Chapter: 33 Collusion Course
"Even the smallest piece has its place in the puzzle."
A daring rescue! Thanks to the valiant efforts of Padawan Elsa Dellian, Jack Convore, and their new companions, Anna Dellian has been saved. Among her are victims of a heinous trafficking syndicate which the Republic had narrowed in on. Organizations like this diabolical cell prey on the weak and innocent as they go about their daily lives, blissfully unaware...
A rising sun over the Republic capital means one too many things. Outsiders would say Coruscant is an ever-bustling utopia. A place where anyone can rise from the slums and become an honest member of society. It's a world where politicians gather around to mend the broken galaxy and dispense a noble army to seek justice. Woe to anyone who actually believes an ounce of this interstellar fairytale. For any denizen of this steel-plated, smoggy sphere will tell you the reality. The city is a glistening distraction. Millions walk around completely ignorant over their crumbling infrastructure. Debt is a joke...a myth as society encourages its inhabitants to spend even more. The Galactic Senate hardly agrees on anything and can take months, even years to pass proper legislation. Crime slips through the cracks and innocents pay the price. With so many lives at stake beyond the overlying war effort, it isn't that no one has time to care. In reality, it just seems that no one does care. It's all about fattening one's pockets with credits, not helping a fellow citizen. The military speaks of galactic liberty, but for who? Many citizens have never even met a Separatist. While the Clone Wars set fire to the galaxy, organized crime thrives amidst the turmoil. In a time where so many are valuing preservation of the future, they forget what that exactly means. The future isn't a quantity of credits nor is it a piece of legislation. It isn't even the latest technology as many marketing campaigns would have someone believe. In truth, the future resides in children. What they see and hear...how they feel and act...will shape countless destinies.
Coruscant's Collective Commerce District was alive with a variety of passersby. While many industrial workers had already begun their shifts in "CoCo Town" many tourists came for its exclusive shops. There were far more refined eateries in the upper city, but CoCo Town was famous for old-style diners and unique food stands. The delectable scent of fried vakiir eggs wafted across its sunlit sidewalks. The Rodian cook behind the egg stand was counting on it to reel in hungry bystanders rushing to work. A smirk formed on his snout when a woman rushed over.
"One please," she said and placed several credits on his stand.
The Rodian graciously accepted and wrapped a vakiir egg in a crisp roll. He was about to package it when he noticed a peculiar appendage stretching across his stand. The deep blue trunk was about to snatch an egg, but the Rodian smacked it with his spatula. The little being trumpeted upon being struck and his trunk slinked back. The Rodian angrily stomped around his stand to get a better look at the thief. A squat, heavily built Ortolan cowered before the Rodian. His beady black eyes hid behind his massive, floppy ears. The Rodian didn't care if the Ortolan was a starving child or not, and angrily kicked him. "Te kayla gushu skrek!" he scolded in Rodese. The frightened Ortolan ran as fast as his stubby legs could carry him. His bare, blue feet pattered on the filthy duracrete until he disappeared down the block. While he fled, Coruscanti citizens from all walks of life grimaced and shooed him away.
The Ortolan sought shelter on a nearby bench and caught his breath. He rubbed his aching trunk until a distinct smell caught his attention. He turned to see a young lady sitting on the adjacent side. His keen sense of smell allowed him to pick up every ounce of her strong-scented perfume. The woman caught him staring up at her and scowled. Disgusted by his appearance, she departed from the bench and revealed a compact...yet bustling eatery beside the bench. Tantalizing aromas overwhelmed the Ortolan and his pudgy stomach rumbled in response. Determined to satisfy his appetite, the Ortolan scurried towards the establishment. As the child advanced on the building, a neon sign flickered in one of its windows.
DEX'S DINER
The Best Eats in the CoCo Town Streets!
The child pushed through the diner's thick glass doors and bumped into several customers' legs. He peered up at the brightly-lit sign over the counter and glimpsed a plethora of meals. He examined their prices and pat his empty pockets. Opting for a different approach, the Ortolan waddled up to the nearest table and stared down its resident. An industrial worker munched on his hard-earned breakfast and watched the wall-mounted datascreen.
"Though heavy casualties were sustained in the campaign-" a news anchor reported. "The Republic's full-scale, planetary invasion of Geonosis was a success. Multiple Separatist droid foundries have been destroyed. Public leader for the Geonosians, Archduke Poggle the Lesser, is now in Republic custody." The screen flashed a mugshot of the elder Geonosian's face and diner patrons applauded.
"Good!" the worker shouted with his mouth full. "Lock him up and throw away the key!" He was about to shovel more food when he noticed the Ortolan staring at him. He glared back and muttered, "Beat it, kid. Can't you see I'm eating?" The Ortolan merely scratched his belly and maintained unwavering...unblinking eye contact. "What are you, deaf? Shoo!" He tried ignoring the child and returned his attention to the screen.
"New in entertainment this morning," the news anchor continued. "Preparations for the annual Miss Coruscant beauty pageant are currently underway. Thirty-six lovely ladies from our glistening city will compete for the crown and a chance at stardom!"
The worker grinned after hearing such pleasant news. His smile dropped only after realizing the Ortolan was still standing at his table. "Hey!" he snapped. "Buzz off, you little freak!" He slammed his fist on the table and the child didn't budge. "Hermione!" he called to his server.
A pair of authoritative, black boots tromped from behind the counter. The grinding of each heel served as a reminder to customers that Hermione Bagwa was not to be trifled with. Her wide hoop earrings jingled beneath her blonde bob as she approached the worker. "It's too early for this, hun," she griped. "What's the problem now? I just refilled your caf."
"My caf is fine," the worker assured. "It's Floppy-Ears over here that's the problem."
