Shaak and Maris – A Star Wars Story: Chapter 7 – Strike Hard, Strike Deep
Barriss pulls a job, then gets a surprise, Maris meets some new people, and a meeting takes place.
Thanks to followers: acamatzu, Dictator Mags, Dinosaur Imperial Soldier
Chapter 7: Strike Hard, Strike Deep
"Lazy flower, my you've grown so tall … I have lost and loved him, you have seen … it all
Lazy Susan, lazy through, hasn't got a thing to do … but to sit there and light up the hillside
Lazy Susan, lazy through, all the hill's in love with you
Courted and cradled, by heaven and hillside, sun fried … black eyed Su …
How happy you must be … once, I too had someone loving me
Surely, surely, warm and true, that's how I remember you
This morning, just as I found you … up there on the hillside
With sun-fried, black eyed, lazy Su."
– Laura Nyro (copyright 1966)
Nechako, Eastern Outer Rim, 15 BBY, 1 month, 21 days.
The shuttle Forager dropped from hyperspace and the disk of a planet could be seen straight ahead. Maris Brood gazed out on a grayish expanse, with occasional patches of green and brown visible. She decided to orbit the planet and wondered what type of place it was. Where is the water? I'm picking up some indications but nothing of great size, it must be underground. She remembered Shaak telling her it wasn't necessary to go to the surface, but Maris had a feeling something might present itself. On the second pass – this planet wasn't terribly large so an orbit took place in about 30 minutes at standard velocity – she could unmistakably detect something. Her Force sense was tingling just a bit and Maris decided to land. There weren't many populated areas and no cities of any size to speak of. Nechako seemed like a world that the settlers came to from other places – almost a "new start" kind of place for some. As she descended she found a large expanse of something that resembled a prairie – perhaps similar to her home world of Iridonia – that she had left long ago when the Jedi essentially conscripted her into their Order.
This looks like it, she thought, and now could see some buildings in the middle of the plain and her ship was picking up life forms, mostly humans. Well, I won't be needing a protocol droid, at least. They probably speak Basic. Maris landed the ship and looked around. No one seemed to have spotted her. As she stepped out and breathed in the brisk air, she was thankful the sun was out else it might be rather cold. This … is summer on Nechako? No wonder there aren't many living here. Before starting off, she turned and secured her ship with the Force, then cloaked it as well. She also brought along her lightsabre but kept it hidden. Maris walked for about 20 minutes before spotting what seemed like a building, which grew larger as she came closer. I'm thirsty. I hope I can find something to drink here.
Maris entered the building and saw a few people here and there, but they didn't bother her. She then asked a man – who appeared to be around 40 standard years of age – if there was a place she could get something to eat. He pointed her in the direction of a small restaurant, into which she entered and took a seat at the bar. The bartender, a friendly man with a stocky build and graying hair, looked her over for a second, then asked, "What'll ya have?"
Maris smiled, while fingering a pair of her long black braids. "Whiskey and ale."
The barkeep went to a small fridge, took out a bottle and found a clean glass, then placed them in front of her. As Maris poured it, she noticed its dark color and took a swig. "Not bad. Local brew?"
He nodded. "Yep. Some people I know. They've been at it for a few years." He then reached below the bar and took out a whiskey bottle and got a shot glass, then proceeded to pour it for her.
She took the glass and quickly downed the shot. "Thank you, sir. Might I have another?" She reached into a small satchel she was carrying and took out a 50-credit chip, which she laid on the bar. The man nodded to her politely and took the chip.
"You know, we don't see too many Zabraks around these parts. But you are the prettiest I ever did see."
Maris chuckled. "Oh, I'm nothing special. How about that shot?"
He poured it again. "Is it true your people have two hearts?"
She looked at him carefully, then decided he was harmless, if a little socially awkward. "Yes. Not everyone knows that."
He realized she might not appreciate such a question. "My apologies, ma'am. Would you like something to eat?"
Maris smiled again, liking the man a little. "Do you recommend anything? I'd like a steak."
