Chapter Twenty-Two
Teaching the most powerful variants of Terras Kasi (aside from Anger, Serenity, and the technique they formed when combined) to only the wealthy certainly had its advantages. One of them being that they paid the greatest amounts for each of their children to be enrolled. But the fact that at least ninety percent of these families had three or four kids they wanted to enroll meant great money. So great-in fact-that in just five years of settling down on Ossus, she already considered retirement.
But who would she pass the school onto if she did that? Did she pass it on to one of her clients' children or did she pass it on to someone else. Then it occurred to her, her promise to Livy the Vahla was still unfulfilled and she needed to find a Vahla bounty hunter. When a client of hers, who was a representative in the New Republic Congress, came to pick up his son she decided to ask him about it. "Where can I find a Vahla bounty hunter who's at least an expert on the martial arts, Terras Kasi?" Arden asked.
"All the Vahla bounty hunters are experts at Terras Kasi but if it's a master you want, I know one who spends a lot of his time in the bar not too far away from your school. He bears a tattoo on his left cheek of the symbol of his people and if you worked with Vahla before, you'll know the symbol. Shall I arrange an appointment for you to meet him at the bar or are you good?" he answered. "I'll handle it on my own, besides he'll like the money my school makes and a personal item I have for him.
"It's something confidential that concerns his people and would rather not share with you if that's alright with you," she replied. He nodded and thanked her for giving his son the usual lessons in the Variant of the Snake, Hoar's specialty when he was alive. Quickly receiving the credit deposit he made in her datapad, Arden was satisfied with the amount in it and decided to withdraw her letter. It was a statement of why she was retiring and how much she loved the students even as she had to.
Besides, it was time that Arden actually started spending quality time with her daughter rather than being away teaching martial arts and having her go to public school all the time. The public school note reminded Arden that it was time to go pick up her little girl, a ritual she constantly enjoyed doing. Waiting at the stop, Arden's heart pounded each and every time she waited for the moment when her daughter would inevitably get off the bus and come rushing into her arms. And when she did, eight minutes after her arrival, both were overwhelmed with joy as Arden lifted her daughter into the air.
"How was your last day of school, my intelligent little girl?" Arden asked, nudging her nose and forehead against Cassandra's before she spoke. "It was fun for once and not an insult to my intelligence kind of fun too!" she answered. Both laughed, knowing exactly what Cassandra meant when she said that to her mother. "You know what I was thinking of doing for a vacation?" Arden inquired.
"Let me guess, another trip to the Temple, go exploring the inside of it for more artifacts?" Cassandra replied. "Wrong: this time, I was thinking we'd travel the galaxy for a little bit. See some new worlds and face new challenges," Arden said. "Oh Mom, that is so awesome but what about your school?" Cassandra demanded. "I've made so much money for us that I can retire at any time and not expect to work for at least a few decades, if ever," Arden explained.
"That is so cool, Mom!" Cassandra exclaimed. "Yes it is cool but I'll need you to wait at home whilst I take care of something personal to me, okay? I promise I'll be quick and I've already got tickets to our first destination: the famous Onderon," Arden requested. "Would you like me to try and make us dinner again or do you want to do that, this time?" Cassandra asked.
"Who cooked yesterday?" Arden replied. "I did," Cassandra admitted. "In that case, I'll cook. You just do your homework and/or read a book until I get back, how's that?" Arden suggested.
Then she kissed her daughter's forehead, made sure she remembered the security procedures, then ran down to the bar so that she would take up little to no time with the Vahla. Immediately, she asked the bartender if he was around and the bounty hunter was revealed to her with a finger point. Walking over to him, she offered to pay for his drink as well as her own which was an offer he took before demanding why she was here. "I need you to do a job for me, one that may guarantee that you'll never have to work in the field of bounty hunting again," she said.
"That's a pretty hefty claim to make but you interest me this far, what's your name?" he asked. "My name is Arden Lyn, I'm a veteran of the First Great Jedi Schism," she answered. "You're also a wanted ex-Hand of the Emperor," he stated. "But I promise my offer will forget that you even heard my name," she replied.
