Krysira's Destiny

Chapter Twelve

Part One

Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon's quarters

Krysira came out of her meditative state. As she opened her eyes, she saw Trip looking at her concerned.

"I was getting worried, Krys," Trip said.

She looked at him curiously and questioned, "Why?"

"You were meditating for a while there."

"Yes...I was in contact with Qui-Gon."

Trip nodded. "Is everyone okay?"

"No one has been harmed. Your crewmember, Ensign Sato, has been able to translate the Rybrillian language."

Trip grinned. "That's Hoshi for you. She's our language expert. Probably had her universal translator padd with her."

"I see."

Before Krysira could continue, a chime sounded and the door slid open. Trip and Krysira rose to their feet, as Lonan entered leading the group.

"Here is everyone as you requested, Knight Krysira," Lonan said.

Krysira smiled softly. "Excellent. Thank-you, Lonan," she replied, then to the others. "Thank-you for coming so quickly." She nodded in greeting to Elkan, Vallen and Kaylar.

"What is so urgent, Knight Krysira?" Ryvinia questioned.

"I am afraid that Obi-Wan has been kidnapped."

"What? How?" The counselor shot Lonan a stern look. "It was your duty to watch him!"

Krysira stepped forward, holding up a hand. "Calm yourself, Counselor. Lonan is not to blame. Allow me to explain what took place."

Ryvinia folded her arms across her chest. "Very well. Please proceed then, Knight Krysira."

Quickly, the pretty Jedi Knight explained what Lonan had told her earlier about the Rybrillians and Obi-Wan's kidnapping.

Elkan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "What of Master Jinn and the others?" He questioned.

"They are unharmed at this time."

"So, Knight Krysira," Vallen began. "Do you have a plan?"

"Yes. We will use Obi-Wan's means of escape to enter the mountains above Tysag."

"What did he use?"

"A ventilation shaft."

Vallen frowned slightly. "I do not think that all of us will be able to fit through a ventilation shaft." He motioned to the Exoians.

Krysira considered Vallen's statement. "Quite true."

"Perhaps, there's another entrance...hidden," Malcolm suggested. "You see, if Captain Archer and Hoshi were taken prisoner, they had to have some kind of doorway into the mountains...wouldn't they?" He looked at everyone else.

"That is a very strong possibility," Elkan agreed. "However, if there is indeed a doorway, how do we find it?"

Malcolm exchanged a look with Trip. "Leave that to Commander Tucker and myself." He smiled.

Elkan studied the British tactical officer for a long moment or two, considering Malcolm's statement. He nodded. "Very well."

"So what do we do once we get inside?" Vallen questioned.

"We will first look for the dungeon where Qui-Gon and the others are being held. Finding Obi-Wan and the Rybrillian Prefect should be our next priority," Krysira replied. "The next priority is confronting the persons or persons responsible for the conflict and the current incidents."

"I thought that Drayce was responsible for all of this!" Vallen grumbled angrily.

Krysira's silvery/blue eyes rested on Vallen, holding his gaze for a few moments. "This may be true, Vallen. A great deal of information points to Drayce, however we have no solid evidence. To rush in with a preconceived opinion can be dangerous not only to one's self, but to those around him. And there may be others involved that we are not aware of."

"Like the one who betrayed Qui-Gon and the others," Trip pointed out.

Krysira nodded. "Precisely." She paused. "We must proceed with caution."

PART TWO

Living quarters deep beneath Tysag

Ori stretched sensuously among the large pillows on the floor, then rolled over onto her stomach to gaze at the dark hooded figure lounging on the large couch nearby.

The dark hooded figure set his attention on the petite Mesarian woman. "My benefactor should be contacting us soon," he stated.

"Why is he so interested in that man in the uniform?" Ori wanted to know.

He shrugged. "That is his business. All I want is the reward that he promised me for the man."

Suddenly, the door slid open and a Rybrillian entered the area. It approached the dark hooded figure and fell to its knees, snarling softly.

"Yes...yes...what is it?" The dark hooded figure questioned.

The Rybrillian snarled softly again.

"Well...it is about time that you people did something right!"

The being snarled softly in a questioning manner.

"NO!" He snapped. "Your work here is not done yet. Now...get out of my sight!"

The being scrambled to its feet, hurrying out of the area.

"What was that all about?" Ori questioned.

"Nothing that you need concern yourself about," the dark hooded figure replied, indifferently.

Ori merely shrugged, rising to her feet and walked over to the dark hooded figure. She curled up next to him, easing the hood away from his face and head. He was an Exoian; his features handsome and well chiseled with the exception of a recent large vertical scratch running along the left side of his face. His long wavy orange was tied with a leather band at the nape of his neck.

Ori kissed his lips softly. "You should not cover up your handsome face, my lord Drayce," she practically purred.

Drayce sighed, slipping an arm around her, allowing himself to enjoy Ori's attention. "You know why I have to keep my identity a secret until the time is right," he explained.

"But the Jedi and the others know about you!"

"Easy, my pet. They only found out what I allowed them to and they are here because, through you, I brought them here."

"But...why?"

