Orla faced off against two Nihil warriors, one for each of her blades. They bore energized polearms that could parry a lightsaber’s thrust—but it cost them, every time. They slashed at her, their attack savage but uncoordinated. She let the Force flow through her, sensing all their moves the instant before they were made, her saber moving almost of its own accord to block each one. They were shifted back with each strike, not far, maybe not even enough for them to notice, but enough for Orla to know she was the master of the situation.

Next to her, Cohmac was extinguishing his lightsaber. Before Orla could even consciously wonder why, Cohmac reached out with the Force toward a metal beam lying on the floor, dragging it toward the Nihil. It never entirely rose into the air, but he didn’t need it to; as it was, the beam swept under the Nihil, knocking them off their feet and sending blaster bolts flying in random directions.

But one of those directions might be the place where Affie Hollow was trying to hide.…

Almost as one, the Nihil turned and ran away from the Jedi, back toward the airlock ring. The movement was too coordinated to be a simple flight or surrender; it was a strategic retreat. The Nihil would regroup and attack again, stronger than before. All the more reason to wrap up their business on this Force-forsaken station and leave.

Cohmac gestured after the Nihil. “They will return with more firepower.”

“Undoubtedly,” Orla said. “Do you see Affie?”

“No. The girl has moved deeper into the station.” Cohmac gazed into the middle distance. “We must find her, and Reath, and remove them as soon as possible.”

Orla nodded. “We know Reath’s in the tunnels. Cohmac, why don’t you head down there while I search for Affie?” He ran toward the nearest access point for the lower rings, which would have to serve as a yes.

Already Orla sensed that Affie was missing on purpose. She was trying to do something she thought the Jedi shouldn’t know about. Orla didn’t know what it was and didn’t care. She just had to get Affie and get out before the Nihil attacked again.

Dez swayed on his feet, leaning against Reath as they walked through a jungle.

It’s the arboretum of the Amaxine station, he told himself. The farther away from the Drengir he went, the more Dez could remember. But he could still feel the toxins in his blood, making his body and thoughts sluggish, and everything remained dreamlike and surreal.

In the center of the arboretum, he could dimly make out shapes that he recognized as the Drengir. They’re here, too. They’re everywhere. I can’t get away.