Chapter 12
"Ari, wake up."
Ari blinked as she awoke and it took her a moment to remember where she was. She was in the guest quarters on Mara's ship. After they entered hyperspace, she and Mara had eaten a little and Ari had asked to lay down. She was exhausted from everything and knew she had to rest. She was surprised that she had actually fallen asleep.
"We're there already?"
"We haven't come out of hyperspace, but just a few minutes. I figured you would want to be ready."
"Thank you. Though I am glad I am going here as your ally, not your enemy this time."
Mara made a bit of a face. "Let's save that mushy, sentimental stuff for another day." With that, she turned and left the room.
Ari rolled her eyes at this but got up and got ready. She pulled her hair back and put on her boots that she had taken off. She made sure her lightsaber was clipped to her belt. She also had a small vibroblade hidden in her boot. It was a gift from Han. It had not been needed yet, but it was good to be prepared.
She entered the cockpit and sat in the co-pilot's seat. "Did you spend a lot of time on the planet before?" Ari asked.
Mara shook her head. "Only about as long as you did."
Ari nodded. That made sense. Mara very rarely would talk about her time in service to the Empire. Many had mistrusted her at first, including Ari. It had taken awhile but now Mara was an essential part of the new Jedi Order.
"Here we go," Mara announced and pulled back on the levers to come out of lightspeed. There was Korriban. The red planet was cast in the light of its lone sun.
Just seeing the planet made Ari feel cold. She was certain she could feel the dark side radiating from the planet, though she knew a large part of that was due to her experience there. She looked at Mara.
"I never thought I would be coming back here," Mara stated.
"I didn't think so either. Not just that, but I didn't think you would be my ally when I did."
"We will have to watch out for each other there," Mara warned.
"I know. And I trust you." Though they had been against each other years ago, Ari did trust Mara. They had trained together and been on missions together.
"Good," Mara said, doing a little more at the controls. "I am going to cloak the ship and see what sort of scans we can conduct from up here."
Ari just waited, focusing on keeping calm. Something told her that they were going to find answers here. She just hoped it was more than just answers. She wanted to find her children.
The planet came closer into view and when Ari reached out with the Force she could feel the dark side there. Yet, there was something else there. Something that had not been there the last time she had been there.
"The sensors are having trouble picking up information," Mara frowned.
"But we need to get planet side."
Mara paused and then nodded. "I sense it too." She was silent for a moment before she got to her feet. "I just put it on auto pilot, but you never know what can happen. Watch the controls."
Ari nodded, just watching as the planet got closer and closer. As they got to the atmosphere, Ari was just about to call to Mara when the redhaired Jedi reappeared.
She was in a flightsuit, a belt around her hips. She had her lightsaber there as well as a blaster. There was a vibroblade as well and Ari had a feeling there were more hidden elsewhere. There were some pouches on the belt.
"Do I want to know what is there?"
"Thermal detonator. Smoke bomb. Blinding dust."
Ari had not experienced blinding dust, but she knew what it did. It was temporary but very helpful.
"Do you plan on blowing up some things?"
Mara shrugged and held up the strap of small bag. "I do have charges and detonators if we need."
"So, we are blowing things up?"
"Most likely," Mara nodded as she sat down in the pilot's seat.
While Ari was uncertain about having explosives around her children, if they were there, she knew that Mara would be careful.
They set down on the planet and both of them paused, looking out the red, rocky and desolate terrain.
"This was the safest place to land, though it won't be pleasant getting there and back."
"We're going to the Sith Temple, aren't we?"
"Yes."
"We have to go through the Valley of the Dark Lords?" Ari asked.
"Yes."
Ari took a deep breath and let it out. She knew this would be difficult, but just like she knew then, she knew that it had do happen.
"Make sure you bring all the explosives," Ari said.
Mara nodded as they got to their feet and walked to the ramp. Ari put her hands on her stomach. She would do whatever it took to get all of them home safe and sound again.