Magdalane ran at full speed across the war room and down into the smuggler area. She saw Maura near the cantina and grabbed her arm, pulling her along with the force, heading to where she knew her other sister was. As they entered the apartment, they stopped short. Small spheres of light, golden and perfect, permeated the air. They hung like dust motes, but glowed brightly, each one the size of a pearl. They moved through the spheres, and the tiny lights moved to let them by, but then resumed their position. "What is going on?" Maura whispered, but when she saw her sister's face, her eyes filled with tears.
Corso woke with a feeling of apprehension, and jumped to his feet. Moving quickly, he made his way to the cantina, where he saw Aric and Torian. "Hey, have you seen Mir?" he asked, his face darkening when he saw Aric shake his head.
"The detail is all outside Sarai's place, so I'm guessing they're in there, but the door can't be opened."
Corso frowned. "Can't be opened? Why?"
"I'm assuming it's force related, and I have a feeling that Sarai has passed." Aric's face was solemn but his eyes were so sad that Corso had to look away. If that's what happened, then Mir needs me, he thought.
"I'm going up there. Maybe things have changed," Corso said, and the two men followed him. Torian had messaged Caly, but she hadn't answered yet. When they arrived, they could see a golden glow around the door, and the handle wouldn't budge. Knowing he'd wait until he could put his eyes on his wife, Corso took a position across the hall and slid down the wall to sit.
Lana had been sitting outside Tali's force class when she felt the force surge and become so joyful that she had to grin. Tali stopped her form, as did the instructor, and just gaped at each other. Lana had felt many pass through the force, become one with it, but this felt so very pure and full of love that she could only smile. Tali ran through the doors and into her mother's lap, and they hugged for several minutes. "I think the master is gone," Tali said, and Lana nodded. She'd known that Sarai was ill and had felt the older Jedi's light growing dim, but now, all she could fee was peace.
Caly had just finished her hair appointment when she heard the chime of her datapad and gasped out loud at the message. She hurried through the guard at the elevators and didn't stop until she was beside her father. "Dad, is it… did Nana..."
"I don't know for sure," Corso said, putting his arm around his daughter, both drawing strength from each other. Caly lay her head on his shoulder, and hoped that they were wrong, that Sarai had just had a small turn for the worse. The Jorgans had arrived, and they all sat together, no one speaking. Caly held Torian's hand, and he did what he could to support them all.
Devin was playing with Declan outside when he suddenly stopped. He could hear Merida and Mia in his mind, but he couldn't respond. Instead, he took Declan in his arms, letting his heart add to the love he could feel in the force. Declan looked into his eyes with equal love, and Devin wished his Nana well as her life blended into the force, which she'd served all her life. Go, Nana. Be with Granddad. I love you. He felt the warmth all over his body, and closed his eyes, Declan on his shoulder.
Ian and Michellina had joined the crowd in the hall when Theron came outside, wondering what the noise was. Oh no, he thought. No. He was crushed at the certain knowledge that his friend lived no more. Sarai had been his true north, the one he could depend on for her wisdom and insight. He felt his heart drop when his eyes met Aric's, and his supposition was confirmed. He fell to the floor and joined the others there, his head low and his heart aching, feeling as if a family member had died. She was family, he admitted, and closed his eyes.
Inside the bedroom, Magdalan and Maura linked hands with Miriah, who was still and quiet, her face tear ravaged. "She was ready, she said there was no time to get you guys," Miriah explained, and felt Mags squeeze her hand.
"She told me last night that she was almost ready," Mags said, and they heard Maura sniff. "I knew that time was short, but I did think we had more." As they watched, Sarai's body was covered with the same golden glow that was in the other room, and with little popping sounds, more of the golden spheres appeared above her. The women fell silent as they watched, and Sarai's body started to glow brighter and brighter. When the light dimmed, Sarai's human body was gone, and they could fell the shimmer in the air that was her force presence. For a brief few seconds, they saw an image of Sarai with Ian, her love. She was young again, her face unlined and her eyes bright, her husband's arm around her waist. Then the image was gone. The spheres remained, but their glow was not as bright, and there was an air of loss in the ambiance.
Arcann had figured out that the matriarch had become one with the force, and turned sad eyes to Shae to tell her. "We should go out to meet the bounty hunter that you trusted with an Alliance ship, but I'm sure that the Commander is busy."
"Agreed," Shae said, and took his offered arm. "Once things are a little better, we can let her know it's back." They walked together through the hangar and was told that the orbital station was issuing a landing code now, so it would be a few minutes. They sat on a nearby crate to wait, garnering stares and widened eyes. They had rarely been so public with their relationship, but they were both happy in it, and decided it was time. The personnel in the hanger were openly speculating, but Arcann ignored them. He knew he was a lucky man, and intended to stay that way. Once they could hear the approaching bomber, they stood and waited at the entrance to the hanger, letting out sighs of relief at the important equipment being brought home.
Rukisa touched the heavy ship down on the deck and waited for her crew to exit before picking up her gear bag. Her steps slowed as she approached the ground, and looked around in wonder. This planet, she thought. It's so… balanced. As long as I have lived, and as many planets as I've been on, I do not ever recall being on so balanced a planet. She hummed to herself as she tasted the force, so pure and so plentiful. Above it all, a note of intense well being permeated, and it made Rukisa smile. She could see Mandalore approaching, and had stepped off the ramp to meet her when her feet stopped again. Is that..? She gaped as she confirmed that the man escorting Mandalore was the former tyrant and emperor. Her smile faltered a bit as she was introduced but she could see her crew milling around. Her own ship had just gotten clearance to land, and they all walked into the protection of the hanger to wait.
