Reath Silas was a human male Jedi Knight who lived during the High Republic Era. The apprentice of Jedi High Council member Jora Malli, most of his apprenticeship had been spent on Coruscant or in high-level diplomatic meetings, before Malli was appointed the commander of the Jedi quarter aboard the new space station Starlight Beacon. Silas was subsequently assigned to the station with his master, a move that did not please him since he preferred spending his time in the Jedi Archives instead of partaking in adventures away from Coruscant. Nonetheless, he was sent out to the galactic frontier along with Jedi Masters Cohmac Vitus and Orla Jareni and Jedi Knight Dez Rydan. The starship they were traveling on, the Byne Guild transport Vessel, was knocked out of hyperspace as part of the Great Hyperspace Disaster, and he and his fellow travelers were stranded at an Amaxine space station.

Though the discoveries and adventures on this station accidentally released the long-dormant threat of the Drengir into the wider galaxy, Reath Silas and his new master, Cohmac Vitus, would go and fight this threat alongside those Jedi stationed at Starlight Beacon. He would participate in the Assault on Mulita and the capture of the Great Progenitor, and later be pulled into a mission that saw the destruction of a possibly devastating Nihil weapon, the Gravity's Heart. One of his most significant moments came when he and his master, alongside Padawan Ram Jomaram, Master Kantam Sy, Zeen Mrala and locals to Corellia, worked to thwart a possibly devastating follow-up attack by the Nihil as the Nihil's sabotage of Starlight Beacon was ongoing. Master Yoda returned after a period of absence to reinforce this effort, and at the end of the battle, Silas was knighted by his second master, Kantam Sy, and the Jedi Grand Master. This positive moment became bitter, as Cohmac Vitus abruptly quit the Jedi Order and fled into the evening darkness.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Born around 249 BBY during the time of the High Republic,^[2] Reath Silas was taken into the Jedi Order as a child, brought to the Jedi Temple on the Republic capital world of Coruscant. He was aware early on that he had a weaker connection to the Force than other Jedi. He never felt like he was looked down on for this, but he still sought to make up for this deficit by working hard, being trustworthy, and taking responsibility.^[3]

Sometime during this early period of his life, Reath Silas was made the Padawan of Jedi Master and Council Member Jora Malli. Unlike other Padawans who often received independence in tasks and their lives when they turned twenty, by the time he was seventeen, he was performing tasks and facing challenges that would prove a difficulty for even a full Jedi. He had also been on a handful of significant missions due to his master serving on the Jedi High Council.^[3]

Silas also grew up loving history and stories, and while it set him apart from other Padawans that focused on practicing their acrobatics or lightsaber combat, he maintained his bookish ways by constantly spending his hours in the Jedi Archives. His time was so frequently spent there that other Jedi who used the space left a particular carrel open for him, under the understanding that this was Silas' spot. His master found his unorthodox focus refreshing, often assigning him to work that kept him in the Archives as a result.^[3]

Reath Silas found it odd that others thought him odd for this devotion to the scholarly world, as he believed it was natural for some people to want to stay home and read stories rather than be part of them. Despite this preference, Silas pushed himself to excel in every field, commonly being in the top rankings of Padawan class lightsaber duelists, while also acing every exam put before him (save for one occasion when he extremely sick) and mastering Gatalentan meditation practices, a feat not accomplished by someone under 20-years-old in decades. The Padawan also took a course on basic starship repair.^[3]

A new direction[]

A short time before the Great Disaster, around the year 232 BBY, Reath Silas was with his Master on Coruscant continuing with his normal duties. Through unknown means, the pair got into a chase through the Coruscanti skyline in pursuit of pirates who had stolen a portion of the many precious and valuable materials which were spread out across the skyline as the galactic capital was undergoing a construction expansion. Padawan Silas drove the PI-R airspeeder the two Jedi were using and through his connection with the Force, anticipating what Master Malli wanted him to do. In an error of action, he fired a tow cable at the pirate skiff, with the rogue craft's more powerful engines overpowering the airspeeder in a plunge downward, bringing the Jedi with it. However, Master Malli got the situation under control by leaping onto the pirate skiff, using the Force to make the pirates land their vehicle.^[3]

An hour later, Silas worriedly assured his master that he would work to correct his flaw, but she dismissed the matter for a higher priority. She highlighted that Silas had traveled far less than other Padawans, which the young human quickly defended, comparing the limited travel experience to a sacrifice. She gently admonished him for the comparison, commenting that it wasn't much of a sacrifice as it would take a gravity well to pull him away from the Archives on some days, with Silas agreeing was also true. However, when she revealed that she had taken on a new assignment offworld, he felt dismayed and stumbled over the curb of a Bilbringi food kiosk.^[3]

Jora Malli had accepted the role of Marshal on the-nearly completed Starlight Beacon, and intended to take her Padawan with her, while also relinquishing her role on the Council. While Silas strenuously objected and tried to outlogic her reasoning, Malli stated that she wanted to see him grow beyond his current role in life, expressing with fond disbelief that her first Padawan, Dez Rydan, had craved endless adventure, while her current apprentice would happily avoid it. She wanted Silas to ultimately find balance, but the Padawan still felt heartfelt dismay at the entire situation.^[3]

Malli then asked Silas why he could not cross the Kyber Arch by himself, but he took this query literally, asking if she wanted him to do it by himself, and adding if she would reconsider taking him to the frontier if he did so alone. His master dismissed this, and stated that once he knew why no one crossed the Kyber Arch alone, then he would also understand why they were traveling to the frontier. Silas then asked where they were exactly going in the frontier, to which the Togruta informed him of the destination being Starlight Beacon. Over the following weeks, he continued to argue and reason with her, but she remained resolute in her decision.^[3]

Master Malli went ahead of Padawan Reath Silas to Starlight Beacon by several weeks, as he had to stay behind in the Coruscant Temple and finish exams in a historiography course he'd engaged with. Silas considered flunking these tests to delay his departure, but he could not bring himself to do it. During his studies for the exams, he'd not had the time to consider his Master's question about the Kyber Arch, though he did perform a cursory inspection of the Arch himself, and saw a Jedi cross it alone, so the question remained unanswered for him.^[3]

Silas ultimately completed the exams and a short time later, a small party was thrown for his departure by other Padawans in the Temple's Padawan Common Room, though Silas remained generally glum throughout the event. His friend Kym told him to cheer up, but Silas still moped, prompting Kym to highlight how many others in their group of friends were jealous of his assignment. That made Silas briefly reflect on his time at the Temple, and his emotions about the party, before admitting to himself that he was very grateful for what his friends were doing for him.^[3]

Reath Silas replied to Kym that he shouldn't complain about his assignment even if he had issues with it, with the other young Jedi shrugging and dancing while adding that not all assignments were equally exciting to all people, hence why it wasn't volunteer work. Reath then spoke aloud, responding to Kym but also his own internal questions, stating he was treating the assignment like a job, when it was really a calling due to their unique abilities which could help all living things. Kym, bemused by this introspection, teased her friend, calling Reath Master Yoda before encouraging him to lighten up and enjoy the celebration.^[3]

Reath Silas ultimately did enjoy the celebration, finding the amateur music put on by the band of Padawans to be fun, and getting excited to meet his friends already on the frontier, particularly Padawans Imri Cantaros,^[3] whom he had actually yet to meet,^[8] and the newly-knighted Vernestra Rwoh,^[3] whom he had known since he was a youngling.^[8] He also engaged in the drinking of substances which for a Padawan his age, might be frowned upon, but he justified this as an indulgence which was part of the celebration. However, he kept finding his gaze drawn to the wide viewport which showed the gleaming Coruscant skyline, and was reminded of how he'd miss the constant energy of the planet, which he considered the true heart of the galaxy. Soon after, his chrono bleeped and he had to leave the celebration.^[3]

The Great Disaster[]

Grouping up at the spaceport[]

Reath Silas left for the spaceport slightly late, due to being waylaid by the numerous farewells he received upon his need to depart. He managed to make it to the appointed rendezvous with a few minutes to spare, only to find himself the first arrival, and the ship hired for the journey not there either. Worried he had the wrong time, Reath began to double-check the information he'd been provided before being distracted by the arrival of Dez Rydan, his Master's former Padawan and now a Jedi Knight. Rydan revealed he was also stationed on the frontier, and they would be traveling together. The Padawan briefly pondered why Rydan would request a post on the frontier, but remembered what his master had said earlier, with these same ruminations reflecting on how much he admired the Jedi Knight.^[3]

At this stage though, some of the aftereffects of the beverages he'd drank started to affect Padawan Silas. In a blur, he asked where their transport was, hoping that Rydan wouldn't know the state he was in. The Knight appeared not to notice, or did not see a reason to point it out, stating that their transport had a blown subalternator, and they had arranged a substitute, which was also running late. Silas asked what would happen if they did not come either, secretly hoping that it meant he'd get a new assignment, staying on Coruscant. Dez Rydan shrugged this away however, stating they would find another ship in a day or two.^[3]

At that assessment, Wayseeker Orla Jareni announced herself by expressing disappointment at such a long wait time. She desired to reach the frontier as soon as possible and suggested that they could easily find a ship to take them immediately, through the Maw if necessary, given they were provided enough credits. Silas pondered Jareni for a time and her new role as Wayseeker, and ended up staring, causing her to give him a knowing smile which made him turn away, hoping he wasn't blushing. It was then that the fourth and final member of their travel group arrived, Master Cohmac Vitus, who disagreed with Orla and stated there was not much traffic heading to Starlight Beacon yet as it remained unfinished. Reath took a brief time to also ruminate on Vitus and his reasons for going to the frontier, hitting on the fact that the older human was a folklorist, and likely wanted to collect local histories and legends.^[3]

He was broken out of these thoughts by a conversation held between Orla Jareni and Cohmac Vitus, indicating they had been to this area of the galaxy before, and both stating that all things come full circle. Silas and Rydan exchanged a confused look, unaware of what the other Jedi were talking about. All four were soon distracted by the arrival of a starship landing in the position that would have held the Jedi's transportation to the Outer Rim. Silas doubted that the new ship could reach hyperspace. After the ramp opened, and co-pilot Affie Hollow revealed herself, Silas was questionable of such a position going to a teenager, though he developed even more questions after the introduction of Captain Leox Gyasi. Silas took heart that even the more experienced Jedi did not know how to react to Leox as all of them were briefly stunned by his unique personality. As Dez Rydan stepped forward and spoke more with them, Silas thought that the captain sounded like Master Yoda on spice.^[3]

The team of the Vessel revealed they were the chosen replacement for the Jedi's transport, and that while they were a cargo hauler, they had a space cleared for them to set up makeshift quarters for their four passengers. As everyone moved inside of the ship, Silas made a tactless comment noting that the two fellow humans must be from the frontier the group of Jedi were traveling to, though Captain Gyasi commented that the frontier was their home, and Hollow briefly gushed about the Byne Guild, of which they were members. The group of Jedi were brought to the cockpit in a brief tour of the ship, and were introduced to the final member of the ship's team, the Vintian named Geode, who served as navigator. To Reath Silas, however, Geode appeared to be a rock, and while initially considering it a joke, soon realized the other crew members were serious. The young Padawan found solace that his two fellow human Jedi were just as confused as he, though Jareni lacked such a response.^[3]

Departure and early hours of the voyage[]

Within the following half hour, the temporary quarters for the four Jedi were built, and they were all strapped in as the ship prepared for takeoff. Silas looked out over Coruscant one last time, pondering how much he would miss his home. He changed his focus to his fellow Jedi, and considered them all filled with certainty. The Vessel then carried them all into the skies of Coruscant and out into space, with Captain Gyasi soon taking them into hyperspace.^[3]

A short time later into the journey, Silas moved around the Vessel, taking in the space and thinking of the deprivation he suffered by the lack of access to knowledge. He soon dismissed the thought to focus on addressing his hunger, encountering Geode in the small mess hall, followed by Affie Hollow. They briefly discussed the Vessel and the Byne Guild before they moved onto the Jedi, as Hollow wanted to learn more and Silas filled her in as best he could. Later, he spoke with Rydan in one of the ship's corridors on a particular point Hollow had hit on, the nature of the Jedi as monks, though with the approach of Cohmac Vitus, the young Padawan quickly asked the Master information on his methodology as a folklorist. Vitus spoke to both of them for some time about this topic, with Silas appreciating the information he learned.^[3]