Hermione shot her customer a glare before kneeling on the child's level. "Hey sweetie," she said. "Where's your daddy?" Her brows furrowed when the Ortolan didn't answer. "Mommy? Who'd you come in here with?"
"This isn't a questionnaire," the customer growled. "Just get it away from my table so I can eat in peace."
"I'll serve you a knuckle sandwich on the house if you don't pipe down," Hermione countered. Her eyes suddenly widened and her gaze focused beyond the customer. Noticing her frightened expression, the man turned towards the window and dropped his fork in shock. The sunlit sidewalk darkened and bystanders scattered in a panic. Their frantic screams were distorted amidst the screech of an erratic airspeeder. The smoking, flaming craft spiraled out of control and was on a collision course for Dex's Diner.
"Holy Kriff!" the worker yelled and tripped over himself.
Determined to protect her customers and staff, Hermione sprung into action. "Everyone run!" she screamed. While some patrons caught on to the unusual sound, others remained frozen with fear.
Dexter Jettster, the diner's owner, emerged from his kitchen to investigate the ruckus. "What in the blazes is going on?" was all the portly Besalisk could ask before an entire airspeeder crashed into his diner.
The impact was explosive and shook the eatery's very foundation. Windows shattered and exhaust spewed betwixt the collision. Airspeeder pieces spun across the diner while tables were overturned. Hermione tried to carry the Ortolan out, but tripped on debris. Smoke shrouded the diner as the Ortolan child struck the floor. He rubbed his already injured trunk and rocked back and forth. The shuffling feet and wild screams dwindled in smoke. But for the Ortolan, silence was a way of life. Since birth, he had never known the roar of an engine or the holler of someone calling his name. He lived in quietude in an endlessly hushed world. While he felt the warmth of a battered speeder and saw parts of the wreckage, he couldn't hear a sound.
The pungent odor of food on a cracked plate drew the Ortolan towards the wreck. Much to his dismay, all hopes of nourishment had been tarnished by leaking fuselage. The child winced as the smell of fuel tainted his senses. He glanced at the dented, scraped, and smoking speeder. Its prestigious, emerald coating was ruined with crude scratches from the crash. Smoke billowed from its interior while glass fragments lined the hood. The Ortolan thought he noticed something shifting in the darkness and climbed up to take a peek. His heart nearly stopped when an arm stretched from the smoke and grabbed his.
The mysterious, orange hand tightened its weary grip while the boy remained trapped. He watched in horror as a pair of striped, possible horns protruded from the wreckage. Once they fully came into view, the child realized he was observing a pair of montrals. An elderly, ailing Togruta tried to climb out of the speeder. He pulled the Ortolan close and collapsed against the vehicle's dented hood. A unique set of white patterns trailed down the Togruta's frail, crimson face. His grip on the child's hand loosened as all energy left him. The Togruta elder could barely lift his head while his hazel eyes listed downward. The Ortolan followed them to a dreadful impalement in the lower carseat. Realizing he wouldn't make it, he leaned towards the frightened child. With his final breaths, the Togruta uttered all that he could. His words were bold and full of conviction. He spoke each in the hope that their meaning would live on through his sacrifice. While the Ortolan couldn't hear a single word, he focused intently on the Togruta's lips.
Sirens rang out across CoCo Town as firespeeders soared into action. The bronze-clad firefighters of the Coruscant Rescue Ops rushed in to help. While some crew members doused the flames with water, others helped evacuate citizens. "All extinguished on this end!" a firefighter hollered. "We're clear!"
"I'm moving in!" shouted another. She advanced on the crash site and found the Ortolan standing beside the dead Togruta. "Oh kriff," she gasped. "We're gonna need backup."
Mattias remembered how different the Jedi Temple had been before the Clone Wars. Politics were always pivotal on Coruscant, but it felt like there was a greater boundary between the Senate and the Order. There was a tranquility to it all which Mattias greatly embraced. His hair was darker then and his skin had yet to wrinkle. Even his best friend, Yelena, hadn't succumbed to the stresses of the war. Her long, braided hair maintained traces of its golden brown hue.
"It feels like only yesterday since they came to this temple," Yelena told him. "Are you ready for this?"
"No matter how much time passes-" Mattias answered. "The beginning will always feel like yesterday. Once we embark on this undertaking, the girls' lives will change forever."
"That still doesn't answer my question," Yelena joked. "Are you ready or not?"
"Always," Mattias replied as the doors before them opened. The expansive chamber was alive with energetic, driven younglings, each determined to further their studies.
"Master Mattias!" An elder Jedi called. "Master Yelena! So nice of you two to make it!" He approached the duo with open arms. His bright blue eyes were kind and inviting.
"Master Adersen," Mattias greeted. "The pleasure is ours."
"Brith Clan is looking as lively as ever," Yelena complimented.
"Oh yes," Adersen remarked. "The Initiates are in high spirits this morning. Especially the Dellian girls."
"That's good, considering why we're here." Yelena jested. "The council has finally granted us permission to train them."
Adersen grinned and bowed respectfully. "Their futures couldn't be in nobler hands," he said. "As their overseer, I now grant you permission to speak with them."
Yelena peered over the master's shoulder and noticed a youngling sitting by one of the windows. The little blonde was trying to read a holobook while simultaneously balancing it in midair with the Force. While Yelena knelt to speak with the child, Mattias turned his attention to her feisty sibling. This wild redhead furiously swung her lightsaber at a stationary, shielded target. Mattias noted her vigor as she proudly jabbed her blade into the fake foe. He stood behind her and feigned a cough. The child turned and gasped upon seeing him. Her surprise was short-lived and she quickly readied her lightsaber for battle. "Finally," she said. "A real challenge!"
Mattias chuckled and actually activated his lightsaber. While the ignition caught other children by surprise, this youngling remained unfazed. The girl rushed her much larger opponent and Mattias easily parried her. "You won the temple's Initiate Tournament, didn't you?" he inquired.
