Author's Note: Salutations readers. Before we soar off into a Frozen galaxy far, far away, I want to take a moment to pay respects. This chapter is dedicated to Ron Cobb, a legendary conceptual and production designer for countless classic movies. When it comes to Star Wars, Cobb designed several aliens for the Mos Eisley Cantina in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. But out of every creature he designed in that legendary saloon, the Ithorian became one of the most memorable. We owe the creation of these gentle giants to him. In Season 1 of "The Frozen Force" Ithorian Marshal Kobb Rubo is named after this brilliant man. Ron Cobb shared a magnificent imagination with the world and his creations will never be forgotten. Rest easy, sir.

FOR RON COBB (1937-2020)

Chapter: 34 Scars and Scrapes

"In the worst of times, all we have is each other."

A hard road to recovery! Padawan Anna Dellian's catatonic condition remains a mystery to the Jedi Order. After a haunting outburst, her sister Elsa tries to make sense of Anna's words. But despite the struggle, the Jedi constantly urge emotional separation. As the Clone Wars push more peacekeepers into military service, public opinion slips. Trauma is encouraged to be forgotten as all efforts turn towards the ongoing conflict. Now, Elsa finds herself standing before the Jedi Council and is prepared to face another trial...

Elsa felt like she'd never get used to the pressure of having so many eyes on her. Still, it was always an honor to stand before the Jedi Council. When it came to the passage of Jedi Trials, it was customary for a master to speak on behalf of their student. Their testimonial would lead to the council's deliberation on whether or not a Padawan passed. But when it came to the specificity surrounding the Trial of the Flesh, the apprentice had to be present. With clenched fists and hunched shoulders, Elsa braced for the inevitable moment of judgment. "Master Yelena," Master Yoda declared from his seat. "Begin you may."

While Yelena reached for the bandages on Elsa's arm, the Padawan noticed Obi-wan Kenobi stroking his beard. Intrigue and a hint of suspense filled his eyes while other masters leaned in from their chairs. Elsa's heart sank when the bandages came undone and her wound was met with mixed feelings. Though bacta treatment had healed the gash, it hadn't stopped Barbossa's vibrosword from leaving a thin and slanted scar.

"Oh dear," Obi-wan commented under his breath.

Although he winced, a green-skinned Nautolan offered a daring grin. "Vibroswords," Master Kit Fisto recognized. "Very dangerous."

Elsa waited in silence, bearing her wound as the council deliberated amongst itself. Yelena stood tall and added to her feat in the interim. "Like so many bold members of our Order-" she began. "-my Padawan risked her life to save countless others. Her actions not only helped rescue would-be slaves and a team of Republic commandos, but also helped lock up one of the Outer Rim's most terrifying pirates." Elsa cringed as her master continued. "The dreaded Captain Barbossa may have scarred her, but my Padawan got the last laugh. This heinous criminal is now rightfully locked away in the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center."

Please stop, Elsa thought and her eyes darted over each of the masters. Their whispers transitioned to nods and her nervous gaze fell upon Yoda.

"Padawan Dellian," he said. "Given this Order so much, you have." She earnestly nodded as he carried on. "True commitment, you have shown."

Master Mace Windu spoke from beside him. "While your dedication to service is commendable, you must keep something in mind. Yes, the Force is forever. As will our Order be if the Force wills it. However, the bodies we inhabit are but vessels."

"This is what the Trial of the Flesh is truly about," added a soft-spoken man. Master Ki-Adi-Mundi leaned forward and the sun streaked against his coned cranium. "It is a reminder that at any given time, the vessels we serve the Force through could expire."

"But never view the concept of death through the eyes of fear," Master Adi Gallia said. "Use this philosophy to drive you on your journey. To be mortal is find life in every second of every minute. So that when your time comes...just as it will for all of us...you can say you did everything you could."

"Stay your course, young one." Obi-wan said and Elsa smiled. "From our first excursion together, this Padawan was already saving clone troopers and recovering data modules. Should she remain on this path, she'll make a brilliant Jedi Knight someday."

"Padawan Dellian," Yoda spoke once more. "Passed your Trial of the Flesh, you have. May the Force be with you."

While Yelena beamed with pride, Elsa remained concerned and the whole council read it. "What troubles you?" Gallia asked.

"See through you, we can." Yoda added with a faint, wrinkly smile.

Elsa sighed and looked to her confused master. In those brief moments, Elsa didn't feel like a Padawan put on the spot. She felt like she was among friends all willing to help her and she decided to speak through that safety. "I want to do more," she blurted and hurriedly composed herself. "Masters of the Order, I know there are other trials yet to be completed. And I know the Trials of Spirit and-" Elsa gulped. "-Skill...will happen when they need to. However, I want to keep going above and beyond."

"Nothing wrong with that there is," Yoda said while the others concurred.

"Corruption runs rampant in our government," Elsa dared to speak up as Yelena's shoulders tightened. "This war is leaving children without their parents and we are laws away from fixing it. I mean, those smugglers on Bogden were going to traffic people for slavery. How is our Republic allowing this? We have to do something. I have to do something."

