Chapter Eleven

Revisiting the Past

Space was cold to many. For many it was a deep, dark, foreboding void that called to the mad or the most deprived of species. But to some it embodied possibility, vastness, of awe and exploration. Or so it was to Hera. Hera Syndulla had born for the sky and wanted desperately to be in it. From her venturing from home of Ryloth into the Alliance and from the New Republic to now...

"General Syndulla," her other partner in this enterprise called to her. She turned reflecting that the irony was thick that now she was associating with someone that most of the galaxy wouldn't even give the time of day to. Udom Haako, a tall lightly green Neimoidian, was waiting for her at the edge of the bridge with Admiral Doza aka Admiral Phantom waiting for her to approach the holograms reflecting off his slightly tanned skin. It was quite an interesting sight and thought on the fact that now the three of them formed the triad of leadership for this enterprise. All three from different sides of the galaxy, political spectrum and even species divide all united in one goal. Defeat the Yuuzhan Vong and protect the civilians. Unlike the New Republic they didn't care to appease them and unlike the Empire they took an interest in the conflict. This was to be the their first proper campaign. If this didn't work then well they'd have to resort to harassment tactics once more.

"It would seem things have gotten interesting on Naboo."

"Old stomping grounds for your kind," Hera playfully jabbed at Udom as she walked over holo-table showing their ragtag fleet making some defensive maneuvers.

"Ha ha ha," Udom snorted sarcastically. "I'm serious. Black One has discovered that there's a Jedi down there via his contact."

"A Jedi on Naboo eh?"

"If you'll recall the last time that happened auspicious things occurred to the Naboo."

"We can hope," Admiral Doza whispered his quiet voice hard with determination. He was the quiet one of the three and often the voice of reason when Hera and Udom got into their fights about tactics. "But what of Operation Rebirth? Will Duke Dermot support us?"

"He shall," Udom nodded. "He's already commissioned an entire fleet from factories since his world is as of now untouched. This downtime for the Blue Shadow Virus will work in our favor should all go well."

"Good," Admiral Doza said with as he crossed his arms his hand playing with his salt and peppered mustache. "So we can make a plan of attack now."

"Most of the action will be in Theed," Hera said pulling up a map of the area. "If we're going to beef up our armada we need ships since we're low on that."

"If we get the N-1 fighters we might have to upgrade them slightly, they are outdated after all."

"That will be no problem. Yeager's team could do that quickly and then we'll have more then those jalopies."

"I give you vintage Clone Wars fighters including the fully preserved Delta-7B Aethersprite class interceptor and you call it a jalopy."

"Udom you got those things from a Captain Honda who by your own admonition is more crooked then yourself before you reformed.."

"Fine I'll give you that at least."

"Supplier assurances aside," Admiral Doza admonished them both with a soft smile. It was clear that while he did enjoy their banter he wanted to move on with the meeting. "These new vessels will help our cause greatly. So the question is where do we find the pilots to fly them. Suggestions?"

"That will be our problem while the Naboo and the Gungans prepare for their retaking of the planet," Admiral Doza said. "General Hera I'm going to rely on your recruitment methods as well as Colonel Wren's as well."

"Sabine and I can do that," Hera said with shrug. "We'll find enough cadets and if not now then we can recruit among the Naboo and Gungans if the numbers are sufficient."

"Then gentlebeings let's get to work on making this work." Admiral Doza walked off with a determined look on his face. Hera knew that look and left him alone. The Yuuzhan Vong would rue the day they took Ryloth and provoked her, Doza and Udom.

It didn't take long for her estranged sister to drop into her life. Hana had purposefully left Mandalore to avoid her very militaristic sister and to restart her life. She'd gotten a job as a captain of the guard with the young Queen. Her friend that she'd made on Naboo, Sita, was a baker which she graciously loaned to Handmaidens as a front. Now she purposefully worked there with her fellow guardsman Kamala who was Sita's sister to keep up the facade.

