ra replied lightly, ignoring the implications of his question. "It has been our intention to shore up our base so that the Crimson Dawn may weather the political upheavals to come and be poised to take advantage of them."

"What a… cautious approach," said Moj, crowding in a step closer and dropping his voice. "Tell me, are those words your own or the Shadow's? We all know you work," he sneered, "intimately with him. Are these his orders? What is he keeping from us?"

Qi'ra rose her chin imperiously and met Ziton Moj's angry glare with cold indifference. "The Shadow takes little interest in the petty affairs of the Crimson Dawn. His focus of late has been on his apprentice."

"Forgive me if I have a difficult time believing that," he scoffed, fists clenching. "You will tell me what the Shadow's - !"

"Is there a problem here, Lady Qi'ra?" the Shadow interrupted loudly, fingers already wrapped around the hilt of his lightsaber. Beside him, Luke was doing the same, belying his own earlier claims to banality.

After a moment, Moj stepped back from Qi'ra, his green face creased with badly-disguised frustration. "None at all, Shadow. We were merely talking."

Maul ignored him, looking instead to Qi'ra, who took the opportunity to put as much space as possible between herself and Moj while still maintaining civility. Standing safely at Maul's side, Qi'ra repeated herself, "As I said, Lord Moj, my actions are my own."

"Of course," he responded, sneer flicking from Qi'ra up to Maul. "The Lord Shadow would never show such favoritism." Moj's lip curled and he gave them all one more glare before storming off.

"What was that all about?" Luke asked, relaxing his posture but not looking away from Moj's retreating figure.

"He's a disrespectful, presumptuous bastard," Qi'ra replied with a sneer of her own. "I would have handled it had he pushed me any further." She allowed them to see the flash of a knife between the folds of her skirt. "But I appreciate your intervention, regardless."

Luke's concern melted into amusement. "Badass. No wonder Master likes you so much."

The Shadow huffed a quiet sigh. "Find me if he gives you any more trouble."

"You are sweet," she replied with a small but sincere smile. "Thank you both. How are you finding the evening? Have the syndicates been receptive?"

"Master's scaring them into compliance, Lady Qi'ra, don't you worry," Luke joked. "And I'm learning a ton."

The Shadow hummed in agreement as he refilled his glass, the wine's mellow tang almost as sweet as Luke's laughter. It was becoming apparent to him how arrogant and brazen the syndicates had grown in his absence. He should not have left Qi'ra to fend for herself against the machinations of Krim and Moj for so long, capable though she was. It was indicative of weakness and distraction on his behalf.

" - everyone here sees right through you - "

He flinched from the thought, choking on his drink. Despite the spacious size of the room, Maul felt suddenly clammy and claustrophobic. He was surrounded on all sides by enemies; conspirators that would surely turn them all over to Sidious the moment it was convenient. Oh, he should not have brought the twins here - !

"You doing alright, Master?" Luke's big blue eyes suddenly filled his vision. "You seem kinda on edge."

"This is not the place to ask such things," the Shadow snapped, voice hoarse. "Everyone here seeks to hear our conversation; if they do, let them not from it ascertain weakness."

Luke wrinkled his nose, but in a much lower voice he said, "Okay. I know I'm not used to your whole "Lord Shadow" schtick or whatever, but you promise nothing's wrong?"

Maul softened slightly, warmed by Luke's kindness. "All is well, Apprentice," he lied. "But leave such conversations to a more private venue in the future."

It was late when the party broke, the crime lords and their cortege retreating upstairs in a drunken clamor. The Rebels followed more quietly, Maul, at least, exhausted. And yet he struggled to find sleep that night. Every time he closed his eyes, Maul was met with scenario after scenario in which the Rebellion was betrayed by the Syndicates. 

The thought to call Kenobi arose repeatedly, but what if the ghost was spotted by a syndicate spy? The risk was far too great to summon him over a few silly bad dreams. Finally, when he could no longer fight exhaustion, Maul fell into an uneasy slumber. His dreams were murky and apprehensive but indistinct, and Maul when rose with the high desert sun of Canto Bight, he had all but forgotten them.

Negotiations were convened over a late breakfast. The Shadow took up his position at the head of the table, surrounded on either side by syndicate members. Calrissian, who sat opposite him, was flanked by Leia and Chewbacca, the much more enviable position. And it was he who initiated conversation when their meals were gone and drinks refreshed. "Well," said Lando, "I think it's clear what it is we're all doing here. So let's not waste our valuable time. You know what the Alliance's goals are; tell me your thoughts."

"The Black Sun confesses," said Ziton Moj, "ourselves impressed with the elimination of Jabba the Hutt. With his death, the Rebellion has under its belt a growing list of recent successes - "

"The defeat at Sinta notwithstanding," interjected Krim with a mean smirk.

"What I begin to wonder, however, is if this has all been mere luck. Do you even have a plan now that your fleet is destroyed?" Moj continued. "It's been more than five years since Mothma formed the Rebellion, and what have you accomplished?"

"And what do we stand to gain from your success?" demanded Krim. "The old Republic liked to pretend that it had no need of the valuable services we offer. I want to know how the Alliance to Restore the Republic intends to provide us representation in your new government."

Lando shook his head, amused. "You know, I used to think just like you; I needed business plans and profit margins to see the value in a proposal. That kind of thinking's just good business, right?" He waited until there was general rumbling of agreement from the assembly, their heads bobbing with this logic. "Well, Gentlebeings, I must ask you to leave that mentality at the door. For it was this which led the Hutts to side with the Empire. And I doubt very much that Jabba cares about his profit margins in hell."

Calrissian's words elicited a commotion. Moj launched himself to his feet, offended, but his cousin Xizor pulled him back and began hissing in his ear. Krim's advisors surrounded him, and a silent argument played itself out between them. Even Qi'ra seemed surprised by this line of reasoning, although she maintained a dignified posture. 

"What we are attempting to do is unprecedented," Lando continued, raising his voice until he once again had the attention of the assembled. "Pretending we have a blueprint of the war's end, or the perfect government to institute, would be disingenuous. But I can tell you what we do have. We have the best strategists from both the old Republic and the Separatists. We have the scrappiest, most dedicated army in the galaxy. And we have the endorsement of the Force."

"Really?" snapped one of the younger Pyke councilors. "You're going to invoke that hokey old religion with us - ?" He was silenced by an elder slapping her hand over the speaker's mask.

A hush fell over the room, attention suddenly on Maul. The Shadow smirked. "Apprentice, give this youngling a demonstration of our "hokey" religion."

Luke grinned gleefully and stepped forward, robotic right hand outstretched. The young Pyke who had spoken out was launched from his chair and into the air. When he was well above the heads of the diners, Luke began to rotate the Pyke, spinning him head-over-ass as the fool howled in fear. His comrades still seated at the table watched in terrified silence.

"Let me reassure you all," the Shadow lectured the room in his coldest, darkest voice, "that while you may have forgotten the power of the Force, the Emperor has not. Mark my words, when he decides you are more of an inconvenience than an asset, he will not politely ignore you. Nor will I."

" - kill him - "

The Shadow flicked his fingers at Luke. "Apprentice, finish him."

The syndicates flinched, and the Pyke in the air whimpered. 

Luke shot him a look of disapproval before setting the Pyke gently back in his seat, and then he offered the room a smile and a bow. Every single syndicate member stared openly at him, baffled both by Luke's open defiance and the young Pyke's survival. 

And so too did the Shadow, incandescent with rage. How dare his apprentice make him look like a fool? He was half out of his chair, prepared to drag Luke into the hall and make his rage known, but Calrissian did not let the awkward moment hang.

"If what the Alliance offers is not enough, now is the time to leave." Lando spread his arms wide and smiled benevolently. "But if you are interested in helping us to end the Empire's reign of terror, then I beg you to stay and hear us out."

No one moved. 

Opening arguments made, the days of negotiation that followed were long and tedious but ultimately successful. Calrissian navigated syndicate politics with a competence that quickly vindicated his appointment as chief negotiator. While Moj and Krim, true to Qi'ra's word, were greedy in their demands, Lando was too clever for them by far. And for every concession made by the Alliance, the Syndicates made three. 

The Shadow's point had been made despite Luke's disobedience, and he found that he had little to do besides endorse the Rebels' arguments with his presence. A fact for which he might have been grateful under normal circumstances, however during those hours of idleness, his thoughts spiraled. 

" - these creatures have no loyalty - "

As he had that first night, Maul found himself pondering all the ways in which the syndicates might betray them. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that these were merely the useless anxieties of a paranoid old man. Yet his bad mood and frayed nerves seemed to serve the Shadow's purpose well enough.

After the third long day of negotiations, Qi'ra caught up with Maul and Luke as they retreated back to their suite in the evening. "My lord, do you have a moment? I have a few details to discuss with you about tomorrow's accommodations…" She spoke on, words full of frivolities until they were safely behind closed doors, her bodyguard outside standing watch. Then, finally, her pleasant expression melted into one of honest exhaustion. 

"I'm afraid I haven't much time; there is much I need to attend to before tomorrow," Qi'ra said even as the Shadow led her over to the sofa. Their suite was luxurious and boasted a beautiful view of Canto Bight spilling down the hill toward the sea, although they'd had little time to enjoy it. 

"One of my informants overheard Krim's men talking, and it seems the Pykes have received an important new piece of intelligence." Qi'ra revealed the purpose of her visit. "One which they intend to leverage against the Alliance tomorrow. I suspect they've grown tired of being out-maneuvered and hope this will force Lando's hand."

"We have no idea the contents of this intelligence?" asked the Shadow, taking a seat himself. He had been afraid something like this would happen.

She shook her head. "Unfortunately not. Only that they seem convinced the Rebels will capitulate to their demands in exchange."

"I don't like the sound of that," Luke said. "What do we do?"

"For now, nothing," Qi'ra replied bluntly. "We must simply remain vigilant and not allow them to catch us off guard." She was on her feet again, already on the way to her next task. "I'm thinking of arranging for another gala; alcohol always softens them up…"

"Allow me to escort you to your room," the Shadow said, making to follow her.

She flashed him a smile, but shook her head. "Thank you, my lord, but there is no need. I have other matters to attend to this evening, and Ryland is just outside. Good night. I shall see you both for breakfast." With one final wave, Qi'ra slipped out the door.

"I shoulda figured this was all going too smoothly," the apprentice grumbled, plopping down into Qi'ra's vacated seat. 

"That is always the way of things," was the Shadow's only reply, distracted. Something in the Force had begun to shift around him, and he followed the feeling, trying to parce what it meant.

"I wonder what it is they think they know? Like, what could be so important that they think we'd just give them representation in the New Republic…?"

But Maul had stopped listening as the formless feeling in the Force began to take shape. The fine hairs on his arms stood on end, as if lightning was about to strike. He was on his feet before he had consciously made the decision to rise.

"Master?" Luke asked, perking up from his lounge. "What is it? What do you sense?"

An aborted scream sent them both scrambling out into the corridor searching for the threat. The sounds of a struggle punctuated by a loud thud directed them down the hall to another suite. When the mechanism proved locked, Maul ripped the doors open with a tug of the Force -

- and the corpse of Qi'ra's bodyguard fell across the threshold to slump at his feet. For too many seconds, Maul could only take in the fight unfolding before him. Four Black Sun soldiers bore down upon one smaller figure, who struggled to hold her own against the mob. Even as the Shadow watched, her dagger slid skillfully between the plates of one attacker's armor, sending him gurgling to the ground. However, his defeat took with it the weapon that had felled him. A second soldier took advantage of her loss to grab the smaller figure by her hair and roughly forced her gaze up to meet that of their leader.

"You will tell me the Shadow's orders!" roared Ziton Moj.

"Go to hell!" Qi'ra spat.

Maul saw red.

" - Yes! Yes! I've found you - !”

With a roar, he threw himself into the fray, slashing his lightsaber across the arms holding Qi'ra. The soldier screamed as he lost both limbs above the elbow. The Shadow drew back only to stab him through the gut, saber sliding easily through armor and flesh alike. When his hilt was flush with the Faleen's navel, he slashed upward, gutting the fool; his corpse slumped grotesquely, torso severed.

Out of the corner of his eye, Maul saw Luke leading Qi'ra away, one arm around her and the other holding his lightsaber defensively. Confident that they were safe for the moment, he turned all of his attention on the final two assailants. 

The first attempted to put up a fight, but the Shadow batted aside his blaster shots easily. He pulled the soldier to him with the Force, impaling him through the chest with his lightsaber. He was close enough that he could hear the Faleen's wet, ragged final breaths, and they were like music to his ears. The Shadow cast aside the corpse with a flick of his wrist and rounded, at long last, on Ziton Moj.

"Don't kill me!" Moj cried and held his hands up in defeat. There was genuine fear written across his green face. "I surrender!"

"No," the Shadow crooned to him softly, raising his left hand. With a flash of the Dark Side, Maul froze the traitor where he stood, arms raised and expression distorted with fear. His prey immobile and harmless, the Shadow caught Moj's throat in the fingers of his outstretched hand, wrapping them almost tenderly around his vulnerable flesh. He could feel Moj's pulse fluttering with panic beneath his touch. In the same sweet voice, he continued, "You appear to have forgotten that it was I who created you, Moj. I who gave you the power you so coviet. And now I find that you have used it to abuse my servants." 

From far away, there came the sound of running footsteps, and somebody said, "Uh, Master?"

Maul ignored it all, instead tightening his grip on Moj's neck. "I will gut you as I did your kin and replace you just the same. Your legacy will be little more than a warning to those to come: do not cross me."

"Master, what the hell are you doing? We have company!" The Shadow felt hands scrabbling ineffectually at his arms and shoulders, but he shrugged them roughly off. 

He replaced his fingers around Moj's neck with the blade of his lightsaber, letting the plasma melt through first fine silk and leather and then into his flesh. The Faleen's yellow eyes widened and his expression twisted with agony that he could not otherwise express, for Maul refused to allow him to scream. The beheading would be slow and drawn out; Moj did not deserve a quick death.

"Maul." Kenobi's voice was like a shaft of burning sunlight cutting through the red haze that had filled Maul's mind. "That is enough."

A single twitch of his wrist beheaded Moj. When he released his grip in the Force, the headless body crumpled at his feet. 

Maul turned back to the room slowly, afraid of what he would find. Luke and Qi'ra stood nearby, their faces pale. And at the threshold of the room, expression somehow both grim and calculating, was Prince Xizor and another squadron of Black Sun guards. Their eyes met, and Maul felt his measure being taken. He wondered rather morbidly how much the prince had seen; he wondered if it mattered.

Then, Xizor smiled. It was a mean thing, delighted and greedy. "So I see my cousin finally pissed off the wrong people."

"Moj was under the impression that the Shadow had entrusted me with secret knowledge, for which he attacked me," Qi'ra informed them, her voice rough with distress. Her gaze darted to where the Nikto's body lay sprawled in the doorway. "They killed Ryland."

Xizor clucked his tongue in a facsimile of distress. "How horrible. Lady Qi'ra, allow me to apologize on behalf of the Black Sun for my cousin's distasteful behavior." He bowed, either to lend his gesture gravitas or to hide his true expression, Maul could not tell.

"Your apology is accepted," Qi'ra said slowly, suspiciously. 

"But I do worry about the state of negotiations," the Faleen continued, his voice dripping with false concern. "While my cousin, for all his faults, supported your endeavor, his opinion is not universal among the Black Sun. Who knows what his successor will have to say."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Luke asked sharply.

The prince shrugged in faux-innocence. "Only, Commander, that it would be advantageous of the Shadow to endorse a candidate who supports our cause expeditiously. Before negotiations crumble… or worse."

Maul exchanged a glance with Qi'ra. This was a being who clearly remembered how it was that his cousin had gained power. Now, he was trying to force the same political maneuver. The Shadow felt his lip curl with disgust, but Qi'ra spoke before he could dismiss the fool.

"You have a candidate in mind?" 

"Why, myself, of course!" cried Xizor unabashedly. "I am well liked within the Back Sun family, and I wholeheartedly support the destruction of the Empire… with adequate Syndicates representation in what is to come, of course."

"Of course," Luke agreed sarcastically.

"You believe negotiations will continue apace under your leadership?" asked Qi'ra.

"Absolutely!" the prince promised.

Qi'ra looked back at Maul and nodded. "I believe Xizor is correct."

The Shadow hummed softly and paced a few steps closer, gratified by the fear he felt radiating off of Xizor and his guards. He tasted the Force for deception - and found it. The prince, he suspected, would say anything to get his cousin's position. Whether he would uphold today's promises when they were invoked tomorrow, however, Maul was finding it difficult to determine. Further measures were necessary to ensure his cooperation.

The Shadow caught Xizor's throat in the Force and began to squeeze, lifting him off of his feet until his legs kicked uselessly in the air. Xizor's guards all aimed their blasters at him, but Maul ignored them. The Shadow addressed Xizor, his voice dangerously soft. "Hear me now, for I shall say this but once. Convince your syndicate to sign Calrissian's deal, and you may count on my support for your ascension to family head." His grip tightened infinitesimally. "However, should you betray me, it will not only be your life I take, but that of every Black Sun loyalist." 

The Shadow dropped Xizor, and the prince collapsed at Maul's feet. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yes, my lord," Xizor gasped. "Thank you, my lord. It will be done."

"Good. Then go," he spat, and Xizor and his guards fled, leaving Maul, Qi'ra, and Luke alone with the dead. 

"Holy poodoo," Luke cursed. 

Maul turned back to his companions. "Are you injured, Qi'ra?"

She shook her head. "Only bruised. But I need to - "

"You need to rest," Maul corrected. "Luke will escort you to his sister's suite. You will be able to sleep safely with her."

The apprentice nodded and gently took Qi'ra's arm. "Good idea, Master. C'mon, Qi'ra. If I know Leia, she's still up working on something." Luke led her to the door, and it was testament to how shaken she must have been that Qi'ra put up only a cursory protest as she was guided from the room.

Maul himself did not remain to find more trouble, and he paused only to collect the body of Qi'ra's bodyguard before removing them both from the scene of the crime. The Nikto he deposited into the baffled arms of the nearest Crimson Dawn guard with orders to see him returned to his family. The rest were the Black Sun's problem.  He only hoped Xizor would have the foresight to leave a large tip for the housekeeping staff.

"Maul," Kenobi said as soon as the door to his room had closed behind him. 

"I do not need to explain myself," he snapped. "Or are you here to defend the memory of Ziton Moj?"

The Jedi sighed, and when Maul paused in his anger long enough to actually look at Kenobi, he found him more sad than upset. "Of course not, my dear. You were protecting your friend." Kenobi reached out and wrapped his ghostly arms around Maul; beneath the warmth of his touch, Maul felt some of the tension that had taken up residence in his shoulders release. He breathed in Kenobi's warm brandy scent and closed his eyes.

"But I am worried about you," Kenobi continued when Maul was too warm and relaxed to protest. "Luke said you've been acting erratically, and now I find you torturing a man to death. It is unlike you."

" - this is exactly who you are - "

Maul pulled back from Kenobi's ghostly embrace with a scoff. "This is exactly who I am. I am here in my capacity as leader of the Shadow Collective. To portray weakness would be to lose control."

The ghost rolled his eyes and moved his hands to either side of Maul's face. He froze, flustered by the sudden intimacy. "Stop picking fights." Kenobi's voice was low and earnest. "I don't want to fight. I want to know what is bothering you."

"I - " Maul began, an honest answer on the tip of his tongue.

" - I am filth - "

Kenobi's hands suddenly burned against his skin, and Maul ripped himself away from the ghost's touch. The climate controlled room felt so cold by contrast. As did the hurt in Kenobi's eyes.

"Maul…" he reached again and Maul stumbled  several further steps back.

"I am fine. You are all simply unused to the uglier side of syndicate politics," he lied desperately.

There was obviously a protest on Kenobi's tongue, but before he could respond, the door hissed open behind them. Maul spun, hackles raised, but it was only Luke returning. He did not seem surprised to find his master with the dead Jedi.

"Hi Ben," Luke said with a tired wave. "Master, I got Qi'ra dropped off with Leia. We ran into Han and Lando on the way there, so the four of them are having a sleepover."

"Thank you, Apprentice."

"Yeah, no problem." Luke seemed to notice for the first time the tension that filled the room, and his eyes darted curiously back and forth between them for a moment. "I'm gonna go to bed now. Gotta be fresh for tomorrow. G'night." The young Jedi ducked into his private room. 

"I ought to follow his example," Maul said quickly. He had no interest in continuing this conversation.

"May I offer you company?" Kenobi's hand found Maul's shoulder, and that burning heat again flared up between them. He flinched away from the touch.

"No," Maul said too quickly. "No. Good night."

He all but fled to bed.

Maul did not sleep well. He twisted and turned all night, playing on repeat the encounter with Moj and Xizor in his head. The Force only served to amplify his anxieties; it felt almost anticipatory. But the feeling was hard to read, as if many things were in motion all at once. When Maul did finally find sleep, his dreams were filled with familiar, gleeful laughter. He awoke in a cold sweat to half-hallucinated words ringing in his ears, "I've found you!"

It was, Maul discovered the next morning as he absorbed the state of the negotiators from behind his black caff, a restless night for all. The Black Sun delegation was filled with new faces; Xizor's loyalists, he assumed. He was rather impressed that the prince had managed to put together a united front in so little time. He and Marg Krim whispered together across the table, which did not bode well given Qi'ra's intelligence.

The Rebels were - each and every one of them - ready for a fight. It was clear they'd taken the attack on Qi'ra very personally. Even Solo, who had largely avoided the negotiations up until that point, had joined them today. With Qi'ra's Nikto bodyguard gone, Chewbacca himself had taken up position behind her right shoulder. He watched the syndicates with a glare that could have melted durasteel. 

Krim rose. "My Lord Shadow, may I request that we begin?"

"Commence," the Shadow commanded.

"Something on your mind, Master Krim?" Calrissian asked politely.

Krim's voice behind the mask was terribly self-satisfied as he began, "I understand why the Alliance is hesitant to offer the Syndicates permanent representation in the government to come. It could, I confess, have some morally dubious implications to the general population. However, images can be rehabilitated."

"You think a marketing campaign is enough to earn you senatorial representation?" Leia snapped. "We require more than an apology tour."

"What about a very public rescue?" replied the Pyke slyly. 

A hush fell over the Rebels. "What did you have in mind?" asked Lando, although he sounded as if he almost didn't want to know.

Krim leaned down and entered something into his console. A holo appeared over the conference table; it displayed the grim image of an Imperial prisoner in transit. So starved and dirty was she that it took Maul a moment to recognize her. But when she drew herself up and glared at the camera, he was certain that he was looking at Mon Mothma herself. At the same moment, Leia gasped, confirming his instinct. The holo ended abruptly, less than thirty seconds long, and then began to repeat.

"This was taken fifteen hours ago? Where?" Lando demanded as he leaned forward to read the timestamp. 

"They swapped transports at an Imperial checkpoint near Eriadu. My informant assures me that the senator still lives."

"And you know where they took her," Leia surmised.

"Precisely," replied Krim, delighted. "Surely, for aiding in her rescue, Mon Mothma herself would reward us a seat at the table of democracy."

The whole room, Maul included, seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for Calrissian's response. He hissed out a long sigh. "This goes above me," Lando said at last. "We need to consult the Alliance Council."

With that, the meeting broke. They had not even been speaking for ten minutes. The Rebels, Maul and Qi'ra among them, managed to maintain a united front until they put the closed door of Lando's suite behind them. Then, all hell broke loose.

"So, what are we gonna do?"

"We can't actually accept this proposal!"

"Do we have a choice?"

"This," said Lando tersely as he tugged out a Rebel communicator, "is why I wanted Hera Syndulla on the team."

"Call the Council," Maul snapped. He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes against the  guilt that washed over him. It was indeed by his own demand that Syndulla had not joined the mission. It had seemed so important at the time, but in retrospect he could not follow his own logic. Was he so ineffectual a leader that he feared the poor opinion of one - admittedly very powerful - woman? The Force's anticipatory vibrations only served to magnify Maul's unease.

"Cicero One to Echo Base. Do you read me Echo Base?" 

"Cicero One," the feed glitched, "Echo Base. Your conn- zzt! - bad."

"Karking thing," Lando grumbled. "Echo Base, I need to speak to Neptune Leader immediately."

The tinny voice over the comm replied, "He's - zzzt! - right now. See what - zzzzzt! - make no guarantees." The feed cut.

"Unbelievable!" Calrissian groaned. "This thing is a piece of junk!"

"It ain't just yours," Solo barked suddenly. "Mine's acting up too. There's nothing wrong with the comm; our signal's being jammed!"

A tense hush fell over the room.

"The Syndicates," growled Rex

"Mothma was Krim's last gambit, why would he stop us from contacting the Council?" Qi'ra asked, not unreasonably. "Besides, the only people who have the ability to shut down communications so completely would be the city - "

"Or Vader," Luke said, voice filled with portension. 

" - I've found you - !"

"The attack last night was probably what did it," Rex speculated. "The Empire knows we're here."

Rex's conjecture was logical, but Maul sensed that it was not the truth. His hearts pounded in his ears. Could he, Maul, have somehow led the Empire to them?

"We need to evacuate," said Han, jerking Maul from his spiraling thoughts.

"But the negotiations - " he protested automatically. They had worked so hard to reach this point, to abandon it now would be to lose much ground. Lando nodded furiously in agreement.

"We were more than likely betrayed by one of the Syndicates. There's no choice; we have to abandon the mission," Leia proclaimed with an authority that not even the Shadow could contest.

"I'll send warnings of the Empire's approach to Krim and Xizor as a show of good faith," Qi'ra volunteered. "That will somewhat ease the discourteous nature of our departure."

Rex began organizing their evacuation at once. "Right, men! We're going out the way we came in; Maul and Luke, take Qi'ra with you on the Nightbrother. Everybody else on the Falcon. It's vital to the mission that we maintain appearances until we get out of here. I want us in the air in thirty minutes. Go!"

What followed was a scramble of activity that left little room for Maul's horrible new hypothesis. He allowed himself to be carried along by Luke's inertia, lost in the anxious spin of evacuation. He barely registered throwing his things into his rucksack and hurrying behind Luke and Qi'ra to the flightpad.

But as they stepped out into the late morning sun, a burst of sound overhead drew Maul's attention upward. From hyperspace emerged three Star Destroyers, bringing with them the final coalescence of the Force's anxious energy into the icy void that was Darth Vader .

"Blast!" spat Qi'ra. "We need to leave before more of them show up!" 

While Luke and R2 scrambled to turn over the motivator and get them in the air, Qi'ra and Maul took the front and rear cannons respectively. 

"This just became a blockade run," barked Han over the comms as they began their ascent. "Start your calculations now and make a break for hyperspace. We'll reconvene at jump point gamma."

"Affirmative," replied Luke. "Also, not to freak anyone out, but Vader is definitely up there."

"At this point, Kid, I just assume it's your old man whenever I see a Star Destroyer."

"We've got incoming TIEs!" Rex's voice broke into their banter.

Maul pulled up the targeting system and counted at least a dozen red enemy ships in the first wave alone. With only two Rebel vessels, the odds were not impossible, but an open dogfight was not likely to end in their favor. As Luke slung their gauntlet fighter through the initial volley of laserfire, they broke out of atmo and Maul heard Qi'ra unleash a torrent of cannon fire at the Imperial fighters.

Luke navigated the Empire's attack by holding close to the Falcon; he and Han had become adept wingmen over the years. They broke through the Imperial line, and two TIEs fell into Maul's range. He rained laser cannon fire down upon their unprotected backsides, and it was only when they were scrap that Maul realized he was looking at the remains of two TIE Defenders.

The next few ships that fell to Maul's cannons were also Defenders. The Empire, it seemed, had rebuilt and upgraded their fleet in the same amount of time that the Alliance had been scrambling to simply survive in the snow. It was a sobering thought. For a time, he lost himself in keeping the Imperials off their backs. However, the deeper into enemy space they plunged, the more TIEs joined their tail. Maul quickly lost count of the fighters he destroyed - not only of ships in general, but of Defenders in particular. 

"Incoming enemy transmission," Leia warned grimly, jerking Maul from his murderous rhythm.

"Luke Skywalker, I know that you are aboard." Vader's voice boomed over all channels. "You and I have unfinished business. Surrender yourself willingly or watch your friends die."

There was a long pause, and for a moment, Maul held onto the hope that Luke would be wise enough not to engage. But they had no such luck. The apprentice called over the open channel, "Hi Vader. This is a private party, you know. Do you have an invitation?"

"Do not toy with me, boy. You agreed that we would meet, and I intend to realize that promise today."

"I haven't forgotten," Luke agreed, the mirth leaving his words. "But this is not the right time. I will call on you soon, though. Don't worry."

Vader did not like this answer. "That is not your - "

Luke returned them to their private channel. "Han, I can't get a clear shot to jump. There are too many of them."

"I know, Kid. Hang in there and wait for that sweet spot."

The Nightbrother was easily capable of outspeeding even the Defenders, however as TIE after TIE poured from the Star Destroyers, it no longer mattered that not every ship was a well-shielded Defender. They would overwhelm the Rebels by sheer numbers alone.

" - they will kill you all - !"

The thought threatened to consume Maul; would this really be how they died? In a desperate escape attempt, their bodies either disintegrated in the explosion or sucked out to freeze in the icy void of space…?

Blaster fire erupted from the direction of Cantonica, quickly taking down the TIEs that had been closing in on the Nightbrother. A half-dozen new ships descended upon the battle. They were unmarked, but the pilots were quick to identify themselves.

"Prince Xizor offers his regrets that your meeting ended so abruptly," the captain said. "He hopes you'll take his assistance as a gesture of goodwill. And as assurance that it was not the Black Sun who contacted the Empire."

"Gosh, are we happy to see you guys!" Luke chirped back.

Now eight vessels strong, they cut a wide swath through the Imperial blockade. Vader's presence overwhelmed the Force, and Maul made himself focus on carefully lining up and landing each shot lest he be lost to the void of despair.

"Let's skedaddle!" Luke cried over the comms when they had finally opened up enough space to escape. "Entering hyperspace in three… two…"

The stars stretched and distorted around Maul's turret into the mellow hum of hyperspace. He slumped in his seat, shaking from a combination of dread and adrenaline. His head pounded, and his vision swam. Maul ran a hand over his face. 

They were safe. The Empire had yet again been evaded. 

But a lingering suspicion still haunted him; had he, Maul, somehow led the Empire to them?

"You have been avoiding me," Kenobi murmured far too close to Maul's ear. The spirit's fingers skimmed the collar of his leather jacket, ghostly touch burning white-hot where his teasing fingers brushed against Maul's cold skin. He only just resisted the urge to flinch away. 

"I have not," he lied. "These last few hours have been busy."

This, at least, was the truth. In the thirty-six hours that followed their flight from Canto Bight, Maul had been debriefed by Ackbar, drafted to assist Qi'ra and Lando with a communique to the Syndicates, guilted into taking Hobbie's patrol, and recruited into Luke's planning session. In this last task, so too had Kenobi and the rest of the conspirators been coaxed. Which left them all in the familiar position of cramming back into the Falcon's small hold.

Kenobi frowned and reached for Maul's hand, but from this he could finally not help his flinch. Ignoring the confusion that flashed across Kenobi's face, Maul put more space between them under the guise of creating room on the Falcon's short bench for the ghost to sit. He then folded his hands resolutely in his lap.

The Jedi sat and did not try to touch him again. That did not stop him from nagging, however. "When was the last time you slept? I'm quite certain it was still on Cantonica - "

"I'm not a youngling. Enough of your fussing," Maul growled, even if Kenobi was correct. He had been avoiding sleep, frightened by what he would find when he closed his eyes. He had not been able to shake the suspicion that it was he who had brought the Empire to Canto Bight. And if they could find Maul there, could he also be followed to Hoth? The thought plagued him into his dreams.

The ghost was the last to arrive, and shortly thereafter, the living settled in expectantly as Luke hopped to his feet. Galvanized by their encounter with Vader, it had been he who called this meeting of their little conspiracy. Impressively, he had managed to gather not only Maul and Kenobi, but Ahsoka, Rex, Han, Chewbacca, Leia, Lando, and Syndulla. It was time to begin putting together this plan in earnest. 

"Thank you for coming," the young Jedi began. "I know you're all missing out on sleep to be here, so I appreciate you making the time." 

"Yeah, so let's make this snappy," Han quipped good-naturedly. 

"I'll do my best." Luke shared a grin with his friend before growing serious. "I actually want to start with a request I have." He took a breath. "The whole point of this plan is to allow me - us - to meet with Vader on our terms. I also acknowledge that it is to give us the advantage against him if we must destroy him. However…" Maul already knew he would not like Luke's next words. "I ask that I be the final judge of when it is time to intervene."

"Absolutely not!" cried Leia.

"You'll put yourself in too much danger!" Maul protested. Luke met his master's eye and his next protest died in his throat.

"My father and I have a connection," the young Jedi said firmly. "I need you to trust my read on the situation, or the plan will fail. This will be my only chance to talk to Vader; I can't screw it up. And after what happened at Sinta, I think it's important to establish this rule."

Maul felt the wind leave his lungs. While this was nominally a request for them all, it was clear Luke intended it for him specially. Because Maul had interfered. His eyes dropped in shame. 

" - NO - !"

"Yes, of course, Apprentice," he croaked, his words forming puffs of frost in the air. "I trust you."

