FYI: "Honi" rhymes with "pony," at least in my head.

Chapter Five: Intangible

1080 days ABG

Kalinda's eyes opened an instant before she heard Honi gasp. "What is it?"

Both women sat up in one motion and Kali watched as her former Padawan leaned forward on the bed, her hands pressed against her forehead. "It's...it's Zara. She's calling for me." She met Kali's eyes; her own were wide with fear. "She's terrified..."

"Can you reach her?"

Honi shut her eyes and took several deep breaths, but shook her head after a few minutes. "No...we haven't been together that long...I don't think our connection is strong enough." She frowned and rubbed at her arms. "Zara."

Even as she felt her chest tighten, Kalinda nodded. "We'll find her, Honi. She's alive, at any rate. I just wish we knew what we were heading into." She sighed and glanced out the viewport of the cabin. There must be something we can do sooner. I hate sitting around and waiting.

"Kalinda..." The red-haired woman's voice was quiet and Kali looked back at her. "I did pick up something strange: a flash of an image. Something tall and slender..." She frowned again and rubbed at her eyes. "It looked like a being of some kind."

Before Kali could reply, she heard Stone's voice in her mind. What's wrong?

Honi caught something from her Padawan...a cry for help and an image. Kali shivered at the notion that was starting to creep into her brain.

But Stone was pragmatic. An image. Not schematics of her location, I guess?

Kali smiled to herself. Sadly, no. But...she looked at the other woman, who still looked agitated. "Honi, I need you to try and contact her again."

Honi's pale eyes opened as she looked at her former master. "I'm not sure if I can. It's not like you and Obi-Wan, Master. Or like you and I were." Communication through the Force was not a rare ability among Jedi, but it was usually relegated to those who shared a strong bond of some kind.

"I know, but I have faith in you," Kali replied, stepping off the bed and pulling on her boots. "Just concentrate. I'll leave you alone, okay?"

"But-"

Standing at the door, Kali held up her hand. "Please, Honi. You have to try, for Zara's sake. You have to trust yourself."

The red-haired woman sighed and nodded; a moment later she had closed her eyes and was sinking herself deeper within the Force. Kali slipped out of the room as quietly as she could and made her way to the helm of the Wayfarer, where Stone and Crest were seated. At her approach, the clone captain got to his feet and met her at the galley. "Is the Padawan okay?"

"I think so. She's afraid, but alive. Honi's trying to reach her again." She paused and met his almost-golden eyes. "Stone...I think that Creon may have Zara." She told him about the image that Honi had picked up and watched his expression darken.

He frowned and ran a hand through his close-cropped hair, uttering a quiet Mando'a curse. "You aren't certain, though?"

Kali shook her head. "No. She's trying to see if she can't manage it again. If it is Creon, it will make our mission more complicated."

"But at least we'll be able to find those lads," he added, taking her hand. She met his eyes and felt something within her stirring at his gaze, some nameless longing that had been reaching for her more and more of late, for all that she pushed it aside. Stone kissed her forehead, gently. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out."

She leaned into him, taking comfort in his embrace. "How's bunking with Milo and Weave?"

"Crowded, but not bad. At least their cabin's clean," he replied with a chuckle. She felt a flare of something from him, though it passed at once and she didn't feel like asking him about it. "How's your former apprentice? Did she take the...news well?"

Kali smiled up at him. "She took it about as well as I expected her to. You'll understand," she added to his confused look. "But for now, let's just say that she's still getting used to the idea that I prefer you all to call me by my name and not my title."

"Ah." He nodded and lifted one hand to give her a sharp salute while the other reached around her waist. "Copy that...General."

Milo's voice was quiet in the darkness. "Can't sleep either?"

I just wish I could figure this kriffing, shabla thing out. Why does it feel like everything is out of my grasp? Weave sighed and shook his head, the faint glow from his implant illuminating the datapad in his hand. "I appreciate you taking the time to grab this 'pad, Mi, but to be honest it's done little else but cause me a migraine." He heard his brother's mattress shift – Milo had offered to give Stonewall his bunk, but the captain had refused – and adjusted the vision of his implant so that he could see the other clone's heat signature approach him in the darkness.

"What can I say? It seemed like a good idea at the time," Milo replied with a soft chuckle.

Sighing, Weave glanced down at the 'pad again; he'd memorized all of the data it contained – what he could decipher, at any rate – but was no closer to discovering what it meant. When he said as much to Milo, the younger clone extended his hand to take the device. "What are you going to do? You have some hidden knowledge of codes that you haven't told me about?" I may be a freak, but I'm not stupid.