"Oh really? Then what's the job?" he inquired. "I wish for you to take over my job as the sensei of a Terras Kasi school, where I've had the identity of Fantine Lyn for years now. The bonus I give you for taking it up is free," she explained.
"Martial arts schools do pay greatly enough, you have me convinced on that account. That school especially is paid well to teach kids the arts, what's the bonus?" he asked. Great, I have his interest and now to lay the final blow on securing his service she thought. Taking the chip from out of her pouch, she handed to him and he initially seemed confused though she soon explained.
"In that chip are the ancient coordinates to the homeworld of the Ember of Vahla, which you and your fellow Vahla bounty hunters have been looking for. You may have to update the coordinates to suit the galaxy we live in now though I don't recommend it but they should still be valid," she said. The Vahla's face said nothing for a moment but his reaction to knowing he could reach his homeworld was beyond words.
For how could one put into words the end of a very important search being near when eons worth of one's ancestors failed to complete it before now? How could one put into words that the ultimate task of his entire culture, a task they died trying to complete, was soon to be over? "Thank you Arden and for this, I'll forget your name and attend to your school for as long as I live," he vowed.
"One last thing I need you to do before I let you do that: take this letter and read it to my students when the classes begin, I have a copy of the schedule that I will provide you as well," she said. Then she reached into her pocket and unfolded the schedule for him to see, that way her letter could be heard or read by all her students. "I'll spread the word to my fellow Vahla hunters and they'll confirm it for me, that way our people can begin strong and anew," he said. "Then it's safe to say our business here is concluded?" she asked.
He nodded and added that it was concluded for all time, shaking and kissing her hand as he did so. Smiling, she raced back home to her daughter who was likely hungry despite still reading a favorite book she might have checked out from the local library. "I know I'm normally not one to do this but it's about time, momma," Cassandra teased. Arden laughed, glad to see her daughter was diverse as well as intelligent and it reminded her much of herself as well as her father.
If only you were alive to see her now, father. You would be so proud of what she has become she thought to herself quietly. I can still watch you as a spirit, daughter. And I am proud to see what has become of you as well as your own child his voice echoed in her head.
Is Depa with you? she asked. I tried my best to get her out of the netherworld but she sacrificed her right to do so in order for me to have the power to keep watching you. That sacrifice was over ten years ago and even my power to stay with you is fading he answered. But why? she asked.
I hate to say it Arden but your time to die is soon approaching he replied. Arden went pale though her daughter didn't notice and even gulped slightly. Do you have any idea when that will come? she inquired. None but I think that's why my power is fading and upon my inability to commune with you, you can expect to die any time he explained. How long do you have? she asked.
I have at least another hour or so before I can no longer commune with you. Then I'll have to wait until you do die in order to speak with you again he admitted. She hid her anguish underneath, not wanting her daughter to see it but as she cooked the meal for them it did distract her. Twice, she had gotten burned because she was thinking too hard about it but it was just on the mechanical and easily repairable afterwards.
After the meal, Arden tucked her daughter into bed and went to meditate in ponderance of what would happen to Cassandra upon her death. She began to feel as though she had chosen a bad time to retire, she began to wonder what would become of Cassandra once she was no more, and other things. However, she decided only to think of her trip to Onderon and hope that she would not die there in front of her daughter. If there was one thing for certain, she knew that her death would destroy Cassandra if it occurred in front of her.
Emperor Palpatine, revived in an newer and younger clone body, was troubled. Sure he could use the Galaxy Gun to continue conquering worlds until he was finished. True that he could successfully corrupt Luke Skywalker in full if he chose to and he already planned to do just that. However, Arden Lyn the only woman who had been able to beat him still evaded him.
Seven and a half years had passed since that first defeat but now any who would support Arden and hide her were dead including the Prophets of the Dark a vision flashed across his mind, one that showed the Iziz Palace of Onderon then an image of Arden fighting, then her broken corpse. He knew from the vividness that it would be happening soon and excited, he ordered Skywalker to come with him to Onderon. If this vision was correct, he would have his revenge against the woman and he would be able to show Skywalker the true power of the Dark Side.