The room was quiet. The others had realized Luke's meaning as clearly as Maul had, and they did not contradict his promise. The apprentice smiled, although it was bereft of his usual sunshine. "Thank you; I appreciate it. I know it isn't easy for you to say, so it means a lot to me."

This difficult business taken care of, the tension drained somewhat from the room.

"We still need a location for this crazy plan," Leia instisted loudly. "Everything else is dependent on it."

"Preferably someplace remote and far from Imperial presence," Ahsoka added from her holo.

"That's not the only requirement," Rex warned as both Lando and Han opened their mouths to start suggesting locations. As the captain began to tick off technical necessities on his fingers, Maul let his mind wander over planets that could potentially serve their purpose. The others were doing much the same.

There were very few planets on which the Empire did not have an already established presence. While Dathomir numbered among them, Maul had no desire to subject his companions to the home of his foremothers. He thought of and dismissed several more planets for similar reasons. Twon Ketee was toxic, swampy, and too popular with Trandoshan hunters. The Moon of Drazkel had been compromised by either pirates or the Empire, he couldn't recall which…

Maul turned to Kenobi, a question about the viability of Floruum on the tip of his tongue, but he found the ghost's eyes already upon him. There was a strange mix of calculation and guilt in his gaze. Before Maul could fully comprehend what he was seeing, Kenobi hid away his thoughts behind the mask of a Jedi.

When Kenobi spoke, his voice was pitched to catch the attention of the room. "I suggest Dagobah."

Taken aback, Maul shut his mouth. 

There was a long pause as the company exchanged blank looks, each hoping the other would recognize the planet named. Luke frowned and shrugged. Maul himself had never heard of such a place. Lady Tano shared a dubious glance with her clone captain and then put them all out of their misery. "You'll have to elaborate, Master."

"Dagobah is a small, swampy world in the Western Reaches, just off the Rimma Trade Route," the ghost replied promptly, as if he were reading from an encyclopedia. "It's unpopulated, and the most dangerous creatures that call it home are a few venomous snakes."

The lie pinged off Maul's senses with startling clarity. Kenobi was usually too skilled a diplomat for Maul to sense his misdirection. When he peered at Kenobi in the Force, the Jedi's emotions were held rigidly in check and revealed nothing. Like so many of Kenobi's other mysteries, Maul was certain something was there, but he had no proof, only a gut feeling.

"I can say from experience that there is no terrain which lends itself better to guerilla warfare than a dense, swampy rainforest," the Negotiator continued. "The planet is also somewhat sensitive to the Force, meaning that it will naturally hide our presence from Vader."

Leia's eyes flashed. "I thought Force sensitive planets were trouble." 

"Ah - " Kenobi was uncharacteristically thrown off, apparently surprised that the princess was even familiar with the concept. "Well yes, they can be. As can be any valuable ally. But if you are measured and respectful in your approach, they are also a potentially powerful asset."

"Master, what do you think?" Leia addressed Maul this time.

"My experience has primarily been with planets sensitive to the dark side. I would not seek one out on a whim," Maul hedged, turning from the princess to the ghost. "How do you know of this place, Kenobi? Will it consent to our presence?"

"An old master of mine was drawn to Dagobah during his travels," answered Kenobi without hesitation. "He told me that the planet is pure in the Force. When the importance of location was emphasized, it called to me."

This time, had he not been looking for it, Maul would have missed the way Kenobi's explanation echoed discordantly within the Force. His words were carefully enough chosen that the lie was impossible to sense directly. But Maul had learned the feel of Kenobi's truths, and he knew when they were lacking. Why was he lying? Maul sensed no malevolence from the ghost. 

As Maul studied Kenobi, another round of glances was exchanged among the assembled. Someone yawned.

"I think Dagobah sounds ideal," Luke said enthusiastically. "If Ben recommends it, that's a pretty high endorsement. Any objections?"

A protest was on the tip of Maul's tongue before reason caught up to him. He had no proof that the ghost was misleading them, only a feeling of unease. 

" - trust not the Jedi - "

But did Maul dare to rely on his own instincts, either? Something was wrong with him, he could finally admit it to himself, and yet…

For months now, Kenobi had been his accomplice. They had worked together to protect Luke and Leia. Did Maul not owe Kenobi his trust?

"I agree," Maul said at last. "Dagobah sounds like it will suit our purposes well."

"That's settled then," Luke agreed, a note of finality to his voice. "We'll confront Vader on Dagobah." 

The conspirators all in agreement, Luke moved onto asking about the logistics of obtaining an Imperial ship with its long-range communications still intact. Maul, however, found he could not keep his attention on the conversation. There was too much on his mind.

He looked back at Kenobi, at his high, proud brow and the crow's feet around his eyes. He was as familiar and mysterious as the Force itself. Maul had to trust him, had to trust that their history meant as much to Kenobi as it did to him. Had to trust that this man would not lead him astray.

" - trust not the Jedi - "

Chapter Text

The Lambda shuttle exited hyperspace exactly where General Syndulla had said it would, swapping lanes at Rishi Moon. Located at the edge of the known galaxy, the little military outpost saw almost no traffic and even less action. Despite the presence of an enforcing Star Destroyer, Captain Antilles had found it easy to hide their light freighter in the asteroid belt that circled Rishi. From there, they simply had to wait for their target to come to them. 

The plan required meticulous timing, and so their team was stationed well in advance of the shuttle's arrival. Maul, Luke, and R2-D2 were already poised in the cargo bay, clad in Rebel EVO suits and oxygen tanks. The droid whistled absentmindedly to himself while he waited by the cargo doors. 

Maul was double-checking the seal on Luke's helmet when the loudspeakers overhead crackled to life with intercepted imperial audio. "Greetings Rishi Station. This is Captain Mantis for Imperial transport SY-5660 with passage to Ryloth. I am sending our identification presently."

"Copy. We have received your credentials. Stand by while we run your code," replied Rishi Station.

"Showtime!" Wedge shouted from the cockpit. "Good luck with your pops, Rogue Leader! Sixty seconds to jump."

Beneath his robotic feet, Maul felt the freighter rumble to life as Wedge broke from cover and sped toward their unsuspecting target. He and Luke moved into place on either side of the cargo doors, gripping the overhead handles loosely and swaying with the ship's inertia. R2-D2 warbled nervously, an accurate audio expression of Maul's own quiet apprehension. 

“ - you are making a fatal mistake - "

Maul met Luke's eye, difficult through their helmets, and the Jedi flashed his master a thumbs-up. He nodded back as encouragingly as he could manage beneath the bulk of his EVO helmet. Although he couldn't see Luke's expression, Maul could sense his anxious excitement in the Force around them.

"Thirty seconds!" Wedge hollered. "Releasing the ion missile!"

"What the hell? Station, there appears to be a hostile vessel headed directly for us - !" crackled the Imperial feed, but it was too late.

"Direct hit!" crowed Captain Antilles. 

R2 opened the cargo bay doors to reveal the dramatic curve of Rishi looming over them and, only a thousand yards away and rapidly growing closer, the disabled Lambda shuttle. It was a breathtaking sight; one which Maul did not have the time to enjoy. Luke took his hand. 

"Three," Maul said over their private channel, syncing his countdown to the encouraging pulse of the Force around them. "Two."

"One!" Together, they jumped, still grasping hands, and began the leap toward the Lambda shuttle. Behind, Maul could hear R2's shriek as he too took the plunge into open space. Without gravity or atmosphere to slow their momentum, the Rebels' inertia carried them inexorably forward. Maul called on the Force to guide their tumble through zero gravity and direct them toward their target.

They hit the shuttle just to the right of the horizontal stabilizer. Maul had to redirect the Force to slow their velocity; he landed first and then Luke came down hard beside him. A few moments later, R2-D2 hit the hull with a clatter that Maul felt in his robotic knees. The Rebels had no chance to catch their breath, however, as the distant wail of TIE fighters impressed upon them the urgency of their task.

Wedge's freighter sped off toward the Star Destroyer, ready to hold the TIEs off just long enough for them to gain control of the shuttle and jump to hyperspace. The Rebels continued to make liberal use of the Force to speed their passage to the cockpit. Maul and Luke had practiced these techniques for days, until the young Jedi had mastered them to Maul's approval, for exactly this moment.

Through the viewport, Maul could see three Imperial agents in the cockpit, their expressions ranging from fury to fear, hastening to bring the shuttle's systems back online. In tandem, Maul and Luke drew their lightsabers, pierced the viewport, and began to cut a large circle in the transparisteel. As soon as the cockpit's occupants realized what the Rebels intended, the captain drew his pistol and unleashed a round at them through the viewport.

Maul hissed and paused in his work to choke out the fool, but it was too late. Beneath the rain of blaster fire, the already-compromised transparisteel cracked and burst outward, sending both Rebels tumbling head-over-heels into open space. Maul immediately reached out with the Force, using it to grasp hold of the shuttle and redirect his momentum. For one too-long moment, he drifted untethered through space, the blue-green rise of gaseous Rishi all that he could see out of his helmet. 

Then, with the Force's guidance, his fingertips found the edge of the shattered viewport. Maul scrambled to pull himself into the cockpit. When he was vertical once more, he sought out his apprentice.

"Master!" the Jedi shouted. Already more than fifteen feet out into space, he was still being carried backward by the blast. A mostly-dead Stormtrooper clung to his leg; she had used her last vindictive moments to drag Luke off into the void with her. 

" - I am fear - "

Maul reached again for the Force, but this time it did not come. It danced just beyond his reach, unresponsive to his call for the first time in decades. For Maul was not consumed with anger or purpose; what he found inside himself was only a well of icy fear. He could only grasp uselessly at space as Luke drifted further and further away.

A tether shot out from above, wrapping around Luke's outstretched arm and halting his inertia. R2-D2 chirped triumphantly, and both Rebels gasped in relief. 

Violently shoving aside his panic, Maul recentered himself. This time, when he sought the Force, it responded immediately. He directed it to remove the Stormtrooper's grip from Luke's ankle as R2 reeled him in. When Luke was close enough to reach, Maul caught and pulled the Jedi into the safety of the cockpit. R2 joined them a moment later.

"Good job, buddy," Luke praised his droid, running a shaky hand over the astromech's dome. 

"You are unharmed?" Maul asked, indulging himself for a moment by checking the boy over for injuries. When Luke nodded, Maul forced himself to refocus on the mission despite the cold fear that had settled into his bones. "Good. Close the blast shield and get this ship up and running," he ordered. "I'll clear out the hold." Luke agreed, and he and his droid hastened to work. 

Maul found the doors to the passenger area still ionized and inoperable. With a growl, he used the Force, which again responded easily to his bidding, to rip them open. He had only a brief glimpse of the passenger area, filled floor-to-ceiling with large durasteel crates, before the squad of Stormtroopers on the other side mounted a defense. Maul dodged their first few shots until he could unsheath half of his 'saber and redirect them back. The first he sent into the helmet of the Stormtrooper on his right, dropping him instantly. 

After Maul redirected the next two bolts - killing a second trooper in as many seconds - the three remaining Imperials dove for cover behind the crates. In the overfull passenger area, Maul could not advance his position without placing himself directly in the troopers' line of fire. The solution, he realized, was provided by the puzzle itself.

With Force-enhanced strength, Maul toppled over the tower of crates behind which the nearest trooper had taken cover. The man shrieked as he was crushed by heavy durasteel. A second Stormtrooper leaned out from behind her own cover to take shots at Maul, and he tossed another crate at her. While she was distracted, Maul charged the third trooper, swatting aside his blaster shots and plunging his lightsaber into the Stormtrooper's chest.

Freeing herself from beneath the crate, the final trooper charged him. In the small space, Maul didn't have time to react before she was on him, catching the wrist holding his lightsaber and twisting it up to pin against the durasteel. Maul looked into the helmet's visor, smirked viciously, and lit his second blade. It sliced through her forearm, and she screamed as she lost the hand that had been holding him. Maul kicked her away, and his next slash cut off her head. 

As Maul returned to the cockpit, Luke and R2-D2 had the blast shield closed and the instruments up and running. 

"Can you hear me, Rogue Three?" Luke was saying into his comm. "We've taken the target, and are preparing to jump. Disengage and return to Echo Base."

"Copy that, Rogue Leader," Captain Antilles confirmed. "May the Force be with you."

R2-D2 trilled a warning, and their own shuttle shot off into hyperspace. Although he could not see realspace stretch out around them through the opac blast shield, Maul felt the familiar rumble and lurch of the jump. They were safe.

"Locate and disable the internal tracking beacon please, Artoo," Luke said as he pulled off the helmet of his environmental suit. "How's the hold, Master?"

"I have cleared it," Maul confirmed as he, too, removed his helmet. "You did well."

Luke did not meet his eye. "I - " he hesitated. "Thanks. That's phase one complete. We'll record and send the message when we exit hyperspace in the Kessel System." Maul was well aware of the plan, but it seemed to bring the Jedi some comfort to repeat their next steps aloud.

"General Syndulla's information appears genuine," he reported. "There are at least a dozen crates in the passenger area. We ought to inspect the contents for additional trackers." Luke nodded.

They were quiet as they set to rights and dug through the crates of rations, water, and ammunition in the hold. All of this had, according to Syndulla's informants, been headed to the warfront on Ryloth. Now it would feed the Alliance. 

That was the official purpose they'd given for hijacking the Imperial ship. In reality, what the intact shuttle offered was a connection to the Imperial communications network. With it, Luke and R2-D2 could send a message directly to Vader. It was the first of many gambles they would be required to make in order to meet with the elder Skywalker.

They had decided as a group to keep the Alliance leadership ignorant of the conspiracy's intentions, as Syndulla had raised a not invalid point about Vader's war crimes. It was better, the political minds wagered, to surprise the generals with good news rather than ask permission for the attempt. And if Vader chose the Empire, then it would be for the best if Ackbar and the Council remained ignorant of their attempt altogether. 

R2 whistled a fifteen-minute warning, and anxiety flashed across Luke's presence in the Force. Maul watched as the Jedi closed his eyes and took a deep, steadying breath in through his nose and out through his mouth. He seemed to be mostly successful at releasing into the Force his unhelpful emotions. When he opened his eyes again, Luke's posture was more relaxed. 

"Do you know what you are going to say?" Maul asked.

"Yes. Leia helped me write something I like." Luke paused, and then confessed quietly, "I just hope it's enough."

Maul attempted an encouraging smile. "It will be. The Force is with you; let it be your guide."

"Always." The apprentice's responding grin was genuine. "Thanks, Master."

R2-D2 brought them out of hyperspace on the back side of the Akkadese Maelstrom, as far from civilization as one could find. It was time.

"Greetings, Father," said Luke. He stood tall and confident as R2-D2 recorded the message. "When we met over Cantonica, I promised that I would contact you when I was ready to talk. Now is that time. I must be allowed to speak, and I want to hear what you have to say.

"I know that the good man who was once Anakin Skywalker still lives inside you. The dark side and the Emperor may be powerful, but they will never drive the light from you fully."

Luke gave the camera a hopeful little smile. "I will be at the indicated coordinates on the planet Dagobah tomorrow at galactic noon. Come to me there, alone. I'm looking forward to seeing you again, Father."

The recording ended and the confidence Luke had been exuding receded. "What do you think, Master?"

"You and your sister did well. I believe Vader will be receptive," Maul responded. "Artoo, please send the message."

The little astromech droid chirped an affirmative and rolled over to plug into the Lambda shuttle's Imperial communications array. He hummed to himself as he interfaced with the system, bypassing security and connecting directly to Vader's personal comm. After nearly a minute of careful work, R2 whistled his success.

Beside him Luke blew out a long sigh. "The countdown begins."

Their next jumps, first clear across the Outer Rim to Bakura and then - when they were certain that no one was following them - to a little Alliance outpost on D'Qar, went exactly as planned. They left the Lambda and its supplies with the Rebels on that planet to be processed. In return, Hera's contact there supplied them with an old Y-Wing bomber off the books, which carried them the rest of the way to Dagobah. 

As they completed their final jump and realspace took form around them, Maul, Luke, and R2 all peered curiously out at the planet for the first time. From space, it was marbled white-and-green with cloud cover and murky forests. 

Examining the planet in the Force was rather like staring into a sun; it was not meant to be perceived directly. Although he sensed no malice, Maul was forced to avert his gaze, a headache already beginning to pulse in his temples. Kenobi had not spoken falsely: Vader would be unable to locate them in the Force so long as they were on Dagobah. But neither could Maul sense what - or who - else might be using its overwhelming presence to hide away from the Galaxy. The thought unnerved him.

R2-D2 hummed dubiously.

"Yup, that's it," Luke said. "Dagobah. It's just like Ben promised."

"I am not picking up any cities or technology. There are, however, massive lifeform readings," Maul reported from the copilot's seat. A blip on the scanner drew his attention. "Ah, I have located the Falcon's beacon. Tracking their coordinates."

"I'll take us down," Luke said. 

The first minute or so of their descent went smoothly, but as soon as the Y-wing dropped beneath Dagobah's heavy cloud cover, turbulence began to shake them. The instruments that Maul had been watching spun nonsensically, and even the Falcon's guiding beacon flickered and vanished. "Luke - " he said at the same moment R2-D2 squealed a warning.

"I know! I know!" Luke cried, jerking back on the control stick as he tried to hold up their nose and keep the ship steady. The viewports revealed only dense fog, and they were losing altitude fast. "All my scopes are dead too. I can't see a thing!"

Maul did what little he could in his capacity as a copilot to support Luke, recycling the scanners and rerouting power to the primary stabilizers, but the storm seemed almost supernatural in its ability to sabotage the ship. Nothing he did could bring their systems back online. Squinting out into the fog, which revealed as little as the ship's readouts, Maul tried to shake the feeling that they were unwanted here.

" - what kinds of secrets might your Jedi be hiding from you - ?"

Abruptly, the Y-wing plummeted. They were in freefall for nearly five seconds before Luke was able to regain control. "Blast!" the Jedi spat. "I have to take us down. Everybody hang on; it's gonna be a rough landing!"

The straps on Maul's jumpseat dug into his neck and his ears popped as they hurtled through the atmosphere. From the fog appeared the tops of tattered, mossy trees, a prelude to the forest of branches that scraped along the belly and sides of the ship. R2 warbled a series of binary curses.

"I'm starting the landing cycle," Luke announced. It did them little good. The ship wailed as it plunged nose-first into a bog, the dual sublight engines grating angrily at such mistreatment. 

Both Rebels had to sit for a moment and catch their breath. R2-D2, having no such need, continued his furious tirade of wails and beeps. Their ship bobbed and swayed in the water with each little movement, still airtight and buoyant for the moment. Maul himself had survived the encounter with only bruises.

"Are you hurt?" he called to Luke as he popped the canopy on the copilot's cockpit. A wave of humid, muggy air washed over him, and Maul's organic half instantly began to sweat beneath his orange flight suit. 

"Yeah, I'm okay," Luke responded a few heartbeats later, his voice tight with emotion. "Sorry about that, you guys."

The Y-wing rocked and sank deeper into the marsh as Maul hoisted himself onto the hull next to R2. They had crashed in a wooded swamp, and it was raining gently. Some sort of native avian eyed him from the tree line. Maul could see land only a dozen feet away.

"Up you come, Apprentice," he ordered Luke. "Let's examine the damage from shore." 

Luke was uncharacteristically quiet as the Rebels scrambled to solid ground. When he got a proper look at the half-submerged ship, Luke let out a little, strangled gasp. "What have I done? This is the unsanctioned part. If we lose the ship, General Syndulla's gonna kill us!"

"Me," Maul corrected dryly. "She likes you. The general will be perfectly content to add this to my rap sheet."

"Master, don't joke!" Luke begged, and Maul realized to his horror that there were real, panicked tears in his apprentice's eyes. "I crashed us in the middle of a swamp on an uncharted planet and Vader will be here in, like, fifteen hours! What are we gonna do?"

"Calm yourself, Luke," Maul soothed. "There is no need for such dramatics. The ship will be easy enough to raise from the swamp. This is but a minor inconvenience which will set us back perhaps an hour."

Luke was not appeased by this logic. "This is the second time I've messed up the mission!"

"You cannot control the weather," Maul admonished gently. "What you can control is your response. You kept me, R2, and yourself safe. That is all that can be asked of you."

"No! You don't understand. It has to be perfect. What if I screw up again tomorrow and Vader won't listen?" Luke's tears broke free to mingle with the rain already wetting his cheeks. "I can't fail him, Master. He's my father. I've failed my family so many times. I can't fail him too."

Maul pulled the sobbing boy into his arms, letting him cry his anxious tears. He brushed his fingers through Luke's wet hair and held him tight. R2 warbled sadly from the ship where he awaited rescue.

And then Maul felt it. The feeling came as a shiver up his spine, more raw instinct than warning from the Force. They were being watched. The jungle evening revealed nothing, only an eerie chorus of amphibian croaks. He silently cursed Dagobah and the Force-blindness it caused, for he still could sense nothing in great detail.

On the ground, the planet's presence was less overwhelming, but it became apparent that the Force had bestowed a great blessing upon every living thing that called Dagobah home. When each snail and fern burned as brightly as a Holocron, Maul found it almost impossible to differentiate anything in the Force.

With so little to go off of and an apprentice in distress, Maul opted to hold his ground. For the moment, the presence seemed content to only watch, and with any luck Maul and Luke would not be in this part of the jungle for long.

Luke wept for several more minutes, and the rain had petered off to a fine mist by the time he let Maul look at him. His blue eyes were ringed with red and his hair was a sopping, messy mop. "Sorry, Master," he said sheepishly.

"There is no need to apologize," he replied solemnly. "You are permitted your feelings. Now, speak to me. You are worried about the confrontation with your father?"

He nodded miserably. "What if I fail? I convinced everyone to put their faith in me, and they've all worked so hard to get us here! General Syndulla's sticking her neck out and Ahsoka is coming even though it puts her in so much danger… After all of that, what if I can't convince Vader to listen to me? I'll fail him and them and- and Leia!" He was working himself back into a panicked wreck. 

Maul scooped the apprentice's face into his hands and used his thumbs to brush away Luke's tears. "The choices of others are not your responsibility, my apprentice. You convinced Leia that Vader was worth offering a second chance to, but she is as aware as you are that the decision to accept is ultimately Vader's. It is as Ahsoka said; he must want to turn away from the Emperor. And if he does not, the burden of that choice is his alone to bear." 

Luke looked up at him with wide, tear-glazed eyes. "But he's still my father. I always looked up to him, even when I thought he was just a spice smuggler. For him to be alive after all this time - " Luke interrupted himself with a sniffle. "I don't wanna fail him now."

"You must let go of the idea that Vader's decision is your failure or success. It is simply fact. Your overture of forgiveness is a triumph of familial obligation," Maul assured him. He thought of Savage and the quest that his own brother had undertaken to bring Maul back to his right mind. He remembered how he had repaid Savage with only pain and failure. "But Vader cannot be forced to make the correct decision. Whatever he chooses, we must accept and move forward."

The boy leaned his weight against Maul and sighed. "That's easier said than done."

"Letting go of your feelings is not an immediate process," Maul parroted his own lesson from so long ago. "It is a daily purging of those emotions which do not serve you. It may take time, but no matter tomorrow's outcome… you will carry on. "

"If he chooses the dark side - "

"Then we will be in the exact same place we are today. We will find another way."

The boy threw his arms around Maul's neck, holding him tight. "Thank you, Master."

"I only speak the truth," Maul grumbled, but he hugged Luke back just as tightly.

Raising the ship was tedious but not difficult work. Maul continued to feel the eyes of the strange presence watching them. It never came any closer or moved any further away, and Maul could sense no malice from it, only curiosity. Still, it grated on his nerves to be so observed. 

The Y-Wing was waterlogged and a bit dented, however, R2-D2 was able to get it back up and running just as Maul had hoped. Luke relaxed even further at this news. His cry appeared to have done wonders for his attitude, and the Jedi's warm, calm self had returned before they were even in the air. By the time the ship was humming again, the rain had stopped completely, and Luke was able to fly them the last fifty clicks to their team. 

"There you are!" Leia called as they touched down. She, Han, Lando, and Chewbacca were congregated around a flameless campfire outside the Falcon , enjoying the jungle night . "We were starting to worry!"

Before either Luke or Maul could respond, R2 launched into a beeped rendition of events. From the Falcon's ramp, C-3PO cried, "Artoo-detoo, what do you mean you crashed your ship?!"

While a laughing Luke filled in the gaps missing from his astromech's story, Maul took the opportunity to duck away into the jungle. This location - as well as the location for Luke and Vader's confrontation tomorrow - had been preselected by Kenobi, and Maul wanted to see them for himself. It was not that he did not trust the ghost's judgment. He was simply… curious.

" - paranoid - "

They had hidden the Falcon beneath a massive fallen tree, whose organic matter would block their electronic signals from Vader's scans (now that they'd silenced the beacon which Luke and Maul had been following). A curtain of vines and ivy hid their camp from the ground and a fresh water source bubbled nearby. With a skilled hand, it would even be easy to slip the Falcon out of cover should a quick getaway become necessary. The spot was, Maul begrudgingly admitted, perfect.

But as he stood there, looking up at the dark canopy of branches overhead, that same feeling of being watched which Maul had felt in the swamp crept up his spine. Without an apprentice to concern him, Maul was free to spin and unsheath his lightsaber. He raised it high, using it to shed red light onto the murky forest around him. "Where are you?" he spat.

For several feet of dense foliage, there was nothing. Then, out of the darkness blinked a pair of eyes. They seemed to glow with reflected red light, almost animalistic. But they were too knowing. Too shrewd.

"What do you want?" Maul demanded.

An eerie, foreboding giggle echoed out of the forest. Maul hissed and drew back a step. The eyes blinked once, twice, and vanished.

Maul launched himself into the forest after the creature with a roar, but it only took a few steps for him to realize the futility of such an action. He would never be able to keep up with the spy in the dark; he would only get himself lost. 

"Kenobi!" Maul cried as he stumbled back onto the path. "Kenobi, there's something in the woods!"

He waited for several heartbeats, but only a chorus of amphibian croaks responded to his call.

"Show yourself!" Maul demanded.

Still, Kenobi did not appear. 

"Bothersome Jedi. Only around when it suits him," he grumbled then, to hide his unease. Kenobi had been distant these past few weeks, ever since Maul had flinched from his touch. His chest ached at the memory of the hurt in Kenobi's eyes. And that, it seemed, had been all the ghost needed to make himself scarce. Oh, he was still present when Luke asked, but Kenobi had otherwise been notable in his absence.

" - you are alone - "

Luke had settled around the campfire with Leia and the others when Maul returned. Chewbacca caught his eye and, after a quick survey of Maul's person, jerked his head toward the ramp and the Falcon's interior. Following the Wookie's suggestion, he found Captain Rex and Lady Tano inside talking quietly over their own meal.

"We are being watched," he announced in lieu of a greeting.

Ahsoka and Rex exchanged a quizzical glance. "How d'you figure?" asked the captain.

"Luke and I crashed in a swamp almost fifty klicks from here. While we were rescuing the ship, I felt something or someone watching us. Then again just now, while I was walking in the woods, it returned."

"Could it be some kind of local intelligent lifeform?" Lady Tano suggested. "Republic wayfarers were notorious for overlooking certain pastoral, non-space faring species. We ran into that problem more than once during the Clone Wars."

Rex snorted in sarcastic agreement.

"It is not im possible," Maul confessed, "but I sense there is more to it than that."

This caused her to frown. "I believe you. Rest for tonight; you've had a very long day. Rex and I will let the others know to watch the jungle. We already have an all-hours watch for Vader, so whoever is on duty will keep an eye out for it as well."

Maul agreed and thanked her, although their reassurances did not put his nerves completely at ease. Regardless, he allowed Tano and Rex to feed him and put him to bed. The part-time Jedi was correct in that the day had been long and the next would likely be longer. Laying alone in the Falcon's dark crew quarters and listening to his friends' quiet murmuring outside, Maul had a difficult time falling asleep.

He hated sleeping alone. Kenobi's touch may have burned, but its absence left Maul empty. And into that void poured all of his anxieties. Although it did not seem that the Empire had followed him back to Hoth, as he suspected they had Canto Bight, Maul could not shake the sense that Sidious's eyes were on him. Restless and agitated, he did what he had always done: thrown himself into the mission. There was enough to do, between the needs of Echo Base and Luke's conspiracy, to keep him busy from dawn until well after dusk.

At night, however, no amount of exhaustion could put to rest his demons. Was his master watching him? Was that his laughter Maul heard? Or was he finally going mad? With all of their work culminating in tomorrow's meeting, that night in particular held sleep far from Maul's reach. And after more than two hours of twisting and turning, exhaustion defeated pride.

"Kenobi?" he called softly. "Kenobi, will you come to me?"

His entreaty went unanswered. Maul let despair wash over him as he rolled onto his side, facing the wall, and pulled the blanket up to his neck. Kenobi had made it clear that he had nothing to say to Maul. That the ghost, too, had judged him unworthy. It was with these anxieties churning over and over in his mind that Maul finally slipped into an uneasy sleep.

"Brother!" bellowed Savage. "Brother, help me!"

Maul could only kneel. "Always remember: I am fear."

Sidious laughed and batted aside the big Zabrak's lightsaber. Savage roared furiously and charged again, trying to overwhelm his opponent with his larger stature. It would have worked on a lesser adversary, but his brother had never before faced anyone of Sidious's skill. The Sith Lord was well aware of this fact, and he toyed with Savage like a tooka playing with a mouse. 

"Always remember: I am hunter." Although he yearned to aid his brother, Maul's body refused to obey. He was trapped in supplication by Sidious's power, helpless and useless outside of his master's will. 

"You are nothing on your own," Darth Sidious taunted. He brought his dual sabers around in an unstoppable arc, forcing his victim to dodge artlessly or be bisected. "You will only ever be what I made you. You are only what I allow you to be."

"Master!" It was not Savage whose voice pleaded with him from beneath Sidious's berrage, but Luke's. The Jedi's green blade shook as he fought to hold Sidious at bay. "Please, help me! He's going to kill me!"

Cold, deeper and more raw than the tundras of Hoth, seeped through Maul, holding him in place. He could not move. He could not save Luke. "Always remember: I am filth." 

"He will never raise a hand against me," Sidious laughed in Luke's face. He swept the apprentice's defenses aside, sending him tumbling to the ground, and towered over the boy. "He is too weak. Too pathetic. A whipped dog knows better than to bite his master. No, little Jedi, you are all mine!"

"Always remember: I am nothing."

A loud knocking jerked Maul from deep sleep. He was covered in cold sweat and his hearts pounded in his ears. Out in the hall, Rex was shouting, "He's here! Everybody up. Vader just hit the system. We gotta move!" In the bunk above him, Luke groaned and cursed. Maul could hear Ahsoka coming quietly to consciousness in the bed opposite. He was still shaking as he untangled himself from his sheets and pulled on his camo fatigues. Maul sped from the room as if he could put physical space between himself and the nightmare.

The door to the captain's quarters was still closed, but he could hear Leia's voice and Lando's quiet laughter from inside. They, too, were coming awake. A bed-headed Chewbacca was in the lounge, dividing his attention between a ration bar and live scans of the system overhead. Rex leaned over the Wookie's shoulder, also watching the readouts.

"Has he sent down a shuttle?" Maul asked, his voice low and rough with sleep.

"Not yet," Rex said, throwing an amused glance over his shoulder. "They're still discovering how useless scanning this place is. We got time for some caf."

Maul was swift to do as Rex suggested, brewing up several single-servings of instant caf for himself and the others who were filing out of their rooms. He sipped at his mug and tried to let the bitter burn chase away the lingering sour taste of his nightmare.

" - I am fear - "

"What time is it?" he asked

"Just after oh-six-hundred," Rex informed him around a long drink of his own. "We were gonna give you all another hour to sleep, but I guess Vader has other plans."

"We knew he'd probably try something like this," Luke said as he joined them. Unlike the rest of the company, who were wearing practical jungle camouflage, the Jedi had dressed up for the occasion. He had donned a collared black jacket, matching slacks, and shiny black boots to great effect, and he looked quite debonair for Dagobah. Maul hid a fond little smile behind his next sip of caf.

Chewbacca roared, drawing everyone's attention back to the scanner readouts. Vader's Star Destroyer had entered the planet's orbit.

"Time to move," Rex said grimly.

While Luke made his way to the meeting coordinates, the rest of the conspirators prepared to handle Vader's inevitable escort. Rex, with his deep insight into Vader's tactics, had organized their counterattack. The clever clone had even taken the time to scope out where Vader was most likely to disembark. His predictions were eerily accurate, and they were already stationed in the trees around Vader's landing point before his shuttle hit the ground.

It would have been an ideal start but for the glimpse of green eyes he caught blinking at him from the jungle murk. He ignored it for the moment and focused on the task at hand. 

Vader descended the ramp first. In the Force, he still radiated darkness, but even the Sith Lord's presence was dulled by Dagobah's luminance. His Stormtroopers were in lock-step behind him; Vader had only brought with him one squad of eight, as expected. Any more, Rex had explained, would slow him down - or be difficult to eliminate should secrecy become necessary. 

The Sith Lord surveyed the trees through his impassive black helmet. It was impossible to know what Vader was thinking, although Maul suspected he was drawing many of the same conclusions that Maul himself had about the planet. His gaze approached the branch where Maul hid, crouched and camouflaged. Despite Dagobah's endless heat and humidity, Maul was suddenly freezing cold. A shiver shook his spine and his vision tunneled. Vader's gaze was on him -

" - I am hunter - "

- and passed him by without pause. The Sith Lord only ceased his observation when he faced the direction in which Luke waited.

