Penumbra (Sequel to The Rising Darkness)

by Jedi Jesi Jiin

Ignis is now the puppet of Vexa Wran, though to the galaxy he is known as Vexa's Fist. With his help, the Rising heads ever deeper into the Core, gaining ever more support from darker factions in the galaxy. Meanwhile, Shmi and Anya are on a quest to save Ignis, while Luke is trying to find the truth behind Ignis' relationship to himself and Shmi. What will become of them all?

9. Chapter 9

Chapter Nine:

Ignis stood stock still for long seconds, his training regimen finished now, ending with his self-imposed double-blade lessons. He had recruited one of the saber-training droids meant for acolytes, which could wield up to two blades as well. Ignis had already put in a few sessions with his two blades, and was growing swiftly proficient at the technique. He was quite pleased with his progress, and even more-so that Vexa was none-the-wiser to his doing so.

He heard the droid shut down since their session was over, and Ignis stood upright once more, taking a deep, cleansing breath. He put his red lightsaber on his belt, and hid the shoto on the back of his belt under his cape.

Ignis then wandered from the training area and walked for his quarters. They were now separate from the rest of the acolytes, since Vexa wanted it known that her Fist was akin to Vader in status, and not an acolyte any longer. In fact, the swap of rooms had come shortly after Ignis was dubbed Vexa's Fist, before anyone could connect the dots that Ignis the acolyte was gone, and Vexa's Fist had taken his place.

All who had helped Ignis become the Fist were now either dead— Vexa truly hated loose ends— or so loyal that she knew they'd never tell.

Ignis had to admit that the takeover of both Sullust and Malastare had been a little too easy, even with the aid of Vexa's new droids. Ignis couldn't help but wonder if the New Republic was up to something. Well, if they were, it was Vexa's problem, not his. He simply did what he was told.

With a weary sigh, Ignis pushed through his doorway, hearing it close quietly behind him. His gaze roamed the space… and froze when he saw the emerald-skinned boy standing fearfully in the very center of the room.

"Who are you?" Ignis demanded through his mask.

"I am your servant, Master Fist." The boy prostrated himself to the floor, though it was not without difficulty, since it was obvious he had been beaten severely. "Lady Wran has ordered that I am to serve you."

For long seconds, Ignis' mind refused to work, wouldn't compute that there was not only a child in his room, but that he was supposedly Ignis'… slave. What in blazes would he do with a servant? And what was Vexa playing at?

To his frustration, annoyance bubbled through his numbing shields, and he growled low in his throat.

"Get out." Ignis indicated the door. "I don't need a servant."

But the boy only shook his head, looking at the indicated portal as though he expected a monster to stride through it. "N-no! I cannot leave this room! N-not without her permission… or if I am with you."

Ignis would have pinched the bridge of his nose, were it not for the mask. Instead, he settled for grabbing the boy by the arm, and hauling him out the door. He practically dragged the child behind him, since he was taller and had a longer stride. The boy did his best to keep up, and Ignis slowed a hair to let him.

Ignis stretched out in the Force to locate Vexa, and found her in her throne room. Not caring if he would be punished for what he was about to do, Ignis barged into her space unannounced and marched right up to where she stood staring out the viewport.

Vexa turned at his approach, her indignation clear, though Ignis ignored this.

"Keep your gift Master." Ignis growled, throwing the boy at his master's feet. "I do not need a servant."

Vexa's eyes flashed. "You would dare defy me?"

Ignis lifted his chin. "What more could you possibly do to me?"

Vexa's lips lifted into a wicked smirk, and she sauntered over to Ignis, who tensed instinctively. "I can toy with you in ways you haven't been messed with yet. I don't have to hurt you directly, Fist." Vexa pointed at the boy on the ground, and he instantly started to scream.

Deep behind the barriers he'd set up to keep himself numb, Ignis flinched. The boy writhed on the floor, and Ignis tried to ignore it. But then some part of him realized two things: if he caved or not, Ignis would be giving in to what Vexa wanted. So now he was faced with a choice: would Ignis keep ignoring this boy's pain and draw closer to being Vexa's Dark disciple, or did Ignis do some tiny amount of good and try sparing the boy some pain?

With a world-weary sigh, Ignis caved. "Fine, I'll keep him... Master."

Vexa eyed Ignis a moment longer and then stopped torturing the child. "Wise decision, though I have to say, I was wondering if you were going to let this innocent boy suffer. I was actually proud of you for a moment there."

Ignis ground his teeth, but then resolutely shut his heart again. "I don't care what you think of me."

Vexa's lekku twitched. "Now, that's not entirely true, is it, Fist?"

Ignis knew she was right, but he wasn't about to admit that to her. Not if he didn't have to.

Vexa leaned forward. "I said, is it?"

Ignis' gaze hardened behind his mask, and he knew she felt it. "No... Master."

Vexa matched his gaze, and then straightened. "This boy is yours. You will treat him as a slave, nothing more. You will not show him kindness, you will not try to set him free, and you will do nothing to help his situation improve. However, you will start his training. I will see results as I would expect from any trainee, and if he does not deliver, you both suffer the consequences." She stopped, pointing a warning finger at the boy once more. "Do you understand?"

Ignis nodded once. So now, on top of everything else, he had a child to train. Wonderful.

