Disclaimer: All belongs to the great and powerful Disney. (Only 15 days until Star Wars VII comes out!)
thejoker122- It's good that I can hold your attention through these quieter chapters, especially because I didn't resolve the fate of Aurine, which is what everyone wants to know.
Lord Darth Yoda - I also think its interesting to explore the innate respect that a Jedi receives just for being one. It's hard to think of an equivalent real-life institution that is as incorruptible as the Jedi Order is before the dark times. While the Republic is...struggling as of the current era, the Jedi seem like they are widely respected still, though that will change for the worse in the future. As for explaining the healing, I owe a bit of gratitude to the Medstar duology which describes healing in a way that I always liked - They are good books too, especially if you get the M*A*S*H references.
RedHairing326 - Thanks for the review, I think this story goes in some unexpected directions, and that is always fun as a reader. As much as I've hinted about Aurine's fate, it has to kind of stay up in the air - because what kind of cliffhanger would it be if it just suddenly resolved in the next chapter (Oh, I was just in a healing trance, I'm back!) That kind of storytelling where everyone is magically immune to being hurt or has amazing recoveries is something that will not be happening in this fic.
SeraphZora - Thanks for the review! I find it impossible that you couldn't find a single thing to complain about (perhaps the chapter ended too soon?) but I accept the compliment in the manner it was intended.
As ever all reviews, follows and favourites are appreciated. Thank you to those who have favourited, followed or left reviews, this story is already more popular than I ever thought it would be (seriously, I thought I'd have 20 readers, total. Now the story has 22 followers, and many more consistent readers).
Anyway, please enjoy the next chapter.
Chapter 26: Updates, A Padawan's Place
Sascha only gets an hour of blissful sleep before his slumber is interrupted. He awakes just a second before the door to the room opens and he is greeted by racking pain from just about every part of his body. Despite whatever painkillers that Dr. Jarvis had given to him, he's finally feeling the full effect of his now half-healed injuries, now that his adrenaline has worn off. It is not a pleasant sensation to say the least. In addition to the pain, he is currently experiencing the most ear-splitting headache of his young life. The lights being turned on only increases that particular pain and the Padawan cannot stop himself from emitting a painful and pitiful moan.
Sascha glances at the door, his hand drifting towards his lightsaber. He releases his grip on his lightsaber when he sees that the person entering the room is Luminara. The Miralian looks a big ragged from the battle, but her piercing blue eyes remain as sharp as ever.
Still, when she sees Aurine in the bacta tank and how lifeless she looks, her façade slips slightly. She moves to the bacta tank and places and an olive-skinned hand on the glass. It's a heartfelt gesture and Sascha can feel its sincerity, he knows what Luminara would give to have her best friend beside her instead of fighting for her life. Sascha thinks of saying something, but merely decides to stay silent. It's a moment that he doesn't want to interrupt. The moment is fleeting however; Luminara is far too good a Jedi to spend time on something that is beyond her control. "How are you feeling, Padawan?" she asks.
"I've been better," he replies, not sure exactly what else he could say. He's never had a headache like this, it feels like his brain is trying to escape from his skull. If this is what a minor concussion feels like, he doesn't want to ever experience a major concussion.
A brief flicker of a smile appears on Luminara's face, but it fades quickly, "Yes, our Kuati friend Dr. Jarvis, has updated me on your health. You did well on Narvis Rock, Padawan, I am proud of you," Luminara's voice fractures with emotion just slightly, "I know Aurine would be proud of you too."
"Thank you, Master Luminara. I just wish…" he trails off. He wishes for many things, that he'd been quicker, or fought better, or that he could somehow reach out through time and space and change what happened to Aurine. He'd always been aware, in a general sense that Jedi had limits, he hadn't been planning on finding out what they were quite so early in his apprenticeship.
Luminara speaks into the silence, a note of hope in her voice, "I know, Padawan. Doctor Jarvis said something about you being sure that Aurine will recover?"
