Chapter Fifty Five:
Luke and Mara sat side by side in the speeder as Luke piloted it toward the building that Samanda was being held in. As they flew, Luke revisited the conversation he had struck up with his wife last night after his walk with Ignis.
"I really think something is about to happen for Ignis," Luke said. "I can see it in his eyes. Something is wrong, but he won't tell me what."
Mara hummed. "He's always been a close-to-the vest kind of person."
"Yes, but the way he has been acting of late... it worries me Mara." Luke bit his lip. "I think we need to find some way to help Ignis before it is too late."
"I agree," Mara murmured. "He's been setting off warning bells in my head for the last two days."
"So what does he know that we do not?" Luke asked the question that was on both their minds.
"If we knew, we could have already taken care of it." Mara quipped, trying to lighten the mood a little. Luke smiled gratefully at her, and allowed his thoughts to return to Samanda.
She was essentially under house arrest, in a modest studio apartment that was monitored and secured by the military. Admiral Igeal himself had selected the detail that accompanied the young woman, and had even asked Luke if he would mind setting up a Jedi guard also, just in case.
Luke had agreed, asking one of the older Knights who was not teaching to take on the task.
Now, after the young woman had settled in, she had requested another visit from Luke, claiming that she had more important information to divulge. Luke was curious what she had to say, and he had asked Mara to accompany him so he could get her take on things as well. Not only that, but Mara's background would make her a valuable companion for this meeting.
They arrived at the building, and at the door were met by one of the guards.
"Masters Skywalker," the man said by way of greeting. "May I help you?"
"We have an appointment to see the young woman," Luke replied.
The man nodded, lifted a datapad and consulted it. "Alright, you're welcome to go in. Room 509."
"Thank you." Luke opened the door for his wife, and they walked to the lift.
Once inside and ascending, Mara glanced to Luke. "So what was your first impression of this... Samanda?"
"That she is frightened," Luke answered. "She is deathly afraid of Vexa; so much so that the thought of being returned to the woman sent Samanda into a medical emergency."
Mara grimaced. "Vexa sounds like a real piece of work."
"That she does." Luke agreed. "One we have yet to meet in person."
"Her time is coming." Mara declared in a voice that had sent Grand Moffs into hiding.
Luke smirked briefly, but cleared his face to neutral once the lift door opened. Together, husband and wife walked to the proper door, and were unsurprised to find a pair of guards at a small table opposite the door. Luke also saw the Jedi Guard sitting at the table.
All three people looked at the Jedi Masters as they approached. One man stood and nodded respectfully.
"I will let you in. When you are ready to leave, knock three times."
"Understood," Mara answered.
"Masters Skywalker," the Jedi said, rising to bow out of respect for them. "The girl has been no trouble whatsoever thus far."
"Thank you, Jedi Ortil," Luke replied, dipping his head in return.
Once the door was open, Luke and Mara strode through. Samanda stood at the small kitchenette, preparing what appeared to be a mug of tea. She looked to the door and startled to find not one, but two people entering her living space.
"Master Skywalker, is this your wife, Mara?" Samanda asked.
"It is," Luke gestured between the two. "Mara, this is Samanda Yvyyn. Samanda, meet my wife, Mara."
"Oh." Samanda eyed Mara for a time, and then nodded. "Alright then."
She returned to her tea, and a wistful look entered her eyes. "My Papi used to brew us this tea after a hard day's work. I haven't had it since I... left home."
Luke smiled softly. "It really is the small things we remember best."
Samanda nodded her agreement. "It really is. Have a seat, I'll be right there."
Luke and Mara took up spots on the couch. Shortly thereafter, Samanda took up the armchair, placing her steaming mug on the table beside it.
"Thank you for agreeing to come." Samanda began. "I have more to tell you, something I thought would be best to tell the leaders of the Jedi Order."
"We're listening." Mara remarked.
Samanda sat back in her chair. "Vexa Wran employs the use of under aged persons to do much of her dirty work, though she is not afraid to get her hands dirty herelf. She simply delegates what she wants to."
Mara and Luke shared a look, before Mara leaned forward.
"And when you say employs, you actually mean..."
"We are all but slaves to her, kept around only so long as we remain useful to her." Samanda shook her head. "We are all expendable to her."
"What do you mean by under aged?" Luke asked. "How young are we talking?"
Samanda grimaced. "All are young enough to be vulnerable and defenseless... but old enough to take care of our own basic needs. She preys upon young, Force-sensitive children and kidnaps them in whatever way possible. She then brings them to her training grounds and they either survive her methods, or die in the process."
Samanda looked down solemnly. "I am one of the rare few to have made it as far as I have."
Mara held up a hand. "Hold on, we are still missing much information. Why don't you start over, and go in the proper order so we understand."
Samanda eyed Mara, and then took a deep breath. "Okay. Vexa steals Force-sensitive children. Once she has them, she either sends them through a conditioning process or brings them straight to the training grounds. Either way, she wants us all so broken that we have no hope against her multifaceted cruelty. I've seen the state in which some of those children arrive... and it's far from pretty."
"What do you mean by conditioning?" Mara pressed.
"I mean, she places those children with abusive persons, who torture the child in physical and mental ways, breaking them down emotionally in the process." Samanda shuddered. "I was fortunate to skip that part of the process Vexa employs. Of course, I was already scarred by her murdering my family, and I had a lot of anger, so she used that to her advantage. But I knew how powerful and intelligent Vexa was, so I have always been terrified to go against her."
Luke, as soon as Samanda had begun describing the conditioning process, had immediately thought of Ignis. Luke had already suspected that Vexa was Ignis' master, but he had no actual proof. Now, however, e felt like he was getting some. Luke also knew that Ignis had not been as fortunate as Samanda. Ignis had been one of the children to endure the horrid conditioning process.
"How many children has Vexa gone through to get to where she is now?" Luke whispered, not sure if he really wanted to know.
"I... do not have a sum total," Samanda said sorrowfully, "but it is a high number. And every time she goes... well, fishing... she returns with more poor souls."
"And how often does she bring in more children?" Luke pressed.
Samanda did some mental math and then answered. "Every few months, actually, if I figure things correctly. Usually she aims for five per batch, but I think ultimately she just takes what she can get."
Luke blanched. Every few months? How long has this been going on?
Mara was likewise disturbed by this knowledge, Luke could sense, though she hid it well. "Luke said something about acolytes. Plural. What, exactly, does this term denote?"
Samanda glanced to Luke, then looked to Mara. "We are her personal servants. We are assassins, spies, and secret agents... or whatever she wants us to be. We are given orders, a mission, and we are sent to fulfill it and return. Failure to do so results in a lot of pain, and if the mistake is severe enough, she makes us revisit our training. That alone is enough to make us older acolytes stay in line."
"How many full-blown acolytes are there?" Mara asked next.
"Counting myself, there are ten who are trained enough to be sent on missions," Samanda murmured. "I was going to give you their names, because I want you to be prepared against them. They are highly trained, and the older they are, the more advanced they are. There are a select few who are so elite that they are one step shy of being apprentice worthy."
Mara opened her mouth, but Samanda held up a finger. "Please know that most of us did not join her by choice. We've been surviving. There are four, however, who absolutely do enjoy what they do and will remain loyal to Vexa no matter what."
