PART THREE
Twelve hours later, Qui-Zell opened her eyes and stretched. With a long yawn, She basked in the soft light of the zero room and sat up in bed.
Remarkably she felt very well. Her wounds were definitely healed as the Doctor said they would. She then noticed a small note stapled to her robe. Pulling it off she read it; it was a note from the Doctor:
Dear Qui-Zell,
I'm off saving a planet from the alien threat of the week!
Help yourself to anything from the food machine in the kitchen, it's four doors down turn left at the hallway, right at the second turn, up the stairs next to the bins on your left hand side! Just say anything you want and it will make it for you. When you're done you may want to get out of your dirty clothes, next-door is the wardrobe. You should be able to find something that fits you. Stay in the TARDIS until I return. Usually after saving the day, I get a little tired so the last thing I want to do is look for you.
Sincerely,
The Doctor
Following the instructions with relative ease, thanks in part to her Force sense, Qui-Zell found the kitchen, moving to what she deduced as the food replicator. She was still processing in mind the seemingly endless corridors of this ship. The machine felt her presence, "Hello! How may I serve you? Would you like a piece of toast?" The machine spoke in a friendly male tone.
"I'd like something to eat…" She said.
"Please state whatever it is you wish to eat." It replied.
"Binka sandwich, and a cup of Jawa juice…" She asked
With a flash of light her meal was ready. Sitting down to eat she took a bite of her sandwich and wrinkled her nose. "Too much Gamorrean mustard!" She retched
The wardrobe room was a better experience.
It was a massive room,lined wall to wall with racks that hung on it several styles of clothing. Much of it she had never seen in her entire life. She tried on several styles of clothes, from huge fur coats, and a long long multi-colored scarf, a black flight jacket with a lot of patches all over it, to several types of blouses.
She finally decided on a simple beige pleated skirt and a large dark brown hoodie. She really liked the loafers she found to replace her boots. She didn't know such comfortable footwear existed. She then let down her hair, and stared at it in the mirror.
She noticed on the mirror was several hair bands. Sighing softly she braided her hair into two pigtails. She did this in memory of Kaiya. It was always her favorite style she liked to put her hair in.
Qui-Zell was very attractive. She had light almond skin and Asian features. A small button nose that flared whenever she felt herself lose her temper. With her hair down it was long and black as the night. She was the oldest out of her group of five friends at the Jedi Temple. Five friends that were no more. She stopped as the memories of that awful day flooded back in her mind.
She remembered, as she teasingly sent Kaiya to return all of their training equipment to Master Morrdd while she and Meiya, Phal and Sarla got a head start at the Cafetorium. They never made it to dinner as hordes of Republic soldiers stormed the temple and began to kill everyone in sight. Qui-Zell rushed ahead of her group and tried to deflect the oncoming blaster bolt with her Force Field. But her Force Field was something she still had not mastered yet, as it only slowed the bolts down. Instead she absorbed three shots. One hitting her in her neck, one in her thigh and one in her chest. She collapsed as the three others ignited their sabers to defend themselves and her. The last thing Qui-Zell did before she passed out was a frantic mental call to her friend Kaiya Sunriser. A friend that she off to fend off the soldiers by herself.
Herself…
A thought burned into Qui-Zell's mind. Kaiya was young, head strong and often thought with her heart rather than her head. Something that got her into trouble with the Jedi Masters often. Qui-Zell had taken it upon herself to watch over Kaiya and keep her out of trouble. Even though there were days that that role was reversed. Kaiya had been her best friend for as long as she can remember. It was a hard day when they went their separate ways to be taught under Jedi Masters as Padawan apprentices. NO matter where they were in the galaxy they made it a point to at least keep in touch once a month.
She could feel sadness and despair well up in her. Tears began to form in her eyes as she thought of Kaiya, Her smile, and the way she could always make Qui-Zell laugh. Qui-Zell's strength always laid in her ability to lead, But Kaiya's strength laid with her compassion.
Making her way back to the console room Qui-Zell did what any Jedi did with spare time did. She meditated. She sat cross-legged at the base of the metal grates. Closing her eyes, she opened her mind and let the Force flood her conscious. Giving herself over to the will of the Force, Qui-Zell never before heard the Force so crisp and so clear before. It felt like coming in from a hot day and taking a long drink from a never-ending glass of ice water. She could feel herself elevate just ever so slightly in the air. The Force was strong here; The TARDIS itself seemed to act like a focusing beacon for the energies in the force. Qui-Zell as a Jedi in tune with the force, acted as a focusing crystal to hear, feel, and use the Force. She could hear the very heartbeat of the TARDIS. She could hear its whispers. She listened to the whisper as it told Qui-Zell the story of the Time Lords, of Gallifrey, and of The Doctor and the terrible Time War. Qui-Zell herself wondered about the Time War. It was a war in which lower beings did not notice it, but higher beings watched and wept. She seemed to recall a moment in the temple several years ago when Master Yoda was called early from his training session with Qui-Zell's grouping. The Jedi Council held an emergency meeting to discuss a major disturbance in the Force. It was as Master Mace Windu described
"Like a million voices cried out in pain and were suddenly silenced."
But more important the heart of the TARDIS could feel her. It felt her feelings, her dreams, hopes, and thoughts. The TARDIS looked into Qui-Zell and felt her pain and confusion. Rather than try to comfort her. It shared her pain and took it as it's own.
"Blimey! I have to say in over 900 years of time travel, you are the first person to do what I say and stay put in the TARDIS!" The Doctor said as he entered the TARDIS carrying a large bag of green apples.
Qui-Zell stood up to face the Doctor.
"How are you feeling?" He asked as He tossed her one.
"I'm fine. It's amazing whatever you gave me, it worked better than a Bacta Tank," She said as she was sizing up the apple. "What's this?" She asked as she tried to sniff it. It had a sweet smell to it.
"It's an Apple! Much like the Gareebee fruit of Alderann." The Doctor said, "Go on eat it!"
Qui-Zell took a bite and was amazed at the bursting of sweet and sour flavors that exploded in her mouth.
"An apple…Where is it from?" she chewed and asked inquisitively.
"A planet called Earth." The Doctor said. "I know of a lovely little grove outside of Tacoma!" He said as he began flipping switches and knobs on the TARDIS. "I am willing to bet you have never traveled outside of your known Galaxy!" He said as the interior of the TARDIS began to shake and rumble, a clear indicator that the TARDIS had now taken flight.
"Well I have been to the Outer Rim… Twice!" She said in an effort to sound experienced.
The Doctor smiled. "Well, Qui-Zell I am offering you a chance to go farther than you or any Jedi has gone before!" He worked switches and levers as the console came to life. She could see the center column bounce up and down. It was obvious the Doctor was very good at piloting his ship. For he moved swiftly around the console hitting buttons and switches, untill finally reaching underneath the console, and producing a rubber mallet. He used the mallet to bang repeatedly on a certain section of the console.
Qui-Zell grabbed a hold to the console for stability as the entire interior shook. "So, is this normal?" She quivered as the Doctor merely grinned.
"Qui-Zell Dhanna, Welcome to the TARDIS!"