Chapter 1 of the Fate of the Wandering: Worthiness & Readiness
Her shape loomed out in front of all of them, in a holographic form. Elaine Skylar looked sadder than usual, as though she was about to foretell sad news. Her curly black hair was tied into a ponytail, and her purple eyes were misty with regret. Her blue Jedi Knight robe hugged her slim form, and her two lightsabers hung on her belt. But she managed a smile, like she always was able to do.
"I…well, there's no easy way to say this. We've been through so much together. And yet, I'm destined to go and venture way out of Republic Space. I have a mission to do there. And there, I cannot take anyone I love." She paused, and her eyes seemed to try to find Carth's. But maybe that was just his imagination.
"Nothing ever stays the same," she continued. In her soft face, everyone could see this was much harder for her than her battle speeches her former self used to give. "We all know that. You have to all go your separate ways, do what you planned to originally do when this was all over.
"I honestly don't know if I'm coming back." She bit her lip charismatically. "But I sure as hell hope I do." She half-heartedly laughed softly. "But I ask you this: Don't come after me. Don't worry. But mostly, don't try to follow. This path is mine alone, and I'd feel…terrible if one of you died trying to do so.
"But promise you won't forget me." In the hologram, they heard some static and then Mission's cheery voice saying, "Come on! Let's go kick some Sith butt!" Elaine tried to smile, but a tear dripped down her cheek. "I have to go," she whispered, and the hologram turned off.
There was silence in the main hold for a few seconds. The whole crew of the Ebon Hawk was there, gathered around a large, round table, huddled around the holovid. Now that it was over, they sat back, lost in their own solitary thoughts.
Finally Carth spoke up. "I can't believe I was asleep when she left," he groaned, face in hands.
Carth was remembering the energy she just seemed to radiate everywhere she went, all those times she had been there for him when he needed her most, all the times she had called him, "Flyboy," and how she had a habit of pouring whole bottles of Corellian honey in her caffas. And Carth remembered how he had lost Morgana, and how he had damned near lost Dustil, his son. But Elaine had helped him prevent that, and he was not about to lose her yet.
"I can't believe you were asleep when she left, Carth," said Mission helpfully, a lame attempt to lighten the situation. However, her eyes were deep pools of sadness.
"Why didn't you tell us she was leaving?" demanded Carth of Bastila, and there were murmurs of assent. Bastila could tell they were still a little wary of her, ever since she had turned back to the Light again. They weren't sure if and when she would turn back to the Dark Side.
Bastila sighed wearily. "Because you would have stopped her from her fate. Don't think I wanted her all for myself. It was her last wish, so I wanted to stay true to that."
The Cathar frowned. "You make it sound as though she's not coming back," Juhani said apprehensively.
"Well, if we can't go after her," Mission reasoned, "there must be somebody else who can."
And the cabin dissolved back into silence.
::.Five years later.::
"Demi," whispered a voice.
The petite platinum-blonde rolled over in bed, her sky blue eye and her light green eye blinking open reluctantly. "What?"
"Take a look at this." The voice was Mira's, and she sounded pretty impressed. The charismatic red-head, and former-bounty-hunter-turned-Jedi, was holding a hologram.
"What?" Demi, short for Demia Thress, said again, and sat up, just in time to make contact with the wooden frame of the bed on top of hers. She groaned as dark pinpricks obscured her vision briefly, and she doubled up before putting her head back down on the pillow with a sigh. "Mira, what's all this about? We're supposed to be asleep."
"Oh, believe me, I would be. But somebody knocked on our door and left this for you. It just says your name: Demi. I guess they're not much for titles."
Demi pushed back the blankets and rolled out of the bed, to receive a very official looking paper from Mira. "From Admiral Carth." Mira whistled appreciatively.
"Does he always have to wake people up so early in the morning?"
"He's an Admiral, enough said. I'm guessing he has the right to do just about whatever he wants."
Demi raised her eyebrows quizzically at Mira, but turned to look at the paper. It was stamped with the Republic seal. "He wants an urgent conference with me in Room D12," Demi read, perplexed as to what this could be about.
"Urgent, huh? Must be, if he's calling on you at Force-knows-what-time-it-is." Mira yawned and started climbing up the ladder to her top bunk. "You're not secretly eloping, are you?"
Demi rolled her eyes. "Yes, Mira, and I'm also related to Darth Sion. He's going to pilot us to Korriban, where we're going to have our honeymoon."
"That's nice," Mira mumbled, and Demi knew that within a few seconds, she would be a goner. "Send me a postcard, will you?"
Demi grabbed her Jedi robe from off a chair, and tied her hair in a ponytail. "Bye, Mira," she said, smiling fondly at the red-head who was already snoring slightly. Then she swept out the door.
Outside in the hallway, as the door shut behind her, Demi pocketed the hologram. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to remember the feeling she had had in her dream. She had been dancing around in the rain on Dxun, but for some reason, she had been a little girl instead. It hadn't made any sense, but it had been a wonderful dream.
But now she had business to do.