"Your orders, Lord Vader?" asked his commander.

"Skywalker did not come alone," he intoned. "Spread out and search the forest for his allies. I want them taken alive."

"Yessir! You heard him, men. Teams of two, set blasters to stun!" The Stormtroopers divided themselves up and hustled off into the woods. This, too, Rex had anticipated; he had separated the conspirators into pairs to mimic the enemy - Leia and Han, Lando and Chewbacca, Rex and Ahsoka. Because it was necessary that Luke await his father, Maul had volunteered to work alone. He therefore slipped partnerless after his quarry.

Maul trailed his Stormtroopers for several hundred yards through the trees, letting them disperse far enough afield that their cohorts would be unable to hear their distress when he attacked. They were silent and deadly even while negotiating Dagobah's dense foliage. When he felt he had waited long enough and the angle was right, Maul lit his saber and launched himself down upon his prey.

He took aim at the first Stormtrooper's blaster arm, bringing his blade down hard on the trooper's elbow. The Stormtrooper screamed and dropped to his knees, dominant hand lost. His tumble forced Maul to spring away or join the injured man on the forest floor. The second trooper sent a stun bolt in his direction, which Maul dodged. In retaliation, he sent the trooper stumbling back with a wave of Force energy.

Vader's men were well-prepared to face a Force user. Maul quickly lost any advantage his surprise attack had given as they regrouped. In tandem, the Stormtroopers attacked again, the injured laying down cover fire while his ally charged. Maul threw up his lightsaber to absorb the stun bolts, but it left him vulnerable to the second trooper's attack.

" - I am filth - "

They tumbled together into the underbrush, a tangle of limbs, armor, and lightsaber. The back of Maul's head slammed hard against a thick, twisting root that had been hidden beneath the ferns. His vision swam, and on instinct Maul summoned the Force to protect him.

But his call was left unanswered. As it had been in orbit over Rishi, the Force was not drawn to his need. The cold pit that had been gathering inside him opened up. He stared down into the reactor shaft at the garbage and rage and failure that awaited him at the bottom. Here lay all that he loathed about himself, all of his worst, weakest moments. Maul teetered on the precipice of despair. The Force would not rise for this miserable whelp. The Force of would abandon him.

" - I am nothing - "

The sound of a lightsaber igniting made him flinch, jerking Maul from his vision and dragging him back into his battered body. The Stormtroopers shouted and then screamed. A green light flashed, visible even through Maul's closed eyes, and then the forest fell silent.

"Up you must get!" croaked a strange voice. "Up! Thought I did that more hearty were the Sith. Humph! Wrong I was."

Maul felt something small and hard poke at his cheek.

"What a good first impression you make, my master," laughed a second voice. "Enough of that. I do believe our friend is coming to."

And indeed, Maul finally had enough control over himself to sit up and examine the scene. A wizened old frog tottered back and away from him, leaning heavily on his wooden walking stick. Their eyes met, and Maul immediately recognized the creature that had been watching him from the woods. "You!" he hissed and scrambled to his feet. In his hast, Maul's ankle knocked against something hard among the ferns. He glanced down and recognized the body of one of the Stormtroopers he had been fighting. The man had been cut down by a lightsaber.

When Maul looked back up at the frog with new fear, he caught sight of the second interloper. A semitransparent, glowing figure stood just behind and to the right of the frog. For a brief moment, relief washed over him as Maul imagined it was Kenobi, come at last. Relief quickly turned to horror, however, as he took in the phantom's details. He was younger than Kenobi, although he too wore Jedi robes. He supported a well-groomed beard and mustache and had long, equally well-kept hair. His nose, however, appeared to have been broken at least once and had healed noticeably crooked. This was the ghost of Qui-Gon Jinn, the Jedi Master that Maul had killed on Naboo.

Jinn's presence confirmed Maul's worst fears. Kenobi had been lying to him. He possessed, as Maul had suspected from the very beginning, Jedi allies with whom he was conspiring. And like a fool, Maul had allowed himself to be used in their schemes. He released a broken sound, something between a growl and a wail, and took another step back. "What do you want?"

"Hmm," chortled the frog. "Remember him, do you?"

"There is no need to be alarmed," Jinn said, raising a placating hand. "We mean you no harm. Obi-Wan brought you here, to us, because he is worried for you."

"Plagued you are by the Emperor's will," the frog elaborated. "Weaken you, he does. Endanger the Rebellion, by extension, do you."

Even filled with such rage as he was, this revelation drove all else from Maul's mind. "Yes!" he cried, throwing himself forward onto his knees. They understood. He did not know how they knew these things, and, at that moment, he did not care. "My master haunts my dreams. I feel him whispering," he shuddered, "horrible things to me. Please, can you help me?"

Jinn and the frog exchanged a loaded glance. "It is not within our power," hedged the ghost, sounding in that moment just like Kenobi. "However, this planet is full of sacred spaces which may aid you."

"What does that mean?" Maul asked, baffled and suspicious.

"Trust us you must," insisted the frog. "With us you will come."

Maul looked back down at the trooper sprawled at his feet and hesitated. "But, Luke - "

"Luke will be fine," Jinn said reassuringly. "He has Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and the others to aid him. It is our responsibility to look after you. We promised Obi-Wan that we would." The ghost gestured toward a path into the trees. "Now come."

Almost as if in a dream, Maul let himself be led forward through the forest by a talking frog and the ghost of the Jedi Master he had long-ago murdered. He barely remembered the journey, but eventually they stood before a natural cave, mossy and wet with condensation. The path onward slanted down steeply and turned tenebrous and dusky as it descended into the earth. A wave of cold, dark energy washed over Maul, emanating from within.

"What is this place?" he asked, although Maul suspected he already knew the answer.

"Strong with the dark side of the Force, it is," answered the frog. "In you must go."

He glared down at the little spy. "And what will I find inside?"

The frog's ears drooped. "Only what you bring with you."

"Remember," murmured Jinn. He stood behind Maul, a warm presence, although he was careful not to touch. "Your focus determines your reality. Do not let your fear rule you." With that incomprehensible advice, Maul was compelled forward into the cave.

As soon as Maul entered the tunnel, the sounds from outside - the wind rushing through the trees, the chorus of avians and amphibians, his strange guides' murmuring - faded away. Only his footsteps broke the perfect silence. Maul's robotic feet slipped and slid over the wet, muddy stones, and more than once he had to catch hold of the lichen-covered wall or take an undignified tumble. 

He had only been walking for a minute or so when a familiar cry reverberated off the cavern walls. He increased his pace; Luke was not supposed to be down here. The echo of running footsteps growing closer met Maul's ears. And then, "M-master - ?" called what was unmistakably Luke's voice. "Master, are you there? Help me - !"

His plea was interrupted by the ignition of a lightsaber. Luke screamed.

"Luke!" Maul cried, breaking into a sprint.

"Master!" came the apprentice's distressed response.

"No one can save you, boy," Vader's voice growled. "You will submit to your new master."

Maul rounded the next corner at a full sprint and stumbled to a halt in the middle of the Emperor's throne room. The high widows gazed upon the vast emptiness of space, and Sidious' bloody red banner was raised on every wall. Luke and Vader were nowhere to be seen, but on the throne, watching Maul from beneath his heavy black hood, sat Darth Sidious himself. His cold presence washed over Maul in the Force, stealing away his breath. 

"Master," he hissed softly. His hearts beat loudly in his ears. 

"And so you come to me at last," murmured the Emperor, lips twisting with ironic pleasure, "my former apprentice."

"I have come for my apprentice!" Maul proclaimed, gathering his rage around him like a shield. "What have you done with him?"

"Your apprentice?" Sidious scoffed. Each word was an icy knife penetrating his defenses. "How amusing. What did you seek to accomplish by training young Skywalker? Did you - " the Sith began to chuckle, " - did you hope to kill me?"

Pushing back against the cold that threatened to engulf him, Maul fought to stay present "Yes! Your end is in sight, Sidious. We will defeat you and leave your corpse to decay in the trash, just as you left me!"

The Emperor's derisive laughter rang out around the throne room. "You possess no power which could threaten me! I am your master; there is nothing in your mind that I did not put there. And I would never allow you such knowledge."

"Enough!" Maul screamed and threw himself at his master, lightsaber blazing. 

Sidious indulged him, drawing his own sabers to block Maul's downward slash in an X of red plasma. The Sith batted his attack aside, still laughing, and rose from his throne. "Foolish little apprentice, you will never amount to anything more than a puppet - an extension of the will of others."

"But I will never be yours again!" Maul screamed.

"No." Contempt dripped from his master's words. "Instead you have whored yourself out to the Jedi. Kenobi needed only to show you a little attention, a few tiny, empty gestures of kindness, and you prostrated yourself before him."

The wound was too fresh, and Maul saw red. He threw himself at the risen Sith, howling, and realized only as their sabers met the tactical error that he had made. Sidious turned his own momentum against him, tossing Maul backward with a flick of his wrist. But he didn't hit the marble, instead Maul fell and fell. Around him the walls of the reactor shaft rose up, the cold and dark swallowing him whole.

And at the mouth of the chute, watching him fall, was Obi-Wan Kenobi. He was the old man that Maul had come to love, but on that familiar face was the same look of satisfaction and rage that the young Kenobi had worn as he cut Maul down and sent him plummeting to his exile. The Jedi scoffed, "Oh how the mighty Sith have fallen."

His mockery followed Maul down the shaft, reverberating and distorting until it formed new voices, new words, echoing in a derisive commentary.

" - know that there is nothing you possess that I cannot take away - "

" - it has been so long - "

" - you don't know what you're doing! You're all going to burn! We're all going to die - !"

" - and my path has been so dark - "

" - no matter how many times you fail, you never learn your lesson, Maul - "

" - darker than I ever imagined it could be - "

Maul tried to cover his ears, tried to block out the refrain of his failures. Tears poured from his eyes and the stench of garbage filled his lungs. Nothing he did would ever be enough. His mistakes, his long list of sins, would always be too great to forgive. He deserved nothing more than the trash pits of Lotho Minor.

"You've done a lot of bad stuff," Luke's voice whispered, cutting through the tirade in Maul's mind, "but you're also here now, trying to help us fight, and that matters."

"But it isn't enough on its own," Maul whispered to himself.

Luke's face appeared unbidden in his mind's eye; he grinned his sunny smile, and Maul felt the echo of the boy's desert-warm hug in his arms. "You've gotta promise me that you're going to make a real effort to change your behavior. The Rebellion is about second chances - about hope - and a part of that is you making the choice to change. Can you do that, Master?"

And Maul had promised his apprentice that he would try. He was called upon now to uphold that vow.

The end of the reactor shaft spat Maul out among the steep hills and gullies of trash that characterized Lotho Minor. As he freed himself from the rubbish, Maul felt a foreign presence prickle across his senses. Something horrible haunted this place, and it stalked him now. He automatically reached for his lightsaber, but found only the empty latch on his belt. His blade has been lost in the fall. Maul cursed softly.

The next gust of rancid wind carried on it an eerie, unhinged giggle. "Always remember, I am fear!"

The sound of mad scuffling reached his ears, although Maul could see nothing amongst the shadows and fog that surrounded him. Only as a burst of flame from the incinerator droids overhead lit the sky in red and orange did he finally catch sight of something slipping through his peripheral vision. A long, arachnoid leg scurried away from the light and down a narrow crevasse formed by the mountains of trash.

"Always remember, I am hunter!"

Despite Lotho Minor's atmosphere-destroying heat, a cold shiver clawed up Maul's spine. He knew that mantra. It resonated in his bones. Maul followed, certain that herein lay the path forward.

"Always remember, I am filth!" the refrain continued. "Always remember, I am nothing!"

As Maul pursued the unhinged muttering through the labyrinth of garbage, he drew the Force around him in preparation, meditating on his promise to Luke. He held his apprentice's sunny smile close to his hearts and drew strength from it.

"Always remember, I am fear!" The mantra began again, slurring and deranged. "Always remember, I am hunter! Always remember, I am filth! Always remember, I am nothing!"

His path took him around a sharp turn, and Maul found himself staring at a dead end. And there, scrabbling against the steep trash hill, still muttering insanely… was Maul. Or, rather, the creature that Maul had been during his exile. Its arachnoid legs, a reflection of his madness made manifest by the Force, slid and scratched over the garbage. Its skin was dry and pockmarked, and it hung unhealthily off the creature's thin form as it cringed and cowered. But most striking of all was the thoughtless fear in its eyes. Maul knew that fear intimately; it gnawed at him, drove him to question daily his own self-worth. 

He could kill it. Maul could end this creature's suffering and with it his own misery. He did not need a lightsaber to kill. Maul grasped the repugnant monster's throat with the Force, shoving it back against the trash pile and squeezing -

"That's amazing, Maul. You're amazing!" Luke's voice whispered to him. "I can't imagine what it must have been like to go through all that and come out the other side a good person." 

The creature shrieked as Maul dropped it, covering its head and sobbing desperately for mercy. This is what he had been when Savage had found and taken pity on him. This was the creature from which Mother had rebuilt him. This… was no creature at all. He was a part of Maul, without whom he would not have found Savage or Luke or Kenobi.

"It - " Maul's voice was hoarse with emotion, and he had to start again. "It is alright; I apologize. I will not hurt you. You are safe with me. Come here."

Although he did not think the other Maul understood the words, his tone was enough to catch his attention. Maul himself sank to one knee, arms open. It was the same gesture Luke had offered him when Maul needed sympathy; he conferred it upon himself now. 

For several long minutes, his entrity was met only with suspicion and mistrust. They held that position for so long that Maul's back and shoulders began to ache with the effort. And then at last, with agonizing caution, his counterpart approached. Maul let him come, cautious of moving too fast and spooking him. The Maul of his past smelled of body odor and sulfur, and yet there was something so satisfying - so comforting - about pulling him into his arms. After a moment of fear and hesitation, the other Maul relaxed, capitulating to the embrace.

"You are safe," Maul promised him softly. "You are forgiven. You are free."

And all at once, he crouched alone on the muddy cave floor. His next breath filled his lungs with fresh, clean air, washing the taste of garbage from his tongue. Maul allowed his arms to fall. He felt for his lightsaber and found it hanging loyally at his hip; his kyber crystals buzzed fondly beneath the warm metal. None of it had been real; it had all been a vision from the Force. 

Rising to his feet, Maul's pulse beat loudly in his ears, and he shook so badly that he needed to lean back against the moist cave wall and let his body calm down before he could walk. There was so much adrenaline in his system, Maul felt as if he'd fought Kenobi's entire clone battalion. Only when his hands had stopped trembling could Maul finally stumble out of the cave.

Jinn and the frog were still murmuring together when Maul reemerged. The latter's wide, green mouth dropped open in surprise, but Jinn looked almost proud. "I told you he could do it," he murmured smugly to his companion.

The ghost then turned his blinding smile on him. "Maul! Congratulations, my friend! You have passed a trial failed by many Jedi Masters."

Maul suspected that sometime in the near future, he would be strongly offended by this revelation. But for that moment, he was too exhausted to sustain any kind of emotion. 

"I - " he hesitated, searching his feelings. "My mind is free of Sidious's influence."

Like the clear chime of a bell, the words rang true in the Force.

"Yes." The frog spoke, finally shaking his surprise. "Healed you have the old wounds used by the Emperor to enter your mind. Barred he is from interfering with you further."

"It will not be perfect," Jinn warned. "Although Sidious cannot reach you directly, no power can remove the trauma of your past completely. Your thoughts, however, are yours alone once again."

The Jedi gazed at him expectantly, and a sudden recall snapped Maul to attention. "Luke!" he cried. "Have he and Vader already spoken? Is my apprentice well?"

"Calm yourself. Gone for mere minutes were you. Missed nothing important have we." The frog chuckled and hopped down to the forest floor, more agile than his cane suggested. "Come, hmm? Interesting to watch this will be." 

"Tell me, Master Maul," said Jinn conversationally as they set back off into the woods, "do you believe Anakin is capable of turning from the Sith as you have?"

Maul scoffed to hide his surprise at being so addressed. "It is not about ability. It is about desire. Skywalker must want to change, and - " He hesitated, remembering his vision. "And continue even if he should stumble. There is space for mistakes, but the Emperor feeds on despair. If Skywalker can find it within himself to seek hope and not dwell on his misery, then yes, he is capable."

The beaming smile Jinn offered him was filled with an emotion that Maul could not immediately identify. "Your focus determines your reality. Very well said, wouldn't you agree, Master Yoda?"

Maul's stomach dropped all the way to his artificial ankles. "Yoda?" he choked. "You are the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order?"

The frog shot a sour frown at him from over his shoulder but did not stop hobbling forward. "Rude it is to judge the appearance of others, youngling. Scoff at you did I?"

"M-my apologies," Maul muttered, the blood rushing to his cheeks. More of the Jedi Order had survived than he had ever imagined. Sidious's victory was not nearly as complete as he wanted the Galaxy to believe. And, as had the Sith before them, the Jedi plotted in the shadows, preparing for their return. This was yet another revelation that Maul was uncertain how to parce.

When he looked back at Qui-Gon Jinn, the ghost was smiling at him mischievously. "Now, you begin to understand."

Their journey through the woods was quick, and Yoda led them to a treetop lookout from which they had an easy vantage to see and hear Luke and Vader's conversation just beginning in the clearing below. They themselves were obscured by foliage and shadow, completely hidden from sight. The spot was too perfect, and Maul groaned softly at his own stupidity.

"It was you who selected the locations we have used on Dagobah," he stated aloud, aghast at how easily they had all been shuffled about like cards in the Jedi's Sabacc hand.

"Hmm, know this planet so well Master Obi-Wan does not," the grandmaster replied vaguely. 

Jinn hushed them both, gesturing down to where Vader was speaking.

"It was wise for you to call me, young Skywalker. The Emperor has foreseen your false master's intentions and already set in motion a counteroffensive, which will at last crush the Rebellion. Join me, and together we can bring peace to the Galaxy." 

Luke shook his head, carefully maintaining the outward appearance of serenity. "I don't want to talk about the Emperor, Father. I want to talk about us."

"So, you've accepted the truth."

"I have accepted that you were once Anakin Skywalker, a good man."

Vader tensed, and, even through Dagobah's obscuring aura, Maul could sense in the Force his tumultuous feelings. "That name means nothing to me."

"You lie," said a new voice. Lady Tano stepped from her hiding place in the shadows to stand on the far side of the clearing. "We sense the conflict within you, Anakin."

"Ahsoka," the big Sith growled. "So, the apprentice persists."

She inclined her head. "Yes. And we've come back for you."

"I'm not leaving any more of my brothers behind, General," Rex said as he too made himself known. "The Emperor and his wars have taken too much from us. I won't lose you, too."

"You're all fools," Vader scoffed, although Maul thought something like uncertainty had slipped into his modulated voice. "You and your rebellion cannot defeat my master alone. His hold on the Galaxy is complete."

"They are not alone, Anakin," Kenobi interrupted, taking shape. The Sith Lord made a strangled sound and stumbled back a step at the sight of Kenobi's ghost. "The Force is with them."

"Have you come to kill me?" Vader asked, a dangerous calm falling over him.

"Not if you don't make us," Luke replied earnestly. "Father, I know there is still good in you. You may have buried it deep, but your better instincts fight to be acted upon. That is why you couldn't destroy me on Bespin. And that is why I called your friends together now: to appeal for help from my father, Anakin Skywalker."

"I killed Anakin Skywalker!" Vader bellowed, overcome with fury. His lightsaber snapped to life in his hand. 

Luke had anticipated combativeness from Vader and in their planning prepared for such an eventuality. The living held their ground while the dead stepped forward. "You also killed me," Kenobi said with an ironic little smile. "There is no death, Anakin, there is only the Force."

Faced with the phantom of his dead teacher, Vader roared in fear and anguish. He brought his blazing red saber down through Kenobi, but it found only empty air. Unsatisfied, Vader did it again and again, refusing to accept that he could not make Kenobi go away. (Maul cringed, intimately familiar with the feeling.) The ghost allowed this ineffectual abuse, peaceably offering an outlet for his once-apprentice's rage.

"Oh Anakin…" Jinn murmured beside Maul, his face twisted with sadness.

Yoda hummed in agreement. "All-consuming is Vader's hatred."

When his lightsaber finally stilled and Kenobi yet stood before him, Vader sank to his knees and sobbed. "Why? Why won't you stay dead? Why do you and Maul haunt me while she - ?" He silenced himself.

"Padmé was a great woman," Kenobi said gently. "She died as she lived; I was with her in her final moments."

Vader looked up at his former mentor, alarm flashing across his image in the Force. "I do not want to hear this!"

"But hear it you must!" he cried. "With her last words - "

"Shut-up, Obi-Wan!"

" - she swore to me there was still good in you! She believed in you until the very end. And that belief persists in her son."

The Sith was struck silent. After a moment, that big black helmet turned to look again at Luke, who took Vader's hesitation as an invitation to slowly approach. Maul resisted the urge to curse aloud his apprentice's foolish bravery. 

"You came here to offer me a choice, but don't you see? My choice is also yours," Luke said. "You, too, can turn away from the Emperor and rebel. You can help us save the Galaxy." He held out his right, robotic hand to Vader. "Please, Father."

Vader examined his son's outstretched fingers, and for a fleeting moment, Maul felt real hope. Luke's entreaty was so sweet, so earnest - how could Vader refuse him? The Force itself seemed to tense in anticipation.

Then, the Sith turned away from the Jedi. Shoving himself to his feet, Vader loomed over Luke, a pillar of pure darkness in Dagobah's overbright landscape. "Yours is a lost cause. None rise once they have fallen to the Dark Side."

Like a whip-crack, the Force flinched. Masters Yoda and Jinn hissed in disappointment. Skywalker's friends released cries of frustration and sorrow. 

Luke refused to back down. "That isn't true! My master - !"

"Your master is a weakling and a fraud. He has deceived you all!" Vader snapped.

"Open your mind, Anakin," Jinn huffed from beside him, and Maul tore his eyes away from the stand-off to stare agape at the Jedi Master. But Jinn only continued to scowl down at the Skywalkers below. Instead, Maul met Master Yoda's canny green graze. 

"Intercede will you? To defend your honor?" inquired the frog.

"We are not to interfere until Luke gives the order," Maul confessed. He hesitated, and then tentatively asked in return, "Will you? You were Skywalker's teachers as well, were you not?" 

"Only anger him further our presence would," replied Yoda, ears drooping. "Impede Luke's progress we will not."

Maul nodded. They understood, as he did, that this was Luke's battle; interrupting now would only delay the inevitable. Maul did, however, indulge the urge to wrap his fingers around the hilt of his lightsaber and squeeze. Beneath the outer casing, his kyber crystals sang with anticipation.

"I will offer only once more," Vader said, his modulated voice echoing loudly around the clearing. "Your destiny lies with me, Young Skywalker. You have only just begun to discover your power. Join me, and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the Galaxy."

"No," Luke proclaimed. "I will not abandon my friends or my cause."

"Then you shall be made to." The eruption of his lightsaber punctuated Vader's promise. The big Sith descended upon Luke in a blaze of red and black. 

His first wide, sweeping strike was meant to stop Luke from drawing his own weapon and force him onto the defensive. But Luke was too well-trained for such elementary tactics, and he dodged forward and beneath the swing to land on one knee just behind Vader's right elbow.

Luke drew his saber and caught Vader's next attack with ease. The Jedi leapt to his feet, meeting his father's strikes blow-for-blow; red and green lightsaber blades converged and burst apart like clashing stars.

Likewise relegated to the sidelines by their own oaths to Luke, Captain Rex, Lady Tano, and Kenobi had only their words to influence the unfolding fight.

"You have no right to take away his choice!" Rex shouted. "General, don't do this!"

"Anakin, please! We can fix this together! Let us help you!" beseeched Ahsoka.

But, as always, it was Kenobi who pushed too far. "What would Padmé think of you now, Anakin? Senator Amidala was a champion for the right of choice - for democracy! Why do you spit on her legacy to honor Sidious?" 

"Enough!" roared Darth Vader. "You will not use her name against me!" Gathering the Force around himself in a raging mass, Vader sent a wave of pure energy crashing down over those in the clearing below. The living were caught up in its unnatural tide and tossed to the forest floor. Kenobi, a being of the Force, was thrown much farther. Captured by the raging current, his spirit seemed almost to tear and fragment as the tide sucked him away. 

"Ben, no!" Luke gasped from where he struggled to his feet.

Rex too fought to rise, but Lady Tano did not. She lay unmoving, slumped at the base of a massive tree. Spotting his commander's compromised position almost at once, the clone captain hastened to cover her. Confident that Luke's guardians were sufficiently disarmed, Vader refocused on his son.

Luke held his lightsaber up defensively. "Father, you still have a choice. You always have a choice. Anakin has a choice."

"Anakin Skywalker is dead, and I am what remains," Vader proclaimed. The words had the same ring as a mantra that Maul had once known. He felt the Force rise up within him, urging Maul to action. He knew this pain, saw it reflected in his own battered soul. But still he hesitated, unwilling to break his word to Luke. 

"Go to them," Qui-Gon put the Force's will to words. "They need you."

Maul was moving. "Those are Sidious's lies," he called before his robotic feet had even hit the mossy swamp floor. "Discard them. They are unworthy of you."

"Master, be careful," Luke said wearily.

Vader whipped around to face him. "There you are, Maul. I knew you were skulking about somewhere in the shadows."

He did not rise to the insult. "Darth Sidious is a liar. He is not your teacher; he is not your friend. He has not created a Galaxy of order, as he promised you, but one of suffering. And he uses you as a tool in his malicious quest, just as he used me. It is his way."

"You are the liar," retorted Vader, brandishing his red saber at Maul. "My master desires only peace and prosperity for the Empire. It is this conflict which brings suffering - a conflict which your presence perpetuates. You desire only to take power for yourself."

Despite Maul's best efforts, he could not stop the manic giggle that slipped from him at this ridiculous accusation. "Skywalker, I am too old to care for power. Such ambition is for the young." Maul's gaze fell on Luke, holding his position behind his father. "Now, it is my purpose to prepare the next generation."

"Nonsense!" the Sith scoffed. "My master is correct; you are a cowardly fool. It is time I show Luke just how weak you are." 

Darth Vader charged. 

Maul jerked his lightsaber up, igniting both ends in anticipation of the Sith's attack. Two bright white blades burst forth from his hilt.

Vader's thunderous attack stumbled to a standstill. Luke gasped. Rex's jaw dropped. Time itself seemed to halt.

Maul's first, wild thought was that he had somehow swapped lightsabers with Lady Tano. Yet the hilt beneath his fingers was undeniably his own in size and weight. The kyber crystals serenaded him with their familiar song, stronger and sweeter than Maul had ever heard it. This was his blade. 

Realization crashed over him. The vision - no, the trial Maul had undertaken - had changed his lightsaber. It had changed… him.

"Impossible," breathed Vader.

"They're beautiful," Luke murmured.

"Don't you see?" Maul cried earnestly. "There are no tricks here, no politics! Your son loves you, and because of his love he has extended to you an olive branch. But he will not compromise himself to please you. For once in your life, Skywalker, open your mind and trust your instincts! You are among allies here."

Around them, the Force echoed with the truth of his words.

Vader's blade dropped, an immediate threat no longer. Maul was unable to see his expression beneath the helmet, but he could easily enough sense the utter shock radiating off the Sith. These white blades - testimony of kyber crystals purified - were undeniable proof of Luke's words. Maul was changed. And if he could change, then so too could Vader.

"We want the same things, Father," Luke said, ever persistent. "The one who prolongs the war is the Emperor. Can't you see?"

Darth Vader could not seem to tear his gaze from Maul's white lightsabers. "Why you?"

"I haven't the faintest idea," Maul confessed, exasperated. "But I do know that a very wonderful young man wants to be a part of your life, and you would be a fool to choose Sheev Palpatine over Luke Skywalker."

The big Sith looked between them, at a loss. Yet even as Vader remained inscrutable, the Force around them was growing gently lighter, like the pressure easing after a storm. 

"You," Skywalker hesitated, tasting his honesty in the Force, "speak the truth."

"At last he sees sense," Maul rolled his eyes and sheathed his blades, forcing himself to stand down. He took what felt like his first proper breath since the cave.

"Oh, Father!" Luke cried, approaching cautiously. "Thank you! Thank you for hearing us out! You won't regret it. We've already spoken to General Syndulla about you returning with us; she'll vouch for you with the Alliance Council. We'll find a way to make everything else work. I'm so happy you're joining the Rebellion. You won't regret it!"

"No." 

"W-what?" Luke asked, jubilation interrupted.

Skywalker looked from Luke to Maul and then to where Rex was bent over Ahsoka. He returned his masked gaze to Luke. "You appear to have a very particular idea of what will next occur. Whatever idyllic image your mind weaves, cease. I will not be joining your rebellion."

"But Father - !" Luke tried again, only for Skywalker to raise one large, gloved hand and silence him.

"I have been Darth Vader far longer than I was ever Anakin Skywalker. To pretend that part of me away is foolish." Vader's words echoed loudly around the clearing. Luke did not try to argue with him this time. "I will help you, Luke. I - " Skywalker shot a swift, almost embarrassed, glance at Maul before returning his gaze to his son. "I will place my faith in the next generation. But I will do it my way."

Sadness fell over Luke's face. "What does that mean?"

"I will not be returning to the Rebellion with you," Vader repeated slowly.

"But why not? We've made it work for Master Maul; we can do the same for you! 

Skywalker's vocoder made a sad, unintelligible noise. "Your power has grown, young one, and you have collected many mighty allies to your cause. But the Emperor remains beyond your capabilities. We must utilize my position at Sidious's side to our advantage before it is lost."

"Please, I don't want you going back to that place! The Emperor is hurting you. We'll find another way."

At this, Vader was struck silent.

With a tiny sigh, Maul crossed the few steps to his apprentice. He set both his hands on Luke's shoulders and forced the boy to meet his eye. "Consider, Apprentice," Maul urged softly, "the words of General Syndulla and Princess Organa. Skywalker's presence is likely to be controversial within the Rebellion. Perhaps it is for the best that he chooses to act independently."

"But - !" Luke protested yet had no real argument for their logic. He had not looked so young to Maul's eye in months. 

"You have done very well this day," he reassured the boy softly. "Trust now in the impact you have made." Maul looked up at the elder Skywalker and found the Darksider eyeing them with something like jealousy. "And in your father's love for you."

"I offer this as proof of my word." Skywalker reached for his belt and came away with a familiar hilt in his hands. 

The Jedi took his old blade with reverence. "My lightsaber!"

"I see that you have built another," he continued gravely, "but I am certain you will find good use for it."

"Thank you." Luke wiped at the tears which had gathered in his eyes. "Alright, I trust you. I don't like it, but I trust you. What's your plan?"

"The Emperor is concocting a trap for the Rebellion," Vader replied gravely. "If we take the opportunity to not only spring the trap, but attack him on additional fronts, he can be defeated. I will monitor the Emperor's plans for the moment to strike. When it comes, I will call on you and your rebels to aid me. And in the meantime, you must prepare, for defeating Sidious will not be easy."

"Very well, Father," Luke agreed at last. "If that's what you want."

"Maul," Skywalker grunted, just this side of polite. "May I speak to my son alone?"

Tamping down on the urge to be petty, Maul waited for his apprentice to nod his consent. "As you wish. I will join the good Captain and ascertain Lady Tano's status."

"We'll stay within sight," Luke promised. His father did not argue.

Lady Tano was just sitting up when Maul joined them. "Are you both well?" he asked as he approached.

"Nothing I can't walk off," Tano replied. Her blue eyes were dazed but she was otherwise able to support herself. All the same, Maul looked to Rex to confirm a more accurate picture of her health. 

The captain offered him a genuine grin. "We're just fine. But you! How long you been keepin' that fancy new lightsaber of yours a secret?"

"About twenty minutes," replied Maul dryly, crouching down beside them. "It was a shock to me as well."

Tano's gaze sharpened. "You found something."

Maul glanced over his shoulder, first at Luke and Skywalker speaking quietly together, and then upward to where he knew the dense foliage hid watching eyes. Through the mist and shadow, he could just make out three silhouettes: two tall, one short. That was one concern of which Maul could avail himself: Kenobi was fine.

"It is that some one found me," Maul corrected bitterly as he returned his gaze to his companions. Ahsoka cocked a curious brow, silently coaxing him to speak on, and yet something stopped Maul from elaborating. It was at least partially that he still did not know what to make of the encounter or his trial, but, more than that, the details felt too intimate to share. He hesitated to repeat them even to the likes of Tano and Rex. "Princess Organa was correct. Force sensitive planets are trouble."

Empathy overtook Ahsoka's face. "Ah."

Rex glanced curiously between them, and yet, used to the particularities of the Force, he did not push. "Well, whatever it was, you saved our asses."

"Master!" Luke called, interrupting Maul's response. "Father wants to talk to you." He jogged over to join their little group crouched on the forest floor. "Ahsoka, are you okay?"

Maul rose with a soft sigh and left Luke with Rex and Tano. He turned and made his way over to Skywalker, who appeared supremely unhappy to be having this conversation. Maul himself was too emotionally exhausted to summon the appropriate level of ire for his apprentice's father, and so he only blinked balefully up into the death's-head mask. "Skywalker."

