Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
A/N: To Hawk, there are a number of people, Kanan included, who still don't exactly trust Anakin yet. That's why he hasn't been given an assignment yet. Of course, he will have some limitations on what he can do, but he's basically expected to be under constant supervision.
Also, for anyone who missed the big reference from the last chapter, it was a reference to the Overwatch short "Dragons", particularly when Genji reveals himself to Hanzo.
This chapter, Mina and Eris arrive on a certain planet, and familiar faces arrive on Atollon.
As the streaks of hyperspace flashed past, Mina was focused on patching up her ally's leg. "Are you okay, Eris?" She asked.
"My leg hurts like crazy, but I'm alive. I guess that's good." Eris replied, though she gritted her teeth.
Mina sighed as she observed the injury. The bolt had grazed her leg, leaving a bright red scar. Other than that, she was okay. "Why are you doing this?" Eris asked.
"Doing what?" Mina queried.
"Helping me." Eris explained. "I don't deserve this."
Mina frowned and said, "Because mercy is the Jedi way. And what I'm doing is far better than anything you could expect from the Empire."
"Well," Eris asked, "What exactly are you planning to do with her?"
Mina looked over at Chopper, who was cradling the giggling baby in his arm and buzzing. She smiled softly and replied, "I'm probably going to bring her to my Aunt Padmé. I'm sure she'd love to adopt her."
"And what sort of fate awaits me once we meet up with your friends?" Eris asked.
Mina opened her mouth to answer, then realized she didn't have a solid answer. Eris nodded, satisfied that her point had made it across. "Exactly," Eris said. "I'm an enemy of the rebellion. You can't just offer mercy to someone and expect everyone to be on board with your decision."
Mina thought about how stubborn her own mother had been in seeking redemption for Uncle Anakin, and how so many people on Chopper Base still didn't trust him. Mina had hoped that exposing what was apparently the Empire's greatest weapon while it was still vulnerable would help, but that plan was only minimally successful as of now.
"Well," Mina sighed, shrugging her shoulders. "I know that. But hopefully, you can find redemption. I mean, you never wanted to serve the Dark Side. You just wanted to stay alive. You were probably pretty young when the Empire rose."
"I was two when I was recruited." Eris confirmed. That meant she was nineteen years old now.
"Right," Mina continued. "And as a two year old, you were probably really scared. It's natural to be afraid. You just did what you felt would help you survive. Sure you were living in constant fear, but at least you kept yourself alive."
Eris looked down to her leg, then back up at Mina. "How old are you again?" Eris asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Seventeen." Mina explained. "I was born about a month after the Empire came to power."
Eris nodded, processing the younger woman's words. "I'm sorry." Eris sighed. "I'm sorry about all of this."
Mina smiled. She could sense the genuine remorse in Eris' heart. "Like I said, I don't hold it against you. You need to forgive yourself." She rested a hand on Eris' shoulder.
Eris sighed and said, "Thank you Mina. For giving me a second chance."
Mina smiled, and replied, "You're welcome, Eris. And I'd like to think I gave you more than just a second chance."
"Like what?" Eris asked.
"Freedom." Mina replied, sitting down next to her.
Eris looked at Mina, then leaned over and rested her head against Mina's shoulder. Mina glanced at her as she closed her eyes. Mina smiled, then looked over at Chopper, who was rocking the baby in his droid arms. She was sound asleep. Chopper buzzed softly.
"So how long before we come out of hyperspace?" Mina whispered.
Chopper buzzed quietly. Mina smiled, satisfied with his answer. "I guess that's long enough. Wake me up when we get...wherever we're going." With that, Mina rested her head against the wall and closed her eyes.
Back on Atollon, Ahsoka sensed that something had happened concerning Mina. She pulled up her comlink, and Chopper responded. Ahsoka immediately noticed that he had a swaddled baby in one arm.
"Chopper." Ahsoka said quietly. "Where's Mina?" Chopper whirred. "Sleeping? Hmm. Okay. Where'd you get the baby? Did you save her from the inquisitor?" Chopper answered in binary. "I see. And what about the Inquisitor?" Chopper explained what had happened, from start to finish. Ahsoka cupped her chin and smirked. "Hmm. Like mother like daughter I guess." Ahsoka noted. "And where are you now?"
Chopper shrugged, and Ahsoka replied, "Well, be careful. And..." Chopper said something else that perked Ahsoka's attention. "You think I should tell her?" Chopper shook his head, and Ahsoka nodded in understanding. "Okay, I'll make it a surprise. I have to go now; someone's coming to the base." Chopper asked something. "I don't know yet," Ahsoka replied. "But I'm sure once you guys come back, you'll know. May the Force be with you."
As the transmission ended, Ahsoka left the room. Anakin was out by the landing pad as well. He said that he felt that he needed to see whoever was coming.
Slowly, the ship came down, guided by landing crews on the ground. As the ship landed, Anakin felt something. "I feel a presence," Anakin said. "I haven't felt it since..."
