Star Wars: The Old Republic: The Mandalorian Wars
Chapter 23
Avner had settled himself in a corner of the room after speaking with Reca. He had spread out the reports Darious sent him. This didn't mean he had shut off his senses for danger. He kept his Force sight trained around the apartment and surrounding area even while he looked through the reports.
While his senses were trained on the outside, his mind was locked on the war. The mandalorians were cutting deeper into Republic space. Even with the battle Alek had been in, it looked grim for the Republic. One small victory wasn't going to turn the tide of war in the Republic's favor. Then there was the Council. The debates might not take long this time, but the chances on who they were electing not being from the group from Telos were very slim. If this went the way he thought it was going, arrest was next for the members of Revanchists.
A low breath escaped Avner. He skimmed through the next report. These were ones which had just come in from the front this morning. Granted most were over the "victory" to try and build confidence in the people and soldiers alike. Moral might be the key to turning the war around. If it was, then the Jedi might not be needed. Even as Avner thought this he knew it wasn't true.
"Little!" a shout made Avner look up to see Reca glaring down at him. "I've been trying to get your attention for a while now." There was little heat to her words despite the anger roiling deep in her. "I thought you were on guard duty, not reading duty."
Avner stood and tucked the data-pad into a pouch around his belt. "I was keeping alert," he told her in polite tones. "I was watching around the apartment with the Force," he explained before she could scoff at this because his attention had been on the data-pad as well.
"Uncle and Sasha want to go out shopping," Reca started.
"Are guards going with them?"
"You and I are all the guards they need according to Sasha."
Well, this could complicate matters. Avner didn't reply, not at first. A part of him wanted to point that this was far from a good idea. Another part of him, the lager part of him, didn't want to speak up against Reca. He knew it was against his better judgement. There is no emotion; there is peace. The familiar phrase helped Avner remember who he was.
"Reca," Avner started, "no matter how good you are, Sasha will need more than just the two of us as guards."
"Take it up with her then," Reca's reply was terse. She turned and strode off to speak with Zeel.
That hadn't gone so well. Avner watched her go before he moved off to find either Uncle or Sasha. Not to his surprise Avner found Uncle first. The older man was seated on the balcony overlooking the city. A guard was close to him eyes trained on the horizon.
The guard nodded to Avner but didn't otherwise react to the fact he had stepped out. Avner didn't move far onto the balcony. He waited in silence. Far in the distance he could feel the people of Telos as they started their day. Life here went on as normal while war raged throughout the Republic. For how long would there be peace here on Telos? How long before the tide of battle could be swayed to the Republic's favor or the Jedi were permitted to join the war? How many more had to die while the Order stood by and watched? The questions raced through Avner's mind. With each there was no answer. At least, no answer he could think on.
"When you were younger, you would've been abuzz with questions by now," Uncle's voice pulled Avner from his thoughts. Uncle now watched Avner, the data-pad he'd been reading lowered and a soft smile on his slightly lined face. "You're far more patient than you used to be."
Avner returned the smile and bowed his head. "Patients is part of being a Jedi." He turned his gaze back to the city and watched the speeders flew by in the distance. It was almost quiet here compared to where most senators stayed on Coruscant.
Uncle dismissed the guard with a wave his hand. "I remember."
Silence fell between them. Avner could almost sense the questions in Uncle right then. It wasn't time for Avner to bring up where the four of them would be going or the fact two guards was far from enough to keep both the senator's wife and "father" from harm.
"Little," Uncle broke the silence, "I believe I can understand why it's you who turned out to be the Revanchist Leader."
Avner frowned. "You mean other than the fact I tend to be the kind of Jedi who is unlikely to ever make master?" he joked.
No laugh came but Uncle's lips twitched in a half-hearted smile. "Other than that, yes." The older man turned his gaze on the city. "You were always driven to protect those around you even when you were two." Uncle's eyes were back on Avner. His gaze locked Avner in place and forced him to stare right back into the intense gaze. "I knew from the first day I met you, that you would do great things. I'd never heard of any child so young having such control over the Force, never."
This only confused Avner. He remembered stopping the boxes from falling on Uncle on Reca the day he had first met them. However, the memory was blurred and hard to grasp.
