Thank you to the 9 people who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are the greatest and now we'll get to see into the mind of the enemy again including the revealing of the second main antagonist by name (an antagonist that the majority of my reviewers got right)—it's been a while—finally get Han introduced and other stuff. Well, let's get too it; reviews, as always, are much appreciated.
Chapter 6
Sicarius walked down the curving hallway toward his flagship's conference room to meet with the Supreme Commander; his thoughts on the four Jedi who had escaped the Katana two days earlier. He hadn't thought they would get past the droid fighters and he cursed the fact that he had underestimated them. His Supreme Commander had even told him that while Jedi could be predictable, it was never a good idea to underestimate them.
At the very least, Sicarius had taken his Supreme Commander's advice and installed a tracking device within the shuttle; he was able to track the shuttle to Tatooine. It wouldn't do much good to go after them though; he wouldn't get to them before they returned to Coruscant and trekking into the heart of the Republic would be suicide. The closest Sicarius has gotten to the Core Worlds was Bellassa.
Sicarius wasn't scared; he was simply unprepared to face the bulk of the Republic's clone army and the Jedi. He still needed time to finish gathering his resources and gain allies before he could wage his war against the Republic. The fact that the Republic and the Jedi would soon know the location of his fleet made him wonder if he should move it.
The conference room was a large room with walls lined with holoprojection stations and a large holotable in the center of the room surrounded by chairs. There were large transparisteel viewports across from the door. Currently, the holoprojection stations were showcasing various pieces of artwork and sculptures from various Republic worlds.
Sitting at the head of the holotable looking at a datapad was the Supreme Commander of Sicarius's army; a blue-skinned Chiss with glowing red eyes named Mitth'raw'nuruodo better known as Thrawn. Thrawn lifted his head as Sicarius made his way deeper into the room scanning the holoprojections with resignation in his eyes.
In the years he has worked with Thrawn, Sicarius discovered that Thrawn enjoyed looking at artwork convinced that you could learn everything about a species or a species' culture by just studying their artwork. It was disconcerting because most of the time the Chiss was right in his diagnosis of a species based on what he studied. But then the fact that Thrawn was able to figure out such details that some might see as minor was one of the reasons why Palpatine's files said he was a valuable ally.
"Lord Sicarius," Thrawn said; his voice was calm. He put the datapad down as he fixed his gaze on the Sith Lord.
"Commander Thrawn," Sicarius said observing the holoprojections and noticing that the ones closest to Thrawn seemed to depict creatures from a planet Sicarius has never visited before.
"Found another planet's artwork to study?" he said as he took a seat next to Thrawn.
"Yes, Lord Sicarius, which is something I wish to speak to you about. There are many pieces of artwork from this particular planet created by the humans who migrated there and they are about several aspects of the planet."
"But?" Sicarius said.
"But I have noticed that there are many pieces of artwork that seem to focus more on the animals on the planet," Thrawn said.
Sicarius's eyebrows rose and he glanced toward the pieces of artwork studying it. "How so?" he said returning his gaze back to the Supreme Commander.
Thrawn touched the holotable and one of the artworks that dotted the circumference of the room disappeared to reappear in a miniature version on the table. The sculpture was one of a tree with a tiny furry lizard-like creature clinging to the tree's trunk. "Look at the creature, Lord Sicarius, and compare it to the rest of the sculpture," he said.
Sicarius observed the little creature and the tree before he narrowed his eyes. "The creature seems more detailed than the rest of the sculpture," he said.
"Exactly," Thrawn said with a nod. "However, each piece only seems to depict these creatures as well as another." He touched the holotable and another holographic image, this one of a canine-like creature. "That tells me that there is something very special about these creatures."
"What is this planet?" Sicarius asked as the holographic image disappeared.
Thrawn looked at him. "I believe you may already know about this planet," he said.
"Possibly," Sicarius said. "I know many planets."
"Have you ever heard of the planet Myrkr?"
Sicarius frowned. "That's rather close to major population centers in the inner rim and yet the Republic avoids it. I have haven't had a chance to research why that is," he said.
"I believe these creatures are why Myrkr is left alone."
"Why would the Republic leave this planet alone just because of these creatures?" Sicarius wondered aloud.
"I do not believe it is the Republic that is leaving Myrkr alone. I believe it's the Jedi."
"Why do you say that?"
"The research I've done has told me that Myrkr's population is mostly smugglers, bounty hunters and generally those who are trying to remain hidden from the law. The Jedi are peacekeepers but, when needed, they are also the enforcers of the law. Why else would these people go to this planet?"