"No, but I haven't been staring at this thing for the past eight months. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes does a world of good," Milo replied, his voice easy despite the sharpness in Weave's tone. There was silence while he scrolled through the 'pad almost idly and Weave felt his annoyance growing.

"You don't know what you're doing. Just give it back-"

But Milo ignored him. "You said it's some kind of code?"

Weave exhaled, long and slow, and resisted the urge to reach for the device. "Maybe. They're no coordinates that I've seen...why?"

Silence.

Just when Weave was about to snatch it back from his brother, Milo let out a chuckle that made him frown. "What?"

"Dunno." The younger clone shrugged, his body outlined in crimson and orange through the implant's perspective. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was musical notes."

This made Weave pause. "Musical notes?"

Milo nodded and tilted the 'pad towards him. "See that? Looks like a scale...not the numbers, but the way they're arranged. And this next part...well, it looks like a song of some kind." As he studied the screen, he began to hum the simple melody under his breath.

Weave's entire body stilled while he stared at the screen. It was so obvious now, he felt foolish for missing it before. "Mi...you're a kriffing genius..."

"Aw, thanks, vod," Milo replied with a grin. "But we still don't know what it means."

"Well, we're a lot closer to figuring it out," Weave said, slapping his brother's shoulder.

As he returned to his own bunk, Milo continued to hum the tune; it was lilting and light, and for the first time in many months, Weave felt a twinge of hope.

Several hours passed and No-Name did not return. Rather than give into the despair that was threatening to overwhelm them all, Zara decided that everyone should try and sleep, herself included. It was a strange thing to know that the three complete strangers in the next room followed her suggestion without a moment's hesitation and while she listened to their steady breathing, Zara again wondered at the chain of command that the clones had been trained to follow. I'm not any smarter than they are. In fact, every one of those boys is probably a better warrior than me. Why am I automatically in charge just because I can use the Force?

She curled up in the corner and tried to sleep, but it was impossible to shut off her brain. After a time she decided to allow her thoughts to turn back to her master and hope that maybe, just maybe, she could reach her. I've heard that some Jedi can talk to one another through the Force, if their connection is strong. Maybe if I concentrate hard enough I can manage it.

So Zara tried to relax. The sounds of the clone boys' breathing was a steady rhythm in the darkness, and she slipped into a meditative state after a few minutes. She pictured her master's face – in her customary scowl, though it was underlain with compassion – and tried to imagine that they were standing side-by-side once more. Master Tallis?

There was only dark silence for a long time. However, just as she was about to give up, Zara felt a strange sensation in her mind.

Zara?

Hope flared within her and the Nautolan girl shifted in her seat. Master Tallis?

Zara. There was relief, overwhelming relief. Are you hurt?

I'm okay. He just took some blood.

He?

Zara took a breath. Master...it's a Kaminoan. I don't know his name. But there are others here...clone boys. Her head was starting to ache from the strain, but she kept up her focus, not daring to entertain the thought that their tenuous connection would be broken. Recalling the frightened faces of the boys, she was filled with new resolve. Please, Master. You must help us. He took No-Name and another. I don't know what he's doing with them...

It felt as though her master had laid her own consciousness against Zara's agitation, filling her with calm. You must be strong, Zara. I'm with Kalinda and her men...we're coming for you. Don't be afraid.

There was a noise from the next room and Zara was snapped out of her reverie as one of the clone boys – Risky, she thought – spoke to her. "Commander? Are you there?"

Master Tallis was gone, her own head was throbbing, her arms were sore from being trapped in the cuffs, and she was still terrified for No-Name and the others, but Zara was able to breathe easier. She had hope.

"Risky?"

His voice was very small. "We were calling you for a while...are you okay, sir?"

Zara leaned her head back against the wall. "I am now."

The unit that he'd selected for the bout of nanos was not nearly as docile as the other, and Creon regretted that he'd run out of the more effective brand of tranquilizers, as the ones that had been administered seemed to do nothing. Already two of his droids were sparking from a sudden attack by the creature; it had also managed to land in a severe kick to his knee-joint, which Creon had favored ever since a misplaced judgment from his youth when he'd attempted to ride a particularly wild aiwha. It was then that he recalled that one of the units that had been taken had been a command-clone, rather than the standard CT versions, which would account for its erratic behavior.

Currently, the unit was crouched beneath a low table, back to the wall as it watched Creon try to right the droids that had been knocked over. I can't handle it on my own...that's what these droids are for. They were heavier than he realized, and part of his mind wondered at the strength of the small Human.

