Blood of Heroes, Part VI
Posted: 2004-09-05 11:10am
Borda had a network in place that would make the ISB proud. With the training complete, Sebastian and Gorren were smuggled off Dane II to an uninhabited neighboring system. There they took a shuttle to a liberated Imperial system along the border, where they were given a different shuttle to use to reach the rendezvous with the star destroyer that would return them to the core worlds. It took time, but it also would make it far more difficult for the Vong or any of their spies to work out where the resistance cells were located.
Sebastian and Gorren came off the shuttle into the docking, neither one sure what time it was after flitting around on so many systems. The lieutenant who administrated the bay was on hand, apparently well-slept and recently showered.
"Welcome back, master Jedi," the lieutenant said. Sebastian gave him a weak smile and a nod of acknowledgment. "The captain would like to speak to you right away; I'm afraid the situation is quite grave."
"What's the problem?" Sebastian asked.
The lieutenant hesitated. "It would be best to hear from the captain himself."
"What do you suppose this is about?" Sebastian wondered aloud as they headed towards the turbolifts.
"Knowing the Empire, he probably wants to tell you they just Base Delta Zeroed Dane II," Gorren remarked.
Sebastian let the comment pass, but as they continued through the star destroyer, he couldn't help but notice the looks he was getting from the crew. Had word of the incident with Captain Ozzel gotten around? But then, it was Gorren who thumped him, why would they be fixated on Sebastian? He thought about it a little as they made their way onto the bridge. Here it seemed the crew was working very hard not to look in his direction. The captain finished speaking to his XO and came over. "I trust your assignment was a success?" he asked.
"It went well enough," Sebastian said. "What's going on? The lieutenant said there was some bad news?"
"Yes, very bad," the captain said. "The Emperor's dead; murdered."
"And the bad news?" Gorren asked, but Sebastian's expression silenced him.
"How did it happen?" Sebastian asked.
"He was killed on the floor of the High Court."
"That's impossible! Who managed to do that?"
The captain shook his head. "Believe it or not, you sir."
--------------------------------------------------------------
The mask was knocked clear, revealing the face of the enraged man who hid behind it. The computer zoomed in and enhanced the image; if they wouldn't have known better, they would have believed it too. "It's Sebastian," Jaina said with a shake of her head.
"Sebastian's been off with the ISB for weeks," Leia said. "He hasn't been near Chandrilla.” Still, it was hard to argue with this evidence. The tragedy of the assassination had led to the horror of accusation as various parties started pointing the finger at Sebastian Skywalker as the assassin. The four remaining Jedi: Jacen, Jaina, Anakin, and Leia, had gotten together to try and figure out who was really responsible.
"Obviously we know it's not really Sebastian," Jaina said. "He's some kind of dark Jedi from what I can see."
"Yes, and I'm almost positive he's the same one that killed Luke," Anakin said. "Like I said, he looked a lot like Sebastian did, so it would be pretty simple for him to pretend to be him if he wanted."
"But he wore a mask," Jacen pointed out.
"Yes," Leia said. "Because if he didn't we'd all be wondering how he could have thought to get away with it. By wearing the mask and then losing it, he was able to make it look like he had something to hide."
"The mask tells us something else too," Anakin said. "This is a replica of the mask worn ages ago by Lord Revan."
"Who?" Jaina asked.
"A fallen Jedi during the time of the Sith Empire," Jacen said. "That's a pretty obscure bit of knowledge, Anakin; I assume you think this implies he is Sith as well as a dark Jedi?"
"I've always thought it," Anakin said. "This just provides a bit more evidence. It also shows that this person isn't just some mad dark warrior; he's familiar with obscure portions of Jedi history."
"Which begs the question of where he came from," Leia observed. "His physical similarities to Sebastian make this even more of a puzzle. Could he have been surgically altered?"
"Maybe, but there's more to it than that," Anakin said. "This Sith... he felt familiar."
"I hate to bring this up," Jaina said, "but you encountered a Jedi from the future before, when Bastian went back to the pre-Imperial era. Could this be a descendent transported back to the present?"
"I thought about that," Anakin said. "The problem is, we know so little about the nature of time, even with what we've learned from Federation studies. Sebastian's trip seemed to be a pre-destination paradox: he was meant to go back in time and do the things he did; the timeline depended on it. If that applies here, this Sith was meant to come back and do all this for his own era to take place properly; his history would turn out differently had he not killed Luke and the Emperor."