Uncle stood. "No matter your choices or where they may lead you, know that I'm proud of you." Uncle grasped Avner's shoulder. "Though I may not have such a right to say it having only known you for two years of your life. I thought of all of you as my children."
Shock swept through Avner. He stared at Uncle. Proud of him? It took a moment for Avner to find his voice. "You were like a father to me, Uncle," he whispered the confession.
A warm smile spread across Uncle's face. "Thank you, Little Runner."
Avner sensed Sasha step onto the balcony. "There you two are. Uncle, are you ready to go?"
"I've been ready, Sasha. I was waiting on you and Little."
Avner turned to Sasha and bowed his head. "Good morning," he paused and forced himself to not be formal, "Sasha." It took far more effort than he cared to admit to not call her "Mrs. Tarvon."
"Thank you for calling me by my first name, Little." Sasha smiled at him.
Avner nodded. "There was a matter I wished to discuss before we left," he started. "It would be better if you took more than two guards with you while out."
"You sound like Zeel and Justin, Little." Sasha smiled at him as if to tell him she didn't take the words personally let alone seriously. "I believe you and Reca will be enough especially if you wear this," – she held out a poncho – "instead of your robes."
"Why?" This made no sense. The fact he was a Jedi would – "You wish to go unnoticed while out. At least, wish for me to go unnoticed while out."
"That would be it." Sasha's smile softened. She pressed the poncho into his arms. "Just wear it," she told him. "You didn't want Justin's reputation to suffer. This way no one even knowns you're a Jedi."
No one outside of the Order that was. Oh well, it was for the best that Avner did as she instructed him. "Very well. However, have one more guard join the detail then, Sasha." Avner returned the smile before he slipped back into the main room of the apartment.
"Little," Sasha's protest was cut off by his quick departure into the apartment.
Avner moved a little ways away from the balcony so that Sasha wouldn't be able to see him the moment she entered. He let out a low breath. There was no way his stunt would pressure her into adding more guards. Still it had been worth a try even if it didn't work out in the end.
"You know there are better ways to avoid her."
Avner glanced at Justin and smiled. "Most likely," he agreed. "Do you agree with her going out with only two guards?"
For a moment Justin didn't reply. "Honestly," he paused and looked at Avner, "no. But she's my wife and Uncle has always been like a father to all of us. I would rather her not do this."
"I see." If Justin had already spoken to her about this, then there was only two reasons remaining for such behavior. One: Sasha had a death wish. Two: she wished to use herself as bait and the only reason Uncle was coming along was because he was worried about her. "She wishes to use herself as bait then?" It was a half question.
Justin's gaze was even, locked to Avner's. A small sigh escaped Justin. He looked towards the balcony. "I see there's no fooling you, Little. You've grown from that little boy we all once knew."
"No one can stop time," Avner stated. Though some had wished to try and do so. He wondered if there was a Force user who had ever managed to stop time for themselves. He had to suppress a shiver at this notion. To accomplish such a feat could result in more harm than good. This meant to do such an act would be the Dark side of the Force.
As for the notion Sasha wished to use herself as bait. Avner turned his gaze towards the balcony. To state this was foolish or could result in her death was a vast overstatement. There were many people would had died in such situations. Only having two guards with her might also pose a problem. Granted, only having one guard with her might also pose a problem.
"Justin," – Avner turned his gaze back on the senator – "have a few guards follow us at a distance. Each of them in civilian clothes so as not to call attention to themselves."
The senator frowned. "You're trying to minimalize the risk to my wife and Uncle?" he half asked.
"I would rather they don't get killed when trying to draw out the mandalorians," Avner confessed.
Justin nodded, eyes glazed in thought. "I see. I take it I'm not to tell Sasha of this."
"If we want her plan to work, then, no. It would be for the best you didn't tell her."
For a long moment Justin just looked Avner in the eye. Then he nodded. "I'll speak with Zeel before you three leave." He started towards the elevator, but stopped and looked back. "You might want to change. And, Little, thank you."
Avner bowed his head to Justin. He watched until Justin had vanished before he pulled off his heavy, thick, brown robe and replaced it with the poncho. All this did was cover his lightsaber and the normal tan robes he wore. What would end up pulling this off was the fact he had already been mistaken for a civilian even when wearing all of his robes.
