Chapter XXVII
Malor Kel (Starport THX1140)
Riko found the confines of maintenance tunnels to be...cozy, even soothing. The conduits and circuitry directing power to the hangar from the auxiliary power generator, though old and damaged, were straightforward, with no surprises. It was easy for him to understand their problems: a misalignment of the second conduit caused by damage to the bracing, overwearing on the third power converter, and a minor circuit burnout with the regulator, which had mandated that the whole power conduit be taken offline. Evidently, that had happened some time ago, and no one had repaired it since.
Riko's reverie was interrupted by the sound of treads across metal, echoing through the tight corridor. With great reluctance, he looked up from his project. His annoyance faded as he recognized the sound.
"Niner?" Riko called.
From behind the corner of the tunnel came the little droid, his eyes lighting up with joy.
"Riko!"
"Niner!" Riko gave his little brother a tight mutual hug.
"I'm so glad you're here!" He declared.
"Is you okay?" Niner asked.
"I'm…" Riko wasn't entirely sure, "Did Bao tell you what happened?"
"Yep," Niner's voice grew worried, "Please tell me we won't leave."
Niner's words put Riko back on the spot, all of the conflicts and dilemmas he felt rushing back to the surface.
"I don't know," Riko was more calm this time, "I thought you also wanted to go home."
"I doesn't remember home much," Niner explained, "We left three days after you built me."
"I've thought about it every single day…" Riko paused as he sensed a familiar beacon in the Force. He moved to his feet, his emotions jumbled as Jade walked in. She had tied her hair back like she used to, in a short, practical braid that kept her face clear and her vision unobstructed. Her old lightsaber hung around her belt. She looked just as emotionally worn out and confused as Riko felt.
"Hi Riko," Jade replied, "A lot on your mind?"
"The auxiliary power conduits for the hangar haven't seen maintenance in years," Riko explained, "There's all kinds of problems with the bracing, wear, circuit burnouts..."
He paused for a moment before admitting, "I needed a place to think, away from everyone else. And I thought I could do a little good."
He sighed, "I feel ridiculous."
"No, I understand," Jade sympathized, "I actually like this place."
"Really?" Riko was definitely surprised.
"Yeah," Jade sounded slightly awed, "You hear that pulse? It's like a big heartbeat."
Riko listened and agreed with Jade's observation. The faint hum of the power streaming through the primary conduits was soothing. He hadn't even noticed.
"I told her what you said to me," Niner whispered.
Riko decided that he didn't want to waste any more time. So he jumped right to the point.
"Jade, I just wanted to say," he began, "I'm really sorry. I should have paid more attention, I was...I was really selfish. I got so excited to see my dad again, and all the chaos, the battle...it's on me. What happened is my fault.
I'm not going to do that again. Whenever you need me, I promise that I'll always be there…"
His words were silenced as Jade leaned in and kissed him. Riko's shock and surprise gave way to joy.
When their lips parted, Jade was chuckling.
"I'll always be there?" Jade repeated, "That's the best you could say?"
For a moment, Riko was confused. Then, like a glowlamp igniting in his head, he suddenly got it.
"It was that bad?" Riko grinned weakly.
"Yeah," Jade smiled, "But it was from the heart."
"I'm glad you forgive me," Riko said.
"Riko, it wasn't your fault," Jade's expression grew more serious, "I was wrong to take it all out on you. I'm not sure I was even trying to. Don't blame yourself for what happened."
Riko's guilt didn't entirely dissipate, but Jade's words gave him a strong degree of solace.
"How are you feeling, Jade?" Riko asked, "You seem different."
"Well…" Jade sighed, "Going through that experience...in the ruins. It made me realize that I've been running from my fears for too long. It's like you said, I can't run from my demons anymore. I've got to face my past, before it destroys me."
Riko felt both relieved and worried for Jade, the guilt of his partial desire to go back resurfacing, adding to the jumble he felt.
"Do you want to go back with Kali'sto?" Once again, Jade read his emotions like an open book.
"Well…" Riko sat down, his back resting against the wall. He paused before answering, "I don't know."
Jade sat next to him as she said, "I know what it's like. When…" she took a deep breath before continuing. Riko knew what she was about to bring up.
