When Baaka reached the surface, the Bothan spy was nowhere in sight. He
shielded his eyes from the intense afternoon light of the planet's star,
searching the purlieus of the great field for any sign of movement. But
there was nothing save for the tall blades of sun-dried grass swaying in
the steady breeze. Baaka stood, uneasy about the disappearing Bothan, but
at the same time soothed by taking in the serene environment of his home
planet.
Baaka was interrupted from his meditation by a hand on the shoulder. He jumped, and turned around to see his foster son, Terr.
"Oh, sorry Baaka.didn't mean to startle you."
"You know better than to sneak up on an old creature like that," he said, frowning. He noticed the penitence in Terr's eyes and quickly changed to a less austere tone. "In my younger days, I would've grabbed your wrist and thrown you to the ground before I got a chance to look you in the eyes!"
Terr laughed. It was hard to imagine this old, gray little Bothan as a great fighter in his day. "I'm sure," he said, sarcastically.
The two of them began to walk nonchalantly through the blades of grass. Terr kicked his feet at the soil as they went along. "So." he began. "I guess we've got a good chance of finally beating those Imperials, don't we?"
Baaka nodded. "Yes, it appears we do. Those plans.the ones I attained on the mission.they should prove quite advantageous to Rebel command."
"So you're going to deliver them, personally?" Terr asked.
"Well." Baaka slowly stopped pacing. "I've been meaning to tell you something, Terr," he said, looking to his foster son.
"What is it?" Terr asked, looking puzzled.
"I've been meaning to tell you that.I plan on retiring. Retiring from my duties for the Alliance."
Terr was a bit surprised by this. Although he knew Baaka was an old and battle-hardened pilot, the thought hadn't crossed his mind that his lifelong caretaker would someday cease to be one. But in truth, there was a much deeper thought that had crossed Terr's mind. In that brief moment of contemplation, he realized that someday.Baaka would also cease to be.
Baaka noticed that his words had made Terr uneasy. But before he could say anything, Terr gave a reply.
"When?"
"I've already spoken to General Amyrran.my retirement is effective immediately."
Terr still seemed uneasy, although Baaka didn't know that his words had affected his foster son on a much deeper level. He tried to cheer him up. "Don't worry Terr, I'm not leaving Bothawui. I'll still live with you as long as you need me.it's just.I've been through a lot in my years. I've witnessed too many of my brothers die."
"But what happens when you die?"
Terr's words numbed Baaka. He hadn't realized what his foster son was thinking about. "I-I." He was at a loss for words. The old Bothan let out a sigh. "Maybe we should have this discussion elsewhere."
Baaka's abode was located beyond the edge of the grassy plateau. A narrow dirt path led over a ridge to a smaller mesa, which overlooked the beautiful, lush valley behind the Bothan city. Baaka had raised Terr here, in a small house, similar to the white structures at the Rebel base. It was here that Terr, as a child, was taught by his foster father the many languages that he had learned in his own youth. It was here that Terr was taught how to fly a ship, and how to hunt with a carbine. It was here that Terr met Sorcha, who had been looking for shelter on the alien planet.
Terr and Baaka settled in the central part of their home, a circular dining room. Terr poured a glass of nectar for his foster father, then sat at the opposite side of the dining table. Baaka hunched over and took a sip of his juice, then sat back and relaxed his old body.
"Terr, I know you want to be a pilot for the Alliance. When my time comes to leave this world, I know you'll be able to fulfill your dreams." He sighed slightly. "I can't say that I don't fear for your well-being, every time you go off and fly your fighter. But I understand how it is. It's in your blood. You are destined to be a legend.just like your father."
Terr crossed his arms and rubbed his brow. It was clear that mentioning his parents made him uncomfortable. Terr never knew them - Baaka was the only father he had. He wanted to have a heritage he could be proud of.a legacy he could carry on.but his parents had abandoned him.
"Don't talk about my father," he said, bluntly.
Baaka let out a deep sigh. "Why are you so reluctant to hear of your real parents?" He leaned forward, trying to lock eyes with his foster son. "I have taken care of you for as long as you remember, Terr, I understand this. But you come from great people.great friends." This got Terr's attention. "I think it's time I told you everything."
"Your father, Rallé, was of noble blood. His parents passed away before he knew them, and so he reigned at a young age." Terr listened intently. He suddenly felt a connection to his origins - his father had not known his own parents either. "Your mother, Eirian, was a very good friend to him. She was a lovely woman.they loved each other dearly." Terr now saw even more parallels with his own life. Baaka's description of his mother reminded him of Sorcha.
"You've always said that were you a friend to my father.how exactly did you meet?"
"Ah.heh.those days seem so long ago. Well, your father and I both became Je- " he stopped abruptly.
"Go on," Terr urged, now quite attentive.
Baaka maintained an uneasy expression, but it was clear that his conscience was pushing him to continue. "Perhaps I should start at the beginning. I have told you before of the Force. You understand its principles, but you are not an adherent to its philosophy. Many years ago.there existed thousands who believed in the power of the Force, those who could master its gifts and utilize it.as a means of protection. These protectors were called Jedi Knights."
