Chapter XIII: Quiet Ride
Outside the Royal Hanger of Alderaan, the four Jedi knights stood. Each one contemplating on how their role in the mission will take place, and whether or not he will succeed. Anakin still felt a little drowsy, but knew that it was just from anxiety and lack of rest, something that would be taken care of on the ship. Speaking of the ship, Anakin was impressed to find it subtle and not filled with the usual grace of Alderaanian ships. Him and Raza were to fly in a modified YT-1300, and Luminara and Obi-Wan were to fly to Rodia in a modified Jedi freighter. Modified that is to have an autopilot and comfortably fit more than one passenger, unlike their predecessors. Before any of the Jedi could leave however, Viceroy Organa insisted on giving them a proper farewell. Therefore, when the time came for their ships to leave off, Bail Organa was already there, with two others. When the Jedi looked, they saw that the two other beings were Jar Jar Binks, Alternate Representative for Naboo, and the Senator of Chandrilla: Mon Monthma. "We thank you sincerely Your Graces for attending the Ceremony and for blessing us with your presence," bowed Bail Organa. "It was our pleasure Viceroy Organa, and it is you, along with your fellow delegates that have blessed us with your wonderful attitudes and hospitality," replied Luminara, returning with her own bowing gesture that was immediately followed by each of the male Jedi bowing. "Mesa honored to be in yousas presencesences again Obi!" exclaimed Jar Jar giving Obi-Wan an esteemed and loving hug. "Thank you Jar Jar, and please give my regards and salutations to Senator Amidala," he replied after being put down by the affectionate Gungan. "Chandrilla will always be open to you Master Jedi," spoke Mon Monthma serenely. "If any of you ever need to vacation, a place to hide, or anything just come to my office and you will be treated with up-most respect." The four Jedi nodded with warm smiles and gave bows, each one giving their goodbyes to each of the delegates. When all the farewells were done, and the teams divided, Raza and Anakin off into the Corellian Freighter preparing for lift off, and Luminara booting up the Jedi Freighter, Obi-Wan approached Bail Organa one last time. "Well this is good-bye old friend," the Jedi spoke, embracing the Viceroy. "Only for now Obi-Wan," he responded holding Obi-Wan at a comfortable arms length. "We will see each other again, and hopefully be able to just sit and talk of times of past." "It is a dream I will be hoping for." "Good-luck Obi-Wan, and may the Force be with you," concluded Bail. "And you too Bail," Obi-Wan responded before heading up the ramp to the freighter were Luminara was waiting.
Raza and Anakin were off towards Dathomir. They had been in hyperspace for a good hour or so, each one engulfed in his own thoughts. As soon as the ship had been started up, Anakin had looked to see where his tracer was in the galaxy. And to both of the Jedi's surprise, it was on Dathomir. Of course, after explaining to Anakin that Dathomir was actually a great choice for an up and coming Sith Lady, Anakin quickly lost his surprise. Dathomir was known throughout the galaxy as the home of the Nightsisters, a sisterhood of treacherous and deceitful women who wielded both the Dark Side and men. The stories that had been told throughout the galaxy on the horrible acts committed to men by the Sisters caused any non- castrated man to turn pale and immediately grab his "belongings" to make sure they were still intact. Raza explained that Aurra was probably apart of the Nightsisters, and whatever it is she held was vital to her masters. Of course, this mean that going to Dathomir would require not just power, but intellect, because they would greatly outnumbered, and disliked. After all, they both were males, and males were liked on Dathomir as much as a Hutt was liked on Coruscant. "So what are we gonna do when we get there?" Anakin asked. "We will land in the most jungle area not too far away from Aurra's ship, however, I am sure we will be felt. You aren't exactly a quiet blip on the proverbial "Force Radar" Anakin, but frankly, neither am I. So as soon as we land, we get out, and dart off into the forest and quickly hide our presence as best we can." "Alright," Anakin nodded. "So how much longer until we reach Dathomir?" "Four days, and Aurra will have beaten us by at least two. So I am sure she will be prepared for us." "Great," he said sarcastically, allowing a sigh to escape his lips. Great Anakin said in the confines of his mind. I get to spend four days on a ship alone with a strange alien. One whom I know nothing about at all! Well, that is going to change! I'm gonna find out everything I can about tall, pale, and pointy over there. "Well, I'm going to the "lounge" area," Anakin said cynically, seeing that the lounge was just a