"I'd like to thank you for attending, Miss Fenn."
I smile back at Asca Dudo, the leader of the Jedi High council. We're back on Coruscant for the memorial service of those that were killed when Asinis's forces attacked.
"I felt it necessary that we be here." I reply, stepping out of my ship, followed by Loyus and the rest of my crew.
"I agree. It's thanks to you and your team that the planet was saved. Had it not been for you – many more people would have been slaughtered. We were completely unprepared for the attack. We didn't even notice our defences go offline." He sighs, walking towards the Jedi temple.
"I didn't expect Asinis to attack the Republic's main hub. The attack on the Jedi temple a few weeks ago was a surprise enough, but the whole planet... I suppose it was just luck that we were there when he attacked." I reply.
"Not luck, Miss Fenn." He grins, placing has hand on my shoulder, "Fate."
I nod back at him. I'm not a huge believer in all the pretentious bullshit that the Jedi thrive off, but sometimes it's undeniable that fate plays a huge part in the life of a Jedi.
"Beka!"
A deep, booming voice from behind me causes me to spin on my heels, seeing the huge Hutt Jedi that helped us fight off the Sith attackers when they first attacked the Jedi temple several weeks ago..
"Oh, hi..." I awkwardly grin, giving him a very slight nod. I'm not sure of what he wants, and if I'm honest I hope it's going to be quick. I've always had a slight phobia of the Hutt. It's the slime. And the sheer size of them, of course.
"Keep going Asca, take her friends to the temple, we'll catch up with you." The Hutt says. I curse in my head, hoping I don't freak out in front of my new, highly intimidating companion.
"If you didn't already know, I'm Jamorgio." The Hutt tells me. Having a name to put to the face, and the huge body, only makes him even more intimidating.
"I'm Beka. But you already knew that." I smile.
"Indeed I did. You're definitely quite famous here now, especially to us in the council. Tyrik knew what he was doing when he decided to join you."
I nod, unaware of where this conversation is going.
"I'm going to cut to the chase. If I'm honest, I think Asca and the rest of the council that have been left on this planet have no clue what they're doing. Asinis is clearly a threat now. This is the second time he's attacked us, and this time he could have wiped out the entire planet had it not been for you."
It's almost soothing hearing that I'm not the only Jedi on the planet that doesn't agree with the decisions the high council make. Especially since it's coming from someone that's actually on the council.
"Beka, I wanted to ask you if you could speak to Asca. Maybe a fresh face saying it, especially one that saved the planet, could make him see that he needs to accept that Asinis isn't going to stop with just attacking Coruscant. You've seen it first hand – you've been to the planets that he's attacked. Make him see sense."
"I'll do my best." I reply, nodding to Jamorgio.
Jamorgio and I arrive at the temple not too long after the others, and I swiftly join my team as Jamorgio not so swiftly makes his way to his extra large seat in the circle of Jedi high council members, or what's left of them anyway. I'm surprised Tyrik doesn't join them, but I guess his ties are with me now.
"The service will start at 11:11am, that's the time the attack started a week ago today. It's in about half an hour, so until then, I believe we have matters to discuss, Miss Fenn?" Jamorgio says with a wink from his gigantic eye directed at me. I shudder as a handful of slime drips from his body to the ground, prompting several disgusted looks from the other members of the council.
"Miss Fenn?" Asca asks me, clearly curious as to what exactly the matters that Jamorgio speaks of are. I clear my throat, wanting to look over to Jamorgio for moral support but upon realising his slime will probably distract me, I decide otherwise.
"Asca Dudo. Leader of the Jedi high council. It is with the greatest respect that I ask you to consider what I say in your deepest thoughts." I start, taking a moment to clear my throat and reposition my utility belt so it sits more comfortably on my waist.
