Ariadné and Myrna left the next morning at dawn, setting out for – as everyone knew – a suicide mission. The farewell group was small, as the mission had the utmost of secrecy. Luke had not joined them, instead having a meeting with Colonel Windress.
"What are the chances of their survival?" Luke asked the older man, who was much more knowledgeable on the subject. "Do you think they have a chance of getting back alive?"
"I don't know, Commander" Kendall replied, "No one has attempted such a venture since the civil wars. There is a possibility that they won't, and a possibility that they will."
"What is it exactly that they are supposed to do there?" Luke asked.
Kendall chuckled humorlessly, "They are supposed to find out who this General Faruq is. They've been sent with false identities, and made up stories if they're caught. Not that I think it will help much, twelve hours of studying their backstories isn't enough."
Luke pulled at the chain around his neck in worry, hoping that Ben was right. "What's going to be expected of me, Ken?" he asked.
The Colonel looked out the window, "What has already been required of you, but Ariadné's job as well. She is a crucial part of this operation, I only hope she'll be alright." he said, Luke noted that he looked upon her like a sister – it was understandable that he would be worried.
Luke turned on his intercom, "Justiss," now that he knew who the man was, he was having a hard time addressing him under his pseudonym.
"Yes, Commander?" the ex-Jedi replied.
"I want to have a meeting with the top officers. As I am taking the place to Captain Llewellyn, I need to make it clear what has happened." Luke told him.
"Very well, Commander." Justiss, or Drake, replied. "Commander?"
"Yes?"
"With Captain Llewellyn gone, are you going to be the new Captain, sir?" Justiss asked.
Luke looked at Colonel Windress, the older man nodded and Luke swallowed a lump in his throat. She was already being replaced by him, as if she was written off as dead before the event even occurred. It made him slightly nauseous, but he understood to a degree – it was wartime, they couldn't afford to lose a top officer, and therefore had to replace her.
"You will find out at the meeting, Justiss. Please follow out my orders." Luke said.
"Yes, sir." the other man replied, cutting off the intercom.
"I'm going to be the new Captain?" Luke's voice filled with concern and slight betrayal; not for himself, but for Ariadné, "What about her? She's not dead yet. She might just come back."
Kendall turned to Luke, "I'm sorry, Lars. I know that it seems as if we have already replaced her because we believe that she is gone for good, but we aren't. We need a leader, and Corliss is simply not up to the task. You are. You were being trained to replace her little by little, for her own sake. Now the timeline has simply been shortened." he explained.
Luke felt angry for a moment, calming himself before he did something foolish. "I will help you, I will lead. But I will not take Captain Llewellyn's place." he said sternly, "I will not replace her. Look, I would feel as if I was betraying her trust by doing that."
"You won't have a choice" Kendall said in defeat, "If you don't, Dreadnaught will place Corliss in charge so that he can puppet him. You have to do this, for the sake of Tyrn." Luke's lips went into a thin line, "For Ariadné's sake, if no one else's. If you do not, then she will be replaced and never be allowed back."
The Tatooine native Jedi hung his head, for the first time wishing he hadn't been so inquisitive about the 'Hidden Planet'. Standing, he nodded and left the office –
He had a meeting to plan.
Ariadné moved through the forest deftly, Myrna at her side. She had to first reach Ker Nargon, one of the last strongholds still standing. They crept by various lifeforms, moving steadily east. They had to get there before nightfall, she only hoped they wouldn't be too late. Using the Force, she sensed the surrounding area, moving quietly through the growing darkness. There seemed to be something around them – but Ker Nargon was close by. Whoever was watching was keeping their distance.
They moved a little quicker, somewhat wary since they were no longer alone.
"Halt!" a voice cried out, "Who's there?" the sentry asked, her blaster in her hands and ready for action.
Ariadné and Myrna came closer, "I am Captain Llewellyn, and this is Lieutenant Windress. We have come from Cairn Corness." she said.
"Captain Llewellyn?" the sentry replied, "Forgive me Milady, but I must ask the password. It is only regulations."
"No apology required" Ariadné said with a wave of her hand, reciting the Tyrnian poem which had been used, in the Tyrnian language. The Sentry smiled, and withdrew her weapon.
"Thank you, Milady. They are expecting you" she said with dignity, allowing Ariadné and Myrna to pass. They entered the fortress, not entirely shocked to see its disarray and sad spirits.
"Captain!" a cheerful voice called from among the throng. Ariadné looked toward the direction of the sound, seeing Taina Wyn there, her blue hair sticking out of her cloak. "Boy am I glad to see you." the Corporal said.
"Taina" Ariadné greeted, "How are you holding up?"
The Barolian sighed, "Not very well. We've already deflected two waves of attacks, but I don't know how well we'll last next time. But now that you're here-"
"I won't be here for long, I've got a river to cross." Ariadné said with sarcasm as the other woman looked at her in shock. "Yes, Dreadnaught's orders. I'm going to find out who Faruq is and why he wants us dead so bad. Also, how he knows our weak points." she continued.
