This installment is serious but also a bit lighthearted at times.
Thanks to new followers: Typho, En0ghT
Chapter 35: The Course of Power
Felucia, Maris's home, 0 ABY 4 months, 3 days
Later that same day …
Ahsoka, Anakin, Jocasta, and Frehya finished their inspection of all the items recovered from Grakkus the Hutt and Knight Xendar and two Padawans of The Order had taken custody of them. Anakin went back to his guest room and decided to get some more rest, so Ahsoka decided to drop in on Maris and catch up with her.
As she arrived at the modest home of Knight Brood, Ahsoka saw her friend outside at the rear of the house. She was swinging her pink lightsabres around vigorously and apparently practicing her forms, but there was a raw intensity to her actions and slight snarl on her face. Ahsoka observed her for a few seconds before making her presence known. Soon she called out cheerfully.
"Hey there!"
Maris, startled, spun around angrily, and then realized it was Ahsoka. She quickly doused her sabres and curtsied.
"Master Tano. Sorry about that …"
"Why?" Ahsoka asked, somewhat confused. "I thought you looked great, real tight form, very smooth you've become."
Maris blushed a little. "Thank you, Master. I've been practicing. In fact, it's all I seem to do any more." She sighed.
"Want to talk about it?" Ahsoka asked, sympathetically.
Maris nodded. "Sure. Let's go inside. I'm not much of a hostess if I don't offer my good friend a drink," She laughed. "You know … I might just have some of that Sullustan whiskey that I snagged when we were there a while back."
Ahsoka laughed in return. "I suppose I might have a nip."
As the two sat down together, Ahsoka waited for Maris to unburden herself.
"Oh … Ashli. I sometimes feel that I'm not doing much these days. Your pal Frehya has completely charmed the old lady and I can't hope to keep up with her brain, even though I am supposed to outrank her. It seems like whenever I have a question, Freh has the answer. I would just like to get back to basics … splitting open a few Imperial skulls would really work for me right about now."
Ahsoka nodded in sympathy. "I know what you mean. Maybe you and Anakin can get better acquainted. He will be doing some mop-up duty in the Outer Rim and maybe you could tag along …"
Maris shook her head. "Ahsoka, that's just it … I don't want to be someone's tag partner. At least you're always straight with me. I'd love to work with you sometime. Maybe go to the new base?"
"Hmm, I don't know. What if you had an apprentice? Someone to show the ropes … you could be that older sister. You have such talent and ferocity. Everyone I know is impressed by you. Young Luke would like to take some lessons, but Hedala keeps trying to scare him off … She says you'll beat him up."
Maris had to chuckle at that. "Do you think Luke is ready? Shaak seems to be fond of him for some reason. So far, I haven't seen much."
"Give him a chance."
"OK, I'll tell you what. Have Hedala and Luke drop by. I will let them try their teamwork against me. And I won't go easy on them."
Ahsoka smiled. "That's the spirit."
At about that same time, Shaak appeared outside, along with another young acolyte. Ahsoka and Maris took notice and the Zabrak opened her door with the Force.
"Master … please come in," she called.
As Shaak entered, she hugged and kissed Maris and then Ahsoka in turn.
"Ladies, here is someone I want you to meet." She turned, and motioned for the girl to follow her inside. "This is Reema. She is from Coruscant. One of the new people we are taking in from Jocasta's group."
Maris and Ahsoka both greeted the youngster, who curtsied to both of them.
Shaak resumed. "Maris, I've been thinking that you need a new project … you seem a bit restless. I want you to take this young lady on as your apprentice. I think you will be pleased with her ability."
Maris scanned the young Coruscanti, dressed all in white, with her raven hair a bit disheveled and a smile that seemed to be missing a tooth here and there. You've got to be kidding. Maris thought to herself, then realized Shaak was expecting results. "Thank you, Master." She then turned to Reema: "Young one, I will train you," she said seriously. "See me tomorrow … here … at daybreak." Reema curtsied again.
"I am honored, Knight Maris. I will do my very best for you." The youth spoke with seeming confidence and added, "I'm not afraid."