"They wish to remain beneath the Jedi's notice and so choose a planet that the Jedi avoid," Sicarius said as the pieces fell into place, "which means these creatures are dangerous for Jedi."
"Exactly."
"However, if these creatures are dangerous toward Jedi then it's possible they are dangerous toward all Force sensitives," Sicarius added thoughtfully.
"A wise assumption and likely true."
"Why bring this to my attention then, Commander?"
"I am curious to know more about these creatures. Perhaps they may benefit your cause especially if they can be used against the Jedi. Naturally, if they do affect all Force sensitives then we will have to figure a way around that dilemma."
Sicarius pressed his lips together thoughtful. "The only way to determine if these creatures affect all Force sensitives would be for either me or my apprentice or Sarris to visit this planet," he said. "I will consider doing that, Commander."
Thrawn inclined his head his eyes expressionless.
A beep sounded and Sicarius activated the comm before Lady Lumiya's hologram appeared before him. "Master," she said kneeling down and lowering her head.
"What news do you have? Did you complete your mission?" Sicarius asked.
"I am afraid I did not, Master. The Jedi somehow figured out what was happening because there were two Master/Padawan teams on Corellia, one of whom succeeded in capturing Sarris while the other stopped me from completing my mission. Skywalker was part of that second team," Lumiya said.
Sicarius narrowed his eyes. "How did the Jedi know you were there?"
"I do not know, Master," Lumiya said.
Sicarius gritted his teeth. "Return here at once," he said.
"And Sarris?"
"She should never have let herself get captured. I cannot, and will not, risk my plans to save her. She is on her own."
\/\/\/\/\/
"How do you feel Ahsoka?" Obi-Wan asked as he made his way into the small room that Shmi had given Ahsoka when they returned to the homestead. Despite the limited amount of medical supplies on Tatooine, Shmi and Beru were able to mend the majority of the wounds the four of them sustained in the crash. Kira was the less injured that she had helped Shmi and Beru after her wounds were seen to. Obi-Wan and Ahsoka were the most injured while Mara had a slight concussion. After two days of rest and recovery—including a full day in a Jedi healing trance, or almost two days in Obi-Wan's case—the four of them were healed enough to where they could walk around and didn't complain as much about their injuries with the exception of Ahsoka who was not as healed as Obi-Wan, Kira and Mara.
"I feel better, Obi-Wan," Ahsoka said grunting as she pushed herself into a sitting position. "Are we going to leave soon?"
"We need to get back to Coruscant and inform the Council about Sicarius's fleet," Obi-Wan said. "But we won't leave until you're ready."
"I'm ready now, Obi-Wan." As if to prove her point, Ahsoka got to her feet but clutched her chest as her large blue eyes flared with pain.
Obi-Wan stretched out a hand and placed it on the Togruta's shoulder. "You should rest for another day, Ahsoka," he said.
"No, we have to tell the Council before Sicarius gets smart and moves the fleet," Ahsoka protested.
"I fear he may have already done that," Obi-Wan said before he continued to observe Ahsoka wondering if he should insist the Togruta rest or not.
"I'm ready to go, Obi-Wan. I'll take it easy and won't exert myself but we need to go," Ahsoka said.
Obi-Wan sighed but nodded. "Very well," he said. "We will have to travel to Mos Eisley to get transportation off Tatooine though. Hopefully we will find someone who will be willing to give us a ride despite how short of credits we are." As the mission had been primarily an investigative one, there was no point in bringing a large amount of credits. They did bring some with them though but Obi-Wan figured he would just have to do what he did when he, Luke and Artoo had left Tatooine in the old timeline.
"Well, we won't find anyone willing to give us a ride waiting around here. Let's go," Mara said stepping into the room with Kira just behind her.
"How do you feel, Mara?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Not as dizzy anymore, Master Kenobi, and not as nauseous," Mara said.
"And what about you, Dad? Are you well enough to travel?" Kira said folding her arms across her chest and glaring at him.
"You remind me so much of Siri when you do that, Kira," Obi-Wan said with a faint smile. "I'm well enough to travel. Thanks to your constant insistence, I spent most of the last two days in a healing trance."
"All right," Kira said unfolding her arms.
"Come on, let us say goodbye to our hostess. Perhaps she, or Owen, will be willing to give us a ride to Mos Eisley," Obi-Wan said.
"I really hope so. Walking through a desert is not fun," Ahsoka grumbled clearly remembering the last time she had to trek through a desert when she first became an apprentice.
The four of them returned to the living area and Shmi looked up. "You're going already?" she asked.
"We need to return to Coruscant, Shmi," Obi-Wan said. "I thank you for your hospitality."
