Chapter 22
(Medical Bay)
Sitting in a spare office in the bay. Cilghal rested after she and her staff worked on the severe injuries of those hurt during the evacuation. This wasn't as easy as they did during the battle before. But since they had escaped recently, things had calmed down.
This gave Cilghal the time to prepare the deceased Jedi, who would be given a service once they arrived at their destination. Seeing their names saddened the healer, who sighed at first. Then, she heard the doors open, and a member of her staff told her the Solos and Lando had arrived.
As she greeted them, Cilghal saw Jacen was with his parents. This made her smile, knowing he had survived the mission to Myrkr.
"Lando told us about what happened during the evacuation. We came to check on the survivors," Han said to Cilghal.
"Some have minor injuries. Others have broken bones, bruised organs, and loss of blood, which will require time to heal. Sadly, though, we lost three. One master and two students," Cilghal stated grimly.
"Not to mention those who gave their lives against the Vong during the battle," Lando added.
"What you two say is true, but their sacrifices will not be forgotten. They helped save the lives of those who made it," Leia said, using her words of wisdom.
Nodding to this, Cilghal took the four around the room, where they saw those resting on medical beds. After this, the Jedi healer asked if Luke and Mara were with Ben. Han replied yes, then said Luke wanted to speak with her and the other masters later about an important matter. Hearing this made Cilghal wonder what it was. But for now, she moved on to asking Jacen about which strike team members had survived.
(Venator: Alpha)
Not long after entering hyperspace, Jaina and Rex input a call to their allies to discuss the outcome of the battle and Jaina's unusual plan to end it. Around the holo table, images of the other time travelers appeared to talk.
"I must say using giant Spaceslugs to one's advantage is a new one," Juno said with an impressed look.
"I agree. It reminds me of the plans your grandfather came up with during the Clone Wars," Rex added, which got Jaina's attention. She would ask him about it later.
"It was a good plan, Miss Solo, but in the future, you may want to consult us before acting on your own," Kota stated.
"Yes sir, I know I should have, but time was of the essence."
"That may be, Jaina, but sometimes you can't do it all by yourself," Padme said as she joined them and stood beside her granddaughter. "However, given that we succeeded in saving the Jedi from Eclipse, thanks to your quick thinking, we thank you for your bravery," she said, smiling at Jaina.
"Thanks, so now we should go over the losses we sustained," Bo stated as she brought up a list of which ships took the most damage during the battle, the areas in need of repairs, and the droid fighters lost.
"The ships in need of repairs will need time at a shipyard. Are there any we can use?" Rex asked Jaina.
"The safest place to repair the ships would be at Mon Calamari. The shipyards there have yet to be attacked by the Yuuzhan Vong. Also, one of the veteran officers who served the New Republic lives there. They happen to be a good family friend," Jaina answered.
"And who is this officer?" Starkiller asked.
"Admiral Ackbar," Jaina answered.
This surprised a few of the time travelers.
"Ackbar, as in Captain Ackbar?" Padme wondered as she asked Jaina.
"Hold on, how do you know Ackbar?" wondered Jaina.
"I met him during the Clone Wars when the Mon Calamari and Quarren fought each other in a civil war. Ackbar was Captain of the King's guard. He fought alongside us as we fought to save his home planet," Padme responded.
"I can vouch for this. I was there with her, your grandfather, and Ackbar as we protected Prince Lee-Char from the Separatists," Ahsoka added next.
"I should bring up that I also know Ackbar. I was sent to recruit him for the Rebellion long ago. That succeeded in him and those of Mon Calamari joining us," Juno said as she recalled that mission. Chewie also added he knew Ackbar well, having served with him during the war.
"Now that we've confirmed, several of us know Ackbar. We should get back on track. Such as meeting with Padme's family so they know about us and our mission in coming here," Starkiller stated to the others.
"He's right. The ship Leia was on landed onboard with the others. We should meet with them once we emerge from hyperspace," Juno said next, then asked Chewbacca to look at the coordinates they were sent. Looking at the screen, Chewie blinked in surprise at their planned destination.
"He says we are heading to the Endor system and should arrive there tomorrow," Ahsoka translated for the others, who were surprised and wondered why they were going there.
Jaina and Chewie guessed that since Endor didn't have any cities, it would be a safe place to lie low. And to plan their next move against the enemy.
"Til we arrive, we should each think of how and what we're going to say to the Skywalkers and Solos tomorrow," Kota suggested.
Everyone agreed with him except Ahsoka. "Since I spoke to Padme's family earlier. I'm sure they will want to talk with me first. But I will be careful what I say to them," she said.
"We understand. Good luck to you," Bo said to her friend.
Everyone on the call said their goodbyes and the call ended.
"So, since we have some time, do you think you could tell me how you and Ahsoka know about my Grandfather?" Jaina asked Rex directly with a look of determination.
