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Several hours later I found myself in the medcenter of Aurek base, having every possible test and scan performed on me. I understood the caution, considering I had just spent a week as the captive to persons unknown, but it still made me uncomfortable. However, I was a good little patient and didn't complain, since it did help stall the inevitable conversation I was to have with Kiwiiks and Orgus.
I kept running the events of the last week through my head. I could recall all of the conversations I had with Saganu and all the new information I now had about not just my species, but also myself. I was a different person now. The same, but yet different at the same time. I knew the Jedi, waiting for the all clear from the medics to talk to me, would see the transformation. You didn't get to be members of the Jedi council by being unobservant.
The doctor of Aurek base, a particularly outspoken Zabrak named Azet, was examining my back, where I had been shot by Murrn. She kept making little hawing noises, as if mine was the first blaster wound she had ever seen.
"You barely have any scar at all. Whoever healed you did an excellent job." She pulled my shirt back down and turned around so she was facing me. "Must have hurt like hell, though. You're lucky you got shot more to the side, then your back directly. Looks like your spine was unaffected by the blast."
I smiled. "Trust me, I didn't feel very lucky at the time."
"I bet. You can go ahead and cover back up." She crossed the room, making a few entries into the data pad on the nearby table, then opened the door separating the exam room from the adjacent waiting area. "You can come in now."
The doc and I were joined by Masters Kiwiiks and Orgus, along with Colonel Windborne.
"Well, our young Jedi here is fine. Perfectly healthy, not even any frostbite or malnutrition, nothing. Wherever she was being held, she was being well cared for." Azet reported.
The colonel tried to speak, but he was interrupted by the doc.
"I found no trackers, listening devices, implants, bombs or anything other foreign bodies, either. She's clean."
Windborne nodded. "Thank you doctor. If you'll give us a few minutes."
Azet looked a little annoyed, being dismissed from her own exam room, but she didn't complain, simply left the room. She obviously knew better than try to argue with the Colonel.
I hopped down from the exam table, pulling my jacket back on. I did my best to keep myself calm.
"First, it's good to see you alive, Zanthia." The Colonel said. "To be honest, when the soldiers who were with you at your abduction said you had been shot, I didn't think we'd be seeing you again. What happened? I was assuming you got taken by the Empire, but I doubt they'd just give you back so willingly."
"No, it wasn't the Empire." I said, not elaborating any further. "There was simply a misunderstanding."
"Then who was it?" Master Kiwiiks asked.
"I can't say." I said.
The Colonel crossed his arms over his chest. "Can't or won't?"
I shrugged in reply.
"You have to give us more than that, Padawan." Orgus said, not sounding angry. But then, he never sounded angry. Master Orgus was by far one of the calmest Jedi I had ever met. He had a way of making you feel perfectly at ease, regardless of the situation.
"I was taken, then let go. Nothing that happened over the past week is of any concern to the Republic or the Jedi. I'm sorry." I was shaking slightly. Defying authority was not something I made a habit of doing. Particularly to people I respected, like the two Jedi before me, but I had made up my mind. I had been treated with trust and respect while with the Chiss, it was now my turn to show trust and respect, by keeping my mouth shut.
The Colonel's face turn slightly pink. I could tell he wasn't used to being told no and was truly unhappy with my lack of intel.
"I'm afraid that isn't going to cut it." He said sternly.
"Well, I'm afraid that's all you're going to get." I replied stubbornly, crossing my arms over my chest too. "Unless you plan to have me tortured for information, like an enemy soldier."
Windborne looked like he was about to threaten me with torture, but thankfully, Master Orgus stepped in between us.
"Calm yourself, Colonel. Zanthia does not need to talk, if she doesn't wish to. She will return to Tython with us, since she's been cleared medically. This situation will be handled by the Jedi council from here on out."
"We'll be heading back tonight." Master Kiwiiks added.
"But Master, what about your shipwreck?" I asked.
"An old ship can wait. You're far more important."
"That ship is your baby. You need to be there when they pull it out. You can't miss it because of me. I could never live with myself."
"It's alright, Bela. You can stay here and supervise the excavation of the ship. Toukath and I will fly Zanthia home. Your padawan will be safe with me." Master Orgus said. "This ship is important to the entire Jedi order. I agree with your padawan, you should be there."
My master looked torn. I knew she cared very much for me and it must have pained her greatly to not know where I was or if I was alright, but I didn't want to deny her the opportunity before her. Of all the Jedi, she was by far the most invested in this ship.
"Very well." She conceded. "But you'll remain on Tython until I return."
"Yes, master." I nodded.
"So that's it? She gets captured by an enemy force and is held for a full week and all we get from it is, it's none of your business?" Windborne exclaimed, extremely unhappy.
"I'm sorry, Colonel, but if Zanthia says she learned nothing of value from her captors, I believe her."
The Colonel looked like he wanted to argue, but you could feel the fight leave him. He threw his arms up in surrender. "Fine, but if you learn anything from her, I expect to be informed."
"We'll keep you in the loop." Orgus said.
With everything worked out, I accompanied Master Orgus and Padawan Toukath to his ship, leaving Master Kiwiiks behind to continue with her mission. She gave me some final instructions before we left. Mainly asking me to stay on Tython and do what the other master's asked. I was sure the council would have all kinds of questions. They usually did when someone spent time in enemy custody.
They would treat me the same, but I didn't plan to tell them anything about the Chiss or the Ascendancy. I now understood why defectors remained silent. Giving up Imperial secrets was one thing, but they all had a deep commitment to the Ascendancy. A commitment I now shared.
XXX
I sat meditating on board Master Orgus's ship. It would take several days to arrive back home and I was thankful for the extra time. As much as I trusted the members of the Jedi council, this would be the first time I planned to not tell them everything that happened to me while on a mission. I wasn't going to lie, but I was going to omit most of my experiences with the Chiss.
I was very distracted. So distracted that I was startled by Master Orgus when he entered the room. I was very rarely startled anymore.
"Sorry, Zanthia. I didn't mean to scare you. If you don't mind me asking, what has you so worried?"
I sighed. "Talking with the council. I can't..."
Orgus smiled at me, taking seat in the chair across from my bed. "They will not force you to talk about anything that happened to you. There's no need to be concerned. But, if I can venture a guess. I think you were taken by members of the fabled Chiss Ascendancy. Most likely, you got to learn a great deal about yourself and your kind over the past week. You don't need to confirm if I'm correct. Just remember, a great Jedi doesn't only know about the Force, but also about herself. The more comfortable she is with herself, the stronger she is with the Force."
Master Orgus stood.
"I get the feeling, you're about to show all of us just what kind of an amazing Jedi you are to become." He held his hand out to me, to help me to my feet. "Now, if you'd please join myself and Toukath for dinner. I promised your master I'd take care of you and I do intend to keep that promise."
I chuckled, allowing him to help me up. I followed him to the galley of his ship, feeling better, not just about my coming meeting with the council, but about my future with the Jedi as well.
To Be Continued...