"That's right!" she boasted and lunged at him again.
Mattias blocked her strike and stood idle. "Most impressive," he admired. "Though I must say, your technique is rather...sloppy."
"I just need to keep attacking, old man." she taunted. "You're bound to break at some point!"
Mattias chuckled at the insult and dueled her with ease. "Bold words from a youngling," he joked. "You act as if you're a knight."
"I'm good enough to be!" the child exclaimed with her next attack. Her rapid strikes battered against Mattias' steady saber. He waited for her to tire before dropping to her level.
He deactivated his lightsaber amidst her panting and replied, "I know you are, Anna." The child gasped upon hearing her name and tilted her head up. "I am Master Destin Mattias. I was at the tournament and frankly, I've been watching you for quite some time. I understand you've passed all of your Initiate Trials." Little Anna rapidly nodded while shutting her saber off.
"I can progress as a Padawan now," she bragged until she realized what was just said. "Wait..." Anna's eyes widened and she glared at Mattias. "Is this-"
Mattias smirked. "Yep."
"And you want-"
"I do."
Anna's heart pounded and she squeezed her saber's hilt. "I'm...gonna be your apprentice?"
"How does that sound to you?" Mattias inquired.
Anna had just met him, yet still flashed a beaming grin. She leapt for joy and tugged on his sleeves. "That sounds EPIC!" Her shout caught everyone's attention and her overseer stepped in.
"Anna," Master Adersen intoned and motioned for her to simmer down.
"Sorry," Anna mumbled. Instead, she leaned towards Mattias and scream-whispered, "That sounds EPIC!" Her enthusiasm faded briefly. "But what about Elsa?" she glanced over and saw Yelena speaking with her.
"Your sister will advance to Padawan as well," Mattias said. "Don't worry, little one. You'll still see each other."
"Good!" Anna rejoiced. "She'll get to watch me kick loads of butt! Right, master?"
Mattias laughed and guided her from the chamber. "I suppose 'butt-kicking' will be on the agenda someday," he jested. When the master observed his newfound Padawan, he saw nothing but promise. He saw an ambitious spirit with a heart of fire. A child who, in his eyes, could become one of the greatest Jedi in their time. A wise member of the Order once told Mattias that having an apprentice was the closest a Jedi could ever come to understanding parenthood. Looking at Anna gave those words true meaning.
"Mattias..." Yelena called. "Mattias?"
Mattias broke free of his deep thoughts when Yelena gripped his shoulder. The constant beeping of Elsa's homing beacon further dragged him back into the present. "Hm?" he murmured.
"Where were you?" she asked.
"Simpler times," he answered and unbuckled. Their caravan cruiser drifted in deep space as the Black Pearl rocketed towards them.
With the ship in view, Yelena deactivated the homing beacon and called in. "Padawan, do you read?"
"Loud and clear, master." Elsa replied. "We have Anna and several others. We can explain once you board. Honestly, I'm still trying to make sense of things myself."
Mattias remained frozen, so Yelena was forced to guide their ship into the Pearl's hangar herself. The bulkhead sealed behind them and blanketed them in temporary darkness. Yelena departed from the controls and rubbed Mattias' back. "Destin," she assured. "They found her. She's alive."
"I know," he whispered. "I just...I-" He hung his head shamefully, but forced it up with a deep breath. They made their way to the cruiser's ramp and Yelena prepare to drop it.
"Are you ready for this?" she asked.
Mattias swallowed hard and looked to her with true conviction in his eyes. "No," he admitted guiltily.
The ramp lowered and Elsa was the first to greet them. She embraced Yelena, who was quite concerned about why her Padawan's arm was wrapped. Mattias stumbled forward as if he was in a trance. "Thank you for trusting me," Elsa said.
"Where is she?" Mattias asked.
"The compass led us to a compound on Bogden," Elsa explained. "Whatever smugglers were there had a captured multiple people for slave trafficking, but a Republic team had-"
"Padawan Dellian," Mattias asserted in a much sterner tone. "Where is Anna?"
Elsa sighed and pointed across the hold. "I have to warn you though-" she said as Mattias sped over. "-she isn't in the best condition. We need to get her home."
"Anna?" Mattias called. His pace quickened when he spotted her familiar, yet weary visage amongst the survivors. He slid on his knees and rested beside her. "Padawan!" he croaked and pulled her close.
"M-...Master," she whispered while staring blankly at the wall. "I'm sorry."
"No," Mattias gasped. He cupped his hands around her face to firmly, yet gently guide her towards him. "Look at me. Don't you apologize for this." His eyes swelled with tears in response to her blank, weakened expression. "I'm sorry. You hear me? I'm sorry." He cradled her head and wept while rocking. "This is all my fault."
Yelena shook her head at the sight and trudged over to intervene. "Master," Elsa said. "Can't we just give him a moment?" She thought about how much better she had felt after crying in Senator Ryx's embrace long ago.
"There is no emotion, there is peace." Yelena lectured. "This operation already had us walking the brink from its start. Someone has to make sure no one falls in. If you constantly submit to your emotions, it'll become harder to set a limit. Before you know it, those same emotions are governing you, and the pull towards a darker power soon follows."
"He's just sad," Elsa said. "Is that so wrong?"
"You don't have to question everything, apprentice." Yelena told her. "Not even the greatest Consulars do."
Elsa stood tall to face her master. "Well I think there are more pressing matters to attend to aside from showing emotion. Like what exactly was happening on Bogden and how Anna got there." Elsa gestured to the approaching clone commando. "This soldier led an operation to infiltrate the compound I mentioned," she said.
The commando saluted Yelena, folded his arms, and stood at attention. "CC-1138 of Delta Squad," he said. "You can call Boss, if you wish."
"At ease, Boss." Yelena replied.