Drayce merely gave Ori a smile, his onyx-colored eyes shone with pure malice, then roughly kissed her mouth. However, their soon-to-be little tryst was interrupted by the insistent beeping of the communication console across the room.

Drayce disengaged himself from Ori and headed over to the console, studying the readouts briefly. "My benefactor," he announced over his shoulder. "Right on time."

Ori humphed as she walked over to Drayce. "He could have been...late," she pouted.

Drayce merely chuckled, as he touched a button. There was no image displayed.

"Drayce?" The smooth male voice assumed.

"Yes, I am here, sir," Drayce replied.

"Good. Have you kept your end of the bargain?"

"He is in my dungeon, unharmed as instructed."

"Excellent. I think it is time to make arrangements for an exchange."

"Exchange?"

The male voice chuckled. "You do want your reward...do you not, Drayce?"

"Of course, I do!"

"Good."

Suddenly, Drayce's monitor burst to life. He saw a bald mottle yellow green skinned humanoid, gazing calmly back at him.

Drayce blinked at his benefactor. "I have never encountered your species before." He glanced aside at Ori, who shook her head. "Neither of us has."

"Do not trouble yourselves with what I am. You may address me as Silik. Now, let us arrange a meeting place, shall we?"

"As you wish."

PART THREE

Dungeon

Hoshi watched as Archer paced around their cell, obviously frustrated and annoyed.

"Um...Captain?" Hoshi said softly.

"What?" Archer basically snarled.

The young ensign jumped slightly at Archer's tone. "Pacing really doesn't help, sir."

"Well...you're not the one with a price on his head!" He snapped back.

"Easy, my friend," Qui-Gon's smooth voice soothed. "She is just expressing her concern."

Archer stopped pacing, then leaned heavily against the cell door, his tense features relaxing somewhat. "You're right," he agreed. "I'm sorry, Hoshi."

Hoshi smiled. "It's okay, sir. I'd probably feel the same way if it were me."

Archer allowed a faint smile to cross his lips. "Of that I have no doubt, Hoshi." There were traces of humor in his voice.

"Captain," Qui-Gon began in a thoughtful manner. "Has it occurred to you that since the Rybrillian guard said its master will be rewarded for you, someone will be coming soon?"

"Yes...that thought had occurred to me, but I dismissed it."

"Why?"

"Because nobody in this world knows me and nobody else from my world except my own crew knows that I came here."

"I see...however it appears that someone does."

Archer scowled. "So it seems."

"Therefore...perhaps we can come up with some sort of...strategy."

"Such as?"

Qui-Gon then told Archer what he had in mind.

PART FOUR

Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon's quarters

Krysira excused herself from the group and guided Trip and Malcolm to the other side of the room. Both men looked at her curiously.

"I need to...request a...favor from...both of you," Krysira said in a soft voice. "I need each of you to hold onto one of these lightsabres." She looked clearly uncomfortable with this request.

Trip caught a hold of her hand, gently squeezing it, while exchanging a nod with Malcolm. "We'll take good care of them for you."

Krysira first took out Qui-Gon's lightsabre and hooked it on Trip's belt opposite of his blaster holster. She did the same with Obi-Wan's on Malcolm's belt.

Trip studied the lightsabre on his belt. "I definitely could've used this to cut the meat back at the Academy dining hall," he quipped.

Malcolm merely rolled his eyes upward.

Trip looked up at Krysira seeing her confused expression. He gave her a sheepish grin. "Just an attempt at Earth humor, Krys," he told her.

"A very poor attempt, sir," Malcolm pointed out.

Trip glared mockingly at Malcolm.

"Please do not attempt to use the lightsabres," Krysira advised.

Trip looked at Krysira disappointedly.

Malcolm saw Trip's expression. "Commander," he began, then continued, seeing that he had Trip's attention. "I wouldn't allow you to use a weapon without the proper training." He looked at Krysira, who exchanged a knowing smile with him.

Realizing that he was being double-teamed, Trip humphed and crossed his arms over his chest. But his expression softened, seeing Krysira smile gently at him.

The trio then rejoined the others.

Lonan and Roxx stood to one side, while Ryvinia, Elkan, Vallen, Kaylar and Gadi finished their own discussion.

"I believe that covers everything, Counselor," Elkan stated.

"I agree, Elkan," Ryvinia replied. "I greatly appreciate your warrior experience in this matter."

Elkan smiled. "My pleasure, Counselor."

Lonan stepped forward. "But...I want to go, becau..." he began, but was promptly yanked back by Roxx.

"Shhh!" Roxx hissed in Lonan's ear.

Lonan shrugged off Roxx. "You do not understand!"

"Lonan, you will be silent or else I will have Roxx escort you out," Ryvinia warned.

The young teenager's cheeks burned with embarrassment, as he looked at his feet, feeling everyone's eyes on him.

Trip studied Lonan thoughtfully for a few moments, then laid a hand on Krysira's shoulder. "Didn't Lonan tell us that he met the Rybrillian Prefect?" He questioned.

Trip was suddenly aware of everyone looking at him.

Ryvinia then looked back at Lonan. "Is this true, Lonan?" She demanded.

