Darth Tenebra roared, the sound echoing through the alley as dust and debris settled around her. She extinguished her lightsabers and stretched out with the Force, feeling for the broken passage where Jaden had escaped. The tunnel was too far gone. The metal beams had twisted, the duracrete walls had crumbled inward, sealing the way with thick layers of rubble. Undoing the damage would take time, time she didn't have. He was already gone.
She breathed heavily through her teeth, her rage swelling in her chest. Her fingers twitched, and the air around her warped. Cracks spiderwebbed across the walls, old neon signs flickered, and the very ground trembled beneath her boots. She reached out again, searching for his presence in the Force, but found nothing. It was as if he had disappeared completely. No ripples, no tremors. Just void.
Her rage flared again, hot and blinding. Jaden had hidden himself, buried his presence deep. It was a coward's move, but an effective one.
No matter. He would use the Force again. And when he did, she would be waiting.
She turned, her black cloak shifting around her as she stalked down the alley. The sounds of the undercity filled the space—muffled shouts, distant screams, the low hum of repulsorlift engines. A few meters ahead, two thugs stepped into her path. One was a Rodian with a vibroblade, the other a heavy-set Weequay who already had a blaster drawn.
"Give us your shit now," the Weequay sneered, raising his weapon.
The Rodian clicked his tongue. "Don't make this difficult. We just want what's in your pockets."
Tenebra didn't stop walking.
"Hey! Stop!" the Weequay barked, stepping forward. His finger tensed on the trigger.
The moment the blaster fired, both of them began to scream.
Their bodies jerked violently, every muscle seizing as the air around them seemed to twist. The Rodian's arms snapped backward at the elbows, the joints breaking with sickening cracks. His legs twisted next, his knees bending the wrong way as he crumpled, his screams turning into choking gasps.
The Weequay fared no better. His shoulders wrenched around until his bones shattered through his skin, his spine twisting in impossible directions. His blaster clattered to the ground as his hands bent back, his fingers curling inward until his own bones pierced through the flesh. His screams were high-pitched, gurgling, agony-filled.
Tenebra didn't even look at them. She continued walking, their screams fading behind her as she pulled out her communicator.
A deep voice crackled through the device. "Darth Tenebra."
"Master."
"Is the task completed?"
Tenebra clenched her jaw. "Not yet, my master." Anger and shame burned through her.
Silence hung between them for a moment. Then, the voice returned, laced with disappointment. "You disappoint me, Darth Tenebra. Your target does not even possess a lightsaber and has training far inferior to your own."
Her grip on the communicator tightened, her nails biting into her palm. "They were lucky."
"A pathetic excuse," her master hissed.
"I will not fail you again, master," she said, voice cold and firm. "He will be killed."
There was another pause. Then, "Make sure he is. Otherwise, I shall find myself an apprentice who is up to the task."
The communication cut off.
Tenebra's hands trembled. Her anger boiled over. Behind her, the thugs were still screaming. She exhaled sharply and flicked her wrist. They disintegrated instantly, their flesh turning to dust, their bones crumbling to nothing. The wind carried their remains away, leaving only the faint scent of charred matter. She would wait. Jaden would show himself again. And when he did, she would tear him apart.
___________________________
Jaden leaned against the wall, breathing in the stale undercity air as he turned to Zule. He couldn't help but chuckle at the look on her face—somewhere between panic and fury.
"Jaden, what the kriff is going on?" she snapped, voice sharp.
He didn't blame her. He had been messing around with her too much since they ran into each other. He just couldn't help himself. He was glad to see her, really glad. More than that, he was noticing things about her he hadn't before. Like how attractive she actually was. Though, he admitted, that might've had something to do with the pheromones she was putting out, which were making it kriffing hard to focus.
"Jaden!" she shouted again, making him snap out of it.
He grunted as he pushed himself off the wall and helped her up.
"That was a Sith," he said, rolling his wrist over to reveal a small illuminated screen on his gauntlet, tapping a few commands into it. "She's been coming after me almost as long as I've been down here."
Zule's brow furrowed. "Why is she after you specifically? Because of what you did on Jabiim?"
Jaden shrugged, adjusting the screen before letting it vanish back into the gauntlet. "Possibly. I mean, I did blow up their superweapon. But honestly? There's too many reasons for me to single out just one." He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head.
"She's strong, though. Her Power's overwhelming. Collapsed a whole building on me the first time we met," he continued. "And she can somehow sense whenever I use the Force."