"When Tau turned on me, I felt like…" she was clearly hesitant, "Like everything I had done amounted to nothing. I realized that I only became a Jedi because I wanted to spend more time with him, I wanted to be like him. I just felt...adrift, like I had no purpose. Is that how you feel?"
"Not entirely," Riko didn't feel adrift, instead pulled in two separate directions.
Jade rephrased her question, "Do you want to leave the Nomad?"
"No," Riko answered without a shred of doubt, "Bao and the others need me, now more than ever. I know that it'll be hard, but I can't just turn my back on this, not on Bao, or Val, Emdee, Artoo, or you."
A feeling of clarity broke through Riko's muddled emotions.
"I just wish that my dad was okay with it," he finished, "I thought this was what he wanted, and I don't know if I can leave him again."
"When I told my mom I wanted to be a Jedi," Jade placed her hand on Riko's shoulder, "She acted out. It meant I was going with Dad, and she'd be all alone. Mom raised me, and after she became the Empress, I think I was the only thing in her life she was happy about. My parents had their fight, they split up, and I went with Dad. I didn't see Mom again for a long time."
Her head lowered, Riko wasn't encouraged.
"Sorry," Jade apologized, "Bad example."
"So, you think I should go with Dad?" Riko asked.
"I think you should follow your heart," Jade replied, "I want you to be happy, Riko. You have a chance to go home, and if you want to take it, you should.
But," she interrupted Riko before he could retort, sounding regretful as she said, "I don't think that's what you're going to do."
Riko mulled over Jade's advice, calmly trying to navigate the storm of his own doubt. Eventually, the truth hit him like a punch to the gut.
"I guess not," A grim, sorrowful weight settled upon Riko as he admitted this. He was not looking forward to what he would have to do next.
Wild Nomad
Bao felt both relief and a slight tinge of guilt upon seeing Riko return with Val, Jade, and Niner.
"It's good to see you, Riko," he declared, "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay, Bao," Riko replied, "I just needed some time to think through all this. I know what I want to do. This is where I need to be, with you all."
"Riko," Bao walked closer to his apprentice, "If this is because you feel an obligation to us, don't take on more than you feel ready for. The course we have charted will be challenging, physically and emotionally. You've endured so much already, and you've been a great help so far. But you have a chance to go with your father, and the choice should be yours."
"Bao," Riko spoke with pain tempered by a strong conviction, "I'm already a part of this, I couldn't live with myself if I just walked away now. Innocent people are in danger and I have the power to help them. I have to do this."
Bao looked back at the wide-eyed, awkward boy raised on stories and legends that he had first met on Atarashi'ie three years ago, and couldn't help but contrast that memory with the confident, resourceful young man that stood before him now.
"Selflessness and compassion are the most important traits in a Jedi," Bao declared, "If you believe your place is here, I am proud to continue calling you my padawan."
He bowed in respect to his student.
"Thank you," Riko mirrored Bao's gesture, "Master."
"I'm glad you're back, kid," Val placed his hand on Riko's shoulder. Artoo sped down the hall, excitedly beeping. Emdee hovered down the corridor, her photoreceptors flashing a warm green. Artoo's excitement turned to dismay as Niner tried to hug the astromech. The entire crew gathered to welcome Riko home.
Eventually, they all assembled around the holotable in the galley. Riko suspected that Bao's opening words were directed largely at him,
"To bring everyone up to speed; during our skirmish on Nyr'itz, I retrieved an artifact from one of the Jedi Shadows. Using Kali'sto's teachings, I was able to look into the past, and I learned of Tau's new goal."
Riko turned his attention to the holopad as Artoo inserted his scomp link into the table. A holoimage of a vast, misshapen stronghold manifested. Riko's jaw almost dropped.
"What happened there?" Emdee asked.
"After Darth Krayt was defeated, the Jedi tried to rebuild the Temple," Riko had learned about this in the Jedi archives years earlier, "But they couldn't purge the dark side from its nexus."
"There was no way to remove the Sith taint," Bao finished, "So the decision was made to halt the reconstruction process and seal off the temple. Now, Tau has reopened it and repurposed the prisons Krayt left behind. His plan is to use the dark side energies of the temple to try and turn captive Adherents to his side."
