Dinn Apartments – Jedi Temple
The room was dark and cool, and yet beads of sweat were visible on her forehead. Her breathing came regular but shallow, barely heard above the beeps and whirs of the medical equipment they'd had hauled into her old Master's quarters at the temple. Myk-Ron hadn't yet slept, but, truth be told, he hadn't felt this good physically since before the Vong Wars. As he pressed a cool cloth to Arie's forehead, he marveled at her appearance. It was as though they'd stepped back in time to the day they met. Her skin, despite her weakened state glowed with youth; firm, supple. The stress-lines and wrinkles had faded away completely.
He could hardly remember their time beyond the veil, like a dream that was fading quickly, but he could still remember flashes.
Arie stirred, and Myk-Ron checked the monitors beside her bed. Everything seemed okay, but she felt weaker and weaker in the Force.
"Hold tight, Princess," Myk whispered. "We'll get this sorted."
"Callista," Arie whispered.
"I'll ring her up on the comm," Myk nodded and rose to get his comlink when there was a chime at the door. Stretching his senses, he caught two familiar presences just outside. "Oh," Myk smiled. "Right. Here's me playing space cadet again."
Arie smiled weakly as Myk went to the door.
In full beskar'gam, minus the helmets, Callista and Xan stood in the doorway, looking just a bit haggard, but hale and hearty none-the-less. The Rogue smirked a bit as he beckoned them inside. "Glad to see the two of you made it," Myk said as they entered the dimly lit quarters. "Any new scars, Xan? Face like yours, it's hard to tell."
"Ha-ha," Xan smirked. "Not everyone can defy time, and age backwards like some."
"Joking aside," Callista interrupted before the inevitable insult battle truly began. "What happened? We all felt brief tremors in the Force, but seeing you and Arie and Steffan only raises more questions. I've never seen or heard anything like this."
"Well, I assume Steffan gave you the details of what happened on the rooftop?"
"For the most part," Xan folded his arms. "But even he didn't have any ideas as to your current state."
"Well, we tried something," Myk shrugged. "Something neither of us had done before. But, Steffan was fading, and our options were limited. My time on the other side allowed me to sense where he was, I think. I didn't know what would happen if we followed him, or even if we could, but we had to try."
"You committed suicide," Xan shook his head in disbelief.
"Nothing quite so dramatic," Myk explained. "But, in a sense, I guess so. Arie and I joined spirits and entered a deep meditation. We…left our bodies…it did feel a bit like dying, and I don't recommend anyone try it. It was a miracle we came back at all."
Callista took a seat next to Arie's bed, and Xan leaned against a wall. Both studied the Rogue intensely as he continued his explanation.
"That place, if you can call it a place, is an eternity of fog and white and images. It's indescribable. Trying to explain how we found Steffan, and what we saw there would be impossible. We knew we had to get back though. For Steffan, he had Andrea as a link to the living world. We could sense her through the fog, and Steffan was able to use her as a guiding beacon to his body. Arie and I were a bit stuck though."
"Stuck?" Callista asked.
"We couldn't figure out how to get back. So we tried something again."
"One of these days," Xan interjected. "You're method of trying things is going to get you into serious trouble. But, given the circumstance, I suppose there wasn't much to go on."
"Exactly," Myk nodded. "We focused on memories of us. We tried to find ourselves by remembering our life together. What came to us was the day I proposed to Arie. We found each other then, reliving one of the happiest days of our lives. The memory was so clear and so detailed as to be real. I asked her to come with me, and things went white. I woke up on the rooftop with Arie next to me, the both of us looking as we do now."
"So the Force returned you as you remembered yourselves?" Xan arched an eyebrow.
"That's as good a guess as I can manage," Myk shrugged.
"But, why are you standing here, hale and hearty, while Master Arie lies weakened?" Callista cast a worried glance to Arie.
"I've been trying to figure that out," Myk-Ron sighed. "But, I'm no healer. What can you sense, Calli?"
The young woman moved to Arie's side, and laid a hand on Arie's forehead. Her eyes closed, and Myk could feel her drawing on the Force. Arie's face looked relaxed, but the color wasn't there. After a moment, Callista withdrew and looked to Myk.
"She feels fine," Callista said.
"But...?" Xan interjected, knowing there was more to say.
"But, I can't find the Phoenix inside her," Callista looked to Myk-Ron. "What does that mean?"
