Chapter 9
Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master, had a heavy burden to carry these days. And he found that it did not get any easier when Kyp Durron called him, the young Jedi's face dark and his eyes haunted.
"Kyp, any news?"
"Bad news, Master Skywalker. Gantoris is dead."
Closing his eyes Luke confirmed the missing presence of the older Knight and his heart filled with deepest regret. "What happened?"
"He was killed on Nar Shadaa by Wrenga Jixton."
"No!"
"It is true. I am with him right now. He has been implanted with some sort of chip. It seems that Gita Deron was right about that. I will spare you the details, but fact is that this technology is very dangerous for the Jedi."
"In what way?"
"That chip allows others to control the victim's nervous system and additionally it convolutes his mind in a way that makes it impossible for a Jedi to trace his thoughts and intentions. That was what cost Gantoris his life."
"What about my father?"
"I am not sure if he is still alive. Jixton claims that he should be, but from what he has told me so far there is little chance of saving him. I am sorry."
Luke hesitated a bit but he saw the understanding in Kyp's blue eyes even before he asked him: "Would you be willing to try despite the odds of failure?"
"Yes, of course."
"It will be very dangerous. Can you trust Jixton?"
"The chip has been deactivated somehow. I suppose it is worth a try and my chances are better if he is with me. He knows the facility and he is quite eager to get at his captors."
"Don't let him get too eager, Kyp. What about Gantoris?"
"I have deposited his body on the ship for now." Biting his lower lip Kyp shook his head, trying to hide the tears rimming his eyes. "I will miss him," he added in a whisper.
"All of us will, Kyp. This is a sad day for us. You must be strong now, do you realize that?"
"Yes, master. I understand. And I will do my best to succeed in this mission."
"Thank you. And may the Force be with you. Return safely."
As the connection broke Luke walked on numb legs over to sit on the sofa. Dropping into its soft embrace he sighed deeply. Gantoris dead ... He had been one of his very first students, along with Kyp, and they had been such a great team together. The older Jedi had kept the headstrong Kyp Durron in check, more reasonable at times than the kid from Kessel, but sometimes also far too daring. Once again Luke remembered his father's predictions concerning those two and he wondered if he had ever realized that it would turn out like this. And if the Force had somehow brought Kyp and Jixton together for a purpose. He shuddered at the implications, but in a way he had accepted the truth already. Kyp had not been sure if they could get to Ylesia in time to save Father and even though Luke very much wished for them to succeed he sensed that the younger man had kept something hidden.
Turning around to face the Corellian agent Kyp Durron hung his shoulders tiredly. But Jix could see determination return to his eyes quickly, a light that he had last seen in the Dark Lord's gaze, and one he had come to fear. It almost always meant trouble.
"We are going in?"
"Yes. But I must ask you again, despite the injuries and the damage to his brain he is still alive? Are you certain?"
"Come on, Durron. You know him almost as well as I do. He never gives up."
"Yes, but if he's dead..."
"He is not dead!" Jix almost shouted, and it was astounding how the mere thought of Vader dying could inflame his mind with such fury. "And besides, I don't want to fall in a coma," he added a bit more calmly. The Jedi Knight nodded, then started walking out of the cockpit to the ship's rec room where Turve Glat was waiting for them.
The reporter was typing furiously into his portable datapad, abusing the keyboard with the new information Jix had given him. His round face was red with concentration and he was so completely immersed in writing his report that he nearly jumped when Kyp sat down beside him.
"Mister Glat, I must ask you to leave this next part of the mission to us. We will gladly fill you in on the details once we are back." If we come back at all, Jix added silently to himself and he could see in Glat's eyes that he was thinking the same. But when he opened his mouth to protest Durron's eyes turned into icy pits of blue. "Not another word, Mister Glat. Do not follow us. This is your last warning."
Clamping his mouth shut the reporter simply nodded, then packed up his belongings and left very quickly.
"He won't heed your words, you know?" Jix told the Jedi coolly.
"If he doesn't I won't care. I did all I could short of tying him up or something more painful. Come on. We need to come up with a plan as we go. They will be expecting us anyway."
The flight was spent mostly in silence, and Jix was trying to regain some of his confidence, but found that his mind was still riding high on adrenaline. Kyp Durron was meditating a lot and Jix understood that he saw this mission as his sole responsibility. But he was far too young to carry this burden alone, the Corellian mused. Luke Skywalker undoubtedly had seen that too, else he would not have paired the youngster with this Gantoris in the first place. Although sometimes it had appeared as if the younger Jedi had been the more reasonable one. He was glad that Kyp had forgiven him for killing his friend, even though the deed itself was still nagging at his conscious. It had not been his choice, true, but he had carried it out nevertheless. And now they were on their way to get the Dark Lord out of trouble. It seemed ridiculous, somehow, but Jix could feel his anxiety increase with each passing hour. If they could not get to Ylesia in time... He was almost sure that it had been Vader's doing that had deactivated the chipand Loaz would make his prisoner pay for that dearly, if he could.