Avner returned to the main room to see Sasha and Uncle were both there. Neither noticed his entrance at first then Uncle looked up and smiled. "Little Runner," he greeted.
This made Sasha turn to him as well. "I'm not assigning more guards," she informed him in way for greeting. "I know the risks, Little, but I'm also certain that you and Reca will be enough to protect Uncle and I."
"Just know I am against this idea," Avner told her. "But I will do as you ask." The fact remained, there would now be more than two guards. His stomach twisted with unease over what he was doing. His sister shouldn't be used as bait and he should be speaking up against it or telling her what he and Justin had agreed upon.
"Reca, are you ready?" Sasha asked, her gaze now turned to where Reca stood near the entrance out into the hall.
"I've been ready." Reca's gaze locked onto Avner. For a moment they stood there, gazes locked, before Reca gave the smallest and tensest of nods.
Avner gave a bow of his head in reply. No matter the differences between them in this moment, both would do their utmost to protect both Uncle and Sasha. This was what mattered.
Most of the time out was spent in small conversation between Uncle and Sasha over what was needed. Reca followed beside them, alert for any danger. At first Avner had tried to follow further back until Sasha had pulled him forward, telling him that he was to act like her brother. He had wanted to point out this wasn't a good idea but she had stopped him before he could.
"We're meeting two more ahead," Reca whispered to Avner. "Do you know who they are?"
Avner skimmed the crowd. He could guess who one of them might be. The moment his gaze fell over the woman, he knew he had been right. Sera stood not too far from them. Her brown, graying hair had been pulled back into a tight bun and her eyes were locked on their group. No, not their group. Her sharp gaze pierced into Avner. As he watched her, he noted her eyes widened a little and could feel the shock move through her. The emotion vanished from her face with a careful façade replacing it.
As Avner and the others neared Sera, he saw another standing near to Sasha. For a moment Avner was convinced he hadn't seen who he thought he saw. This was until he stood before the pair. His eyes locked on the brown and cybernetic eye of Master Marcus. For a long moment the two of them just looked at one another. Avner didn't speak, didn't show a reaction to seeing the master. The fact Marcus was in full civilian clothes was more than enough of a hint to Avner the master didn't wish to be announced as a Jedi. Even his lightsabers were hidden away.
"Morning, Sera," Sasha greeted the farmer.
"Good morning." Sera's voice was crisp and sharp as the ice of Hoth. Her gaze flickered to Avner. "You must be the senator's wife's mysterious bother."
"I must be," Avner said with a smile. His gaze flickered back to Marcus.
"This is my husband," Sera started. "Marcus." She turned her sharp gaze to Sasha. "I must say, I was rather shocked to hear you invited us to come out today given the fact the senator is being targeted."
The group started off, Sera and Sasha walked side by side. "I does the people good to see myself or Justin out among them even if we're being targeted."
As the two women continued to speak, Marcus dropped back a little ways from them and Reca, he gestured for Avner to follow.
Avner took a deep breath and did so. "I had heard you were here from Sera, but I never thought you would go against the code and stay with your family," Marcus spoke in a voice barely more than a whisper. None but Avner would be able to hear him.
"Right now, you're far from the one to be talking about the code. You're married, after all. Or was I mistaken in assuming it wasn't a cover?" Avner smiled at Marcus. His smile was a teasing one despite the seriousness of the situation.
"Marriage and love are the only matters I disagree with the council one," Marcus stated, his voice still low. "And you, of all people, shouldn't lecture on breaking the code."
Avner flicked his wrist, dismissively. "I wasn't lecturing, merely making an observation. I believe, I will call you by only name while here," Avner continued, his tone serious. "Unless, I am incorrect in assuming you don't wish to be known as a Jedi?"
Marcus gave Avner a critical look then sighed. "You're correct in your assumption. Outside of you and Sera, no one knows I am a Jedi."
At least Marcus had told his wife. Avner nodded. "Besides, it would be rather hypocritical of me to lecture you on the code given all of I've done."
Marcus chuckled. "That it would be."
The two of them lapsed into silence.
Avner half listened to what Uncle was speaking with Sera over now and kept most of his senses trained on their surroundings.