The two droids that were still upright had managed to surround the unit, but they could not reach it from their positions given the lip of the table, the limited reach of their arms and their inflexible bodies. Creon glared at the nearest one as it repeatedly pummeled itself into the edge of the table, the sound echoing in the small chamber. "Not that way...go around to the side and secure the unit at once."

The droid's servos whirred as it moved to obey Creon's command, the other following. However, as they made their way around, the unit did something unexpected. It lunged for the nearest droid, grabbing at one of the spindly arms and wrenching it free from its owner before darting between them and out of the room altogether, pausing only to toss the arm back towards Creon's shoulder, where it struck with alarming force. The droids rotated and bumped into one another as they tried to follow the unit's movements. Just as Creon managed to right the droid he'd been with, the other two rushed past him, nearly knocking him to the dusty floor.

Kaminoans did not yell. They did not swear or curse or express any emotion other than passive calm. But in this case, Creon Dai was the exception to the rule.

Stonewall watched Kali as she sat in the pilot's seat of the Wayfarer, the light from the console catching her eyes and giving them a faint glow. From his place at the co-pilot's chair, all he could see was her and the stars, and he rather liked the view. They'd come out of hyperspace to navigate through an asteroid field and she'd sent Crest to his bunk so that she could take her turn at the helm.

Though I think he could handle it. She just wants something to do. Despite the fact that she appeared as calm as any Jedi he could feel her agitation.

Or perhaps it's my own. Sometimes it was difficult to tell; he tried to be mindful of his own emotions but part of his attention was always with her, and despite everything else that he had on his mind, he couldn't help the thoughts that came to him more and more of late while he regarded the dark-haired woman. It had started with some nameless flicker of longing that he'd felt from her on Kamino, when they'd met a young clone boy.

Only after some speculation did he think he understood, but he still wasn't sure how he felt about the realization. She wants more out of her life...I could see it when she looked at that boy. Perhaps it's even part of the reason she's so twisted up about the cadets. I wonder if she even realizes it.

Months ago, she asked me on the Tranquility if I wished that things were different. Well I do. I wish that I could live a normal life, sometimes. Or whatever would pass for normal when you're a Force-sensitive clone soldier who's fallen in love with a Jedi Knight. But it's not possible. In the end,as much as he wanted to share the rest of his life with her, time just wasn't something that he had in abundance. The knowledge made him shift uneasily in his chair; though his eyes were still fixed in her direction, his gaze had unfocused.

Even if we both survive this war, even if we're together for the rest of my existence, it still won't be nearly enough time. If I'm honest – really honest – it does bother me that we'll be cheated, in one way or another, of a normal life. It was a thought that troubled him on a deeper level than he'd realized at first, and he made a long, slow exhale to try and clear his mind.

"Enjoying the view?" She cast him a wry look; he gave her a reassuring smile.

"And the company."

She smiled back. After a moment she glanced at the navacomputer. "We're a little more than halfway to Sethos. I don't know if I want Creon to be there or not."

"I know how you feel." If the Kaminoan scientist was there, it would mean that the young Padawan was definitely in worse trouble than they realized, but if not...well, they'd be back to square one. I don't want to go backwards. I want to keep going. I guess I'm like Milo in that way. He looked at her again. "Had a talk with Mi today."

"I noticed something was off with him. Is he okay?" She frowned as she maneuvered the Wayfarer around a knot of asteroids, the ship angling with grace through the dark and quiet void. He could sense her accessing the Force, a feeling he likened to gliding along the current of a river.

Stonewall nodded. "He is. He just wanted to..." He paused as he felt General Tallis' agitation through the Force; Kali seemed to sense it too, as she inhaled sharply, though her eyes never left the helm.

Moments later, the red-haired Jedi rushed out of the rear of the ship. "Kalinda, I..." She trailed off as she noticed the clone captain, who turned in his seat to regard her.

Their eyes met and he noted the flush that appeared to the woman's cheeks, the bewilderment and annoyance evident in her thoughts as she looked at him. That's not particularly flattering, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It's not like Kali and I are a common sight to most others.

By contrast, Kali's voice was calm. "What is it, Honi?"

The red-haired Jedi blinked and looked back at her former master. "It's Zara. I did it...I reached her through the Force." Her voice was an odd mixture of agitation and satisfaction, as though she'd been trying to prove something to herself and had succeeded. "She's being held by a Kaminoan, along with several clone children."

Kali's eyes closed once as she nodded. Stonewall looked back at the other Jedi. "Is she okay?"

"I believe so. She said that he took some blood from her." General Tallis frowned at the helm. "How much longer?"

