The cantina was quiet and dim, the perfect place for a covert meeting, thought Angel. The young Jedi Shadow looked around, noting that even the jukebox in the corner of the Tatooine cantina seemed subdued. Not that she had a basis of comparison, Angel thought with an inward smile. The Jedi Order tended to frown on visiting cantinas, as they did many other things.
As she slipped by the guard at the door, undetected in her stealth state, she recalled the message she'd received. It'd told her to come alone but in these times of war one could never be too careful. She wouldn't have come at all if the note hadn't promised to answer the questions she'd had about her family.
If she thought hard enough she could still latch onto her earliest memories. A pale woman and dark man looking down at her with love, playing on the metal floors of what seemed like a ship; the images haunted her for their elusiveness. After that it was the Order and her immense strength in the Force being honed. Many of the other padawans didn't talk about families or those beyond the Order so she didn't feel out of place for not knowing hers.
But when she was about ten anonymous messages started arriving, signed by someone claiming to be her father. Little gifts came along with small amounts of credits in her accounts, never enough to draw attention. The Order forbade Jedi from accepting gifts to prevent their loyalty from being swayed, but Angel found comfort in the small presents. The fact that someone thought she was worth the trouble of bypassing the security and seclusion of the Jedi Temple touched her. There was always a gift on the same day of galactic year, the first accompanied with a cryptic note.
'For your birthday. Your mother never knew hers. Figured you should know yours, Angel.'
That was when she'd started thinking of herself by that name, she smiled at the memory. She may be Engels'kys to the order, but it was the name 'Angel' that she held in her heart. So when the most recent message had come several days ago, she followed its directions warily, praying the hopes she'd held the last few years weren't about to be dashed.
Still invisible, she sat at a small corner table until she felt a strong Force presence enter the cantina and saw a stately Togruta walk in, clad in a nondescript robe. The woman's montrals and lekku were vibrant blue and white, a startling contrast to her rusty orange skin. Scanning the tables, the Togruta seemed to be searching for someone. When she looked about to give up, Angel dropped her stealth and signaled discretely to her. Surprise and wonder washed over the woman's white marked face and she strode over to Angel's table.
"You must be Engels'kys," the Togruta said, still looking stunned, "I'm sorry, I knew you'd be older but I didn't expect you to be so grown up. Has it been that long?" The shock started fading as a smile spread across her kind face.
"You're his spitting image, but I would have recognized that hair anywhere."
Nice to know someone could explain that, Angel thought, her stark silver hair and eyes had always seemed at odds with her soft light brown skin. Senses still on alert, Angel looked distrustfully at the walking anachronism. The energy surrounding her was frenzied but she seemed serene, in perfect balance with herself.
"Forgive my rudeness, but I do not know you," Angel said, "You speak as if you're familiar with me, please explain." The Togruta continued to smile, but let out a sigh.
"Call me Ashara, please," she explained, "And if you can believe it, I was there when you were born." The answer shocked Angel, but she sensed nothing but open honesty in the woman's words, and motioned her to sit.
"I need to speak frankly with you, Engels'kys. Your family is anxious to see you again but you need to have an open mind. Let me ask you; are you happy with the Order?"
Angel was surprised that the woman had asked the very question she'd been asking herself as of late. She'd constantly felt like her teachers and the other Masters were omitting details. She'd also felt vibrations from several in the Order that she didn't belong there, and she was starting to wonder if they weren't right.
"I am at peace," she replied, and Ashara nodded sagely.
"Honest, but evasive, a true Jedi answer. Being at peace is not the same as being happy, though it's easy to confuse the two. No matter what you've been taught you should keep your mind open."
Angel became wary again. The whole situation seemed constructed to set her up for a trap, preying on her doubts and longing for family. She looked around again but was unable to sense any new dangers. Ashara, as she'd called herself, emanated confidence and peace, but nothing dangerous. In fact, she was looking at Angel as if she'd found a long-lost sister, love and longing flooding her pale-blue eyes.
"The message I received said I would find out about my family, not discuss philosophy," Angel retorted heatedly. "If you have no information on them I'll thank you to leave." Ashara stayed seated, shaking her head patiently.
