Chapter Four:
The currents of the Force flowed around his being, soothing him as he floated within its waters. Small ripples appeared every now and again as memories floated up to his awareness, though for the moment, he merely absorbed these.
"What was your name again?"
"Ignis." ...
... "I have had... many unpleasant experiences in training... my master was very harsh and unforgiving. I just... don't want a repeat."
Luke laid a gentle hand on Ignis' shoulder. "Ignis, look at me. I would never harm you."
When Ignis did not refute Luke's feeler on maltreatment, Luke sighed softly. "I despise anyone who mistreats a student, for any reason. I am sorry you had to experience it." ...
Time meant little to him in this state, and yet it appeared to pass slowly for him in the form of these memories.
"Have you been to bed yet?"
"No."
Luke was silent for a moment, and then he joined Ignis in sitting. "Are you restless as well?"
"Yes," Ignis muttered. ...
... Ignis looked Luke in the eye. "Would you be willing to teach me how to meditate? Please?"
Luke's surprise was clear. "I could, yes. Would it just be meditation?"
Ignis nodded. "I refuse to make a decision until I can stand fully behind it." Ignis tapped his head. "And honestly... right now I could really do with some actual peace up here."
Luke studied the young man again, and then nodded. "Alright." ...
... "Please help me!" Ignis' voice was rough as he pled with Luke.
Luke studied Ignis openly, reading the young man's expression and hesitating. "Answer one question and I will start the lesson."
Ignis sighed deeply but nodded. "Alright."
"Why do you so desperately need this skill?"
"Because I don't know how else to find the answer I need!"
Luke was still confused, but he could see that Ignis truly needed Luke to just understand right now. Or at least the best he could.
"Alright," Luke instructed in a soft tone, "you first need to quiet your mind." ...
Calm was how his mind was at the moment, but up until recently that had not been the case.
... "What is this?"
"That is the Force, Ignis," Luke replied with some bewilderment. ...
... Luke sat rooted to the spot as he first watched Ignis freeze upon seeing the Force... and then balk for some unknown reason. But when Ignis backed away as if he was waiting for someone to come and beat him to a pulp, Luke's ability to speak left him briefly. He was beginning to understand what Ignis wasn't telling him, and why.
"Ignis, please look at me." Ignis did so gingerly, his tortured eyes causing Luke's heart to ache with sympathy. "Did you learn the Force from a Dark Side user?"
Ignis nodded. "Yes, but I did not want to."
Luke frowned. "You were forced to train?"
"...yes." ...
... "Let me help you, Ignis, please."
"Why do you want to?" Ignis asked, his eyes boring into Luke's. "Truly?"
Luke tilted his head. "I have already answered that question a few times, Ignis. I want to help you."
"Just out of the goodness of your heart, is that it?" Ignis challenged, and Luke did not know where this sudden defensiveness stemmed from. Still, Luke decided to meet Ignis head-on.
"Yes out of the goodness of my heart. I admit that initially my ulterior motive was to help the Jedi Order grow, but after hearing your story... I just want to help you become your own person. I want to free you from whoever is holding you captive."
Ignis stood back, wringing his hands. "I can't just... trust you."
"Why not?"
"Because no one is just that nice," Ignis declared firmly, "I don't care what their name is."
Luke reminded himself that Ignis had been mistreated by his teacher, and used that knowledge to keep from being offended.
"I am that nice, not to float my own boat. But Ignis... at some point you are going to have to take a leap of faith."
Ignis' eyes widened, and the vulnerability the Jedi Master saw there was mind-boggling. Ignis opened and closed his mouth several times, his arms moving to hug himself tightly.
Luke sensed an internal battle within Ignis, and he waited it out. Ignis became so agitated that he began to pace back and forth. Thus it took Luke by surprise when Ignis abruptly sat down and reached for the Force once more.
Luke, already deeply enmeshed in it, saw when Ignis attempted to meditate. No... he did not try to... he did. Luke admitted to being impressed by the young man before him.
His otherwise still mind shifted at the next memory, and within his breast stirred a mixture of emotions.
... "Ignis," Luke said softly but seriously, "look me in the eye."
Ignis didn't for a long time, but then hesitantly did as was requested.