Yelena suddenly relaxed while her Padawan spoke. She soon came to realize that her initial plan was coming to fruition. If Elsa wanted to focus on helping the endless ring of corruption on Coruscant, so be it. That'd be plenty to keep her busy and perhaps she'd come to forget about Aren in time. She feigned a gentle smile and awaited the council's response.

"You are doing something," Mace intoned. "All Jedi are doing their part in the constant struggle for peace, even if it feels like we may lose ground at times."

"Come now, Master Windu," a woman seated across from him jeered. A pair of jewels rested against her tan skin, each representing a Chalactan Mark of Illumination. While the greater golden bead resided on her forehead, its lesser counterpart was nestled on the bridge of her nose. Such adornments led Elsa to recognize her as Master Depa Billaba. Her calm, yet commanding brown eyes looked to Mace as she spoke up. "An answer like that is...half-hearted to say the least." Mace raised a brow at her. "I was just as motivated at her age, but we both know you never would've stopped fighting for my opportunities."

Her former master grumbled, but couldn't deny that she had a point. "What are you thinking, Master Billaba?" Mace inquired.

Billaba addressed the chamber in its entirety. "I have a Padawan myself. And while he is still too young to embark on all of his trials, Caleb sees what Elsa sees. He's mentioned the faults in our system during our wanderings and it's had me thinking. If we've reached a point where the youth of our Order can now see how unstable our Republic is becoming, changes must be made. While my Padawan is too young to embark on such an endeavor, Master Yelena's is not. If Elsa wants to help, let us give her the means to."

"I must agree with Master Billaba," said 'The Negotiator' himself. "Perhaps we can pair young Elsa with a representative in the Galactic Senate." Elsa's heart raced with anticipation at the idea. How she wished Avinaria was still in the Republic. She'd let Senator Ryx Finc take her under his literal wing in a heartbeat. "I have contacts in the senate," Obi-wan assured. "Perhaps we can assign a stewardship of sorts."

"I think that would be a marvelous idea," Yelena replied while Elsa eagerly nodded.

"These could be your Padawan's true steps towards becoming a Jedi Consular," Ki-Adi-Mundi told her. "I believe Master Chaki would've been proud."

From the moment his name was mentioned, Yelena envisioned the old Selkath's face. She heard his hearty laughter, especially after he'd messed up dinner for Arthurian delegates all those years ago. She pursed her lips and hung her head in remorse. "I'm sure he would be," she replied.

The speaking of Chaki's name prompted Elsa to think of his apprentice. Nelani's wide, scarlet eyes came into view but remained fearful. Elsa had to force the image away because it poisoned her like a plague. When she thought of the Duros, she imagined how terrified she must've been on Scarif. Guilt struck her as she wished she'd been there to help. Elsa could only hope Nelani's passing was quick and painless.

"Padawan Dellian," Mace's stern voice freed her from her thoughts. "I sense that something else is on your mind." His ceaseless leer was daunting and Elsa swallowed hard.

"Another concern you have?" Yoda queried. Elsa's eyes involuntarily widened as her sister's insidious words echoed within.

"Peace is a lie. There is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power...Through power I gain victory."

"No," Elsa assured and clenched her scarred arm. "It's just a lot to process right now. Thank you, masters. For everything. Elsa and Yelena humbly bowed to the council before departing. As they made their way to the temple's lower level, Elsa couldn't help but berate herself over her silence. But if Elsa was being honest, she knew she was afraid. She didn't understand what Anna had said, but believed that nothing good could come of it.

Elsa and Yelena stepped out of the elevator and towards a scenic hallway. The master tilted her head when she noticed Mattias across the way. Based on the echo of his voice and intensity of his body language, he appeared to be in a heated debate. "Mattias?" Yelena worried and advanced to investigate.

Elsa was about to accompany her when a familiar, nasally voice asked, "So how'd it go?" Elsa looked up and saw a pair of dark orange boots swaying from a colossal planter. A Pantoran sat amongst the decorative foliage and launched herself down to Elsa.

"Tori," she sighed. "You scared me."

"Not as much as the council did, I bet," she jested and munched on a meiloorun. Elsa cringed at the crunch and glared at her. "Trust me, the Trial of the Flesh evaluation is one of the weirdest things I've ever done. All those masters just staring at my saber scars? It's kriffing weird."

Elsa recalled learning how Ventress had slashed Tori twice. Such a thought made her think about the trauma their group must've endured on Scarif. "Tori," Elsa uttered. "How are you?"

"Um...fine?" Tori shrugged and chomped on her fruit.

Elsa simpered. "Seriously. How are you holding up? After...you know."

Tori chewed, let her eyes wander, and shrugged. "I'm good, Els."

"Els?"

"I think it's a cool nickname, you know?"

"Please don't call me that," Elsa replied politely and Tori stopped munching.

"Yeah...sure thing," she muttered and tossed the meiloorun core in a receptacle. When it clanged against the bin, the sound was akin to when Ventress kicked her into the Ethereal's wreckage. Tori tensed up and shuddered as an involuntary memory took hold.

Elsa peered down at the Pantoran's trembling hand and worriedly suggested, "Why don't we sit down?"