"Before you go, however, I have a new assignment for you." Vexa indicated the table nearby, and led him to it. Ignis saw a datachip laying on it, one Vexa grabbed and held out to him. "You will go to Cathar, to the village of Sylton, and kill everyone except the family of Senator Galland. I want his family captured, and you will wait to execute them until I have ordered what you will do to each person. This entire event will be broadcasted live to my datapad, and recorded for later release."

Ignis didn't move, did not allow any emotions to leak through. This, right here, was why he'd chosen to go numb. It was so he didn't have to feel what it was going to be like to murder an entire village, simply because one of its members had challenged Vexa's pride.

"However, he has a young daughter. She will be brought to me alive and well, understood? I have… other plans for her fate."

In a rare moment of sharing knowledge, Vexa continued. "I have dispatched Raythe and Katu to apprehend the good Senator. Raythe will then bring him to me, while Katu will infiltrate the Jedi Temple on Coruscant."

Ignis supposed she was trying to get him to react once more, but he refused. Katu would be going into the heart of the Jedi Order, where there were several Knights and Masters, including Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker. They would be fine.

Or so he hoped.

Ignis tuned back in when Vexa finished her instructions. "You leave first thing tomorrow, and this child will be your recorder, as will a pair of media-droids. Now, go."

When Vexa dismissed him, Ignis spared the boy a glance, sighed heavily and hauled him away again. When they had returned to Ignis' quarters, he stopped within, realizing that the boy would need some place to sleep.

Ignis ordered a droid to his room, and when it arrived, he told it to set a cot up for the boy in one of the corners. By now, of course, the boy was mostly over the pain-attack from Vexa, though he did quiver in irregular intervals. Once the bed was finished, Ignis indicated it, and the green-skinned boy sat down.

"What is your name?" Ignis asked.

"Tharan…" The boy seemed to be about to say more, but hesitated.

"Tharan what?"

"…Alucard," Tharan whispered miserably. "Or I was."

Ignis hesitated. "Was?"

Tharan nodded, tears spiling from his eyes. "My f-father, Ulric, traded me to Lady Wran for passage off Naboo once the Rising was done there." Tharan looked to Ignis' masked face; his earthy-brown eyes wide. "My father abandoned me!"

Ignis now further understood why Vexa had given Ignis this particular child. Their stories were similar, and Ignis knew Vexa was doing this to urge Ignis to resume feeling things again. But Ignis would not play her game.

He would train the child, do his best to treat the boy fairly despite Vexa's orders, and that was it.

"Well, get some sleep," Ignis said instead of anything comforting.

Tharan looked to who he saw as Vexa's Fist, and then laid down as ordered. Meanwhile, Ignis locked himself in the refresher, and finally removed his helmet. He stood silently for a time, and then pressed his back to the wall and slid to a seated position, staring at nothing.

00000

Samanda Yvyyn sat at the table in her little kitchenette, eyes distant as she thought deeply. She had woken in the middle of the night from a nightmare, or rather… a memory. Samanda had been so disturbed that she couldn't sleep the rest of the night, and she had paced endlessly in an effort to get it out of her mind.

When that had proven in effective, she had taken to cycling through some of her workouts that did not require a large space. That had helped for a while, but then she'd been reminded of the dream when she'd been in the shower.

Finally, Samanda sat at her table, watching the sun rising and knowing that it was truly time for her to give Mara a solid chunk of information.

With her mind made up, Samanda went to her front door and knocked thrice.

When it opened to reveal the current Jedi guard and the New Republic duo that were always stationed at her door, she nodded politely.

"Would you please contact Mara Jade Skywalker? I need to speak with her. It's… important."

The Jedi considered, and then dipped his head, retreating a few paces and pulling out a comlink. Samanda nodded to the other men and closed her door once more. Now all she had to do was wait.

It took a while for Mara to arrive, and Samanda knew that the woman had needed to rearrange things at the Academy first. Samanda remained patient, and when Mara finally walked in the door, she was ready.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Samanda said, indicating that Mara should have a seat. They took their normal spots in the sitting area, and Mara cleared her throat.

"What did you need? I was told it was urgent."

Samanda closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I am going to tell you a few things, but one of them, I warn you, is going to disturb you."

Mara straightened, sensing how serious the Zabrak teenager was, but the red-head nodded in acceptance.

"Okay." Samanda cleared her throat. "I know people wonder where Vexa came from."

Mara inclined her head. "We do. She seems middle-aged, and yet…"

Samanda offered a knowing look. "She is much older than most people realize. Vexa Wran was around during the Clone Wars."

Mara blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

Samanda nodded. "I am completely serious."

Mara sat back, studying Samanda both visually and in the Force. "I'm listening…"

"I, as well as all the older acolytes, are given what Vexa calls a privilege, once we reach a certain point in our training. She tells us her personal backstory, or what she wants us to know of it." Samanda shifted to be a bit more comfortable. "Vexa grew up a slave to a very cruel pair of masters, and she openly hated them, but at the time had no way to break free. They treated her with absolutely no respect, using her in any way they saw fit, and I mean any way."

Mara's mouth thinned out, but she didn't stop the young woman.

"Vexa was discovered one day by a Sith Lord named Count Dooku, when in a fit of absolute rage and desperation, Vexa unlocked her Force powers and with them murdered her masters. Her use of the Force in such a way drew him to her. She was thirteen at the time, and had been their slave for as long as she could remember." Samanda paused for breath. "Count Dooku had recently been forced by his own master, Darth Sidious, to dispose of his previous apprentice, Asajj Ventress. Dooku hadn't wanted to, but he had little choice. However, he still wanted his shot at usurping Sidious, as is the Sith way. But to do this, he needed his own apprentice to help him do it."