"We are not trying to judge anyone at this point," Luke reminded her, "just like the last time you and I spoke."
"I know, but I felt the need to speak in their behalf, since they cannot do so for themselves." Samanda clarified.
"Let's proceed then." Mara suggested, drawing out her datapad and preparing to take notes.
"Well, you already know about me." Samanda started. "And of course you know of Jayce, the boy who was with me at Bespin..."
00000
Ignis stood in the center of his room, dressed in full acolyte gear. He wore all black, with fingerless gloves, boots, tunic and pants. Under his tunic was a special bit of armor to protect his core from many forms of attack.
His only visible weapon, however, was his acolyte lightsaber; the rest of them were hidden for now. Slung over his shoulders was his backpack, which contained what few things he needed.
Ignis left the lightsaber he'd been using with Luke on his bed. Maybe they would allow Anya to use it now.
Anya...
Ignis closed his eyes, trying not to think of how disappointed she was no doubt going to be with him. She had never been there while Ignis was at work, not counting the day he'd been sent to kill her. But he was doing this as much for her as he was for himself.
Still, Ignis' heart was heavier than it had ever been, even weightier than when he had realized that he had been sent to eliminate Anya all those years ago. He truly did not want to go through with this.
But fear drove him to do what Vexa had ordered. Fear of becoming her puppet... her plaything, to do with as she wished. Terror also filled Ignis that if he failed, Anya would become Vexa's target for retribution.
Everyone was out of the house except for Ignis, who had feigned being ill in order to stave off suspicion.
Now, well after the Skywalkers had all left home, Ignis was finally ready to make his move. But first...
Ignis looked to the items he held in his hands, and sighed deeply. Leaving his room, Ignis went first into the one that the girls shared. Ignis took the topmost pair of pages and set them on Emry's bed, and then he placed the next set of pages onto Shmi's, followed by a set intended for Anya. Anya's also contained his necklace, wrapped carefully so it would not fell out. He could not wear it while he was around Vexa, so Ignis was returning it to Anya's care.
Each of the bundles he was leaving was labeled by the recipient's name so that there was no confusion. Yes, Ignis had asked Shmi to hand these out, but Ignis now felt that he should do it himself.
Ignis closed the door on his way out of the bedroom, and then went into Ben's next. He forced himself not to think as he placed Ben's letter and drawing on his bed. Ignis couldn't think of how Ben would feel after Ignis struck.
Ignis swiftly left Ben's room and finally detoured to Luke and Mara's. There he placed the remainder of his bundles, feeling a frightening sense of finality as he lifted his hand from the comforter. His stomach and chest were tight, and Ignis' breathing became momentarily labored as he struggled to remain strong.
Before he could deliberate further, Ignis left the house all together. He briefly thought of his drawing pad, feeling a sense of loss at leaving it behind. But inside it was far too much sentimentality, and more than enough incriminating evidence of Ignis' true feelings. Things he did not want Vexa to get hold of.
Ignis shut the door, straightened his tunic and set off for the Solo home. He took the stairs, wanting to make sure he had a clear mind before he entered the other house. He got to the door and placed his ear to it, listening intently. He also stretched out with the Force to feel where everyone was.
Ben and Emry were with their two cousins, and by the sense of their presences, they were in the middle of playing. Probably a video game.
Ignis sensed Kodai in the front room, followed by a final, female presence that Ignis did not know. That had to be the babysitter— Winter— he knew. Leia was out with Anya and Shmi, the latter having insisted that Leia get out of the house for a few hours. The two young women had decided to take a few hours to help Leia de-stress instead of practicing Anya's growing skills.
Ignis knocked softly, wanting to only draw the babysitter's attention. Ignis hid his backpack by the side of the door to help avoid suspicion. The door opened and a white-haired woman stood there, her pale eyes looking to him with surprise.
"Hello, we've not met yet, but I am..."
"Ignis, right?" Winter said with a small smile, though she looked him over critically. "I've heard a lot about you, actually. I thought you were unwell?"
"I feel a little better, and wanted some company I may?" Ignis offered a pleasant smile.
"Of course." Winter stepped aside. "The kids are playing in Asher's room, but Kodai is here in the sitting room."
"Okay."
Ignis entered, making sure to play the part of the innocent teenager. "Thanks."
"I was just starting on some lunch, are you hungry also?" Winter asked.
"No, thank you," Ignis patted his stomach, "better be careful."
"I see." Winter glanced to Kodai. "If you are sick, perhaps you should not sit too close to the baby."
"I'll be careful." Ignis assured her.
Winter returned to the kitchen with one more glance in Ignis direction, while the teenager took a seat on a chair that was indeed not too close to Kodai. He then bided his time, allowing Winter to get complacent. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw when she peeked once or twice out the kitchen door before she finally seemed to accept that he meant no harm.
Ignis also saw Kodai look to him, and Ignis forced himself to ignore the innocent smile the baby sent his way. But Ignis was surprised when Kodai began to crawl slowly in his direction. Ignis straightened, sensing that his opportunity had come.
Winter was engrossed in the meal preparations, the kids hadn't been seen at all, and Ignis had a clear path to the door. He could be out of the house with Kodai before anyone knew what had happened.
Ignis glanced from Kodai to the kitchen, and then focused on the baby. This was it.
Take Kodai... or become Vexa's utter slave?
Take the baby to his cruel master... or keep the child safe from the woman's heartless nature?
Betray the people who had been so kind to Ignis... or betray Anya?
Ignis trembled with the weight of his decision, watching almost fearfully as Kodai crept ever closer.
He had to do this... he had to... he didn't want to...
Voices began to sound in the farthest reaches of the hallway to the bedroom, and Ignis knew his opening was closing. Forcing himself into acolyte mode with the ease born of years in Vexa's service, Ignis stood and snatched Kodai up in one smooth motion.
He swept from the apartment silently, pausing only long enough to don his pack once more. Then he was making his way to the lift. As soon as he was inside, Ignis deftly grabbed a long cloak from a side pocket on his pack. He had borrowed one from Luke and folded it to fit, placing it to be easily accessible. Now he put it on to both hide his identity, and the fact that he held a baby. Oddly enough, Kodai hadn't fussed once since Ignis had picked him up.
Ignis straightened as his ride came to a halt, and first left the lift and then the building all together, studiously ignoring the gnawing guilt in his stomach.
00000
Partway through Samanda's information sharing, a shiver ran down Luke's spine. He frowned lightly, focusing on it. But there was no explanation from the Force, so Luke refocused on Samanda while remaining alert.
"...then there is Kida, a female Togruta. You will not find a more devoted servant to Vexa. Kida would become that woman's apprentice in a heartbeat if Vexa asked it of her. Kida is about your daughter's age. She's one of the most highly trained acolytes, and one of the original ones from the first few batches of kids. She is also one of the rare ones who willingly came with Vexa. Kida feels that she owes Vexa everything, and would do absolutely anything Vexa told her to..."
Again the Force shivered, and Luke felt Mara stiffen this time, telling him that she too had felt it. The couple shared a worried glance. Luke wondered if Samanda had felt the Force shiver also. But if her continued speaking was any indication— there had been no hiccups at all in her speech— he didn't think she had. So whatever it was had been intended only for Luke and Mara.
