Chapter 5
After three days of traveling, the Martyr had finally reached the Outer Rim. While Ronderu steered the ship, the rest of the Izvoshra kept themselves occupied via sparring and games. While they were engaged in a game of wild space sabacc, Asajj was seated on the floor next to Saga, teaching him about the Force. Saga repeated Asajj's lesson for the day while writing it all down on a notepad.
"So…the living force connects to us through the mini…"
"Midichlorians."
"Yeah, those things. And the living force is produced by the uh…cosmic force?"
Asajj nodded.
"And that's where Force wielders go when they pass on?"
"That's what the Jedi thought, at least."
"And because the Force connects all living things, you can reach out to Luna?"
"That's my hope."
Saga put down his notes.
"But if Luna can use the Force, then…does that mean I can too?"
Asajj shrugged.
"Only you know the answer to that."
Saga scratched his arm.
"How?"
Asajj motioned to herself with her hand.
"Try reaching out to me."
Saga thought to himself briefly and then nodded his head.
"Okay."
Closing his eyes and taking deep breaths, he tried focusing on Asajj. After a few seconds, he opened one of his eyes.
"I don't feel anything."
"Don't try to force it. Let the Force reach out on its own. Work with it instead of trying to use it."
Closing his eyes again, he grew still as he relaxed and focused on Asajj. Then, he heard her in his mind.
Nice work.
Surprised, Saga's eyes flew open as he gasped and fell on his back. His head hitting the floor, he rubbed the back of his head as he sat back up.
"I did it!"
Asajj smiled.
"You did it."
Saga looked down at his hands.
"I…have the Force."
He then looked back up at Asajj.
"So…can you reach out to me?"
"Only one way to find out."
Closing her eyes, Asajj focused and connected with Saga's mind again in only a few seconds.
Can you hear me?
Saga answered without moving his mouth.
Yeah.
Asajj and Saga locked eyes as they spoke telepathically.
You seem scared.
Saga shook his head.
It isn't you, it's just…I've never done this with anyone before.
I have.
Who?
Asajj took a second to answer.
My old partner. He was a Jedi. His name was Quinlan. We were close.
Where is he now?
Asajj looked down at the floor.
Gone. But…still around me. I feel him every day.
Through the Force?
Asajj looked back up at Saga.
Yes. In the Force, no one's ever really gone.
She could feel Saga's grief as his mind returned to Luna. She tried to comfort him.
Don't worry. We'll find them.
Saga nodded.
I hope so. They're all I have left.
No other family?
My partner left and my parents abandoned me when I came out. I've had to take care of Luna alone. I don't mind raising them by myself. But sometimes...
Saga sighed.
...I wish that I had someone else to share my time with, you know?
Asajj looked down at the floor.
I know how you feel. My family abandoned me years ago. Sold me off to be a slave. Then when I finally found them again, they were taken from me. And my mother left me to fend for myself. Then I found Quinlan…and he left too. I've spent a lot of my life thinking I would never be happy. That I would always be by myself.
Yeah. It sucks being alone. But...
Saga smiled as he spoke with his mouth.
"...it's good to know I'm not the only one."
Asajj hesitated for a second and then smiled in return.
"Yeah. I guess that is good to know."
…
A few hours later, the Martyr had been securely parked on an asteroid as the crew rested. Ronderu and Makellu had left the rest of the Izvoshra to sleep comfortably in their chairs. All the while, Asajj and Saga had each taken meditative stances on the floor. , Saga shouted as he leapt to his feet.
"Luna!"
Asajj and the rest of the crew immediately woke up as Saga took a seat and tried to catch his breath. Ronderu and Makellu returned from the back of the Martyr and joined the others at the front of the ship. The Izvoshra all gathered around Asajj as she knelt down next to Saga and helped him to relax.
"Easy…breathe…"
Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Saga managed to collect himself and then turned to Asajj.
"I...I think I connected to Luna."