"You're family, Obi-Wan, so you're welcome anytime," Shmi said. "By the way, when you reach Coruscant, tell my son to come and visit me as soon as he can and bring Luke and Leia. I haven't seen them since they were four."
"I will. Owen, would you mind giving us a ride to Mos Eisley?" Obi-Wan asked looking at Anakin's stepbrother.
"All right," Owen said before he stood up and led the way out of the house.
The journey to Mos Eisley was done in almost complete silence with Obi-Wan thinking over everything that happened while Ahsoka was meditating and Mara and Kira were talking quietly to each other. When they reached the settlement, Obi-Wan thanked Owen before leading the way into the wretched hive of scum and villainy as he had taken to calling it.
"Let's seek help in a cantina and go from there," he suggested.
Kira, Mara and Ahsoka nodded and Obi-Wan walked over to the cantina feeling a sense of déjà vu as he walked.
\/\/\/\/\/
Captain Han Solo sipped at his Corellian whiskey and leaned back in his seat. He hated Tatooine; the only reason he was on this planet was because the Millennium Falcon needed repairs—as usual—and Han had many contacts on Tatooine who were willing to give him the parts he needed at a semi-reasonable price.
In Han's younger years, he had ended up getting entangled in the criminal underworld when he was taken under the wing of the crime boss Prince Xizor after his parents were killed when he was thirteen and he had gained many contacts during that time. When he turned eighteen though, he left Black Sun and applied for the Republic Flight Academy where he was accepted. He rose through the ranks quicker than most people with the exception of Juno Eclipse. They had graduated at the same time six months earlier and had both joined the Republic's army at the same time.
Han was currently taking a break while he fixed the Falcon. He had a leave of absence before he returned to his duties within the Republic fleet and he had decided to take his co-pilot Chewbacca to visit his family on Kashyyyk. Unfortunately, after leaving the planet, their hyperdrive acted up and they were forced to land on the closest planet to them, which was Tatooine.
He knew by the time he finished fixing the Falcon, which would hopefully be tomorrow, he would have to return to his duties with the fleet. At least Chewie got to spend some time with his family, Han thought sipping at his drink.
The door to the cantina opened and Han lifted his head as four people walked into the cantina. The oldest of the group was dressed in the familiar brown robes of the Jedi though they seemed to be torn in several places; he had auburn hair that grayed at the roots. Behind him walked a Togruta with large blue eyes, a girl with fiery red hair and another girl with beautiful blonde hair; the two girls were dressed in Jedi robes like the older man that also had tears in various places.
"Huh, never thought I'd see Jedi here," Han commented sipping at his drink.
Chewbacca growled out a question.
Han shrugged. "How should I know? Maybe they took a wrong turn somewhere. Tatooine ain't a Republic world and they don't look like they're here 'cause they want to be," he said.
Chewbacca barked out another question.
"Just look at 'em. They look like they got into a fight with a rancor."
Chewbacca grunted in agreement before he growled out another question.
"Well I guess they could be," Han said. "Why don't you ask 'em?"
Chewbacca barked before getting to his feet and making his way to the bar where the old man was standing.
Han leaned back. He respected the Jedi having grown up with tales on how the Jedi had battled during the Clone Wars and how the Jedi had uncovered the treachery against the Republic by one of their own. He had never met a Jedi though during the years he spent with Black Sun and then at the Republic Pilot Academy though.
This is gonna be an interesting experience, Han mused watching as Chewbacca led the four Jedi over to join him.
Han finished his drink as Chewbacca, informing him that they were seeking a ride, sat down at his side. "So Chewie says you need a ride to Coruscant," he said.
"Yes if you're willing," the older Jedi said.
"I ain't got nothing better to do and I'm due back on Coruscant soon anyway," Han said with a shrug. "The name's Han Solo by the way. This is my co-pilot Chewbacca."
"I am Obi-Wan Kenobi," the man said.
Han's eyebrows shot up in surprise but he simply said, "Nice to meet ya. Who're your lovely companions?"
"This is my Padawan, and daughter, Kira," Obi-Wan said with a nod to the blonde standing beside him before he nodded to the Togruta and added, "That's Ahsoka Tano and her apprentice Mara."
Han leaned back in his booth as he greeted the other three Jedi in turn. "I'll give ya a ride back to Coruscant if ya want but you'll have to wait. We're making repairs to the Falcon and they might not be finished until tomorrow at the earliest."
"Maybe I can help," Ahsoka suggested.
"You any good with ships?"
"My master taught me all he knows," Ahsoka said proudly.
