Chapter: 39 Sleepless in Coruscant
"The faithless were once the most devout."
A tireless metropolis! The Republic capital continues to serve as a symbol of wealth and prosperity. But for who? While the upper city enjoys a lavish lifestyle, those in Coruscant's underbelly struggle to make ends meet. The Senate orders the production of additional clones to defend the Core Worlds, while units in the Outer Rim remain exhausted. With overwhelming issues on the rise, the Republic seems more concerned about moving on rather than addressing any of them. As the world seems to advance without her, Jedi Padawan Anna Dellian tries to catch up. But trauma is not so easily overcome...
The sound of gentle waves caused Anna to stir. "Sweetheart," someone whispered. She slowly opened her eyes and glimpsed the woven ceiling above her. It swayed with her stitched up hammock as she reclined in luxury. The sight only bettered as another face came into view. Hans rolled over beside her and caressed her smiling self. "Good morning," he said. They pulled each other closer and shared a tender kiss. He pulled away just when Anna wanted another and relished in her pout.
"Seriously?" she groaned.
"Seriously," he quipped and slid out of the hammock. "No more napping, dear. It's a beautiful day for a swim." He let his tunic drop into the sand and Anna marveled over his muscular back and form-fitting, blue swimsuit. He peered over his shoulder and caught her staring. "You coming?" he teased with a smirk.
"Oh...Oh yes!" Anna blurted and leapt out of the hammock. She tripped over herself and hastily disrobed. Her orchid one-piece shined in the midday sun as she jogged out of their hut. Her auburn tresses blew freely in the salty sea air as she rushed to meet Hans. Her partner faced the waves head on and submerged in the crystal clear waters. He resurfaced with a beaming grin and beckoned Anna to join him, yet she remained hesitant.
"What's wrong?" Hans hollered. "The water's great!"
"Something feels off," Anna admitted. "I feel like we should be doing something. Maybe the Order needs us."
Hans scoffed. "For what? Let those geezers sit in their chairs. The war's over, Anna! Take a break."
"Right," Anna muttered. "The war's-" She took her first few steps into the sea and felt its cold embrace. "-over?" Anna peered around and examined the tropical island before her. "Hans," she worried. "Th-this is Scarif."
"So?" he refuted.
In that instant, Anna heard something rumbling in the darkening sky. She and Hans looked up as a descending, metallic fireball eclipsed the sun and blackened the world. Anna squinted for a closer look and realized that the fireball was actually their crashing ship. The Ethereal was descending at full speed, just as it had on that fateful...horrible day. Anna remained frozen in terror as the craft split off into several, fiery pieces and bombarded the beach around her. Each chunk of debris resurged from the ground as a statue of someone who'd perished. Velti, Dokin, Surk, Nelani, and Master Chaki's stony faces all stared Anna down.
"I'm sorry," the young Dellian pleaded. Each statue lurched closer to her as thunder rumbled from above. "I'm sorry!"
"Anna?" Hans croaked. "Help...me."
Anna nervously turned to him as a red lightsaber beamed through his chest. "No!" she screamed until lightning struck beside him. The sight of electricity had her quaking with fear as Hans' killer morphed from a smirking Ventress to a scowling Dooku.
The Padawan awakened in a cold sweat and tumbled out of bed. Her ruckus was enough to cause Rapunzel to stir from the bunk across from her. Now acting as her roommate, Rapunzel rushed over to Anna's aid. "Hey," she said calmly. "It's alright."
Rapunzel rubbed Anna's back as her breathing slowed. "Anything but," Anna refuted and rubbed her temples. "I saw them all again. They were like statues in a cemetery this time. I couldn't save them, Rapunzel." She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "I don't think I can ever get over this," she admitted. "I haven't slept without a nightmare since the incident. I think...-" Anna struggled to admit the next part.
Her caretaker leaned in and placed a comforting hand on hers. "I know the Jedi often say you shouldn't, but it's okay to speak of your feelings sometimes. I believe doing so can help us move forward."
"But I can't move forward," Anna replied. "I can't sleep. I can't think straight. I can't even live outside of these confined, peaceful rooms. I'm-" Anna hung and shook her head in defeat. "-broken."
Rapunzel sighed and stood up. "All these can'ts," she said. "It isn't that you can't, Anna. It's that you don't know how to. Give yourself the patience to understand that you will learn in time." Rapunzel knelt before Anna and held her hands close. She made sure the gesture had Anna looking her in the eyes before she spoke. "I want you to hear what I say now more than ever. Anna Dellian, you are not broken and you do not need fixing. You need healing. There's a difference. And you will heal, you just need-"
"Time," Anna mumbled. "I know. But isn't there anything we can do now?"
Rapunzel smiled softly and said, "Forgive."
The Padawan's brows furrowed. "If you think for an instant that I'm going to make peace with the Sith who-" Rapunzel patiently waited for Anna to finish until she realized she was interrupting. "Sorry."
"It's alright," Rapunzel said. "I forgive you. And you should to." The Padawan seemed confused as the knight continued. "Anna, it's time to forgive yourself."
"What did I do?" Anna asked.
"Everything you could," Rapunzel affirmed. "And you need to accept that. You need to forgive yourself for carrying the guilt of not doing more. Forgive yourself for doing what you had to in order to survive. Forgive your master and the Order for not reaching you sooner." Rapunzel gave Anna's hands a gentle squeeze. "And forgive your sister for doing everything she could to try and make things right."
Anna huffed. "That's a lot you're giving me right there," she admitted.
"But they're all things you've been holding on to," Rapunzel said. "The past will always be there, just as the future shall. But neither is a place, Anna. We only reside in the present and can only move forward when we start to let go. Tell me, Anna. What's something you're grateful for in the present? Right here and now."
"My master," Anna answered and started to smile. Rapunzel raised a brow until she continued. "Today's the day he finally gets to visit me, isn't it? It's been so long."
Rapunzel simpered. "Yes, Master Mattias will be stopping by during the day...but you're looking into the future. Remember, Anna, focus on your present moment. Stay grounded. Find something here that you're grateful for."
Anna yawned and tried to ignore what dreadful hour of the night she'd awakened at. Instead, she peered out at towards their window and opened the shades. "This view," she said and gestured to Coruscant's undying nightlife.
