Chapter XII: Broken Glass

Relor - Day 1 - Nar Shaddaa, somewhere in the Red Light District

Why? Why couldn't he get rid of this mind-numbing feeling that enthralled his every limb, its intensity easily turning his spine into razor-sharp ice as every step he took next to Gwena hurt him more and more. Relor never understood it, not even remotely. Somewhere and somehow, some sort of invisible trigger activated something within him, forcing his body to rebel against every move he did, be it physically or mentally. Though it has happened before, he never had to endure such an unbelievable amount of discomfort before. Usually, something bad was about to happen once he acquired this mysterious feeling. But now? At this point, he really wouldn't have been surprised if the galaxy would come crashing down around him any second if this feeling was to be believed. Something utterly devastating was about to happen, that much was certain. The only thing he could do now was to wait for it.

''Pervax, eh? It's not like him to let his goons wander around aimlessly. Even if, you'd think a bunch of slaver nutjobs wouldn't be so easily tackled out on the streets. Always told them their little orange armor made them look like idiots. Let's get this over with quickly. I'd be surprised if that Latheron isn't the same one you spotted at that damned ship'' He knew. He more than certainly knew that it wasn't a coincidence, that all of it - every single thing that has transpired up until this point - was somehow glued together by fate. And by some yet unexplainable degree, this Cal was right in the middle of it.

''I ... yes, right. Has to be.'' he ushered deadpan, unsure of how much he should share with Gwena.

If he was about to rumble on about some sort of ''bad feeling'' infesting his gut, she'd either laugh at him or beat him up outright. No matter her reaction, he knew that it would only complicate things even more and if there was one thing he didn't need right now, then it would be additional complications. So he merely nodded, hoping that his uneasiness wasn't as visible on the outside as it was feeling on his inside. They entered a quick jog as they ran through the narrow streets of the sector, each of them looking for any sign of this supposed attack. However, as their search turned up nothing of value, Gwena suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, procuring her datapad and holding it up into the air.

''Would you look at that, another audio transmission. Don't know what was going on with the signal up until now, but I knew that investing in high tech was worth it. Let's hear what our darling-dear is up to.'' His heart began to pound in an unsteady rhythm, twisting and turning his chest in a painful and solely unwelcomed way.

''I knew about the amount of hatred the Dark Side required ... but all of those power plays? The plots and the paranoia ... Force. How couldn't anyone feel sorry for her? I'm not saying this because I'm a Jedi, but ... I don't know. It's just rough.''

Padawan.

His body finally gave in as this strange, yet oddly familiar voice penetrated his skull. He bent his knee and lowered his body, grunting painstakingly as his vomit spread on the already more than filthy street. He felt shallow, devasted and bewildered. It just couldn't be. They were all gone ever since the Clone Wars. It simply couldn't be the truth. The Jedi were long gone, every single one of them thrown into the hungry maw of the Empire. This man - no, this boy couldn't be a Jedi. It's a lie, an act of manipulation. He found Gwena's tracker, he was toying with them, he -

''Sorry, nothing but another echo there buddy. What's wro - what?!''

Cal's voice disappeared, giving way to silence. One that was shortlived as Gwena shoved Relor aggressively. She looked at him with a mixture of disgust and schadenfreude as he emptied his stomach before her, taking one large step away from the hurling Lasat while grabbing her datapad tighter.

''What the actual shit is wrong with you, Lasat?! Are you doing spice or what? Idiot, I should cut off your head for putting the Boss in danger like that!'' He ignored her as much as he ignored anything around him right now. His thoughts riveted through his brain like an imperial mag-train, bouncing up and down from the walls of his skulls as it crashed through it with an unstoppable force. It was partly his reaction to this revelation, but also the sudden lack of said feeling that sapped the strength out of his body. Just as he heard the word ''Jedi'', it was gone, leaving only ambient confusion behind. Was this the danger that awaited him? Would this Cal be the end of his days? What was a Jedi doing on Nar Shaddaa?

