Chapter Ten: Chained to you
"I feel the magic all around you
It's bringing me to my knees
Like a wannabe
I've got to be chained to you."
Savage Garden, "Chained to you"
Hyper Space, on the way to Yavin IV
She smirked. It had been way too easy, finding out where Atris was hiding. Alright, so she hadn't found out, Atris had revealed herself shortly after she had left Citadel Station. She had invaded her thoughts, forcing herself into her mind. Né curled up in the seat and closed her eyes, remembering the intrusion.
She had been on her way out of the system, heading for Coruscant to find out more about Force drains and warn the small Jedi community that still existed there. Then, out of nowhere, Atris' disembodied voice had sounded through her mind. So you've been on Nar Shaddaa?
Né had raised her eyebrow, smirking a little. The voice clearly had had an insane edge to it. Uh, yeah. And what's it to you?
Oh, it just means that you now know what I'm capable of.
The arrogance and conceit that had carried over to her with the voice had made her cringe a little. But she tried not to be intimidated by it. Yeah, well, if you just wanted to brag a little, then why make the efforts of calling me?
Because, and the tone Atris had used here, had chilled her to the bone., I will continue visiting planets like this until I have you. So… it is either you or millions of other beings.
She had sworn under her breath at this. Yes, the whole thing had been a trap all along. She could just hear Atton's voice in her head, saying: "See? I told you." But what choice did she have, anyway? From the beginning of this whole story, it had had been clear that at one point she would have to make a choice. But she wouldn't give Atris the satisfaction of giving in right along.
Well, what do you want from me anyway?
A little laugh had drifted through her mind. Very simple: What I and my handmaidens and even my… associates had to learn in long hours, you master naturally and with ease. You will be our key to power. Through you and those bonds you form so easily with others we will rule the galaxy. So, either you sacrifice your sorry little hide or more and more planets will fall to us. It's all in your choice.
She had leant back then, her eyes closed. It had been like chosing between the Kuat Plague and the Sernpidal cholera. If she chose to consent to Atris' will, then she would be used as a kind of a psychic through which Atris would channel all the lifeforce she could get. Or, worse, would try to turn her and use the bonds she had had already created to turn those connected to her. And those connect with them.
But if she withstood and turned down the offer, another planet would be scourged. And after that, another. And so on… Until Atris had her consent nevertheless. Such an irony., she had thought. In the end it would all come down to her, Exiled Jedi, "wound in the Force" and savior against her will.
Yes, we should have killed you, shouldn't we, Atris' mocking voice had drifted into her thoughts, making her snort.
Yeah, maybe. But not because I was a danger to the galaxy, but I was a danger to you. Take me all you want, but know one thing: I'll be your death. Yours and that of all those associated with you. She had known then, that she had been walking very near to the path of the Dark Side, but she hadn't cared. She hadn't been threatening Atris with revenge, she had only been telling her what she deserved.
An insane laugh had cut into her. Oh, I knew you would see reason after all. Your tendency to sacrifice yourself for "the greater good" has always been your greatest weakness. Set your course for Yavin IV, we will await you there. And that had been it.
She kicked her console in a sudden bout of frustration. How could she have been so stupid? Right walking into the rancor's den, that was surely the way to go. But it had been the only possible choice. Yes, she was endangering herself to fall to the Dark Side by bowing to Atris. And yes, with that she was also endangering those bound to her through the Force to fall. But she just couldn't bear the thought of planets after planets being bereft of life just because she was stubborn. And so her choice had been made. She just hoped she hadn't made the biggest mistake in her life.
As if to underline the dramatics of the moment, suddenly the ship jumped out of hyper space and the orange glow of Yavin was filling her viewport.
Citadel Station, Accommodation Module
"Let me get this right: You agreed to stay here – and with that losing a mighty load of time – just to have Visas meet some girl Né picked up on Nar Shaddaa?" Mira was not looking happy. Actually, she looked more like she was going to beat him into next year.
