Chapter XII
Wild Nomad, Hyperspace
Riko had asked to be alone, taking Artoo and Niner and hiding within the cargo bay. He hadn't spoken to anyone else in the crew in hours. Not even Jade.
Even though Riko wanted to be 'alone,' Jade wasn't going to let him off that easily. So, Jade waited outside the cargo bay, listening to what she guessed were the clashes and grunts of a lightsaber duel and crackle of lightning through the wall.
"Your son needs you!" An old man was yelling.
"You'll have to do!" A pause between sentences, "His name is Riko!"
"Stop him!" A distinctive masked voice, one very similar to Asharr's.
The sounds of lightning continued, there were more hums and clashes as lightsabers whirled through the air.
Engines. A ship was lifting off.
Opening the door, Jade peered in.
Riko was sitting down on the floor, holding something in his hands as he watched a holographic recording materializing from Artoo's old projectors. Niner watched next to him, equally downcast.
Jade looked towards the holorecording. The quality was rough, the sound slightly distorted, filtered through Artoo's outdated projectors and speakers. Jade had to squint to make out any details.
Based on the rough whine of the engines, the roar of the wind, and the vague image of a cockpit Jade could make out, she assumed that whatever the recorder was — probably a droid of some kind — was on the outside of a ship.
Suddenly, the ship slipped away. The droid spun in the atmosphere, presumably falling. It continued to fall until it impacted the ground with a boom!
As dust and sand settled around the droid, clouding the already-fragmented frame, Jade heard the sounds of lightsabers again, faintly seeing two figures – one in armor, one in a hooded cloak – dueling each other.
Then, they stopped, extinguishing their blades. The armored warrior removed her helmet and looked up into the sky.
"He's gone," She said regretfully.
The second person moved their hands to their head, removing a mask from their hooded face.
"I'm really sorry, Mîranda," a familiar voice responded, stirring buried tides of anger and rage within Jade, "At least he'll be safe."
Jade clenched her hand into a fist, attempting to contain her anger. She took a deep breath as Tau and Mîranda continued to speak.
"I will hold you to that," Mîranda declared.
"I will honor my promises," Tau replied, "I will provide whatever help you need."
"I appreciate your help, Tau," Mîranda said softly.
"We all must make sacrifices," Tau assured her, "You will see him again. I pr...ise..."
Artoo powered down the hologram.
"Breet vreet," the droid explained.
"It's fragmented?" Riko asked dejectedly.
"Vrooot."
Riko didn't say anything. For a moment, the only sound was that of Niner's wheel as he turned towards his maker.
"I lack words for now," Niner declared, his voice filled with shock.
"It's okay, Niner," Riko replied softly, hugging the little droid.
"You okay?" Jade asked.
Riko turned towards Jade. He was holding his old lightsaber, the ornate one that Kali'sto had given him.
"Hey Jade," Riko said softly.
"Deet-beet?"
"It's okay, Artoo," Riko responded.
Artoo adjusted his legs and began to leave the room. Niner glanced towards Jade as she approached Riko.
"You want me to leave, too?" Niner asked.
"I…." Riko replied, "I don't..."
"I can go," Niner replied, "It okay. You two can be alone."
Niner turned back to Jade, who moved to her knees to face the little droid in the eyes.
"Please help him, Jade," Niner begged, "My big brother needs you."
Jade nodded.
As Niner left, Riko set down the saber and walked towards a small cooling container that was placed against the wall.
"I got you this," Riko opened the container and retrieved a bottle.
"Elimjuice?" Jade asked.
"It's organic," Riko commented.
"Thanks," Jade mustered a half-smile as she took the bottle and set it down to the side, "It's a lot to take in, isn't it."
"Yep," Riko answered, "I didn't know my mom, though."
"It turned out I didn't know Tau either," Jade responded, "Not really."
Riko started to open his mouth, but he stopped himself. Jade knew what he was about to say.
"I'm afraid," Riko explained, "it's not the Sith we're fighting. It's people we know. Friends, family even. My mom, Tarrin…"
As Riko stopped himself, Jade was silent, unsure of how she should respond.
"Jade," Riko began, "How…?"
Riko trailed off, his hand on his chin.
"You don't need to say it," Jade assured him, "I know what you meant."
Riko didn't say anything.
"It was the worst thing I ever went through," Jade explained, "Tau's betrayal, Mom's death. Asharr. I guess I tried to run from it all."
She looked right into Riko's eyes.
"The only reason I've started to come back is because I still have you," Jade continued, "You've always been there for me."
"I used to hide from my fears, too," Riko replied, "I realized, eventually, that my problems weren't going away. I had to face them. And...it was the scariest thing I ever did, but it was how I saved you."
"I'm tired of hiding, too," Jade declared, "No matter what happens, we can't just hide and do nothing."
Riko nodded. Jade took his hands in her own.