An intense sense of danger washed over Avner. He stopped in his tracks and looked up. The air revirated around him, pulsing with the heat and sound of an explosion moments before the ground shook and sound shattered their surroundings. Metal and rock tilted from the top of one skyscraper. Then the building was falling, racing towards the people below.
The smallest parts of the rubble, the first pieces of have fallen struck the ground. The world seemed to slow. Screams filled the air as people scrambled. Reca raced towards Sasha as Marcus reacted by moving to help his wife. He didn't even act as a Jedi should.
Avner stood there, eyes locked on the fast approaching building. His mind raced as he tried to figure out the size and weight of the chunk ready to crush those around him.
"Little!" Sasha screamed at him. "Run!"
x – Twenty-seven years ago – x
Little Runner forced himself to focus on a rock no bigger than a ball he'd seen none street kids playing with. His eyes narrowed as he studied very small piece of it. By now he knew this rock better than just about anything else in their home. Little Runner had been practicing his power on it for almost a year now.
He took a deep breath and exhaled as he reached for the rock. It shook before lifting into the air. A smile appeared on Little's face. That was the smoothest attempt yet.
"Couldn't you try that on something bigger than a rock?"
Little Runner jumped and whipped around. "Reca!" He glared up at her. "Why you watching me?" he demanded.
A small laugh came from Reca as she jumped down from her perch. "You come out here every day and I follow you," she told him. "You're my brother, Little." She mussed his hair. "And I just want to see you be the best you can be."
Brother? Little Runner felt a smile spread across his face. "You really think I'm your brother?"
Reca grinned. "We're a family. What else could you be but my brother?"
Warmth filled Little's heart. The feeling left him happy and a little light headed. "I was practicing to help the family," he told her and looked at the rock. It lay where he'd dropped. "I don't think I'm ready for anything bigger."
"Come on, Little, I saw you lift and hold up bigger the day we first met. Just give it a try."
Little Runner shifted and looked at his feet. "It's not that simple," he muttered. "I don't know how I did that. And it only happens when people are in trouble around me."
"You can do it, I know you have it in your to. Just give it a small try on," – Reca jumped down from her perch and looked around – "on that!" She pointed to a piece of rubble as big as Little Runner.
Little felt his eyes bug. "I can't lift that!"
"Yeah, you can." Reca grinned. "Tell you what, you lift it and I'll convince Justin we get to go to Uncle's and see if Uncle will give you a treat for lifting something as big as you."
Little shifted. "I don't know." Despite his words, the idea of a sweet was appealing to Little. He wetted his lips as if he could already taste a sweet treat. Little nodded. "All right, I'll do it!" he declared.
"Good!" Reca grinned at him.
Little Runner stared hard at the rubble. He stretched out his hand as he called on the power. For a long moment, nothing happened then the rubble twitched before it lifted from the ground a few inches. It was heavy compared to the stone Little had been practicing with. He reached out his other hand and focused harder on the rubble. It lifted a little further from the ground. Little gasped. Thud – the rubble fell to the ground as Little collapsed.
"It's hard," he managed to say between exhausted breaths. Sweat coated his face and he stared at the rubble.
"You did it! You moved it, Little!"
The next moment Little was swept up into an a tight hug by Reca. He gasped as she strangled him in her embrace. "Reca," he gasped for air, "air."
Reca released him, a slight flush to her blue cheeks. "Sorry. Come on." She stood up and held out her hand to him.
A big grin appeared on Little's face as he took her hand. "I really moved it. It was heavy though. Next time I'll get it further."
"Yep, I know you will."
Little Runner followed her back to where the other were. Reca told them what had happened and Justin grinned at Little, rubbing his head. "We'll head to Uncle's. I'm certain Uncle will be happy to hear you've gotten better control as well. Meca, would you like to join us?"
Reca's twin looked up from where she had been helping to entertain the newest members of their group. "Would you mind, Zeel?" Meca asked the other boy.
He shook his head. "I think Sasha and I can handle matters here."
Sasha smiled at them from her normal perch. "Have fun and bring us back something, if you can."
"Will do!" Little Runner grinned up at her. He waved before racing after Meca, Reca, and Justin. He stumbled over his feet before he continued to run. He slipped passed them into the alleyway. Within a heartbeat Little Runner was in the lead.