Maris smirked. You will be.
Shaak smiled and Reema followed her out of Maris's home. Ahsoka and Maris resumed their discussion.
"You know …" the Togruta snipped. "I understand you wore a beautiful dress the other day when that guy came here from Chandrila. Wish I'd gotten to see that …"
Maris blushed again. "Oh, it was nothing much. I felt like I should try to make a better appearance for the guest. This planet has such an oppressive climate, I'm used to sweating all day long. It's nice to be able to get cleaned up sometimes."
"My friend, you will find more opportunities to do that. Once you start to get Reema more into things, I am thinking of having you and her join with Luke, Hedala and myself for some business trips. There are many places we have to visit in the next few months and Shaak would be quite pleased if you were to become more outgoing. I told her we could work on that together."
"Really?" Maris perked up, her mood brightening. "I'm so happy. Ashli, I promise I won't embarrass you ... and who knows? Maybe we'll have a chance to pull out the blades and kick some butts."
Ahsoka laughed at that, and rose from her chair. As the two hugged, she said, "I will be in touch soon. I've a trip to take with Anakin tomorrow, but we should be back in a couple of days."
Felucia, Shaak's home, 0 ABY 4 months, 3 days
As Shaak and Reema walked together, the Grand Master left the young acolyte at the bunkhouse, then went to her home. When she walked in, she noticed that Frehya was still out, so she made a warm herbal beverage for herself, then sat for a minute or two. Then came an idea … something she had wanted to do for a while but had not gotten around to it. She went to retrieve her communication device, then opened a channel to the distant world of Dagobah, in the southern Outer Rim region. Soon, her intended party answered the call.
"Grand Master. A long time it has been … forgotten me, had you?"
She chuckled. "Master Yoda. Now you know I could never …"
She took a sip of her drink. "I thought it was time for us to review our progress thus far."
Yoda seemed to nod. "A good time, this is. Against the Empire, much progress we have made."
"That's right. Although we lost our good friend Obi-Wan, I am most pleased to report that Anakin has come back to us."
Yoda nodded slowly in agreement. "A most gratifying piece of news this is. And his children too …"
"The Skywalkers are together." Shaak stated. "And we have more new Members of the Order. Master Jocasta is now here too, and Master Tano and Knight Brood are working well together. There is much to be pleased with."
"But I sense a question for me, you have."
"Well, my friend, it's more of a topic. I have discovered something recently. I believe it will be the last piece of the puzzle."
Yoda drew up his nose as if to take a deep sniff of the fetid swampy air of his adopted home planet. "Master Ti. The puzzle, you say. Darth Sidious …"
"Correct as usual, sir."
Yoda gave a slight snort and seemed to shake his head, ever so slightly. "Remind you, I shouldn't have to. Powerful, the Emperor is."
Shaak nodded. "Master Yoda, do you recall the legend of Nomi Sunrider?"
His eyes visibly widened. "Recall, I do. Something to tell me, you have?"
"Indeed. What might you tell me about Force Severance?"
Yoda paused. Apparently this was not a topic he had given much thought to in many, many years.
"Shaak my friend … Meditate on this you must. A terrible power this is …"
"I know that, Master Yoda … but I feel I must consider it."
"Destroy Palpatine … it might, but to you, something worse, I fear."
"Master … I must ask you … do you feel I have attained too much power?"
"To tell you that … my place it is not. Answer it only the Force will."
"I understand, of course. But this is my burden to bear. I cannot ask Ahsoka, Anakin or anyone else to decide."
Yoda nodded. "Skywalker and Tano … very powerful they have become. Help you they can."
"Master … it has been good to talk with you again. I promise I will not wait so long next time. But now I have much to think about."
"Bid you well, I do … Grand Master. The right course … follow it you will, my friend."
After a final nod between them both, Shaak signed off and sat sipping her beverage. When it was finished, she slipped into a meditative state and sat on the floor quietly. When Frehya returned, hours later, Shaak still had not moved, and her assistant was careful not to disturb her.