"Maul."

For several long seconds, they stared each other down. Then, at last, the big Sith growled, "Thank you for protecting my son."

"It has been my pleasure," Maul replied, caught between dry sarcasm and sincerity. "He is an absolute joy to teach."

"You have trained him well," Skywalker continued to force out the words. "But if we are to defeat Sidious, he must grow even stronger."

"Agreed. I will enlist Lady Tano's assistance with his training. And perhaps Kenobi's as well, when we finish pasting him back together again," Maul chuckled darkly. "Thank you for that entertaining display."

Vader hesitated a moment, then asked, "Obi-Wan has been haunting you?"

"For months now," Maul agreed. (The scent of ozone and whiskey tickled mockingly at the back of his throat.) "Death would not deter him from looking after the boy. Or from irritating me." He rolled his eyes.

Skywalker hummed thoughtfully, which drew Maul's gaze back to that frustratingly blank mask. He was watching Maul. "Sidious is making some attempt to control you," Skywalker said, at last revealing his true intention for this conversation. "He did not share with me the particulars, but he intends to use his influence over you to foment a rot within the rebellion."

This unwitting corroboration of the Jedi's allegations brought a sigh to Maul's lips. "I know."  He looked down at the lightsaber clipped to his belt. It seemed so innocent, yet the blades when he lit them would sear with foreign white light. He took it in hand and held it aloft, unlit, for Skywalker's examination. "I have taken care of it."

The Sith took a long moment to examine first it and then him. "So you have."

Skywalker did not stay any longer than he had to; he exchanged a few brief words with Rex and Ahsoka while Maul patted Luke down for injuries, and then he was gone. Despite the undeniable success of their mission, Luke's spirits were low as he watched his father leave. 

He remained quiet as they picked their way slowly through the klick of dense swamp that separated them from the Falcon. The rest of the conspirators emerged soundlessly from the forest as they made their way. Han, Leia, Lando, and Chewbacca had witnessed the whole exchange from their own hiding places among the trees, and they too were silent and reflective as they walked. Exhaustion settled over them, as dense and tangible as Dagobah's humidity. Skywalker's Imperial Star Destroyer still hung in the sky overhead, and so they retreated to the Falcon's climate-controlled hull to rest until it was safe to leave.

"Does Vader's offer feel like a trap to anyone else?" Leia asked, at last breaking the silence. "Let's just send what's left of our fleet to where he tells us. There's no way that could end badly!"

Luke held up his father's old, green-bladed lightsaber. "He's not an actor, Leia. Why bother with lies? I believe his change of heart was sincere."

"It's what he claims to be doing to the Emperor on our behalf," she protested. "A trap in plain sight." Leia turned her big brown eyes from the saber to Maul. "What do you think, Master?"

Maul blew out a long sigh. "You know I respect your paranoia, Leia, but I am afraid the Force corroborates Skywalker's turnabout. He is sincere in his intentions."

"I agree," said Ahsoka softly.

When Leia opened her mouth to protest again, Han wrapped an arm around her. "I think you just don't like him, Princess," he teased. "Don't get me wrong, it speaks well of your taste, but you might wanna trust the Jedi on this one."

Her gaze returned to her brother, and Leia sighed and nodded. "Very well. I do trust you, Luke."

The young Jedi offered his sister a genuine, if sad, smile. "I know. Thanks, Leia."

"Anakin made the right decision staying behind," Rex changed the subject. "His insights and knowledge of the Emperor's security will be invaluable if we're gonna pull this off."  

"Yes," agreed Luke. "I hope so."

"And now the waiting game begins." Lando popped open a can of meiloorun juice and plopped down onto a crate. "We hang back, gather power, and wait for Daddy to call."

"Eh, not much different than we've been doing," Han replied with a shrug. "And we didn't risk the Rebellion at all; I'd call it a success." With all the fond abandon of an older brother, the smuggler threw his other arm over Luke's shoulders, hugging both the twins to him. "Good work, Kid."

Some life returned to Luke's smile as he replied, "Thanks, Han."

"May I see your lightsaber, Maul?" Lady Tano asked. "It's rare to find another with this color." 

Maul passed her his saber (marveling silently at the easy companionship that had sprung up between them), and it blazed to glorious white life under her gentle hands. The company around them gasped and murmured in wonder. Maul felt the blood rush to his cheeks at their praise.

"How did it happen?" Luke asked, echoing Lady Tano's earlier question. With a sinking feeling, Maul realized that this was not an explanation he could avoid for long. And yet he still had no idea what to say.

He found himself shaking his head. "There was a trial. I am - " His voice broke, shredded like Kenobi's spirit. "I am not ready to speak of what I have seen."

"But you passed," Tano inferred softly. Then, louder and to the room at large, she explained, "Force trials were the old Jedi Order's way of determining if padawans were ready to be knighted or if knights deserved to become masters. Your power, your convictions, your deepest self are all laid bare. Few are capable of passing such a test."

Her eyes moved from the white blade to Maul's face. "I believe congratulations are in order, Maul, on your mastership."

Maul felt the breath leave his lungs, speechless at her proclamation.

"Congratulations, Master!" Luke cried earnestly.

"That's impressive, I guess," Maul heard Han say, but his words echoed as if from far away. "No wonder this planet freaks me out so much."

"Congratulations, you old bastard!" Rex crowed, too loud and too close.

The Falcon's hold was suddenly claustrophobically small. Maul couldn't breathe. "Yes," he choked. "Thank you. Excuse me, I think I must step out. Thank you. Pardon me." 

"Master?" Luke called after him, concerned.

"Give him space," Maul heard Ahsoka say. "The trials can be intense."

His lame excuses made, Maul slipped quickly from the ship and out into the hot jungle afternoon. The air had grown so humid that mist filled the forest. The heat, far from easing Maul's claustrophobia, left him struggling through several more gasped breaths without relief. He leaned back against the trunk of a nearby tree and tilted his head up toward the canopy far above.

Slowing his breathing, Maul reached for the Force, seeking its guiding touch to calm his nerves. Yet the Force, when it came to him, was like nothing Maul had ever before experienced. Meditation plunged him into a vast ocean without tether or control. Surrounded on all sides by an incomprehensible spiral of color and sensation, Maul could only experience - light and dark, pain and joy, life and death. He had never encountered anything so disorienting nor existentially deracinating in his life.

Aghast and overwhelmed, Maul ripped himself from the vision. His eyes shot open, but it took him too long to remember where he was, to place the jungle around him. 

What was that?

Maul's whole body shook with anguish, and he buried his face in his hands. From Sidious's influence he may now be free, but at what cost? The Force, if that even was the Force, had warped beyond his comprehension. The dark side had abandoned him, and without it Maul did not know who he was. The path that he had walked for fifty-seven years had closed to him. 

"You have done very well," said Qui-Gon Jinn's voice pleasantly. "Your presence with the Rebellion is truly the Will of the Force."

"In reaching Anakin Skywalker you have even succeeded," agreed Yoda. "A skeptic of Qui-Gon's gamble, I confess I was. But a most valuable ally you have proven to be."

"He is wonderful, is he not?" It was Kenobi's voice that finally dragged Maul from behind his fingers. "I too had my doubts at first, but you have had a more positive impact on Luke than we could have ever imagined."

The Jedi - one living, two dead - surrounded Maul in an intimate half-circle, pinning him at the foot of the tree. His hands balled into tight fists, nails biting into his palms. "So it was you," Maul choked, so overcome with rage that he could barely speak.

"Master Qui-Gon was the one who recognized your potential as Luke's master," Kenobi said, as if divulging a delightful secret. "It had been our plan initially to bring Luke here to Dagobah so that Master Yoda could train him, but we had not yet determined how to coax him away from his friends."

"And still do I believe more solitude and meditation does young Skywalker require! Too emotional is he!" croaked the frog.

"But the Living Force provided a solution," interrupted Jinn gracefully. "And look at you both now! You have become a team better and stronger for your union. You have taught him well, Master Maul, and in exchange he has redeemed you of your dark ways."

This at last pushed Maul to speak. "Redeemed me?" he spat. "That is a dangerous assumption, Master Jedi."

"He means your lightsaber," Kenobi said quickly, before his master could speak. "Kyber crystal purification is a technique of the light. No Darksider could perform such a feat."

"What a fool I am," Maul growled, interrupting the Jedi's lies. "I allowed myself to become so consumed by my hatred for Sidious that I forgot to fear the machinations of the Jedi."

"W-what?" Kenobi's explanations stuttered to a halt, his pretty face caught between surprise and horror. "Maul, what are you talking about - ?"

"Do not play the fool, Negotiator, it does not suit you! You praise and placate me, but it was by your manipulation that I found myself in that cave participating in a Jedi trial."

"It's not what you think," the ghost said quickly. "Your state was deteriorating rapidly. We had to act, and this was the only option we could think of. You would never have come to Dagobah willingly had you known about the trial."

Heat rose in his cheeks. "You are correct; I would have rejected your so-called redemption!"

"Speak not, young one, of things you do not understand," Yoda scolded. "A master you may be, but still much to learn have you."

"Those lessons won't be found in the archaic minds of the Jedi Masters who allowed Darth Sidious's rise to power!" Maul roared into his wrinkled little face. The Jedi Master's big green ears twisted backward in offense, but Maul ranted on. "You disdain me for my dark origins, yet your lies and manipulations could rival those of the Emperor himself!"

"Maul!" cried Kenobi, offended.

Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda's gazes met, and a silent conversation passed between them. "I see you both have a great deal to discuss," said the ghost. "We shall take our leave."

Maul barely heard them. "Do you have any idea what you've done?" he demanded of Kenobi. "The dark side has abandoned me!"

"The wounds you used to channel the dark side are the very same through which Sidious reached you," Kenobi explained with careful patience. "Through the trial, you were healed." 

"You took it upon yourself to make that decision without me?" Maul hissed. "Was I not to be consulted at all?"

"I do not think you realize how lost you were to Sidious's influence. Every time we spoke, you grew more secretive and paranoid. And then you stopped accepting my help. You - " Kenobi's accent thickened with emotion. "You rejected my touch. I realized that if I did not act quickly, something terrible would happen."

Maul too recalled the moment that he had flinched from the ghost; Kenobi's gaze, laden with confusion and hurt, was crystallized in Maul's memory. The recollection filled him with shame, and anger blazed only a heartbeat behind it. 

"Something terrible has happened you self-righteous Jedi scum!" roared Maul, putting himself nose-to-nose with the ghost. "The Force has forsaken me because of your unwanted redemption!"

"I saved your life!" the Jedi snapped, his carefully cultivated calm finally cracking. He threw his arms out wide. "Sidious would have used you to damage Luke and the Rebellion from the inside. What other choice did I have?"

"To kill me, like I wanted in the first place!" Maul heard the truth slip from his lips.

Kenobi's eyes grew wide, and his voice, when he spoke, was quietly dismayed. "Maul, no. Surely not, after all this time - "

"Without the Force, I am nothing! I can offer Luke nothing. I am but a liability. You have left me without aim or purpose! It would have been kinder to let Skywalker gut me."

Absolute devastation wrote itself across the old man's face. "Maul, please do not say such things. I had to save you. You deserve so much better."

"Your definition of better clearly differs from mine," Maul spat. He pushed forward and through Kenobi, heedless of his empty excuses. The shade's gentle warmth (and whiskey-tang scent) dissipated around him as he stormed back onto the Falcon.  

Chapter Text

"Tell me." Lady Tano requested, the vibrations of her voice lapping gently against Maul's consciousness, "what object is Luke holding?" 

Maul took a deep breath, allowing his focus to expand outward on the currents of the Force. Ahsoka Tano next to him was easy to recognize; she was a shimmering star in the umbra of the Force's ocean, celestial and illuminating. He extended his senses further, feeling out the familiar shape of their practice room until he brushed up against the startling brightness that was his apprentice. 

If Tano was a distant star in the Force, then Luke was a sun, shedding light and warmth. The first time that Maul had encountered Luke in this new way, he'd flinched back, overwhelmed by the Jedi's bright aura. He now allowed Luke's presence to bump up against his own, sending a wave of happiness and love with his touch.

This was a game they had played before, and Maul narrowed his vision past Luke's vibrance to focus on his hands. Except this time something was different. He probed the space for a moment, trusting his feelings to lead him to the truth.

"Nothing," Maul reported. "His hands are empty."

He felt Ahsoka's pride in the Force before she spoke the words. "Very good."

With her help and training, Maul was forging new paths of connection with the Force. Though there was still much to learn, he'd progressed a great deal in the weeks that had elapsed since their return to Echo Base. 

Luke had permitted Maul exactly two days of languishing in misery before, with the help of Lady Tano, dragging him back to the training room (a slightly-larger ice cave to which the Jedi had laid claim). His father had bid him to grow strong, and Luke took the request to heart. If he were to be of use to his apprentice, Maul had immediately realized, then he had to be honest about his own circumstances. Luke was relying on him.

And so, Maul had told Luke and Tano everything; from Yoda's eyes in the jungles of Dagobah to his argument with Kenobi, he left out nothing. They had listened with characteristic kindness, Luke all wide-eyed questions and Tano quiet contemplation. When Maul's story was complete, it had been to the latter that he hesitantly looked for her opinion.

"Well, you have most certainly not been abandoned by the Force," Lady Tano had been quick to reassure him. "It sounds as if your original means of connection was reliant on a part of yourself you had to let go. Your natural talent and power remains, but you must find a new way to draw upon the Force."

"I have been reduced to the capabilities of a youngling," Maul ascertained grimly. "Overwhelmed by anything more complicated than jumping or moving objects."

Her smile had been amused but unsympathetic. "Don't be so dramatic. If a youngling can learn, then so can you."

Since that day, Maul and Ahsoka had met every morning before breakfast to meditate together, building back his confidence and connections with the Force. In the afternoons, following his duties as Rogue Leader, Luke joined them. Lady Tano set a grueling pace, but Maul found he enjoyed it. It was good to test his strength again, to embrace the tranquility of physical movement. Without Sidious's poisonous influence, he felt more attuned to his body than he had in years.

"Again," Tano instructed. "Further. How many power generators are on the trolly out in the hall?"

Emboldened by his success, Maul reached. He reached for the perimeter of the room, for the door, for - 

He slipped. His concentration shattered like glass, and Maul tumbled once more through the layers of reality. As he fell, the Force whispered to him,  the words just beyond his comprehension. "...the Crimson Dawn…" he thought he heard. But before he could follow the thread of cognizance, he was confined to his flesh once more. Maul growled in frustration and slammed his fist against the cold duristeel floor, all too familiar with this type of failure.

When he opened his eyes, he met Ahsoka's tranquil gaze. "You tried to force it again. You can't overthink it. You must - "

"Flow with the currents," Maul recited, unable to keep the sarcasm from his voice. "Yes, thank you, Master Tano. I am well acquainted with the theory."

She did not rise to his petty baiting. "Frustration is natural at this stage. Shall we take a break from meditation and move to a different exercise? I believe Luke has a suggestion."

"Can we duel?" the apprentice asked without missing a beat, his new double-bladed lightsaber already in his hands. It was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, marrying well the weight and power of Anakin Skywalker's old weapon with the sleek practicality that Luke preferred. Despite the age of some of its components, the Jedi had lovingly cleaned and polished them all until the chrome and copper shined like new against the black grip. When Anakin Skywalker's kyber crystal was combined with Luke's to form the dual blades, they had manifested as a blazing turquoise that reminded Maul of the desert sky. 

"Get into position," Maul agreed, pushing himself to his feet. Tano cleared the area, moving to lean against the wall near R2-D2, who chirped at her fondly. Falling into the familiar motions of battle, Luke's grin was as bright as his blade.

Maul had not lost his edge with a lightsaber, thank the Swamps. And while he had struggled in the early days with a few of the more advanced Force-enhanced techniques, years of practice and muscle memory had brought these skills back first.

"You act by instinct," Lady Tano had explained. "It is to that the Force responds."

Maul truly did understand the concept, yet unlearning a lifetime of toxic teachings was a slow, tedious process. This made his success with a saber all the sweeter. Sensing Luke's attacks - which were growing more skilled by the day - a moment before they came or Force-pushing him across the room with a thought were small victories that proved Maul was still capable. 

Luke caught Maul’s downward slash with his own blade and turned his master's momentum against him. Maul was forced into a backflip to maintain his balance, but the Jedi was there waiting when he came to his feet to press the advantage. He parried Luke's double-bladed swipes, one after the other, managing the barrage until his shoulders hit the cold cave wall. Backed into a literal corner, their lightsabers screeched as Luke slammed his blade down against Maul's defense. The white light threw his features into stark relief, highlighting both the apprentice's exhilaration and determination.

(Maul did not dare to wonder what it revealed in himself.)

"Will you yield?" Luke demanded.

Instead of answering, Maul kicked the Jedi in the stomach. He heard Luke grunt as his metal heel made contact with the boy's gut. They fell back into the fray.

Their adrenaline was so high and their concentration so great that it took Maul and Luke several moments to realize that R2-D2 was trilling for attention. Only at Ahsoka's call did master and apprentice both stumble to an awkward halt, their blades still raised in anticipation of the next move. 

"A message?" Luke asked R2-D2, quickly disengaging from their fight and moving to kneel beside his droid. "From Father!"

"At last," Maul murmured, wiping sweat from his brow; Tano nodded in silent agreement. "We must alert Syndulla and Ackbar at once."

Hera Syndulla let out a long-suffering sigh upon being informed of Vader's message, but within the hour she’d managed to wrangle both Generals Ackbar and Draven into her office for an emergency meeting. The interim Rebel leader had declared that Vader's change of allegiance would stay between those already a part of Luke's conspiracy, himself, and General Draven - the head of Rebel secret intelligence. 

"Such an important inside informant could completely reverse the tide of this war!" Ackbar had praised when Luke finished reciting an abridged version of the events on Dagobah. "Good work, Commander Skywalker."

As Maul leaned back against the wall, watching Luke, Ackbar, and Hera speak in hushed tones, Leia and Rex sidled up to him. (Han, Lando, and Chewbacca had left the morning prior on a supply run from which they were not expected to return for another thirty hours or so.) "Have you heard the recording?" asked the princess slyly.

"Not yet," he replied, amused by the quidnuncs. "We brought Artoo straight to General Syndulla, as per protocol."

"By the books, eh?" Rex teased him. 

"Luke doesn't want to give them any reason to suspect ill intent. Working with Darth Vader is controversial enough as it is.”

"Alright," Syndulla called them to order as Draven shut the door behind him. "We're all here. Let's see what he has to say."

R2-D2 plugged into the holoprojector, and Maul was surprised to see the Fulcrum insignia flicker to life over the sound of Vader's loud breathing. He was not alone in his curiosity; while Rex and Luke wore identical gleeful grins, both of General Draven's eyebrows were raised skeptically.

Tano answered their unasked question. "I gave him my old signal to use. That way he had a secure line to Artoo."

"Darth Sidious has accelerated his plans," began Vader's message without preamble. "The Rebellion must prepare itself, for soon he will announce the public execution of Mon Mothma, whom he holds in custody. The Emperor has called the entire Imperial Navy back to the Core to overwhelm any attempt at rescue. He intends for her death - alongside those of any would-be saviors - to set in motion a campaign of total destruction against all rebel dissenters.

"We must spring his trap. The Emperor himself will be on Coruscant to witness the execution of Mothma and make a statement. The opportunity to access him, even for me, is too rare to ignore. 

"I propose a three-pronged attack. Dispatch two small teams to Coruscant, one to rescue Mothma and the other to assassinate the Emperor. While the Navy is distracted in the Core, send the majority of your forces to coordinates IX3244-A. There, located above a small moon, is the Emperor's latest technological terror. Destroy it while his forces are distracted, and you will deal a great blow to the Empire.

"Luke." The way Luke's eyes lit up made Maul feel suddenly as if he were spying on a private transmission. "If you wish to face the Emperor, you must be prepared to contend with Sith Lightning. It is Sidious's greatest weapon; take its power, and you will have a real chance to defeat him. Don't die, my son."

With one last rattling breath, Vader's message ended. There was a beat of silence as they absorbed his words. Then, Ackbar exclaimed, "Well, he certainly has it all figured out, doesn't he?"

Leia snorted an aborted, frustrated laugh at this assessment.

"Anybody know where IX3244-A is?" Luke asked. "IX is an Outer Rim designation, isn't it?"

"Sure is," replied Draven sourly. "That's the Endor System, just nextdoor in the Moddell Sector."

"So you're familiar, then?" Ahsoka pressed. 

At General Ackbar's nod, Draven elaborated. "Remember that probe droid you took out a few months ago? We traced its signal, and it was reporting to something in the Endor System. Up until recently, we've been working under the assumption that it was a new Imperial listening post. The problem is nobody - not even the Bothans - has been able to get close enough to learn anything. I'd begun to suspect it’s something more sinister, and our new Fulcrum here," he jerked an accusatory thumb at the blue diamond still glowing over the holodisplay, "just confirmed my worst suspicions."

"Mothma's capture has been corroborated by the Pyke's information," said Maul. "I believe their latest even indicated she was being transferred deeper into the Core."

Syndulla brandished a datapad. "And we've received reports of several large naval platoons moving coreward. I read the report just this morning."

"So we've established Vader’s information is good.” Luke looked around the room, forcing each of the generals to meet his eye. "What do we think of his plan?"

No one, it seemed, was keen to answer this question. The generals glanced back and forth between one another before, at last, Ackbar sighed. "Frankly, son, I haven't heard a suggestion that dangerous since the Scarif operation."

Draven scoffed, "That's an understatement. Who in their right mind would agree to go to the Core on those strike teams? I've sent men on suicide missions before, but this is something else entirely."

"Us," said Luke, gesturing to himself, although the likes of Maul, Leia, and Ahsoka were also clearly included in his estimation. "You heard him talk about Sith Lightning. That's the key to defeating the Emperor, so it must be a team of Force Users."

"What kind of Clone Wars-ass plan is that?" demanded the spy. "You can't throw a few magicians at the problem and think that'll be the end of it! There will be massive social and political upheaval if the Emperor is murdered. Those are consequences that we are going to have to deal with!"

"Anakin was one of the Jedi Order's most skilled strategists," Rex argued, jumping to his old general's defense. "And Vader is one of the Empire's most feared. He knows - probably better than we do - what the consequences of deposing the Emperor will be."

"That's assuming a lot - !"

"Why else would he send us to destroy the Empire's weapon - !?"

The small office grew loud with argument as each rebel shouted over the other, fighting to have their opinions heard. 

"You're right, General." When Luke spoke, his voice cut easily through the din. "Simply killing the Emperor and destroying this latest death machine won't bring the end of the Empire. That's why this plan leaves the levelest heads on the outside, prepared to fill the power vacuum his death will create. But somebody has to confront the Emperor. We know and accept the risk. Who else is there?"

Maul was nodding along with his apprentice's words, and he could see that Rex, Ahsoka, and Leia held much the same attitude.

"Alright," said Syndulla, with the air of a woman doing her best to remain reasonable. "Let's assume you manage to kill the Emperor and save Senator Mothma - then what? The Empire will immediately start to cannibalize itself; every Moff from here to the Core will be vying for supremacy. Extraction would become impossible…"

She was saying something else, something important, but Maul lost track of her voice as his senses were suddenly overwhelmed by the Force. Sucked into the undertow, he was engulfed by a single message, echoing so loudly in his mind he could almost taste it. "The Crimson Dawn. The Crimson Dawn. THE CRIMSON DAWN."

"The Crimson Dawn has a number of boltholes to protect our agents in dangerous situations," Maul's tongue wrapped around the Force's will, his voice giving it sound. "We could go to ground on Coruscant. With the right preparation, we could hold out for weeks." 

Its message relayed, the Force retreated as quickly as it had come. Maul's hearts beat in mingled fear and exhilaration; in that brief moment, his connection with the Force was the strongest it had ever been. Without it now, he was left feeling bereft and empty. Yet the conversation was carrying on around him without pause, and Maul pushed aside his feelings to focus on the discussion.

"That's insane - !" Draven was exclaiming again, only to be silenced when Ackbar raised one clawed fin. His piscine eyes beheld Luke and the rest of them gravely.

"I have seen the difference that the Force can make in war. And I agree that in order to successfully destroy the Empire, the Emperor himself must fall," he told them. "I suspect that the Jedi alone have the power to face him and win. However," the general sighed again and stroked his squamous beard, "a mission of that scale would demand more of its agents than I am willing to ask. It would have to be a volunteer mission - "

"Absolutely!" cried Luke. "We volunteer!"

Syndulla cleared her throat. "Let’s allow each person to speak for themselves, please Commander Skywalker."

Luke, for all that he had compelled the room only moments before, blushed in embarrassment at her rebuke. "Yes, General. I'm sorry, General. I volunteer for the mission."

Laughing openly at her brother, Leia stepped forward to stand at his side. "I volunteer to lead the rescue team." Her laughter mellowed into a fond smile as the twins' eyes met. "You fight the Emperor, Luke; I'll go get Mon back."

"I shall go as well,” Maul said. He did not need to feel the Force's will to know that he needed to be by his apprentice's side when Luke faced Darth Sidious. It was his duty.

"And I," said Ahsoka. 

"Ah hell," Rex said gruffly, "I wouldn't miss it."

"Looks like you have your volunteers, General," said Syndulla. The glance she exchanged with Ackbar was openly torn between hope and exasperation. "How the hell are we pulling this off?"

They debated the details a little longer, but the way forward was clear. The Rebellion would attempt Vader's plan. Their emergency meeting broke shortly thereafter, and General Syndulla chased them all out of her office. Ackbar and Draven, heads still bent together in hissed debate, turned left, while Luke, Maul, and the others went right. 

Maul leaned heavily against his disguised lightsaber, the cane clicking steadily along the ice as he followed Luke, his mind far away. He had touched the Force. And not just touched it, he had felt its will and potential. It reminded him most of experiencing the holocrons' vision, like dipping his fingers into the very stream of space-time. The urge to feel it again was strong, but so was his fear. What would he find when so deeply submerged in the Force?

"So, Master," Luke asked, pulling Maul's attention back to the present, "what's Sith lightning?"

A phantom of half-forgotten pain curled beneath Maul's skin. He shrugged aside the memories that loomed at the back of his mind and focused on the familiar motions of answering his apprentice, letting it consume the unwanted feeling. "Lightning is theorized by many masters, including the ancient Sith, to be the ultimate physical manifestation of the Force. It is a power capable of terrible pain and destruction. There are a number of variants - red, yellow, and green among others - which have been recorded throughout history. Sidious in particular wields purple lightning." 

"How do you counter something so powerful?" Leia asked.

"Just as long as there has been Force lightning, there have been techniques developed to repel and even redirect it,”he replied. “Mastery of which is, unfortunately, notoriously difficult. I certainly never managed it.” And not for lack of trying. After Savage's death, Maul had sought a counter to his former master's power. He still had the scars to prove how poorly those attempts had gone.

"I've only seen it a handful of times," Ahsoka agreed. "Word around the Temple was that Master Yoda could redirect lightning, but it was something even Anakin never managed." Her face darkened. "I suppose now he can't. The lightning would fry that cybernetic suit of his."

Maul thought back to the little frog on Dagobah and ground his teeth. Wouldn't that have been a more useful piece of wisdom to impart on them than the rubbish he'd spewed? But that was not the way of the Jedi. That was not his way -

"I know the technique, theoretically," he told them. "It is actually the act of practicing itself which presents a complication. As I cannot redirect lightning, I likewise cannot produce it." He glanced over his shoulder at Ahsoka. "And unless Lady Tano has kept her own mastery of the technique a secret…?" 

She shook her head, mouth pulled up sarcastically. 

"We have no lightning with which to practice. Therein lies our problem," he concluded.

"That does complicate things," agreed Rex. "Could you try with the, ah, naturally occurring stuff? Get the technique down at least?"

Maul was already shaking his head. "Unfortunately, natural lightning and Force lightning do not interact with the body in the same way."

"While that is mostly true," Ahsoka hedged, "there are some planets with storms that produce Force lightning."

"Sith planets!" Maul protested. He knew this from experience; Dathomir produced such storms. Maul had used them in his own failed attempts to learn. 

Luke frowned at him. "We're preparing to fight the Emperor. Our training was bound to become dangerous. I think it would be worth our time to at least consider the option." He turned his blue gaze to Ahsoka. "Did you have somewhere in mind?"

The part-time Jedi hesitated, eyes distant, and then shook her head. "No. I believe that place is out of reach now. But others exist."

"Sith planets," Maul reiterated. "Not simply Force sensitive, like Dagobah, but corrupted by the Dark Side - many by the ancient Sith themselves. These are dangerous corners of the galaxy, not to be tread lightly."

"You make it sound like you know a place," his apprentice said shrewdly. 

Maul scowled at the perceptive little Jedi. "Dathomir," he confessed begrudgingly. "The home of my people. There is a particular mountain range known to produce fierce Force storms and lightning. But it is seeped in dark side magick, and the restless spirits of my murdered sisters still roam those swamps. Visiting is out of the question."

"But that's perfect!" cried Luke. "You know the planet and can guide us. What could be better?"

"Are you listening to me, Apprentice?" Maul snapped. "Dathomir belongs to the vengeful dead. Outsiders are not welcome." 

Determination wrote itself across Luke's face. "We'll be respectful. Please, Master! What other option do we have? We need to learn to redirect lightning if we want to have any hope of defeating the Emperor!"

"I will not consider Dathomir. That's the end of the discussion."

It was not the end of the discussion. Luke pushed and prodded, asking leading questions or outright musing about Dathomir all through dinner, never letting the subject drop for more than a few minutes. The young Jedi had most certainly learned his worst (and most effective) negotiating techniques from -

Maul went to bed early that evening. It was not only to end Luke's prodding but also that he wanted very badly to meditate. He bid his friends good night and retreated back to his quarters. Maul still slept in the same ice cave that Luke had directed him to upon his initial arrival on Hoth all those months ago. So much had changed, and yet he could always withdraw to his peaceful little room, with its frosty walls, ancient heating unit, and blanket-covered cot.  

Meditation was not so easy to find as it had once been. Now, Maul had to meticulously clear his mind, leaving himself open to the Force, should it decide to grace him with its presence. Lady Tano had taught him several meditation techniques from her childhood, and they had proved useful - if a bit simplistic for Maul's tastes. She had laughed and argued that was exactly why they worked. Tonight, Maul found himself too distracted by the events of the day for anything but these simple tricks to help.

Steadying his breathing, Maul began to list the things he sensed: the seam between his flesh and cybernetics ached with the cold, as did his back and wrists. The heating unit rumbled loudly in its corner, spilling warmth across his skin. A rowdy group of rebels passed outside his door, their voices raising in a loud chorus of laughter. And at his center, nestled beneath dual beating hearts, Maul felt the ball of anxiety growing inside him.

Ever since he had joined forces with the Alliance, a confrontation between Luke and Sidious had felt almost inevitable. Like a wave breaking over the shore, the dual forces of dark and light must meet. But Maul had never imagined that he himself would again raise a blade against Sidious. 

The last time they had fought, Savage had been taken from him. The loss of his brother had colored every moment of Maul's life since, as impactful as -

Kenobi.

He was still furious with Obi-Wan Kenobi. Maul had never imagined he could hate the Jedi more, yet once again he was proven wrong. There were moments now in which Maul could not breathe for how much he hated Kenobi.

Betrayal was not a new feeling to him; his master had prepared him well for abuse and abandonment. But somehow, Kenobi had slipped past Maul's defenses and, just as surely as he had done on Naboo, sliced him through. For all the moments of intimacy they had shared, Maul was still ultimately a weapon to Kenobi. The Jedi Order's return would be prioritized above all else, including Maul himself.

Worst of all was the way that Maul still found himself missing the bastard. Like pressing on a bruise, he missed the Jedi's bone-dry humor and terrible advice. He missed his laugh and his ethereal warmth. It was a frustrating dichotomy of anger and desire, which he hated almost as much as he hated Kenobi. 

"Knock knock," said a familiar voice, and Maul's eyes sprang open. Standing before him, glowing faintly, was a ghost. Yet he knew at once this was not Kenobi, but another. Qui-Gon Jinn offered him a polite bow. "May I come in?"

Maul scoffed in disbelief. "You're already here, aren't you?"

Jinn's smile turned mischievous. "I suppose I am." Without waiting for further invitation, he joined Maul on the ground, mirroring his meditative pose. "How are you this evening, Master Maul?"

Was this where Kenobi had learned his insufferable manners? Maul eyed his visitor suspiciously. "Do you mean to tell me that you haven't been watching? You know very well what's occurred."

"But I so enjoy your perspective," protested the ghost. "I am, however, aware of Anakin's message and the Alliance's decision, yes."

"Was this too a part of your plans?"

"Plans?" Qui-Gon Jinn began to laugh. "My friend, you greatly overestimate the influence of three old men."  

Maul growled softly, offended by his mirth.

Jinn's expression softened. "Since the eradication of the Jedi, we have been capable of little more than clinging to life, if you'll pardon the irony. With what we have left, Master Yoda, Obi-Wan, and I have tried to seek the Will of the Force, and, like you, we believe that it intends for Luke to face the Emperor. But a plan? No. We have only what the Force has given us. And thus far, its most impactful gift to Luke's training - and by extent to the light's cause - has been… you."

"You mock me," Maul growled. 

Jinn held up his hands in placation. "I do not. You offer Luke knowledge and skills found nowhere else in the galaxy. And he adores you, of course. It is as if your meeting was ordained by the Force itself."

