Make sure to read the YJK Summary...it will help to understand the timing and pacing of this story as well as the YJK POV changes.
Post 3
JediTemple
Coruscant
"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Luke looked over his desk at his twin, gauging her emotions through the Force.
Confident now that this was her path Leia nodded. "It is time. I want to see my children while I still can, without having to schedule it between meetings and events. In the past six months the things I've learned about them have come to me from other sources, before I had a chance to see them. "
Luke understood, since in the last few years he had spent more time with his niece and nephews than Leia had. "What they accomplished at Anobis these past few weeks was unexpected. "
His sister nodded, and a feeling of pride washed over both of them. Knowing it was response enough she gestured towards the data pad lying between them on the desk. "So, what do you think?"
Glancing down, Luke toggled a few keys before passing it over. "It's good Leia, very good. There are a few things I thought were unclear, but you have always been a good writer, and public speaker, so there wasn't much I could find fault with." He paused, "Thank you for that section about Father."
Grasping his hand Leia squeezed. "He is a part of my life, a part of our life. I felt it was only right…" They lapsed into a comfortable silence.
Leia stood up, preparing to leave. "Thank you Luke, I know you needed to get back."
He smiled, "Without Mara, I like to keep myself busy. Lately she's been having more adventures than me. But I always have time to see my sister, especially when I usually have to make an appointment just to have lunch with her."
A level of amusement passed across her face. "You know, Luke Skywalker, I practically had to make an appointment to see you. What with all the Jedi that were standing outside waiting to be seen. Han told me Kyp and Streen were leaving this afternoon for another mission. I think that you've finally followed Mon Mothma's advice and expanded your talents into a completely new sphere of influence…"
Luke raised his hands as if blocking her words. "No, please, don't say it. "
"You've turned into a diplomat." She grinned, "She'll be happy to hear it when I see her on Chandrila."
The Jedi Master shook his head, not entirely chagrined. "As much as I would like to deny it, I have. " He stood up and examined his sister's face, nearing fifty with some gray and some small wrinkles around her eyes, knowing that his reflection was almost a matching image.
"We have come a long way, and who would have thought that we would be standing here, I with the Jedi Order thriving, and you about to step down from your role as-"
Leia shushed him, "Shhh. There are ears everywhere."
Luke's expression turned wary. "Leia, I would know if this area was bugged. You really are determined to keep this quiet aren't you?"
She shrugged. "There's no need sending the government into a panic before I leave. You know how paranoid the bureaucrats are, and it never hurts to be too careful." There was a slight hesitation before she continued, "Besides, I'm certain that the honorable Bothan Senator has something up his sleeve, and I do not want to give him any more ammunition than I have already given him"
Luke blinked, "The Duros shipping incident?"
She nodded, "I do not know how he managed to twist my words from the meeting, but it is enough that were I looking for reelection, I could have some hard questions coming my way." Musing, her voice turned sarcastic, "Imagine, I want a closed, anonymous vote on a shipping bill because I am trying to provide shelter for my proponents. Trying to hide my underhanded scheming tactics. "
More rueful now Leia smiled, "The most important thing for me at this juncture is to make sure that my decision looks like it was my decision, not an idea that was forced on me because I was intimidated by a nasty Bothan. I know one never really leaves politics, and I want to still have whatever support I need if it becomes necessary." There was a certain amount of earnestness in her voice, marked by a tinge of annoyance which she quickly banished as she continued.
"Which brings me to my second request, which I almost forgot." She pulled her lightsaber out from under the slim mid-thigh jacket she was wearing. "Once this is all finished I want to brush up on my training, maybe spar with your wife a little."
She could feel Luke's presence dampen a little, his shields covering most of his worry, and watched as he came around his desk to stand next to her.
He sighed, "I'm not sure when Mara will be back."
Leia squeezed his arm in sympathy, "That's all right, but when she does, show her the speech. I want to know her thoughts on the matter." She caught sight of the chrono on the wall. "Times up, I have to go talk with a Kuar senator about mining licenses."
Shrugging she hugged him and made her way towards the door. "Luke, I want you to know that…well…thank you. Have a good trip back, give my children my love."
"May the Force be With You, Leia." Luke sent her a farewell through the Force.
She turned around, her smile bright, "And you Luke, and you."
xxxxxx
Thyferra
Give it time.
Cynically laughing at her words from two weeks ago, Keladry fumed as she walked towards the doctor's lounge. Just steps away from the door she felt her spirits brighten as her nose smelled the fresh pot of caf waiting for her. This had been two of the most trying weeks of her life.
Tristan Romani was by far the worst patient she had ever had to care for. He thought of nothing but his departure from the med center, which ordinarily Keladry would admire for its sheer perseverance and stubbornness. Unfortunately, combined with his sullen moods which held a subtext of white-hot anger, his behavior was unconscionable. He would hassle everyone from the bacta tech, to the nurses, with never a thank-you or a kind word for their part in saving his life. Together with his outward pride and arrogance, it was a combination that was less than appealing.
She had other patients with one or even two of the described characteristics, but he was just so…disagreeable, that after her second visit with him, she just dreaded her morning rounds, always leaving him for last. To be honest, they were letting him go early, with the caveat that Nestor bring him in for out-patient consultations. The doctor in her wondered just how this man was ever allowed to treat patients, while the civilized being in her pitied Nestor and wondered how this man- cousin, or not, could sit there day in and day out as this proud human railed against his every word.
"Dr. Stanton!" She hesitated and eyed the door covertly, wondering if she could ignore the summons for a minute, but found herself, by habit, turning, all smiles, toward the speaker.
