♔ The Call of Korriban ♔ [PART TWO]
------
“That asshole stole my ship.” Kyungsoo seethes, pacing around the empty flight deck in barely concealed rage. “I cannot believe this.”
“I can.” Chanyeol supplies, rather unhelpfully, “I mean, he was acting really strange when we got here.”
“He was acting strange,” The captain’s tone laced with pure venom, “Because he went all Sith, and probably felt you two half-wit space wizards as soon as we landed the goddamn ship!”
Jongin points to himself with confusion, Sehun standing beside him in a similar state of shock. It’s been mere moments since the two Jedi were formally introduced to the infamous smuggler Do Kyungsoo and his companion, but they’re already at the end of his notoriously sharp tongue.
“You cannot blame us for Baekhyun’s misgivings.” Sehun says, “It’s been years since we last saw him.”
“Exactly,” Jongin supplies, “He wasn’t under any temptation from the Dark Side back when we were apprentices, so his current moral failings are probably more your fault than ours.”
Kyungsoo lunges at the Jedi, Chanyeol is barely able to grab him by the collar of his jacket before fists connect with delicately chiseled cheekbones.
“This is no one’s fault but Baekhyun’s.” Xiumin arrives at the scene, a concerned looking Luhan trailing behind him, “Unless any of you are Sith in disguise?”
“They’re not.” Luhan says, “Neither of them are strong with the Force, and the Jedi are pure of heart.”
“Will my lack of Jedi magic prevent me from shoving my foot so far up Baekhyun’s asshole that I’ll be able to rip his tonsils out with my toenails?” Kyungsoo inquires earnestly. Chanyeol, and the two inhabitants of Ryloth are unphased by Kyungsoo’s frequent and often overtly violent threats. The Jedi visitors, however, pause in thinly veiled shock.
“Uh, sure.” Jongin says, eyeing Kyungsoo cautiously, “If that’s what you want to do?”
“We’ll have to drag his ass home, first.” Xiumin says quietly. “Come back inside. We’ve got a lot of planning to do.”
------
Jongdae cannot stop the convulsions that course through his system. He deals with the presence of the Sith on a daily basis. Sitting in his room, cold and alone, he translates ancient texts under threat of death from the Order of Echs.
The dead live on in memory, those strong with the Force still exist within it long after their flesh decays and bones crumble to dust.
The dead call out to Jongdae in every waking hour, he knows the presence of darkness all too well. It does not bother him, for while the sickening touch of the Dark Side is not unfamiliar, those within it are strangers, they hold no power over his heart.
But darkness and familiarity intertwine with Baekhyun, the overbearing feeling of Sith mixed with his gentle caress.
The fear Jongdae has fought for so many years begins to drown him, a tidal wave of emotion saturating his senses.
But Jongdae clings to hope like a lifeline, for he is lost, soon to be found. He will bring Baekhyun back to the light, no matter the cost.
------
Hoth is unnaturally cold. Even within the walls of the Echs’ base, he feels the chill deep set within his bones.
The vigorous movements he makes while cutting through line after line of foot soldiers do nothing to ease the frost so cold it almost burns.
Each doorway he wrenches open yields no sign of Jongdae, so Baekhyun leaves each dwelling scorched and twisted, destroying them all in frustration as he storms his way through the corridors, desperately searching for the familiar gold of Jongdae’s aura.
He is an unstoppable force of rage and retribution, carried through blood-spattered hallways on bones laced with frost.
------
Kyungsoo is quietly thankful that Baekhyun chose to commandeer the EXODUS, and not the Echs’ ship. Now that his feeling of utmost betrayal has simmered into quiet determination, the extra space is highly appreciated.
His ship is hardly small, but it is not usually home to more than three people at a time. Kyungsoo’s eyes flicker towards the other occupants of the cockpit as the ship lands shakily on the frozen surface of Hoth; Chanyeol sits to his left, as per usual. The two Jedi in search of his crewmember cling ungracefully to the control panel behind him. The Twi’lek bartender from Xiumin’s tavern appears positively green, despite his orange complexion, hand wrapped around a suspiciously new looking Lightsaber.
“My ship is here,” Kyungsoo spots the EXODUS with ease, the black hull contrasting vibrantly with the stark white of pure snow. It looks unscathed, and for that, he breathes a sigh of relief. “Which means Baekhyun is here too.”
