Anabeth: New Beginnings

Chapter 17 - Old Friend

Once Ana had gotten all the information she needed from Talin she let him go on his way while she continued to towards the cells. She quickly ordered the guard to take Bane back to the interrogation room so she could have a word alone with Maul. Once they were out of the door, Ana entered to see Maul already awaiting her in his cell.

"I'm guessing you're not here to catch up," he stated.
"No. I need to discuss another favor with you," Ana began. "We need to establish what is happening on Zygerria, and we need to do it fast. The Shadow Collective, they used to be your people. I there any chance you would use that connection to our favor?"

"That's a lot to ask," Maul pointed out.
"I know," Ana replied. "But you know I wouldn't asking be if I didn't see it as absolutely necessary."
"What did you friends say about your plan?"

"They're not jumping for joy. But they trust me enough to let me try," Ana explained.
"You must be quiet adamant about the idea then," Maul observed.
"Yes. So what is it going to take?"

"You do realize that, unless you plan to let me go, you don't have anything of worth you could be offering to me right now?" Maul questioned.
Ana gave him a serious look. "Yes."
"And you do realize that you have no leverage that will keep me from betraying you once I make it to Zygerria?"
"Yes."

"Then how come you're still asking?" Maul seemed confused.
"I've grown to be a firm believer in the best in people," Ana confessed. "And I know that at your best, you're actually a decent person. I've come to wish more often than not over the weeks, that I might get to talk to that person.

The person that got me a bottle of moondust for my fourth birthday. The person that brought me cookies whenever he returned from a mission. The person that taught me how to hold a lightsaber and write my name. I wish I could talk to him again."

Maul was rendered speechless for a moment. "I didn't know you still held such fond memories of our time together."
"Of course I do," Ana was quick to state. "Maybe things ended up working out very differently to how we expected, but that doesn't mean the memories aren't precious to me."

Maul looked at Ana in contemplation as she sighed. "Look, I thought about this for a long time. I was mad at the galaxy for a while after LO and I went into hiding. But when I eventually stranded on Gandri all alone, I finally came to accept that what was done was done and there was no changing it.

After the Jedi found me and it turned out that you were alive, I tried to be mad for some time again. But I came to realize that, no matter what happened along the way, no matter how tough times were, it brought me to where I am now. To where I am happy. So there's no point in looking back bitterly."

Maul looked solemn as a silence filled the room. "I'm glad you got your happy ending at least. That was all I ever hoped for. Admittedly, I had pictured your happy end to look a little different, with less Jedi in it and all. But if this is what you want, then far be it from me to interfere."

"Thank you," Ana expressed her gratitude. "I hope you're aware that not interfering also means staying away from Obi-Wan and his family."
"Figures it does," Maul replied.

"I know I can't really offer you anything in return for you doing us this favor. I mean, I could threaten to stop my visits down here otherwise, but I'd rather not do that if I have the option. I'd rather we do this as friends."
"Friends?" Maul asked, clearly taken aback by Ana's words.

"Yes," Ana confirmed. "Old friends. I'd much rather have us be that than enemies."
They locked eyes for a moment, and Ana could swear she briefly saw something similar to a real smile creep onto Maul's face.

"What do you need me to do?" he finally asked.
"Rekindle your connection with the Shadow Collective, use it to get access zu whatever is happening on Zygerria, and report it back to us," Ana explained.
"I'll do it then. For an old friend."

"Thank you. I'll come and pick you up at nightfall. I know someone you can take you to Corellia for where it will be easy for you to get a hold of a ship," Ana explained.
"I'll see you tonight then," Maul bid her goodbye.
"Yeah, see you tonight," Ana was already turning towards the door. "Oh, and just incase you get bored until then, you can ask Bane all about how I gave him a un for his money on Mandalore. I'm sure he'd love to remember that particular one."