''Eh, cheap-ass Wookie. Answer me! What's the matter with you?'' grunted Gwena audibly. Of course she didn't know the importance of what they've just learned. She was young, too young to remember anything about the Clone Wars. How could she even know something to begin with as one of Nar Shaddaa's countless orphans? Food. Beds. A roof over your head - these were things she had to concern herself with in her youth. The Clone Wars was nothing but a distant conflict between two factions that had no relevance for her. Though he didn't doubt that she knew what a Jedi was, he did doubt that she understood the underlining meaning of this information. Right now, the only thing that kept the Empire out of Nar Shaddaa were the Hutts and the gigantic criminal network they build for themselves, a network the both of them belonged to aswell, even if only more indirectly than directly. But Relor knew that the Hutts influence was limited. Day for day, the Empire found some way to undermine them in aspects that, although not visible to the common folk, were effortlessly visible to him. Prices that began to skyrocket, people that began to disappear. The ever increasing flow of propaganda that turned up ever so more often in recent years. Relor saw what she didn't: the Empire and the Hutts were at war. Not one that was fought with soldiers or tanks, there were no clones and battle droids to be found here. No, it was a war of secrets, one of manipulation and scheming. And it was one they were losing, badly. If a Jedi was now on Nar Shaddaa then there'd be no way to say how this invisible conflict would be intensified even further.

''Nothing ... he said that he's a Jedi. I just ... the thought of the potential bounty made me a little bit too happy after a long night of drinking. You know how it is.'' stated Relor weakly, hoping that Gwena wouldn't question his reaction. Luckily she only spat in front of his feet before she marched on, not looking twice if he'd follow her or not.

''Ah-hah. How about you stay focused? Told you this guy was probably some sort of weird cultist ... probably made his Creds by lying to his crew, proclaiming himself the savior of the galaxy and all that. Happens every other day. A Jedi - now that's some crazy shit. Bunch of religious extremist monks, right?'' So she indeed knew almost nothing. That would work to his advantage, or so he hoped.

Speaking of - what exactly is my plan right now?

Frankly, if the Jedi keeps running around with his companions, the Empire will eventually come knocking. That is bad for everyone, including the Boss. Best thing to do right now is to bring him to the Boss - he'll offer him up on a silver plate for the Hutts. Perhaps he could become the key in smoothing things over with Palpatine?

He raised his head and gazed over to the Tower, its colorful glass spire standing proudly among the other buildings of the skyline. He has to get the Jedi out of here and to the Boss, no matter the cost. Otherwise, life as he knew it would end.

''Alright Gwena, let's talk strategy for a second ... ''

The Boss - Day 1 - The Tower, Nar Shaddaa

He huffed in unspoken annoyance as his fists met the display of his terminal once more. Somehow, no signal could be received on his end, which meant that he wasn't able to be updated on any current operations. That alone was bad enough, given that one of the secrets to his success was his unparalleled micro-management of every one of his assets, a habit that he brought with him right from frontlines of the Clone Wars. No matter whether it was some Shinie not knowing one end of his blaster from the other or an ongoing spice exchange, the Boss had his finger in every pie, just as he was thought. But now, he was left blinded, a fact that enraged him to no end. Why today of all days? Wasn't it enough that the Empire would be here any minute now?

''Even those filthy Clankers were more high-tech than you, you blasted... '' he stopped as suddenly, one of his servants was entering the room through the turbolift. Strangely, he was alone, with no Imperial in sight.

''What is the meaning of this, Eren? I should have you lashed for coming in without prior announcement, especially on this day. Get out of sight ... and give me someone that knows his tech! I said move, soldier!'' Even more strange was Eren's nonchalant response as he shuffled out of the lift and stood before him, a ghoulish smile dancing over his lips.

''I'm sorry, Boss. But I'm afraid that no tech is available right now. I believe that the ... well, connection is dead. Weird, isn't it?''

What the ...

The Boss slammed his fist onto his terminal once more.

''Excuse me, lad? Watch your tone. You might have my favor, but that doesn't mean ... '' Eren giggled at that like an unchained maniac, jumping up and down on the spot as he clapped with his hands.

''I'm so lucky. To think that I won the lottery. Of all of us, I won. Me. The little human slave.'' He raised his eyebrows in confusion. What in the name of the Force was he talking about? He prohibited the usage of drugs amongst the service personal, as he called them. Thus he heavily doubted that Eren was on some sort of drug right now, given that everyone knew the consequences of disobeying one of his direct orders.

