The ship was quiet, the hyperspace generator humming softly as it propelled them across the galaxy at several times the speed of light. The garage was empty around him as Kono set his things down on the workbench. For the first time in days he let himself relax, considering the objects before him.

The sword of Ajunta Pall, in all its black glory, sat end-to-end over the workbench like a long, thin window into the void. Bandon's exotic lightsabre hilt lay just below it, its emitter casing already partially disassembled.

It was time he built another.

Kono brooded while he picked up a plasma torch and began making an eight-inch long incision along the edge of the sword.

In spite of its difficulties, the mission to Kashyyyk had been successful. The Star Map recovered, an ancient AI discovered, allies gained... There had been a price for each, but all had been worth paying. The Mandalorians especially, if used well, could prove to be of further value yet. Considering what still lay ahead, Kono would have no trouble finding more use for their skills.

He appraised the cut section of the sword with satisfaction and set it aside, turning his attention to the partially disassembled lightsabre. With a fine touch, he clicked open the focusing chamber, pulled out the red crystal, and dropped it into a metal dish at the end of the table. From a leather pouch on his belt he produced a violet crystal and snapped it into the chamber.

There had been an unexpected bonus; Bastila seemed to be coming around. The job of bringing her to his way of thinking was turning out to be much less trouble than he thought, which surprised him. She been almost hostile to him after Korriban, which he supposed was not entirely detrimental to his goals, but the ordeal in the Shadowlands had wrought an abrupt reversal in her. It could have been any number of things; nearly dying by the curse of Ajunta Pall's sword, going to extreme measures to save his life, or her perceived fall to the dark side in Icon's ruins. Whatever the cause, she was now, like Juhani, more awake and aware to the true power of the Force.

Kono discarded the cold, metal-edged grip on the lightsabre. Carefully, he unwrapped the tooled leather from the sword's hilt. Before binding the leather to the bare cylinder, he affixed the cut edge from the black sword to the lightsabre hilt with the aid of an arc torch. He passed his hand over the fresh weld and bonded the two metals with the Force, fusing them more thoroughly than any tool could. When the weld cooled, he wrapped the leather over the melded pieces, creating the new grip.

With the overthrow of Chuundar, Kono had expected Zaalbar might want to stay with Freyyr and his people, he was surprised when the Wookiee insisted on continuing with him. He had considered asking him and Mission to remain on Kashyyyk regardless; the roads ahead would not be nearly so forgiving. However, as long as they wished to follow him, he would abide by their decisions. Kono only hoped they would have the fortitude to follow their own choices when presented with the reality of the things they had yet to face. Jolee was also a point of concern for Kono; the old man had proven to be an asset, but how long before he became a liability was anyone's guess.

Taking the plasma torch again, Kono sliced another piece from the blade of the sword, this one shorter and more curved than the first.

Carth could become a problem. He was taking the change in Juhani and Bastila's behavior as if they were being tainted, corrupted. Suspicious and paranoid from the beginning, he'd only grown more distrustful as the mission dragged on, if that were even possible. Any change in the status quo he viewed as having dire meaning. Sooner or later, he would have to be dealt with.

Not trusting the clumsy tools, Kono used the Force to separate an inch-long splinter of the swords black metal. With steady hands, he gently inserted it into the exposed emitter matrix and replaced the cover over it, locking it in place. Only the faintest tip of it showed through the emitter cap. He then welded the smaller crescent to the emitter, in line with the blade at the bottom of the weapon, making it into a hand guard of sorts.

Before even the last weld had finished cooling, he picked the lightsabre off the workbench and thumbed the activation button. A violet blade pierced by a thin sliver of pure black erupted from the modified emitter, humming satisfactorily. He swung it experimentally a few times and deactivated it.

He was pleased with the new weapon.

Kono heard Bastila approach from behind him. He could sense that she was in a questioning mood. All the better.

"Yes, Bastila?"

"Kono, I've been meaning to talk to you lately."