"Now, Arthalinea is a red-skinned Twilek girl, and she has only been on a few missions, most of them simple. She's still young and has a long way to go in her training. She doesn't want to be there, but like the rest of us, is too scared of Vexa to risk going against her." Samanda paused. "Actually, there's only one acolyte who tried repeatedly to get away. Brave soul, if you ask me. He actually inspired my attempt.
"Next is Raythe. He is a male Yevetha, and he is another one of the four who would not abandon Vexa while she is alive. He enjoys working for her." Samanda grimaced. "He's my least favorite. Though Katu is second to him only because Katu is a bit more reserved. Actually, Katu and Raythe get along just fine. Anyway, Katu is a male Whiphid, and an expert in demolition, and the final member who willingly does Vexa's bidding."
Luke straightened. "Demolition?"
"Katu has an affinity for explosives," Samanda replied seriously. "He can make anything come down, and he is great at hiding his tracks."
Luke frowned, feeling a new stir in the Force. "Samanda... was Vexa behind the museum attack on Orinda?"
Samanda frowned. "If she was, I was not in on that. She is not in the business of sharing information with the acolytes unless it is required for our missions. And if she is, then she would have sent Katu, since he's the explosives guy."
Luke felt that he knew for sure. "It had to have been her... but why?"
Suddenly Luke's head came up. If Ignis was Vexa's servant... and Ignis had been on Orinda also...
Luke felt his face pale. Mara eyed him, sensing the direction of his thoughts.
Feeling prompted, Mara asked Samanda another question. "Are there any other acolytes?"
"One more." Samanda confirmed. "This one is the guy that inspired my escape. Ignis is also her absolute best acolyte, in my opinion. He can learn anything in no time, and his stamina is immense. That boy... I swear he's like a machine sometimes." Samanda shuddered. "He's also been on the receiving end of her punishments more times than I can count. I think it's a sick need of his to keep pushing against her and losing. She's done so much to him it's horrifying." Samanda allowed her discomfort to show, oblivious to the expressions of the couple. "I heard whispers that after his failed escape when he was fifteen, she put something inside of Ignis to ensure he never tried anything like that ever again. I don't know what it was— or if the rumor is true— but if it is... I would hate to be Ignis."
At long last Samanda noticed the pale faces of her visitors. "Did I say something wrong?"
Luke and Mara were looking at each other again, the Force now lighting up more heavily.
"Mara... Ignis was at Orinda, as was Katu..." Luke said with growing unease. "Only, Ignis was in position to get close to Emry and myself."
"Wait, you two already know Ignis?" Samanda interjected, sitting forward.
"Yes," Luke whispered. "He came into our care after the museum went down on Orinda."
Samanda stood. "Is Ignis in your home?"
Luke and Mara, growing increasingly worried, nodded. Their suspicions had been confirmed: Vexa was indeed Ignis' master. But neither one of them had been prepared to hear that he was a lot more than just her forced student.
"If Ignis is in your home, he has been there under Vexa's orders." Samanda warned them. "You didn't leave him alone with your children, did you?"
Luke frowned, the confused father in him feeling the need to defend Ignis. "He has been in our home for months now, and has done nothing to hurt our children."
Samanda thinned her lips. "He has been gaining your trust: that is all. He's her best acolyte, remember? He is an ace actor."
Luke thought back to everything, feeling deep in his gut that Samanda was wrong. Or at least she was in part, and Luke thought to speak again. To his surprise however, it was Mara who came to Ignis' defense this time.
"You believe what you want, but you didn't spend the last few months with Ignis."
Samanda leveled them with a cool stared that somehow reminded the couple of Ignis. "No, I've just known him for a few years, that is all. And I have been learning everything he already knows and practices routinely. If Ignis has been in your care for this long, he has been waiting for something. He's been biding his time to strike. Whatever Vexa sent him to do, it's probably not time for him to do it ye..."
Luke's comlink went off, and he actually jumped. Slightly embarrassed, Luke answered it.
"Skywalker."
"Master Skywalker, it is Winter." Luke straightened at her tone. "I cannot find Kodai, Master Skywalker! He was in the living room when Ignis came over, but now Ignis is gone, and Kodai is missing."
Luke's heart thudded painfully, and he and Mara leapt to their feet. "He is nowhere in the apartment?"
"I looked everywhere!" Winter confirmed. "I don't know where he went!"
Samanda shook her head. "I tried to warn you both: Ignis is working for Vexa. He took Kodai, I can assure you." She paled. "And if he brings Kodai to Vexa... I really hate to think what that evil woman will do to the poor child. In fact, I know what she will do, because I've seen and been through it myself."
"Luke..." Mara's voice shook.
"We'll get to him, Mara." Luke promised, already pounding on the door as directed.
As soon as the door opened, the couple raced through it, ignoring the confusion of those outside.
00000
Ignis moved along the same route he and Luke had strolled the previous day, only he walked it at a much swifter pace. He remained outwardly calm, which allowed him to look like he belonged. Thus no one gave him a second glance.
Kodai, to Ignis' continued bafflement, was seemingly content in Ignis' arms. Then again, the baby couldn't know what he as heading for. Otherwise, he would have likely been far more trouble to deal with.
Either way, Kodai's calm demeanor was working in Ignis' favor, so he didn't want to risk jinxing himself.
Ignis got to the industrial area that he and Luke had ended their walk at, and he now worked his way in the direction of the nearest public transport area. There, he would hop a shuttle to Orinda, where he would pick up his acolyte skiff. And from Orinda, Ignis would return either to Boz Pity, or the Dark Mystery, depending on where Vexa wanted him to go.
Ignis heard Kodai gurgle, and he felt the baby squirm, his arms moving as if to reach for something. Ignis gently pushed Kodai's arms back down, but as soon as he let go, the child tried again to reach out.
Ignis put the baby's hands down again, this time holding them in place for a few seconds. When he let go, thankfully Kodai did not reach out again. Ignis focused on where he was going, knowing that he had a lot of ground to cover if he was to reach the spaceport on foot. But he could not risk taking a transport and someone discovering the baby he held.
No, Ignis would rent a private cabin on the shuttle he was to take to Orinda, or at least a back seat where he could better hide Kodai. Ignis would figure that part out when he saw what type of transport he was to take.
He had walked for a few minutes before he felt the Force shiver. Ignis tuned in to what it was trying to tell him, and he felt his pulse quicken. Luke and Mara were aware of what Ignis had done... and they were coming for Kodai.
Ignis thinned his lips and picked up his pace. He would have to take a different approach to getting to the spaceport. To add to his unease, Kodai again began trying to reach for something, his little hands seeming to be aiming for Ignis' face.
Ignis sighed and pushed Kodai's limbs back to his little chest, and this time Ignis held on until he would need to let go. Ignis found a walkway that went over a stream of traffic, and Ignis had an idea.
He studied the traffic for a moment and then moved into a position on the railing above the correct stream. Then he waited for a transport that would be large enough to carry him further away.
