Chapter 25/Part 1 Brotherly Love
"YOU!" Terak screamed as he realized it was Zak coming toward him, "YOU'RE DEAD, FREAK; DEAD!"
With a feral scream, Terak launched himself at his estranged brother, taking him to the ground before the younger man had a chance to defend himself. They struggled for a moment before Terak managed to pin Zak down and wrap his hands around the Jedi's throat; his face contorted with rage and hate. Gasping for air, Zak was now fighting for his life against his own brother as Terak began to strangle him. He struck out at Terak's face in a desperate attempt to free himself, but Terak ignored the blows. Fighting to remain conscious as his vision began to blur, Zak continued to pummel his brother; anything that would allow him to breathe. Then suddenly, Terak's weight lifted off him, but Terak still had him by the neck and for a moment Zak was pulled up with him before he lost his grip. Zak landed on his back and then rolled over, holding his neck, gasping gratefully for air.
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Obi-Wan had just reached the foot of the Mound when he heard Terak's threat. By the time he had skirted around to the other side, Terak was sitting on top of Zak with his hands around his neck. Closing the distance between them in two large leaps, Obi-Wan gripped Terak's upper arms, forcing them behind him to make the Belaridian relinquish his hold. Terak struggled to maintain his stranglehold, but he was no match for the Jedi Master who finally succeeded in pulling Terak off his besieged apprentice. Still fighting, Obi-Wan quickly shoved Terak face down on the ground, "BE STILL." He ordered Forcefully.
"NO!" Terak cried as he continued to struggle.
Shaking his head, Obi-Wan knelt on Terak's back pinning his arms with his knees, "I said be still." He ordered again, pinching Terak's shoulder tightly.
Terak groaned and then went limp; with a sigh of relieve, Obi-Wan moved off of him and turned his attention to Zak who was sitting up rubbing his throat, "Thank you, Master." He gasped.
"Are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked.
"More or less." Zak answered and then glanced over at Terak's still form, "You didn't hurt him, did you?"
Obi-Wan laughed, "He nearly throttled the life out of you and you are worried that he is injured?" He replied incredulously.
"He is my brother." Zak reminded him as reached out to brush Terak's forehead.
"He is unharmed." Obi-Wan assured him, "Get back to the ship; I will see that he is taken care of."
"Yes, Master." Zak said and then stood up.
"Zak, why did you not use the Force to defend yourself?" Obi-Wan asked suddenly.
Zak cocked his head and rubbed his face, "I...I don't know, Master." He answered, perplexed.
"Then it was not because Terak is your brother." Obi-Wan guessed.
"No, I..." Zak began and then looked over at Obi-Wan in distress, "This is bad, isn't it."
"There is no point in jumping to conclusions, Padawan; it may only be temporary, brought on by the stress of what you have been through." Obi-Wan told him.
"Well if this is going to happen every time I'm stressed, maybe it would be be better if I..." Zak began.
"Don't, Zak." Obi-Wan cut him off.
"First I allow Tog to take over, and now I can't even defend myself." Zak persisted, "How can I possibly expect to be Knighted when I'm so weak?"
"Weakened, Padawan; there is a difference." Obi-Wan corrected, "What you have been through these last couple of days would tax the best of us."
"Yes, Master." Zak replied, knowing from Obi-Wan's tone that there was little point in pressing the issue.
"Now, get back to the ship; I will join you once Terak is secured." Obi-Wan ordered.
"Yes, Master." Zak answered as he turned and headed toward the ship without looking back.
Obi-Wan watched him for a moment walking head down, shoulders slumped; it would be a long road back for the young Jedi.
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Zak slipped aboard the ship and headed for galley; he felt anything but hungry, however, he had no desire to disregard a directive from his master. The best he could hope for was grabbing a quick bite and returning to the cabin he and Obi-Wan shared without having to actually speak with anyone. His hopes were dashed, however, when he turned the corner only to meet Padme, Shel and the younglings, "Zak!" Tullie cried out.
"Tullie." Zak replied less enthusiastically.
"We were just going to get some breakfast, Zak." Padme told him, "Why don't you join us?"
"Oh, uh...I'm not really hungry, Lady Padme; thanks anyway." Zak answered as he started to move past them; so much for having breakfast alone as he hoped.
"I think Mom's right; you have to eat." Luke piped in.
"What are you doing here, Luke?" Zak asked.
"We sneaked onto Boba's ship; we wanted to help." Hadrian interjected.
Zak looked over at Padme who shrugged and gave him an apologetic smile, "It doesn't really surprise you, does it?" She said.
"I suppose not." Zak replied with a shake of his head, "But I'll just bet your dad wasn't very happy."
