The vision of the world floating in front of her, gave Marillay mixed feelings of relief and utter sadness…
Her childhood planet was lost forever.
The millenia-old buildings, all the culture, the proud people they had been… All gone.
Maybe it had been their pride that had blinded them to the threat the invading Sith imposed. Karyvdy's Jedi Temple had been home for some of the most powerful warriors in the order.
Or so they had thought… Now, she could see the sins of her people, how arrogant they had been to believe they were better!
That arrogance and hubris had cost them everything!
When a faction of Jedi, lead by her lover Navann, had began causing rifts in the order, the old Masters in the Karyvdyan council had believed they could put a stop to the uprising without any interference from Coruscant.
How naïve they had been, how completely blind and over-trusting in their abilities…
Marillay and other Jedi, had at least succeeded in evacuating the all of the children from the temple. They had been sent to safety on an escape shuttle, all the way to Coruscant. But she hadn't been able to save her own family…
The governor of the Karyvdyan capital of Lhysanne, Dormunn Sah'man had fallen trying to defend his home and his family. Marillay had rushed to the house, but found it already ablaze. Her last vision of her father had been of him falling to the ground after one of the red-skinned creatures thrust his lightsaber into his chest.
Wielding her double bladed lightstaff, she had killed the creature where he stood, taking the enemy's lightsaber with her.
That lightsaber stood by her staff's side, on the small table in front of her. She picked it up, turning it in her hand. The hilt was completely black, engraved with symbols she didn't recognize. She turned it on, watching the deep-red blade coming alive, listening to the eerie hum of it.
The yellow blades of her lightstaff made a high-pitch hum, as this one had low-pitch one. No doubt caused by the difference in the crystals used to manufacture the weapons.
She should have thrown it away… but a weapon was a weapon, and she didn't believe a lightsaber on its own, would absorb into itself the wickedness of its previous owner. No, she would keep it!
Even if just as reminder of all she'd lost!
She got up, leaving the weapons on the table, and taking her daughter from her cradle. She was asleep again, having been just fed.
Cradling the small infant in her arms she approached the viewport, gazing at the blue and green globe that was going to be their new home.
It looked peaceful from that distance, and if her files were correct it would be an ideal world to hide in. Marillay was aware of the numerous wildlife she would find there, but if the small population that lived in it had found a way to prosper safely, so would she!
The natives the first explorers had found, called their world Tanee'Haab, which had been shortened to Taanab by astrocartographers.
One day, those so-called scientists, would stop changing names they couldn't pronounce correctly, into changed and distorted new names, that lost all meaning with their new 'translations'...
"We're almost there, love." She spoke softly to her daughter. "That's our new home from now on! You're going to grow up as a Tanabian, now. I promise I'll keep you away from this war. You'll have an ordinary, carefree childhood, my dear."
As they got closer to the planet, She returned her daughter to her cradle, initiating landing procedures.
The shuttle reached atmosphere, and Marillay aimed to the northern side of continental mass. She saw the massive ocean under her. It had a cerulean shade of blue, and she noticed that it had sporadic spots and stretches of dark blue, which implied the presence of deep trenches.
Marillay started to lower the shuttle as she approached ground. She looked for an opening between the lush vegetation and tall trees that laid in front of her. She finally managed to find a clear meadow where she could land safely.
"Let's go, little one!" She said, a hopeful tone carrying on her voice. "This is our new home now… let's see if mommy can find a good place for us." She looked back at her shuttle. For the time being, it would serve as their home in these strange surroundings, until she got more familiar with Taanab.
Eventually she would have to attempt some kind of contact with the Taanabian, though Marillay knew the language barrier was a major issue.
With the small Ithylia babbling on her arms, Marillay opened the shuttle's hatch. The light flooded the spaceship as she stepped outside, her enemy's lightsaber, more maneuverable with one hand, hanging on her hip. There was a plethora of sounds and smells that were completely foreign to her. This was an almost untouched world.
At the edge of the forest, she saw trees of a yellowish colour. Walking towards them she noticed the were almost golden, and that sweet and spicy aroma in the air, emanated from them.
This was a fascinating place! She was sure it had been the right choice to hide herself and her daughter.
Closing her eyes, Marillay allowed herself to become at peace, concentrated… she reached out, probing the vicinity. She sensed many small life forms ahead. None of them felt menacing. She stepped into the forest, walking amongst those beautiful trees. She heard the ruffle sound of the breeze rushing along the branches and the leaves. But there was also another sound… a stream somewhere ahead of her position. If she was lucky, it would be potable water!
She moved towards the sound, until she could finally see it. A creek swirling along the forest. It's crystalline water was almost inviting…
She was so tired…
A small kitten-like animal, with black fur was on the side, dipping one of his paws on the water. The creature stopped, aware of her presence, sitting down and looking at her. He seemed curious of this human. With a low growl, he got up, walking closer to Marillay. He didn't look afraid of her, which possibly meant he was used to humans.
She sat on by the creek, waiting for the small animal to approach her. As he did, he began to smell her, an inquisitive look on his silvery eyes, and then he decided the best approach was to lick Marillay's offered hand. She laughed with delight.
"A bit of an adventurer, aren't you? And totally unafraid." She gently rubbed behind one of his bisected ears, to which he purred leaning into her. "You're used to humans… maybe someone's pet, even." She lifted her gaze, searching her surroundings then lowering her eyes to her daughter. "It could mean there's some village or settlement near… we'll eventually need to make contact with the population, but for now mommy better get back into the shuttle, uhm?" As if protesting against her mother's decision, little Ithylia began weeping. The little creature lifted his paws, leaning onto Marillay's arm, peering at the small baby in the woman's arms. He growled gently at the child, licking her head.
"See? Our new friend likes you!" Marillay got up, turning back to the path towards her shuttle. "Goodbye, my little friend. We have to go now." She smiled at the creature, held her daughter close and walked away from the creek. As she walked, she heard steps behind her. She turned to see the kitten following her.
"No. Go. Go back… you can't come with us." She turned away and proceeded on her path. She arrived at the shuttle, opened the hatch and went in…
...followed by the kitten, who promptly leaped forward.
She shook her head at the little black ball of fur.
"You can't stay! Your humans are going to miss you and come looking for you!"
The kitten laid down on the floor, ignoring her.
"Ah, come on! I...ugh...now I'm arguing with a small creature! Just great!" Marillay made a face at him. "Alright, you can stay...for now… but I don't know if I have anything for you to eat, little rascal…" She went to the cradle and laid Ithylia there.
Not even a full day on a new planet, and she'd already been adopted by a native creature!
"Maybe the human population will be as accepting as their animals…" She chuckled, sitting on one of the bunk beds available on this service shuttle.
She needed the rest, before venturing outside again.
The remainder of the day, she would stay inside. But tomorrow she would have to find a place where she could begin building some kind of shelter.
She would also need to finally try and make contact with the Taanabians. She couldn't make it all alone with a small child in a foreign world.
Marillay could only hope they were friendly...