“The base is also smoking, and we haven't been met with a welcoming party.” Chanyeol points out, gesturing to the wisps rising from the building, and radio silence that encompasses the planet. “Which means he's on a Sith-y rampage in there.”
“I'm going to kick his ass.” Kyungsoo mutters.
“Leave the ass kicking to us.” Jongin says, “If he has swapped to the Dark Side, we'll stand a better chance.”
“So what's the plan again?” Luhan asks, “Because rampaging Baekhyun wasn't included in the briefing.”
“You three,” Sehun points to Luhan, Kyungsoo and Chanyeol in turn, “See if you can find their mainframe. Override it, and make sure we can access any point in the building.”
“Remind me why he's not going with you?” Kyungsoo jerks his thumb in Luhan’s direction. “Won't you need all the Jedi you can get?”
“He's untrained.” Jongin says simply, “And although his core crystal is rare, it's fractured. One hit from Baekhyun’s blade and it'll shatter.”
“You’re ones needing all the help you can get if I'm honest.” Sehun says, activating his comm system. “Ready?”
With a nod, the group ready their weapons; Kyungsoo and Chanyeol set their Blasters to Kill, the Jedi activate their Lightsabers--- Green, Blue and Black, respectively.
Opening the doors, Kyungsoo pulls Chanyeol to the side, allowing their companions to exit first.
“Just so you know,” He says, flippantly. “If we make it out of this alive, I'm going to ride your dick back to Ryloth.”
“I always knew you loved me.” Chanyeol replies, grin blinding.
The unlikely companions unite as they charge, adrenaline and the fear of death warming their very cores.
Not one of them feels the cold.
------
Metal doors tear from their hinges as Baekhyun slashes his way into what feels like the umpteenth room. He expects it to be empty, void of life as the others were.
“Well, that was rude.” It’s not empty, two silver droids standing to attention as he forces his way in, pulling scraps of metal away in his haste.
“Where's Jongdae?” He asks, through the swirl of emotion, Baekhyun is unsure if he speaks or screams.
“Ask nicely, and maybe we’ll tell you.” The first Droid says, cocking a mechanical hip.
“As Master Jongdae’s carers, we cannot simply hand him over to some brute.” The other replies, “I hope you understand. Programming and all that.”
“3880, 2AAY, it’s fine.” For the first time in three years, Baekhyun hears Jongdae’s voice with his own ears. It's hoarse, as if long unused. “This is Baekhyun.”
“Your descriptions of him are far from accurate, Master Jongdae.” The droid referred to as 2AAY speaks, turning to face his master.
“I thought he'd be taller.” 3880 supplies.
“Sorry about them,” Jongdae says, rising to his feet and offering Baekhyun a small smile. “Medical Care Unit and Engineering Assistant with a busted etiquette circuit. You know how droids are.”
Baekhyun cannot focus on Jongdae’s words, too enthralled by the sight of him to notice he even speaks.
The Lightsaber falls from his hands with a clatter as he rushes toward a Jongdae, collecting him in his arms before pulling their lips together in a kiss.
Baekhyun traces his fingers across his lover’s face, bodies pressed together at last. He kisses Jongdae in a way he has never dared to before, those they shared in the hidden alcoves of the Temple were soft and tender. The illusions granted by the Force full of longing and despair.
Jongdae sucks on his tongue as if he wishes to draw the Sith’s poison from his wounded soul, Baekhyun’s very being soothed by Jongdae’s comforting embrace.
The fear, the hatred and the danger drain away, rambunctious chatter of the Sith fading into blessed silence. from his wounded soul, Baekhyun’s very being soothed by Jongdae’s comforting embrace.
Baekhyun almost feels at peace, the last remaining traces of darkness still yet to disappear, when Jongdae disconnects their lips with a gasp.
“You’re a Sith, Baekhyun.” He whispers in disbelief. He speaks now as if he had forgotten the red hues of his blade, the overwhelming evil Baekhyun had radiated upon their last meeting. Jongdae breathes the memories in, unbidden, with every intake of oxygen to his lungs.
“I became what I needed to be in order to find you.” Baekhyun replies quietly, attempting to reconnect their lips, yearning to reconcile the years spent without contact. Jongdae wrenches himself from Baekhyun’s grip, stumbling backwards in an attempt to create distance.
“I wanted you to find me,” Jongdae says, he cannot bring himself to look at Baekhyun, too afraid of what he might see. “But not like this.”