Tori swiftly snatched her twitching hand, held it down, and forced a smile. "I'm fine," she asserted.

"What are you even doing here?" Elsa asked.

Before Tori could respond, the nearby commotion answered for her. "Stay out of this, Yelena!" Mattias demanded while a series of heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. "And you!" he roared. "Who do you think you are?"

Jedi Master Savil's short, black bob swished when she spun to engage him. "I know who I am, Mattias." she defended. "And you have no right to tell me what to do."

The last time Elsa had seen Mattias so angry, he was exposing the mistreatment of Rovani at an immigration center. With flared nostrils and a seething scowl, Mattias stared Savil down. Yelena tried to pull him back, but he shoved her hand away. "Do you have any idea what Tori Vica has been through?" he shouted. "First her master, then all on Scarif, now you?"

"Now me?" Savil snapped. "Don't include me in her problems because I won't take her as an apprentice. That was never my responsibility. Surk was my student. You're lucky yours was found."

"And I will stand by her," Mattias affirmed. "No matter what. I'm sorry about your apprentice, but now you have a chance to be there for his best friend."

"I don't owe her anything," Savil said.

"We're supposed to be selfless!" Mattias exclaimed.

"We are people!" Savil shouted even louder. Their voices garnered the attention of temple guards who monitored the argument from afar. "What?" Savil scoffed at Mattias. "You think I'm gonna drink my troubles away or sob in a corner instead? I miss Surk every day and I am going to honor his life."

Mattias' frown deepened. "By joining the war effort? Master Krell abandons Tori to become a general and now you're going to do the same?"

"Tori is not mine to abandon!" Savil yelled back. "Mattias," she intoned. "I need to do this."

"Why?" he asked. "To get even for what Ventress did? Revenge is not the Jedi way."

"This isn't about vengeance," Savil retorted. "It's about ending this war so no other master has to be in my boots." She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "It is the apprentice who should have to watch their master depart from this world in flames...not the other way around. The sooner we stop the Sith, the sooner we end gruesome acts of terror like Scarif."

"This is wrong," Mattias still insisted. "What would Master Feniti think of you?"

It took every ounce of Savil's willpower to not tackle Mattias after he spoke such words. With clenched fists and gritted teeth, she angrily replied, "Don't you dare tell me what my late mentor would've thought. I knew him better than anyone else and he would trust my decision. Whether you see it or not, you're privileged to have your apprentice back. Beetra, Kalia and I have to bear grief for the rest of our lives. No matter what anyone says or how much we trust the Force, the loss is still present. And there's no denying that every tragedy's outcome is the same."

"What do you mean?" Mattias asked.

"Those who haven't suffered always try telling those who have what to do. Always. But condolences and unsolicited advice only go so far. This is the destiny I choose for myself and the betterment of our Order. For the betterment of the Galactic Republic. The tragedy on Scarif showed us how underprepared Jedi uninvolved in the war really are. Master Halsey saw this as well. He's requested a clone unit for him and his Padawan."

"From what I heard," Mattias replied. "Knox survived the Scarif attack because he hid underwater. For all I know, Halsey could be forcing him into service out of Roonan pride. As if he's trying to make up for perceived cowardice from the poor boy and how that somehow impacts his reputation. It-"

"My point remains the same," Savil asserted. She placed a hand on Mattias' shoulder and huffed. "I know you may disagree with my choices, but I can only hope you'll understand someday. If I trained Tori, I'd see Surk in every step she took. My spirit isn't ready for another student, Mattias. No matter who it is."

"So," Mattias sighed. "This is goodbye?"

"For now," she replied. "I leave for Felucia this evening. Republic forces there are in need of a Jedi General."

Savil marched off and the guards returned to their posts. Elsa dreaded looking at Tori, but she was surprisingly relaxed. At least that was how the Pantoran made herself out to be. "And there goes another one," she mumbled.

"I'm sorry," Elsa said.

Tori scoffed. "Don't bother. You don't know how many times I've heard those words over the last two weeks. I'm sure the council will just assign me a new master-" Tori peered at the elevator to their chambers. "-when they get around to it. But hey, enough about my wonderful life. How's Anna doing? Can we go see her? There's some things I need to say."

"She's-" Elsa bit her lip and thought about Anna's bizarre incantation. "I just think it's best if we let her rest for now. We'll talk later, okay?"

Tori sulked as Elsa discreetly stepped away. "Alone again," she murmured.

"You cannot force someone to take on an apprentice," Yelena lectured Mattias. "If Force-forbid Anna had not returned, could you have had the strength to take Tori as your own?"

"Yes," Mattias answered without hesitation. "Because this isn't about me. This is about the future. Tori is Anna's age and neither of them should have to suffer through this."

"They are eighteen, Mattias." Yelena insisted. "They're not children anymore."

"Then no one should have to suffer through this," Mattias corrected. "This shouldn't have to be normal."

Yelena shrugged. "Then perhaps Master Savil had a point. Maybe ending this war is the quickest way to see that a 'new normal' is realized." As she said that, Mattias watched a Republic gunship glide past one of the temple's windows. For a brief moment, he imagined what it would be like to command a clone unit and fight for liberty. His gaze softened when he visualized his eager Padawan riding beside him.