"You have seen first hand the damage Asinis has had on Coruscant. Now, imagine that damage, but on every planet across the galaxy. He has started a war, Asca. A war that I cannot fight alone. On almost every planet I have visited – Hoth, 23 Mere, Coruscant." The latter causes an uneasy look from the members of the council, "On all of those planets, Asinis has had an impact on the people and the infrastructure of the communities that are set up there."
I look back to my squad who all look back at me with respect. Loyus gives me a admiring nod and I turn back to the council who all seem intrigued as to what I'll be saying next.
"I'm not questioning your judgement or your strategy. But you have ignored requests for help from Ryloth, from Paqualis III, Lacia, Xagobah, Breeka, and countless others. If it were not for me, the people of Coruscant would be under Asinis's rule right now. I cannot help all of these planets directly." I hiss, until realising how harsh my tone of voice is and calming it down, realising he could revoke both my Jedi status and my ship in a matter of seconds. I look across at the council, all who have looks of shame spread across their faces with the exception of Jamorgio, who grins at me and looks across at the rest of the council with a look in his eye that says finally.
"All I ask is that you aid me in this war. It will not be easy. It will be one heck of a fight, but if the fleets of the galaxy stand together, we may just have a chance against Asinis and his army."
Asca considers this for a second, and gives me an approving look, before nodding his head and speaking.
"No."
His words slice through my heart like a blaster. Jamorgio and another member of the council appear shocked, but Asca stands and prepares to stand up for his decision.
"You are right. It's only thanks to you that Coruscant is safe. But now that we know what Asinis can do, we must be prepared in case he attacks our planet again. That means keeping all of Coruscant's fleets stationed right here."
I prepare to argue, but he cuts into my speech again.
"I understand your point Miss Fenn, but keeping the Jedi temple safe is our primary goal. If Coruscant is safe, the temple is safe. The other planets in the galaxy will have to fend for themselves like we do."
I groan several curse words under my breath at him, storming off, not wanting to be in the presence of them any longer. For years I always thought I was different from the other Jedi's because my main goal was always looking out for myself, not others. Now it appears we're not as different as I first thought.
"Beka!"
Loyus shouts after me, following. The rest of my team seem to have disbanded and gone off to do their own thing, except for Adriav and Bardo who are still putting forward my argument to Asca, slightly more aggressive than me, however.
"I give up. They're a bunch of monsters." I spit, looking in the direction of them. Jamorgio has abandoned the rest of the council, and he slithers over to Loyus and I.
"Well, that was unexpected." He groans, folding his arms. The three of us are in complete silence for a moment, until Jamorgio speaks again.
"I guess there's only one thing for it. You gotta take down Asinis where it hurts. His base, wherever the heck that might be."
That had been the plan all along. But recently since his attacks had taken a more vicious turn we had turned our focus to keeping the people of the galaxy safe rather than taking him down.
"But if you think I'm staying here with these losers for a second longer you're mistaken. I'm comin' with you, whether you want me to or not."
I want to argue because having a Hutt on board is not my idea of smooth sailing, but I realise my only argument will be completely insulting to Jamorgio and I don't want another member of the council against me, so I reluctantly agree. I don't have to say anymore though, as we hear music beginning to play in the distance.
"The service. Come on." Loyus whispers, taking a deep breath and walking in the direction of the music.
"At exactly 11:11am, on this day one week ago, Coruscant was hit by a horrific attack led by the Sith. We were totally overwhelmed, our forces could not react in time. It is with the greatest honour that I thank the following people for saving our planet," Asca pulls out his list, as he prepares to read our names through the microphone to the crowd, "Beka and Bardo Fenn, Loyus Montani the Queen of the Rattataki people, Charlotte Flanchadh, Adriav Winters, Marduk Blud, Tyrik Ordo, Tarth Bynar and his sidekick Mak, Tara Fury, Or'osson."
He pauses before beginning to read out the names of Charlotte's punk friends along with the Jedi that assisted in defending the hospital, along with a few other names I don't recognise.