"I was like you, stubborn, impatient, most youth are I think. But at least you've been able to quell your natural tendencies to become a Master. You're what? 17 now? So young, yet so powerful. That's why they sent you to the Order, to help you learn to focus your abilities. My suggestion actually, since I'd been a padawan myself. I think there's part of them that's still angry at me for that, even though it was the wisest choice."
In the face of Angel's stunned silence, Ashara took her hand.
"Neither the Jedi or the Sith have it completely right," she continued, "Beliefs evolve and we strive to catch up. But never doubt that your family loves you. It'd be their dearest wish if you'd be willing to meet with them. To do that you'll have to accept some truths. One of the first is that your family is affiliated with the Empire."
Angel felt a chill sweep down her spine and removed her hand from Ashara's, ignoring the woman's stung look. "Affiliated how?" she asked, feeling wary again.
"You're not a long-lost child of the Emperor, or anything that grand I assure you," Ashara stated, "But it could be dangerous for you if your connection came to light and that you're with the Order. Your family and I are asking a lot of you by wanting you to meet them."
Hope burned bright in Ashara's eyes as she took Angel's hand again.
"Would you be willing to meet with them, Angel?"
The use of that name was Angel's undoing. Imperial connections or not, this woman has information about my family and me. Her late Master Tho had been a kind man and as close to a father as she could have expected. But his recent passing had left a void in her life; this may be an opportunity to fill that void.
"Whatever happens to me is the will of the Force," Angel relented, "I will trust in it and allow you to lead me Ashara."
"Wonderful!" Ashara exclaimed with pure delight, drawing a few looks from around the room as she stood, "They're so anxious to meet you. We'll head to the spaceport and can leave immediately."
Angel froze. "Spaceport? You mean they're not here?"
"Their main home is on Nar Shadda, that's where we're going. But Tatooine has special meaning for them, so they felt it appropriate if I met you here. An area is run by the Exchange so would be safer than one controlled by the Republic or Empire." For a moment Ashara looked chagrined.
"I guess Imperial connections aren't the only ones I should warn you about. It's because of your father's link to the Exchange that he's been able to keep an eye on you."
Ashara wasn't joking when she said she had a lot to prepare me for, Angel thought dryly.
"There is no ignorance, only knowledge," she quoted to Ashara, and the woman nodded again.
"That line definitely suits our purpose. Thank you for your trust."
Ashara stood and Angel followed her out of the cantina where they mounted her speeder and rushed to the spaceport. She appreciated the Togruta's warning about Imperial connections even more when she saw they were to board a Fury class Imperial ship. A slight man in an Imperial uniform paced in front of the boarding ramp looking as skittish as a vine-rat. It was only when he glanced over and saw Ashara with Angel in tow that she could feel waves of relief radiate from him.
"Thank the stars!" he exclaimed, "You found her." His eyes darted over Angel as he examined her.
"My word, you look just like the Captain, but far prettier of course." The man straightened as if remembering his manners. "I'm sorry, I've been remiss. Captain Drelik, at your service. I've known your parents for several years now. Almost as long as Lor… Ashara here. Glad to see you back by the way, my dear." Angel was surprised to see Drelik lean over and give Ashara a warm kiss on the cheek as she squeezed his hand.
"Now I'll go prep us for launch. I'll leave our charge in your capable hands." His nervousness melted away, and Angel watched him walk up the ramp looking pert and professional.
"You haven't been stationed on a ship long term, have you?" Ashara asked when Angel shot her a curious look. Angel shook her head, and Ashara smiled. "You become more than friends, you become family. Talos, Drelik that is, is the brother I'd always hoped for and I have your parents to thank for that."
"So my parents were stationed together?" Angel asked, and Ashara drew her hand over her eyes.
"Me and my big mouth," she grumbled, then sighed, "Short answer, yes. But I need to back off and let them talk to you. They've been waiting a long time for this."
Angel couldn't hold back a huff of impatience. "Can you at least tell me if this 'he' that you keep saying I look like is my father?" she asked and Ashara's smile returned as she looked over Angel.
"Yes, your father. You look just like him, with that tawny skin and skeptical look. Your mother's there as well, in those eyes, and her hair of course. But you have more questions and I have a promise to keep. When I took you the Temple, I promised them that one day I would bring you home."
Home, Angel thought, that remains to be seen, but she'd give this meeting a chance.