Mara indicated that she was still following, and so Samanda went on.

"So, with little cajoling, Dooku convinced Vexa to join him. If she did, he would free her from slavery and teach her how to use her Force abilities. Vexa agreed, and she learned swiftly, growing in both strength and ability. Things, according to Vexa, were going great, and she found that she actually loved Dooku like a father, since he had been the only person in her life to help her instead of hurt her."

Samanda stood for a drink of her water, bringing the glass back to the seat with her.

"Of course, her life crashed again when her master Dooku was killed… by Anakin Skywalker. When Vexa learned of this, she swore vengeance on the man and his entire family for taking her father-figure away. She never got to fulfill this pledge, however, because at the end of the Clone Wars, Anakin vanished, and with him, any trace of who his family might have been." Samanda gave Mara a poignant look. "Until another man with the surname Skywalker emerged."

Mara spoke for the first time since Samanda had begun her explanation. "So… she still wants revenge for Dooku's death, then?"

Samanda nodded. "Honestly, it's all she truly wants, is that revenge. I think her little war is just a distraction so she can more easily draw your family out. She doesn't have any interest in ruling, that I can tell. Then again, I may be wrong on that."

Mara tilted her head. "I sense you are being honest about Vexa's origins, however, there is a problem with it."

"Why doesn't she look as old as she is?"

"Exactly." Mara acknowledged.

Samanda swallowed heavily. "This is what will disturb you. Vexa… she has a wealth of ancient Sith knowledge at her command. She hid away during the reign of the Empire and learned everything she could about the Sith way. That included a way to remain young and healthy long after one's prime had passed."

Mara frowned. "That's possible?"

"For a price…" the tan-skinned Zabrack whispered.

"Which is?"

"In order to stay vital like she is," Samanda cringed, "Vexa must steal the life-force of a child once a year. Preferably one who is Force-sensitive."

Mara straightened, a sudden realization hitting her like a hot iron to the face. "That was why she truly wanted Kodai!"

Samanda blanched. "Yes. Being a Skywalker, he would have a very strong connection to the Force. Plus, his life-essence would not only keep Vexa healthy, but also make her stronger."

Mara couldn't help but think back to the moment that Ignis had taken Kodai, and what would have happened to her precious baby had the young man not later decided to return the boy. Mara now fully understood what Ignis had done for the Skywalkers, though she wondered if even Ignis had known the full extent of Vexa's plans for Kodai.

Nevertheless, right then and there, Mara forgot all the anger and hurt over Ignis' kidnapping of Kodai, and chose to instead love him for saving Kodai from such a fate. Mara felt a few tears spring to her gaze, and she took a shuddering breath.

She owed Ignis more than she'd ever known.

"Thank you for telling me this," Mara murmured.

"I… saw it happen last year," Samanda said evenly, her eyes wide with absolute horror. "It was a little girl, and the poor thing had been snatched on her lifeday. I was strung up in the room after failing a mission, and Vexa made me witness when she drained every ounce of life-force from the girl. I'll never forget the screaming… and how the girl's body faded to dust afterwards."

Mara was struggling also, though from a mother's point-of-view. Still…

Mara shifted to join Samanda on her side of the room, and wrapped a gentle arm about her. "Samanda, listen to me." When the teen was looking at Mara, she went on. "Vexa's actions and choices are her own. I understand exactly what you feel, because I served under Palpatine. Between him and Darth Vader, I witnessed many atrocities. I even committed crimes myself in the name of the Emperor. Thus, I can tell you that you were doing things under orders, and in the case of Vexa, you had no choice."

Samanda began to weep, leaning into Mara. "No… I didn't. I hate what I've been turned into by Vexa! I never wanted to k-kill people like I have!"

Mara nodded. "I didn't want to at first either, and I never truly liked it, but I learned not to be bothered by it. I convinced myself that I was doing the right thing, because Palpatine was in charge, and it was his way or no way at all. But I still live with the knowledge of what I have done. But in time, you will accept what has been, and move on to what will be… by living in the present."

Samanda sniffled, looking up at Mara. "Will I be punished for being her unwilling acolyte?"

"No." Mara promised. "I won't let them blame you for being a victim."

Samanda huddled against Mara once more. "I want to do more to help, but I fear her. If Vexa finds out I'm still alive…"

They'd been around this point multiple times, so she didn't finish.

Mara pursed her lips. "Didn't you tell me that you are great with technology?"

Samanda nodded, looking to the woman curiously.

"What if you helped from a distance?" Mara suggested.

"What does that mean?" Samanda inquired.

"You've been giving us intelligence, and it's been helping. But what about trying to get into the Rising's computers and files to access their database? If we could get to them that way, we could work to take them apart from the inside."

Samanda swallowed nervously. "I… I don't know if I am that good, Mara." Samanda held up a hand when Mara began to protest. "Vexa has many excellent splicers working for her."

Samanda paused, considering, and then remembering what else she had wanted to say. "However, I saw the news broadcast where Senator Galland challenged Vexa. I also wanted to warn you to keep an eye on the Senator, because Vexa will seek revenge on him for that. She loves vengeance… and she never forgives."