"I feel it too." Ahsoka said. "You don't think..."
"We're about to find out." Anakin replied.
The door opened up, and a young boy came out. Ahsoka took note of his sandy blonde hair, and his striking blue eyes. He looked around, in awe of what he was seeing. Padmé gasped, covering her mouth with her hands in surprise. Anakin turned to her and asked, "Angel? Are you okay? What's wro-"
His question was cut off when an old man stepped off the ship. Anakin gawked at the old man. Ahsoka followed his gaze and her face practically copied Anakin's shocked look. The old man carried an air about him that suggested he had seen so much. He wore a soft smile. Despite his gray hair, Ahsoka and Anakin recognized him instantly.
"Obi-Wan!" Ahsoka called, running forward. The old man turned to look at her and his smile deepened. "Ahsoka." He replied. She hugged him, and then the young boy asked, "Old Ben? Who's this?"
Ahsoka looked at Obi-Wan and asked, "Old Ben?"
Obi-Wan replied, "Luke, this is Ahsoka Tano. An old friend of mine. And it would seem your parents are here as well."
Padmé and Anakin walked forward. "Hello Luke." Padmé smiled. She walked up to him and wrapped him up in a big hug. Luke smiled and replied, "Hello, Mother." Then, Luke turned to his father. "Hello, Father." Anakin hesitated, before welcoming his son's embrace. Then he turned to Obi-Wan.
"Umm..." Anakin said, rubbing his elbow. "I think there's something I need to say."
Obi-Wan held up a hand. "There's no need, Anakin. We cannot afford to dwell on the past too much. We must look to the future." Anakin smiled. "You haven't changed at all, old man." He joked.
"I wish I could say the same for you, my friend." Obi-Wan replied. Luke looked up at his father and said, "So, I'm going to be a Jedi like you. Old Ben-I mean Obi-Wan- said he'd train me."
Anakin raised an eyebrow and looked at Obi-Wan. "Is that so?" Obi-Wan nodded with a smile. Anakin spotted something on Luke's belt. Reaching out with the force, he called it to his hand. Halfway across, however, the shining metal cylinder veered to the side and into Ahsoka's waiting hand.
The Togruta clicked her tongue and shook her head. "Uh uh, Skyguy." She taunted. "Remember our little agreement." Anakin sighed, remembering he wasn't allowed to use any weapons for the time being. Then, Ahsoka rolled her eyes and tossed the lightsaber to him. "But I'll let it slide this one time." She replied with a wink. Anakin ignited his old lightsaber, and savored the familiar blue light it gave off.
"Wow." He said as he deactivated it, tossing it back to Ahsoka. "You've been holding on to that thing this whole time, haven't you?"
Obi-Wan nodded, and said "I was convinced that Luke would be the beacon of hope for the galaxy some day. I knew I'd need to tell him about his past, as well as about what you once were. I just didn't expect it to happen so soon."
"Where has he been?" Anakin inquired.
"Until recently, Luke lived with your step brother, Owen Lars, and his wife Beru. Until Maul stopped by, that is."
Anakin groaned. "That monster tried to attack my son?" Obi-Wan lifted his hand, asking him to calm down.
"He was looking for me, and he must have sensed Luke's potential in the Force." Obi-Wan explained. "I arrived in time to save him, but as for the Lars family...it was too late."
"I'm going to find that monster, and then..." Anakin growled, before Ahsoka cleared her throat. "Oh right." Anakin recalled. "I'm not allowed to leave the base unattended, or hold a weapon, or basically go anywhere without a chaperone, apparently. Not that I expect anything less, given my crimes."
Obi-Wan placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, and smiled. "As I've said, to dwell on the past can mean to waste time in the present. Yes, there are consequences for your actions, but surely they exist to help you learn from the past. I am sure you will find redemption. Now, I would like to see this base more thoroughly. Perhaps a tour is in order."
Mina woke up to Chopper prodding her with one arm. She blinked her eyes open and stretched, until she remembered her fellow passenger was leaning on her. Eris stirred, and asked, "Where...where are we?"
"I don't know," Mina replied, turning to Chopper. The droid shrugged, clearly as oblivious as they were. The child was sleeping in the basket. As Mina gazed out the front viewport, she saw a green planet. It didn't seem familiar to her. She walked to the controls and disengaged the auto pilot.
"I'm gonna bring this ship down in a clearing." Mina said, as they entered the atmosphere.
The ship touched down in the first spot Mina found that was big enough to land on. As the doors opened up, Mina turned to Chopper and said, "Chop, I want you to stay here and keep the baby safe. Eris and I are gonna step out to check the area."
She wrapped an arm around Eris and asked, "Can you walk?"
"A little," Eris replied. As they stepped out into the swampy forest, they were struck with how warm it was.
"There's so much life here," Mina noted as the two of them walked along.
"It's so lush here," Eris added. "And I'm getting weird signals from the Force."