He spotted one, and shifted his position to accommodate its exact location in the lane. Ignis waited... waited... and then lightly jumped down. He landed in a crouch, and then flattened himself against the vehicle to avoid being blown off. The driver apparently heard the sound and was looking around in confusion, but Ignis remained out of their line of sight.
Ignis maintained a sure grip on Kodai, determined that no harm would befall him while he was in Ignis' care.
No; he won't come to harm while in my care... Ignis thought sardonically. Once he leaves me though...
Ignis thinned his lips and pushed such thoughts away. Now was not the time for second guessing. He was committed, and there was no going back now.
00000
Luke piloted the speeder at an illegal speed and through many maneuvers that would have made any other passenger faint. But Mara was far from any passenger. She was his very capable wife who had lived through far worse.
As soon as they were back at the building, Luke parked and the pair leapt out, already opening to the Force. Luke found Ignis' presence instantly, and with it was Kodai's.
Luke's heart clenched. So Ignis truly had taken Luke's baby boy. This had to have been his goal all along, Luke realized. So was Samanda correct after all? Had Ignis been playing Luke and his family the entire time? Luke's gut and his very core told him no. Or at least, not entirely. Much of what Ignis had done had been genuine: of that Luke was certain. So then why this, and why now?
"This does explain one thing for me," Mara said as she too sought out the direction of Ignis' trail.
"What's that?" Luke asked as the pair of them returned to their speeder and took off after Ignis.
"Why Ignis avoided Kodai," Mara murmured. "I always thought Ignis was just uncomfortable around babies. And with his background, I could understand why: he's not had any experience with them. But now..." Mara sighed. "Now it makes sense. Ignis was doing what I did whenever I went on a mission for Palpatine. He was avoiding growing attached to his target, so that when the time came, he wouldn't feel bad about what he had to do."
Luke didn't answer; he didn't know what to say. And in truth, Luke was hurting right now. He didn't know exactly how he felt in this moment, and he was pushing that all aside so he could find his youngest son. And find Kodai they would, or so help him...
He sensed Mara was in Hand mode, and Luke welcomed her utter focus along with his own. But what would either of them do when they caught up with Ignis?
What would Ignis do? Would he use Kodai as shield?
Despite how hurt Luke felt, he was trying really hard to give Ignis a chance. Ignis had been trying to warn Luke, he now knew, about what was coming.
"Yes," Mara whispered, hearing his thoughts. "I think Ignis has been trying to warn us about himself for a long time now."
Luke's mouth thinned out, and he shook his head. "But why all the runaround, Mara? Why couldn't he just... tell me? I could, and would have helped him!"
"He's already informed us why he won't outright tell us." Mara reminded Luke, though they both knew they were each trying to cope with things. Mara, however, was leaning more towards anger while Luke was hurting more than anything else.
"He couldn't," Luke said with her. "I know. But it doesn't make this hurt any less."
Mara closed her eyes. "Kodai is not leaving this planet."
"No, he is not." Luke agreed, deadly serious. "He will not be Vexa's new... toy, or whatever it is that she has planned for him."
Abruptly the trail ended and both husband and wife looked confused for a moment. Luke slowed down and then reversed back to where they felt Ignis' presence again. Luke parked and again the couple exited.
"Where did he go?" Luke asked what they were both thinking.
Mara looked to the streams of traffic, and knew. "The only place he could go from here, Luke."
Luke joined her, and he looked to the streams of traffic heading in each direction. "Okay. Let's figure out which way..."
Luke closed his eyes and opened himself deeply to the Force. He delved into the Force's fabric enough that he actually saw the remnants of Ignis' presence as a tiny, orange-mist trail. This... mist concentrated on the railing above the westbound lane.
"He went west."
"He's heading for the nearest port." Mara determined, already running back to the speeder. "He has no other way off world."
Luke frowned as he once more piloted them. "Would he risk public transportation with a kidnapped child?"
Mara considered. "He would if nobody was aware of the kidnapping."
"You have a point there."
Neither one of them was stopping to think about why they weren't bringing the authorities in on this. Luke flew them on the shortest route to the spaceport, and once there Mara and Luke parked, leaping from their vehicle and opening themselves to the Force again.
It was a daunting thing trying to locate two presences among the literal flood of individuals at the port. Luke suspected that Ignis had planned accordingly, since he undoubtedly knew that the Skywalker adults were coming after him and their child.
"Should we split up?" Luke asked, torn about which approach would be best.
"Not yet." Mara sounded distracted, and Luke noticed her scanning the crowd both visually and in the Force.
Luke delved deeper into Force as well, searching for that wispy trail he'd seen before. But it wasn't in this area.
Think Luke! He reprimanded himself. Where would Ignis be going?
He could be going anywhere, Luke knew. But for some reason his mind kept going to Orinda, where Luke had first met the young man. Ignis had claimed to have already been living there, but if he was working for Vexa, then that was very unlikely to be a true story.
"Mara." Luke turned to his wife and took her arm. "Ignis needs to return to Orinda to get back to his ship. Ignis didn't live on Orinda. But he was there before we arrived. I could tell that he fit in enough to sell that he belonged there. That means, in my opinion, that he had been there with enough time to blend in so he wouldn't stand out and draw unwanted attention to himself."
Mara nodded. "Whatever ship he used to get to Orinda is probably still there. Smart boy."
"Now we just need to find the terminal that will be going to Orinda." Luke determined, and the pair rushed to the information desk.
They ended up cutting the line, with Luke apologizing only briefly to the person there.
"Which terminal is going to Orinda?" Luke asked. "We need to catch up with someone boarding before they leave."
The hostess blinked, but remained professional enough to be calm. "You need terminal forty-seven. That is on the other side of the complex, I'm afraid."
"Blast it!" Mara ground out.
The couple broke from the counter and assessed where they were. Terminal twenty three was the closest.
"The speeder," Luke said. "That will be the quickest way there."
"You take it." Mara countered, starting to move off. "I will go on foot to be sure we don't miss him between terminals."
"Good idea." Luke agreed, running once more for the speeder.
It wasn't until he was almost there that Luke realized that he hadn't stopped to ask when the transport would be leaving. Luke paused to look at the flight boards, and it took him precious moments to locate the Orinda shuttle.
Luke blanched. The ship would be leaving any minute now!
Luke raced for his speeder and floored it to make it in time. He was half tempted to pull rank once he got there, and would do so if he absolutely had no other alternative. Luke got to the proper terminal, and barely remembered to turn the speeder off this time.
He leapt from his vehicle and ran for the receptionist's desk. "Has this transport finished loading?"
"Yes, Sir," she replied. "Are you boarding also? If so, you're just in time."
"No, I am actually looking for a potential traveler," Luke replied. "Please, it is imperative that I find him. He is a seventeen year old boy with black hair and blue eyes."
The woman hesitated. "I cannot just give personal information out Sir."
"I don't need his information; I just need to know if he's onboard." Luke touched her mind in the Force gently, using persuasion.
She paused again and then nodded. "I can show you images of each person that boarded."
"He's human." Luke clarified.
"Thank you." She typed in a command and let Luke view the screen.
But Luke did not see Ignis, and he deliberated. Ignis had been able to sneak onboard Hakota's skiff with an injured Ben. Would the young man be able to also sneak onboard this ship as well?