"Had it not been for your Padawan, I'm not sure we could've escaped without suffering casualties. Republic operatives had been monitoring trafficking rings in the Inner Rim for months now. They finally pinned one of their prominent drop-off's to a complex on Bogden and Delta Squad was sent in. Our mission was to clear the compound of hostiles and extract all captives from the premises. However, the last person we expected to find in there was a missing Jedi."
"Well, we're grateful for your services." Yelena remarked. "We should be able to fit everyone aboard our cruiser and can safely return to Coruscant."
"And you'll be taking that serpent in the brig as well!" a voice hollered from the ship's second level. Elsa rolled her eyes and peered up at Jack. "We've agreed on so much already, Elsa love. I'd hate to spoil your morals now."
"Padawan," Yelena muttered. "What's this about?"
Elsa huffed while the commando's guided survivors into the cruiser. "Master, this is Captain Jack Convore." Jack offered an extravagant bow from above.
"Ah," Yelena realized. "Compass boy." Jack grimaced at the title. "He gets a pass for helping us this time, but what's he going on about?"
Elsa pointed at her wounded arm and nervously scratched her head. "So there was this other pirate," she explained. "We managed to capture him, but if we don't take him into Republic custody-" Elsa sulked. "-Jack'll probably kill him."
Yelena groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Boss," she called and the commando returned. "There's some brigand in one of the cells. Take one of your troopers, bind him, and bring him aboard the cruiser. I don't care if you have to keep stunning him, just get it done."
Elsa mouthed the words "thank you" to her.
"Anything else?" Yelena inquired.
"Actually," Elsa added and glanced over at her new friends. "This is Kristoff and Sven," she introduced.
"Ma'am," Kristoff said and waved politely. He leaned on his Cevrian partner as Yelena judged them both. She particularly focused on Sven.
"More pirates?" the master grumbled and raised a brow.
Elsa bit her lip. "Well...yes, but they helped me. They're not like the man we imprisoned." When she looked at Yelena, she hoped her master could sense the sincerity in her words. "They just want a fresh start."
"Or they could always sail with me," Jack suggested. "A galaxy of wonder awaits those who venture aboard the Black Pearl."
Kristoff and Sven took one look at each other and their minds were made up. "Sorry, captain." Kristoff replied. "But I think we've done our share of voyaging alongside pirates."
"Come along then," Yelena reluctantly obliged. "The Republic will decide your future."
While Elsa went to bid Jack farewell, Kristoff observed Yelena's sash. His brows furrowed as he got a closer look and said, "Hey...is that Northuldran?"
"Possibly," she answered sternly.
"You're from Aren too?" Kristoff rejoiced and shook Sven's shoulder.
Yelena's eyes narrowed and she was grateful Elsa hadn't heard. "Just get on the ship," she ordered. "Please." Kristoff's joy wavered and he cautiously heeded her demand.
Elsa ascended to the upper balcony and offered Jack a hand. When he took it, she pulled him into a hug and tried to ignore his odor. "Thank you," she said. "For everything."
"Just doing what I do best," Jack insisted.
"Try not to cause any trouble with your ship," Elsa pleaded. "I'd hate to have to come after you next."
"Trouble?" Jack quipped. "I'm an upstanding spacer. If there's any mayhem of the sort, it typically finds me." Elsa smiled, shook her head, and left Jack in the company of his beloved vessel. "Although..." Jack added and she turned. "You should know better than to hug a pirate." He held up her lightsaber and her eyes widened. She pat her bare empty satchel until he winked and tossed the weapon back to her. "Safe travels, Elsa love."
Almost everyone was aboard the caravan cruiser until Elsa heard a particular scream. She noticed Fixer trying to coax someone out of a corner. The clone commando sighed in relief as Elsa arrived and gestured to a cowering child. "She's not gonna budge," he told the Padawan. "The kid's scared to death."
"I found her cuffed to a bedpost," Elsa explained. "She has every right to be terrified. Get onboard and I'll take care of her." She knelt beside the cramped corner and extended a hand. "Hey there," she said. "It's okay. No one's going to hurt you. I promise."
"I want my mom," she whimpered and tightly clutched her knees.
"Maybe she's on our ship," Elsa said with a smile. "We can look together."
The child furiously shook her head. "No!" she panicked. "We can't!"
"I promise we can-"
"She's dead!" the girl wailed. Her leer intensified above her quivering scowl. "The bad men killed her."
"I'm so sorry," Elsa grieved and thought about the smugglers.
"Why are you sorry if you're with them?" the child asked and realization struck Elsa.
"Come with me," the Padawan insisted. "I'm gonna to get bottom of this, okay? You can sit with the nice man and his fluffy friend again." The child reluctantly agreed and took Elsa's hand. She guided her aboard the cruiser and noticed how frightened she was of the commandos. "Kristoff...Sven," Elsa said. "Can you watch her again?" They nodded dutifully and accepted responsibility over the child.
As the ship took off with Yelena and Mattias at the controls, Elsa searched for the clones. She found Delta Squad guarding a stunned and cuffed Barbossa at the back of the ship. "Commando," she said. "What's the story behind the little blonde girl?" Boss was reluctant to reply and Elsa delved deeper. "She doesn't seem to like your squad very much." Elsa also noticed Scorch hanging his head in remorse.
"We believe she's one of the smuggler's daughters," Boss answered.
"Her mother?" Elsa inquired and the clone silenced again. She noticed Scorch shaking his head and averting his gaze. Elsa focused on Boss' subordinate until he spoke to her.
"She was an unfortunate casualty in a procedural room clearing," Scorch admitted.
Elsa sighed. "Was she...armed?"
"Yes," Boss swiftly replied. "We told her to get on the ground multiple times and were moving in. Still, she reached for a blaster and we were forced to open fire."
