Maldecka could barely contain her excitement. She was about to turn thirteen and for her birthday challenge she'd be going on a solo mission.

Maldecka quickly reviewed the items in her pack. Clothes, lightsaber, mission brief, some credits, and of course the package she needed to deliver on Secara 7.

She felt her lips turn up in a grin when Zarro laughed lightly behind her. Turning she saw him leaning against the door frame watching her.

He shook his head as he walked fully into the room, "Shine any brighter and you'll set something on fire Sunbeam."

Maldecka couldn't help but bounce on her toes, "I'm just so excited Master Zarro! My first solo mission!"

Zarro laughed, "Are you excited about the mission or the fact that you'll get to test for a second lightsaber after you return?"

Maldecka blinked, wondering how on earth to answer that she was over the moon for both.

Zarro grinned, sensing her hesitation to answer, "I know Sunbeam. You've studied the mission brief? Memorized it? You have enough credits?"

Maldecka smiled up at her master. Knight Zarro tried really hard to not be more than a master to Maldecka. But it wasn't really working, especially after Master Orgus cut them both off. They still hadn't been back to Tython since then.

Zarro determinedly walked to the door, grabbing his own pack from the floor where he dropped it, "We'd best get you to the space port. Can't have my padawan late for her first solo mission!"

Maldecka eagerly snagged her own bag and shot out the door to catch up with her Master.

The walk from the hotel to the spaceport was extremely short. But it was more than enough time for fear to rise up inside Maldecka's heart. What if something went wrong and she failed her mission? What if she accidentally goes into bloodhound mode and hurts someone innocent? What if something happens to Master Zarro on his mission? What if she dies in a crash?

Zarro put a clawed hand on Maldecka's shoulder, jolting her out of her panicked spiral.

Maldecka grimaced and tried to figure out what the fear was coming from. As the two of them reached the intersection where they would separate, Maldecka realized it was simply fear of facing this alone. Fear of not getting to see Knight Zarro again.

Knight Zarro had stopped and turned to face Maldecka, "This is it. We'll meet back here in twenty days should everything go as planned."

Maldecka looked up at Zarro a sudden and sharp fear zipping through her heart and mind.

So Maldecka gave Zarro a hug. As tight as she could manage hoping it would convey everything a Jedi is not to say.

Before Zarro could return the hug Maldecka stepped back and rolled her shoulders, "See you soon Master!"

She spun on her heel and started to walk to her shuttle, alone. After all, a warrior faces her fears.

"Be careful Sunbeam!"

Maldecka laughed without looking back. Seems she's not the only one worried about going on a mission alone.


The shuttle was cramped and noisy with many other passengers. The Jedi Order had splurged on a single room for Maldecka since she was travelling alone, but the cafeteria and lounge were shared by everyone.

It was the third day in a seven-day journey and Maldecka was bored to tears. She was even bored enough to meditate voluntarily. All that accomplished was a feeling of something being not quite right.

So Maldecka went a-wandering. Up and down the corridors where she was allowed. And occasionally into the areas where she was not allowed.

On her third lap of the ship Maldecka heard an unexpected sound. The sound of a punch and an ensuing grunt of pain.

Suddenly tense and alert Maldecka pressed herself against a wall to creep up to the corner of the corridor. Moving forward she tried to get a feel for the situation.

A young lady was backed into a corner by several men. The woman had her hands up and looked more than ready to fight back. One of the men was sporting a black eye and another was hopping on one foot holding the other.

"Well girly, care to explain what someone like you is doing on this ship? And alone at that?" The oldest man had his arms crossed and a furious glare directed at the young lady.

The young lady only narrowed her eyes and tightened her lips.

"Well speak up girly."

"I'm not sure you would want her to. Might not end well for you."

Everyone turned to face Maldecka after her declaration.

The leader crowded his eyebrows as he stepped toward Maldecka, "A Jedi? You got a lightsaber…"

Maldecka rolled her shoulders and held herself the way Zarro did when he was negotiating, "I am Maldecka. And I would like to know what is going on."