"Sorry, ma'am. I can't serve you that, as we don't have a proper grill or anything. How about some roast inu and a bowl of chowder?"
"Inu?"
"They're a local species of livestock. We consider them to be tasty."
"OK, let me try a little. And I'll give the chowder a try too."
The bartender nodded and disappeared into the back room for a couple of minutes.
Meanwhile, someone had taken the seat next to her, a brown-haired and light-complexioned man with a good build and blue eyes. Maris turned to look him over, and he nodded to her politely. As they waited, they shared an awkward silence. Then the bartender returned with a steaming bowl and a plate with some meat strips on it, which he placed in front of her. Maris smelled the soup and lifted the bowl to her lips. She realized at this point that she was rather hungry. She quickly drained the bowl and started munching on the meat. "Tasty," she said, while glancing at the bartender.
The man next to her remarked, "that's inu meat from my farm. I raise them. Glad you like it, ma'am."
She turned to him. "It's quite good. I was starving."
The man then ordered a beer and turned back to her. "Excuse my manners, madam, I'm Devin Baxter."
"Pleased to meet you, my name is Maris." The people here seem friendly. She offered her hand, which he took gently and shook. As this happened, she detected a trace of Force energy, faint, but steady.
Devin also noted her Force signature as he took her hand and gazed into her red eyes. It was ragingly strong, despite the woman's calm exterior. But there was something more. She is quite sexy for a Zabrak. Clearly not from Nechako, or we'd have known about her. Could she be an agent of Ry Kyver's, come to check on us?
The bartender joined the conversation. "Maris, you're not from around here, are you?"
She shook her head but offered nothing more. Taking another swig of the ale, she then said, "I needed to stop here. My hyperdrive was acting a little funny. Figured I'd better make some adjustments."
"Well, we're sure happy you came in," the barkeep replied. "How about her, Devin? Isn't she gorgeous?"
Devin laughed, then turned to Maris. "Pay him no mind, he's just angling for a bigger tip."
Maris chuckled. "It's OK, I'm actually flattered. Where I grew up, few paid much attention to me as a woman."
A couple of other men had noticed the conversation and also were curious about the stranger and wanted to extend a welcome as well. They had noticed her pleasing complexion and, due to the fact that her upper body was minimally covered, her generous bosom. As they approached, she smiled at them, seemingly unconcerned about the level of attention she was getting. She continued eating and knocked down the shot of whiskey, then sipped the ale and glanced at Devin. He's trying to scan me. Might this guy have been a Jedi? I need to discuss this with Master Shaak.
She decided to change topics, as she was a typical Zabrak who didn't feel comfortable talking about herself.
"Say, I can see this is a farming community. What is it like to do that on this planet? I've read that the winters are rather harsh here."
One of the others, identifying himself as a farmer, spoke in favor of the Imperial Agriculture Program and its guidelines. "I'm doing better than ever. Yields are up and I'm able to put away money for the first time since I can remember."
Another farmer, who had warmed to the subject, and wanted to impress the sexy Zabrak, weighed in. "Yes, Miss Maris, the winters are harsh here, which is why we need to boost the yield per hectare. The IAP has given us the ability to do just that. Minister Kyver is a genius!"
As they were speaking, Maris glanced and noticed a different reaction on Devin's face. As she pivoted toward him, he tried to cover, but she pressed him.
"Devin, I assume you too are a farmer. How do you feel about the IAP?"
Finding himself caught, Devin concluded that Maris had to be an Imperial agent. He measured his words carefully.
"Miss Maris. All I can say is that Nechako needs all the support we can get from the Empire. I am glad my fellow farmers are doing so well."
Maris nodded as she ran it down in her mind. Aha … not everyone is so thrilled about how things are going here. Master Shaak might find this interesting.
The conversation continued as Maris felt she had clearly become the center of attention, something she was not accustomed to, so she mostly listened to the others, while finishing her meal. At length, she indicated she needed to get on her way. She turned to the bartender.
"Are we settled?"