The endless flicker of skylane traffic and skyscraper lights was dazzling to the Jedi. "It is magnificent," Rapunzel complimented. "Can you imagine how many citizens...how many stories are unfolding across this world even as we speak?"
"Yeah," was all Anna could utter as she stared off into the cityscape.
Rapunzel looked to her and started to sense something. "Someone on your mind?" she asked and Anna blushed.
"What? No. Why would you even think that?" Rapunzel glared at her and Anna sulked. "Right...Jedi." Anna bit her lip and ultimately continued. "Just a friend."
"Someone from your travels?" Rapunzel asked.
"You could say that," Anna replied. As she observed the vibrant skyline, she thought about Hans Westgard. She had been far more numbed to interaction upon first returning to Coruscant, but still recalled seeing him. She remembered how he said he'd visit whenever he could, yet had made no effort to do so. Anna shouldn't have been surprised. After all, he was also nowhere to be seen when she had returned from halkavirus recovery. Still, she wondered where Hans was amidst the millions of Coruscant's inhabitants. She'd heard about his promotion to one of Coruscant's districts and told herself that if he wasn't busy, he'd surely come see her. The beginning of Anna's dream had her longing for those same physical interactions. She contemplated what it would be like to share a kiss during much less desperate times. A daunting thought dawned over Anna and she gulped. What if he didn't mean any of it? she considered. What if he only kissed me because he thought we were going to die on Scarif? I need to get a grip. Of course Hans cares about me. It's like that holodrama "Celeste." The special someone is always off doing something daring.
Kristoff Bjorg steadied his delivery ship over a colossal ventilation shaft. A vast assortment of ships poured in and out of the underworld portal. "Hey buddy," he told Sven. "Tilt the holomap guidance systems this way, will ya?" Sven obliged and Kristoff read over the information.
UNDERWORLD LEVEL: 1313
CLIENT: MARTEZ
"Looks like this is our stop then," Kristoff sighed and descended into the portal. He eased alongside the rest of the air traffic and remained awestruck. "Just when I thought there were already a bazillion people on the surface," he muttered. "Looks like there's a zillion more down here." Sven's fuzzy jaw dropped as he wondered just how deep the portal went. "Maybe we'll pop out on the opposite side of the planet," Kristoff joked. He snorted when the Cevrian shot him a glare. "Lighten up, Sven. This is all part of the adventure. We're living the Republic dream. Where no person is too poor or too broken to become successful. We've got a nice job, a nice ship, and we're descending into...a questionable town. How bad could 1313 be?"
The ship's monitor beeped as they reached exactly one thousand three hundred and thirteen levels below Coruscant's surface. Sven groaned nervously while Kristoff glided over the darkened alleyways. The only light sources were those of passing ships...that is if their lights were working. Haggard and scraggly pedestrians hobbled across the street while others watched from the shadows. A group of grimy-faced children huddled around a malfunctioned droid. They held out their shivering hands to collect warmth from the sizzling blaster hole in its head. Their actions were short-lived as a scavenging elder shoved through all of them and ripped the droid's head off. The kids wailed around her while she clawed out vital components to sell for credits.
"Sven," Kristoff worried while flying by. "What is this place?" The Cevrian shrugged as they continued to observe the disarray. Smashed power conduits and fungal spreading were the least of anyone's concerns. As they hovered over a corner, they saw a Weequay throw another out of his three story apartment. "Shouldn't there be police or something?" Kristoff uttered.
Down the street, a grungy...lightly-armored police officer cornered a Rodian. "What's in the bag?" she asked.
"I told you," the Rodian cowered and stared into her faceless, mechanical covering. "Just some food for my family."
"Then show it to me."
"But the cranker roots will spoil if I remove them from their container." The Rodian took a step away from where she was boxing him in. "They-"
The officer kneed him in the chest and the food capsule toppled over. "All units," she called in. "This is Officer Souz. I've got another bug in 1313 resisting arrest. Need backup."
This is still the Republic, right? Kristoff had to convince himself. While the memories were a blur, he still recalled how harshly Aren's authorities treated their citizens. The guidance systems chimed and Kristoff landed beside a complex built into the portal wall. A man stepped out and Kristoff was admittedly cautious after all he'd seen. The stranger waved to him and opened the hatch to his storage unit.
Kristoff and Sven disembarked to meet their client face to face. He was a broad-shouldered, corpulent man with bright brown eyes. His bushy mustache rose with his welcoming grin. "You must be my ice boys," he jested and offered a hand. "Theo Martez."
"I'm Kristoff and this is my partner, Sven. We can start unloading your dry ice right away."
"Not alone you won't," Theo assured. "You boys brought it all the way down from the surface. The least we can do is help unload. Pull your ship into the garage and my family will be ready."
Kristoff smiled as he found himself embracing the humble, Republic hospitality he was promised. Upon landing in their garage, he and Sven glimpsed a trio of women emerging from beside Theo. "Alright, Rubi!" he called.
An energetic, vivacious woman activated a hoverlift and pried open the ship's cargo hold. "Got it!" she cheered. "Girls, it's all you." From the moment she gave the order, two siblings scurried towards Kristoff's ship. While a curly-haired and spritely teen rushed to get ahead, her wavy-haired sister huffed and trudged behind.
"Rafa?" Theo worried about his slouching daughter. "What's the matter?"
"Trace is acting like the ship's gonna disappear if she doesn't get to it in five seconds," Rafa grumbled.
"Your little sister's just excited," Rubi insisted. "It's not every day that we get to see a supplier from the surface."
Trace's eyes lit up with curiosity as she examined the dry ice crates. Her heart sank when Sven emerged and loomed over her. "Woah," she gasped. "What are you?"
"Trace!" Rafa scolded. "You can't just ask someone what they are like that!" The teen examined Sven for herself and leaned in. "Okay but seriously, what are you?"
"It's alright," Kristoff chuckled and put an arm around Sven. "He's a Cevrian. They're only found on Aren."
"So you're not originally from here?" Rubi inquired while hauling one of the crates. "It's always nice to meet outsiders."
Theo noticed Trace struggling and helped her lift. "We've lived in the underworld all of our lives," he admitted.
"I can't imagine why anyone would want to trade anything out there for what's over here," Rafa scoffed.
"Rafa," Rubi intoned. "You don't know someone else's struggle."
"But I know ours!" Rafa contested and set a crate down. "If we had enough money, there'd be no need to stay in this place. This ice business won't cut it. I'll work another job."