Mattias sighed. "Savil may be right," he said. "The Sith must be destroyed by all means. But any reality where I join this war is incomplete if Anna isn't by my side."

Yelena nodded respectfully until she noticed Elsa nervously rushing down the corridor. "And where are you going, apprentice?" she asked.

"The Archives," Elsa answered. "I...need to look over something." Mattias and Yelena glanced at each other while Elsa disappeared.

Despite the constant tranquility of the Jedi Archives, Elsa was anything but relaxed. She barely greeted Jocasta Nu and slid towards an empty computer terminal. Her pale fingers pattered away at the illuminated keyboard while she recalled Anna's words. With a heavy gulp and frantic hands, Elsa typed:

Peace is a lie. There is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power I gain victory.

Before she could search the incantation, the voice of her Force Wraith echoed within. "There will always be two sides to this energy field," Evara said. "And while darkness can scare you, light can be equally terrifying. Remember that what you find is a history of the Force. Its meaning will remain in the eyes of its beholder."

Elsa took a deep breath and searched into the words. Her heart plummeted as the computer instantly identified the sequence. Elsa squinted and struggled to pronounce the strange word displayed before her. "Qot-sis-ajak? Qotsisajak. Code of..." Elsa's blood ran cold. "...the Sith."

No matter how lost Kristoff felt, he could find himself by looking into his kyber necklace. It reminded him of all the Trolls back on Aren and the calmer times where-...Kristoff remembered that Aren never had calmer times. Still, he missed his family and hoped they were safe. Coruscant was a vastly different world. The open mountain ranges and expansive forests had all been replaced by a durasteel jungle of buildings. Even now, Kristoff and Sven found themselves confined to a cramped waiting room amidst a plethora of species. They huddled together betwixt a feelings of uncertainty, where so many beings just yearned for a fresh start. Haggard families barely kept themselves together while lone survivors tried to forget about the planets they'd fled. Despite the harshness, the Republic Center of Citizenship had several posters lining the walls in juxtaposition to this reality.

The centermost poster depicted a happy, healthy family of Ithorians playing in a Coruscant park. A faded line of clone troopers could be seen running in the clouds above a scenic sky. It read: "THEY FIGHT SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO. SUPPORT THE BOYS IN WHITE."

"Those guys look cool," Kristoff admitted and gave Sven a nudge. While the Cevrian nodded in agreement, they peered at the poster to its right. "PALPATINE" it read and showed the chancellor's pensive demeanor. "SAFEGUARDING YOUR TOMORROW...TODAY"

Sven mooed and was drawn towards the leftmost poster. Four hands of various species had blue and green lightsabers drawn. "JEDI UNITE FOR PEACE" it said and Kristoff immediately remembered Elsa. He thought about where she could be in this massive city or if she'd already left the planet again. The idea of there being more Jedi like her made him feel safer than the other posters ever could. She rescued him from a life of piracy and welcomed him into a larger galaxy.

While these idealistic posters offered a glimpse of the Republic, an overhead datascreen broadcasted Coruscant's current events. "This just in," a reporter said. "Togruta legend, Herv Bobak dead at seventy-two. The talkshow and pageant host has been identified as the victim of a horrific crash in the Collective Commerce District."

"Poor guy," Kristoff mumbled.

A set of chromium, double doors slid open and a uniformed official strutted in. The Republic's eight-rayed, stellar symbol shined on each of her shoulder patches as she blissfully waved to those seated. "Hello future citizens of the Galactic Republic!" she proclaimed with widened eyes and a beaming grin. "Who's ready to start living!" An Ithorian beside Kristoff excited flailed his arms and spouted off in guttural Ithorese. The Republic agent forced a smile and hurriedly swiped through the translator on her datapad. "Yeah!" she cheered with an awkward twinge of nervousness. "Right back at you." She shook off her befuddlement and wiped the sweat from her brow. "Now then, you were all assigned numbers upon entering. I'm looking for M26 and M27."

Kristoff gasped and checked over his tickets. "That's us!" he blurted.

"Follow me to my office," the agent replied. "Terrible news about that Bobak fellow," she commented as they traversed the winding halls. "I mean, now who's gonna host Miss Coruscant?"

Kristoff and Sven didn't respond as they entered her office. They took notice of her bronzium nametag as "Frippa" gleamed across it.

"Now then," Frippa said. "May I just start by saying it is a pleasure to officially welcome you to Coruscant." Her hazel eyes scoured over her datapad as she read up on her clients. "Now I see both of you have been recommended for citizenship by the Jedi Order." Kristoff and Sven seemed more surprised about it than she was. "Now don't get all nervous," Frippa chortled. "It actually makes this process a whole lot easier. I'll put it this way, boys. To become a citizen here is to serve the greatest system in the galaxy. And I just want to make sure two upstanding gentlemen such as yourselves find just the right spot to help us keep this Republic so great." She leaned across her desk and furrowed her brows. "So tell me, where are you boys from?"

"Aren," Kristoff answered.