Gita strode into the President's office a bit absent-mindedly and straightened her glasses before she looked up. And stopped short at the grim faces greeting her. Luke Skywalker was sitting in one of the visitor chair, his hands folded in his lap, but it was clear that he was tense. And his sister looked as if she had not slept in days. Gita did not understand this. After all they were making good progress. Propping her hands on her hips she gave them a long look.
"And what is it with you two?"
They shared a pained glance.
"Your father?"
They nodded.
"And?"
"Kyp Durron called," the Jedi Master began. "And Gantoris was killed. By Jixton."
"What? He is on Nar Shadaa? Then your father..."
"Kyp said that he might be dead."
"But you said you could feel him again!"
"Not anymore."
She sighed: "I am sorry."
The Princess shot a hard glance at her brother before looking at Gita again. "There is a chance that he is not as dead as we think he might be. So let us not despair too early."
"Oh, I won't despair before I don't see his body," Gita shot back coolly. "My apologies. That was tactless. Forget I said anything."
"We will try," Leia growled. "Any good news?"
"Yes, actually. Jellan Aste Fellon had some interesting things to say. So, even if the mission to Ylesia goes wrong we will have enough to nail them down."
"What? Why did you not tell us earlier? I will try to contact Kyp immediately and call them back." The President seemed really upset, but the incredulous look she earned from her brother was most entertaining to see. Folding her arms in front of her chest, Gita raised her eyebrows meaningfully:
"Then you are going to abandon him?"
"Well, no, of course not," Leia sighed. "But he knew what he was getting himself into and usually he gets out of those messes on his own. It is too dangerous for Kyp."
"Have faith," the Jedi Master told her quietly.
"Is there something you have not been telling me?" she asked back, slightly bewildered.
"Yes, actually. You know as well as I do what Daala and Father have told us over and over again. He won't come back. Leia, if alive or not, he needs to be free at last. Do you understand that?" She nodded quietly, but tears were lingering in the corners of her eyes. "Leia, I believe that the Force has made preparations to replace the void he will leave behind. Gantoris is dead and at first I was highly concerned for our all safety. Imagine Kyp without guidance! He is not as experienced and not half as wise as Father. There is a lot he has to learn, but I have taught him all that I can already. Sending him to Ylesia now is a test and if he fails... I shall be regretting his death as I regret Gantoris'. Why are you looking at me like that?"
A tiny smile flashed across her beautiful face before she answered: "You sound like Father, do you know that?"
"I guess I do. But my destiny is not his."
"And Kyp's is?"
"We shall see, won't we?"
"You think that he will team up with Jixton, am I right?"
"Well, at least that's what I hope."
Leaning toward him across the desk she squeezed his hand gently: "I hope that your wish will come true. And mine too."
And Gita found that she had to agree with all her heart.
He was walking the empty corridors soundlessly, a mere shadow among shadows. In the distance Loaz' rage was a sweet antidote to his own pain. But he was about to leave all this behind, once he had made sure that everyone was safe. Everyone he cared for, that was. It had been hard for him to calm down again after the last outburst and finding peace once more became more difficult the longer he stayed suspended between the worlds, incomplete and restless. Therefore he was not really surprised when the bleak corridor turned into the great gorge of Beggar's Canyon, the smooth brown walls rising high into the blue sky, the ground underneath his feet dry and cool from the everlasting shadows. No sunlight ever reached the bottom of this particular section of the canyon, since it was too narrow and the walls too steep for that. Dropping down to the ground Anakin simply sat there, resting his head against the rock and closed his eyes tiredly. He remembered being here before, not only during reckless races when he had been a boy, but also later, as a grown man and Jedi Knight. Padmé had accompanied him once and she had been delighted by the refreshing cold in the midst of the unrelenting desert heat.
He longed for her now, fearing the accusations of his children and their families at being left once more. But she would have understood. She would have let him go just as Daala had. The twins had to realize that he had stayed far longer than he should have, only to be with them, that he had fought for their love as much as for their safety and future, despite still being in search of his own way and his own self. He had found the way now and all he could do was to walk it to the end and hope to find what he had been looking for all his life. Freedom. And happiness. In his mind one equaled the other and there was no difference at all. For a moment he doubted his own sanity for having come back at all. But he had been torn then, starving for love and safety, a lost soul desperately searching for redemption. He had realized that for him redemption was not the way out, on the contrary; to embrace his guilt and to make it one with his self was the key to fulfillment. It was a mind-blowing revelation and for sentient beings, so used to rules and morals, it seemed despicable even. And yet it was the truth.
A sudden commotion brought his attention back to the present. He opened his eyes to see Jix stalk down the hallway steadily, his blue eyes narrowed in concentration. Right behind came Kyp Durron. The young Jedi Knight was bristling with determination and Anakin almost smiled at the look on his young face. How they had managed to come in here without being detected was beyond the Dark Lord, but the eerie silence permeating the facility could only mean that no alarms had been sounded. Which was of course not the same as the intruders not having been spotted. They had to be very careful. When suddenly Kyp looked straight at the older Jedi, clearly seeing him even though he was no more than a whisper, a presence roaming the hallways far from his body, Anakin froze. Leaning toward Jix the young man whispered something in the agent's ear, who nodded and then took off alone.
"Lord Skywalker?" Kyp tried timidly.
"Come to me," was all the Dark Lord said before retreating again.