Maul looked away, disconcerted by this assessment. "He is a good boy and a skilled Jedi."

"Indeed he is," Jinn agreed warmly. "Will you take him to Dathomir?"

"Not you, too," he groused at the ghost. "Leave that grave to its rotting. I do not want to make Mother or any of the other scheming spirits there aware of Luke. They will surely try to take his power and turn it to their own advantage; I have seen it before. It is not worth the risk."

"It is difficult to watch our apprentices grow up and put themselves in danger," Jinn replied sympathetically. "During his apprenticeship, Obi-Wan and I clashed over such things constantly. I remember once - "

"I do not want to hear about Kenobi!" Maul interrupted furiously. 

"Yes, of course. Pardon me." The ghost's lips twisted with amusement. "How could I forget your lovers' spat?" Before Maul could put together even a feeble protest, Jinn continued. "Another  story, then. When my padawan at the time couldn't have been more than sixteen, he had gotten fed up watching his peers graduate from the basic lightsaber forms to their own specializations while I held him back. He knew he was ready, but, overprotective master that I was, I always found one more thing that required perfecting."

Maul knew he was being teased, but he was too exhausted to protest. Instead, he found himself listening intently. He struggled to reconcile his Kenobi with the picture of youthful bravado that Qui-Gon painted. He recalled with ease the padawan's braid and clean-shaven face of the Jedi he had fought on Naboo, but he could not imagine a Kenobi without eyes full of anger and sorrow. A Kenobi not yet defined by loss, as Maul himself was.

"We were sent to negotiate a treaty on - I think it was Pijal? Or was it Teth?" Jinn stroked his ghostly mustache. "Eh, it hardly matters. We were negotiating a treaty and things went sideways, as they were wont to do. We tried to fight off the opposition, but it was clear they had the upper hand. Then, my padawan changed stances, and it was as if the Force itself was battling at our side. The little scamp had gone off and taught himself Soresu forms behind my back! He was able to fight the lot off and save the negotiations, all with techniques I had been refusing to teach him. 

"And you know what? He was right. My padawan had connected with the Force on a deeper level through his Soresu training. He saved my life that day, as he would go on to do so many more times during our training together." Jinn met and held Maul's eye. "As teachers, we can only trust that our students have learned enough to not only protect themselves, but conquer those things which their predecessors could not."

Maul looked away; his chest felt strangely, but not unpleasantly, full. "Do you really believe that Dathomir is the best path forward?" he asked at last, words hoarse.

"Luke has clear eyes and good intentions. His instincts do him credit," was all Jinn said in reply.

"As mysterious and indirect as ever, Master Jedi," Maul sneered without heat. "Thank you so very much for your insight."

Qui-Gon Jinn rose gracefully to his feet, laughing as he did so. "And thank you for yours, Master Maul. I always cherish our conversations. Now, I've kept you from your meditations long enough. Good evening." With one final bow, the ghost was gone.

Into the sudden dimness of his room, Maul groaned wordlessly.

Dathomir was, by galactic standards, barely habitable; a place of extremes, its primary biomes were acidic swamps and arid deserts, divided by sharp, craggy mountains. The swath that the droid army had burned through the Nightsisters' fortress was still visible from space. The swamps had never grown back to cover their graves, for the sisters' hatred and agony had poisoned the very soil. 

Maul had once made that polluted place his own base of operations. He knew firsthand how their torment could seep into one’s very soul.

"To the north," he told Han quietly, leaning over the captain's shoulder to direct the Falcon away from the Swamps. "We seek the Kujet Mountains."

"So, this is home, huh?" Han asked, following the path of Maul's pointing finger. "Real nice place. Very, uh, red. You match."

Han was himself crimson with embarrassment as Maul blinked down at him, momentarily distracted from his dark thoughts by bemusement. On his other side, Chewbacca laughed so hard he began to wheeze.

"I just - " the captain stuttered, turning even redder. "Y'know, cause you're - "

"You needn't try to find anything kind to say, Captain. It is a hostile place," Maul said as kindly as he could.

"Should I be expecting a hail or somethin'?" Han asked desperately, trying to change the subject. "I got phony codes, if ya need 'em."

"The planetary sensor arrays will have already alerted the Clans to our presence," Maul explained. "However, they lack the infrastructure to regulate their airspace; Dathomir mostly relies on its reputation to keep away the riff-raff. Stay high and maintain a direct path."

"You don't want to say hi?" Luke asked curiously as he joined them in the Falcon's cockpit.

"I do not," Maul confirmed. "Our destination is far from even their most northern settlements. Force willing, we'll not have to meet with the locals."

Han shot a grin over his shoulder at the Jedi, pleased to make another the butt of the joke. "This ain't a field trip, ya know!"

Captain Solo settled the Falcon on a rocky outcropping high up in the mountains. Maul was the first to step cautiously down the ramp, a gust of frigid wind tearing at the hood wrapped around his horns. It was early morning here, and the red sun was only just beginning to rise, painting the horizon in crimson and gold. The landscape around them was bleak, empty of anything but windswept stone and clinging scrub brush.

He took a deep breath in through his nose and out through his mouth, closing his eyes and opening himself up to the Force. Maul had been to Dathomir many times, most frequently in the decades following the rise of the Empire; it was one of the few places he could hide from Sidious's ever-expanding reach. Yet while it may have been his haven, Dathomir had never been his home. 

For unlike Mother and the Sisters, or even the Force-blind Nightbrothers, Maul had never connected with the planet. He was too tainted - by his time with Sidious, by his own damnable actions - to ever settle down long enough to call any one place home. He was an exile, destined to forever wander the galaxy.

Now, the Force came to him slowly, like a great beast emerging from the shadows, and took his measure. Maul remained placid, as he had learned during these last, hard weeks of training. He hated how small he felt, how he could not fight back even as the fine hairs on his arms and neck bristled beneath its otherworldly examination. Yet Maul abided. And then, just as quickly as it had begun, the feeling was gone. He had been passed over, for now neither embraced nor destroyed by the darkness of Dathomir. Maul released the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding in a long sigh, uncertain if he was pleased or disappointed by this result.

"Come," he called over his shoulder to Lady Tano and Luke, who hovered curiously at the top of the ship's ramp. As he descended, the apprentice gazed open-mouthed at the view their vista provided of the dark, jagged mountains, still bathed in shadow despite the spreading dawn.

“It's beautiful,” Luke marveled softly. Maul did not correct him.

When Han and Chewbacca joined them, the captain said, "Right, give me the plan one more time."

"We will be heading northwest," Maul explained, pointing to the rocky ridge line they would be traversing. "In approximately twenty klicks, there is a fifteen-hundred foot ascent along the falls to the basin above. That is Kujet's Basin, where the Force Storms occur." He gestured to their destination, a distant, dark crevasse between two towering peaks.

"Hiking. Gross." Solo made a face. "Sorry I can't drop you off any closer, but the wind ‘round here is way too dangerous for flying."

"The climb is part of the fun,” Ahsoka said with a smirk that showed her pointed teeth.

"You got enough food? Bacta?"

"Yes, Han. We'll be just fine,” Luke laughed. “We'll check-in with you in seventy-two hours."

Solo wrapped the Jedi in a hug. “You better! Your sister'll have my head if I lose you."

The hike was long, slow, and hot. What appeared from the air to be a straight path was in reality a steep, uneven trail carved into the cliffside. The rocks beneath their feet were loose and covered in slick, red moss; one wrong step would send the unlucky traveler plummeting to their death in the river far below. It was exhausting work and conversation was reduced to little more than murmured warnings about their footing.

After many hours of travel, they at last reached the cliff which separated them from their goal. Water poured from high above, crashing hundreds of feet down into the river below. The basin loomed overhead, a haze of dark vegetation and swirling clouds that made for a hostile destination. 

Luke groaned as he shrugged off his pack and stretched his sore shoulders. Maul and Ahsoka followed suit as they settled in for a short lunch. The apprentice unpacked water and ration bars while Maul and Ahsoka began to scope out the wall they would be scaling. 

"The falls are fed by Kujet’s Well above," Maul narrated as they squinted upward. "This is the only point of access, but the way is slick. The cliff side is dangerously smooth.”

"It'll be slow going," Ahsoka agreed, "but it's nothing we can't handle."

“I think we - ” Maul was interrupted by a shiver across his neck, like ghostly fingers on his skin. A voice that was unmistakably Kenobi's whispered, “Behind you.”

Maul spun, but before he could bite out a curse at the meddling spirit, movement caught his eye. A shadow flitted against the stone, the unmistakable silhouette of a head and shoulders. All thoughts of the ghost were (quickly, furiously) vanquished. One hand resting on the lightsaber tucked beneath his cloak, Maul turned slowly, putting his back to the safety of the falls, and called, “Show yourself!”

For several heartbeats, nothing happened. Then, from a twist of stone that Maul had been certain was nothing more than solid rock, emerged a lithe figure. He was a Nightbrother, his skin yellow like Savage’s has been, but he was older than Maul's brother had ever been. His crown of horns was ungroomed and jagged, and he eyed them suspiciously. "Strangers are not welcome here,” he told them in thickly accented Basic. “You must call back your ship and leave.”

“I am no stranger,” Maul replied, coolly, throwing back his hood to reveal tattoos and horns. “Your warnings are unnecessary.”

“Brother Maul!” cried the interloper, surprise written across his scarred features. “It is I, Viscus.”

Maul sighed inaudibly, for he indeed knew this man. Viscus had been one of Mother’s warriors, years ago when Maul had led her last, desperate campaign against Sidious. After Mother’s defeat and flight, they had scattered across the planet, fleeing the wrath of the Sith. The little Maul remembered of him, Viscus had been violent and fanatical. “I recall,” he said aloud. “What draws you so far from your hunting grounds, Brother?”

Viscus hesitated, eyes darting to the Jedi. He may not have been Force sensitive, but the Zabrak recognized Luke and Ahsoka for the warriors that they were. He was outnumbered. “Famine,” Viscus confessed at length. “Some of us were dispatched in search of more fertile lands.”

Unexpectedly, Maul felt a thrum of dishonesty in the Force. Viscus was withholding some part of the truth, although in his deception Maul did not necessarily sense maliciousness. This, he suspected, was a defensive lie, not a trick. Maul was much more distracted by the Force’s casual touch.

“Unfortunate,” he replied, “for you'll find nothing such in these parts. Best you return to your clan.”

But Viscus did not move. “What brings you here?” he pressed. “You do not intend to climb?”

Maul and Ahsoka exchanged a brief glance, and the part-time Jedi inclined her head very slightly. Better to have the local’s knowledge and risk spreading their whereabouts than go into a dangerous situation blind.

“We do,” Maul confessed at last.

The Nightbrother shook his head furiously. “No. No. There, a dark one - ” Viscus’ Basic vocabulary failed him, and he returned to Dathomiri, “Ba’ba Jaga dwells.”

A shiver crept up Maul’s spine. “A wraith,” he supplied for Luke and Ahsoka. It was a loose translation; the Dathomiri implied something older and much more sinister.

“She sleeps in that place,” Viscus continued urgently. “You must not enter.”

“Hey, it's okay,” Luke tried to reassure him. “We've been training for this. We can handle whatever’s up there.”

If anything, this seemed to make Viscus more agitated. “No! You must not enter!” He took a step toward Luke, aggression written in the lethal lines of his body. “You are not welcome!”

With a snarl, Maul placed himself between the Nightbrother and his apprentice before Viscus could get too close. “Your warning has been delivered. You may leave.” And then he added in harsh Dathomiri, “Bon'te!”

Viscus growled animalistically, bearing his teeth, but he was wise enough to see that he was outmatched. He retreated, disappearing back from whence he came. Maul’s own hackles were raised in instinctive aggression even as a trickle of the Force reassured him that the Nightbrother was well and truly gone.

In unspoken agreement, their rest did not last any longer than required. With Maul in the lead, Luke close behind, and Ahsoka watching their backs, they began their ascent to the basin, intent to leave that place as quickly as possible. The climb took them all afternoon, even with Force-enhanced strength and stamina. And by the time Maul was helping to hoist Ashoka over the edge, evening had settled its ominous gray clouds over the mountains like a cloak.

Viscus never reappeared, although this fact did not calm Maul’s nerves.

They followed the river for a short time through a dense forest of red-needled conifers and crimson-tipped sedum until it opened up into a vast alpine lake. Along the shores of Kujet's Well, Maul finally called them to a stop. “Night will fall soon, and with it will come the storms. If we want to take full advantage of our time here, we should be prepared to act tonight.”

Luke, who had been looking distracted and rather anxious, brightened at once. “Yeah, okay! I'll make caff!”

As they took a moment to rest and catch their breath, the sun dipped behind the western mountains. This far north, the night fell quickly and completely, and over their heads the cloud cover grew so dense that it blotted out the moon and stars. The lightning began slowly, as little more than a subtle red glow highlighting the cumulonimbus clouds and a distant rumble. Between hot, bitter sips of caff, Maul turned to his apprentice and said, “Remind me of our previous lessons on Force lightning.”

“Force lightning manifests as a current of pure energy,” Luke recited obediently. “It is drawn to and follows the flow of the Force through the body, where it can cause pain, permanent physical damage, and even death.” 

As he spoke, the flickering lightning lit the basin in red, staining Luke’s complexion crimson. “However,” Luke continued when he could make himself heard over the thunder that followed, “because it travels through the body’s Force currents, a skilled user can allow the lightning to pass harmlessly through them and redirect it, turning defense into offense.”

“Describe this technique.”

“You must create a pathway for the lightning to pass through. The safest begins in the fingertips, flows up your arm, and then down into your stomach.” Luke traced the path from his fingers, down his suntanned arm, to his shoulder. Then, the path plunged, dipping to his core. “From the stomach, reverse up and out the opposite arm. The direction your fingers point will indicate the lightning’s new destination.”

“Remember that you are but the lightning's conduit,” Lady Tano added, her eyes too fixed on the dancing bolts above them. “Such power can be neither tamed nor controlled, only conducted. To believe otherwise is arrogance.”

Following her gaze, Luke swallowed nervously. “For the first time, I really think I understand what you mean.”

“Let's begin.” Maul ordered. As the most experienced, it was only right that he made the first attempt. Yet his (failed) past endeavors had been steeped in grief and anger, avenues of power no longer available to him. Maul was uncertain that his prior knowledge would be of any use at all. Still, he set off into the dark forest, Luke and Ashoka following at a respectful distance, to catch lightning.

The fulgurations lit up the conifers in bursts of dancing red and ground-shaking thunder. It was beautiful and terrible and Maul couldn't imagine holding it in the palm of his hand.

Determining which strikes would break from the storm above and find the ground was a matter of ignoring the background feedback and focusing on the gathering power in the Force. With a bit of concentration, Maul was easily capable of the task even in his half-blind state. The hunt was ultimately a matter of instinct, yet when he finally stood before his challenge, those same instincts screamed at him to flee. Sidious had trained Maul well to fear the vicious flash-and-crack of his voltaic punishments. That lesson, at least, had not faded in the intervening decades. It was only through sheer willpower that Maul rooted himself to the spot, two fingers extended into the air for best conduction, and braced.

Even with foreknowledge of what would happen, when the bolt struck him, Maul was staggered by the intensity of the pain. It consumed him, blazing down his arm and leaving agony in its wake. Maul felt his muscles cramping as he fought desperately to maintain form, but the lightning was unstoppable. He roared, the power now in his gut. It was hot, hotter than fire - 

- Maul jerked conscious. He sat up so fast that he nearly knocked heads with Luke. The Jedi was crouched over him, face pale and concerned. “Master! You're awake!” He put a gentle hand on Maul’s shoulder and helped ease him back down. “Don't move too quick or you'll tip right back over. That lighting got you good.”

He groaned softly as the memories came crashing back, along with the pain, and he let Luke put a pack under his horned head. Above them, the lightning was still dancing, crimson bolts illuminating the dark forest. “How bad?” he croaked.

“Just some minor burns, mostly. But have some bacta,” Like replied, digging around in his own bag to find the little vial. He stuck the needle into the meat of Maul's bicep and with a pneumatic hiss administered the medicine. Seconds later, Maul felt his aches begin to ease. 

“You tensed up,” Luke scolded gently, sitting back on his heels. “You didn't let the lightning flow. It could have killed you.”

“Bah.” Maul laid his head back and let the medication wash over him. “I’m well aware of my shortcomings, Apprentice. It would appear I've much yet to learn. Where is Lady Tano?”

“Taking her turn.” Luke frowned, apparently liking their separation as little as Maul did. “As soon as you're ready, we'll follow her.”

Shifting to his feet, Maul rose slowly. “I am ready now.”

Luke reached out and steadied Maul with a hand on his arm. Together, they headed off in pursuit of the next strike.

Ahsoka’s attempt succeeded Maul's only in that she did not require resuscitation. She, too, was forced to evacuate the lightning prematurely, breathing out a plume of red electricity in a strikingly beautiful display of failure. Another vial of bacta was consumed, and then it was Luke’s turn.

He was the first to simply be struck. 

“It's likely your unfamiliarity,” Tano explained as they eased the Jedi back to consciousness. “Maul and I have both experienced the feeling before, but you haven't. In that way, at least, we can consider this a success. Your first electrocution wasn't at the hands of a Sith Lord. You can still acclimatize before you meet it in battle.”

“Yay,” said Luke sarcastically from the ground. Then, with less bite, “Just. Just gimme a minute, then I'll try again.”

“You need more than a bit of bacta and a lay down,” Maul snapped. “Give yourself time to recover. I will try again.”

Luke was the first to be struck, but he was not the last. Maul’s second attempt, standing beneath the red bolt, knees metaphorically weak, went no better than his first. He didn't even manage to catch the damn thing, merely electrocute himself like a fool. 

“Maybe we should call it?” Luke asked from where he sat on a fallen tree. “Dawn’ll be here in an hour or two and we haven't even set up camp yet. Better stop before we're totally exhausted.” 

Tano scowled, displeased at not being given her own second attempt, but she couldn't deny the wisdom in Luke's words. “Very well.”

Maul, head aching from his own failures, was in no state to disagree. 

In the weak, pre-dawn light, the occasional bolt of red lightning still cracking overhead, Ahsoka spotted the alcove in which they would camp. Tucked up against a steep cliff and enclosed on three sides by fallen trees and a rough stone outcropping, it was both defensible and relatively protected from the elements. The morning was cold as they prepared their accommodations, and Maul’s breath fogged in the crisp, humid air.

By the time the sun had crested the eastern mountains, they had settled in with one final round of ration bars. When there was food in their bellies, and Maul had begun to eye his bedroll with longing, Luke broke the sleepy silence with a confession. “I can't stop thinking about that guy's warning.”

That caught the attention of both Maul and Ahsoka, who looked over at the Jedi with matching concern. “Viscus’s warning?” Maul clarified with a frown. “I told you as much before we came here. Why should hearing it again from a local make any difference?”

“I know, I know. It's just,” Luke shifted, glancing over his shoulder and out into the woods, still bathed in shadow despite the sunrise, “I feel like I'm being watched. And I keep hearing things.”

“What sorts of things?” Ahsoka asked.

“Whispers mostly,” Luke confessed. “I can't understand most of it; sometimes I think I hear my name. I don't know.” He shook his head. “Maybe I've just been up too long, and I'm letting the ghost stories get to me.”

“They are not stories, Apprentice.” Maul tugged at his forehorn, worried more than truly annoyed; this was what he had been trying to tell them. “This planet is haunted in a very literal sense. Night Sister magick is capable of perpetuating the spirit long after the death of the body. I've seen it myself.” He had experienced it himself, although he had no interest in explaining that to Luke and Ahsoka. “What you hear may well be the Ba’ba Jaga of which Viscus spoke.”

Luke shivered.

“Well, we're here. It's too late to turn back now,” said Ahsoka, ever pagmatic. “What do we do?”

“Ignore her,” Maul replied firmly. “Since the Ba’ba Jaga has not confronted us directly, I doubt she has the power to do so. She will therefore try to lure us to her lair, where she is strongest. Do not give her the chance. As long as we keep our distance and do not engage, we should be able to complete our business and leave in relative peace.”

“Then let's stick to the plan and hope it doesn't take us too long to get the technique down.” With those words, Ahsoka stood. “I'm heading to bed. Don't stay up too late, you two.”

Maul and Luke said their goodnites. The former of whom put his hands on his robotic knees, ready to follow her and make his own way to bed. But before he could, Luke asked, “Do you actually know Viscus? Or were you just saying that?”

“I know him,” Maul confirmed, settling back into his seat. “Viscus… is of Savage’s clan.” 

Luke’s eyes grew massive with barely-contained curiosity, and Maul had to look away. His gaze dropped to his gloved hands before he continued, “Theirs was known for producing the planet’s most powerful warriors. All of Mother’s favorites were trained on the Sanguine Steppes - ”

“I'm sorry,” Luke interrupted. “Mother? Whose mother? Your mother?”

“Mother Talzin.” Maul sneered; his hatred for the witch and her scheming had not cooled over the years. “She led the Night Sister’s largest faction. Until she picked a fight with Sidious and lost.” 

Luke was too savvy for his deflection (or perhaps Maul was losing his touch), and the boy leaned forward eagerly, “And?”

He sighed out a huff of breath through his nose that condensed in the chill morning air. “And she is also my progenitor, yes.”

“Your family history is just as messed up as mine!” Luke said a bit gleefully. Maul couldn't help a snort of laughter, quietly grateful that after all this time Luke had learned better than to pity him. “Well, we'll be respectful of the Ba’ba Jaga, get our training done, and be out of here before you have to have any more awkward family reunions, okay Master?”

“Yes,” Maul responded seriously. “Please.”

</br>

The following night saw little improvement. The lightning once more crackled overhead, and they spent hours chasing the impending strikes around the lake. Yet the technique still eluded them. Both Luke and Lady Tano managed to catch their lightning on the second attempt and both were forced to evacuate it prematurely, the power too great to hold.

“It's like trying to fit a purrgil through a spaceport!” Luke complained as they administered another round of bacta before the next attempt. “Am I doing something to block the flow? Did you feel it, Ashoka?”

Tano, sipping on her water canteen, swallowed thoughtfully before replying, “I think I see what you mean. The pathway does feel… restricted.”

“What’re we doing wrong?” Luke turned to his master as if Maul would have something insightful to say. 

He, unlike Luke and Ahsoka, had not caught lightning a second time. Indeed, Maul’s head and chest prickled uncomfortably with the aftereffects of multiple shocks. It was nothing serious, he knew from experience, merely a failing of the flesh. But they had insisted he take another shot of bacta, despite their dwindling supply.

“The ticking clock certainly isn't helping,” Ahsoka said not unreasonably. “Have we asked Obi-Wan for his advice? Although he never mastered the technique himself, he is wise in the ways of the Force.”

“I haven't heard from Ben in a couple days, now that you mention it,” said Luke. “He's been quiet since we got here, even though we were talking pretty regularly before we left Hoth.” Then, without warning, he called, “Ben? Can we talk?”

Maul felt his blood pressure rising. Apart from a few intrusive thoughts here and there, these days on Dathomir had successfully kept his mind off of the treacherous Jedi. It was perhaps the only positive thing that had come from this whole ordeal. He had foolishly lowered his guard, and now he would need to look Kenobi in his frustrating, beautiful face without flinching.

Except Kenobi did not materialize. The lightning flashed and the thunder crackled and no ghost appeared. 

Luke’s brows knit together with upset. “Should we be concerned?”

“He is not a hound, Apprentice,” Maul snorted, despite himself. “He does not come when called.”

“It could be this place,” Ahsoka replied thoughtfully. “Obi-Wan is a being of pure Force energy, and between the inherent power of Dathomir and all this lightning, he’s probably experiencing a lot of interference. He might find it hard to communicate.”

“As if he needs an excuse to keep us in the dark,” Maul said darkly.

“Are you two still fighting?” Ahsoka asked, exasperated. “Please just kiss and make up. We cannot afford all this bickering.”

Maul opened his mouth to snap back, but his apprentice interrupted. “Do you feel that? There's another good strike coming.” Luke pointed just a bit further down the curve of the lake, and continued, “We should take advantage before the storm ends.”

He felt it too; the incoming lightning stood out to Maul's senses like a beacon after so many hours of hunting. “Very well.” He pushed himself to his cybernetic feet with a wordless groan and set off in pursuit, Ahsoka and Luke trailing behind him in the predawn gloam.

As he positioned himself to catch the strike, Maul tried to meditate on the thought that this attempt would be different. He would not fight for control. He would be both grounded and flowing, an open pathway through which the lightning could harmlessly pass. This time, he would succeed.

The bolt was drawn to his upraised right hand like  a conductor, all the power of the storm condensing on the tips of his fingers and bleeding down his arm in rivulets of agony. Yet Maul pushed himself to endure. Even as the pain reached his core. Even as Maul felt he might burst, so overwhelming was the power he held within, he refused to concede. He had to do this. For Luke.

Without warning, Maul was dragged into the Force's vision. It was physical and intense, subsuming the pain. Subsuming him. Maul felt his identity stretch and blur, his senses eroding beneath the raw power of the Force -

- claustrophobia. The walls of his prison were closing in on him, and Maul couldn't breathe -

- a vast starfield stretched overhead, unfamiliar constellations blinking down at him as Maul stared up in awe -

“ - do you understand now, Young Skywalker? You have been tricked - ”

- clear liquid dripped steadily from the IV bag, down, down to disappear into the prisoner’s pale flesh -

“ - can you hear me, Brother - ?”

- and then Maul was himself again, aching blood and bone once more. 

Lightning erupted from his left hand and slammed into a nearby tree, scorching the bark and creating a charred wound in the wood. He heard Luke whoop and cheer. Yet Maul could not appreciate his success, for he was preoccupied with collapsing. 

Darkness, velveteen and cloying, enveloped him.

Maul was intimately familiar with death. He had kissed it once, at the end of Kenobi’s lightsaber, and against this fate rebelled. He’d wielded the hatred and anger of the Sith to defeat the Reaper itself. But that was long ago. Maul was an old man now, and the passions of his youth had burned down to embers. He was so very tired.

“You have used the second life with which We blessed you well, Maul, Son of Dathomir,” murmured a familiar voice, her words rippling through the Force to resonate with his soul. “You pursued Our foes across the galaxy, built a mighty criminal empire, and returned with a powerful apprentice. You have served your mother well and earned your rest.”

The feeling of ghostly fingers stroking his brow made Maul’s whole being shiver. This was nothing like the warmth of Kenobi’s touch; her’s was clawed and dangerous. Yet her presence soothed something deep and fundamental within him. “But I wonder,” she continued almost contemplatively, “would you truly leave your apprentice’s training to be completed by the Jedi Kenobi?”

And to that, there was only one answer.

Maul gasped, shaking and coughing, back to life. His chest burned with pain, but it was a mere echo of how he had felt bearing the lightning within him. When he tried to blink his eyes open, his vision was obscured by a sickly, poisonous green. For several too-long seconds, he was utterly insensible, only capable of sucking in lungful after desperate lungful of air. As if, somehow, his breath had been stolen from him.

At length, however, his senses returned, the viridescence receding to reveal Luke's face, pale and haloed in red lightning. “M-master?” he gasped. “Are you with me?”

With a groaned affirmative, Maul tried and failed to sit up, succeeding only in sending his head spinning.

“You're alive,” gasped the apprentice, tears welling in his eyes and falling freely down his cheeks. He pulled Maul into an embrace that was almost uncomfortably tight. “Thank the Maker, you're alive!”

Maul leaned into his hold, too weak to do much more than catch his breath. He could recall nothing, only lightning, pain, and - a vision. A series of moments flying by so quickly he could not catalogue them. Nothing more. Maul did not know for how long he and Luke sat folded together on the forest floor, but they only broke apart when Ahsoka Tano burst at full speed from between the trees, holding aloft one of their rucksacks in triumph. 

“Here’s the rest! I just hope - ” Her words and feet stumbled to a sudden halt at the sight of them. “By the Ashla, you're alive!” She looked between Luke and Maul, for the first time since Maul had known her, true astonishment written across her face. “But how? You were - you were dead.”

“Tell me what happened,” Maul said with the little breath he had recovered. He pulled away from Luke to better see them both. 

“It was the lightning,” Tano explained. “We thought you’d done it for a second. Until you collapsed. By the time we got to you, your hearts had already stopped. We gave you every last vial of bacta we had, but nothing was making any difference. Luke stayed here with you while I ran back to camp to get the rest of our supply. Because we had to try.” She turned to the apprentice, curious. “What happened after I left?”

“I-I’m not exactly sure,” Luke confessed. “I was doing chest compressions like you showed me, Ahsoka, and - ” Something haunted flashed across Luke’s face, but it was gone so fast, Maul almost wondered if he had imagined it. “ - then, you started breathing on your own again and woke up out of nowhere. Maybe the bacta kicked in? Or Ben did something?”

His words left as many questions as they answered, and Maul found himself skeptical of his apprentice. Tasting the air for a lie, however, returned him only static. Maul was too drained to sense anything in the Force, let alone something as nuanced as dishonesty. 

Tano appeared dubious of his claims as well, but all she said was, “Perhaps. Regardless, we need to return to camp and regroup.”

Even with most of their remaining bacta supply in his system, Maul was still as weak as a kitten. It was only with Luke's help that he was able to stand and begin the slow walk back. Yet for all his physical ails, Maul’s mind raced. He had done it. He had channeled lightning and touched the Force. And it nearly cost him his life. Was his cause hopeless? Was the skill beyond Maul’s ken?

No. He had touched the Force and seen its vision. He had channeled lightning. Maul would not stop now, when he was so close to achieving his goals.

“I did it,” he croaked aloud.

“You overdid it,” Tano corrected sharply from the other side of Luke. “You did not listen to your body, and it nearly killed you.”

“I saw something,” he insisted, despite how she echoed his own fears. “A vision from the Force.”

This statement made both Jedi pause. “What did you see?” Luke asked.

“It was only quick moments, but I - ” Maul hesitated, struggling to articulate what he had seen. The vision existed at a distance in his memory, like trying to recall a dream. “I remember… stars? And a prisoner. And there were familiar voices…” 

“That is good,” Ahsoka replied eventually, when it seemed Maul could find nothing more to say, “but the methodology is unreplicable.”

“Success isn't worth losing you, Master,” Luke agreed with a wobble to his voice.

This declaration took Maul rather aback. “Isn't it? In confronting Sidious, there is the very real possibility of death. Was it not you that said our training would become more dangerous as we prepare?”

“A bit of bodily harm and your hearts stopping are two very different things,” Luke protested. “Besides, even if we did decide to try something crazy like that again, you're in no shape to make another attempt.”

With this last point, at least, Maul could not argue.

The sun had crested the eastern mountains by the time they reached camp. Luke helped to lower Maul into his bedroll, the apprentice looking as tired as Maul felt. “You should eat something before you sleep,” he said. “I'll get us some ration bars and water.”

“I’ll take mine to go,” Ahsoka said from behind Luke. 

Master and apprentice both looked up at her, startled. “Go?” asked Maul blankly.

“Someone needs to check in with Han and Chewbacca, and we desperately need to resupply. Besides, you,” she pointed at Maul, “are not fit to travel. Nor can we leave you on your own. So it must be me.”

“It's dangerous to go alone,” Luke protested.

“I've been on my own for the better part of twenty years. I'll be fine,” Tano replied with finality. She was already packing her bag, neatly folding her blankets, rations, and water into the Rebel-standard rucksack and swinging it up over her shoulder. When she looked back down at Maul, her expression softened. “Rest. Recover. I'll be back tomorrow with refreshed supplies, and from there we can reassess our approach.”

Maul was loath to admit it, but she was right. It would be foolish of him to try to make that journey in his present condition. And leaving the weakest of their troop alone at the top of the mountain was not a sound strategy either. “Very well,” he grumbled at last. “I must unfortunately concede to your logic.”

Luke looked as if he wanted to protest further, but Tano left no room for argument. Maul was reminded very strongly of the young commander he had fought on Mandalore: headstrong and certain in her decisions. “Be safe,” Ahsoka said as she slipped out of their little camp. “Both of you.”

“And you, Lady Tano,” Maul called after her.

When Ahsoka had disappeared into the trees, Luke turned his anxious blue gaze back to Maul and said, “Guess it's just us for supper.”

The apprentice rehydrated and warmed a simple vegetable broth to accompany their ration bars, and Maul ate it all ravenously. Head bent over his bowl, he did not even look up until his meal was gone. When he did, he found Luke studying him over his own half-eaten meal, that haunted look back in his eyes, this time undeniable in its presence. “Almost dying sure does make you hungry,” he observed, the morbid humor missing its mark and succeeding only in sounding sad.

Maul needed to address this, whatever it was, with Luke. He knew he needed to address it. He was also exhausted, and Maul was certain that the conversation at hand would require more of him than he was capable of giving in his current condition. He resolved, with a sense of quiet foreboding, to discuss this with Luke properly tomorrow. When he had the wherewithal.

In the moment, all he said was, “Healing necessitates additional caloric intake. As does it require rest. Thank you for the meal, Apprentice. I must retire to bed now.”

“G’night, Master,” said Luke softly.

“Maul! Maul, wake up!” It was the panic in Kenobi's voice that dragged Maul so violently from slumber. He had sat up and was reaching for his lightsaber before his mind was fully conscious. When he blinked his eyes open, he found himself face-to-face with Kenobi's glowing visage. The ghost would have been kneeling over him, their faces intimately close, had he a physical form. 