Frippa's smile faltered but she forced it back up. "Congrats on making it out," she jested. When her joke fell on deaf ears, she merely continued. "What kind of skills do you specialize in?"

Piracy, Kristoff thought. "I'm a decent pilot," he admitted. "Plus Sven and I make one heck of a repair team for ships." Kristoff paused as a grim set of memories flashed before him. He visualized Barbossa showing him how to steer a spacecraft. His heart raced when he recalled how the captain had taught him how to shoot. Kristoff loathed feeling like Barbossa had been right. No matter how he chose to move forward, the sinister captain's memory still arrived to haunt him.

"Mr...Bjorg?" Frippa asked and snapped him back into the moment.

"Huh?" Kristoff grumbled, shaking himself free. "What was that?"

"I asked for your license," Frippa reiterated. "You said you were a pilot, yes?"

Kristoff and Sven exchanged perplexed glances. Wait, he thought. You actually need a license to fly ships? That is not how that works in the Outer Rim. He scratched at his blonde mop of hair and winced. "Yeah...I...kinda don't have one."

Though Frippa huffed, her smile endured all frustration. "No worries," she sighed. "Believe it or not, it's quite common for those applying for Republic citizenship to be lacking these basic necessities. But I don't give up on future denizens. I am going to set you up with a license, a divine quarters, and a fantastic job!" Kristoff and Sven anxiously waited as Frippa pattered away at her datapad. "Gentlemen!" she proclaimed. "Your journey to the service of a greater good begins today. Gone are your aimless lives of hardship and despair. Never again shall you toil without meaning. You two are a pair of pictures and several signatures away from being citizens of our glorious Galactic Republic!"

Mattias leaned over a temple verandah and observed their bustling city. As he noted the amount of military craft in the sky, he wondered how many would be taking new Jedi off to fight. Momentum would only increase with each Republic victory, and the recent campaign on Geonosis had proven most fruitful. Beyond the descending Venators, Mattias could see teams working tirelessly to repair portions of the city. He sensed a familiar, youthful presence behind him and offered conversation. "I can't believe I'm saying this-" he began. "-but I'd rather have been here for the giant monster attack than suffer all that we went through."

"You and me both," Elsa admitted and leaned beside him. "I heard the Zillo Beast did a number on multiple districts. What were they thinking, bringing it here?"

"They weren't," Mattias scoffed. "And now it's costing the government millions of credits to make up for this horrid folly."

Elsa frowned. "I read they had to kill the beast. It's a shame. It didn't ask to be ripped from its home."

"It killed countless civilians and soldiers in its rampage," Mattias retorted.

"But only because it-" Mattias glared at Elsa and she sighed. "I really don't want to get into this...not now."

"Where's Yelena?"

"Master Kenobi said he had an update for her regarding my future."

"I see," Mattias replied. "Congratulations on your Trial of the Flesh, by the way. Scars can remind us how-" Mattias noticed how Elsa hugged herself and shuddered. "Padawan?" he inquired. "Why are you really here?"

Elsa took a deep breath and made sure they were alone. "Do you ever feel like only you can be trusted to get something right? Like bringing something up to others may stir more trouble and place things out of your hands?"

"Like hiding a Rovani?" Mattias quipped. "Who do you have under your bed this time?"

"No one, but it's the same principal. Master Mattias, this is about Anna." Mattias' smile vanished as Elsa leaned in. "I went to visit her the other night and something very strange happened."

"She Force-pushed a droid during a panic attack," Mattias replied.

"But that's not it. Before that, she was reciting an unknown code. The Code of the Sith."

Rather than mock her in disbelief, Mattias only wanted to clarify. He placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Are you positive?"

"She said that peace is a lie because there is only passion. Through passion she gained strength. Through-"

Mattias had heard enough and nervously raised a hand. "By the Force," he uttered. "You were right to come to me."

"I'm worried about my sister," Elsa admitted. "But I don't know what to do. I'm afraid my master is right, and that I am becoming too attached. I'm letting my emotions govern my decisions and they're taking hold of me."

"Steady yourself, Elsa." Mattias asserted. "I'm concerned about Anna too. We are walking a fine line between our bonds with Anna and the emotional attachments tethering them together. In these trying times, hysteria has even pried its way into the Jedi Temple. If people found out someone kidnapped by the enemy was now possibly under Sith influence, who knows what that could spark. I want Anna to be treated fairly, and that can only happen if we get her to speak. We need to hear her side and understand what happened."

"But how?" Elsa asked. "She's trapped in that catatonic state. None of the medicine that-"

"Elsa...Elsa..." Mattias sighed. "That's the problem with our society. No matter how advanced we get, we still forget that not every condition can be solved with fluids and pills. Anna needs a different kind of healing. One channelled through patience, understanding, and most importantly...the Force."

"What are you proposing?" Elsa asked.

"Other than her catatonia, Anna now has no injuries that need to be treated in the Halls of Healing. I'm going to take her out of Dr. Sheparr's hands and place her in those of the Jedi."

Elsa raised a brow. "But didn't you say we didn't want to cause a panic?"

"And we don't, which is why we will not present what we know before the council. I will take Anna to the Circle of Jedi Healers, the overseers of the Order's Medical Corps. They will know what to do."