They were in the Republic base on Coruscant, and were about to celebrate the return of Demi & Crew from the clutches of Malachor V that night. The party was a big affair, but Demi didn't feel in the tide of things. She didn't really see what there was to celebrate. However, looking at her companions all tired or injured from previous battles or crashes, she knew that they deserved a break. Besides, the party was also to celebrate the Telos victory. It was herself that she wasn't sure about. She didn't feel as though she had really proved herself yet.
Funny, really. Vanquishing three Sith Lords, helping her companions find peace in themselves with the Force, as well as taking a planet down with her just wasn't enough.
Tightening her brown Jedi Master robe around her, she reached inside her pocket for a map of the area. A package of 'Instant-Chai' came out, but she still couldn't find the map. She fumbled around inside her many pockets for a couple of minutes, taking out everything but what she was looking for. Scowling, she reached down to scoop up all the contents she had uncovered when she sensed somebody in the hall.
It was Atton Rand, his tall frame filling the nearby doorway, the long-evading map in his hand. He was wearing his usual ribbed jacket and a scoundrel-like lazy smile, his thick, brown hair rumpled. His eyes were twinkling with fondness and mischief.
"Looking for this?"
Demi rolled her eyes and strode towards him, hands in her pockets. "So you're lurking in the hallways at four in the morning. Trouble sleeping?"
Atton shrugged. "Something like that. It's torture having to share a room with Mical. It really is."
Demi smiled. "It can't be that bad. Unlike some people I know, he actually knows how to make a bed. Besides, he's asleep right now, isn't he?"
Atton just looked at her. "Oh," Demi said, something dawning on her. "He doesn't snore, does he?"
Atton shook his head. "I haven't really had the chance to find out. He's been up all night, meditating, reciting the Jedi Code again and again. If I hear one more, 'There is no emotion…'" His voice trailed off.
"It wouldn't hurt for you to follow his example," Demi said, amused. "Still. Till four in the morning? That's a little extreme."
Atton laughed. "A little? Anyway, just believe me when I say, you got the better part of the deal with Mira. So. What's your excuse?"
"For lurking in the hall?" Demi took the map and unfolded it. "Well, I have to go…there," she said, pointing to a room. "The Admiral called a meeting and I'm supposed to attend."
Atton crinkled his eyebrows. "This early in the morning?"
Demi sighed. "That's exactly what I said. Still. It sounds important."
Atton made way for her in the door. "I'll come with."
Demi shook her head. "You'd be bored. Besides, it sounds very…political. And they probably won't let you in."
"Then I'll come with you to the door."
Demi glanced sideways at him. "All right."
They walked side by side down the hall and down the stairs, silently.
"It's so quiet in the mornings," Demi mused. "I can't decide whether I like it or not." Then, she glanced out a window, and saw the expanse of Coruscant. The sky was gray, and dew encompassed the whole city. The garden below looked like a mystical jungle. "I think I do," she said softly.
They reached the door and both stopped.
"Tell Mical to go to sleep, okay?" Demi said, her eyes twinkling. She started to make her way in, but Atton put a hand on the other side of the doorframe, which acted as a barrier and blocked her from getting any farther. "What's wrong?" Demi said seriously.
Atton sighed, and ran one hand through his hair. "I have something to tell you."
Demi started feeling nervous. "Can't it wait? This won't take too long."
Atton dropped his hand, evidently changing his mind before he had even started. "Yeah. Sure." He gestured at the entrance. "Go in. I'll see you later, after you've had your politically-inclined fun."
Demi snorted indelicately. "Right." But she paused, staring at Atton, then the door. Demi didn't know why, but it was as though, just standing there, somebody was making her make a choice. And she didn't want to. "I guess, then, I have to go."
"That would make sense," Atton agreed. "If you don't want to be late."
Demi hesitated. Can't leave, can you? Atton thought. He looked up, a quirk of amusement at the tip of his mouth, as he heard one of Demi's thoughts. "You're thinking about hitting me with your lightsaber, aren't you?"
"I will when you're least expecting it." And she pushed open the door and was out of sight.
::.Inside.::
"Admiral?" Demi whispered, cautiously. The room marked D12 was empty and rather dark. "Hello?" The only answer was the words echoing back at her. "Anybody here?" She finally found the switch for the light, and turned it on. Instantly, lights in the ceiling flickered on.
"It's nice to finally meet you," said a female voice Demi had never heard before, making her heart jump. On instinct, Demi whirled around at the voice, ready to reach for her lightsaber if need be.
"So you've found the light switch. I was looking for that. It was getting rather annoying, really, wandering around in the dark. It's good you came when you did."
The lady who had spoken had brown hair, a rather confident demeanor, and a double-bladed lightsaber as well, hanging on a belt. "My name is Bastila Shan."
"Of the famed Battle Meditation," Demi said, watching her. "It's an honor to meet you. But what's this meeting about? And where's the Admiral?"
Bastila sighed. "Carth, you mean? He's always rather late, but I'm sure he'll be here in a few minutes. This meeting is, after all, very important to him. And you've yet to understand just how much very means to him." She sat down as well with a light grace.
