Chapter 6: The Forgotten Trials
Ben continued his journey in solitude. His run in with Aria played through his mind over and over again. There was something amiss. He couldn't place it. Every step he took it became harder and harder to keep himself centered. He was getting closer. He walked around another corner and entered yet another cavern. It was dark and gloomy within but he kept walking forward. Ahead an eerie light appeared illuminating the end of the cavern. When he came out, Ben saw a sight that rocked him to his very core. Ruins of great cities stretched out across the horizon before him. There wasn't much left but the few structures that remained reeked with the Dark Side. The darkness began to intensify a hundredfold. The Force swarmed over him and he fell to his knees, clutching his head. Images began cycling through his mind faster than he could perceive them. He had to fight with every ounce of strength he had to not succumb to its influence.
After several moments he had been able to deafen the Dark Side's calling and center himself once more. He looked out at the great ruins before him and stood transfixed by them. How long had this been there? Was this a part of the empire in the stories of the village? Ben could only wonder what that could mean and there was only one way to find out. He carefully took a few steps and slowly descended the rubble that may have once been a giant walkway toward the ruins below. Upon coming to the bottom Ben felt a disturbance in the Force. At first he thought Aria had followed him but he soon realized that he sensed someone entirely different. Instead of looking around he went forward as if nothing was wrong. Early on in the war he had learned to never give your enemy the advantage of knowing that you know you are being followed.
Ben came to what remained of a tall building and entered. He walked into what appeared to have been a small, enclosed arena. Scorch marks were on what remained of the floor. He moved in without a sound and, immediately as he turned around a blade of crimson light came screeching at him. Ben quickly brought up his own saber to parry the blow. He quickly pushed back his assailant and went on the defensive. His enemy was fairly skilled in the art of saber combat. The being wore a dark cloak around itself, not showing anything to give him a bearing on what or who he was fighting. Ben blocked blow after blow and slowly kept on giving ground to his attacker. One vicious swing after another the cloaked figure drove him back.
Ben looked around desperately for something to help him turn the tide. He saw a loose piece of durasteel that had been part of the high ceilings. He reached out with the Force and pulled it toward him, throwing it at his enemy. However, right before the impact, it was thrown across the ruined building by the incredible power of his opponent. Oh Kriff, not again! Ben didn't have much time to think before he was barraged with another deadly series of death blows. He continually brought his saber around to block. Neither person seemed to be able to penetrate the others defenses.
Finally after what seemed like hours but was truly only a few minutes, the attacker made their mistake. The figure exposed its right leg by overstepping and Ben took full advantage. He brought his saber up to block, then just as quickly kicked out with his leg connecting with the other man's knee. The attacker cried out in pain in a masculine voice. Ben brought his saber up and quickly blocked the man's counterstrike then rushed him, knocking him to the ground. The man swung at his legs from his position on the ground but Ben leaped over him. The man brought himself up but when he turned around he saw a blue blade arching toward him. Ben swung with tremendous speed and hacked straight through the man's gut.
The man fell to his knees in shock at the outcome of the fight. Ben looked into his eyes and saw fear clouding them then, just as quick, was replaced by hatred. Ben brought his saber up to the man's throat. "Who are you?" he questioned.
"Death to you, Jedi!" the man stated then fell to the ground in two pieces. Ben felt his head spin with all he had taken in since he had arrived. The man he had fought was powerful in the Dark Side. He knew that his father had fought Sith Lords early in his lifetime but could it be possible that they had not been completely destroyed? Could this man be a Sith? The closer he got to his destination on Malachor, the more questions he had.
He didn't have long to ponder this though. He felt the auras of more life forms heading his way. He stood up fast and began to retreat back to the walkway that would lead him to the cave. He needed to have a getaway should he need it and if the approaching people were anything like the man he had just fought, he would need every advantage he could get.
Deep within the depths of Malachor, an ancient monastery lay embedded beneath the ruins of the once great cities above. From this place called the Trayus Academy, the Sith had tried to reestablish their low population. The end of the war had cost them greatly. A once dominant empire, the Sith had had the Republic struggling for its last breath until the Jedi found Naga Sadow's meditation sphere. From that moment on the Sith were on the run until the Jedi committed genocide. Only a small minority of the Sith Lords escaped. Many of the Sith on the planet had been assigned here by Naga Sadow but after his fall the remaining Sith scattered. There was at least one known meeting between a large portion of the lords but then they all vanished without a trace.