Roxx grabbed Lonan's arm. "Telling stories again...to get attention?" He hissed in his ear.

Once again, Lonan pulled his arm away from Roxx, ignoring him. "Yes, it is, Counselor," he replied.

"I am waiting," Ryvinia said.

Lonan proceeded to explain about the expedition that he went on with his father and how he met the Rybrillians.

Gadi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Yes, I do seem to recall Becan going on a mapping expedition about 5 years ago," he replied.

Elkan walked over to Lonan, laying a large hand on his shoulder. "So...it seems that our young friend here knows what the Rybrillian Prefect looks like," he reiterated. "It would probably be to our advantage to take him along."

"But Elkan!" Vallen protested. "He's only a boy!"

Elkan smiled. "Quite true, Vallen. That is why he will be under your protection."

"WHAT?" Vallen exclaimed, his mouth dropping open.

Ryvinia stepped closer. "You are not serious about taking Lonan...are you, Elkan?" She questioned.

"Quite. Our adversary may try to mislead us with a false Prefect and we would be none the wiser. However, having Lonan with us, would see through any deception." He removed his hand from Lonan's shoulder.

Ryvinia sighed, contemplating Elkan's words. She turned to Krysira. "Knight Krysira, what is your opinion on this matter?"

The female Jedi Knight moved forward, feeling Trip's hand slide slowly from her shoulder. "This is a dangerous mission and coupled with the fact that Lonan is quite young with no fighting experience, is cause for concern," Krysira began, seeing Lonan's shoulders slump. "However, Elkan is correct. Lonan is the only one here who has met the Rybrillian Prefect." She frowned slightly. "Lonan, did not your father meet the Prefect as well?"

"Yes," Lonan replied softly. "But Father has been gone for the past month on another mapping expedition."

"Why did you not accompany him? " Ryvinia asked.

"I was starting my page training at the same time."

Krysira sighed softly. "Very well. Lonan will accompany us under Vallen's protection," she announced, then to the young page. "You are to obey Vallen's instructions, Lonan. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Knight Krysira," Lonan relied, bowing slightly.

Vallen threw his hands up in disgust. "This is...ridiculous!" He protested. "I am a warrior, not a...nurse maid! I want to fight!"

Krysira walked over to Vallen. "Even though what you have been given seems insignificant now...it may prove of value later," she told him gently.

"Besides..." Elkan continued, now laying a hand on his second in command's shoulder. "There is no one else I would trust more with a life than you, my friend."

Vallen looked at Krysira, then Elkan, his anger draining away, knowing deep down that both were right. "Very well," Vallen grumbled, relenting somewhat.

Elkan smiled squeezing Vallen's shoulder. "Thank-you, my friend."

"Well, then, let us not delay any longer," Krysira announced moving towards the door.

PART FIVE

Jinix hangar bay

While Elkan, Vallen and Lonan boarded Elkan's ship along with government troops provided by Ryvinia, Krysira stood patiently outside of Shuttlepod One, waiting for Trip and Malcolm to get the necessary equipment.

Trip emerged from the shuttlepod then Malcolm both carrying weapons and equipment unfamiliar to Krysira.

"We're ready," Trip said.

Krysira nodded, heading over to Elkan's ship with Trip next to her. Malcolm pressed a button on the side of the shuttlepod and the hatch closed. He moved to follow Trip and Krysira, when...

"Malcolm!"

The British armory officer whirled to see Ryvinia running across the hangar over to him, her gown flowing out behind her.

"Ryvinia?" Malcolm questioned. "What's wrong?"

But Ryvinia's answer was to throw her arms around Malcolm's neck and kiss him square on the lips. "Please stay safe," she whispered then, released him, dashing back across the hangar into the center itself.

Malcolm stood in a stunned manner, staring after Ryvinia's receding figure with his mouth hanging open.

At the ramp leading to Elkan's ship, Krysira and Trip had heard and seen the exchange between Malcolm and Ryvinia. They smiled at each other.

"You coming, Malcolm?" Trip called.

Malcolm blinked, looking around at Trip. "Uh...yes, sir," he managed to get out, as he hurried towards Elkan's ship.

Once everyone was aboard, the ship rose smoothly and sailed through the open hangar bay doors.

Part 6

Cavern deep below city of Tysag

Obi-Wan slowly shook his head as he woke up from the effects of the gas bomb. He blinked, focusing his hazel eyes on his surroundings. He groaned inwardly upon seeing a force field on all sides of him and above him as well. He tried moving his arms, but realized that they were chained above his head on a steel pole that was inside the force field as well.

He closed his eyes trying to draw the Force within him to contact his master. But much to his chagrin, the young apprentice was unable to feel his master's familiar and comforting presence through their bond. It was as though the bond wasn't there. He was afraid that Qui-Gon was dead. He tried contacting Krysira. Once again, he couldn't feel Krysira's warm and gentle presence along the bond that they shared. Surely she was not dead! Had he lost his ability to manipulate the Force? This had never happened before to the young Jedi apprentice. What was he doing wrong? He wished that he knew.

He leaned against the pole and allowed hot tears to streak his face, wondering if he would ever see his master or the pretty Jedi Knight ever again.