Felucia, Shaak's home, 0 ABY 4 months, 4 days
The next morning, Ahsoka stopped in to see Shaak, but this time she had not yet arisen. Frehya, whose custom it was always to wait for the Lady to get up before she left the house, opened the door to invite the Togruta in.
"Hey …" Ahsoka said, softly. "She's still asleep?"
"Yes, I don't know how long she meditated. She was sitting on the floor when I got back and she was still there when I laid down … must be serious."
Shaak started stirring in her bedroom and realized Ahsoka was there. She pulled on a light robe and came out to greet her. "Hello, dear."
"Mother, I thought I would let you know, Anakin and I will be gone for a couple of days. We are making preparations for his Outer Rim activities and keeping up appearances for the Emperor."
Shaak nodded, then yawned a little. "I see. Well, I trust you have some type of plan here."
"Mostly he does. But he had starting working with my friend Chelli. You remember her, right?"
"Ah yes. The young scientist with the tattoos. I seem to recall getting a strange sense from her that night. We were on this water planet …"
"Vaynai, Mother."
"Yes, a lot of shady characters were there. Like the Corporate Sector worlds."
"Mother …!" Ahsoka mocked indignation. She had grown fond of Vaynai, after all, it was where she and Tri'ku spent many happy times together. "So, was there anything you wanted to tell me? I'll be off, then …"
Shaak raised her index finger and turned her head to face her daughter.
"I want you to start making plans. We will be taking a trip together … to Shili, our home world."
Ahsoka raised her eyebrows at the mention. "Oh … when are we going?"
"In about 3 months or so. I think it's time we started to get in touch with our people and our heritage. I will be telling you more details in the days to come."
As Ahsoka left Shaak's home, she tried to remember the last time she had been to Shili, or spent much time with her fellow Togruta. She soon realized she hadn't been home since the day she was taken by Plo Koon over 35 years ago. I suppose I had better start studying up on the place. Maybe we have the info on our holocrons.
Felucia, in the woods, 0 ABY 4 months, 4 days
After having her breakfast with Frehya, Shaak donned one of her black velvet robes and summoned her speeder. Her journey took over an hour and she ranged far away from her home. Her purpose was to privately investigate the new power of Force Severance she had discussed with Master Yoda. This power would give her the ability to completely cut off someone from the Force – an extreme solution, to be sure, but one that had been used by great Jedi Masters over 4000 years earlier.
Shaak dismounted the speeder and walked for several minutes to get a good distance away. For her first attempt, she concentrated on a small tree only about two metres high. Shaak closed her eyes and started to reach deep, and soon the Force had responded. She opened her eyes, extended both arms and her hands pointed at the tree. What happened next caught her by surprise. A sharp flash could be seen in the sky in the general direction of the Felucian sun, Felix. She continued to aim at the tree and there was a sudden brilliant light that immediately surrounded it. Shaak kept her aim true for a few more seconds, then relinquished it as she pulled her hands back to her body. Everything seemed as it was before, but she walked over to the tree and examined it. All the leaves on it had shriveled into brown and these crumbled to her touch. It was as if the spring and summer cycles had passed into autumn and the tree was now dormant, but not dead.
Shaak then took a few steps back and pondered the situation, stroking her chin briefly. She decided it was time for a more significant test of the power. Looking to her right, she caught sight of a small wooded area, about 20 metres in diameter. This should do nicely, she thought, and proceeded to again raise her arms, but this time spread them apart so as to concentrate the power to encompass the entire selected area. When she again reached into the Force, the flash was even more brilliant and the resulting lighted area was considerably larger. She held the power in place for about 30 seconds, then when she was finished she noticed that the entire area had turned dark brown and it extended much further than she had planned on.