Darth Nyril was one such Sith that had been posted here to protect the academy. He was the Sith leader on Malachor. But he had received help in his ascension. After he had been posted here, in his mind Naga Sadow deserted them and destroyed the Sith with his obsession of conquering the Republic. It was the dream of every Sith to crush the Republic and have vengeance on their weaker Jedi brethren but to go in a head to head battle with little tactical planning was horrendous failure yet Sadow had persuaded so many to join him. Both Sadow and Ludo Kressh had their own plans to battle the Republic and it further added to their destruction that the two fought a civil war that further weakened their strength. After Sadow's fall, Nyril discretely left Malachor and journeyed throughout the remnant of the Sith Empire seeking for a new leader. The Republic and the Jedi believed that the Sith were completely wiped out but Nyril believed otherwise.
On his journey he finally found the planet he remembered to be called Medriaas. After his arrival he met the man he knew was able to lead the Sith. He was ruthless but patient. After much deliberation Nyril was convinced that the Sith had to start over if they were to survive. In his mind he tried to justify his actions that led him to help that man become ruler of the Sith but after all these years he felt slightly betrayed. The reason for feeling this way was because he knew that the emperor was far more powerful than he was so he continued to hold on to hope that he would return.
But now after five millenia he had his first visitor since he took over as head of the Trayus Academy. The only downside was that it had to be a Jedi. He couldn't help but wonder how they had found them. Had they found the remnant? It was a possibility however unlikely that may be. After he had sent his human counterpart to kill this man that Aria had known as the 'Revanchist' he had felt the rage of power lying dormant within him. He was strong there was no doubt of that. Perhaps he could use that to his advantage. After all the Sith had been formed by renegade Jedi and if this man were to join them the possibilities would be endless.
He had been kneeling in the core of the academy where the Dark Side flowed endlessly, consuming all it touched. He had been meditating on how to bring down this Jedi and now he knew what he had to do. He felt another presence enter the Trayus Core and waited patiently for him to acknowledge him. Nyril stood up and addressed the newcomer, "Tell them to herd the Jedi into the academy if they cannot kill him. I felt a great amount of power within him."
The other Sith voiced his thoughts aloud before his master, "If he could be turned he would be a powerful ally."
Nyril had been raised a Sith but he also knew the importance of corrupting Jedi. Not only could you gain an ally but a source of information concerning your enemy. His pointed teeth clenched in a wicked smile. "Yes, he would be a great asset. See to it that he finds his way to the torture chamber," he said waving his hand as a sign of dismissal. They would soon see how much this man could take.
Anakin Solo had gone on many assignments such as this before but never to spy on fellow Jedi. It was a very disturbing thought that Ben had been concealing information from the Jedi Order and maybe the Senate as well. It was just a preposterous thing to even think of. The way Ben had stood before the council and defied had lit a spark throughout the entire order. The council and certain individuals such as himself had often met secretly and discussed the situation. Not many people could successfully lie to Luke Skywalker so when each was asked if they had felt a compulsion to go, the majority said they had been greatly tempted to. Now Anakin was on a secret mission only the council knew of to spy on the 'renegade Jedi' as Master Horn was now calling them, especially Ben.
Anakin and R2-D2 had first traveled to the last major battle that Ben had taken part in at Taris onboard a Republic relief vessel. When he had arrived he only found a small protection force to defend the planet against any counterattacks though it was unlikely to happen. He had learned from them that Ben's fleet had left some time earlier having received a message from General Vestara Khai. Vestara Khai. The name still rung through his ears with pain. His star pupil had left him and followed Ben to war. He would never forget that day when the girl he considered his own child left him. What was she doing now? Anakin could only guess. Then another thought struck him. Was she involved in his investigation? He hoped beyond belief that she had nothing to do with his assignment.
For hours he had tried to gather as much information as he could but turned up next to nothing. He felt unnerved that he could feel the auras of many of the beings he questioned were harboring deceit. When Anakin had finally decided to give up on Taris a Republic officer came up behind him and slipped a data chip into his hand. Anakin wheeled around to see who had given it to him but by then the officer was already gone. He quickly walked toward a private area of the scorched hangar bay not wanting to attract too much attention. A theory was starting to form in his mind but he had no conclusive evidence of it. If the officer that delivered the chip to him took such great lengths to keep it secret then the chip had to have something of great importance on it.