"Had it not been for these people, Coruscant would be under the rule of the Sith at this very moment. For saving us, we shall thank them eternally." I smile as Asca ushers for us to stand, to which I reluctantly comply. The crowd bursts into cheers, ultimately dying down as we all sit again and Asca gets to the darker part of the memorial.
"Unfortunately, not everybody could be saved... Across the planet, 6,543 lives were lost. 1,430 are still missing. Many have been left injured."
People in the crowd begin to cry, hugging their loved ones as music begins to play again.
"From this day forth, I vow never to let such a thing happen to the planet of Coruscant again. Today, we stand stronger than ever. Today, we stand united."
Asca's words provoke several cheers from the crowd, but most are too engulfed in their sobs.
6,543.
That's how many people I couldn't save. That's how many people Asinis killed.
1,430.
That's how many he kidnapped and is no doubt brainwashing at this very moment to be a part of his army. A shiver flies up my spine and through my body as his face appears in the back of my head again. I curse as I feel my mind allowing him access, all of the memories involving him flooding back.
I never speak of it, but even before he killed my parents he haunted my nightmares. How could I ever speak of it? Nobody in the Jedi world except for those on my team know my parents were Jedi. If it were known that two of the greatest Jedi ever to exist in the galaxy had children together, their legacy would be stripped from the record books. That is not something I will allow to happen.
"Sithspit." I whisper to myself as Asca and the crowd blur out, and I'm back in my bedroom.
I'm a kid again. Bardo sleeps next to me. He looks so young. He is so young.
I step out of bed, realising how short I am. I don't think about how old I am. It hurts to think.
"Beka?"
Bardo's voice registers in my mind. But it's younger. And it's distorted.
"Go back to sleep, Bardo." I reply, not looking back at him as I reach up for the door handle and walk out of my bedroom.
"Beka."
This time, the voice is deep. Demonic. Evil. Out for blood. My blood.
In a panic I begin to run away from the bedroom, not daring to look back at Bardo.
"Where are you going?"
The demonic voice sends me into a frenzied panic. I scream. I know that voice. It's Asinis, he's here, he killed my parents and then he killed Bardo and now he's going to kill me.
I scream. I drop to my knees. I look up as my mother rushes over to me and wraps her arms around me. It's comforting for a while. I shut my eyes as tight as I can, not wanting to open them.
"Beka?"
I keep my eyes clenched shut. I don't want to see Asinis's face again. Not now. I'm not ready.
"Beka?"
My eyes snap open and I take a deep breath, realising how sweaty I am. I cough and splutter, trying to focus on my surroundings.
"Miss Fenn?"
My head jolts up and I see Asca, still standing on his podium, looking back at me. I'm kneeling on the stage, the chair I was sitting on overturned. Loyus kneels next to me with her arm over my shoulders. The rest of my team look confused, except Bardo who looks embarrassed by my outburst.
"Sorry." I whisper, getting up and returning to my seat.
The rest of the memorial flies past. I don't pay attention. I'm in my own world. It's over before I even know it, and then we're being led off of the stage and back to the temple, where Jamorgio, Asca and the rest of the council are already waiting for me.
"Beka, would you care to explain your little outburst?" Asca asks angrily, clearly upset that I disturbed the memorial. He must think I did it on purpose.
"I'm sorry. I was overcome. I have no explanation."
Jamorgio and the others look accepting of this, but Asca's face still looks angry.
"I don't appreciate outbursts like that, Miss Fenn."
I nod. I didn't expect him to.
"I will not however, be revoking your ship from you. Your intent and mission clearly has depth, and I see you are passionate about it."
I breathe a sigh of relief, and I can feel the rest of my team do the same.
"And while I cannot offer you the services of the fleet of Coruscant, I can offer you my individual services. This is, however, simply so I can keep an eye on you."
I want to think of all the reasons why what he just said contradicts everything he's already told me, but my mind hurts too much from my untimely outburst. I simply nod, realising I now have three members of the Jedi council on my team.