"No; or Master Windu either." Luke added, "Dad says he's gonna turn us over to him."
"Well that will teach you. You two aren't old enough to run around saving the galaxy." Zak said.
"We weren't trying to save the galaxy, Sackie; we just wanted to save you." Hadrian corrected.
"And you aren't old enough to do that either." Zak countered and then moved on a little further.
"I really think you should eat something, Zak; you're so pale." Padme stated, taking him by the wrist.
"I'm just tired, that's all." Zak replied as he stared down at the floor, "I'm going back to bed; I'll have something later."
"Padme gripped his wrist tightly, "You can't sleep this away, you know." She told him.
Zak closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead with his free hand, "I know." He answered.
A small hand touched his and he looked down to see Saeri staring up at him, "We kin help you, Zak." She said.
With a sigh, Zak reached down and picked the youngling up, "I wish you could, Saeri." He replied.
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Obi-Wan was halfway to the ship bearing the unconscious Terak on his shoulders when Anakin appeared at the top of the ramp; seeing his brother's burden, he rushed forward to meet him, "Where did he come from?" He asked.
"When he wakes up, you'll have to ask him; I found him trying to throttle Zak." Obi-Wan answered.
"Brotherly love; how touching." Anakin replied sarcastically, "Is Zak alright?"
"As well as can be expected, I suppose." Obi-Wan said.
Anakin looked back in the direction Obi-Wan had come, "Where is he?"
"Finding something for breakfast, I hope." Obi-Wan told him.
"Then he's probably with Padme and the younglings; that's where they were all off to." Anakin surmised.
"Oh dear; I'm not sure Zak is quite up to that yet." Obi-Wan replied.
"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan; after last night, I honestly didn't think Zak would be up and about yet." Anakin said apologetically.
"I didn't either, Anakin; I'll check on him after I've taken care of Terak." Obi-Wan replied.
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Despite the feeling he could not, Zak ate more than he expected to. After finishing several helpings of everything, he left Padme and the younglings in the galley with the intention of returning to his shared quarters, but he found himself instead heading toward sick bay. He decided he wanted to see Ferri; he knew Ferri would probably still be sleeping, but he just needed to see how his friend was doing.
"Hey!" Ferri exclaimed in greeting as the door slid open.
"Hey, yourself; I didn't think you would be awake this early." Zak replied, "I just wanted to see how you were doing.
"I slept most of yesterday; I'm tired of sleeping." Ferri answered with a quick smile that soon faded, "But how are you doing?"
Zak flopped into the chair next to the bed, "Fine; I'm not the one who was shot." He said.
Ferri put one arm, the one not attached to an IV line, behind his head, "I know what happened to you, Zak; you're not fine." He countered.
Zak suddenly became interested in picking at the arm of his chair, "Alright; I'm not so fine." He admitted.
"Would it help to talk about it?" Ferri asked.
"Talk about what? You were right; I should have never left the shuttle." Zak answered.
"It's not something I'm happy being right about." Ferri told him.
Zak stood up and walked over to the porthole, "I was weak and I betrayed you to Li." He said.
"I find that hard to believe." Ferri replied.
"Well, believe it; I did not stop Li from taking that knowledge from me. I was weak and I failed." Zak revealed.
"From what I understand Li took that information from you without your consent; that's not exactly betrayal in my book." Ferri argued, "If you want to talk about betrayal, that happened on Myrkr four years ago."
"It amounts to the same thing; if you had not moved the younglings away from the shuttle, then all of you would have been taken." Zak insisted.
"That's not true, Zak; we were attacked by the growlers and were on our way to the Caves with Park before Li's people reached the shuttle." Ferri replied.
"You don't understand, Ferri; every decision I've made since we walked into the youngling quarters has been wrong." Zak insisted.
Ferri huffed and crossed his arms, "If you're talking about dropping our weapons, that wasn't just your decision; and we weren't left with much a choice." He countered.
Zak returned to the chair, "I put mine down first; I left you with no other recourse." He argued.
"Look, you're tired; let's not argue about this right now." Ferri answered in reply.
With a weary sigh, Zak nodded and then rubbed his forehead, "I don't know; maybe you're right." He conceded.
Ferri silently regarded his friend; it was all too obvious that Zak was suffering, "Talk to me." Ferri coaxed.
Again, Zak sighed and then closed his eyes, "I didn't sleep very well last night; I kept reliving what happened." He confessed.
"I'm sorry, Zak; I had no idea." Ferri replied.
Zak smiled sadly, "No, I'm sorry. I didn't come here to talk about my problems; I just wanted to see how you were." He said apologetically and then stood up.
"Well, I'm alright. And you said when this whole thing began that everything would be alright." Ferri reminded him, "That means you will be too."