While Elsa obliged, she couldn't help but wonder if they were making a mistake. She contemplated if Mattias was acting irrationally based on emotion just as Yelena had warned. Still, she promised Anna that she'd help get her through her struggle and refused to yield.

As cruisers and speeder bikes whirred throughout CoCo Town, a pair of Coruscanti teenagers wept while watching a datapad video. Their curly, multi-soloed tresses intertwined as they scooted closer together. Celeste, the famous holodrama star, was giving a tearful speech on the HoloNet. "Herv Bobak was a gentleman," she said. "A true, class act." An image of Celeste laughing alongside the Togruta faded into view. "Where billions saw an entertainer, I saw a good soul. When he wasn't gracing holoscreens with that sunny disposition, he was giving back to those struggling in impoverished communities." Celeste paused to wipe her tears. "Herv was a bold activist who always believed in doing more...in giving everyone a voice...in-"

A hefty finger flicked the back of the datapad and forced the girls to look up. "Hey," Hans Westgard said and gave his lightsaber a pat. "Have you kids seen an Ortolan?" The girls ignored him and kept watching their video. "Kids," Hans grumbled. "No respect these days. Or attention spans for that matter." He trudged down the sidewalk and noticed a Twi'lek businessman. "Fine sir!" Hans beckoned. "Have you come across an Ortolan child in your travels? Blue, pudgy, trunk that eats everything?"

"Can't say I have," the Twi'lek answered.

Hans rolled his eyes and continued to patrol the street. An old Ithorian had just sat down to enjoy a fresh bowl of soup. As he reached for his spoon, his eyestalks craned up to see Hans sitting across from him. "Hey there, big fella." he said.

The Ithorian's translating vocoder buzzed when he gasped. "I almost spilled my lunch, Jedi!" the gentle giant yelped.

"What are we having?" Hans asked and plucked a spoon from the nearby dispenser.

"We?"

"Sharing is caring, right?"

"With all due respect," the Ithorian said. "Kindly get your own."

Hans was appalled. "After all I do for this district," he mumbled. "That's cold."

The elder glared at Hans while sipping his soup. "Pardon me, Master Jedi...but what exactly have you done?" Hans' relaxed demeanor crumbled as the Ithorian continued. "I've lived on Coruscant since I was a pupa and have seen Jedi Sentinels in action. Heck, Master Quinlan Vos used to sweep this city before the war called him into deeper affairs. But when I look at you, I see an amateur." Hans' clenched fist prompted the Ithorian to add, "-with a temper."

"Look, I was awarded this position for acts of heroism on Scarif."

"And?" the Ithorian asked. "I don't care about what you did, let alone what you did elsewhere. What are you doing here?"

"Right now I'm trying to find a kid, gramps." Hans grumbled. "Have you seen an Ortolan? Blue, pudgy-"

"I know what they look like," the elder answered. "And yeah, I saw one. Turn left from this eatery and check the alleyway."

"Thanks, old-timer." Hans replied and rushed off.

"Just actually do something, will ya!" the Ithorian shouted.

"You got it!" Hans hollered back before muttering to himself. "Kriffing hammerhead. What does he know?" Hans followed the Ithorian's directions and entered the vacuous alleyway. A scraggly tooka cat hissed from behind one of the trash cans. Having zero patience for such disturbances, Hans kicked the can and sent the feline fleeing. "Just actually do something," he growled. "I'll show him. I'll-" Hans looked up beyond a trash heap and examined a tattered poster. "You gotta be kidding me."

The poster depicted a fine-suited Ortolan playing away at his keyboard. It read: "THE MAX REBO BAND: CORE WORLD TOUR"

Hans felt frustrated enough to rip the poster off the wall and eat it. Instead, he furiously stormed out of the alley while kicking everything in his path. Trash bins and emptied cans rolled onto the sidewalk as Hans emerged in a rampage. Bystanders gawked at him as he furiously shook a street post and roared. "And what are you looking at?" he snapped at passersby until they carried on.

Hans pinched the bridge of his nose and loosed a resigned sigh. The sound of police sirens overhead was the last thing he needed to hear. "Fantastic," he mumbled and watched Lieutenant Tan Divo land beside him. "What the hell do you want?"

"There's been a new development," Divo said. "Hop in and I'll explain on the way."

Hans huffed and reluctantly headed towards the passenger seat. "Bro," a Coruscanti teen snickered. "Is that crazy Jedi getting arrested?"

Several bystanders applauded until Hans stomped and shouted, "No I am not being arrested!" They sulked with disappointment while Hans departed with Divo.

"It seems you've got quite a fanbase rooting for you," Divo remarked.

"They're a bunch of ungrateful sleemos is what they are," Hans hissed.

"What were you doing in that alley?"

"Oh you know...finding another dead end. You can't trust anyone in this kriffing town. I thought I got a tip on the kid from this old Ithorian, but it turns out grandpa just saw a poster."

"This Ithorian," Divo inquired. "Was he at the soup shop down the street?" Hans fervently nodded. "Strange," Divo said. "Old Ronn knows CoCo like the back of his hand. If he says he saw someone, he meant it. Maybe you didn't phrase the question properly or didn't look hard enough."