"Are there any other access points on this ship?" Luke asked, though he saw attendants making preparations for the shuttle to depart, and the terminal door beginning to shut.
Luke's throat closed and, desperate, he opened himself entirely to the Force, sensing every presence on the transport at once. He found absolutely no trace of Ignis or Kodai, however, and Luke frowned. He then turned his attention to the terminal, and only then noticed that there was zero trace of Ignis' presence.
Ignis had yet to be inside this terminal.
Confused, Luke walked toward a bank of chairs and fell into one of them. The attendant actually followed Luke and cautiously sat beside him.
"Are... you okay?" she asked.
Luke took a deep breath. "I am confused, that's all, and worried about someone."
"The young man you are looking for?" the woman asked knowingly.
"...yes," Luke whispered. He was unable to lie about that. The Jedi Master was hurt, yes, but also deeply concerned about Ignis. It was all giving Luke a headache.
She reached over and touched his arm in a gesture of comfort. "I'm sure whoever you are looking for will turn up."
"Thank you," Luke replied, rising. "I have to go now."
Luke walked through the terminals until he met up with Mara, who looked as concerned as he felt.
"He wasn't on the transport that just left," Luke told Mara. "Nor do I find any hint of him in the terminal."
"So where is he?" Mara asked.
"He wouldn't be foolish enough to try going to ground, would he?" Luke asked. "He knows we can track him."
"Luke," Mara whispered. "What if Ignis knows how to hide his presence?"
Luke considered, but eventually shook his head. "I don't think that is something he knows. Otherwise, he would have masked his presence the moment he left the building so we could not track him at all."
"Maybe... maybe he went past this port," Mara thought aloud. "If he knew we were on to him, and where he was heading, it is possible that Ignis went to a different spaceport all together."
Highly stressed, Luke had to take another seat. Mara joined him, and the couple deliberated. At last, Luke hit upon an idea.
"Mara, if we work together, I think we can locate Ignis' exact location on Coruscant," Luke said. "But it will take utter concentration."
"Anything it takes to find our boy." Mara declared, already taking her husband's hand and clearing her mind.
The couple joined their strength, and as one reached for the Force.
00000
Ignis straightened when, like the precursor to a lightning strike, the air around him seemed to actually crackle with Force energy. He actually paused in his stride, having left the traffic stream well after leap-frogging vehicles that were changing direction. Now Ignis walked along a new part of the city, one he had never been to. He was now south of where he'd originally been planning to go.
He had indeed sensed Luke and Mara coming to the port Ignis had initially intended to use. Ignis had thus changed plans, heading south to throw them off long enough to allow him to keep his head start.
All he had to do was get to Orinda first, and then he would be able to get away clean. After that, they would never again see their baby.
Ignis refocused on the present moment, and even Kodai became aware of the acute Force energy. The baby tilted his head and then reached back as if on instinct. Cursing, Ignis cut off Kodai's use of the Force, but he wasn't quick enough to prevent Luke and Mara zeroing in on him and their child.
Ignis swore again and broke into a run.
As he did so, he keenly felt Kodai in his arms, and only then did the baby begin to become uncomfortable. Kodai had felt his parents, and now he wanted them. Kodai began to cry uncertainly, and in his already warring heart, Ignis heard not the cries of Kodai, but that of another little boy.
Mama, Papa, don't leave me!
Ignis stumbled, but kept going, next hearing Vexa's voice of warning from the day she'd given him this assignment.
If you fail me... I will be forced to implement my failsafe option for you.
Fear gripped Ignis' heart, and he picked up his pace. He couldn't let that happen! His personal, mental freedom was literally all he had left! If he lost that, there would be absolutely nothing left of him that was wholly his!
Ignis felt Luke and Mara starting to get closer, and Ignis pulled out his datapad while he ran, finding the nearest port and seeing how far he had yet to go. He could make it if he maintained this pace. And he would sneak aboard the transport once he did, that way no one could track him via travel records.
Ignis put the 'pad back and tightened his grip on a now squirming Kodai. Kodai's cries grew a little louder as he picked up on Ignis' fear. Once again, the child's weeping reminded Ignis of when he had been taken into Vexa's 'care'.
Why do I have to go with the scary lady?!
Then his mind ricocheted to Vexa's warnings.
Do not fail me, Ignis...
Then, to Ignis' further dismay, his thoughts began to move erratically between the two points.
"Go with the woman." "Why?"
"Anya's continued safety depends on your obedience..."
"MAMA PAPA!"
"...I need him good and broken down." "Then that's how you will receive him..."
"DON'T LEAVE ME!"
Ignis gritted his teeth, struggling to force all these thoughts away, but that was when others leaked past his control.
Memories of his time under Vexa, her horrid training and conditioning, how he had felt ever since his abandonment, and the knowledge of exactly what Kodai would go through if he was taken to Vexa.
"Do not fail me, Ignis..."
"Don't leave me!"
"...failsafe method for you..."
Why had his parents abandoned him to this cruel life? Why didn't they love him anymore? Why did he have to be so scared and alone, and in pain?
Ignis cried out in anguish and in that same moment he tripped over something. He went tumbling over an opening he hadn't seen coming in his harried state. Ignis sucked in a breath of air and instinctively found himself working to protect Kodai. Ignis didn't even stop to think about it: he just did. He wrapped his own body about Kodai, and took the initial impact— which thankfully wasn't too far down— himself, and then continued to protect Kodai as he rolled down what he now saw was a chute of some kind.
Ignis whipped out his knife and dug it into the chute to halt his descent, and it did the trick, though the sound it made rang painfully in his ears. Ignis' downward momentum was halted and he tried to get a grip on the chute with his boots. However, the chute was too slick, and his cloak was getting in his way, and Ignis was left dangling. He did not know where this chute led, but he didn't want to find out, either. At least not with a baby in tow.
Ignis used the Force to first remove the cloak, watching it flutter into the abyss below. Next he used his powers to draw out his lightsaber, igniting it and using it to cut a hole in the chute that he could look through. There was nothing below but darkness.
Ignis had a different idea, and he used the lightsaber to begin cutting smaller holes in the chute going back up. He then followed behind, using the holes as hand and foot holds. All the while, he maintained a firm grip on his little passenger.
Ignis knew he was losing precious time in doing this, but he ignored that fact and worked his way back to the top. Once there, Ignis used an extra boost of his legs to jump up. He landed in an undignified sprawl, panting slightly. He also had a collection of new cuts from the sharp metal of the chute. His climbing hand in particular bled from having been forced to constantly pull his and Kodai's weight back up. But Ignis ignored his wounds.
Habitually, Ignis got to his feet and proceeded to keep going, but he only made it a few meters before his feet simply would no longer obey him. Ignis still heard the warring voices inside him, and he dropped to his knees.
Kodai was no longer crying, Ignis noted, and he was once more baffled by this. No, Kodai seemed to again be trying to reach whatever he'd been straining for earlier. Ignis looked to Kodai, and felt himself starting to waver from his task more fully.
He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to be strong, both for Anya and for himself. He would be activated if he failed...
Ignis jumped when two tiny hands touched his face, and his eyes flew open to find that Kodai was now cradling Ignis' face in his tiny hands. And Kodai was looking right at Ignis.