"Did I? That seems like so long ago." Zak answered and then sighed again, "Maybe I'll try again to get some sleep."
"Good idea." Ferri agreed.
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Obi-Wan had just secured Terak in the brig when word reached him that they had a visitor. Park stood next to the embedded shuttle, "Master Kenobi, I wish to know how your young Jedi are doing." He explained as Obi-Wan and Anakin approached.
"They will all be much better once we return home." Obi-Wan replied.
"Ah., yes of course. Would it be an imposition to request a visit with your Ferri?" Park asked, "When last we met, he believed, understandably, that I had betrayed him; I feel it necessary to offer my apologies."
"Ferri is Master Skywalker's apprentice; that would be his decision." Obi-Wan answered.
"Yes, of course; of course. I understand completely." Park readily agreed.
"Well, unless Ferri's sleeping, I don't see any reason why you couldn't see him." Anakin said.
"I am most thankful, Master Skywalker." Park replied.
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Zak left sick bay determined to rest despite the continuing fear that images which had plagued him the previous night would continue to haunt him. If he could just get some decent restful sleep, he was certain he would be able to cope with what he had happened. The last thing he wanted was to meet anyone else; however, as it usually seems to happen, he came upon the last person he wanted to run into – Geon.
"Young Zak! It is good to see you about." Geon said upon seeing him.
"Not for long; I was just about to return to my master's cabin." Zak answered, unable to look at her, and instead staring down at the floor.
Geon, who was nearly as tall as Zak reach over to lift his chin, "I wish to tell you how much I regret my part in your suffering. Had I another path to take, I would have taken it." She told him.
Zak pulled away from her, "I don't blame you." He replied.
"Perhaps not; however, I do feel it necessary to offer an apology all the same." Geon insisted, placing a hand on his arm, "Will you not accept it?"
"There is nothing to apologize for; you did what you felt you had to. I cannot hold you to blame for that." Zak said.
Geon nodded, "Then I must confess a deed that is far worse. I was given the command to move you on." She admitted.
"Then why didn't you?" Zak asked.
"I would have thought you would want to know the reason for the mandate; not the reason why I did not carry it out." Geon replied.
"I'm sure you had a good reason; I'm just curious as to why you didn't." Zak answered.
"I felt your strength and your courage." Geon explained and then lifted his chin once more, "You believe you are weak; that is far from truth, Young Zak."
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"You drugged me." Ferri stated accusingly as Park entered.
"Apologies; I felt it was the only way to prevent you from attempting a foolish rescue." Park explained.
"Or stopping you from trying to have my friend killed." Ferri added.
"Killed? Ah yes, moved on, yes. I regret I felt it a necessity at the time; however, Geon chose to disregard the Elders' decision when she discovered what your friend was attempting." Park replied.
Ferri considered that for a moment, "Well, I guess you were only doing what you thought was for the good of your Clan." He conceded.
"I was; however, it gladdens me to know your friend is still with us. His will was greater than any of us could have guessed." Park answered, "And how are you, Young Ferri?"
"Well, aside from being hooked up to this thing." He said, tugging gently at the IV tube in his arm, "And being stuck in bed, I'm fine."
"That is good to know; and now I must take my leave. I only sought to wish you well before your ship rose into the sky." Park replied, "Farewell, Brave Jedi."
"Goodbye, Park." Ferri echoed and then held out his hand, "Thank you for you help."
Park squeezed his hand and then joined the masters waiting in the corridor, "I would wish to see your Zak now." He requested.
"I do not believe that would not be a good idea; Zak is having a difficult time right now." Obi-Wan replied.
"Ah; this saddens me to hear. Then I will take my leave; I am sure you are eager to return to your home in the sky." Park answered.
"Park, you must know that your Clans are dying out; inbreeding is causing the abnormalities in your children. Ferri told me that no normal children have been born for many years." Obi-Wan said, "It may be time for you to return to Belarid."
Park smiled, "Perhaps we are not be meant to bring forth any more little ones; perhaps this is a sign that exile is no longer necessary. Perhaps the time of the Clans is coming to an end. This is our home, Master Kenobi; and the home of those before us, and those before them." He explained, "Belarid was the home of those many times removed from us; it is not ours."
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Zak finally reached the safe haven of his shared cabin, sliding the door closed and leaning on it for a moment before moving toward the bunk he had used the previous night. The blanket was still folded neatly where he had left it, but on top of the blanket was a utility belt and next to that, the shiny hilt of a lightsaber. Zak caressed the weapon, his weapon, reverently, "You left that behind; I thought you might want it back." Obi-Wan said from the now open doorway.