"That's insane," Jade seethed. Riko took her hand in his. Val glanced in her direction, but said nothing.
"Tau said that he drew inspiration from ancient Force-users, who used the same techniques to realign their disciples who had fallen too far to either light or dark," Bao sounded like he was quoting, "But yes Jade, the sanity of this plan is questionable at best. Its inhumanity is not."
"How many Jedi are imprisoned there?" Riko asked.
"I can't say for certain," Bao replied, "I'm not a master of this technique yet. Without Kali'sto's help, the recollection I experienced was…hazy. What I do know is that we have to save these prisoners."
"What is the plan?" Niner asked eagerly.
"A mission like this would start as one of infiltration and sabotage," Bao replied, "A style of warfare which our friend Val is an expert in."
"I really hope you haven't let Dromund Kaas go to your heads," Val commented, "Because this is taking it to a whole other scale."
"We'll be contending with Jedi Shadows," Jade noted, "They'll find us the second we land on Coruscant."
"We won't even sense them coming," Riko added, "I know that Jedi can mask themselves in the Force, but the Shadows have taken it to a whole new level."
"That would be true, Padawan," Bao replied, "Except for one factor. When I looked into the past, I saw the Shadows ambush a group of Adherents, and I felt the sensations in the Force. I know how they cloak themselves, and how to see through it. Perhaps, between the three of us, we could even learn to conceal ourselves in the same way."
"You're sure that would be enough?" Emdee asked, "I don't think Force magic is a viable strategy by itself."
"It is for the Shadows," Val noted, "They rely on the element of surprise. And I think that Clan Tracinya copied them."
"If we can mitigate that advantage, it will greatly improve our ability to fight back," Bao declared, "And once we've freed the captives, we'll have more Jedi to help us."
"We're potentially facing thousands of Jedi and Mandalorians," Emdee replied, "Are you sure this tactic will be enough?"
"The Shadows are a small, secret branch, Emdee," Bao clarified, "The rest of the Jedi Order would never sanction this. I don't think Tau could call upon any other Knights for aid without exposing everything."
"Dreet-deet-breet-deet!" Artoo asked Val.
"I don't know," Val answered, "I haven't been welcome on Manda'yaim for some time. But I don't think Mîranda would commit her entire clan to this mission. I doubt there's more than a few dozen commandos stationed there, at best."
He changed the subject, declaring, "The Nomad's still a bit banged up. But after some fine-tuning from the kid and Artoo, she'll be ready for another crazy extraction mission."
"Vreet-Beet-Deet!" Artoo whistled with pride.
"So," Emdee summarized, "Your plan is to sneak inside, bust out your friends, and escape, sabers whirring and guns blazing?"
"Pretty much," Val shrugged.
"I wish we could do more," Bao commented, "But we have no allies willing to help us, nor can we afford to search any longer. This is our only option."
"Fine," Jade declared, "Let's do this."
"Let's go," Riko jumped in.
"Dreet-Breet-Deet!" Artoo affirmed.
"Let we go save the Jedi!" Niner exclaimed.
"I'll go with the group," Emdee reluctantly acquiesced.
"Alright," Val declared, "Let's do this."
As everyone started to leave, Riko spoke up.
"Wait."
He had gathered everyone's attention.
"I need to tell my dad," he explained, "I owe him that much."
"I understand," Bao empathized, "Jade, Artoo, Val, get the engines primed. We'll wait here for Riko..."
"Actually," Val interrupted, "Can I go with you, kid? I know this is going to be hard, and…I'd like to be there for you."
"Sure," Riko replied. He welcomed the idea of having a friend with him.
"Perhaps I should be the one to go," Bao suggested, "I am your mentor…"
"It's my ship, Bao," Val retorted.
Riko found Val's words confusing.
"Very well, Val," Bao agreed, "We'll be here on standby."
As the rest of the crew prepared the Nomad to depart, Riko, Val, and Niner made their way across the platforms of the hangar hive towards Skysprite.
"What did you mean by that?" Riko asked, "It's your ship?"
"That was just me asserting my authority, kid," Val explained, "I figured you'd need someone a little less mystic for this. Bao's a good friend, but he makes everything into a lesson."
Riko mused over Val's words.
