Part two - I had two separate it since chapter 19 all together was too long and this damn website wouldn't let me post it.
Chapter 19 part 2 -Child of the Sith
Alana hadn't realised that she had drifted off to sleep on the cold stone floor of the base until she felt somebody prodding her awake. Vaguely she registered two voiced: one of a small child, the other of a woman. With a soft moan Alana opened her eyes and blinked twice to get her vision to focus. Mikal's red-skinned and curious face came into view. Somewhere in the back of her mind Alana also registered that he was wearing sleepwear. Upon seeing her open her eyes and sit up Mikal turned his head over his shoulder and yelled:
-Mum, she's awake! I found her!
Murla's slightly tired voice replied:
-We never lost her, dear, and don't you mean you woke her up?
Mikal had the grace to look sheepish for a moment before calling back:
-Yeah,well, but humans shouldn't sleep on such a cold floor.
-No, nobody should.
Agreed the yellow-skinned twi'lek walking up to them and extending a hand to pull the young Jedi up. As soon as she was standing on her feet Alana apologised:
-Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep on everyone.
They had been in the middle of a meeting when Alana had dozed off. Sleep had decided to take over for a bit. Murla smiled and shook her head, her lekku swaying behind her:
-Don't worry about it: we were all surprised that you had managed to go that long without sleep. Even Jedi need their rest and your body looks quite banged up.
Alana shrugged:
-I'll heal. My body regenerates faster than it should.
Murla crossed her arms over her chest, mother-mode kicking in at the sight of the clearly exhausted obstinate teenager.
-Still. You should get some sleep, we have bunks here. The boys only left an hour ago so you have the time.
Alana stubbornly shook her head in refusal:
-Thanks for the offer but no. I'll be fine.
Murla sighed, realising that she was fighting a losing battle:
-If you're sure. But you should at least grab a cup of Caf if you plan on staying up.
Alana nodded:
-Yes, please.
The twi'lek sighed in relief just as Mikal piped up:
-Mum, can I have some blue milk? Please? Pretty please?
His mother smiled but looked at him mock sternly:
-You may, but only on the condition that you go right back to bed afterwards, young man.
-Deal! Let me just to put on my shoes first.
The twi'lek nodded, smiling fondly and called after the running boy:
-We'll be in the canteen.
-Ok, Mum!
As the two women watched him run off, Murla murmured:
-That boy...
Alana glanced at the twi'lek out of the corner of her eye to see immense deep love shining in her companions bright blue eyes. Quietly she asked:
-You love Mikal a lot, don't you? Like a mother.
Murla turned to her and smiled:
-Well of course I do - he's my son. We may not have the same blood but we're closer than some biological families are.
-I'm glad. It's good that Mikal has so many people who love him. Love help keep a person in the light and wards away the darkness.
-Jedi philosophy?
-Nope, personal musings. The Jedi would probably be a bit mad at me for what I said about love but they don't know can't hurt them.
Alana said yawning and Murla shook her head, amused:
-Are you sure you don't want to sleep?
-Positive.
-Okay, then let's go get you some Caf.
Alana followed Murla into the small canteen. Once there the twi'lek stepped behind the bar counter and busied herself with making their drinks while Alana quietly slid onto a bar stool. As she was fixing their drinks Murla suddenly asked:
-Hey, what's the time?
Alana checked her chrono that was attached to her comlink, Ayyshiri's creation. She twisted the dial and her Galactic Standard Time shifted to Duro's time in a matter of seconds - it had a good geolocation function. Alana looked at Murla's back and asked:
-Which time? Standard or Duro?
-Standard, most of us live by it.
-It's one in the morning. So on Duro that is...
Turning around Murla placed two steaming beverages on the counter before Alana and a warm drink of blue milk before finishing for her:
-About the same. But the planet has a 33 hour day instead of the customary 24.
-Ah, thanks,-Alana took a sip and her eyes widened,-This is really good.