"This kind of thing always gives me a headache," Leia remarked wearily.
"And it's pointless anyway," Jacen said. "If we presume that all of this is part of some grand plan of time or the Force, that still doesn't change anything. We're Jedi, guardians of the peace. This Sith is a threat to the peace and must be stopped, no matter what time or universe he comes from."
"Good point," Jaina said. "I suppose when we catch him we can have a chance of figuring this out."
"Not to mention why he'd help save Garak's life," Jacen said.
"Garak's always been resourceful," Leia remarked. "The Sith may have been depending on him for material and connections."
"That reminds me," Anakin said. "The mask that the Sith wore: I've seen it before on Malastare. It's also been described several times in eye witness accounts across both galaxies."
"So the Sith likes to get around," Jacen said. "What of it?"
"The Sith has been killing force-sensitive individuals," Anakin said.
"How do you know?" Leia asked.
"I've been watching his activity. Each time he picks people with Jedi-like traits. Miko, for example, was an incredible swoop rider with lightning reflexes. Durron was an exceptional pilot who's never been shot down-"
"That doesn't prove anything," Jacen said. "You don't need the Force to be gifted."
Anakin was annoyed at his brother's skepticism. "Do you honestly think that a Sith would go travel tens of thousands of light-years to murder a swoop jock just because he was too good at it? You think he lost a bet or something?"
"Even if you're right," Jaina said, "what's it mean?"
"I think the Sith wants to eliminate potential adversaries," Anakin said. "He's killing Force adepts to do it, but there's one problem: how's he finding them?"
"Perhaps by the same means you're identifying them: their skill." Jacen leaned back and held up his hands. "You're still just assuming these were force users."
"But it goes back to what I was saying before," Anakin said. "If he is from the future, then he would know who the Force potentials would be."
"Or he could be determining them the old fashioned way," Jaina said. "The masters would identify the Force potentials through meditation. Even tens of thousands of light-years away."
"Right, but that would imply he had tremendous abilities," Anakin said.
"I agree," Leia remarked. "That's a rather strongly-honed skill. It would probably take a Sith Master to accomplish that, which is a thought I don't relish."
"Whatever the case, I think it's clear we have to do something," Anakin said.
"At least we can agree on that," Jacen said. "But unless you can identify his next target, it looks like our Sith friend has vanished."
"Well, we're going to have to come up with something," Leia said, getting up. "Because I'm going to have a hell of a time trying to convince the Senate to ignore the evidence of their own eyes."
--------------------------------------------------------------
The holonet was awash with confusion. Everywhere people were talking about either the escape of Elim Garak, or, more often, the assassination. In either case, the overall sentiment was the same: what happens now? Would the small skirmishes lead to open revolution? Would the military attempt to seize power as it did during the affair after the Death Star was destroyed? Would the Vong roll over a confused Imperial force? Would the Empire be forced to give in to the Cardassians to maintain their hold on what was left?
Nom Anor watched it all, astounded. Years of work in trying to shake the foundations of the Empire, and yet never before had he expected to witness something like this. Garak and his new ally had proven to be even more effective than he had ever expected; even killing Luke Skywalker was nothing compared to this. The little terrorist movement had managed to cut off the head of the Imperial government itself!
Nom Anor turned the sound off, but he watched the recordings from around the galaxies. They were scenes of panic and uncertainty, or open joy at the idea of liberation. It had awakened in some the fear of collapse, or the flame of hope in revolution. Their certainty in the strength of the Empire had floundered, and in that failing, one like Nom Anor could get his hooks in people.
But there was more to it than even that. For years now Nom Anor had an ace in the hole, one he'd been tempted countless times to pull out as the Vong were pushed back by the Imperial war machine. Yet every time his gut instinct was patience, that another, better moment would come, one which would not only bring victory, but allow him to take his rightful place in this invasion. For the first time his instincts weren't telling him to wait; it seemed that the time had finally arrived.
A little more time, he told himself. Let Alixus do her work in the Senate. Let Garak sow his mischief. Let the Empire face the Vong armies with uncertainty. Let the people wonder if their Jedi heroes had betrayed them.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Gorren watched from his bunk as Sebastian continued pacing, which he'd been doing for the better part of the day. There were subtle changes in his steps, his expressions, the slight gestures of his hands, but above it all was a dark cloud that had been there ever since he'd seen the evidence for himself. "I don't suppose you'd take much comfort in knowing many will idolize you over this?" Sebastian didn't reply, which was all the more disturbing. He would have expected at least a sharp retort from the Jedi. Gorren pulled himself to his feet. "Come, my friend. Let's go down to the simulator and dispatch some Vong. A good sweat and stretch of the muscles is exactly what you need!"