"You are not insignificant." Luke promised Ignis. "I do not know who got you to believe that, but it was a lie.
Ignis' eyes shut and Luke could feel the boy's shields wavering. "I..."
Luke held out a hand. "Will you let me in, Ignis? Will you allow me to help you?"
The Force pulsated around the two of them stronger and stronger. Ignis looked to Luke's hand, his heart rate kicking up a notch. Luke was utterly serious, though, and he waited patiently for the young man to decide.
"I..." Ignis' voice cracked, and he quivered. "I... I don't want to... I can't..."
"You can trust me, Ignis," Luke vowed earnestly, "but I will not force you."
"W-Will you catch me?" Ignis whispered, clearly terrified.
"Yes." Luke answered simply, honestly.
Ignis very slowly lowered his hand, which shook heavily, and Luke held his breath even as Ignis did...
And then, finally, Ignis placed his hand within Luke's and the Force all but exploded. ...
... "I care about you Ignis... I care about you very much."...
Blue eyes opened, that last statement ringing within his mind for many moments afterwards.
I care about you Ignis.
And he did still care about the young man, more than Ignis would ever fully understand. Because looking back, only now could Luke Skywalker see just how deeply he had grown to care for the young man. Despite Ignis' flaws, and despite his history, Luke loved Ignis.
He loved Ignis, and if Ignis had stayed, perhaps one day Luke may have adopted the young man. But things had not worked out that way.
Still, the Force had repeatedly tried to tell Luke one very important fact: Ignis, somehow, appeared to be his son. That had frightened Luke deeply: mostly, though, because of the unknown factors.
How in space could Ignis possibly be his child? How could it be that Ignis and Shmi were twins when the two were born to different parents?
A cautious whistle sounded, and Luke focused on the squat blue and silver astromech droid who appeared in the clearing. A small smile tugged at the corners of Luke's mouth, and he shifted stiff muscles out of his meditative position.
"Hi Artoo."
Artoo Detoo whistled a bit more confidently now that he saw that Luke was awake again. The astromech rolled his way across the solid ground to where Luke remained. The swamp about them seemed more alive than ever to Luke, and he discerned it was because of his time deep within the Force.
Dagobah, Luke knew, was a conduit for the Force. It was potent on this planet, and that strong Force presence was how a powerful Jedi Master like Yoda had been able to hide from the Empire.
It was also why Luke had chosen to come here to collect himself. Luke had been on Dagobah for a few weeks now. When Luke had left Coruscant, he'd been set on first seeing Corsair, and Luke had even made it to where the Atriedes family had called home.
But upon exiting hyperspace and seeing the planet for himself, Luke's nerves had failed him. His soul had been far too harried to accept any sort of answers he might have received from Corsair. So Luke had faltered in his quest, feeling like he needed time to truly come to terms with what had happened with Ignis.
Thus Luke had retreated to Dagobah, but only after purchasing a supply of provisions to see him through an extended stay.
Luke had spent the entire time on Dagobah trying to compute things, and attempting to find a solid bit of mental land to stand upon. He'd been round and round the time with Ignis; all their conversations, all the occurrences.
The adult had studied every detail, every comment Ignis had made, each look he'd given Luke... all the times the young man had trusted Luke. Looking back— and being free of the deep emotions of each instance— Luke could see more clearly how much strength it had taken Ignis to allow Luke into his heart.
It almost boggled Luke's mind to realize how deeply Ignis had trusted Luke.
The young man who had known nothing but abuse, abandonment, terror, heartache and sorrow, had allowed Luke to touch him. Not just physically; but mentally, emotionally, spiritually as well. Ignis had truly given Luke a great gift.
Yes, Ignis had taken Kodai, and yes, he had betrayed them. But now Luke could think more clearly, could analyze things more fully. He now knew that for many weeks, Ignis had been trying to tell Luke about his status as Vexa's servant. Ignis had attempted more than once to get Luke to understand why Ignis was unable to talk about Vexa. The young man had tried to warn the family about himself in multiple ways.
Luke also realized that Ignis had done so as a way to ask for help. He hadn't been able to outright request his freedom from Vexa, but he'd certainly tried his best. It was not Ignis' fault that the reason Ignis could not betray Vexa was virtually unknown to most of the galaxy.