Murla chuckled:
-What'd you think? That I was going to poison you?
-No, nothing like that. I just thought that with the state things are you wouldn't have such good quality drinks.
Murla pulled up a bar stool and sat down across from Alana:
-I'll let you in on a little known secret: we, historians, love good drinks. It's what keeps us going. No, seriously, you should look at our packing checklist - half of it consists of beans and spices for drinks.
-No kidding?
-Nope, I'm being totally serious. It's like a requirement for a historian.
Alana laughed and the yellow-skinned twi'lek smiled: that girl needed to smile more, since she had met her she had been serious and thoughtful the whole time. The only times she had visibly relaxed were when she was asleep or with either Mikal,that odd astromech or Jayden. Which obviously made Murla wonder at her connection with them. With Mikal she had obviously easily connected, something which was surprising since he usually took a while to open up to people. As for her two companions Murla was hesitant to jump to any conclusions. Mikal obviously seemed to like the droid and was curious about the bounty hunter - as a parent Murla was slightly confused. She was pulled out of her thoughts when she saw the puzzled look Alana had on her face, she was practically brimming with questions. Taking a sip of her steaming beverage she said with a smile:
-You do know I'm not going to shoot you with a toxic dart for asking questions, right?
Alana raised an eyebrow:
-A toxic dart?
Murla shrugged:
-A girl's gotta have style. Ask away.
Deciding to take her up on her offer Alana posed the first question of the many in her mind:
-Zhar told me you're their best historian. How come?
Murla put done her drink and tapped the countertop thoughtfully:
-i don't know really. It just happened. Truth be told I was actually born here, on one of the orbital cities. So I guess you can say Duro is my homeworld and naturally its history was something I learned. But the thing is Duro's history is elusive and shadowy with many mysteries. And I LOVE solving mysteries so I dedicated myself to becoming a historian and solving them. I really love this job. And I guess somewhere along the way I became well-known. Believe me that's the last thing I wanted with having to look after Mikal and all. Too much attention isn't good for a child.
Alana nodded in agreement. After taking another sip, she asked:
-So how did you even end up raising Mikal?
Murla's eyes misted over slightly, recalling the memory:
-Well, it began with Mikal being found atop the central tower on Bburru station as a baby - he was only a few months old. The janitor was the one who found him along with a maintenance droid. They were extremely surprised when next to the main communications system they found a crying red-skinned baby with a metallic cylinder in his little hands.
At the last sentence Alana sat up straighter and wonderingly murmured:
-A lightsaber...
-Precisely, I still have it. Anyway, they took him to Zhar, who, even though he did an extensive search, couldn't find his parents or relatives. Now, I don't know if you're aware but if the parents and relatives of a child die Duros have a custom of giving the child to one trusted member of the society to raise, but at this point Zhar encountered a problem: Mikal's race. You've obviously identified it by now and I'm glad you treat him well regardless.
Alana looked at her in confusion:
-Why wouldn't any sane person? He's a kid, he's not responsible for what his ancestors did!,- and then it clicked in Alana's mind and her hands tightened their grip on her cup,- oh no... Don't tell me... But he was a baby...
Murla nodded sadly:
-Yes. Duros hate the Sith race. Some of the kindest and most caring people Zhar knew violently refused to take in the baby and told Zhar that if he truly cared about the people under his protection he'd get rid of the baby. Permanently.
Alana's eyes were wide with horror and absolute revulsion, in a hushed voice she uttered:
-What kind of sick people are they?! He was just a baby! That's totally uncalled for and twisted!
Murla nodded, looking into the depths of her dark brown Caf. After a moment she continued:
-Zhar later admitted to me that half of him wanted to do what they said but thankfully common sense and his morals prevailed and as a last desperate attempt he reached out to the "alien" population of Bburru station. Back then I was only starting to gain my momentum as an archeologist and historian, and I had also only recently moved to the station but when Zhar turned to me for help and I saw that poor baby - I couldn't refuse. I just couldn't. Sure, the historian side of me as to how and where this Sith baby came from but I guess the mother inside of me wanted to take care of him - so I agreed.