So Hana wasn't surprised when she saw her former sister and her crew of followers walking down the street near bakery that she'd purposefully used as a front. Things are she was actually surprised that Sarai didn't bring her posse. She wasn't expecting her to come alone. She was expecting to be confronted considering she was the front person for the supposed turncoats and leader of those genuine to the case. Sarai entered into the shop with a sneer and looked around scornfully with her buyce at her side accompanied with two other male humans one a light skinned red haired one and a human male with slightly tanned skin and thin black hair and another human female with tanned skin and curly dark brown hair. All of them were similarly holding their helmets. Let her bluster and make a fool of herself before the other warriors. Showed what she knew about the world. Hana had separated herself from her family and clan a long time ago. Interestingly two were looking around fascinated. One, the tanned female, actually looked interested in the bakery goods.

"Vod," she said scornfully as she approached. "Ni haa'taylir ibac gar suba gotal'ur a oya'la e'yar aruettise."

"And I see that you're arrogance hasn't abated nor have you learned manners," Hana countered. "What do you want?"

"Is it safe to speak here?"

"Nope," Hana smiled at her shutting down her conversation. She wasn't in the mood for talking points or her blind loyalty to a dying warrior code. Sarai had made it clear that she wasn't a part of the family although to be fair Hana had made it quite clear along with several other Wrens as well. In fact the Wren as a clan was quite splintered...not that anyone outside of the clan knew this.

"Vod..."

Is she really going to continually do this? Surely she knows speaking a foreign language to someone that refuses to speak it is rude?

"Vod sushir at ni! Ni cuyir kebbur at gaa'tayl nimata. Gar ganar at cuyir a saryr be etid, gar cuyir a verd gar cuyir..."

"I am not your sister, Mando," she retorted her patience gone. She wasn't kin to her. Not anymore. All the other Mandalorians stiffened save for the woman who looked at her with great interest now.

"So you've got a choice either buy something or get out. I've got customers to serve. Also didn't Mother teach you that it's rude to speak a foreign language to someone that clearly doesn't want to speak it?"

"Sister," Sarai bit out in Basic. "I want to speak with you alone."

"And I don't," Hana countered giving her a deadly glare. "You made it clear that you hated me, Mother and my decision to not be a warrior or follow that outdated code. What changed?"

"Vevwad ju'l," Sarai spat out switching back to Mando'a without realizing it. "Jivaor Ni kar'taylir mhi ganar cuun katkagr a Ni cuyir olar at gaa'tayl. Gedet'ye borarir ti ni par sru vie ruyot sara'gagr."

"Excuse me, is there a problem here Hana?" Kamala asked as she came from the back no doubt brought forward from the near shouting that was going on. Hana calmed herself and breathed in and out. Sarai wasn't worth getting mad over. Whatever she wanted she could do it herself. As far as she was concerned they were on their own. The Mandalorians came with their own baggage and political ties that Hana knew wasn't wanted by the Naboo.

"I'd suggest you leave Mando, no one needs or wants you here. Besides I'm a foreigner remember? So I don't count as family so as far as the Mandos are concerned you're an only child. I am a Naboo. I stand with what was decided by the people. Now get out."

For a split second Sarai looked hurt that made Hana almost recant it. Almost, until she remembered that Sarai had viciously cut her off for daring to not be a warrior of the Mando and going with Mother after she left Father after an argument about taking her out. She'd declared herself divorced from him and left. Not helped by the fact that she'd decided not to raise warriors which caused a rift in the family. Still Hana was grateful that she was given that choice instead of it being dictated to her or her being reduced to a mere sniveling woman waiting breathlessly for the man to come home while she raised the kids alone or being a warrior like it or not. If she had kids then she'd teach them the civilian life of that much she was sure.

Sarai gritted her teeth as she turned away with a huff and stormed out along with the other Mando. Hana would've been relieved if it wasn't for a fact that two remained that looked at each other with knowing look.

"Sorry about her," woman said. "She's a traditionalist."

"And you're not?"

"Well..." she trailed off before shrugging and continuing: "I wish to change things in time."

"Good luck," Hana snorted derisively. "You've got people like her to go against."