"Not now," Sebastian said.
"It would take your mind off things," Gorren pointed out.
"No, it wouldn't; it'd just provide a moment's distraction."
"Isn't that enough?"
Sebastian took a seat, showing a rare bit of weariness to the Klingon. "I'm going to become an enemy of the state," he said. "They're going to assume I'm responsible, and with good reason."
"We will clear your good name," Gorren said, "when we have the head of this impostor on a pike!"
"What about Jorri?"
"She can hold the pike, if you like."
Sebastian glared up at him, then a snicker slipped out that led to both of them chuckling. "I'm lucky to have a friend like you, Gorren."
"And I'm honored that you would call me friend," Gorren said back, patting the Jedi on the shoulder like only a Klingon could.
"I should have listened to you," Sebastian said. "I've been away from Jorri for too long, and now there's no way I can get near her until this is resolved."
"She will understand," Gorren said. "But were I in your place, I would shower her with gifts and song for weeks upon your reunion."
Sebastian smiled and nodded. "Good advice."
The door slid open, and Sebastian wasn't sure to be worried or relieved. Volgo Terraine stepped in, looked for a moment at Gorren, then turned to Sebastian. "Under the circumstances it would be best if we spoke in private."
"Hello to you too," Sebastian droned.
"I was just leaving," Gorren said. "There's an army of Vong in need of a bat'leth in the face."
"Save a few for me," Sebastian said, nodding to the Klingon on his way out. "So, Volgo... I leave for a few weeks and you manage to lose the Emperor. You do know what the 's' in ISB is supposed to stand for, right?"
"Your levity is ill-timed," Volgo said, taking a seat. "I'm sure you're aware of the gravity of the situation, even beyond the obvious."
Sebastian nodded, although the obvious still was bothering him. "How could this happen?" he asked. "How can someone, even a dark Jedi, kill the Emperor like that?"
"I think he wanted it to happen," Volgo said. "He had Leia and I sent off on errands so we couldn't be present. If we had we would have recognized your doppelganger and known something was up." He seemed rather tired himself. "Perhaps he felt this was the best thing for the Empire, or that he was standing in the way of our development into a true republic... maybe he was just tired of trying to hold this mess together."
"What's happening now?"
"Chaos, naturally. Fortunately with the Senate in place we shouldn't have a repeat of when the Death Star was lost. Your aunt should be able to hold things together in his stead; let's just hope the Vong don't try to press the advantage."
Sebastian nodded, leading him to the inevitable. "What about me?"
Volgo cleared his throat. "Obviously this is going to be a difficult issue to cope with. Minister Solo will be bringing the issue before the Senate to proclaim your innocence. You'll need to appear there to clear your name. But that's not going to be easy."
"I have an alibi," Sebastian said. "But if I use it, I'll be betraying those guerrillas on Dane by letting the Vong know they're there."
"And since the ISB doesn't officially exist, we can't vouch for you."
Sebastian sighed a little as he leaned against the wall. "You’re right, this isn't going to be easy," he mused aloud.
"We've doctored some records," Terraine said, "which should help. You'll tell the Senate the Emperor had sent you to speak with Gul Tulvek on a mission of peace regarding Garak. Cardassian space is remote; there should be no trouble with us making it look genuine."
"I don't like this," Sebastian admitted.
"Do you have an alternative? Because as it stands, the evidence of your guilt is insurmountable. If you fail to convince the Senate, they will arrest you, and you'll likely be executed as a traitor... in Garak's place," he added, pointing out the irony.
Sebastian paused, then he laughed to himself. "Sithspawn, the lying little Cardassian was right!"
"What?"
"Garak," Sebastian said, laughing as he shook his head. "He warned me about this. He told me that by bringing him in I was ruining my life. I didn't believe him, of course, but it turns out he was right. He knew... somehow, he knew what was going to happen, even before we all did."
"Sebastian," Terraine said, "you're life is not going to be ruined."
"Promise me one thing," Sebastian said, now in the dark depression that lay on the other side of his outburst. "Promise me I can be with Jorri before the end. There's so much I want to tell her that I never did."