Ignis couldn't help but look back, and as soon as he met those innocent eyes, something happened.
Suddenly Ignis was inside Kodai's mind, and he gasped in shock. Ignis flailed mentally, trying to figure out what was happening. He found stable footing at last, and that as when the teenager began to realize that Kodai was trying to communicate with him.
Ignis bit his lip, but then decided to allow Kodai in a little. Instantly Ignis was swamped with the pure, innocent love of a baby. Not only that, but it was directed at Ignis specifically. Ignis saw that Kodai fully believed Ignis to be his brother, and he was utterly happy that Ignis was in his life.
Ignis was so caught up in the moment with Kodai that he did not notice the arrival of Luke and Mara.
Mara surged forward, but Luke, seeing it first, stopped his wife with a hand to her arm.
"Mara, wait."
Mara looked to Luke, confused, but she wasn't open to the Force in the same way Luke was. He had remained receptive to it so they did not lose Ignis' location. Thus it was that he could see what others had described occurring with Luke and Ignis.
Finally, Luke could see what they meant, and it floored the Jedi Master. Wanting Mara to experience it too, Luke drew her into his mind again, and together they observed what was going on.
Ignis held Kodai, who touched the older boy's face with both palms. In fact, neither boy seemed aware of the arrival of the two Jedi Masters. And around them both was a soft, golden glow.
A radiance that was originating from Ignis.
Still in the connection, Ignis trembled, realizing that Kodai saw Ignis as someone good and kind; someone to trust and love. Kodai did not fear Ignis at all, nor did he want Ignis to be sad.
What really did it for Ignis was what left Kodai's mouth.
"Iggis..."
Ignis' eyes finally loosed a single tear, and he bowed his head, ashamed of himself anew. "I can't do this to you, Kodai... I can't..." Ignis shook his head. "I never should have taken you, and I am so sorry."
Ignis wiped at his face, still unaware of the adults. "But none of you understand..."
Luke and Mara shared a moment of confusion: what didn't they understand?
Ignis made a fist with his free hand, still uncaring of his wounds. "Regardless, it should be me who suffers, not you. I can handle it, or at least I can better than you could. Besides," Ignis offered a tiny, sad smile, "I'm used to it."
Ignis finally did notice Luke and Mara, and he cringed. Looking to Kodai still, and gently disentangling from the baby's mind, Ignis rose to his feet. Taking a deep breath, and trembling more heavily, Ignis held Kodai out for them to take, but his eyes remained steadfastly on the ground.
Both adults approached cautiously, and Ignis remained still, though he did blink away the residual moisture in his eyes.
It was Luke who took Kodai from Ignis, with Mara close behind. Ignis backed away once the two had their child, feeling a new level of fear that he hadn't thought possible. But it was tinged with resolve.
As Luke turned to hand Kodai to his mother, Ignis sprinted away, and leapt back into the chute. It was the only means by which he would break away from the two Masters of the Force. Ignis did not know what was at the base of the chute, but he did see when it began to narrow.
Mara saw his escape and sprinted after him, determined to catch up with him and get to the bottom of things.
Whipping out the knife once more, Ignis again halted his descent in the same place as before. He drew out his lightsaber, igniting the red blade. He finished cutting the hole he had started before, and slipped through it before he could think twice about it.
Ignis looked about, sensing that Mara was close behind. Ignis saw now what he couldn't before. He was inside a massive factory. Ignis drew on the Force and knew where to drop. Ignis did so and landed easily on a catwalk.
He was then sprinting, using the lightsaber to illuminate the way. He came to a set of stairs and jumped all the way down them to the next level. That was when Mara also landed on the catwalks system.
She swiftly followed Ignis, and Ignis picked up his pace.
00000
"Mara!" Luke cried when his wife all but dove after Ignis.
Luke raced to the entrance to the chute, Kodai safely in his arms. Luke could not see much past a certain point, but he did hear Ignis and Mara's lightsabers... and then nothing.
Luke deliberated, and then made a difficult decision. He could track his wife easily in the Force. But Kodai could not be taken on a high-speed chase between two Jedi Masters and a young man who by all rights should have already been a Knight working on Master status.
Blowing out a breath, Luke leapt into his speeder once more, having the presence of mind to strap Kodai into his chair. Then Luke took off at breakneck speeds back home. He found every shortcut possible, and made it home in record time.
Much to Luke's relief, he saw Shmi and Leia had just returned also. Both of them were walking to the entrance to their building with smiles on their faces, and a few bags in hand. They undoubtedly sensed Luke's harried approach, however, for both turned in his direction well before he landed. By the time he was taking Kodai from his seat, Shmi and Leia were already running over.
"Dad, what's wrong?" Shmi asked.
Luke spun and thrust Kodai into her arms. "Take your brother, go to Aunt Leia's and stay there until your mother and I return." He ordered, his tone booking no argument.
Shmi blinked in shock, but took Kodai, already nodding. "Okay Dad."
"I mean it, Shmi," Luke warned, "do not leave your siblings."
"I won't," she whispered as he took off again.
He did not see the look that his daughter and sister shared.
00000
Ignis flew out the door to the factory as if there was a host of droches hot on his tail. He almost bowled someone over, but didn't stop to listen to their insults. Moments after Ignis' exit, Mara also appeared on the street, leaping clean over the same person in order to avoid crashing into him.
Ignis saw an alleyway come up, and he dove into it, knowing that there would be fire escapes there. He Force-leapt onto the first one and then leapt to the one up and across from it. He continued this back-and-forth until he was on the roof of the right-side building. Mara followed right behind him, leaving Ignis mere moments to jump from this building to the next. He ran across the length of this structure, hearing when Mara landed on its other edge. Ignis saw only open air beyond his current trajectory, but to the right was a line of traffic.
Ignis veered that direction, and leapt like a madman... and barely made the landing on a vehicle. He slipped and nearly fell, but he managed to grab hold of a protrusion. The driver started yelling at him, but Ignis ignored him. He saw Mara also land, though she managed to do it much more gracefully.
Ignis hoisted himself up and raced to the nose of the vehicle, where he leapt to the next one ahead. He did this until he found a new set of buildings, though they were all pretty far down. Ignis leapt with confidence and tuck and rolled his landing.
Without breaking stride, Ignis sprinted away, entering the building from the roof hatch and flying down the stairs. He was beginning to feel the high-speed chase in his legs, but Ignis pushed past it. He had trained endlessly for this: he could manage. He heard Mara finally catch up to the stairwell he was in.
He did not know or care how she too had made the jump.
Ignis finally grew tired of stairs and he left the well at the next exit. He ran down the hallway to the lift, and called for it, sensing that he had enough of a lead to use it. He tapped his foot impatiently, and then entered the lift once it arrived.
He sent it to the ground level, and used the Force to prevent it from stopping at any other floor. Once at the lobby, Ignis ran from the lift and back onto the street.
Ignis took a moment to get his bearings, and saw that he was in a shopping area. Ignis heard Mara reach the ground floor and he broke into a run once more. He aimed for the outdoor market, entering it and sensing Mara gaining ground. Ignis spied a stack of crates and he pulled at them as he passed, causing them to crash down and block part of the walkway. The shop keeper hollered after Ignis, shaking an angry fist.