"I don't know," the Rogue wore a look of pained exasperation. "I really hate this damn prophecy…this legacy…this curse. She's given so much already, but it always asks for more. I don't know what to do."
Arie stirred then, and the three grew quiet. Myk went to his wife's side. Weakly, without opening her eyes, she took his hand. "Livda," She breathed.
"Livda?" Callista arched an eyebrow. "But, there are far better healers and equipment here on Coruscant."
Myk-Ron shrugged as Arie slipped back into an uneasy sleep. "Yeah, I know. But, I learned a long time ago not to question her in moments like this. If she thinks going to Livda will help, then that's where we'll go."
"We?" Xan asked.
"Arie and I will go," Myk said. "Major Maxell can continue the clean-up efforts over Endor. I'll submit the order via Arie's comlink, and that information doesn't leave this room."
"What information?" Callista and Xan asked simultaneously.
"Exactly," Myk grinned. "As for Rhen Var. I'm sure there's a lot to go over with that, but it'll have to be without me. Steffan can handle the council, though I'm sure he'll need the two of you present for the debriefing. I'm going to snag Ter-Lon, and make ion trails."
"You keep in contact, Rogue," Xan said.
"Roger that," Myk nodded. He went to the small desk in Arie's quarters and quickly scribbled down what looked like random numbers onto a piece of flimsy. "That's my personal encryption code for the Firebird. If you need me, that's your ticket to nearly instant response. You keep that safe, now."
"Darn," Xan sighed. "I was going to fence it on the black market to the slicer with the highest bid."
Callista elbowed him in the ribs before turning to Myk. "We will," she said. "In the meantime, is there anything we can do to help?"
"Just keep me in the loop," Myk shrugged. "I dunno how long we'll be on Livda, but maybe once things cool down here you lot could stop by for a visit?"
"Roger that," Xan nodded. "Some R&R would do us all some good."
Callista and Xan left then, after saying their goodbyes, and Myk-Ron set to the task of getting Arie ready for the flight to Livda. He commed Ter-Lon, and had the boy help him get everything set. After explaining to Ter-Lon his and Arie's appearance, of course. In four hours, Myk-Ron Dinn sat in the cockpit of the Firebird and watched the stars turn to starlines as the ship hurtled toward distant Livda.
"I understand that, sir," He'd made the title sound like a curse even through the static of the hypercomm transmission. "However, I must speak with the General to confirm these orders."
"Protocol hasn't changed that much since I've been out, Colonel," Myk shot back. "And, I've had time to review the new ones. You do not need to hear it from her. You have the orders, and her seal is on them. That constitutes a direct command. You follow, or you resign. It's not a tough call."
"You listen here, you arrogant –"
"So we're throwing out decorum, then?" Myk-Ron cut him off. "In that case, Maxell, you can take whatever tirade you've been working on to tell me off and space it. Arie's sick, she couldn't speak to you if she wanted to right now. You have her last orders; follow them. I would think a flag Colonel could handle a simple clean-up op. Both of our leaves have been stamped and approved, so whatever you have to say beyond that is irrelevant."
"I know you forged those orders, Colonel Dinn," Maxell said coldly. "Your disregard for procedure and your general lack of military discipline may have been overlooked in your day, but you won't last long in the new military. I'll see to that personally. I don't care who you're 'married' to, or who you claim to be."
Myk-Ron stared back at the image of Colonel Brent Maxell, and, when he spoke, his voice was tinged with ice. "You don't know me," He said. "So I'll explain this once; don't ever threaten me."
Maxell looked as though he would speak, but Myk-Ron cut the transmission.
"That was probably a bit less cordial than he's used to," Ter-Lon said from the cockpit doorway of the Firebird.
"Stuffed up, preening, hawkbat," Myk grunted. "He wouldn't have lasted a day in the Rebellion."
"I wouldn't know," Ter-Lon took a seat at the co-pilot's chair. "But, he has a point, Grandfather. The NR military has had the time now to grow into a real military, with tradition, protocols, and the like. Recruits aren't as hard to come by, so they can afford to be stricter."
"Pomp and ceremony," Myk nodded. "I know, Kid. Doesn't mean I have to like it. How's your grandmother?"
"Resting," Ter-Lon shrugged. "It's so frustrating. She feels fine, her vitals check out better than average…she's just not there, not completely."
The Rogue was silent. It was pretty much what he'd expected. "Have you researched the Phoenix Prophecy at all, Ter-Lon?" He asked.