"Your crew has lodging here, and you are welcome," Mandalore said, and Rukisa pushed her thoughts away to listen. "You have my gratitude for this, Rukisa. The Commander was going to meet you, but they've had a death in the family this afternoon."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Rukisa murmured. Shae went on to explain the base, and they walked to the elevator and then outside, where Shae pointed out the mess hall and cantina, and their rooms. When Mandalore asked if she had any questions, Rukisa could only shake her head. Arcann intervened then.
"The force here is amazing, isn't it?" he asked, in his low, graveled voice. Hearing him speak startled Rukisa and she had to take a moment to compose herself.
"It is, it practically sings," Rukisa confirmed, and was rewarded with a brilliant smile.
"Call me if you need anything," Shae Vizla said, and patted Rukisa's arm. "I've already transferred your credits." Rukisa nodded and the couple went back into the secure area. She looked around the courtyard, where her crew was lounging on benches in the mild sunlight. She saw so many species that she lost count, and everyone seemed content. That's is, she thought. Contentment. That's what is so different here. Shrugging, she shouldered her own gear bag and made her way to her room, her mind contemplating all the things she saw and felt.
Corso was watching the apartment door and when the glow faded, he jumped up from the floor. Before he could open the door, he saw the sisters emerge, and took Miriah in his arms. "I'm so sorry, darlin'," he whispered close to her ear. Devin and Logan joined their hug, and Miriah felt her mother in the force, letting her know that she was fine. She drew back to lovingly caress her husband's face, and touch her sons. Caly joined in and Miriah kissed her cheek. She could feel Mia and Lara touch her arms and knew that the love she had for them was what Sarai had shown her. She felt a little guilty about being the only one with her mom when she joined the force, but she has a feeling that Sarai had intended that. She laid her head on Corso's chest and let the love flow around them, wishing she could feel like this always.
Maura felt left out. Not being force sensitive, she couldn't fee what her sisters could feel. Aric could see she was troubled, but only hugged her, letting her tears go unchecked. Oh, Mom, she thought. I will miss you so much. She was able to see the image of her parents, but not feel the joy in the force of them being together again. Still, she thought, that was pretty special. And all the little lights. She sighed and Aric tilted her face up to kiss her. "She went on her own terms, hon. I hope I get to do the same," he told her, and she nodded. It did seem that Sarai had it all planned out. "What can we do now?"
"Nothing, love. She's gone. There's no body, she became one with the force. We'll have a memorial for her in a few days." She saw Coleen with Caitlin and Ty, and Colin with his wife. Calleigh was on duty, but Maura had no doubt that she already knew. Suddenly, she felt exhausted, and sagged against her husband. Aric grew alarmed and steadied her.
"That's it," he said, and steered her to the elevator, Maura too tired to protest. He got her home and settled on the sofa before the sobs started again, and she cried until she finally slept, Aric at her side.
Mags had seen Maura and Aric, and knew that her sister was in terrible pain. Feeling the force flow through her had soothed the loss for now, but she knew it wouldn't last. Still, knowing that her mother was with her dad and Felix made it a little better. She glanced over at Miriah, who was still surrounded by her family, and felt so alone. Ian and Michi had gone back to their work, and she stood there by herself. She looked around and saw that Theron was still on the floor, and crossed to him. "Need a hand?" Mags asked gently, and saw Theron's eyes snap open. He took her hand and gained his feet.
"Master Magdalane, I'm so sorry. Sarai meant a lot to me," he said, and Mags could see the loss in his eyes.
"She thought a lot of you," Mags replied. "She'll be missed. If you could feel the force, she's so happy to be with our dad. Not being able to talk to her every day will be difficult." She blushed, and was astonished when Theron drew her into a hug. He'd meant it as a comfort to them both, but they were reluctant to part. When they did, Mags turned surprised eyes to his, and Theron cleared his throat. "I'd better go," she said, and turned, but she turned back to look at him.
Theron took a deep breath as she walked away. Wow, he thought. Magdalane. Even as his heart hurt at the loss of his friend, he couldn't deny the spark that he felt with the tall Jedi in his arms.
Alec Ranin had heard, through the mess hall grapevine, about the death of Sarai Chantalle, and felt relief flow through him. He might have a few more days here, in what he thought of as paradise. He knew that the Commander would have forgotten his request, at least for now. Which, he figured, was a plus for him. He had decided that whatever she decided about him staying here, he'd eventually gain her trust and be able to return. For now, though, he'd bide his time and see what happened. Whistling, he made his way to the park, to enjoy the afternoon.
Miriah found herself at home, and didn't really remember how she got there. She was seated on the sofa, surrounded by her grands. Merida clung to her, and the boys played at her feet. She felt small hands in her hair, and saw the sadness in her granddaughter's eyes, mirroring her own. Yes, she will be missed, Miriah thought. Corso joined them, and Miriah smiled at him. "You need anything, my love?" he asked, and she shook her head.
"She's happy," is all Miriah responded. Corso took her hand and she rested her head on his shoulder. She is happy, and we just have to go on, Miriah thought, glad to have her family around her.
Magdalane had gone to the temple. She had tamped down her reaction to Theron's hug, and let the force flow through her as she meditated. Mom, I miss you, she thought.
I'm always here, Mags. But I'm free, and with your father again. Felix misses you, but he was glad to see me, too.
What were all the little spheres in the apartment?
Those were friends who were already in the force. They came to welcome me. Mags laughed out loud, she never would have figured that out.
I love you, Mom. I always will.
I love you, too, Mags. You have things to do now, and they may be hard. But I'll always be here. Mags sighed and felt tears track down her face before she curled up on the floor, too tired to do anything more. She was almost asleep when she saw Theron's face in her mind.