Discovery of the Amaxine Station[]

It was at this point that the Great Disaster began, the event echoing through the Force and affecting the Jedi aboard the Vessel. Barely able to reach the seating and strap himself in with his fellow Jedi, Padawan Silas and the others were shaken as the ship was hit with debris from the destroyed Legacy Run while in hyperspace. The resulting damage was threatening to the ship, and of the Jedi, Silas was the only one with experience in ship repair. He joined Affie Hollow in fixing the issues, resetting the regulator station, and providing some first aid due to the regulator's extreme cold.^[3]

The craft then exited hyperspace in an unknown region of space near a volatile star as the group of Jedi felt shared shock and pain at the deaths occurring across the galaxy, though Silas felt this pain less-so due to his lesser connection to the Force. The Jedi were able to shake off this emotional weight and quickly moved to the communications area to contact the Starlight Beacon, joining the ship's crew who were already at the comms unit. There, the collective group learned the extent of the disaster, with multiple signals of distress and confusion from across the galaxy overlapping.^[3]

A broadcast from the Galactic Republic cut through the panic and called on all hyperspace travel to cease due to the dangers of using it. Trying to feel useful, Silas went to the bridge of the Vessel and was present as the ship received a message from a signal beacon. Wayseeker Jareni, who had been walking by the bridge, quickly suggested the dangers of responding to such a signal without more information, embarrassing Silas who had been able to respond, moving on impulse. At the request of Leox Gyasi, the Jedi went to find the closest thing to a “head monk” in the group, which was Cohmac Vitus. Silas and Master Vitus then returned to the bridge shortly after.^[3]

Master Vitus asked for and received an assessment of the mysterious ship currently signaling them as well as its current situation. He also asked for identification of the different ships stranded around them to better ascertain why the ship that originally sent the beacon was so difficult to scan. It turned out it was a mix of many different parts, and while Affie Hollow initially expressed worry, Leox Gyasi pointed out it was not a threat to them. The captain then volunteered Reath Silas to make first contact with the ship in distress, and the young Padawan returned the distress call, meeting a young woman called Nan. Vitus took over the call to give Nan instructions before terminating communications, and then asking for a wider scan of the surrounding space as he sensed something else was present in the system. This soon revealed a large abandoned space station, and Master Vitus then directed the other eleven starships to take refuge around it and its shields due to the nearby volatile star.^[3]

As they approached the station, Silas realized it was of Amaxine construction, which gave him a moment of exhilaration, though that was quickly dampened by the approach of a solar flare. The crew of the Vessel worked quickly at Silas' urgings, the Padawan contacting the other ships to seek refuge around the station immediately. The Vessel then rescued Nan and her guardian Hague's ship after they had a breakdown, everyone making it into the shield in time.^[3]

Darkness aboard the station[]

Jedi Knight Dez Rydan offered to lead the mission aboard the station to ensure it was safe for docking, with Padawan Reath Silas and Affie Hollow accompanying him. The young Padawan was worried about the possible risks, and unknown dangers, but comforted himself by the fact he was getting primary source information. Any remaining worries were dissipated by the wonder of the station's design, and the technology within the central structure that had resulted in centuries of unfettered plant growth to spread across the central globe, and down deeper into the station. The two Jedi were fascinated by these plants, as well as their tenders, antique 8-T gardening droids, though the greatest point of interest soon proved to be one of four unique statues that sat in the middle of the sphere. However, while examining the statue of the humanoid figure, a shadow of darkness fell over both Jedi, and they quickly determined it was tied to the statues.^[3]

The Jedi then focused on trying to read the language at the statue's base, but were unable to, and determined to ask for some help from Cohmac Vitus given his considerable scholarly knowledge. The trio moved out of the central sphere to rejoin others of their party now that the station had been deemed secure. Reath Silas was alongside Rydan, Hollow, Master Vitus, and Wayseeker Orla Jareni when Nan and Hague's ship successfully docked with the station, and the two passengers disembarked. Nan was rapidly drawn to Silas, and began to ask him all sorts of questions about the Jedi, which the young Padawan was happy to answer, though this was interrupted by the Padawan preparing for the arrival of the other stranded ships. Reath Silas thought that the hard part of the mission was completed by ushering everyone to safety, but the crews and passengers of the various ships soon proved him wrong.^[3]

Humans off of the first ship brushed him aside to loot the station, with an Orincan party from another vessel quickly following suit, angry that another group had gotten ahead of them. As things deteriorated, Padawan Silas first tried to contact Master Vitus for assistance, but when that failed, he tried to use his power in the Force to compel everyone to stop looting. This also failed, and the Padawan resolved to lay down the law. A short time later, he called out to Affie Hollow and helped her dodge a bar of metal that soared in her direction. While trying to identify ringleaders as possible targets of focus in the chaos, Orla Jareni called out for aid, and the Padawan helped her support a half-collapsed Cohmac Vitus until they were joined by Dez Rydan. The Umbaran informed the pair that she and Vitus had just suffered an experience rooted in the dark side, but everyone knew the current chaos demanded their attention more.^[3]

Master Vitus had rallied by this point, and the Jedi split up across the central sphere. Silas ignited his lightsaber, and moved at ground level to make a difference, soon rushing to the site of an attempted abduction by two humans from the first party who had boarded the station. With Nan in their grasp, the Padawan tried reason, and when that was only met with insults, acted decisively in cutting off one of the ringleader's arms. The other participant, who had been holding Nan, immediately fled, and Reath Silas used his powers in the Force to leap both he and Nan to the safety of the airlock corridor to her ship. He then returned to the ongoing chaos, but this was soon calmed by an act of awe on the part of Cohmac Vitus, who successfully convinced everyone looting and fighting on the station to return to the airlocks, and more peacefully cooperate, or leave.^[3]

Complications on the station[]

Many days later, Reath Silas was put in charge of liaising with the representatives of the various ships, and found the task a great test of patience due to many of the groups coming across as ungrateful for their fortunate circumstances. He tried to implore them to understand the situation better, but this was not very effective. However the arrival of Captain Leox Gyasi, remarking on the grim fate many of them might have wound up in if they had not found this station, quickly convinced a number of the need to share their resources better. The Padawan was able to put together a manifest of food and useful supplies soon after, and the meeting concluded. Silas found himself thankful to the unorthodox man, and thought about how just days ago, he thought no one from the frontier could teach him anything.^[3]

Suddenly left alone, Silas found himself fixating on his recent act of limb-severing, deeply concerned by the event. Dez Rydan soon found him, and the two briefly spoke to Silas' worry he had acted out of turn, and too aggressively. Rydan dismissed Silas fears, and assured him what he had done was right, assuring and lifting the fellow human's spirits. Silas asked after the man whose arm he'd cut off, with the Jedi Knight mentioning he was now in Orla Jareni's “care.” The two then remained aboard the station for a time.^[3]

Sometime after this, Dez Rydan assembled a team to explore the Amaxine space station's lower levels. With him came Nan, Reath Silas, Affie Hollow, and a Mizi, representing a mix of the station's current inhabitants. As the group descended into the passages that led deeper into the facility, the 8-T gardening droids took their presence as a threat to the plantlife due to their disruptions of it. They began to attack the team, and the group started to pull back, though not before noticing an energy field further down. Thinking on his feet, Silas told Hollow to shoot at the plants, causing a small fire that immediately took priority for the gardening models. During their escape though, Hollow scraped herself on a poisonous plant, and while the group fled successfully with minimal injuries, Affie Hollow's condition rapidly deteriorated.^[3]

While Dez Rydan picked her up to carry her back to the Vessel, Silas sprinted ahead and got the medpac prepared for them. Rydan was able to inject the young woman with an antitox booster in time, and Leox Gyasi escorted her away to get some Jedha tea and rest as her condition rapidly improved. The pair of young Jedi were left alone in the airlock tunnel, with Silas suggesting they tag the hazardous vines, which Rydan agreed to, though he soon touched on Silas holding something back, as he had for much of their time together in the past several days. Silas finally asked Rydan why he chose to be on the frontier, when he could have had any assignment, with the fellow Jedi responding that the frontier gave him a chance to act, and make an impact.^[3]

They spoke further, with Rydan suggesting the great importance of balance in their lives, and that while some Jedi should seek adventure, others should not, a subtle affirmation of the roles the pair of Jedi held. Reath Silas was brightened by this opinion, but he then asked Rydan the question of the Kyber Arch, becoming frustrated when the older Jedi confirmed it could be walked alone, and was a task similar to meditation. Rydan calmed the other's feelings by reminding his friend that Master Jora Mali was smarter than the pair of them, and the riddle had to have a purpose.^[3]

Later on, Silas was walking the perimeter of the arboretum level of the central sphere, keeping an eye out for any signs of people looting material from the station. Silas' thoughts gravitated back to the kidnapping attempt and his actions, but before his thoughts could carry further, the Padawn suddenly found that he was thrown into an intense vision. Within the vision, he was transported to a place rich in vegetation, and was forced to defend himself from what appeared to be a fellow Jedi wielding a lightsaber. Silas' own was knocked from his hands, but before the final blow could be struck, he was back on the Amaxine station. He stood up, and was unable to center himself as a powerful darkness lurked all around him, one he surmised sought to turn the Jedi against each other.^[3]

In the aftermath of this vision, the four Jedi grouped within the Vessel's tiny communication's area, the need to address the threat having grown too significant to put off any longer. Jareni gave them a rundown of what they knew about the darkness on board of the station and agreed with Master Vitus' assessment of the idols as keeping a darkness sealed within them, with a psychic warning seal placed over them. Vitus corrected Padawan Silas' belief that the Force only came from life and that the artifacts had to be Sith in origin, as he stated that other, similar items had held powers in the Force. Jareni asked for options of what they should do, with Vitus affirming his belief that they needed to do something soon, as Affie Hollow's ongoing explorations of the station had revealed frequent visitation by traders, which could result in one of them accidentally freeing the darkness. However, Jedi Knight Rydan's comment on a possible connection between the shadow and the lower areas of the station caused Jareni to instruct him to find a way for his group to make their way down to that level successfully.^[3]

Death aboard the station[]

Dez Rydan reassembled his team of Reath Silas, Affie Hollow, Nan, and the anonymous Mizi, prepared to once again tackle the task of reaching the lower levels. The group planned to take things slower this time, searching the existing level for any alternative passages down, but they were halted before they broke apart by Silas. He claimed to have either a good or ludicrous idea, which Hollow was supportive of, so he gathered and secured a flower to his body, drawing the brief attention of some 8-T droids. They turned away soon after though, Silas' hypothesis that the droids would no longer harass them due to such actions possibly damaging the plantlife confirmed. Each member of the team then grabbed their own flower, and they all headed for the passageway leading lower into the station. The 8-Ts in the area swarmed again, and the team was briefly concerned, but it turned out to be the droids turning off the purple energy field for the group, who successfully moved on.^[3]

Now on the lower rings, Affie Hollow suggested the group split up to examine the different passages, with the two Jedi agreeing and everyone going their separate ways. Reath Silas' path only diverged him from another member of the team briefly, as he encountered Dez Rydan after only a few meters. The two joined up, and carried on together, the young Padawan briefly considered the positive reaction some of his friends would have to know he was on a mission with Dez Rydan, a reaction he shared.^[3]

The pair soon came upon a circular doorway, and used the Force to check if anything alive lay on the other side. Neither sensed anything, and Rydan stepped forward, only for the door to suddenly flip itself, pulling the Jedi Knight into the chamber beyond. Panic rapidly spread through Reath Silas as he tried to open the door, with the sounds of ancient machinery and an extremely bright light bursting through the mechanisms' seams. When the light finally stopped, the door flung open, the Padawan stepped inside the space. He immediately saw the presence of two helix rings, energy boosters of enormous power, and surmised to his great horror that Dez Rydan had been disintegrated.^[3]

This discovery horrified the wider group, who immediately fled the lower rings, running up to the central sphere where Cohmac Vitus, having sensed something was wrong, was waiting, alongside Leox Gyasi. While the Mizi rushed off to his own people, Nan, Affie Hollow and Reath Silas filled the adults in on what had taken place, though great sorrow weighed on the Padawan. The two men quickly came to the same conclusion as Silas, that the Jedi Knight had been apparently disintegrated.^[3]

