Epilog: HoloNet News

Random side note: Partway through writing this, my oven caught fire (My brother was trying to cook a pizza). I had to put it out with a garden hose because I couldn't find the fire extinguisher that I've been looking for an excuse to use ever since we bought it after the last time my brother caught the house of fire. I had the distinct pleasure of being the one who got to call mom and give her the bad news. I've always found it odd that every time I try to tell her there's a fire, she doesn't believe me, even if she can hear the smoke alarms in the background. My smoke alarms, by the way, suck. My brother and I were already running around the kitchen choking on smoke and wondering what the heck we were going to about the fire before they started going off. I am not a happy camper. Anyways the fire's been out for twenty minutes, and I'm already back to writing. I was going to take a break to eat, but what's left of the severely charred pizza is now floating in my sink. :-/

Thanks Moonmythology!

'-After all the battles that have taken place, all the brave people fighting and dying in the name of our Republic, this spectacular final confrontation in an unknown region of space finally brings a dramatic climax to this war against the forces of evil,)' reported the graying anchorman. Over the past few days HoloNet News had been replaying battle footage taken by a daring camera crew aboard Admiral Dodonna's flagship. By now, every sentient of the galaxy had seen the incredible fight and witnessed the magnificent mysterious structure collapse into a sun.

'We take you now to correspondent Stella Regal planeside. Stella?'

The screen cut to a view of a petite blonde woman of undeterminable age. Behind her, throngs of Republic soldiers were cheering and applauding. She plugged one ear and held her microphone close. She briefly thanked the anchorman before addressing her audience.

'As you can see, after the battle, which took place only a few thousand miles from here, Admiral Dononna assembled her forces here for some hard-earned rest and to celebrate Republic victory.'

'What is that planet, Stella?'

'This planet,' the reporter began, kicking the dirt with one heeled shoe, 'Doesn't appear in any Republic records. The locals call it -- I do hope that I am pronouncing this right -- 'Lehon.''

'Locals?'

'This planet is inhabited by a previously unheard-of race called 'Rakata.'' Stella looked around to see if any were handy to talk to. Finding none, she seized the arm of a young Republic soldier and yanked him in front of her camera.

'What's your name?' She demanded of the rather surprised man. She proceeded to interview the young man, inquiring about his personal involvement in the recent confrontation. The young, blonde man soon relaxed and gave a slightly exaggerated account of his heroism.

Suddenly, the young soldier commandeered the reporter's microphone. He gazed lovingly into the camera, ignoring the disturbed look on the cameraman's face. 'Miria, I hope you're watching. I'll be coming home soon. I can't wait to see you again. Miria, when I get back, will you marry me?' Stella shoved him away and continued with her broadcast.

Next, Stella interviewed a jaded officer. 'I hear people hailing this as the last battle of the war,' The middle-aged man said. 'But it's too early to go declaring mission accomplished just yet. That's what we did when Darth Revan was eliminated, and look how long ago that is.'

'Are you saying you believe that another Sith master will simply assume Darth Malak's place?' Stella asked, earnestly.

The officer glared into the camera, as if he imagined there were Sith behind the lens. 'Yes, ma'am. It's only a matter of time.'

Suddenly, thunderous applause and cheering filled the air. The camera turned its focus to the steps of a large temple-like structure. There, the admiral, and a Jedi master prepared to address the crowd. Behind them, the much rumored about heroes of the Star Forge, Carth Onasi, Bastila Shan, Canerous Ordo, Jolee Bindo, Juhani, Mission Vao, Zalbaar, and two droids stood at attention. This is the moment Stella had been waiting for. The distributing of the coveted 'Hero's Cross.'

Carth Onasi had finally had enough of watching the not-quite-live broadcast. He stood and switched the holovid projector off. He had seen that show before anyway.

Victoria not standing with them on the holovid was just a reminder of how serious her condition still was. He fished a medal out of his pocket. Carth decided that it was once again time to leave his room and visit Victoria in the ship's medical area.

He opened his door to find a reporter standing there, one delicate fist held aloft, ready to knock on air. Carth stared, wide eyed at her. He was not expecting Stella Regal to randomly materialize directly in his path.

'Commander Carth Onasi,' She called from her almost unnaturally wide mouth. 'Do you have a minute?' Without bothering to wait for an answer she and her cameraman pushed past him and into his room. Stella made herself comfortable on his couch, crossing one shapely, nylon covered leg over the other.