"Why is it always my fault?" Hans groaned. "I'm doing my job. It's not my fault if everyone around me is infinitely incompetent! Can we please move on? Why did you pick me up?"

Divo's brows furrowed. "Now I'm unsure whether or not to divulge this information. After all, I too may be...what is it? Infinitely incompetent?" Hans facepalmed and sunk into his seat. He only emerged from his cocoon of self-pity when Divo tossed a holoprojector on his lap. The device displayed a hologram of Herv Bobak's crashed airspeeder. "My analysis droids scoured the craft and found distinct scrapes on its right side."

"The speeder crashed, Divo." Hans snarked. "It's gonna lose some paint."

"Did you miss the whole part where I said 'distinct'?" While ensuring they didn't crash, Divo activated the projector's zoom feature. Hans watched as a set of unique scrapes enlarged across the hologram. "Take it from someone who's been policing since you were a youngling. These markings coupled with the dent left beneath them happen after a PIT maneuver."

"A what now?" Hans asked.

"Pursuit intervention technique," Divo explained. "If executed properly, Coruscant police utilize this to halt a fleeing speeder."

Hans slowly sat up in realization. "So this really wasn't an accident. Bobak didn't just crash..."

"He was rammed," Divo deduced. "The question is...what happened to the other speeder?"

Hans peered out the windscreen and observed several cameras hovering via repulsor lift. "Coruscant Air Traffic Control!" he exclaimed. "The CATC monitors everything that happens in the skylanes. If someone sent Bobak spinning into oblivion, they caught it on camera."

Divo smirked. "Now we're getting somewhere, Hans." With a thrust of his arms, he sent the police cruiser soaring towards CoCo's air traffic station.

"Perhaps this lead will prove promising," a robotic voice emanated from the backseat and made Hans scream.

The Jedi almost activated his lightsaber out of fear and hurriedly checked behind him. A police droid sat ever-so silently and stared at Hans with its unblinking, pale photoreceptors. "How long have you been back there?" Hans asked.

"The entire ride, Master Jedi," the droid computed.

"You'll have to excuse GU-13," Divo jested. "I thought he was still recharging."

"I am at full power, lieutenant." GU-13 replied. "Ready to protect and serve."

Hans was still catching his breath from the jump scare when they landed at the station. "GU-13," Divo ordered. "Stay with the speeder. The Jedi and I are going to have a look inside."

"Good luck," the droid said and offered a lanky hand to Hans.

Hans snorted at GU's cylindrical helmet and left his hand unshaken. "Later, Conehead." Hans and Divo entered the station and were immediately approached by a protocol droid. "Great," Hans grumbled. "More clankers."

"Salutations," the droid said. "I am TC-200. How may I be of assistance?"

"Lieutenant Tan Divo of the Coruscant Security Force. This here's-"

"Hans Westgard," he introduced himself. "Jedi Sentinel. Where's the man in charge?"

"Miss Timia Lok is upstairs," the droid answered.

"Smooth," Divo quipped and nudged Hans. They ventured up to the station's observatory and found a wall dedicated to skyline footage. Flickering screens showed seemingly endless footage of monitored air traffic. Amidst it all sat an orange-skinned Mon-Calamari. The pixelated images of passing airspeeders reflected off her bulbous, fish-like eyes. Her webbed hands tapped and swiped away at multiple panels until she noticed reflections in one of the screens.

"Timia Lok I presume?" Divo queried.

"Who...wants to know?" the Mon Calamari asked.

"Your local police."

Timia's typing slowed and she swallowed hard. "TC-200," she said. "Would you be so kind as to take over?" She rose from her seat and the protocol droid moved in. While Hans focused on Timia's listing gaze, Divo noted her twitching hands. "H-how can I help?"

"I understand you monitor this district's skylanes on a weekly basis," Divo said.

"That is correct," Timia replied.

"You seem...stressed," Hans said. "Are you sleeping well?"

"I have early shifts," Timia assured. "Caf doesn't agree with me so I have to run on natural energy." Before Divo could bring up his next point, Timia cut him off. "This is about that celebrity, isn't it?" She gulped and glanced at the monitors. "What happened was a horrible shame."

"Indeed, and given your shift schedule-" Divo presumed. "-you were on duty when the crash occurred. My...associate and I would like to view the footage you have of the skylane over Dex's Diner."

Timia hung her high-domed head. "You can't," she said.

"The hell do you mean, we can't?" Hans asked until Divo calmed him.

Timia clasped her shoulder but regretfully answered. "The footage is gone."

"This isn't my first time in an air traffic control tower," Divo asserted. "Skylane coverage just doesn't disappear."

"But it did!" Timia panicked. "That morning started off as any other. I was monitoring the skylane screens when suddenly, number sixteen went...blank. I thought it was a glitch in the panel and struggled to fix it. By the time I got sixteen back online, I was already receiving notifications about the crash."