"Sebastian-"
"Promise!"
"All right," Terraine said, holding up his hands. "I'll make certain of it."
"Good," Sebastian said, hopping out of the chair. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have Vong to kill."
Sebastian and Gorren came off the shuttle into the docking, neither one sure what time it was after flitting around on so many systems. The lieutenant who administrated the bay was on hand, apparently well-slept and recently showered.
"Welcome back, master Jedi," the lieutenant said. Sebastian gave him a weak smile and a nod of acknowledgment. "The captain would like to speak to you right away; I'm afraid the situation is quite grave."
"What's the problem?" Sebastian asked.
The lieutenant hesitated. "It would be best to hear from the captain himself."
"What do you suppose this is about?" Sebastian wondered aloud as they headed towards the turbolifts.
"Knowing the Empire, he probably wants to tell you they just Base Delta Zeroed Dane II," Gorren remarked.
Sebastian let the comment pass, but as they continued through the star destroyer, he couldn't help but notice the looks he was getting from the crew. Had word of the incident with Captain Ozzel gotten around? But then, it was Gorren who thumped him, why would they be fixated on Sebastian? He thought about it a little as they made their way onto the bridge. Here it seemed the crew was working very hard not to look in his direction. The captain finished speaking to his XO and came over. "I trust your assignment was a success?" he asked.
"It went well enough," Sebastian said. "What's going on? The lieutenant said there was some bad news?"
"Yes, very bad," the captain said. "The Emperor's dead; murdered."
"And the bad news?" Gorren asked, but Sebastian's expression silenced him.
"How did it happen?" Sebastian asked.
"He was killed on the floor of the High Court."
"That's impossible! Who managed to do that?"
The captain shook his head. "Believe it or not, you sir."
--------------------------------------------------------------
The mask was knocked clear, revealing the face of the enraged man who hid behind it. The computer zoomed in and enhanced the image; if they wouldn't have known better, they would have believed it too. "It's Sebastian," Jaina said with a shake of her head.
"Sebastian's been off with the ISB for weeks," Leia said. "He hasn't been near Chandrilla.” Still, it was hard to argue with this evidence. The tragedy of the assassination had led to the horror of accusation as various parties started pointing the finger at Sebastian Skywalker as the assassin. The four remaining Jedi: Jacen, Jaina, Anakin, and Leia, had gotten together to try and figure out who was really responsible.
"Obviously we know it's not really Sebastian," Jaina said. "He's some kind of dark Jedi from what I can see."
"Yes, and I'm almost positive he's the same one that killed Luke," Anakin said. "Like I said, he looked a lot like Sebastian did, so it would be pretty simple for him to pretend to be him if he wanted."
"But he wore a mask," Jacen pointed out.
"Yes," Leia said. "Because if he didn't we'd all be wondering how he could have thought to get away with it. By wearing the mask and then losing it, he was able to make it look like he had something to hide."
"The mask tells us something else too," Anakin said. "This is a replica of the mask worn ages ago by Lord Revan."
"Who?" Jaina asked.
"A fallen Jedi during the time of the Sith Empire," Jacen said. "That's a pretty obscure bit of knowledge, Anakin; I assume you think this implies he is Sith as well as a dark Jedi?"
"I've always thought it," Anakin said. "This just provides a bit more evidence. It also shows that this person isn't just some mad dark warrior; he's familiar with obscure portions of Jedi history."
"Which begs the question of where he came from," Leia observed. "His physical similarities to Sebastian make this even more of a puzzle. Could he have been surgically altered?"
"Maybe, but there's more to it than that," Anakin said. "This Sith... he felt familiar."
"I hate to bring this up," Jaina said, "but you encountered a Jedi from the future before, when Bastian went back to the pre-Imperial era. Could this be a descendent transported back to the present?"
"I thought about that," Anakin said. "The problem is, we know so little about the nature of time, even with what we've learned from Federation studies. Sebastian's trip seemed to be a pre-destination paradox: he was meant to go back in time and do the things he did; the timeline depended on it. If that applies here, this Sith was meant to come back and do all this for his own era to take place properly; his history would turn out differently had he not killed Luke and the Emperor."
"This kind of thing always gives me a headache," Leia remarked wearily.
"And it's pointless anyway," Jacen said. "If we presume that all of this is part of some grand plan of time or the Force, that still doesn't change anything. We're Jedi, guardians of the peace. This Sith is a threat to the peace and must be stopped, no matter what time or universe he comes from."
