Chapter 7: Consolidation

Major Kaidan Alenko's POV

Kashyyyk, inside the SSV Normandy

10:7:02 (25 BBY)

Well some good came out of having Aryn and Scourge, or as Vega called them The Dynamic Duo, join us. Firstly, our translators were updated with a whole host of languages. Secondly, our bear-like friends, who we learned were called Wookies, were to be used as slave labour by the enemy force called The Trade Federation, a group of systems which had broken away from the Republic, a galactic governing body located on a planet called Corsucant. Great, we had landed ourselves in the middle of a civil war. Thirdly, the two of them had a small ship and a crew comprising of a green skinned woman with brown hair called Tavi Yahiri, a 'Miraialan', a red and black striped-skinned female with odd head tails called Zat'Juku Aayusbacu, a 'Twi'lek' and two humans, a male 'Mandalorian' called Thral Bryss and a female smuggler and pilot called Jachave Meipull, better known as 'Jack'. Our Jack found it uproariously funny, much to their Jack's displeasure. We had to cart off the biotic to the medbay until she calmed down, but Jack (the biotic) would still sometimes burst into giggles whenever she would see Jack (the smuggler).

Unsurprisingly, Samara and Scourge, despite their very different personalities, teachings and outlooks, had hit it off and soon became as thick as thieves. Their downtimes consisted of debates on morals, ethics, culture and advancement of society as a whole.

Jack (the smuggler) and Joker soon had a friendly rivalry going on who was the better pilot and who had the better ship. Jack for now was on top as our ship was still undergoing repairs.

Speaking of the Normandy, the Wookies built a huge wooden scaffold around the ship and had managed to, using an ingenious system of pulleys and levers, hoisted it up into the air, allowing all of us to get down to repairs in earnest. Again, the Wookies came into their own. They were expert mechanics and very dexterous with tools and equipment. Tali had found her motor-head soul mate in an adolescent Wookie called Chewbacca. The two of them,along with Adams, Ken, Gabby and Zat had managed to get the mass effect core back on-line and we had got back power and basic comms.

"So, how long do you think it will be before we get off this planet?" I asked Tali as I walked into the engine room to get a status update. No matter how hospitable and grateful our hosts were, the ground was no place a spaceship belonged to. Just my opinion.

I dodge and catch the spanner thrown at my head.I have to admit, the trips down to engineering are improving my reflexes. As I straightened up I am met by a wall of fur roaring in my face, a maelstrom of bad breath, fangs and drool.

"Hello to you too" I say sarcastically as I step past the oversized rug carpet. Honestly, no matter how much he may try to act as a tough guy, Chewie, as we had taken to calling the Wookie, was a big softie. Even Samara was not immune to his charm. Or maybe there is a little girl in every woman, even a thousand year old one. Tali just continued working under a console as she gestured around with her free hand while Zat gave me a glare. I take a guess and place the spanner in Tali's hand.

"Thanks Zat" bim goes gratitude, down the drain "As for when we are getting off the ground, not within the next two weeks, minimum. I not only need to check that all the Normandy is okay, I also need to ensure that we can survive those insane aerobatics our pilot loves to perform whenever we need to either engage the enemy. So, until I am satisfied the Normandy won't implode on itself or get shorn in half. Plus, while I am on my down time, I am helping Scourge, Tavi and Garrus in restoring EDI" she says as she finished whatever she had to do and stood in front of me. Subtle things,like the slight droop of her shoulders, her head's angle, that gave away her tiredness. I decide to put my foot down immediately.

"Tali, you are now on 24 hours bed rest. Go find a bunk and sleep" I order her.

"But..." she starts. I interrupt.

"But nothing. You are exhausted and are more likely to make mistakes when you are tired. We need you at a hundred percent, which you aren't right now" She is about to say something when I interrupt again.

"Don't make me bring Chakwas in. You know that I had to send her off as she worked herself to the bone. And last I checked on Garrus, he was fast asleep muttering about 'calibrations'" That gets her laughing, though there is a slightly hysterical edge to it as she lands on the ground, her limbs flailing about. It's slightly disturbing. I just motion to Zat, who escorts her away to the crew cabins and a bunk. Chewie huffed and grumbled then patted me on the back.

"Glad you approve" I reply as I head over to the cargo bay.

Padawan Anakin Skywalker's POV:

Jedi Temple, Corsucant

10:7:02 (25 BBY)

Master Kenobi certainly has a twisted sense of humour. For having dragged him into a death match contest, which turned out to be an elaborate trap created by a group of Dark Jedi out for vengeance against him and Master Qui-Gon Jinn having killed their leader some years ago, I was to spend time in my room, meditating and connecting to the Force. I was to have no contact with anyone. To make sure of that, everything from my terminal to my communicator, even my back-up holonet device I had hidden under my bed were confiscated by Master Kenobi.

So here I am, bored out of my mind.

I decide to, with a small huff of annoyance, take Master's advice. I focus on my breathing, slowly bringing it under my concious control. Slowly, I sunk myself deeper into the Force.

I couldn't help feeling awed by the power that coursed through the galaxy, feeling its ebbs and flows.

While I immersed myself into this, I became aware of a disturbance in the Force. It began as a small tremor. As I focussed on it, I became aware of a signature on wherever I was looking that struck a chord within me. I searched deep within myself. It suddenly struck me.

Mother.

She seemed to be happy, if her emotions were anything to go by. Content even. And despite not being there, my heart was filled with peace, knowing my mother was safe.

Now I knew of a way to locate my mother I was about to withdraw back into myself, when I felt not one but two dark presences. Suddenly, these two presences envelop an entire planet each. I could feel the panic that set in amongst the populations. Then, just as suddenly, they receded, till there was no trace at all.

My eyes flew open as I gasped, my body drenched with sweat. I became aware of the tumult outside the doors of my room. My door flew open and my master stumbled into my room.

"Anakin we..." I cut him off.

"I sensed one of the presences on Tatooine. We're going there now" I say immediately. My master's eyes flash with irritation as he replies.

"No, we are going, along with Masters Taichi and Fisto to Kashyyyk, while Masters Secura, Plo Koon and Windu will head to Tatooine. Pack your bags and meet me in Docking Bay B-17" he orders as he tosses me my communicator.

Sorry for the late update!

I'll try and be more regular from now on.

Next up, Tatooine and Kashyyyk!