A meeting led by Orla Jareni with the three youths in their party, alongside Leox Gyasi, soon took place, and they took stock of the situation. After ensuring no one had any injuries, the Umbaran Jedi suggested Silas and Hollow clean themselves up, and asked Nan to inform the other refugees of the situation, adding that someone needed to return the plants outside as the gardening droids were lurking at the airlock. Gyasi offered to take that job, and immediately set about grabbing the plants from the three, while Jareni instructed Nan to tell the other refugees what had happened. Jareni then spoke a brief eulogy for Dez Rydan, before breaking the group up to reflect on the man, and acknowledge his passing.^[3]

Reath Silas, however, only waited long enough for everyone else on the ship to be preoccupied before he set out from the Vessel. Heavily equipped, enough for a mountaineering expedition, he recovered the flower he had used for passage earlier and went back down into the lower rings, intent on fully investigating the recent incident himself. He ran across Nan examining the passage where Rydan had apparently been killed, where she claimed she was also investigating the Jedi Knight's death. The two then walked through the lower levels, Silas asking questions of Nan's background and getting short answers in return which he was fine with.^[3]

The pair soon came across a control panel for an airlock mechanism, and Silas theorized it was meant for a transit pod. Nan supplied that Rydan likely got into an empty launching station, and was killed as a result of being flung into space. This second theory, far darker than a quick, instant death, disheartened Reath Silas, and the pair left, done with their investigation. By the time the two of them returned, they found the refugees celebrating, as the Republic was reopening limited hyperspace lanes, with the senior Jedi on the Vessel determining it was time for them to return to the galactic capital.^[3]

Final preparations[]

Despite having the knowledge required to leave the station, the group had unfinished business to attend to regarding the mysterious idols. Reath Silas led a meeting onboard the Vessel where he discussed the essentials of Force artifacts. After some discussion, the group of Jedi affirmed that the idols were most likely Force containers, as well as Master Vitus' belief that they should be removed from the station. Vitus finally spoke and suggested a binding ritual should be performed on the idols to make sure the darkness contained within stayed that way during transport. The other two Jedi agreed, Reath with some enthusiasm as he already knew the ritual, and the group ultimately separated.^[3]

A short time after this briefing, Silas, Master Cohmac Vitus, and Wayseeker Orla Jareni went to the center of the Amaxine station's central sphere and commenced their binding ritual on the idols. The oppressive shadow that emanated from the site weighted on Silas and his fellow Jedi, manifesting in physical discomfort and exhaustion. Vitus led the ritual, which was taxing to the three involved, but the task was ultimately accomplished, with Jareni quipping afterward that the hard part was now transporting the heavy statues to the Vessel.^[3]

Before their departure, Silas went to speak with Nan one last time, learning she and Hague were staying on the station to finish repairs on their ship. The meeting was brief, and the young Padawan was struck with Nan's sincerity in thanking him both for saving her from the attempted abduction, as well as the information he'd given her regarding the Jedi and the Republic. They turned back to look at each as they moved away, and Silas felt certain he would see Nan again.^[3]

Return to Coruscant[]

The Vessel got underway a short time later, and quickly encountered a rough journey that shook many aboard. While Cohmac Vitus and Orla Jareni oversaw the idols in the cargo bay, Reath Silas recorded a report on the events that had taken place aboard the Amaxine station. The report used the apparent death of Dez Rydan, as well as the difficulties the Jedi and others had recently suffered, to implore his master, Jora Mali, to remain away from the frontier. However, he had no intention of finishing the report, and as the starship shuddered, indicating a reversion to realspace, he deleted what he'd recorded. He got into position for a landing, but upon learning of a distress call nearby, fully prepared to help those in need.^[3]

He joined with the other Jedi in their plunge onboard the heavily damaged passenger ship Journeyman once the Vessel had attached itself to the larger ship. As time began to run out for those onboard, Silas found himself forced to contend with a terrified Wookiee infant who latched themselves onto him. He headed for the Vessel at all speed, and managed to make it aboard before the ship was forced to perform a sharp roll to escape the destruction of the passenger ship. Orla Jareni's presence quickly saw the Wookiee detach from Silas' body, allowing the Padawan to approach the bridge, and quickly confer with the Vessel crew, and Cohmac Vitus, who called asking after a lost infant who was the Wookiee Silas had saved.^[3]

Upon the group's return to Coruscant, Reath Silas took the Wookiee infant to reunite with her family at the spacedock infirmary. Seeing the chaos and need for assistance, he stayed for a period of time dispensing water and painkillers to the many patients across the facility. Struck by the sudden realization that his Master might be in an infirmary like this, Silas inquired after Jora Malli with one of the facility's medical droids. It was then that he learned of his Master's recent death at the Battle of Kur, the discovery of which physically staggering him.^[3]

To deal with this grief, Silas went to the Padawans' training area, intent on exhausting himself. While sparring with a training droid, the grief over losing not just Malli, but also Dez Rydan nearly caused him to be struck and defeated. However, he deftly deflected the blasts sent his way, and almost sliced off the opponent droid's head, which spelled an end to the practice session as it left the arena to repair the damage. Still gripped by the grief of Malli's death, Silas chose to meditate, and traveled across the Kyber Arch. However, his focus was rapidly reverted back to Malli and her mysterious words from weeks ago, causing him frustration as he still lacked an answer to her riddle. He was prevented from seeking more diverting tasks by a call from Jedi Council Member Adampo.^[3]

While Silas had initially thought that the communication was him being assigned a new Master, Adampo merely wanted him to attend a debriefing of information regarding the frontier. With one of the few Jedi with recent experience in the region, his presence would be valued, and Silas agreed to attend, mentally noting it would keep him busy. When he arrived, he noted the respectful distance the other Jedi were keeping from him, and the realization briefly unsettled him, worried his grief meant he was being judged, though he reminded himself otherwise. Master Adampo then arrived and began to lead the lecture, which focused on the dangers of the Nihil. As holographic imagery cycled before him, the Padawan was struck with the horrible realization that Nan and Hague were part of this organization, based on the design of their ship, and the way Nan's hair was dyed.^[3]

When the briefing finished, he earnestly attempted to convince several of the Masters of this fact, though they were initially skeptical. Once Silas contacted the Vessel and acquired images to display of Nan and Hague's ship though, the Masters were convinced. The Padawan also told the Masters that he had shared information with Nan about the Republic, Jedi, and Starlight Beacon, admitting he may have shared too much, though the Masters did not voice disappointment at him for this as he both couldn't have known the danger, or given away information that was truly damaging. Silas asked to go and confront the pair of Nihil on the station, though the Masters were again hesitant, remaining so even after Silas suggested the unique station had secrets and mysteries which were perhaps left undiscovered, and couldn't fall into the hands of the Nihil. Silas became intent to put in a former request for the trip, against the suggestion of the Masters present, but also settled on defying the Council's will if that request was rejected.^[3]

Sometime later, Reath Silas was again summoned before the Jedi Council. While he thought it was to handle the possible Nihil presence on the Amaxine station, it was actually to discuss his next steps as a Padawan. The Council Members impressed on him that he should take his time, and not rush into a choice of a new Master or assignment which might inform the choice of a new Master. However, when he left the chamber, his only thoughts of the future were returning to the space station and setting his wrong, right.^[3]

Reath Silas soon found himself with nothing to do, as he lacked a Master to assign him tasks. He returned to the familiarity of knowledge at his chosen carrel in the Jedi Archives, and researched the Amaxine warriors to try and learn something of note to help him upon a possible return to their space station. It was then that Cohmac Vitus slipped close, and the two began to speak in low tones. Master Vitus revealed that the idols had been containing a darkness aboard the station, and their removal had no doubt freed this threat. Surprised, Padawan Silas was initially hesitant at the suggestion of defying the Jedi Council's denial of passage, which had happened for both himself, and the two older Jedi (Vitus and Orla Jareni) who wished to return to the station. However, the technicality that their mission was not outright forbidden won Silas over, and the Padawan joined the mission.^[3]

Silas and Vitus headed for the Vessel, the older human having already taken the idols from the Coruscant Temple for their mission. The pair sought to charter the ship, only to find that Orla Jareni had beaten them there for that same purpose. The three Jedi got into a huddle and discussed their plans. Before long, the Vessel had launched back into space, heading back to the Amaxine station.^[3]

Return to the station[]

On their emergence from hyperspace, the Vessel was suddenly confronted by a massive Nihil warship attached to the station. Thanks to the piloting expertise of Leox Gyasi, the Vessel was able to attach to a small, nearby asteroid, effectively hiding the starship from the larger vessel. Vitus complimented the captain on his quick maneuver, and worked to discuss options for their successful docking with the station outside of the view of the larger, menacing, ship. It was Geode who proposed the plan, and when executed, resulted in the Vessel orbiting on the opposite side of the station from the Nihil ship. But, as boarding still needed to be accomplished, Reath Silas joined Orla Jareni, Affie Hollow and Cohmac Vitus in donning exosuits to leave their ship and float down to the Amaxine station. The group then exited the Vessel and used their thrusters to reach the airlock, with the three Jedi using the Force to pull the idols to safety, and into the station.^[3]

Once aboard, the darkness the Jedi had been sensing before was now almost overwhelming. The group split up to handle separate tasks, with Reath Silas going back down to the lower levels to investigate what Nan had been up to as he no longer trusted her explanation of looking into what caused the death of Dez Rydan. As he carried through the space, he came to the same hatch where Rydan had perished, however he suddenly realized he was no longer in the same room. Instead, he was in a hyperspace pod, and found himself launched out of the Amaxine station and through lightspeed into the unknown.^[3]

World of the Drengir[]

While Reath Silas was initially worried his voyage could take as much as weeks in terms of time, the pod was instead pulled out of hyperspace soon after, and brought down through the atmosphere of a richly foliated planet to a landing pad. As he stepped out of the pod, he noticed another nearby, as well as the clear Amaxine patterns and imagery around the small facility he found himself. While he desired to leave, the Force told him to stay, warning him of grave danger, and that the secrets of the Amaxine both on this world and on the station far away were of key importance.^[3]

Having ignited his saber at the warning from the Force, Reath Silas suddenly found himself confronted by the Drengir. Large sentient plantlife, the creatures only briefly observed him before speaking to one another as if he did not exist. They revealed it had been they who had caused the Amaxine to vanish, as they had conquered the warrior people when they tried to battle the Drengir. However, in their discussion, Silas realized that another was on the planet, and tried to use the Force to command them to bring him Dez Rydan as he surmised the Jedi Knight was their captive. The Drengir did bring him Rydan, but not because he requested it.^[3]

Suffering from a head wound, the drowning darkness of the Drengir, and injected with various chemicals through the use of Drengir thorns, Dez Rydan was a shambling mess, and attacked Silas at the request of the Drengir. Reath Silas desperately fought off the Jedi Knight, but was able to use the memory of their shared Jedi Master to snap the young man out of his maddenned state while also disarming him. The Padawan began to retreat with Rydan, but the Drengir vowed to follow, leaving Silas to try and come up with a plan as he boarded one of the two hyperspace pods to return to the Amaxine space station.^[3]

Safety and chaos[]

Rydan's condition rapidly improved once he got away from the Drengir's influence, though he still needed Silas to physically support him, and keep his mind active. The pod carrying the two Jedi returned to the station without trouble, but as they moved through the lower hallway, the other pod, carrying the Drengir, could be heard docking. Aware that the hostile living plants were close behind them, Reath Silas left Rydan to slump against the corridor wall while he went to deal with the Drengir. The Force quickly led him to their pod, and thinking on his feet, he concocted a plan. Using the Force, he first pushed the pod away from the hatch by several meters, doing no damage to the Drengir, though when they rushed out of the pod for the hatch, the chamber's helix rings activated and burned them all to a crisp. Silas inspected the remains, and found them pleasantly fragrant, though he rushed back to Rydan, and continued to help him to the upper levels.^[3]

