Chapter XVIII

MC-0302 Long-Range Dropship/Transport Dorjander Kace

"We have to consider new tactics, Mand'alor," Jedi Master Yanas Illa declared in accented Basic. Though her face was largely concealed behind her hood, she kept her tone serene, the contrasting elements conveying a calm but intimidating demeanor. Just like all of the Shadows.

"Master Yanas," Míranda Nai-Jal began, speaking matter-of-factly, "I offered our targets an opportunity to surrender and accept our terms…"

"They never would have listened," a familiar voice declared from behind her.

Míranda turned around to see the image of a tall man dressed in robes. Two lightsabers hung at his belt, and his right hand was a skeletal construct made of durasteel. His pale face was heavily lined, particularly around his faded blue eyes.

"You have a flair for the dramatic, Master Skywalker," Míranda commented.

"Grand Master," the holographic avatar of Tau Skywalker corrected.

"Grand Master," Illa reported, "Kali'sto slipped through our grasp. The Mand'alor here offered to spare Bao-Sklar Pierce and Val Fett at a crucial moment. By leaving them alive, she left us unprepared to deal with Kali'sto."

Tau was silent, his every movement reflected through the holoimage. Míranda had always found this technology unnerving. Save for the slight glitching, blue tint, and subtle transparency in the image, it looked like he was actually there.

"Leave us, Master Yanas," Tau ordered, "I wish to speak to the Mand'alor alone."

"Of course, Grand Master," Yanas bowed, then proceeded to exit the small, dark chamber, leaving Míranda alone with the holo-Tau.

When the door sealed, Tau was still silent. Usually, there was a delay of a few seconds in the signal.

"Míranda, I know how hard this was for you," Tau said sympathetically.

"I believed I saw an opportunity and I took it…" Míranda began.

"You let your emotions cloud your judgment," Tau responded, "That is not the path of balance."

His avatar advanced towards Míranda.

"What is the purpose of the Shadows, Míranda?"

"The Jedi Shadows are a contingency," she recited, "When diplomacy fails, we eliminate threats to the balance of the Force, lest another war come."

"Will you fulfill that directive if necessary? Will you do what must be done, like a true Jedi?"

Míranda was silent, unsure whether to be direct or subtle.

"I understand the difficulty," Tau responded before she answered, clearly gauging her reactions, "I live with a great burden every day because of the sacrifices I made. I need to know you can do the same…"

"Your own Jedi made mistakes," Míranda replied, careful to avoid mentioning her son, "Mistakes that led to our defeat."

"I will deal with them," Tau responded, "They will be reminded to be resolute and uncompromising, as you should be. Had you been resolute, Bao-Sklar Pierce and Val Fett would be dead, and you would have had your son back. Because you showed mercy, a Jedi Knight and those under his charge have united with Kali'sto. Our old mentor."

Míranda remained silent, noticing that Tau was shaking ever so slightly.

"The actions of beings with will and strength can alter the shape of the galaxy," Tau continued, "We are such beings. So is Bao-Sklar Pierce. And Kali'sto could be as well, if he wished."

"A rebellion," Míranda responded, still watchful.

"Worse," Tau replied, "The seeds are planted, it's just a matter of watering them." A slight look of fondness and longing flew across Tau's face as he said this, "You know what will be unleashed if we fail, Míranda."

"I do," Míranda admitted, speaking as much to herself as Tau.

Tau looked closely into her visor, "You've been doubting my methods."

"I question the need for your special prisoner," Míranda asked, "She is dangerous."

"She has her uses," Tau admitted, "There is much more to extract from her before I eliminate her."

Beneath her helmet, Míranda raised her brow, "Such as?"

"Every one of her victims you've found are still being studied," Tau explained, "We are still learning to understand the process, so we might free them. Killing her before we understand the process could hold devastating consequences."

"I see," Míranda responded in a neutral tone, concealing her surprise as she processed the meaning of Tau's words. Though the Jedi Master concealed his motivations behind a more egalitarian motive, the Mand'alor understood who he really hoped to save.

Tau was silent, probably pondering her line of questioning. Míranda did her best to keep her thoughts focused away from what she had just realized.

"Your orders are to take Riko Nai-Jal and Jade Skywalker alive," Tau eventually said, "If possible, capture Kali'sto as well. Bao-Sklar Pierce and Val Fett are both lost causes."

"I understand," Míranda replied.

"May the Force be with you, apprentice," Tau bid his ally farewell.

"And you, Master," Míranda replied. Tau's avatar vanished.

As she settled in for the long trip back to the headquarters of the Shadows, Míranda did her best to keep her thoughts quiet, keeping her eyes on her datapad, focusing on analyzing the tactics of the mission to Nyr'itz.