"Yes, Illghazi?"
"Menin Lyrian is back. This time he swears that it was an accidental blaster discharge that caused the burns. Do you want me to admit him? "
Menin Lyrian, She grimaced. He was one of the regulars, the one who somehow managed to burn himself every week, like clockwork. So far all of them had been minor, but she was sure that his extracurricular activities were going to send him here for a far more serious injury in due course. Send him up to the burn ward and tell them to give him a small taste of the tank, because unless he changes his free time hobbies we cannot waste anymore bacta on him, especially someone who enjoys being stunned for fun." Ridiculous!
The tech smiled. "So give him some bacta patches?"
Sighing, "Yes, but minimal pain killers, numbing the pain is not going to teach him anything, plus we don't want to give him an addiction." There was a movement from the corner of her eye, and she could smell the flowers before she saw them.
Struggling to keep her voice upbeat she looked at the delivery man who she now knew by name. "J'nal, how nice to see you. Please tell me those aren't for me."
He nodded. "Yep, and the boss told me to tell you that they're working on it."
"Thank him for me." They had been working on it for the past year and a half. Something in her face must have betrayed her, and J'nal gave her a sympathetic look.
"Don't worry, just imagine that I sent the flowers to you."
Kel could not help but smile, "I wish." Waving good bye she turned back and almost made it to the door when she heard her name being called. Turning, the expression on her face was pained. "What does a doctor have to do around here to get some decent caf in the morning…"
It was Illghazi again. "Sorry, uh..I have the usual request from Mr.Romani. He would like to know..."
"...when the recalcitrant, waste of existence doctor will let him leave the hospital?" Every two hours, as if he did not already know the answer...Who's he calling stubborn! Irritated with herself for letting him get to her, Keladry winced. "...and as usual my reply is…when I"
"...say so." he finished for her, thanked her and walked slowly away. Watching him Kel groaned to herself. If she had her way she would have let Illghazi tell Tristan Romani the news. She would prefer to not see him ever again...but then what type of doctor would she be? It was her duty, and she would see it through.
As Keladry finally made her way through the door, flowers in hand, she realized that the rich aroma of caf was punctuated by the sweet smell of freshly baked goods. Bounding through the door her hand with the flowers dropped to her side, momentarily forgotten, before she started giggling.
"I am going to miss every single one of you," she squealed, trying not to sound like a teenager. Behind her Illghazi slipped through the door. "Remind me again why I'm leaving all of you for endless deserts and rainless nights?"
All of you was of course, her friends, and coworkers at Xucphera. She hugged Minali first, a short Corellian nurse whose hair, which was highlighted green this cycle, accentuated the newly painted Gundark tattoo on her collerbone. Next, Natir and Illghazi the married couple who chose to have the same shift so that they could always sleep in the same bed together. Both were even tempered Rodians, Natir with amazing eyes, that lit up anytime she learned something new, while Illghazi always made Keladry's day a little better just by smiling at her.
On the far side of the wall was Dr. Ignace, a somber male whose moods varied based on the news of the day; if his wife had agreed to move to Xcuphera he was happy, excited, but when he was somber, like today, the entire staff understood that she had once again, made her excuses.
Minali grinned. "I know how you like fresh Bieman's goods in the morning, we've noticed how stressed you've been so you'll have fresh caf and your favorites until you leave. We even got you a special cake…because Natir let the news slip that your favorite patient would be leaving us today." She watched as Illghazi lit the candles and then propped open the door to let the air circulate as the lounge fire sensors often malfunctioned.
Keladry's smile blew away, and she absently watched the people pass by. "Yes, thank the Force he will be. " Patting her friend's shoulder she shrugged, "but then again, I will be gone soon to."
"Not for long, just for a year or two, and we can always come visit."
Natir came over with her often amused, and chuckling voice, and handed her a cup of caf. "Yes, and in a few weeks time we shall be welcoming the newest member of the New Republic Emergency Medical Aide Team." She looked down at the flowers in Keladry's hands, and whistled, "Oooh, you got another message from your friend? I wonder does he know you will soon be leaving and that your love shall never be, or do you think he will reveal himself?"
"Whoa, Whoa!" Mina, as she was often called, raised her palms. "Stop the rapid fire! " Just as interested, she turned towards Keladry, "So, Kel, what do you think? Any more clues?"
She struggled to keep her spirits upbeat, taking a sip of her caf, feeling better the minute it washed down her throat. "No nothing new, but the flowers are welcome." Welcome to stop coming, she amended bitterly. The only people who knew about the new tone these messages and presents had taken was the delivery company, and the local security detail that had been working for a year and half to catch her stalker. For a while he had dropped off, disappeared, before beginning again recently, and Keladry Stanton hoped that her new job with the NREMAT would stop them entirely. The feeling of insecurity did, after all, have a large influence on her decision to leave Thyferra.
Consequently, in order to keep her friends from hovering, to allow him to have his sense of security, he was a secret admirer, one too shy to reveal himself. All of this because she refused to allow people to worry about her-this guy had already toyed with her emotions and there was no use in allowing him to mess with her loved ones.
When her chrono beeped, reminding her of the time, Keladry gulped down her caf, and tossed it into the trash receptacle. "I'll be back for the cake, I love you guys. Now I have to go inform a sorry excuse for a human being that he can finally leave this hospital, making us all enjoy life a little more."
As she stepped out of the room she glanced down the hallway and froze, recognizing the slow, retreating back of Nestor Alluvia a few feet away. From the way his back was hunched over, she knew, without a doubt, that he had heard her words just now.