The two returned to the arboretum, where by that time, the binding statues had been replaced and re-empowered to contain the Drengir. Cohmac Vitus approached the two, astonished to see Rydan alive, and through a brief exchange with Silas, learned of the hyperspace pods and what had happened to the other two Jedi. The two uninjured Jedi realized that the Nihil could use the pods to do untold damage to the galaxy, but tending to Rydan was their first priority, and they all headed for the Vessel.^[3]

Upon reaching the closest access point to the airlock ring, the three found the site reduced to wreckage due to a recent conflict Cohmac Vitus and Orla Jareni had fought against the Nihil. Vitus informed Padawan Silas what little he and Wayseeker Jareni had gleaned from their encounter with the Nihil, and they were suddenly joined by Captain Leox Gyasi, who had pushed through the debris on the hunt for Affie Hollow. While Master Vitus tried to admonish him for putting himself at risk, Gyasi expressed his deep desire to protect Affie as a reason why that didn't matter, but that he had also come to warn everyone that the system's solar flares were growing more intense. Silas thought quickly, and suggested strengthening the shields, which he thought he could do through accessing controls back down on the lower levels. Though Vitus had misgivings, Dez Rydan's condition convinced him, and Silas rushed off. He had not gone far though before he was confronted by Nan.^[3]

The young woman had a blaster trained on Reath Silas, and the Padawan saw how much of her prior persona had been an act as they briefly spoke, her conviction about her life with the Nihil chilling for someone so young. She revealed she hadn't killed him due to how he'd saved her from abduction, and she would instead be letting him go just this once. Silas then slipped away just before a larger group of Nihil joined her, and the Padawan watched from a hidden position inside a nearby doorway as the group basked in their future glories from taking over the station and its hyperspace pods.^[3]

Realizing the gravity of the threats at play here, Reath Silas resolved to return to the Vessel, and was a few dozen meters away from the ship when he ran into Orla Jareni. Relieved to see him, the two quickly traded information about Nan and the Nihil, with the Wayseeker revealing she had also ascertained the danger this station posed if allowed to remain in Nihil hands. Jareni then revealed that she and Vitus agreed that the Drengir had to be released again, to create a massive distraction so the Vessel could get away safely. Concerned about Cohmac Vitus, the Umbaran then asked about her friend, and Silas filled her in on the survival of Dez Rydan. Resolute, Jareni then asked Silas to come with her back to the arboretum, which he did.^[3]

On the way, the two Jedi ran into Leox Gyasi and Affie Hollow, and Orla Jareni told them to prepare the Vessel for takeoff in ten minutes. If the two Jedi weren't back by then, they were to leave the station. Gyasi objected to this, and demanded to learn more, with Silas telling the two humans of the Drengir, and how they planned to release them to fight the Nihil. Hollow asked the uncomfortable question regarding the worst case scenario, of both groups teaming up, though Orla Jareni was able to push the two back to the ship before further discussion could be had. The two Jedi carried on, and re-entered the center of the arboretum. They attempted to disable the energy field Jareni and Cohmac Vitus had formed, but were repelled. Silas suggested trying again, but Jareni dismissed this, instead picking up a blaster and, after apologizing to Silas, shot the statue of the humanoid queen right between the eyes.^[3]

The wave of energy released by this action sent both Jedi sprawling back onto the floor. The pair quickly staggered to their feet and began to flee as the Drengir slowly woke up all around them, and pursued the escaping Jedi. Silas and Jareni approached the entrance to the station's equatorial ring, catching the attention of the assembling Nihil who fired a gas canister in their direction. Both Jedi dodged the shot though, and then peeled off, the Nihil's shot having attracted the Drengir's ravenous attention. As he and Jareni continued to retreat, Silas noted a moment of hesitation from the Nihil, as they were raiders not warriors, but the need to survive against such a hostile onslaught won out over fleeing. He also concluded, no matter what, they could not let the station fall into the hands of either faction.^[3]

Moments after he and Orla Jareni reunited with Cohmac Vitus on their way back to the Vessel, the Padawan slipped away, convinced of the need to destroy or at least render the station unusable to either hostile side currently fighting for control of the facility. This action was possible as both senior Jedi had been greatly distracted by the latest threat to befall the Vessel, with vines wrapping themselves around the ship and keeping it locked to the space station. Silas plunged back down to the lower rings of the station's structure, and quickly found the hyperspace pod controls. Thanks to his study of history as well as having trust in the Force, he deciphered the language and ancient maps to successfully eject all of the pods to various harmless locations across the galaxy. He tried to depart the lower rings, but found that the battle between the Nihil and Drengir had spread much closer, though neither side had seen him yet.^[3]

Leox Gyasi contacted Reath Silas at this point, informing him that the vines still posed a major problem in their effort to escape, leading Silas to conclude he had to help them however he could, even at the cost of his own life. This realization also finally solved Master Jora Malli's riddle of the Kyber Arch; one Jedi never truly crossed it alone, as the Arch was made because of the sacrifice of many Jedi, and other Jedi had then needed to build the Arch itself. Seeking a way to buy his friends time to escape, Silas noticed an irregularly shaped airlock located nearby alongside its controls. The Padawan crawled to the system, and realizing it was a direct vent into space, clung to a nearby service ladder and activated the mechanism.^[3]

Plantlife, debris, Drengir, Nihil, and the remains of the binding statues were suddenly yanked across the room out of the open airlock into space, the loss of life regretful to Silas but necessary. As the seconds wore on though, the ladder's attachment to the wall began to weaken, and resigned to his fate, Reath Silas prepared to die. However, once the ladder gave-way, he didn't travel very far, his body making contact with the steadfast form of Geode, who prevented the Padawan from flying into space. The airlock then resealed itself, and as Silas recovered from the deprivation of oxygen, he realized he could finally sense the unique, but very much alive, being that was Geode in the Force for the first time. Affie Hollow then contacted Silas, and asked what had happened, with the Padawan briefly explaining before he fell back to the ground as the group came to get him.^[3]

Silas' venting of the central sphere had not significantly damaged the station, though it had successfully killed all of the Drengir and most of the Nihil, allowing the group to take their time cutting away the now dead vines that had tried to trap the Vessel. While this went on, the Padawan got the chance to rest in his bunk next to Dez Rydan, who was in significantly worse shape. Worried for his friend, Silas conferred with a concerned Cohmac Vitus and Orla Jareni, before Leox Gyasi came in, and used some of the spice he and the Vessel had been secretly transporting to keep the haggard Dez Rydan stable. With that mattered settled, the three remaining Jedi now considered how they would explain their actions to the Jedi Council.^[3]

Aftermath[]

Upon their return to Coruscant, Orla Jareni, Cohmac Vitus, and Reath Silas were called before the Jedi High Council to account for their actions. All three ultimately went undisciplined due to the net benefit of their unsanctioned mission, and because what they had done, disobeying the Council, was out of character. While his two senior Jedi friends were free to depart, the Council asked Silas to stay behind for a moment to discuss what his next step would be as a Padawan. He gave them his answer.^[3]

Three days after Dez Rydan had been released from the hospital, Silas went to check on his friend. He found Rydan preparing to leave for one of the contemplation worlds, as he had decided to take the Barash Vow. Initially shocked by this choice, and arguing against it, Padawan Silas came to understand why Rydan was taking this path. Rydan asked after what Silas would next be doing, and he stated that he had some idea of his path in life going forward.^[3]

Later on, Reath Silas found Master Vitus meditating in the Coruscant Jedi Temple's meditation center. After all they had been through, and the death of his master fighting the Nihil, Silas wished to join Vitus on his assignment out on the frontier as newly minted master and apprentice. He also emphasized that he would put the needs of the pair of them first over all else, now having solved Master Jora Malli's riddle. After hearing Silas' explanation, Cohmac openly discussed his trepidation at the prospect, but that he must be courageous, and continue to work through his difficulties with the choices of the Jedi. He then accepted Silas as his Padawan.^[3]

Weeks later, the two were at the opening ceremony of the Starlight Beacon. Reath Silas was not much of a music lover, and was relieved when he and his master edged away from the center of the Jedi crowd to its edges as a choir prepared to sing. Following the celebration, as they headed for the grand banquet set to take place, Silas asked what was next for them. Vitus explained to his new Padawan that anything could happen from this point forward, and there was joy to be found in that.^[3]

Conflict on Mulita[]

Sometime later after the formation of this new partnership with his new master, Reath Silas and Cohmac Vitus joined the force of Jedi that descended on Mulita, homeworld of the Drengir, located in Wild Space, with the goal to stop the Great Progenitor. The pair were under the command of Avar Kriss and worked in cooperation with the forces of the Hutt Cartel led by Myarga Anjiliac Atirue. During the course of the assault, Master Kriss moved into the middle of the forest that served as the battlefield, though none of the other Jedi were able to follow her. Silas was present for the arrival of Orla Jareni and Keeve Trennis aboard the Lightseeker, soon joining his fellow Jedi in uniting their minds through a now-freed Avar Kriss to drown out the Drengir's root-mind, severing the Great Progenitor from that mental network.^[9]

While members of the Order spoke with the Hutts and tried to convince them to stand down in the name of life, Silas worked with other Jedi to put stasis-field generators around the isolated Great Progenitor. The Padawan then activated the field at the instruction of his master, resulting in the capture of the Drengir's leader in a yellow stasis field. Following this action, he stood with his fellow Jedi against the Hutts to prevent them from destroying the hostile, though captured, leader of the Drengir. As the Hutts departed the world, and Avar Kriss received word of the attack on the Republic Fair, Reath Silas was seen conversing with a small group of fellow Jedi.^[9]

Mission to Genetia[]

Soon after this perilous mission against the Drengir, Silas, who by that time was eighteen years old, was taken by his master Cohmac Vitus to the planet of Genetia. The planet was approaching a period of civil war, and the planet's academic community had petitioned for aid in saving their heritage. Intrigued, Master Vitus has answered the call. During their time on this planet, Cohmac Vitus constantly sought text after text, claiming the Force was leading him in these actions, but Silas was concerned the older Jedi was simply taking them into more and more dangerous situations due to some internal conflict. The two Jedi saved almost two entire libraries-worth of information, which included sixty-four datatape volumes of Leric Schmireland's Almanac of the Unknown and a copy of Samara the Blue's special meditations regarding emotion, alongside a museum's-worth of artifacts. Their last few days on the planet were spent hiding from revolutionaries who thought the Jedi were emissaries of a demon king.^[8]

Return to Starlight Beacon[]

Reuniting with an old friend[]

The two Jedi then returned to Starlight Beacon with their academic cargo, and Reath Silas helped his master unload the multiple boxes of datatapes and objects. He reflected on the past year he'd experienced with his new master since the events at the Amaxine station, and concluded he was glad that their recent mission had taken them away from active battlefields. At the end of the hard work, Cohmac Vitus sent him off to eat while he went to talk with Avar Kriss. Silas made his way to the Starlight Beacon's community dining area, where he loaded his tray up with roasted harmony squash, freshly baked seed bread with thick blue butter and even thicker yellow chime fruit preserve. Intent on devouring his meal, he noticed Jedi Knight Vernestra Rowh and quickly made his way over, sitting down and then being introduced to her Padawan Imri Cantaros.^[8]

After the brief introduction, the pair of slightly older Jedi began to speak about Silas' recent mission. However when Padawan Silas briefly pondered, and grew annoyed at how far Rowh had advanced compared to him, Cantaros interrupted and used the Force on instinct, soothing Silas' emotions. The action surprised the other two Jedi, and while Vernestra Rowh lightly reprimanded her Padawan, Silas had no issue with the interaction. Imri Cantaros felt some distress due to his actions, and the Mirialan Jedi calmed him down, before excusing both herself and her Padawan from the table to go visit with Master Estala Maru, a Jedi likely more knowledgeable in techniques to help Imri, or at least able to better search of the libraries for useful texts.^[8]

Silas gave the pair parting words, but also had a flash of feeling regarding his amorous-tinted affection for Vernestra, which prompted a look from Cantaros. Concerned with his sudden thought about Vernestra Rowh, the now solo Padawan's thoughts then bounced to the Nihil member Nan, who had tricked him back on the Amaxine station. He quickly set his mind to focus on the next task he might be given by his Master, and chose to eat his acquired food to prevent working on an empty stomach.^[8]