“It was the only way!” Baekhyun yells, darkness rising and seeping from his pores. The abandoned Lightsaber twitches as it lay on the floor, reacting to the way the Force swirls and pulses around him. “I was weak before. I’m stronger now.”
“You are half the man you used to be, Byun Baekhyun.” Jongdae hisses, “The Dark Side is enticing, but it is full of weakness.”
“You’re wrong.” Baekhyun cries, Lightsaber flying into his hand, shaking as he aims the blade at Jongdae’s throat. “Only strength lies in the darkness.”
Baekhyun’s arms are restricted, Jongdae’s droids restraining them as their Master slips free. The blade of his Lightsaber tears into metal, 3880’s arm slicing clean off, landing on the floor with a metallic thud.
“I don’t know who you are, anymore.” Jongdae says. Baekhyun remains silent, his breath coming in heavy pants as his actions dawn on him; he has raised a weapon with the intent to hurt Jongdae.
He has no idea what he has become.
“The leader is a Sith.” Jongdae says, eyes still downcast, still unwilling to even glance in Baekhyun’s direction. He burns with shame.“With all the commotion, you’ll have attracted his attention.”
“What should I do, ‘dae?” Baekhyun rasps, “Tell me.”
“He won’t stop until he wins.” Jongdae replies, “Take him down.”
“How?” Tears spill unbidden from Baekhyun’s eyes; he’s so torn, the foundations of his morals warped and twisted. He still yearns for bloodshed, but he craves the light Jongdae entices him with. Baekhyun hangs in the balance, Jongdae’s next words deciding his fate; Sith or Jedi, Baekhyun’s identity lies in his decision.
“I don’t know.” Jongdae says, after a moment of thoughtful silence. “Do whatever you think is best.”
He presses a chaste kiss against Baekhyun’s yearning lips; a good luck, a goodbye.
“Your soul may be mine, but your fate is your own to choose.” Jongdae steps delicately through the trail of destruction Baekhyun has brought to his door. “I can sense the others here, I’ll make sure they leave safely.”
At the wave of Jongdae’s hand, the droids release their hold, dumping Baekhyun unceremoniously on the floor. He waits there, mind in turmoil, as Jongdae’s footsteps fade into silence.
------
“I can’t guess their password!” Chanyeol yells over the sound of Blaster fire, and the buzzing of Luhan’s Lightsaber. Finding the central control room was no issue, finding his way into the system is another issue entirely.
“You’re guessing the fucking password?” Kyungsoo shrieks, firing his weapon through the mask of one of their assailants. There’s only one door in and out of the room, and the Echs’ foot soldier have conveniently gathered outside, sending wave after wave of attacks in Kyungsoo, Chanyeol and Luhan’s direction.
The combination of Kyungsoo’s well-timed blasts and the defensive power of Luhan’s blade seem to be effective in keeping their attackers at bay, but they grow weary; Kyungsoo misses his target completely, allowing a single soldier to make his way through the threshold. Luhan cuts him down with ease but it’s a close call-- any further, and Chanyeol would have been in direct danger.
“Fuck this, we’re swapping.” Kyungsoo says, holstering his Blaster. “I’ve got an idea.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Luhan mutters, covering the empty space Kyungsoo leaves in the doorway. “This is insane.”
“You’re the one who wanted to come along!” Chanyeol chimes unhelpfully, pulling his weapon from the waistband of his pants and joining Luhan at the door. He laughs cheerfully as he fires off round after round of blast, gleefully shouting ‘pew pew’-- a mimicry of the Blaster’s firing noise, as he hits each target.
“Boy, Kyungsoo, there sure are a lot of people surrounding that door.” Kyungsoo mutters quietly, repeating Chanyeol’s earlier words as he gets to work, attempting to bypass the system’s password function, “Maybe we should check it out.”
“You agreed, baby.” Chanyeol shouts from the door, cheering at yet another head shot. “You can’t complain.”
“I’ll complain if I want to, you goddamn psychopath.” Kyungsoo hisses. The computer beeps, ACCESS DENIED flashing on the screen in red lettering.
Cursing, he activates his communication device, “Kyungsoo to Space Wizards, are you dead yet?”
“Alive and well.” Jongin replies cheerfully, “There’s literally no one around, and Baekhyun’s left a pretty obvious trail of destruction, so we’re on the right track.”