"I guess I'll see you on the ship." He finishes, as I walk away with the rest of my team.
"I must say, it's definitely a nice ship. Huge – might I add." Asca says, admiring it. Being the head of the council, I expected he would have been on ships much bigger and better than this. Clearly not.
"Jamorgio has settled in down in the engine room. I think it makes him feel tough or whatever." Asca sighs, shrugging his shoulders.
"I will, however, be having a real room. Are there any spare?" He asks, before laughing and answering his own question, "On a ship this size, of course there will!"
I smile, not wanting to say anything that could make him change his mind about joining my team. While I think he's a bit of an idiot, he is clearly the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy, and for that reason he is a valuable asset to both my team and the mission.
"Now – you mentioned Ryloth sent me a distress signal. To be more specific, Palakwi and Poy Ivaadi, the Twi'lek twin sisters that have become guardians as sort for the planet sent that to me. They requested back up, for the war on their planet has gotten too much for them to handle. You want to help the planets of the galaxy fight against Asinis's forces? I suggest that's where we head next."
Palaki and Poy. I've heard of them. Twi'leks everywhere view them as goddesses. They're known as two of the best combatants on the whole planet, it doesn't surprise me they're leading the defence against Asinis's forces.
"Got that?" I say to Tarth through the intercom. I don't doubt that he was prying into our conversation the whole time.
"Er – yeah. Ryloth it is!" He replies, and the ship fires up, and we leave Coruscant. It hits me that this may well be the last time I ever see the Jedi temple. We have to take down Asinis soon, otherwise he will take the entire galaxy down before we get a chance to.
And whether or not it kills me, Asinis will die.
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
It's been a long, long road
It's been a long, long dream
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
God knows I gave them hell
God knows I tried
But at least I can say
At least I can say I loved
But at least I can say
But at least I can say I lived
When I lay down and die,
At least I can say I lived
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
There's not a thing I would change
My heart stayed in the flames
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
It's been a beautiful tragedy
This chapter was named after 11:11 by In This Moment.
The latest additions to the team are Jamorgio the Hutt, the Jedi high council member, along with the leader of the high council, Asca Dudo.
Last chapter I asked you If you were Beka and were captain of the ship, who would you make your second-in-command out of the already recruited combatants?
Alice the B-Rabbit: Who would i make second in command? Loyus. No doubt.
Barrett M107: To answer this question... Loyus
Hazardous by Instinct: Mak. Because Ewoks are cool.
WidowOfFury01: If I were the Captain, my second-in-command would have to be Tara (I know it seems bias cos shes my character but here me out) apart from Loyus, she is the most experience of everyone on the crew and she is younger and more agile than Loyus. She has worked with the Sith so she knows exactly what their weaknesses are. If I'm honest though I'd probably have 2 and have Loyus AND Tara.
I'm aware this chapter is probably my shortest yet... and there's no real fighting. I'm hoping you'll all still enjoy it though, if not, you're more than welcome to tell me why, as long as it's not hatemail and it is constructive!
So, we have one more chapter of recruiting (and it's not too hard to guess who the last two people to be recruited will be, they were mentioned at the last section of this chapter...) and then the fight against Asinis begins. I'm planning to do a couple chapters in between the next recruitment chapter and the final assault, but we will have a maximum of four more chapters until the story is finished... I'm amazed that I got this far, even if it did take me so long...
Anyway, for the next question, I'll ask you: Who do you think is the strongest member of the team so far, and who do you think is the weakest?
Feel free to be completely honest with the question, because not all of the characters are as good as combat as the other. For example, is Oona as good at fighting as Asca? Nope. But she makes up for it with her medical expertise. Also, go vote on the poll on my profile!
Thanks for reviewing, I hope you're enjoying reading this as much as I'm enjoying writing it! Until next time, goodbye! X