He realized she was due some change and gave her a 20-credit chip.
"Keep it," she said with a smile. "I've enjoyed my time here, and I think I've learned a few things."
Devin stepped forward and volunteered to help her. "Maris, do you need a lift back to your ship?"
She nodded. "That would be most helpful. Thank you, Devin."
The two of them headed out and he helped her aboard his speeder. Maris was somewhat enchanted by the courtly treatment she was getting, but said nothing. In a few minutes, they arrived at the location where her ship was, as she used the Force to uncloak it beforehand. Devin halted the speeder and looked the ship over.
"Seems like an Imperial design … by any chance, are you …"
She cut him off. "An agent for the Empire? Not at all. But that's as much as I feel comfortable saying."
He thought for a second. Then exactly who are you, lady? Perhaps a rebel? I've heard some talk.
As she smiled and turned to head up the ramp and board the Forager, she glanced back. "Thank you, Devin. And may the Force be with you."
As he watched her lift off and disappear in the sky above, Devin Baxter had more questions than answers. He knew the community would be talking about the strange visitor for days, if not weeks.
Felucia, 15 BBY, 1 month, 20 days.
Maris returned to Felucia more or less on schedule. Still, Shaak – becoming something of the "mother hen" – detected her reentry and came out to the landing area as the Forager touched down. As her apprentice debarked, Shaak stepped up to her and gave her a heartfelt hug.
"Master! I'm all right. Honest!" Maris gasped in surprise.
Shaak blushed – as much as possible considering her face was naturally red to begin with – and replied, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't worry, I just had some bad thoughts while you were away. I seriously don't want you anywhere near Nar Shaddaa at this time. You are not equipped to handle it and the Hutts could very well sell you out to Vader – or whomever."
"You are correct, as always, Master. Sugi said things were nasty there these days."
"Sugi?"
"She's an old friend, a fellow Zabrak. I trust her, Master. She helped me get the co-ax."
"Let me see it."
Maris went back onto the ship, then reemerged with the case that held the coaxium canisters, which she presented to Shaak. Her master opened it and took one of them out, inspecting it carefully as she held it up to the light. Shaak then used the Force to examine the contents and found it acceptable. She then did the same for each of the other four containers, and then pronounced:
"You have done well, my apprentice. Now tell me about Nechako."
Maris exhaled and sighed. "Let's go inside, Master Shaak. I'm thirsty and I want to sit down."
They went inside their house, and Shaak stepped into the kitchen and poured Maris a cold glass of herbal blend, then came back out, handed it to Maris and they both sat.
"Master, I may have found someone. On Nechako."
She went on to describe Devin and his reactions when his fellow farmers praised the Empire and the IAP. Shaak remained silent, as if she was scanning Maris to see if she could pick up any further information. It was as if she could read the mental notes her apprentice had made. This was an advanced Force power that Shaak had picked up from the holocrons and she had started training Maris in how to take mental notes. These notes were not just factual information, but recorded experiences and were most valuable. Shaak essentially transferred the info to herself and could then download it. She was using another self-created holocron to add the information to and she planned to study and meditate over it later.
"This is very good, Maris. I don't know yet whether Mister Devin will prove useful. You see, he is what we referred to as a member of something called the AgriCorps in the Jedi. Many adherents did not wish to become full-fledged Knights and instead saw agriculture as an alternative course of study, if you will."
"Hmm," Maris muttered softly. "I never knew anything about that."
"Yes, dear. Some looked down on the AgriCorps as being less than full Jedi, which is foolish. The knowledge of plants and the cellular biology of them are essential to becoming a true Master in the Force. Being a Jedi is much more than skill with a lightsabre."
Maris nodded. "I see what you mean."
"Now, my dear, what did he learn about you?"
"Very little, Master. He seemed to think I might be working for the Empire, but I denied it. I told him nothing about us, or the rebellion."
"Good, my child. I sense something else."
"Yes. They mentioned a Minister Kyver. Does this sound like anyone you know?"