Mara nodded. "I will send someone to check on him."

"And… Vexa is vain," Samanda said softly. "If you jab at her ego enough, she will react."

Mara recognized the tip, and smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Samanda. You've given me a lot."

Samanda breathed through her nose. "I only hope it's enough."

00000

Luke looked to the beautifully rugged landscape below his X-wing as it passed. Looking out over the mountainous valleys, it was clear to Luke why Corsair had chosen Serenno for his mountain experience.

Luke had to admit that it was stunning, and he recalled Leia speaking in reverent tones about the landscape of Alderaan. The Jedi Master wondered if Serenno was as close to the deceased Alderaan as one could get. Luke made a mental note to bring Mara here for their next get-away. Perhaps on their next anniversary…

He refocused when Artoo indicated that their approved docking space was fast approaching in the city of Hyda Point. Luke expertly landed his craft and shut it down, removing his flightsuit with practiced ease and stashing it on the seat as he left the cockpit. Luke donned his Jedi robe instead and hefted Artoo from his socket behind the cockpit.

Once the ship was secured, Luke and Artoo approached the dock authority.

"Do you know how to get to Extreme Experiences from here please?" Luke inquired as he paid the fee for landing here.

The man nodded as if used to such queries. "Yeah, exit this bay, turn right and go until you reach the end of the street, there will be a resort. Enter there, and talk to the receptionist. You have to take their cable-lift to the place from there."

"Thank you." Luke inclined his head and left with Artoo.

As they strolled down the boulevard, Luke guessed that he was in the more touristy portion of the city. Hyda Point was known on Serenno for being the center of many tourist destinations, from the extreme mountain experiences to family-friendly resorts.

Luke took in the lavish decoration put into the architecture of every building along this avenue, and knew that part of it was to showcase Serenno technology. It was also designed to draw customers in, where salesclerks waited to make a few more credits.

Luke spotted a few carts selling snacks, though one in particular caught his eye. A young mother with a trio of little children stood selling a small variety of goodies. Most people seemed to ignore her, since she was tucked between two larger stores, and lost among the things each had laid out to advertise.

But Luke could sense her desperation to make enough for today to feed her little family, and his heart went out to her. Luke stopped and inspected her goods, seeing it when her face brightened with hope.

"Hello, Sir," she said in a melodious voice. "All of my food is homemade, and I guarantee quality."

Luke smiled softly at her. "What are each of these items?"

"I have sweet or salty popped kernels," she answered, indicating each thing as she spoke, "toasted tirra nuts, yula juice that's freshly squeezed, and jutu cookies, which are made using my grandmother's recipe."

Luke hummed to himself, and decided to help this poor woman out. "I'll take one of everything please."

Her brow lifted in surprise, and then she all but tripped over herself to fulfill his order. "Of course! My thanks to you, Sir. Would you like a sack to carry this all in?"

"Please," Luke replied, though he took the cup of juice in hand after paying. "Thank you."

The woman saw the amount he paid and began to weep. "Thank you so much!"

Luke smiled again and walked away, listening as she told her children that they would be able to eat that evening. Luke felt good when he heard the little ones cheering, and he tasted his juice, finding that while it was a little tart, it was also tasty.

As Luke continued on his way to the resort he had been directed to, Artoo followed dutifully. It took about twenty minutes to traverse the length of the street from where he'd started, but finally Luke was on the front steps of the resort.

Luke entered, disposing of his now-empty cup and approaching the front desk. He waited in the short line and then stepped up when it was his turn.

"Good day, Sir," the Fosh woman greeted him with a smile, "do you have a reservation with us?"

"Actually, I was directed here to get to Extreme Experiences," Luke replied.

"Ah yes," she nodded knowingly, gesturing to a man wearing a bellhop uniform. "You will need to take that turbolift to the roof, and from there, you will be able to access the cable lift to the business in the mountains." She held up a feathered hand when Luke started to turn away. "Wait please, you will need this to access the cable lift."

She handed Luke a pass from a stack at her desk. "When you return, please hand it back to me. We use this to keep track of how many people use our cable services."

"I understand, thank you," Luke answered, accepting the slip of flimsi.

Luke approached the bellhop and presented his pass, which garnered a pleasant smile from the man.

"Allow me," he said, opening the lift doors for Luke and then stepping inside with the Jedi Master. As he operated the lift, he spoke to Luke. "So, are you doing one of the experiences then?"

"Actually, no, I am here for information."

"I see," he nodded, "many do so, and once they realize what's involved, many turn tail. I guess extreme thrills are not for everyone."

"Indeed." Luke agreed cordially, unoffended.

Once the lift stopped, the bellhop let Luke out and then waved goodbye. Luke took a minute to appreciate the view from the rooftop, even taking his datapad out and using the camera to snap a few holos. His children would love to see them, he knew.

Luke replaced his datapad and locate the cable lift. Another uniformed man waited, though it was clear he did not work at the resort. The other's hazel eyes met Luke's as he approached, and then fell to the pass in Luke's grasp.

"You heading up?" he asked Luke.

"Yes."

"Alright then, in you go," the man unlatched a gate and led Luke into a hut, in which a small hanging car waited for use. "Please remain seated, and in your safety belt for the entire ride. And while you may open the screened window, please do not try to take the screen out. Yes, it's happened before, unfortunately."

Luke snorted softly, but otherwise did not argue.