There was silence in the corridor.

Suddenly the young lady stepped forward, "Please, I'm trying to get to Secara 7. I need to find my brother!"

She was roughly shoved backwards by the nearest man, "Sure, 'find your brother'. Pray tell why you need a blaster to do that?"

"For protection from this!" she snapped back.

Maldecka stepped forward as the group started to turn ugly, "Hold it. Did this young lady actually do anything wrong or was she just defending herself?"

The young lady tried again to move forward, "I've done nothing wrong! I…"

She jerked backwards as one of the men punched her. Her head snapped back into the wall and she slid down to her knees trying to stay awake.

Maldecka leapt forward, "HEY!"

And the fight was on. Maldecka made embarrassingly short work of them.

When the last of them had either run or been knocked out Maldecka turned to the young lady.

She was sitting on the floor staring at Maldecka, blinking slowly.

Maldecka frowned as she approached, pondering the possibility of a concussion, "My name is Maldecka. What is yours?"

"Aikell."


"Thank you Maldecka. You really don't need to do this."

"I can't really let you go back to the bunks with those men after you. And someone needs to keep you awake with that concussion."

Aikell smiled at Maldecka. The smile bothered Maldecka because it has an edge of disbelief. She set it aside as a side effect of the concussion.

"I must admit I never expected to meet a Jedi like this."

Or it could be Jedi awe. Oh, how Maldecka couldn't stand Jedi awe.

Aikell continued to just stare at Maldecka, "You're a bit younger than I expected too."

Maldecka rolled her eyes at that, "I'm almost thirteen I'll have you know."

Aikell smiled a real and genuine smile then, "I had to be rescued by someone two years younger than me. Micken will never let me hear the end of this if he finds out."

"Is that your brother? Micken?"

"Yes."

Maldecka smiled lightly. Concussion or not, Aikell would only give the exact amount of information she intended and no more.

"Well. Get some rest. I'll wake you in two hours to check your concussion."

"You sure I can take the bed? And that you'll let a stranger into your room?"

"One, yes. Two, it's a lot of room from one person. And I could totally take you."

"Goodnight Maldecka."

"Goodnight Aikell."


The next few days were spent in a blur of exploring and hanging out.

Maldecka had never easily connected to other Jedi her age. She was either too rough from her Zabrak upbringing or too ambitious due to all the missions she and Zarro went on.

With Aikell this was no problem, though they were very different.

Aikell was classy and elegant, from the way she walked, talked and all the way down to the way she ate and read. When she spoke, it was cleverly and sharply, though her wit was far more subtle than Master Orgus's blunt charm and sarcasm.

And the two of them got along fabulously.

They talked about Aikell's technical schooling and Maldecka's pilot training. They explored the ship by playing follow the leader to see who could get from place to place the most impressive way. They giggled about the cuter boys on the crew and Aikell taught Maldecka some tricks with her hair.

Long story short, Maldecka had found a friend.


Orgus stormed down the corridor, anger and frustration barely held in check. Working for Council Member Mattiax was not progressing as quickly as Orgus had hoped it would. And the slow progress left Orgus tired and annoyed at the slow deliberations of the council and the seemingly dishonorable methods of tracking down the party responsible for bad mission assignments.

Among other crimes as Orgus and Mattiax had discovered. That was depressing enough as is.

Orgus finally reached Mattiax's offices. He huffed at the lifted ceiling. The office was one major perk of being a lackey for a council member. Orgus was halfway convinced Mattiax's office was bigger than his apartment. And that excluded the apartment suit attached to the offices for council members.

"Are you well Orgus?"

Orgus scoffed, "No. I am not well. I've been fielding council duties all day, we're no closer to finding the infiltrator, and I'm willing to bet you have a stack of mission assignments for me to double check."

Mattiax looked back down to his desk, "You're supposed to be in the process of being groomed for council membership for your cover, we are a great deal closer to finding the guilty party, and yes."