"I'm not an expert on blaster rifles," Elsa admitted. "However, are yours not equipped with stun settings? I'm only asking because in the past twenty-four hours, I've been both stunned and have done the stunning."
Boss pat his rifle and also gestured to the obviously stunned Barbossa. "We have those settings yes," he answered gruffly.
"And yet no commando thought to stun this woman?" Elsa interrogated.
"It's not that simple," Fixer chimed in.
"Well how is it complicated?" Elsa countered. "I genuinely want to know. You warn her, she reaches for a weapon, you stun her. She drops and a child still has a mother." Her raised tone caught the attention of other passengers and her master from the cockpit.
"We need to be efficient," Boss affirmed. "Once she was down, we secured all other potential hostiles."
"That does nothing to prove your point," Elsa scoffed. "And potential hostiles? What? A ten...eleven-year-old girl? She's traumatized already and then you cuff her down? I thought better of the Republic's finest."
"Boss and Scorch did what they had to," Fixer defended.
"I don't know why you're arguing with this Jedi," Sev growled while polishing his rifle. "She wasn't there, but she's quick to pass judgement. You'd think she'd be more grateful considering we saved her sister."
Elsa's nostrils flared and she pursed her lips. "This is not about me nor is it about my sister," she argued. "This is about that child."
"It sounds like you'd rather let that kid pick up her mother's gun and blast us," Sev snarled. "After all, we're just expendable clones to you...right? It's just fine if we die."
Elsa was about to refute when Yelena interposed between them. "Alright," she commanded. "No more! What's done is done."
"Yeah," Elsa muttered. "The Republic has unnecesary blood on its hands and a motherless child who'll never sleep again."
"Padawan," Yelena hissed through gritted teeth. She wrapped an arm around Elsa and ushered her to a secluded viewport. "Are you a Jedi general?" she asked.
"No," Elsa sighed. "But-"
"Then why do you insist on telling Republic commandos how to do their job?"
"Because it appears that someone has to," Elsa fearlessly replied. "We don't have to assume the worst in people."
"But we do have to be cautious in hostile environments," Yelena corrected.
Elsa huffed and stared out at the void of hyperspace. "They could've stunned her."
"But that wasn't your call to make." Yelena released the anger from her clenched fist. "I'm glad we're returning to Coruscant. This entire mission has jeopardized our emotional states." Yelena's brows furrowed when she noticed Elsa ignoring her. "Padawan? Did you hear me? Do you understand what's at risk here?"
"Oh I heard you," Elsa replied. She took a seat and removed her Rovani bandana. "And I understand...more than you know. There's also plenty I still don't get." She looked over at Anna who was resting in the seat across from her. "I don't know why Asajj Ventress kidnapped my sister, nor do I know how she ended up in a slaver's compound on Bogden. What I do know...is that this is a time of change. The kind that I can influence. I can't imagine how many similar situations akin to this motherless child are happening across the galaxy. If I am seen as unqualified to speak on such matters, I will gain whatever prestige I need to be heard. Our Republic needs help, master. By the Force, I will become a voice for those who have none. I will question things despite what others say. Honestly, I thank you."
"You do?" Yelena inquired.
"For never going easy on me," Elsa said. "In your absence, I relied on myself. In your rebuttals, I found my footing. I'll never be fully supported, and I've come to accept that. I don't resent you for it either. In your own ways, you've made me a better Jedi."
"Whether it seems like it or not, Elsa." Yelena said. "I do want the best for you."
"I know. That's why I will continue to pass my Jedi Trials and become a knight, where I can truly make a difference."
"You may be closer to that goal than you think," Yelena winced and pointed to Elsa's bandaged arm. She clutched her wound and reclined while Yelena sat beside her. "I think you're headed in the right direction, Padawan. Coruscant will make things clearer. I've missed that thriving city."
It wasn't long before law enforcement had the Coruscant eatery swarmed. Though cracked from the crash, the restaurant's wall-mounted datascreen still flashed a news report. "Mayhem in CoCo Town this morning," an anchor said as the panel flickered. "An airspeeder appears to have lost control from one of the upper skylanes. After damaging several other vehicles, it ultimately crashed into Dex's Diner. While the driver is reported to have been killed in the accident, no other deaths have been reported at this time. We'll keep you updated as the story unfolds on your go-to news channel. Your number one choice for-"
The screen shut off when a fair-skinned hand hurriedly seized the remote. "There," the esteemed police officer rejoiced in the silence. "Now I can work in peace." He brushed back what was left of his sleek, greying hair and straightened his uniform. His lanky, blue-painted police droids cleared the area of debris and helped staff members finds a safe place to sit. With furrowed brows and an inquisitive pout, the man examined several scrapes along the speeder's hull.
One of the police droids offered to help Dexter Jettster into a chair, but the Besalisk shooed it away. "I may be old, but I got it. Don't you worry." He plopped down beside Hermione, who was still shaken from the crash. Dexter noticed her unease and beckoned his unicycled server droid over. "FLO, will you get us some Jawa Juice?" he asked.
"You got it," the crimson droid replied and wheeled into the miraculously unscathed kitchen.
While one hand held Hermione's, Dex's other three snapped in realization. "Oh and pour a cup for the officer. Inspector...captain...erhm-"
The man turned with raised brows and answered swiftly. "Lieutenant Tan Divo. And please tell your droid to hold out on that last cup." He jabbed a finger at his balding head. "The last thing this investigation needs is alcohol tainting the mind's of the law."
"You'll have to forgive me, Mr. Divo." Dexter chuckled and rested all four limbs on his stained apron. "But is an investigation really necessary? Accidents are common during rush hour."