"Good point," Jaina said. "I suppose when we catch him we can have a chance of figuring this out."
"Not to mention why he'd help save Garak's life," Jacen said.
"Garak's always been resourceful," Leia remarked. "The Sith may have been depending on him for material and connections."
"That reminds me," Anakin said. "The mask that the Sith wore: I've seen it before on Malastare. It's also been described several times in eye witness accounts across both galaxies."
"So the Sith likes to get around," Jacen said. "What of it?"
"The Sith has been killing force-sensitive individuals," Anakin said.
"How do you know?" Leia asked.
"I've been watching his activity. Each time he picks people with Jedi-like traits. Miko, for example, was an incredible swoop rider with lightning reflexes. Durron was an exceptional pilot who's never been shot down-"
"That doesn't prove anything," Jacen said. "You don't need the Force to be gifted."
Anakin was annoyed at his brother's skepticism. "Do you honestly think that a Sith would go travel tens of thousands of light-years to murder a swoop jock just because he was too good at it? You think he lost a bet or something?"
"Even if you're right," Jaina said, "what's it mean?"
"I think the Sith wants to eliminate potential adversaries," Anakin said. "He's killing Force adepts to do it, but there's one problem: how's he finding them?"
"Perhaps by the same means you're identifying them: their skill." Jacen leaned back and held up his hands. "You're still just assuming these were force users."
"But it goes back to what I was saying before," Anakin said. "If he is from the future, then he would know who the Force potentials would be."
"Or he could be determining them the old fashioned way," Jaina said. "The masters would identify the Force potentials through meditation. Even tens of thousands of light-years away."
"Right, but that would imply he had tremendous abilities," Anakin said.
"I agree," Leia remarked. "That's a rather strongly-honed skill. It would probably take a Sith Master to accomplish that, which is a thought I don't relish."
"Whatever the case, I think it's clear we have to do something," Anakin said.
"At least we can agree on that," Jacen said. "But unless you can identify his next target, it looks like our Sith friend has vanished."
"Well, we're going to have to come up with something," Leia said, getting up. "Because I'm going to have a hell of a time trying to convince the Senate to ignore the evidence of their own eyes."
--------------------------------------------------------------
The holonet was awash with confusion. Everywhere people were talking about either the escape of Elim Garak, or, more often, the assassination. In either case, the overall sentiment was the same: what happens now? Would the small skirmishes lead to open revolution? Would the military attempt to seize power as it did during the affair after the Death Star was destroyed? Would the Vong roll over a confused Imperial force? Would the Empire be forced to give in to the Cardassians to maintain their hold on what was left?
Nom Anor watched it all, astounded. Years of work in trying to shake the foundations of the Empire, and yet never before had he expected to witness something like this. Garak and his new ally had proven to be even more effective than he had ever expected; even killing Luke Skywalker was nothing compared to this. The little terrorist movement had managed to cut off the head of the Imperial government itself!
Nom Anor turned the sound off, but he watched the recordings from around the galaxies. They were scenes of panic and uncertainty, or open joy at the idea of liberation. It had awakened in some the fear of collapse, or the flame of hope in revolution. Their certainty in the strength of the Empire had floundered, and in that failing, one like Nom Anor could get his hooks in people.
But there was more to it than even that. For years now Nom Anor had an ace in the hole, one he'd been tempted countless times to pull out as the Vong were pushed back by the Imperial war machine. Yet every time his gut instinct was patience, that another, better moment would come, one which would not only bring victory, but allow him to take his rightful place in this invasion. For the first time his instincts weren't telling him to wait; it seemed that the time had finally arrived.
A little more time, he told himself. Let Alixus do her work in the Senate. Let Garak sow his mischief. Let the Empire face the Vong armies with uncertainty. Let the people wonder if their Jedi heroes had betrayed them.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Gorren watched from his bunk as Sebastian continued pacing, which he'd been doing for the better part of the day. There were subtle changes in his steps, his expressions, the slight gestures of his hands, but above it all was a dark cloud that had been there ever since he'd seen the evidence for himself. "I don't suppose you'd take much comfort in knowing many will idolize you over this?" Sebastian didn't reply, which was all the more disturbing. He would have expected at least a sharp retort from the Jedi. Gorren pulled himself to his feet. "Come, my friend. Let's go down to the simulator and dispatch some Vong. A good sweat and stretch of the muscles is exactly what you need!"