He hesitates, "When I opened myself up to the Force…I got the impression that she'll be okay. At the time, it seemed like it was a sign from the Force as to her future now…I'm simply not sure. Did I just convince myself that she'd be okay? I don't know." He rubbed his aching head slightly, "I'm not really sure what I experienced."
"Sometimes the Force provides us with what we need," Luminara says sagely, "Aurine is incredibly tough, Sascha. She'll pull through this." Sascha nods hopefully, and Luminara continues, "Our lovely friend Senator Kuat has already contacted the Jedi Council on our behalf, I'll be heading to the communications hub to deliver our report. You can join me if you wish, I just had to see Aurine before I went."
"I'll join you, Master Unduli. Aurine would want that."
Luminara smiled the ghost of a smile, "It is amazing to see how quickly you've become Aurine's Padawan."
He blinked, "Excuse me, Master Luminara…but what do you mean by that?"
"You've picked up some of Aurine's best traits, her commitment to the mission above all else, her tactical acumen and her toughness." Sascha wants to dispute Luminara's claim, in his opinion he'd always been tough, scrappy had always been a word that had defined him, but he's going to accept the compliment in the manner it was obviously intended.
"I brought you a change of clothes, I thought you might appreciate it. Change and meet me outside," Luminara exits the room, indicating where she left a package of clothes.
Sascha rolls himself off his makeshift bed and almost stumbles dizzily into a nearby wall. He shakes his head and tries to clear his thoughts, though the concussion makes that rather difficult. He takes off his old, battle worn clothing, which if he is being honest, smells quite terribly and is still matted with blood, most of it his. Ignoring the prevalent aches of his body he puts on a fresh set of his gray Jedi robes. Before he leaves the room he says a silent goodbye to his Master, placing a hand on the glass of the bacta tank, much like Luminara had earlier. Aurine continues to float lifelessly in the tank, her health still hanging in the balance.
He joins Luminara outside the room and together they silently move through the Kuati Pride. Sascha wants very much to ask if Luminara had any success in getting any useful information from the computers on Narvis Rock, but it is not his place to ask, certainly not as they are in the middle of the ship. He's also trying hard to reduce the pain racking his body, his headache is not assisting him and neither is his fatigue, still, he manages to allay some of it as they walk to their destination.
They reach the communications centre, a room populated with bustling KSF personnel and a wide variety of state-of-the-art communications equipment. Senator Kuat meets the Jedi just inside the door, continuing to look fairly pleased with herself. Colonel Zarbo has also materialized beside the Senator, making the Padawan wonder what he's been up to all this time, considering he disappeared at a time where he may have actually been useful for once. The Senator bows politely to the Jedi, "I've made contact with the Jedi Council, you can take their transmission in room three."
"And who asked you to contact the Jedi Council, Senator?" asked Luminara in a frosty tone.
The Senator looks like she just realized that she has overstepped her bounds, "Two Jedi were hurt and you were busy coordinating our efforts on Narvis Rock, I only thought it right that I update the Jedi on the situation. I apologize if I acted out of turn."
Sascha was pretty sure the Senator was not contrite at all, and Luminara seems to feel similarly, judging by the slightest of snarls on her delicate features. With her olive skin and intricate facial tattoos, even the slightest of snarls can be intimidating, as he knows from experience. Still, her voice remains polite, unflappable, "Thank you, Senator, we shall take it from here."
The two Jedi enter 'room three' and lock the door behind them, the room's glittering equipment a testament to its quality, the room was capable of both sending and receiving transmissions in full holo, not exactly cheap or easy to do.
As he positions himself to the side and behind Luminara, he murmurs, "Our Kuati allies are likely monitoring this broadcast, Master Unduli."
"What makes you say that, Padawan?" replies Luminara, her voice barely audible.
"Because if I was in their place, that's what I would do."
"Duly noted, and well spotted, Padawan," Sascha feels a brief thrill of pride at the compliment, he has worked with Luminara before, and her compliments were rare and had to be earned.