Back in his own body he took in the bland furniture of the room and sighed deeply. They were here to rescue him, he knew, and it was hard for him having to disappoint the two men the way he had to. The door slid open only a few moments later to reveal the young Jedi's slim form. He hesitated before entering, and Anakin could easily see in his gaze what was troubling him so. Eyes wide in shock Kyp stood there rooted in place, the desert wind wrapping him in its hot embrace, tiny grains of sand caressing his cheeks roughly and there, just between him and his quarry the desert being stood watch over the Dark Lord's prone form. Shaking his head in disbelief Kyp still could not tear his gaze from the being's tall frame and Anakin saw understanding suddenly blossom in his blue eyes, replaced immediately by a certain amount of fear. Fear of failure. He knew that look well from the scared faces of subordinates, from himself even. Although then there had been much more anger mixed into the fear.
"You are dying," Kyp whispered, his voice sounding pitifully small.
Anakin did not reply at first. But when he spoke, haltingly, there was a strength in his tone that he hoped would soothe the younger man: "There is ... no death, Kyp. Do ... not fear for ... me. You have a ... lot to learn ... but... I want you to ... take good care ... of Jix. He ... needs you. As ... you need him."
"I understand, I think. What do you want us to do?"
"Find ... Loaz. Have him de ... activate the facility."
"And leave you here?"
"I am ... not here anymore ... In a sense ... I have left a ... long time ago."
Nodding slowly Kyp walked over to grasp his right hand and squeezed hard. "You know that I do not like you much, but I find that I was merely envious that you survived, despite what you did. Now I understand that it did not matter. You are what you are and the way you are is the right one."
"Do not ... tread that way lightly, Kyp."
"No, never. And I do not doubt that Jix will help keep me on track."
"Yes. Now ... go."
"Your children?"
"They ... know ..."
"May the Force be with you, Lord Skywalker."
"It ... is. All the ... time."
They shared a small smile and then Kyp was off again. Anakin leaned his head back, a little bit tired by the exchange, and took a deep breath. Now it was up to the Corellian and the Jedi Knight to prevent a disaster. He did not doubt that legally Leia could nail them down now, but they could still wreack havoc with the immense network that could be controlled form Ylesia. It was a huge task that he had given Kyp, but the young man would grow through it. And in the end Anakin's legacy would continue in more than just one way.
Jix stepped into the laboratory cautiously, his ears perking up and his skin crawling with anticipation. He had to find the antidote fast. And try to stay out of Loaz' grasp. The Corellian had been the slightest bit surprised that getting into the facility had been so easy again. Maybe the staff was already gone or as good as, knowing that they could not get away anyway. He remembered a mission from eight years ago, where he had single-handedly wiped out an Imperial garrison. But this time it would be far more difficult. On the other hand he had a nice back-up in Kyp Durron and the boy had already proven that he could fight, if need be. A sudden sound from behind made his heart leap into his throat. Whirling around he just barely managed to prevent himself from shooting Kyp.
"Did you find it?" the Jedi asked at the same time Jix inquired: "Did you find him?"
They both stopped, slightly confused.
"What?
"Who?"
"Vader. Did you find him?" Jix snapped, slightly annoyed.
"Yes. He says we should go get Loaz and force him to power down the station."
"And leave him here? That s so typical of the man! No way. He never knows what is best for him." Pushing past Kyp Jix found the other's right arm clamp around his arm.
"Stay here. We need the antidote first."
"But-"
"No but, Jix." Kyp's eyes narrowed into cold pits of blue ice, testimony to his impatience and the tension he felt.
"Alright. Then help me. We had to do this fast in any case."
Finding the small tube filled with a pale green liquid took some time though, and Kyp needed a few moments to familiarize himself with the syringe before he could inject the antidote into Jix' bloodstream. He let the Force guide him here and the Corellian felt a tiny bit uncomfortable about that. But he found that he simply had to trust the man. Once finished they immediately made their way into the heart of the facility, where they found another surprise waiting for them.
"Turve Glat," Jix growled when he spotted the fat reporter stalking the hallway just up front. Jogging over to the man he dragged him back to where Kyp was standing watch.
"What are you doing here? As I recall we explicitly forbade you to follow us! Are you suicidal or what?"
"No more than you," Glat huffed indignantly and jerked his arm free of Jix' grasp. "I told you I want that story and I will get it. Where is Vader anyway?"
Just then a squad of heavily armed guards stormed around the corner, howling in delight at seeing their quarry this close and that the trio had apparently been caught by surprise.
"I knew this could not last!" Jix snorted, but Kyp was already a step ahead of him.
"Mister Glat, I want you to get Skywalker. Jix will give you the directions." Igniting his lightsaber he positioned himself in front of the other two men, grimly awaiting the attacking soldiers. "Now!"
"Alright. Now listen here-" Jix began and quickly filled Glat in on the Dark Lord's whereabouts.
"Are you alright?"
Anakin stared at the short reporter who seemed to be drenched in sweat and soot. Without waiting for an answer Turve reached up to loosen the bonds that held the Sith's ankles, hips, wrists and elbows shackled to the vertical platform. "Durron and Jixton are busy with hunting down whoever is guarding this facility and they sent me to find you," the reporter wheezed. And Anakin had no way of warning the man before he dropped forward, fully expecting to crash to the floor. But to his surprise Glat caught him quickly, staggering a bit under his weight.