"No. Presumably this person is in the Imperial government? If so, Senator Organa may shed some light on it."
Shaak signaled the discussion was over. She rose, turned, and disappeared into her bedroom, presumably to start her evening meditation. Maris sighed, and decided to go for a walk so she could clear her head.
Savareen, Southeastern Outer Rim, 14 BBY, 11 months, 15 days.
Barriss Offee was flying in her ship to the location she had been given to find the coaxium that her client – the syndicate group known as Crimson Dawn – had wanted her to recover. They had even upped the price to one hundred thousand credits. Barriss received the tip during a Sabacc card game on the Corporate Sector world of Issagra. There were over one hundred canisters of refined co-ax and these had been reported stolen by agent Tobias Beckett, who had earlier stolen it himself from Pyke Syndicate after it had been refined. Barriss had a plan – to pretend to be delivering more co-ax to the planet Savareen in the sector of the same name. She had even worked a deal with the Pykes, paying them a moderate sum (of Crimson Dawn funds) to supply her some unrefined co-ax to use as a decoy, and sort of letting it slip that she might be able to help them recover some of their original shipment that Beckett had stolen.
Barriss was starting to get a bit cocky as she was using her newly enhanced Force abilities for less-than-noble pursuits, such as cheating at cards and gaining a nice bank balance in the process – and she was savvy enough to do this as inconspicuously as possible. She justified this by telling herself that it was everyone for him or herself in the new regime of the Galactic Empire, and Palpatine and Vader were setting the example. So, with this attitude, she was determined to go to Savareen and recover the stolen co-ax, then return most of it to Crimson Dawn, sell some of it back to the Pykes, and then hold onto some for her own use. Her Jedi past was simply that – gone and forgotten. She even told herself that Su would admire her for showing such bold initiative.
When she dropped out of hyperspace in her ship Mirial Princess, Barriss could see a lovely planet-scape below her, one that showed large oceans and equally large continental land masses. Maybe I can make this planet mine someday, once Su has shown me how to defeat Vader and Palpatine. I can foresee building beautiful resorts and entertaining Galactic royalty – of which, I shall be part. But Barriss knew it was time to stop daydreaming and put her plan in motion. She quickly got a fix from her ship's advanced computers on where her targets on the planet below were. A pirate gang known as the Cloud Riders had stolen the coaxium, according to Beckett, whom Barriss had met on Issagra. Of course, when dealing with any of the syndicates, Barriss called herself Lady Vacle, and had carefully constructed a backstory for herself on her home world of Mirial.
Barriss believed she had determined the location of the Cloud Riders' headquarters on the planet below and started formulating her strategy. Once she had scoped out the position of her opponent, she realized her earlier strategy – to pretend to be delivering co-ax – was no longer needed. She had recently purchased an astromech droid, an R7 model, which greatly simplified the task of starship maintenance. R7 would stand ready as needed to help Barriss carry out her plan. She landed, then cloaked the ship and headed out with R7, who quickly pinpointed their objective – a camp on the other side of a small mountain. Perfect. I can go up and look down on all of them. They probably don't expect to be raided by one person. Barriss had also bought herself a jetpack, one with a silencer so she could make good use of it at night. She waited for nightfall, then ignited the jetpack and proceeded with R7 (who had small rockets, similar to R2-D2 in the Clone Wars series) up to the crest of the mountain. From this vantage point, she was able to scope out the dealings of the Cloud Rider gang and was quickly able to determine the leader, an armored individual with an odd-looking helmet, named Enfys Nest.
"R7 … there appear to be about six of them so maybe they're operating at less than max strength. Can you pinpoint the coaxium?" A series of short beeps confirmed that the droid had done this. "Good. Now the weaponry they're carrying."
Another series of beeps. "Blasters and bikes. An electro-ripper. That it?" A confirmation beep. "After I'm in position, return to the ship and bring it here so I can load the co-ax." Another confirmation beep. Barriss then knew the best way to get this done was to fully utilize the element of surprise. Neutralizing the electro-ripper – a dangerous weapon that even a lightsabre wielding ex-Jedi should respect – was her first objective. Thanks to the enhanced perception from the bota, Barriss could see the passage of time in something akin to slow-motion replay, which enabled her to see multiple things all at once and then use the Force to set objects and people in motion.