She would be watched. She had to be careful.

Galley, Wild Nomad, Hyperspace

Most of the crew was utterly exhausted, collapsed on the couch. Riko could barely contain his excitement. Even though the galaxy was a mess around them, he hadn't felt this optimistic or happy in a long time. He couldn't help but feel like everything had fallen into place…

"It's ready!" Kali'sto declared.

Riko and the Nomad's crew were gathered around the table. Per Kali'sto's requests, they had not bothered him while he worked on a meal.

Riko had a barrage of questions waiting to spill out, wondering where Kali'sto had been and what he had been up to. He wanted to know everything.

"You're glowing," Jade whispered from next to him.

"Okay," Riko responded, only paying half-attention.

"I see not photoluminescence," Niner remarked, puzzled.

Kali'sto, bent over so he wouldn't bang his head, walked over to the metal table, carrying a large container with a serving spoon in his hand.

"I worked with what you had available," Kali'sto smiled, serving large spoonfuls of stew into their cheap plastibowls, "I have experience with adding edibility to rations. I adjusted the recipe to accommodate the Trandoshan diet."

The broth was red, with chunks of vegetables and spices sown in. The smell brought back memories. Riko sipped, missing his father's cooking.

Val gagged, quickly gulping down his water.

"Is it too spicy?" Kali'sto asked.

"It's a little…strong," Val responded.

"It's good!" Bao complimented.

Kali'sto shrugged, "I cannot please everyone."

Riko tried the dish again, it tasted better the second time, with the spiciness that defined many of his favorite childhood recipes. He hadn't realized until the second spoonful that mashed-up rations were mixed in.

"I missed this," Riko spoke up.

"All your food were this spiced?" Niner asked.

"Yep," Riko responded, "I loved it."

"No wonder you hated temple food," Jade added.

"So," Kali'sto began, "What events brought you out here, seeking me out?"

"I will be happy to brief you," Bao responded.

"I want to know everything," Kali'sto commented.

"You won't believe what I've been through, Dad," Riko added.

As Kali'sto listened, Bao and Val began to recount their previous adventures. Riko tried to pay attention, but slowly drifted.

Riko felt a nudge on his arm. He turned to his left.

"I should go," Jade declared, "I'm a little exhausted."

Bao stopped speaking. Riko himself noted that something was off.

"If you need to," Bao responded calmly.

Riko's confusion gave way to a spike of shock...and guilt. As he slid off the rough sofa and let Jade pass, Riko could only recall his duel with Tarrin's haunting spectre. As he watched Jade hurry out of the room, he couldn't help but speculate what horrors Jade had seen in those ruins...

Riko realized what an insensitive idiot he had been. Mentally berating himself, he turned towards the assembled group.

"Is it okay if I leave too?" He asked, worried.

"Sure," Val and Kali'sto said simultaneously. Both subtly glanced at the other.

"Okay," Riko responded, "I'll talk with you later, Dad."

"Take whatever time you need," Kali'sto encouraged him. He was also looking at the doorway.

With a different kind of eagerness, Riko slid off his seat and hurried to Jade's quarters.

You can't keep running… Asharr whispered in Jade's head.

Get out! Jade responded angrily. Even after physically facing Asharr's visage in that temple, Jade was still haunted by that blasted voice in her head...

"Jade?" Riko's muffled voice broke through her reverie.

Jade looked up. Attempting to compose herself, she moved off her bunk and opened the door.

"What is it?" Jade asked.

"Are you okay?" Riko inquired.

"What happened?" Jade responded.

"I wanted to apologize," Riko explained, "I got so excited about finally seeing my dad again…I…"

Riko glanced away, his hands frantically rubbing against each other.

"I get it, Riko," Jade responded, angered.

Riko looked puzzled.

He can't help you…

"What do you mean?" Riko asked. He sounded genuinely worried.

"Riko, I really need some time alone," Jade responded fiercely, "Okay?"

"Are you sure you don't want to talk…"

"Yes!"

You're a scared little girl, alone in the dark…

"Jade…" Riko pleaded.

"GET OUT!" Jade yelled.

"Okay," Both intimidated and saddened, Riko backed away as Jade sealed the door. Closed off from the rest of the ship, she collapsed on the floor, sobbing. Everything she had tried to bury flooded outward; grief, pain, loss…

Riko had his father back, he had a mentor, he had friends.

For Jade, there was nothing…no holoimage, no purpose, nothing. Thalia Fel was gone. Her family, her life, everything that made Jade who she was...were gone. And they were never coming back.