"You might just as well have left it back there, Master; if I was able to return to the Temple, I could have retrieved it then. And if I...if I didn't, then I would have had no further need of it." Zak replied as he picked up the utility belt, recognizing it too as his, "Where did you find this? Terak confiscated both mine and Ferri's belts before they exiled us."
"Commander Cody found it along with Ferri's when they searched Melak's ship. It was clever of you to empty it before turning it over to them." Obi-Wan answered.
"What makes you think we did?" Zak questioned.
"Melak revealed it to Anakin when we were trying to discover where you were." Obi-Wan explained.
"Oh." Zak replied as he moved both pieces of equipment to the nearby night table. He sat down on the edge of the bed and removed his boots before lying down, pulling the blanket up around him, "You don't have to stay; I'll be fine." He said.
"You said that last night." Obi-Wan replied.
"That was last night, this is now; I'll be fine." Zak assured him.
"Alright." Obi-Wan answered, "By the way, Park came to see how you were."
"Nice of him." Zak murmured.
"He wanted to see you, but I told him you weren't up to it." Obi-Wan continued.
"Thank you; because you're right, I'm not." Zak confirmed as he turned to look at his master.
"I know; get some rest, I'll check on you later." Obi-Wan told him.
"Yes, Master." Zak sighed and then turned over on his side.
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While Zak slept, fitfully, his sleep far from dreamless, the morning was a busy one for everyone else, spent in preparation for the return to Coruscant. Boba and Dena decided to leave earlier; Dena, wanted to return to her studies, and Boba could find no reason for her not to. He was disappointed at being unable to speak with Zak before he left, but he understood perfectly the reason why Zak had been secluded; there would be time, once Zak was feeling better, for them to talk. He and Dena visited with Ferri, said their goodbyes and departed. The Cave Clan traveled down from the hills to join Park in seeing the larger cruiser off. Standing back, their numbers blanketing the Mound and the area around it, they watched as the big ship rose up until it disappeared completely from view, "Will they return?" Ket asked as she put her hand around Park waist.
"I do not know; perhaps one day." He replied, "But it matters not; they have brought the Clans together once more, and perhaps that was their purpose."
"What about Li?" Ket wondered.
Park sighed, "Li moved on before first light." He informed her.
"I grieve with you, Park." Ket replied.
"I regret that I could not help her see what her lust for the Power had done to her; however, perhaps now she is in a better place." Park answered.
"And what of the stilled growler?" Ket asked, "The one who committed this act has not yet been found."
"That one is with our travelers from the sky; a woman, who will be punished for her actions." Park assured his mate.
Ket looked up at him, "You are sure of this?" She asked.
"Oh yes; the Jedi, I have learned, are an honorable people." Park insisted.
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Zak remained in his shared quarters, garnering what sleep he could before the dreams invaded, haunting him with nightmarish images of his captivity; forcing him awake with his heart pounding and damp with perspiration. By the time they dropped out of hyperspace above Coruscant he was no more rested than he had been the morning after his rescue.
"We are preparing to land, Padawan; best strap yourself in." Obi-Wan advised as he poked his head into the compartment.
"Yes, Master." Zak murmured without enthusiasm and the moved from the bed to one of the seats.
Obi-Wan came and sat down beside him, "You do not look rested, Zak; were you able to sleep at all?" He asked.
Zak closed his eyes and shook his head, "Not without the nightmares." He admitted.
"This cannot go on, Padawan; you will make yourself ill." Obi-Wan replied, noticing the darkened circles around his eyes.
"I know." Zak sighed wearily as he buckled his harness.
"There will probably be a crowd waiting for us; the Council and the younglings' families." Obi-Wan warned as he stood up.
"I can't, Master; not yet." Zak told him.
"I thought as much; they will, no doubt, be distracted by the return of the younglings. You might be able to slip out unnoticed; if you use the back corridors, you should be able to reach your quarters." Obi-Wan answered, "But, Zak, you cannot remain in seclusion for the rest of your life; you must face what has happened."
"I can't like this; I'll meet with your mind healer as soon as possible." Zak promised.
"She will help you, Padawan; I promise." Obi-Wan assured him, "We will be landing first at the Justice Building to relinquish our prisoners before landing at the Temple."
"I understand, Master." Zak replied.
Obi-Wan put a hand on Zak's shoulder and squeezed, "It will be alright, Padawan." He said.
"I hope you're right, Master." Zak answered.
"I am going to help transfer the prisoners now; and then to help organize the younglings. I will meet you in your quarters after I report to the Council." Obi-Wan informed him.
"Yes, Master."
"It will be alright, Padawan." Obi-Wan repeated, patting his shoulder before leaving.
Zak shook his head and sighed; he wished he could believe that.