The Grand Master then summoned her speeder and started surveying the area. The affected trees covered more than 3 km in depth, many times larger than she had planned on. Fortunately there were no settlements in this area. An impressive display, to be sure, but I won't need to cover this large an area. I must be able to pinpoint exactly what I want to hit and be able to do it much quicker. Shaak spent the next hour or so experimenting with this newfound power, and gradually she had learned how to best concentrate it. The trees were suitable for the experiments because their growth depended on the Felucian sun and the power effectively cut them off from it and effectively sped up time as well, such that the plant DNA was compromised. If I wanted to, I might very well be able to defoliate the entire planet from space with this ability … and perhaps cease all life on it as well. Perhaps this was what once took place on Malachor. Her mind was running through the possibilities. If I further develop this power there will be nothing that can stop me. I see now what Yoda was referring to. Shaak then started to wonder just how powerful the ancient masters might have been, and whether she might have reached a new level. More meditation was certainly called for. She got back in the speeder and sat quietly for a few minutes to ponder the implications. She then realized that her activities would likely have been detected by her people that were monitoring the planet, so she summoned Knight Xendar via her com device and explained what had taken place – in general terms.
Felucia, Maris's home, 0 ABY 4 months, 4 days
Reema Andujah arrived at Maris's home filled with excitement. She was ready to start training under a powerful Knight, one that could help her become a warrior. Reema had grown up on Coruscant, which, although it was (and had been) the capital world of the Galactic Republic (and now the Empire) and featured wealth on a truly grand scale, it also had many poorer areas. These tended to be down at ground level, as the rich never ventured down there, preferring to fly from place to place as needed. Reema was abandoned by her biological parents and grew up mostly as an orphan. She had a quick mind and a cunning sense of how to survive. She could think on her feet and grew into a natural street fighter that could handle a blaster when necessary – except for the times she had to pawn her weapons in order to eat. Although she was proud of her survival skills, she tended to keep these to herself.
But it was early in life that young Miss Andujah learned how to use the Force, except that she didn't know much about it or what it actually was. She just knew that if she concentrated carefully, she could make all kinds of strange things happen. Lifting food items from stores, or practicing psychology on someone when she was caught – these were just some of the things she taught herself to do. Reema also liked, on occasion, to steal a speeder and take it on a joy ride and rise to the higher levels of Coruscant. She'd never forget the day when she first glimpsed what had been the famous Jedi Temple and she had started studying all about the famous Order of Jedi Knights – even though such information was tightly restricted by the Empire. Reema found many ways to obtain various things on the mean streets below, as even the Imperials tended to avoid them. But she was still only 17 years old and now opportunity had knocked again, just like it had a year earlier when Jin-lo Rayce discovered her in the Underground and was drawn to her Force signature.
As Maris greeted her at the door, the young lady politely curtsied again. Maris scoffed, and asked:
"Why do you feel you have to do that … Miss … what was your name again?"
"Reema. My apologies, Master, I was told by Master Nu to always curtsy to my superiors and to be polite."
Maris laughed. "I see, well that explains it. I won't ask you to do that with me." The Zabrak scanned Reema again, looking for signs of Force ability and prominence and making some mental notes. "All right, Miss Reema, come along. Let's see what cha got."
Felucia, Assembly Hall, 0 ABY 4 months, 4 days
The two of them walked together and headed to the Assembly Hall. Once they arrived, Maris found an unoccupied training room and a blue training lightsabre, which was locked in the non-lethal setting. She then set her own sabre accordingly and motioned for Reema to take the blue blade. Reema switched it on and started swinging it around to get the feel. Once ready, she placed it in the attention position that Jin-lo had taught her and awaited instructions from Maris.
Maris observed the teenager's routine and started to feel better about her. She has some basic good habits.
Maris then switched on her pink sabre and motioned for Reema to duel with her. Reema, figuring she had nothing to lose at this point, charged at Maris, who smirked and playfully batted her aside. Realizing her opponent would not be toying with her, Reema dropped into the defensive stance that Master Tano had shown her back on Chandrila. Maris, noting this, obliged her opponent and stepped forward. Reema tried to parry Maris's initial thrust and found herself immediately on her heels. She shook her head and decisively told herself, Get in the ballgame! Reema then cautiously tried to circle Maris and took some thrusts when it seemed she had a shot at doing so. But the Zabrak soon grew tired of humoring her would-be apprentice and stepped up the pressure. A couple of slashes with Ataru speed had the young Coruscanti on her knees, but she doggedly kept both hands on the hilt.