Ter-Lon's eyes grew wide as sudden comprehension rushed over him like a wave. "Shassa," he swore. "I know what's happening!"
Myk-Ron arched an eyebrow. "Really? Because, I'm completely lost. I thought the whole thing was over with Livda all those years ago."
"No," Ter-Lon shook his head. "I've spent the better part of my life researching into the Phoenix prophecy. After the things I've seen…well, I'm inclined to agree with you, grandfather. It's a curse."
"Great," Myk-Ron sighed. "So what's going on?"
"Well," Ter-Lon said as he closed his eyes. "…'and the great bird did swell until the stars were outshone by her light. Her fire was like the sun to the world. She shrank then, weakened, and lay dormant for a time before fading from life completely'…"
"Whoa!" Myk interrupted. "Are you saying the Phoenix is dying?"
"Seems to be what the old text is implying, and it fits with what's happened so far," Ter-Lon explained sadly. "But, there's more to it. 'And the world was dark in the absence of her light. And all who knew her mourned. But, from the ashes of death, new life was born again, and the Phoenix was stronger for it'."
"So the Phoenix is dying, but it'll come back," Myk translated. "But…what happens to the host while the bird is dead?"
"I don't know, Grandfather," Ter-Lon shook his head sadly. "The old texts don't cover much about the host. They seem to be secondary to the Phoenix."
"Figures," Myk spat. "That's what I hate about religions, Kid. For all the peaceful, 'love your neighbor' stuff; they sure have a nasty habit of completely overlooking people."
"I…I never thought of it that way…"
"Don't look too deep into it, Kid," Myk said as he rose to check on Arie. "I'm just a cynical old man."
"Not by the looks of it," Ter-Lon smirked.
Myk-Ron tossed his grandson an easy smile before slipping out of the cockpit and down the curving corridors of his ship.
"Hey there, Beautiful," Myk-Ron whispered as he brushed a strand of hair away from Arie's face. She stirred and the hint of a smile crossed her face, but she did not wake. "We're nearing Livda," Myk continued anyway. Somehow, he knew she could hear him. "We'll have you snug in your own bed in no time. I do hope you know what you're doing, though. I'm no healer, and neither is Ter-Lon. I don't like the idea of you facing whatever this is alone."
By reflex or something else, Arie's hand fell onto Myk's and she gave it a little squeeze.
Myk-Ron chuckled, "Hey now, I'm supposed to be reassuring you."
The Rogue leaned down and kissed her forehead before returning to the cockpit to take the Firebird in.
"Grandfather," Ter-Lon said as Myk took his seat at the pilot's chair. "You've got an incoming wave. Looks like it's coming from Master Karrde."
"Put him on," Myk nodded as the image cleared. Steffan appeared to be in his study at the Temple, but the state of things and the bags in the background told the Rogue that the Jedi was heading somewhere. "Steffan," Myk said in greeting.
"Myk-Ron," Steffan nodded.
"Heading home?" the Rogue asked.
"Partially your idea," Steffan replied. "Or, I guess I should say Arie's. Some time at home will do me well, I believe. We all need some rest."
"Can't argue with you there," Myk agreed. "That being said, don't ever pull a stunt like that again."
"I think I've heard that same thing from just about everyone I know in the past few days," Steffan sighed.
"Just means you should listen."
"Aye," Steffan nodded. "I know. And, I really don't plan on doing anything of the sort. But, I'm calling to check on Arie. Even in my state, I can feel that something isn't as it should be."
"Ter-Lon believes that the Phoenix is dying," Myk-Ron said without preamble. "And, I'm inclined to trust him. I can't find the bird anywhere in her, nor can I sense it in the Force at large. The kid says the Phoenix will 'rise again,' but there's no telling what that is going to do to Arie."
"I…I don't know what to say," Steffan looked genuinely at a loss. "She's in my thoughts, Myk-Ron. You'll keep me posted?"
"I will," Myk said. "She's a fighter. I've still got hope."
"Aye, that she is."
"In any case," the Rogue said. "Got a sit-rep on the others?"
"Xan has taken his new Padawan on a fact-finding mission to try to dig up what he can about the various anomalies on Rhen Var," Steffan began.
"Anomalies?"
"A building that was both out of place and radiating with dark energy was overlooked. Also, there was a full contingent of Imperials there. They aided for a while in the fight, but vanished shortly thereafter."
"Wonderful," Myk sighed. "I do just love loose ends. Quenadis will sort it out though. What about Calli? She running with Xan on this one?"