"Not now," Sebastian said.
"It would take your mind off things," Gorren pointed out.
"No, it wouldn't; it'd just provide a moment's distraction."
"Isn't that enough?"
Sebastian took a seat, showing a rare bit of weariness to the Klingon. "I'm going to become an enemy of the state," he said. "They're going to assume I'm responsible, and with good reason."
"We will clear your good name," Gorren said, "when we have the head of this impostor on a pike!"
"What about Jorri?"
"She can hold the pike, if you like."
Sebastian glared up at him, then a snicker slipped out that led to both of them chuckling. "I'm lucky to have a friend like you, Gorren."
"And I'm honored that you would call me friend," Gorren said back, patting the Jedi on the shoulder like only a Klingon could.
"I should have listened to you," Sebastian said. "I've been away from Jorri for too long, and now there's no way I can get near her until this is resolved."
"She will understand," Gorren said. "But were I in your place, I would shower her with gifts and song for weeks upon your reunion."
Sebastian smiled and nodded. "Good advice."
The door slid open, and Sebastian wasn't sure to be worried or relieved. Volgo Terraine stepped in, looked for a moment at Gorren, then turned to Sebastian. "Under the circumstances it would be best if we spoke in private."
"Hello to you too," Sebastian droned.
"I was just leaving," Gorren said. "There's an army of Vong in need of a bat'leth in the face."
"Save a few for me," Sebastian said, nodding to the Klingon on his way out. "So, Volgo... I leave for a few weeks and you manage to lose the Emperor. You do know what the 's' in ISB is supposed to stand for, right?"
"Your levity is ill-timed," Volgo said, taking a seat. "I'm sure you're aware of the gravity of the situation, even beyond the obvious."
Sebastian nodded, although the obvious still was bothering him. "How could this happen?" he asked. "How can someone, even a dark Jedi, kill the Emperor like that?"
"I think he wanted it to happen," Volgo said. "He had Leia and I sent off on errands so we couldn't be present. If we had we would have recognized your doppelganger and known something was up." He seemed rather tired himself. "Perhaps he felt this was the best thing for the Empire, or that he was standing in the way of our development into a true republic... maybe he was just tired of trying to hold this mess together."
"What's happening now?"
"Chaos, naturally. Fortunately with the Senate in place we shouldn't have a repeat of when the Death Star was lost. Your aunt should be able to hold things together in his stead; let's just hope the Vong don't try to press the advantage."
Sebastian nodded, leading him to the inevitable. "What about me?"
Volgo cleared his throat. "Obviously this is going to be a difficult issue to cope with. Minister Solo will be bringing the issue before the Senate to proclaim your innocence. You'll need to appear there to clear your name. But that's not going to be easy."
"I have an alibi," Sebastian said. "But if I use it, I'll be betraying those guerrillas on Dane by letting the Vong know they're there."
"And since the ISB doesn't officially exist, we can't vouch for you."
Sebastian sighed a little as he leaned against the wall. "You’re right, this isn't going to be easy," he mused aloud.
"We've doctored some records," Terraine said, "which should help. You'll tell the Senate the Emperor had sent you to speak with Gul Tulvek on a mission of peace regarding Garak. Cardassian space is remote; there should be no trouble with us making it look genuine."
"I don't like this," Sebastian admitted.
"Do you have an alternative? Because as it stands, the evidence of your guilt is insurmountable. If you fail to convince the Senate, they will arrest you, and you'll likely be executed as a traitor... in Garak's place," he added, pointing out the irony.
Sebastian paused, then he laughed to himself. "Sithspawn, the lying little Cardassian was right!"
"What?"
"Garak," Sebastian said, laughing as he shook his head. "He warned me about this. He told me that by bringing him in I was ruining my life. I didn't believe him, of course, but it turns out he was right. He knew... somehow, he knew what was going to happen, even before we all did."
"Sebastian," Terraine said, "you're life is not going to be ruined."
"Promise me one thing," Sebastian said, now in the dark depression that lay on the other side of his outburst. "Promise me I can be with Jorri before the end. There's so much I want to tell her that I never did."
"Sebastian-"
"Promise!"
"All right," Terraine said, holding up his hands. "I'll make certain of it."
"Good," Sebastian said, hopping out of the chair. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have Vong to kill."