As if my day could get any worse.She felt bad that Nestor had overheard, but he had to know after being around the hospital for over a month how the staff felt, especially when someone spent most of his time here. Despite her brave words she now felt a feeling of disquiet and took the slower, longer way to Mr. Romani's room, taking time in the cafeteria to pick up some water and check in with other patients along the way.
As had occurred, many, many times before she could hear the irate man's voice before she reached the door. Instead of ignoring him or waiting for him to complete his yelling, she stood outside and listened, feeling a tinge of apprehension at eavesdropping.
"You let him get away. You should have followed him, found out where he was before he could get off planet. Do Something. I obviously can't having been confined to this prison by that useless excuse for a doctor. I had the same training and I know that I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I worked in this hospital, for sith's sake, and either procedure has changed or that greedy, harpy…"
Surprised, Keladry moved closer, careful not to make a sound.
As always, Nestor's calmer voice intervened before his cousin could go further, completely aware, unlike Mr. Romani whose rage created blinders, that their words could be heard beyond the confines of the room. "Doctor. I am here for your protection, and only when you are ready to walk out this door, will I leave. To leave without you, not knowing whether you had lived or died would have been a scar on your wife's memory, a slight against my duty. Your High-"
"DO NOT CALL ME THAT. " Tristan roared.
From where she stood, the silence was burning, smoldering and even she could feel the flames.
After what seemed like long time, Nestor inhaled. "Look at yourself, Tristan Romani. Look at yourself. What would Elbereth think? When you are calm enough to understand what I am about to say to you, you will understand why I allowed you the time to heal." He didn't want to tell him what he had discovered yesterday, but he knew that it was the only way to convince Tristan that finding Iker was no longer their number one priority.
"Tristan, we have no money.
I have enough funds from before…which shall cover your bills and the berth for our ship, but not enough to send us on a wild chase across known and unknown space without information or clues. We are stuck on Thyferra, unless some miracle happens. Our money is gone, they have frozen the accounts, probably because the state needs it more, or perhaps because Esperenza and Arran have kept your survival a secret from the populace.
Whatever we do next, cannot be because of your quest. We will get him, if it takes us the rest of our lives to do it, but first we have to take care of ourselves. "
She strained her ears, trying to hear his words that were barely above a whisper.
"It is more important that we survive."
There was some shuffling, and then a reply that came from Tristan, half strangled half unfeeling. "Do. Not. Ever. Say. Her. Name. Again."
She heard Nestor respond, but it was quieter than the rest of the conversation. Keladry thought he said "as you wish," but before she could run the words through her mind his voice rose, clearer, directed towards the open doorway.
"Dr. Stanton." She jumped, her face afire at being caught. "Please come in and tell the doctor what he has been waiting to hear."
xxxxxx
Danshitie
Isabelita stood next to her husband, noting the tenseness in his jaw, the set way he stood as he searched the sky warily. She placed her palm on his forearm and squeezed lightly, whispering reassurance. "She's Jedi. She will help us."
He turned, taking in the crease in her forehead, the lines around her lids, his blue eyes shifting to pale violet as it did when he was thinking. He slowly chose his words, "I only worry about you. About how you have your Da's love for this planet, and have taught me to have pride in my heritage and tradition, to fight to make it stronger.
"I do not want you to get hurt."
At the thought of her adopted father Isabelita faltered, and absently she noticed the small ship skimming over the horizon. "I…I haven't heard from him since he left. I don't think I shall ever see him again."
Placing his arms on her shoulder, he stooped slightly so that he could look at her face to face. "You will see him. If I know Nestor Alluvia at all, he will not be able to stay away from the Al'lorian's for long. He knows his duty, but as soon as it is able, he will return." His thumb softly wiped away a tear that trailed down her face, ignoring the growing hum of an approaching vessel. "His heart his here, with the little girl he took in upon the death of your parents, here with his grandchild."
At the thought of their son Isabilita's heart grew warm. "I'm glad he was able to see Alden before…" She stopped as the noise from the landing Jedi's ship grew too loud for her to continue. After a few moments, she watched as Jedi Master Mara Jade Skywalker walked slowly down the ramp. It had taken more time than expected, but it appeared that the Jedi Master had been able to slip away from Sian Arran and Koi Esperenza's official representatives. It was imperative that this was kept quiet.
Stepping forward, she bowed to the Jedi in welcome. "Jedi Master Mara Jade Skywalker, thank you for coming. May I introduce my husband, Iralian Faience. "
Mara took a glance at the young man standing next to her contact and then looked closer. In his features she recognized the late Bran Morodin, but less hard and more sane. As he blinked, she was aware that where the younger Morodin, Illian, had eyes that were crystal blue in disgrace, this gentleman's iris's held some of the violet mark of the Morodin.
She glanced at her host questioningly, as far as she had been told, the Morodin family was entirely erased, Elbereth had been the last. "You have Morodin blood." It came out a statement.
Nodding, "My grandmother was the second, but not completely legitimate daughter of Elder Morodin, Elbereth's grandfather."
Mara took in the two of them and spoke quickly. "I was promised a few days, a week maximum to visit around the planet alone. I'm not sure if they will wait that long."
Iralian looked concerned. "Were you followed."
Her smile was feral, not entirely lacking in condescension but holding absolute certainty. "No, I was not."
