Chapter 7: Orders
48 years before Revenge of the Sith
"We can't let them sabotage the cruiser" decided Master Tor Difusal, "T'ra, Reesa, Tyrone, come with me. We can deal with them. Captain, try to get the shields back online and position us for a hyperspace jump."
"Hyperdrive is out!" reported a crew member.
"Without weapons or a way to escape we are sitting ducks out here." said Reesa.
"If we can commandeer the boarders' landing craft we may be able to use its weaponry to deter these bandits." said Master Difusal. "Padawan, I need you to stay here and keep the bridge operational, we cannot allow it to be captured."
Sora had a pained look on his face but apparently knew his master better than to complain. Mace, of course, would follow orders without question. Nioman didn't like it but he wasn't surprised at it. Older Masters like Tor Difusal generally were of the opinions that padawans were useless ans could not be of help to such powerful Jedi as themselves. Nioman wanted to object but he knew that nothing he said would change the Chagrian Master's mind so he remained silent.
Within moments Dooku and the Masters were gone. Once again Reesa was risking her life while Nioman did nothing. What was the point of field experience, he wondered, if he never actually did anything? On solo missions with him Reesa would often allow Nioman to accompany her. Occasionally, though, she deemed herself to be sufficient alone or felt that Nioman was better used elsewhere. The escort of Rugess Nome was one occasion. Force, Nioman hadn't thought of that mission in months. In the time following the ordeal that had accompanied the mission Nioman had done all he could to forget the voice and its dark words. Sometimes he wondered if it had even been real, or if it was just some figment of his imagination. He had simply been caught in a moment of shock. There was no way he would ever betray the Jedi, was there? Nioman decided not to think about it, he knew thought of that nature would accomplish nothing. He had been with Reesa long enough to know that.
Reesa. Nioman's thoughts turned towards his master. She meant everything to him. She knew him so well and always had advice. She never inhibited him in ways that the Council did. He could trust her with anything, knowing that she would not betray him. He trusted her more than anyone. More than Mace. More than Sora. She was also powerful. Sometimes even Nioman was awed by her manipulation of the Force and her insight into people's minds. In Nioman's opinion only Yoda had shown greater control of the Force. Reesa was exactly what Nioman needed, a master that could release his potential and hone his abilities to an extent that would make him the greatest of all Jedi. Greater than Tor Difusal. Greater, even, than Master Yoda. If Reesa wasn't there...Nioman didn't know what he would do. He couldn't imagine life as a Jedi without her.
Right now Nioman needed to concentrate on the present. There would be time for these thoughts later but now he had a job to do. Even if it wasn't much, he still had duties. He couldn't let Reesa down. Nioman reached out into the Force. He could feel each blast rip larger and larger pieces off of the doomed cruiser. He could sense the battle raging between the Jedi Masters and their enemies, startlingly close, in fact. It could not be far from the bridge now. Nioman could almost hear the crackle of lightsabers deflecting blaster bolts and crashing against vibroblades and other charged melee weapons. He could just make out the odor of charged electricity and singed flesh. He could nearly feel the heat of the battle and the rush of air as the combatants rushed about in their lethal dance. He could sense the boiling emotions caused by the fray; the tantalizing thrill of victory on one side, the grim determination of the other. It was all so close, yet Nioman could not aid his comrades.
Suddenly the aura that Nioman felt being released through the Force of the struggle changed dramatically. In his mind he could hear the shouts and retreating footsteps on one side. He could picture the image of one of the Jedi being hit in the side by a laser bolt, but which Jedi? Nioman tried to focus on that spot and discover the identity of the presence that even now he could feel slowly slipping away. He was interrupted, however, as the blast doors to the bridge were forced open and Tyrone and Master Saa entered. Dooku's back was to them as he deflected several blaster bolts away from him and the Neti Master. That meant that the Jedi who had been hit was either Master Difusal or Reesa. Nioman wanted to extend his consciousness and find out which one it was but Master Saa was speaking and he needed to focus on himself.
"We are being overrun," she panted, "we were unable to contain them. I suggest that you all head for the escape pods before it is too late."
"I can't abandon the ship," protested the captain.
"And I am not leaving my master behind!" insisted Nioman.
"Captain, that is your decision," reasoned Master T'ra Saa, "but I will order that all non-essential crew members take flight. Tyrone, padawans, you will escort them to the pods and then take flight yourselves."
"What about you?" asked Mace.
"I will need to protect the bridge for as long as I can."
"And Master Difusal and Master Doliq, where are they?" inquired Sora.
"I am not sure," admitted Master Saa, "Tor ordered me to warn you and Reesa was protecting them. I believe they are both alive for now but for how much longer I do not know."
"We can't just let them die!" insisted Nioman.
"I'm with Nioman." said Sora.
Mace looked indecisive. Nioman knew that of all three of them Mace was the one who was most likely to not question orders. And it wasn't his master dying out in the corridor. There was no way he felt the same way Nioman did.