When Anakin reached a small corner he turned to R2 who began beeping with excitement. "It's too dangerous to view the chip here," he told the old astromech droid, "Can you transmit a message to Coruscant?"
R2 beeped an affirmative and began to record. "I have received an item that may give me a lead but I request that Mom and Dad bring the Falcon and meet me at Naboo. The Naboo people are offering aide to systems in need so I will be heading there on a refugee cruiser. Something tells me that we may be too late now. This is Anakin Solo signing off."
Upon the cruiser's exit from hyperspace, Anakin took in the view of Naboo. It had maintained its beauty throughout its long history. After the ship landed in the capitol city of Theed the refugees were processed as is customary. While this was taking place Anakin and R2 slipped away checking other hangars.
Finally, he found the one he was looking for and breathed a sigh of relief. In this hangar sat the Millennium Falcon. His father often bragged that Uncle Luke had once called it a "big piece of junk." The ship was a welcome sight, Anakin himself had to restrain himself from running to it. Early in his life the old freighter had been a major part in his life. He and R2 went forward and were intercepted at the ramp by Tahiri. Anakin stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her. She had never looked more beautiful to him. He gazed at her eyes and she smiled he rushed to her to her and hugged her tightly to him. Throughout the last few years he had rarely left the temple, some thought that he didn't want to see his apprentice again and others that he was afraid to see what was happening in the war to his friends that left. But if you knew Anakin then you'd know that he had wanted to spend his time with his family. After Vestara left, he had learned that you had to treasure every moment you have with those you love because you never know when it would be your last.
He kissed her softly and separated himself from her. Even now She was helping through his grief. She was his tether just as he was hers. "They're waiting," Tahiri said softly.
Anakin quickly asked, "Where are the kids?"
"They are with their Aunt Jaina," she answered as she led him inside.
They entered the main hold and found his parents eagerly waiting for him. Leia smiled and lightly hugged her youngest child while Han clapped him on the shoulder. They had often thought of him as a kid that needed to be protected until he began training as a Jedi. Then everyone believed that he was destined for greatness. Then Myrkr happened and Anakin was thought to be dead until they found him barely clinging to life. Han and Leia had hoped that their children would have normal lives but things always seemed to happen that put them in more danger.
"So what have you found kid?" Han asked his son earnestly.
Anakin pulled the chip out of his pocket and deposited it in the the Falcon's data computer. Graphs and charts began to appear on the monitor as well as logs from many high ranking Republic officers such as Admiral Pallaeon. Curiously Ben's name was mentioned many times but not a single log was listed under his name. "I was trying to search for a lead but I couldn't find anything. Then when I was considering giving up a Republic officer showed up behind me and slipped this chip in my hand. I couldn't find the officer but it had to have been important if one of them would deliver this as quietly as possible especially when I could feel that some of them were lying to me," Anakin told them.
Leia was leaning forward, looking intently at the screen, "Most of this is old data. To my knowledge the Republic never received any of this info. I'm not certain if any of this could be of any use to us now but," she paused transfixed by a new stream of data, "Wait stop the streaming."
Anakin obeyed his mother and saw what she saw. A considerably new log stated that the third of the fleet under Ben's control was regrouping with the others due to a Mandalorian message intercepted by General Khai. It also mentioned that Valin was in command of their third of the fleet. "Why would Valin be in command?" Anakin asked to no one in particular. That question was on all of their minds.
Han finally spoke up with his cocky, lopsided grin on his aging face, though he looked rather weary, "I think it's about time we pay the Republic Navy a little visit don't you?"
Ben had been running for his life pushing himself well past his body's limits. At first when he thought he had reached the walkway standing at the top were more of these Force sensitive individuals. He had been quickly boxed in forcing him to fight his way out. More and more kept coming out of the darkness surrounding him so against his better judgment, Ben ran toward the direction of the Dark Side's strongest influence. It was ironic that he had first came to this planet to seek out this darkness only to try escape from it. Now he was heading straight for it almost like he was being herded toward it. Then it all clicked into place. He was heading for a trap, he knew that but what kind of trap, that he did not know. Did the Mandalorians know of these beings living in the darkness of Malachor? Is that why they forbid their own from coming here? Malachor was slowly answering his questions one by one.