"Minor ones, sure." Divo replied. "However, Mr. Jettster, these full...lower level crashes are anything but common." There was a hint of pompousness to Divo's nasally tone. "You see, Coruscant Air Traffic Control strictly monitors the skylanes. They're the reason there isn't an airspeeder in every window in CoCo right now. So when something like this happens, it's my job to figure out why."
An abrupt commotion caught the lieutenant's attention. "I'm sorry," one of his police droids said to a citizen. "This area is off limits to civilians by order of the Coruscant Police.
"Oh yeah?" a man grumbled. "Well this is my assigned district, so now it's my business too."
"Sir," the droid intoned. "I'm going to need some identification."
"How's this, clanker?" The man raised a golden lightsaber hilt. Its Haysian smelt plating glistened in the morning sun and the droid looked to its superior.
"Let him through," Divo obliged while examining the apparent Jedi.
With hardly straightened tabards and unkept, auburn sideburns, the man appeared to have just woken up. "Hans Westgard," he declared while entering the room. "Jedi Knight and Sentinel over the CoCo District. Who are you supposed to be?" Before Divo could answer, Hans threw up a hand. "Actually, why don't you just skip that part fill me in? Airspeeder crash, eh?"
"That much is clear," Divo murmured. "How exactly did you get assigned this position...Master Jedi?" FLO wheeled over and offered Divo Jawa Juice. When he refused, Hans eagerly snagged the glass.
"Acts of heroism," Hans boasted. "That whole Corellian Cup mess. Yeah, I went off to warn and aid the escape."
"Ah," Divo realized. "The Scarif Massacre." Hans' wrist seized up and he clenched his Jawa Juice. "The incident which left seven Jedi dead and one missing."
Hans took a deep breath and fought off the memories of that incident. But even his aching forearm was a constant reminder of the suffering sustained. Despite all that Divo had mentioned, he only thought about the missing Jedi. He tried so hard to bury the pain of losing Anna, yet still her face emerged in his mind. Realizing he still hadn't answered the lieutenant, he simply replied, "That's right." Like he'd done so on many nights away from the eyes of the Order, Hans drowned his grief an the alcoholic beverage. He slammed the empty cup back on FLO's tray and leered at Divo. "Now if you're done being a thorn in my side, I have a crime scene to investigate." Hans stumbled forward, nodded at Dexter, and gave Hermione a wink.
His boots shuffled through dustheaps and rubble until he reached the airspeeder's hood. There he found the deceased Togruta lying facedown with his lower half still pinned. "By the Force," Hans uttered.
He rubbed his chin while staring at the body until Divo emerged behind him. "Well?" the lieutenant asked and startled him. "Are you going to tell us all he's dead next?"
"Yes," Hans scoffed. "I mean...no. We need to ID the victim."
"My droids are already ahead of you," Divo affirmed. At the lieutenant's command, his LEP servant droid waddled over and handed Hans a datapad.
The Jedi scoured over its information while concealing a yawn. "Herv Bobak," Hans read aloud. "Seventy-two years old." He glanced at the vehicle. "Nice speeder for an older fellow."
"Keep reading," Divo insisted.
Hans rolled his eyes, but was coerced. "Ah, that explains the nice ride. Bobak is...erhm...was a popular talkshow host on Shili, the Togruta homeworld. Such fame eventually reached the Core Worlds, and Bobak became an interplanetary sensation. The praise would ultimately earn him a spot at hosting the Miss Coruscant beauty pageant."
"Of course," Hermione gasped while Dexter nodded. "I knew he looked familiar! That's Herv kriffing Bobak!"
"Well whaddaya know!" Dexter blurted. "A dead pageant host in my establishment? This'll be madness once the press gets a hold of it."
"Could be good for business," FLO computed.
"Because we totally reopen with a gaping hole in the wall," Hermione jeered.
While Dexter and his staff bickered, Divo and Hans thought over the case. "A big name like that just so happens to crash in and get himself killed?" Hans inquired. "I'm not buying it."
"I'm glad we can agree on something," Divo remarked and stepped towards the diner's furthest corner. "Keep the staff distracted, will ya?"
"Why?" Hans asked.
"A lotta lowlives and priority suspects frequent this diner. My department's been surveilling it for quite some time, and that same hidden camera might've picked up some clues."
Hans caught on and stepped towards the others. He monitored their argument while Divo ran a hand across one of the light fixtures. "Any time now would be great," Hans mumbled impatiently. In that instant, he felt a bizarre appendage tug at his utility belt. He glanced down and observed a sniffing, blue trunk. Hans instinctually swatted it away and the Ortolan shuffled back. "Get away from there, you little-...whatever-thing." The Ortolan rubbed his belly and Hans realized he was going for his food capsules. "Quite a sniffer you've got there," he remarked. It wasn't long before the child's beady, blank stare discomforted Hans. "What?" The Ortolan sniffed again until he pieced the predicament together. "Okay," Hans relented and withdrew an energy pellet. "You get one of these. Just stop looking at me like a demon child with those black little eyes." He tossed the Ortolan a pellet and watched him snatch it with his trunk. The boy horked it down and savored the taste. "It's chocolate," Hans told him and tried not to think of Anna.
Still, her voice echoed within. "It's even chocolate. How'd you know that's my favorite?"
Hans shuddered at the thought and raised a brow when the Ortolan continued to stare. "Wait...what are you-...oh no. No no!" The child graciously scurried over and hugged Hans' leg. "Okay," Hans groaned through gritted teeth. "You're welcome...you can get off now." The Ortolan refused to relinquish his leg. "That's enough," Hans intoned and tried to shake him off. "Retract please, small child." Hans rolled his eyes and couldn't hold back his temper. "Hey!" he snapped. "I'm talking to you, dumbo! Scram!"