"I guess he does," Riko agreed.
Once they reached Skysprite's berth, he took a deep breath, trying to keep the storm of anticipation and sadness within him in check.
Orra Jen glided down the corvette's landing ramp.
"There you are!" she sounded pleased, "Kali'sto's still out, looking for you. I let him know you're back."
"I need to talk to him," Riko replied.
"Just wait inside, all of you," Orra Jen gestured, "He'll be here soon."
Riko and the others obliged. They made their way through the ship's corridors, looking for some kind of meeting place. Riko's eyes darted around the interior; he noted how much more open and expansive it felt compared to the tight coziness of the Wild Nomad.
He came across a room with a bunk and table, some kind of crew quarters. Within stood a chest on the floor…
"I know this," Riko walked inside towards the chest. It had always been tucked within Kali'sto's room when Riko was a kid, and he now recognized it as the same one Tau had opened in the Force vision-memories.
"Childhood memories?" Val asked warmly.
"Yeah," Riko explained, "It's Dad's personal chest. He's had it for a long time."
"What are in there?" Niner asked.
"He never told me," Riko replied, "He just said that there were 'Old memories, from many years ago. He promised to tell me the story someday."
"Well," Val suggested, "what better time to open it than now?"
Riko hesitated, feeling like he was breaking a rule. But Val was right, he might not get a chance again. Taking a deep breath, he opened the chest.
"I recognize these!" Riko beamed. Kali'sto had added several mementos in the last few years, almost all of them from Riko's childhood on Orîlla.
The very first machine Riko had repaired: a simple wrist chrono. Kali'sto's favorite ceramic bowl, a large, simple pot cracked and repaired with blue lacquer. A binary beacon Riko had found in a junkyard and repaired. A travel-sized dejarik board that Kali'sto had challenged Riko to in dozens of games, which Riko's young, story-filled mind had imagined as epic battles, pitting ingenuity against experience. A small, warm glowlamp that Kali'sto once said he used to mitigate the discomfort he always felt while traveling through space. A small cup that Riko had painted unsuccessfully as a child. Riko smiled – and occasionally recoiled – as he recounted the stories to Niner.
Digging further through the chest, he saw some older items: just like in the memories he had seen, there was an old datapad and a clone helmet covered with orange-red markings and a yellow sun pattern, with golden rays streaking across the faceplate.
Rays… Riko froze as everything clicked together. He felt a renewed wave of sympathy for his father as he speculated on what must have happened.
He took a deep breath as he beheld the treasure trove. For a moment, he doubted his decision. Should I do this?
Yes, his conscience answered, I have to.
"Does you want any of this?" Niner asked.
Riko couldn't help but think back to the mission on Dromund Kaas; when seeing the holo Tau had kept of Kali'sto and Riko's mother, he had considered stealing it, if nothing else so he would have a memento of his father. He had decided against it, realizing that he already had a physical link back to his old life beyond his mom's lightsaber or a holoimage.
"I don't need it," Riko turned back to Niner, "I've got you."
"I see him," Val stared out one of the corvette's viewports, "He's here, kid."
A lump formed in Riko's throat. He took a deep breath.
"It's time," he declared, "Come on, Niner."
Following Val's lead, the two brothers, flesh and mechanical, journeyed down Skysprite's halls.
Kali'sto had raised Riko for twelve wonderful years on Orîlla. It was Kali'sto who had helped him learn how to read, and ecstatically. Kali'sto who had always taken him through the streets of Señalar Un to buy ommos for his fruit pies and rocotas and salt for his soups. Kali'sto who had taken him on his first ride through space, aboard the civilian shuttle Tree Climber – when he was eleven – a mere year before he had built Niner, before he had met Jade, before his life had changed forever.
I am the storyteller, full of history, Kali'sto would say every dinner before he told the story of the day, In my memory are legends passed on from hundreds of worlds. Ask, and I will pass on these tales.
Terror froze Kali'sto to the spot as he saw Riko and Niner walking down the landing ramp with Val. His son moved with determination, yet sadness. Kali'sto knew that this could only mean one thing.
"Dad," Riko smiled eagerly, and for one moment, he was the little boy Kali'sto had raised again.