During the next sleep cycle of Starlight Beacon, Silas found that he was unable to sleep, pondering if adventuring had broken him if being capable of resting in a place with comfortable bedding and a full stomach. He left his room, and he walked the corridors of the space station. He unexpectedly encountered Vernestra Rowh outside of the practice room before she invited him in to exercise with her and tire out his active mind, an invite he accepted. The two then began a furious exchange of blows with practice lightsabers, Reath ultimately losing as he had been overly focused on defensive tactics when he could have taken the offensive and beaten Rowh.^[8]

This observation by the female Jedi prompted the two to discuss some of their concerns with the direction of the Jedi Order with one another, Rowh speaking of how she felt unheard due to her age in some instances, as well as worrying if she was advising Imri Cantaros correctly, while Reath Silas mentions his worries about his Master. His concerns focused on his belief that Cohmac Vitus was unsteady following the Nihil's attack on Valo, burdened with guilt though his Padawan did not know where it came from. The two then discussed the Jedi's role in the Republic and how it appeared to be shifting in the wake of the Great Disaster. These concerns remained with Reath as he stayed in the practice room for a time, Rowh excusing herself for the evening, though Silas soon followed her example and was able to achieve a deep slumber when he returned to his room.^[8]

Journey to Coruscant[]

The next day, Reath Silas and Master Cohmac Vitus headed to the quartermaster's office to acquire a ship for transport to Coruscant, where they encountered Jedi Knight Vernestra Rowh and her Padawan Imri Cantaros. The latter two Jedi were experiencing difficulties acquiring a ship from Master Nubarron, the station's quartermaster, as the being was thoroughly disinclined to grant Rowh another ship as she was already responsible for the destruction of two others since her posting to Starlight Beacon. As Silas and Vitus were traveling to Coruscant as well, they invited their fellow Jedi to travel with them, this arrangement suiting all parties involved. Silas and Cantaros briefly gossiped about the gaseous Jedi quartermaster, as there were many stories swirling as to their origin, while Rowh and Vitus had their own exchange about the Mirialan's poor flight record.^[8]

The four Jedi acquired the Fraunesaa and promptly set out from Starlight Beacon, Silas taking the copilot chair next to his Master in the pilot's seat. As they got underway, Rowh asked why the other two were headed to Coruscant, with Vitus explaining they were to testify before a Senate committee about the brewing civil war on Genetia. The discussion soon turned to address concerns similar to the previous evening in the practice room, where Master Vitus articulated his objection to the Jedi's growing ties with Republic bureaucracy and giving way to their wishes, as he and Silas could have communicated their testimony by hologram, except the Senate pushed for an in-person discussion.^[8]

Vitus ultimately closed the topic, though a new discussion began regarding their course after Imri Cantaros noted they appeared to be jumping closer to Starlight Beacon than normal. Vitus and Silas explained that they were entering hyperspace in this way to avoid travel lanes flagged by the Republic. These restrictions were possibly due to ships being forced out of hyperspace and then disappearing, as the two Jedi had heard stories of such events on their way back from Genetia. While Rowh fell asleep on the flight after they entered hyperspace, Reath continued to pilot the ship for an indeterminate period of time.^[8]

Attack on Tiikae[]

During their journey, the Fraunesaa received a distress signal sent from the Jedi temple on the planet Tiikae. They reported a Nihil incursion of fighters and looters, and the group agreed to respond given they were not far away. Reath Silas updated the ship's course at the request of his master, and then joined Vernestra Rowh and Imri Cantaros in suiting up on the boarding ramp for deployment to the planet. Master Vitus continued to pilot the craft, and slowly opened the door, allowing the three young Jedi to jump down into the market square of a settlement on Tiikae to help the Chagrian Jedi Master Oprand Qwen.^[8]

Silas helped escort the master to safety, and asked for more details on the Nihil's numbers, dodging blaster shots sent his way as the four Jedi now sheltered in a street alcove. Master Qwen explained that the Nihil had limited numbers, but also revealed the sorry state of the settlement's security due to deaths or distractions caused by the Nihil alongside the planet's isolated nature. However, he thanked the Force that the group had been nearby when they were, and Silas agreed with that assessment. He then joined Rowh in a charge to reach the lodging house where the Nihil were holding their hostages, igniting his saber as they moved on the offensive.^[8]

At Rowh's command, he used the Force to rip the door and its frame out of the front of the building, before using the Force to throw an attacking Nihil man back, knocking him unconscious. As they approached the lodge's back room, Silas shouted a warning to his fellow Jedi as the Nihil opened fire, before getting himself to safety. The human Padawan then joined his fellow Jedi in the backroom after she cleared the space, though the remainder of the Nihil escaped out the back door to flee toward their ship. Rowh attempted to contact Vitus, but only received static in her ear communicator, stating to Silas that they needed to pursue the Nihil themselves. Before they could move, Jordanna Sparkburn pulled up on a speeder bike and told them to hop on. Rowh took her invitation and told Reath Silas to keep trying to reach Master Vitus before the two sped off.^[8]

The two women were successful in their chase, taking down the Nihil in their sights, and were joined by Silas in a commandeered landspeeder not long after. He reported that the remaining Nihil had successfully reached their ship and jumped away before Master Vitus could prevent their escape. Silas drove the landspeeder back to the town in an aggressive way and at top speed to the point of keeping Jedi Knight Rwoh's nerves on edge. Silas, Sparkburn and Rowh reunited with Imri Cantaros, and Masters Vitus and Qwen soon after, with introductions being made as needed. Silas quickly excused himself, moving off to check something he had seen earlier in the lodging house. Soon after, Imri Cantaros was sent to locate him as the Jedi planned to depart, but Silas returned with a pained expression that prompted the others to ask him what was wrong.^[8]

He reiterated why he had gone back into the building, and revealed he had found something, leading everyone to the back room where, behind a now-damaged hidden panel in the wall, a high-powered communication unit had been installed. On the unit was a message from the Nihil member Nan, threatening the family of Ugnaughts who had operated the business due to some act of duplicity on their part. The family had been among the hostages taken by the Nihil, and had all been killed. Silas continued after the message ended, stating there were other past messages on the unit, and informed the gathered group who Nan was, Vitus agreeing with his Padawan's assessment that she was clever, cunning and relentless. Rowh then presented the mysterious glyph-covered cube she'd recovered from the Nihil, suggesting this was the reason the Ugnaughts had been killed. Neither of the Jedi Masters, nor Silas, knew what the glyphs meant, and they filed out of the building to prepare for departure afterward.^[8]

Arrival at the temple[]

The four Coruscant-bound Jedi, alongside their new traveling companion Jordanna Sparkburn, continued to the Republic capital aboard the Fraunesaa. After they had entered their final jump, Master Vitus told his Padawan to get some rest, so Reath Silas obliged. However, his sleep was fitful, as memories of the Amaxine station as well as Nan played over his mind. He jolted awake as the rickety ship touched down, and he briefly ruminated on the guilty thoughts which plagued him regarding how easily Nan had used him. He became set to never let her manipulate him again, and to take her in so she could answer for her crimes. The dim hope that she might be able to be redeemed also played on his mind.^[8]

The Padawan rose to his feet, and looked out over Coruscant, being reminded of how he'd once thought the world was his place to stay forever, but also realizing he now felt drawn to return to Starlight Beacon, and help people on the frontier. Jordanna Sparkburn interrupted his thoughts, as he was blocking the exit ramp, so he left the ship and grouped up with his traveling companions. The sight of the Coruscant Jedi Temple filled him with positive feelings, and soothed him, as it was as close to a home as he had ever known. The San Tekka conglomerate deputy then broke off from the group to make a report about the situation on Tiikae, and the Jedi all proceeded toward the temple, though not before Silas mentally noted Vernestra Rowh's negative feelings associated with Sparkburn, and told himself to inquire about those later on.^[8]

When they approached the stream of traffic in and out of the temple, Imri Cantaros' ability to emotionally connect with others briefly overwhelmed him, and the group paused to let Vernestra help her Padawan with some guidance from Master Vitus. As they carried on afterward, the thought struck Silas that some of the knowledge he and his master had collected recently on Genetia might be useful due to Cantaros' physiology as half-Genetian. He expressed this thought regarding the meditation practices developed by Samara the Blue, which Vitus agreed was a good avenue to explore. He encouraged the two Padawans to go to the Jedi Archives and conduct this research immediately while their teachers attended to their own affairs elsewhere in the temple. Rowh agreed with the suggestion, and the two young humans immediately headed for the library. These efforts proved very productive for Cantaros, and he was grateful for the experience.^[8]

Political intrigue[]

Later on that same day, Reath Silas and his master Cohmac Vitus were attending the Senate inquiry in Stellan Gios' meeting chamber which had originally called them to Coruscant from Starlight Beacon, with Masters Yarael Poof and Stellan Gios also in attendance. The day had already been long, and Silas found that he had forgotten the names of the four Republic Senators questioning the pair while the Council members watched on. The inquiry was interrupted by the arrival of Ghirra Starros, which led Master Gios to close the inquiry. While the Senators and Master Poof departed, Gios indicated that Vitus and Silas should stay, so they did, and Gios asked after the purpose of her visit.^[8]

Senator Starros explained that earlier that day, she had been in a meeting with Xylan Graf to discuss if his family could assume the expired lease on the Berenge sector from the Republic. The Senator was unable to put off his requests any further, but did ask that he work with Vernestra Rowh and her Padawan Imri Cantaros to survey the sector beforehand. Xylan Graf had taken offense to Jedi so young being involved in the effort, though Silas interrupted to insist Rowh was a full Jedi Knight, defending his friend. Ghirra acknowledged that fact, but said the Graf needed to be placated, so more Jedi of an older age or more experience would be very useful. She was also worried about reports of the Nihil building a superweapon in the sector, and felt more Jedi could better handle the situation. After Vitus asked if she felt such rumors were true, Ghirra confirmed they likely were, as one of her experts who held that opinion, Professor Thaddeus Wolk, had been murdered just hours ago. Master Vitus accepted the mission for him and his Padawan before Starros then departed with thanks.^[8]

Silas was struck with a bad feeling, and vocalized this fear to the remaining Masters, which Gios immediately agreed with. The Council member also felt something was wrong, though it was due to growing suspicions of a Nihil ally on Coruscant, with his suspicion lying on the Grafs. He asked the pair of them to keep their eyes open and to help catch the wealthy family in the act, if they were indeed up to anything. The master and his apprentice then left Gios' office, though Silas underlined his fears to Vitus, that it went beyond mere suspicion, and the events in motion were bigger than they could see. The older man agreed, stating they had to take things one step at a time, and finding, then informing Rowh of the affair, was first on their list of priorities. Despite this, Silas continued to feel ill at ease.^[8]

Meeting Xylan Graf and getting underway[]

Sometime later, Cohmac Vitus and Reath Silas met with Xylan Graf and he brought them up to the guest level within his private tower, where Sylvestri Yarrow, Jordanna Sparkburn, Vernestra Rowh and Imri Cantaros were all waiting. After the introduction of Yarrow to the two new Jedi, as well as some discussion about recent events within the tower, the large group sat down to discuss the mission ahead over a meal. Sparkburn and Graf discussed the competition between their families over the Berenge sector, as well as why the sector had value to the two parties.^[8]

The topic turned to the recent death of Professor Wolk, and his belief that Sylvestri Yarrow's mother had faked her death to build a weapon for the Nihil in the sector, which the Graf dismissed out of hand. Silas asked why the Republic hadn't sent a cruiser to investigate the sector and its rumored strange hyperspace activity, as well as the possible Nihil presence, but Graf said that they had, and found nothing, with Professor Wolk believing that the weapon's energy readings were only detectable while it was in use. After other discussions between members of the group, the serving trays of food were removed, and their course as well as other details of ships and flight paths for charting the sector were laid out for all.^[8]

Soon after this large-scale meeting, Xylan Graf's group of four Jedi, Sylvestri Yarrow, Jordanna Sparkburn, and Xylan's personal bodyguard, Basha, departed Coruscant on his pleasure yacht called the Resplendent Pearl. The Jedi proceeded to the cargo bay, where Cohmac Vitus worked the others through a guided meditation meant to better connect them in case of a battle. Several hours later, as the ship entered hyperspace, they all took a break, with Vitus asking the two Padawans to go help Basha with food preparation. The pair headed off to the center of the ship, though after an indeterminate period of time, Cantaros separated from Silas to return to Vernestra Rowh.^[8]