“Kenobi?” Maul asked, voice rough with sleep. “What do you want - ?”

“Luke is missing!” Kenobi's Core accent deepened with his anxiety. “That witch has him.”

A cold fear gripped Maul’s hearts.

He glanced about, confirming Kenobi's words for himself. The camp around them was quiet; the fire had burned down to embers and the late afternoon sun had begun its descent toward the west. Luke was nowhere to be found, neither nosing through their supplies nor poking at the datapad on advanced astronavigation that he’d borrowed from Antillies. When Maul reached out into the Force with his enfeebled senses, they told the same tale of an empty camp and an absent apprentice.

Pushing himself up from his nest of blankets on weak arms, Maul shook himself awake properly. “The Ba’ba Jaga. How did she get to him?”

“I've no idea!” Kenobi wailed, worry turning briefly to frustration. “She's been interfering with my ability to speak with you ever since you came to this accursed place. I'm only here now because she’s distracted.”

That was not good. If a powerful Night Mother was preoccupied with him, that could only spell disaster for Luke. “Show me the way,” Maul commanded. They left the camp immediately, Maul pausing only long enough to clip his lightsaber to his belt. Time was of the essence.

Still weak from his brush with death, running was a struggle for Maul. He wished briefly that he'd had time to transform his ‘saber back into a cane, but such a thing would cost him precious seconds in a fight. Of course, if it came to violent confrontation, Maul was at a massive disadvantage. He could only hope that his status as one of Dathomir’s sons allowed him the chance to bargain. Although with what, he did not know.

“What could a Dathmiri witch want with Luke?” Kenobi wondered aloud, breaking Maul from his thoughts as they hurried their way through the forest. 

“Possession,” Maul responded grimly, recalling with a touch of shame the last time he had brought an apprentice to Dathomir. “The spirits of the Night Sisters may live on, but they are limited without a body to inhabit. Luke would be valuable real estate in the eyes of the sisters.”

“Gastly,” Kenobi shuddered. “We must hurry.”

The cave entrance appeared out of the shadows gaping open like the maw of a beast. It was a crude tunnel lined with stones and roots, but Maul felt at once the familiar tang of Night Sister magick on the air. And alongside it, as familiar to him now as his own heartbeats, was Luke’s warm glow. 

A glance at Kenobi revealed him to be several shades more transparent, the Ba’ba Jaga’s presence taking its toll. His next words echoed as if from a great distance. “I can go no further; her power is too great. What are you going to do?”

“I,” Maul responded with a confidence he did not feel, “am going to ask politely.”

He stepped into the recess, leaving Kenobi's warmth behind, and descended into the earth. Maul negotiated the dark tunnel slowly. He did not dare to ignite his lightsaber and risk angering the Sister, and so he was resigned to the dark. Maul carried on for several minutes, heartbeat thumping loudly in his ears, until a green glow broke the pitch. He hurried toward the light.

Ducking beneath a low-hanging root, Maul stepped out into a wide cavern. To his left, the source of the green light burned, a virescent fire over which a large cauldron bubbled. An altar stood before the flames, laid out with a local bounty: berries and bones, bright fungi and precious gemstones. The rest of the chamber was occupied by a table and a set of chairs, at which sat Maul’s apprentice and -

“Mother,” Maul growled. 

Mother Talzin looked up from where she was refilling Luke's teacup and gave Maul a smile that chilled him to his very bones. “Excellent, my son has joined us at last.”

Luke jumped and turned to look at Maul. “Hi Master,” he said guiltily.

“Come,” Mother beckoned him inside with a claw. “Sit.”

With his apprentice at her mercy, Maul could do little but comply. Perhaps he should have been startled by her presence, but Talzin and Maul had their tenacity in common. It was no surprise to find her still stubbornly clinging to life.

Although, as he studied her, Maul wondered how much of her life yet remained. The way Mother swept across the cavern, her movements cloaked in twisting ethereal crimson, reminded him of the Jedi ghosts. She looked the same as she had the last time he had seen her - only days before the end of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire - her pale, painted features aged but somehow timeless. 

“Your charming apprentice has been telling me of your quest… and your struggles,” she said.

“What care have you for either?” Maul demanded coldly.

“I offer a solution.” She spread her hands wide, green magick flashing and snapping between them. Luke gasped, the dancing lights reflecting in his wide eyes.

“You have made and broken that promise to me before, at a time when you were much more powerful,” Maul snapped, unimpressed. “What could you possibly have to offer now?”

Her tattooed grin only widened. “You protest, yet when I offered you back your life, you took it readily enough.”

“I was mad. Incapable of consenting to anything, let alone your magicks,” he protested, recalling with a soft growl the desperate creature he had been before his resurrection. “Do not project upon me the illusion of choice.”

Mother shook her head, radiating smugness. “No. I refer to your much more recent brush with death, my son. Although it was your apprentice who asked for my aid, I could not have performed the spell without your consent.”

A cold shiver crept up Maul’s spine, and he turned to Luke, who was fidgeting in his seat, unable to meet his master’s gaze. “What does she mean?” he asked his apprentice softly, dangerously.

“You were dead,” Luke confessed to his cup. “You were dead before you hit the ground. The bacta wasn't gonna do anything, but the Ba’ba Jaga - ” he glanced up at Talzin, expression caught between fear and awe, “ - your mom offered to save you.”

“And what did you give her in return?” Maul demanded. “Mother would never do anything without equal exchange.”

Luke turned red. “She only wanted me to come have tea with her! I know it was dumb,” he admitted, “but I had to try something. And I have this feeling we can trust her.”

Resisting the urge to bury his face in his hands, Maul promised Luke instead, “We will finish this conversation later.” Then at last, he turned to face his mother. “What is it that you actually want?” 

Talzin had the audacity to look offended. “Is it so unbelievable that I only desired to meet the successor of my line?”

“Yes,” he spat. “You always have ulterior motives. I know that better than anyone.”

For the first time, it seemed as if his words had finally overcome her perfect condescension, and Mother Talzin’s smile vanished. “You have taken my measure well, Maul, Son of Dathomir. I confess, I invited you here for more than mere tea and conversation. However, it is not a trap but an offer.”

“And deepen our debt with you? I think not,” Maul responded immediately. “There is nothing you can offer worth that risk.”

“If you defeat Sidious, there will be no debt,” Mother promised.

Maul breathed out a long sigh through his nose. This, at least, made a certain sense. Mother’s loathing for the Sith Lord took precedence above all else, of that he could be certain. Yet Maul’s suspicion remained. “What could you possibly have to offer us? If you were capable of defeating Sidious, you would have done so long ago.”

Mother inclined her head. “It is true. I have no miraculous power with which to defeat the foul Sith. However, your apprentice spoke of your recent struggles to connect with the Magick - your Force - and for this, I have a solution.”

She turned from them and gestured to her cauldron, still bubbling over the emerald flames.  “The Waters of Life is an old Night Sister brew,” she explained. “It induces in the imbiber a trance, opening the mind to the greater possibilities of the universe.”

“I am familiar,” Maul replied. Although he had never partaken; it had always been too dangerous to make himself so vulnerable. Yet this time, despite the risk, Maul was tempted. He had been so close: so close to touching the Force, so close to seeing its vision. This brew could be the tool he needed to break past this block and reconnect with the Force at last. 

His only hesitation was leaving both his insensible body and Luke in the care of Mother whilst he partook in the potion's mind-altering effects. Luke seemed inexplicably fond of the witch, and he did not trust the boy’s judgement around her. Maul glanced to the side, at the apprentice himself. This time Luke did meet his eye, giving his master an encouraging little smile. From that corner, at least, he had support. It was only the logistics which still required contemplation. 

Well, the idea occurred to him suddenly, there was one other being just outside. And he owed Maul a favor.

Mind made up, he nodded back to Luke and then looked up at his mother, meeting her dark gaze. “Very well,” he said. “However, I have two stipulations. First, you will permit the ghost at your door entry. He and Luke will watch my body during this undertaking.”

Talzin’s smile, which had returned upon his agreement, fell into a scowl. “Meddling Jedi,” she spat. “Why did you bring him here?”

“He brought me here,” Maul corrected, ignoring Luke's quiet laughter. “He is persistent and occasionally useful. You will permit him entry.

“My second condition,” he continued loudly over her offended hiss, “is that when this is all over, you will allow me and my companions to depart unmolested. If it is as you say, and you wish for us to defeat Sidious, then this should be no burden to you. These are my requirements.”

She scowled and waved her hand contemptuously, yet Maul felt a shift as she dismissed her wards. A tacit agreement. 

Moments later, Kenobi shimmered into being just behind Maul, the ghost’s warmth radiating all down the length of his back. “What's happened? Where is Luke - ?” Kenobi trailed off as he took in his surroundings. “Oh my dear, what have you gotten us into?”

“Kenobi, meet my mother, Talzin,” Maul said dryly. 

“You mother?” Kenobi squawked, looking wide-eyed from Maul to Talzin.

She met his gaze with imperiousness, and the spirits studied each other wordlessly for several long, tense seconds. It was Talzin who broke the silence, addressing Maul coolly, “So this is your Kenobi? All these dramatics over a man.”

Kenobi did not respond to this observation. Instead, he tucked his hands into his sleeves and drew himself up to his full height. “Ma’am. Thank you for welcoming me into your… home.”

She sneered. “My son insisted.”

Luke looked utterly delighted.

Maul ignored them all. “Kenobi,” he snapped, drawing the ghost's attention. “Mother has offered a way for me to reconnect with the Force. I will be drugged for the duration. While I am insensible, I entrust my safekeeping, and the safekeeping of my apprentice, to you.”

“A drug. From her?” Kenobi spun on Maul, outraged. “Absolutely not.”

“I am not asking,” replied Maul. “I’m only in this position because of you. You owe me.”

Guilt flashed across the ghost's face. He struggled with himself for only a moment before the old Jedi sighed, “Oh - very well.” 

“This is the being to whom you have devoted your life?” Talzin despaired even as she turned back to her workstation. With a sweeping gesture and a wave of green magick, she cleared the sacraments from her altar. “Inhale,” she ordered. “Then lie back. The Waters will quickly overtake your senses.”

Maul did as he was told, approaching the cauldron and leaning over the murky, bubbling Waters, the better to catch its fumes. The smell was not unpleasant, with notes of green vegetation, licorice, and petrichor. Yet after even a few seconds his mind began to grow fuzzy.

“Again,” commanded Mother. “Let its power infuse your very soul.”

Another deep breath sent Maul’s head spinning. A third filled his vision with starbursts. Leaned over the cauldron, he nearly upset his balance, and only Luke’s hand on his back steadied him.

“Potent,” said Luke as he set Maul to rights. “C’mon, Master. Let's get you laying down.” With his apprentice’s help, Maul reclined on Mother’s altar, the stone slab cold at his back.

“How do you feel?” Kenobi asked, curious despite himself. He had taken up vigil above Maul’s head.

“Dizzy,” Maul replied, closing his eyes. 

“What's in this stuff?” Luke asked, trying to peek into the cauldron without getting close enough to be caught in the fumes.

Mother shooed him away. “The recipe is secret, known only to the most practiced Sisters.”

“I've heard of such rituals,” Kenobi murmured quietly to Luke as the apprentice settled back into his chair. “Generally the hallucinogens are derived from roots, bark, mushrooms, occasionally pollen, and many other natural sources. Quinlan once found a reference in the Archives to a cult that had formed around the psychotropic excretions of a unique avian subspecies! But in general, Mother Talzin is correct, the sources and recipes are closely guarded secrets…”

Although Kenobi spoke quietly, the lecture intended for Luke alone, his voice carried around the cave melodically. It was warm and rich, and even Mother didn't silence him, content to listen. “...one author who underwent the treatment with the aid of a shaman wrote later that his visions were very enlightening, if not confusing and half-remembered…” 

Maul drifted on the gentle ebb and flow of Kenobi's voice, the words first ceasing to hold meaning, and then fading into a soft background hum. It was soothing, and Maul felt truly relaxed in a way he had not in years.

“Brother.” A new voice reached Maul's ears through the sleepy haze. “Can you hear me?”

He sucked in a shocked breath. Maul knew that voice, but it was impossible. He sat up so fast his head spun, and indeed standing at his bedside, smiling down at Maul with his kind golden gaze, was Savage. He looked just as Maul remembered, his eyes too kind for his tattooed face, his voice rumbling like distant thunder, and of course, his big, toothy grin.

“Hello, Brother,” Savage said, bequeathing one of his silly smiles upon Maul.

Maul pulled his brother into a breathtaking hug. He was crying, ugly, heaving sobs, before he could stop himself. All he could do was hold Savage close and weep. And Savage simply returned his hug, neither judging nor mocking Maul for his weakness.

Only after his tears had ceased, though their trails still dried on his cheeks, did Maul finally release his brother. He looked up into Savage's eyes and said, “I am so sorry, Brother. Your death was my fault. I failed to protect you from Sidious. I was a poor teacher and a worse brother. I am sorry. I am so, so sorry.”

“Do not blame yourself for the sins of Darth Sidious.” Savage’s words were as warm as his hands, which had settled on Maul's shoulders. “You were a worthy teacher and loyal brother. Although the result was my death, I do not regret our time together.”

“Nor I,” Maul promised. “You saved me from my exile. You were a true companion during my darkest hours. I owe you more than I can articulate. Certainly more than I can ever repay.”

Savage shook his head. “Set such notions aside. We are not Mother; there are no debts between us.” Then, he smirked. “Now, will you spend our whole reunion berating yourself, or may I share with you the deep and abiding wisdom of the cosmos?”

“What?” Maul blinked up at him, effectively diverted by this pronouncement.

“That is what you seek, is it not?” asked Savage. 

“I want to restore my connection to the Force,” Maul corrected quickly.

The big Zabrek laughed. “The Force is already with you.”

“It does not act like it,” he grumbled.

“Then come,” his brother said, gesturing toward the cave entrance. “Let me show you.”

Savage led the way from Mother's chamber, and Maul followed. He ducked his head to pass beneath the overhanging root, and when he rose again, he was not crawling through a dark tunnel. Instead, impossibly, he somehow found himself emerging out into deep space. 

There were no planets, no ships, no great bodies nearby to orientate himself, only an endless expanse of stars. Millions of distant galaxies whirled around him, moving through their orbits many thousands of light-years away. And as he beheld this astounding sight, a faint flickering between the stars caught Maul’s attention. It came again, revealing a fine, crystalline thread which linked together a series of stars in an unfamiliar constellation. 

Now that he had seen one, other threads became apparent to Maul. They connected the distant celestial bodies in an elaborate, interweaving pattern, like the complicated stained glass ceiling of Duchess Satine’s throne room. Likewise, he thought he spotted a glimpse of something familiar in the image it depicted. But when Maul tried to view the larger picture, he found it too massive to behold as one. In fact the longer he tried, the more his head began to ache with the effort. 

In his attempts, Maul’s head and neck tilted so far back that he nearly upset his balance; luckily, Savage's steadying hands were there to set him on his feet. They also found purchase on one such crystal thread, much wider at this distance.

“Steady, Brother,” Savage said, his low, rough voice breaking the perfect silence of space’s void. “It is a great deal to take in, I know.”

“Where are we?” Maul whispered. 

“This is the intersection of all time and space,” Savage told him. “Here, every moment, every choice can be found in the ever-expanding tapestry of the cosmos. It goes by many names, but we shall call it the World Between Worlds.”

The World Between Worlds. It sounded fantastical, like something from a children's story. Maul’s gaze drifted upward once more, eyes running over the vast, sweeping threads as they arched and dipped. “And why,” he asked at length, “did you bring me here?”

“So that you could see them for yourself,” Savage explained. “The connections. The cycles. They will help you to understand.”

This left Maul with more questions than answers, but he trusted his brother. He let Savage take the lead. “When you survived your defeat on Naboo, what was it that saved you?” his brother asked.

“The Dark Side,” Maul responded at once. “My hate and rage sustained me.”

“You survived because the Force willed it,” Savage corrected gently. “For it always seeks balance, and through you balance may be found.” 

Baffled, Maul could only shake her head. “What are you talking about?”

“The Light and the Dark must meet and clash by necessity,” Savage explained patiently. “But neither is ever meant to overcome the other in a meaningful way. For there can be no shadow without light. No life without death. They need each other. That cycle is the Force itself.” 

He gestured to the threads that connected the stars, tracing one with a clawed finger as it swooped from high above them to dip below their plane and through the starfield beneath their feet, only to rise high above them once more in a great spiral. As Maul’s gaze followed Savage's direction, it dawned on him that the thread did not merely connect the stars, it held them aloft, stitching them into the fabric of the universe.

“This careful balance has been maintained since the beginning,” Savage continued. “And now it is threatened by Darth Sidious.”

“How can one man endanger all this?” Maul asked. “Surely not even Sidious is capable of evil on such a scale.”

Savage sighed. “He understands how delicate the balance is and has been experimenting with its manipulation for decades. To great success.”

“The Jedi Massacre,” Maul realized aloud. “That was all… for this?” 

“Yes,” he nodded solemnly. “The seduction of Anakin Skywalker and simultaneous destruction of the Jedi was a strategic move by Sidious to even the balance in a very literal way. By his machinations, the Jedi were destroyed, reduced to little more than desperate outcasts, forced to the fringes. And yet, for all that Sidious had dealt a great blow to the light, only two Sith remained.”

“Regardless that one is the Emperor and the other the most powerful Force user to ever live,” Maul spat. “By what definition is that balance?”

Savage inclined his head. “It is not. And so, to even the scales, the Force birthed twins of incredible power.”

Maul sucked in a shocked breath. “Luke and Leia.”

“You understand,” Savage agreed. “They have the ability to defeat Sidious at last. But if he is able to sway them to his evil, as he did their father, Sidious could expand the reign of his empire for decades.” 

Despite Savage's dire warning, Maul found himself laughing. “That, at least, is of no concern. Luke is a shining beacon of light and Leia hates the Emperor with far too much vitriol to ever embrace his way of being.” He smirked up at his brother. “Of this we can be certain.”

Savage met his mirth with a much more genuine smile of his own. “Yes, your influence has already made an impact on them.”

“Bah,” Maul waved away his misplaced compliments with an indolent hand. “It was already in their natures.”

“Perhaps. But it was you who taught Luke the lesson that the Jedi refused to learn: we, each of us, is a union of opposites. Both the light and the dark are needed to find personal balance. Because of your teachings, Luke does not fear his own darkness. He recognizes its influence and can choose his path with wisdom. When he faces Darth Sidious, it will be full knowledge of himself. They will meet on an even battlefield.”

Those words brought Maul perhaps less comfort than Savage intended. “Is that it?” he asked. “With so much at risk, can we offer him nothing more than equal odds?”

Savage cocked his head to the side quizzically. “Is it not enough? It is more than any other has had in nearly fifty years. Have faith in your apprentice, Brother. You have taught him well.”

“I - ” Maul’s protest was cut off by a twinge in his gut.

“It is time for you to awaken.” Once more, Savage placed his big, grounding hands on Maul’s shoulders, forcing him to look his brother in the eye. “If you recall nothing else of our conversation, remember this: the Force is with you, Maul. And we are so, so proud of you.”

“Savage!” Maul cried, his own fingers flying to the hands on his shoulders as if he could hold himself there by grip alone. “Wait, Brother - !”

Another vicious cramp in his navel dragged Maul further back toward his body. But he did not want to leave yet.

“Goodbye, Maul,” Savage released his shoulders. The last thing Maul saw was the warmth of his brother's smile -

- and Maul twisted on Mother's altar to empty the meager contents of his stomach over the edge of the stone slab. As if in anticipation of this outcome, a bowl had been placed nearby to catch the sick. 

“Oh dear,” said Kenobi's voice. “Your mother did say that might happen. Let it come.”

Somewhere between scrambling to grab the bowl and sitting up to heave again, Maul felt ghostly warm fingers run over his scalp. “That's it, darling,” Kenobi murmured. Another ethereal arm wrapped around his back and shoulders. “Breathe through it.”

Setting aside the bowl, Maul allowed himself a moment of weakness and leaned into Kenobi's embrace, letting the familiar scents of whiskey and ozone comfort him. After his breathing had evened, Kenobi suggested quietly, “There is water, if you think your stomach is settled enough. Your mother warned that you would be quite dehydrated.”

The cup was only across the room, on Mother's tea table alongside a full pitcher, but Maul was tired. In a fit of self-indulgence, he summoned it with a thought. As soon as the water hit his tongue, Maul realized how desperately thirsty he was. He downed it in two deep gulps. When he looked back up, he found Kenobi watching him. There was something very nearly like apprehension in his gaze.

“Your connection to the Force has returned,” he observed quietly.

“It never left me,” Maul confessed. “Lady Tano was correct.”

Kenobi seemed to brighten ever so slightly. “Good! That's good.”

Maul cleared his throat. “Yes.”

Ignoring Kenobi, he rose to refill his cup. Maul drank the first and then used the second to clear his mouth. Kenobi watched him all the while, that trepidation never leaving his handsome face. But it was only when Maul’d had his fill and set the cup aside that Kenobi finally spoke aloud his thoughts. 

“I'm… I am so sorry, Maul,” he said, “for usurping your choice in all this. It was wrong of me to go behind your back, even if it was in service of your protection.” He hesitated. “I will not apologize for saving your life. But I will apologize for my methods. And for the arrogance that led me to choose them. I am sorry, and I hope you can find it within yourself to forgive me.”

Maul stared, for a moment wondering if he was still dreaming. But no, his bodily aches and pains assured him that he was awake. Obi-Wan Kenobi was indeed apologizing to him. And despite all the hate that he had levied at the Jedi, Maul found himself deeply tempted to accept. For he was here, was he not? Kenobi stood by Maul's side attempting to correct his error, even when he disagreed with the method. It was as earnest an apology as Maul could expect. To return to their flight after all this simply sounded… exhausting.

“I do forgive you,” Maul said, the words foreign on his tongue. 

Kenobi brightened, a spark of hope in his eye. “Maul,” he murmured.

“No more of your manipulative nonsense,” Maul warned him. “I won't stand for it. Not toward me nor Luke and Leia. They need us both, working together as allies. We can no longer be at odds.”

“Of course,” Kenobi agreed at once. With Maul’s forgiveness safely obtained, some of his usual cocksure attitude had returned, and Kenobi slipped back into Maul’s personal space. “That goes without saying. We are partners in all things going forward.”

“Good,” said Maul, but he was distracted. Distracted by Kenobi's scent, by his sudden proximity, and perhaps most of all by the pout of Kenobi's lower lip beneath his ghostly beard. He found himself wishing fervently to take that lip between his teeth and bite. But alas, such physicality was not theirs to indulge. 

Kenobi, on the other hand, did not seem interested in letting his death get in the way of their intimacy. He backed Maul up against the table and stepped in-between the spread of his mechanical legs. His ghostly arms wrapped around Maul’s neck, bringing their foreheads together, their lips but a breath apart. 

“I missed this,” Kenobi confessed softly. “I missed you.”

“As did I,” Maul murmured, settling his hands along the memory of Kenobi's hips. And yet it was not enough. He yearned to be closer. Moving on instinct alone, Maul gave into the urge and closed the distance between them, bringing their lips together. Kissing Kenobi was rather like trying to embrace a storm. It was fierce and electrifying and liable to sweep him away. Kenobi's ghostly form pressed up against him in return, their bodies touching like pricks of intimate lightning.

There was no forcing Kenobi to do anything he did not want, no coaxing, no pushing. Maul's manipulations were utterly ineffective against his incorporeal form. He could take only what was given. To his delight, Kenobi was generous with his touch, obligingly parting his lips and tilting his head to give Maul greater access to his mouth. The Jedi tasted of ozone and iron, and his touch burned as hot as plasma. 

Maul heard a broken moan and realized only belatedly that it had come from his own throat. Kenobi pulled back just enough to murmur, “You are a delight,” against Maul’s lips.

He blinked open his eyes, which had at some point fallen shut, to glare half-heartedly at Kenobi. “And you are insufferable.”

“You may call me whatever you like,” the ghost teased him, “so long as you kiss me like that again.”

It was a challenge that Maul was more than willing to accept. “I loathe you,” he said, and pressed another kiss to his lips. 

He did not know for how long they remained like that, entwined together, the living and the dead coaxing sweet sounds from one another, however, Maul's good sense and paranoia eventually returned. He gently separated himself far enough from Kenobi to ask, “Where are my apprentice and mother?”

“Catching lightning,” Kenobi replied. He refused to go far, keeping his ethereal hands on Maul's chest. “Your mother claims to know what you’ve been doing wrong.”

“And you let them go?” Maul demanded. That was precisely the outcome he had sought to avoid.

“Now that your mother is no longer interfering, I am able to track Luke’s movements once more. He is fine, Maul,” Kenobi rolled his eyes. “I think he has your mother quite enamored.”

Maul shook his head despairingly. “Sidious has no idea what strange enemies he has amassed.”

Kenobi chuckled, catching Maul's lips in one last impossible, indulgent kiss. “I think that is to our great advantage.”

Aboveground, the storm raged once more, but Kenobi laced their fingers together and led him unerringly toward Luke. They arrived just in time to watch the apprentice catch a falling strike in his open palm. He turned and sent the crimson energy tearing from the heel of his opposite hand toward a boulder, which shattered on impact. Luke’s whooping cheers were drowned out by another wave of crashing thunder.

“He is magnificent,” said Mother, appearing suddenly beside him. This far from her lair, she was but a shade of her true power.

“Indeed he is,” Kenobi agreed softly.

“What were we doing wrong?” Maul asked, businesslike. He detested all this sentimentality; personally, he was feeling rather emotionally drained.

“Fingers,” Mother tutted. “I expected you to know better. You must accept the lightning with open palms. You were only offering it only two fingers.”

Maul groaned softly. “It would be something so simple.”

“Master!” Luke cried as he ran toward them, his radiant joy apparent even at a distance. “Did you see? I did it!”

A smile stole over Maul's face before he could catch himself. “Yes, Apprentice. You did very well. Show me?”

Luke pulled him away to explain as Mother had the flaw in their technique, although he did so with much more grace and patience. Words could convey only so much, however, which was how Maul found his way back beneath an impending strike. The lightning cascaded down toward him, and Maul offered up his hand, soft palm extended to meet the electricity. 

When the lightning touched his skin, Maul could not help the flinch that followed. But the pain never came. Instead, Maul felt almost invigorated by the power coursing through him. It was nothing like Sidious's lightning, which had been rooted in anger, sudden and violent. This natural lightning seemed to dance along the invisible ley lines of his body, spinning and crackling and free. 

With a gesture, Maul sent the lightning flying from the palm of his left hand, up into the night sky, where it burst like fireworks among the clouds. He stared up at the display, shocked and enraptured. He had done it - really done it.

They had the weapon they needed to defeat Sidious. 

The days between their return to Hoth and the Operation sped by, every waking moment dedicated to preparing. Between intaking supply shipments, attending strategy meetings, and interfacing with Qi’ra and the Syndicates, Maul had very little time for extraneous thought. This suited him fine, for all the comforting visions in the galaxy could not lessen the fear he felt at the thought of facing Sidious again. The Sith Lord loomed large in his mind as Maul prepared for what he had casually come to think of as his Final Battle. 

There were, after all, only two options: defeat Sidious or die trying. And if he did die, Maul was determined to take the Sith Lord down with him. He would not stand by and allow the galaxy that Luke inherited to be ruled by Darth Sidious. 

He confessed as much to Kenobi one night shortly after their return from Dathomir, his ghostly head resting on Maul's sternum as they curled together in bed. “So fatalistic,” Kenobi had teased him, but when he pushed himself up to meet Maul's gaze, his eyes were sad. “No need to walk into the fight assuming the worst.”

Maul’s fingers, which had been playing with Kenobi's incorporeal hair, dropped to rest at the junction of his neck and shoulder. “Fatalism, bah.” He wrinkled his nose. “I prefer practicality. I am an old man, Kenobi, while Luke has a bright future. I will do everything in my power to ensure he sees it, even at the cost of my life. A sentiment with which you're quite familiar, I imagine?”

Kenobi scowled down at Maul, his crow’s feet crinkling with fond annoyance. “Alright, alright, you irritating thing.” Despite his words, Kenobi allowed Maul to coax him closer until his face hovered just over Maul’s own. “I concede your point.”

“I told you so,” Maul teased. And Kenobi was rolling his eyes even as their lips met. His kisses left the sweetest ache. 

Yet when they separated once more, there was still a hint of worry in his gaze. “Just promise me you won't go looking for death, my love.”

That, at least, was a vow Maul could make honestly.

But while Maul was able to temper his anxiety with Kenobi's presence, Luke had no such distraction. The Jedi was worried enough for them both. The pressure was getting to him; the fate of the Rebellion - nay, the galaxy - rested on his young shoulders. It was a heavy burden to bear, even with his friends doing their best to help carry the load. And for Luke, even this stress fell secondary to his concern for his father, for the elder Skywalker had missed check-in.

It was, as General Syndulla had reminded him repeatedly, not uncommon for a Fulcrum agent to go for months or even years without a word. Reports had been trickling in of Coruscant’s rapidly tightening security, and it was more than likely too dangerous to risk a message. Or perhaps Skywalker was simply too busy. Regardless of why, he did not call, and Luke's anxiety grew.

And soon, too soon, it was time to depart Hoth. Maul stood quietly to the side as Luke bid Rogue Squadron farewell, grinning and joking with them. For all his personal struggles, Luke was still a pillar of strength for his friends. When Commander Skywalker was sufficiently distracted by the younger pilots, Antilles broke from the group and approached Maul. His cheeky grin dropped. “Hey, old man,” he greeted in a low voice. “You ready?”

“As one can be, I suppose,” Maul told him candidly.

“Yeah, fair enough,” said Wedge, looking back at Luke and his squadron. “Hey, listen. I know Luke's in the big leagues now; he’s a Jedi. But,” he hesitated, “you'll still look after him, won't you?”

Maul softened. “Of course. You are a good friend, Captain Antilles.”

“Shut the kriff up,” Wedge said, blushing. “Go rain the icy vengeance of Hoth down on those bastards.”

“Oh, I shall,” Maul replied with a sharp grin. “Have fun destroying the Emperor's superweapon.”

“Nothing could bring me more joy.”

From the far side of the Falcon, General Syndulla called, “It's time. I want this ship in the air in three minutes. Skywalker, Organa, your orders are to take care of your missions and then lay low. We'll get an extraction team to you as soon as we’re able. And - ” she hesitated, “ - and take care of yourselves. The Rebellion’s got plenty of martyrs; what we need are good people around to rebuild when this is all over.”

“We'll see you on the other side, General Syndulla,” Luke promised.

When the Millennium Falcon was safely in hyperspace, Leia called them together in the lounge. “Right, listen up! There's been a change of plans. The Empire’s been tracking the Dawn too closely for Qi’ra’s agents to smuggle us onto Coruscant. So, she moved the rendezvous to Toshara Moon and arranged for a third-party smuggler to take us the rest of the way.”

Han scowled. “Who? Have I heard of him?” he demanded.

“No idea,” said Leia. “Apparently, they've done a bunch of work for the Dawn recently. Qi’ra promised we're in good hands.”

Captain Solo’s frown only deepened, but he wisely opted not to argue. 

“Any other changes?” asked Luke.

Leia shook her head. “Not that I've heard. Qi’ra will have the latest intelligence when we land.”

Toshara Moon hung tiny and blue above the massive, red planet of Toshaal. Its capital city, Mirogana, was tucked up against a mountain streaked red with veins of amberine, but they carried on past the more populated center of the moon and out into the plains. There, situated in the bend of a lazy river, was the tiny windfarming village of Jaunta’s Hope. Although small by most standards, a portion of the nearby savannah had been demarcated as a landing pad, and several ships were already making use of the amenities. 

The Rebels trooped out of the Falcon and onto the short, dry grass. A steady wind blew across the plains, filling the skynets that hovered over the village with its bounty. The sun was high overhead, beating down upon the hot, flat ground.

“Where will we be meeting Qi’ra?” Maul asked just as another voice called, “Over here!”

They turned to find Qi’ra strolling across the plains accompanied by a short human woman. “My lord,” Qi’ra said. “You made it.” She bobbed a shallow curtsy to Maul and then hurried over to Leia, taking her hands. “I am pleased to see you safe.”

“Hi Qi’ra,” murmured Leia, barely audible over the raging winds. 

Maul gave them their privacy, choosing instead to study the newcomer, who eyed Maul right back. She was a scruffy pilot dressed in an overlarge jacket and openly boasting a heavily modified blaster. A strange feathered creature clung to her shoulder, which cooed curiously at Maul. She was rougher than Qi’ra's usual agents but not unusually so for an Outer Rim smuggler.

“Uh, hey. Name’s Kay Vess,” she said, sticking out her hand. “Nice to meetcha.”

“I am Maul,” he replied, returning the handshake. “You are the smuggler?”

“Uh-huh,” said Vess. “That's me - ” She interrupted her own introduction when her eyes fell on Maul's companions. “Wait, is that Lando?” 

Maul turned to find Calrissian grinning at the smuggler. “Well, well, well, if it isn't the youngest winner of the Canto Grand! Good to see you again, Kay Vess.”

Vess’s face ran through a rapid series of emotions to settle finally on exasperation. This seemed to be the universal response to seeing Lando Calrissian. “So it's gonna be one of those jobs,” she said, not bothering to lower her voice. “We better talk on the ship then. C’mon, the Trailblazer’s this way.”