"There are no others right now," her mother said and waved a finger. "And I will not have you falling in with those gangsters."
The garage's silence became awkwardly heavy until Trace spoke up. "Okay but, I call dibs on flying us out of here when we raise enough money."
"Please," Rafa snickered. "You? A pilot? When have you ever flown something?"
"I flew a Republic starfighter!" Trace's tone diminished and she brought her voice down to a series of mutters. "In...a dream once," she confessed and fidgeted with her curls.
Theo simpered and placed an arm around his children. "Well maybe one day, we can all get what we want."
Kristoff flashed a bewildered look while he finished unloading supplies. Rubi caught on and asked, "Are you alright?"
"Just a little concerned, I suppose," he admitted. "Sven and I had a family back on Aren who gave everything for us to have a better life. I didn't expect to find people doing the same here in the Republic. After the Jedi rescued us from-"
"The Jedi?" Trace and Rafa blurted simultaneously. Their eyes lit up and they shoved past their father.
"Oh boy," he chuckled. "Now you got them going."
"You've seen a Jedi?" Trace asked.
"What were they like?" Rafa queried.
"Well," Kristoff began. "She was-"
Rafa and Trace gasped in unison. "She?" they eagerly mouthed to each other and listened on.
"She was brilliant," Kristoff answered. "One of the bravest, most cunning warriors I had ever seen."
"Did she have a lightsaber?" Trace asked and was immediately nudged by Rafa.
"Of course she had a lightsaber," Rafa intoned. "All Jedi do...right?"
Kristoff nodded. "Sven and I owe her our lives. We wouldn't be in the Republic if it wasn't for her."
"Where is she now?" Rafa inquired.
"I'm not sure," Kristoff replied. "But I do hope that I'll get to see her again."
"A Jedi," Trace marveled. "Maybe we'll get to meet a Jedi someday and they'll help us too." Trace's brows furrowed as a daring concept crossed her mind. "Or what if I'm a Jedi and I just don't know it yet?" She pretended to wield a lightsaber while Rafa facepalmed.
Theo pat Kristoff's back and sighed. "Thank you," he said. "Not just for the delivery, but for keeping hope alive. The kids need those kinds of stories. I mean, the Jedi are heroes to so many. I don't think they realize how far their influence goes." The ship's engines revved up and Theo huffed. "Looks like that's your cue."
"I'm coming, Sven!" Kristoff hollered. "Just give me a second! It's been a pleasure, Mr. Martez. Your family is wonderful."
"Uhm, Sven is the Cevrian right?" Rubi asked and Kristoff nervously nodded. "He's right here." Kristoff turned to see Sven looking just as puzzled beside her.
"But if Sven's with us-" Kristoff realized. "Then who's flying our-" As the delivery craft turned, a Rodian's face appeared in the pilot's seat. He mockingly saluted the group before flying away. "Hey!" Kristoff yelled haplessly and ran into the street.
"Whaddaya know," Rafa murmured. "The ship did end up disappearing."
"A thief!" Theo identified. "How'd they get in?"
Rubi examined one of the malfunctioning doors to their garage and pried out a hacking spike. "Gangsters," she hissed.
"We've got to get it back," Kristoff panted while pacing back and forth. "If we don't, we'll be fired. And then-" A sudden jingle caught Kristoff's attention as Theo held up an access key.
"Take my airspeeder," he said.
"We couldn't," Kristoff replied.
"Every moment you waste is a moment you could be spending in pursuit," Theo asserted. His hearty demeanor vanished as he forced the key forward. "Take it!"
Kristoff sighed and accepted his offer. "Thank you," he said and rushed off with Sven.
"Theo," Rubi gasped. "You're just giving him the family speeder? Have you lost your mind?"
"We must help anyone we can," Theo insisted while his daughters observed his gesture. "They could lose everything."
"And what about us?" Rubi asserted. "What about what your family could lose?" Theo looked to her, Trace, and Rafa' nervous expressions as he contemplated his decision.
Sven buckled in and Kristoff powered up the Martez's airspeeder. "Here we go!" he exclaimed and powered the thrusters. The rusted, yet agile craft surged forward. He noticed his stolen delivery craft's wing dip around a building and banked towards it.
The Rodian at its controls took a moment to lounge about and activated his comlink. "It's Patoni," he said. "Scored a big one this time."
"Excellent," a voice responded. "We'll see you back home." The roar of a pursuing engine had Patoni gasping. "What was that?"
"Ummm nothing!" the Rodian snarled and angrily hung up. He peered through the rearview mirror and spotted his pursuer. "Don't know when to quit, do you? Then let's go for a ride!" Patoni made a sharp turn back to the main portal.
Kristoff shifted gears and spun after him. As he accelerated, he heard an unwanted voice lurk into his mind. "Always monitor yer speed, boy. Yer a dead man if ya can't manage those thrusters." Captain Barbossa might have been a horrid man, but he'd still taught Kristoff everything about flying. He dove after Patoni as Sven mooed in Cevrian.
"I don't know how we'll get aboard," Kristoff answered. "I'm still working on that part. Let's just catch him first." Sven grunted in response. "Oh I'm sorry. Do you want to fly?"
"Still there?" Patoni grumbled. "Okay, flyboy. Try this on for size." He piloted the freighter out of 1313 and up through the portal. To make matters worse, he flew against the flow of traffic.
Kristoff accepted the Rodian's challenge and darted after him. Sven shut his eyes and death-gripped his seat while Kristoff weaved between ships. The Martez's airspeeder started to list and its engines sputtered. "No no!" Kristoff fretted. "Stay with me!" he pleaded with the craft and balanced its energy levels. Patoni made the mistake of peering back and accidentally scraped another freighter. "That damage is not coming out of our paycheck!" Kristoff griped. He sent the speeder rocketing out of the portal only to see Patoni descending into another. "He's trying to fake us out."
Sirens rang out as police cruisers flanked their craft. "Coruscant Police!" an officer announced. "Stop the vehicle now!"
"Oh no," Kristoff realized. "They think we're criminals too." He activated the speeder's faulty transmitter and attempted to speak on an open frequency. "We're delivery boys!" he explained. "Our ship's been hijacked and-"
"Stop or we will open fire!" another officer declared.