Who would have guessed that such a tiny creature could have caused so much trouble?
Size matters not, Yoda had taught Luke. Well, Luke had never had that lesson so poignantly drilled home, as in the case of Ignis' scalpel squid.
Luke also understood that the reason Ignis had refused Mara's offer to return with them was because he knew he was a danger to the Skywalker family. Ignis had been a walking time-bomb.
And Ignis had not allowed anyone's disbelief to stop him from doing what he knew he had to. Luke could see that now, and he knew that Ignis had done what he'd done out of love for the Skywalker family.
Anya had claimed that Ignis loved the Skywalkers, and that he had sacrificed himself for them. Luke could see now how that was the case. Luke had seen the affection Ignis felt towards Ben, Emry and Kodai. He had seen the protective nature of the teen towards Luke's children and wife.
... "But none of you understand..." Ignis told Kodai, making a fist with his free hand. "Regardless, it should be me who suffers, not you. I can handle it, or at least I can better than you could. Besides," Ignis offered a small, sad smile to the babe, "I'm used to it." ...
Still, it hurt that Ignis had betrayed Luke.
Luke understood that the reason he had felt so hurt was because in his mind, Ignis had personally betrayed him. Ignis had betrayed Luke specifically, after all Luke had done to gain Ignis' trust and vice versa. After all they had been through together; Ignis had still chosen to follow Vexa's orders.
At least initially. But then Ignis had made the difficult choice to return Kodai, and go to his master empty handed, regardless of the consequences.
Luke took a deep breath, his mind's eye going to the moment of Ignis' departure from Coruscant. Luke recalled how he had been seconds too late to stop the youth.
"Ignis..." Luke whispered, his heart breaking a little as he watched the young man's ship disappear into the sky.
Luke blew out his deep breath, feeling a new level of calm touch his being. Now, at long last, Luke truly felt ready to find the answers he needed. Now, he could think clearly, ask the appropriate questions without breaking down, and seek the proof he needed without snapping.
Rising from the ground at last, Luke stretched and looked about, smiling as a nostalgic sense settled on him. A gentle longing tugged at his heart, and Luke recalled his many runs through the swamps of Dagobah while he'd been training with Yoda.
A smile lifted Luke's lips once more and he looked to Artoo. "I'm going for a run, and then I'll be ready to go, Artoo. Would you start packing things please?"
Artoo whistled happily and Luke patted the droid's dome affectionately. "Thanks Buddy."
With that, Luke broke into a jog, feeling his heart lighten somewhat as he took to the course he used to run.
00000
"You summoned me, Master?" Ignis asked, bending to one knee before her dais. The Dark Mystery was en-route to Naboo, with many escorting ships alongside her.
"When we get to Naboo," Vexa said, "your main objective is to capture Queen Zamira, should she evade our forces."
Vexa stood and motioned for him to follow her, which he did. They approached a table with a holo-projector inlaid into it, and Vexa input some commands. The table flickered to life, and produced a schematic of the palace on Naboo, along with the building's immediate vicinity.
"These schematics were found by one of our best splicers, and are up to date. Copy the file and download it to your datapad. I want you familiar with the palace, so that if the Queen attempts to flee, you can cut her off or easily catch up."
"Yes Master." Ignis produced his datapad and plugged it in so he could study the schematics as ordered. Once it was loaded, Ignis unplugged the 'pad and then stood at attention, awaiting her further orders.
"When you have Queen Zamira, hide her until I call for you. Once I have secured the palace, you will bring the queen to me."
Ignis dipped his head in acknowledgement, but said nothing. He hoped that she would dismiss him, but to his dismay Vexa did not. She turned to him, and there was a look in her eyes that told him she had more to say.
Ignis braced himself, wondering what else she wanted from him.
Vexa merely eyed his masked face, and Ignis began to speculate that she just wanted to make him sweat. Vexa had enjoyed every moment she could glean from him being under the squid's power. She'd already made him fetch her dinner, prepare her bed, and do other similar inane tasks.
Ignis knew she was doing so in order to enjoy her hold on him to the fullest. Ignis could not deny her, however, so he merely went about each given task silently. Any time the other acolytes questioned or tried to make fun of him, Ignis just ignored them.