“You’re welcome!” Luhan screeches into his mouthpiece, cutting through his foe with conviction, “You’ve got a clear run because they’re all here.”
“Shit.” Sehun and Jongin mutter simultaneously. “Where are you, we’ll come help. Baekhyun can wait.”
“I don’t know where we are!” Kyungsoo yells, slamming a hand onto the control panel in rage, “Just stalk one of these fuckers until you find us!”
“What my darling means is,” Chanyeol interjects, “Please help, we’re a little bit overwhelmed here.”
Abandoning his post at the mainframe, Kyungsoo rejoins Luhan and Chanyeol at the door, sending a blast through the skull of an Echs’ footsoldier trying to sneak along the side of the corridor.
“I’m not your darling.” Kyungsoo mutters, taking aim.
“Yes you are.” Chanyeol replies.
------
Footsteps echo in the hallway, Baekhyun spends a moment to consider the possibility of Jongdae coming back for him, but the presence he feels does not belong to any one man he knows.
“You’ve slain so many of my soldiers, yet here you lie, broken and defeated.” The mysterious man’s voice is muffled by the silver mask on his face, the design slightly more ornate than the regular soldier’s, he is immediately set apart in a sea of unblinking chrome.
“I will only be defeated when I am dead.” Baekhyun replies defiantly, rising to his feet, summoning his Lightsaber into his hand with a forceful command.
“It will be my pleasure to kill you, Golden Blade.” He says, activating his own Lightsaber, the red shines more brightly than Baekhyun’s, the darkness in his soul dense as a black hole.
But yet-- Baekhyun senses it. This man is weak. He reeks of fear, the slight tremor of his hand the only outward indication of his inner turmoil. The mysterious Sith hides his fragility behind his polished mask and bold words. If they are to fight, it will be unfairly one-sided. Baekhyun could cut him down with a single strike, and the man would be all but powerless to stop it.
“You’re not in charge here, are you?” Baekhyun does not ask, for it is not a question. He merely brings the information out into the open for confirmation.
“There are multiple factions to the Order, each one carrying out the same mission.” The masked man laughs to hide the way his hand tremors increase in intensity. He is terrified; Baekhyun stares into the soul of someone who is about to die. “You think your boyfriend is the only one who can read the ancient language of the Sith?”
“How many more?” Baekhyun ignores the jibe directed at Jongdae, he sees through the masked man’s tactics, he will not fall to petty tricks.
“An immeasurable amount.” The tremor bleeds from his hand and into his arm. The battle has been lost before the first strike was made, Baekhyun already knows that he is the victor.
“You’re no Sith, and you are no Jedi.” Baekhyun says, advancing on the masked man; he remains still, frozen in terror, “You are a Force Sensitive foot soldier with a fancy weapon he doesn’t know how to use.”
The masked man roars, charging at Baekhyun with his Saber outstretched. His form is poor, sloppy, Baekhyun side steps him with ease, bringing his own weapon down, blades meeting with a buzz and a crash. The force of Baekhyun’s strike ricochets down the blade, cutting the beam straight through the middle, the poorly made core crystal shattering in its casing.
Defeated, his opponent drops the ruined weapon and falls to his knees. “Please don’t kill me,” He begs, “I’ll do anything.”
“Tell me where the other bases are.” Baekhyun demands. He does not lift a threatening hand, he merely looks into the eyes of a broken man.
“I don’t know, honestly, I don’t know.” He babbles, clinging to the hem of Baekhyun’s shirt as he begs. “I’m only a supervisor, they don’t tell me anything.”
“Then what use are you?” Baekhyun sneers, repulsed at the sight he sees before him. This is his future, if he follows the path into darkness, he realises. While his physical strength will surpass the quivering man’s, his mind will deteriorate into the same weakness, he will become a pathetic shell of his former self, enslaved by the Dark Side.
“Please don’t kill me.” The man repeats. It would be so easy to strike him down, give into the darkness within. But Baekhyun is stronger than that, he was swayed before but he will not be tempted again.
“There is honour in death.” Baekhyun says, deactivating his Lightsaber. “And you deserve no such thing.”
With resolute force, he swings the hilt of the Saber down onto the masked man’s head, with a dull thud it knocks him unconscious almost instantly. Baekhyun steps over his crumpled form; the man’s superiors will deal with his incompetence, he reasons. Let any blood spilled stay on their hands.