Zule stayed silent for a moment, processing what he said. A Sith, right under the Jedi's noses, hunting him in the depths of Coruscant? How? How could they let something like that slip through?
"Why are you still here?!" she said, frustration rising in her voice. "Why not go back to the Jedi, seek help from them?"
Jaden snorted. "I'm likely no safer up there than I am down here," he said. "They were willing to attack the temple. I'm not putting my safety in their hands."
Zule understood. Even she had left the Order. They had no answers, no direction. Just rules that seemed to bend and break when it suited them. She still worried about him, though.
"Why did you stop me from using my lightsaber?" she asked.
Jaden didn't answer right away. They had reached a closed door, its metal rusted over, layers of grime built up over what was once a secure maintenance hatch. He rolled his wrist again, and this time, a small cylindrical tool ejected from his gauntlet. He pressed a switch, and a thin arc of superheated plasma ignited from the tip.
The plasma cutter sizzled as he pressed it against the corroded locking mechanism, the metal turning bright orange before melting away in streams of molten slag. He carved through the hinges next, moving quickly. The sound of metal groaning filled the alley, the rusted barrier giving way.
Once he was done, he retracted the cutter and turned to Zule, his face more serious than before.
"If you had used your lightsaber, she would've focused more on you than me," he said, voice flat. "And with how strong she is, she would've ripped it out of your hands and sliced your own head off with it."
Zule felt a chill creep through her. There was something in his tone, something heavy. He meant it. No exaggeration, no bravado. Just the plain, brutal truth. She nodded.
Jaden gave a small grunt and stepped through the now-open passage.
"Come on, let's go."
They moved deeper into the undercity.
The alleys twisted and stretched, some barely wide enough for them to squeeze through. Jaden led the way, ducking under rusted support beams, climbing over old maintenance droids that had long since died, hopping down from crumbling ledges into flooded walkways.
Zule kept up, but her mind raced. Jaden felt different. He acted different. The Jaden she had known on Jabiim had been sharp, determined, always calculating his next move. This one was... unpredictable. Smiling and joking one moment, throwing himself off balconies the next. It unsettled her. But there had to be a reason. Something had changed in him since the temple attack. 'Maybe it's related to the Void Brand?' She thought to herself. Truthfully she didn't know much about it but she knew that it affected his brain. Could the Jedi somehow have made it worse?
She'd ask later.
For now, she just followed.
They passed by old housing units, their doors either sealed shut or wide open, the interiors stripped of anything valuable. The deeper they went, the more signs of life they saw—people curled up in corners, others digging through piles of scrap, a few huddled around small open flames. No one paid them any mind. Eventually, Jaden stopped in front of what looked like an old service entrance, half-hidden behind a collapsed section of scaffolding. He pressed a sequence into the gauntlet again, and with a low mechanical whine, a hidden panel slid open to reveal another door.
"Welcome to my humble abode," he said opening the door for her.
Zule followed, her eyes scanning the space. She hesitated for a moment, doubt creeping in again. Was she making the right choice? Maybe she should just leave, go off on her own, disappear like she'd planned. But then she looked at Jaden. This was the same man who had saved her in Choal, who had saved Jabiim and asked for nothing in return. The same man who had fought for people who weren't even his own, who had risked everything for them. She would not turn her back on him. Her self-pity at failing to be a Jedi could wait. She would not let anything happen to him.
She stepped inside, her boots echoing against the metal floor. Jaden followed behind her, shutting the door before pulling out a small torch and flicking it on. The corridor ahead was tight, barely wide enough for them to walk side by side. The air was thick, stale, carrying the scent of rust and old machinery. It felt like they were walking through the guts of Coruscant itself.
As they moved forward, Zule broke the silence. "If you knew she could sense you using the Force, why did you use it back at the club?"
Jaden walked ahead, stepping over a broken pipe as he answered. "Didn't have much of a choice. People would've kicked up a fuss if they recognized me, and I had to be there."
"Why?"
Jaden reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a small, metal case. He held it up just long enough for her to see before slipping it back inside. "Military-grade AI processing chip. Experimental. One of the syndicates on this level got their hands on it. Thought the risk of acquiring it was worth it."
Zule nodded. She wasn't much of a tech person beyond her lightsaber and her arm. If he said it was important, that was enough for her.
They kept walking, the corridor widening until it opened into a massive space. The ceiling stretched high above them, the walls lined with rusted catwalks and old machinery that looked like it hadn't worked in decades. At the far end, a section of the wall was missing entirely, revealing a massive open hole that dropped down into the depths of Coruscant. The wind howled through the gap, carrying the distant sounds of the city far below.