"Whatever comes next," Jade promised, "We'll face it together. You won't be alone. I promise."
Riko was silent for a moment.
"Deal."
Jade smiled.
"Want to open up the elimjuice?" Jade asked.
Riko mustered a half-smile.
"Maybe in a minute," Riko replied, inching closer towards Jade. Jade leaned in towards her boyfriend.
But, even as they embraced, Jade couldn't help but hear that voice in her head.
Only you can muster the strength to save yourself. Not him, not anyone else…
Cockpit
As Artoo focused his attention on deciphering the corrupted data they had retrieved from the station, Bao debriefed Val on the details of their mission. Around them, the cockpit was dark, illuminated by the glow of hyperspace.
"So they're using Mandalorians?" Bao asked.
"They are," Val responded.
"I can understand," Bao commented, "You're the best warriors in the galaxy…"
"Best warriors for hire."
A moment of silence ensued between the two of them as Val's words sank in.
"Something else troubles you," Bao commented.
As Val remained silent behind his helmet, Bao couldn't help but think on how they both scared most sapients: Bao, even when he smiled, unnerved humanoids with his scales, eyes, and teeth, which brought the image of a predator to the forefront of most people's minds.
Val's helmet concealed his identity, leaving an inherent mystery as to his appearance and expressions; they only saw his never-changing mask, the red slash painted upon it, his armor, his gear…
Bao was wiser, and knew his friend too well to be intimidated by that visage.
"Remember Mîranda?" Val asked in Mando'a.
"Yes," Bao responded in the same language.
"Apparently, she lived there at some point, Riko found a message from her. She's working with Tau."
Bao rattled in an equivalent of a sigh.
"I see," he reported.
"She could be Mand'alor by now, for all we know."
"If that's true, it's likely we'll see these Mandalorians again," Bao replied, "What can you tell me about them?"
"Clan Tracinya?" Val replied, "They're Mîranda's clan. They believed in working with others, they went against all that 'Mandalore first' osik. Before I got exiled, they were gaining a lot of traction back home, I wouldn't be surprised if they control Mandalore by now."
"That's good to know," Bao replied.
"They take in recruits from everywhere," Val added, "They're a tight knit group."
"You miss them," Bao observed.
"My fellow Mandos?"
"Your clan."
"I'm Val Fett for a reason."
"They are your people, Val," Bao explained.
"I don't need a people," Val responded, "I have my kit, the Nomad, a droid who hates me, a traumatized pilot, a kid, and a young barve. Who could ask for more?"
"We're all looking for something," Bao responded.
He glanced back up at the vast hyperspace tunnel.
"We still have a long way to go before we find Kali'sto. And that's just the first step," he reflected, "Even without the Force, I can sense fractures in our morale."
"The kid, Emdee, and I are doing okay," Val replied, "Not sure about the rest of the crew."
"We all have our own problems," Bao responded, "There are times when I wonder if we're pursuing the right person."
"Don't you want to find him too?" Val asked.
"Of course I do," Bao replied, "But maybe my own reasons are selfish."
The Trandoshan's throat rattled as he admitted, "Sometimes I wonder if I put too much faith in Kali'sto."
"You think there are better options?"
"I'm not sure," Bao replied, "Reaching out to other Adherents, perhaps. I don't know."
His head lowered as he added, "There are no other masters left. No one else to turn for wisdom or guidance." He said this sad reminder to himself as much as Val.
"Yeah," Val said softly, "It's just us until we find the old man."
"Yes," Bao replied, "But…that aside…there are days when I think I've indulged my apprentice too much."
"What do you mean?"
"I worry for him. He's shown far too frequently that he can let his feelings cloud his judgment," Bao explained, "This wasn't the first time he let his emotions interfere with the mission. He seemzs unable to view things objectively."
"Objectively, Tau's restoring order to this part of space," Val replied, "Objectively, the Consortium's provided economic opportunity and security for plenty of planets you guys ignored."
Before Bao could respond, Val continued, "It's amazing how you go from relatable vod to pompous Jedi preacher in a nanosecond."
"I worry Riko can be too focused on his passions," Bao retorted, "That's why he lost the transcripts back on Dromund Kaas."
"He's still a kid, Bao," Val replied, "He's figuring things out."
"By becoming a Jedi, he's adopted a great responsibility. There's a reason the old Jedi avoided attachments," Bao replied.
Val was silent for a moment. With his helmet concealing his face, it almost looked like he was studying Bao, as if he was mentally formulating a plan to subdue a target in his sights. Knowing what Val was really doing, Bao wasn't intimidated.
"You…know, huh?" Val concluded.
"Of course I know about Riko and Jade," Bao admitted, "Hormones produce an especially strong scent in humans."
"Is that why you're keeping Jade here?"
"What?" Bao asked, taken aback.
"Are you trying to keep Riko and Jade separated or something?"
Bao was about to retort, but he calmed himself, contemplating the answer.