Isabilita reached for her arm and guided her towards a waiting speeder. "Come. The others are waiting."
xxxxxx
They arrived at a small home, shingled like the Morodin palace, with rose stucco and neat green trim. Inside sat a small group of people, and as Isabelita walked into one of the two back rooms Iralian took the time to introduce Mara to the others. Two were former members of Tristan and Elbereth's Honor guard, individuals who Mara vaguely recognized as being a part of the insurgency against Bran Morodin.
The third member was a surprise. A Bith, he was dressed in official regal robes clasped by a special filigreed pin that she had heard Luke describe to her. "You are a New Republic Observer. "
He nodded. "Yes. But, as you are, I am an impartial witness to the changes occurring in this system."
Mara, sure he also worked for Arien Cracken, nodded. "As am I. Later, we shall talk of a mutual friend I believe we have. Hopefully you can share what you know." Before he could answer, Isabilita walked back in rocking a small half-sleeping child.
Iralian stared proudly, as most new fathers do, at the sleeping baby, "And this is our son, Alden"
Isabelita looked apologetic, "He has not been sleeping well, and he likes to hear me talk. So if you don't mind, I'd like to keep him here while I fill in Master Jade-Skywalker."
Mara noticed how all the men in the room deferred to her guidance, and Mara realized that Isablita was in fact the leader of this cell.
She began, softly at first, weaving together strands of time, explaining how the clan of the Morodin came to be. She recounted the mythology of the mark of the Morodin, how their ancestor clan, the Moror walked into the elusive jungle cave of the Al'lorians where a viable ecosystem existed exclusively from the rest of Danshitie. They had come hoping to find a way to achieve dominance, and the youngest of them Din'sal had led them to victory. "Din'sal, is the mother of the Morodin. She is the one who refused to sit and wait for the mystical glow rock to reveal its powers. Instead, while the rest of the clan slept, she unwrapped her bandaged hands, cut through the jungle hike, and placed them on either side of this object with the endless fascination of a child. For days afterward she was near death, and her parents promised their lives to the glowing rock if she survived." Isabelita brushed her hand against her son's head, perhaps understanding more so, Din'sal's parents motivation. She glanced at her husband who gave her a nod of encouragement before continuing.
"When she awoke from the fever, her eyes were the brilliant violet which has been passed down from generation to generation, placing the Morodin in charge of this world, and indefinitely indebted to the events of that cave. Her eyes spoke of knowledge that no other clan on Danshitie could claim, forever distinguishing us from them."
At this point she turned to face Mara directly, "The Morodin and the Romani have not always been at war. The reasons have long since disappeared, leaving behind the animosity bred in an endless cycle for over ten generations. What I know is that the Romani came to power in Valdet by natural grace. They were considered the wisest, the most knowledgeable, able to predict the next season's crop yield and were able to help sustain their life-blood. As with the Morodin their place in society became deeply rooted in tradition, making change difficult, and the assimilation of the outside world next to impossible.
When we," she gestured to her husband and the two men in front of her, "along with my Da founded the Resistance against Bran, it was because we recognized that the cycle of violence had to end, but we had to find a way to use tradition to our advantage, without latching on to the manipulated anti-Valdet version propagated by Bran and his father. Tradition was the key. "
She took a deep breath and Mara could sense the tingle of excitement and electricity flowing between the natives at the table. "We believe that there was a point in time when the Romani and Morodin were related, that somewhere in these mountains is evidence that the two peoples came of one overclan separated by some outer turmoil. Elbereth knew of this project, keeping it from Tristan until we had solid proof. She spoke often of how he did not feel to be a legitimate ruler of even his own planet having been pushed into the seat of Valdet by fate. In our initial ventures, our aim was to find the evidence to end the feud, but now with the death of Elbereth, we hope to use the evidence to remove Sian and Koi, to bring our planets back on their rightful path away from isolation."
Before she could continue, Mara spoke, "Why can't you trust Citizen Representative Arran and Esperenza? They seem to be holding things together right now."
Iralian snorted, "Those two are followers. Sian is weak, unable to make a strong decision without knowing his political position is strong, and Koi, well, she is involved in projects to discredit the Morodin, projects that undermine the entire cultural basis for our society. If she succeeds, our underlying stability, the one that ties Danshitie together, shall collapse on itself. If that happens, there shall be no going back. "
Isabelita winced, adjusting the baby in her arms before explaining. "For the last four years, Koi Esperenza has been experimenting, trying to recreate the mark of the Morodin on ordinary citizens. Bodies have been found in experimental labs of individuals who died with the mark, bearing the telltale signs of poisoning, overexposure to the same chemical that is suspected to now reside naturally in Morodin blood.
Scientifically it takes the Morodin down from their pedestal. Culturally, it would devastate us. We want to have the Morodin and the Romani back in power, and then willingly open elections to all. My Da forced Esperenza and Arran to back down from their standoff, and was able to send me some basic information before he and Tristan disappeared, "
Mara interrupted. "Wait, you know Tristan is alive? I was under the impression that Sian and Koi were keeping that information to themselves. The common populace believed he had died in the explosion, and that the funds from his private accounts were being used to rebuild the Romani estate as per his will."
Isabelita nodded. "I disagree with their decision, since the rationale is to prevent the people from becoming divided on legitimacy. From Da's short message, Tristan was insistent on leaving, and as my father is, with the exception of these two, the last of the Morodin honor guard it was his duty to protect him. He left to keep Tristan safe, leaving Iralian and I in charge of completing our objectives." She paused for a moment her voice growing husky," Before he left… he told me of Iker Rafagr's survival and Elbereth's death." There was a hint of deep sorrow, and for a moment she was quiet, leaning over to kiss her child's small forehead. Iralian laid his palm on her shoulder, his quiet concern evident in his eyes.