A voice rang out from across the hangar. "Jaden, that you?"
"Yeah, it's me," Jaden called back, not breaking stride. "Brought a guest."
Zule frowned. The voice was familiar. She knew she'd heard it before, but she couldn't place it. Then, a figure stepped out from behind a small shuttle parked near the edge of the platform.
Purple skin. Lekku draped over her shoulders. A vest barely covering her, underwear the only thing else she wore. Grease stains covered her body, sweat glistening under the dim light.
Zule's eyes widened. She hadn't expected to see her here.
Velea.
The Twi'lek wiped her hands on a rag and grinned as she walked toward them. "Well, well, if it isn't the little Jedi. Didn't think I'd be seeing you down here."
Zule crossed her arms, ignoring the way her face heated up at the sight of the half-dressed mechanic. "Didn't think I'd be seeing you either."
Velea smirked, tossing the rag onto a nearby crate. "I get around." She turned to Jaden, jabbing a finger at his chest. "You, however, have some explaining to do. You were supposed to be back hours ago."
Jaden shrugged. "Ran into some complications."
Velea rolled her eyes. "You always do."
Velea stepped up to Jaden, eyes narrowing slightly. "Well? Did you at least get the damn thing?"
Jaden smirked and held up the small metal box, flipping it between his fingers before tossing it toward her. Velea caught it, popped it open, and her grin stretched wide as she pulled out the AI processing chip. Her lekku twitched, her fingers tracing over the sleek, black design as if she were holding a priceless relic.
"Oh, you beautiful, beautiful thing," she muttered, turning it over in her hands. "Do you even know what this can do?" She looked up at Jaden, who was already walking past her toward the cooling unit. "Quadrillions of calculations per second! The processing efficiency alone makes every Republic civilian system look like a rancor trying to do arithmetic. This thing could calculate a thousand hyperspace routes before you could blink. The Nav computer will run smoother than any system in the galaxy!"
Jaden pulled a drink from the cooling unit and popped it open. "Yeah, yeah," he said, walking back toward the ruined sofa before collapsing into it, stretching his legs out. "You got your fancy new toy. How long to install it?"
Velea was still turning the chip over, admiring it. She rubbed her chin, eyes flicking toward the half-built console at the side of the room. "Couple of days to make it compatible with the system," she said. Then her expression darkened as she looked at him. "Would go a lot faster if you pulled your thumb out of your ass and actually helped."
Jaden waved her off and closed his eyes. "I've been working hard, you know. It's not easy, bouncing between clubs and gang hideouts, stealing all this crap, and also avoiding that damn Sith."
Velea's smirk vanished. She set the box down and straightened. "She attacked you again?" Her voice had lost its playfulness. "Did she follow you back here?"
Jaden took a slow sip of his drink before shaking his head. "No, we're fine. As long as I don't use the Force, she won't be able to track me."
Velea didn't look convinced, but she hummed and folded her arms. Then she turned toward Zule, who had been standing near the entrance, still trying to process everything. "I remember you," Velea said as she approached her. "You were one of the Jedi on Jabiim. What the hell are you doing this far from the temple?"
Zule's arms tensed, her cybernetic fingers twitching slightly. "I could ask the same of you," she shot back, her voice sharper than intended.
Velea just laughed, walking back toward the cooling unit to grab a drink of her own. She took a long swig, then flopped onto the sofa, putting her feet in Jaden's lap. "This guy contacted me the day after the attck on the temple," she said, gesturing lazily toward him. "Told me he wanted to revolutionize space travel. How could I refuse? Handed in my resignation to Admiral Novak, and now I'm here, living in this—" she glanced around, wrinkling her nose at the half-broken state of the hangar bay "—fine establishment."
Zule's brow furrowed. "Revolutionize space travel?"
Velea nodded excitedly, shifting her feet slightly in Jaden's lap. "Faster-than-light travel. Without hyperspace."
Zule blinked. "That's not possible."
"That's what I thought too," Velea said, sitting up suddenly. She slid off the couch onto her knees, leaning over Jaden in the cramped space. The movement pressed her body against him. Her large breasts were even pressing against this shoulder and spilling over next to his face, and for a moment, Zule swore Jaden looked like he was reconsidering every decision he'd ever made. Velea either didn't notice or didn't care. "But I've seen his designs. They're insane. Though theoretically, they should work."