Once she felt everything was in place, Barriss struck with lightning quickness and blinding intensity. Using the jetpack, she crept in close to the Cloud Riders' encampment, then launched a fireball that rose quickly and exploded about ten metres above. The Riders then scattered, and Barriss moved in with her lightsabre drawn and ready. She quickly destroyed two of their bikes, then started deflecting blaster shots back at their origins, severely wounding two of the gang and killing a third. Spotting the leader, Enfys Nest, Barriss used the Force to yank away her electro-ripper and pull it to her side, where she then destroyed it with her sabre. Nest angrily charged her, only to be run through with the blue tip and blade of the lightsabre.
While this was taking place, R7 had maneuvered the Mirial Princess into position just behind the camp. Barriss looked around for any remaining Cloud Riders that might want to challenge her, but with their leader dead, they decided a quick retreat was indicated as their attacker held all the cards. Watching her mother die at the hands of the mysterious figure dressed all in black, Enfys the younger held back tears and swore she would somehow gain her revenge, but now, survival was foremost in her mind. Young Enfys had been brought up the hard way, and though she was only fourteen years old, she fought with a toughness that few had seen in anyone, let alone someone still so young.
As the remaining Cloud Riders retreated via their still functioning speeder bikes, Barriss located the coaxium pallets and Force-lifted them aboard her ship. Soon the deed was done and she hopped on, taking Mirial Princess into orbit around Savareen while contemplating her next move. It didn't take her long to decide. She turned to her astromech.
"R7 – set course for Mirial. I've got a plan."
As she watched the ship depart, young Enfys returned to the scene with her remaining pirates, who quickly dug a grave to bury their fallen member. As she held her dying mother's body, Enfys wept openly as her mother gripped her hand with her remaining strength.
"My daughter – I must leave you now. Do not let my life be in vain. Lead the rebellion against the Syndicates and the Empire. I will love you – always."
As Enfys the younger held her mother's lifeless body, she looked to the sky and shook her fist, then quietly swore.
"By my life, Mother, we will win this fight. Someday, I will avenge your death … by the Force! Onward!"
Hyperspace en route to Alderaan, 14 BBY, 6 months, 0 days.
After a few more voyages, some together, some apart, Shaak and Maris received a communique via their new relay network. It was from Bail Organa, and he was summoning them to join him for a meeting on the planet Alderaan, a Core world still largely independent from the Empire in terms of managing its own affairs. Maris had never been there before, and Shaak only once. At the meeting would be other leaders in the fledgling group of rebels and Shaak wondered to herself whether this might include Ahsoka Tano, in her identity as Fulcrum. Jocasta Nu had also signaled that she would be there. They both boarded the Intrepid for the 12 hour journey.
Along the way, Maris was a bit nervous. She wanted to practice some sabre work in the training area with Shaak, but the Togruta declined. Maris looked at her, a little bit impatiently, as if to say, "Master?"
Shaak picked up on the vibe, and said softly, "What's going on, dear?"
Maris sighed. "Sorry, Master. I don't know what's gotten into me. Part of me thinks we're doing a great job, like we have a good plan and we're slowly putting it together. But why is Senator Organa taking the lead here?"
"Because, my dear Maris, he was the one who first started the planning, back on Coruscant, the same day that you and I were gathering up the holocrons to take them to Shili for safe keeping."
"Wow, really?"
"Yes, Yoda informed us of this back when we visited him. You, my dear, were a bit tired, so I asked you to wait on the ship."
Maris thought it over and realized what had happened. "What else did he tell you?"
"That Obi-Wan Kenobi also went into hiding. That Bail, and his wife, Breha, are raising Anakin Skywalker's daughter, while Obi-Wan looks after his son."
