A Spark

He stopped to sit down in the pilot's seat of his ship and breathe a heavy sigh of relief, having just dropped off his new rebel recruit. It's one of the few times where a loose end didn't have to be resolved in the usual manner, and he couldn't be more glad. Not only does the Rebellion gain a new and talented member but he also gets to have his conscience eased, if only by a small amount.

As he's contemplating an alarm starts to ring quietly, signaling him of an incoming call. He frowns for a moment, checking the comms to see who the caller is and widens his eyes in surprise. He quickly adopts a serious expression and checks to make sure the call and everything else will be done in complete privacy, and then accepts it. A hologram of a hooded figure then appears, the face entirely obscured.

*"Horn of the Knight,"* a deep garbled voice speaks.

"By the Knight's defender," he responds.

*"Good. Are you alone?"* the caller questions.

"I am," he confirms.

There's silence for a few moments and he can't help but feel a little tense, despite knowing logically that there's nothing to worry over. Receiving a direct transmission from "Knight," as he's come to use for an alias, always comes with great risk as they both knows that Knight is a high target for the Empire.

*"ISB is really frantic right now,"* Knight states.

"That's one way of putting it," he scoffs lightly.

*"What did you do this time?"* they demand sternly.

"For once, it wasn't me," he admits, shaking his head. "But I saw it all go down."

*"And?"* Knight asks.

He takes a moment's pause and allows himself a small, almost imperceptible smile.

"A spark was ignited on Ferrix," he declares firmly. "The Empire won't ignore it now."

Knight takes a moment to ponder the revelation.

*"And what if it's too early?"* they question.

"We have to start somewhere, don't we? You knew that when we planned for Aldhani," he reminds them.

*"Yes, but if things get out of hand too quick, then who knows what'll―"* Knight starts to say.

"Exactly!" he exclaims. "Oppression breeds rebellion."

Knight seems to sigh in response.

*"Doesn't mean I can't hate it,"* they say back.

"Don't turn into the politician," he scowls. "You came to me because you knew I could run this network in a way that you couldn't. I'm doing just that!"

*"I do not need a lecture, spymaster,"* Knight replies tensely.

"Listen, I've been around long enough to know that this is the way to move things forward. You saw it on Onderon. Now we're seeing it here," he argues.

*"I know,"* they admit grimly, sighing. *"For the greater good."*

He also takes a moment before responding to Knight, acknowledging the grim reality of his line of work. Knowing what he does about Knight's identity, he's well aware that it would be far more difficult for them if they had to do the dirty work―not because they lack the skill or ability, but because of their conscience. It's why he stepped up in their stead, so that only his decency would be sacrificed.

"Maybe," he murmurs.

*"And what of your target?"* Knight asks then.

Somewhat surprised by the question, he nonetheless brightens up at the change of subject to a more positive one.

"Taken care of," he assures them. "He'll do us some good, that you can be sure."

*"You spared him?"* Knight asks incredulously.

"Surprised?" he remarks.

*"And glad,"* they readily agree.

He sighs, glancing away for a moment.

"Yeah, well, this was unique," he comments. "Everything that happened on Ferrix... it stems from him."

*"I'll have to hear that story some time,"* Knight remarks.

"Maybe," he remarks curiously.

*"Force be with you,"* they tell him.

"Into the sunset," he replies in finality.

The transmission then comes to an end and the holographic figure vanishes, and he's left alone to his thoughts once more.

"How did it go?"

Jarik was sat at his computer for a long while, contemplating the discussion he just had with a hand on his chin. His partner, Ahsoka, stands leaning against the doorway into the stone communications hut with her arms crossed.

"Better than I expected," he admits. "Luthen seemed in brighter spirits."

"Really?" Ahsoka replies skeptically, raising a brow. "That's a first."

"That it is," Jarik nods in agreement. "Things are moving forward now."

"Good way or bad way?" she asks cautiously.

"Hopefully, it'll be good," he says.