It's not more than half a minute before the transmission from the Jedi Council comes in, all twelve members of the Council are in evidence, a far cry from the seven that had been in attendance when they were assigned the mission. Clearly, this mission now has the attention of the higher ups of the Order. All twelve holograms surround him and Luminara, giving them the impression that they are in the middle of the Council back on Coruscant, yet in hologram, they are only ¼ of their real life sizes. The small thrill Sascha receives from being in front of the full council is blemished when he remembers that his Master isn't here with him.
The intimidating presence of Mace Windu began, requesting a full report from Luminara. While the Miralian relayed the details of their mission, Sascha stood silently beside her; the place of a Padawan was the background, only supposed to speak if spoken to. Still, he pays close attention to Luminara's report, he doesn't want to be taken by surprise if a question is asked of him, which is unlikely since most of the Jedi Council members don't even know his name…
Aurine finishes her report and Mace Windu immediately asks, "Was there no way to take Tu Dronos alive?"
Luminara gave Sascha a subtle signal and he tried to quell his nerves, this was the first time he had ever spoken to the entire Jedi Council. "I'm sorry Masters, but no," he said.
Mace sat back in his chair, looking slightly displeased, folding his arms across his chest. Adi Galia the Tholothian Jedi Master asked a question "I am interested in the weapons of these pirates; you said that they resisted your lightsabers?"
"I suspect their weapons were made of a Cortosis alloy, an alloy that has been known to resist lightsabers in the past and has seen attempts to mine it be increased over the past few years," commented Eeth Koth, the long-time member of the Jedi Council.
Luminara nodded, "We retrieved all four weapons for further analysis."
"A matter for another Jedi to look into," commented Mace, waving his hand dismissively. "We've sent Jedi Knight Surenit Kli'qiy to oversee the treatment of Jedi Brynar. Along with him will be a contingent of Judicials who will oversee the interrogation of the prisoners of Narvis Rock as well as the extraction of any useful data from its computers. Padawan…" Mace glanced downwards, looking off screen, "…Whitestar, you'll accompany Jedi Kli'qiy back to Coruscant."
Sascha was talking before he realized what he was doing, "With respect Masters, and with permission of Master Unduli, I'd like to stay with the mission." A second after he is done speaking he realizes what he has done. He's spoke out of turn to the Jedi Council. He feels faint, and sways unsteadily on his feet, knowing that what he's done is a severe breach of protocol. He wonders if he can blame his head injury for his lack of judgement…
Mace glared daggers at him and even through the Holonet and the fact the Korun was ¼ sized, he felt intimidated. Fortunately he was rescued by one of Mace's former Padawans, the Chalactan Depa Billaba, who spoke, "Padawan, do not take this as a slight on your abilities, but you look like you were run over by a landspeeder and your place is by your Master's side is it not?"
Sascha glanced away, defeated, but Luminara spoke on his behalf, "I have worked with the Padawan closely before, I believe he could continue to be an asset to the protection of the Senator. I also believe that Master Brynar would like Sascha to stay with me as well." He sent Luminara a wave of gratitude through the Force, but this time remained silent.
The twelve council members looked at each other in silent discussion, clearly they had not anticipated this. Finally Yoda, the Grand Master of the Jedi Order spoke, apparently making clear the decision of the council "Very well, if fit to continue he is, remain with you, the Padawan will."
Mace resumed control of the conversation, "If we can continue…the Council is also amending your mission in light of these recent events, you are charged with the protection of Senator Itoma Kuat and nothing more." The penetrating glare of the Korun makes it quite clear to Luminara and Sascha that he will brook no disobedience in this matter. Neither Jedi offers any. "Any questions?" Luminara shakes her head. "Then may the Force be with you." The transmission ends quickly, leaving the two Jedi in the middle of the darkened communications room.
Immediately Sascha turned and bowed gratefully to Luminara, "Thank you for bailing me out with the Council, Master Unduli…I'm not sure what came over me."
A small grin pulls at the lips of the Miralian, "You are welcome, Padawan. It will be a pleasure to work with you," she grimaced "though I believe I speak for the both of us when I say I wished the situation were different."