"You do not seem to be as... lively as you used to be, Ignis." Vexa walked a few steps closer, and then began to circle him. Ignis tensed instinctively. "And that is saying something."
It was true: Ignis had never been her liveliest acolyte, not wishing to enjoy the life he was forced to live. He mostly kept to himself, interacting with others only as needed, with a few exceptions. Ignis had focused on his training, survival and missions. He'd had his drawings, and he had his personal quarters. He'd even been permitted to walk the trails and such outside Vexa's castle on Boz Pity, so long as he was maintaining his studies and such to her liking. And as long as Ignis did not cause trouble, or try anything while he was out.
But lately, Ignis had been disinclined to talk to anyone, or interact with others outside of what was required of him. If he didn't have to do something under Vexa's orders, then he didn't do it. He followed her orders; and when he wasn't on an assignment, he was either training, or purposefully alone.
Ignis did not want to be around anyone: he did not want to endure any pity or to hear their snide comments.
"You need to get out more." Vexa remarked, and Ignis sighed.
"No thanks," he said without emotion.
"That is not a suggestion." Vexa's voice was barely laced with iron. "I do not want you to waste away just because you are now my puppet."
Ignis would have glared in her direction, but he didn't feel like opening himself up to any emotions. Still, he did make a comment of his own.
"What incentive do I have to mingle, Master?"
Vexa narrowed her eyes at him. "You will get out more often. I will not have you becoming a hermit."
Ignis didn't move, didn't speak.
Vexa's anger simmered. "Two can play this game, Ignis. We will discuss this further once we have secured the Queen."
Ignis kept his eyes forward, wanting for nothing more than to leave his master's presence. Finally she waved at him.
"Leave me."
Ignis dipped his head once and departed, going to his room and locking himself inside. He sat down and promptly began studying the schematics. To his dismay, partway through, his mind wandered just enough to let slip the image of a blond-haired, blue-eyed man. With it, a well of deep sorrow tried to surface, but Ignis shook himself out of it. Swiftly and ruthlessly, Ignis buried both the image and the emotions back behind his barriers.
He made sure to lock the proverbial gate, and then returned to his given task.
00000
"I will take you both on as temporary hires until I can find a permanent replacement for you," Grafan said to the two young women.
"You," he gestured to Anya, "will waitress as you offered, and you," next he indicated Shmi, "will clear, clean and re-set tables between customers. I will pay you both the minimum wage, and you will work whatever shift I need done, agreed?"
Shmi and Anya shared a look and then nodded.
"We accept," Anya said, extending a hand.
Grafan smiled and took it. "Very well then." He produced a large, folded flimsi document and handed it to Anya. "Here is our menu. Familiarize yourself with it, and I will have Puah show you around the restaurant and get you both a uniform. My office is off limits unless I am in here already, understood?"
"Yes sir." The young women chorused.
Grafan spoke into an earpiece and the trio waited, though Anya dutifully studied the menu as they did so. Anya was confident that she would pick this up quickly, thanks to her experience in waitressing.
After a few minutes the door opened and a tall, pale-white skinned woman stepped inside. Her jet-black hair was voluminous and spiky like one would see in a rock band member, and her grey eyes took in the two humans with open curiosity.
"Puah, these two are temporary hires until I can fill their spots more permanently," Grafan said. He gestured first to Shim then Anya. "This is Ashlyn and Raziel. Ashlyn will bus tables, and Raziel will waitress. Set them up with uniforms and give them an orientation, please."
"Alright." Puah gestured. "This way."
"Puah is the team leader on the floor,' Grafan explained, "she runs things down there and I focus on management. Do what she asks, and you won't have any trouble."
"Thank you again for this opportunity," Shmi said as they exited his office.
Puah looked to them both. "So what brings you to Ord Mantell?"
"We're on a trip and decided to stop here for a while," Anya replied. "We need some credits."
"Ah," Puah smirked. "What, did you lose all your credits gambling or something?"
"Or something," Shmi replied, unphased.
"Well, do you have any experience in a restaurant?" Puah asked.
"I do," Anya said. "I've waitressed for years already. My friend here is new to this, though."