Kristoff thought back to what he'd seen happen to the Rodian carrying food. He couldn't let a similar fate befall him and Sven. The Cevrian asked what his plan was and Kristoff sighed. "We came here to escape tyranny and injustice," he said. "I'm not about to exchange them for other forms. I'm gonna lose these officers and get our ship back."
Sven braced as Kristoff took a wild turn. He spun the ship rightward and glided into a narrow alleyway. The police cruisers were forced to fly single file in order to keep up their pursuit. Taking them into such a packed passageway also prevented the officers from shooting out of their windows. Sven's eyes widened at the sight of durasteel wall up ahead. He groaned in alarm, yet Kristoff sped up. "I see it! I see it!" Kristoff assured. Unable to see the path ahead, the police cruisers also accelerated. "Steady," Kristoff murmured. Sven closed his eyes as it appeared they would certainly crash. "Now!" Kristoff cut power to the thrusters and let the speeder decelerate to a hover. Its underside grazed the duracrete as the police ships zipped overhead.
"No!" The first officer yelled before his cruiser crashed head-on into the wall. The other ships crashed and formed a pile-up as Kristoff reversed beneath them. With his pursuers disabled, Kristoff reengaged his thrusters and flew over the wreckage. He was about to continue his chase when one of the officers emerged from her wrecked cruiser.
"Oh no you don't," Officer Souz said and fired her blaster. Her laser stuck one of the speeder's engines and had Kristoff clenching the controls.
"I can't hold it steady!" Kristoff grunted while trying to stabilize their flight pattern. The Coruscant underworld was a swirling, flashing blur in their viewport until Sven lunged for the dashboard. The Cevrian reached into the overhead panel and rewired the emergency boosters. While the speeder flew at a slanted and nauseating angle, at least they weren't crashing. "Quick thinking, buddy!" Kristoff complimented. As their speeder leveled out, he caught a glimpse of their delivery craft fleeing deeper into the underworld. "I don't think so, pal." Kristoff growled and accelerated. Barbossa's words returned as he closed in.
"Now remember, lad. When boarding an enemy vessel, it's best not to damage it too much. Ya never know just what kinds of valuables the wrong hit could cost you. If you can build momentum and cut speed at the last instant...gravity'll do the work for ya."
Kristoff didn't even have to reduce speed, for his vehicle had powered down on its own. He'd depleted all of its energy during the chase and would have to hope his maneuver was enough. The airspeeder propelled towards Patoni at an angle and rammed against its hull. Its pointed tip wedged into the delivery craft and had both spiraling out of control. "Hang on!" Kristoff shouted as their ship screeched across an abandoned warehouse. He caught his breath and gave Sven a shake. "You good?" The Cevrian nodded. "Then hop out! Hurry!"
Patoni emerged from his downed craft and coughed through his bruised snout. He glared at Kristoff and Sven with his one good eye before withdrawing a blaster pistol. "Gun!" Kristoff warned and they leapt for cover.
A laser grazed the top of the wreckage. "Poodoo!" Patoni cursed at his awful aim. While one of his eyes remained luminous and focused, the other appeared permanently closed. Kristoff caught his breath and glanced over at Sven. He was going to order him, but the Cevrian already had a plan of his own. It was a flanking maneuver they'd utilized many a time on Aren soldiers.
Kristoff rose from cover and flailed his arms. "Hey!" he bellowed to draw the Rodian's fire. Patoni's suction-cupped digit twitched against the trigger as every laser missed. "Ittu!" he cursed in his language and tried again. When he did so, he noticed an antlered shadow creeping over his arm. Patoni spun with a gasp as a hoofed hand swatted his blaster away. Sven shoved the Rodian into Kristoff, who grabbed him by his collar.
"Gotcha," Kristoff growled.
"Easy, hoo-mie!" Patoni pleaded.
"Easy? You tried to shoot us!" Kristoff yelled and pinned him against the craft. Damn it, Kristoff, he told himself. Your pirate is showing.
He loosened his grip until he noticed a scarlet dot swaying on his hand. Kristoff's brows furrowed as the dot traveled up his arm, across his chest, and settled on his forehead. "Hands off the Rodian, human," a voice demanded from the shadows. Hers was as strident as it was commanding. Kristoff looked to Sven and realized he also had a laser sight trained on him.
"Don't shoot," Kristoff implored and raised his hands. "We were just taking back what was ours."
A purple-skinned, Twi'lek woman emerged with a set of twin blasters drawn. She kept her laser sights focused on Kristoff and Sven while other gangsters formed up behind her. "Vivi!" Patoni rejoiced and scurried to her. "Thank you. Thank you for-"
"Shut your snout," the Twi'lek said without lowering her weapons. "You're lucky I don't blast you for your incompetence. What good is a one-eyed delivery boy if he can't even deliver?"
"Vivs...Vivs...Vivs," a hoarse voice sounded. A pair of blue-skinned hands lowered her weapons as another Twi'lek emerged. "The whole point of the Outcasts is that we're just that...outcasts."
Vivi scowled. "Crujik," she insisted. "Patoni's screwed us over more times than I can count."
"None of us are free from failure," Crujik croaked.
After noticing the amount of heavily armed gangsters standing before him, Kristoff decided to speak up. "Well, if that's all you needed from us...we're gonna get going." Sven eagerly nodded in agreement as they inched towards their delivery craft. "It's late and we'll just be taking this back to-"
"Mediocrity," Crujik finished and Kristoff gulped. "Perhaps even less."
"I don't follow," Kristoff replied as the Twi'lek approached him.
"Everyone, put your guns away." Crujik ordered. "I know an enemy when I see one. These boys are just getting by."
"You don't know a thing about me," Kristoff defended.
"No?" Crujik teased and examined the logo on their craft. "Nev's Trading Company? It's worse than I thought. Godos! Did you not work for Nev's?"
Crujik's beckoning was answered by a scraggly Quarren. "Yeah, I served my time in that hellhole."
"Look," Kristoff said. "I'm sorry you've all loss sight of the Republic dream but Sven and I-"
Vivi cackled. "That's why he's over at Nev's. They set these poor saps up! Where do they have you living, kid?"
"I'm not going to tell you that," Kristoff retorted.
"He don't have to," Godos snarked. "Ain't no apartment nor housing unit that a person with a wage from Nev's can live in. Good luck paying almost a thousand in rent when you're getting paid five credits an hour."
