Thanks to zoegrover for the invaluable beta-reading and to 'Guest' for the most-appreciated review! Officially two more chapters to go!
Allies
Lando looked upward to his latest acquaintance as he finished powering down the Millennium Falcon. Sheena Lerann was staring out at the landing bay on the Redemption, the Alliance's medical frigate, with a bored expression; but she pulled the blanket over her shoulders tighter, nonetheless. The scoundrel remained mute, studying her expression until she stirred when their companions began dispersing: Leia with a few senior officers; and Han and Chewie, who refused to leave his partner's side, escorted to the infirmary.
"They're good people," he quipped. "You alright, sweetheart?"
Her attention flicked to him with an amused uptick of the corners of her lips. During their voyage back to the fleet, she had somewhat put herself back together, with Leia's help. Her silky black hair was in a short ponytail, and the circles under her eyes were a little less prominent.
"Lando, right?"
"The one and only!" he grinned back. "You might look like a pretty little lady, but I've seen enough to recognize an old soldier. And I've heard enough from Skywalker. It'll never really go away, but you've found people you will stand with you. Like I said, they're good people."
"I'd like to go to the Intrepid, if it's all the same to you." Lando raised an eyebrow. "I have some unfinished business there."
"May I ask what exactly that business would be?" The woman didn't immediately respond, but he caught on after a moment. "Lieutenant Onasi served on that ship on occasion, yes?"
"If I'm going to be useful, it might as well be there," she nodded, strength coming back into her voice.
"Tell you what. You spend a few days here to get medical attention, let the doctors check you out, get a little strength back, and give yourself a break. Then, I will personally ferry you to the Intrepid. Deal? If someone tries to stop you, just use one of those mind tricks on them."
She rolled her eyes.
"That only works on the weak-minded."
"That's why I usually stick with a blaster, sweetheart – much more effective." The lady sniffed a laugh, and Lando finally stood from the pilot seat. "If you let me come along, we might be able to sneak something from the commissary on our way."
She crossed her arms in thought, her shell finally cracking a bit.
"Only if it means I don't have to talk to anyone."
"Deal. And I'm getting you the biggest meal you've ever seen. Trust me, the first thing the doctors are going to do is complain about how skinny you are, little lady."
She had been poked, prodded, quizzed, and practically force-fed until the doctors aboard the Redemption were satisfied that she wasn't going to expire on the spot or do anything stupid. At last, they left her alone in a quiet corner on a not uncomfortable cot. But, after nearly three days of being pestered and told to stay put, the former Jedi was beginning to go stir-crazy. She had tolerated their concerns; now, she had other things to consider.
Sheena wrapped the white robe provided by the nurse tightly around her frame and snuck out into the hall to an adjacent room with a window. Despite the deadly vacuum, the sight of the stars at least gave her the illusion of open air. Her fingers tapped distractedly against her protruding collarbone in thought. Maybe she was a little on the skinny side, but they made it sound like she should be ravenous from starvation. On the contrary, food seemed simply an inconvenient necessity that she only remembered most of the time because of other people badgering her. These past months all seemed like a blur – being passed around from bounty hunter to holding cell to cargo hold until the former hero had landed at Jabba's palace. Time had passed between transport and captivity like a hazy dream that was only interrupted by her nightmares. Food passed her lips with no more of an impression than air. The past was an unkind companion, at times.
Maybe it was a good thing now that she had people harassing her about these basic human needs. Liam and Obi-Wan weren't around to keep her in check emotionally anymore; at least there were people to watch after her physical and mental wellbeing. They seemed to have learned, the Rebels, that it was better to leave her be when she needed space – the doctors here, funnily enough, were quite insistent on giving her that space on the condition that she talk to one of them on occasion. She thought it might be helping the nightmares, but it was too soon to tell. Maybe it would be alright.
"You seem well."
Obi-Wan. Sheena glanced in the reflection of the glass at her old friend in his Force Ghost form. It was strange to see him so at peace.