Zule wasn't an engineer. Wasn't a scientist. She had no idea how any of this was even remotely possible, but she could see how much they believed in it. She rubbed the bridge of her nose, trying to sort through everything. Jaden was hiding in the undercity, building a new engine, avoiding the Sith, robbing gangs, recruiting mechanics. It didn't add up.
Unless—
Her gaze shifted to Jaden, who was watching her carefully, his drink still half-finished.
"Jaden," she said slowly. "Are you trying to run away?"
Jaden's expression didn't change. He didn't answer.
That was an answer in itself.
___________________________
Aubrie shot up from the bed, gasping for breath. Her skin burned with a cold sweat, her chest heaving. She blinked rapidly, heart pounding so hard it hurt. The nightmare still clung to her mind, the image of Jaden, his body broken, unmoving, his lifeless eyes staring right through her as blood pooled beneath him. She gripped her temples, forcing herself to take slow, deep breaths.
She was wearing next to nothing—thin sleepwear that barely covered her. It wasn't something she had chosen for herself. Padmé had insisted on buying her proper nightclothes when she moved in, saying that sleeping in Jedi robes was no longer necessary. But Aubrie still wasn't used to it. The fabric felt strange against her skin, too delicate, too soft. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and rubbed her face. She knew Jaden was alive. Somehow, deep down, she could feel it. But it didn't stop the worry from creeping in like a slow poison.
She had done everything she could to find him. She'd reached out to Novak, to Lock, to every contact she could think of. She even scoured the underground networks, but nothing—no sign of him. She had failed. Over and over again. Jaden had done so much for her, had never once failed her, and yet when it mattered most, she couldn't even find him.
With a frustrated sigh, she pushed herself up and walked toward the dresser. When she opened it, the sight inside made her hesitate. It was full of clothing. Her clothing. An entire wardrobe, hand-picked by Padmé, tailored to fit her perfectly. Since she'd left the Order, there was no reason to wear the simple tunics and robes anymore. Padmé had been more than happy to provide her with a whole array of dresses, skirts, casual wear, and even more extravagant attire. But every time Aubrie opened this drawer, she felt like an imposter. None of this was her.
She ran her fingers along the fabric. A part of her wondered if Jaden would like any of these. The thought made her pause. Why did I think that? She had never really considered her own appearance before. Her whole life had been training, fighting, surviving. But now, without the Jedi Order and with Jaden gone, she had time to think about things she'd never thought about before.
She caught her reflection in the mirror and froze, staring at herself. Her hands moved slowly, sliding over her slender waist, fingers pressing into the faint curve there before trailing down to her hips. She gripped them, feeling the subtle flare of her bones beneath her skin, then ran her palms up along her sides, brushing the edges of her small breasts. They barely filled her hands as she cupped them, her thumbs grazing over her nipples, which hardened slightly under the touch. 'Is my body nice to look at?' The thought hit her hard, and heat flooded her cheeks, making her skin flush pink. 'Why the hell do I even care?' She shook her head, letting out a quick, annoyed breath, trying to shove the pointless ideas out of her mind. 'This is stupid. I've got better things to think about.'
She grabbed a simple gown from the chair and tugged it over her head. The fabric slid down her body, catching briefly on her hips before settling. It felt weird, too soft against her bare skin, but it wasn't bad - smooth, almost comforting as it clung lightly to her frame. She smoothed it with her hands, running them over her flat stomach, then down her thighs, feeling the way the material hugged her slim legs. Her fingers lingered at her hips again, adjusting the fit before she looked back at the mirror. The gown outlined her small breasts, the faint points of her nipples just visible through the thin fabric, and traced the gentle curve of her ass. It didn't look terrible. Just... not like her usual self.
She stepped out of her room, padding barefoot through the halls. The apartment was quiet, though she noticed Padmé wasn't in sight. Her brows furrowed. Where is she? As she moved further inside, she caught sight of Vaylin sitting in the main living area.
Aubrie hesitated. She had been about to ask her if she had seen Padmé, but the moment she got a closer look, she stopped. Vaylin looked tired. Dark circles clung to her eyes, her posture slumped in a way that wasn't normal for her. Something was wrong.
Instead of asking about Padmé, Aubrie stepped closer. "Are you okay?"
Vaylin blinked, as if shaking herself out of a daze, then forced a bright smile. "I haven't been sleeping well lately," she admitted, stretching her arms above her head before giving Aubrie a thumbs-up. "But I'm fine."