The child didn't hear a word he said and remained grateful. He released Hans' leg only to tug on his tabards instead. "What now?" the Jedi asked. "You want more?" The Ortolan shook his head yet held up two fingers. Hans snorted. "Two? Are you out of your mind?" He then switched to a five, then an apparent three. "First of all-" Hans said. "-make up your mind. Second, no!" The Ortolan shook his head again and held up a single, blue digit. "Not even one more," Hans asserted. "You got your meal for the day. You even got a hug out of it. Bye bye." The Ortolan started speedily mixing a series of multiple hand gestures together. Hans huffed and stepped away. "Don't start with the gang symbols. I had to deal with a group of miscreants in CoCo two days ago." When the Ortolan didn't listen, Hans' patience had worn thin. "Okay," he blurted. "You're clearly not even listening and I don't have time for this." He ushered the Ortolan outside and slammed the door on him.
Hans stepped back towards the counter and rubbed his aching head. Despite subjecting himself to a cup of Jawa Juice, he was still trying to overcome his hangover from the previous night. "Well aren't you great with kids," Hermione jeered at him from her seat. "I thought Jedi were supposed to friendly."
"I was just thinking the same thing about servers," Hans fired back. He and Hermione exchanged scowls until Divo beckoned the him back over.
"Who does that Jedi think he is?" Hermione griped to her boss. "I swear, Dex. Your Kenobi friend is one in a million compared to this sideburned loser."
"Did you get what you need?" Hans asked Divo.
"We're about to find out," Divo replied once they were out of view. He held up a microchip and plugged it into his datapad. "Let's see what our probe picked up." Within moments, footage of the diner's interior flickered into view. As Divo fast forwarded through the morning's events, Hans leaned over his shoulder. The lieutenant grimaced upon whiffing the alcohol on his breath. "Do you mind?" he scoffed.
"Not at all," Hans retorted and didn't budge.
Divo shook his head and sighed. "It's a shame so many of Coruscant's prestigious Jedi Sentinels have been assigned to the war effort."
"You're stuck with me," Hans quipped. "Deal with it."
The lieutenant released his grip on the controls as the footage showed the crash. Patrons fled the scene and most of the imagery was shrouded in smoke. "There's the airspeeder," Divo said.
"Can't you zoom in?" Hans griped.
Divo begrudgingly tapped on the screen until it showed a closeup of the vehicle. From the hidden camera's angle, it showed the Togruta emerging from his seat. "So Bobak wasn't killed on impact," Divo perceived.
"But something's not right," Hans added. "The way Bobak's speeder crashed left him pinned indefinitely. His legs are crushed beneath the collapsed seating and he's impaled against the dashboard."
"Another astute observation," Divo grumbled. "But what's your point, Jedi?"
"He would've been better off waiting for emergency services to arrive," Hans explained. "Perhaps then he would've had a chance. However, Bobak here wasn't even willing to risk it. He was scared."
"People are often frightened after dangerous speeder accidents," Divo explained. "Though I do like where your head is at. He's desperate to get out, yet he seems to hold on to something."
"Not something." Hans' eyes widened as he recognized a familiar, blue blob. "Someone."
Divo zoomed in and revealed the face of an Ortolan child. The camera angle provided the back of Bobak's head, but the two appeared to be communicating. He told the child something before succumbing to his wounds and dying on the hood. "Well I'll be damned," Divo said as his droids gathered around. "We've got a witness. If our theory is correct, Bobak may have passed some information regarding his death to this child. We need to track it down and-" Divo raised a brow as Hans stormed off. "Where are you going?"
"Just gimme a sec!" Hans blurted and raced towards the door. You've gotta be kidding me, he thought to himself. Of all the potential witnesses, it had to be that little...floppy-eared...demon child? Hans shoved the door open and chanted, "Please still be here. Please still be here!" When Hans emerged on the sidewalk, all he found were stationary police droids and encroaching news teams. "Kiddo?" he called down the street. "Little fella?" He pulled out his food capsules and shook them like treats. "Yum yum yummy?" When there was no sign of the Ortolan, Hans furiously kicked a trashcan and yelled, "Kriff!"
Lieutenant Divo stepped out of the diner and observed Hans' dismay. "Is it safe to say you lost the witness?" he mocked.
"Is it safe to say I hate you?" Hans replied with a fraudulent grin. Suddenly, Hans' comlink chimed and he cautiously answered it. "Westgard," he groaned.
"Hans," Elsa called in.
The knight's frown deepened and he asked. "What do you want?"
"It's about Anna." Elsa's words caused Hans' grip to soften. "We found her. She's been moved to a recovery room back at the Jedi Temple."
"You-" Hans' breaths shortened. "Found her? She's just back at the-"
"I know we aren't exactly acquaintances, but you were with Anna on Scarif. I thought it was only fair that you should know she was-"
Hans hung up the call and started jogging away. "Where are you going?" Divo asked. "We're in the middle of an investigation!"
"I need to...check out a lead!" Hans assured before rushing to his speeder and flooring it towards the Jedi Temple.
Elsa, Yelena, and Mattias sat in a lounge located near Anna's recovery room. Each Jedi spaced out and observed Coruscant's vast array of sun-streaked clouds. "So what will become of that child now?" Elsa queried.
"She'll likely go to an orphanage," Yelena said. "That's after she and your pirate friends have gone through Republic processing."
"Kristoff and Sven are just my friends," Elsa replied. "If they don't want to be pirates anymore, that past shouldn't have to follow them."
"If only life were that simple," Mattias quipped. "The past always comes back to get you eventually."
"Well at least she's got Kristoff and Sven to keep her company," Elsa considered. "And what about those commandos? I'm sure they'll get medals for their efforts."
Yelena huffed and wished she'd change the subject. "Probably," she said.
A set of footsteps garnered the trio's attention as Dr. Sheparr arrived with a datapad. "How is she, doctor?" Mattias asked.
"She's stable and all tests show no life-threatening injuries," Sheparr replied. "We've got her on an IV for the time being because she won't eat. She also won't say much of anything."