Han eyed the Togruta before shrugging. "Just don't screw anything up and you're welcome to help," he said before he stood up. "I'll take ya to the Falcon."
Obi-Wan nodded before the four Jedi followed Han as he led the way out of the cantina and toward the docking bay; Chewbacca brought up the rear of the group.
The five of them entered the docking bay and Mara stopped before frowning. "That's a ship?" she said.
"Reminds me of the Twilight," Ahsoka commented. "Just…a bit more…"
"Like a pile of junk?" Mara suggested.
"Hey, this baby can make it point five past lightspeed," Han defended. "It may not look like much but it's got it where it counts."
"I'll believe it when I see it," Mara said observing the ship with a critical eye.
Han huffed offended but said nothing in response to that. "Come on. If ya wanna leave anytime soon then we should get these repairs done," he said before leading the way into the main cargo hold of the freighter.
\/\/\/\/\/
Galen was tasked with guarding the prisoner and, after an hour, he found himself bored. The dark Jedi was silent as usual glaring sullenly at her surroundings but also observing them as if trying to find a way to get out if she happened to get out of her stun cuffs. Her green eyes kept passing over everything in the shuttle and there seemed to be a hopeful and expectant feeling as if she was expecting someone to help her.
The shuttle glided to a stop on a landing platform and Mace made his way into the lounge of the shuttle before lowering the boarding ramp. Anakin made his way onto the ship looking at the dark Jedi curiously before moving past and disappearing into the cockpit, much to Galen's amusement and Mace's annoyance.
Luke and Senator Bel Iblis, the latter of whom looked annoyed, came into the shuttle just behind him. Galen raised his eyebrows. "How'd you manage to convince him to come with us?" he asked.
"I didn't," Luke said with a shrug. "Governor Vorru insisted that Senator Bel Iblis come with us."
"Oh."
"Hello Senator Bel Iblis," Mace greeted the Corellian.
"Master Windu," Bel Iblis said with a slight incline of his head before he moved past the Jedi Master and sat down in one of the seats in the lounge while Luke joined his father in the cockpit.
The shuttle left the platform and flew past the atmosphere of Corellia. Galen, sitting on the ground beside the dark Jedi, slipped into a meditative trance using the Force to remain aware of his surroundings in case the dark Jedi tried anything. He doubted she would with Mace watching her as well though but it never hurt to be prepared.
After about three hours of meditating, Galen was pulled from his meditation by a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Galen, why don't you go and rest? I'll take over watching her for a few hours," Mace said.
"Yes Master," Galen said before he uncrossed his legs and stood up before moving over to sit on one of the bunks in the lounge. He lied down before closing his eyes and drifting off into a light sleep.
He woke a few hours later to find that Luke was now guarding the dark Jedi but Galen could see a haunted look in his eyes and he frowned. "Are you okay?" he asked getting to his feet and moving over to sit in front of the other Padawan.
"Just…didn't get much sleep," Luke admitted.
Galen frowned wondering if that meant Luke had a vision. He was the only one outside of Luke's family—including the Kenobi family—that knew about Luke's ability to see the future that he inherited from his father. He had been friends with Luke since they were younglings and Luke had confided into him about his ability when he had one that involved Galen and had tried everything to try to stop it from coming true, including telling Galen about it.
However, he knew he couldn't speak of it out loud. The last thing he wanted was for the dark Jedi to know about Luke's ability to see the future so he simply nodded. "Why don't you try again? I'll watch her," he said.
Luke shrugged. "Okay," he said. He smirked before adding, "Do or do not, there is no try."
Galen swatted his arm amusement in his brown eyes. "If I had a credit for every time I heard that…" he said.
Luke chuckled before he got to his feet and walked away.
Galen sat down glancing at the dark Jedi as she shifted into a more comfortable position and fell asleep. He studied her wondering what happened to cause her to become a dark Jedi. He decided not to think about it as he closed his eyes and drifted back into a meditative trance.
\/\/\/\/\/
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: yeah, another short chapter but I wanted to give you guys another update and this was really just a filler chapter
Darth: introducing the second antagonist and Han
Blaze: yup that too
Darth: so what's gonna happen next?
Blaze: you'll just have to wait and see
Darth: how long will we have to wait for another chapter?
Blaze: I dunno. Depends on how long it takes me to write the next chapter
Darth: oh
Blaze: everyone is gonna pretty much reunite in the next chapter (just in different ways). I can say that much
Darth: ah okay
Blaze: well, I hope anyway. It just depends on what happens
Darth: okay
Blaze: so please review and I will post chapter 7 as soon as I possibly can