Then the door bursted open and a blue twi'lek stepped in. She instantly filled the air with energy. "Hey, Bassy. Why are you guys so quiet in here?"
Bastila rolled her eyes. "First Jedi Princess, now Bassy…"
Then a little beeping titter came from the door.
"T3!" Demi exclaimed in delight, pleased to actually know someone in here. "You little trash compactor! Come here…"
"Come to join the party, Canderous?" Mission teased as yet another person entered.
Canderous grimaced. "No," he said simply. "I've come to start it."
"Mandalore?" Demi said in wonder, recognizing his voice.
"That's right," he said, taking a seat.
So this was what he looked like without his Mandalorian armor. Tall and muscular with a stern jaw and graying hair. He had a take-no-crap demeanor that Demi had always respected.
The room then proceeded to be filled with more droids, more people, and other species, all of whom seemed to know each other, including HK. ("Oh, killjoy," Demi muttered. She wasn't as fond of the assassin droid as Elaine was.)
Demi cleared her throat. "No offense, but this is starting to feel like a big family reunion, mostly containing people I don't know. How do you all know each other? And where's the Admiral?"
"Please, call me Carth." Carth Onasi sat down at the head of the table with a good-natured smile, but he looked rather worn-out. His brown hair was rumpled as though he had raked his hands through it many times, he hadn't shaved in days, and his eyes were weary and sad. "Everyone, this is Demia Thress. She was a general during the Mandalorian Wars, and Demi, this is everyone. I'm sorry for having to wake you—and everyone else for that matter—up so early, but this is really the only time I could hold the meeting. You're here because we need to discuss our plan of action, and that plan is going to get put into place tonight."
"Our plan of—" Demi paused, perplexed. "I'm sorry, I don't think I quite understand."
"We talked before you left for Malachor V, do you remember?"
"Yes." How could she not? "I promised to go after her, Revan, that is, help her, and bring her back, or at least let you know that she was safe."
"And to deliver a message," he prodded.
"Oh yes—that you, Carth Onasi, were waiting for her." For five years, too.
"Aw, that's sweet Carth," Mission said, not unkindly. Jolee Bindo, at the corner of the table, coughed something that sounded like, "Not."
"I have a question," Demi persevered. "How do you guys all know each other? How do you all know her?"
"It's a long story," said Jolee brusquely. "And I doubt that you have the patience or time to listen to all of it, and if you do, I don't have the time to tell it, which leaves us all in quite a problem."
"It's called summarization, old man," grumbled Canderous. "Look it up."
"We saved the galaxy on the Ebon Hawk, which I guess was the same thing you did," offered Mission. "Vanquished a Sith Lord. All in a day's work, you know."
Demi smiled, surprised. "I never knew the Ebon Hawk had so much history."
"You'd be surprised," Carth said. "And, Elaine, or Revan as I guess you know her…She means the galaxy to us. We know that you're heading after her, and we want to help you as much as we can."
"And what do you plan to do?"
Bastila half-smiled. "You don't beat around the bush, do you?"
"I want to go back to sleep, that's why," Demi said honestly. But seeing the look on Carth's face, she quieted.
"We have a few leads," Carth continued. "She landed in Deralia, her homeworld, and then, after questioning around, we learned she had bought a shuttle and flew…somewhere else."
"We have a holovid," Zaalbar, the Wookiee, said, the first thing he had said during the whole meeting. Mission handed it to T3, who played it. Everyone quieted as Elaine Skylar's form once again came up, and she spoke. Carth did not mention he had watched this a hundred times. But Demi could tell. Talk about obsessive, she thought. This Elaine must be something else. She had only met Revan once, during the Mandalorian Wars, when she had been on the brink between Light and Dark, and could safely say that she had left an impression upon her.
"So I have to leave and head to Deralia? Do I have to go alone?"
"Agitated Statement: Of course not, meatbag master. I shall accompany you."
Demi flinched. "Anybody else?" she asked pointedly.
"Proud Answer: I am all that you need. I was built by Revan, you know. I will have intelligence nobody else has acquired."
"There'll be somebody else coming along," added Carth. "Somebody who isn't as fond of death threats as HK, fortunately. But you'll meet that person tonight."
"I'm leaving during the party, you said?"
"Near the end of it, sure. Is that enough time?"
"Yeah. Okay." Demi exhaled, taking it all in. This certainly changed her life's plans. Not that she really had had any in the first place.
"All right, good. So, just so you're clear about what to do, let's go over our course of action…"
::.Afterwards.::
After the meeting's occupants moved out the door, Demi waited in the corridor for Carth. "So," she said. "What's she like?"
"Who?" Carth asked, locking the door.
"You know who."
"Oh, her." Carth paused and looked into space for a while, a weird expression on his face. "Oh, she's unbelievable."
"So…she's worth it?"
Carth looked at her strangely, and brought his hand up as though to start a very long speech, but thought better of it. "Yes, Demi. Yes, she is."
"That's all I needed to hear." And she disappeared down the hall.
A/N: Some (more) dialogue changes made, hopefully for the better. Some things didn't make sense, and now that I know my characters a bit better, I went back a little for a quick edit. Cheers!
