Star Wars: Walking the Line
Chapter 11
After two years, still nothing had happened. Nihilus had attempted no move on Nar Shadaa and Andoa's party was at very much the same place they started. Which is, to say, nowhere. Rumors still persist that one of the high council was on the smiggler's moon, but Andoa would reveal nothing. The years were uneventful and not much had changed. Jonlo had developed, then eventually conquered, a drinking problem. Andoa took up gambling to bring in a few extra credits. Michoa was getting out more and meeting people. In contrast, Jaigra was becoming less social, at least on Nar Shadaa. She wouldn't see most of those people again anyway.
However, events for the party would take a dramatic turn. One day on the standard grocery run, Jonlo and Andoa were heading out to the markets while the ladies did…whatever it was they did. While Jonlo was examining produce, Andoa pointed out a potential threat. "6 o'clock. Human female. Recently-finished lightsaber."
"Split up. I think it's me she's after." Jonlo said.
"Agreed. Keep going straight ahead, I'll break right." And so they split off into different paths. Jonlo was wrong. The human was following Andoa. Andoa for his part was leading the human female very well, giving Jonlo the perfect chance. The Shistavanen ran as fast as his legs could carry him toward a back alley. Just when she walked past him, He grabbed her by the collar of her robes and dragged her into the alley.
He ignited his lightsaber and held it to the female's neck. He took in her scent, almost relishing in her fear. "Your aura is… hollow. Like Nihilus, you are a wound in the force. Why are you here, woman?"
"I… heard master Zez-Kai Ell was on this world. I'm here to…"
"To kill him like the others? Is that why your Dark Master sent you?" Jonlo snarled. From behind, the Shistavanen heard the footsteps of his master. "Just in time. I caught this wound here. What should we do with her?"
"Let her go, Jonlo. She will do us no harm." said Andoa.
"But master, she is a wound in the force. Like Nihilus, she…"
"I know her," said Andoa, "She was the only one of Revan's followers to come back and face judgement." Jonlo released his prisoner and disengaged his blade. "Come with us exile, there is much to discuss." Jonlo and the human female followed Andoa out toward the apartment complex they sheltered in. "There is much you must know. Terrible things have happened since you left us."
When the trio finally arrived. They brought the female to Jaigra and Michoa. The two filled in the Exile on all that had happened after the Massacre on Katar, from both sides. Jaigra explained her part in hunting down the Jedi and Michoa tried to explain her part in preventing all this. However, The discussion with Michoa and Jaigra seemed to confirm the female's worst fears. The masters were dead. At least she thought. But she had to keep looking. Seeing the two Jedi and the reformed Sith as potential allies, she offered them the opportunity to join her on the Ebon Hawk. For lack of options, the party decided to join the human's cause and would assist her in her task.
The female, now having identified herself as the Jedi Exile, lead the party back to her ship and they all set up wherever they felt they could do the most good. Andoa set himself up in the cargo hold and went into a meditative trance. Jonlo moved up to the helm and sat beside the current pilot. He looked over at the Shistavanen then snapped forward and looked over again. "Um… Exile, could you get over here?"
The exile walked toward the helm at her pilot's request. "what is it THIS time, Atton?"
"Did you used to collect stray animals when you were a kid, because we really needed a Shistavanen." Atton said sarcastically.
"Concerned about him?" asked the Exile.
"It's just… look I know they're good pilots and all but…"
"I've had enough of this crap. My parents never should have left Uvena Prime to join the Sith." said Jonlo.
"And he's a Sith? I think he might actually eat me."
"I USED to be a Sith Lord, that much is true. But Shistavanen don't eat people. Human tastes terrible anyway. Not like Twi'leks or Bith."
"I was definitely better off in my cell."
"Listen," said the Exile. "If I found this guy so easily, imagine how fast I can replace you."
"Fine, but I'll be sleeping with one eye open from now on." Aton went back to his…whatever it was he was doing and Jonlo tried to familiarize himself with the controls of the modified freighter. They were vastly different than those of the Moonlight Shadow, but Jonlo would adapt in time.
Jaigra was looking for a place to stay that was unoccupied, until she sensed that another of her kind was onboard Revan's old vessel. She made her way through the garage, ignoring the zabrak mechanic and the floating remote. She came upon the door and opened it to find not just a fellow Miraluka, but her old childhood friend. "Visas?"
The crimson-clad Miraluka rose to meet Jaigra. "Jaigra, how did you survive Katar?"
"I didn't. I was taken to Dantooine long before Nihilus came. I guess… I was just lucky."
"You know there is no such thing, old friend." said Visas. "The force brought you to your master as well. Tell me, what is he like?"
"He's… not like others of his race. He's committed, loyal, and very loving. There are times I forget he is even a Shistavanen."
"You know what I mean, Jaigra."
Jaigra struggled to understand Visas's meaning when it hit her. "Oh… no we never… I mean… Why does it even matter?"
"So much for telling each other anything." Visas went back to her meditations while Jaigra went into the bed of the chamber, drifting off into sleep.
In the midst of the new arrivals, Kreia could not keep her concentration and had awakened from her trance. My former student? Here? She arose from her seat and made her way toward's the other bunks of the ship. She opened the door to find Visas asleep and Jaigra meditating. "I never thought I would see you again. Not after you betrayed the Lord of Hunger on Dantooine."
Jaigra awakened from her trance and stood to meet her former master. "I did what was right. Nihilus will destroy everything. Including the Sith."
"Were you really following the light, or did you turn on us only to be closer to your Shistavanen lover?"
"I… We only embraced the dark side to be together and free from the Jedi's laws. We were weak, selfish."
"I would disagree. You have proven that Nihilus is not invincible. With your help, we may just bring him down."
"And how does that fit into your plans, Traya?"
"All in due time, Lady of shadows. All in due time."