"Why would you be interested in Onderon, even if it is half a standard hour away from our current location?" Skywalker asked. "I have had a vision concerning it and the death of an old enemy who has evaded me for nearly eight years now," Palpatine answered. "And what enemy would that be?" he inquired. "Her name is Arden Lyn," he said with a smile.
Luke looked like he was surprised, knowing what Arden had done to him all those years ago. "But sir, is that wise? She defeated you once before and she could probably do it again," Luke warned. "True Skywalker that she defeated me but I warned her that if I had been younger then she would have stood no chance; now I am younger than her physiologically and want to prove it," Palpatine answered.
A shuttle that was already on standby was told to take the two of them to Onderon where his revenge against the Mistress of Terras Kasi would take place. I am coming for you, Arden Lyn. You will pay for what you did to me all those years ago! he exclaimed mentally. Skywalker, in the meantime, watched with a little bit of dread at the excitement that Palpatine showed for this trip.
Arriving to Onderon after a few hours on a fine transport, Arden and Cassandra were both awed by the sight of Iziz Palace. Granted, they did have to duck from Imperial stormtroopers but the New Republic officers that tried to recruit people were friendly enough towards them. "Mom, why do we duck from the Imperials?" Cassandra asked when they finally settled into a hotel. "Well honey, do you know what a fugitive is?" Arden replied.
"I have a little bit of an idea, enough to be able to define one okay," Cassandra admitted. "Well sweetie, I am an Imperial fugitive. When I met your father, I joined your grandfather's resistance and attacked the ruler of the Imperials: their Emperor. Though I defeated him in single combat, I was forced to retreat and I've been a fugitive ever since," Arden explained.
Cassandra didn't know what to think of it but because the school she went to was funded by the New Republic, she held no hatred to her mother for her actions. Actually, she thought it would be something worth bragging about when the Empire was finally destroyed forevermore. "Perhaps it would be, might even help you find an excellent boyfriend," Arden teased. "Mommy, you know I don't like being around boys anymore than I have to be, I hardly like girls as it is!" Cassandra exclaimed.
"That's what bothers me. I'd like to see you making more friends and possibly even dating before it's too late for you to avoid becoming a loner," Arden admitted. Arden concluded it was best not to tell Cassandra about what her father's spirit had told her, it would be too much for her to know. "Maybe high school will present better luck than elementary school currently does," Cassandra suggested.
"A girl like you might have trouble until college, much as I hate admitting it," Arden told her. "In that case, I'll wait until college to get some action," Cassandra retorted. "You watch your mouth little girl or I'll wash it out," Arden joked. "You won't be doing that when I'm in college, big woman!" Cassandra joked back.
Both mother and daughter then roughhoused as parent and child sometimes do when the child was as young as Cassandra. Cassandra even made things interesting by trying to climb up her mother and mess up her hair so that she looked like a mad scientist instead of a fallen Jedi. "You just had your brains run from your head, little one. Time to put them back in!" Arden giggled as she heaved her daughter over her head and hung her upside down before shaking to give the effect she wanted.
For an hour or so, this play continued between Arden and Cassandra Lyn and it was a wonderful time for both of them. But both were soon exhausted and Arden lied down on the bed they had been using as their prop. Cassandra, the intelligent but ever-faithful daughter, crawled up to her mother and cuddled her head so that she could hear her mother's heartbeat as she slept. It was the most comforting sensation a child could ever hope to hear or feel from their parents as they slept near them.
Arriving to Onderon, Palpatine knew from sensing her that Arden Lyn was here but he also sensed someone with her. This someone was too powerful for Palpatine to use Essence Transfer on them but he wondered how he might be able to use them to his advantage all the same. Then he thought back to the final words of Vice Admiral Paris Zaarin, whose father had led the Zaarin insurrection. He had mentioned a childbearing woman that he had fallen in love with and thanked for the love she gave.