What happened next took Maris by surprise. Reema slipped a thrust from her, then pulled her blade in and executed a barrel roll on the floor that got her away from Maris's blade, which was about to slice into her shoulder – had it been on a lethal setting. Reema followed up and leapt to her feet and charged at Maris, who had to execute a deft block and step maneuver to escape. Well, I'm impressed, Maris thought, and a smile came to her face. But it was time to school the young one and she viciously started slashing and backing up her opponent, who still managed to hang on to her sabre. At this point, Maris stepped back and signaled the duel was over as she bowed to Reema, who quickly responded in kind.
"What did you think?" Reema asked with excitement.
Maris chuckled. "What do I think? I think you've got some game. You're a scrapper. Very inexperienced, lots of bad habits, but I think I'm going to enjoy training you."
Reema grinned from ear to ear as her broken toothed smile showed. Maris found herself liking the girl quite a bit.
"OK, kid, let's get something to eat. We've got more work this afternoon."
As the two proceeded over to the new dining hall (that Frehya had supervised the construction of) they ordered some basic lunch items. Maris started to point out the necessary nutrition that a Member of the Order was expected to consume.
"You only get out what you put in," she was fond of saying. The two had a quiet lunch together as Maris started pointing out the areas in Reema's style that needed immediate correction.
"As slick as that roll you performed was, you don't want to be in such a position when you fight a real opponent in a non training setting. It opens you up to so many possible attacks, ones that you are in no position to counter."
The two of them talked some more, as Reema mentioned some things from her childhood. Maris started to grow more impressed with the young fighter and saw something of herself in her. Reema, when asked what happened to her teeth, mentioned that she lost them in fights against some hard punching opponents. Maris said that she could get replacements now that she was part of the Order.
"We have a complete dental plan," Maris chuckled. "I don't want my apprentice to look like she's been in a barroom brawl with a bunch of slug-throwing toughs. You will come to take pride in yourself. That's part of what the Order is all about."
Reema nodded and smiled. "Yes, the Grand Master was telling me that yesterday."
As the two of them walked back to the training room, Maris put a hand on Reema's shoulder good-naturedly. "Stick with me, kid. You're gonna do great things."
The Wheel, 0 ABY 4 months, 5 days
The next day, Ahsoka and Vader boarded the Corvala Dawn for a trip to The Wheel space station to meet with Chelli Aphra. As they got to her hotel, Vader drew some attention but most paid him no mind. But when Ahsoka and Chelli first met, they hugged each other tenderly and held each others' hands, both smiling broadly. Anakin realized the two were rather close and he regretted being so abrupt with Aphra in their earlier time together.
But Chelli pointed to him and told Ahsoka:
"There's the man who saved my life … my friend, Darth Vader!"
Ahsoka laughed. "Oh really? Where did that happen?"
Chelli nodded. "Yep. I was a goner for sure. He pulled me back after I had lost my balance and was hanging on with one hand to the ledge. I had recovered the Triple Zero Personality Matrix from Quarantine World 3 and someone had tried to take it back. When your friend here showed up, I was able to catch the device holding the software but almost went down into a deep chasm." Chelli was speaking fast, as was her usual custom. "But Ashli … he's your friend too? I'm confused, I thought you were with the Rebellion."
Ahsoka chuckled. "I still am, not to worry. Anakin here …" she smiled in Vader's direction, "is too."
Aphra's eyes widened. "Guess I can't tell the players without a scorecard …" she chuckled. "Anyway, I really missed you more than I thought I would."
"So what have you been doing? Anakin says he's kept you out of trouble."
"Working on droids, it's part of my archeology thing."
Ahsoka snapped her fingers. "Aha! Silly me, I should have made that connection. Tell me what you have accomplished and about this Triple Zero project."
She glanced over at Vader, who remained silent but was clearly a bit impatient while the two women rambled on.
"I don't want to take up too much of your time. Maybe we could go downstairs, get a drink or something?"