At a later point, after second meal had been served, Silas was sitting with Rowh and Cantaros in the crew mess having a quiet discussion. Sylvestri Yarrow came into the room, and loudly asked Xylan Graf why they were headed for the Dalnan sector and not the Hynestian sector, information she'd discovered and shared with Rowh and Cantaros earlier on. Graf laughed the question off, and stated he had filed a false flight plan to make sure there was no interference from the San Tekkas, Nihil, or others who might plan to slow them down. Graf also revealed that his family had been tracking Nihil attacks to better plan their business strategy, and that the Grafs were certain there was someone, or a group, working for the Nihil within the Republic.^[8]

He then departed to the crew quarters, followed by Basha, and those remaining promptly discussed his statements. Vitus revealed that Graf had been truthful in a genuine belief that someone in the Republic was working with the Nihil. The group ultimately dismissed trying to contact figures like Stellan Gios, and sat down for the meal the Padawans had helped Basha create. Vitus commented that it was not the most edible, but Silas defended he and Cantaros' effort, stating they had done their best to follow the recipe, but rations were rations.^[8]

The trap[]

Late into the next day, the yacht arrived at Everbloom, their true destination and the private space station belonging to Xylan Graf's grandmother, Catriona Graf. All four Jedi wore their mission attire, and were gathered in the cargo bay area for a supposed presentation to the family matriarch. Silas counted it as part of diplomacy, though Vernestra Rowh noted he had been preoccupied since they had left Coruscant. After they set down, Imri Cantaros sensed a strong deception from Basha, just before she grabbed and pulled Xylan Graf back from the boarding ramp.^[8]

Chancey Yarrow and a group of her Nihil associates were waiting on the other side, and quickly deployed Zygerrian crowd-control gas against the Jedi and Jordanna Sparkburn. While the Jedi had rebreathers, the tool becoming standard since the Nihil's attack on Valo, and they were able to put them on, they were quickly dispatched. Silas' defeat came at the hands of Basha, as when the Padawan had gone to help Xylan Graf who was struggling in the female Gigoran's grip, as well as inhaling the purple gas, the bodyguard's other hand had grabbed and thrown Silas across the space. He was then hit with a stun shot in the chest and crumpled.^[8]

Imprisoned at the Gravity's Heart[]

Chancey Yarrow chose Reath Silas and Imri Cantaros as the Jedi to accompany her back to the Gravity's Heart, the weapon she had been building for Nihil Tempest Runner Lourna Dee. They were to serve as tribute to the Eye of the Nihil from Chancey, as he required Jedi to test something he was working on. By the time Silas woke up, Sylvestri Yarrow was herself awake, having knocked out Nan when the girl had approached the captured trio earlier, though Nan was now conscious. At the same time, Jordanna Sparkburn, Cohmac Vitus and Vernestra Rowh had reached the cobble-together station and were attacking it in the Vengeful Goddess, an experimental ship the trio had been given by Catriona Graf before their departure from Everbloom. The resulting attack left the allied trio, and Nan, trapped in a storage room, unattended by anyone.^[8]

Silas quickly assessed the situation, but due to the aftereffects of the gas used on them, neither he nor Imri Cantaros could concentrate enough to use the Force to aid in an escape. However, using some technical skills, Silas was able to help Slyvestri Yarrow get the locked door open, at which point Nan sprinted past them and out of reach, with Silas and the others not giving chase as they instead focused on fleeing. The trio soon found themselves in the room with Mari San Tekka and her medical pod, as well as Doctor Kisma Uttersond, who had them at blasterpoint with a canister of gas in hand as well. He was unable to hold them back for too long, but in the scuffle that followed, Silas was knocked unconscious by the new gas thrown at him.^[8]

Jordanna Sparkburn was able to reach the room soon after, followed by Vernestra Rowh, finding the group safe and Uttersond no longer a threat. Silas was barely able to stand, but bore witness to the discovery by Sparkburn of her distant cousin, as well as the discovery of the ghastly method used to keep the elder San Tekka alive. Sparkburn then half carried the Padawan from the room as the group moved to escape the rapidly deteriorating station, pausing in the hallway as Vernestra Rowh communed with Mari San Tekka, and then cut the hoses attached to the pod, killing her in the process.^[8]

Rushing through the hallways, the group reached the hangar bay, watching the battle raging outside between newly-arrived Republic forces and Jedi Vectors rounded up by Master Elzar Mann who had been stationed at the Jedi temple on nearby Dubrovia. Silas identified Vectors in the ships flying outside, but they all refocused on escape. The group had a run-in with Chancey Yarrow boarding her freighter, the Switchback, which her daughter had previously thought was lost for good when attacked by the Nihil some time ago. The senior Yarrow was able to escape, and the group was forced to pile into a skiff that lacked weapons and much physical room for all of them. They were able to escape from the hangar, and reach one of the Longbeams that had come to their aid. A number of the Nihil were captured by the time the battle concluded, and the remains of the Gravity's Heart were pulverized by the assembled Republic ships.^[8]

Aftermath[]

At a later time, back on Coruscant, the Jedi Council were reviewing the mission and its findings. Vernestra Rowh and Imri Cantaros were the first pair to be debriefed by the Council members, while Cohmac Vitus and Reath Silas waited outside. Dismissed from the review, Rowh and Cantaros briefly stopped to speak with their fellow Jedi before Rowh excused both she and her Padawan. As they departed, Silas called that it had been good to work with them while waving, though he soon ducked his head with a blush on his cheeks.^[8]

Events on Corellia[]

Time on Starlight[]

Months later, Reath Silas was deep in research and reading on the Starlight Beacon. However, he was also deep in thought about his future as a Jedi Knight, as well as what sort of role he wanted to have, and the person he wanted to be. He also ruminated on how much the station had grown on him over time, turning into a second home. When he realized he was late for a training session with his master, Cohmac Vitus, he quickly turned away from the information he'd been reading and left the room, though slowed his pace when walking through the halls.^[1]

When he reached the training room, he found his master waiting, with lit incense wafting its scent throughout the space, and his master covered in sweat. They engaged in a furious combat practice session through intense dueling, with Silas promising himself that today would be when he asked his master about his questions regarding his private uncertainties about his path forward into the future. However, he was unable to voice his worries as he felt the turmoil within his own master, and Cohmac's insistence they continue to duel after a brief pause where the older human praised his pupil.^[1]

Before they could resume their duel, Padawan Ram Jomaram interrupted the pair, a reprieve welcomed by both parties, while Silas ruminated on how protective many people on the station had become of Ram since his arrival. The mechanic-minded Padawan poorly filled them in on a mission being launched to Corellia to investigate possible Nihil sightings, and asked if they would want to accompany him, Master Kantam Sy, and Zeen Mrala on the excursion. Vitus quickly exited the room to speak with Master Sy, leading the two Padawans to then engage in their own duel with live sabers rather than the training blades Vitus and Silas had been using.^[1]

Shortly after this, just prior to the launch of the mission to Corellia, Silas went to find his master in Starlight Beacon's meditation center, a space he often found Master Vitus prior to any mission. He remained uncertain of his path moving forward, but upon arrival, found his master speaking with Orla Jareni via hologram. Vitus revealed to Silas that he had been weighed down with a deep sense of sorrow that had only grown with time, and Jareni was trying to help her friend meditate through this difficulty. Silas felt his own issue was insignificant compared to this, and while he asked if there was anything he could do, Vitus stated there was not, as it was his problem to solve himself. The master and apprentice duo then departed after Vitus and Jareni wished each other a mutual farewell.^[1]

Departure and travel to Corellia[]

At the same time as the mission launch for the Battle at Dol'har Hyde, Reath Silas, Cohmac Vitus, Ram Jomaram and Kantam Sy were preparing their own mission to Corellia. Due to the sudden onset of the mission, which promised an encounter with Krix Kamerat, Zeen Mrala's former close friend and now Nihil lieutenant, she broke off from the group going to Corellia to instead travel with those going to Dol'har Hyde. Before she departed, Mrala, Lula Talisola and the other two Padawans bantered about the next time they would see each other, rejoicing at the progress Jomaram had made regarding his ability to make jokes. They all went their separate ways, with Silas and Jomaram collecting their travel packs, and boarding the small shuttle Talmadge just before their Masters launched the vessel.^[1]

During the journey to Corellia, Silas and Jomaram were seated in the small cargo bay, attempting to link their minds in emulation of the same technique Master Avar Kriss had employed during the Great Disaster. The effort was unsuccessful, before Ram suggested they attempt levitation with a twist, as neither of them was particularly good at lifting themselves, they could instead try lifting the other. Jomaram was successful first, lifting Silas up, but when it was Silas' turn, the older Padawan playfully used the Force to flip Jomaram upside down and sent him flying into a pile of bedding. Jomaram then hit Silas in the face with a pillow, and the resulting pillow fight was loud enough to be heard by both masters in the cockpit.^[1]

Arrival on Corellia[]

The group of four Jedi reached Coronet City and the Jedi quarters located there. While the masters soon left to investigate any developments in the report regarding possible Nihil activity, the two Padawans had some time to themselves. Jomaram took this opportunity to speak to Silas about some of his own troubles of late, the anger and dread of battle that were taking over, while Reath confessed his own sense of directionlessness. The two found solidarity in not being alone with their struggles, but further discussion was interrupted by the arrival of Alys Ongwa. She asked the pair if they were the Jedi from Starlight Beacon, with Jomaram claiming they were, and Silas accepting the white lie as they were Jedi from Starlight, though not the two masters. The two Padawans quickly identified Ongwa as the “Crash” from the holorecording used in the report of Nihil activity, as it was her nickname, and the new trio got underway as she pulled them out into the city.^[1]

Intent on getting the two young Jedi on her side and a symbol of her prestige before a meeting of the city's major figures, Ongwa convinced the pair to join her private security company in exchange for a visit to the nearby Santhe Shipyards where the MPO-1400 ''Purgill''-class star cruisers were being constructed. After Ongwa successfully bluffed her way past the municipal security overseeing access to the shipyard, by turning the guards against each other, she confronted the pair of Padawans about their white lie regarding their status in the Jedi Order. The two young Jedi were apologetic, but also confronted Crash on some of her own wording and planning. In the end, they all determined that they were even and they moved to view the ships.^[1]

While at the shipyards, Silas, Jomaram and his constant Bonbrak companions Tip and Breebak met Shug Drabor, the skilled shipwright in charge of designing the MPO-1400 cruisers currently being built. Reath was impressed with Alys Ongwa's language skills when she spoke Anzellan to ask the diminutive shipwright about a Spiral-class Viz Core Eviscerator for an ecstatic Jomaram. Drabor then led them on a tour of the shipyards, the small group able to tour the inside of the Wanderlust, a sister ship to the Halcyon.^[1]

As they moved, Silas pondered his past romantic crushes, as he realized he had some feelings toward Ongwa upon just meeting her, but was interrupted by the pink-haired teenager noting his deep concentration. In the brief conversation that followed, Silas confirmed to Ongwa that he trusted her, but just before Ongwa was set to inform him of more details for the meeting that evening, she was contacted through her earpiece. When the discussion ended, she related to Silas that her main competitor, Dizcaro, had begun pushing into her territory and they needed to leave immediately to prepare ahead of time for the meeting. The two rushed to pick up Jomaram, and then took off for the meeting site with Ongwa mentioning the two would need to wear disguises.^[1]

The tense meeting[]

Soon after departing the shipyards, Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram were bundled into an after-hours lounge, where the turquoise-skinned performer Svi'no with the aid of the Ithorian Ansh transformed the pair to look like members of the long-extinct Scarlet Skull Cult through the use of makeup and costumes. Alys Ongwa explained to the pair that the group was feared on Corellia, and the disguises would give her team further credibility. The two young Jedi were then pulled into a huddle with Ongwa's team and her other allies helping with the event, where she outlined the state of affairs, and affirmed that the evening was about reconnaissance. The doors were then opened for the guests.^[1]