Ben ran forward until he heard feet running behind him. He risked a look back just in time to see a blast of lightning flying at him. It hit him straight on and was thrown over the edge of the cliff and landed hard on a giant walkway overlooking a gorge nearly fifty meters below. Ben felt a burning fire flow through his right leg that had been ripped open. His back was aching from the impact and he screamed in agony. He grabbed onto the Force, which felt incredibly dark around him. He didn't care though. He let it fuel his body to keep moving as he slowly got up and crossed the walkway. When he got to the other side, out of nowhere a large temple looking structure appeared right in front of him.
The structure looked like none other Ben had ever seen before. The Force was soaking it in Dark Side energies. Ben felt the energy pulling at him, trying to penetrate his very core. He shielded himself as best as he could but he could still feel the darkness peeling away at his barriers. He brought a hand up to the back of his head to try to ease the pressure on it. After a few moments of standing there in bewilderment, Ben heard the sound of distant footsteps coming toward him. There was nowhere to go but to enter the ancient temple and make a stand against these practitioners of the Dark Side.
He passed through the giant doorway and found himself inside a large antechamber leading in many directions. It was dark and gloomy within this place. Statues of figures he had never before seen lined the hallways. There were large crimson colored circles that served as a pathway through the ancient stronghold. Pillars held the roof in place high above his head suggesting the structure may have more than one level to it. As soon as he entered he could feel many eyes on him. Dark auras filled Ben's senses causing everything else to fall away. If this was their trap why hadn't they sprung it yet? It seemed as though they were waiting, invisible to the naked eye and shielded from his Force perception. They wanted him to continue, Ben knew that now. Have I been a fool to come here in the first place? Or is there truly a reason why I am here?
Ben felt the presences of the warriors that had chased him here coming up behind him. If there was one thing he didn't want it was to fight legions of Force adept warriors like them. He brought himself to keep moving along the hall and through a doorway that led into another hall that slowly led upward. Ben decided to continue along that path following the blood red dots on the floor. After walking for some time he came to a room filled with cells and within those cells were skeletons of what Ben believed to be humans. He thought back to his conversation with Aria. She had told him that these Dark Siders commanded her to lure other people down here. Ben had seen many in the caves but apparently there were far more than that. However these skeletons were completely decomposed. They would have had to have been brought here many years before Aria even made her journey down here.
Ben continued on and found an even more atrocious sight. He was in a room filled with machines that he knew without a doubt were used as torture devices. Within the restraints of one such machine a human male corpse hung suspended in the air stretched well past the limit. Ben rushed up to the body in a vain hope that there was any sign of life but found none. Other than the severe stretching the body had undergone there were no physical signs of damage. How could this man have died? Early in his life Ben had heard horror tales that the Sith Lords of ancient times could suck the life out of a being if they were strong enough. Then a few more questions of his were answered as pieces clicked into place. Ben backed away from the corpse reeling from this new revelation. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he failed to recognize the dark presence behind him until it was too late.
Ben was hit with the most powerful blast of Force lightning he had felt since his arrival on Malachor. He crumpled to the ground in a heap as his body functions slowed just barely keeping him conscious. Ben's vision began to darken as he tilted his head up to look at his attacker. The man had pointed teeth smirking sadistically, crimson skin with flesh tendrils hanging from his cheeks and yellow eyes that he had only seen on holos of the late Emperor Palpatine. Before he blacked out, Ben heard the terrifying being utter, "Now it is your turn Jedi."
A few days later found the Millennium Falcon slowly approaching the Republic fleet. Admiral Pallaeon's flagship, Bloodfin, was looming ahead of them. Anakin hoped that the fleet would go for his father's plan but if they didn't the Solo's may never get on board the ship. Han was seated in the pilot seat with his mother in the chair that would have held Chewbacca, while Anakin hung over his mother's shoulder. When the old Wookiee died Han had become reclusive, not wanting anyone to help him through his grief. Over time he had come around and reopened himself to his family. After a few moments of floating dead in space a voice cracked over the intercom, "Millennium Falcon, this is Admiral Pallaeon of the Bloodfin. You are advised to leave this sector."
Before Han could react, Leia reached forward and accepted the transmission, "This is Leia Organa Solo requesting permission to board the Bloodfin."
"Negative. No unauthorized personnel are cleared to board this vessel."
From the chip Anakin had received they Leia knew that the generals and admirals of the Republic had been in conference aboard Pallaeon's ship. It was vitally important that they get onboard. "I am here as a representative of the Jedi Order and the Senate. You know I am still a certified member of the Senate, Admiral."
