Chapter 27 Never Alone
"Have you ever thought how strange this is?" Ferri asked.
He was seated in Zak's quarters, his crutches propped against Zak's desk.
"What?" Zak asked.
"This. Me sitting here in your quarters." Ferri answered, "Four years ago, I would have been hurling insults about you behind your back."
Zak smiled, "Well, I'd rather not have you hurling insults about me behind my back." He replied.
"It's strange though, don't you think?" Ferri continued, "I mean, I never expected us to be friends, ever."
Zak sighed and laid back on the bed, "I don't think even Master Yoda can know everything that will happen." He said.
"I'm sorry for what happened to you, Zak; I wish I could do something to help." Ferri told him.
Zak turned to look at him, "You are doing doing something." He answered, "By being my friend."
It was Ferri's turn to sigh, "After everything I did to you; after everything I accused you of; after the horrible way I treated you, you still trusted me enough to ask my help when Master Skywalker went missing." He explained, "When no one else would, you did."
"Everybody deserves a second chance, Ferri." Zak replied, "And we make a good team, you and I."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean we had to become friends." Ferri pointed out.
"No; but we have, isn't that all that's important?" Zak questioned.
"Yes. I'm glad we're friends." Ferri answered.
"Me too." Zak replied.
----------
Zak's mental state gradually improved; he still spent much of his time isolated, either in his quarters or by the lake in the Room of A Thousand Fountains long after the rest of the Jedi had retired for the night, but encouraged by Bant and his master, he would make occasional trips to watch the younger Jedi on the training floor or for meal in the dining hall. During this painful period, the only one of his friends he did not avoid entirely was Ferri, perhaps because of their shared experience. Boba made daily visits to the Temple; after Zak's collapse in the hall, he had not seen his friend and, while he understood from both the Mon Calamari healer and Obi-Wan, the extent of Zak's mental fragility, he could not comprehend why Zak refused to see him. Boba had never been patient, but he continued to visit the Temple daily for two weeks, when his patience finally came to an abrupt end and he refused to leave until he was able to see the young Jedi. He was pacing the length of the visitors' chamber when he was finally rewarded, "You're going to wear a hole in the carpeting." Zak said from the doorway.
"Finally!" Boba exclaimed, "I thought we were friends."
"I'm sorry, Boba; I haven't been up to seeing anyone." Zak replied apologetically.
"I understand you're seeing Ferri." Boba challenged.
Zak sighed, closed his eyes and rubbed his temple, "I'm sorry you're angry." He answered.
"I'm not angry; I'm just confused." Boba countered, "I went all the way to Bella to help you and now you won't even talk to me."
"I can...I can feel your anger, Boba." Zak told him, "I...I'm sorry, I can't..."
Boba's anger dissipated, "Zak? Are you alright?" He questioned, suddenly concerned.
"Emotions...strong emotions hurt." Zak explained as he moved into the room, sat down on one of the cushions and put his head down between his knees.
"By the Maker, I...I should have known. I'm sorry, Zak." Boba answered, suddenly overcome by guilt.
"It's why...why I couldn't meet with you before." Zak continued, "Ferri is...he has control...do you understand?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry; I don't know why I couldn't see that before. Maker, I'm so sorry." Boba said, sitting down opposite Zak.
"It's alright." Zak assured him, "You couldn't have known."
"I should have. Look, I just wanted to see if you were alright." Boba replied.
Zak lifted his head and smiled weakly, "I'm better; but I'm not alright yet." He answered, "You wear your emotions on your sleeve; Master Bant told me...told me it would be better to..."
"To avoid people like me." Boba finished, "I guess she was right; you're as white as a sheet, Zak. I'm sorry."
Zak took a deep breath, "It will pass momentarily." He told the ex-bounty hunter.
"Why does it hurt?" Boba wondered.
"Right now, my mind is raw...and I have no...barrier to prevent...being flooded with...the emotions of everyone I come in contact with." Zak answered.
"How long will it be before it doesn't hurt?" Boba asked.