"I wouldn't go that far, but it's enough to know I can have a purpose. Seeing them have such faith in me and so determined to give me a second chance after all I've done is jarring. I don't deserve a second chance, but I've been given one anyway. It would be a waste for me to not take it, especially after everything you and Liam did to bring me this far."
"I'd say 'I told you so', but it might come back to haunt me," the man jested. "You have greatly helped Luke in finding his path and, in the days to come, I believe he will be equipped to make the right decisions."
She stared at the Ghost's reflection with renewed intensity.
"You're going to tell him? About his father?"
"I believe he is ready to know everything."
"He'd better be. I can sense the Emperor's anticipation – he has something up his sleeve."
"The Emperor has always had a talent for the unexpected, but this time," Master Kenobi whispered, "so do we."
"What do you mean you don't want a pistol? Don't tell me you're one of those people who thinks guns are uncivilized."
"Lieutenant, I don't exactly need it."
Sheena put her hands on her waist, effectively displaying both lightsabers on her belt. Lieutenant Kyra's face dropped in embarrassment before she promptly stashed away the gun.
"Oh. Well, I'll at least show you your quarters." She continued talking while leading Sheena down the hall. "Much more comfortable than your previous accommodations here, I can assure you. While we wait for the rest of the fleet to reach the rendezvous, feel free to wander as you like. I'm sure there will be plenty to do, once the time comes."
"I hear we're back on the warpath," the older woman commented, casually studying her surroundings. Kyra's jaw tightened.
"We're ending this thing. Reports and strategies are coming together. We're taking out the new Death Star, the Emperor, all of it. The Alliance is no longer a straggling guerilla attack group; it's high time we stopped acting like it. They're doing the briefing in an hour; then, we get our orders. It sounds like the Intrepid is going in to protect the medical frigate, but we'll all be taking heavy fire."
"You're wise not to take this surprise attack for granted."
"None of us are." Sheena paused at that with a quizzical look. "You may have gotten lots of mixed impressions on the Rebels, their intentions, and their resolve, Master Lerann. But the fact is that all of us are going into this battle knowing it could be our last."
"Sounds like most of my days," the Jedi chuckled grimly. It was Kyra's turn to pause. It was the first real one-on-one encounter for the two women that didn't involve interrogation, tricks, or suspicion.
"I feel like I should thank you."
"For what?"
The lieutenant stopped at a window and waited for a few pilots to pass.
"When the Republic fell, I was still just a kid. My parents were space traders, so we rarely got in the middle of the fighting. But we did see Jedi, on occasion, and I was always amazed by them – their courage, kindness, and wisdom. They were the heroes that everyone could look up to, healers, helpers, and defenders of the weak. On the most dismal of moons, we would hear stories of the great Masters they had seen. About a year after the Republic fell and Jedi were outlawed, we accidentally got caught in the crossfire between troopers and a Jedi they had tracked. The Jedi gave herself up just to keep us from harm. She saved our lives."
"She stayed true to what the Jedi stood for," Sheena nodded. "There aren't many left that can say that."
"I know I can never thank that Jedi for what she did, but you Jedi are all a family, in a way. You may have distanced yourself from them, Master Lerann, but you're still part of that family. So, thank you, for everything you stood for."
The older woman shifted at the title of 'Master', but her face remained impassive. Kyra wondered if the implication or reminder of her past would upset her peer, but she eventually inclined her head respectfully.
"I was privileged to be among them." She seemed to shake off the sentimental moment. "Now, as for this upcoming fight. I want to help. If you need pilots for your fighters, I'm happy to sit behind a gun."
Kyra winced, having hoped Sheena wouldn't ask about helping in the actual fight. She couldn't really blame her for not wanting to be alone right now, however.
"I'm sorry, it's just…the doctors haven't cleared you yet for flight. We want your help, but, with the implications of this battle, we need as little variance as possible."
"And with my physical and mental uncertainties, you don't want to take a risk." Sheena subtly rolled her eyes as she filled in the blank. "Very well, but I still want something to keep my mind busy."
"Join me on the bridge. We'll watch the briefing from there. Then, the fun shall begin."