He reactivates his weapon, readying himself to face more foes. In the light of Jongdae’s former room, he swears the blade shines a little pinker.
------
Jongdae rounds the corner in haste, in desperate search of Sehun and Jongin. Even the mysterious third Jedi he can sense would work, he reasons, someone that strong with the Force is surely aligned with Jongdae’s long lost friends.
He can hear footsteps heading in his direction; without a proper weapon at his disposal, Jongdae has resorted to brandishing 3880’s severed arm in front of him for protection.
“I do wish you wouldn’t use poor 3880’s arm like that,” 2AAY says, “It’s horribly undignified.”
“We don’t have dignity.” 3880 replies, “We’re droids.”
“It’s undignified for Master Jongdae.” The Medical droid replies, “A Jedi Knight using a droid’s arm for protection? What is the world coming to?”
“Quiet!” Jongdae hisses, “I want the element of surprise.”
Crouching behind a corner, he waits with bated breath, footsteps drawing ever closer. The assailants finally reach Jongdae’s location and he doesn’t pause to think, swinging the metal limb into the shins of the Echs soldier, smirking with glee as the makeshift weapon hits its mark with a satisfying crack.
Jongin trips, startled by the pain, flying into Jongdae and sending the two Jedi sailing towards the ground.
3880 huffs, catching the two with his intact arm, righting their balance immediately.
“Jongdae!” Sehun reacts first, Jongin still too stunned from the bizarre turn of events to take everything in, “You’re alive!”
“I’m fine.” Jongdae laughs as the two younger Jedi swoop him into a group hug.
“Have you seen Baekhyun?” Jongin enquires nervously, “The council sent us out here to find him.”
“He’s fine too,” Jongdae replies with a flippant wave of his hand. Unfortunately, said hand still has 3880’s arm within its grip, the flailing limb nearly hitting Sehun in the face with the gesture. “Soul searching, but fine.”
“He’s turned to the Dark Side,” Jongin says solemnly, “It might be too late.”
“Nonsense!” Jongdae says, “There’s light in everyone. And I’ve never met a brighter person than Baekhyun. He’ll come around.”
“But the other Sith, we could sense him--” Jongdae places 3880’s hand over Jongin’s mouth, effectively silencing him.
“A Padawan could take him down without breaking a sweat.” He replies, eyes crinkling with mirth. His smile hides a secret only he seems to know. “So don’t worry about Baekhyun.”
“Now,” Jongdae continues, eyes peering down the empty corridor, “Take me to see this new Jedi I’m sensing. He’s got a lot of potential.”
------
As the last Echs soldier falls with a wounded cry, Kyungsoo slumps back against Chanyeol’s chest with a disgruntled moan. “For the record,” He says, wheezing slightly, too tired to shake off Chanyeol’s arms as they wrap around his midsection. “Jedi are useless assholes.”
“Um, right here?” Luhan says, his Lekku gesturing to his Lightsaber wildly.
“You’re not a Jedi, yet.” Kyungsoo replies tiredly, the thrill of battle wearing off as bone aching weariness takes its place.
Luhan seems unsure as to whether Kyungsoo’s words are meant as insult or compliment.
“It’s a compliment.” Chanyeol confirms for him, noting the look of confusion crossing the Twi’lek’s features. “Don’t worry.”
With a lethargic shuffle, Kyungsoo ventures towards the mainframe once more, poking his head under the desk in search of something.
Crying in quiet triumph, he reaches a hand into the mess of cords, wrenching a black box from its depths; the wires spark, display screen going black-- Kyungsoo seems unperturbed, however, grinning smugly at his prize.
“Information Storage Cube.” He clarifies, “Should be some pretty interesting shit on here.”
“You’re a genius.” Chanyeol breathes, and Kyungsoo’s chest puffs slightly at the praise.
“I know.” He replies, “But that doesn’t mean you should stop telling me.”
“Is this how you flirt?” Luhan asks, single eyebrow raised in amusement, “Because this is not how normal people flirt.”
Any objection Kyungsoo has is cut off by Jongin’s excited voice as it cuts through the intercom.
“We found Jongdae!” He cries, “We found Jongdae, and Baekhyun is around somewhere but he’s safe.”
Whooping in glee, Chanyeol grabs Kyungsoo by the waist, spinning him around in circles before all but throwing the captain onto the control panel.
