Janet looked at the village square's stone fountain in wonder. It had already been two hours since she, Tobias, and Janus left the council chamber, and already Janet felt alone. Her mother knew Tobias, the young man who she had just met. What else did her mother not tell her? And why did Tobias show up now? There were too many questions left unanswered, and yet she wanted to learn them all.

Maybe in time, if she were lucky, she would figure this out. For now, all she could count on was her nerve and the sense of making it out of this village alive. Then again, this was a different galaxy. Maybe if she learned the Rakata's language, along with all the other alien languages, then maybe she'd have a good idea of what was going on here.

Maybe she should consult with Aslan and see what he had to say.

"….I think I should accompany Janet," Tobias said to Janet's mother, confirming his decision. "I have a feeling she will need me for whatever's coming."

"I heartedly accept," Janus said with ease.

"What?" Janet asked, stunned. "Mother!"

"Janet, we need to talk." Janus smiled at her. "Meet me in the barn alone. Tobias can go and check up on his father."

"No!" Tobias cried, slightly annoyed. "I think I should stay with Janet and check on her wounds. They looked bad when she got here—"

"I think Janet is well enough to speak her mind. Don't you think so, Janet?" Janus made it clear. She gestured to Janet to follow. "Come on. I want to talk to you. Please?"

Janet raised an eyebrow at Tobias. Well, if she must do this, then she must. She hoped her wound become worse before the hobbit healer came back.

"You go! I'll check up on my father." Tobias said, awkwardly. "I know this must be hard, but your mother means well."

"I know," Janet said, softly. "I'll see you later!" She stood up, following her mother straight for the barn.

"I'll see you soon!" Tobias called back. Janet looked again, giggling, as the hobbit made his way to the medical facility.

.

The barn's interior looked very much like a museum. All around them were banners depicting the Infinite Empire's strange machine with an iron ball fitted in the center. Janet's dog instincts perked up. She wanted to play with that ball but had to remember it was not in her nature to act like a dog. She was human. Although, she wouldn't mind living as a hobbit, too, even if that meant eating six meals a day!

Janet met her mother's gaze, while Janus was busy collecting meats, vegetables, fruit, grain, and dairy from off the tables. Something didn't add up and she knew she had to talk about it with her mother. If anything, Janus would listen to her… or so Janet hoped.

"Why was I chosen?" Janet asked. "Why did Aslan bring me here?" She pressed further, "It's about my destiny."

"You're a unique girl," Janus said, between storing food in a basket, given to her by a fellow brown-skinned Rakata. "Thank you!" She said to the alien, who nodded in agreement. She added, looking at her daughter in a motherly manner, "You were born, just not by your father and me. It was Aslan who created you and put you in my womb. It is Aslan we should thank for your birth and speedy growth. So, thank him, dear child, while you still have time."

"But still, why was I chosen? I don't know where to go next in my life. Aslan wanted us to mend our bond before we left the First World. We did that. What's next?" Janet asked, curious.

"He'll tell you," Janus said, calmly. "Just like he told me about your destiny."

"Which is?" Janet asked, concerned.

Janus faced her with kind eyes. "The fate of the universe rests on our shoulders. More than one shoulder actually. Our line will be important in the future, for it is three family members who will depend on our success."

"Who?" Janet asked, stunned.

"It's better that I don't say, but it is wise that Tobias found you. You need him, Janet, and I have a feeling he needs you." Janus said, calmly.

"That doesn't give me much hope." Janet addressed her, concerned.

"It's all we have," Janus said, returning to her shopping. She shooed her daughter away with a paw. "You go. Go look for Tobias. Your wound needs to be checked and cleansed again."

"Thanks," Janet said, softly, making her way out of the barn.

.

The walk back to the medical facility took less than ten minutes on foot. Janet hoped Tobias was in the mood, given her mother shooed him away like that. And yet, questions formed in her mind: what did Tobias' father think of her? How would he react knowing there were more members of the Order of Seven here on this planet? If so, what would become of them?

She hoped she was not too late to see them off—

Thud!

She bumped into Tobias, landing on her side and wincing in pain. After a few short breaths, she turned to Tobias, who rushed to her aide and helped her stand up.

"Are you all right?" He asked, worried.

"I'm fine! Thank you," Janet said, panting.

"Do you know where you're staying tonight? Did your mother say something?" Tobias asked, knowingly.

"No." Janet shook her head. "She didn't say much. Just that we were meant to be together. I don't know what that all means, but…" she looked up at him again with worried eyes, "…I hope she's okay."

Tobias looked around, flustered. Janet wondered what was wrong. Given the look on his face, she certainly felt like this was all her doing. Then again, she was probably wrong about everything.

"Do you want to spend the night with me?" Tobias asked, curious. "At least, until proper arrangements are given."

Janet gave it some thought. Nice boy, nice village. Maybe she would give it a chance but at a safer distance. It didn't help when he wrapped an arm around her, protecting her. This was totally new! No one ever touched her, except for the animals and Aslan! This was ridiculous!

"Come on! I'll take you to my speeder." Tobias said, leading her outside.

"Your… speeder?" Janet said, realizing he was leading her to another wheelie machine, painted in shades of blues, greens, and purples. "This is your ride?!"

Tobias released her, but not before tossing her a helmet with goggles. "Hop on! I'll take us to my house, and then we can have supper."

"That sounds delicious!" Janet said, swinging a leg over the speeder's saddle. She looked on, watching Tobias do the same thing. Nervousness smeared across her face. What was she supposed to do?

"Hold onto me!" Tobias said as he started up the engine.

"What?!" Janet asked aloud, confused.

"Trust me!" He answered, revving up the engine.

Janet did as she was asked, unsure where this was going. In seconds, the speeder moved, forcing her to wrap her arms around Tobias as he drove off into the sunset.