"Alright, though busing tables isn't too difficult to pick up," Puah informed Shmi, "but the more you do it, the quicker you will get. And that is important, because we do not want tables sitting empty for too long."
"I'll do my best." Shmi promised. "I'm a quick learner."
"I guess we will see about that, won't we?" Puah replied with a look at the other.
Shmi only nodded, following the other two to a room behind the kitchen.
"This is the break room, and also where the time clock is." Puah explained, gesturing. "Grafan will make your cards, and then you will use those. For now, he will just log your hours. Let's get you each fitted with a uniform."
Puah led them to another, smaller room, and after a few minutes both young women had their outfits, and were allowed to change in the employee refresher. Once they finished changing, Shmi and Anya gazed at their reflections, taking in their new look.
"I'm still not used to my brown hair and eyes," Shmi muttered, adjusting her shirt.
"Well, it's not permanent." Anya reminded her friend, working to put her hair up. "You will need to wear your hair up, Shmi, since we work in a food establishment."
The older girl nodded and pulled a hair tie from her bag. She proceeded to carefully put her long tresses into a tail at the crown of her head. As she did so, flashes of the pigtails she once wore came to mind and she smiled wistfully.
Seeing this, Anya lifted a brow. "What's up?"
Shmi looked to Anya. "Just remembering a simpler time, is all."
Anya patted Shmi on the shoulder and then the two left the refresher. Puah took them about the restaurant and gave them their full orientation. Then the two girls got to work a few short hours to get the feel for things at the Lorelei.
When they returned to the hangar that the Nebula was docked at, Shmi was ready to get her hands into something mechanical. She changed from her uniform and into a pair of coveralls. Anya joined her and the two located their tenant.
The Aleena man met them and showed them where he wanted them.
"For now, fix up these four droids." Towan gestured to a collection of mechanical beings. There were two pit droids, an astromech and a strange model that Anya had never seen before. "All my tools and parts are at your disposal, just clean up after each shift. My kids come in here sometimes, and I don't want them getting hurt."
"We understand," Shmi replied, already picking up one of the pit droids.
Anya sat with her. "Alright, you're going to have to help me with these, please."
Shmi smiled. "I'll show you as I work on this guy."
"Thanks."
00000
Hobbie sat in the cockpit of his father's old ship the Ardrossan, a freighter that had been well kept by the man who had previously owned it. The mottled view of hyperspace filled the viewport, moving from the nose of the ship past the pilot's line of sight.
Hobbie's mind was not on the view, however, but on the young man he had grown fond of. Ignis had been a fine kid, with a solid head on his shoulders despite his rickety past. Ignis also had a sense of humor to match Hobbie's, and the Rogue pilot found that to be refreshing. Ignis, despite only being seventeen, was more mature than any other kid his age that Hobbie had come across, with the exception of Shmi. Ignis could hold his own in a fight, and yet he knew when to turn away.
Ignis was also a lot like Han Solo in that under his rougher exterior, the kid's heart was good.
Hobbie just could not believe that Ignis was under Vexa's sway.
"Hey."
Hobbie glanced over his shoulder to see Han in the doorway to the cockpit. The smuggler eyed Hobbie, and then took a seat in the copilot's chair.
"Chewie made some food if you're hungry," Han said.
Hobbie, who had turned back around, managed a grateful look. "I'm alright; you guys go ahead."
Han studied Hobbie a bit more, and then settled more comfortably into his chair. "So what's on your mind?"
Hobbie swiveled his head without lifting it from the headrest, to find that Han was simply gazing knowingly at the Rogue pilot. There was a glint to Han's eyes that Hobbie was familiar with: Han already knew what was on his friend's mind, but he was waiting for Hobbie to say it aloud.
"How could such a good kid like Ignis come from Vexa Wran?" Hobbie whispered. "I know Ignis has a checkered past, but from what I've heard, Ignis was not exactly a willing participant."
Han nodded slowly. "I get it, and I agree. Honestly, I feel like a proud uncle: Ignis turned out to be a strong young man despite all he's been through. I don't have the full account, obviously, like Luke does, but I know enough. Plus, I do have eyes and ears. I know Ignis has a very dark past, which makes it all the more amazing that he isn't a rotten being himself."
