16 Tatooine: Ransom.

Gabriel carried the maimed blue-skinned unconscious girl on his shoulder. Despite the beatings she had endured, Tann remained conscious until the very end. Only the final blow from her own teacher had ultimately broken her. Hassan himself didn't want to torture Sev'rance. He had intended to limit it to a duel, but in the end, Dooku's former apprentice had infuriated him, nearly blowing up Shaak Ti.

Now that he had calmed down somewhat, he realized that Tann's tactics had some merit. If he hadn't mastered the Force at the highest level, she could have actually killed him with an unexpected attack while he was stopping the missiles. Furthermore, such torture had strengthened his image as a Dark Lord of the Sith. However, his actions also had a downside.

Shaak Ti attempted to create a hole in Gabriel's mask with a dissatisfied look. He was the first to speak.

"Before you say anything," he said, "let me take care of the wounded. I'm responsible for her condition, which means I should be the one to heal her."

Under the silent gaze of the woman, he headed towards the partially destroyed huts, while the separatist ship behind them was gaining altitude. Gabriel knew he needed to quickly rehabilitate himself in Shaak Ti's eyes; he felt a high degree of dissatisfaction and even some notes of disappointment from her through the Force. Otherwise, his alliance with her might be jeopardized. Gabriel was also aware that he had genuinely crossed the line, which he regretted. He even felt ashamed in front of the Jedi. 

A slightly cool desert wind lifted the sand beneath the feet of the "human" and the Togruta, erasing their tracks. Soon, Hassan planned to heal Sev'rance' wounds with the most powerful healing potion. While it might seem reckless to use top-tier healing magic right away, he felt the weight of responsibility for her injuries.

Though that doesn't mean he finds her attractive. Yes, she's quite the beauty... It's just that this beauty nearly killed Shaak Ti. He showed Tann his power and strength, and from now on, the girl would decide everything for herself. If she tries to kill him again, Gabriel will incapacitate her, but next time, he'll kill her.

Gabriel gently placed the girl on the floor under the leaky roof of an empty hut. He carefully brushed a strand of black hair from her blue face and saw a clear imprint of his hand on her left side. He didn't intend to brand her; he just wanted to teach her a lesson, and it turned out the way it did... A shiver ran down Hassan's spine as he reflected on his own behavior. He had always been a rather temperamental guy, but now that he possessed the terrifying power of a game avatar, he could cause a lot of trouble if he lost control again.

"I need to better control myself," he thought.

In a flash of light, he held a small glass bottle with red liquid in his hand. Using telekinesis, he uncorked it and gently raised the wounded girl's head, starting to pour the healing potion into her mouth little by little. Shaak Ti, who was standing nearby, skeptically watched the scene. How could a single drink heal such severe wounds? It was impossible. The only thing that could help her was a bacta tank.

The Jedi's eyes widened in surprise as she saw the brand on Tann's face beginning to heal. The blue skin slowly started to regrow over the burn, and then the imprint of Hassan's hand disappeared completely. Driven by curiosity, Shaak Ti sat down next to Gabriel and scanned Chisski's body using the Force, closing her eyes.

"She..." the Master said quietly. "She's healed," she finished incredulously, her eyes wide open.

"Exactly."

"How?" the Togruta asked, looking at the bottle in the young man's hand with interest. "Sith alchemy?" Suddenly, enlightenment descended upon her.

"Alchemy is alchemy, I suppose," Gabriel shrugged.

Now Shaak Ti had no doubts that Gabriel was indeed a Sith. Sith alchemy couldn't be mastered without a teacher or a holocron, and such knowledge was only accessible to the Dark Side of the Force. Gabriel was indeed a Sith Lord who wielded immense power, enough to make both the Republic and the Separatists take him seriously.

This fact undoubtedly should have upset the woman, but she, on the contrary, was pleased with it. This explains why Hassan was so harsh with Dooku's apprentice because someone else must have taught him such behavior, and his training certainly involved another Sith. On the other hand, she feels that he is ashamed of his actions. The Light Side still remains in him, so she must do something before leaving.

"You crossed the line, Gabriel," the woman interrupted the silence.

"I know, I know..." he covered his mask with his hand and sat down on the floor. "I just wanted to show that I shouldn't be underestimated."

"A wise person never proves their wisdom to anyone because they are confident in their own abilities, no matter what others say," Shaak Ti said in an instructive tone. "You know yourself, and that determines your personality. If you seek approval from others, it means you're seeking attention for your strength. Trust me, Gabriel, it's a slippery slope. The only person you should prove anything to is yourself. Only by understanding this wisdom can you find peace," Shaak Ti touched his chest where his heart was.

