"The dead count is catastrophic." Ataru Duran confirmed, his face grim.
"How bad?"
"Hundreds dead. We have two unconfirmed disappearances."
"Who?" My voice cracked, we'd been breathing in a lot of smoke recently.
"Omaris Kenobi and Amarna Katina"
Shock pulsed through my body, "Master Katina?"
The Togruta looked down, "Unfortunately so."
"Come on, Cody. Let's leave Master Duran in peace."
The Padawan nodded, and followed me out of Ataru's chambers.
"Miss? I mean um, Master?" Cody stuttered.
"Cody? What is it?"
He still had an intimidated look in his eyes, like he was scared to ask me a question.
"Master, what happened here? Who. . . killed everyone?" His voice shook at the memory.
"Why don't we sit down, and we'll talk about this."
He nodded, and sat on a windowsill. He motioned for me to speak, he had confidence, buried down deep inside, I liked that.
"There's an awful woman, and she calls herself, Darth Anuba." I spoke softly, hoping not to scare Cody.
He merely nodded, and leaned forward, silently telling me to go on.
"She's completely insane, she technically should be locked away in a straight jacket. But, for some reason she's not." I paused, "She's a master of the dark side of the force, evil to the core. She has hair black as her soul, she carries two, double bladed lightsabers that reflect an identical color to her eyes. Blood red."
His chocolate eyes widened, "I saw her!"
"I'm sure you did, Cody. She set the fires, planted the bombs, and killed all those innocent people. I'd like to say she had help, but right now we just don't know."
Cody nodded, understanding, "Thank you, Master. No one will tell me anything!"
"They just don't want to scare you. You've been through enough as it is."
"I can handle anything! I'm a Solo!" He announced proudly.
I allowed myself a smile, "That's right. Never forget that!"
"I won't!"
"What do you say we go find an empty room, and we'll start you on some lightsaber training?"
"Really?"
"Well sure! We've got nothing better to do"
* * *
I selected a large room, emptied by the attack; nothing was there but a pile of rubble against one wall. I handed him the lightsaber he'd be given a few nights back, he took it and studied the hilt, as if absorbing information simply by looking at it. He gathered his courage, and pressed the switch. A yellow blade of plasma hummed to life, the pale color casting a glow on Cody's young face. His chocolate eyes widened, "It's so pretty. . ."
"Lesson one, Lightsabers. They're beautiful, but dangerous. Be very careful when you handle one. They're a more sophisticated weapon, a more elegant weapon for a more civilized age."
"Master Obi Wan Kenobi"
"That's right! Someone's been studying."
I took my own lightsaber from my belt, and powered it on. It's soft silver glow lighting up the room.
"Now, hold it up, like this," I showed him, adjusting his stance. "Perfect."
"We don't have an practice druids at the moment, so I want you to close your eyes. You have to trust me, okay?"
Cody nodded, and closed his eyes, still keeping his stance.
I slowly swung my blade around, my muscles tense in case I had to stop. Cody's arm shot up, cleanly blocking my blade from hitting his shoulder.
His dark eyes flew open, "Why'd you do that?"
"To see if you could sense it." I replied easily, "You did"
His eyes still wide with shock "I did! Does everyone try to kill their own Padawan?"
I laughed, "Kill? Cody, I'm only testing you."
"Fine then, try me again."
I repeated my previous movement, swinging the blade a little faster, same as last time his reflexes were fast as lightning, blocking the hit perfectly.
"How did you get so fast?" I asked, astonished.
"Solo's can handle anything!"
* * *
Cody's training had been tiring, I trudged towards my chambers, exhausted. I pushed the door open, and almost let myself just fall onto my bed. But something caught my eye, something silver carefully placed on the plain bedspread. A lightsaber. I picked it up and studied it, the hilt was exquisitely crafted. Smooth metal blended with smaller sections made in black, the weapon had been made specifically for the form I specialized in. The form my master had been named for, Ataru, form 4. The hilt fit perfectly in my hands, like it had been made for me. Curiosity took over, and I pressed the activation switch. The weapon's electric green beam jolted to life, setting the room alight in it's iridescent glow. "You can have it you know, if you want it." A kind voice spoke softly behind me. A soft blue translucent figure stood behind me, a force ghost. "I brought it here for you" I jumped at the sound of his voice, he was older, with long brown hair. He had a kind face, and dressed in simple Jedi's robes. He had sparkling grey eyes like mine, I noticed similar features in his complexion to my own. "Who are you?"
The Jedi smiled again, "I believe you know."
His name came surprisingly easy to my mind, I gave a slight bow,
"Master Qui Gon Jinn."
He nodded, pleased to be recognized, "Hi there."
"Why did you bring me this?"
He seemed to be surprised that I hadn't already figured it out. "I'm very proud of you, Natalia."
No one called me Natalia. No one. Ever.
"Thank you, Master. But why? Why watch me?"
"Child, I always watch family."
"Wait, what?"
"Family. I always watch my family" He mused.
"Since when am I related to- Ah. . . I was wondering why my middle name was Jinna."
He nodded in satisfaction, "Nala, I'd like you to take my lightsaber."
"Master, I'm honored, but are you sure?"
"Well does it look like I have a use for it?" He laughed, amused by his own assessment.
"Okay, I'll take care of it, I promise."
"That's my girl. Listen, be cautious. There are very dark times ahead. Be aware."
"Yes Master, thank you."
He nodded slightly, fading into the air around him.
"Farewell, I'll see you again."
"Goodbye"
my door opened suddenly, startling me. The small form of Cody stood in the hallway. "M-Master?"
I glanced at the clock sitting on my nightstand, the time read that it was close to midnight. "Cody, what are you doing up?"
"Master, I had a bad dream. . ." His voice shook, whatever he had seen had disturbed him.
"It was only a dream, Cody. What did you see?"
A single tear traced his cheek, "I saw. . . The dark Lady. Who we talked about earlier. And beside her was a big man! And worse. . . They were standing over a dead body. . . I looked closer, and it was you." His voice was shaky as he spoke, "I needed to make sure you were okay"
"I'm here. I'm okay, Cody. It was only a dream. Are you okay?"
He nodded, wiping a tear from his eye.
I took him into a hug, his small hand clutched my shoulder, just wanting to know I was still there. He had no one, everyone he had loved was gone.
"Cody, I promise. I will never leave you alone. No matter what happens, or how far apart we may be, I will never leave you in this world be yourself. You'll be okay. I give you my word."
"Master? Who were you talking to? I heard voices."
I smiled a bit, remembering Master Jinn, "A very good friend."