"My stars, what did they do to you? How am I supposed to get you out of here like this?"
Anakin hissed laboriously, fighting hard for control over himself.
"What?"
"Jix," he managed finally. "Where?"
"You mean I should get him?"
Anakin nodded very slowly, for his head felt as if it might fall off at any moment.
"Right. Stay here, don't move." Glat laughed hysterically. "Not that I think you could, but... Back in no time, you'll see."
Lying on the floor Anakin let the darkness close in, confident that the arrival of Jix and the reporter would wake him from his stupor again. He was frankly quite angry at Kyp for defying his orders that way. But too late for complaints. When what seemed an eternity had passed and they still had not turned up he began to wonder. Finally though he could hear Jix' voice, angry and full of tension.
"Do you know when he will be here with us?"
"Soon, I hope," Turve answered.
"Yeah, you and me both, brother. Gads, look at him."
The only indicator that served Anakin to realize that Jix was picking him up was that his eyes were suddenly level with Turve's groin. He still could not feel anything. And he had no illusions that he ever would again. But maybe... He had managed to say something, true, but it had drained his strength at an alarming rate.
"This way," Turve said and then they were moving. Anakin closed his eyes.
Dragging his heavy burden along, Wrenga Jixton bit his lower lip hard. Vader was no more than a deadweight in his arms, but he would most certainly not leave him behind, even if he slowed them down. The sound of blaster fire ebbing away in the distance told him that Kyp was alright on his own, and for once he was very grateful for the young Jedi's stubborn single-mindedness. If they could reach him in time they might get out of this alive after all. But it would not take Loaz and his minions long to find out that they were gone, and then he would be all on his own, since Jix was fairly certain that Turve would be of no help in a fight.
"Over here," the reporter told him.
"Ventilation system. I see. Your idea?"
The reporter blushed. "Yeah, I thought..."
"You thought: if it works for holo-dramas it will work for me too, right?"
The other man gave him a relieved smile: "Exactly."
"Listen, is there any way you can contact the New Republic? If they don't get in here soon those guys will destroy all evidence and then we'll have a hard time nailing them down."
"How much time?"
"Two hours at the most."
Turve shook his head: "No way. Sorry."
"Then Durron is our only hope."
"He ... won't ... make it."
Jix looked down to stare at Vader's tense expression. The Sith had his eyes pressed close tightly and from the look on his face Jix was not sure if he had really heard him say those words. Gently depositing the Dark Lord against the rounded shaft wall he crouched down next to him.
"What do you mean?"
"No ... time. Have to ... do this ... now."
"How?"
"Control room. Fuse ... wires, no electronic signals can ... get through."
"But you said that that might end in a disaster."
"We have...no other choice. Get... me in there. Leave."
Looking at the other's face the Corellian could see the truth in his cold blue eyes. They had come here to accomplish a mission and now they had to bring it to an end. Making up his mind, Jix bent over the other man, taking his left hand in a hard grip:
"We can do this, but only together."
Anakin closed his eyes for a moment, but he looked ready to scream. For a long time he did not answer and neither the Corellian nor the reporter dared to disturb his thoughts.
"Together," the Jedi whispered at last, letting Jixton help him up.
Turve stared at them out of eyes red from the smoke and heat. "I am coming with you," he said finally, swallowing hard. Twin pairs of icy blue mirrors were drilling into his head.
"Now you listen here-"Jix began, but Skywalker, leaning heavily on the Corellian, lay a hand on the other's arm very slowly, silencing him:
"There is...nothing you... can... do to help us. Just... get out of here. You know everything you need to know, don't you?" He nodded slowly. "And besides, you will have a hard time ... surviving anyway when ... you make this public."
"I - I can't just leave you here."
"But... you will. Now go," the Jedi told him harshly, his forehead furrowing in an angry frown.
Turve ran then, despair clutching his heart, listening to his own footsteps echoing away into the distance, as he fought the steam trying to obscure his vision. They were going to die, he just knew it. And they did too. Jix had told him what had happened and if he had not seen it with his own eyes he never would have believed it, simply because he refused to acknowledge the fact that evil of that kind still existed. For a time he had truly believed that the last of that kind would die with the Dark Lord. But apparently he had been wrong. And Turve had to admit to himself that he had never ever met someone like those two before.
As uncompromising, ruthless and cruel as they were, there was no way he could close his eyes to what they were doing relentlessly. Well, you wanted a story and now you've got one. He ran on blindly, trying to get rid of that last picture that had etched itself into his memory and that he knew would haunt him forever. Two warriors, beaten already, but willing to risk everything once more to let him get away, a seedy reporter who had not cared what he wrote about as long as it was news. "Forgive me," he whispered and tried to run even faster.
"Now that he's gone," Jix began, "I have to tell you that you are mad."
"You told me twice ... on the way here already ... and didn't care about him hearing it."
"But this time I mean it."
"Really ... Come on." The Dark Lord sighed. "We have lost too much time as it is ... No need to lose any more."