"That smuggler scum," Mattias snarled and shook a fist. "I'm glad the commandos gave them what for."
Elsa cringed at his words and thought about the little girl's mother. "What else did you find, doctor?" she asked.
Sheparr pursed his lips and scrolled through his datapad. "While scans noticed several muscle spasms, we also noticed that Anna had cardiac irregularities. I believe her nervous system has endured some form of intense trauma and she's gone into a catatonic state."
"By the Force," Mattias grieved. "Can we please see her?"
"Of course," Sheparr replied. "Just try not to overwhelm her."
The group cautiously entered Anna's quarters and found her staring out the window. Her eyes remained transfixed on a set location and didn't even follow the passing ships. "Anna," Mattias whispered. "It's me...your master."
"Master," she uttered.
Hearing his apprentice in such a state broke his heart. "Mattias," Yelena intoned. "Let's give her some time."
"I'm not giving up on her," Mattias insisted.
"No one's saying you are," Yelena asserted. "But she's home now."
"She needs me."
"The Jedi Order needs you. The Republic needs you," Yelena intoned and let her voice calm down. "I'm sorry, but you know I'm only trying to look after you. Both of you." Yelena gestured to Elsa. "Whether she's your sister or apprentice, you cannot allow emotion to govern your lives. Anna is safe here. Trust in the Force and let her rest."
Mattias sighed but ultimately released Anna's hand. "We'll be back," he assured his student.
"Elsa," Yelena called. "We're leaving."
The Padawan glowered and bid her sister farewell. "The Force is with you, Anna." she said before departing.
As Elsa left, she took a moment to look over her sister's room. She was about to regroup with the masters when an impatient and very sweaty Hans bumped into her. "Move," he grumbled and practically barged into Anna's room. Hans gasped after seeing her in bed and lunged to her side. "Anna!" he called and scooped up her hand. "Holy kriff. I was so worried about you. Look, I actually visited this time!" His smile faded when he realized how unresponsive she was. "Anna?"
"Hans," she answered breathily as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"What happened to you?" he worried.
"I..." Anna meekly replied. She shut her eyes and a single tear escaped one of them.
"Save your strength," Hans said while his comlink irksomely chimed. "You just get all the rest you need and I'll be back every damn day to visit." Before leaving, Hans checked to see if anyone else was coming in the room. Once he was sure they were alone, he leaned in and planted a warm kiss on Anna's cheek. It pained him to see her so detached from the world around her. She remained just as frozen in place for hours after he'd left. All of the time seemed to blend together for Anna as she stared out the window.
By the time someone came to visit again, the sun had already set over Coruscant. Passing air traffic headlights swayed across her window until Elsa shut the blinds. "Hey, sis." she whispered. "This ought to make it easier to sleep." Elsa sat beside Anna and placed a warm mug on her nightstand. "There's no pressure to drink it, but I made you some tea and it's quite delicious." She sipped from her own mug while Anna maintained her deadpan expression. "It's unbelievable, really." Elsa said. "Most Jedi say I should leave you be, but you're my sister. I don't understand how we can preach compassion to the galaxy and yet abandon each other when we need it most." Elsa reclined in her seat and sighed. While she tried her best to withhold her own pain, Elsa couldn't deny her feelings. "Anna," she said. "I sense deep sorrow and suffering within you. You don't have to talk about what happened now, but know that I'll be here for you when that time comes. I'll always have your back. I promise." Elsa went for another sip of tea. "And don't be afraid to be vulnerable, even if our code tells us 'There is no emotion, there is peace'."
"Peace is a lie," Anna muttered and Elsa almost choked on her tea. "There is only passion."
"Sis?" Elsa worried and set the drink down.
Anna's eyes were barely visible in the darkness of her room as she chanted against her pillow. "Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory."
"Anna?" Elsa panicked and turned a light on. When she did so, the light fixture accidentally strobed for a moment. Such an effect caused Anna to scream.
"No!" she screeched and clutched at her pillow.
Elsa pressed the med droid call button and tried to tend to her sister until help arrived. "You're okay, Anna." she reassured. "I've got you." The youngest Dellian whimpered and hid her face in the pillow while a med droid stepped in. "I don't know what happened," Elsa told it. "I just...it all-"
"Stand back, Padawan." the droid said. As it came to assess Anna, the clanking of its metal feet sent her further into a panic.
"Get back!" Anna snapped and threw up a hand. Much to Elsa's shock, her sister Force-pushed the droid away. It struck the wall with an ear-splitting crash and deactivated on impact. Weakened from mediocre nourishment and her rising panic attack, Anna fell back against her pillow. The madness was over as quickly as it had begun.
A pair of temple guards overheard the commotion and rushed in to observe the scene. While one examined the bashed droid, the other approached Elsa. "Are you alright, Padawan?" he asked.
"I-" Elsa's eyes were wide while staring at her once-again dormant sister. She thought about the bizarre, unsettling mantra Anna had just spoken and pondered its meaning. "I don't know," she told the guard.
Author's Note: Hello "Frozen Force" fans and thank you so much for reading this week's installment! As always, I appreciate your support on this epic, interstellar adventure. We've got so much to look forward to going into the future. While "Anna's Creed" doesn't return until October 3rd, I am happy to announce the production of Frozen Halloween special. I experimented with a Tangled horror story (Violet Venom) a few years back and now I'm excited to tackle an adventure with my favorite characters. Stay tuned for more details!
Now for the preview. On the next Frozen Force Friday, Multiple paths rest in the hands of the few. Concerned about Anna's well-being, Elsa realizes her sister needs "special" help. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Divo has made some intriguing...suspicous developments regarding the airspeeder crash. It all happens on the next chapter of "The Frozen Force!"
Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with You!
~Michael