The twi'leks peaceful and fond smile returned, she was basically glowing. Alana felt a pang of regret at what she was supposed to do. To ruin such happiness? It hurt. Murla continued:
-About a year ago I learned of the fact that he was Force-sensitive. And that's why you're here, isn't it? For Mikal?
Alana mutely nodded but kept her eyes fixed on her hands around the cup, she knew she couldn't handle the twi'lek's frigid glare. She could feel it on her. She knew she probably deserved it but still...
Murla sighed in defeat and dispiritedly whispered:
-So? When are you ripping my son away from me?
Alana's head jerked up, pain reflected in her eyes:
-I wouldn't do that!
The twi'lek's blue eyes narrowed disbelievingly:
-Oh really? Isn't that what you Jedi do with Forc a e-sensitive children?! Don't lie to me!
-I'm not! Maybe the Masters would do that but I wouldn't!
-I don't believe you. I won't let you take Mikal and brainwash him by force!
-I won't hurt him. I wouldn't take him without your consent even if I could.
-You lie!
Unexpectedly even for herself Alana felt her body shake and a warm drop of liquid slide down her cheek. She was crying? Maybe it was the day's stress or maybe it was somethings else but tears were falling from her eyes. She quickly wiped them away and looking down at the floor, quietly whispered:
-I'm not lying but I can't force you to believe me. I came here to tell you that Mikal has the potential and capabilities to become a Jedi and help protect this galaxy. And even if I was ordered by the Jedi to take your son - I wouldn't do that without his agreement and your consent. I won't rip a family apart regardless of my duty to the Order.
Murla couldn't see the young Jedi's face but her voice sounded sincere and her confidence wavered. Slowly she asked:
-And what if the grandmaster of your order called you right now and ordered you to do that?
Alana sighed:
-First of all he wouldn't be able to since the ion spill barrier is preventing anyone from contacting us and us from contacting anyone. But hypothetically? I would tell him the truth and flat-out refuse.
Murla looked at the girls downcast face and felt her own expression soften. All doubt of the girls sincerity evaporated from her mind - she wasn't lying. She knew the power that Mikal possessed and she knew the immense danger that came with it. As a his mother she had a feeling that if he wasn't trained his power could collapse on itself and he could get irrevocably harmed so perhaps it would be better if the Jedi took him in. In an equally soft voice she asked Alana:
-Promise me you will protect him? Like I would?
Alana nodded readily:
-Of course I will, I promise.
Murla sighed:
-Very well then. In that case - I give my consent, - ignoring Alana's astonished look, she continued,- but only if Mikal agrees. Where is he by the way?
Alana looked around, also realising that the small boy was taking far too long to come:
-I don't know... Give me a moment.
Alana closed her eyes and reached into the Force. She saw her around the base until she latched onto the correct small flickering light. Her own light presence gently probed it and she felt peace, warmth and sleepiness wash over her. Mikal had fallen asleep. She opened her eyes, a small smile lit up her face:
-He's asleep.
Murla shook her head and chuckled:
-Oh dear. I knew he was too tired. You know, he woke up because he said he had a strange nightmare of a big robotic-like creature that coughed and wheezed, flanked by a battalion of those ugly Separatists droids entering the temple. He's been having them a lot, like he said he'd seen you and your friends in a dream too but this time he insisted he had to tell you. That's why he woke you, - Murla suddenly noticed Alana's shocked countenance,- Alana?
Alana's hands slowly reached up to cover her mouth and she shakily whispered:
-No... This wasn't a dream.
The twi'lek looked confused:
-Then what was it?
-A force vision.
Alana quickly slipped of the bar stool and reached for the breathe mask on her belt. She paused and looked at Murla:
-I hate to trouble you but could you please tell me how to get to the Sith temple?