"Enjoy your experience, Sir." The man shut the door before Luke could correct him, and soon the car was in motion, jolting slightly as it left the station.

Luke found that he was rather enjoying the scenic ride to the higher points of the mountain, and he snapped more holos. At one point, a duo of birds of prey swooped nearby, and Luke observed them performing acrobatics in the air that a seasoned fighter-pilot like himself could fully appreciate.

Then they were gone from view, and Luke settled for watching the growing peaks in front of his car. When the approaching station filled his view, Luke prepared himself to remove his safety restraint. Another employee met his car at the new station, and greeted him warmly as the door opened.

"Welcome to Extreme Experiences, you may remove your seatbelt now."

Luke did so and allowed himself to be ushered to the station's exit. Once outside, Luke found himself on a platform that was by no means boring. Without hesitation, Luke snapped another holo, whistling as he took in the place around him.

A natural waterfall— about the width of a tree trunk, and taller than the Jedi Temple— fell in a white ribbon to a pool at ground level. The platform encircled this natural fountain with enough space to allow the water to flow in its riverbank around the main building. The effect was like that of a moat one would find around an ancient castle.

Statues of wildlife stood here and there, while flora that was clearly from these mountains stood in beautiful arrays. And at one edge of the platform, a walkway with high railing jutted out to allow one a view of the valley below.

Luke took the time to witness this and closed his eyes to take in the peaceful vibe this area had. He breathed deeply, smiling softly to himself.

Eventually, Luke refocused and made his way inside the building at the far end of the platform. When he passed over the river, he glanced down from the bridge and spotted a school of fish. At the other end of the bridge, Luke took a small flight of stairs and entered the building itself.

It looked every bit like a rugged mountain lodge would, from the décor to the employee uniforms. A woman behind the reception desk looked at him when he entered, and waved to him welcomingly.

"Hello there!"

Luke moved over to her, nodding politely. "Hello. I am looking for a friend, though he was here a few years ago. I understand this may be difficult, but would any of you remember a man named Corsair Atriedes?"

The woman frowned. "Atriedes? I am sorry, I have only been here a few months, let me ask my supervisor."

Luke waited patiently while she disappeared through a door marked 'personnel only'. He took the time to appreciate more fully the interior of the lodge, loving the obvious craftsmanship evident in the woodwork.

"Sir?" the woman returned, indicating a man about Han's height who followed after her. "This is Donato Pharrell; he can speak with you."

Luke approached, meeting Donato halfway with a handshake. "You remember Corsair?"

"Remember him?" The man laughed, shaking his head. "I've never seen a more eccentric customer. He paid for me to be the guide to take him through the mountains. He purchased our top package the moment he could, and asked me to allow him to take all the time he needed to enjoy the outdoors." Donato shook his head. "He promised a generous tip if I did, and he followed through."

Luke felt the Force whispering to him that his persistence and patience would pay off today.

"Would you like to sit down?" Donato indicated a series of chairs in the center of the lobby area.

Luke followed him, and then Donato continued to speak.

"He was also one of the loneliest men I had ever met. It wasn't long into our hike that he showed signs that maybe this trip wasn't about thrills, but about finding peace." Donato shifted. "The longer we got into the trek, the more he opened up, much to my surprise. We spoke each evening especially, with Corsair usually opening the conversation."

Donato rubbed his hands together. "I tell you, that man opened my eyes to a lot of things that I had taken for granted. Because of Corsair, I finally took the final step with my girlfriend, and we married. Now I am a father, and I have taken the parental advice he gave me and applied the warnings to how I father my children."

"Warnings?" Luke was curious to know.

"Yes." Donato nodded. "One of the best things he told me, was that while my children needed a degree of independence appropriate to their age, they also needed a firm hand and boundaries. Ones they knew could not be crossed."

Luke's mind inadvertently went to Venussia, and he understood all too well why Corsair had offered such guidance.

"That is sound advice indeed," Luke murmured.

"That's what I think each time my kids push their limits. I know they're growing and learning, but there have been a few scares also." Donato shrugged. "But; I work in an extreme environment, so I can handle the pressure, you know?"

Luke chuckled at the attempted levity, and then spoke again. "I don't suppose you know where he went after he was here, do you?"

"He did not tell me an exact location, but," Donato held up a finger, "he spoke often of retiring on a planet where the people lived in peace, and utilized gigantic seed pods as homes and other buildings. Corsair really liked the idea of retiring in such a place. Unknown to those in his company, the man spent a while— and a sum of credits— to build himself a comfortable home on this planet."

Luke glanced to Artoo, who was taking studious notes for Luke. "Giant seed pods?"

That felt familiar to Luke, and he pursed his lips. Luke raked his brain for a long minute, thinking through the stories he had been told by the eldest Jed Masters of escapades in the Clone Wars by certain Jedi. Such as when Anakin Skywalker, Ashoka Tano and a few others had been stranded on a planet of peaceful people who wanted nothing to do with the war.

"Artoo, does the description ring any bells?" Luke inquired of the squat droid, knowing that Artoo had accompanied Anakin on many of his Clone Wars missions.

Artoo twittered excitedly, and Luke smiled at the response. "Maridun? That's right!"

Luke turned back to Donato to find him gazing in awe at Luke.

"You can understand that droid without help?" the man asked.

Luke nodded, patting Artoo's dome affectionately. "Artoo and I go way back."