"I welcome a challenge. And I never got your name."

"Hana Typho."

"I'm Robin Bralor," the woman said bowing her head. "Good to meet you."

"Akiko Karasu," the human nodded his head.

"So why are you here, you here to aid the Yuuzhan Vong or the so called rebels?"

"You know of them?"

"Who doesn't know of the Handmaidens?" Kamala said.

"We're new so enlighten us," Robin said smiling disarmingly at them. Hana was pretty sure it was drawing out tactic since they were the most wanted rebels in the area. Still no harm in telling the general information that was well known to the populace as a whole.

"They're freedom fighters named after those that protected the Queen of old. Like Amidala for example."

"I see..." Robin paused before coming with a question that Hana didn't expect at all. "If I may I ask why did you left the Mando way?"

"Why do you want to know the opinion of a dar'manda?" Hana shot back.

"I'm genuinely curious. No tricks, no pulls just an honest question."

"Well if you truly want to know Mando, I didn't want to be a warrior and force anyone that might marry me to raise warriors as well. I was inspired by others like Amidala who fought not with a blaster but with words and fought for the will of the people instead of being a mercenary," Hana said. Something about his demeanor screamed that she was being honest about this at least.

"I...I must say that I envy you for that choice...to be able to choose..." Robin said softly which of course stunned Hana to her core. Never had she expected a Mando to say that. To willing become a dar'manda... Had things changed or were they so bad she considered by the old ways to be giving up her soul? What could make her want to do that?

"Well since we're here and you said pay or leave can I get a pastry?" Akiko randomly said cutting through the awkward silence as he pointed to a shuura pastry looking at Sita who looked a bit stunned. "It looks delicious."

"And I want that one," Robin said shaking out her thoughtful look pointing to another pastry. A muja one if she wasn't mistake.

"Certainly," she nodded to the paying customers and went to retrieve the goods from the display case. Sita blushed her normally tawny cheeks showing some red as she gently gave it to Akiko. Akiko gently grabbed it smiling at her.

"Thank you," he bowed to her. "I will enjoy this."

"My pleasure sir," Sita said batting her eyes while Hana and Kamala stood at bit in shock.

The two Mandalorians bowed once more and then walked out of the shop.

"Sita..." Kamala said. "That was a Mando."

"Wha-Oh!" She turned looking apologetic to Hana. "I'm so sorry Hana! I completely lost myself..."

"Hey," Hana recovered enough to hold up her hands. "I won't judge. But I will issue a warning. Don't get too close."

"I understand," Sita nodded looking sad. "Still if only..."

"I know but knowing those that follow the Resol'nare he will insist that the children will be warriors." Well he will but I don't know about the other one. Robin Bravor you're an odd one to look out for. "But enough of that, we've got work to do."

"Yes captain."

"Very well."

Obi-Wan looked out into the murky depths that surrounding Otoh Gunga. Calliope had gone to bed for a good well earned sleep. Obi-Wan's revelation kept him up and his mind working too much to even contemplate sleep. Yaotl was being kept in a Gungan prison and had been willing been lead to the detention center. At the very least she was sincere about her conviction about cooperating with the Gungans.

It was still hard to believe it but it was the only thing that made sense. But still it didn't explain the fall of the Republic to him. That part still hurt and made him sorrowful. He missed his fellow Jedi and familiar settings...Nothing looked right to him. Well no, that was a lie because Naboo looked the same as did Otoh Gunga, frozen in time which was a blessing compared to other places like that Yuuzhan'tar. With all that said it didn't explain how he was supposed to get back...or what he supposed to even be able to get back?

Now that was the issue now, he know for a fact that he couldn't replicate the conditions of the experiment. Not unless he got a doctorate in mechanical engineer and physics so that was out...No. He was stuck here now. As long as the Force willed it he was trapped in this bizarre reality with the Force as a raging rapid of power instead of a deep ocean of insight. On the other hand it wasn't clouded with a spreading darkness that crept over everything so that was nice. There were Jedi here but they were completely different then what was the norm. Their history also baffled him with them being generals in several wars against the Sith. But sadly that wasn't the worst of it. No the worse was when he'd come across an historical account the genocide of the Sith species which was something he was still getting used to caused by and later justified by the Jedi it made him sick to his stomach. Going from a philosophical difference to an entire species was quite a jump not to mention an outright genocide authorized by the Council itself.