Danel, the shorter, stockier guard spoke while Isabelita composed herself. "If we find the evidence, not only can we find that small common connection to tie the two bitter communities together, but also create a more democratic system, without having to deal with an opposing entrenched tradition. What we find will be part of it already, just another missing piece of a larger puzzle"
Mara nodded slowly, understanding that they wanted to integrate new ideas and thoughts into the populace without having a full scale clash with tradition, especially since the entire populace of both worlds was struggling with the last two drastic changes in their government. "Why do you need me?"
At this point the second guard, Rian, his deep voice booming, jumped in. "The cave where we believe the evidence is, the cave where everything began, is filled with micani, the chemical that Koi Esperenza believes is the source of the Mark. Based on the results of Koi's experimentation, it has become apparent that none of us can touch the algae without almost certain death." He hung his head slightly sheepish, but confident " We have all heard the old Jedi stories, where not only is sickness rare but have remarkable self-healing properties…" He trailed of as he saw the gleam in the Jedi woman's eyes.
She could feel the paths diverging, the choices, her choices-and it was clear, implicit. One, she could stay and help the Citizen Representatives, whose own decisions so far had been hesitant, indecisive, and as she had told Citizen Representative Esperenza earlier in her visit, they had to be the one to make the crucial moves, but she knew that under their guidance this system would remain, forever, in limbo. Her other choice could bring considerable harm to her own body, and as with any mission be the site of her death.
She knew what it meant to be a Jedi, to be in the service of the Force, and she knew that her place on this tumbled path was more than being merely a diplomat. This had to be the next step, the right step.
Standing, she removed the tie of her cloak and placed it lightly on the back of her chair. "Where is this cave?"
Iralian led her to the window and pointed, where in the growing stillness before dusk, the Al'lorian mountains beckoned, her rose-haze arms soothing her children to bed.
Mara followed his finger and as she stood looking out at the mountain range, breathing in the high sweet air, she knew the worst was yet to come.
xxxxxx
Thyferra
"Bay two is open, bay two is open."
"Shh sweetheart…"
"My arm! Why can't I get help, my arm!"
All around him people were in pain. He was in pain. Every breath, every thought, every move he made ached with the knowledge of his inability to act. Tristan watched Nestor as he retrieved the discharge papers, trying not to listen to the noise and fear of the others in the emergency room.
We have no money. The shock of those words still ran Tristan's blood cold, his anger that had fueled him for the last few weeks as he lay in the hospital bed screaming, brow beating and fighting for release had suddenly dissipated. It had not disappeared, but had been pushed to a low simmer, replaced with a sudden knowledge that there was no choice but to leave this need for vengeance unfulfilled. The last few hours had been especially rough, and he had been unable to look at Dr. Stanton as she told him that he was to be released.
It is more important that we survive. With those words, in that moment, Tristan saw himself as he had been in the last few weeks, angry, selfish and the patient of every doctor's nightmare. His blinding-anger had hidden his behavior, masking Tristan's true character. He was ashamed, and well aware that his child like behavior was inexcusable. He felt sick.
"Sweetheart, shh..It'll be all right, the doctor's will help you." That quiet statement was followed by a soft whimper of intense pain. The door to the emergency ward swung open the soft whirring of the hover motors being masked by the screaming of two elderly women following the stretcher.
There was too much noise, too many people, but in a distinct change from two weeks ago Tristan found himself listening, taking in the emergency ward where he had worked so very long ago. Slowly, shifting in the cool metal seat Tristan raised his head from where he had been staring through the rancid tile floor. He adjusted the elevation of his leg, checking to make sure the crutch was still beside him before he focused on the source of the whimper. A little boy, no more than four with russet hair and long lashes sat across from him, next to a middle aged woman who slowly smoothed the boy's hair in an obvious effort to soothe him. On an immediate glance, and it had been a long time since Tristan had looked at any being from a medical standpoint, there appeared to be nothing overtly wrong with the boy. Closer inspection caused Tristan to draw in his breath.
The boy's skin was tinted green and his breathing labored. Through the thin t-shirt he wore, damp from the planet's rain-forest humidity, Tristan could see ribs expanding and contracting as the child tried to force air into his lungs. Every exhalation of air, was accompanied by a whimper, some louder than others.
Concerned, Tristan unconsciously leaned forward in the chair, unaware that his expression was transforming into the interrogating doctor expression. Eyes open and clear, though the troubled storm still brewed beneath the surface, and his mouth slack, betraying no emotion so that he appeared in control. "Ma'm, can I ask what is wrong with your child?"
She looked at him sharply, eyes flashing. "We don't know. That's why he's here."
"What are his symptoms?"
He could tell she was trying to decide whether to talk to him, and slowly, suspiciously she began a short narration. "Three days ago he spiked a fever, which was quickly followed the next morning with this strange coloration. The doctor had given him androixl, a drug which he said had some bizarre side effects, so we assumed it was from that.
Then the wheezing started, so I rushed to this facility only to find out that I had to wait until it was our turn. That was two hours ago!" Her voice was turning hysterical drawing some attention.
Tristan looked at the boy again, noting the blue tinting around his lips. "Son, can you walk over here for a moment."
The child nodded and at a speed one would only see in an ancient pod racer he limped across the aisle.
Tristan pulled down the child's eyelids, while simultaneously gauging the height of the fever. He was unconsciously aware that he was being watched with some curiosity. "What's your name?"
"H…H…Hajshi." He wheezed.