Donato made an appreciative sound, and then stood. "Well, if that's all you needed, I do have a group coming in about an hour. Still have prep to do for that."

Luke offered his hand once more. "I appreciate the information."

Donato accepted the thanks and returned to his office while Luke made his way to the exit. Excitement bubbled beneath the surface, and Luke showed his pass to return to the resort, and soon was on his way. After he'd returned his pass, Luke and Artoo made a beeline for the X-wing.

Luke and Artoo had it in the air minutes later, and Luke pulled into an orbit so he could make a call. Dialing Mara, he waited in anticipation.

"Luke?" Mara answered, voice only.

"Hi Love," Luke greeted. "I'm calling with an update. I'm going to Maridun, which is where I am fairly certain I will find Corsair."

"That's great, Luke," Mara replied. "I'm glad you're getting somewhere at last."

"You and me both." Luke paused. "How are Ben and Emry?"

"Better, actually," Mara said. "It turns out, Emry was dealing with the same bullies as before, only this time it was far worse. But, after some helpful advice from myself— and apparently Ignis' letter— Emry handled the situation."

There was no denying the pride in Mara's voice, and Luke mirrored her in that pride.

"I'm so happy she was able to do that for herself." Luke leaned his head back. "I think she needed the boost in morale."

"I agree. She's also excelling in her studies… especially in the Force."

Luke smiled. "That's great news."

Mara hummed her agreement, and then sobered. "Luke, I need to tell you something."

Her tone of voice sent warning chills down Luke's spine, and he frowned. "Okay…"

As Mara shared with him all that Samanda had told her, Luke felt a stone form in his stomach. So Vexa's plans for Kodai had been to drain his essence completely, leaving behind only a pile of ashes?

Luke felt indignation touch his heart. So, not only did Vexa target innocent, helpless children to turn into her pawns, she also sacrificed one a year for her own selfish quest for immortality. All so she could seek revenge for a crime done by a man who died decades earlier.

"We really need to find this witch and end her," Mara growled once Luke had been allowed time to process.

Luke couldn't agree more, and he said as much. Finally, Luke saw that Artoo had the coordinates set, and he sighed.

"I'm going to go now, Love. I'm one step closer to coming home." He hesitated. "Would you please send me Byrec's address?"

Mara's pregnant pause spoke volumes. "Are you sure, Luke?"

"I need to know it all, Mara," Luke replied quietly. "Fist-hand whenever I can."

"Okay, I'll send it to your datapad." Mara agreed.

"Thank you. I love you, Mara. Say hi to the kids please."

Mara promised she would and signed off. Luke took them into hyperspace and sat back, watching the mottled view of lightspeed outside his cockpit.

Now that he was on his way, the excitement of finding Corsair began to give way to nerves. Yes, Luke was ready to hear the truth, but part of him was still a little wary of how Luke would truly react to it.

Luke took a few deep breaths and decided to meditate to pass the time.

00000

Wedge all but collapsed into his favorite chair in the quarters he shared with Tycho. Running a hand down his face, Wedge tried his best to ward off an impending headache. He could already feel the warning signs that one was coming upon him.

He had just left the debriefing session for all officers, in which not only had he learned that Sullust had chosen to surrender because both Vexa and her Fist had been there. But also, because the Rising had apparently a quired a brand-new Trade Federation battle droid army.

Wedge would love to know where the Trade Federation had built their new army, since their foundries and factories had been destroyed at the close of the Clone Wars.

Why is everyone in the Rising clinging to the past? Wedge thought sourly.

An urgent knocking on his door brought Wedge's head up, though moments later Tycho walked through, his face drawn. Wes was with him, looking equally distressed.

"What is it now?" Wedge asked, almost afraid to know.

"Naboo's been invaded, and completely overrun." Tycho gritted, showing Wedge a datapad with a news story upon it.

"Naboo?" Wedge asked in shock. "Why? When?"

"Just before the attack on Sullust, actually." Wes ran a hand down his face. "You know what I think? I think Vexa is sore about Naboo helping out at Bespin."

"That would definitely fit the data here in this article," Tycho murmured, scrolling through again it once Wedge had finished reading it. "The Rising attacks the palace in Theed, takes possession of the capital city, captures the queen to hold her hostage…"

"And then trades Naboo for their new army." Wedge finished wearily. "Fantastic."

Wes frowned over Wedge's shoulder, and then moved to the communications station in one corner of the room. "Hey Wedge, how long has it been since you've checked your messages?"

Wedge frowned over his shoulder at his friend. "Why do you ask?"

"Because, Han Solo has left you about five." Wes looked concerned all over again.

Wedge blinked, though for some reason a knot was beginning to form in his gut. "Why would Han be calling me?"

"Why don't we find out?" Tycho suggested mildly.

Wedge rose from his seat, and moved to take the one at the console. Wes and Tycho took up spots on either side of their Commander. Wedge activated the messages to play, and each said basically the same thing: Wedge needed to contact Han as soon as possible.

With a look to his companions, Wedge opened a secure channel— a perk of his Commander's ranking— and called Han.

When the smuggler answered, his face was grim. "Wedge, you got my messages. I was beginning to worry."

"We've been a bit busy, Han." Wedge reminded him.

Han nodded, unoffended. "I know. We just heard about the three take-overs."

"Wait, three?" Wes butted in. "It was just Naboo and Sullust."