Aubrie frowned. "Are you sure?"
Vaylin nodded, her grin unwavering. "Just some bad dreams, but I'm fine. If you're looking for Padmé, she's on the balcony."
Aubrie studied her for a second longer, but Vaylin didn't waver. If she was struggling, she wasn't going to admit it. So Aubrie sighed and nodded. "Alright. Thanks."
She left the living area and made her way to the balcony, stepping through the open doorway. A gentle breeze rolled in, carrying the faint hum of Coruscant's endless traffic.
Padmé stood at the railing, gazing out at the skyline. Her gown was a deep shade of red, elegant yet simple, the fabric flowing effortlessly around her. Her hair was pinned up, though a few loose strands framed her face. When she heard Aubrie approach, she turned and smiled.
"That gown looks lovely on you."
Aubrie looked down at herself, shifting uncomfortably. "I'm not sure," she admitted.
Padmé's smile didn't falter. "You look beautiful. You should allow yourself to enjoy things like this."
Aubrie sighed and moved to the railing, leaning against it as she stared out at the city. "It still feels strange."
Padmé hummed in understanding, then turned her gaze toward the massive Senate building in the distance. But it wasn't just the Senate they were looking at—it was the massive ship hovering above it.
Aubrie's eyes widened slightly. "It's... impressive."
Padmé let out a quiet laugh, though there was no joy in it. "It is." She exhaled slowly. "And it represents everything wrong with this planet."
Aubrie studied the ship. It was massive, a luxury cruiser designed purely for indulgence. It gleamed in the Coruscant skyline, its open-decked structure radiating opulence. Only recently constructed, it was set to host the upcoming gala, which would also serve as its maiden voyage.
It wasn't built for space travel—only atmospheric flight. A light shield surrounded the open decks to protect against wind and weather. Within its walls, it had every imaginable luxury: grand ballrooms, private suites, high-end dining, deep-tissue massage parlors, personal attendants. It was a floating palace for the elite.
Aubrie frowned. "What's it called?"
Padmé's expression darkened. "The Eternal Horizon."
Aubrie scoffed. "Of course it is."
Padmé shook her head. "The Republic is supposed to serve the galaxy, to better the lives of its people. And yet—while war rages on countless worlds, while entire planets starve, while refugees have no place to go—our senators are planning parties and luxury retreats." She exhaled sharply. "That ship is the embodiment of everything wrong with this government. It's a monument to their excess, their self-indulgence. They'll sit in their gilded halls, making backroom deals while sipping on imported wine, completely disconnected from the suffering of the galaxy."
Aubrie's fingers tightened around the railing. "And the people allow this?"
"They don't see it," Padmé murmured. "Or if they do, they feel powerless to change it."
Aubrie glanced at her. "And what about you?"
Padmé's lips pressed together. "I'm doing everything I can." She turned back toward the ship, watching as its lights illuminated the city below. "But it's not enough."
Aubrie exhaled softly as she leaned against the railing beside Padmé, her gaze still locked on the massive ship floating above the Senate. She turned her head slightly. "Will you be attending?"
Padmé sighed, her fingers tightening around the railing. "I would rather not," she admitted. "But I don't have a choice."
Aubrie frowned. "Because of Jaden?"
Padmé nodded. "I need to make allies before his case. As much as I hate to admit it, the gala is the best opportunity to do that." Her expression hardened. "I despise these kinds of backroom dealings. They go against everything I believe in. But I'm not naïve. This system is broken. It's been broken for a long time, and I can't fix it by playing fair." She glanced at Aubrie. "Jaden is the first step in setting things right. But I can't help him if I refuse to compromise."
Aubrie studied her for a moment, then reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay."
Padmé smiled at her, though there was a trace of uncertainty in her eyes. "I hope so."
Silence hung between them for a moment before Padmé shifted, turning to face Aubrie fully. "Would you come with me?"
Aubrie blinked, slightly caught off guard. "To the gala?"
Padmé nodded. "I'd feel better having a friend there."
Aubrie hesitated, but only for a second before nodding. "Of course."
A relieved smile crossed Padmé's lips. "Thank you."
Aubrie tilted her head slightly. "Is Vaylin not going?"
Padmé exhaled, shaking her head. "She is. But..." She hesitated, as if trying to find the right words. "I like her, but I feel closer to you."
Aubrie nodded, understanding. "I feel the same."