''Alright, come over her, lad. That's enough ... I'll beat some sense into you and then I'll toss you out of here!''

Gone was the carefully crafted mask he proudly carried in front of the crimelords. For them, he was but an eloquent older gentleman, a true businessman staying true to his craft. They all knew what it took to lead on Nar Shaddaa, at least some more than others. Thus he never indulged them in the gorry details needed to uphold the Truce he created between them. But in private, with nothing but the slaves to keep him company, he was allowed to show his real side, the same side that was forged within the same second as Order 66 was issued. At his core, he was still special forces and he wasn't about to take shit from anyone. If that means gutting some slave in front of his peers, so be it.

Eren, however, did something that surprised him on every single level: he defied him. Quickly, he pulled out some crude looking blaster before he pointed it squarely at the Boss, his smile turning into something grotesque that he has never seen before in the broken man.

''Of all the people involved, it is I that will kill you. I'm blessed. So utterly blessed!''

Without a second thought, the Boss threw his terminal over and hastily threw his body behind it, using it as makeshift cover as red blaster bolts tore away the console piece for piece. And with every shot Eren took, the glass of the room lit up in a morbid red, the intensity of it ever-growing as he came closer and closer. Having no time to analyze what was even going on right now, the Boss put one of his hands in his suit, hastily pulling out a weapon of his own - the same DC-17 blaster pistol that became his companion ever since he left the breeding tubes of Kamino. Peaking out of cover rapidly, it only took one flash of blue light to end the barrage of shots directed at him. Over the sound of his thundering heart, he watched as Eren fell to the floor lifeless, having gained a smoking blaster hole where his face once was.

Kicking the terminal away from him, the Boss sprinted over to Eren's corpse. He needed answers and he needed them now. As his hand reached the dead man's rags, unspeakable heat surrounded his body. He could feel how every remaining hair of his body was scorched as a powerful blastwave kicked him off of his feet, throwing him into one of the nearby glass walls in the process. Darkness claimed his eyes temporarily as the entire room started to shake violently, the sound of hundreds of pieces of broken glass almost enough to trump the explosive chorus that riveted throughout the Tower. Again and again, an explosion sprang to life from down below, each and every single one of them strong enough that it was felt even on top of the tall building. With immense pain, the Boss used his pistol as a small crutch, lifting himself off on the now semi-shattered floor as he looked around, watching hopelessly as his once proud office was reduced to a transparent ruin. Gone were the lights that once danced on the Tower's surface, now only smoke embraced it, its black texture seemingly blocking out Nar Shaddaa's yellow fog in the process.

He couldn't bear to listen to his own thoughts - now all that counted was to get out of here. He prepared for this, given that he always knew that it had to end in some similar fashion. No king ruled forever, especially under the Hutts. Disortienated, he strolled over to what remained of his leathery chair, using the last of his current strength to push it over. The Boss wasn't a fool, no matter what anyone dared to believe. It was on them if they truly believed the nonsense that the lift was the only way in and out of the top floor. The character they knew as ''the Boss'' would probably make such a tactical mistake, but not CT-4774. Taking a deep breath, he jumped down the narrow maintenance shaft, letting his training take over every move as he had one destination in mind: Bredorx's Passing.

Cal - Day 1 - Nar Shaddaa Red Light District, Nar Shaddaa

He ran like never before as he dashed through the dark alleys of Nar Shaddaa. Jumping over a stake of crates, he sprinted towards a nearby wall, using the Force to run on it before jumping right off of it, only to catch the ledge of a nearby building where he pulled himself on top of it. It didn't matter now who watched given that someone on this moon has been stalking him ever since he left the Mantis. If it meant getting to the others more quickly, so be it. He was ready to let the entire galaxy know who he was if it meant getting them out of here in time. ''Damn it, BD. How could I let this happen? I'm smarter than this. Imagine if anything happens to them, blast it ... we need to hurry. Have you got a signal yet?'' The droid only shook his head before Cal leaped to another building, hoping that with increased elevation he'd get a better read on the whereabouts of his crew. Abruptly, far off in the distance, a fiery explosion engulfed the skyline of the Red Light District with enough ferocity that Cal felt it even here on the outskirts of the district as a blastwave dashed over his skin, blowing his poncho up and down in the process. He stood there flabbergasted, absolutely dumbstruck with what just happened.