"Actually," Wedge murmured, "it is three. I just left my meeting, and was informed that Malastare was also attacked when the Rising went for Sullust."

Wes swore, but indicated his understanding. "So, why are you calling us, Han?"

Han blew out a breath. "I… have to tell you something. I'm glad all three of you are here, 'cause I only have to say it once."

Wedge did not like that sound of that, nor did the others, judging by how they stiffened.

"Hobbie went with Lando, Chewie, Lumpy and myself to Kamino to help us attempt getting into the lab of Doctor Tsu Mada," Han said, launching into an explanation of everything that happened. When he finished, Wedge sat in stunned silence for long minutes, though Wes was much faster on the recovery time.

"Where the hell is he?" Wes demanded.

"If I knew, I'd tell you," Han growled. "Look, we've been working to figure out where he'd have been taken, but I can't make headway. However," Han looked to Wedge pointedly, "you might have a connection that could give us more information."

Wedge had to take a minute to compute what Han was saying, and when he did, Wedge couldn't contain his surprise. "How did you find out about her?"

"So, it's a young woman then?" Han asked, before he went on. "Hobbie let slip that you guys have someone who worked for the Rising at one point. I also was told that Mara, Luke and you have access to this person. What I have is my gut, and I think I might have an idea of where Hobbie is, but I need her to confirm it so we don't waste time that Hobbie may not have."

Wedge placed his face in his hands. "I was wondering where Hobbie was. Force help us."

Wes shared a look with Tycho, and then turned Wedge in his chair. "Wedge, what's Han talking about? What girl?"

Wedge considered, and then lowered his voice. "I am about to breach protocol, so keep this between us, got it?"

The other two nodded, and Wedge knew he could trust them. "Remember when the station at Bespin was infiltrated before the battle? Well, we caught one of the kids responsible, and she's being held under house arrest on Coruscant right now. She's been feeding us information about Vexa and the Rising, but she is too afraid of the Sith Lady to come outright against Vexa." Wedge paused. "Mara has been working with the young woman, since they have similar backgrounds, and the girl is responding well to it, but her fear still stops her from full honesty."

Wes glared. "Well, it's time for her to be up front. Hobbie's life is in jeopardy!"

"I agree." Wedge stated, turning back to Han. "One or all three of us will be on the way soon."

"Meet me at my place," Han told him, "and we can come up with a plan."

"Right. See you soon." Wedge signed off and stood. "I assume you two want to come?"

"You even have to ask?" Wes growled. "There's no way I am sitting this one out!"

But Tycho hesitated. "Yes, of course I want to help Hobbie. But, Igeal won't allow all three of us to go after him. I'll stay here; take command of the Rogues until you get back."

Wedge and Wes nodded, understanding. They'd still have to get permission from Igeal to even go, but Wedge was ready to promise just about anything for leave to get Hobbie back.

Wedge and Wes spent the next hour in a meeting with Igeal, in which it was negotiated that for their leave to get Hobbie, neither would get any more vacation time until the war effort was over. Wedge winced, but agreed, and Wes did likewise, though he was quicker about his response.

Then again, Wes doesn't have a wife and children waiting for him… Wedge mused.

Twenty minutes later, the two Rogues were packing to leave for Coruscant.

00000

Getting into the Senator's residence had been easy, and as Katu and Raythe took up their respective hiding places, each pictured what Vexa might do to the man. They'd seen her vengeance before, and neither one was bothered by it. If people didn't learn to fear those with the power, then that was to their doom.

Raythe was first to hear the scrape of feet outside the apartment, and he signaled to Katu, who nodded and melted deeper into the shadows. Their plan was to have Raythe be more visible and thus be seen first, and while the Senator was focused on the Yevetha, Katu would sneak up and put a drugged cloth over his airways to knock him out.

Raythe would then take the Senator to their master, and Katu would remain on Coruscant to fulfill the rest of his own mission.

The door opened, and Raythe waited to be discovered. It took a few moments, since the Senator was distracted by a datapad in one hand and take-out dinner in the other. As the door closed and the Cathar man shifted deeper into his house, Raythe moved.

The Cathar finally looked up and froze, his eyes widening. Then he set his food on the nearest table and reached for something at his belt.

"Who are you, and why are you in my house?"

Raythe only smiled at him, moving closer at a leisurely pace. Out of Galland's view, Katu approached noiselessly and readied his rag.

The Cathar finally whipped out a small blaster and fired at Raythe, who ignited his red blade and deflected it away from himself and into a piece of art that was probably expensive. Galland growled in anger and continued to fire, backing steadily away from Raythe and ever closer to Katu, who smiled in glee.

Then Galland was a mere pace from ramming into Katu, who reached around and covered the Senator's airways with the rag, which was doused in a knock-out drug. Galland's eyes widened in shock, and he dropped the blaster in an attempt to remove the rag, but Katu was stronger, and in any case, he could use the Force to stop the man, which he eventually did.

Minutes later, Galland was unconscious on the floor, with the two teenage acolytes standing over him.

"Well, that was fun," Raythe said, grinning at Katu.

"Indeed it was, if a little too quick," the Whiphid pouted.

"Well, best be on my way." Raythe hefted the Senator up and hauled him to the balcony, where a speeder awaited to take the two of them to their ship. "Don't want to keep Lady Wran from her fun."

Katu snickered, swiping the Senator's dinner for himself. "Enjoy."

Raythe saluted his friend. "You too. Try to hurt some of those Jedi Younglings for me, alright?"