"Master Bant said it could take weeks, maybe months." Zak replied, "In the meantime, Master Obi-Wan is trying to help me rebuild my defenses."
"Holy Maker." Boba gasped.
"Yeah." Zak responded, "Look, I'm sorry; I should not have shut you out. You're my friend, and I had no right to treat you like that."
"I should have understood when Master Kenobi explained it to me; sometimes I can be a little thick." Boba said.
Zak smiled again, "Just a little." He concurred.
----------
The hearing for Melak Perrin took place before the week was out. The charges against the Belaridian extremist leader were numerous; aside from those directly connected with the young Jedi he later exiled on Bella, he was also held responsible for the killing of Master Horan and Khyber Raneau. It had been his planned assault that had resulted in their deaths, and he was considered just as guilty as the leader of the invasion who was also charged and convicted of both murders.
Zak's testimony was presented as a written document and accepted by the Judge Advocate after the severity of Zak's condition was presented to him. Ferri attended the hearing along with his master and the rest of the Council and took the stand against the extremist. In the end, Melak was convicted of all charges against him and sentenced to life on a remote prison colony beyond the outer rim; the leader of the assault, tried soon afterwards received a life sentence in a prison mining colony.
Convicted on lesser charges, Melak's followers were sentenced to twenty years each on various prison planets around the Republic. As for the fates of the escaped prisoners Terak, Devan and Kien, Devan, it was decided they would be placed in permanent stasis; a sentence reserved only for those considered too dangerous even for the securest penal colonies. True to character, Devan proclaimed her innocence until the lid of her stasis chamber closed, muting her protests. Terak's last words as his chamber was sealed were of hatred and revenge against his brother. Kien, as always, accepted his fate quietly and without protest.
----------
No official action was taken against Khyber Raneau's master because none was needed. After a tearful, heartfelt apology to both Zak and Obi-Wan, Goral Ansular requested permission for a pilgrimage to the isolated planet of Dagobah; he felt the solitude of that planet would help him work through his grief and anger at the loss of his apprentice. None of the members of Council objected to this request, and so, just as Ferri was beginning his session with the Council, Goral's Jedi starfighter slipped into hyperspace bound for the jungle planet. He was gone for six months. When he returned, he decided he was ready for another apprentice. He chose Shel.
----------
A month after his return to the Temple, Zak stood on the observation deck watching the younger Jedi sparring on the training floor below, "You're out on your own." His master stated as he came to stand beside him.
"I can't hide forever." Zak answered.
"True." Obi-Wan replied.
"I remember when I was that young; when all that mattered was being chosen by a master and to start training for Knighthood." Zak recalled wistfully, "That seems so long ago now."
"You must not dwell on the past, Zak; even when it is a less painful place to be." Obi-Wan told him.
Zak sighed, "I know; but sometimes, it eases the pain a little." He answered.
"It will get better, Padawan; I promise." Obi-Wan assured him.
"It already is a bit." Zak said and then turned to regard his master with tears glazing his soft brown eyes, "Thank you, Master."
Obi-Wan smiled and put one arm around the younger man's shoulders, "There is nothing to thank me for, Padawan." He replied as the tone for the evening meal sounded, "Are you up to dinner in the hall?"
Zak thought for a moment, "Yes, Master; I think I am." He decided.
Obi-Wan patted his apprentice on the back as they headed toward the dining hall together. Zak had come far on his journey to recovery, and he had a way to go still. But he knew, as he had almost always known, that he would not have to travel that road alone.
Well, we've come to the end of another tale; it's been a great ride, but, unfortunately, most of my faithful readers seem to have lost interest. Most chapters have drawn very few reviews; some none at all. Sadly, this means there will more than likely not be any further stories. For those few who have decided to stick with me to the end, I thank you for your interest and your loyalty; I'm glad that you have enjoyed this little venture into an alternate future for the Republic, for Anakin and most of all for the Jedi Order. May the Force be with you!
TamsynDell