Mara leapt over the congestion and continued to follow Ignis, who continued to make a mess of things in order to try slowing her down again. Mara finally grew tired of this and downed her own items. Ignis was forced to re-route and he entered a shop through the front door, finding his way to the back entrance and letting himself out it.
He was once again in an alley, and he ran down its length...
"Ignis stop!" Mara hollered, and suddenly he was on the ground as Mara Force-shoved him.
Ignis recovered swiftly, rising to his feet and igniting his ruby lightsaber before holding it in a defensive position. "Stay back!"
Mara approached, halting a few feet away. Her chest was heaving, but she did not sound weak at all. "Force Ignis, what is going on?!"
Ignis shook his head. "I think you know full well what is happening."
Mara narrowed her eyes. "Why don't you tell me straight out so we can clear the air?"
Ignis snorted. "Sure. I'll get right on that so you can stall my departure until Luke returns."
Mara stepped forward once, and Ignis lifted his blade somewhat in response.
"Ignis, put the blade down and let's talk." Mara was trying to be patient.
"No." Ignis backed away. "I have to go. My m-master will be expecting me."
"You mean Vexa Wran?"
Ignis did pause at that, his blade lowering a half-inch. "You know who my master is?"
"It took a little time, but yes." Mara confirmed, and then her eyes hardened to dangerous emeralds. "What I don't understand is why you were bringing Kodai to her."
"Because she told me to." Ignis snapped.
"So you would condemn an innocent baby to a life you are fully aware of?" Mara pressed angrily. "Not only that, but my son!"
Ignis looked down. "I did give him back."
"You took him in the first place."
Ignis' shoulders slumped. "Yes... I did."
"Why did you take Kodai in the first place?" Mara wanted to know.
"Because I was following orders." Ignis backed away. "You remember what that was like, Mara. Following orders you likely didn't always feel comfortable with." Ignis gave Mara a piercing stare. "You know, I would have thought that of all people, Mara Jade— the former Emperor's Hand— would be able to empathize with my situation."
There was a moment of silence, and then Mara spoke softly. "Why didn't you just tell us it was her?"
"Because I can't!" Ignis ground out. "How many ways can I say that?!"
"You found other ways to get things across to us." Mara pointed out. "But you would not let us help you."
Ignis' nostrils flared, and a white-hot fury seared his veins. "I have been trying for weeks now to get Luke to figure it out!" He hollered. "How thick can you all get?! What other Dark Side user is there in the galaxy?!"
Mara matched his anger. "Ignis..."
"No!" Ignis shouted. "Do not patronize me! I am not some... helpless whelp!" Ignis flinched, and then amended his statement. "At least... not yet."
"What does that mean?" Mara inquired, trying to get to the bottom of things.
"When Han returns, I am certain he will be able to tell you all." Ignis kept backing away, and to his chagrin, Mara began to pace him.
"Why don't you tell us?" Mara pressed, determined to get him to break this... silence he held in regards to his two big secrets.
Ignis shook his head. "No. I am in enough trouble with V..." He jerked when the blasted thing in his head zapped him again, and Ignis promptly shut his mouth, giving Mara a pointed look.
Mara did gaze at him, looking into his eyes and seeing— behind all the defensiveness— a plea for understanding, for help.
"Ignis, come back with me; let Luke and I help you."
"I can't go back with you." Ignis shook his head. "I must go."
"You need to stand up to Vexa if you are to ever be free of her!" Mara snapped. She was tired of all the games, and still feeding off of her anger somewhat.
Ignis sucked in an incensed breath, and in another moment of anger he Force-shoved Mara so hard that she crashed into a huge stack of metal barrels.
"I HAVE STOOD UP TO HER! I HAVE DEFIED THAT WOMAN TO MY OWN DOOM!" He screamed, his voice cracking with multiple emotions.
He snapped out of his anger when he saw Mara go limp on impact, and then the heavy barrels began to tumble towards her. Ignis threw up his hands and created a protective bubble around Mara until the barrels had settled. Once the threat of her dying passed, Ignis looked to his hands, shook his head and finally ran off.
It was a few minutes later when Luke arrived on scene. He saw the barrels, felt his wife, and paled.
"Mara!"
Luke surged toward her fallen form, carefully shifting the mess of barrels away from her. Miraculously, Luke found his wife to be uninjured despite where she was. She had merely been knocked unconscious. Luke looked to the heavy items that by all accounts should have crushed his beloved... but hadn't.
In fact, many of them looked like they had bounced off of something and rolled away upon striking the ground.
Next, Luke looked to the other end of the alley, knowing that it had to have been Ignis' intervention that had spared Mara's life. But at least he knew one thing for certain now: Samanda was wrong in part. Ignis had not played the family... not entirely.
But he had done so enough to cause pain to those left in his wake.
Luke closed his eyes, fighting his grief, and struggling to remain calm. He needed to get Mara to safety: she was Luke's top priority.
Luke once more made a trip to Leia's house; though this time he went a little slower. Also, once more, the Jedi Master refused to offer up an explanation, and he left only once Mara was sure to be okay. Luke then left again, though when he got to his speeder, despite the urgency he felt, he had to take some time to calm down.
Eventually, Luke took a moment to open to the Force to let it show him where to go.
Luke felt the light click on, and he determined that he would get to Ignis before the boy skipped the planet.
00000
Anya was lounging in her pajamas in her one armchair. The day had been a pleasant one, but Anya was simply ready to relax for the rest of it. She sighed contentedly, even closing her eyes to relish the quiet moment.
So when a sudden, insistent knocking sounded at her door, Anya jumped a foot in the air. Her heart pounding from adrenaline, Anya did not move immediately. The knocking persisted, even seeming to increase in urgency. Finally, Anya calmed enough to use the Force, and was able to determine who was on the other side of her door.
Anya rushed to the door and threw it open. Ignis stumbled through; looking like a reek had dragged him through a thicket of brambles. Ignis was swift to shut and lock her door, standing against it and not making a sound or daring to move a muscle.
Anya observed that he was trembling heavily, and looked like he just wanted to sit down. Anya held her breath instinctively, unsure of what was going on. Then she recalled her asking why he was on Coruscant, and his refusing to drag her into it.
"Ignis... what did you do?" she asked tremulously.
He looked to her, clearly at war with himself. Then something in him gave up, and he sagged to the floor like a puppet whose strings had been severed.
"Something awful!" Ignis' voice was rough, and Anya was truly beginning to fear for him. She hadn't seen Ignis this out of sorts in a long time. "But I... I couldn't finish it Anya."
Anya was confused. "Do what?"
Ignis looked down in shame. "I... I kidnapped Kodai."
Anya gasped, stepping back in shock. "Ignis!"
He flinched at her tone. "I know... it was wrong." He then looked to her in a pleading manner. "But I did give him back."
Anya wilted with relief. "Oh, thank the Force!"
Ignis cringed. "I wouldn't be thanking anybody just yet."
Anya approached, kneeling beside him. "What's the matter, Ignis?"
He met her gaze. The utter despair and raw hurt she saw there broke her heart.