''BD ... I ... what just ... ''

Almost immediately, his mind went to Merrin and the others. His legs turned ice-cold as sweat poured down his face whilst his eyes twitched, a single tear sliding down his cheek. Was this it? It couldn't be. He would've felt it if Cere would've become one with the Force - or so he at least hoped. He knew of the bond between teacher and student, but up until now, he couldn't claim that he had one with Cere. Not yet, at least. Such bonds would take time, time that he desperately hoped he still had with her.

''Please ... please don't let them be in there. Force, please ... ''

Cal fell to his knees as more tears streamed down from his face. Over and over, he rocked his head in a rapid fashion, muttering uncomprehensible words to himself. It was too much for him. It was simply too much. How could anyone even begin to handle something like that? Cal was so tired of it all, of the constant running and hiding. Of the lies and the betrayals that soon followed. Worst of all, he dreaded to think about losing another family. It was true, he did say that the loss of Master Tapal became a part of him. Back on Dathomir, Cal thought that he meant the teachings he learned under his stern yet fatherly guidance - but now he knew that in the end, it was the constant fear and paranoia that became part of his soul as well. The fear to lose them as he lost him, the fear that he'd be unable to save those he cared for if the need would arise as it happened before, it tore him apart from the inside. Worst He knew that those fears would haunt him until the end of his days, and he hated it. In this one single moment, Cal could truly claim that he hated something, a word that he never thought would use before. He didn't hate the Clones. He didn't hate Trilla either, far from it. But he so utterly hated this constant fear that kept him enthralled with every breath he took.

''You'll pay for this, Jedi!''

Out of nowhere, two alien figures appeared under the burning sky of Nar Shaddaa. From one second to another, the world around him disappeared as he was thrown in darkness.

''Master ... Master Tapal?'' The Lasat sat in front of Cal, his legs crossed into his favorite meditation stance.

''Trust only in the Force ... Jedi Knight Cal Kestis.'' Without prior warning, his head was filled by his older master's presence and it felt as if his doubt was lifted momentarily from his shoulders. He was right, he wasn't a Padawan anymore. He was a Jedi Knight. And now, his family needed a Jedi Knight, not some boy who was blinded by his own fears. For a fragment of a second, Tapal's visage was twisted into something - no, someone else, someone that looked similar, yet different to him. A Lasat that carried his face, yet didn't. And just like that, Cal was thrown into reality once more, awakening to the panicked sounds of BD as the two armed strangers came closer and closer. Jumping up almost immediately, he grabbed his lightsaber and ignited one end of it. He raised his orange blade sky high as one of the attackers, an absolutely furious Twi'lek with orange skin, jumped at him, she herself carrying a sharp blade that she soon made use of. Followed by an enraged scream, she brought her blade down onto his saber, and much to Cal's surprise, it didn't break outright. He has heard of materials that were somewhat resistant to lightsabers, but he'd never have dreamed of seeing one personally.

Pushing her away with the Force, he upped his weapon once more as he a series of blaster bolts were directed at him. Utilizing the Force anew to slow that, once more approaching, Twi'lek down significantly, Cal gulped as he saw who attacked him.

''Who ... who are you?'' It was the Lasat from his short vision, the one whose face seemed so similar to the one of his old master. The Lasat didn't answer as another barrage of shots met his lightsaber, forcing Cal to retreat slightly before he activated the other end of his saber.

''BD ... keep trying to raise Cere. Let me handle this.'' Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw how the Twi'lek recovered from her predicament. Cal could feel the anger that sprang from the woman as she once more assailed him, letting go of an ear-deafening scream while she did so. Keeping the tip of her blade frozen in blade mere centimeters before it would've reached Cal's head, he used his free had to protect himself from the Lasat's blaster. Groaning audibly as the Twil'lek responded with a swift kick to his gut, he recoiled and formed a fist, slamming it down at the floor as a shockwave of energy surrounded Cal, easily blasting away the attacking Twi'lek in an instant. Using the opportunity, Cal raced towards the Lasat, reflecting his attacks with relative ease as he crept closer and closer. It appeared that the Lasat was smarter than Cal thought, however. Before he was within striking range, the barrel of the Lasat's gun lit up, conjuring an intense white light that made Cal step back as his eyesight was robbed of him.