"Before we get ourselves killed, let me ask you this one thing: you don't, by any chance, have some trick up your sleeve?"
"Don't ... I always?"
"Ah, good. You almost had me worried there."
The way back was long and tedious, and with the Dark Lord's control almost gone Jix had to support him, his left arm wrapped around the taller man's waist to steady him, while Vader had his right arm draped over the Corellian's shoulders. The tension filling Jix' mind became almost overwhelming and he wanted nothing more than to get out of here again. Going back into the control room was suicide in his eyes. Still, he could not simply leave Vader all alone. The Dark Lord would never make it on his own. The arrogance of the man to even propose anything like that! After all they were in this together.
The control room was deserted and Jix frowned at the deadly silence permeating the huge chamber. Something was wrong. Definitely. He deposited Vader at one of the main control boards and took to examining their surroundings more closely. There was no trace of anyone anywhere. But that could not last. Jix wandered back toward Vader, keeping his eyes on the galleries above. The look the Dark Lord gave him was one of total confusion.
"Are you alright?"
"I can't ... remember," Vader whispered.
"What?"
"I...cannot visualize... the mechanics."
"No! Damn." Jix frowned deeply. "Let me try."
Pushing the other man aside he suddenly found his left wrist caught in the Sith's iron grip.
"Stand back."
"Let go," Jix hissed, but when he saw the cold strength in Vader's eyes he subsided.
Apparently he had regained some control over his mind. The agent stepped back cautiously, waiting in a safer distance. Whatever the Dark Lord was up to, Jix was almost certain that he was going to employ the Force to enhance his control. Leaning his forehead against the blinking screen Vader closed his eyes, breathing evenly. It was fascinating, in a strange way, to see that transformation from the crippled, weakened man the Dark Lord been just a few moments ago to the calm and composed warrior Jix could see emerge from that frail shell. Vader started trembling ever so slightly, and for a second Jix considered interfering with whatever trance he was in. But then a sudden movement behind him brought his head around. His face contorted in a silent snarl, Jix tried to warn the other man, but too late. As darkness closed in around him he was left with only a wordless curse.
It took a supreme effort to keep his mind focused, but Anakin threw all caution over board. With his memories nearly gone he could not really remember how hate felt, or anger, but he did not have to. Throughout the facility he could sense confusion, fear and anger aplenty. It was this generous reservoir he drew upon deeply, sucking up the dark vortex of emotions and channeling it through the maze of his own mind into the machinery. For an endless moment he could virtually see the connections and what they would do, could assess the damage that would result from whatever he did, and in the end he made his decision. Not only because he could feel an alien presence stalk closer ever so slowly. Loaz. A sudden flash of fury told him that Jix had become aware of the threat too, but the Corellian really had no chance. His extended usefulness though would save his life, Anakin knew.
Still, he had to remain focused. At the edge of his awareness Kyp was a sharp blade of deadly intent, moving through the hidden fortress purposefully. He would never make it in time. And he had to keep concentrated. Anakin was only dimly aware of Loaz coming up to him, but he did not stir. He had told Jix that he had something planned, and the Anzat was in for a nasty surprise. With a final effort Anakin pushed the dark power forward, letting it race along cables and conduits, wreacking havoc with the complicated machinery of this facility. The sudden backdraft of power was unexpected though and threw him back with brute force. What had happened? He was given no chance to think about that further. Loaz had hooked his hands over Anakin's ears and temples, clasping his head tightly and drew him back in a forceful embrace. Anakin lost what little balance he'd had and crashed to the floor. He could see his death in the Anzat's dark eyes. Smiling at the doctor he managed an almost imperceptible nod, an open invitation and provocation at the same time. And the other took the bait immediately.
Loaz let go of his head and grabbed his wrists, pushing his arms down brutally. Once again Anakin felt the alien's proboscii slide into his head, their touch freezing him instantly. He closed his eyes, the smile still on his lips, and touched Loaz' mind ever so slightly. Composing himself Anakin wandered along the line he had thrown after the Anzat's first attack and dragged the alien along. That one had no chance of escape, never had had any hope of getting out of his grasp. For Loaz had forgotten one thing: the deadly bond worked both ways, you just had to know where to strike and hold on to.
He could feel the alien's desperate struggle, but soon he had left Loaz behind; drifting in darkness he imagined the desert, an endless sea of silver in the light of the moon. The stars were few that night, but the sky was so clear that he was sure he could see beyond them easily, his gaze travelling further into the void as he took the first step towards eternity.
Coming to again Jix took in the scene with a groan, but then he threw himself at Loaz with a snarl, and punched a fist in the Anzat's head with all the strength he could muster. The alien's lifeless body toppled over and the sudden silence broke Jix out of his blind rage instantly. Heaving a deep sigh Jix stood up slowly and shook himself, trying to gather his wits. But then his gaze fell on the Sith's still form lying at his feet on his back, arms spread out at his sides, blue eyes calmly staring up at the ceiling and beyond, his lips parted slightly. Jix moaned softly and dropped down next to him, running his hands over the other's chest and neck in a vain attempt to feel the Dark Lord's pulse or heart-beat. There was nothing. "You can't be dead," Jix announced with conviction, but the truth shattered his resolve quickly. Silent tears began streaming down his face, as he scolded himself for having been too much of a coward to break the spell earlier, that he had let Loaz intimidate him so.