“Get your hands off me, you idiot!” He yells in protest, but he smiles anyway. Chanyeol leans forward, as if to kiss him---
A loud alarm blares through the base, a mechanical voice chanting Self Destruct Sequence Initiated at regular intermissions.
“One day, I am going to kill you, Park Chanyeol.” Kyungsoo hisses, grabbing Chanyeol’s wrist in one hand, and a shell-shocked Luhan’s in the other, leading them both back towards the entrance of the building.
------
“Four Jedi, two droids, a bounty hunter and a smuggler stand on a frozen planet,” Chanyeol says with a laugh, “It sounds like the opening line to an awful joke.”
“Especially when you add the part about them waiting for a hidden base for an evil militia group to self-destruct.” Luhan adds, smiling brightly, overjoyed that he’s being referred to as a Jedi, overwhelmed that he’s made it out alive.
“It should be five Jedi.” Jongdae says quietly, “Baekhyun’s still in there.”
The mood turns sombre, the eight of them turning towards the entryway expectantly. Each and every one of them straining their necks in an attempt to spot Baekhyun’s familiar head of blonde hair as it bobs through the ice and snow.
Without warning, the base erupts into a ball of fire and debris, shards of metal raining from the sky as the fire billows into the sky before thinning out to dull flames, flicking at the twisted foundations of the ruined base.
“No…” Chanyeol trails off, eyes desperately scanning the wreckage for any sign of life. “It can’t be-- he can’t.”
Jongdae clings to hope, because it is all he has left; the explosion caused no tremor in the Force, Baekhyun’s voice did not cry out as he perished in fire and flames. There is still hope, there is always hope---
A flash of magenta strikes through the reds and oranges of the flames, molten metal flung to the side through the sheer will of the Force. Baekhyun approaches the group with a display of raw power, navigating easily through the minefield of obstacles, Lightsaber in one hand while the other commands the Force with unparalleled skill.
He approaches Jongdae, throwing his Saber to the icy ground, wrapping him in a warm embrace.
“You came back for me,” Jongdae whispers, pressing soft kisses along Baekhyun’s cheeks.
“I did.” Baekhyun replies; he ventured to the edges of darkness and despair, returning for Jongdae as he asked. “And I’m never leaving again.”
“No, you’re leaving now.” Kyungsoo interjects, ruining the moment. “We’re all leaving.”
Poking and prodding, Kyungsoo ignores Baekhyun’s weak cries of protest as he pushes the Jedi towards the EXODUS, Jongdae laughing as he trails along behind them.
“Hey,” Sehun yells, brandishing Baekhyun’s discarded Lightsaber in his hand, “You forgot this!”
“Leave it.” Baekhyun says with a laugh, stopping suddenly as he’s pushed up the ship’s ramp. Kyungsoo runs head first into his back, nearly knocking them both back onto the snow. “That’s the Lightsaber of a Sith, and I don’t need it anymore.”
Baekhyun turns to Jongdae, and the two share a soft, almost secretive smile.
------
“Is this thing working?” Xiumin’s hologram flickers to life in the middle of the Jedi Council Room, his voice reaching the space a beat before his likeness moves to accompany the sound.
It’s been years since Baekhyun has donned the traditional robes of the Jedi, and quite frankly, they’re stifling. The simplistic wardrobe of leather and linens from his days aboard the EXODUS are far more comfortable, he feels.
“Stop wiggling.” Jongdae elbows him in the side, before straightening in his chair. Counsellor Wu Yifan eyes the two newly returned Jedi with a warning glare.
“So, uh,” Xiumin says, pausing for a moment to wave at an excited Luhan. The newly appointed Jedi apprentice beams in pride, his Master, Jongin, looks equally as smug-- the youngest Jedi in history to take on an apprentice. It’s a rather important achievement. “I’ve analysed the data on the Information Storage Cube--”
“That I found, by the way.” Kyungsoo interjects, form suddenly appearing in the hologram next to Xiumin’s, “In case you were wondering who to pay.”
“Your contribution to the cause will be handsomely rewarded,” Grand Master Kim Joonmyeon says, “But I’d like to know what Xiumin has found, if you please?”
“There’s over a dozen bases, scattered throughout the territories.” Xiumin continues, shooting Kyungsoo a look, “It’s a big job, to be honest. There's a lot of work to be done, but these Echs assholes aren't going to quit until the entire faction is destroyed.”
