Chapter 9 – Atollan
Luke stared down at the small planet in wonder. Could this lush green sphere truly have been an arid, almost desert, planet once? Alora watched from behind the co-pilot's chair. She wondered herself how it could be. When the fledgling rebellion had hidden on Atollon, she had been so young and her memories were vague, indistinct. She was almost certain she remembered the feel and smell of the bare ground and could almost picture the towering rock formations. Familiar voices whispered in the back of her mind, just out of reach.
Then one memory finally surfaced in bits and pieces. A deep, commanding voice and large, sometime frightening, sometimes kindly eyes. Drawing on the Force, she thought she understood.
"It must have been the Bendu," she said at last.
"The what?" Luke was as puzzled by her explanation as he was by the planet below.
"Not what- who. Haven't you heard Ezra talk about him?"
"Hmm. I can't recall hearing that name, but when Ezra really gets going, I …well sometimes I …" Luke's cheeks flushed pink and he paused. "Well, sometimes I kind of tune him out."
"I see." Alora put on her best mock frown. "You should have listened, Master Skywalker. Because you're about to meet him, and I'm not telling you anything."
At that moment, two vessels exited hyperspace nearby, both elegant but outdated freighters, one a little larger than the other. The Torrent and the White Loth-cat drew up alongside the Skywalkers' ship.
"Torrent to Jade Shadow, do you copy?" a deep voice called over the comm. Alora switched it on.
"Hi, Dada! Glad you're here!"
"Hi, Girlie! I heard you were brilliant. Your first solo mission, too!" She could hear his grin as he spoke.
"I'm afraid we weren't successful, Dada."
"But you brought back important intel. And I'm proud of you."
Luke cleared his throat. "I hate to interrupt family bonding time, but I was hoping Master Ezra would have landing coordinates. I haven't seen a clear spot on the whole planet."
"White Loth-Cat here," Ezra's voice chimed in. "Don't worry, Master Luke. Just follow me down. Shouldn't we wait for Leia and Han, though?"
Mara walked into the cockpit, holding Ben. "We could be waiting for some time. Our brother-in-law is not known for his punctuality."
"Well, in that case, perhaps we should land. We don't want to risk detection by-" Ezra broke off as a battered freighter punched out of hyperspace nearby.
"We're here!" Han's cocky voice sounded over the comm. "You'd better not be talking Jedi stuff without Leia."
"Hi, Dad! Hi, Mom!" Jaina and Jacen shouted over the comm. The two youngest Solos, Ben and Anakin hollered back at their siblings as Han and Leia returned the twins' greeting.
"You haven't missed anything," Ezra assured the Solos. "You made it just in time. Now, just follow the White Loth-cat. And trust me, I know what I'm doing."
The White Loth-cat moved forward, heading towards the green and blue planet ahead of them. Entering the atmosphere, the ship angled towards a spot that seemed to have the densest vegetation.
"We can't land in that!" Luke looked from Alora to Mara. "I know people say Jedi are crazy, but-". He stopped and gasped. The Jedi stared at each other, unable to speak.
Alora pointed out the window, finally finding her voice. "Look! It's him!"
A huge leafy, green shape rose from the surrounding jungle. The trees and thick vines drew away, forming a wide circle around the shape. Alora couldn't help grinning at the amazing sight. With the three other ships close behind, the White Loth-Cat settled in front of the green mound. Ezra's ramp lowered and he walked slowly down.
Raising his hand, he called out "Bendu!"
For a moment, the entire planet was still and silent. Then the great, green shape uncoiled and lifted its head.
"Ezra Bridger, you are welcome here. I know why you have come. I feel much anger and hate from many in the Galaxy and much fear as well."
Ezra stepped forward, followed by the rest of the company. "Thank you, Bendu. I like your new look, by the way. And don't worry, we haven't brought trouble this time. We made sure no one knows where we are."
"They wouldn't follow us here, anyway," Leia added. "Ever since the battle here, this planet registers as a black hole on every scanning device."
"Not mine," protested Han.
"That's because yours doesn't work, Dear," Leia explained patiently.
"I thought it would be wise," The Bendu inclined his leafy head. "A refuge for those who seek the Balance."
"We're not here to hide, Bendu. But you know that. We need a place to think and plan." Ezra looked into the creature's large grey eyes. "And we could do with some of your wisdom."
"We're going to need all the wisdom we can get, Ezra," Leia interrupted. "I heard from a friend in the Senate just before we arrived."
Ezra frowned. "Tell us." Pausing, he glanced around the group. "Wait, where are Rex and Ahsoka?"