"You can't be dead," he began anew. "And you know why? You are a Jedi. Jedi don't die. Come on. You have been through this before." He started shaking Vader's shoulders violently. "Don't leave me now!" he all but screamed, and suddenly his mind was alive with fear, the fear that he would die here alone, having failed in his mission and having failed to protect the Dark Lord. It seemed ridiculous to even consider that the man needed any protection, but Jix had come to see him in another way over the past weeks. Anakin Skywalker needed very much to be protected from himself, from working himself to exhaustion and from going beyond his limits. And now he was dead. Because Jix had failed. "I am sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking. Reaching out to draw a hand over the other's face he closed the Sith's eyes gently. Then, hugging his knees to his chest he curled up next to the Dark Lord's body, too tired to move and too resigned to go on at all. They had lost and all he could hope for now was that Kyp and Turve Glat would get all this to the Jedi and the New Republic in time.
The darkness was everywhere around, wherever he turned to look. He knew instinctively that there should be more, but he did not know what it was. As if he had lost something important on his way here. But what? Why was it so dark anyway? And how did he know that it was dark at all? It was more a feeling, that oppressive silence filling him to bursting, leaving no room for anything else. There was definitely something amiss. If only he could recall what it was. Father? It was a tentative call, and at first he was not sure what it meant. In fact it took him quite a while to realize that it was him who had been called. Noone else. The word had no meaning he could think of, but when the call was repeated he began to remember.
A young woman with dark brown eyes, always so earnest, but with the most beautiful smile she chose to hide most of the time. And a young man, the complete opposite of her, who never hid his feelings. His son and daughter. His children. Slowly he became aware of more things around him, filling the silence one by one. The soft sound of sand dancing in the wind, no more than a whisper. In the distance, the lonely call of a bantha standing watch over its mates.
It was cold that night, like any night in the desert. But as he stepped into the open he relished the touch of the icy air on his face. Time stood still, freezing the stars and trapping their ancient light for his eyes only. All of a sudden he remembered his son asking him if he was more afraid of the way or of what he would find at the end of the journey. And then he smiled when he realized that what he had found was himself. Raising his head high he stood facing the horizon, one with the desert, one with the sky.
"I have been expecting you," a voice said softly by his side.
Turning his head he gave the desert being a long look and a smile. Blue eyes met blue ones across eternity, the beginning and the end, together at last. He did not look back when he followed his guide into the desert, for there was nothing of the past that could hold him anymore, and the future was not born yet. Still, just like the past it was nothing but memories, memories he shared with everyone and everything that was part of the Force.
Leia had managed to get the children to sleep at last and now Han was keeping watch over them. She had not even needed to ask him for it and again she was surprised by his deep understanding of her needs. Still, the Anzat's words were still haunting her. Something was happening to her father, that was for sure. And it was nothing good. He had tried too hard to soothe her back when he had appeared to her and the children, and the look on his face had betrayed something she had never seen there before: fear. What could frighten him so? What could be so horrible to scare someone like her father? Calm. She needed to be calm. Closing her eyes the Princess opened herself to the Force, just like her brother had taught her. But only a few seconds later her mouth opened in a silent scream. Throwing herself off the bed she had been sitting on Leia tried to fight that ocean of despair crashing down over her head, threatening to drown her. Part of her seemed to be slipping away, leaving her stranded in a sea of darkness. No! It could not be...
Han found her an hour later and he did not say a word. He simply knelt down next to her, wrapping her in his arms, holding her close. She was hugging herself fiercely, feeling as if there was nothing else she could hold on to. Her father was gone, she was certain of it. How much she had hoped that her premonition was only a figment of her imagination, a natural reaction to everything that had happened over the past weeks. But no, it was true. And he had known that he would die. He had known. Her heart was aching terribly as she tried to imagine what it meant for her. That he would not be there for her anymore, and even though she had even wished for some independence she had not meant it to happen like this. Never. She had not wanted him to die, for heaven's sake! Not ever. "Father...," she whispered, her voice choked with tears.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor Luke Skywalker was meditating. The Force was a vast sea, with myriads of beings making it glow in the dark. It was a beautiful sight, he found, one he would never tire of. It was soothing, in a way, to look into that clear void, and calmness was what he needed badly at this time. He was worried, very much so. And still, he knew very well that there was nothing he could do. Nothing at all. It started with a tremble, causing tiny ripples in the ocean of Life. Trying to find the source of this disturbance Luke let his mind drift further. But all of a sudden he found himself in a powerful maelstrom of pure Force energy, like nothing he had ever felt before. What could have caused this? Or rather, who? Luke froze when he realized that there was only one answer to his question. The one he did not want to hear.
His mind turned blank at first, but once he had managed to regain his composure he started searching for his father in the depths of his own mind. There was nothing, no trail he could follow, nothing pointing the way for him. It was as if Anakin had simply vanished. Swallowing hard the young Jedi Master rose on shaky legs. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe he was just hiding his presence. But then he remembered the disturbance again and it took no genius to draw the connections there. Shaking his head, disbelieving, Luke felt silent tears stream down his cheeks, but they could not come close to easing the sense of loss that held his mind shackled to his body tightly, depriving him of any escape. His father was gone. Forever.