Master Saa's expression nearly relented from its firm look of authority but then it hardened again, "Tyrone, take the padawans to the Pod Hangar. I don't have time to argue." As if to prove her point a blast shook the bridge and the blast doors dented inwards slightly.
"I will not-" Nioman's protest was cut short as Master Saa's hand extended and Nioman felt himself being lifted off the ground and was flung through the air and into an elevator shaft with Mace, Sora, and Tyrone. Before Nioman could react the door slid inward, blocking his access to the bridge and the elevator began to descend.
Tyrone was the first to rise as he brushed off his robe. He had a slight frown on his now-bearded face as he muttered, "was that really necessary. I am quite capable of walking. No need to throw me in with these three in such an undignified way." He gave Nioman and his friends a reproachful, disgusted look as he said that last part. If the situation wasn't so infuriated Nioman would have been amused by it but he could not find any humor when Master Saa had forcibly prevented him from aiding his master. He swore to himself that if his master died he would never forgive Master Saa for it, despite the fact that she was Mace's mentor. She was also on the Council and her actions only further darkened Nioman's opinions towards that supposedly wise body.
"Fine." said Sora, "all I need to do is change our course and bring the elevator right back up to the bridge and-"
"None of that," said Tyrone as he blocked the elevator controls with his body, "you were given an order and I intend to make sure you follow it."
"Get out of my way, Tyrone" said Sora with a threatening edge in his voice and his hand reached for his lightsaber and he took a step toward the Jedi Knight.
"That would be Knight Dooku to you, Padawan Bulq. And, as it would seem, I am in change here and I will not tolerate such behavior from a mere apprentice." Tyrone was clearly relishing his position of power over the three teenage Jedi whom he so disliked. "No go sit in the corner and wait silently until the elevator stops. And if you try any funny business I will personally make sure that you feel the consequences."
Even through the dark wrinkled Weequay skin Nioman could see a tinge of red rising to Sora's cheeks and his scowl was quite clear. His eyes positively radiated anger. Mace put his hand on Sora's shoulder in an attempt to calm him but then Nioman spoke up.
"Don't stop him, Mace" protested Nioman, "Do you want Tyrone to get away with treating us that way. If he is really so powerful let him prove it." Nioman knew he shouldn't be encouraging violence and the giving in to anger but right now he didn't care. He needed someone to blame for his problems and Tyrone was the closest thing he had to the Council right now. He could picture Sora's lightsaber stab through a stunned Tyrone and he found himself enjoying the thought. Then he realized just what he was thinking. He was stunned with himself. Had he really just wanted Sora to kill someone? Even if it was someone as pathetic as Tyrone Dooku did he really enjoy the thought. He didn't realize that he had fell back against the wall until Mace turned to him with concern in his eyes.
"Nioman, what's wrong. You look pale. Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. It's nothing" Nioman lied. When Mace's gaze continued he said, "I don't want to talk about it here," and made a significant look toward Dooku.
"I see," understood Mace, "well get up. We'll need to be ready for anything."
Sora gave Tyrone one last dark look before turning to Mace and Nioman, "he's right. We'll need to find the crew and make sure they get out okay. Then we can look for our masters."
"Excuse me" Tyrone broke into their conversation, "have you been listening at all. You aren't going to be going after your masters. They have made up their minds and you have to abide by that."
Before Nioman even knew what he was doing his yellow blade was out and pointed inches from Dooku's chest, "Back off, Tyrone." He commanded with such force that the young knight stepped back a little, a mixture of shock and indignation on his face as he reluctantly reached for his own blade which was still hooked to his belt. Then he regained his composure and his typical mask of superiority returned to his face.
"How dare you speak to me in such a way, padawan!" he spat, "The Council will hear of this."
"Oh yeah," baited Sora as he ignited his blue blade.
"Do you presume that you can fight me?" said Tyrone as he unclipped his saber hilt, which Nioman now noticed was curved, though he did not ignite the blade. Not yet, at least.
Mace stood indecisively, looking down and shifting his feet as if unsure of what to do. Nioman found this quite surprising. Mace was normally such a decisive person. He was able to make hard decisions in a second if the situation demanded. What could it be that caused him to hesitate so? Nioman would think about that later. Right know he had a prideful, overbearing upstart of a Jedi Knight to deal with. He and Sora stepped forward in unison, blades pointed towards Tyrone. Nioman wasn't exactly sure what he intended to do but it was time to show Dooku who was more powerful.
In a flash of green light Tyrone's blade was out and leveled in a defensive position guarding his chest. "Don't presume superiority over me, padawan." Dooku's face was confident but his voice betrayed a tinge of unease. Nioman raised his lightsaber to strike but the movement was halted as his yellow blade crashed down upon a blue one.
Mace stood in the space between Nioman and Tyrone, lightsaber raised to parry Nioman's blow. "Enough." he said in a commanding tone. "Nioman, Sora. You don't solve anything by fighting him."