A stack was slid across the desk. Orgus picked it up and started to walk over to his own desk.

"And I haven't talked to my best friend and his padawan in over a year." Orgus mumbled under his breath.

"You could just pick up a comm. Your connection to them is more than a bit obvious to anyone who wants to do you harm, forced exile or not."

Orgus glared at Mattiax as he sat down. Mattiax hummed and returned to his own work.

And then there was Mattiax. Force help him, Orgus figured they would get along like oil and water but Council Member Mattiax had surprised Orgus. He was wise and only spoke once he had thought through what he was trying to say. And if he spoke, he rarely backed down.

All in all, an excellent mentor to Orgus, despite their partnership having nothing to do with actually grooming Orgus into a council member candidate. And Orgus did find himself learning, despite not expecting too.

Idly Orgus went through the mission assignments. Until one in particular caught his eye.

"Mattiax? Why is Zarro on assignment without Maldecka?"

"I'm not sure. How old is the assignment?"

By now Orgus was flipping through the missions trying to spot Maldecka's name, "About seven days!"

Mattiax stood to head to his computer screen when Orgus suddenly stopped his frantic search.

Noting the color draining from Orgus's face Mattiax felt he knew what happened, "Orgus? How bad?"

"Secara 7. They sent her on a solo mission to a battlefield."


Finally. Finally, the shuttle would be landing and she could find her brother. Aikell scanned the room one more time to be sure nothing would be left behind. Maldecka was doing the same check herself.

"You all cleared out Maldecka?"

Maldecka bumped into Aikell's shoulder, "I leave no trace."

Aikell laughed lightly as they walked down the hallway to wait with the other passengers, "Is that a Jedi thing?"

Maldecak smirked up at Aikell,"No, just a common sense thing."

Aikell smiled as they waited to be let off the shuttle. She had to hand it to Maldecka, the girl had a sense of humor. A bit hit or miss on delivery but Maldecka was on the way to being a very snarky Jedi.

But Aikell was an eternally curious human, "So, do I get to find out what's up with that super special package."

Maldecka shifted her pack's weight on her shoulders, "As soon as you tell me your plan to rescue your brother."

Aikell turned her gaze away from Maldecka. She had become genuinely surprised by how well she got along with the young Jedi. And there in lay the problem. Aikell never made friends, because attachment m


eant more points of weakness.

And here she was hunting for her missing brother and becoming friends with a Jedi of all people.

A Jedi that she is sorely tempted to seek help from. Because Aikell is wildly out of her depth.

Maldecka gave Aikell a gentle shove as the shuttle opened the doors, "You know…it would be cheaper for both of us if we rent a transporter together."

Maldecka had been attempting to not so subtly offer to help Aikell to find her brother pretty much from the moment they met. Aikell still couldn't tell if that was a Maldecka thing or a Jedi thing.

Walking out into the dusty sunlight of Senara 7 Aikell had one last defense against Maldecka's help.

"The Solomon Valley is probably in the opposite direction as where you're headed."

Maldecka blinked, "Solomon Valley? I actually pass right through it."

Aikell stopped so suddenly that Maldecka took several steps before she noticed, "You do? That makes no sense!" Aikell knew what was supposed to be in the valley. No Jedi would go there…unless…

Maldecka's eyes and posture suddenly shifted, to what Aikell wasn't sure. Maldecka did a slow turn, taking in the spaceport and the people around them.

Suddenly Maldecka's hand snaked out and Aikell found herself being pulled forward by the Jedi, "I'm guessing you'll agree to splitting the cost of renting a speeder then Aikell?"

Aikell was suddenly acutely aware the Maldecka she had gotten to know over the last couple days was Maldecka's softer side. Now Maldecka the Jedi was out and Aikell knew nothing about her.

"That sounds good to me Maldecka. But…if I say run, I need you to run and not look back."

Maldecka laughed, "I never run. Don't worry Aikell. I'll protect you."