Crujik sighed at Kristoff's confusion. "I've seen that look too many times before. We get it, kid. All of us came to Coruscant seeking the opportunity we were promised. But there's a system that was imprinted long before we got here and will remain long after. One that builds up your hopes and dreams only to crush them into pieces. They keep you motivated with a couple of success stories and tell you 'anyone can do it' but look." Crujik gestured to his crew. "What about all of us? Why couldn't we do it? We worked just as hard as those in the upper city. We didn't ask to be foreclosed and abandoned by those who took us in. The Coruscant underworld wasn't our first choice, but this is what we must do to survive."
"Steal?" Kristoff remarked. "No thank you. I already lived that life. I've also already been coaxed by some wily smooth talker. The Jedi got me out of those ways so I could stay out."
"The Jedi?" Crujik shook his head. "What if I told you a Jedi is the reason my voice is so ravaged?" Crujik remorsefully rubbed his neck as he recalled being Force-choked. "Not all of them are the saints they're made out to be. One of them kidnapped my Vivi and then tortured me for information to suit his own plans. I still have nightmares to this day." Kristoff remained skeptical as Crujik pulled Patoni over. "The point is, no group is all inherently good or evil. You'll have to forgive my Rodian friend here. He's been trying to get back on his feet ever since his partner was killed trying to smuggle refugees offworld. That's where his eye was-"
"I get it," Kristoff intoned. "You've all suffered and I'm sorry. But so have we."
"Then join up with us, kid." Vivi suggested. "The Outcasts watch each other's backs. We don't always get things right, but at least we'll appreciate you. More than those uptight frauds will on the surface."
"I'll admit," Patoni muttered. "He's got some flight skill to him. Was able to chase me down and lose the cops."
Crujik's eyes lit up with intrigue while he stroked one of his lekku. "Most impressive," he uttered and put an arm around Kristoff. "You know, I might have just the job for you if you're interested. It would pay quite...handsomely."
Kristoff tried not to let their negative inputs on the Repulic get to him and stuck by Sven. "Thanks, but no thanks," he answered and wriggled out of Crujik's grasp. "I really am sorry for all that's happened to you all." He and Sven made for the delivery craft. "But we have a job at Nev's Trading Company and I intend to see it through."
"You're fired," the Xexto supervisor said. His eyes didn't even bother leaving his datapad.
"What?" Kristoff snapped.
"Fired," the Xexto reiterated. "You know...Lost your job. Discharged. Got the boot. What do you want, confetti?"
"We want an explanation!" Kristoff demanded with Sven at his side.
The Xexto exaggerated his sigh and set the datapad down. "Fine. You are beyond late and when you did return, the craft looks like it went through a warzone!"
"It was stolen!" Kristoff refuted. "I had to get it back!"
"You were in the underworld. That's part of the hazard, genius. Not my problem. Yours. It's not my fault you weren't competent enough to keep it from getting hijacked."
Sven snarled and Kristoff had to hold him back. "Look," Kristoff said. "Can we at least get paid for the hours we worked?"
"How about this for your compensation?" the Xexto snarked. "I won't call the police for you and that thing's outburst in my office." The Xexto's irksome, lipless grin made his oblong head all the more punchable.
With nostrils flared and shaking fists, Kristoff departed with Sven. The return to their apartment was dreary and daunting. Each step seemed heavier than the last while the weight of their world came crashing down on them. As they returned to their apartment floor, Kristoff noticed that one of the doors on their floor had its access panel sliced. It further concerned him about just how 'dignified' the Jrade District really was. He and Sven rounded the corner just as a young Togruta passed by with a unique, older species.
"Master," the Togruta said. "We've got to hurry."
"Patience, young one," the elder replied. "You worry that if people die at the hands of your lightsaber, that you will be as guilty for their death as the one that strikes the blow."
Lightsaber? Kristoff thought. Were those Jedi?
He and Sven reached their no longer humble abode. Kristoff sighed and accessed a flickering wall panel for statistics. He had to reboot it twice when it wouldn't properly display the rent due at the end of the month.
"A thousand credits?" Kristoff flinched. "I thought they said this place was cheap?" Sven mooed and Kristoff sighed. "And luxurious apparently. But where are we gonna get that kind of money?" Kristoff sulked and felt something shift in his coat pocket. He raised a brow and cautiously investigated to find a compact comlink. He thought back to how Crujik had his arm around him and gasped. "That sneak."
Sven watched with bated breath as Kristoff dared to activate the comlink. "Let me guess," Crujik's husky voice answered. "They fired you."
"How'd you-"
"Because the Republic doesn't really believe in second chances. But the Outcasts do. So you're considering my offer then?"
Kristoff nervously gritted his teeth. "What do we need to do?"
Crujik's chuckle had Kristoff and Sven leaning in. "Your aerial endeavors caught our attention, kid. Those talents shouldn't be wasted as a delivery boy. How's about we put them to the test on the Underworld Racing Circuit? You can rack up some serious credits."
"Is it...legal?" Kristoff inquired.
"Of course," Crujik assured. "As long you don't get caught."
Far away in the Outer Rim Territories, darkness still encompassed the jungle world of Felucia. Its bioluminescent foliage never seemed to rest along with the countless, cacophonous creatures skittering within. At the Republic base, clone Sergeant Blazer was the early riser he'd always been. He slid out of his bed and observed Lieutenant Sparx on the top bunk. He noted the trooper's clean-shaven face and neatly trimmed hair. Had it not been for their personalities, he could literally switch bunks with him and no one could tell them apart. Blazer let Sparx keep sleeping along with his countless other brothers. They wouldn't need to be up for another hour anyway. After the harrowing toll Felucia was taking on everyone, Blazer knew the men needed as much rest as they could get.
He stretched out his tender muscles, cracked his neck, and equipped his armor before heading out. He stepped out into a corridor and immediately bumped into an orange-plated astromech. "Damn it, R3-T8." Blazer grunted. "Watch where you're going, will you?" The R3 unit chimed and frantically rolled away. "Dome-headed clanker," Blazer muttered.
"I don't suppose you're up to watch the sunrise, sergeant." Master Savil said from down the hall.
Blazer stood at attention, yet cautiously turned. "No, general. I'm typically one of the first to awaken."