"Mace, get out of the way" growled Nioman as Sora lowered his blade, stunned at his friend's intervention.
"No," refused Mace, "I will not allow you to do this."
Nioman was about to argue when Tyrone spoke up, "Do not stand there and pretend that you are saving me, Padawan Windu. I am a Jedi Knight and I do not require your aid."
"You want them to attack you?" Mace said, with irritation in his voice.
"Whether I want them to or not is not of your concern." said Tyrone who was doing his best to look down on Mace even though the Korun padawan was taller than he, "I am the one in charge here and I can handle them."
Mace's face took on a look of unfeeling, "Suit yourself," he said, disengaging his lightsaber and backing away.
Nioman was about to continue the hardly started duel when the elevator doors opened. Tyrone took the opportunity and strutted out the door and into the corridor though his eyes never left Nioman. Clearly he was under the impression that Nioman would attack while his back was turned. Nioman may not have cared at all about Tyrone but Reesa had taught him better than to attack an unsuspecting opponent from behind. The three padawans exchanged looks before following Dooku. They would resolve this issue later but right now they had a job to do.
It did not take long to round up the surviving crew members and get them into escape pods. One good thing about this useless diplomatic cruiser was that it had plenty of escape pods. Nioman guessed that was its way to make up for its lack of weapons. Even so, it was a tight fit. In the end there were only a few pods left. Nioman hoped that the crew would be okay. He hoped that the pirates wouldn't target the defenseless escape pods though he deemed it likely that they would. Even if any of those men did survive they would have to find a way to cope on a barren, hostile planet. Nioman did hope they would be okay but now he needed to turn to a more important task. Rescuing his master.
He couldn't sense her very strongly but he was sure that if she had died that he would know. But he needed to hurry. He had no idea how much longer she could survive against the pirates or even how long this ship would hold up. It had to be in a critical condition after receiving so much damage. They needed to be quick and get Reesa and any other survivors to the escape pods before it was too late. He had begun to reach out with his mind to search for her when Tyrone spoke, breaking his concentration.
"Come now, Nioman," He ordered, "Do not make me have to resort to force."
Nioman and Sora both turned to Dooku and reached for their lightsabers. "You really do think that you are more powerful than us," said Sora.
"You have no idea how strong we are," added Nioman.
Then all attention was turned to a hallway that had been blasted away by a stray torpedo, briefly exposing the four Jedi to the vacuum of open space that began to force them toward the opening until emergency blast doors kicked in and sealed the hole.
"You see," said Tyrone, "If you go off to save your masters we will all die. The pirates aren't going to wait for you. This ship will be gone by the time you could get them here, assuming that they still live."
"We can't leave them," argued Sora, "it wouldn't be right."
"No. Sora, please," Mace pleaded. His expression was pained. "I...I think he might be right." Mace's pain at saying that was obvious, "we won't be able to get them out in time. And they did tell us to go. Would you want to disrespect them and waste that sacrifice."
"I can't believe you're saying this," said Nioman. He didn't know how Mace could just give up his master's life like that. Of course, Mace had nowhere near a bond with T'ra as Nioman did with Reesa. He just couldn't let his master go. A galaxy without her...he just couldn't imagine. He could still save her, he knew it.
"Nioman, look at me," said Mace, "It's what your master would want. We need to go. If the Force wills for them to survive then they will do so without us but there isn't anything more we can do."
"And besides," Tyrone took the opportunity, "we still may be able to salvage this mission. The pirates won't be expecting an attack on their base. We still can defeat them. That is if you will see reason."
"Don't speak to me," growled Nioman, his feelings evident in the tone of his voice.
"Dooku, please back off" said Mace, "And Nioman, we need to go now. I'm sorry but we have to complete the mission."
Nioman looked over at Sora for support, for something.
"It's your call," the Weequay said, "I'll go with whatever you say."
Nioman was in an impossible situation. He couldn't leave his master behind. But if he went after her and didn't make it out then he would be responsible for his friends' deaths and he couldn't do that either. Then he heard the faintest whisper in the Force. He didn't know if it was real or just his imagination but he heard her voice.
Nioman...follow your heart. You know what the right decision is.
And that made his mind up. He would have to hope that somehow his master would make it out but deep inside he knew what would happen. There really was nothing he could do. But he still had a choice to make. He could go now, save his friends and perhaps avenge his master. Or he could sentence them all to death, fail the mission. His master would die either way, he could feel it. So in the end there was only one thing he could do. Even so, he knew that this would be the hardest choice he ever made and one he would likely regret for the rest of his life.
"Fine...we can go," he sighed. Barely believing what he was saying.
And in his mind he said 'and my the Force be with you, master' as even then he felt her passing. Reesa Doliq was now one with the Force.
A/N: What a note to end on! Anyways, as always, hoped you liked and please review.
And just to make the clarification, yes Mace's lightsaber is blue right now. I see purple lightsabers as used by particularly accomplished or Force-connected Jedi so Mace will only get a purple blade later on.