After they had gone to the hotel lounge, Chelli proceeded to tell them all about the various details of droid programming and what she was doing with it, about the protocol and assassin droids that were in her personal inventory, and also the battle droid manufacturing facility they had taken from Geonosis. Then she and Vader spoke about his plans for a personal droid army to help him eliminate various pirate groups and start to tame some of the wilder areas on the Outer Rim.
After digesting the information, Ahsoka had some ideas.
"I'm thinking you need to bring this operation to Felucia, where we can keep it hidden from the Empire while we roll out the units. These can then be transported secretly to anywhere we need them in the Galaxy. Knight Xendar and two of his assistants are working to upgrade our starship inventory, and maybe Han Solo could be of some use in this effort."
Chelli mulled it over.
"Hmm. Felucia, huh? That's a rather uncomfortable place to work. Might I be able to secure a temperature-controlled lab environment? I can't have my machines overheating."
"It should be doable. Frehya will handle that."
Chelli chuckled. "Oh, Freh … I forgot about her. How is she doing?"
Ahsoka laughed in turn. "Quite well …"
The three of them continued to talk over the plans. Anakin allowed himself to relax a bit, but preferred to avoid alcohol as it didn't always agree with his physiology. But inwardly he was quite pleased, as Ahsoka was putting together another brilliant plan, one that would enable him to achieve his aims where Palpatine was concerned. It's so good to work with her again.
Felucia, Assembly Hall, 0 ABY 4 months, 5 days
"You know, Leia," Luke noted, "I'm still having trouble believing you are my sister …"
She nodded. "I feel the same, but I also like having you as a brother. We grew up in totally different ways, but I have to get used to living a more basic life. What do you think of Shaak, really?"
They were sitting together after having lunch, before Luke was expected to be back in his training sessions with Hedala and some of the acolytes. Maris expected everyone to work hard and a number of new Knights of the Order candidates were starting to emerge from the ranks. The long-term investment that Shaak had made in personnel was finally paying off.
Luke responded to his sister's inquiry. "I think Shaak is amazing, so wise, so gentle and kind. But she's also very powerful."
Leia looked to her brother, and started to answer. She kept her voice fairly low.
"But she's really quite a character. I had a meeting with her the other day. She doesn't tell you much. She says she likes me, however … who'd believe that? I can be difficult to like at times."
"You?" Luke laughed. "I can't imagine why …"
"But Luke, what do you make of this whole Dark Side/Light Side thing? Wasn't our father supposed to be a real villain as Vader? I mean, who decided to blow up Alderaan?"
"I'm not sure. The others in the bunkhouse think the Emperor Okayed it. He wants to scare people into submission."
"Yeah, I can't stand that guy, he makes my skin crawl. He once said he didn't mind me being in the Senate because it gave him something pretty to look at."
Luke made a face. "Disgusting." He then added, "I'll bet Grand Master Shaak has a plan for him, though. I just have this feeling whenever I'm around her."
Leia nodded. "I know what you mean. In some ways, she's even scarier than the Emperor is. I was sitting in her house with her and she just flicks her finger and all sorts of things start happening. You told me she made that Star Destroyer blow up, right?"
"I sure did. But I think Ahsoka was helping her."
"Maybe she was teaching Ahsoka how to do it …"
"Anyway, sis, I'm exciting about making it as a Knight. The Force is hard but I'm learning. Hedala really helps."
Leia chuckled. "I've seen how she looks at you. Do you like her?"
"Yes … I do. But not like that …"
"I don't know … you two look good together. She's come a long way from that shy girl on Alderaan."
"Sis, have you ever tried to use the Force yourself?"
She shook her head. "I wouldn't have any idea how to do it. But Shaak said I have the power."
"Really … maybe she will give you private lessons and you could end up being Princess of Felucia."
"Very funny … if anyone gets that position, it'll be Ahsoka … not that she doesn't deserve it." Leia laughed loudly and exclaimed, "You say princess like it's a bad thing …!"
Luke joined her laughter on that one.
"Well, sis, I gotta get back to work. Maris told me she wants both Hedala and myself to have a duel with her in the morning. Time to find out what I've learned."
(To be continued …)