bit bigger than his closet, big enough to accommodate exactly two people comfortably, nothing more, not even a table, just two comfortable sofas. "You wanna come back there to? Maybe put this thing on auto pilot?" "Sure, why not," Raza shrugged, typing in a few commands to the ship causing it to take control, and would take control until they were five minutes from their hyperspace jump, only then would a pilot be needed. Anakin led the way to the "lounge" and upon arriving he took the seat that was the furthest from the cockpit therefore causing Raza to take the sofa directly across from Anakin. "All right Raza," started Anakin, the sternness in his voice surprising Raza just a bit. "We're going to be on this ship together for four days, and you know everything there is to know about me. But I know nothing about you, and I want that to change." "Alright kid, what do you want to know?" Raza replied coolly, placing a slender leg over the number. "First of all, how in the Nine Hells of Corellia did we survive that explosion?" "I figured you'd ask that," he smirked to himself out of self- satisfaction for being right.again. "Well, as soon as we saw the bomb we started running right?" he waited to see Anakin's nod before continuing. "Well, while you were busy continuing to run, I put all my Force Power and will power and every ounce of strength I had to create a Force barrier on the entrance of the hanger so that we wouldn't be incinerated. It worked, mostly. It stopped the flames of the explosion, and the destructive rays that follow with most explosive devices, but it didn't stop the concussion wave, therefore we were both flung into the nearest solid object. Unlucky for us, they were walls of other buildings. That is why you only had a concussion and a few bumps and bruises," "And that also explains why you were so tired in the hospital!" Anakin exclaimed seeing the whole picture run through his mind, realizing that it is indeed what happened, he was just too blinded by the events of that night to have actually seen it." "There, now you know how we survived. Happy?" "Hardly," Anakin responded. "I want to know more about you, like are the rumors true about you? And what exactly are you? And." "Whoa," Raza said calmly, bringing forth a palm to stop the young boy's ramblings. "I will tell you all if you just keep it between us, got it?" Anakin nodded and leaned forward much like he would have on Tatooine during a pod-racer demonstration. "Alright then," he exhaled. "I am apart of a species which are far and few in-between. My homeworld has been forgotten in the long centuries in which my people have lived. There are only a handful of us left. We are a long-living species," he smiled to himself at the euphinism in that phrase, in fact, his species held immortal life, oh they could die in battle or through sickness. But if a person of his species lived all his battles, and never contracted a fatal illness, than he would live until he was ready to die. "I was brought up and raised on Dantooine by my parents and a few natives. Ever since I was little, I always had dreams in which I would talk to old wise people, they were calm and peaceful. It wasn't until I was a preadolescent that I figured out that these people whom I talked to were Jedi of the of both Past and Present." "What do you mean past and present?" Anakin asked confused. "I would talk to the spirits of dead Jedi Knights and Masters, and the astral forms in which they can project into the Force of the present." "Oh," Anakin replied well aware that Jedi often came to others in dreams through astral projection. He was never good at it, but Obi-Wan had come to his dreams a few times in his younger years when they were separated to make sure that he was all right. "They told me I was Force-Sensitive, and would train me. I of course said yes, but I told them that I would not be able to get off my planet because I was still needed. They frowned at that and the present Jedi were about to completely cut off my training and memory of this event had not for Nomi Sunrider and a few other Jedi of the past interfered and told the living Jedi that I could be trained, through astral projection. I was completely lost at the idea, after all I had no idea what that was, until they explained it too me. So then, for about twenty years, Masters and Knights all came to me on the Astral Plain and taught me what they knew, and to both our surprises when I awoke I remembered everything I had learned. It was as if I had been training on the real plane. It is wondrous how a sentient mind works eh?" he winked at the human laughing to himself at his shocked look. "So let me get this strait," he started clearing his throat. "You received your training on the astral plain? And remembered everything! Meaning you were taught how to feel the Force on the plain, and you knew how to do it when you