"They can't do that!" Taina replied, "You'll get killed!"
Ariadné scoffed, "I know, but Starkiller is in my place. I'm not too worried. I will do anything to defend my country, even if it means my life." she replied, looking around. "While I am here, however, I want to get this place as prepared as possible. Show me your weapon storage." she ordered, organizing the battalion as best as she could.
The dead and wounded were numerous enough, separated by a wall of the fortress which was falling down. "They attacked for the first time last night," Taina informed, "We were not completely unaware, but we weren't entirely prepared."
"How many casualties?" Myrna asked.
"Thirty-three. But they lost a hundred-and-five. So I think that's pretty good odds." Taina replied.
"Thirty-three is still a large number." Ariadné said, "At such a rate, we won't have anyone left."
"Nevertheless, we still hold strong." Myrna commented.
Ariadné sighed, "Not for much longer." she said softly, "Where did they come from this last time?" she asked.
"They came from the river for those two waves. But one of our scouts reported that there is another group in the forest, its surprising that you were able to get by them unharmed." the Corporal said.
"We were aware of their presence, but they must have known who we were and kept their distance." Ariadné said. "Though why is beyond me." she added quietly to herself.
"That thing on your waist no doubt deterred them." Taina said, motioning to Ariadné's weapon. The Captain smiled, pulling it off and allowing the amber lightsaber spring to life.
"Yes, I'm sure that was somewhat of a deterrent." Myrna commented dryly, "I have to thank you Taina, for your help in the construction of these." she said, pulling out her own and igniting the blue blade.
Taina chuckled, "My pleasure. I never thought you would have the patience to do it, but I suppose I was wrong." she said as the two younger women withdrew their blades.
"Its all in the Force sensitivity, Taina." Ariadné jested, moving again toward the armory.
"Speaking of – half of the combatants in our militia are Force-sensitive. That will give us an advantage." Taina said.
"Yes, it will. However, we don't know how many Force-sensitives are on the other side. So that is a disadvantage." Ariadné said.
"That's true." Myrna agreed, "Even more of a reason for us to make sure this defense is well fortified. I wouldn't be surprised if they attack us while the Captain and I are here."
The Corporal nodded slowly, "I understand. Are you not crossing tonight then?" she asked.
"We are, so as to use the cover of darkness. The eastern shore is patrolled, according to our information, during the day. We have more of a chance of survival if we cross when they don't expect it." the Captain replied, her dark eyes filled with resignation.
Taina looked between them, "What happens if you don't succeed?" she asked.
The team of spies looked at each other as if they had already considered this question, "Then Cairn Corness will fall." Ariadné answered.
"Forgive me, Milady, but how will you keep in touch with this side from there?" Taina asked.
Ariadné sighed, "We will be transmitting short length, so as to not waste too much energy." she replied.
A look of confusion appeared on Taina's features, "However will you manage that? We are the only fortress still standing, if we fall, then you will not be able to communicate with Cairn Corness." she said.
Myrna answered the question, "We do have the ability to transmit long-range, but only for a short time. We just have to hope that this fortress still stands." Taina scoffed.
"No pressure, huh?" she replied, nodding. "We will do our best, if not, then we will set something up so that you can still transmit."
"Thank you Corporal," Ariadné replied, "We would be grateful if you did that." she turned to her companion, "We should get a little rest before we head out. We plan to leave at midnight, as that is the darkest hour."
"Your transport will be ready when you require it. The river is 11 kilometers wide at this point, so it will take quite a bit to not be noticed." Taina said, "But you should get some rest."
Ariadné and Myrna were then headed in the direction of the bunker, and took a short rest before the abyss known as the unknown.
Luke was still awake, knowing that at any moment Ariadné and Myrna would be crossing the river. He stood at his window, remembering one of the last conversations that he had shared with her before this mess. She had been talking about before the war, and before all the trees took away the ability to see the river. He clutched the chain around his neck, wondering just how she was doing all the way down she afraid? Had she arrived? Did she get there safely?
He had finished his meeting with the other officers in irritation. He didn't like this replacement of Ariadné by making him Captain. Captain Starkiller. The title tasted bitter on his tongue, he was no Captain. He never was, even Captain Skywalker was abhorrent to him. He was a Commander, both in the Alliance and here. Commander Skywalker he had been then. He was called Commander Starkiller here – but she was the Captain. Captain Llewellyn, it suited her.
Would she return? That was the question on his mind. Ben had tried to assure him that she would, but he was worried more than anything. He cared for the hard-working, over-working, cynical, and stubborn woman who he had been placed under. He had a job to do, now. He had to protect what she had protected her whole life, even if she didn't live. He hoped she would, but it was a fools hope as he had found out that day. . .
No one got out of Echtra alive.