"Jedi.?"
"Yes. The Jedi were wise, noble warriors. I myself, was a Jedi Knight."
Terr's jaw dropped. "You.you can use the Force?"
Baaka gave an awkward grin. "Well, not anymore. I abandoned the Force.many years ago."
"Why did you abandon it?"
"I cannot yet explain that to you. Be patient, Terr. I will tell you everything in time. You see, I was a Jedi warrior, alongside a man named Ka'avik Nvega. This man discovered your father, discovered his ability to use the Force. And so your father joined us, and became a Jedi Knight."
Now, Terr had gasped. "My father.Rallé.he was a Jedi? A warrior?"
Smiling slightly, Baaka nodded. "Yes, he was. A valorous warrior."
Terr was silent for a few moments. His mind was racing with new thoughts. He had finally discovered the truth about his past, and it was an intriguing one. Still, one thing puzzled him greatly. "How did my parents die?" he asked.
Baaka lowered his head, and placed his furry hand on the table. "Terr.I know you ask me questions, expecting answers.but the truth is, I do not know how they died."
Terr was confused by Baaka's reply. If he didn't know how his parents died, then how did he even know they were dead? What if they were still alive?! he questioned. What if Baaka had kidnapped him from his own parents? No. He had to calm down.this rush of knowledge was clouding his logic. He took in a deep breath. "They are dead, aren't they?"
"Yes." Baaka's firm response was surprising to Terr. "At the time.I was still attuned with the Force." The old Bothan's haggard fur wrinkled on his face, as if he were about to cry. His eyes showed a sudden morose, something Terr had rarely seen in his foster father. "I.I felt it.I felt your father's death." He lowered his face to his furry arm, wiping the tears from his eyes and then standing up. It was evident that the memory had caused him pain.
However, Terr was still very inquisitive. "My mother.do you know, though.do you know that she's dead?"
Baaka cleared his throat, trying to collect himself and answer the question. "I can not be certain, Terr. But if she were alive.I know she loved you so.she would have come for you by now. I'm sorry."
Terr briefly contemplated the idea that his mother could still be alive.out there, somewhere, waiting for him. But he soon noticed that Baaka was heading toward the door out of the dwelling. "Wait, where are you going? I still have so many questions."
"I'll answer the rest of your questions later. I don't think I'm up to it at the moment." He looked at his foster son in the eyes, and was deeply moved. He still had a certain innocence in his eyes, but there was much more than that now. He was finally free from Baaka's sheltering.he could now see beyond the dusty veil of time, and discover his past. He could have a legacy to carry on. He could become a new legend. Baaka's heart swelled with pride. Yet he still feared to tell Terr everything.now, at least. Death is too cruel to share with those full of life, he thought.
"Come now, Terr. Fetch your sword."
Baaka was interrupted from his meditation by a hand on the shoulder. He jumped, and turned around to see his foster son, Terr.
"Oh, sorry Baaka.didn't mean to startle you."
"You know better than to sneak up on an old creature like that," he said, frowning. He noticed the penitence in Terr's eyes and quickly changed to a less austere tone. "In my younger days, I would've grabbed your wrist and thrown you to the ground before I got a chance to look you in the eyes!"
Terr laughed. It was hard to imagine this old, gray little Bothan as a great fighter in his day. "I'm sure," he said, sarcastically.
The two of them began to walk nonchalantly through the blades of grass. Terr kicked his feet at the soil as they went along. "So." he began. "I guess we've got a good chance of finally beating those Imperials, don't we?"
Baaka nodded. "Yes, it appears we do. Those plans.the ones I attained on the mission.they should prove quite advantageous to Rebel command."
"So you're going to deliver them, personally?" Terr asked.
"Well." Baaka slowly stopped pacing. "I've been meaning to tell you something, Terr," he said, looking to his foster son.
"What is it?" Terr asked, looking puzzled.
"I've been meaning to tell you that.I plan on retiring. Retiring from my duties for the Alliance."
Terr was a bit surprised by this. Although he knew Baaka was an old and battle-hardened pilot, the thought hadn't crossed his mind that his lifelong caretaker would someday cease to be one. But in truth, there was a much deeper thought that had crossed Terr's mind. In that brief moment of contemplation, he realized that someday.Baaka would also cease to be.
Baaka noticed that his words had made Terr uneasy. But before he could say anything, Terr gave a reply.
"When?"
"I've already spoken to General Amyrran.my retirement is effective immediately."
Terr still seemed uneasy, although Baaka didn't know that his words had affected his foster son on a much deeper level. He tried to cheer him up. "Don't worry Terr, I'm not leaving Bothawui. I'll still live with you as long as you need me.it's just.I've been through a lot in my years. I've witnessed too many of my brothers die."
"But what happens when you die?"
Terr's words numbed Baaka. He hadn't realized what his foster son was thinking about. "I-I." He was at a loss for words. The old Bothan let out a sigh. "Maybe we should have this discussion elsewhere."
