The Starphire was a magnificent vessel, and Ellsia had command of it. They had arrived at Malachor two weeks before and she knew in her bones that the end was coming, it would soon be all over. The General had paid them a brief visit before everyone headed for the planet, to the girls dismay she had taken Bao-Dur with her, his skills were needed elsewhere. Caitlyn had been quite impressed at the Zabrak's arm and had changed her plans so he could join her. Ellsia did not want him to leave her after they had spent so little time together but held her tongue.
They had one last goodbye before he left, she did not know when she would see him next.
"I guess this is it," she sighed and forced a smile, she did not look at him.
"But it isn't the end, we will see each other again."
He cupped her chin in his one good hand, forcing her to look at him, it was that look again. He wanted to say something but it seemed he couldn't find the words.
"Take care of yourself," he said at last dropping his hand and nodding.
"That's not what you were going to say," she replied a little disappointed, she wanted him so to say it so that she could say it to but she was too…
Afraid…He smiled, "To be fair, you haven't really said what you want to say either."
She nodded at this, it was a fair assessment.
A young man popped his head into the tent,
"Bao-Dur, the General is leaving now."
He nodded his acknowledgement and grabbed his gear, Ellsia hesitated and put her hand on his arm.
"Be careful my friend, I will see you…after."
He grinned and then as an afterthought bent and hugged her, she was surprised but squeezed him back.
"To remember you by."
Then he was gone and she was left alone to ponder thoughts and feelings.
Revan came to her, Ellsia was so glad to see her that she flung her arms around the woman's neck. Revan smiled and hugged her back, they held on for a long time. Finally the older woman pulled away and took a look at the girl.
"It has been a while my friend," she murmered.
"I'll say," Ellsia replied, her arms on her hips, "Nearly five years Revan."
"I know," she nodded, "And I'm sorry, but there are more important things in the universe."
Ellsia understood this and it was why she had not begged the Iridonian to stay with her.
"The reason I have come, other then to see you, is that I wanted to promote you in person and give you the warship Starphire. I'm so proud of you Ellsia."
Ellsia stared at her in shock,
"Congratulations, Major Trilaut."
Ellsia didn't know what to say, barely nineteen and already she had seen four years of war, been promoted to Captain and Major and now the warship!
Revan smiled, her blue eyes twinkling.
"I'm going to take your stunned silence as a thank you." She sighed, "I'm afraid I haveto leave you now, the war won't wait for us."
The young Jedi just nodded, she was imagining what Bao-Dur's reaction would be when she told him the news. She steeled herself and stood up, it was time.
And now here she was, commanding a small fleet of fighters and her very own warship, she wondered what the General was doing right now, what Bao-Dur was doing…
She didn't have time to wonder long as they approached the warzone, all she could hope was that the two of them would be alright…
Nar Shaddaar
The perfect place to lose yourself, Ellsia new that well. Atton seemed pleased to be back, his first thought was to head for the nearest Cantina. Caitlyn agreed, she may not have liked it but it would be one of the few places where they could glean information without seeming suspicious. Ellsia decided to go too, it had been a while since she had set foot on the planet but she new a few places where info might be given freely.
"You guys head for the Cantina, I have an old friend I need to see…"
Caitlyn nodded and Ellisa could see the be careful look in her eyes, the girl smiled and reassured her that she would be fine, she then headed in the opposite direction.
"Do you mind if I join you?" asked a voice from behind her, Disciple walked quickly to catch up.
She looked at him critically,
"No offense but where I'm going…well you might not be accepted."
He smiled reading the hidden meaning behind her words.
"I shall accompany you as far as is permitted then wait for you, I'd feel better knowing where you are."
She looked at him skeptically.
"Fine, but when I tell you to wait that's where you have to stay."
"Of course."
They walked in companionable silence for a while, Ellsia felt as if she knew him a little better just by having meditated with him.
"You seem to know your way around," he smiled and she blushed, it was true that she had spent a lot of time on the moon…
"Well, one tends to learn things when necessity arises," they had reached a small seedy apartment building and she stopped him.
"You know what they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Wait here."
Without waiting for a reply she headed into the building and straight up to the fourth floor knocking on the room numbered 43.
A muffled growl came from inside then the door inched open a crack.
"Who is it?" hissed the Weequay guard, Ellsia smirked.
"Tell Romin, an old friend has arrived and I have some news he might be interested in…."