"A Jedi must take what is given," he says in response. It's a typical Jedi mantra, and more than anything it is a reminder to himself to keep focused on the task at hand. He has questions about what just happened though, "Master Unduli, I'm confused by a few things, why was…"
Luminara cuts him authoritatively, "Not now Padawan." Now he is even more confused. There was so much missing from Luminara's report but no one seemed to notice or care. No talk about how the pirates had managed to be warned that the Jedi were coming to Narvis Rock. Sascha knows that it is not his place to question his superiors, but his questions remain.
The two Jedi exit the room and Luminara seeks out Senator Kuat. The Senator is busy talking with Colonel Zarbo, but the conversation is dropped immediately when she sees the Jedi making their way towards her. The Senator bows graciously to Luminara, "I want to apologize again for contacting the Jedi Council on your behalf. I…just wanted to help."
Luminara's features soften somewhat, "I understand the sentiment, Senator, I just ask that you keep us up to speed with what you are doing. Your protection is our mission, after all."
"What did the Jedi Council say?" the Senator asks innocently.
"They are sending a Jedi ship with a healer to take Master Brynar to Coruscant. The Padawan and I will remain as your security detail. I assume you will be returning to Kuat?"
The Senator looks towards Colonel Zarbo and nods in affirmation, "Yes, I believe I speak for the whole crew when I say that we've made enough detours. I am eager to return to Kuat, I have many tasks to accomplish there."
"Good, I believe you can see to the security arrangements on Kuat Colonel Zarbo."
The Colonel covers his surprise quickly, so far, the Jedi have overseen the entire mission, so this seems like an unexpected show of faith, "Of course, the security of the Senator is and always has been my number one concern," he says. Sascha covers a look of displeasure, he doesn't trust the Colonel at all.
"Thank you Colonel. The Padawan and I must rest." Luminara lets her fatigue show for just a second, and the Senator reaches out to place a steadying hand on Luminara's shoulder. The Miralian leans heavily into it for a quick moment before straightening back to her full height.
Itoma Kuat seems distressed by the state of the two Jedi, "I believe we can find appropriate quarters for both of you. Let me speak to Captain Kessler."
Luminara straightens, "That is not necessary, the Padawan and I will sleep in the medical ward with our injured colleague. Please see to it that a certain Major does not interfere, Senator."
Itoma flashes a wicked grin, "It would be my pleasure to keep that sleemo out of your affairs, Master Jedi."
Back in the medical ward, the two Jedi enter Aurine's room to find Dr. Jarvis checking the condition of Master Brynar. The doctor hears the Jedi enter and gives them a respectful nod. "Anything new, doctor?" asks Luminara.
The doctor shakes his head, "I'm afraid not, Master Jedi, her condition remains unchanged." Both Jedi grimace slightly at the news as expected as it is.
"Has Major Valenteen made good on his threats, doctor?" asks Sascha.
"Oh, he has, but it's for the best." The Kuati man smiles, "our esteemed Senator has heard of the good work I put in assisting you Jedi and she's offered me a job on her personal staff. I always did want to see Coruscant, now I have that opportunity. Plus, she gave me a nice raise and the promise of actually being able to take a vacation. I think that I'm getting the last laugh over Major Valenteen. Always knew that Senator Kuat was one of those good politicians that you hear about, but never actually get to see."
Sascha smiles, "I'm glad to hear that it all worked out, sir."
The Kuati man snorts, "I'm no sir, especially not now." He pauses, "if there is anything I can do, please let me know." The doctor turns to leave the room, but pauses right at the door, "Oh, and I figured both of you might be back, so I brought over two beds, they aren't much for comfort but they'll do." The doctor points out two small medical beds, off to the side of the room.
"Thank you for everything, Dr. Jarvis," says Luminara. After the Kuati bows and leaves, Luminara nods her head in admiration, "a good man, that doctor. Perhaps I misjudged the Senator, she does seem to inspire great loyalty amongst the people that she meets and I'm beginning to see why. I'm starting to suspect that the aristocrats of Kuat see her as a potential threat. It would certainly explain why our attackers have been of such high quality, the aristocrats of Kuat could certainly afford the best the galaxy has to offer."