Trust only in the Force.

Up. Right. Down. Up. Though Cal couldn't see, he could still feel. He could sense the Lasat's thoughts, sense where he pointed his blaster at and sense where he tried to wound him. Parry for parry, his eyesight regained some its strength as slowly but steadily, Cal gained the upper hand once more. Propelling himself skywards, Cal used the blades of his saber to turn the Lasat's blaster cleanly into two, effectively taking him out of the battle and enabling him to steer his focus towards the enraged Twi'lek, who was currently in the process of trying to attack him yet again. Pushing his palm outwards hastily, he used the Force to throw the Lasat off of the edge of the building before he placed his blade behind his head, blocking one of the Twi'lek's sinister strikes without looking at her. Immediately countering with his second blade, Cal engaged her in a quick test of wit, striking at her with speed as he tried to find an error in her defenses. She jumped back with fury in her tracks, spitting on the floor before her before she keened full of hate:

''Fuck you, Jedi scum. That was my home you blew up. My only chance of ever getting off of this planet. My chance ... at being more. And you took it!'' Another shriek, another charge. Deactivating one end of his saber, Cal put his weight on one of his hips, pulling one of his legs behind as he readily met her sword.

''I have no idea what you're talking about! I didn't do this!'' She spun around in a circle before she tried to go for Cal's head - only to flunk out of it in the last second, hitting him right across his face with the hilt of her vibrosword.

He grimaced in pain, noting how blood poured down out of his nose and right onto his poncho. It was broken, there was no doubt there.

''I swear it! I would never do anything... vile as that. Why would I even - '' she lounged for him anew, bringing down a flurry of vengeful strikes against him. He didn't need the Force to know that there was no reasoning with her. Repelling her attack once more, Cal shifted his stance and readied himself to finish this. From the left he led his blade down towards her, a strike that was easily rebuked by the Twi'lek. Not giving her any chance to counter-attack, he upped his blade once more, only to take it apart in midair, slicing away with two lightsabers at once. Cal closed his eyes as she unleashed one final hellish scream as both her arms were cut off her body. Under shock, the Twi'lek stumbled backward before she too fell off the building, leaving only Cal and BD behind.

''I didn't want this. I'm so sorry.'' he ushered silently, lowering his head in pity. He didn't like killing, no matter the circumstance.

''Damn it. Are you alright BD?'' He looked at his chest whilst BD bopped his head, noting that the flow of blood has almost stopped. And now, after the battle faded, he coughed in pain as he tried to breath through his nose. Without uttering a single word, a tiny blast of air appeared on his right and moments later, Cal had a vial filled with green substance in his hands. ''Thanks buddy. Any luck trying to reach the others?''

Trust only in the Force. They'll be alright. Gotta be.

Cal sighed as BD waggled his head. One thing after another, he mused silently. Though he currently had thousands of questions burning through his head, he had to find the others. Checking in on BD anew, he used the Force to dampen his fall, landing in another narrow street in between a couple of dusty warehouses, not unlike the one where he got his supplies from beforehand. Surprisingly, a group of armored humans dashed past him, pushing one of the innocent bystanders out of their way as they ran towards the center of the district, their orange armor ensuring that they'd stick out like a sore thumb. Looking subtly at BD before nodding once, he pulled up the hood of his poncho as he kept his head low, following them as silently as he could and to the best of his abilities. He did so for a couple of minutes more until his heart almost dropped out of his chest and straight out on the floor as he spotted Greez, Cere, Trilla and Merrin off in the distance, followed by even more of the strange orange wearing assailants further ahead, their blasters pointed at his family.

''Damn it. Well, guess everyone on this planet already knows that we're here. Come on, buddy!''

Rushing towards them, he bounced off the floor and activated both ends of his lightsaber midair, cutting down two members of the group he originally followed before the others had even a chance to react. Another one was immobilized quickly as Cal shoved him against a nearby crate, easily knocking him out cold, leaving only two more enemies standing. More likely than not acting on instinct as opposed to rational thought, they just began blasting without much coordination between them. Knowing through the Force when the right moment to raise his blade came, both of their bolts were reflected back onto them, throwing the two of them back onto the ground. Further ahead, he saw flashes of red light dancing among the rows of the orange attackers as quick strikes of a lightsaber thinned their numbers rapidly. It was Trilla, using her blade to clear a path for the others who had to carry a wounded Merrin with them. Pushing onwards, Cal sprinted to her before he threw the last of the attackers into a wall, removing them from the firefight for good.