"Uh, basically, yes.", he said, rubbing his neck with his hand, while taking a step back from her. He could swear, she was already fingering her light saber.
"And just what is so important about a little Refugee Sector gizka that an admiral wants Visas to "have a look at her", huh?" Atton would never admit it but he did feel a little insulted himself by the words "Refugee Sector gizka", but it was no use telling Mira that, and it was beside the point anyway.
"She's Force sensitive. Oh, don't look at me like this. Six out of seven people Né picked up turned out to be Force sensitive. The odds were high that this one was Force sensitive, too."
"But she's not going to stay with us, right?" Was that weariness he could detect in her voice?
"Force, no! I'll make sure of that, believe me. No way Onasi's going to get a chance and dump her with us. I've got enough to do with you lot already.", he said and smirked, ducking just in time for the datapad Mira had thrown at him to miss him. With a squeal she ran out of the apartment when he was about to follow her to get back at her. But before he could reach her, Mical appeared in the door way, efficiently blocking Mira from Atton.
"Tsk, tsk, Né's gone for… what? One week, and you are already after another woman?" The tone was playful, but Atton could see the veiled threat in Mical's eyes.
He narrowed his, but before he could say anything, Mira jabbed Mical on the shoulder from behind. "Jeez, don't get all worked up, Mical. It was me who started it."
The Disciple turned toward her. "Nevertheless I wouldn't let myself be touched by him if I were you. You don't know where those nifty fingers end up…"
"Don't confuse your own fantasies with reality, will you? I mean, thanks for the visuals and everything…"
Atton's face contorted into a mask of disgust, which prompted Mical to sneer back: "At least I don't make a fool of myself for playing a leader no one wants."
Just as Atton was about to get a little more aggressive, Mira piped up again: "Alright, guys, that's enough. Shut down of your testosterone levels begins now. You can have that male version of a cat fight once we've gotten rid ourselves of that Jedi Ice Queen. Now pump your energy into something a little more useful, huh?"
Both men looked at her a little flabbergasted. "What? You behaved like two male bomas at the height of the breeding season. And neither me nor Né are female bomas. You should have seen yourselves, making fools out of you. Really, there were only the grunts missing."
She shook her head, but just as Mical was about to retort something, Admiral Onasi's voice drifted over from the entrance of their apartment complex. "Whatever you wanted to say, I'd advise you not to argued with a woman, and a Force sensitive at that. Took some painful experiences for me to learn that."
Three heads turned into his direction, and they were surprised to find him accompanied by a blond girl of about eleven years. "Ah, the Refugee Sector gizka.", Mira muttered under her breath, which the girl in question answered with a dark look. Note for future reference: kid's got good ears. Must remember that., she thought a little sardonically.
"Well, I brought Adana, where's Visas?"
Atton smirked. "Ever the admiral, aren't we? Well, does anyone know where Visas went?"
Micl raised a hand. "I know it. I'll go fetch her." It took all of Atton's will power not to give the Disciple a pat on the head and utter the words "Good boy." Instead he concentrated his attention on the remaining persons.
"Well, now, that that's taken care of, I can return to my other duties. Be a good girl, Adana." With that Onasi gave Adana's shoulder a squeeze, and the girl nodded. To the others, the admiral just said: "Don't spoil her too much, will you?", winked and left.
For a moment the child and the two adults regarded each other with suspicious curiosity. Then Adana spoke up, saying: "I heard that comment with the Refugee Sector gizka, bounty hunter mynock."
"Good grief, didn't they teach you better insults in that Refugee Camp?", Mira snapped, while Atton raised an eyebrow.
"At least they taught me that selling people makes you a bad person.", Adana shot back, but before Mira could say anything, Atton felt compelled to intervene.
"Uh, girls, postpone that cat fight until we have solved our other issues. Such as ridding the galaxy of one obnoxious Jedi Ice Queen. Don't you agree, Mira?"