"I b-betrayed them!" He wailed, his eyes flooding with tears. "I... I hurt Luke, Mara, Emry, Shmi... and B-Ben." He hiccupped a barely contained sob. "I worked so hard to not love them! To keep myself aloof, and for this very reason! But I just wasn't st-strong enough!"
Ignis looked at his shaking hands as if they were burning him, and Anya only then saw that one of them was bleeding. She promptly retrieved a handkerchief and wrapped it about his hand with gentle care.
"I took Kodai..." Ignis stated as she worked. "I did it like my master wanted. I had him, and I was all set to leave Coruscant."
Anya finished her work and took his uninjured hand gently. "But you didn't leave, did you?"
Ignis shook his head. "No. But I still betrayed them. I gave him back and ran off. Anya..." Ignis seemed to be unable to say whatever it was he needed to say next, for he opened and closed his mouth a few times before it finally came out. "I love them! I didn't want to, but I can't help it! And now I am right back where I was when I was four. Only this time..." his chest heaved, "I'm the one who screwed it up!"
Ignis slid the remainder of the way to the floor, curling into a tight ball and sobbing heavily.
Anya stared in shock for a moment, and then shook herself out of it. Shuffling around, Anya sat near him, her back to the wall, and she lifted his head from the ground to cradle in her lap.
Ignis didn't resist her; he trusted her as always. He continued to weep while she tenderly stroked his hair. Anya wept with him, hurting for Ignis and wishing she could take away his pain.
Eventually he calmed, but the hurt still rolled off of him in waves. He remained in Anya's tender embrace for a short time after that, soaking up the kindness he had only ever been given from Anya. That is, until he had met the Skywalker family.
"I left an apology for them," Ignis murmured at some point. "But nothing can make right what I've done. Ben... it took him so long to trust me, even when I tried to steer him away from me. And Luke... Anya, he..." Ignis made a tiny sound. "I was just beginning to see Luke as a father."
Ignis paused for a shaky breath, though he no longer wept. "I've thrown away another chance at a family."
Anya shook her head. "Ignis, you are being too hard on yourself. You didn't have much say in the matter. Vexa..."
"Has the means to control me, yes," Ignis muttered.
Anya placed a finger to his lips. "Let me finish. What I meant to say was that you have always been working under duress. She has terrorized you for most of your life."
"And instead of telling her no, I did her bidding," Ignis said bitterly. "And anytime I try to do the right thing, it blows up in my face."
Anya was quiet for a moment, then, "not every time."
Ignis stilled, sitting up to gaze at her. Then he smiled her smile. "You're right: not every time."
He shifted to sit beside Anya, and leaned against her, needing to be held by Anya. She willingly gave of her comfort to him. She did not know how long they sat like that before Ignis stood, offering her a hand up as well. When she, too, was on her feet, Ignis took a deep breath.
"I am going back to my Master."
"Ignis no!" Anya gasped in horror.
He gave her a pained look. "I don't have a choice, Anya."
She took his hand, though her own was trembling now. "But you're walking willingly to your fate."
Ignis closed his eyes. "I know," he whispered. Then his eyes sprang open, and Anya saw a new fire there. "But I cannot... no, I will not take a baby to my master, knowing what she will do to him."
Anya swallowed.
"In the end, I made the right choice with Kodai at least." Ignis told Anya, shifting his hand so that their fingers intertwined. "I hope you can be proud of me for making a good choice for once."
Anya nodded. "You know that I am. But I'm also afraid for you."
Ignis flinched. "I'm frightened too."
Anya stepped closer. "Run away with me. We can find a way to get that blasted thing out of your head!"
Ignis' eyes widened. "If I try to run, my master would just activate me anyway, and I would still lose. But worst of all, I would be near you! I will not let that happen!" Ignis took her other hand now, and looked Anya in the eye. "I would gladly sacrifice myself to protect you. I will face my fate with dignity: something my master will never understand."
Anya was the one who began to cry now. "But you won't be you anymore."
Ignis leaned his forehead against hers. "Then it will be up to you to remember me. Please don't forget me, Anya. And try to remember some of the good I managed to do."
Anya shook her head. "I could never forget you, Rahvin. But I don't want to lose you! If you go... I will probably never see you again!"
Ignis swallowed, trying hard to be strong for them both. "We both knew this day was coming."
He sensed in the Force that time was running out, and he began to pull away. "I have to go."
Anya took a deep breath, struggling to remain in control. But as she felt Ignis' fingers slipping from her own, there was such a sense of finality that it terrified her.
Anya watched Ignis pick up his satchel and pause to breathe deeply. And as he turned toward the door, Anya knew in that moment that if she didn't say it now, she may never get the chance again.
"Rahvin, I love you!"
He froze with his hand to the door, his shoulders shaking slightly as he fought to maintain control. His head bowed... and then he turned, dropped his bag and strode over to Anya.
In the next moment, Ignis' lips were upon hers, his kiss both tender and needful all at once. Anya's mind exploded, and her heart spilled over. Wrapping her arms around him, Anya returned Ignis' kiss.
He made a sound, and Anya felt something wet against her face. Confused, Anya pulled back... and saw that he was weeping once more.
"I love you too, Anya." His voice cracked with emotion, and his chest hitched.
Then, before he could change his mind, Ignis snatched up his bag and swept through the door.
Anya stood rooted to the spot for long seconds before she found herself running after him. She knew it was useless, that Ignis would not let her find or catch him, but she was determined to try. She raced through the Temple and flew out the front doors, scanning the area wildly. It was getting later, and the light was dimmer now, but Anya still gave it her all.
She looked everywhere, even running to the taxi area, but to no avail. Ignis had vanished into thin air like he had been trained to do. But though she could not see him, she knew he might still be able to hear her.
"IGNIS!" she screamed, ignoring the looks she was getting from passerby.
When he remained absent as she had expected, Anya walked slowly back to her room. Once inside, she stared at nothing, the memory of Ignis' lips upon hers still fresh in her mind.
Then her control shattered, and she collapsed to the floor, sobbing out mighty heaves... but having no one to comfort her in turn.
00000
Ignis indeed heard Anya calling for him, and with a heart that was breaking further than it already was, Ignis walked onward. Even so, his tears grew heavy again. But he didn't get the chance to stop, because he felt Luke honing in on him again.
That was one goodbye Ignis was not prepared for, so he went in to full-out acolyte mode. Ignis passed a speeder not being used and he hotwired it, flying himself as far from the Temple as possible, as quickly as he could. Ignis then passed a private docking platform on the outside of an apartment, and saw upon it a tiny ship that would fit one person.
Ignis landed his speeder out of immediate view of anyone who might be inside, and inspected the tiny craft. It was about the size of an X-wing, but it was shaped more like a teardrop. Ignis drew on the Force to override the locks, and then he was climbing inside, donning the helmet and working to start up the ship.
Ignis got the ship in the air and made for space, not seeing it when Luke found his borrowed speeder and saw Ignis leaving Coruscant.
00000
"Ignis..." Luke whispered, and for reasons he did not entirely understand, his heart broke a little. Overwhelmed, Luke couldn't help but sit on the edge of the balcony Ignis had just departed from.
Finally, Luke allowed his tears to fall, his gaze not leaving the point of the darkening sky that Ignis' craft had disappeared into.