"Hajshi, would it be alright if I checked your pulse?" The child nodded, and Tristan lifted the frail wrist, wincing at the slow beat of the heart.
Tristan looked at the mother again. "Do you live near a plant, a factory, or anything?"
The woman pursed her lips. "We live near the munitions factory."
"Has anyone else on your floor been getting sick?"
"We live on the ground, the only flat."
Ground water is getting in somehow. But why is the boy sick and not the mother?
Tristan let the boy sit back down and tentatively stood up on his foot. He hopped a few inches, and picked up the crutch moving towards the admit desk. Nestor looked at him curiously as he approached.
"Do you need something?"
He shook his head, pushing down his mounting apprehension. "Nurse. There's a young boy in the waiting area, I think he needs immediate medical attention. "
She looked at him, frowning. "They'll get to him when they can. Don't worry."
Vehemently he continued, forgetting that he had no jurisdiction in this place. "Nurse.." he examined her name tag "Flind…he needs medical attention, now. He appears to be in phase two pneumonia with ground water poisoning that is causing a tinting of the detritus. He is symptomatic of chronic asthma and asphyxiama. His lips are already at a 3... " He opened his mouth to say more, but became confused as the woman's face expressed relief, an expression that was understood when someone forcefully grabbed his shoulder.
xxxxxx
Dr. Keladry Stanton could not get the afternoon's events out of her mind. After Nestor had asked her to come in to inform Tristan of his discharge, she had been hesitant, knowing that she had just been caught eavesdropping. As she delivered the news, she could not help but be surprised when it was received without pomp. Instead she could tell that some switch had been flicked, for there was no evidence of his former hostility, merely the all too familiar onset of depression and defeat.
As she approached the admit desk in the nearly full emergency bay, she struggled to smile at the Aldivy receptionist, "Nurse Morl, I'm on my way out, is there anything you would like me to do?"
The chipper woman shook her head. "I think that you just need to sign the discharge form for that gentleman over there and you can be on your way. She gestured towards Tristan Romani who sat with his leg elevated in the waiting area, his blank eyes staring through the floor, shoulders slumped. "When is your last day?"
Keladry placed the flowers from earlier on the desk, turning the screen of an available datastation, and punching her code to enter the system. "Late next week. I'm nearly done placing my belongings into storage, and then I'm off to Tatooine." Pausing, she used her free hand, the one not entering codes, toward the woman to push the flowers forward. "Here, take these. Since all of my things have been stored, I have nothing to put them in, and I really do not want to see them shrivel up in this heat. At least they'll make this dismal place a little brighter."
The nurse grinned sarcastically. "Brighter? When the sun goes nova..." she trailed off, frowning behind Keladry, "Now what is he doing…?"
Keladry turned and watched as Tristan Romani rose from his seat and made his way to the admit desk, his face tense and ready to explode. As he spoke to the other admit nurse, Keladry could not make out the words, but through expression and volume she could tell he was yelling at her for no reason.
He's about to leave and he has the insensitivity to yell in the emergency bay? Something in her snapped, and she turned from her corner, unaware of her bag clattering to the floor.
"…at a 3."
Was all she heard him say before she roughly turned him from the desk, aware of the sigh of relief from a receptionist who she recognized as having one of the worst shifts in the hospital. Keeping her voice low, she gave Nestor an apologetic look before angrily whispering. "What do you think you're doing? You have your discharge, there is really nothing more we can do to make you happy." She ignored the surprised look on his face and continued, drawing on all the pent up frustration in her life. "Please, don't harass any more hard working individuals at this hospital. I have put up with too much from you, and when you come back for your outpatient visits, at least before I leave, I expect a level of decorum that I'm sure you learned from whatever back-town world you received your medical degree from." Taking the short steps back to her abandoned data station, she manually entered her seal and swung it back to the quiet admit nurse, reaching down to grab the bag she had left behind. In a few quick strides she was back to where Tristan and Nestor remained standing, one with muscles tense, the other in a guarded almost protective position. She gestured towards the door, "Just leave, now."
She watched him open his mouth, expecting the same sort of verbal abuse that she had become used to in his presence, and for one distinct moment their eyes met. Keladry Stanton was struck by the immense change in his features. His face was dull, lacking in angry animation, and his eyes…his eyes look like they've come from a corpse. As she waited, almost anxiously for him to say something, his shoulder jerked, as if something had caused him pain. At the same moment both doctor's looked down to see a little boy tugging at the edge of Tristan's pants. Keladry could tell instantly this boy was not only seriously underweight but at a level 3 in asphyxiama. She watched as the child swayed and automatically reached an arm to steady him. She sent a sharp glance to the nurse silently requesting a stretcher.
When she turned back to the pair, she was startled to find Tristan Romani on his knees, grasping the small hands in his larger calloused ones. "What is it Hajshi?" His voice was soothing, friendly.
"C..Can..you..help..me?" His legs began to buckle, and Keladry found herself gently pushing Tristan out of the way to pick up the limp child, whose his head lolled. Her voice was, terse, low as she straightened up to walk towards the medical bay. "I need a crash cart and some oxygen. Now." It was only when she took a step that she realized the young Hajishi still gripped Tristan Romani's fingers as a lifeline. Her thoughts raced as she decided what to do. I can't get Tristan through to the medbay, but we don't have time… Gently she laid the child onto the concrete floor, and ignoring the sudden voice of his distraught mother began to check for the child's pressure.
Forgetting that Tristan was not a member of the emergency team, she shot off questions "What did you find?"
