Chapter 6: To Be a Padawan
Nicko and Edge were almost done with the pre-flight check when General Beto came striding down the corridor dressed in – of all things – the shoulder plates from the extra commando armor over a dark brown tunic that looked much more functional than the flowing Jedi robes. His lightsaber hung next to a small blaster that didn't look like standard Jedi issue either.
"Gentlemen, I believe that I shall join you," he said by way of greeting. He sat in the back and strapped himself in just as Commander Jay came running up, looking a bit harried.
"General, sir," said Jay. "Wouldn't it be safer for you to stay with The Nova?"
"Safer, yes," said General Beto. "But useful? Most definitely not. The ship is yours until I return, Commander Jay. Wait for my signal before approaching Surius 5. Understood?"
Commander Jay stood at attention and saluted. "Yes, sir."
General Beto nodded. "Thank you," and then the door to the fighter rose seemingly of its own accord. Nicko saw Edge giving the door controls a worried glance.
"Not to worry, gentlemen," said General Beto. "I raised the door. Jay is a good man but he needs to lighten up a bit."
Nicko felt himself relax slightly. It didn't sound as if the General was here to test them.
"Nicko," said General Beto.
"Yes, General."
"These are your overriding orders for the mission; find your squad mates and get them to safety. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" Said Nicko enthusiastically.
It wasn't until they had left The Nova and were approaching the night side of Surius 5 that Nicko thought to ask. "General, what will you be doing?"
"I will be looking for whatever is making that boring little planet feel like a ship-yard," said General Beto.
"Sir?" Edge asked.
General Beto was silent for a moment. Then he asked, "Do you boys know what midichlorians are?"
Nicko thought back to his manual on the Jedi. "It's what gives Jedi control over the Force, correct?"
"Almost," said General Beto. "All living things have midichlorians. It's inside every human, every animal, even every plant. Jedi were born with an unusually high number of midichlorians, allowing them to sense and sometimes even manipulate the midichlorians around them. Do you understand?"
"I'm trying, sir," said Nicko honestly.
"Well, things that are not alive in the normal sense of the word – such as a rock or a machine – appear as a void in the fabric of midichlorians. However, a rock is covered in so many microbes that even it feels more alive than a droid that is kept carefully sanitized."
He paused. Edge hurried to say, "That makes sense."
Nicko nodded, part of his mind on driving the fighter.
"Something such as a factory of droids – or a ship-yard – creates a very interesting contrast of many midichlorians and none at all," said General Beto. "This strange void is coming from the planet. And I would not expect to feel that even at a mine. Also..." The General trailed off. It was silent in the fighter. Nicko just shrugged and focused on entering the atmosphere. As soon as they had, General Beto let out a long, measured breath. He stood up and placed his hand on Edge's shoulder.
"There," he told Edge, pointing to a strange mountain rising like a single point high above those around it. "Go there."
"What is it?" Asked Edge. Nicko's mouth felt strangely dry.
"The disturbance in the Force," said General Beto gravely. "It's coming from that mountain."
Commander Jay nodded at the officer at the comm station and prepared to receive the message, his helmet under one arm. He was sincerely hoping that it wasn't a top-brass Jedi like Master Yoda or Master Windu. He wasn't sure they would take kindly to being told anything by a trooper. Even if that trooper did hold the rank of commander.
The holo-image flickered to life revealing an obviously young and tired Jedi apprentice. His jet-black hair was standing on end and the thin braid was tangled in the hood of his singed Jedi robes. Jay instantly felt sorry for him.
"Nova? Come in, Nova," said the Commander-Padawan. "This is Commander Zachary of The Arden."
"Nova here," said Jay. "This is Commander Jay, acting CO. How can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Master Mag Liano," said Zachary. "Is he there?"
"General Mag Liano left a few minutes ago to conduct a rescue and recon mission on Surius 5," said Commander Jay. "I am under strict orders not to send any communications until he has contacted me."
Zachary closed his eyes and breathed deeply, obviously struggling to stay calm. "Commander Jay," said the young apprentice. "Are you under orders to not desert your post?"
"Not directly," said Jay cautiously.
Something exploded in the back of Zachary's holo-image and he flinched. The image flickered a bit. "I am issuing a Red Zero and asking you for assistance, Commander," said Zachary, sounding exhausted. "My Master is missing and our life support is failing. Please, we need help. You're the only ship in range."
Commander Jay swallowed hard. It was dead silent on the bridge. Red Zero meant immediate assistance needed for survival. Ignoring one meant leaving comrades to an almost certain death. There were no Jedi on board. No training sergeants or non-clone CO's. It was up to them. Commander Jay squared his shoulders. He had a feeling that General Beto would not ignore a distress call.
"Hang tight and transmit your coordinates," said Commander Jay. "We're on our way."