"Master, we of course learned that Anakin turned into Darth Vader. Does he know about his children?"
Shaak shook her head. "And he must not ever learn of them."
"I understand, Master. But you still don't want to train with me on my sabre skills?"
Shaak chuckled. "Another time, my apprentice. There is much more to becoming truly Enlightened in the Force than skill with a lightsabre. Not to say that fighting skills are unimportant. But I want you to spend more time with the holocron I lent you. So many things for you to learn."
"Yes, Master Shaak. As usual, you are correct."
Maris went back to the bunk room on the ship and sat down to study more Galactic history, but found it difficult to keep her eyes open and soon fell asleep. Shaak, detecting her activity, quietly came into the room and helped her apprentice to a more comfortable position, then spread a blanket over her. She smoothed it gently, then kissed Maris on the cheek softly. We will be there in a few hours. You will need the rest.
Maris finally awoke when the ship came out of hyperspace. Shaak was waiting for her with a change of clothes into something more suitable for visiting the royal house of Organa on Alderaan. Bail Organa was the consort of the planet's Queen Breha, a dignified ruler, but quite popular as she had the common touch and regularly reached out to her loyal subjects. The Queen was actually quite interested in the proceedings that were about to take place, and, through her husband, asked for a meeting in a secret underground level of her palace. The Empire certainly paid attention to Alderaan as was the case with other Core Worlds, but Breha publicly declared her allegiance to the Emperor and all Imperial taxes and levies were kept current. In return, Palpatine saw no reason to station a garrison on the planet and instructed his apprentice, Vader, to carry on his activities well away from the Core.
So it was on this particular day, exactly four and one half years after Palpatine's ascension to the Galactic Throne, that the fledgling rebellion against his rule would convene. As Shaak and Maris – both of them wearing colorful dresses that accented their natural skin and eye colors – made their way into the meeting room, they happily greeted the others. It soon became apparent that Shaak would be representing the remains of what had been the Jedi Order as Masters Yoda and Kenobi were unable to attend, but then Master Jocasta Nu made her way in, festively attired in brown and gold. She first exchanged hugs with Shaak, and then Maris, and was most elated to see them both – for the first time since the fateful day in 19 BBY.
"Hello, hello …" Jocasta purred softly. "Shaak, you are looking most well. Maris? How happy I am to see you, and how strong and confident you look. The years just seemed to fly by …"
Shaak laughed and took her old friend's hands and they exchanged energy together. Soon, Bail Organa entered the room, accompanied by his wife, and also by Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila and Senator Garm Bel Iblis of Corellia. Introductions were made all around, then two more gentlemen joined the group: Commander Gial Ackbar of Mon Calamari, and General Jan Dodonna of Commenor, who were both helping to consult on and organize future forces of ships and troops that would start to form the rebellion against the Empire.
Once everyone had been introduced, they gathered around a large round table. Shaak took her place with Maris sitting behind her, as Bail opened the meeting.
"Friends, Breha and I are pleased that we all could get together tonight, and first of all, welcome to Alderaan. The purpose of this meeting is for us to know each other and to realize that we all have the same goal – to work together and help to bring about the downfall of this empire and a restoration of the Republic. This is such a large task that the best we can hope for right now is to find some potential weak spots in the structure of the Empire that could be exploited. What I would like to do now is for each of us to go over our plans. Senator Mothma?
"I've been quietly gauging the opinions on Chandrila, working alongside Master Nu. When the time comes, we might be able to put at least two, perhaps three brigades into combat. It's not much, so we would have to carefully marshal these forces."
"Very good, Mon." Bail nodded and smiled. "Senator Bel Iblis?"
The Corellian looked around the room from person to person. "I've started to organize possible production lines on our home planet. A-wing and X-wing fighters. Light and medium cruisers. It must be done secretively, as the Imperials have prying eyes. But we've been able to move many ships off world to other destinations, so we might call on them when the time comes."
Ackbar and Dodonna reported similar progress on their home worlds. Then, attention turned to Shaak. She looked around carefully, then smiled.