They stood there in dead silence as if time around them came to a sickening halt. Cal kept his saber active as he glared at Trilla's red one, unwillingly summing up memories of the past. He had to watch anew as the Second Sister lifted her blade and put it right through Prauf's chest. He recalled the sadistic tone of her voice as he mocked him during their first duel, asking him who his master was and if she perhaps was the one that killed him. The Inquisitor has done anything that she could possibly do to turn his life into a walking nightmare - and yet, it wasn't the Second Sister he saw. The Second Sister had nothing but anger and hatred behind the burning and wrathful sensation of her eyes, however, this woman right here? Her eyes were shallow. They were tired and afraid. Right now, it was as if Cal looked into a mirror, one that knew exactly how he felt. And thus, in unspoken understanding, they deactivated both of their sabers at the same time.

''Cal!''

From behind Trilla, Cere's voice cut through the morbid battlefield with relieving joy, waving him towards her as she pointed towards Merrin.

''Force ... Merrin! What happened?!'' muttered Cal in obvious confusion. He put one of her arms around his shoulders as he looked directly at Cere, hoping that she'd have any idea at all of what has happened during the last couple of hours. Someone had to have an idea, or so he wished.

''It's ... I don't know myself. Greez called me and said that they were attacked and then ... this building. There was this explosion and before that, I couldn't reach you - '' she swayed her head vigorously. ''We need to go back to the Mantis. We'll talk on board, I promise.''

He glanced at Merrin and his heart ached. Of course he was unbelievably happy to see them. But Merrin was hurt and visibly shaken and Greez seemed as if he was nothing but a walking corpse at this moment. Seeing them like that filled him with guilt: it was his idea that they were to come here. And now, not even a couple of hours later, his world was once more turned upside down as those closest to him have suffered because of the choices he made. Gently, Cal let his thumb dance carefully over Merrin's healthy shoulder, not knowing completely if it was meant to calm him or her. He supposed that the truth lied somewhere in the middle.

They made the rest of the way back without speaking to each other. Luckily for them, they weren't stopped by anyone as the civilian masses has left the streets ever since the first explosion rocked the Red Light District. As swiftly as the could with Merrin's current state, they made their way back to Bredorx's Passing where they boarded the Stinger Mantis and shut its ramp close behind them. Cal had enough of this planet for a lifetime. Now it was time to heal and to rest.

Relor - Day 1 - Somewhere in the Red Light District, Nar Shaddaa.

He choked once more before he grabbed the nearby piece of wood anew, putting it in his mouth and letting his teeth clash down at it. Ushering a silent plea to Ashla and every deity that was willing to listen, he shut his eyes as his hands wandered to the sharp piece of metal that penetrated his right leg without remorse. He needed to leave, that much he now knew. Relor could feel it lingering in the air, this strange silent thread that pulled him closer to - well, that much he didn't understand. All he could sense was an almost invisible sensation that wanted to drag him away from it all, away from Nar Shaddaa and the Hutts. And so he called upon all of the power that he could still call his own as he yanked the metal out of his leg, letting go of a demonic scream that echoed through the bloodied streets of the Smuggler's Moon.

AN: I hope that you all had an amazing start into the new year! :)

I went over the first 5 chapters and edited some stuff. The quality between the first couple of chapters and the later ones was too apparent for me, so I evened the playing field a little bit. All of it should be more coherent to read now. Also, it's spelled Greez. Not Greez. I swear this is Kaidan Alenko all over again. We're finally away from Nar Shaddaa - well, for now at least! Alright, the Mantis gang is, but you know what I mean. Next stop ... that's a good question. Something more natural perhaps. Calmer, maybe? I hope that there's a waterfall. And animals!

Greez. Not Greeze. God damn it.

Advina: Welcome on board! Take some seat and enjoy! Thank you for your support :)

mastercheif1229: Thanks, I really appreciate it!

MasterGX: They are rather cute together, aren't they? Don't worry, their journey has only begun!