Was Arden Lyn this woman? Was this presence he felt belonging to the child she procured with Paris Zaarin? Could this be why Kadann was so secretive in his final conversation to Palpatine about what he was hiding? But more importantly, was this why when Lumiya and Carner Jax were sent to kill them, was this why they didn't find anything?
Why would Kadann protect Arden Lyn long enough to birth and breastfeed her child until weaning was complete? How was it possible that they had helped provide her a start in a world where Palpatine could not reach her until after his resurrection, at least? He didn't know how he could answer these questions and with his revenge so close at hand, he truly didn't care at the moment. Skywalker would investigate later but for now, Palpatine's priority was making sure that Arden paid for her deeds.
"Master, are we facing her together or are you handling her by yourself?" Skywalker asked. "Stay by me just in case I need your help but if I don't, I want you to search for the source of that other presence I sense. Inform me of what it is and bring it to me if it's centered around a person and not an artifact," Palpatine answered. "I shall do that, Master," Luke replied.
Palpatine was no fool, even if he now had the pride and arrogance that came with restored youth. He knew Luke Skywalker had not fully fallen to the Dark Side, not yet anyways. The Sith Lord knew that the boy was trying to spy on him and find a ways by which to kill him. Quinlan Vos had tried to decipher the Dark Side and defeat Dooku with a similar strategy during the Clone Wars.
But he didn't mind waiting for the perfect time to rectify this mistake in his security, a mistake that would bite him in the back if he didn't do anything soon. First though, Arden Lyn and he soon secured her whereabouts and began heading in the directions he was given by a recruiter. "Slow down Master, so long as Arden has someone that needs to sleep she won't be going anywhere soon," Luke suggested. Palpatine halted altogether, initially about to turn on Skywalker before continuing on with his vengeance but the boy was right.
Arden Lyn was probably the only woman in the galaxy that didn't need more than two hours of meditation to have energy for months thanks to her hibernations. However, because of this, whoever or whatever was with her would be needing rest and that meant sleep for that individual. Smiling, he congratulated Skywalker on stopping him from making a serious mistake and continued more slowly. After all, even with his confidence now, Arden was still alert to the Force and the slightest provocation from him could ruin his plans unless he was too close by for escape.
The hotel where they stayed at was soon in sight and to his surprise, it was fairly near the steps of the Iziz Palace. It looked as though the first image of Iziz Palace was true and hopefully, the next two images were also true. But the will of the Force worked in more mysterious ways than even he could ever hope to know. If it decreed Arden would die, she would die on this day but if it didn't then she wouldn't.
Though initially confused by the youthfulness of it, Arden Lyn sensed the Emperor after having a little rest with her daughter cuddling beside her. However, she was no fool and gently lifted her daughter into her arms before taking her to the restroom in their hotel room. "Mommy, what are we doing?" Cassandra asked sleepily. "You remember that Emperor I told you about?" Arden replied.
That woke up Cassandra immediately for it could only mean one thing: that he had found them at long last. "You'll kick his ass like you did last time, right?" Cassandra demanded. "I don't know, he's younger now and likely faster and stronger than when we last met. But whatever you do, stay in this bathroom and do not let anyone see you and don't come out until I call you," Arden replied.
"Yes mommy, don't come out until you call and don't let anyone see me. Got it!" the little girl said. Arden let her go in and quickly locked the door the moment she closed it, knowing Cassandra would still be able to get out by unlocking it from her side. Shivering, Arden wondered how he managed to find her when Antinnis Tremayne had failed to find her after their encounter on Tython. But she reminded himself that even as an old man, Palpatine could've snapped the Inquisitor's neck any day.
As a result of that ferocious power and how well he held up in their last confrontation, she knew better than to underestimate him. She knew better than to think that he would perform as good as a young version of himself as he did as the old rotting man she remembered. Grabbing her lightsaber from the suitcase that she had under the bed, she prepared to face him in combat in the name of her daughter. Revenge and old scores didn't matter, not even the fact that Palpatine was with another Force-sensitive threw her off in the slightest.
It was either repel her enemies and thus protect Cassandra in the process, or die trying to do what was right at last. Come on Palpatine, whatever are you waiting for!? she asked herself quietly.