"Actually, she's coming with us to Cataan," Steffan replied. "I've been meaning to set up a new praxeum there and she and her padawan have offered to help with some of the initial set-up."
"Always working," Myk grinned.
"Well, not always," Steffan smiled. "For the most part, it's just clean up and minor repair work on the monastery. Really, it's just a much needed break from saving the galaxy. Sometimes it's just good to slow down and do some manual labor."
"No argument here," Myk nodded. "Listen, we're five minutes out from planet-fall. You take care of yourself, and keep me posted."
"Aye," the Jedi nodded. "You as well."
The transmission ended then, and Myk-Ron sat back for a moment lost to his thoughts.
"Grandfather?" Ter-Lon said, breaking Myk's reverie.
"Right," Myk shook his head. "Why don't you head back and make sure Arie's secure, and strap yourself in as well."
"Aye."
As Ter-Lon made his way aft Myk pushed forward the levers, reverting them to realspace. Starlines whirled about and stopped, hanging still in the black of space. And, directly ahead the blue sphere of Livda swelled to fill the viewport.
They'd been taking shifts watching over her. She lay in her bed, hooked up to an IV and a heart-rate monitor. The steady beeping kept time as it trickled slowly by. It was Ter-Lon's shift. Myk-Ron lay on the couch in the living room, trying in vain to get some sleep. It was just past 02:00, and a steady rain fell through the night. His eyes had just closed when he sensed it.
"Grandfather!" Ter-Lon's voice and the terrible scream he heard in the Force snapped the Rogue wide awake. He was on his feet in a heartbeat, and at Arie's side in less.
"What happened?" Myk asked, already stretching out to his wife's silent form.
"The Phoenix," Ter-Lon breathed. "It's…dead." The boy was sitting against the wall, his legs pulled up to his chest and his hands clutching his head. Myk knew Ter-Lon had a part of the Phoenix within him. He couldn't imagine the kid's pain. In point of fact, he had a hard time registering it over his own. Not only could he not sense the Phoenix, but he could no longer sense Arie either. Her body lay still. Her heart was beating, her breathing shallow but regular. But, she wasn't there. She was…gone.
Without realizing it, Myk-Ron's feet carried him outside and into the rain. He stood on the grassy lawn in front of the house and stared into the stormy sky. Force energy welled up inside him, bubbling beneath the surface, threatening to overtake him. He let it build. He cursed the Force; the prophecy that kept trying to steal his wife from him. With a cry that was nearly inhuman he released the energy inside him in a torrent of pure Force energy into the sky. Across the world, people stood in awe of the blinding light on the horizon. The clouds parted above where he stood, trees on the edge of the lawn bent beneath his onslaught. With all the strength left in him, he cried, "ARIE!"
The Rogue fell to his knees, his energy spent. The clouds slowly began to edge back together. Rain fell in a circle around the house. Tears stained his cheeks, and he clutched the grass between his fingers, still staring into the sky. He sat there for what seemed like hours, drained, empty. The clouds continued to close in.
Through the opening in the sky, he caught a glimpse of what looked to be a falling star. The light grew brighter and brighter until it filled his vision, and bigger still it grew. Drained as he was, he could feel the energy growing within the Force, and he could hear what sounded like a great bird singing. Forgetting his fatigue, the Rogue ran into the house. The light outside shone through the windows in orange and golden beams. Ter-Lon stood at Arie's side, gazing at her glowing form. Myk-Ron stood in awe as her body hovered above the bed.
The light shrank, concentrated, penetrated the house and came to rest above Arie's floating form. And then it took shape, and Myk knew that the Phoenix lived again. With a screech, the great bird of fire dove into Arie's chest and came to rest there where it belonged.
Like a leaf on the wind, she floated back down to the bed, the color returned to her face and the mark of the Phoenix appeared as it had all those years ago beneath her left eye. Ter-Lon too seemed invigorated. The boy looked at his hands as though seeing them for the first time.
Myk rushed to Arie's side, taking her hand in his, and he brushed back her beautiful golden-brown hair. Her icy blue eyes fluttered open, and his heart skipped a beat.
"Silly Rogue," she whispered with a smile. "You should know I'll never leave you."
"I love you, Arie."
"And I love you, Myk." They embraced then, and the Force danced within them. Beyond a shadow of doubt, Myk-Ron knew completely that his wife was with him and that she was there to stay.
To Be Continued in
Redemption