"Me too." Mina replied.
After a few minutes, Eris grew tired and had to sit down. Mina pondered her new ally's dilemma, when she saw a few low hanging branches. She leapt up the tree, using her shoto to cut the branch loose, and slowly setting it down with the Force. She grabbed some vines and cut them down, before landing again.
"What are you doing?" Eris asked.
"Helping a friend." Mina replied without looking up. When she stepped back, Eris' leg was wrapped up in a splint. Mina helped her up, and Eris said, "Thanks, Mina."
"No problem." Mina replied.
"You know," Eris noted. "I don't ever remember this planet on any charts. I wonder where we are."
"It does seem a bit out there, doesn't it?" Mina added. "I mean, how many planets do you know that are covered in nothing but trees and swamps and..."
"A castle!" Eris shouted.
"Yeah," Mina replied. "A castle, and a lake, and...wait what?"
"Look." Eris said, pointing off to the side. Sure enough, there it was. An old looking castle. "I wonder who lives there."
"Let's find out." Mina replied. Though something about it seemed very familiar.
When they finally arrived at the castle, Eris had to rest again. Even with the splint she'd been given, walking was a struggle. Mina looked up at the multitude of banners hanging above the castle entrance.
"Nice view." Eris noted, looking out to the lake. Mina folded her arms and smiled as she followed Eris' gaze. The view of the lake from where they were was amazing.
"Ready to go inside?" Mina asked after a moment.
"Ready as I'll ever be, I guess." Eris shrugged.
To say they were surprised by what they found inside would be an understatement. All walks of life crowded the interior, which was more like a cantina than what they'd imagined would be inside. And so many of the life forms they saw looked so strange. There were some patrons whose races had never been seen before by either of the young women.
"Whoa." Mina said. "I've never seen so many different people in one place before."
"I know," Eris replied. "I've never seen some these species before."
"Now what?" Mina asked. She was surprised by how no one seemed to bat an eye at either of them.
"I'm not sure about you," Eris said. "But I could use a drink."
They hopped up to the bar and when the alien bartender walked over to them, Eris asked, "Hello, sir. Umm..." She wondered if he understood what he was saying, or if she would understand him. The bartender chuckled and said, "New around here?"
Eris was surprised to hear him speak such clear Basic, but smiled and nodded. "Yes," She replied. "Me and my..." She glanced at Mina, uncertain of how to explain their relationship, whatever it may be, to him. "...friend, are stopping by."
Mina sat in the chair next to Eris and added, "Yes. We haven't been here before."
The Bartender laughed and said, "Ahh, it's all good. We get tons of travelers in here. I can tell you've come a long way. What'll it be, ladies?"
"Hmm..." Eris pondered. "I think I'm in the mood for something simple. Water will be fine."
"Same." Mina added.
The bartender smiled. "Sure thing. Be back in just a sec." As he left, Mina sensed that someone was watching them with particular interest.
"I feel it too," Eris said.
They were brought from their thoughts when their drinks arrived. "Here you go, ladies." The bartender said. "Now, about paying..."
Both girls realized they didn't have any credits, not that they knew whether or not credits were accepted currency here. For a second, Mina considered using a Jedi Mind trick to fool him into not making them pay, when he laughed a hearty laugh and said, "Oh, don't worry. Just messin' with ya. Drinks are on the house."
Eris looked relieved, and Mina chuckled. "Thank you, sir." She said.
"Ah, don't need to call me sir." The bartender replied. "The name's Raldun. Gorman Raldun."
"Thank you, Gorman." Mina repeated with a polite smile. She took a sip of her drink, as Eris stared around, soaking in the sounds, the sights, and the people.
"You know," Eris noted, taking a sip of her drink. "I don't think this planet exists on any official Imperial maps."
"So we're basically in uncharted territory, huh?" Mina replied.
Eris nodded. They returned to their observations when a voice called out to them. "Enjoying your drinks, young ones?"
Mina wheeled around in her chair to face the speaker. It took her an extra second to realize she had to look down.
The alien before her was certainly old. She had a pale orange skin tone, though compared to Mina's, it was much sharper. She had large goggles over her eyes, and she dressed like an old space pirate. Mina only needed to look at her for two seconds before a name came to mind.
"Maz Kanata..."
Maz smiled and said, "Hello child. It's been too long. Please, come sit down. We have much to catch up with. And bring your friend."
A/N: Okay, be honest with me. Who out there first thought that the girls had landed on Dagobah, and were going to run into Yoda? I gotta know. Honestly, I was planning that at first, but decided to surprise you all. Also, to my loyal fans of this story, please help me think of a good name for the child currently in Mina's, Eris', and Chopper's care. She will be a recurring character.
Next chapter, Maz Kanata confers with the girls, and discusses things with them. Meanwhile, the rest of the rebels on Chopper Base meet Luke and Obi-Wan.
As always, Please R&R, and I'll see you all next time. Peace Out!