Vera-Kin sighs.
"I suppose that is all I can really ask," Vera-Kin says. "Announcing General Hirget's passing to your troops is best saved for after the riots have ceased. For now, inform them that you have taken command and do what you can to keep in contact. Coordination will be difficult, but I have confidence in your ability. I would help, but there are more pressing matters for the Jedi now. We will bring Hirget's murderers to justice."
Major Bradox agrees that everyone should be informed of Hirget and Nehmen later, when peace is restored.
"The person you ought to bring to justice is that witch Astrune," Major Bradox says. "I don't pretend to know anything about Hirget's problems with her, but she's never been a friend of ours and if Hirget thinks... thought she was in cahoots with these Dark Siders or whatever, then I've no doubt she is."
Rianna is slightly disoriented by her surroundings when she wakes up, but she quickly figures out that she's in the hospital, being treated for her injuries. After laying still for a few minutes to collect her thoughts (and try to not think about Nehmen's death), she gets up, being careful to try and not put too much weight on her wounded leg, which is still very painful.
"I need to know where Jedi Master Vera-Kin is," she asks the first doctor or nurse she sees that is not running around incredibly busy. "Or if you could direct me to someone who does know. I must speak with her immediately."
Vera-Kin sighs and runs a hand through her hair.
"The problem is that we have no proof of her involvement, only suspicions, one which I shared with Hirget, now more than ever," Vera-Kin says. "But perhaps... we should force her hand. With the riots going, her home is far less secure. We can use that. Issue an ultimatum to her to turn over the Box for protection. Rianna and I can go retrieve it."
"I thought it was what the Dark Siders were after..." Vera-Kin says. "I feel strongly that it still is. I do not know what it contains, but it is an artifact from the days when Ord Coridari still feared the Sith. They mustn't have it, and I would appreciate if you sent the ultimatum."
Vera-Kin turns when she sees Rianna and offers a tired smile. She has not slept since they returned from the rioting, only had her burns treated after the attack by the probes.
"Rianna, dear, ask Barker to bring me the halves of the probe droid I attacked," Vera-Kin says. "I am sorting things with Major Bradox. He is the new Head of State..."
I do not think Rianna knows about Hirget yet?
"Certainly. If you excuse us, Major."
Vera takes Rianna somewhere more private in the hospital to conduct their conversation.
"First, I will explain why Major Bradox is now Head of State. General Hirget has been killed. Rand used the distraction of the riots to dismantle Fort Ine... with the Force. I suspect you know of Nehmen's fate. He would have been the next in line if not for his death."
Vera-Kin lets her words sink in then waits for Rianna to say her piece.
"I felt his power, but I didn't know what it was...and I know what happened to Nehmen. I witnessed it, and I was helpless to stop it," Rianna says, shuddering. "Arneth was the one that murdered him, and the only reason I'm here now is that Rand wants me alive, for whatever reason. I do know they had this all planned out, though, and that otherwise he wouldn't have hesitated to kill me."
She pauses for a moment, before speaking again. "I'm frightened. Rand and his students are practically bringing this planet down around us, and I don't even have an idea where to start to try and get any of this under control. I was unable to do the one thing I'm good at and protect someone else from him. He wants me and I haven't any idea why. And I still can't get a moment's rest without my vision plaguing me."
"I do not know what to tell you about your vision," Vera-Kin says, "but listen to me. We will stop my former student and his henchmen. With the riots on and the army concentrating on quelling it, we can go after Rand immediately. We know what he wants, we just have to get it first. Just keep focused and assuage your fears. I have sensed this entire mission that something is not quite right on your end of things... you are so frightened. You cannot let that get to you. You know the old saying. Fear leads to anger... and so on."
"Easier said than done..." Rianna mutters. "I'm worried about what else he could have planned. All of Ine is chaos now because of this. Back on Reecee he told me that he foresaw me joining him as one of his apprentices. That he wanted me to be a challenge, whatever that's meant to mean, for his students."
She stops for a moment, before she decides to continue. The stuff she's done from this bothering her has her too afraid right now. "And...there's more to my vision than I've shared..."
"In my vision...after I jumped down into the tunnel...Rand appeared behind me, and grabbed me by the shoulder, and it didn't bother me, I didn't try to pull away or anything. What did bother me, though, was Myraline walking out in front of me...we both ignited our lightsabers and started to fight," Rianna says, shaking her head.
"I didn't want to say anything about it, to anyone. I thought maybe I had mistaken what I'd seen. I was afraid they wouldn't allow me to leave Coruscant at all. And I certainly don't want it to actually happen! But it won't leave me alone, and that scares me."
"But you have let that fear eat away at you, making you more unstable than you alreay are!" Vera says, frustrated with Rianna's secrecy. "This could have been dealt with earlier, but instead we must prepare to go face the very being that causes your fear! I should call an end to this mission now... but I cannit stop Rand alone. Can you find it within yourself to walk away from this fear?"
"Dealt with how, exactly? By not allowing me to go anywhere until Rand was caught? And what do you mean, more unstable than I already am? I wasn't aware I was considered to be unstable normally," Rianna says. She's a bit perturbed by that.
"And...I can try. I shouldn't have kept this all to myself, I know that now. I think that it will be easier to do now..." she continues, sighing. "Though I am, once again, weaponless..."
Vera-Kin sighs.
"I am not meant to be filling you in, but bringing in Rand or bringing him down is not my only mission. Because of Rand's presence, the Council and Myraline wanted me to make sure that you did not stray. You are not as focused as you could be, Rianna, and that has led to your fear, and your instability.
"The Council may have had to keep you clear of Rand's plans, but it would have been for your benefit."