While Leia still was a highly respected member of the Republic, her authority could be easily overruled by Pallaeon but they were counting on her reputation to convince the elderly man to allow them to board. Han's trigger finger twitched as a prolonged silence filled the cockpit. "They're not going for it, Leia," Han said ending the silence.
Just then Pallaeon's voice entered the cockpit, "Millennium Falcon, you are cleared to enter hangar bay two."
Han, ever the optimist, relaxed his tense back into his seat as he casually flew the Falcon toward the hangar, "See, I told you it was going to work."
He dove the ship under the Star Destroyer and landed the old freighter with practiced ease. The hangar was already filled with various transports from the other Republic vessels. There was a small committee waiting for them not far from the ship, slowly advancing. Anakin looked over at his parents who were whispering among themselves. They would have to split up or risk getting no info at all. "Mom, you have to go with Dad and Tahiri. Once you've gone I will slip out and try dig up whatever I can."
Han wasn't about to let his son tell him to wait around while he had all the fun, "Hey, now wait a minute. I'm not just going to sit around while you go off on your own."
"Dad I-" Anakin didn't get a chance to finish.
"Anakin is right, Han. You need to be with Leia. But I am going with you, Anakin, and don't you dare argue with me." Tahiri said, her voice rising.
Anakin looked into her eyes and saw the look he had come to know so well. Her eyes held an intensity that not many people could overcome and he was no exception. "Alright," he said exasperated. Han began to chuckle causing Anakin to glare at him.
Leia stood up drawing everyone's attention. "It's settled then. Be careful," she said as she embraced Anakin then Tahiri. Without a second glance she walked out of the cockpit with Han hot on her heals.
Anakin and Tahiri waited until the procession walked away, encircling the eldest members of the Solo family. When the hangar was mostly empty Anakin led his wife down the ramp and across the hangar quickly entering the hallway. They quietly ran through the hall and entered a turbolift that would take them to the personal quarters of the Bloodfin's crew. As an added bonus, the officers that were visiting the ship most likely had temporary quarters on this level as well. When the lift doors opened Anakin peered out and saw a small group of soldiers turn the corner making their rounds. He walked forward and looked around the corner to see the muzzle of a blaster rifle aimed right at his head. "Back away from the wall!" a gruff voice ordered.
Anakin and Tahiri came around the corner to see the squad of soldiers that Anakin thought had continued on at full battle readiness. It was quite evident that these men had seen some action. He could tell that the soldier noticed their lightsabers. "Anakin Solo. You are not authorized to be aboard this vessel."
Anakin began muttering curses under his breath. He hadn't thought anyone would recognize him if he was caught. But here he was with a blaster pointed at his head. He had hoped to use stealth but now he would have to change the plan. Without another word, Anakin waved his hand at the men standing before him implementing the famous Jedi mind trick. "You will let us go."
The soldier eyes became distant and clouded over. "I will let you go," he reciprocated.
"You never saw us," Anakin continued and listened to the man's confused reply. "Continue your rounds," he said and the security group walked back the way they were headed. Anakin went down the adjacent hall with Tahiri. Unbeknownst to both of them, another soldier had witnessed the entire scene and promptly left to inform his commanding officers.
Tahiri took point and led the way through the corridors until they got to Admiral Pallaeon's personal quarters. Naturally the doors were locked but that had never stopped Anakin Solo before. He put his hand on the control panel and felt the electric circuits within and within moments he had the code. He punched it in and the door slid shut softly behind them. The place had all the necessities of home but still had a military order to it. They ventured over to his datapad only to find that it was shut down with an advanced warning system on the alert for any unauthorized access. These were far more difficult for Anakin. With time he could probably access it but time was not on their side at the moment and he couldn't risk making a mistake.
While he thought about what to do Tahiri was busy examining the datapad. After a few moments of careful inspection she noticed a piece of the datapad was missing. She nudged her husband to get his attention, "Anakin there is a piece missing."
At his confused look, Tahiri pointed out the oddity to him. Once he saw it he began to ponder all the possibilities. It didn't make sense. If you had put the datapad under lockdown there would be no need to take whatever had occupied that space . . unless it had already been missing. "The chip," Anakin said more to himself than Tahiri.