Was it true? Could he be letting his protective feelings for his apprentice cloud his judgment? Was he projecting his own faults onto his crewmates?
"Maybe, on a subconscious level," Bao admitted, "I thought it was simply because she's still healing, like me."
"Ahhhh," Val replied, "That's why. Projecting, are we, oh objective and rational Jedi?"
"Perhaps," Bao responded, sighing through his fangs, "I have faced difficulties adapting to our new situation, just like she has."
"I mean, you're the one telling Riko to figure things out by doing," Val added, "This seems out of character for you."
Bao lowered his head, "There are days when I'm not sure I can handle this, ner vod. I've never felt more...trapped."
"We're all going through some osik, Bao," Val replied, turning his head so that the vivid red wound painted on his helmet was directly facing the Trandoshan's snout.
"I suppose so," Bao replied. He had never understood his friend more than he did now.
Hours Later...
After being summoned by Bao on the intercom, Riko and Jade had quickly – and reluctantly – ended their impromptu date and made their way to the galley. Taking his seat on the built-in sofa, Riko turned his attention towards the table.
"Okay," Val began once the crew had gathered around the table, "Artoo's been decoding and analyzing the coordinates, and when analyzing the sector, he found something that raised a few questions."
"What do you mean?" Riko asked.
"Let's start from the beginning," Bao replied, "Val, you were saying?"
"Right," Val replied, "Based off the sensor logs, Artoo was able to triangulate Kali'sto's likely course. He was heading for the Jubilar sector," Val explained, "That's as far as the Mandalorians got before we snuck into their computer."
As he spoke, Artoo plugged his scomp link into the holotable and projected a three-dimensional map of the sector.
"It's a fairly empty area," Val elaborated, "The only inhabited planets are Sufezz and Hardex."
"Alright," Riko noted, "Where should we begin searching?"
"That's not what caught our attention, Padawan," Bao replied.
"Kali'sto's course doesn't take him anywhere near those planets," Val explained.
"Then where's he going?" Riko asked.
Artoo highlighted a set of coordinates in the heart of the holographic sector. The map zoomed into to reveal crude approximations of a gas giant around which orbited a small planet highlighted in red.
"What are we looking at?" Riko asked.
"It's called Nyr'itz," Bao explained, "It's located in the heart of the sector."
"There's no record of this system in our starcharts," Val commented, "And I always keep our navicomp updated."
"How do we have this image, then?" Jade asked.
"Artoo retrieved this from his databanks," Bao explained, "It's from the Jedi archives, circa seventeen years ago."
"So it's not available on public holomaps," Riko reasoned, "That doesn't sound too bad. It's probably a restricted world, like Dromund Kaas."
"That itself would be worrying," Bao responded, "But that's not what concerns me."
"Twoot-Breet-Deet-Breet-Deet-Breet," Artoo explained nervously, "Breet-Deet!"
"Woah," Riko replied, "Really?"
"Dreet-Breet," Artoo affirmed.
Riko was silent as he processed Artoo's words, curiosity and dread filling his mind.
Jade quickly cleared her throat.
"I don't speak Binary," she explained, "What's wrong?"
"This planet was discovered seventeen years ago," Bao replied, "By Tau Skywalker."
The room was once again silent. Riko felt Jade grow tense.
"So, Tau discovered this planet?" Jade replied, "Is there any other info?"
"It was one of several planets he visited during those years," Bao replied, "Tau's report claimed he crashed his ship here for several days. He described the planet as habitable, but didn't recommend colonization. No further exploration has been made."
"You're certain that this is where Kali'sto is headed?" Riko asked.
"Dreet-Breet-Deet!" Artoo affirmed.
"He are sure," Niner translated, "He double-checked with the navigator computer. Ninety-Seven percent chance Kali'sto goes there."
"Maybe he's looking for something," Riko speculated.
"That doesn't sound too bad," Jade declared, "Let's go check it out."
Riko glanced towards Jade, both surprised and slightly happy to see her take initiative again.
"You're sure?" Riko asked.
"Yeah," Jade replied, "Let's go."
Riko looked at the small world, silently contemplating his vote.
"I think it's worth a look," Riko concluded.
"Then I vote yes!" Niner added, "Let's find Pappy Kali'sto!"
Both Jade and Val stifled a chuckle. Riko just smiled.
"I'm reluctant," Emdee replied, "This seems like too much of a risk."
"Dreet-Breet-Deet!" Artoo encouraged.
"I'm not eager to do this," Val said, turning towards Bao, "But I'll follow your lead. What's our next move?"
As Riko and the others watched, Bao's gaze was fixed towards the map, a faint rattling coming from his throat.
"I am apprehensive," Bao declared, "But I believe that the Force is with us on this one. Lay in a course for Nyr'itz."
Author's Note:
Hi everyone! Sorry for my absence, I needed a little break. But now, I'm back!