"Maybe... You're right about something," Gabriel smiled bitterly.

"I'm glad you understand," Shaak Ti nodded approvingly, sitting down beside Gabriel and straightening her back. "May I share my thoughts with you?"

"Of course."

"I don't know who taught you the techniques of the Force, fencing, and alchemy, but he was a good teacher if you managed to master everything. However, your knowledge," she now pointed her finger at his forehead, "doesn't make you the same as the one who taught you. You are free to use your power as you see fit because, as you've mentioned before, you are on a different path than the Sith or the Jedi. The Sith use emotions to fuel themselves, while the Jedi, on the contrary, are obligated to control them. From our short journey, I've realized that you, Gabriel, are very impulsive," Shaak Ti looked meaningfully at the deeply sleeping Tann. "Sith don't know compassion. Jedi follow this principle by protecting the weak and innocent. You helped Boba Fett, a boy you owed nothing to, which makes you not a Sith," she paused briefly to let Hassan grasp what she had said earlier. "You possess great power, which carries great responsibility, so I ask you to take this seriously, especially in these turbulent times when war has come to the galaxy. Don't become a monster reveling in your own power. Don't become the one I'll have to fight in the future. The Force brought us together, perhaps only so I could say these words to you, Gabriel," the woman gently turned his face, masked and covered with a mask, toward herself so that their eyes were at the same level. "Please, promise me that you won't become a monster."

"I'll try... Not to let you down," Hassan promised her uncertainly.

"Good," Shaak Ti nodded, removing her hands from the mask. "You need to think things through thoroughly, so I'll contact the Temple for now."

"Don't forget about the ransom. I really need the money to... Make some sense out of me."

The Jedi reached out with the Force and felt his fear for the future. He was afraid of what he knew... No, he was afraid of the knowledge itself, not knowing what to do with it. Of course, Shaak Ti remembered his predictions, in which he spoke of her death.

"The future is ever-changing and unpredictable," Shaak Ti stood up. "All we can do is to be resolute in facing it with our heads held high," she added gracefully and unhurriedly as she made her way towards the exit of the partially destroyed hut.

Gabriel watched Shaak Ti's movements thoughtfully. They couldn't be called sexual in any way, yet the subtle swaying of her hips still mesmerized him. There was something enchanting about them...

As the Togruta stepped outside onto the street, Hassan fell into deep contemplation. The Jedi was entirely correct. He couldn't allow the power of his gaming avatar to take control of him. He couldn't revel in the newfound strength and power. Many exceptional individuals had made this mistake, which ultimately led to their downfall.

Partial knowledge of the canon was quite a powerful asset, especially considering that he was the one who remembered it. Right now, his main trump card was the identification of Darth Sidious, who was, in fact, Palpatine, a significant player in the Republic. This was his ace up his sleeve, and he needed to use it at the right time. To do that, Hassan needed connections. Without connections, no one in any world could achieve their goals. He already had Shaak Ti, an agent in the Jedi Temple, although it was difficult to call her that. She was more like an ally.

Gabriel cast a glance at the sleeping blue-skinned girl. He had no doubt that when Sev'rance woke up, she would likely attempt to attack him, but becoming his ally, a true ally, seemed unlikely. She was intelligent in her own right, and if Hassan weren't so powerful, her rocket trick might have worked. Moreover, Tann had demonstrated skill in controlling various types of technology. At least, that's what he believed.

Everything was just too complicated. Right now, all he could do was wait for her to wake up. Gabriel straightened up and stepped outside onto the street, where Shaak Ti was lost in thought, gazing at the stars with a relaxed expression.

Shaak Ti's beauty could be described as gentle, while Sev'rance seemed to Gabriel like a femme fatale, a woman whose romance could lead to a grave. Of course, Gabriel understood that Jedi were forbidden from love, but as for the Sith... He had no idea about their stance on love.

Gabriel had no intention of starting a romantic relationship. At least, it was far too early for that. Right now, there were more important problems than physical pleasures and other secondary matters.

"They'll pick me up in a couple of hours," Shaak Ti said, breaking away from her contemplation of the sky and looking at Hassan.

"The last couple of hours, huh?" Gabriel chuckled. "You must be looking forward to returning to the Temple."

"There's a lot waiting for me there that needs to be addressed. War knocks at our door when we least expect it," she said sadly.

"I'll say it again," Gabriel pointed to the tablet in her hand, "if you run into trouble or need any other assistance, just give me a call."

"You're certainly not an ordinary Sith," she smiled slightly.