"About eight hours," Stonewall replied. "You didn't happen to get a more definitive layout of her location, did you?" Though he figured he knew the answer, the soldier in him had to ask.

Again, General Tallis gave him an odd look, though she shook her head. "No, Captain. My Padawan is not familiar with building plans."

Kalinda cleared her throat. "Stone, would you mind waking the others? I'd feel better if we started coming up with some kind of plan, even though we don't have that much to go on."

Nodding, he rose from his seat and slipped to the rear of the ship. A few light raps on the doors of his brother's bunks was the only thing needed to rouse them, though he realized that Weave hadn't been sleeping when he saw his brother step out of the room, fully armored and replacing his helmet as he did so. Milo seemed wide awake as well and Stonewall could still feel that he was anxious. By contrast Crest and Traxis were significantly less pleased to be woken up but neither one said as much as they took their seats in the common area.

Since they were still in an asteroid field, Kalinda remained at the helm, her former Padawan had taken the seat beside her; the two women were speaking in hushed tones as Stone followed the others in the room. He caught the hem of their words before they finished their conversation. "...ultimately none of your business, Honi, and that's the end of it." Kali sounded irritated.

Not that I blame her.

The red-haired Jedi was shaking her head. "I just don't understand, Master." However, her mouth snapped shut as she noticed Stonewall and the others taking their seats at the table.

Kali kept her eyes on the asteroids, but when she spoke, it was clear that she was addressing everyone. "It appears that Creon has indeed kidnapped Honi's Padawan, and is keeping her along with the missing clone cadets."

From his place in a shadowed section of the room, Weave looked up; he'd been glancing over an unfamiliar datapad but Stonewall could feel his attention shift at the mention of the clone cadets even though he could not see his brother's face. "The cadets? Are they okay? What has he done to them?"

General Tallis shifted in her seat. "I'm not certain. I was primarily concerned with making sure my Padawan was well. She didn't mention that they were harmed in any way."

"He's bound to have done something to them," Weave replied, annoyance in his tone. "You didn't ask?" Stone shot him a look and he amended his words, but there was still a frown in his voice. "You didn't ask, sir?"

"We should presume that they're alive," Kali replied. "It won't do us any good to argue about the details that we have no way of knowing right now. And even though we don't have the exact layout of where she's being kept, we have to try and come up with some type of plan." At her words, Weave set down his 'pad and selected another one that had been on the galley table; he began scrolling through it, emanating determination even in his silence.

Milo glanced at the red-haired Jedi. "General Tallis, you contacted her using the Force?" His tone was quiet and respectful, which seemed to mollify her.

"Correct...?"

"Milo, sir." He sat up and leaned forward, his voice eager. "If you could reach her again, do you think you could find out a little more about where she's being held?"

The Jedi frowned and looked at her hands. "Perhaps. It wasn't easy..."

"You should try, at least," Kali said. "Anything will help, even a vague description. It's important that we don't stumble in there blindly. It would mean that we wouldn't have to waste more time with an atmo scan as well." After a pause, Stonewall felt her mind brush his. Do you think you could fortify her as you've done for me? I can 'lend' her my energy as well, but I'd also like to see if it's possible for you with someone else. She was referring to their last encounter with Creon Dai, where Kali had almost succumbed to the ferocity of Asajj Ventress until Stonewall had been able to pass her his strength through the Force so that she could stand against the darksider.

Not sure, he replied. I've never tried with anyone but you, but I suppose it's worth a shot. I'm a bit stronger now than I was, so hopefully I won't end up in an infirmary this time. He cast a glance at General Tallis, who appeared to be concentrating on something, thus missing the exchange. But I'd feel better if you were there, Kali. She doesn't care for me. And as much as I'd like to say otherwise, the feeling is kind of mutual.

At this, Kalinda chuckled out loud, but made no other reply.

Crest had been watching them; it was disconcerting how sharp he was, for all that he acted otherwise sometimes. "Want to let us all in on your meeting of the minds?"

"Force-business, Crest," Kalinda replied with a grin. "Keep your mind on the mission."

Stonewall bit back his chuckle as the bald clone rolled his eyes before speaking again. "So, after we catch the shabla long-neck, I can make some pretty explosions, right?"

"Wait...are we just taking him into custody?" Traxis' voice was a low growl and he cast a darting look at Weave. There was a seething frustration within him that was seeking an outlet; it was clear that he wanted revenge for what the Kaminoan had done to their brother.

But that's not how it goes. Stonewall squared his shoulders. "Our mission is to bring him to justice, Trax. The Republic will decide his fate." No matter how much I want to wring his neck as well.

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