Chapter 29 – Slavers

D188/10 ABY

On their personal Kommrk ship were – Tarre, Ahsoka, their kids and Asha. The latter was piloting the craft, they were first heading to New Coruscant, thanks to a freighter assignment Hera got for them, giving the family some much needed bonding time. Tarre was trying to teach Skyla Cubikahd (blade cube game) but was having little success given how Skyla had the attention span of a hummingbird. Ahsoka was meditating, while Gabriel was sitting in the co-pilot seat. He was telling Asha how his parents told him a few things about flying, to which Asha smiled.

"What was dad like at my age?", Gabriel asked.

"You know Tarre was taken to the Jedi Temple when he was four years old, and he was always soft-spoken and scared.", came the answer. "He came to Mandalore for a short visit when he was 15 years old, completely transformed. Gone was the soft-spoken boy I always looked out for. Our father made him fight 20 of the best fighters of that time, and he won without using the force or his darksabre."

"I want to be like him when I grow up."

A moment later Gabe asked, "Can you tell me a story about you and dad?"

"Let me think.", Asha answered. She thought hard about which story would be appropriate to tell, and as she was thinking this – Gabriel was hearing her thoughts. He scratched his head and like Tarre told him, focused on his breathing. This way he was able to tune out outside thoughts.

"I'm going to tell you about how Tarre brought down a slave empire.", Asha decided.

"What's a slave empire?", Gabe asked.

"Your parents didn't tell you what a slave means?", Asha asked uncertainly.

"No.", Gabe said. At that moment Ahsoka entered the cockpit, scooped Gabe up, sat down in the co-pilot seat with Gabe in her lap. "What are you two talking about?"

"Aunt Asha was about to tell me how dad brought down a slave empire. But I don't know what a slave empire means."

"Oh. Alright, a slave is a person who is owned by another person. A slave empire is an empire full of people who keep slaves. Keeping people as slaves is a horrible, evil thing.", Ahsoka said.

"Why would anyone do that?", Gabe asked.

"People don't need a reason to do horrible things to each other.", Asha said.

"That's why we help people.", Ahsoka said.

"Dad helped all the slaves by bringing down the slave empire, right?", Gabe asked.

"Yes, he did.", Ahsoka and Asha said together. After which Asha started to tell the story about how Tarre brought down the Zygerrian slave empire.

The Ophiotaurus was now on Asgard, floating in a ball of water suspended in the air. Thor had called for an emergency council meeting to discuss its fate and get a report from the others. He had asked Ygritte to keep the matter of Tarre's mother a secret.

The godheads were all assembled, this time it also included Aegir. Sitting in a room, each figure was around 20 feet tall, in a clockwise order – Thor, Heimdall, Issho, Ygritte, Elrond, Thranduil, Etri IV, Loki, Kuzan and Aegir. Thor insisted on Hera being in the same room as a representative of Midgard. She wasn't seated like the Gods but stood in front of Thor's seat.

"Let this council meeting begin.", Thor announced.

"The Balrog graves are secured.", Etri spoke. "What is she doing here?", he pointed towards Hera.

"She represents the entirety of Midgard. What we decide here will affect all realms and as such Hera is here on my invitation.", Thor answered. Before Etri could say anything Thor gestured Loki and Kuzan to make their reports.

"Azkaban is secure, but there have been a few breakouts including the one we were most dreading.", Kuzan spoke.

"The Dark God prince?", Aegir asked.

"Aye."

Hera looked confused at this, and Thor addressed her confusion, "The Dark Gods are from a distant realm, not held by Yggdrasil. Twice they have invaded in the past and both times they were driven back at high cost."

"I understand. What about the other escapees?", Hera asked.

"We don't have an exact head-count. But a dangerous witch managed to escape as well. I have reason to believe that she may be heading towards Midgard.", Kuzan spoke.

"Who is this witch?", Thor asked.

"Lestrange, she calls herself. You remember the dark wizard we defeated 2 millennia ago?", Loki asked.

"I do. Midgard has its own share of powerful beings. One of them is a Jedi named Skywalker.", Thor spoke.

"Father, I don't Luke is ready to fight something like that."

"He will have help. We can discuss that after this meeting."

"What of Thrym's world?", Aegir asked.

"Utgard-Loki is cautious, but I almost have him cornered", Loki answered.

"Now the Ophiotaurus. We need to decide its fate.", Thor said after a moment.

"Slay the beast. It is a risk to keep it alive, besides the beast belongs to death", Aegir spoke. At the mention of this, the Ophiotaurus fidgeted, and its face showed fear.