"We have the time, Manaan is several days away."

"Yes, indeed. I'm actually quite worried. About you, and I guess me as well."

"Why?"

"You have an effect on those around you, a very powerful one. You must have noticed by now. Mission and Zaalbar were eager to join you after having only known you for a few hours, you won over the Mandalorian, Canderous quite quickly, and Juhani returned to the Jedi Order for you. But your influence didn't stop there. You've now led a small war to overthrow Czerka Corporation and Zaalbar's brother Chuundar. Aside from Carth and myself, practically none of the others even voiced an objection. I admit, even I am tempted to think it was the right thing to do."

"It was the only thing to do, and you know it. There is often no 'right' choice."

"Yes, but my point is you must be careful with all your actions, because everyone around you feels them, is affected by them. While you've demonstrated a commendable unwillingness to fight unnecessary battles, the fervor with which you fight those you do deem necessary is more than a bit unsettling. And I don't mean only in physical combat. You direct the same energies, the same intensity, to everything you do. Juhani has adopted this trait as well. This technique falls dangerously close to passion, which we must avoid."

"You've felt it haven't you? The serenity of the chaos?"

"Well, I--"

"Bastila, that has nothing to do with your illusion of the dark side. It is, in fact, your own battle meditation."

"What?"

"Did you not wonder, before we reached Korriban when you were suddenly unable to meditate properly, why a simple sparring could restore that ability? You have never felt it before because the Jedi Masters urged the development of your other skills; you never knew it was there. Through our bond, the true form of battle meditation revealed itself to me and I embraced it. I suppose it would be more accurately described as the meditation of battle. It is the perfect compliment to your traditional battle meditation, the combination of both would make one virtually invincible."

"But how could such power exist outside of the dark side?"

"Because there is no dark side. Any person can turn to evil, and many do, Force users included. Just because power can be used for evil does not mean it is evil in and of itself. A blaster may be used to murder or to protect; the blaster is neutral. It is the person that defines the intent."

"But the dark side--"

"Bastila, just forget about the dark side for a moment. Battle meditation aside, there are always reasons for the things I do. To make it in the special forces, you can't give a challenge any less than your full commitment. That means throwing everything you have at a problem, including anger, fear, and hatred. These are part of us, part of what gives us strength to endure. Denying such emotions is foolhardy."

"You are very convincing. I can understand why Juhani is so swayed by you. The two of you were brought to training too old to truly understand the need to be emotionless."

"Have you ever considered that perhaps the answer is not to eradicate emotion, but to learn how to control it? Unchecked passions can be destructive, but when directed at a problem they bring a focus and a drive like no other. We don't need to be emotionless, but we do need to be able to make the right choices with our passions, and let reason guide those actions."

"This is truly what you believe?"

"Yes it is."

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can see your point of view. It is, after all, control which is the most important. Power is nothing without control. Perhaps even what we've considered 'dark' powers could be used for good. The truth is, I've been uncertain of many things almost since the beginning on Taris. You are a very dangerous man. If the Masters knew what I knew about you they would probably kill you. But maybe we have been wrong all these years, these centuries. You inspire those around you, give them strength and confidence. Carth has grown withdrawn and evasive because he resents influence, fears to fall into blind loyalty. For a long time I thought I should be repulsed by the ease with which you draw others into your battles, but I find that is no longer the case. I'm afraid that I've come to rely on you, and I'm grateful that you are here."

"I'm glad you have chosen not to deny this part of yourself, Bastila."

"Could you teach me, Kono? Teach me how you do the things you do? About passion?"

"It would be an honor."

"Hello again, Icon."

Welcome back, Master.

"Icon, I've integrated you into the hard systems now. Do you have control?"

Affirmative. I am remaining covert until activation via override as per your command.

"Good. Retrieve data on the Builders, the Star Forge, and the Infinite Empire."

Affirmative. Shall I include relevant associated data on the Destroyers as well?

"Yes."

Retrieving data...