Lacking information on who would be present, Silas inquired with Ongwa on the matter for both he and Jomaram's benefit, though the exchange was not immediately forthcoming. However, she quickly filled the pair in on the structure of City Fathers of Corellia, as well as the one City Mother who was not present. She broke off from the pair to go and greet the final arrivals, the Republic liaison officer Minister Chips Fendirfal who was being accompanied by Masters Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy. At the realization that the masters were present, the two Padawans attempted to appear inconspicuous but it was difficult due to their clothing and face paint.^[1]

The two remained silent and off to the side as the evening progressed, witnessing a short speech given by Ongwa, followed by a speech from Ovus Buckell, Father of Finances. However, the young woman got into an argument with Dizcaro, with Buckell butting in at a bad time with some rude comments about Prybolt Garavult, the member of Ongwa's team whose apparent death had prompted her to report the possible presence of Nihil on Corellia. These comments deeply angered her, and she lashed out at the Father of Finances, which quickly prompted a brawl between many of those present.^[1]

While this happened, Silas and Jomaram remained off to the side, and were approached by their masters who pulled them into a side room to talk, as the Scarlet Skull Cult's members didn't speak. The two younger Jedi explained the situation to their masters, largely to the bemusement of the older Jedi, before also affirming their trust in Alys Ongwa. The masters were glad the Padawans had made some headway with someone as resourceful as the security company head, as they had been bogged down in bureaucracy for much of the day. They then resolved to check on how Ongwa was doing after Silas expressed some concern for her state of being, though Jomaram stayed behind in the room to take a communication from Zeen Mrala. By the time he returned to the other Jedi, the barfight had died away, and the four grouped up with Ongwa's team for a post-fight debrief.^[1]

She revealed that they had unfortunately lost their contract to protect the Finance Ball the next day. Before they could get deeper into conversation over the issue, they were interrupted by the return of Dizcaro, who came to offer an professional apology for what Ovus Buckell had said regarding Prybolt, and how he didn't agree with what the man had said. While Ongwa was reluctant to accept his apology, she ultimately did, though once he departed, the group went back to planning how to undo the manipulation he'd enacted by getting them removed from the Ball.^[1]

Ongwa then revealed that she had swiped Dizcaro's personal communicator during the fight while he'd been physically defending Buckell. With this, she planned to derail the presence of the star he'd put in place of Svi'no for the next evening, while also creating a new star for her team to be attached to, thus restoring their position guarding the ball, and their client. Jomaram then eagerly suggested Zeen Mrala, as she was on her way after the success of the battle at Dol'har Hyde.^[1]

After Alys Ongwa divided her team to go on various missions across the city shortly before midnight, the remaining group settled in to relax and unwind somewhat. Silas and Jomaram were able to wash their faces clean of the makeup. As they settled in, Silas asked Jomaram if Mrala had said anything about Sabata Krill, a female Er'Kit Nihil closely associated with Krix Kamerat. Ongwa fell over herself at the mention of a female Er'Kit, before revealing a more complete holorecording than the one which had been used to report the Nihil presence on Corellia. In it, Sabata was clearly visible, and this ruffled some feathers. However, the Jedi ultimately accepted Ongwa's reasons for editing the recording, and shifted focus to the rapidly crystallizing threats on Corellia. After a discussion of the limited security on the planet due to all resources being pulled to the nearby moon of Gus Talon, they turned to the political angle of who could be working with the Nihil. This ultimately left them with more questions, but Ongwa pushed forward, insisting they focus on selling the narrative of Zeen Mrala.^[1]

Tricking a starlet[]

Soon after this discussion, Alys Ongwa sent Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram and one of her team members, Smeemarm, to the Kalamu District to sabotage Dizcaro's employer Crufeela so she'd be replaced by Zeen Mrala at the Finance Ball. She also sent the Wookiee Tangor to tail the small group for extra security. Once in the district, Reath volunteered to pretend to be one of Dizcaro's men, a ruse made easier due to the group still having the man's personal communicator. Pretending to be Borgo Val, Reath contacted the starlet and awkwardly managed to learn where she was staying, relieved when he closed the communicator after a fairly uneven performance. Jomaram then departed with a now-revealed Tangor to collect their bait from the district's night market, while Silas went with Smeemarm to pick Crufella up from the Hotel Feather.^[1]

Once they arrived, Smeemarm gave Reath an earpiece before vanishing down a utility hole, as there was a chance the Shani singer would recognize them since they used to work for Dizcaro. Silas then sat down in the hotel lobby and began to sip some water, recalling what little he personally knew of the woman before her arrival. He then led her from the Hotel Feather, with Smeemarm directing him, to the rooftop suite of a different hotel.^[1]

However, within moments of them stepping out of the turbolift, she pulled a small blaster on him. She had been extremely suspicious when Silas as Borgo Val stated Dizcaro hadn't tell him where she was staying, and continued to chip at Silas' story. The young Padawan was ultimately overwhelmed, both with the intensity of her holding a weapon on him, and Smeemarm shouting at him through the earpiece.^[1]

Ram Jomaram stepped out into the open at this point, with the “dinner” planned to be served to Crufeela, interrupting the situation. The singer immediately became entranced by her live meal, and forgot about her threats against Silas. However, before she could eat the “meal”, a Bonbrak named Teetak, Jomaram pulled the small animal back just as spotlights illuminated the rooftop, and four guards marched onto the scene beside Chief Inspector Deemus Abrus of the Coronet City Chapter of the Galactic Society of Creature Enthusiasts. They promptly arrested the Shani and led her away, before Silas and Jomaram entered the turbolift with Smeemarm and made themselves scarce.^[1]

Leadup to the Finance Ball[]

The two Padawans were allowed to sleep in that morning by their masters, who were called away to handle an issue with the municipal police barracks across town. Jomaram later complained about this to Silas as they ate a meal, though the older Padawan dismissed his annoyance, suggesting he try some caf. Before their morning could continue, Alys Ongwa contacted them via Ram Jomaram's communicator, and informed them of the success from their mission discrediting Crufeela.^[1]

Just as the native Corellian ended the call, Zeen Mrala arrived in her ship, soon hugging Jomaram for moral support as she dealt with her fears and sadness regarding her relationship with Lula Talisola, while Silas remained off to the side not getting involved in the hug. Master Cohmac Vitus then contacted the group via Silas' communicator, and informed them that the Nihil were present on Corellia, and in force. Vitus insisted that the group needed to stay coordinated going forward, and to inform Ongwa of the situation while acting like nothing was wrong. He ended on the positive note that the evening was a big one for Mrala, and she shouldn't miss her chance to be in the spotlight. After the communication ended, the Mikkian expressed confusion, before Jomaram began catching her up.^[1]

The Padawans and Mrala headed to Alys Ongwa's office and filled her in on what the Jedi Masters had said. The native Corellian slowly moved about her office, struggling to speak as she was overwhelmed by emotion at the discovery of such a force bearing down on her home, and that local politicians were likely responsible for empowering and allowing their presence. Silas, alongside his friends, gently put his hand on her back to help steady her. Ongwa soon pulled herself more together, and expressed her trust in Mrala, which the Mikkian returned.^[1]

The young security company head congratulated Silas and Jomaram for their actions the previous night, before asking for the one credit she had given them the previous day when she had hired them, so they could now hire her. Silas was initially confused, and Jomaram earnest in his apologies for overpaying at the night market, though Ongwa assured the pair this was for their safety. In the heat of whatever was coming for them, her team needed to know who to protect. The pair acquiesced, and their employee files were then deleted, and replaced with client files, Zeen Mrala then added as an attached client under one of the two files.^[1]

The Finance Ball[]

At a point later on in the day, Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram arrived at the Mangrove Hotel in the Finance District where the Finance Ball was set to take place. They were once again dressed as members of the Scarlet Skull Cult, and were established as the personal guards to “Miss Z,” the stagename the now fabulously dressed Zeen Mrala had been given by Ongwa earlier on. However, shortly after they arrived, the doors opened for the guests, and the situation grew incredibly complicated. The original festivities as organized by Nomar Tralmat called for everyone to be wearing Nihil-themed masks, and despite the former Father of Finances' apparent death, the plans carried forward.^[1]

This immediately put Jomaram on edge, and his rising temper at the frivolity of the guests while dressed as murderers and killers caused him to subconsciously enact the thought he was having of watching their communicators and holoprojectors breaking. Silas noticed the rise of anger in his friend, and quickly calmed him through the Force. He then pulled him into a corner where they quietly spoke about the need to seek balance, and how Jomaram could even out his intense anger about the Nihil. Silas struck on an idea to help Ram, suggesting he imagine his emotions as pieces and parts on and in his utility cart, and that each tool had a use, but also needed to be set aside, or used in tandem with another to work better. With Ram's emotions better contained, the pair returned to watching over Zeen Mrala as she moved about the room, though the pair felt equally out of sorts with the guests present, and how many weapons or devices could now be hidden on their person.^[1]

Reath Silas' own emotions were highly turbulent as well, as despite his ability to help Jomaram earlier, he found himself unable to let go of the strong emotions that came over him in waves as he watched the crowd. He was shaken from his thoughts when he thought a guest approaching Mrala looked like Sabata Krill. He tore across the room, followed by Jomaram, though skidded to a stop as the guest only wanted Mrala's autograph. However, just following this incident, someone turned the holo news on in the middle of the event space, with broadcast imagery and reports of the ongoing disaster of Starlight Beacon's destruction filtering through the crowd, and reaching the young trio. They watched in horror as their home was destroyed, and did not move from their positions.^[1]

Silas was too numb with the sight before him to process what was happening elsewhere in the room as a masked individual jumped on a table, and shouted pro-Nihil sentiments to the crowd, pulling off his mask to reveal he was Nomar Tralmat. The former Father of Finance had faked his own death, and had collaborated with Ovus Buckell to bring the Nihil to Corellia. However, Buckell was angered by what he saw as a breaking of the deal, and stood up on a chair to offer an angry rebuttal to the other Corellian. With this, Tralmat pulled out a blaster and shot at his replacement, his shots initially going wide, and by the time they reached Buckell, Dizcaro had leapt in the way, taking three shots for his client with the pair tumbling to the ground afterward. These shots caused Silas, and many others in the crowd to duck to the floor, and for a moment the Padawan was lost to the panic and horror of the moment. With a surge of confidence in the Force though, Reath stood and began to move.^[1]

He quickly noticed that while many of the guests were fleeing, or trying to flee, others were attacking their fellow guests, and these were the Nihil. Zeen Mrala called out to him, and alerted him that the main group of Nihil, made up of the now-revealed ringleader Tralmat and a ring of people who had taken up positions around him, were on the move. Silas, Mrala, and Ram Jomaram all moved together toward this group, however their progress was stalled when Nihil forces burst in through the eastern window of the event hall, and extended a bridge to their fellow warriors, causing members of the crowd to be knocked away from the window by the force of the explosion, while others also fled. Silas was the first at the window's edge, and used his lightsaber to knock away blaster fire thrown his way. Soon joined by his fellow Padawan and Mrala, Silas focused on the legacy he upheld as a Jedi, and how he had to focus on the crisis immediately before him, rather than think about the situation at Starlight Beacon. He then charged forward with his two friends at his side.^[1]

Moving against the Nihil[]

They moved over the first bridge, the two Jedi deflecting blasterbolts shot by three Nihil serving as the rearguard on the first rooftop for their escaping fellows already on a second bridge. Jomaram gave his lightsaber to Zeen Mrala to have her deflect blaster bolts with Reath Silas as he focused on manipulating some of the roof's technology, causing the ventilator fans near the Nihil position to overheat, the explosion scattering the enemy trio. Silas saluted his fellow Padawan's good work before they pushed forward, stopping on the first rooftop as the Nihil rearguard rushed away toward the second bridge. The young trio paused as one of Alys Ongwa's team, Fezzonk, filled them in on the Nihil's destination, the Finance Tower, which he could make out from his flier buzzing around the rooftops. Zeen Mrala suggested the group not engage the Nihil on their own bridges, and instead traverse through a nearby hotel complex to reach the Tower, as all three could use the Force to enhance their jumping ability and make clear the distances needed. They agreed and took this alternative route.^[1]