The group was greeted by Uncle when they arrived. He gave them a warm smile and ushered them into the back room of the diner. "What brings you lot down here?"
"Little managed to lift a piece of metal as big as him with that power of his!" Reca grinned and placed her hand on Little Runner's shoulder.
Little Runner looked at his feet. "Can I help around the diner a little?" he asked. He didn't know why he asked it, but he also no longer wanted that sweet much now that Reca was bosting what Little Runner had done to Uncle. "I can lift anything you need, promise." He looked up at Uncle, hopeful he would agree to let Little help if it was even just a small amount.
Uncle chuckled. "Why don't we all have a treat then worry about that, Little?"
"'Kay!" Little Runner followed Uncle over to the table. The others were only a step behind.
"You should have seen it, Uncle! We'd all tried moving that piece of rubble for ages and Little could just lift it with a thought!" Reca continued to talk about what had happened as if it had been the most amazing thing she had ever seen.
Uncle smiled and rubbed Little's head. "I bet it was." He place a slice of pie before each of them in turn. "Enjoy. I will be right back, there are a few costumers today."
Little Runner watched Uncle leave them in the store before he turned to pie. It looked so yummy. All of them got pie only once a year normally and it was Uncle gave it to them for a small celebration he called their "birthday." Little Runner started eat the pie. He ate slowly, savoring each bite. Reca was the first one done with her slice having inhaled it and was now licking the plate.
"I wish we could get Uncle's pie more often," she spoke wistfully as she lowered the plate.
"I think it's better as a treat every now and again," Justin voiced and smiled as he set down his fork.
Meca looked at her empty plate almost sad. "But it never lasts long enough."
Little was the last to finish his pie. "Take smaller bites, it lasts loads longer then!" He grinned at them. His face sticky from eating the pie.
Reca's hands and face were covered in it.
Little Runner giggled. "Reca, your face is covered in red."
At his words she touched her face, making the sticky goo. She flushed. "Oh." Then she started to laugh. "You're one to talk, Little, your face is also covered in red."
"Yep!"
Justin and Meca burst out laughing at this.
"What?" Little Runner blinked at them, confused by their reactions.
"You said that so proudly." Justin's eyes were watering.
"Yep!" Little grinned and buffed out his chest a little.
The others laughed harder.
Little Runner grinned. He loved it when he could make his family laugh. When he could see all them smiling and happy. A warm bubble formed in his stomach. He blinked at his family, turning his gaze from one happy face to the next. There was no place Little would rather be than here with them. Whatever the future held, he knew he had his family there with him and that was all which mattered.
"Little Runner." Uncle stopped in the door and blinked. "What happened?" he asked.
"Little's," – Reca gasped for air through her tired giggles – "being funny."
"Yep!" Little Runner grinned at Uncle. His smile didn't falter as he asked, "You wanted me to help?" Excitement mixed with the warm bubble in his stomach.
"I do, but first let's get both of you cleaned up." Amusement sparked in Uncle's eyes at the sight of Little and Reca.
Little Runner took the wet cloth Uncle passed him and cleaned off his face while Reca worked on her hands and face with another cloth. "Better?" Little Runner asked as he looked up at Uncle.
"Much. Now, there is a box I can quite reach on a shelf in the main diner. It's right behind the counter and I need what's in it. Do you think you can get it?"
"Yep!" Little Runner leapt to his feet and raced out into the diner without another word. He found himself behind the counter, hidden unless someone looked down. He stopped and glanced around for the shelf Uncle had told him the box was one.
There!
Little moved to the shelf. He craned his neck and stood on the very tips of his toes. He couldn't see the box at all. How was he supposed to use the power to get it down if he couldn't even see the box? He frowned. Well, he knew something was up there and Uncle needed it, so he could just try grabbing out blindly with the power.
Little nodded and licked his lips. Blindly it was. He turned and moved a little further back, just not so that he went under the counter and into the diner proper. That would make Uncle worry.
It was then Little saw two people in the diner proper. He frowned and moved away from the shelf to get a better look. He peered around the gape in the counter he droid used to serve the costumers. Sure enough, Little saw a familiar man seated at one of the booths. It was the Jedi who had saved him a year ago. Across from this Jedi was another who wore blue robes. His skin was dark green and he didn't look like he would be much taller than Little when he stood up. His long ears stuck out from his round head.
