Sorry for the slow update but I've got a few chapters stacked up and ready to go, so you won't have to wait a week next time. Enjoy, and my the Force be with you! ~Emily Storey
Of Jedi and Men
Chapter Four: Alux
"Excuse me?" Axlyn barked, "what are you even talking about? There will always be a republic! It is what the Jedi fight for! The clone wars may bring harsh times for everyone but the republic is far from falling. Besides, what is this threat you speak of? What even are the Scarrans" She looked over at Kohl, trying her damnedest to keep him safe. These people were unpredictable, especially Kyle.
"Crichton," Azula breathed, blocking Kyle from taking another step. "Do you know where you are, child?" Axlyn swallowed hard, shaking her head. The blue woman looked up at Kyle, looking shocked. Azula grabbed Kyle by the collar of his shirt and yanked him towards her, whispering in his ear.
Kohl tugged on Axlyn's tunic, catching her attention. "What do we do, Master?" he muttered, "What's happening?"
"Crichton," Azula sighed, looking back at the Jedi, after what seemed to be an eternity. "Kyle and I have come to an… agreement. While he may have his doubts, I know what you are saying is the truth. I trust and believe you and to prove that to you, I will let you and your son stay here. We will supply you with the tools to repair your ship the best we can. In return you must inform us of the place you say you are from. Is that okay with you?"
Kohl gasped by stopped himself before speaking. He looked up at Axlyn to see what she had to say instead. "How do I know you're not kriffing with me?"
Kyle laughed under his breath, rolling his eyes over at Azula. She sighed, "I will do my best to prove it to you – Pilot? I need to you to tell me about a planet. Jedi, tell me, what is your birth planet?"
"Nar Shaddaa." Axlyn muttered.
"Ok then, Pilot, show me Nar Shadda."
With a soft ping light began to glow from a nearby wall. It sizzled before an image of a crab like being appeared. With a light, delicate voice the creature cleared her throat. "One moment please Miss Azula." Azula looked back at Axlyn, tapping her foot as she waiting for the pilot to respond.
"My sincere apologies Miss Azula," Pilot said, "But Nar Shaddaa does not appear anywhere."
Azula sighed, "Alright then, how about Coruscant."
Another pause. "No Ma'am."
"Did you hear that, Crichton?"
Axlyn grit her teeth, swallowing back her fears. She patted the other Padawan's shoulder, "What do you think Oryn? What should we do?"
"Uh…" Kohl mumbled, "This decision is meant for the higher Jedi-"
"We're both Jedi, now make the choice."
He paused, looking between Axlyn and the others. He swallowed hard, sighing once more through the silence. "Okay, Master, I've made up my mind."
"And what is it?"
"We should stay. We have no other place to go while the ship is broken. Our pilot is dead and we are injured. We are Jedi Knights of the Galactic Republic, sent on a diplomatic mission of the neutral planet of Kuat to ask for their help in the clone war. We have been given this mission by the Jedi council and we must follow through for the sake of the innocent lives of the republic." Kohl let out a heavy breath, as if his over drawn speech had left him exhausted.
"Then we shall take you up on your offer," Said Axlyn, smiling proudly at her Padawan, "We'll fix our ship and be on our way as soon as possible – and Ma'am, I'm only nineteen, Kohl is my Padawan, not my son."
Axlyn grabbed Kohl's shoulder like her lifeline. She could have just left him walking behind her but something lurking in the Force had told her to keep him close. Or perhaps it was merely her own well kept fear that wanted to make sure a youngling wouldn't be hurt in anyway in this odd new place.
Azula led them down a long hallway, occasionally telling her new shipmates what sort of rooms they were passing. She cleared her throat, pointing to an opening to her left. "That over there is where ship is, just let us know when you want to work on it. Now your pilot has… already been… disposed of. It's a surprised you even lived, honestly."
"What she's saying," Kyle scoffed, "is that your crew-member was found in pieces and you two were found unconscious, totally unharmed minus a few cuts and scrapes." Azula rolled her eyes at him, silently scolding Kyle for his harsh choice of words.
"That doesn't matter at the moment!" She scowled at her shipmate, placing a fist on each side of her hips. "I'll be bringing you and your Padawan to your room in just a moment, I thought it was important to show you where your things are when you wanted to work on it. So, before I take you there, got any questions?"
"Do you, kid?" Axlyn muttered, nudging Kohl's shoulder. He looked up from his feet and nodded, "Ships have names. So what's this one Miss?"
Azula laughed under her breath, smiling over at Kyle. "He's a smart one, ain't he? Asking the questions no one ever seems to ask. Names are important! Alexi, how about you tell the Padawan what this ship's name is?"
It seemed that somehow, someway, within a heartbeat Kyle dropped to his knees, scowl turning into a bright smile. "Great question," he glanced up at Azula, returning to his dirty look for a second, "it's Kyle, not Alexi. – Now, kid, this ship is really special. It's a giant, powerful ship, called a Leviathan and its name is Alux."