Hobbie found himself agreeing. "By all accounts, Ignis should be bitter and cold, but he isn't. At least not with those he comes to care about."
"Yeah," Han murmured. "Maybe that is why I feel so drawn to him, even though I'm not as familiar with him as Luke and his family are."
Hobbie eyed Han openly now. "Why did you help Ignis in the first place? As you've said, you did not know Ignis as well as the Skywalkers did."
Han turned contemplative. "I think it was because, looking into Ignis' eyes, I kind of saw myself when I was younger. Then, that time we chatted in the hold of my ship, Ignis looked so... lost. He was struggling to get someone to hear what he was really saying, and nobody would. I offered to help him, and he perked right up. You should have seen the hope that shone in his eyes in that brief moment, Hobbie." Han shook his head. "It was like an animal that's been tied up and left for dead meeting someone who truly could help it."
Hobbie shifted to see Han better without having to crane his neck anymore. "Likewise. I could tell at first that Ignis was reserved: hesitant to make friends. But for some reason, he chose to open up to the Rogues. I also saw something in his eyes Han: but it wasn't hope. It was a longing for camaraderie. Ignis may have thought he was hiding it, but I could see that he was floored by the friendship and brotherhood that we original Rogues share." Hobbie paused. "So when I tried to get him to join in, and he actually responded... I was glad for him."
"Ignis missed out on a lot growing up," Han said by way of agreement. "And he still misses out on a lot, but I can tell you that he is not inept. I have seen him with Emry and Ben. The kid truly cares for them."
"I saw Ignis and Shmi together on our way to Coruscant from Bespin," Hobbie commented with a warm smile, "and it was like observing a pair of siblings."
"Ignis has potential in him," Han said, "he just needs to be freed from Vexa, so that he can fully reach what he is capable of."
Hobbie nodded, the light of determination blossoming in his heart. "So help me, I will be part of that."
"You already are, Hobbie." Han reminded him.
"I know," the other replied with a soft sigh, "I'm just anxious to get Ignis away from Vexa. Permanently this time."
"You and me both." Han agreed.
Hobbie blanched. "Wedge told me about a kid they have that was once under Vexa's command also. When Luke talked to this teenager, she had a full-out panic attack just talking about what would happen if Vexa discovered her ploy."
Han frowned. "Come again? What kid?"
Hobbie cursed. "I really shouldn't talk about it, Han. I said too much as it is, but if word gets out that I told... I'm in trouble."
Han sat forward. "Hobbie, if this other teen has information that could help us help Ignis, then isn't it worth it?"
Hobbie blew out a breath. "Yes. But I do not have the clearance to get in to see this kid."
Han tilted his head. "Who does?"
"Wedge, Admiral Igeal, Luke and Mara," Hobbie replied, his voice lowering. "Han... I highly doubt that Ignis is the only kid Vexa's got in her clutches."
Han felt his chest constrict momentarily, also lowering his voice. "What makes you say that?"
"Because when Wedge returned from questioning the other teen, he had a haunted look in his eyes." Hobbie grimaced. "He didn't give details, but he made it exceptionally clear that Vexa could not win this war. Wedge said that it's for the sake of the galaxy's youth that we have to win the war."
Han thought of his own children. "Then we can't let her win."
"And we won't." Hobbie promised fervently.
A silence descended between them and both men looked out the viewport now. As the timer counted ever closer to their reversion, Hobbie had a thought.
"Do you really think Tsu will still be in his lab?"
"I don't know," Han answered. "But if not, he is probably holed up in a secondary area."
"How will we find out where that is if he has changed location?" Hobbie wondered aloud.
Han pursed his lips. "I think we will manage."
Hobbie considered. "I think we need to prepare for the event that Tsu isn't there anymore. What if Vexa brought him in to keep him from being captured? We now know he works for her, after all."
Han hummed. "I agree with you there. We should have a back-up plan."
"I know a thing or two about splicing computers," Hobbie said, "but I am not familiar with Kaminoian technology."
"It can be strange, but it's also high-tech." Han informed his friend. "Remember that these people are biological geniuses. They created all the clones from the Clone Wars, after all."
"You two gonna eat?"
