I was so glad to be back in my home. Strange how I think a ship is more home than anything. I changed into a simple ship jumper and relaxed on my bed. I cycled through the holodramas and found one that would take up some time. As my movie started the ship lifted off. Not long after that my door chimed.
"Come in."
"Master Jedi, General Var Suthra is on the holo requesting to speak with you."
"Is it urgent?"
"Highest priority."
"Very well." I pulled on a simple robe and straightened my hair. I really needed to get it cut again, but C2 wasn't the best at hair styling. I moved to the holo where Var Suthra stood there waiting.
"You are getting hard to get a hold of, but that ship is an Aurodium mine of information."
"What can I do for you general? We are about to jump to Tatooine."
"We got a message from from one of Darth Angral's closest advisers, Admiral Haklin. He has asked us for asylum. He wants to defect."
"What has this to do with us?" My mind was reeling from the implications. Kira was not interrogated at Ord Mantel and there would be not reason for them to use Haklin as bait. Did I not break the script enough to avoid this encounter? Then again the story was still going, but differently.
"Not sure, but the Admiral is on the run and there are unconfirmed reports that Haklin has earned a death mark."
"This is an obvious trap, but I have a feeling that we need to do this. No need to explain further, general, we will head there as soon as we have the coordinates."
"I agree since her requested to surrender only to Kira. Sending the data you will need of the mining facility."
"Lt Zetta change course to this location. Kira we have some things to discuss. General I will talk to you again when we reach Tatooine."
He had other things to say, but I just let him talk. He finally cut the signal once he was finished. Kira held this smirk on her face until I grabbed her hand and dragged her back to my cabin. Her confusion was concealing her guilt of what she was thinking.
"Master?"
"We have to talk."
"What about?"
"You have not told me much of your past and I would think that we have gotten close enough for you to do so, but I feel you are holding back. Like it would change everything."
"Is it about being a child of the emperor?"
"So you do remember?"
"Yes and I am sorry I really haven't talked about it."
"I can understand, but this admiral is not who we are going to find. We will face one of your brothers. Valis, I think his name was."
"Valis, the name is familiar, but I don't remember him."
"Fair enough, but I just want to let you know that I am here for you and if possible we are to take him alive. I think we can help free him from the emperor's grasp."
"I doubt that is possible. If I meditate too long I feel the emperor searching for me." I gave her a hug which she stiffened up at first, but then relaxed. I felt closer to her as she did so and I giggled with the feeling. She opened up as we broke the hug and talked about a series of random events growing up on Dromund Kaas. I felt her fear and anger fad away after each little story bit by bit until she was much calmer in her presence. We trained and practiced together until we reached the old mining facility. I could feel her anxiety increase as we entered the facility. T7 was with us and he opened the door to the hanger that showed a single figure standing next to his ship. I felt his presence was tainted by the emperor, his calm concealing his anger, confidence, and fear.
"Greetings, I am Valis. Your quick response is most appreciated. Please forgive the deception. Admiral Haklin remains a faithful servant of Darth Angral. His name simply made this meeting convenient." I felt Kira's reaction as she remembered him. Knowing I knew allowed her to remain silent instead of calling for his death.
"Valis I know about you before we left Tython. The surprise you have planned will fall flat as I know Kira used to be a child of the emperor, but she is not longer. She is a Jedi and there is nothing you can say to change that. She will not returned to his cold embrace like you hoped. However I do have one question, why are you here if she did not get interrogated on Ord Mantel? How did he rediscover her?"
"Then I see I am at a disadvantage, but no matter that you do not know how he found out. He will get her back or she will die." His lightsaber ignited as I reached out my hand. His surprise washed over his face as he went flying back. He recovered and jumped at us as I pushed him again. Over and over he tried to get closer. He tossed loose objects at me and I heard a familiar voice in my ear as I tossed him in a different direction. He landed awkwardly and struggled to his feet as Ingo and Aric rushed to disarm him. Sanusha and Risha held sniper rifles aimed at his head until he was bound.
"Great timing as always."
"Was a bit hard getting her, but it is good to know those creatures really work."
"How am I cut off from the Force?"
"Not cut off completely, but dampened down so far as to be unable to connect to the Force. Cut off from the emperor's control. I am sure the healers on Tython will help you heal."
"No Jedi will twist my mind and become emotionless slaves." His jaw moved just before he swallowed. Seconds later his mouth started to foam as he went into a seizure.
"Valis no!" Kira went to her knees as he twisted as he died.
"Not the way I would want to go."
"I guess we are done here."
"I do not understand how he could be so determined not to be a slave to not realize he was one already? Come Kira let the men deal with his remains." I pulled her from the floor and she turned into my shoulder as she let her emotions out.
"I can't push it away. I can't give it to the Force." We were in the bubble of the ysalamiri's influence. That she had no control over her emotions was interesting as I felt for her.
"Secure his ship for the SiS and we'll meet you on Tatooine if our paths cross."
"You owe us a few rounds for this one."
"Take care." I guided Kira back to the airlock as Corso aimlessly followed. He had one of the racks on his back and I was surprisingly glad he had followed. It made me learn something and an idea came to me.
"Corso come here and give me the ysalamiri. I will need a nutrient pack as well."
"Oh no need, we refilled the tanks a few hours ago. She will be good for another four weeks."
"Be a sport and get one, please." I leaned in and against my better judgement gave him a peck on the cheek. His face reddened as mine warmed up at my impulsiveness. He scrambled away which allowed me to sigh. Kira giggled and I looked at her.
"You like him."
"I do, but I shouldn't have."
"But you did." I shrugged just before I smiled. Kira caught the mischievous look, but not fast enough to prevent me from kissing her cheek. She pulled free of my grasp and rushed into the ship as I had to carry the rack with me. Kira tried to escape to her room, but I set the ysalamiri down in the lounge before I raced after her. She had froze before her room as the Force hit me as I left the bubble. As much as I had experienced it on Myrkr I was still surprised by the Force rushing back inside of me. Of our bond flaring showing each other our emotions. It washed out everything else.
She turned as I stepped forward and we had the same thought. We did not resist as suddenly we were kissing. There was no shock or surprise between us just the simple desire to be closer than we should be. As excitingly wrong as it was it felt right. I loved her with all my being and I felt that love returned. This was not lust and it would not lead to us becoming lovers. Even if it did it somehow felt as if it was just another part of who we had become. The kiss broke as a calm I had never felt came over us.
"T'aa, I am..."
"So am I." I squeezed her in a hug. We had much to talk about. Corso came by and Tansy took the pack from him.
"Um, where is T'aa?"
"She is busy, Jedi business."
"Oh, I guess I'll be going."
"So soon, handsome." He turned and looked at her and fumbled for something to say. She just giggled as she took the pack into the ship. Corso came to his senses as she disappeared behind the door. He then smiled as he walked back to the light freighter thinking this girl liked him and she wasn't a Jedi.