Caitlyn Ackard sat with her back to the door She appeared to be meditating but that was not what she was doing. She had felt Ellsia's pain and shock as she was betrayed and could almost read her thoughts before the link had disappeared.
An echo had assaulted her mind, words of warning that had not been heeded...
She shook her headWhat was she supposed to do? Leave the girl for dead?Or worse a slave?
Until now she knew that the young Jedihad been fighting the force, desperately trying to forget it
"As I did..."
Maybe that was why she had let her come along, because Ellsia reminded her of herself and she did not want the pain that she had gone through when she gave up the force to be repeated. She sighed and gathered her thoughts They had returned to Nar Shaddaa briefly to converse with Vogga and tell him Goto would no longer be a problem. He had agreed to ship fuel to Telos and Caitlyn had seen the relief on Ellsia's face, but why was she still here?
And was there some hidden meaning in Zez-Kai Ell'swords? The master seemed to think she had wanted to kill him, all she wanted was answers. It seemed that what Kreia had said was true, thather small group had now become an entourage as yet another person had joined them, Mira.
The huntress was confused and angry The Exile could sense it but there was something else as well She was Force Sensitive this young woman.
It was as if she, Caitlyn, was a light and she drew those who were Force Sensitive towards her as one woulddraw moths. She did not know why and knew that only the Masters would have the answers, though they had been uncooperative so far.
And what did she really know about the people who traveledwith her?
She thought of them one by one and her heart did not feel anything but kinship and respect for them.
Atton...
He was a pain for sure but he was also kind and he respected herShe had seen the way he looked at her and her heart skipped a beat when she thought of those eyes, that smile...
She shook her head. No, she would not be distracted, yet she knew what was in her heart and it irked her. He had been the first through the door on Goto's yacht and was ready by her side wherever they went...
Kreia...
She did not know much of the old woman other then the fact that she was once a Jedi Master Caitlyn could sense that there was much to say between them but would remain unspoken until the right questions were asked. She did not trust Kreia, not entirely but she did respect her and she knew that she would never do anything to hurt Caitlyn as it would put her own life in jeopardy too But this was not the only reason.
Disciple...
She liked him and knew he would bring no harm, though it made her laugh how much he sounded like one of the old mastersIt was as if an old man were stuck in the body of a young one. He seemed to be watching Ellsia a lot, as if waiting for some sign of recognition or acknowledgement They had studied at the same academy after all. He would make a great Master one day, once Caitlyn convinced him to let her teach him.
Mira...
Caitlyn's heart ached for the young woman, to have lost so much so young is a great burden. She herself had never been through such pain and could never imagine what it was like to lose your whole family. Though she had been hunted for years by that homicidal Wookiee she seemed strong and capableCaitlynhoped she could convince her to become a Jedi--she would be in need of such strength and capability soon enough...
Bao-Dur...
My old friend...
There was no one she would rather be travelling with He was a strong, kind and generous person and whatever the words came out of his mouth they always made her feel better. He had seemed somewhat distracted of late and she could feel the tension that was between he and Ellsia There was something there and neither one wanted to be the first to admit it.
As she thought of the girl her mind reached out...
Ellsia...
The young woman was wise beyond her years, intelligent and willful but denying both She had changed so much since their last encounter that it was no wonder Caitlyn had not recognised her in the cantina. The young, wily and spirited girl with the fiery eyes had been left behind and in her place was a morose, haunted young woman. But the Exile still saw itThe fire was not diminished, only smoldering and as she had seen on the yacht, it could roar back into life at any moment. She just needed to confront her past, to heal and move onIt was the only way that she could forgive herself for whatever it was she had done.
Anyone can be redeemedRevan had proven that and Caitlyn would help her, willing or no.
Kreia's lesson in how to read the surface thoughts came in handy She focussed on Ellsia, drew herself into the girls mind.
I will follow you General as I followed you before, as I followed Revan, yet if I find myself falling I know what must be done...
Caitlyn jerked back, those thoughts were so full of fear and determination,
What must be done...
The words bounced around her head and they did not give hercomfort. Shehad a feeling that the young woman would do something drastic if she believed it was the right thing.
Caitlyn stood and stretched her legs, they were approaching Onderon and she needed to be alert, she had to make contact with KavarShe had to find out what was going on and end the Siththreat.
Authors Note: Thanks to my Beta-Reader Trillian for helping me, man you don't know how many mistakes you make until someone else looks it over for you, hope you enjoy this experimental chapter and 16 will be up soon...