Nar Shaddaa

It had taken hours, avoiding the countless eyes that might turn her in should they have recognized her. Hours of avoiding the patrols: there was after all, a moon-wide manhunt out for Layne Hoshin, the 'Magpie'. Her severe injuries, carefully hidden away underneath her armor, hadn't helped either. Nor had the fact that her companion was carrying a no doubt heavy droid-head that had to be concealed as well. That one would cause questions to be asked on its own.

But finally, she made her way to the Republic compound...

...only to find that much of it was destroyed.

"Shit," she hissed softly, "they must have some operations still active..."

Presumably there were ongoing attempts to find survivors under the rubble, recover sensitive data, or simply assess the damage. Hopefully she could find someone who wasn't going to shoot her on sight.

Balos Tyl was not one to shoot first but he might swing first as he notices Layne lingering on the compound and approaches. He frowns and says, “This isn’t a time for sight seeing, stranger.”

She withdrew the hood from her face and allowed her robes to open enough to reveal the sith armor and two lightsabers underneath. Whatever her circumstances, her personality still demanded she'd show strength.

"I am Layne Hoshin," she said, "and you should bring me before someone with more authority."

“This a poor invasion, Sith,” he says with a scowl. “You go no further, and definitely not to anyone with authority until you speak your business.”

"I am Sith no more," she said. "I have come to return the blood of Master Oshin Din to the Jedi," she said... not resisting the urge to be dramatic about all of this.

"Fine, keep your hands from your weapons and follow me," Balos says.

What, no reaction to the name?

Layne's opinion of the fellow plummeted.

Must not be up on his history

"Let's go then," she said, and looked at Daz. "come along."

The Jedi brings them past the twisting wreckage and triage areas into what looks to be a mostly intact meeting room without a ceiling. Inside are several Jedi in discussion.

Balos introduces Layne and company to the Jedi.

Satele looks at Layne and says, “Welcome, I am sorry for the rough accommodations but last night was a bit of a nightmare for everyone. How can we help you?”

She blinked, and remained quiet for a few moments as she processed the unexpected question.

"...You're asking how you can help me? You are aware of who I am, yes? What they say about me?"

“A young Sith on the run who was framed for being something she is not, we are aware but that isn’t my concern. More that if you are in need of aid we can help,” Satele responds.

Truly worlds apart

She shook her head, cracking something half approaching a disbelieving smile, and started pacing.

"I'm here to become a Jedi," she said, simply, after a few moments. Surely even the 'lets-offer-help-to-the-enemy' Jedi would pause at least a little at such a statement.

"That's an interesting decision," she says looking at her fellow Jedi. "Becoming a Jedi is a commitment, one that can be difficult for one trained as a Sith, but not impossible. Can I ask why?"

"Redemption is not above anyone, I would love to hear what brought about this decision, dearie," she adds looking at Layne.

It was no simple question, and there was no simple answer. And this was no place for her to get by with a cheap and curt reply. So she considered the matter for a bit, deciding on what to say and with which words.

"I was a slave, forced to help enslave others. And then I was sold to Kessel, before a Sith apprentice found me and made me his path to the darkside. I killed him and they sent me to the academy to either become Sith myself or die trying to earn my freedom."

She looked down at the darksaber at her side and then back up to those gathered. "I am also the descendent of Master Oshin Din, who became Champion of Ajunta Pall and conquered Korriban. His spirit appeared to me on Korriban, to help guide me. He brought me to this saber. And taught me of the force. And when I encountered a living Wound in the Force, an abomination created by a ritual to empower Darth Zash, he taught me how to heal this wound. It was the first time in my life I ever felt at peace."

Layne took a breath before continuing on; "I became the apprentice of Darth Baras. I killed many people. Including Jedi. But I wanted to feel that peace again. I healed a Wound on Kintan, freed slaves and found another of Oshin's blood to take as my apprentice..."

One final pause; "...And I never did like the empire and Sith for what they did to me.. And Baras tried to kill me... so... here I am."

"I feel for you snd everything you have suffered," she says honestly.

"Layne, you are welcome here and we'll give you asylum snd allow she Council to decide your request. You are safe here."

Well, that was about as much as she could expect given the circumstances, she supposed.

"There's much I'd be able to tell you of my former master's plans," she said, "should I be accepted. There's one part of his plans that is... somewhat timesensitive."

"Go ahead," Master Thun says.

"Several days ago, he had me invade the sanctum of the Emperor's Voice," she said. "I assume you are aware of the importance of the position, at least. He used me to lure her into a trap. I'm not sure what he's going to do to her. And I'm not sure when. But I do know *where*. The only problem is if anyone stops him, he'll be able to deduce I'm still alive."

"Well where is the trap?" Satele asks.

"Like I said, if he is stopped he could deduce that I'm still alive. How would you make it so his suspicions are cast elsewhere?"

"That's not something we can discuss now, we would do our best to hide you but Baras ain't dumb. Think about this, tell us when you're ready," Master Thun says.

"If I think about it too long, it might be too late to do something about it. Although I'm not even sure if you'd try to stop it anyway."

She paused, took a breath, and then continued. "It'll probably take you a few days to get something ready to make an intercept anyhow. I'll tell you the location if you let me tag along. My identity could remain secret so long as we kill or capture any agents he sends to the planet. I doubt he'll go there himself."

"That's now how we operate Layne," Satele responds.

"You're at war. Peace isn't happening. How can you stop the Sith if you are not willing to kill them when necessary, or even just capture them?"