"But we have no evidence…of anything so far Master. Just a growing number of clues with nothing to link them together and a list of suspects that seems to keep getting bigger."
"Yes, it is quite a confusing situation."
"So you didn't find anything in the computers at Narvis Rock," he concludes.
Luminara sits on one of the beds that the Kuati doctor brought into the room and peels off her boots, frowning as she notices her boots had some shrapnel buried in them, "I couldn't even get past the first line of security on those computers…their encryption and security systems were like nothing I'd ever seen before."
"But you didn't tell the Council that," Sascha points out.
"Haven't forgotten that, have you? Do you know why I didn't tell the Council?"
"If I knew I wouldn't have to ask," replies the Padawan a bit peevishly.
"You already know the answer, Sascha; in fact you pointed it out to me just before we started talking to the Council."
"The Council knew that the broadcast would be monitored?"
Luminara lets some amusement creep into her voice, "If a Padawan on his first ever mission can figure it out, don't you think the Council could figure that out as well?"
"Uh…um…of course, Master Unduli," replied the embarrassed Padawan. "So that whole transmission was just for show?"
"In a sense. I already transmitted a brief report to the Council so they understood the situation. They know how perilous this mission has become. I confirmed some of the less important details that they were interested in, but otherwise the transmission was a façade. The Council likely has already sent other Jedi to investigate how we keep being attacked. But potentially revealing that to the Kuatis does us no favours, because if there is a spy in the KSF or in the Senator's inner circle, letting them know there is more Jedi on the way only allows them to expect more Jedi."
Sascha was nodding slowly, his usual mental quickness was not there today, slowed by his concussion, but he was putting the pieces together, "So the Council restricts our mission, making the Kuatis think that we will no longer be searching for the would-be assassins. And the potential reaction to this will tell us something; hopefully, it could potentially make the conspirators overconfident. All of this seems overcomplicated, but I follow you now. So if I understand things correctly, Surenit Kli'qiy will bring us our 'real' orders."
"Yes, I wouldn't expect them to be significantly different; the protection of the Senator is likely still the goal of our mission. But the Council may assign you or I a specific task they want to see done." Luminara shrugs, "I do not know if any of this will be helpful, but when there are so many variables in a mission you try to control the ones that you have power over. A Jedi must always try to be prepared for all eventualities."
Sascha takes all this in, "Master Luminara, was I actually going to be sent home with Master Brynar?"
"I was actually going to argue for you to stay with me, but you were too impatient. You can still go back with Master Kli'qiy if you wish. They'll send another Jedi to assist me. I only want you to stay if you can keep focused on our mission."
He points to himself, "This impatient Padawan would like to stay until the mission is complete, considering I did risk whatever good will I had with the Council to do so." Luminara nods and prepares settle in for a well-deserved rest. "Master, if I may ask one more question."
Luminara gives Sascha a weary look, "You may, but be aware you are cutting into both of our recovery time."
He bows his head slightly, "Sorry Master, but I must know why you showed weakness in front of the Senator? I know you are tired, but you have more than enough control to not let yourself slip like that."
Luminara muses rhapsodically, "Ah, a little bit of political theatre, that. I could have seen to the security arrangements myself; after all it will probably be a day or so before we reach Kuat, but by showing that I'm weak and handing off the duties to the Colonel, we may learn something."
"I'm not so sure we should trust Colonel Zarbo, Master. I'm not sure where he disappeared to when we were planning our incursion on Narvis Rock."
Luminara smiles tightly, "No one said anything about trusting him, but getting to see the plan that he and the Senator come up with will tell us something, if they plans a grandiose return full of pomp and circumstance that will tell us one thing, if they plan something quieter that will also tell us another. And if it's a bad plan, we just make a new one for the Senator."
"This all seems overly complicated, Master."
"Everything about this mission is overly complicated, Padawan."
That statement was very difficult to argue against.