"You're just realizing that now," The guy spread his arms out along with his cloak, revealing their armor and swords. "I will become the greatest Lord of the Sith!" At that moment, blue lightning began to crawl all over his body. "And when it's all over... I'll just leave the stage like an actor who has played his role," and in that moment, the lightning disappeared, and Gabriel once again concealed his equipment beneath his cloak.

Shaak Ti squinted her eyes. In Hassan's words, she detected a hint of something, but what exactly? The itching feeling of a hidden truth gnawed at her. He couldn't pretend to be a Sith because Gabriel used Sith alchemy and the Force Lightning. It was unlikely that Jedi could control Force Lightning as perfectly as he did. However, this didn't change the fact that even this time, when he covered himself in lightning, she didn't sense negative emotions from him.

"Are you pretending to be a Sith Lord?" the Togruta finally decided to ask.

"I would say I'm a new kind of Sith Lord who hasn't fallen to the dark side," Hassan confidently stated, contradicting himself, which Shaak Ti keenly noticed.

"You can still come with me to Coruscant..."

"Only to be devoured by the chief villain of the entire universe?" Gabriel pulled his hands out from under his cloak and began to play his fingers menacingly to add more sinister effect to his words. "No, but I am your ally. Don't forget that."

"I won't forget," Shaak Ti gracefully stepped closer to him. "If you ever feel that you can't handle the Dark Side or need my advice, get in touch with me."

"Absolutely," the young man brought both of his index fingers to his mask around the mouth area and drew a smile with them. "If anything, I'm just..."

"You're smiling," she finished his sentence. "I can feel it," she added with a touch of concern.

"I have a gift for you," Gabriel extended his hand towards her, and in a flash of light, a pendant appeared in it. "It will protect you from danger."

Shaak Ti examined the attractive item with interest. It appeared to be made of bright yellow metal, adorned with an unfamiliar dark blue gemstone at the center, surrounded by strange and incomprehensible characters that were unknown to her. An artifact? A Sith artifact? It was entirely possible.

"I'm afraid the Jedi Code does not allow me to accept gifts," she shook her head.

Jedi were prohibited from having more possessions than they needed to prevent attachment to material things. Moreover, Ti believed that such an item could attract unnecessary attention to her, as well as to Gabriel himself. Such a turn of events could lead to unwanted questions and might even trigger an internal investigation with her at the center.

"You probably don't understand your situation," the medallion in Gabriel's hand trembled, and then it levitated into the air, where the clasp on the metal chain opened.

The clasp fastened itself again, and the medallion hung around Shaak Ti's neck, sending a shiver of newfound strength through her body. She felt significantly faster, stronger, and more resilient than before. It seemed even her connection to the Force had become more tangible than before.

Shaak Ti touched the mysterious artifact. The medallion enhances its owner, making the bearer a formidable opponent. Such an item wouldn't be left lying around, so the Jedi logically assumed that Hassan either learned about it from a teacher or found it along with a holocron. Suddenly, the image of the ring that Gabriel had given to Bob came to her mind. Surely, it had its own special effects.

The Togruta's face touched again with a smile at Hassan's concern, but not for herself, but for Bob. Of course, this locket is a powerful thing that any rich man would lay out a large sum of money for. However, she still can't accept this gift.

"I can't accept it," Shaak Ti began unclasping the medallion.

"Why not?!" Gabriel exclaimed, his tone filled with frustration.

"Because I'm a Jedi," she calmly replied, extending the artifact back toward him.

"Oh, right, the principles," Gabriel responded, touching the item, which then disappeared in a flash of light after a second.

"The Jedi Code," the Jedi Master clarified, feeling the Force leaving her as the item vanished.

---

Shaak Ti watched the Republic shuttle land. The ship touched down in the same spot from which the Separatist vessel had taken off. She was a bit anxious, fearing the worst. If a battle were to break out, many could be harmed, and it was uncertain how it would all end. Nevertheless, the Togruta would do her best to prevent such a scenario.

The shuttle's hatch opened, and the ramp noisily descended to the ground. She recognized some old acquaintances among the Jedi who disembarked. Leading the group was Grand Master Yoda, the wisest member of the Council. His presence significantly lowered the chances of a fight. He was accompanied by Master Windu, who might seem stern but was a staunch follower of the Jedi Code. Alongside them was Obi-Wan Kenobi, known for his sharp wit and who had become much wiser since he began training his Padawan. In addition to the Jedi, several clone troopers had also arrived, two of whom were holding cases.