Seeing this, Rex looked over at Padme, who gave him approval. Then he turned back to Jaina. "(Sigh) I did say that…how about we get something to eat in the mess hall, and I'll tell you?" Rex suggested, to which Jaina agreed and followed him and Padme as they left the bridge.
(Mon Cala Cruiser)
While Jacen was talking with Cilghal, Han and Leia stepped outside the medical bay with Lando, where the two introduced him to Kira. Lando had noticed her earlier but didn't know who she was. After this, Leia told Lando about Kira's mission, which surprised him.
"So, you showed Luke a message from a Jedi Master who's been in hiding since the Empire came to power. And is offering the planet he's been on as a refuge for the students. Correct?" Lando asked.
"It is, which leads me to ask if Master Skywalker has given any thought to this?" Kira asked Leia.
"Luke has been thinking about it, but there are some questions he would like answered first," Leia replied.
"I understand, and I hope it's soon," Kira said, then stopped talking as her large ears picked up the sounds of footsteps coming. This made Kira and others look to see Anakin approaching with Threepio, Artoo, and two young women that the three adults knew.
"Tenal, Tahiri. It's good to see you two again," Leia said to the two as she smiled at them.
"Thank you, your highness. We're glad to see you made from Coruscant," Tenal replied courteously.
"Same here," Tahiri added, then noticed Kira and asked who she was.
"We will tell you soon, but first, why don't we go to the mess hall and get something to eat," Han suggested.
(Vjun)
Exiting from hyperspace, a lone starfighter made its way to a planet that, to most, looked like any other. But most in the galaxy didn't know that this world had a connection to the Sith Order, which brought Lumiya here in her search for information about the mystery figure Vergere spoke of. She believed the knowledge she sought would be in Bast Castle, the former stronghold of her late master, Darth Vader.
Even though the planet and system had been taken by the Yuuzhan Vong. Lumiya saw no ships or forces on the planet; she guessed this was due to the planet's acid rain, which would destroy the invader's organic technology. This worked to her advantage as she piloted her fighter to the landing pad outside the castle.
Exiting the ship, Lumiya heard nothing but the sounds of the wind as she walked towards the entrance. Once the doors opened before her, the sound of silence faded as Lumiya heard the voice of something large and mechanical.
"HALT! YOU ARE TRESPASSING. SURRENDER AND PREPARE TO BE DETAINED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE NEW REPUBLIC!" the voice of a large security droid to Lumiya.
"Figures! Skywalker and the New Republic would make sure no one would come snooping around the castle. But it will take more than one big droid to stop me!" Lumiya scoffed at first but soon saw more droids behind the first one. "No matter how many of you there are, I will destroy you all!" the Sith woman exclaimed as she drew out her weapon.
Unlike other force users who used lightsabers, Lumiya's weapon was unique as it was a light whip, a variant type of lightsaber with three ropes made of Mandalorian iron. When activated, the energy from inside the hilt travels through the ropes to the tips.
This happened as Lumiya activated her weapon and threw it around the droid's right arm, then pulled the whip back, which tore off the arm from its joints.
The droid raised its left arm and began firing its wrist blaster at Lumiya. As did the others who left the entranceway and onto the landing pad.
Dodging the numerous blaster bolts, Lumiya deflected some of the fire back at her attackers while using her whip to slice off the legs and arms of the other droids. This caused the massive machines to fall hard, and those who still had their arms continued to attack. But they were soon destroyed as Lumiya used the Force to crush their heads or push them off the pad onto the ground below.
Silence soon returned as Lumiya deactivated her whip and rolled it back up. She proceeded into the castle next, using caution in case more security droids lurked about. But nothing came; only the dead silence was her companion during her search.
"I'm sure Lord Vader kept it here
somewhere. But where did he hide it?" Lumiya wondered as she searched the various areas of the castle.
The last area she went to was the audience chamber. Inside was a space with a single throne atop a view that overlooked the area. Looking around the room at first, Lumiya found nothing. But when she made her way to the throne, she noticed a slot cover on the right armchair. However, there was no handle or buttons to open it, which made Lumiya guess that Vader used the Force to open it.
Doing the same with her hands, Lumiya saw the cover open to show a button. Sitting down on the throne, she pressed it, which caused the throne to descend downward through a hidden shaft.
Lumiya remained still till the throne stopped at its destination. A hidden area beneath the castle's entrance was behind a heavy door. Standing up and walking over to the doorway. Lumiya saw a small screen on the right side of the door's frame, which said, "ACCESS CODE NEEDED!"
"Let's see if my access codes work!" Lumiya said to herself as she input it on the screen, then waited a moment as the screen went black. This was followed by a new sentence, "ACCESS GRANTED!" and the door opened before her.
At first, things were dark, as Lumiya saw nothing. The automated lights slowly came on, revealing a large space filled with many items, including a computer databank at the far end.
"Excellent. Now, let's see your hidden secrets, my former master!" Lumiya exclaimed as she made her way to the computer.