"Bail, we have now pinpointed at least seven former Jedi, and there may be several more at large in the Galaxy. The word has gone out regarding the need to be secretive. My apprentice, Maris, and I have begun to lay the groundwork for a new Order of Force-sensitive beings to be created."
"Are you hopeful that a new Jedi Order might arise?"
"Yes, we are, only, we will not be referring to it as Jedi. It is time to break new ground."
The others looked at Shaak with some interest, but had no questions for her. She smiled and gave a small laugh.
"I suppose I should explain. We, as an organization, were blindsided when Chancellor Palpatine revealed himself as Darth Sidious – few more than those from his home world of Naboo – and those of us that survived are now questioning how we could have got things so disastrously wrong."
Bail gave a tight grin in response. "And what have you come up with?"
"I've had much time to consider various possible causes, but essentially it comes down a to basic failing … that is, a failure of those coming up in the order to question some of the basic understanding that had been handed down over the past thousand years. Because I have now recovered much of the ancient knowledge – as contained in the holocrons – I now understand that many of the ideas we had taken for granted in current times were once questioned, and these have to do with our relationship with the Force. The current knowledge and understanding was precisely what the one calling himself Sidious – unwittingly or not – took full advantage of."
"Most interesting."
Bail looked around, but realized the others weren't really digesting the full impact of Shaak's current thought processes. Mothma appeared to have questions, but listened quietly as Shaak kept speaking. Jocasta – the only other Jedi at the table – preferred to keep her opinions to herself. Whether this meant she agreed with Shaak could not be determined.
Shaak chuckled, then resumed. "Yes … now, I don't expect some of this to be understood by those who are not Force-sensitive. However, there are serious implications. The current Emperor – and his 'good right hand', Darth Vader, are well-versed in the use of the Force, and they make extensive use of it in maintaining control over the Empire as presently constituted. Do not be fooled by the large number of ships they have built … these are insignificant when compared to the power of the Force. I know that, to some, what I am saying might seem like outdated superstition or religion. Let me assure you, it is not. Sidious and Vader know that, and they also are quite content with the fact that very few others – of which I am one, and they undoubtedly would wish that I were dead – know these things about the Force. We who do will take every precaution to stay out of danger."
Mothma finally spoke up. "Master Ti, we are very fortunate to have you with us today. Undoubtedly, the Galaxy will be better off because you survived. Of course, we who are not Force sensitive cannot really comprehend the full impact of what you are telling us, but from where I sit, it would seem to explain a lot. How Palpatine was able to move as quickly as he did was always a source of wonder to us."
Shaak looked her in the eye, and her expression yielded slightly, as she attempted to interpret how normal people might handle the concepts involved with the Force.
"Senator Mothma, thank you for taking the time to understand. But, let me further elaborate. If we hope to stage a successful rebellion, we are unlikely to get anywhere without the use of the Force. Sidious understands this, which is why he is so intent on finding anyone that has any ability with the Force at all. He knows such a person can be trained and thereby be a possible danger to him in the future. But what he fails to understand – from all accounts I am aware of – is that the Force has a Will of its own … and that it might present itself to anyone in the Galaxy – or beyond."
At this point, everyone looked to Shaak with a profound feeling of respect, if not admiration. Ackbar, nothing if not a tactician, was well aware of the Master's own reputation militarily.
"Master Ti, do you see a way the Empire can be defeated?"
She looked over at him, seemingly scanning him from Maris's point-of-view, then answered.
"I do. But I am under no misconceptions that it can or will be done quickly. Captain, I'm sure you would agree that our best course of action at present is to continue along the path we are following, which is to slowly build our forces and eventually have enough to be able to carry out swift, sharp strikes that harass the Imperials and perhaps knock them off their game here and there. To perhaps plant a seed of doubt, however small it might be. From there, we will need to reassess our progress from time to time."
Dodonna and the others nodded and looked to Shaak with smiles.
"Can you help us, Master?" Queen Breha asked, making her voice heard for the first time.