"Would you care to join me?" she asked and stepped outside. Blazer followed her as they ascended to a watchtower. The morning had just begun and Felucia's humidity was already striking in nightmarish proportions. The sun snuck over the horizon and bathed the fungal plains in a warm, fiery glow. "Surk loved sunrises," she lamented.
"Surk, ma'am?" Blazer inquired.
"My Padawan. He was lost in the...cowardly Separatist attack on Scarif." She shook her head in remorse. "Who would've thought the Corellian Cup would've amounted to so much grief?"
Blazer sulked. "The Seppies sunk damn low to target kids like that." A realization dawned on him in regards to the Corellian Cup. "General Savil, if I may ask-" She looked to the sergeant with curiosity. "A Jedi I know was at that tournament. Do you know what became of Anna Dellian?"
Savil bit her lip. "She was very shaken up when they brought her back two weeks later. I don't know much else, but I can tell you that she's recovering." Blazer found a sliver of comfort in the Jedi's words as they continued to watch the sunrise.
On the opposite side of the base, a clone trooper maintained constant vigilance over the wall. As he and his brothers paced about, sweat trickled down from their helmets and into their undersuits. As the sun started to beat down on them, he prepared for a scorching morning. It was then that he noticed a distant flicker just below the fungal treeline. The clone halted his stride and withdrew a set of macrobinoculars. He zoomed towards the flicker and observed the shadowy silhouetted of a commando droid. A single, scarlet flash emerged from its rifle. The blast was delayed, given the sniper's distance, but no clone was prepared for the ensuing strike. A high-powered laser blasted through the trooper's binoculars and visor. The recoil of such a shot sent his body tumbling off the wall and had another trooper yelling, "Sniper!" That same trooper sounded an alarm before a distinct rumbling echoed from above. He slowly looked up to see heavy missiles and mortar fire raining from overhead.
"By the Force," Savil gasped. "It's a full-scale surprise attack. Blazer, rally the men!" She ignited her lightsaber and vaulted over the watchtower's balcony. "I'll hold the wall!"
"I'm on it!" Blazer replied and raced back down. Explosives thundered overhead as droid forces advanced on the base. Blazer set his comlink to transmit over the intercom and let his voice boom. "All troopers! Battle stations! This is not a drill!"
Throughout the base, clones were leaping out bed and slipping into their armor. An entire dormitory was prepping for battle when a mortar shell struck it. Lieutenant Sparx emerged from one of the burning facilities and gathered what men he could. "This way, brothers!" he ordered.
Many of the clones had rushed out with only portions of their armor on. Their helmetless, groggy faces became wild-eyed in the heat of battle. Separatist artillery blasted through the main wall and a battalion of B1 droids marched in. They funneled through the opening like a swarm of ants and unleashed a spray of red lasers. While several clones were gunned down in the initial firing, those in cover unleashed their own laser volley. Blue plasma zipped across the scorched base as droids and clones fell beside each other.
Savil's lightsaber glowed amidst the rising smoke and she leapt from the wall. "Show no fear!" she yelled to her troops and charged into the B1's. Her saber cut them down in scores while Blazer leapt from the opposite end. His precise pistol shots sent B1 heads swiveling to the floor. He and Savil held the forward position while the rest of the clones blasted any droids who slipped through.
"Keep up the fire!" Blazer ordered. "We'll push'em back!" A B1 dared to come too close and he kicked out its legs.
Savil bisected a B1 and Force-pushed both pieces into others. "Second wave, incoming!" she warned. "Super battle droids!"
"I hate these guys," Blazer groaned.
"Leave them to me," Savil assured. "Reinforce the others."
"But, general-"
"That's an order, sergeant!" Savil charged onward and deflected the incoming lasers.
Sparx was holding the line just fine until a second section of the wall exploded. "No!" he exclaimed. "Sarge! They're flanking!" The Separatists weren't only flanking. They were doing so with their elite units. Ominous rolling sounded from within the smoke. Bronzium-plated droids emerged and sprawled out into tripodal stances. The insectoid-looking droids generated personal shields before firing their twin laser cannons.
"Destroyers!" a clone warned before taking two blasts across the chest.
The destroyers unleashed a devastating barrage while the clones' laserfire bounced off their shields. "Bring up the droid poppers!" Blazer ordered and dove for cover alongside Sparx.
"I don't know if we have any, Sarge." Sparx lamented. "The munitions depot was bombed."
Blazer peered out across the wounded and exhausted clones. "Is this who's left?" he asked.
"Only who's accounted for," Sparx grieved. They hopelessly shot at the destroyers until a heap of flaming debris buried the droids. The clones looked up to see Savil furiously hurling chunks of wreckage with the Force. Her robes were ashy and tattered while her hair was disheveled.
"Fall back to the command center!" she shouted.
"It's been destroyed!" Sparx told her. "We've got another wave of droids incoming. What are your orders, general?"
Savil observed her decimated forces and understood how cornered they were. From her position, she could see the overwhelming amount of battle droids still marching towards their position. "We hold," she said. "We hold as long as we can. Blazer, they give us hell...you throw it right back."
"With pleasure, general," Blazer said and spun his pistol.
Savil turned to her lieutenant. "Sparx, find R3-T8. We need him to get a signal out. The rest of you, rally to me!"
Back on Coruscant, Master Destin Mattias was hard at work on a project. The lights in his private quarters were dimmed as he leaned over his desk. His tired hands grabbed a welding tool and efficiently went to work. Sparks flickered against smooth metal and illuminated his sweaty brows. A rising yawn reminded the old Jedi of how long he'd stayed awake. He reclined in his seat and observed the handiwork on his desk. His tired eyes fluttered shut and his hands ached from his labors. Just when exhaustion was getting the best of him, he withdrew a holoprojector from his desk. He activated its holo-image and observed a much younger version of himself. Mattias appeared so bold and robust in the image while his Padawan was ever so curious. Anna was only a youngling when the image was captured and could be seen with her arms proudly crossed. She was so daring...so ready to take on the world. The picture reinvigorated Mattias' spirits and brought a smile to his face. He left it on and continued to fervently work on his project. His tools were so loud that he almost missed hearing his holocom chime.
Thinking quickly, Mattias shut off his tools and the image. He leaned forward and answered the call to see a familiar face. "Master Yoda?" Mattias asked. "What's going on?"
"Master Mattias," Yoda said. "An assignment, the council has for you. Urgent the matter is."