Skidding into the darkened room after Kyp Durron Turve Glat came to a halt abruptly when he crashed into the Jedi Knight, who did not even seem to feel the impact. Edging around the taller man's back Turve stared at the scene frozen before his eyes. He had been wondering why the Jedi had suddenly ceased his battle and led him here at high speed, face grim and worried. Well, this answered that question. Wrenga Jixton was sitting on the floor, his knees hugged to his chest, blue eyes staring straight ahead out of a face bereft of emotion. Their arrival did not seem to faze him at all. When Kyp Durron walked towards him cautiously though the Corellian turned his head ever so slightly, and the look in his eyes only confirmed what they had already been suspecting. Simultaneously the two newcomers dropped down next to the Dark Lord's still form, unable to speak, each caught up in their own thoughts.
"We have to leave," Kyp said finally, his voice hard. "There is nothing we can do anyway. Jixton?"
The man did not react at first, only stared at them blankly. Kyp bent over him with some concern, but when he reached out to touch his forehead the Corellian's blue eyes flashed suddenly with unmistakable anger.
"Why did you not come earlier?" he hissed.
"There was no way..."
"Why? He was always there for anyone who needed his help. But when it was him who needed it..." he stopped his tirade with a low hiss and rose abruptly. "You are right. There is nothing we can do except avenge his death by unveiling those who have caused all this. And you, Mister Glat, will help me."
"We will all help," Kyp explained soothingly. "I think we have another cryo box on board," he added, frowning at the Dark Lord's body. "Let's get out of here."
The arrival on Coruscant was the end of a very quiet voyage. Noone had felt much like talking and none of the men was very enthusiastic about what would await them on the capital world. They had dutifully informed the New Republic of what had happened on Ylesia, but it was clear that the government would need time to act properly. Time they did not have. Still, Kyp and Turve were confident that the President had already taken the necessary steps, and to Jix it was astounding to see how they assumed that the Princess would act like her father would have. Maybe it was just the fact that he had seen Vader as the only one with that much foresight, and his own general disdain for politicians or any sort of authority had done the rest.
To see Vader in anything but in control had been very frightening and what had scared the Corellian most was the fact that he was mourning the Dark Lord as he would a friend. He had never had many of those, at any time of his life. But he and the Sith had been a real team. Loaz had been right about that. It was true, Vader had given Jix' otherwise empty life a new purpose, with something he could always come back to, something that posed enough of a danger to keep Jix interested in keeping that employment as the Dark Lord's assassin. There had been a mutual understanding, a respect for each other, that had served as the subtle substitute for a friendship that the circumstances had not allowed for. It was a shame really. And now it was too late to change anything.
Jix followed the reporter and the Jedi Knight slowly, the cryo box floating between them on a set of repulsors. He could not take his eyes off the sterile looking white rectangle, and he knew instinctively that the Dark Lord would have resisted anything like this vehemently, refusing his body to be locked up like that. He could see that too in the eyes of his children. The Princess and the Jedi Master were waiting for them on the landing pad. Both looked as if they had been crying and Jix could understand their grief well. When Turve Glat tried to slip away quietly Jix caught the man's sleeve with a lightning move, holding him tight. Hanging his head Glat did not meet anyone's eye. Theoretically Jix knew that it had not been the reporter's fault, but then, on another level, he was certain that it was. It was just a feeling, but it was enough.
"Kyp," Luke Skywalker intoned solemnly. "Welcome home." Turning towards the Corellian agent his blue eyes flickered with uncertainty: "Wrenga Jixton? Thank you for what you ... did."
The slight hesitation at the end of the sentence made Jix flinch inwardly. It let the whole thanks sound like a hidden accusation, and the fact that it made him feel so guilty only drove the shame for his failure deeper.
"We are truly grateful for what you did, Mister Jixton," the Princess was quick to tell him, laying a hand on his shoulder. "We know that you could not have done more. Father was much too stubborn for thinking anything else."
He laughed at that, it was so true. "He did not even want me to come along on that last trip," he admitted finally.
The sudden smile on her face could not wipe the sadness from her eyes. Nodding at Jix slightly she took a tentative step toward the cryo box and Kyp Durron was quick to work the lock for her. Jix turned away at once, moving farther away. He had seen Vader die and he did not need to look at him now to remember. For a while he stood at the edge of the platform, looking out over the vast skyline of Coruscant. It was a moment of complete solitude and he had never felt so alone, ever. When he heard someone come up to him he turned around slowly to face the slim figure of Luke Skywalker.
"I think you might have misunderstood. I do not blame you for his death, not at all."
"Well, maybe I am just blaming myself," he answered all too lightly.
The Jedi Master's eyes were unfathomable and cold for a long time, but in the end they softened again: "Do not make that mistake I did back at Endor. You could not have changed it or else you would have."
"True wisdom. You sound like your father."
"Should I be worried then?"
Jix shook his head, grimacing in disdain: "Only if you decide to take up his bad habits too."