Aikell couldn't help but wonder who would protect Maldecka.


Maldecka was on one hand glad to be out of the city, but on the other hand absolutely terrified because her briefing had clearly been wrong. Secara 7 was on the edge of civilized space but supposed to be safe enough. However, upon landing it was abundantly clear that the situation on Secara 7 was more than a rough frontier planet.

Glancing around Maldecka continued to pull Aikell forward. Refugees were everywhere, their despare and fear echoing on the Force so strongly even Maldecka could feel it. Maldecka's briefing was wrong, so she had to assume the worst. Fortunately, her goals were abundantly clear; deliver the package and get Aikell and her brother safety off the planet.

The speeder rental was directly in front of them. Maldecka released Aikell's arm as they stood before the counter.

A four-armed man was reading a magazine on the other side.

Maldecka pulled a ticket out of her pocket, "Hello, I have a speeder reserved."

"You old enough to drive?"

"On my planet I am."

"On Secara 7 you need to be fourteen at least."

Maldecka frowned. Distraction might help, could get some handy info too, "From the looks of things that law is a rather low priority right now. Where are all the refugees from?"

"Where do you think? They're headed south. Everywhere else you're liable to be blown up in the fighting."

Suddenly Aikell reached past Maldecka and snatched up the keys, "I am old enough to drive. Thank you, sir."

Maldecka followed Aikell into the garage. Aikell was clicking the keys trying to get a speeder to respond.

Maldecka pulled the keys out of Aikell's hand with the force, asking, "What are you doing?"

Aikell looked long at the ground. Then she looked at Maldecka, "You're still going North, despite the danger. And I need to know if…I need to find evidence of my brother. Just…if I say run, you run. Right?"

Maldecka pointed the keys at the correct speeder. It chirped in response.

Maldecka tossed her bag into the back and looked at Aikell, "I won't leave you behind. Jedi help people, that's just what we do."

A minute later a tan speeder pulled out onto the road against the refugee traffic.


Orgus had long ago learned to be ready to leave on a mission in an instant. He kept a backpack with all the essentials at the ready beside his door. However, untangling himself from council duties took a bit more effort and several hours.

Finally, he had found people to cover all his duties. And he has a personal ship ready to go. Just before he crawled up the ramp to leave Mattiax arrived.

"Orgus, wait."

"What?" Orgus was only aware of how his voice snapped when several passing councilors took a collective gasp.

Mattiax put his hand on Orgus's arm, "I know your instinct is to be most concerned about the youngest individual in danger. But I am sending you to aid Knight Zarro."

Orgus narrowed his eyes, "That makes no sense. Zarro is a knight, Maldecka isn't."

Mattiax tightened his lips in frustration, "And Maldecka can fly under the radar. You showing up would raise red flags all over the place. Zarro on the other hand is going into a dangerous mission without the backup he has become accustomed to."

Orgus bit his lip. This was why he couldn't help but respect Council Member Mattiax. Mattiax was able to see and process the big picture while Orgus was still fairly reactionary.

Orgus gently removed Mattiax's hand from his shoulder, "I understand. I have the data for both their missions. Once I've got Zarro we'll pick up Maldecka."

Mattiax stepped back, "Good. May the Force be with you."

Orgus nodded and walked into his ship.


Maldecka blinked the grittiness out of her eyes as they drove. The grown was pock marked with craters and trenches. Most all plant life was torn up husks.

Glancing over Maldecka could see Aikell pouring over the map again.

"We have another day of driving at least before we reach Solomon Valley, Aikell."

"I'm looking for a safe place to hole up for the night."

"Oh?" Maldecka had been eyeing the setting sun, wondering what exactly they would need to do for the night.

"Yes, turn left at that tree and we should be able to take shelter over by the cliffs there."

Maldecka could see where Aikell was talking about. Having a wall would certainly help in case they were attacked.