Murla looked dazed for a moment but then rapidly shook he head:
-No! You mustn't go there. You will die, despite being a Jedi. Please, listen to me. I suspect that that temple is the tomb of an old Sith Lord called Darth Desolous. Despite the reports that claim he died on Yaga Minor I know by the markings that I saw in the old Sith tongue - that is his tomb, he rests here. He will kill you, you mustn't go!
Alana's hands clenched at her sides and after taking a deep breath she smiled and said:
-I have to go. Otherwise we won't get off this planet and even worse General Greivous will obtain what's inside and then this war may never end.
Murla looked at the young Jedi standing before her. She had courage, determination and resolve shinning in her midnight blue eyes and yet Murla knew that she could easily break in half if confronted by strong enemy. And yet something told her that she would only truly break if her spirit was to be overpowered and even though she had no acres to the Force Murla could tell that accomplishing that would be very hard. From what she had seen and heard so far Alana was stubborn, brave, honest, reckless and loyal to her beliefs and friends. She sighed:
-There is no way that I can dissuade you, is there?
-No.
-I don't like doing this but alright.
Looking Alana square in the eyes Murla briefly described how to reach the ruined central tower under which the Sith Temple was located. Crossing her arms to hide her hesitation she inquired:
-Got that?
-Yes, thank you. I promise I'll come back, I still have to ask Mikal whether he want to be a Jedi remember? You have my word that I'll do my best to keep your son safe and get us all off this planet.
Murla nodded:
-I believe you. Good luck.
Alana slipped on her breath mask and just before running off smiled slightly and said:
-May the Force be with us all.
Jayden trod carefully through the nearly falling apart old factory that they had entered to retrieve one of the required parts. As he shone the torch over the large gap in front of him he really wished he had taken his armour - the jet pack would've come in handy. The part he needed was on the opposite side and the bridge to it was corroded away by acid. Suddenly outside the wall he heard a loud clang. Hid instincts told him that that didn't mean anything good. Trying out the trick Alana taught him Jayden searched for the lights. He saw seven of them spread through the factory - his team and then he noticed two darker ones outside. He focused on them and cursed when he felt out what they were : Fefze beetles. Smaller but just as deadly as the ones he had fought with Alana and TK. He switched on his comlink and hoped this worked:
-Hey droid, you hear me?
An affirmative insult was heard. Jayden sighed in relief, the comlink said on the surface worked even if the others didn't. He quickly explained the situation to him.
-Got that? Warn everyone to be ready.
TK whistled a negative and suggested another idea. Jayden frowned as he mulled it over:
-Blow them up? With what?
-Bee-whop!
-You found heat seeking missiles?
TK trilled an affirmative. Jayden had to hand it to the droid - that was a good plan. Nodding, Jayden agreed:
-Fine, lets go with that but the factory may collapse so get everyone out and to a safe distance, I'll get the parts myself.
TK beeped an alarmed protest and Jayden rolled his eyes:
-Please, I'll be fine. And why in the universe are you worried about me in the first place?
TK warbled something about how he wasn't but he was sure Alana would be upset if he got himself killed. Jayden sighed:
-I'll risk it. Go.
TK gave a last resigned beep and ended the transmission. Jayden smiled grimly and looked at the gap again. Sure, it was easy to talk but in reality? Not so much. He estimated the gap - three, four meters? If he had a running start he could probably make it and that was assuming that the bridge-like structure he was walking on right now held up. And that was definitely uncertain due to how much it creaked and shook as he walked. Suddenly his comlink beeped and a green light flashed in the darkness. Jayden frowned at it but clicked on the accept button. Alana's voice sounded, she was breathing heavily, out of breath as if she had been running for quite a while:
-Jayden, do you read me?
-Yeah, I hear you. What's up?
-The sky, Jayden, the sky. We have a problem.
-Make that a few.
Her breathing began returning to normal as she asked:
-Why? What's going on with you?