Automatically he answered, "Phase two Pneumo, with intense dying of the det, and 3 asphyxia. Mother says drugged with a retno-infuse called androixl, and the wheezing started soon after. Diagnosis, severe poisoning from the munitions plant next to the building with complications from the androixl." With his free hand he passed her the portable oxygen that Nestor handed him from the nurse.
"His pupils are bloodshot, and his pulse is fluttering." Keladry attached the oxygen mask on the boys face, and watched the color slowly come back to his face. It was still too slow, and she couldn't do anything to help unless they were in a bay. Keladry glanced around and spotted the stretcher, and after a sharp tug, and without hesitation, she yanked Tristan's fingers from the tight grasp and placed Hajshi on the stretcher, wheeling him towards the open station. Gesturing towards hospital personnel, she did not even bother to look back.
At the sudden abandonment, Nestor looked down at the doctor, whose face now reflected a minutia of emotion-stunned sorrow. "Let's go home," He picked up Dr. Stanton's bag and handed it to the other off-duty nurse for safe keeping, and pulled Tristan to his feet. At first he took a few steps towards the bay, but was stopped by Nestor's firm hand. "You've done all you can. Let the doctor's do what they had been hired to do. We have our own problems."
xxxxxx
I am not sure why I left without asking them to wait. I was frustrated angry at myself, angry at my stalker, angry at Tristan and Nestor. I was becoming the pessimist I had hoped never to become. For the first time I appreciated that Tristan was a doctor. His diagnosis saved that young boy's life, and suddenly I found myself holding a sliver of respect for what he had done.
I wasn't sure what to do with it.
xxxxxx
Yavin
Raynar and Lusa glanced at one another as the silence of the jungle behind them turned to a loud thrashing. Moments before the young Alderaanian and his friend, a Centurian female had been skipping stones at the edge of the river. As they turned he recognized the Force signatures of his fellow Young Jedi Knights: Jaina, Tenel Ka and Lowbacca. He looked up as the group emerged from the Forest.
"Well, well, well. Glad you could make it," he said.
"Hi, Raynar, Lusa," Jaina said, coming to a stop and panting hard.
"Are you all right?" Raynar asked.
"The opportunity to exercise was most welcome," Tenel Ka said.
Lowie and the Wookie's miniaturized translating droid, Em Teedee added their greetings. Lowie combed his long fingers through the dark streak in his windblown fur.
Lusa gave them a measuring look. "Is anything wrong?"
Jaina shrugged uncomfortably, still unable to pinpoint the source of her disturbing feelings. Avoiding her friends' gaze, she took off her flight suit and removed her boots.
Raynar glanced around. "Where are Jacen and Zekk? Didn't they come with you?"
Jaina sighed and waded into the river. Once in the shallows, she dug her toes into the mud and pondered. This, of course was the heart of the problem.
"Our friends Jacen and Zekk opted to assist Anja Gallandro with her lightsaber training." Tenel Ka explained. "She already owns a weapon, but wishes to become more proficient in its use."
Raynar looked disappointed. "Couldn't they have done that later?"
"It was their choice," Tenel Ka said simply. Removing her lizard-hide boots and armor, she plunged into the river water without the slightest hesitation.
"They could have invited Anja along to go swimming with us," Raynar said. "It might have made her feel welcome, more at home."
At last Jaina said what was on her mind. "Anja's been at the Jedi academy for weeks now, and I don't think she'll ever feel at home. I'm not even sure she wants to. I've tried to be friendly and show her around, but most of the time she just ignores me-except when she wants to complain about something. Like the weather: she hates the humidity. Or the food: it's not prepared properly. And our lessons; it's stupid to 'sit around thinking at rocks all day.' Not to mention the entertainment: there's nothing to on Yavin 4."
Lowie rumbled a comment. "Indeed," Em Teedee translated. "Master Lowbacca has also made every effort to befriend Anja Gallandro, but to no avail."
She has not spoken five words to me," Lusa said.
Jaina sighed again. "She seems perfectly happy to spend time with Jacen…and Zekk."
"And they with her," Tenel Ka pointed out. Jaina couldn't tell whether or not she detected a note of jealousy in warrior girl's comment.
Raynar opened his mouth as if he were about to ask something, then seemed to think better of it. He simply said, "Oh." The blond-haired boy looked curiously form Jaina to Tenel Ka for a moment then added, "Well, I hope they know what they're doing." He flushed slightly. " I..I mean, lightsaber practice with someone who isn't really trained in the Force can be pretty dangerous."
Jaina looked up and flashed him one of the lopsided grins for which the Solo's were so famous. "Zekk assured me he was just going to coach. And I don't think we need to worry about my brother. He's fought some of the most ferocious creatures alive with his light saber." She chuckled. "Including Tenel Ka."
"This is a fact,' Tenel Ka said, raising her single hand as if it held the rancor-tooth lightsaber hilt that normally hung at her waist. The warrior girl's other arm had been cut off above the elbow in a lightsaber training accident.
"Now," Jaina continued, "why don't we all swim. That is why we came, isn't it? Anyway, Zekk and Jacen are Jedi. I'm sure they won't let anyone get hurt."
Moments later Jaina kicked her feet, propelling her small frame into deeper water. She knew that Tenel Ka was not far behind her. The heat of the day was enough to push all concerns including her annoyance at Zekk's absence to the side, allowing her to concentrate on the cool water that surrounded her. Staring at the blue sky, her eyes traced the path from the gas planet to the approximate destruction point of the first Death Star. Absently, but contemplatively, and aside from the occasional roll to keep the unsubmerged portion of her body comfortable, her only concentrated effort was to make sure the rivers small current kept her away from the shallow shore where Raynar and Lusa waded, not entirely ready to immerse themselves.
