It's cold.

It's... so very cold.

Hmmmm... but it's getting warmer.

I look around. I can make out that I'm in some sort of cryogenic tank. I reach down...

Gone. Cryogenic bacta then.

Well, I suppose I owe the New Republic for this.

My last memory is leaving the brig of the Jenova. I was trying to get to a shuttle, or a tac fighter, to make my escape. Xylon met me in the hall... and I had no saber. Then, I was on the floor, cut in half...

Now I'm here.

Where is here?

I hear a hissing... my tank must be opening...

"Welcome back," Gash said, offering a hand to help pull Andrew out of the tank. He did so, and the doctor passed him a robe, immediately going about inspecting his patient with some sort of scanning device.

'Synaptic rate... returning to normal. No visible cell combustion from the cold exposure. The process seems to have worked.' He nodded, stepping away from the former Sith, and handing him a tube of pills. 'You're fine. Take one of those, every day, when you wake up, or you'll end up vomitting out your intestines. Or a lung.'

Gash grimaced. "Charming. How do you feel?"

"Confused."

I answer, walking around for a bit. My legs are a bit weak... like they're... asleep.

"Hungry too."

My hand goes to my stomach... feeling the scar tissue from my gash...

"Yes, very hungry."

"The circulation to your brain and the rest of you will get better, soon enough." Gash said, speaking from his experience as a medical doctor. "That's probably why you feel lightheaded, unable to concentrate. And we'll get you some food," He added, nodding to the doctor.

'I am not an errand boy, Chancellor --' Gash fixed him with a harsh glare, and the doctor sighed. 'Fine.'

Gash cleared his throat. "I didn't just just mean how you're feeling physically."

I gave it a thought.

"I'm a bit lost. One minute, I'm on the Jenova side by side with Xylon. And then he kills me... and now I'm here with you, who used to be Xylon's number two... no offence."

I scratch my chin.

"A fast reversal of fortunes. In less than a day I go from enemy to friend to enemy to friend."

I laugh a bit.

"Must be some kind of record."

"It's been a year." Gash said, nonchalantly. "I wasn't lying about Thrawn. He came back onto the galactic stage in a big way... tore apart the Republic, and the Order. We put it back together with Scotch tape."

Gash sighed. "Thrawn and his super-soldiers killed Xylon, and destroyed the Jenova. Over Mon Calamari. He took Ossus, as well... Ossus has changed completely. The galaxy has changed completely." Gash smiled slightly, handing Andrew a slip of paper. "There's more to the story than that, but you'll hear it all, no doubt. You're free, now, by the way; I got the order for your release yesterday. You've been granted honorary citizenship for what I've convinced them to be 'wrongful imprisonment'."

"So, where to, from here? You're a free man... you're not bound by the Dark Side, by duty, or by anyone."

I heard nothing past a year.

A year?

"A year?"

"A year?"

It snapped in my mind.

"Gash, if you would accompany me... I have to go to Jaminere, and I'd like you to come with me."

"...Andrew..." Gash's voice trailed off, slightly. "The Vong own Jaminere. There's no way we can get there, short of taking the Twilight."

"The... Vong?"

I began to formulate something.

"Take me to Saheelindeel. From there, I will get us to Jaminere."

I grab his shoulder.

"This is very important to me. And to everyone."