Stunned, Carth had trouble forming coherent thoughts. At first, he could only manage to stutter unintelligibly. The reported ignored his attempted protests and simply patted the couch cushion, indicating for him to join her. Carth obeyed, although he didn't understand why.

Upon the pushy reporter's urging, Carth disclosed that he had been the pilot of the now famous Ebon Hawk. It was he who broke through the Sith defensive line in infiltrate the Star Forge. Once inside, he and his team battled though the hordes of Sith within. Shortly before the station's destruction, the Ebon Hawk served as the sole means of escape not only for its regular crew, but for a handful of Jedi Knights who had been stranded there.

Carth figured that while the ambitious reporter was annoying, she was more or less harmless. The sooner he gave her what she wanted, the sooner she'd leave and find some other poor soul to harass. Most of what he had to tell her was pretty much common knowledge by now anyway.

The reporter eyed the medal on the officer's jacket. 'Tell me, what's it like receiving the Hero's Cross?'

'It's an honor, naturally. One that I wasn't quite expecting.'

'But you all certainly earned it.' The reporter stared at the man hard for a moment. Carth could tell she was preparing to ask something big.

'Is Darth Malak truly dead?'

Carth hesitated. All reports had indicated so; it was troubling that the reporter would even ask. 'Darth Malak had been defeated, yes.'

'Who defeated him? How?' This woman wasn't letting up.

'Well...' Carth didn't like where this was going. 'There was one other member of our crew. This person was too injured to attend the ceremony and therefore has yet to receive the Cross.' He hoped this would appease the reporter enough to cause her to drop the subject.

'Really?' She flashed her sparkling white teeth at the camera. She'd not heard of this piece of information. 'Who? I need a name.'

Carth shook his head. He knew he had said too much already. He stood but Stella grabbed his arm and pulled him back down into his seat. She was stronger than she looked.

She stared him down like a seasoned interrogator 'Give me something.'

Carth pulled away. This woman had some nerve. He glared at the camera. 'This interview is over.'

Dozens of kolto tanks lined the walls of the long, rectangular room. In the center of the room was the medical attendant's desk. There a young medic sat, leaning back haphazardly in his chair with his feet crossed at the ankles on his desk. He crossed both arms behind his head as he watched the news.

At the far end of the room, the double-doors slid apart. A familiar soldier strode in. The medic rolled his eyes. He didn't even have to look to know who it was. 'Hey, hero. The camera really adds ten pounds don't it?'

The commander chose to ignore the subordinate's lack of respect. He had more pressing concerns weighing on his mind.

Carth marched towards through the room, searching for the tank containing Victoria. Along the way he looked upon the faces of the injured. Most were Republic soldiers, some of which he even recognized. Others were Jedi. The Jedi, he noticed, seemed to be recovering faster than normal. Most kolto tanks that had contained even the more seriously injured Jedi had already been vacated.

In a few tanks, however, were Sith. Carth stopped to view the now empty tank of one particular Sith. He still couldn't believe they had seen fit to rescue this monster. He fidgeted when he realized something similar had surely transpired once before.

Finally, he reached Victoria's tank, only to discover it empty. 'Where is she?'

'Who?' The medic asked as if he didn't already know. Carth had stopped by to visit this woman every day-time hour on the hour since they had arrived.

'Victoria Korbin!'

The medic stared for a moment, pretending not to recognize the name. A slight grin snuck onto his face. 'Ohhh... You must mean patient number 117.'

When the medic remained silent, Carth tried again. 'Well?'

'Oh, she left.' The medic began shuffling though various items cluttering his desk. Carth glared at the unhelpful man. He marched across the room; he'd had it with this medic.

'Listen you-' When Carth reached the medic, he was surprised to see him scrolling information on a medical datapad. The medic was whistling and apparently choosing not to notice the commander's aggravation.

'Yup, she was moved late last night into a cot-room.

'Which room?'

The medic continued to fiddle with the datapad, resuming his whistling. Finally he answered,

'Ah, here it is. Room 343-Bravo. Hmm... report says she's expected to regain consciousness within the next few hours or so. Man, those Jedi sure heal well, huh?' He looked up and discovered he had been talking to himself. 'Whatever.' The medic took a sip of his caffa and returned to watching the HoloNet broadcast.