Hobbie and Han both turned to find Lando in the doorway now. He eyed the pair and then lifted two bowls of food.
"I managed to rescue two servings from the Wookiees." Lando offered a wry grin. "But the rest is already gone."
Han and Hobbie laughed, and Hobbie decided he was hungry now. The two men accepted Lando's offering with a word of thanks. Lando stood between them for a moment, and then departed.
00000
Katu looked to Pai as they landed their shuttle. At the landing pad was a small cluster of Omwati natives, all of them looking to their ship in curiosity.
"Look at their ignorance," Katu said with open disdain. "It's pathetic."
"I do wonder how their species is so brilliant, and yet can be so thick." Pai agreed, already rising from his seat in the cockpit.
"Well, with them being so gullible, it should be easy to convince them of what Vexa wishes of them." Katu also stood. "Let's get this over with."
Pai led the way to the ramp, and triggered the mechanism to lower it. The pair of them waited for the ramp to lower completely before descending it. The Omwati people parted for the acolytes, who neither acknowledged them nor attempted to go around.
Katu and Pai walked purposefully down the streets, allowing those who saw them to wonder and fear. Katu made sure his expression conveyed his superiority. He was every bit sure that the Omwati people were inferior, and if Vexa gave the word, Katu would gladly be part of the force that came to wipe them out.
Pai was more reserved, but anyone who saw him knew that he was not someone to trifle with. Thus, the people in the city gave the pair a wide berth. Children who saw them scampered away, and Katu sneered at them, enjoying the fear that he and Pai were generating.
At the very center for the city was a large monastery, where the cult that used the Force resided. There were other places the shamans stayed in, of course, but this was the most prominent one.
The Force users were also apart from their fellow Omwati in that they did not form relationships and such. They were, however, allowed to breed for the purpose of creating more, future shamans.
It was pathetic, in Katu's opinion. The galaxy did not need more useless Force-sensitives who only sat on large pillows and looked at what might be or what had been.
Pai and Katu reached the base of a long stairway, and traversed it to the doors at the top. Before they got to the door, however, an elderly Omwati spoke.
"You both reek of the Dark Side of the Force."
Katu looked to him. "I wouldn't say reek."
The man did not seem convinced otherwise. "What do you need here?"
Pai took one step forward. "We bear a message for your kind from our master Vexa Wran. Join forces with her... or be destroyed."
The elderly man narrowed his eyes. "Why would Lady Wran seek our destruction? We have done nothing to her."
Katu snorted. "You use the Force in the most useless way possible. You sit in your grand buildings and use the Force as you would oxygen. That is your crime."
The man looked between the two acolytes. "We want nothing to do with the war going on. We wish to remain neutral."
"When the Rising is done with the galaxy, that will no longer be an option." Pai informed him. "It would be wise for you to choose a side now."
"But choose wisely." Katu warned him, fingering his lightsaber's hilt openly. "We would hate to have to make an example of you."
The Omwati man looked to his two friends, and Katu wondered if they were somehow using the Force to communicate. No words were spoken, but the threesome were nodding and gesturing as if they were having a lively conversation.
"We do not want to join the Dark Side," the man said firmly.
"You will either join Vexa or be eliminated." Pai warned him.
Again the elder hesitated. "May we have time to consider our approach? Our entire people will need to be consulted."
"Consult away," Katu said with no small amount of disdain, "but you will only be given a month's time. After that, your answer will determine your fate."
The man inclined his head. "Very well."
Katu turned without acknowledging him further, and descended the stairs again. Pai was right with him.
"Choose wisely, people of Omwat," Katu said loudly as they walked back to their ship. "Your lives hang in the balance."
He looked pointedly at the children they passed, and the parents pulled them away protectively. Katu snorted, letting them be for now. Once the two were back in their ship, Katu took the controls and piloted them off-world.
Pai shifted forward and input a request to the Dark Mystery.
The pair waited a moment and then an answer came back. Pai read it and looked to Katu.
"Vexa wants us to come to Naboo, and orbit just outside the system until she finishes up with the palace."
"Understood," Katu answered, already plotting their jump.
00000
Wedge Antilles sat back in his seat at the conference table, his head aching after the two-hour session that the meeting had turned out to be. The meeting had begun with updates from each of the commanders of the various fleets spread about the galaxy. That, of course, had taken the first hour, and many of the men thought that they needed to give in-depth reports.