Her ship was only a few stalls away; it was a light freighter, old but well-maintained. Han’s long, low whistle, however, spoke of hidden depths. “That's an EML-850,” Solo said. “How the hell did you get your hands on her?”

“Stole her from the designer’s asshole kid,” Vess’s smirk gained an edge. “Got a deathmark for my trouble, too. But she was worth it. Come on up.”

The rebel infiltration teams were altogether a group of seven organics and R2-D2, and with the additions of Lando (who would be returning to Hoth and piloting the Falcon with the rest of the rebels), Qi’ra, and Vess, it was a tight fit in the ship’s tiny lounge. 

“Rebels, Qi’ra?” demanded Vess as soon as she was on her own turf. “You know I don't do this kinda stuff.”

“I do,” Qi’ra told her coolly. “Which is why I've paid you triple for this job.”

“I thought that was because I'm smuggling them to kriffing Coruscant!” snapped the pilot. 

Qi'ra shrugged. “Among other things - including your confidentiality.” Her countenance softened. “I understand your aversion, Kay. I do. But that’s why I've made this a clean job. We legitimately purchased the import permits and your alibi is airtight. All you have to do is provide transport.”

Vess’s nostrils flared as she sucked in a breath. “Fine! Have it your way. We take off as soon as the droid's back with your cover.” She turned on her heel, presumably heading for the cockpit. Maul heard her mutter, “Endee’s gonna kill me,” as she went.

Qi’ra followed after her, intent on ensuring the integrity of their mission.

“I suppose that's my cue,” said Lando. His face fell from its usual sharp smile. “You all be safe out there. Like Hera said, saving the galaxy isn't worth it without the people you love around to help rebuild - ”

He was interrupted by Chewbacca roaring and pulling him into a tight hug. 

Han cackled. “You heard him: the same goes for you, Lando. And take care of my ship!”

“See you on the other side,” Lando said when he was free of the Wookie’s grip. And with a final wave, he made his way out of the Trailblazer. A minute later, they could hear the telltale sounds of the Falcon ascending.

They did not have to wait long for Vess’s droid to return. His heavy footsteps could be heard coming up the cargo ramp accompanied by the hum of a hovercart. “Kay,” called a metallic voice. “You should see this.”

“Heya, Endee,” Maul heard Vess say as she reemerged from the cockpit. “What’re you - ? Oh kriff. Are those eggs?”

Her exclamation brought the rebels down the short corridor and into the hold to see what all the fuss was about. There, cushioned inside an open crate were two enormous eggs. They were a deep grey, almost blue, and speckled with white. They were also taller than Chewbacca, nearly touching the hold’s high ceiling, and wide enough around that two filled the hold. Maul had never seen such a thing before in his long life.

“They’re Jakoosk eggs,” Qi’ra explained as she followed Vess, “A rare delicacy and our cover story. Our import papers specify a fertilized pair. Little does the Empire know, the only thing these eggs are gestating is sedition.”

“Don't kriffing say things like that!” snapped Vess, slapping her hands over her ears. “What happened to plausible deniability?”

“Wait, so are we supposed to be hiding inside those things?” demanded Han.

“Exactly! I had my team hollow them out.” As Qi’ra explained, she stepped toward the nearest egg, which towered over her small statue. She ran her fingers delicately along the surface until they found an invisible seam. With a soft pop the top quarter of the egg lifted free to reveal its cavernous insides. “We modeled the design off of ancient Gungan diving bells. They can comfortably fit four a piece - or three, accounting for Chewbacca.”

“They're real?” asked Luke, eyes wide. 

“They are,” Qi’ra confirmed. “Cost a fortune, too. But there are only so many ways to fool a lifeform scan, and these shells are completely impenetrable to scanners. The Pykes recommended the technique; apparently Krim’s had a lot of success with it.”

Vess shook her head. “Now I really don't wanna know. C’mon, we better get moving. Endee and I will get us in the air. It's a long trip to the Core, so make yourselves comfortable.” She led her droid, a big Clone Wars-era BX unit, back to the cockpit, already muttering complaints at him. 

“I warned you about doing so many jobs for the Crimson Dawn - ” replied the droid at full volume, cut off only by the cockpit door closing.

Rex, who had been glaring viciously at the battle droid, shot a glance at Qi’ra. “You sure we can trust ‘em?”

“Oh yes,” she replied serenely. “Kay's had some bad dealings with the Rebellion in the past, but the fifteen hundred credits I've given them up front should more than soothe those concerns. Besides, I pulled them out of a spot of trouble with the ISB recently. She owes me.”

The old clone nodded, reluctantly satisfied.

It was an eight-hour journey to Coruscant, and the rebels spent that time pretending at leisure while attempting to ignore their collective growing anxiety. They each found their own outlets. For Leia and Qi’ra, it was retreating to the tiny bunk room for a nap. Luke had taken over an empty workbench to clean and polish his lightsaber, and Ahsoka was meditating in the hold. Maul himself found great amusement watching the Sabacc game to which Han had challenged Vess. Although it had begun with a traditional table of four, Rex and Chewbacca had quickly found themselves casualties in the pilots’ unfolding war. 

“Pass,” said Han.

“Take this,” replied Vess, brandishing a shift token triumphantly. “Inverts the ranks.” 

“Son of a - ” Han swore, tossing down a pair of twos. “This is why I hate Kessel Sabacc!”

Vess rolled her eyes, pulling the pile of cookies they were using as currency closer and offering one to Nix. “Like Corellian Spike is any better.”

“Go again?” Han asked, shuffling the deck. “Best of eleven?”

“Absolutely - ”

The next round was interrupted before it could begin by Vess’s big battle droid reemerging from the cockpit. “Kay,” he said, “we'll be exiting hyperspace in thirty minutes.”

“Thanks ND,” said Vess, slapping her hands on her knees and pushing herself to stand. “Next time, Solo. Now, it’s time to see if this crazy plan works.”

Qi’ra divided them between the eggs based on weight and size. Each container had been fitted with a bench at its widest point, and four rebels could fit snuggly side by side, their hips and knees pressed together, feet resting on the flattened bottom. Before folding himself into place, Maul begrudgingly turned his lightsaber over to R2-D2 to hide, alongside Luke and Ahsoka's blades. It was a wise, if irritating, extra layer of security.

As Luke and Ahsoka helped him over the edge of the egg, Maul found himself silently glad to be sharing his hiding spot with the Jedi and Leia, for he could already hear Rex protesting his place squeezed between Han and Chewbacca. 

Yet even seated alongside the petite twins, the egg was cramped. Maul was forced to hold his head at an awkward angle so that his horns didn't crack against the shell, and as soon as the entrance was sealed, the air inside grew hot and humid with their breath. The rebels huddled together, sweating in the strange, diluted light that filtered through the eggshell as the Trailblazer emerged from hyperspace and joined the long line of traffic inbound toward Coruscant. Perhaps the most agonizing wait of their lives had begun.

The queue for imports was quite literally one of the longest in the galaxy. They waited to be told which processing queue to join. They waited to have their forms reviewed. And then they waited for their Imperial security scan. It was a test of patience for even the most well-organized minds, among which Maul did not number.

During those long hours, he drifted in and out of meditation. Maul reached out with his senses, cautiously tasting the Force around them for any sign of suspicion or recognition, but he had little real success. Coruscant was so dense with life, each a tiny light shedding joyanguishfocusanxietyfury, that it was nearly impossible to distinguish specific thoughts from the cacophony. 

It had been, Maul mused as he watched the flow of the Force moving through the planet, a very long time since he had been to Coruscant. He had spent a significant amount of time there in his youth attending to Sidious when he was the senator for Naboo. But since his return, Maul had avoided the planet for that same reason. Nosing around in his territory would only draw the Emperor's ire. 

A flickering in the Force pulled Maul from his musings and back to the present. He sucked in a long breath through his nose and blew it out, opening his eyes. Something was about to happen.

“Scarif,” said Leia. The twins had been playing a marathon game of planets and letters while they waited. Maul had drifted into meditation listening to their soft voices.

“Felucia,” Luke responded.

“Aldhani.”

“Ithor.”

“Ringo Vinda.”

“Aileen - ”

“This is Captain Varsa of the Imperial Navy,” said a sudden, stern voice over the comms. “Trailblazer prepare for your security scan.”

“Confirmed, Captain,” responded Vess at once. “Standing by.”

A hush fell over the hold. Maul imagined he could feel the tingle of the scanner over his skin. The pause stretched on for several minutes before the Captain’s voice came back over the comms. He sounded annoyed. “What did you say your cargo was, Trailblazer?” he asked.

“Uhm, Jakoosk eggs?” replied Vess. Maul had to commend her, she managed to sound put-upon rather than nervous as she was questioned. “The client warned me they might show up weird on the scan. That gonna be a problem?”

“It is,” replied the captain coldly. Before Vess even had the opportunity to respond, the ship shuttered; it had been caught in the Empire’s tractor beam. “Newly implemented protocols dictate that you will submit for Imperial boarding and inspection. You will place your ship’s controls into neutral to show your compliance. Failure to do so will result in immediate termination.”

“Understood,” this time it was Qi’ra who replied. “We will gather the crew in the hold and submit for boarding.”

There was an uproar of discontent from the eggs. Maul could hear Rex and Han cursing beside them, but with the sound of the cockpit door opening came an anticipatory silence. “We stick to the plan,” Qi’ra announced to the room. “There’s no reason to believe the eggs won't stand up to closer inspection. As long as we remain calm, we’ll make it through.”

“Qi’ra, are you certain?” asked Leia after a moment. “The Empire knows your face and that you’re affiliated with us. This is such a big risk - ”

“ND says we're caught in a grounded tractor beam,” Vess interrupted to explain. “It's more powerful than the ship-to-ship sort. Even my boosted engines won't be able to break us out. Not to mention that half the Imperial Navy’s parked in orbit.”

“We've no choice but to try,” Qi’ra summarized grimly. 

“Okay,” breathed Leia after a moment. “Okay, Qi'ra, I trust you. But please be safe.”

“Of course,” Qi’ra promised her softly.

They were held in stasis by the tractor beam, neither pulled closer nor trusted to float free. Vess hurried back to the cockpit to shut down her Battle Droid, the better to hide him from the Imperials. R2-D2 maintained the ship's controls while Qi’ra and Vess gathered in the hold for interrogation.

Sinking back into the Force, Maul saw the moment that something dark broke from Coruscant's loud mass and began a direct approach. This darkness was not like Vader’s overwhelming black hole of anger and turmoil, but a subtler, cold placidness. A darkness void of life. And so Maul was unsurprised when what emerged from the airlock and onto the Trailblazer elicited an almost-soundless curse from Qi’ra. Who - what - ever the Empire had sent, the Rebels were in a great deal of danger. 

“Good afternoon, Captain Vess,” said a new voice which possessed an Imperial smarm that most certainly did not belong to the looming darkness. “My apologies for the disruption. There are new protocols in place, you see, and anything that doesn't read clean on the general scan must be reviewed by hand. It's all in the name of security, you understand! Wouldn't want any Rebels interrupting the Emperor's big announcement!”

“Of course,” replied Qi’ra graciously. “We were warned to expect increased security when we came to the Core; do what you must.”

“I most sincerely appreciate a cooperative pilot.” His tone was so transparently patronizing that Maul could picture clearly his condescending smile. “I trust I am speaking to Captain Vess?”

“That would be my companion,” Qi’ra corrected quickly. “I was hired by the client to ensure the eggs arrive safely.”

“Eggs. Is that what they are? They looked dreadfully strange on the scan.” 

“Jakoosk,” agreed Qi’ra. 

There was a pause broken only by the sound of the officer’s hemming and hawing as he reviewed their documentation. “Jakoosk,” he repeated. “Never heard of it.” Then, his voice turned harsh, and he barked, “Scan them!”

A strange sound - like comms chatter, but harsher and more robotic - responded to the command. And then footsteps began to circle the Rebels’ hiding place. 

The only sound louder in Maul’s ears than the awful, harsh chatter, was the sound of his own hearts beating. Next to him, Luke was pale in the dim light, and Leia had reached across the small space to grasp her brother’s hands. Ahsoka’s eyes were slits of deep blue in the darkness as she drifted on the edge of the Force's touch, trying to catch a glimpse of their path forward. 

“Hmm. Well, that's not good. We can't seem to get a clean reading on them like this, either.” Despite his words, the Imperial sounded viciously eager. 

“Is there a problem?” Qi’ra asked, her voice still light. “You can see with your own eyes that the cargo aligns with the manifest we submitted in our import papers. Oh dear!” Her voice changed suddenly, affecting a shade of self-degradation. “I forgot to sign page three. Here, let me - ” 

There was a moment of rustling and shuffling, and then the officer said, “A bribe? Oh, Miss, I am so very sorry. Under normal circumstances I would be happy to accept, but I'm afraid that the new protocols expressly prohibit extralegal donations this week. Regardless of your bribe, the cargo must be destroyed. Troopers!”

“No!” shrieked Qi’ra, but it was too late. Maul heard the first crack of eggshell and Chewbacca roared, earsplitting and furious. Luke and Maul were both on their feet reaching for the latch when their own egg began to tip. Their shifting weight upturned the hovercart, sending them all crashing to the ground. 

Maul felt Leia stagger against him, and he wrapped his arms around the princess, foolishly attempting to shield her from both the fall and the dark creatures outside their hiding place. The eggshell shattered around them, the bright lights of the hold blinding Maul for a moment, until a shadow cut across his vision. 

The strange Stormtrooper’s glossy armor was sleek black and its helmet was pointed and skull-like. The darkness that Maul had been tracking coalesced into the form of this vicious creature, and the trooper aimed its blaster at them.

“Smugglers! Rebels!” The officer sounded triumphant. “Don't kill them! Shoot to stun!” Then, he grunted in pain as Qi’ra attacked, jumping him while his focus was divided.

Ahsoka and Luke both leapt to action, going on the offensive while Maul fell back to cover Leia as she drew her blaster. The Dark Trooper, however, was inhumanely fast, and without their weapons, the Jedi found themselves at an unexpected disadvantage. The wide reach of the trooper’s stunning shot collapsed Ahsoka on top of Luke almost instantly. A second shot left both the Jedi and the part-timer crumpled together in an unconscious heap.

Something similar was happening beside them. After defeating the officer, Vess and Qi’ra had joined Han and Chewbacca in their fight against a second Dark Trooper. Rex was already unconscious on the ground. The trooper focused its aim on Chewbacca, for even a Wookie’s raw strength could be overcome by enough stunning bolts. Once he was down, three mere humans were no match for the Dark Trooper.

Maul did not have time to dwell on his friends’ defeat, however, for his own opponent had turned its gaze on Leia. The princess went on the offensive while Maul focused on using the Force to fend off the Dark Trooper’s attempts to stun them. Unlike blaster shots, however, the energy rings could not be redirected back upon his enemies, and the strange, terrible trooper was advancing upon them steadily.

Leia landed two shots to the Dark Trooper's chest and a third directly upon its mask. It crumpled. Their victory was short-lived, however, for the second trooper had finished stunning Qi’ra, and with robotic precision turned on them. Maul was able to divert the first half-dozen shots, but without his lightsaber, inevitably one slipped past his guard. Leia tumbled to the ground beside her brother. 

Drawing the Force around him, Maul used it to shove the trooper off its feet, sending it careening into the far wall with all his might. There was a terrible snap, and the Dark Trooper crumpled, its neck laying at an unnatural angle. Maul let out a long sigh, his shoulders slumping as he allowed himself to finally relax. Now, he needed to revive the Captain and get them out of the tractor -

The stunning shot hit him from behind, dropping Maul alongside his friends. The last thing he saw before darkness overtook him was the risen Dark Trooper, a smoking crater where its face should have been.

Maul’s body knew where he was before his mind was fully cognizant, and it took him several long seconds to understand why he had awoken already fighting panic. Every muscle was tense, his hearts beat loudly in his ears, and each breath was a struggle to suck down. It was too tight, too hot; he couldn't get enough air - 

It was a familiar terror.

His eyes burst open. He could move neither his head nor his arms and legs. His wrists and ankles were fixed by heavy manacles and the rest of him held in place by an immovable weight. His mouth and nose were likewise sealed beneath a metal muzzle. He was stripped down to naught but flesh and the most necessary robotics. 

He knew this place, knew this helplessness and claustrophobia: Maul was once more entrapped in the Mandalorian Sarcophagus. Sidious had captured him at last.

If this was his fate, where was Luke? What had become of Qi’ra, Leia, and the others? His thoughts began to spiral with horrible memories and panicked speculation.

Refusing to succumb to fear, Maul fell into one of Tano’s simpler meditation techniques, using its easy pattern to soothe his thoughts and slow his hearts. Once he was again the master of his own mind, the Force began to creep slowly back to him, reduced to a trickle as Maul’s Beskar cage resisted its influence. Yet even its faintest touch was soothing in this terrible place. 

Still counting his breaths, Maul began to take stock of his circumstances. The infiltration teams had been found and captured before they had even reached Coruscant. This had been a massive miscalculation on Maul’s part; the Emperor had empowered his navy against even the wealthy elite. Maul had underestimated Sidious, and his apprentice and the rebels had been captured as a result. The thought made him dizzy with guilt.

Maul growled furiously beneath his gag. Despair was unacceptable. Luke needed him.

He knew from his last stay in the sarcophagus that escape without external assistance was impossible. It was made of pure Beskar and completely impervious to the Force. Maul tested the cuffs around his wrists and ankles, but they were bruisingly secure. The lid’s seal was perfect and immovable.

The vault was designed with a small slit window directly at eye-level, which allowed him a tiny, red-tinted glimpse of the prison cell outside. A wall of plasma separated him from the door proper, apparently a failsafe if Maul managed (miraculously) to break out of the sarcophagus. He found himself almost bemused by the many layers of security Sidious had put in place. It was terribly thorough.

Did that mean it was so for Luke and Ahsoka as well? Were they likewise bound so completely? As Emperor, Sidious's resources were practically limitless. Without any further information, it was better to assume so, Maul decided reluctantly.

Where was Kenobi? Maul could not call for him, the gag ensured as much, but the ghost would no doubt have been at his side already were he able. He shuttered to think what sorts of awful experiments the Sith Lord would attempt if he captured a being of pure Force energy. No, Maul quickly decided, it would be better if Kenobi stayed far away.

The Dark Troopers had taken them alive, and so it was likely that Qi’ra and the rest of the infiltration team had also been imprisoned. Sidious was economical; he would not execute them until it benefited him. And if they did manage to escape, Maul hoped they would flee, get a message to Hoth, and disappear. The Rebellion’s survival depended on it. 

It was possible that Anakin Skywalker would hear of their capture and intervene. Assuming Sidious made him privy to his son’s arrest. But with so much at stake, it was more likely that the Sith Lord would not even tell Skywalker of his plans until they had been executed. No, Maul did not anticipate a heroic rescue from the elder Skywalker, either.

Which meant that Maul was trapped, he concluded, reliant on the Will of the Force for whatever came next. 

That revelation threatened to send Maul’s thoughts spiraling once more, and he quickly fell back to counting his breaths. If there was nothing he could do, then he could only prepare to take advantage of whatever came next. Twenty years ago, it had been Lady Tano who had unexpectedly (and begrudgingly) freed him from the sarcophagus. Force willing, something equally miraculous would once more occur. And when it did, Maul would be ready.

He did not know for how long he meditated. Time was nearly impossible to keep in this terrible purgatory, but his trance was eventually broken by a chill creeping through the Force and trickling into the vault. With a wordless gasp, Maul’s eyes flashed open. Around him, the Force grew icy with familiar darkness. He knew what was coming, and yet Maul still flinched when the cell door opened.

Darth Sidious was alone. He approached slowly, keeping the plasma shield between them. The little Maul could see of the Sith Lord’s face was set in deep disapproval. Disappointment, even. For several long heartbeats, he regarded Maul wordlessly from beneath his dark hood. His gaze made Maul feel as if he were nothing more than a disobedient child. 

“Perhaps I should be thanking you,” said Sidious, at last breaking the silence, “for delivering the boy and his insurgents to me. You saved me a great deal of time and effort.” Sidious's mouth pulled down into a sharp frown, “But I confess myself disappointed, my former apprentice. For I had long wondered if you would attempt to complete your training.

“And yet with two decades of preparation, you not only failed to kill me, you could not even reach the planet!” Sidious's voice rose in pitch, his gnarled vocals straining to convey the depths of his disgust, “Pathetic. I am certain I trained you better.”

From those words Maul flinched as much as his bindings allowed. It was true. He had failed. And yet Maul forced himself to breathe through the wave of shame that enveloped him. He knew Sidious's tactics, knew intimately how he could turn one’s emotions into knives that would pierce the psyche. If Maul allowed himself to become consumed by his mistakes, he would be of no use at all to Luke. With great effort, he released those poisonous thoughts into the Force and refocused on Sidious’s monologue.

“And worse, given the opportunity to influence the most powerful Force user in a generation, you produced an impudent, sarcastic little brat! He is as undisciplined and nearsighted as you. It will take years of unlearning before I can begin his training properly.”

Relief washed over Maul. Luke was well. He was well enough, even, to be taunting the Emperor. It was a bracing thought. His satisfaction must have shown in his eyes, for Sidious snapped, “You take pride in your waste? I see Lotho Minor has had a lasting impact.” 

Although he could not move his jaw, Maul was still capable of responding with the derisive snort such a claim deserved. 

Sidious took a step back, offended, and his lips peeled back from his teeth in an ugly scowl. “It does not matter; nothing you do matters. I am patient. Young Skywalker may find it easy to reject the Fall now, however, I have come to find that despair is a great motivator. When the boy sees you and his father executed alongside Mothma and her would-be rescuers, the seeds of true hatred will be planted in his heart. From there, I need only await their inevitable germination.”

So, Anakin Skywalker had been arrested, and he would be executed alongside the captured Rebels. Maul closed his eyes lest he roll them again; what a farce.

“You should be thanking me,” Sidious told him as he backed his way toward the exit, savoring the sight of Maul's helplessness for as long as he could. “For I will ensure that your final act in this galaxy will be to guide the boy to the Dark Side. To true power.”

The cell door slammed closed between them.

Alone once more, Maul slumped in his restraints. He needed to spend several moments taking back control of his breathing. It had been many years since he had been in the same room as Darth Sidious, and while Maul’s mind knew how to resist his influence, his body still recalled the trauma of years passed.

When his hearts and mind were still once more, Maul found himself in possession of a plan. If he wanted Maul executed, then Sidious would have to remove him from the vault. That would be his moment to act. If he could wait until Qi’ra and the other rebels were near, Maul may even have the benefit of allies. Behind his muzzle, he released a long sigh, fogging his tiny window. It wasn't much of a plan, but it was his only choice (and so no choice at all).

With a decision made, the energizing combination of adrenaline and racing thoughts finally burned itself from Maul's system, leaving behind only empty exhaustion. Without quite intending to, between one slow, controlled breath and the next, he drifted into a restless slumber. 

Maul’s dreams were anxious and half-formed, blending past and present nonsensically. Several times he awoke certain that he would find clones outside his cell, blasters raised to execute him. Once, he swore he heard Kenobi's voice, so faint it was little more than a whisper, promising to free him.

And so, when he was jolted awake by the sound of the cell doors opening some unknown number of hours later, Maul flinched almost immediately to full attention. 

“Oh kriff,” said a voice that he didn't immediately recognize. “I found him. But you need to see this.”

Squinting beyond the plasma shield, Maul gasped as much as he was able when he recognized Captain Vess. The thief was staring back at him, or rather at the sarcophagus, in utter horror. A moment later, she was joined by Qi’ra, who was bruised and battered but very much alive. The noise of relief Maul made at the sight of her was embarrassingly high-pitched. But his joy was quickly tempered by fury: she should not be here. If Qi’ra had escaped, then she should have fled. He silently despaired at her loyalty.

“Is that some kind of torture device?” Qi’ra swore, stepping as far into the cell as the plasma shield would allow. “Get us in there, Kay.”

Vess wasted no time in dismantling the shield, however, her slicing was brought to an abrupt halt when faced with the vault’s lock. “This one's tricky,” she explained. “It's not like the others. It's old. Like, antique-old. I’ll see what I can do, but no promises.”

Qi’ra made a noise of frustration. “Hurry,” she told the thief. “We don't have long before they realize we've escaped.”

“I'm aware!” snapped Vess, already fiddling with the lock.

Qi’ra approached, her anxious face filling his tiny window. “Do you require medical aid, my lord?”

Maul hummed the negative, and tried to express with his eyes alone to leave him and flee. For the first time in many years, Qi’ra only looked at him, confused by Maul’s taciturnity. Then, as if someone had spoken, she turned her head, eyes focusing on something outside of Maul's limited range of vision and asked, “Muzzled?” 

Her gaze snapped back to Maul. “That's barbaric!” Qi’ra leaned in close once more and promised with a fierce voice, “We're going to get you out. We've already located the others. You only need to endure a little longer.”

He closed his eyes, relief and frustration warring within his chest. How had they managed to escape and find his prison without discovery? These were questions he could not ask, and Qi’ra’s attention had already diverted back to Vess. “Any luck?”

“Not really,” she replied, “It's so old my kit won't even connect. And the fusion cutter doesn't get hot enough to affect whatever the kriff this metal is. If you've got any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.”

Qi'ra’s frown deepened. “Just one. Stay here,” she ordered Vess. “I'm going to get Han and Chewbacca.”

She left, and Vess allowed silence to fall, broken only by her occasional quiet curses as she continued to struggle with the lock. Maul fought the urge to spiral. They were wasting time trying to free him. It was their duty to escape back to the Rebellion and warn them that the plan had gone awry. Yet they remained, and Maul could not even tell them to leave him and go.

He flinched when again, several minutes later, the cell door reopened to permit a small mob. As promised, Qi’ra had returned with Han and Chewbacca, both of whom carried unfamiliar blasters, and behind them followed ND-5, Vess’s CIS battle droid. The droid was heavily armed, apparently well-versed in breaking and entering. Maul was beginning to understand why Qi'ra had selected this particular pilot for the mission.

“What do you think, Chewie?” asked Qi’ra. “Can you rip the lid off?”

Chewbacca grumbled thoughtfully to himself as he approached to get a better look at the vault. 

“It doesn't even have hinges,” Vess complained to him. “Nothing we can leverage.”

They all paused, as if listening to something Maul couldn't hear. Then, Han exclaimed, “I don't care who made it, I wanna know how to break it!”

“It can't be impenetrable,” insisted Qi’ra.

“Kay, look.” ND-5 had joined Vess beside the lock, and Maul could feel the vibrations from his metal fingers clicking along the lip of the vault’s lid. “It's pressurized.”

“So we gotta break the seal!” surmised Vess, her eyes brightening. “Good thinking, Buddy!”

“Our odds of doing so before the guards catch us are very low,” the droid warned her.

“Screw the odds,” snapped Han. “We've gotten this far, ain't we? No stopping now.”

(They could stop whenever they wanted. It was Maul who could not stop them.)

“Hey!” Vess exclaimed from outside Maul's limited vantage. “I think this side’s dented a bit. See here? If we had something to gain a little leverage, I bet we could pry it off!”

“I saw such a thing in the other room,” said ND-5. He left, only to return several moments later brandishing a long, S-shaped length of metal. “Move.”

It took only a few attempts for the makeshift-crowbar to find purchase in the warped metal. Then, Chewbacca’s furry chest filled Maul’s viewport as he stepped in front of the vault to push at the pry while the droid pulled. Each of the Wookie’s effortful grunts felt like it was counting down the seconds until they were caught. Until the sirens would begin to wail. Or worse, the alarm would be silent, and they would have no warning before Sidious’s Dark Troopers descended - 

With a bang and hiss, the vault door released; it fell akimbo, the pressure seal broken while the lock remained stubbornly in place. Without the depressurization process, Maul's ears popped painfully, and he groaned as the resulting jolt of agony made his vision spin. 

Chewbacca caught the broken door between his hands and twisted, snapping the lock and fully disconnecting it. He laid the door aside, and in doing so revealed the full extent of Maul's entrapment. 

“Gastly!” cried Qi’ra.

“What the hell?” spat Han. "That's some High Republic torture shit.”

Maul was bound upright in the sarcophagus, still held in place by the maniacals and gag. He had been stripped of his shirt and belt, and his robotics had been reduced down to only the essential components. Although Maul was not modest by nature, it was humiliating to be so displayed. He closed his eyes to shield against their pity, refusing to subject himself to the shame.

“Oh!” exclaimed Vess, who had returned to studying the vault’s control panel. “So then this button should - ”

All at once, Maul’s bindings released, and gravity took hold. He stumbled forward onto his hands and knees, free only at the cost of precious time. Qi’ra and Han raced forward to help him up, and Maul allowed them to ease him to his feet. Once standing, however, his view of the room was immediately obscured by Kenobi’s translucent features. 

The lines of his face were pulled taut with worry, and he reached out to caress Maul's cheek and chest, as if he needed to reassure himself with touch that Maul was whole. “Oh my darling,” he murmured. “Thank the Force. You couldn't hear me inside that blasted thing, and I was beginning to worry.” And right there, in sight of everyone, Kenobi kissed him. 

Swept up in the ghostly hurricane, Maul did not have the wherewithal to do anything but return the embrace. It did not even occur to him to be embarrassed until he heard Han wolf whistle. Only then did he register Qi’ra’s soft giggles and Vess’s muttered, “Not asking, just raising my rates.”

Maul pulled back from his Jedi just far enough to break the kiss, but he covered the hand on his cheek with his own. “Kenobi,” he croaked, voice hoarse from disuse. “You should not be here.” He released the ghost and stepped back to address the room. “None of you should be here. Have you any idea what Sidious would do if he caught you? Why didn't you flee?”

“And leave you behind?” Han demanded. He was, Maul realized, supporting a black eye. “No chance.”

Qi’ra nodded, drawing herself up to her full height. “We are going to complete our mission. When setbacks occur, we adapt.”

Maul sighed softly, torn between exasperation and wonder. Was there no self-preservation left in the galaxy? “How did you manage to escape?”

“Your boyfriend,” said Han with a grin so cheeky Maul seriously considered choking it off his face. “And his friends. Did you know he had friends all this time?”

Slowly, Maul's gaze turned from Solo to Kenobi, who was both blushing and doing his best to appear composed. “Qui-Gon and Yoda insisted,” he explained. “However, the real heroes are the droids. Artoo reactivated Endee, and it was they who freed your friends. We merely guided them along the safest path.”

Qi’ra was nodding along with these explanations as if she and Kenobi were old friends. “We had already located Senator Mothma, so - ”

“You found Mon Mothma and you didn't immediately escort her to safety?” Maul roared.

In the face of his anger, Qi’ra rolled her eyes. “Mothma demanded a blaster and insisted we go kill the Emperor. Her priorities are clear.” Qi’ra’s voice turned consoling. “Leia is with her; the situation is in hand.”

“She is right, my love,” said Kenobi, whose warm grip encircled Maul's left arm. “We also found Anakin, and he is in very bad shape. Luke and Master Qui-Gon are with him now.”

Heaving another sigh, Maul silently acquiesced. They left his cell and the destroyed sarcophagus behind and ventured out into the hall. It was not, to Maul's surprise, the cold, imperial grey that the inside of his prison had been, but tiled in white marble. Maul’s was the last cell in a long corridor, and they walked single-file down the hall until it terminated in a large chamber. Maul remained close to Kenobi as they went.

The ceilings in the next room were higher and painted to depict three hooded figures, although Maul offered the image only a glance. His gaze was immediately drawn to the center of the chamber, which was overtaken by a hulking mass of medical machinery. Cords and tubes connected the machine to something at its base, however the figures of Luke, Ahsoka, and Rex blocked whatever it was from Maul's view. The ghostly forms of Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda hovered nearby. 

The crumpled remains of two security droids had been tossed into the corner.

While Qi’ra and the others immediately peeled off toward Leia and Mothma, giving the ghosts a wide berth, Jinn turned and gestured Maul and Kenobi forward. The ghost followed his invitation, directing Maul by the phantasmal grip on his arm. Jinn’s smile widened at their casual touch. “Master Maul,” he greeted when they were close. “I am pleased to see you well. You couldn't hear us calling from inside that dastardly sarcophagus.”

“Mmm,” agreed the glowing blue ghost of Yoda. “Most concerned Obi-Wan was.”

Maul ignored their teasing and asked rather snidely, “When did you die, Master Yoda? On Dagobah, you still numbered amongst the living.”

“Comes for us all time does.” The old toad had the audacity to smirk. “Familiar with such a thing might you one day become, if lucky you are.”

Before Maul could snap a reply, however, Kenobi interrupted them both, “How is Anakin?”

“Darth Sidious made quite a mess of him, I'm afraid,” replied Jinn. He gestured them forward. “Have a look.”

Following the tip of Jinn's pointing finger, it took Maul several seconds to understand what he was seeing, for it was Anakin Skywalker laid out on the gurney at the base of the medical apparatus. The cords and tubes were connected to him, to his flesh and to a panel embedded into his chest, holding him chemically hostage. His prosthetics had been removed, stolen, to keep him immobile, and his limbs ended abruptly in metal cuffs. Skywalker had been given a pair of small, black shorts for modesty, but he was otherwise naked. A heavy respirator obscured his mouth and nose. All together, it was a gruesome picture of long-term captivity.