Instead of saying something she stuck out her tongue. "My mom says... used to say that this is improper for a lady.", Adana said with her chin raised into Mira's direction. Just as the bounty hunter was about to retort something, Visas walked in, gracefully and silently as ever.
They all grew quiet at once, as if Visas' presence had a calming effect on them. The Miraluka went straight towards Adana who in turn edged a little away, regarding Mira with suspicious looks. "Do not fear me, young one. I will not harm you.", Visas tried to soothe the girl, but she only turned toward Atton, saying: "Who's that, and what's she got to do with me?"
"Uh… you know, it's not very polite not ask people this to their faces. Maybe you should ask Visas yourself?", he offered her, and was surprised that the girl followed his hint and turned back to Visas.
"Who are you, and what are you going to do to me?" Well, that was very… direct., he only thought, admiring Visas who stayed perfectly calm.
"I am Visas, and I am here on the request of Admiral Onasi. He told me you were… special, and he wanted to know how much."
Adana still didn't seem to be very satisfied. "And you're going to test me… how?"
The Miraluka smiled at the child. "Not test you. Just look at you. You would be surprised if you knew how much you can find out about a person by actually looking at them." Atton wasn't quite sure if Adana had understood what Visas had meant with "looking", and yes, of course she had to ask.
"Looking? Your eyes are behind that piece of cloth. How can you see anything like this?" Adana still looked suspicious, but her curiosity was obviously taking over since she had edged a little closer to the strange woman before her.
"Oh, I do not need my eyes to see. I see with the Force. With that I can see far more than only with my eyes. As I told you would be very surprised at how much."
"I wonder how she can stay so calm. I'd have the little gizka spaced long time ago for that kind of interrogation.", Mira whispered to Atton, but even that the child had obviously heard as she turned back towards the bounty hunter.
"I heard that. Stop saying those things behind my back, it's rude."
Before Mira could say anything, Visas beat her to it, saying: "Do not chastise Mira for faults that are clearly your own, too. And please concentrate on me. It will only take a few minutes, I promise."
Pouting a little Adana obeyed Visas and turned back, looking a little uncomfortable as Visas was staying silent for some minutes. Then the strange woman smiled that strange smile – it looked like she had discovered a great secret no one had known of before, and that unnerved the very curious Adana – and said: "Ah, it is as Né has already discovered. You are strong in the Force, child. But…" – her face grew sad, and that scared Adana, because it now looked as if Visas had discovered something about her that was pretty bad – "I sense great impatience in you. And fear. And hate. I fear you are in danger if not trained properly."
What was this woman talking about? Strong in the Force? Hate? Trained properly? What did that mean? "Ah, now I sense your discomfort and your confusion. Do not worry, young one, I will explain all to you. Do you mind if we have this conversation somewhere a little quieter?" Overwhelmed by all the strange talking, Adana just nodded her head.
"Very well, then. Atton, Mira would you excuse us? I think it would be best if you let me take Adana with me to the Ebon Hawk. One of you should tell the admiral, lest he could worry about Adana." With that Visas took the bewildered Adana by her hand and led her out of the room, leaving two very confused crew mates behind.
For a moment they were both gaping at the door that had closed behind Visas and Adana, but then they turned to each other to burst out with "You go!" at exactly the same time.
A/N: Whoa, finally a new chapter. I mean, not that it took me so long to write it, but I moved on the first october weekend, and I started in a new job (at the moment I have to search an office for me... argh...) and only have a provisional office and of course no internet connection whatsoever in my new flat. I hope you understand the difficulties that led to the amount of time I let you starve without an update.
Vratix - Thank you for telling me about Carth's portrayal. And with the Force sensitive child I was merely referring to his son, Dustil. For now I'll concentrate more on Adana and the KotOR 2 crew, I hope that's okay for you.