It wasn't thirty minutes till they were pulling up to a crag in the cliff face. The speeder just fit and they set about setting up camouflage to conceal it. They planned to just sleep in the speeder. Aikell surprised Maldecka by pulling three little motion sensors out of her pack. She arranged them around their little camp and rigged them to chirp softly and wake them should anything approach.

The camp was as secure as they could make it.


It was around 5 in the morning when the motion sensors went off. Aikell jumped to wakefulness at the light chirping. She was about to speak when Maldecka put a hand over Aikell's mouth.

Glancing over Aikell realized Maldecka was already alert and ready to go. Aikell followed Maldecka's gaze but the morning haze and dark was too deep for Aikell to see through.

Maldecka rose and silently leapt out of the speeder. Aikell reached for her blaster, fully aware that she wouldn't be able to so silently exit the speeder.

Maldecka crept forward, blurring into the darkness. Aikell breathed deeply trying to still her racing thoughts. Maldecka clearly knew what to do and Aikell knew how to shoot if she needs to.

But Maldecka has probably done something like this before. Aikell shook her head to clear it. She had to find her brother, no matter what. And if she needed to kill someone to get to him…so be it.

Suddenly a hum and a light cut through the dark silence. Aikell's eyes widened. She knew Maldecka had a lightsaber, all Jedi do. But she had never seen one before, and certainly had never seen one in action. Maldecka was confronting a rough group of about four, targeting their weapons and forcing them back. It wasn't long before Maldecka had them all unarmed and stunned on the ground.

"Who are you and what is your intent?"

Aikell readied her blaster, wondering why Maldecka even bothered to ask.

The group looked in shock at Maldecka's lightsaber until one of them looked up at her, "We didn't know there would be Jedi here."

Maldecka rolled her shoulders, "What did you expect to find?"

The group looked at each other before looking back up at Maldecka, "Imperials."

Aikell held her breath, wondering what would happen next.

Maldecka relaxed her posture and turned off her lightsaber, "Leave, and tell no one about us."

They all scrambled to their feet and ran without another word.

Aikell hopped out of the speeder as Maldecka turned around, "Did you see how thin they were? They'll sell us out for a bit of bread!"

Maldecka turned a hard look upon Aikell, "Would you have me kill them?"

Aikell furrowed her eyebrows, "Have you?"

Maldecka was collecting the motion sensors, "Have I what?"

"Killed anyone."

Maldecka paused briefly in her work. Then she grabbed the last sensor and returned to the speeder, "Yes. I've killed before. I am trained to pursue and thwart enemies of the Republic."

Aikell took the sensors and placed them in her pack, "What about Imperials? Or Sith?"

Maldecka laughed as she jumped into the speeder, "You might say I specialize in Sith. Don't worry, we have no proof the Imperials beat us to your brother."

Aikell suppressed her shiver and crawled into the speeder. She would, after all, do anything to find her brother.


Maldecka glanced up at the rising canyon walls. When they had found the bottom of the canyon blocked by a landslide, Aikell had spotted a path that kept a good fifty feet above the bottom of the canyon and kept them in the shadow of the valley walls. Solomon Valley itself was a bowl hemmed in by steep mountains that could only be entered through three canyons.

She couldn't deny she was nervous to be going anywhere near where Imperials were spotted. She had fought and beaten Sith before but that was with Knight Zarro or Master Orgus with her. She had never actually been close enough to the edge of Imperial space to encounter any.

But Maldecka knew this was a simple fear. One that would be easily put to rest as soon as any Imperials were spotted.

Aikell suddenly yelped, "Stop!"

Maldecka slammed on the breaks, tossing both of them forward against their restraints. Looking around Maldecka had trouble spotting anything in the road that they needed to stop for.

"We need to get down there!" Aikell was pointing down into the canyon.

Maldecka looked but could not see anything of note, "What did you see?"

Aikell eagerly shook Maldecka's shoulder, "Heard, not seen. It's got to be my brother, Maldecka."

Aikell was eagerly looking over the side of the path again. Maldecka didn't have the heart to ask about the possibility of Aikell's brother being dead.