For a while, they simply stood there, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. The Eternal Horizon remained suspended above it all, its opulent design an insult to everything happening beneath it.
After a long silence, Padmé spoke again, her voice quieter. "Do you think Jaden will come back?"
Aubrie didn't hesitate. She nodded. "He has to," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. But it wasn't just a statement—it was a plea.
He had to.
___________________________
Velea worked inside the shuttle, her hands moving across the exposed circuitry as she muttered to herself. Sparks flew as she welded a connection, grumbling about how much of a mess the ship was. She'd been at it for hours, doing her best to get the vessel spaceworthy again. It wasn't just the shuttle—it was all part of their bigger plan. But she was too focused to pay much attention to what was happening outside.
Jaden and Zule sat on the old sofa just outside the ship, the flickering glow of an overhead light casting long shadows over them. The air between them was thick with unspoken words. Jaden had yet to answer her question. He knew she was waiting, but he hadn't figured out how to say it yet.
He adjusted the small blaster pistol attachment he'd been working on, fitting the power pack into the side of his gauntlet. It was a compact design, meant for quick-draw shots in a tight situation. He tested the mechanism, watching as the barrel extended, then retracted with a soft click. Zule sat beside him, arms crossed, her cybernetic fingers tapping against her knee. She wasn't going to let this go.
After another moment of silence, he exhaled and set the blaster down.
"Listen, Zule," Jaden said finally.
She looked up, eyes searching his face, waiting for him to speak.
"I'm not the same person you knew," he said.
She scoffed. "I could already tell that."
Jaden chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, I've been a bit annoying, haven't I?"
She didn't deny it.
He leaned back against the sofa, running a hand through his hair. "When the Jedi removed the void brand, things changed. A lot. It's not just my powers. I feel things now. More strongly than I ever have." His eyes drifted across her as he spoke, lingering on the shape of her body, the way the dim light caught the contours of her skin. She didn't notice. "I want things now," he continued. "Before, I didn't even realize how numb I was. Food tastes different. Even the air smells different. It's like... before, I was seeing everything in gray, and now everything is full of color."
She tilted her head slightly, listening.
He smirked. "And despite being stuck down here, I've never had so much fun."
Zule frowned. "Jaden..."
He waved her off. "It's true. I've done things I never thought I'd do. I've lived. For the first time in my life, I've lived." His tone darkened. "And now that I have a new life, I'm expected to just give it up—all because I saved a planet. Because it embarrassed the Republic."
His voice grew rougher, more bitter. "I won't die because of a bunch of corrupt politicians who can't see past their stomachs, let alone see the people suffering because of their inaction. They don't care about justice. They only care about themselves."
His hand clenched into a fist. "I won't take the fall for it."
Zule understood his anger. She felt it too. But she couldn't ignore the ones who had stood by him—the people who had fought for him, who believed in him.
"But what about the people who helped you?" she asked.
Jaden exhaled, rubbing his temple. "I won't abandon them," he said, his voice softer. "I'll still go to the trial. But what I'm doing now is preparing. In case things go wrong."
Zule's frown deepened. "Things go wrong?"
Jaden raised a brow. "If the trial goes my way, I'll likely be attacked. If it doesn't, then I'll need to escape before I'm taken away and executed. Not a lot of good outcomes for me either way."
She swallowed. He was right. The trial wasn't about fairness—it was about power. Whether he walked away a free man or was condemned, there would be those who wanted him gone.
"With this new engine," Jaden continued, "I'll be able to get away. They won't be able to track me."
Zule hesitated, then asked the question that had been gnawing at her. "And where will you go?"
Jaden didn't answer right away. Instead, he pulled a datapad from his jacket and activated it. A star chart flickered to life on the screen, glowing faintly in the dim light. He turned it toward her and pointed.
Her breath caught.
The Unknown Regions.
She looked at him, eyes wide.
"You're not serious."
Jaden smirked. "Dead serious."
Zule's throat tightened. The Unknown Regions were... vast. Uncharted. Dangerous. Entire civilizations had been lost trying to navigate them. And he wanted to go there?
He leaned in slightly, his expression unreadable. "I can think of no place better to hide."
(AN: So a lot of this is getting you used to the new Jaden and introducing Zule to him. I'm also trying to subtly build the sexual tension in the story as I think it's time to add it. We also have the next big part of the arc which is the Gala. That's always been the plan and it'll be cool, but why would Jaden go there. Find out next time on blah blah blah blah. Anyway I hope you enjoyed the chapter.)
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