"Finally," Hassan pushed the bound woman forward, "I was starting to think you didn't care at all about your own people. Where are my credits?" He gestured for the clones to open the cases. "Great. And now, if you will," the Sith extended his hand toward the credits.

The opened cases levitated before the unsuspecting clones, causing their brethren to aim their weapons at Hassan. The cases then floated toward him and landed on the ground nearby. Yoda, with a wave of his hand, ordered the clones to lower their weapons, which they did reluctantly.

"We've fulfilled our part of the deal," Obi-Wan Kenobi spoke up. "Now it's your turn. Release Master Ti."

"Certainly."

Hassan suddenly pulled a dark sword from under his cloak and swung it over his head. Mace Windu reacted instantly, igniting his famous violet lightsaber. Before he could do anything else, however, the sword landed right on the woman's back...

"No!" Kenobi and Windu cried out in fear.

At least, that's how it appeared from their perspective. The severed ropes fell to the ground, and Shaak Ti stood in the path of the dark-skinned man, who seemed to intend to cut off Hassan's hand. The violet blade halted just a few centimeters from the woman's chest, leaving everyone except Yoda in shock.

Firstly, the Sith had actually cut the ropes and had no intention of killing the captive. Secondly, the captive had protected her captor. Perhaps this scene seemed utterly bizarre to the clone troopers, but Yoda and the now-composed Kenobi quickly pieced it all together. Shaak Ti didn't want a battle between them.

"Master Windu, I am free," the Togruta said calmly, glancing at the lightsaber. "Please, lower your weapons."

Mace first looked at the woman in incomprehension, then glanced at his captor, who at the moment was slowly returning the sword back to its scabbard for all to see. Beginning to realize where this was going, Windu deactivated the saber, but he continued to keep a close eye on the Sith. At any moment he was ready to rush back into the attack to protect his comrades.

"Well, now that I've got my money, why don't you all finally leave?" the masked man waved dismissively. "I don't like long farewells." Then he looked at Shaak Ti.

However, she ignored his words and gracefully walked toward the Republic ship alongside Mace. Any response from her could lead to even more questions from the Jedi. While Gabriel's behavior was undoubtedly foolish, Shaak Ti understood that he was trying to act like an arrogant Sith.

"We wish to speak with you," Grand Master Yoda finally spoke. "Yoda, my name is."

"Darth Hassan," the masked man said ominously. "And I have nothing to discuss with you. If you achieve anything during these negotiations, it will be a fight."

"You're not in a position to speak like that," Windu responded sternly.

"And if you hadn't noticed, we outnumber you, and we have artillery support," Obi-Wan added.

"Furthermore, you stand higher," Hassan said, tilting his head back and starting to laugh, surprising the Republic forces. "There's nothing to talk about," he turned and began walking back toward the farm. "Leave while you still can." The cases with the money levitated nearby.

"If we act wisely, we can defeat him," Obi-Wan pondered.

"Master, why? We have a chance to capture a Sith Lord," Mace protested.

"I don't think we can handle him without proper preparation and a plan," Shaak Ti interjected. "Trust me, I was his captive, and I know what I'm talking about."

"Hey, beauty!" Lord Sith called out. "Almost forgot to return this to you!" Through the air, a lightsaber floated toward the woman, gently landing in her hands. She watched Gabriel's retreating figure.

"I suppose your company really appealed to him, Master Ti," Obi-Wan chuckled and followed Yoda.

Windu gave one last stern look at Hassan and then headed to the ship as well, leaving Shaak Ti alone on the landing platform with the clone troopers. He needed to find out why Grand Master Yoda had decided to retreat when they had a clear advantage. Meanwhile, Shaak Ti closed her eyes, reaching out to Gabriel with the Force, sensing a profound sense of longing emanating from him. She smiled faintly, turned, and...

"Wait," one of the clone troopers approached her, "you dropped this."

Shaak Ti barely maintained her composure when she saw the very medallion in his hand. Apparently, at some point, Hassan had managed to discreetly slip the artifact to her, most likely during the moment he pushed her. Now, the woman had no choice but to accept the gift and hide it back in her robe, silently lamenting the man's stubbornness.

"May the Force be with you," she bid farewell to Gabriel in her thoughts.

Dear Readers,

I want to apologize that there are fewer chapters than usual today. Some pressing circumstances have caused some difficulties, and I apologize for that. 

However, I promise to work doubly hard tomorrow to make up for this small gap. My goal is to keep in touch with you and provide you with new chapters of your favorite story so that you can enjoy every moment. I thank you for your patience and support. Your commitment to my work gives me extra motivation and I hope you will be pleasantly surprised by our updates tomorrow.