Tano gently disconnected a wire from the mess of Skywalker’s chest. Luke was beside her, working in tandem. Rex and R2-D2 stood at a nearby console, occasionally directing the Jedi in their work. Maul and Kenobi arrived in time to watch Ahsoka detach the final coupling. 

“There we go,” she told him softly. “That was the last one.”

“Thank you,” replied Skywalker in a voice that was utterly unrecognizable from Vader's foreboding baritone. It was weak and pitchy and further muffled behind the respirator. 

“We need to get you mobile,” said Rex. “Any ideas?”

There was a beat of silence in which they considered their options, and then Maul's eyes fell on the discarded security droids. “Can you assimilate droid parts?” he asked.

“If I must,” agreed Skywalker begrudgingly.

Luke's face lit up. “Master, that’s brilliant!” Using their combined knowledge of cybernetics and R2-D2'S welder, Luke, Maul, and Skywalker were able to fashion a set of makeshift limbs. They prioritized his lower half and salvaged enough scrap to give Skywalker two functional, if rather slapdash, legs from the security droids. Unfortunately, in the struggle that had taken them down, Chewbacca had ripped the arms off both droids, and elbow joints were in short supply. One arm was all they could manage.

“That should be enough to get you to the ship, though,” said Ahsoka, helping her old master to sit up.

Skywalker scoffed bitterly. “I'm not going back to the ship, Ahsoka.” 

“Well, you ain't staying here!” Rex barked.

“Look at me,” ordered Skywalker, and Maul’s eyes followed his gesture. He was sickly pale and there were deep bags beneath his eyes. What remained of his flesh was paper-thin, and dark bruises covered his chest and shoulders. “The Emperor has been poisoning me for weeks. Without all this,” he gestured to the medical apparatus above, “I have hours to live. You cannot save me. But if I am going to die, I will take Darth Sidious with me.”

Luke sucked in a sharp breath, his blue eyes wide and upset. At his side, his fists were clenched. “Are you sure?” he asked his father softly. “The Crimson Dawn has resources - ”

“I am afraid Anakin is correct,” said Jinn, speaking for the first time.

“Master Qui-Gon?” Skywalker asked, his voice had gone strangely small. “How long have you been watching?”

“Oh, I've been here the whole time,” replied Jinn fondly. 

“Mmm,” hummed Yoda in agreement, the wizened old frog leaning on his gimmer stick even in death. “Alone you may have felt, young Anakin, but alone you never were.”

“We are here to help you,” said Jinn. Then, he met Skywalker’s gaze and some unspoken truth passed between them. The ghost grew somber. “However, your death is inevitable. Let us ensure some good comes of it.”

It was difficult to read Skywalker’s face beneath the respirator, but he inclined his head to the Jedi Masters once and then turned to his son. “I knew when I agreed to aid the Alliance that it would likely mean my death. I accept that choice. The galaxy - ” For the first time, Skywalker hesitated. “The galaxy cannot move on if Darth Vader lives. Let my last act be in service of your future, my son.”

Luke closed his eyes and took a long, steadying breath, gathering himself. When he opened them again, the determination in his expression had overcome despair. “Alright. If that’s what you want, then I will support you.”

“We need to move,” said Ahsoka. Although her voice was steady, her face glistened with faint tear tracks. “The Emperor won't leave us alone for much longer. Artoo, our lightsabers, please?”

With a subdued chirp, the droid produced from within his dome their sabers, and Maul felt a tiny spark of triumph. This, at least, had gone according to plan.

“Knows already that you are free the Emperor does,” warned Yoda. “Toying with you he is.”

Maul scowled, “Arrogant fool.”

A mischievous flame, however, had flickered to life in Luke’s eyes. “That sounds like a free hit to me. C’mere, Artoo. I have an idea.” The apprentice brought his droid back over to the console, plugged him in, and began giving quiet instructions. 

“Sidious has failsafes,” rasped Skywalker, “mechanisms set in place to trigger upon his death. He called it Project Cinder, but I know nothing more than the name. I was trying to research further when he caught me.”

“Let me handle it,” volunteered Lady Tano. “I'm happy to wreak a little havoc on the Emperor's core systems while you deal with the monster himself.”

“Take Vess and that commando droid of hers,” Maul told her. “They've proven very skilled at breaking and entering.”

Ahsoka nodded tersely. Before she could respond, however, Skywalker's watery gaze fixed on something behind them, and he stiffened. Maul and Ahsoka turned to find Leia approaching. The way Qi’ra and the others were watching from a distance, she appeared to have been elected representative of the group. “We must secure an exit,” she told them without preamble. “Mon is too valuable to risk in the confrontation.”

Maul and Ahsoka exchanged a grim glance, and he saw the moment they came to the same conclusion. “You are correct,” Maul said aloud what they were both thinking. “We must divide and conquer.”

“Captain Rex,” Skywalker wheezed, “command of the exfiltration team. If you can take and hold the hangar, all squads can rendezvous there for extraction - ” 

“Absolutely not,” snapped Leia. “It was Darth Vader's plan that got us captured! Mon is too important to entrust to the likes of you.”

Despite his enervation, Skywalker managed to look offended, and Rex and Ahsoka were puffing up with anger on his behalf. Visions of the argument to come and the time it would waste at the forefront of his mind, Maul caught Leia by the shoulders and made her look him in the eye. “Then entrust her to Rex. Skywalker will come with Luke and me to face Sidious. Mothma will be protected.”

“Just you three?” Leia demanded, choosing instead to pursue with even greater vigor this new objection. “Don't be ridiculous!”

In the face of her anger, Maul softened. “An army would not make a difference,” he told her gently. “Only the Force will decide our fates.”

Even as he spoke, Maul felt the portentous weight of his words echoing in the Force.

“Sure,” Luke’s gleeful voice interrupted Maul's revelation. “But we can help it along a little bit, right Artoo?”

The droid snickered electronically in agreement.

“What did you do, Luke?” asked Ahsoka.

“Did you know,” the apprentice asked, “that access to the waterline for the primary coolant system is considered a maintenance function, not security?” Luke grinned. “Massive oversight, since maintenance systems only require a low security clearance to access. So I had Artoo max out the water pressure and then set a protocol to turn the water on and off every few seconds for the next fifteen minutes.”

Kenobi blinked at him. “You're going to destroy the Emperor’s plumbing?”

“I'm going to blow the pipes around the primary generator,” Like corrected gleefully. “Literally flood the whole system. That ought to distract them.”

“Luke, that's brilliant!” said Leia. 

“The Emperor will have backup generators,” Skywalker warned, struggling to his makeshift feet. 

“Then that's where I'll begin,” interjected Ahsoka. “Take out his backups and then destroy his information core.” 

“Assist you, we will,” proclaimed Yoda, leaving no room for argument. “Obi-Wan with Luke and  Qui-Gon with Captain Rex will go. Accompany Ahsoka will I.”

“An excellent suggestion, master of my master,” said Jinn brightly. “Come, Captain. Obi-Wan has spoken most highly of your abilities. I look forward to working with you.” 

Rex blushed a ruddy color beneath his beard. “Uh. Me too?”

Plans formed, their small group began to disperse. Tano, however, hesitated, her gaze tracking back to Skywalker. “Anakin… Master, thank you.”

“Don't,” he told her, holding up his single droidscrap hand. “Not yet. Not until that bastard is dead. Live to see it, Snips. Then you can thank me.”

Lady Tano could not fight the small sob that broke from her throat, and she leaned forward to kiss her old master on his forehead. At her touch, Skywalker closed his eyes and allowed himself to lean against Ahsoka. They stood like that together, mourning lost time, relishing in their reunion. It was a moment so intimate that Maul almost felt compelled to look away. Military professionals that they were, however, Ahsoka and Anakin were already pulling back, both refocusing on the task at hand.

Leia explained the plan to the others in briefest terms, and then, rather suddenly, they were faced with the reality of division. It began with Luke pulling his sister into a tight hug, murmuring reassurances into her ear. A few heartbeats later, Han joined them, crashing into their embrace with nearly enough force to knock the twins off their feet. 

A heavy hand fell on his shoulder, and Maul looked up to find Chewbacca at his side. The big Wookie growled good luck to him. “It has been an honor serving beside you,” he told Chewbacca honestly. This time, Chewie pulled him into a bearhug.

Ahsoka wished him safe. Leia brushed her lips against his cheek. Rex bumped their foreheads together fondly. Han even had the audacity to ask, “Can I get a good luck kiss?” before Maul shoved him after Rex. 

As Solo laughed and slapped him on the back, Maul found himself struck once more by how easily he had been accepted by these people. He fretted over their lack of self-preservation but could not deny how grateful he was to them for taking in this broken old man from the cold.

He huffed a soft, private chuckle and turned to make his way back to the Skywalkers, only to find Qi’ra’s slim form blocking his path. She was tense and seemed to be working herself up to something. Qi'ra took a deep breath and ordered, “Come back in one piece. You are not a Jedi, and so I will be very put out if I hear of any self-sacrificing antics. Do you understand?”

Maul hesitated, avoiding her earnest, brown eyes. “I am afraid I can make no such promise. Our mission here is too important.” He cleared his throat. “I must rely on you to take control of the Shadow Collective in the event of my death. I am certain you will do more to guide the underworld than I ever could - ”

“Shut up,” she told him fiercely. Maul was taken aback to realize there were tears welling in her eyes. “Absolutely none of that. You will return. I can accept nothing less.” 

“Qi’ra,” he said softly, voice wavering, but she interrupted him again, this time by wrapping her arms tightly around him. 

“Come back alive,” she insisted, burying her face in his shoulder. “Please.”

For a moment, he simply held her close. “I will do my best,” he agreed at length. “But you must do the same. Stay close to Leia. Stay safe.”

“You don't have to worry about me,” she promised as they separated. There were teartracks smeared across her cheeks. “I'll see you on the other side.”

He nodded wordlessly and they each moved to join their respective parties. As he turned, Maul blinked away the tears that had welled in his own eyes.

“Maul?” asked Kenobi quietly, expression sympathetic. When Maul only shook his head, the ghost caught his hand and linked their fingers, his warm touch reassuring. Together, they rejoined the Skywalkers. 

“Are you prepared for combat?” Kenobi said by way of greeting, “We’ll be taking heat from the moment the doors open. Once we've cleared the path, Rex’s team will make their way to the hangar.” 

“Damn Sidious for taking my lightsaber,” hissed Skywalker. “It will make this messy. For that reason, I will be taking point.” His gaze turned to Luke and Maul. “You will both remain behind me and clean up any survivors."

For a moment, Maul’s ego threatened to make a nuisance of itself, but he swallowed it back with effort. Skywalker was being strategic by expending his energy to guide them safely to Sidous. Once there, Maul and Luke would need all of their power to defeat the Sith Lord. He nodded.

They gave Ahsoka's team a thirty-second head start. Tano, Yoda, Vess, and ND-5 vanished up into the ventilation system to begin their campaign of sabotage. And then it was their turn. Kenobi vanished, the better to scout ahead, and Skywalker took the lead. Luke and Maul drew their lightsabers and fell into place before the blast door that led out into Sidious's palace. It was massive and made of thick, impenetrable steel, of the sort meant to keep dangerous creatures contained. Skywalker placed his single, robotic hand against the panel and braced as if to push.

“I,” said Skywalker lowly, “am going to blow the door in three… two…”

Skywalker shoved, and the Force echoed his motion. The metal screamed as the door broke free of its threshold and punched forward into the hall. Using the Force to hold the door up like a shield, Skywalker took a slow, heavy step forward and the door moved with him, metal scraping along the marble floor. He took another step. And another, beginning their slow march. 

Immediately, someone on the other side shouted, and moments later, blaster fire erupted. Their weapons had no effect on the dense steel, and most of their shots were deflected. However the seal was imperfect, and the occasional errant projectile was able to ricochet into their space. The few times this happened, Maul or Luke was quick to deflect it harmlessly to the side. Their moving shield remained intact and the rebel team continued their steady advance.

At the point that Maul estimated they had progressed around fifty feet, Kenobi's voice echoed in warning all around them, “Grenade!”

Moments later, the enemy blaster fire quieted and was replaced by a high-pitched beeping. Skywalker hissed a curse and threw his shoulder into keeping their shield upright just as the explosion rattled the hall. Maul and Luke scrambled to aid him, combining their power to counteract the force of the blast. Maul met Skywalker's gaze, and he watched grim amusement flash through his eyes at the distressed cries of the Stormtroopers.

They had progressed several meters further down the hall, their makeshift ram holding off all attempts to thwart them, before Kenobi's voice called them to them again. “You’re approaching a crossroads,” he warned. “The Stormtroopers are anticipating their opportunity. Prepare for combat.”

Skywalker ceased their forward movement and glanced over his shoulder at Maul and Luke. “Remain behind me,” he reiterated quietly. 

Luke grabbed Maul and made them both take a step back.

Reassured of his son's safety, Skywalker once more braced his hand against the heavy door. He began to draw the Force in around him, and Maul could feel the way the energy in the room shifted, as if Anakin Skywalker had become its new center of gravity. The feeling lasted for several long moments before it was overtaken by the nuclear blast of power he put into propelling the door down the hall. They could hear the terrible sound of armored bodies colliding against the metal. It was all brought to a violent, crushing halt by the termination of the hall. Even Maul winced.

Skywalker, however, turned to the task of clearing the other two corridors without hesitation. While the Stormtroopers were still reeling from his first attack, Skywalker began to draw the Force to him again. This time, the very walls came with it. Skywalker peeled every decorative marble tile from the floor, walls, and ceiling. As the tiles pulled free, they broke and fractured, forming a thousand tiny daggers.

Skywalker held up his droidscrap hand and clenched the fingers together. The tiles plunged into the soldiers, and the knife-points found the joints and gaps in their armor with frightening accuracy. The Stormtroopers dropped as one, like puppets with their strings cut. Some died still staring at their fallen comrades, back turned to the real threat. 

When the hall was cleared, Skywalker seemed to slump, his single arm falling to his side. Luke hurried to help him, but Skywalker waved away his attempts. “I am fine,” he told Luke. “We need to keep moving.”

Luke hesitated for a moment before nodding as well. “Okay.” He took a breath. “Okay.” He put a gentle hand on his father's bruised shoulder. “You did really great back there,” Luke told him. “Thank you.”

The look Skywalker gave him in response was baffled. “We need to keep moving,” he repeated.

Although Kenobi did his best to lead them down the clearest paths and avoid the searching squads, Skywalker's methods were not subtle. The blasts and crashes as he threw about the architecture, and the demolition left in their wake, often drew as many Stormtroopers as it destroyed. And as Maul struck down a trooper who had been unlucky enough to survive Skywalker's first wave of attacks, he privately hoped that they were taking some of the heat off Rex and Leia’s team.

Maul did not know for how long they had been fighting forward when a distant explosion shook the hall. The lights flickered off, but no red emergency lights automatically blinked on in their wake. The Stormtroopers couldn't recover fast enough, and in the next second, Skywalker had crushed them with a falling statue. 

Luke's delighted laughter rang out across the dark hall. “It worked!” he chirped, eyes glittering in the glow of his lightsaber. “I can't believe it actually worked!”

“Don't get cocky,” warned his father, but even Maul could hear a touch of pride in his weak voice. “Darth Sidious is not to be underestimated.”

“No, he's not,” Luke agreed. “But neither are we.”

“Indeed not,” Kenobi's voice announced his arrival, the minimal light coalescing into his familiar form, bright and glowing in the hall. “The generator room has completely flooded. Ahsoka was able to destroy both backup generators before they even realized what was happening. Sidious's soldiers are scrambling.”

“What about Leia and the others?” Luke asked. “Are they okay?”

“Leia is unharmed,” Kenobi reassured him. “Rex’s team is using the blackout to take control of the hangar as we speak. But you must hurry. The authorities will notice that the palace has gone offline soon and come to investigate. The Trailblazer cannot hold out against the Imperial Navy for long.”

“We are close,” Skywalker interjected. “Sidious is near.”

Maul felt a shiver of fear climb his spine.

“So he is,” Kenobi agreed softly, his worried gaze jumping from Anakin Skywalker to Luke to finally land on Maul. “You - ” he hesitated, “You have been training for this. You are ready; I know you are. Remain calm. And remember what your mother - ”

“Kenobi.” Maul interrupted, squinting at his bright outline. “Enough prattling. We need to keep moving.”

“You are correct, of course, my dear.” The ghost let out a very mortal sigh and straightened, swallowing his worry. “May the Force be with you.”

Then, he vanished, his warm light folding itself back into the darkness. As they started forward once more, Maul tried to set aside the terrible feeling that this was the last time he would see Kenobi, for it was surely the stuff of his anxiety and nothing more. “The bastard ruined our night vision,” he complained aloud, the better to swallow his concerns.

“He’s just worried about us. Worried about you,” replied Luke, and Maul could practically hear the apprentice rolling his eyes. Then, his voice turned cheeky, “Han told me something interesting before we left. He said - ”

“I do not care what Han Solo said!” Maul hissed. He did not want to discover what Darth Vader’s reaction would be to… any of that. 

Skywalker cleared his throat. “We are here.” Maul had never been more grateful for interruption. This feeling was immediately subsumed by the icy swell of the Force, touched by Sidious’s dark taint. Beside him, Luke stiffened. 

There was no need to ask if they were ready; one could never be properly prepared for Darth Sidious. Instead, they pushed forward in mutual agreement. From here on, hesitation would mean death.

The ornate double-doors opened inward to reveal the throne room, a massive space defined by black marble and floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the endless Coruscant cityscape. It was night, and the massive chamber was lit only by the city’s flashing, blinking lights. And at the far end of the hall, seated on a throne of obsidian, was Darth Sidious himself.

He looked old, was Maul’s first, irreverent thought. Preoccupied by the fear of confinement he had felt during their first encounter, it had not been apparent to Maul just how far Sidious had deteriorated since their last encounter. He was struck by it now. The Emperor's robes and the shadows did much to disguise his fragility, and yet from his face alone it was apparent. His skin was paper-thin and seemed to be melting off of his skull. His face was lined with deep, twisting scars that had stolen the handsomeness with which he had charmed the galaxy. Even his once terrifyingly bright eyes now squinted at them through misty cataracts. 

His dark endeavors had cost him not just his appearance, but his health.

“And so they arrive at last,” said Darth Sidious, and his voice was still capable of dripping with the same malice from Maul’s memory. The Force around them shivered with his anger. “This is perhaps the most pitiful assassination attempt I have ever witnessed.”

“Enough of your games, Sidious!” snapped Skywalker with his broken voice. “Even you cannot defeat us all. This will be your death at last.”

Sidious’s slow, terrible cackle filled the room like thunder. "Poor little Anakin, the slave from Tatooine, always striving for more power… and always biting the hand that feeds.” His tiny, squinting eyes were mean as the Emperor surveyed them. “I have taught you everything you know. I have made you what you are! Do you truly believe I would be so foolish as to give you the tools to destroy me?" 

Skywalker flinched back from this assessment, but it made Maul scoff. He took a bold step forward. “No, you would not. But you are not the only Master of the Force left in the Galaxy.”

“You consider yourself a master now, do you?” Sidious mocked. “You are a master of nothing! Merely a failure I cast into the rubbish.”

“And thank the Force that you did,” replied Maul calmly. “It has taken me many years to realize I needed to be free of you to attain my true potential.”

"Fool!” the Emperor roared. "How dare you speak to me with such disrespect? You would be nothing without me! Nothing!”

For the first time in his life, Maul tasted the Sith's deception on the Force, like a bitter burst on his tongue. "I see through your lies, my old and feeble master. And we do not fear you."

“You should,” Sidious told him with a hideous snarl. “Guards!”

Maul spun, preparing to follow Luke into battle, only for unimaginable pain to erupt across his nerves. 

He had, somehow, forgotten just how painful true Sith lightning could be. The agony of it was white-hot and sharper than the natural variety. It paralyzed him; he could not breathe. He could not think. He could only experience the excruciating pain. At some point, Maul must have blacked out, for -

- he awoke with his cheek pressed to the marble floor. The cold stone was a blessed relief on his fiery nerves, which spasmed painfully with aftershocks. For a moment, he could only gasp the air back into his lungs.

As he caught his breath, Maul slowly became aware of someone - of Darth Sidious - speaking, and with a familiar sense of dread, he forced himself to listen. “Do you understand now, Young Skywalker?” the Emperor was asking. “You have been tricked. Befuddled by this provocitor into believing he could offer you true power. But he cannot. Nor can your foolish father. Only I can show you the path to the Dark Side.”

“I told you, I'm not interested,” Luke replied calmly. “You have nothing to offer me.”

“What a waste,” murmured Sidious, and Maul could feel the way the Force writhed with his anger. “But so be it; I am patient. We will come to an understanding soon enough. Your choices, however, have consequences.”

Maul, who had just regained enough strength to push himself to standing, was struck by lightning once more, knocking him back to his knees. This torture ended almost as soon as it had begun, little more than a warning, but it left him trembling weakly on the cold marble. When Maul was capable of opening his eyes, he found himself looking back at Luke and Skywalker.

The father was restrained by three crimson guards, the vibrobladed end of a Force pike pressed threateningly between his scarred shoulders. The bodies of several other royal guards lay scattered around them. One of Skywalker’s stolen legs had been severed, blood poured from a cut above his eye, and he looked furious. But every few seconds, another guard would shock him, keeping him prone. 

“You must choose who to save, young Skywalker,” said Sidious, “the father with whom you have been newly reunited or your loyal master.”

“You talk too much,” Luke told him frankly, and then several things occurred in rapid succession. Luke tossed his lightsaber to his father, who, with a burst of Force energy, caught it in his outstretched hand. The turquoise blade blazed to life in his droidscrap fingers and sliced clean through all three of the guards who held him pinned.

Luke, now weaponless, threw himself in front of Maul just in time to catch with one open palm the lightning that Sidious unleashed upon them. With the little strength he had, Maul pushed himself to his feet; he needed to be there if his apprentice stumbled. Luke, however, held his own against the onslaught, and when Sidious's torrent of lightning had ceased, he was still standing. Luke raised his opposite hand and let the lightning dissipate harmlessly against the distant ceiling. 

“You have nothing to offer me,” Luke told the Emperor, now standing side-by-side with his master. “I reject you, and I reject the Dark Side.”

“Then you shall die!” roared the Emperor.

This time, Maul was ready for the lightning, and he stepped forward to meet it with open palms. 

Darth Sidious's anger was a sharp, vicious thing, and so too was his lightning. Yet as Maul allowed it into himself, he felt it move beyond his physical body and into the Force. The pain was still present, but it became a distant, manageable thing. It could not harm him. In a moment of true clarity, Maul could see that all Sidious's anger, all of his rage, was but a tiny flash of purple in the Force’s vastness. 

And the Force was with them.

The lightning ceased. The air on the battlefield was electric as Maul met his former Master’s eyes and watched the horror dawn within them. Maul and Luke were whole and unscathed, and Sidious had played his hand. 

“I do not fear you,” Maul repeated, and then he unleashed all of the Sith’s own lightning back upon him. Somehow, Sidious's pained howl was even worse than his laughter. His bent form was quickly subsumed by the lightning’s blinding glow, reduced first to a silhouette, and then even that began to disintegrate.

The lightning was still leaving his fingertips, arching and leaping across the room, when the explosion came. The Force only rang a warning milliseconds before what was left of the Sith’s corpse erupted in a shockwave that knocked Maul and Luke off their feet and sent them tumbling backward. 

Maul slammed back into the floor several yards from where he had been standing, the wind knocked forcibly from his lungs. He scrambled as quickly as he was able to his knees, gasping for breath and grasping for his lightsaber. But there was no need. He could see clearly the burnt and blackened corpse of the Emperor, his chest cavity blown wide and gaping, still seated upon his throne.

Staring at the corpse of his former master, Maul felt something strange growing in his chest. Warm and effervescent, it took him a moment to realize that the feeling was hope. When Maul gasped another breath, it became a sob. He was free. 

He was finally free. 

“Father!” Luke’s panicked voice dragged Maul from his quiet celebration. “Father!”

Maul turned to find his apprentice sprinting across the destroyed throne room to tumble gracelessly to his progenitor’s side. Skywalker was a wreck of burned flesh and broken cybernetics. There was a deep, bloodless gash across his back, and as Maul drew closer he could hear the horrible wet sound Skywalker made with each breath. Yet around him were scattered the bodies of no less than six royal guards. 

“You did it,” croaked Skywalker. “Well done, my son.” He interrupted himself to cough, and blood trickled from between his pale lips. “I am so proud of you.”

“We couldn't have done it without you,” Luke whispered, tears spilling down his cheeks. “Thank you.”

With his droidscrap hand, Anakin pressed Luke’s lightsaber into his shaking fingers. “Thank you. For helping me to remember… my light.” Skywalker’s voice dropped to little more than a whisper, and his eyes drooped.

“Father please! Stay with me,” Luke begged. 

“I have to go,” murmured Skywalker softly. “Master Obi-Wan is waiting for me.”

Skywalker sighed peacefully, and before their eyes what little was left of his flesh simply vanished. All that remained were his half-destroyed cybernetics.

“He's gone,” whispered Luke.

Maul wanted nothing so much as to offer his apprentice this moment of grief, yet even as the thought flitted across his mind, the sound of an incoming ship began to build outside the windows. Windows which, he only now noticed, had been completely blown-out by the explosion. The navy was inbound to their position. The Emperor may have been dead, but the Empire’s hunt had only just begun. 

Maul reached for his shoulder. “Apprentice, we need to move.”

“Just like Ben on the Death Star,” murmured Luke, unhearing.

“Luke,” Maul said more urgently, gently shaking him. “Leia is waiting for us.”

“Y-you’re right,” whispered the apprentice. And yet still he did not rise, staring instead for another long moment at the spot where his father had been. 

A spotlight blazed through the broken windows and swept across the throne room, moving rapidly toward them. 

“LUKE!” boomed a voice that could only have been Vader's deep baritone.

This, at last, got Luke's attention, pulling him from his grief. Maul did not question the call; the Force had always made exceptions for Anakin Skywalker, after all. Instead, he grabbed Luke's arm and hauled him to his feet. But it was too late; before they could scramble into motion, the spotlight had found them. 

Maul jerked Luke behind him and ignited both halves of his lightsaber, prepared to defend them. However, the rain of blaster fire never came. Instead, a familiar howl pitched above the ship's thrusters.

Squinting upward, Maul was hit by a wave of relief as he recognized the Trailblazer hovering overhead. Its cargo ramp was lowered, and Chewbacca and Ahsoka were stationed at the base of the ramp, waiving and shouting. Still gripping Luke’s arm, both master and apprentice took off sprinting for the ship. Vess lowered the Trailblazer until they were close enough to make the jump, and their friends were there to steady them upon landing. 

As soon as they were onboard, the ramp snapped closed behind them, and Maul felt the ship gain altitude rapidly.

“You did it,” said Ahsoka, a statement and not a question. “I felt a shift in the Force, as if the galaxy itself released a great sigh.”

“Yeah,” Luke said from Chewie’s warm embrace. He sounded sad, but Maul could see him breathing through his emotions. “We did it. Is everybody okay?”

Ahsoka nodded, “We are. Everyone made it.”

Maul felt something in him unclench. Everyone had survived. Against all odds, everyone had survived. 

“N-not everyone,” Luke corrected softly. “Ahsoka, he's gone.”

Tano only nodded. “I know.”

The Trailblazer banked very suddenly, and they were all thrown about the ship’s hold. When they could catch their feet again, Maul and the others rushed up the short passage through to the cockpit to see what was happening. The door opened to a litany of curses from Vess as she attempted to lose the TIE fighters tailing them. “You don't have to try so hard! Kriff, what are these guys, the best pilots in the Imperial Fleet?”

“Quite possibly,” replied Han dryly.

“If we can't lose them, we're going to have to run the barricade,” argued Leia. 

“That was not the plan!” snapped Rex. “We're supposed to be going to ground.”

“Leia’s right; we don't have the fuel reserves to outlast them,” Qi’ra replied, immediately siding with the princess. “Our best bet is to escape to hyperspace.”

This grim reminder brought their argument up short. Leaving on the same ship that had smuggled them into the system had not been a part of the original plan. That reality limited their options significantly. 

“So we're running the barricade,” said Vess. “Great. That is totally something I've done before and can do now.”

“No you haven't,” snapped ND-5. 

“But I can,” said Han.

For the first time, Vess tore her eyes off the sky to look at Solo. “Kriff,” she swore. “I hope you're better at flying than you are at sabaac.”

“I made the Kessel Run in under twelve parsecs! I got this,” replied Han, sliding into the pilot’s seat without a second’s hesitation. 

Vess’s baffled reply was swallowed up by the engine’s roar as Solo whipped them suddenly to the right, slipping the thin ship in-between two tall skyscrapers to put some distance between them and their tail. Instead of exiting the other side of the narrow passage, however, Solo twisted the ship’s nose up toward the sky and the distant naval barricade. For several seconds they ascended unmolested, the buildings acting as a shield while they gained altitude.

The moment they left the protection of the buildings, Solo turbo-boosted the engines, giving them an extra kick of speed. “C’mon, Sweetheart,” Han urged the ship.

Still under pursuit, they blasted through the atmosphere in under a minute and emerged quickly out into the chaos of near space. Thousands, possibly millions, of TIEs swarmed Coruscant’s airspace. Star Destroyers looped the planet, creating what felt like an impenetrable shell. And instantly, every cannon was trained on the Trailblazer.

“Man the guns!” roared Han, and Chewie, Luke, and Rex ran to do as they were told. Moments later, they were firing on the nearest TIEs, cutting a jagged path through to open space. 

Solo piloted the ship with an expert hand, dodging and weaving around the onslaught of enemy TIEs that coalesced on their position. It was almost as if the Force itself were guiding his hand. 

“I've calculated our hyperspace route,” said ND-5. “We just need an opening, then we can make our jump.”

“Oh sure, that all we need?” Han asked through gritted teeth as he yanked the ship’s controls starboard and then sent them into a spiraling nosedive. 

Maul gripped the captain’s chair and tried not to collide into Qi’ra whenever the ship banked sharply. He peered out the viewfinder, staring at a looming star destroyer, when he felt something ping off his senses. It tasted of freedom. Maul grasped Solo’s shoulder and let the Force guide his pointing finger. “Han. That way!”

As if he spoke it into being, a tiny clearing appeared between the enemy’s ships, a tempting sliver of black between Imperial grey. Maul could feel the moment Han spotted the opening, for he banked the ship portside, costing them momentum but managing a hairpin turn at breakneck speed. 

Maul, Qi’ra, Leia, and Vess were tossed across the cockpit. The engine roared. Han screamed, “Punch it!”

And the ship leapt to hyperspace.

EPILOGUE 

Maul passed into the Force one thousand six hundred and eight days later.

Not that Ben was counting.

He entered the bedroom silently and knelt at Maul's side, watching his darksider sleep in the predawn light. Ben brushed his fingers gently over the sharp, aging lines of Maul's face, tracing the black tattoo that curved over his high cheekbone. Life had not been kind to Maul, but Ben marveled at how Luke's presence had lightened that burden. Laugh lines had formed around his eyes and in sleep his expression was calm and relaxed. It could not have been more well-deserved, although Ben admitted to a bias where Maul was concerned.

"Wake up, sleepysith," Ben murmured, fingers still teasing over Maul's cheek.

It took Maul several seconds to open his golden eyes, and he blinked up at Ben sleepily. "Kenobi…?"

"Hello there," he smiled fondly. "It's time to get up."

Ben rose to his feet, in death his knees free of the pain that had long plagued him in life, and offered a hand down to the Darksider. Without hesitation, Maul took it, their fingers gripping together firmly. Ben pulled, and he came easily to his feet. As he rose, Maul's physical body passed through the Force and faded. He left behind only empty blankets and a battered old lightsaber. 

Now on his feet, Maul didn't let Ben's hand go, but used their entwined fingers to pull him into an embrace. Ben dodged the sharp point of Maul's horns and buried his face in the crook of his neck, letting the familiar scent of clean sweat, motor oil, and clove envelope him. 

Maul held Ben close, both men relishing the feeling of touch without the veil between them.

Eventually, they parted just enough that Ben could see Maul's expression. "I am dead?" the Darksider guessed, a wrinkle of concern deepening between his brows. 

“You are one with the Force,” Ben corrected, brushing his fingers along Maul’s jaw. 

“Even in death I cannot escape you,” Maul despaired, but he was smiling. “Infuriating Jedi.”

Ben couldn't help but kiss the smirk off his lips. Maul made a tiny, delighted noise in the back of his throat and then hauled him closer, the better to taste him properly. Maul put a hand on the side of Ben's face and with the other gripped his hip to pull him closer. Ben allowed it, intoxicated by his lover's curious tongue and wandering hands. He perhaps would have let it go on indefinitely, this Elysium of the senses, had a sound from the doorway not interrupted them first.

"Master?” Luke knocked and then cracked the door, allowing the first rays of early morning sunshine to creep in. "I know it's early, but Qi'ra and baby Ben will be here in an hour- Oh!"

Luke met his Master's gaze and broke into a teary-eyed smile. "Sorry. Looks like you're busy. I'll come back later," said the apprentice, and quickly backed out of the room, closing the door firmly behind him.

Alone once more, Ben used gentle fingers to turn Maul's chin so that they were face-to-face once again. "Come here, you grumpy old thing." 

Maul came all too willingly.