Chapter Five – Get It Now?
Adra reached out through the Force, her mind probing at all those in the lounge. Tyria Tainer was standing by her brother and between the two of them Adra could sense apprehension, something like fear from Tyria and, in Kell's case, a mischief that she easily connected with explosives. Her Force-presence moving on, she found Ryok was heading in the direction of his science lab, his mind amazingly not on explosives. Elix and Cloud were off by a wall, the former was flooded with annoyance but the latter had a barrier erected firmly around his mind. In spite of herself, Adra smiled. Cloud had gone through a lot at the hands of his former Jedi Master, but he still retained his abilities. She almost wondered why he didn't just make himself another lightsaber. Sure the Council had ordered him not to, but if he wasn't part of the Order, they couldn't quite punish his lack of following the guidelines they'd laid down for him. He certainly wasn't bad with a lightsaber- excluding the Jade incident- or his Jedi abilities, but he could be better.
Mentally making a note to consult the Council about teaching Cloud Ritril some more, she continued on. Jade was actually out of her lair and was instead standing with Nicola and Bror. Adra completely skipped over the latter, instead offering a word to Jade. Even though her voice was traveling through the Force, she knew that the annoyance would ring in it clear enough.
What the sith does that koochoo want? She was dimly aware of what she could 'hear' General Tallon saying.
He wants to make amends. Face's been giving him a hard time for you. Jade's reply came quickly and held no hint of annoyance or hesitation. If Jade had spoken that many words verbally, everyone would've been shocked.
Adra didn't reply verbally, instead giving Jade a 'smile' through the Force. Then she went on her way through the Force again and instead found Nicola. Nicola seemed to recognize her presence even as she gave a greeting and something like a hug through the Force was given, which Adra returned.
You okay, Adra? Nicola's voice, while devoid of sarcasm and sarcastic comments, also held a hint of concern. It seemed like everyone was concerned about her these days. Why they came to the conclusion that something was wrong was utterly beyond her, but it was with a mixture of annoyance and that of feeling grateful that she took the sympathy. The sympathy? Was that what it was? No, concern for the well being of a fellow pilot. That was more correct.
Yeah, I'm okay. Nicola... Adra felt herself trailing off even as she thought it. Nicola sent her reassurance through the Force and waited patiently for her to go on, not urging her into saying anything until she wanted to say it. Adra focused in on her thoughts, straightening them out before going on, knowing that her friend would wait out her silence.
Nicola, what does he really want? I mean, he says he just wants to make it up and everything, but I know he doesn't approve of Face and me. If I start talking to him now, he's bound to think he's gained some sort of victory and now has some form of control over me. Next thing I know, he'll be filing with Wedge to order me back to Bastion. I can't do that and you know it. I'd end up with two dozen court martials on my head for not following orders.
Nicola smirked slightly and replied via the Force. Hmm, let's see here. How about you ignore the koochoo. For one thing, he can't do anything to you since the Empire is technically illegal with the New Republic back in place. Secondly, do you really think that Wedge will order you back to Bastion? Let's see here, you're one of the NR's two main computer hackers, you're a Wraith, you're a sithin' good pilot, you're a Jedi. You really think Wedge'll let all the Republic's secrets go to Daala?
Adra debated replying with a 'yes', but instead just let it be. Alright, Nicola, I'll go with it for now. See you later. Abruptly, she cut off the Force connection, her mind traveling over the others in the room. It hovered for a moment around Face as she felt the annoyance rise in him, then abruptly turned to the General's. The fact that he was making no attempt to stifle his emotions was enough for her to understand that he was going to be throwing a lot of stuff out in the air against whoever he could.
Quickly she withdrew into herself. She picked up her lightsaber from where it was resting on a shelf and put it on her belt. Within the next thirty seconds she was walking into the lounge. Just as she had seen in the Force, Face and General Tallon were standing all-but nose to nose, glaring at each other. Asyr looked over at her, a grin forming on the other Jedi's face, just as one also made its way to Gaeriel's.
Ignoring both of them, she nodded to Nicola in passing, then went over to where the two pilots stood glaring at each other. The General glanced over at her as she stopped next to them, facing both their profiles. Face glanced over to see what had caught the General's attention and in that moment, Adra had the green blade of her lightsaber humming between them. On instinct General Tallon stepped back, away from the humming blade. Face stared at it, eyes flicking to Adra every few seconds, then took a step back. Behind her, Adra could sense Elix and Cloud slipping into Ryok's lab. Beyond that, the Tainer duo moving up to stand near Nicola, Bror and Jade.
General Tallon was looking his daughter over, as if finally seeing her for the first time, in spite all his previous claims of having wanted her forgiveness. How could he claim to want forgiveness from a person he never knew? Anger began to seep up in Adra, but was stifled as she swept back into the Force. Both Face and General Tallon opened their mouths to speak, but Adra spoke first, effectively silencing them.
"I see we have another Baron Fel and Wedge Antilles problem here. However, since such is the case, I believe that, General, Face has the commanding rank in this situation. As he is leader of Wraith squadron and we are in Wraith headquarters, he pulls rank over a visiting Imperial General. Do you get where I'm going with this?"