Chapter Three: Revelations

Darkness had veiled his mind earlier, but now he was regaining consciousness. Anakin slowly opened his eyes to find he was in an unfamiliar location. The room was entirely shaded white and silver, the scent a sanitary object usually contains lingered in the room, and a bright light was above him. He tried to move his arm in order to adjust his weight so he could sit up, but his arms refused to obey his mind's command. He groaned in frustration, it was obvious he was to stay only in one place; lying down with a bright light burning his eyes.

Why can't I move? Where am I? What happened? He thought to himself.

The silence was irritating. He couldn't move and the marks left behind from his brother's attacks still burned as if it had only happened seconds ago, which couldn't have been possible.

How, how did he manage to fool me? I could've sworn he was just there the moment my blade came down. I could've stopped him before he got out of hand. It's just impossible how he moved without my noticing, especially with a broken rib.

His skull felt as if it were expanding each time deep thoughts surfaced his mind. He'd never experienced as much pain in his life, but he'd always been given the luxury of more time to study instead of partaking in actual combat. His brother on the other hand was given much time to study and experience actual violence taking place in the galaxy.

Sar, Seeha, Ri…what was her name? Think, Anakin, think! The sooner you remember her name, the easier it will be to track her down. She's the answer, the answer to something, at least revealing possible reasons for Caedus's downfall. She was his combat assistance whenever he was assigned missions…

"Morning, dork; still immobile or just being lazy," Vorexa's voice drawled from nearby.

He longed to meet eye contact with her, but he was still incapable of moving. Can I even speak?

"It's morning already? Yeah, I'm still immobile. Hoping it's not anything permanent; couldn't manage if I were paralyzed." Anakin was surprised he had the capability to speak.

Vorexa's silver eyes startled him as they appeared above him. The bright light was replaced by her image and her long, silky hair cascaded around his face. "It's not permanent, merely some medication one of the healers gave you to numb the pain. I was hoping you would have regained some control by now."

"If only," He said and a thought dawned upon him, "Weren't you inside of Fountain Palace when it exploded?"

"I was, and then I left to greet Jashakyrr once he arrived on the planet." She explained.

"Jashakyrr's here?" Anakin asked curiously.

"He left earlier, but yes, he was here." She responded.

"Pity I missed him. Perhaps I'll get to see him later. Right now I'm just thankful to be alive, even if I can't move." He said.

Vorexa nodded and his mind slipped away again.

"Hmm? Why do you even bother asking? Jealous you weren't paired or even assigned to complete missions? Anyway, she's alright, but I'd prefer to be paired with Jashakyrr. He's more of your friend, but I'm sure people would be more terrified of a Solo and a Wookiee who both have Jedi skills. A Solo with a woman tagging along just looks more like a date and we're not there to kill anyone, right?" Caedus's voice said.

"To be candid, I think a woman tagging along with you is more frightening. They underestimate you both since you're of opposite genders, right? Whereas they'd most likely fire upon you and a Wookiee far more quickly," Anakin had responded.

Caedus leaned back in his chair and chuckled, "Interesting logic, brother. I guess you're right and her anger to enemies is useful."

"Why does she contain anger towards her enemies? That doesn't really strike me as a Jedi trait." Anakin responded skeptically.

"You see, she was taken from her parents at a young age because they were thieves and murderers. She spent most of her life on the run from anyone intending to cause her harm. Her parents eventually died in the prison, since then she just contains a hatred for the ones who imprisoned them in the first place." Caedus had explained.

"I wish I could remember her name…" Anakin abruptly said; accidentally aloud.

Vorexa looked startled and hurt, "Whose name?"

"Huh? Oh, not like that, I promise. She used to assist my brother on missions. I never met her, only heard about her." Anakin replied.

Vorexa visibly relaxed but didn't respond.

Anakin tried to move again, and to his surprise managed to sit up. "By the Force, that's much better."

Vorexa flashed him a grin, "I'm sure it is."

The door abruptly slid aside and a woman walked in. She had visible scars and burn marks, but she looked to be the equivalent of a Hapan. Perhaps she was a Hapan.

"Greetings, Anakin. The healers said you would awaken soon. I'd come to check up on you earlier, but you were still unconscious. Technically I'm not even supposed to be walking around, should be encased in bacta, but that's boring." She said with a grin.

"Do…do I know you?" Anakin asked curiously.

"Goodness, I've forgotten to introduce myself. Forgotten we've never met to be honest. I'm Saar'ii Ordai, your brother's former combat assistant." She explained.