Could the Council make a mistake? Yes. But at that magnitude was not only unbelievable he was supremely surprised that the entire Order didn't fall to the Dark for such a monstrous act of Darkness. Also he wasn't sure he liked the implications of entire species supposedly devoted to the Dark Side, in fact it worried him to a fundamental degree. Not even the Nightsisters and Nightbrothers went that far to be that irredeemable. It just didn't fit with what he'd been taught the Force was. No species was born evil. It just didn't fit with what the Force was. In addition to that...there was also the matter of the various groups dedicated to the Force that worried. Jensaari worried him due to their affiliation to the Sith. The newly formed Jedi also worried him since it seemed that arrogance was the order of the day which didn't bode well and also the ignoring of vast swaths of what he considered to be the Code. Another was the so-called Green Jedi aka the Corellian Jedi. He couldn't see the Council just condoning that flagrant disregard of the non-attachment section of the Code...Again there was the sheepish squirming...What was that?

"Brother," Calliope called to him. "Big brother where are you?"

"Here," he answered turning towards her. "I thought you were sleeping."

"Couldn't sleep, felt bad. Need big brother."

"I'll be there in a minute okay?"

"Promise?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan said with a smile at the young Twi'lek grateful for her showing up. Her presence snapped him into the present where he firmly belonged. Not in the past although he could be mindful of it. He might not be in his home universe and the rules might be different but he'd adjust and perhaps he could find his way. Jedi or not he'd pledged to help out and help he would. After he'd decided what to do. But for now. He'd focus on the here and now. Always in motion the future was. "I'm coming little one."

Yaotl was patient. She would wait for the Kryze but it was somewhat frustrating to be here since her goal was to keep him safe.

"Safe eh?" A voice ethereal and warm said behind her. "You want to keep my old...student and friend safe?"

What? She looked around the cell and saw no one there. Was she going mad? She stretched out with her feelings and soon felt...a presence. It was strong and sure but it was no illusion her senses told her so. So she was talking to an ethereal voice now? Strange indeed were the ways of the Yun'o.

"You see you are taking your first steps into a larger world," The voice said. "I wish to guide in that journey since I feel you have the right mind and heart for it. I can start you on your way and then when the..." There was strangely as slightly amused feel in the air. "The Kryze comes he can further you journey. But it is for you to choose this way. Do you wish to do so? This will mean going far beyond your comfort and current beliefs."

Do I want this? Yaotl wondered. Do I wish to go further? She contemplated the idea and soon she had her answer.

"I do, I shall embark upon this journey with you," she bowed in the direction of the voice. This was the final path of no return and to be frank she was eager to see where this trail would take her. "If I may ask," she continued. "What is the name of my teacher?"

"Qui-Gon Jinn young one," the voice said warmly. "Now let us begin our journey..."

Translations from Mandalorian:

buyce- helmet

Vod- sister or brother

Ni haa'taylir ibac gar suba gotal'ur a oya'la e'yar aruetiise- I see you are making a living among foreigners

Sushir at ni! Ni cuyir kebbur at gaa'tayl nimata. Gar ganar at cuyir a saryr be etid, gar cuyir a verd gar cuyir...- Listen to me! I'm trying to help the rebels. You have to be a part of them, you're a warrior you're...

Vevwad ju'l- Yuuzhan Vong

Jivaor Ni kar'taylir mhi ganar cuun katkagr a Ni cuyir olar at gaa'tayl. Gedet'ye borarir ti ni par sru vie ruvot sara'gagr- Look I know we have our differences but I am here to help. Please work with me for the sake of our past relationship.

dar'manda- lit. without a soul. An outcast of Mandalorian society.