Never, in all his short years of life had Little seen anything like this Jedi. He wanted to get a closer look, but didn't want to leave the safety of the counter. Right then he could only just see the side of the Jedi and it was hard to even make out that much. What was he? Who was he? Why were two Jedi here?
Little shook himself. He had to get the box for Uncle. He moved back behind the counter and turned his attention to the shelf. From this far back he could just make out the top of the box. He grinned and lifted his hand.
The box shook. Little focused on lifting it as smoothly as he had the rock this morning. The box moved up. A grin appeared on his face. This was easy after moving the rubble earlier. The box floated down to Little. He leapt a little to catch it. The box was heavier than he had thought. He landed with a loud grunt.
Ah-oh. Little Runner raced back through the doors into the storeroom. He hold no one had heard him or noticed him. He let out a low breath. "Got it!" He held out the box to Uncle. "This the right one, right, Uncle?"
"It is. Thank you, Little." Uncle tussled Little's hair.
Little giggled and moved out from under Uncle's hand. "Need more help?"
"Perhaps, yes, come back tomorrow."
"I will!" Little vowed he would. It felt good to help out Uncle.
"Come on, Little, let's head back." Justin already had a bag in hand.
"Can I help?" Little asked as he noted each of the older kids had a bag.
"Lead the way," Justin told him.
"Okay!" Little raced from the diner. He tripped and stuck the wall. He laughed and got right back up.
"Careful, Little," Uncle told him.
"Sorry, will be!" Little raced off once more with others behind him. When he reached the end of the alley, Little stopped as a shiver raced through him.
"What's wrong, Little?" Justin asked.
The feeling, it felt as if someone was watching them. Little blinked and looked back the way they had come. Uncle hand closed the door into the diner. No one else could be seen, but he still felt the unease of eyes on him.
"No-nothing," Little stammered. If the rest of his family didn't feel the eyes, it had to be in Little's head, right? He started off once more. This time he didn't run ahead. He could still feel the eyes on him and it felt as if they were being followed. When he looked behind him again, no one was there outside of the normal midday bustle of the streets.
He blinked. No one was there. He was being silly. Little smiled to himself and turned his attention to Reca who was talking about all the pie she wanted to try when she got older and could eat whatever she wanted.
x – X – x
The rubble was coming at them. It ripped itself apart as it raced towards the ground. Avner reached towards the sky with one hand, fingers stretched wide. The Force flowed through him. The rubble slowed as Avner reached up and took hold of it. He lifted his other hand as the weight grew. It wouldn't crush a single person today. The Force blasted up from him and wrapped around the metal and stone.
Small pieces of glass rained down on the people as the building stopped feet over the tallest person then. Avner shuddered under the immense weight. Size doesn't matter, he had to remind himself of this as he held the broken building. He sensed more of it falling and caught as much as he could with the Force. A few more small pieces fell from the larger chunks Avner held.
Sweet beaded his brow as he focused on keeping the building there. He looked towards the others and noted they were fine. Sasha was gaping at him. Her eyes wide and mouth open. On either side of her, her expression was mirrored by Uncle and Reca alike.
Avner could sense people racing away from the wrecking as fast as they could. He held to the ruble until he sensed the last person run before he lowered the pieces around the group to the ground with one hand. His other still held the rest of the building which was directly over them. The ground shook. He turned and moved the last piece so it wouldn't harm anyone before dropping it.
The drain affected him the moment he released the Force. A small gasp fled him and his breathing was ragged, uneven. He turned. His eyes were now locked on the building.
"When did you learn to do that?" Reca asked, her voice hushed.
"You're a Jedi?" Sera asked moments later.
The building had signs of damage around where it had split, but the split was far from natural. His hand moved to his lightsaber. It had been a trap, one which had separated the group from the guards Zeel had following them.
"Stay low," Avner advised before he leapt up onto the tallest piece of rubble. Blaster fire raced over him. He back flipped back to where the group was. Well, that answered that question. "Mandalorians."
(Author's Note: Ha, I did it, I finally finished this chapter… I will finish this story.)