"I'm on my way," Mattias assured and rushed for the council chambers. Dozens of scenarios crossed his mind during the long trip over. When he finally reached the tower, only Masters Yoda, Windu, and Gallia were present. "Masters," he greeted and his eyes widened at a hologram. "Wait, is that...Master Savil?"
Yoda nodded while Mace played the transmission. Mattias watched as Savil's image ferociously batted away incoming lasers. "This is Master Savil! My forces and I are extremely outnumbered on Felucia. We need to evacuate and are cut off! I repeat, we need to evacuate!"
"General!" a clone shouted from out of frame. "More incoming!" Savil spun to assist and the transmission ended.
"I knew she shouldn't have gone," Mattias muttered and tried to quell his racing heart. "We have to help her!"
"And help the Order shall," Yoda replied. "Lead a team, you will. Go to Felucia and rescue the survivors you must."
Anna awakened to the fresh aroma of a delicious breakfast. Rapunzel had just finished setting up the tray and pouring her juice. "What's all this?" the Padawan muttered.
"What's all what?" Rapunzel giggled. "I can't treat my friend to breakfast in bed?"
"But I'm not just a friend," Anna intoned. "I'm your patient. Plus I figure I'll probably eat with Mattias when he visits."
Rapunzel's grin twitched as she diced up fruit. "Meiloorun slice?"
Anna crossed her arms and let her glare speak volumes. "Rapunzel," she asserted. "What are you sugarcoating?"
The knight sighed and sulked back into her seat. "Anna, Master Mattias left me a message. He can't make it." Anna's jaw dropped as Rapunzel reluctantly continued. "I know, but the council called him on a mission. I'm so terribly sorry, Anna."
The Padawan took a deep breath and collapsed against her pillow. "It's fine," she said not actually meaning it in the slightest. "I was just...really looking forward to seeing him again."
"And you will see him," Rapunzel assured. "It'll just take-"
"I swear if you say time," Anna grumbled and instantly regretted her tone. "I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated."
"And understandably so," Rapunzel replied. "Why don't we try painting again and-" Her comlink chimed and she quickly answered.
"Padawan," Master Gothel called. "I need your assistance in the Archives. You were always the better scholar."
"First of all, I'm a knight." Rapunzel corrected. "And secondly, can't you get a librarian to help you?"
"Oh nonsense," Gothel scoffed. "These buffoons don't know a thing about fashion. Just get over here and help your master out."
"Fashion?" Rapunzel groaned as the call ended. "What is she up to now?"
"You should go," Anna insisted.
"But you're my patient," Rapunzel asserted. "I should be-"
"I can take care of myself for a day," Anna jested. "A little painting here, meditating there."
"I thought you couldn't meditate."
"I'll figure it out," Anna affirmed. "Go see what that master of yours wants."
Rapunzel rolled her eyes. "Okay, but I'll be back as soon as I can."
Anna's smile vanished the moment Rapunzel departed. "No guarantees I'll be here though," she mumbled to herself. She sprung from her bed and relished in the bright day before her. For Anna, Master Mattias rushing into action was a wake up call. It was a reminder of what she couldn't let herself become. She used to tell herself she'd never be a Padawan like Tori Vica, waiting around the temple while the rest of her peers all seemed to move on. Anna saw her moment of isolation as an opportunity to take matters into her own hands.
She cautiously crept out from her room and left the Circle of Jedi Healers. She made her way out into the halls and felt short of breath for a moment. She hadn't left tranquility since her incident in the briefing room and every hall seemed grandiose. Come on, Anna, she told herself. You got this. With a deep breath, she took her first step back into the larger world. The sound of her boots on the temple carpeting took her back to years growing up within its walls. There was a hint of danger to getting in trouble with Rapunzel that honestly thrilled Anna. But where to go? she asked herself. The gardens would be a start. Maybe get some fresh air. She was about to head off when a temple guard stopped her.
"You there," the Nikto called. A lipless glower formed across his leathery, orange-skinned faced. "Padawan, where is your lightsaber? It should be worn at all times."
Anna gulped as a dozen responses flooded her mind. She chose the wittiest and countered with, "Where's your mask? It should be worn at all times."
The guard's eyes narrowed on her and he withdrew a ceremonial mask. The white plate slid over his visage, yet its golden highlights were molded to fit his facial spikes. "I just started my patrol," he defended while other Sentinels exited the chamber behind him. "What's your excuse, girl?"
"I-" Anna stuttered. "Well you see-" When Anna looked at the temple guard's robes and mask, she was reminded of the one who gave her life defending her. She could still here her desperate screams as Ventress dealt the killing blow to-
"See what?" the Nikto asserted. "Speak up. Where's your master?"
Anna tensed up, yet responded. "He's in the cafeteria! In fact, he has my lightsaber and I was just on my way to-"
"Udo!" a familiar voice scolded. "Who the hell are you harassing now-" Hans stepped into view and froze at Anna's sight. She seemed both surprised and angered to see him.
"Her lightsaber's missing," Udo said. "Which is an infraction upon-"
"Yeah yeah," Hans put an arm around Udo. "You know, while you're questioning this poor Padawan on a missing lightsaber...I see two younglings getting veryadventurous with those balconies across the way."
"Oh great," Udo groaned and stormed after the climbing children. "Both of you get down this instant!"
"Well that was a close one," Hans chuckled. "Udo Klee can be a pain in the backside but-" Hans' witty demeanor crumbled when he noticed Anna's glare. "What?"
"What was it you said to me?" Anna recalled. "You just get all the rest you need and I'll be back 'every damn day' to visit?"
"That might of been a bit of an exaggeration," Hans winced and ushered her into a corner away from prying eyes.
"You think? Hans, you haven't even come to visit once! Not even to ask how I am or-"
"Well I haven't had the chance to ask with you scolding me from the start," Hans fired back. Anna silenced and the knight huffed. "Look, I think we started on the wrong foot. It's nice to see you up and talking."
"It's nice to see you caring," Anna countered and Hans' eye twitched.
Hans brought his voice down to a sharp and aggressive whisper. "I knew you were going to get better in time. It's you. Forgive me for not showering you with affection because of-" Hans gestured to the temple around them. "-you know."
Anna frowned and slid back against the nearest wall. "I just thought I'd see you more. I'm not better Hans. It's not like I have a virus and I just take a vaccine for it." Anna rubbed her temples and brought her hands together. "The wounds go deeper this time."