Maldecka noted their position on the map and set the speeder going forward.

Aikell practically leapt out of her seat, "What are you doing? We need to get down to the canyon floor!"

Maldecka smiled at Aikell, "Unless you know how to levitate a speeder down fifty feet then we need to find another path. I marked the coordinates on the map."

Aikell settled slightly, "So we're doubling back."

"That's the idea."

"Oh. Sorry I freaked out."

Maldecka grinned and kept her eyes on the road, "No worries. I've seen Jedi Masters have worse reactions in a crisis so you're doing well."

It took them another hour to find a rout down to the bottom. They were practically inside the valley at that point.

Maldecka had spotted a lot of smoke rising up but she couldn't tell what exactly it was from. So long as it didn't drift over and fill the valley they should be okay.

Aikell was unusually nervous as they doubled back on the canyon floor. Maldecka could feel it even with her weak Force connection.

"We'll find your brother."

"Yes, um… I can go on alone if you need to take care of that super special package delivery."

Maldecka glanced over at Aikell, "You're kidding, right? You want me to let you go forward alone when there's Imperials, bandits and who knows what else out there."

Maldecka turned determinedly forward, navigating the speeder slowly around the rubble and corners of the canyon.

It was around one of these corners that the Force suddenly began to scream. Before Maldecka could react, a rifle was leveled at her head. Imperial soldiers had been hiding behind the boulders waiting. Glancing sideways Maldecka could see Aikell was in a similar predicament.

The Imperial with a rifle to Maldecka's head spat onto the ground, "Who are you and why should I let you live?"

Maldecka hesitated, uncertain of how to reply. That hesitation gave Aikell all the opening she needed.

"I'm Aikell and I think my brother may have some issues with you shooting me and my friend here, Harrin."

The Imperials lowered their weapons, "Little Aikell? I thought you were at nerd school!"

"I heard about what happened here. I had to come."

The Imperial, Harrin, hopped into the back of the speeder, "Wise or not I'm sure Micken will be thrilled to see you. Drive forward kid."

Maldecka gripped the steering so tight it creaked, "Don't call me kid."

Harrin went quiet for a moment, "Okay girly, please drive forward ifin' your high and mightiness don't mind."

Maldecka complied, quietly seething. Aikell was apparently an Imperial. Was their entire friendship an act to get Maldecka's guard down?

Fear and betrayal and anger raced around Maldecka's soul as they drove into the heart of an Imperial encampment.

"Aikell? What the hell are you doing here?"

Aikell leapt out of the speeder before Maldecka put it to a stop, "Micken!"

Maldecka watched surprised as Aikell and Micken embraced. Maldecka could feel her turbulent emotions melting away. Aikell was doing this for her brother first and for most. Maldecka just got caught up in it like a fool.

Equilibrium restored, Maldecka took a closer look at the camp they had found. It was small and ramshackle, only a hundred or so men in hasty shelters. Most all of the soldiers were injured with a few medics attempting to keep them all alive. This was no base of operations, it was a last stand.

Maldecka carefully slipped her lightsaber under her cloak as she stepped out of the speeder. She felt a lot better about her odds of fighting her way out if most of the soldiers were in fact injured.

Maldecka stood tall as Imperials began to converge on them.

"So, who exactly is your friend here Aikell?"

Aikell stepped between Micken and Maldecka before answering, "I met her on the ship over here. She's headed further north to visit family, she gave me a lift"

A crackling voice caused everyone's heads to turn, "You're going to be a good liar someday, child. But today…you are caught."

A Sith strolled forward from the shadow, his arms carefully concealed beneath his dark cloak, "Don't feel bad. If this Jedi didn't shine like the sun your lie would have worked, couched in truth as it was."

Maldecka could feel the weight of the eyes looking upon her.

She carefully stepped forward, "You are very insightful for a Sith. Fortunately for you I did not come here to fight."