"I can. And I will do what I can to help realize the goal we are setting at this point. I believe my task now is to build a group of Force-sensitive people that will be trained and be able to assist as the Jedi once did for the Republic. But that will take years. Years I am willing to invest in the future we all want to build."
Breha smiled. "Master, I believe I speak for all of us when I say that we are most glad to have you on our side."
Shaak nodded in her direction, as Breha rose to speak.
"I want to thank everyone for coming to Alderaan for this occasion – the first formal meeting of what we are calling the rebellion against the Empire. At this point, our mission is clear, but our way forward is not. However, I have reason to believe this empire may be quite overconfident and there will be opportunities for us to take advantage of that."
She then motioned for everyone to stand up together and link hands. "To the Galaxy, and its renewed prosperity and liberty. May we succeed in making that happen!"
After some short applause, the meeting broke up, and people started to file out of the secret underground room. Shaak and Maris walked together for a bit.
"Well, my dear, we've certainly got our work in front of us."
"Yes, how are we ever going to find those people?"
"I've got a new lead, thanks to Jocasta and her assistant Jin-lo Rayce. We are heading next to the Asrat system."
Mirial, Northeastern Outer Rim, 14 BBY, 6 months, 1 day
Five months after her successful one-woman raid on Savareen, Barriss was feeling pleased with herself. As the newly fashioned "Lady Vacle", she now had a flush account and was able to set up an office and residence on the Corporate Sector world of Issagra. She returned most of the coaxium she stole from the Cloud Riders to her associates in Crimson Dawn but kept some for herself, unbeknownst to them. While sucking on a spice pipe in her rented home on Mirial, suddenly she felt a flash of blinding intensity come to her. At first she thought it was an effect from the drug and wondered about its purity. She scoffed inwardly. Nonsense, Barriss. Get a hold of yourself.
But no sooner had she internalized that thought, than the image of a woman, all in shimmering crystalline form, reflecting the many colors of the visible spectrum, appeared before her. Barriss knew immediately whom it was. She put down the pipe and rose to her feet. The woman's arms opened wide and Barriss was practically pulled to her as if she were a magnet. A long embrace followed and soon a surge of energy, causing her head to clear.
"Su … how long I have waited for you."
"But I see you have been most active in my absence … are you proud of what you have done?"
Barriss visibly blushed, but stood tall. "Yes, I am."
"Remember, my child, every action has a consequence. You must be able to withstand what may come your way."
"Su – I feel there is something you wish to teach me."
Su's form changed slightly and now she appeared all in white, with a simple crown of a silvery metal, studded with what may have been diamonds, on her head. Her hair was also white, but like a river of softness down to the ground, inviting a touch. Only the opaque dark circles of her eyes could not be penetrated. Barriss was again in wonderment – about this strange person who made her feel as if she were quite at home.
"Let us take a journey, my child. Are you prepared?"
"I am."
At that moment, everything before Barriss disappeared and she felt she was in a strange vortex of amazing power but incredible lightness. This feeling lasted about ten seconds, then she found herself seated on a comfortable bench, inside what appeared to be an observation deck. Looking out from the viewport, the image of her home world, Mirial, was plainly visible. Su then appeared, now in multi-colored garments, and then handed a white and silver robe to Barriss, who donned it.
"Now we depart." Su said softly. Barriss knew she was on the world-ship, the one she first traveled on some three years prior. Involuntarily, her mind soon reviewed all she had done in the interim, the events flashing through her in a rapid sequence. But now all was calm, and Barriss opened her consciousness to the possibilities that lay ahead. Outside, the ship began to move and the disk of Mirial soon disappeared and they had entered hyperspace.
After what seemed an eternity but was only about sixty minutes – though time itself now was more of an abstraction – the ship seemed to come out of hyperspace. Laying before them was what appeared to be a cluster of galaxies. Su came to her, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder.
"Dear Barriss, you are likely one of the very first from the Primary Galaxy of Group 17 to venture this far. Welcome to a wider understanding of reality."
To be continued …