The Nihil were quick to notice they were being outflanked, and set up members of their crew to shoot at the two Jedi and Mrala as they made their way across the hotel complex. Silas called in Fezzonk and his flier, known as Air Eleven, to help them out. The Dowutin did so by strafing the Nihil, driving them away, and the trio moved forward to the next building. Mrala moved ahead of them, and ducked down as the Nihil turned a rotary cannon on her position, but her two Jedi friends jumped onto the Nihil's building, drawing their focus away from the Mikkian who then shot the three Nihil operating the weapon. The two Jedi jumped to Mrala's position, and they moved toward the Finance Tower, which was now one building away.^[1]

The three went into a more stealthy posture at Mrala's suggestion, and jumped their way onto a balcony that was part of the Finance Tower. Silas immediately identified Sabata Krill's voice, and as she finished a speech, the entire Tower began to rumble, with the Padawan realizing the building was concealing the launch of a vehicle. He jumped onto the room, and saw a huge troop transport taking off. In a moment, Reath Silas pondered that the Nihil truly were everywhere, and there could be no retreat from their efforts across the galaxy. He then rushed onto the transport, wedging himself in one of the wheel turrets while changing back into his Jedi attire, and staying out of sight.^[1]

Assault on the Santhe Shipyards[]

As the transport slowly made its way to Tunnel Entrance Seven, Reath Silas heard enough of a report from Master Kantam Sy to understand the Nihil's plan, that they were heading for the shipyards to commandeer the fleet of ships there, and attack the falling Starlight Beacon over Eiram while posing as Republic reinforcements. He tried to collect himself as the lumbering vessel approached its destination, resolving that he might die that evening, but if he did, he would go down fighting.^[1]

The transport reached the shipyard, and Reath Silas watched the formation of the lines of battle, as well as the opening charge of the assault, and an attack from the rear by Masters Kantam Sy and Cohmac Vitus. Realizing there was no other path down, the Padawan jumped from the transport, soaring down to the ground where he landed in the middle of the front line of the Nihil, and started to attack. The Padawan gradually made his way to Master Sy through the swirl of attackers, with both then rushing to protect a hard-pressed Cohmac Vitus. The Jedi resolved to push to the front line, where they could be of the most help. Fortunately, the line's defenders pushed through to meet them, made up of Svi'no as well as members of Alys Ongwa's security company, Tamo, Tangor, and Fezzonk, all wielding weapons. They then all retreated back to the Corellian line of defense, but soon turned back as the Nihil charged in full force against the defenders once again.^[1]

Master Kantam Sy then divided the forces of the defenders, with Reath Silas sent to protect an MPO star cruiser at the far end of the yard. As he was moving with two fellow defenders toward this location, a group of mostly Mimbanese Nihil rushed at the ship as well. Silas lost his two fellow fighters, and engaged the remaining Nihil in a fierce fight. The scale of death around the Padawan would have staggered him in other circumstances, but he focused on the fight, especially as more Nihil closed in to surround him, seeking to kill a Jedi. He deflected blaster shots, sliced at attackers, and as a charge formed against him, threw a thermal detonator into the Nihil crowd. The explosion blew a piece of armor, or an armored piece of Nihil corpse, into Silas, causing him to stumble back onto the boarding ramp, which two Nihil immediately took advantage of. He cut the gun hand off of one, but was shot in the thigh by the other, causing him to drop, though he then deflected the follow-up shot back into the second attacker.^[1]

The Nihil began to gather down and around the ramp as Silas desperately tried to defend his position, using the Force to pull three Nihil who tried to charge inside and slice at one of them, only to be shot in the arm and pushed away from the ramp inside. Nihil streamed past the semi-conscious Padawan, only to rush back out as Shug Drabor came down the ramp in his load-lifter workframe, the tool now lined with weapons the small Anzellan used to gun down the Nihil. Drabor rushed off in pursuit of the Nihil after brief words with Silas, and Ram Jomaram rushed out to grab the other Padawan, and pull him inside to a better position. This turned out to be a luggage compartment, somewhat to Silas' shock, which was followed by Ram stuffing him inside, and giving him his entire supply of bacta packs. The other Padawan then closed the door on Silas, stating he needed them more than Jomaram.^[1]

Despite the defense of the Corellians against the Nihil, some ships began to launch into the air. The first to climb was a Republic Longbeam, which set Ram Jomaram into motion, rushing to handle the situation. He found and boarded the Spiral-class Viz-Core Eviscerator he had noticed the other day, and set off after them. By the time he reached the Longbeam, it was close to piercing the atmosphere, but the tech-savvy Padawn crippled their engines before he started an attack run on the ship's bridge. He breached the ship, and then used what maneuverability it had left to turn it on a climbing MPO star cruiser.^[1]

Aboard the MPO cruiser, a groggy and injured Reath Silas gradually freed himself from the baggage compartment he had been hidden in, and wandered onto the bridge of the now commandeered ship, prepared to fight the Nihil found there. However, faced with Sabata Krill and four fellow Nihil, and suffering from exhaustion and severe injuries, he was forced to throw down his lightsaber. However, Jomaram's urgent communications through his earpiece alerted him to the collision about to take place, and using the Force, he pushed the Nihil back, summoned his lightsaber to his hand, and then began to run away from the bridge. Jomaram's piloted Longbeam crashed into the MPO's bridge shortly afterward, and Jomaram then leapt into the Eviscerator to continue the path of destruction, chewing through the bridge and into the corridors and structure of the MPO as he sought out Reath Silas.^[1]

Silas was now falling through the planet's sky toward the surface as the ships broke up in the atmosphere, barely conscious if at all. Jomaram detected him, swooping in with the fighter, grabbing his fellow Padawan and pulling him to safety. Silas passed out as he entered the cockpit. Back at the shipyards, Jomaram disembarked from his fighter, and helped pull Reath out as the other Jedi and their allies rushed to meet him.^[1]

Knighting, and abandonment[]

Later into the evening, Reath Silas, alongside all of the other Jedi, felt the end of Starlight Beacon and all its remaining lives. The impact it left in the Force woke Silas, Padawan Ram Jomaram, Master Cohmac Vitus, and others from their rest at Baynoo Ongwa's home. Master Vitus entered the small room the two Padawans shared, and beckoned them to come with him into the sitting room. Master Yoda, Kantam Sy, and Zeen Mrala were already present, and Silas was suddenly struck by their silence. He began to manically ask what was happening, and why no one was making a plan of response, while also internally torn apart by the loss of his second home. This was briefly soothed by Zeen Mrala, but Cohmac Vitus then asked his Padawan if he was ready.^[1]

Reath Silas was able to read that he was approaching knighthood, and he immediately panicked. He shook his head, insisting he hadn't learned enough, beyond how little he knew. Yoda interrupted, and stated that was one of the hardest lessons, though Silas bit back that understanding there was no single path forward was just a better way of feeling lost. Yoda responded gently before Cohmac Vitus reminded his pupil of the words he had spoken the day Silas had asked to be his Padawan, that the young man would be Vitus' greatest instructor in the Force. Flushing, and after further, brief discourse, Reath Silas finally accepted their logic, knelt, and was knighted by Masters Kantam Sy, Yoda, and Cohmac Vitus, the last being the one to cut his braid.^[1]

Reath Silas' friends hugged him, but when they pulled away, Cohmac Vitus' lightsaber was in the former Padawan's hands. Confused, Silas barely got a word in before Cohmac Vitus renounced his position in the Jedi Order, and vanished out the door, rushing into the darkness of the Corellian forest.^[1]

Goodbyes[]

The next morning, the Jedi, the mysterious bandaged person Master Yoda had brought with them, and Zeen Mrala were preparing to depart Corellia. Ram Jomaram and Reath Silas wished Alys Ongwa goodbye, and asked her what she would do going forward, as she'd dissolved her security company in a moment of clarity after the Nihil began their attack. She responded that she would still fight on Corellia, as Ovus Buckell was trying to bury his involvement in recent events, and she intended to try and stop him. The Jedi and their mysterious tag-along then departed, Kantam Sy having transmitted a message from Yoda minutes earlier, recalling all Jedi to Coruscant, as they were no longer safe against a hidden threat from their past now revealed.^[1]

Personality and traits[]

Reath Silas was an adolescent human male with short, brown hair, brown eyes, and light skin. His physical appearance was considered attractive according to Cohmac Vitus, a fact that endeared Silas to the Nihil member Nan. His hair was tied into a Padawan braid, although it was ripped out by a Wookiee infant shortly after the Great Disaster.^[3] The braid was later remade^[9] and remained on Reath Silas until his knighting ceremony when it was cut off by his second master.^[1]

Reath Silas was a studious young Jedi who loved to learn about ancient history. He preferred reading in the Jedi Archives as opposed to the fantastical adventures that many of his fellow Padawans yearned for. As such, he was not excited to be stationed at the Starlight Beacon with his master. He was friends with Dez Rydan, who had been Master Malli's Padawan before him, which made his peers jealous. After Malli's death during the Great Disaster, Silas decided to travel to Starlight nonetheless, accepting that Malli thought it was best for him and wanting to comply with his master's final wishes. Silas was not a music lover, though he could appreciate the effort put into playing an instrument.^[3] Reath Silas had crushes on multiple female individuals around him throughout the time the Nihil were a threat to the galaxy, causing a degree of personal confusion over these attachments though he resolved not to block out these emotions when they came to the surface.^[1]

Powers and abilities[]

As a Jedi Padawan, Reath Silas had a connection to the Force. Like many other Force-sensitives, with this connection, Reath was granted many notable abilities. He had shown the ability to use telekinesis, such as when he assisted Affie Hollow by steadying her balance without touching her, or clearing a hallway of fire and smoke with a Force push. The Force also granted him the ability to jump very high; many meters into the air with little effort. Despite these abilities, Reath himself noted that, relative to other Jedi, his connection to the Force was not particularly strong. He regularly struggled with influencing minds, and did not experience Force-related sensations and emotions as strongly as others.^[3] He also had difficulties levitating himself, though he was able to do so better with others.^[1]

Silas was highly capable with a lightsaber, achieving excellent marks during his training at the Jedi Temple. He was able to fend off attacks from a Drengir-influenced Dez Rydan for a short time,^[3] and would go on to successfully battle against the Drengir^[9] and Nihil on multiple occasions.^[1] Aside from his combative and Force-related abilities, Reath had basic engineering skills and was capable of piloting speeders with considerable skill. Due to his many hours spent studying in the Jedi Archives, Silas knew of many historical events and cultures, including the Amaxine warriors^[3] with this knowledge of the past expanding during his time with Cohmac Vitus.^[8]

Equipment[]

Reath Silas wore robes with a turquoise sash around his waist and wielded a green lightsaber.^[3] Following the Nihil's attack on Valo, he carried a rebreather with him.^[8]

Behind the scenes[]

Reath Silas was created by Claudia Gray^[11] for the Star Wars: The High Republic multimedia project, a narrative initiative that follows the Jedi two centuries before the events of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.^[7] Silas was first mentioned in the 2021 novel The High Republic: Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule,^[4] and debuted in the young adult novel The High Republic: Into the Dark by Claudia Gray in the same year.^[12] The character was first pictured on the cover of Into the Dark when it was showcased to the public during the reveal of the Star Wars: The High Republic project on February 24, 2020.^[7] He was identified as Reath Silas by Claudia Gray during an episode of The Star Wars Show released on YouTube two days later.^[13] Gray derived the character's surname from a fan who suggested using his son's first name as the name of a Star Wars character.^[14]

Gray described him as a Jedi who adhered more closely to the rules than his peers and who took a more cerebral approach to the Force rather than an instinctual one. While developing Silas, the author drew inspiration from Hermione Granger, a character from the Harry Potter book series. She wanted Silas to be a Jedi whose skill stemmed from hard work rather than natural talent.^[10]

There is a continuity error regarding the relationship between Reath Silas and Imri Cantaros. In the novel Into the Dark, Reath Silas specifically mentions looking forward to reuniting with Cantaros and Vernestra Rowh on the frontier. However, in Out of the Shadows, he requires introduction to Imri by Vernestra, and there is no indication the two have met before.^[3][8]

Daniel José Older, the author of the young-adult novel The High Republic: Midnight Horizon, revealed in an interview that he found Reath Silas the most challenging character to write in his book. He felt that his style of writing wasn't suited to Silas's personality, and as such struggled at times when writing dialogue for the character. For the more important moments in the novel, Older consulted Gray when writing Silas's characterization and storyline.^[11]

Appearances[]

Sources[]

Notes and references[]