Micken pulled Aikell protectively behind himself, "Then why are you here Jedi?"

Maldecka rolled her shoulders, "I have business on Secara 7. I shall go about mine and you can go about yours."

The Sith threw back his head and laughed. It echoed on the walls of the canyon.

A timid silence fell over the canyon as the laughter faded away.

In the stillness a fading echo of explosions could be heard.

Aikell pulled slightly away from Micken, "Is that from the valley?"

Micken, "Yes, getting closer every day. They haven't found us yet though."

Maldecka frowned, "Why haven't you left? You're clearly wounded and unable to fight."

The Sith stepped closer to Maldecka, "Take a look jedi. They did a strafing run on the canyon as we tried to escape. Caused a rockslide that blocked out path. Caused the dust that obscured us too."

Maldecka narrowed her eyes at the Sith before turning to face the rubble. It was boulders as large as speeders with mud and gravel acting as a glue to hold the entire mess together.

Maldecka stepped toward the rubble, "I think I can help..."

A flash was all the warning the Force offered. Maldecka still felt the sharp sting of a cut across the back of her neck as she ducked and kicked out. The sith grunted in pain as Maldecka's foot connected with his chest. Spinning on her toe and heel Maldecka came up to face the sith in a fighting stance.

The sith was on the ground, his coat flung open by the fall. His entire chest was bandaged and his right arm was clearly broken and splinted.

The sith coughed lightly, "Didn't know Jedi could kick so hard."

Maldecka touched her lightsaber, mildly wondering why she couldn't feel the burn forcing her to kill this Sith.

Brushing her now cut hair out of her face Maldecka addressed the group at large, "I have an idea, but it will need explosives and all Force users you have in this camp."

Rolling her shoulders now that she had their attention, "However, I will require that you leave all heavy ordinance and intelligence behind. Take only rifles so you can defend yourself against bandits."

Micken spoke up first, "Why would you help us?"

Maldecka smiled lightly, recalling some of Zarro's first advice to her, "I'm a Jedi. It's just what we do."


Micken soon organized those who could help into a scavenging team to collect as many explosives as possible close to the rubble. Aikell had joined some of the engineers in taking apart devices to jurry-rig ignitions for the ordinance.

Soon is was evening and the wounded gathered to share what rations were available for today. Maldecka sat a bit away from the others and passed on taking any of their rations. She had enough in her own pack to support herself through this journey. It seemed she would not be left in peace though.

Aikell stood awkwardly a few feet away from Maldecka; close enough to show she wanted to talk, but far enough that she could still run.

Maldecka turned a blank face toward Aikell, forcing her to make the first move.

Aikell tugged at her hair, expression clearing as she pulled out her gold barrette and held it out, "You need something to help hold your hair back since Darth Yippillik cut it off. You said yourself that a warrior should never willingly obscure your own vision."

Maldecka kept her face even, "So I did. Just how much am I going to regret telling you that? Not to mention all the other bits of information I shared with a friend."

Aikell didn't need to fake the guilt written on her face. Her signature was singing with it too. "I know, but would you have helped me find my brother if you knew I was an Imperial?"

Maldecka stared Aikell down before letting her gaze drift over the wounded imperials, "Now we will never know."

Aikell followed Maldecka's gaze, "I'm sorry."

"What?"

"I'm sorry that I hid who I was from you. You helped me out when no one else would. And now you're helping us even after you found out."

Maldecka scoffed, "Don't paint me a hero. It is a small victory for me when I can show mercy to my enemies."

Aikell tilted her head, "That's one I've never heard before."

Maldecka laughed lightly, "It's a bit...specific to me."

Aikell crossed her arms, "Well, I can see why you would view Darth YipYip as your enemy..."

Maldecka gave a true giggle at that.

Aikell continued, "but I don't want to be your enemy. I really don't."

Maldecka gave a real smile to Aikell, "Me either. Now how about helping me with this mess Darth YipYip left me with."

Aikell happily moved behind Maldecka to fix her hair. And to treat the small burn on her neck.