While Timia told her story, Divo rewound the footage on monitor sixteen. Oddly enough, when Herv Bobak's airspeeder glided into frame...the entire screen went dark. The footage only returned several minutes after the crash had occurred. "It's as if the evidence has been hacked," Hans considered.

"Or erased," Divo murmured and leered at Timia.

"Well, my shift will be ending soon," the Mon Calamari said. "Is there anything else I can assist with?"

Divo noted her anxious fingers as they drummed away at a desk. "No," he said. "But do try and get some sleep, alright? This investigation is far from over."

"I feel like we're back at square one," Hans groaned as they departed. "Plus, that fish had guilty written all over her."

"In this line of work, it's all about what you can prove." Divo lectured. "Timia could sway either way and it'll be hard to tell without footage. She was undoubtedly afraid, but were we the ones scaring her? Or is someone else involved?"

"All these questions are killing me," Hans replied.

"What if asking questions is what got Bobak killed?" Divo added.

Hans rubbed his temples and moaned. "At this point, I feel like I'm on trial. I just want to get to the bottom of this so I can get some respect and you can shut up."

"You're a peculiar Jedi, Westgard." Divo admitted. "You're no Quinlan Vos, that's for sure."

Yeah, well this Master Vos can bite me, Hans thought.

"You want respect, Hans? You have to earn it. This is your district, but you can't forget that the people you're protecting don't owe you a damn thing. You and I do what we do because it's right. You want to solve this case?" Divo stared Hans down and deepened his voice. "Find. That. Ortolan."

"I'll find that damn kid if I have to overturn half of Coruscant," Hans muttered.

"Good luck," GU-13 said from over Hans' shoulder and made him scream like a manic Jawa.

While the Jedi Temple's Halls of Healing resembled those of a common hospital, the Circle of Jedi Healers was beyond surreal. Ornate wind chimes rang out from the nearby balcony and beckoned winds into a hallowed chamber. A gentle pyre kept the room warmed amidst its deafening silence. Multiple, hooded Jedi were each performing tranquil tasks across the sanctuary. One of the master healers was shifting water to plants with the Force when she heard the doors open.

Mattias cautiously entered the quiet chamber and gently guided Anna by the hand. Each hooded healer turned from his or her task and noticed Anna's lifeless demeanor. "This way," Mattias whispered and urged his catatonic Padawan. "You're doing great."

Anna's eyes listed across the room while her feet stumbled forward. She embraced the emptiness around her as if she was nothing more than a shadow within it. The gardening healer left her plants and leapt down to Mattias' level. "What brings you to the sacred circle?" she asked. Her voice was orotund, yet calming. It wished no harm and yearned to understand.

Mattias bowed respectfully and regretted that his Padawan could not. "I am Master Destin Mattias," he said. "I come seeking healing beyond my understanding. This is my Padawan, Anna Dellian. She stands before you, yet she isn't here. She looks, but her stare is blank. I know not what has happened to her."

At first, the healer didn't reply. Instead, she removed her hood and revealed her inquisitive face. Her luminous, indigo eyes focused on Anna. A set of white tendrils swayed from her cap, just as they did for all Tholothians. "I am Master Stass Allie," she told the Padawan while Mattias watched. "You need not be afraid in our sanctuary." Anna remained motionless until Allie took her hand. She shut her eyes and felt the youth's pain through the Force.

"Have you ever seen anything like it?" Mattias asked tremulously.

Allie sighed. "Unfortunately. It happens to those who have experienced real nightmares beyond comprehension. Sometimes they're too painful...or even too quick to process. All of it can leave a person trapped and wandering in the recesses of their mind."

"Can we get her back?" Mattias worried.

Allie bit her lip and backed up to fully observe Anna. "I won't lie to you, Master Mattias. It is possible. However, it's going to take extreme patience and emotional fortitude. The process may even be painful, but we need to understand how Anna got like this."

"Whatever it takes," Mattias affirmed. "She's worth it."

"So be it then," Allie replied. "By order of the sacred circle and the Medical Corps, Anna Dellian will be placed under our temporary care. You may only visit on days which we have given you clearance for. Do you accept these terms?"

Mattias took one look at his unresponsive apprentice and sighed. "I do," he replied. "But wait. Before I pass her into your care, I just want to know...Is it you who will be tending to her?"

"No," Allie sincerely replied. "I feel that Anna will be more likely to open up to someone closer to her age." Mattias watched as Allie stepped towards a set of rafters. "Young knight," she beckoned. "This Padawan needs your guidance."

With a definitive stroke of her brush, the hooded youth finished painting a celestial design across the ceiling. She then slid down the nearby ladder and respectfully took off her hood. Her bold, golden locks were tightly woven into a thick braid and were practically glowing. The woman's striking green eyes teemed with wisdom beyond her years as she surveyed the apprentice. "Hello Anna," she spoke blissfully and bowed. "I'm Rapunzel. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this week's installment of "The Frozen Force." As always, your love and support is appreciated! It's my pleasure to bring this story to you each week and I'm excited to introduce Rapunzel! But can this Jedi knight unveil what's wrong with Anna? Or will she get tangled in matters beyond her control? Unravel the mystery on the next "Frozen Force Friday!"

Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with You!

 ~ Michael