"I'm sorry I couldn't come to see you," Hans said. "The truth is, I've been busy." Anna shot him a glare until he continued. "Seriously! I've been trying to solve a possible murder...but my trail is going cold. This Bobak guy has-"
Anna's eyes lit up. "Wait...Herv Bobak? The Togruta superstar? He guest-starred on so many episodes of Celeste, he might as well have been in the main cast!" Her enthusiasm over holodramas faded as she came to the bitter realization. "He's been...murdered?"
Hans nodded. "We think someone forced him out of a skylane to make it look like an accident."
"Any witnesses?"
"Skylane traffic feed was conveniently 'glitching' during the accident and I lost the only witness to Bobak's final moments. I've been combing the streets for him since." An idea dawned upon Hans as he grinned. "Say, why don't you help me look for him? You can help look into 'Holodrama Hero's' death by finding this witness!" Anna considered his offer while Hans leaned closer. His whisper in her ear was both enticing and alluring. "It might make you feel better," he teased. "You and I...away from it all...searching for clues...together."
"Rapunzel might-"
"Rapunzel?" Hans blurted. "That Jedi Healer is overseeing your recovery? Trust me when I tell you this, that calm-headed blonde is a people-pleasing pushover. We've known each other since we were younglings. Our masters used to be friends and she always bended to what they wanted. If she gives us any trouble, I'll deal with it. Come on and live a little. You deserve it after everything you went through. We need to get you out and moving. Recovery, but the Westgard style."
"Hans," Anna intoned as he ushered her down a corridor. "We have to consider triggers. Rapunzel warned me about-"
"Wow, she's really got you wrapped around her finger, doesn't she?" Hans said as he and Anna entered an elevator. He let the doors seal them in alone and pressed a button for the hangar. He leaned towards Anna within the dimly-lit elevator. She shut her eyes as her lips met Hans'. Their second kiss became more tender and they couldn't keep their arms off of each other. Her hands dug through his auburn locks as his head dipped towards her neck. She gasped at the sensation of his warm breath and longed to kiss him again. She slid her head to fill such a pulsing desire until the elevator dinged. With widened eyes and open palms, the Jedi practically Force-pushed each other apart. Another pair of Jedi entered and were perplexed to see the duo so sweaty.
"My my," the elder Jedi grumbled. "Has the air conditioning malfunctioned again?"
Hans was the first to speak while Anna fixed her hair. "We thought so," he lied and recognized the elder. "Master Sinube, if you'll excuse us."
Anna wiped the sweat from her brow and accidentally bumped shoulders with the other Jedi. "Ahsoka?" she realized.
"Anna," the Togruta greeted her with a nod and joined Sinube. She held up her lightsaber and smiled to the elder. "Good to have this back where it belongs."
The elevator doors closed as Anna sighed. She pat her empty utility belt and missed clasping her durasteel hilt. "That was too close," Hans jested and snapped her back into the moment. "How was that for a trigger?" His ill-timed jest had Anna sulking as she trailed after him.
"I don't know about doing this without a lightsaber," Anna admitted. "I was just going to explore the temple."
"You're just going to be exploring elsewhere," Hans reassured while summoning his speeder from a terminal. "We're looking for a witness in Coruscant in broad daylight and not fighting anyone. I've been searching for almost a week and I haven't ignited Steadfast once. Plus, traveling with me means you get all of this." He gestured to his smug expression as Anna stepped closer. An automated repulsorlift brought Hans' airspeeder over and he pat the passenger seat. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's find ourselves a witness." Anna took one last look at the temple before agreeing to follow Hans.
If the others can move on- she told herself. So can I.
The newly christened Deliverance departed from Coruscant after its brief resupply. The powerful Venator-class star destroyer glided past the rest of the Republic fleet and set course for its next mission. Admiral Taka stood boldly at its command bridge and relayed her next order. "Prepare to make the jump to lightspeed. The survivors on Felucia are counting on us!"
Commander Frost of the 213th watched Coruscant shrink in one of the viewports. He looked to his helmet and the snowflake running across its face. While he was confident with his decision to turn the unit into a search and rescue division, it didn't stop him from sighing.
"May the Force be with you all," Elsa said from behind. He turned to see her flickering hologram standing beside Yelena and Senator Veritaz.
"And with you, Padawan Dellian," Master Mattias replied to her transmission.
Elsa's blue-hued hologram faced Frost and smiled. "You're in good hands, Master Mattias," she said. "The 213th has the bravest clones I've ever seen."
Frost hid a stoic smile beneath his helmet and saluted her. "Wish you were joining us, Elsa. But your decision is respected. The Senate will be lucky to have you aboard."
"If the Force wills it, we'll meet again." Elsa replied with a bow.
She was about to end her transmission when Mattias interjected. "Elsa, if you could do me one favor. I understand that you've got your own plans, but would you mind visiting your sister in the Circle of Jedi Healers today? I was supposed to, but the council assigned me on this mission. It would really mean a lot to her and me."
"Of course," Elsa assured. "It'll be nice to see each other again. We didn't exactly end things on good terms."
Author's Note: Thank you for reading this week's installment of the "The Frozen Force"! Your support is greatly appreciated as we hit 40 chapters next week! I have an exciting question to ask you all. I plan to have promotional artwork/ covers for future installments. This is includes but is not limited to character designs, finale teasers, and season opener teasers! When I go through with this, I'd like to do so on a platform that is most accessible to everyone. The options I am considering are my Instagram, Deviantart, or Twitter. Maybe even a Tumblr for GoldenHeart Stories. Which would you prefer to access this artwork? I've set up a poll on my profile where you can vote! Your input is appreciated. This story means so much to me and it's a pleasure to deliver a new adventure to you every week. But what's happening next week for the big 40? I've got you covered...
Rapunzel from one side and Elsa from the other...but Anna is nowhere to be found. She's out with Hans on what should be a relaxed search for a child. But is it? Meanwhile, Mattias and the 213th race to Felucia to save Master Savil and her unit from an overwhelming droid attack! Tune in next Frozen Force Friday for some dramatic face-offs!
Fun fact: This chapter features an easter egg from the Clone Wars episode "Lightsaber Lost." If you're ever wondering where we are in the Star Wars chronology, you can look on Star for the show's timeline!
Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with You!
~Michael