If Wedge had his way, they'd give summaries, and offer details only on things that were of the most importance. Not everything was a high priority, after all.
The conversation had then shifted to talk about Vexa's Fist, and what they would do about him. So far all they could agree on was that he needed to be stopped. But nobody knew enough about him to formulate a decent plan that would not end in needless casualties.
Now, of course, the commanding officers were trying to determine the Republic's next move.
"If the Rising continues on their current course, they will strike at Sullust next," a general stated. "We should have a force waiting for them there."
"I agree," Admiral Ackbar said, leading the conversation, "however, we must also account for their tendency to be unpredictable. We do not want to put all our resources in one system just to find that they attack elsewhere."
"What do you suggest then?" another person asked.
Admiral Igeal sat forward. "We maintain our fleet positions, which are strategically spread about the galaxy for the very reason that the Rising tends to move about at random. That way at least one group is close enough to respond swiftly."
"Should we post a group of ships at Sullust and a few of her neighboring planets?" the first general asked.
"That would not be a bad idea." Admiral Ackbar agreed. "We of course have sent out scouts to try and locate the Rising fleet's current position. We have a number of their ships still at Eriadu, but many of the vessels that were part of the attack are missing. Nobody knows where they went."
"Could they be refueling?" the general inquired.
"Maybe, or they have another planet in their sights," Ackbar said.
Wedge tried his best to not show his annoyance. They kept running in circles about the same issue, not truly making any headway. Suddenly he understood why many ensigns declined officer positions when it was offered to them.
Wedge paid enough attention to know the important decisions that were agreed upon before the meeting was adjourned. A full fleet would be stationed at Sullust, with a gaggle of ships at the four nearest planets to Sullust. The rest of the New Republic navy would remain where they were, though scouts would continue to be sent out to spy on the Rising's activity.
Wedge rubbed a hand down his face as he left the room, going to the pilot's lounge that the Rogues used. His pilots were already gathered there, minus Hobbie who was on a personal leave of absence.
"Hey Commander," Rogue Eleven, a lavender-skinned Twilek woman by the name of Greta Kooth greeted him. "What news?"
Wedge looked to his gathered pilots. "We go with the Keelkana to Sullust, where a full fleet will wait in case the Rising continues down the Rimma Trade Route. Other, smaller groups will keep an eye on Belsavis, Tibrin, Drakknell and Omwat in case the Rising tries anything there."
The Rogues nodded, and Greta spoke again. "When do we depart?"
"The Keelkana leaves within the hour, so get some rest while you can." Wedge informed his squadron. "Once we get to Sullust, I don't know what will happen."
"Yes sir." Greta acknowledged, and the Rogues began to break up, most of them leaving the hall. Wedge went to the counter and poured himself a cup of caf, sipping gratefully at the dark liquid.
Tycho stayed behind, taking a seat nearby. "Has there been any news from Hobbie?"
Wedge shook his head. "Only that Hobbie asked for an extension on his leave. It was granted, but that's all he gets until things slow down again."
Tycho indicated that he understood and eyed Wedge. "You look tired."
Wedge snorted. "Two hours of listening to the Brass argue over where to send their ships? Who wouldn't be?"
Tycho chuckled. "I'm sure many of the reports were extra informative too."
Wedge groaned. "You have no idea. I swear some of them just want to hear themselves talk."
"They probably just want to impress the Admirals and work at their own career advancement," Tycho said knowingly.
"Yes, but they lose sight of the truly important things in doing so. Some of them would have fit right in with the Empire, whether they want to admit it or not."
Tycho considered that and then stood. "Well, you aren't like that, and many of the commanding officers truly do have their loyalties straight. It's their aspirations that they don't always have lined up properly."
"You could day that again," Wedge muttered, emptying his mug and setting it aside. "I'm going to bed."
"A good idea." Tycho agreed, patting Wedge on the back. "You need rest, my friend."
Wedge bid his friend goodnight and went to his quarters. He took off his belt and boots, and then sank gratefully into his bed with a weary sigh. Wedge then lay down and allowed sleep to claim him.