Maldecka sat still without reaching for her lightsaber. If giving someone your back wasn't a show of trust, then Maldecka didn't know what was.

Right as Aikell was finishing with the bandage Micken stepped over, "Miss Maldecka? We're ready to go."

Maldecka stood. The sooner she got these troops on their way the sooner she could finish her own mission.

The idea was fairly simple; use the Force to move the boulders once the explosions loosen the mud and sand holding them together. Then the Imperials could leave under the cover of night and Maldecka could take off in the other direction. Problem was that there were so many boulders that at least two Force users would be needed.

Micken had the wounded in trucks a safe distance back while Maldecka and Darth Yippillik would stand much closer to catch the boulders. Aikell was doing one last check of the trigger systems; oddly she was the most qualified in the canyon.

Maldecka rolled her shoulders as Aikell flashed a thumbs up.

Aikell scrambled to move back from the wall, "On the count of 6! Six...five..."

Maldecka tensed slightly as the countdown continued. She could feel Darth Yippillik pulling the Force to himself beside her.

Aikell's voice was muffled as she ducked, "ONE!"

The explosion was not loud, but it echoed terribly.

Maldecka and Yippillik moved quickly to start moving rocks before they settled and solidified again. It was exhausting but there was soon a path big enough for the trucks to escape the valley.

Maldecka slumped her shoulders exhausted as the last truck rolled past. Aikell stood with Micken across the way watching as the truck navigated through the narrow opening.

Aikell turned with a smile to say something. Maldecka blinked as Aikell's expression fell into shock at something over Maldecka's shoulder.

Reaching for her lightsaber Maldecka rolled forward as she heard a shout from behind her.

Flipping onto her back Maldecka was un-surprised to see Darth Yippillik standing with his lightsaber held above his head. The burnt hole in his head was surprising.

Maldecka looked around to spot the shooter as the Sith's body fell.

"Aikell..." Micken sounded profoundly sad.

Maldecka turned to see Aikell holding a blaster in her hand, still pointed at where Darth Yippillik had been standing.

Micken grabbed the blaster back but it was too late. Every Imperial in the last truck had seen what Aikell had done. Maldecka knew killing a Sith was a traitorous crime for Imperials.

Maldecka took a step forward, trying to say something. Aikell just stared at the body on the ground.

Micken grabbed Aikell's arm and pulled her along behind him to catch up with the truck.

He looked over his shoulder with hate and fear in his eyes, "Don't follow us Jedi. Just don't."

Maldecka stood in the dust beside a corpse for a long time. She was waiting for the Force to say something just went wrong, but... there was nothing.

So Maldecka turned on her heel and returned to her speeder. On the passenger seat was a small comm unit with a note from Aikell telling Malecka to keep in touch. Aikell must have slipped it into the speeder during the chaos from moving the rocks. Before she had killed a Sith.

As Maldecka drove into the valley a small smile crept onto her face. She reached up and touched the gold beret holding her hair back. She really did make a friend after all.


The rest of the mission was remarkably smooth considering the field commander had been expecting a Jedi Knight, not a Padawan. But the package was delivered and Maldecka was back in the space port waiting for Master Zarro.

Mildly annoyed Maldecka looked at her watch again. She really wanted to talk to him about Aikell and everything that happened and he was late. Huffing Maldecka leaned back onto the bench.

Suddenly the Force snapped and Maldecka lurched up, ready to fight.

"Mal."

Maldecka looked over to see Master Orgus. A huge grin spread on her face, "Master Orgus!"

Hoisting her bag onto her shoulder Maldecka nearly sprinted over to Master Orgus.

But as she drew near, Malecka's steps slowed, "Master Orgus?"

Orgus was grieving. It radiated off him through the Force and his posture.

When Maldecka got close Orgus looked her in the eye.

Maldecka wanted to run, because she knew and she didn't want to.

But she needed to be sure, "Master Orgus?"

"I am so sorry Mal."