Presently, she spoke, not entirely sure what she was going to say. "Tenel Ka, how often do you see your mother?"
Tenel Ka's reply was muffled, covered slightly by her dripping hair-she had just come up from a self dunk-"My mother is often busy. Court intrigue, and plots keep her…distant."
Jaina sighed, musing for a moment, remembering Tenel Ka's parents from the Young Jedi Knights' trip to Hapes. She recalled the assassination plot that nearly killed them all. "Don't you wish…" Jaina paused, momentarily ashamed.
With a small amount of concern evident in her voice, Tenel Ka prevented Jaina from continuing. "Friend Jaina-is something wrong?" The omission of else,was apparent.
Cautiously, trying to maintain her balance, Jaina turned an met Tenel Ka's inquisitive eyes. "Nothing's wrong, ever since Aunt Mara.. ." She tried to start again, "I just feel like my parents, mom specifically just-well-never had time for us. I," she amended quickly "we, spent most of our childhood in protective bubbles, with Winter on Coruscant, with Winter on Anoth. To some extent I feel like my mother's child has always been the New Republic." She hesitated…not knowing how to express her feelings.
Her red haired friend finished for her. "You feel that her love is from a distance-"
"Yeah"
"I grew up on Dathomir, with my mother's people. While I may have spent a lot of my time on Hapes, Dathomir was where I learned about her life, through the Singing Mountain Clan, not mother. On Hapes, my grandmother dominates our lives, and my mother is stuck in a giant juggling act, always trying not to drop the ball." Tenel Ka's voice became supportive. "Friend Jaina-is this the same reason you were upset when Master Jade-Skywalker left?"
"Maybe, Yes…I don't know why I feel this way…" Her emotions whirling, she gulped in some air before ducking under water to turn some flips. It was only when her lungs felt tight, that she broke through the surface, coming face to face with her friend.
Tenel Ka was paddling with a frown, her lone hand and elbow keeping her adequately balanced.
Jaina grinned at her friend, "I'm sorry, this is dumb."
"Fact" the Hapan Princess' eyes twinkled, and her frown turned over.
"I wonder how Zekk and Jacen are doing?"
"Probably ducking Anja's lightsaber." There was a twitch at Tenel Ka's lips as she delivered the matter of fact answer.
"Helping Anja…" Jaina snorted.
A low urfing from the shore broke into their conversation and both girls turned their head towards Lowbacca who had been prowling the banks, Em Teedee hovering over his shoulder.
"What!" They both exclaimed. Jaina looked around and spotted Raynar and Lusa's heads bobbing towards them. In that short conversation, the girls had traveled far downriver.
He growled a few quick sentences, which merely to be serviceable was quickly translated by the floating ovid droid.
"Master Lowbacca wishes to know if your morose disposition will continue."
Lowie shook his shaggy head. And repeated himself.
"I know that is not what you said, its what you meant!" Like an angry insect, the droid moved around the Wookie's head.
Jaina giggled. "We understood you Lowie." He had already succeeded in relieving her of this slight shadow in her emotions.
Tenel Ka's voice joined hers. "Fact."
Lowie growled unhappily, then made a polite suggestion, his intonation moving too fast for Jaina or Tenel Ka to translate.
Em Teedee moved over the water towards the other two Jedi. "He says that maybe the way you were raised, or rather how you, Master Jacen, Master Anakin, and Mistress Tenel Ka were raised was perhaps not meant to be conventional. Rather, a part of your legacy. No Master Lowbacca, I'm not forgetting to mention that." He had broken off when Lowbacca had urfed something quietly.
Master Streen has been speaking to Master Raynar and Master Lowbacca about the Skywalker's place in the Jedi Order, how your sacrifice as a family has been distance and separation, because you put yourselves, willingly, into a larger realm of accountability and responsibility. "
Listening, Jaina and Tenel Ka heaved themselves out onto the bank, and began to dry off in the hot Yavin sun. Behind them, Lowacca moaned, the growled again.
Taking up his recitation again, Em-Teedee continued. "The same theory applies to Tenel Ka, responsibility-it's a choice that your parents consciously made so that all of you could live in a better galaxy.
In my opinion though I find…"
Lowie snapped the droid off, unclipped the syren fiber and backed away from where his friends were lounging.
Jaina rolled her eyes, letting out a nervous laugh. Responsibility…. All of her thoughts on Lowie's, or rather Master Streen's theory were suddenly banished when a giant furball bounded into the sky over their heads, she could feel the draw of the Force pushing him towards the deeper section of the river.
A sense of apprehension came over her, and both girls yelled out "Lowie," attempting to scramble away, but there simply was not enough time. The Wookie landed in between them, the water leaping into the air, soaking both Tenel Ka and Jaina. Just outside of the splash radius, they could hear Raynar and Lusa laughing at them.
He urfed loudly, resurfacing, then casually began to hum as he paddled away from the bedraggled pair. He grinned toothily, the dark streak plastered to his skull.
Why that little…Simultaneously Jaina and Tenel Ka lunged for the water. Jaina yelled, "You're dead Lowbacca!"
A mere pace in front of her, Tenel Ka added a loud "Fact." before their lithe bodies hit the water.
End Post 3
Credit: Everything in this post I wrote except the italicized portion in the last section. Everything not in italicized is mine, but the rest is from pages 2-5 of Trouble on CloudCity