Kali'sto didn't want to yell at his son, or overreact in some other way. So he smiled as he walked towards Riko and eagerly accepted his hug.
"I'm glad you're alright, Riko," Kali'sto spoke calmly, "I couldn't find you, I was so worried."
"I hid in the maintenance tunnels," Riko explained, "I needed a place to think."
"I'm very sorry for what happened," Kali'sto's words were genuine, "I just want you to be safe. I understand what you're walking into, and I know that if you go in, it will destroy you."
"Dad," Riko hesitated before continuing, "I think I know what happened to Rays. I know what you went through, and I know the risks. But…I can't just abandon people who need me. Whether it's strangers who need my help, or my friends. That would destroy me too, in a much worse way."
"No," Kali'sto whispered, "You don't know what it's like. You could die, or worse."
"I've been through that, Dad," Riko calmly insisted, "I've risked my life before: on a Consortium pirate ship, on Taris, on Atarashi'ie, Dromund Kaas, Ambria, and Nyr'itz. I've had to fight people from my own order. I've had to kill in self-defense, and I've learned to spare lives whenever I can. I've been hurt, I've been tested, and I've always found a way to come back stronger from it.
I did all that so I could find you again," this part of Riko's speech both horrified and touched Kali'sto simultaneously, "But I found another purpose in it all. I want to help people, I want to save lives, and the best way I can help them is as a Jedi. This is who I am, and I've come too far and done too much to turn back now."
He spoke with absolute conviction. Kali'sto choked up, horrified at how naive his son was and sad for all the horrors he had been forced to endure. He had been a terrible father for letting him go, letting these Jedi turn his mind.
"I'm sorry Riko," Kali'sto, noting the Mandalorian behind Riko, "I can't let you do this."
"I'm sorry, too, Dad," Riko said, "But I'm going. It's my decision, no one else's."
"No," Kali'sto raised his staff and moved into a fighting stance, "I won't let them take you. You're coming with me, and that's final."
Riko was shocked, horrified, even. Val was taken aback, his hand wandering towards his blaster pistol. Kali'sto regretted what he had to do.
"Dad, what are you doing?"
"I won't let you leave," Kali'sto prepared to face the Mandalorian, "No matter what it takes."
"I was worried you'd say that," Val said somberly, and pressed a finger to his helmet.
Suddenly, Kali'sto heard the fiery roar of ion engines. Wind ruffled his thinned hair and bellowed his jacket as he turned to see the Wild Nomad rising next to the platform, its starboard side facing Riko and the others.
"Hurry," Bao commanded from the airlock, "Come on!"
Val and Niner bolted towards the ship.
"Goodbye Dad," Riko choked up. He glanced sadly at Kali'sto for a brief second before sprinting to the gunship.
"No!" Kali'sto yelled, extending his hand. Riko continued to run, but found himself unable to move. Kali'sto held him in place as the boy struggled against his grip.
Suddenly, the old wanderer felt a strong pushback in the Force, breaking his hold and gently knocking him to the ground. Whether it was Riko who pushed him or Bao or Jade, Kali'sto could not say.
Adrenaline and the Force pumping new life into his old fibers, Kali'sto quickly moved to his feet, using his staff to support him as Riko leapt into the ship.
"No!" he cried out, sprinting to the airlock as the door sealed. He extended his hand, and just as he had held Riko, his reach extended to encompass the entire ship.
The Nomad was stuck in place, unable to budge no matter how much its engines pushed back.
Holding his grip, Kali'sto ran to the airlock, fruitlessly pressing the exterior hatch control. When the door didn't open, he pounded on the door in desperation as Riko ran to the door's edge.
Amidst the roar of the engines Kali'sto heard Riko frantically say something.
"Whatever happens, I promise I will see you again," Riko quoted Kali'sto's own words back at him, "It might be a week, a month, perhaps even a year, but one day. I promise, Dad. I'm coming back."
Kali'sto placed his hand on the viewport. Riko mirrored his gesture, tears running down his face. For one moment, the old wanderer hung on, unable to let his son go. Then he stepped back, and released his grip.
Paralyzed with dread and horror, Kali'sto watched as the Nomad flew downward, out of the hangar and into hyperspace, taking his son away from him and towards a harsher world which consumed all that entered it.