The look the other man gave him was frightening and Jix almost took a step back, remembering just in time that there was only the endless drop waiting for him there. He shot a glance over his shoulder, getting dizzy from merely looking down into the gorge between the high structures of Coruscant. Suddenly he found Skywalker's hands grabbing the front of his shirt, pulling him away from the edge almost brutally. The Jedi Master's blue eyes were blazing with sudden understanding.
"Thirty days!" he shouted.
"What?"
"Thirty days since the conviction, don't you see? He kept his promise!" Laughing almost hysterically Skywalker let go of him again.
Jix froze: "What are you getting at?"
"Nothing." The Jedi gave him a boyish grin. But then his face turned solemn once more. "It is just... He kept his promise and he came back on time. Always in control of events."
His voice grew hesitant. "I think I understand now...what he meant...about limits and always growing."
"He is dead."
When Skywalker looked at him again Jix almost gasped in shock. There was so much of his father in the man's features and stance, and above all in his words:
"When you have accomplished all that you can on one plane of existence then you might consider moving on to the next. There is no death, there is the Force, Jix."
"You know, hearing you say that almost has me believing it too."
"We'll work on that belief some more then," the Jedi Master told him amiably and patted his shoulder. "Come. There is a lot to do."
It was a very quiet assembly in the Jedi Academy's open courtyard. The body of Anakin Skywalker had been arranged on a bier in the middle of the yard, with his hands crossed over his heart. Dressed in his usual black uniform the Dark Lord was the perfect picture of serenity. Luke had heard it said often that the dead looked peaceful, as if in sleep, but noone looked like that when asleep. It was as if Anakin had decided to give even his death some style, to not let his body out of his control even though his mind was gone. The young Jedi Master shuddered inwardly. Jix had told them about the Anzat's attacks on his father's mind and Luke found the mere thought of losing oneself like that horrible. What was left of one's personality once all feelings and memories vanished in a vortex of nothingness? Would the soul survive? He shook his head vehemently. Now was not the time for such broodings. It was time to say good-bye.
Stepping forward, Luke knelt down next to the bier, leaning his forehead against the cool stone wearily. But what to say? They had shared so much over the past on a much deeper level than mere words could convey. And still he felt that he had not known his father well enough, even though his heart told him that the love he felt for Anakin should suffice to ease his pain. But his mind was not satisfied with that. He wanted answers, answers to questions he had never been able to ask his father, stories he had not told him, secrets even. Now though it was too late for that. But Luke realized that he could only come to understand his father by learning himself what Anakin had tried to teach him. How to be one with the Force, as his father was now. Rising again Luke bowed deeply to the Dark Lord, for it was that gesture that he thought could express his gratitude most. For having been taught a lesson that would take him a life-time to make his own.
When it was Leia's turn she hesitated a bit before walking up to the body laid out on the bier. He seemed so tense, as if not even death had been able to break his resilience. And she could believe that easily. She smiled a bit at the irony of it all. Here she was, mourning her father, even though she knew perfectly well that millions of beings were cheering his demise. And rightfully so. It was a long way yet to go and even with the help of both Turve Glat and Gita Deron they would have a hard time uncovering the whole truth. But she had taken up her father's fight willingly. In a way Leia did see herself as his heir, on a different level than Luke. As a politician instead of a Jedi Knight.
But they both would serve as guardians of what Anakin had sought to protect. That she had promised herself and her father. What had helped her most in this time of grieving had been the unfaltering support of her family. Han had been a shoulder to cry on as well as the one who had brought her out of her frequent depressions over and over again. Her children had brought joy to her by simply being there and loving her with all their heart. Love was the key. She had heard that so often. But never had it seemed so true. A poem came to mind and she recited the one line she remembered most vividly over and over again in her mind, like a mantra she hoped would protect her father wherever he was now: Even if I were banished to the darkest place, my love would never let me be a lonely spirit. Leia wished, for her father's sake, that love would lead the way for him too.
Nodding slowly at the Skywalker twins, Daala took a deep breath and let it out again in a sigh. She closed the distance rapidly and lay a hand over both of his, bending over Anakin's still form to kiss his cold lips and forehead. Her tears fell gently on his pale face, and for a moment it looked as if Anakin were crying too. "I love you," she whispered softly, her voice choked with grief. She had hoped so much for him to come back safely. After all, he had always emerged victorious from any battle, hadn't he? But maybe, in a way, he had won this war too. Daala did not pretend to understand the Force and what it had meant to him, if it was burden or blessing. What she did know though was that Anakin had not been himself for a long time and it had hurt him a lot. He had not been able to live with the fact that there was no way back for him, and perhaps she should be happy that he could finally rest, without his guilt and his sense of duty constantly nagging at the back of his mind and dragging him down. No, he was at peace now.
"All under Heaven will be yours to command. Forever," she said, drawing away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The last time I saw you
My eyes were red from constant crying
Blue moon was at my door
You read my hand and told it all
Romantics go to heaven
To heaven or to war
We said too much too soon
I bled and let you
Pacify my wounded pride
The last time I saw you alone
You shielded me from strangers
And saved me from the Lord
And in my dreams I still have you
You're still my sweet compadre
I your El Grand Senor
Copyright Steve Harley