Baaka's abode was located beyond the edge of the grassy plateau. A narrow dirt path led over a ridge to a smaller mesa, which overlooked the beautiful, lush valley behind the Bothan city. Baaka had raised Terr here, in a small house, similar to the white structures at the Rebel base. It was here that Terr, as a child, was taught by his foster father the many languages that he had learned in his own youth. It was here that Terr was taught how to fly a ship, and how to hunt with a carbine. It was here that Terr met Sorcha, who had been looking for shelter on the alien planet.
Terr and Baaka settled in the central part of their home, a circular dining room. Terr poured a glass of nectar for his foster father, then sat at the opposite side of the dining table. Baaka hunched over and took a sip of his juice, then sat back and relaxed his old body.
"Terr, I know you want to be a pilot for the Alliance. When my time comes to leave this world, I know you'll be able to fulfill your dreams." He sighed slightly. "I can't say that I don't fear for your well-being, every time you go off and fly your fighter. But I understand how it is. It's in your blood. You are destined to be a legend.just like your father."
Terr crossed his arms and rubbed his brow. It was clear that mentioning his parents made him uncomfortable. Terr never knew them - Baaka was the only father he had. He wanted to have a heritage he could be proud of.a legacy he could carry on.but his parents had abandoned him.
"Don't talk about my father," he said, bluntly.
Baaka let out a deep sigh. "Why are you so reluctant to hear of your real parents?" He leaned forward, trying to lock eyes with his foster son. "I have taken care of you for as long as you remember, Terr, I understand this. But you come from great people.great friends." This got Terr's attention. "I think it's time I told you everything."
"Your father, Rallé, was of noble blood. His parents passed away before he knew them, and so he reigned at a young age." Terr listened intently. He suddenly felt a connection to his origins - his father had not known his own parents either. "Your mother, Eirian, was a very good friend to him. She was a lovely woman.they loved each other dearly." Terr now saw even more parallels with his own life. Baaka's description of his mother reminded him of Sorcha.
"You've always said that were you a friend to my father.how exactly did you meet?"
"Ah.heh.those days seem so long ago. Well, your father and I both became Je- " he stopped abruptly.
"Go on," Terr urged, now quite attentive.
Baaka maintained an uneasy expression, but it was clear that his conscience was pushing him to continue. "Perhaps I should start at the beginning. I have told you before of the Force. You understand its principles, but you are not an adherent to its philosophy. Many years ago.there existed thousands who believed in the power of the Force, those who could master its gifts and utilize it.as a means of protection. These protectors were called Jedi Knights."
"Jedi.?"
"Yes. The Jedi were wise, noble warriors. I myself, was a Jedi Knight."
Terr's jaw dropped. "You.you can use the Force?"
Baaka gave an awkward grin. "Well, not anymore. I abandoned the Force.many years ago."
"Why did you abandon it?"
"I cannot yet explain that to you. Be patient, Terr. I will tell you everything in time. You see, I was a Jedi warrior, alongside a man named Ka'avik Nvega. This man discovered your father, discovered his ability to use the Force. And so your father joined us, and became a Jedi Knight."
Now, Terr had gasped. "My father.Rallé.he was a Jedi? A warrior?"
Smiling slightly, Baaka nodded. "Yes, he was. A valorous warrior."
Terr was silent for a few moments. His mind was racing with new thoughts. He had finally discovered the truth about his past, and it was an intriguing one. Still, one thing puzzled him greatly. "How did my parents die?" he asked.
Baaka lowered his head, and placed his furry hand on the table. "Terr.I know you ask me questions, expecting answers.but the truth is, I do not know how they died."
Terr was confused by Baaka's reply. If he didn't know how his parents died, then how did he even know they were dead? What if they were still alive?! he questioned. What if Baaka had kidnapped him from his own parents? No. He had to calm down.this rush of knowledge was clouding his logic. He took in a deep breath. "They are dead, aren't they?"
"Yes." Baaka's firm response was surprising to Terr. "At the time.I was still attuned with the Force." The old Bothan's haggard fur wrinkled on his face, as if he were about to cry. His eyes showed a sudden morose, something Terr had rarely seen in his foster father. "I.I felt it.I felt your father's death." He lowered his face to his furry arm, wiping the tears from his eyes and then standing up. It was evident that the memory had caused him pain.
However, Terr was still very inquisitive. "My mother.do you know, though.do you know that she's dead?"
Baaka cleared his throat, trying to collect himself and answer the question. "I can not be certain, Terr. But if she were alive.I know she loved you so.she would have come for you by now. I'm sorry."
Terr briefly contemplated the idea that his mother could still be alive.out there, somewhere, waiting for him. But he soon noticed that Baaka was heading toward the door out of the dwelling. "Wait, where are you going? I still have so many questions."
"I'll answer the rest of your questions later. I don't think I'm up to it at the moment." He looked at his foster son in the eyes, and was deeply moved. He still had a certain innocence in his eyes, but there was much more than that now. He was finally free from Baaka's sheltering.he could now see beyond the dusty veil of time, and discover his past. He could have a legacy to carry on. He could become a new legend. Baaka's heart swelled with pride. Yet he still feared to tell Terr everything.now, at least. Death is too cruel to share with those full of life, he thought.
"Come now, Terr. Fetch your sword."