Anakin's eyes widened. This was his brother's former combat assistant? Why had Caedus ever complained about having to work with her? Perhaps good looks were all she had…no cleverness or combat skills...

"Pleasure to meet you, Saar'ii," Anakin said.

"The pleasure is mine, Anakin Veila. Well, I must be on my way before the healers or medical droids find me. I'd never hear the end of it." She said with a laugh and turned on her heel, but before she exited the room she looked back at him, "That scar's pretty nasty, must hurt."

Anakin was unsure of what she was talking about, and then remembered his brother's lightsaber blade implanting an 'X' across the flesh of his back. How had she seen something on his back though? It was then that he noticed his shirt had been removed. Of course, I'd get attention from females without a shirt on…

"Doesn't hurt too badly," He managed.

Saar'ii grinned and he could've sworn she winked at him before fleeing the room.

"I don't like her. Not because she's practically flirting with you, but because she seems a little too friendly." Vorexa said.

"You make an excellent point. Vorexa, come with me, I'm not letting her leave on that happy note. I'm going to interrogate her." Anakin said and he slowly stood up.

Vorexa didn't argue as she followed him down the corridor. She caught a glimpse of Saar'ii's fleeing figure, grabbed Anakin's hand, and led him after her.

"Saar'ii!" Anakin called.

Saar'ii turned around, "Oh, Anakin. Was there something else you wished to speak with me about?"

"Yes, I wanted to ask about my brother." He said bluntly.

Her eyes slipped away, and then returned their focus to him. She'd lost the friendly look that had been upon her face earlier and the expression of sorrow replaced it. "Anything about the present I don't know about. I haven't spoke to him in three years or heard anything about him. What is it you wish to know of though?"

She doesn't know he's a Sith then. Better word this carefully.

"We were sparring earlier and I accidentally broke his rib, or so I thought. When I went to make my final blow…he was gone. Do you know how he could have managed this?" He said carefully.

Saar'ii nodded, "It's an old ploy of his. He used it rather frequently. You see, he conceals himself from the Force and disappears. Then he projects an illusion using the Force of himself, so you're still under the impression that you're dueling him. He observes you carefully; as for example, you stepped on him to break a rib he would've found some means of making it sound as if the rib had been broken." She explained.

"I always knew he was a genius…" Anakin said, impressed.

"Undoubtedly," Saar'ii agreed.

"Ah, there you three are!" One of the healers called, "Back to your assigned rooms, immediately!"

The three departed in different directions, hurriedly without saying anything else.

Later that night Saar'ii awoke, but wasn't sure of what had awakened her. The room was pitch black and the sanitary scent remained in the air. Something didn't feel right…

She slipped the sheets off of her body and silently arose from the bed. The floor felt unfamiliar under her bare feet and she felt around to find her boots. Once she found them, she slipped them on and used the Force to shove the doors aside instead of searching for the keypad.

They won't keep me here any longer. Tonight…I escape.

She ran faster than she ever had in her entire life through the long corridors, searching for the exit. Alarms sounded and lights began to flash all around her. She found herself surrounded by a group of people in the medical facility's uniforms; each had a blaster pointed at her.

She laughed and used the Force to hurl all of their blasters against the wall and shoved them all backwards. "You can't keep me here!"

With that she exited through open doors leading to the outside world, her mind rushing swiftly, and she knew now why something wasn't right…

She couldn't remember anything aside from who she was and who the enemies were.

And the enemies were anyone who tried to stop her.

"Saar'ii escaped." Vorexa said and she turned on the lights of Anakin's temporary room.

"What the kriff? She escaped and you tried to blind me? So what if she escaped? She looked to be in perfect medical condition to me. Enough to leave here that is." Anakin said.

"That doesn't matter, the fact is…the guards that saw her escape described her as having a maniacal need to escape, strong Force abilities, and….glowing green eyes." Vorexa said urgently.

"Glowing green eyes," He asked skeptically, "Could've sworn they were violet."

"They were…that's the problem." Vorexa responded.

"You don't think…" Anakin's voice trailed off.

"Think what?" Vorexa asked skeptically.

"You don't think she went to find Caedus for some bizarre reason, do you?" He continued.

Vorexa's eyes widened, "I blame you for this. Reminding her of the past might have triggered a longing to experience the past again."

"Not my fault, I was just curious. We have to find her though." Anakin said and swiftly arose.

"Put a shirt on before we leave. You don't want that scar getting any worse." Vorexa said and Anakin heaved a sigh.