"Do you have it?" she asked coming to the same conclusion he had. He nodded and loosened his belt slightly to take it out of a hidden pouch. After doing so he slowly brought it to the slot and clicked it in. To his relief the datapad came to life with the warning system disabled. He looked over the information on it and gasped in amazement. Battle plans for the end of the war were on this datapad. In one entry it said that Ben had ordered the fleet to begin stockpiling supplies in preparation for the siege of Dxun. Onderon and its next door neighbor were some of the first Republic systems to fall to Mandalore. The Mandalorians had made Dxun their command center for the entire Republic campaign. To attack it would be suicide, even the Jedi Council knew that.
There was also data on several other battles some of which had passed by recently such as the battle of Taris. Why had the military kept such vital information from the Senate? It didn't make sense and it didn't help that the datapad gave no indication as to why. Things weren't adding up but at least now Anakin had something to give his uncle. Suddenly the door opened and two human male Jedi came through, neither one looking very pleased to see them. Anakin and Tahiri shared a look not knowing what to do next. One of the Jedi looked Anakin straight in the eye and said, "Master Solo, you and your wife must come with us immediately."
By the way they were glaring at him, Anakin wasn't about to argue. He nodded to Tahiri and both of them joined the two Jedi, one of them taking the lead and the other trailing behind. Anakin had no idea where they were being taken but to his relief they were staying on this level of the Star Destroyer. The Solos were led through several halls until they reached door that lead to another high ranking officer's quarters. The leading Jedi pushed a button and the door opened. He went in followed by the other three to see a young woman about the age of twenty, dressed in Jedi robes with flowing brown hair. She turned around and received a nearly shocked look from Anakin, "It has been a long time, Master."
"Vestara." That was all he could manage to say. I suppose I should have expected this Anakin thought to himself. He was happy to see his apprentice again but not under these circumstances.
Vestara smiled at the two Jedi Masters that had raised her from her youth. She was pleased to see them again. She shifted her gaze to the two Jedi watching their exchange. "I trust you will keep silent on this matter?" she asked them.
"Yes General," they replied then quickly excused themselves.
Vestara looked at her former mentor with a sadly amused look, "You're fortunate that I was the first and only person to be told that you were onboard. Otherwise you may have been arrested as a spy."
Anakin grinned at her as Tahiri walked past him and embraced Vestara. "Thank you, Ves. I'm glad to see you," he said while giving her a fatherly embrace.
Vestara's smile faded slightly knowing that this reunion wouldn't last much longer. "Your parents are going to be leaving soon. I wish we had more time but you cannot be seen here."
Anakin slowly nodded. "We just want to know why the military hasn't been informing the government about their battle plans. Do you know if there is a reason for this?" he asked wearily. He trusted Vestara enough to reveal the true reason why they had infiltrated the Bloodfin.
The young general lowered her head for a moment in contemplation. It wasn't her place to speak out against Ben or any of her superiors but there was always the prospect that there was a breach in security. She looked up at the older Jedi before her and responded truthfully, "Honestly, I don't know. There could be many possibilities but I cannot be certain. I do believe that the Republic should know what is happening though. Recently we have intercepted a Mandalorian transmission. So far we have confirmed that they are planning an attack. We don't know when or where but I have a feeling that it will be sooner rather than later. I hope this trip has been worth it for you."
"Ves, before we go, I need to know. Where is Ben?" Anakin asked hesitantly. He had wanted to know of his cousin's whereabouts for some time now just as all the other members of the family.
Vestara turned away from her mentor. She didn't want to talk about this. "I can't tell you."
Anakin reached forward putting his hand on her shoulder turning her to face him. He had to know if the chip had been correct. "Vestara you can trust me. Please."
As Anakin looked into her eyes he thought he saw tears. "I'm sorry but I can't. I don't know," she said, her words practically inaudible.
This shocked Anakin. Vestara and Ben had been very close during their apprenticeships. For her not to know where he was seemed inconceivable. "You don't know?" he asked in a stupor.
"No one knows. He just disappeared a few days ago," she said starting breakdown, "The explanation I get from Valin is that Ben left to see an old friend!" She buried her head into Anakin's shoulder, "We need him . . I need him."
Author Note
I have finally updated and I plan on keeping a regular schedule for a while. I also would like to know if any of you think I should take out the Kotor characters and make them characters that would be in this timeframe. If you have any thoughts I would love to hear them. Thanks for reading and keep reviewing!