woke up?" At Raza's nod, Anakin slumped back in his seat in pure astonishment. "After about twenty standard years or so, I had completed all of my training and Master Yoda himself, or should I say his astral form, inducted me, along with the rest of the Council at that time, into Knighthood." "What do you mean 'at that time'? What about Master Windu and the rest of them?" Anakin asked confused. "Master Windu and the others weren't exactly around at this time. Well, that is not true, Master Yaddle, was around this time, but I am afraid that Master Billaba, Koon, and the others weren't even born yet." "Wait!" Anakin exclaimed. "How old are you?" "In standard years, I am 253 years old." "But you don't look any older than I do! And I am in my mid- twenties!" "It's a gift of my people Anakin. We live a long time, and don't look like our age until our waning years, which doesn't happen very often because my people often move on to the other side when they feel ready. Very rarely has one of my race died of old age." "So then it is true. When you were able to get off Dantooine, you went to the Temple and were immedately treated as a Knight, because you were a Knight." "Yup," Raza nodded. "I got off Dantooine when I was about a 120 years old, young in my terms, just a mere young adult really. And as soon as I was capable, I went to the Temple and met for the first time Master Yoda. Sadly, the other members of the Council whom had helped me in my training had passed on one way or another. But I did not weep because I knew I would see them again on the Astral Plane. And the rumors regarding me as being some sort of "secret agent" for the Council. Not true." He smiled widely almost a mocking grin to the universe. "I am a "secret agent" for Master Yoda himself." Raza busted out laughing as Anakin's jaw dropped until he thought it would hit the floor. After regaining his composure, he sighed before speaking again. "Well that is everything you will need to know about me. Anything else I have forgotten?" "Yes, Raza there is one thing," Anakin said with an almost seductive smile on his face. "Do you want to kiss me?" This time, it was Raza's jaw that dropped to the ground.
Outside the Royal Hanger of Alderaan, the four Jedi knights stood. Each one contemplating on how their role in the mission will take place, and whether or not he will succeed. Anakin still felt a little drowsy, but knew that it was just from anxiety and lack of rest, something that would be taken care of on the ship. Speaking of the ship, Anakin was impressed to find it subtle and not filled with the usual grace of Alderaanian ships. Him and Raza were to fly in a modified YT-1300, and Luminara and Obi-Wan were to fly to Rodia in a modified Jedi freighter. Modified that is to have an autopilot and comfortably fit more than one passenger, unlike their predecessors. Before any of the Jedi could leave however, Viceroy Organa insisted on giving them a proper farewell. Therefore, when the time came for their ships to leave off, Bail Organa was already there, with two others. When the Jedi looked, they saw that the two other beings were Jar Jar Binks, Alternate Representative for Naboo, and the Senator of Chandrilla: Mon Monthma. "We thank you sincerely Your Graces for attending the Ceremony and for blessing us with your presence," bowed Bail Organa. "It was our pleasure Viceroy Organa, and it is you, along with your fellow delegates that have blessed us with your wonderful attitudes and hospitality," replied Luminara, returning with her own bowing gesture that was immediately followed by each of the male Jedi bowing. "Mesa honored to be in yousas presencesences again Obi!" exclaimed Jar Jar giving Obi-Wan an esteemed and loving hug. "Thank you Jar Jar, and please give my regards and salutations to Senator Amidala," he replied after being put down by the affectionate Gungan. "Chandrilla will always be open to you Master Jedi," spoke Mon Monthma serenely. "If any of you ever need to vacation, a place to hide, or anything just come to my office and you will be treated with up-most respect." The four Jedi nodded with warm smiles and gave bows, each one giving their goodbyes to each of the delegates. When all the farewells were done, and the teams divided, Raza and Anakin off into the Corellian Freighter preparing for lift off, and Luminara booting up the Jedi Freighter, Obi-Wan approached Bail Organa one last time. "Well this is good-bye old friend," the Jedi spoke, embracing the Viceroy. "Only for now Obi-Wan," he responded holding Obi-Wan at a comfortable arms length. "We will see each other again, and hopefully be able to just sit and talk of times of past." "It is a dream I will be hoping for." "Good-luck Obi-Wan, and may the Force be with you," concluded Bail. "And you too Bail," Obi-Wan responded before heading up the ramp to the freighter were Luminara was waiting.