-Well, dismissing the fact that it highly possible we're all going to die from a multiple Fefze beetle attack, I'm contemplating whether I could jump three or four meters from a highly rickety bridge without falling to my death. You know, the usual.
Alana laughed slightly before turning serious again:
-You're serious about the jump?
-Yeah, I need the parts and there's a huge corroded gap between me and them. Anyhow, what new with you? I thought you were at the base with Mikal and the others.
Alana sighed:
-I was, before understanding that we have a huge problem: Grievous is coming here. To the surface.
Jayden froze. This was very, very bad. Like super bad. Drawing in a shaky breath he asked:
-How do you know this?
-I've suspected since Murla mentioned the Sith temple that that maybe his reason and now Mikal's had a Force vision. I'm in front of the ruined central tower right now.
Jayden sighed:
-You're going into the temple, aren't you?
-Yes.
He closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled:
-I'm not even going to try and stop you. What can TK and I do?
He heard her sigh and could almost picture her looking heavenward:
-Keep an eye and ear out for any crashing ships. Even the Separatist army leader can't know of the ion spill barrier beforehand.
-Will do,- Jayden hesitated before adding in a quieter voice-, Be careful in there.
He could hear the smile in her voice:
-Don't worry I will. Become a ghosts wall decoration isn't on the to do list.
-I'd like to proofread that list when you get back.
She laughed: a clear, pure, happy sound.
-Maybe I'll let you have a look at it when I get back.
-You better, princess.
-May the Force be with you, Cap'n.
-Good luck.
The transmission cut off and Jayden sighed softly. She had her problems to deal with and he had his. Somehow jumping a giant gap seemed a lot more tame now. It was better than combating a few dozens of the see-through dead at least. He turned back to the gap and smiled at the challenge it offered. There was no way a dumb gap was going to get the best of him!
Alana slowly descended down the stone stairs beneath the tower and froze when she saw the scene that spread out before her. It was as if the ground had been hollowed out and a large empty space was out before her in the middle of it stood a towering pyramid shaped Sith temple. The ground was cracked and for a moment Alana had the illogical fear that a chasm would suddenly open up. She shook her head to get rid of it and began making her way towards the entrance of the temple.
As she walked she involuntarily shivered. She could feel it. The Dark Side. It twisted and swirled all around this place. She could feel it's tendrils reaching out towards her, slowly coiling around her. She refused to become it pawn and her light burned the tendril, making it jerk away. Alana winced, her body and her Force abilities were taking quite a beating today. Still the dark side was relentless it probed at her and prodded, searching for a weakness it could latch onto which Alana refused to show.
She stopped just a moment before entering the temple and took a deep breath, inhaling the cool air. She felt cold, very cold. Subconsciously she rubbed her arms with her hands in a fruitless attempt to warm them. Logically she understood that it wasn't that cold (even though nights on Duro did get fairly chilly) and that it was just the dark side's presence affecting her so but that didn't stop her body from reacting instinctually.
Just as Alana was about to take a step forward heard head throbbed and her vision swam. Suddenly she saw a battlefield with many men with red lightsabers and just as many with green, blue and yellow ones. Jedi fighting Sith. She heard screams echoing and she felt the pain and terror in the Force. She saw the grass under her feet be smeared with blood. She felt the need to scream build up in her chest... And then it all vanished, leaving Alana doubled over gasping for air. Her lungs hurt and so did her head. What had just happened?
Out of the corner of her eye Alana though she saw a blue light slip past her and enter the temple. Finally catching her breath Alana straightened up and rubbed the spot between her thumb and index finger to lessen the pain in her head. What had that been? A vision? That battlefield evidently hadn't been on Duro but where and why did she see this? Could that have been a dormant memory?
Alana shook her head to her rid herself of these questions. As much as she wanted to ponder the answers now wasn't the time. Gathering up all of her courage and resolve Alana pushed past the logical and force-sensitive part of her mind that was screaming at her to stop and entered the Sith temple. The darkness welcomed her into its embrace.