“How big are we talking?” Yifan asks, twisting in masked annoyance at the informant’s casual tone and vulgar language. “We’re still trying to re-establish the Council, we don’t really have that many people to spare.”
“I’d say…” Xiumin trails off, “Four Jedi and two droids ought to do it.”
He sends a wink in Baekhyun’s direction, “And maybe someone to replace my bartender, considering the Council has taken him, too.”
“I volunteer for the bartending position,” Sehun raises his hand quickly. “It’ll be easy for me to stay in contact with everyone, and I can act as an informant to the Council while I’m out there.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Jongin asks with a grin, “Me and you, fighting together like in the old days?”
“The old days? We got back a week ago.” Sehun scoffs, “Plus, I’ve had enough action to last me for a while. I deserve a holiday.”
“You did literally nothing for the cause.” Jongdae interjects, “Therefore, you deserve nothing of the sort.”
“I went to Korriban for his sorry ass,” He replies with a hiss, pointing accusingly at Baekhyun, “I still haven’t managed to get the dirt from my tunic.”
“Quiet, please.” Joonmyeon replies, rubbing at his temples with barely repressed frustration. “Five and the droids, is that all?”
“We’re coming too!” Chanyeol cries, only his torso fitting into the frame. “Aren't we, honey?”
“Don't call me honey.” Kyungsoo hisses, elbowing the stomach. “But yeah, we’re in. For a price.”
“Your payment will be the knowledge that you took down an entire faction of militant extremists with a team of only eight people.” Yifan replies sternly.
“Don’t worry, baby, we can just turn you and Baek in for bounty money along the way.” Chanyeol soothes, hand appearing in the hologram to ruffle a disgruntled looking Kyungsoo’s hair. “I promise we’ll come back to break you out.”
“This is a mess,” Joonmyeon whispers, shaking his head in disbelief. In all his years with the council, never has he seen such a ragtag group of individuals; but their chemistry works, bonds strong enough to survive anything the Order of Echs may throw their way. “But it’s the only plan we've got.”
“So it's decided,” Yifan says, voice booming through the chamber, “You'll take down The Order of Echs, and you will not return until you've completed your task.”
Xiumin and Kyungsoo nod in understanding, with Chanyeol’s disembodied hand offering a thumbs up. They struggle to untangle themselves, Kyungsoo and Chanyeol fighting in the background as Xiumin bends forward, fiddling with switches as he attempts to disconnect the call.
“Bye Minseok!” Sehun yells suddenly, shocking the chamber with his outburst. Xiumin’s hologram offers a small smile and a wave, before flickering as it disconnects.
“Who is Minseok?” Jongin asks, perturbed. The only rational explanation is that Xiumin and Minseok are one in the same, though he is completely unsure as to how Sehun came to hold that piece of quite frankly, valuable information.
“That's Xiumin’s real name.” Sehun offers the with an inane sense of pride, confirming Jongin’s suspicious, but easing none of his curiosity.
“I've known him for ten years!” Luhan cries, leaping across the chairs to take Sehun by the neck of his robes, “How did you find out his name before I did?”
“Some secrets aren’t meant to be told.” Sehun replies airily as he brushes the lingering dirt from Korriban off his robes.
Luhan squints at him suspiciously. “You should probably grab some new clothes, by the way.” He says, addressing the group as a whole. “Jedi robes are a little conspicuous. We don’t want to stand out from the crowd.”
“Like Lightsabers aren’t obvious enough.” Baekhyun mutters, his own experiences reflecting his sentiments. Even in clothes more suited to a smuggler, the weapon of the Jedi is still easily recognisable.
He traces his fingertips along the hilt of his new Lightsaber, the organic core crystal from the caves of Kardril; a blemished stone casting light in the palest of pinks.
“Does this mean I get to wear a sexy smugglers outfit of my own?” Jongdae whispers in Baekhyun’s ear, taking advantage of the chaotic mess of the Council Chamber to press a small kiss to the corner of Baekhyun’s lips.
“Careful it’s not too sexy,” He replies, eyeing Jongdae up and down thoughtfully, “Or you won't be wearing it for long.”
“Is that a promise?” Jongdae asks breathily, hand coming to rest on Baekhyun’s thigh.
“Yeah. It’s a promise.” Baekhyun replies, lacing their fingers together. Their bond pulses, pink and gold hues combining almost visibly around them.
Jongdae searches, looks deep into the soul of his love-- not a single trace of darkness remains.