Raza and Anakin were off towards Dathomir. They had been in hyperspace for a good hour or so, each one engulfed in his own thoughts. As soon as the ship had been started up, Anakin had looked to see where his tracer was in the galaxy. And to both of the Jedi's surprise, it was on Dathomir. Of course, after explaining to Anakin that Dathomir was actually a great choice for an up and coming Sith Lady, Anakin quickly lost his surprise. Dathomir was known throughout the galaxy as the home of the Nightsisters, a sisterhood of treacherous and deceitful women who wielded both the Dark Side and men. The stories that had been told throughout the galaxy on the horrible acts committed to men by the Sisters caused any non- castrated man to turn pale and immediately grab his "belongings" to make sure they were still intact. Raza explained that Aurra was probably apart of the Nightsisters, and whatever it is she held was vital to her masters. Of course, this mean that going to Dathomir would require not just power, but intellect, because they would greatly outnumbered, and disliked. After all, they both were males, and males were liked on Dathomir as much as a Hutt was liked on Coruscant. "So what are we gonna do when we get there?" Anakin asked. "We will land in the most jungle area not too far away from Aurra's ship, however, I am sure we will be felt. You aren't exactly a quiet blip on the proverbial "Force Radar" Anakin, but frankly, neither am I. So as soon as we land, we get out, and dart off into the forest and quickly hide our presence as best we can." "Alright," Anakin nodded. "So how much longer until we reach Dathomir?" "Four days, and Aurra will have beaten us by at least two. So I am sure she will be prepared for us." "Great," he said sarcastically, allowing a sigh to escape his lips. Great Anakin said in the confines of his mind. I get to spend four days on a ship alone with a strange alien. One whom I know nothing about at all! Well, that is going to change! I'm gonna find out everything I can about tall, pale, and pointy over there. "Well, I'm going to the "lounge" area," Anakin said cynically, seeing that the lounge was just a bit bigger than his closet, big enough to accommodate exactly two people comfortably, nothing more, not even a table, just two comfortable sofas. "You wanna come back there to? Maybe put this thing on auto pilot?" "Sure, why not," Raza shrugged, typing in a few commands to the ship causing it to take control, and would take control until they were five minutes from their hyperspace jump, only then would a pilot be needed. Anakin led the way to the "lounge" and upon arriving he took the seat that was the furthest from the cockpit therefore causing Raza to take the sofa directly across from Anakin. "All right Raza," started Anakin, the sternness in his voice surprising Raza just a bit. "We're going to be on this ship together for four days, and you know everything there is to know about me. But I know nothing about you, and I want that to change." "Alright kid, what do you want to know?" Raza replied coolly, placing a slender leg over the number. "First of all, how in the Nine Hells of Corellia did we survive that explosion?" "I figured you'd ask that," he smirked to himself out of self- satisfaction for being right.again. "Well, as soon as we saw the bomb we started running right?" he waited to see Anakin's nod before continuing. "Well, while you were busy continuing to run, I put all my Force Power and will power and every ounce of strength I had to create a Force barrier on the entrance of the hanger so that we wouldn't be incinerated. It worked, mostly. It stopped the flames of the explosion, and the destructive rays that follow with most explosive devices, but it didn't stop the concussion wave, therefore we were both flung into the nearest solid object. Unlucky for us, they were walls of other buildings. That is why you only had a concussion and a few bumps and bruises," "And that also explains why you were so tired in the hospital!" Anakin exclaimed seeing the whole picture run through his mind, realizing that it is indeed what happened, he was just too blinded by the events of that night to have actually seen it." "There, now you know how we survived. Happy?" "Hardly," Anakin responded. "I want to know more about you, like are the rumors true about you? And what exactly are you? And." "Whoa," Raza said calmly, bringing forth a palm to stop the young boy's ramblings. "I will tell you all if you just keep it between us, got it?" Anakin nodded and leaned forward much like he would have on Tatooine during a pod-racer