"You can't.", Hera began looking at Thor, "This creature is innocent."

"Aye, and its innocence can doom us all.", Ygritte spoke.

"What's to stop it from falling in the hands of our enemy? Killing it is a safer option", Etri said.

"Please, you can keep it safe. With your combined powers, no one could harm the creature", Hera said.

"I admit that slaying this beast is a wiser choice, but what good is wisdom if we all reduce ourselves to the level of our enemies?", Elrond asked.

"Then do you take charge of it? If so, what guarantee do we have that you won't use it against us?" Aegir asked.

"My word as the lord of Alfheim, with Buri as my witness – I shall keep the Ophiotaurus safe from all harm until the day I am dead.", Elrond spoke.

At this all eyes turned to Thor, who considered Elrond's words. "Odin would have allowed it to live, and so will I. Let it be known – any who try and harm this creature will face my wrath." Thus, Allfather Thor allowed Elrond to take charge of the Ophiotaurus.

After the meeting ended, Kuzan approached Hera. "He takes a big risk, keeping the beast alive."

"It is the right thing to do.", Hera said.

"Aye it is, sometimes the right thing can doom everyone. But I digress. I need your help."

"What is it?"

"My daughter Tess is missing. She is five years old, and her mother is a nightsister named Morwen. Under other circumstances, I would have searched for her myself, but the situation is more difficult."

"I will find her. I can ask Heimdall to point me in the right direction."

"No. The others don't know about my daughter; I would like to keep it that way. Tell only your father if you must."

"Heimdall can hear you. He already knows."

"He has other things to take care of. Morwen and I have had a difficult relationship. Due to this she often tries to limit my contact with Tess. I have my ways of knowing where they are and if they are safe. But I can't sense them anymore."

"I understand uncle. I will find them, and I will bring them to Asgard."

Kuzan sighed, "Hera, Morwen is a bit power hungry, and I don't want others to know about Tess. There are some who still view Jotunheim as their enemy and might try to use Tess for their own purposes."

"Uncle, Asgard will be the safest place for her. I will keep it a secret."

"Keep what a secret?", Issho asked from behind them.

"I take it you heard all of it?", Kuzan asked.

"Somewhat. Brother, if you can't trust us to keep your secrets – then I feel terrible. But I promise to keep your secret."

"Thank you both. I have already given your droid coordinated of her last known location. Please find her", Kuzan said.

Reaching Shili, Asha landed the ship near Shell Cottage which had been rebuilt twice in the last 5 years thanks to Rayleigh's bad luck streak. Gabe was both excited and nervous, he got to meet the two Gods that his father spoke of. Tarre told him of all the good things these two had done, and best of all – one of them was named Gabriel. His mother noticed this and smiled, "Calm down. You don't want to get tongue tied in front of them."

As they reached the front door, they met Satine and Erin who were sitting on the front porch. Skyla and Erin quickly ran towards each other, and Erin began leading Skyla towards some of the interesting spots near the cottage. Tarre told both not to go to far, and Asha volunteered to keep an eye on them. She and Satine acknowledged each other and engaged in a conversation. Tarre, Ahsoka and Gabe ventured inside and the hair on Gabe's head tingled. He could feel the presence of two immensely powerful beings inside which reminded him of Tarre when they were on Hominum. Gabe grasped his father's hand and tried to hide behind him.

"It's ok son. You'll like them, I promise.", Tarre said and gently led Gabriel inside.

They first saw Rayleigh who was sitting on a table reading book. "It's good to see you walking again.", the God of Destruction said raising his head. "This must be Gabriel.", Rayleigh looked at Gabe, who shied away and spoke, "H-Hello sir."

Rayleigh laughed a little and said, "I like him. He's strong."

Ahsoka and Tarre smiled at this as they sat down. Ahsoka who knew Rayleigh's secret via Mjolnir felt happy for this moment, and a little sad.

"So, what can I do for you?", Rayleigh asked.

Tarre proceeded to tell him about Ygritte's message and asked for Rayleigh's advice as he knew about the celestials of old.

"It's true. I learnt of them from my father. I even encountered one during my travels – my grandmother Athena. But why not ask Gabriel?", Rayleigh asked.

Little Gabe was confused at first but then realized that Rayleigh meant Gabriel the God.

"The thought did cross my mind, but I am more comfortable asking you about such things.", Tarre said.

"I will tell you what I know, but you must help me something first.", Rayleigh said.

"Anything."

"Help me take down a group slavers that operate on this planet."