demonstration. "Alright then," he exhaled. "I am apart of a species which are far and few in-between. My homeworld has been forgotten in the long centuries in which my people have lived. There are only a handful of us left. We are a long-living species," he smiled to himself at the euphinism in that phrase, in fact, his species held immortal life, oh they could die in battle or through sickness. But if a person of his species lived all his battles, and never contracted a fatal illness, than he would live until he was ready to die. "I was brought up and raised on Dantooine by my parents and a few natives. Ever since I was little, I always had dreams in which I would talk to old wise people, they were calm and peaceful. It wasn't until I was a preadolescent that I figured out that these people whom I talked to were Jedi of the of both Past and Present." "What do you mean past and present?" Anakin asked confused. "I would talk to the spirits of dead Jedi Knights and Masters, and the astral forms in which they can project into the Force of the present." "Oh," Anakin replied well aware that Jedi often came to others in dreams through astral projection. He was never good at it, but Obi-Wan had come to his dreams a few times in his younger years when they were separated to make sure that he was all right. "They told me I was Force-Sensitive, and would train me. I of course said yes, but I told them that I would not be able to get off my planet because I was still needed. They frowned at that and the present Jedi were about to completely cut off my training and memory of this event had not for Nomi Sunrider and a few other Jedi of the past interfered and told the living Jedi that I could be trained, through astral projection. I was completely lost at the idea, after all I had no idea what that was, until they explained it too me. So then, for about twenty years, Masters and Knights all came to me on the Astral Plain and taught me what they knew, and to both our surprises when I awoke I remembered everything I had learned. It was as if I had been training on the real plane. It is wondrous how a sentient mind works eh?" he winked at the human laughing to himself at his shocked look. "So let me get this strait," he started clearing his throat. "You received your training on the astral plain? And remembered everything! Meaning you were taught how to feel the Force on the plain, and you knew how to do it when you woke up?" At Raza's nod, Anakin slumped back in his seat in pure astonishment. "After about twenty standard years or so, I had completed all of my training and Master Yoda himself, or should I say his astral form, inducted me, along with the rest of the Council at that time, into Knighthood." "What do you mean 'at that time'? What about Master Windu and the rest of them?" Anakin asked confused. "Master Windu and the others weren't exactly around at this time. Well, that is not true, Master Yaddle, was around this time, but I am afraid that Master Billaba, Koon, and the others weren't even born yet." "Wait!" Anakin exclaimed. "How old are you?" "In standard years, I am 253 years old." "But you don't look any older than I do! And I am in my mid- twenties!" "It's a gift of my people Anakin. We live a long time, and don't look like our age until our waning years, which doesn't happen very often because my people often move on to the other side when they feel ready. Very rarely has one of my race died of old age." "So then it is true. When you were able to get off Dantooine, you went to the Temple and were immedately treated as a Knight, because you were a Knight." "Yup," Raza nodded. "I got off Dantooine when I was about a 120 years old, young in my terms, just a mere young adult really. And as soon as I was capable, I went to the Temple and met for the first time Master Yoda. Sadly, the other members of the Council whom had helped me in my training had passed on one way or another. But I did not weep because I knew I would see them again on the Astral Plane. And the rumors regarding me as being some sort of "secret agent" for the Council. Not true." He smiled widely almost a mocking grin to the universe. "I am a "secret agent" for Master Yoda himself." Raza busted out laughing as Anakin's jaw dropped until he thought it would hit the floor. After regaining his composure, he sighed before speaking again. "Well that is everything you will need to know about me. Anything else I have forgotten?" "Yes, Raza there is one thing," Anakin said with an almost seductive smile on his face. "Do you want to kiss me?" This time, it was Raza's jaw that dropped to the ground.