Katu nodded. "Will do."

00000

It was late into the night, and Ben could feel in the Force that his family was asleep. Ben had checked the computer for a reply message, but so far it hadn't come. Maybe tonight it would.

Ben slipped from his room and into his father's office once more, padding quietly to the computer. He activated it and waited for it to boot up. Then he checked the messages, and was delighted to find that Ghent had replied at last. Judging by the size of the file, it contained much information.

Ben already had his datapad ready, and a few datachips he had borrowed from the library, claiming that they were for research purposes. And since he'd been mostly telling the truth, the librarian hadn't suspected anything. Ben truly was researching something, just not a topic she would probably like for him to be looking in to.

But Ben had to know.

Ben opened the message, and saw that there was a plethora of video files, and Ben knew he'd need each of his datachips. He started the download process immediately, and even checked a few to make sure they would play for him before he lastly deleted the file from the inbox on the computer.

Feeling a little guilty about using his mother's contact behind her back, Ben left the office after cleaning up his mess. Some part of his mind knew Mara would have been proud to know he was covering his tracks. But still, Ben didn't like being secretive.

However, soon that feeling of guilt left him, to be replaced by a stronger sense that he was doing the right thing, and Ben clung to that. Ben entered his room and took a deep breath, settling onto his bed and opening the first file. He noted that the videos were not in any particular order, so Ben simply clicked on the first one in the queue.

To his surprise, a dark blue face appeared, with red eyes framed by a bald, bulbous head.

"Doctor Quin-Tain Giddalti here," the man said in a voice that instantly gave Ben chills. The Duros man rattled off a date and time, and then moved into an explanation. "This is the beginning of what I hope will be a lengthy and very fruitful series of experiments. I have acquired a new test subject." Giddalti began to list facts about the child, but it was the final one that grabbed Ben's utter attention. "The subject is currently age six, has black hair, blue eyes, white skin, is male. Name: Ignis Vrei."

Ben sat back, the identity of the child in the video Ben had already seen confirmed. So that had been Ignis…

"The purpose of these experiments is to both further my medicinal and scientific research, and to gain the financial backing of prominent persons such as Vexa Wran. I have already entered into an agreement with her, and am looking forward to sharing my knowledge with her." Giddalti rubbed his hands together. "Everything about this boy will be filmed for the purpose of gathering data. Let us begin."

The video ended, and Ben selected the next one, which showed an older Ignis.

Ignis looked up from his place against the wall as the door opened, marking the previously seamless white walls with the location of the access hatch. Ignis was already in many forms of pain.

The feed paused, and Ben found that it included commentary from Giddalti that made the video feel like more of a scene from a story.

"He has a broken femur that I did to him to see if Ignis could stop the attack with only his mind… a head injury that had been the result of a more invasive experiment… Ignis also sports several sets of stitches in many areas where I performed other internal tests…"

"His latest session," Giddalti continued, "had included a test to see how long Ignis— a Force user— could hold his breath under water. He'd also been denied food and water, to see if a Force-sensitive could go longer without these things than those without it."

The video resumed, with the image of Giddalti stepping into the room now.

"You're awake now, that's good," Doctor Giddalti purred, bringing Ignis's attention onto him briefly.

But then Ignis looked away, not speaking around his rubbed-raw throat, which sported a pet collar, complete with a tag and number.

"You look well enough to survive my next experiment." The man continued.

Ignis blanched, showing signs of trepidation. He shifted away as Giddalti came closer, and when the scientist produced a syringe with a purple substance in it, the twelve-year old balked. He weakly threw up his hands, and Giddalti flew back against the wall, his head hitting with a sharp crack.

Giddalti crumpled with a loud curse, before he barked an order. Two burly men appeared, and grabbed Ignis in a death-grip, one of them wrenching his head to the side to expose his artery. Ignis still struggled despite their efforts

But then Giddalti was before him, and Ignis went cross-eyed as Giddalti moved the syringe under Ignis' nose as one would a cigar.

"You should be honored, boy: I made it purple, because my little girl loves that color." Giddalti informed Ignis before, with practiced ease, he maneuvered the needle in to Ignis' artery.

Ignis hissed, struggling still until the guards abruptly dropped him and left. Ignis leapt to his feet, ready to charge Giddalti. In fact, he had just started forward when he staggered. He put a hand to his head, and began to wobble precariously.

"What… did you… g-give… me?" Ignis demanded sluggishly.

Ignis slammed into a wall, where he pushed off and wobbled back the other direction, crashing into a corner next. He attempted to turn, but ended up even more off-balance, and he stumbled to his knees, his entire frame shaking uncontrollably.

"It's a new drug." Giddalti's voice was full of interest as he merely stood and watched.

Ignis cried out, clutching once more at his head, and then beginning to cry out in earnest. Once more Giddalti spoke, clearly for the purpose of his 'research'.

"You no doubt feel a fiery pain starting in your head and travelling to the remainder of your body. This is good, because it means the drug is working."

Ignis fell to his hands, bracing himself upon palms and knees, though he staggered and shook until he finally collapsed. The boy fell flat onto his stomach, and then curled into a tight ball, alternating between panting and screaming.

Eventually the shrieking overruled the panting as the drug clearly took full effect…

"Your insides will now be knotting," Giddalti informed the boy further.

Ignis was now sweating profusely, his chest working unsteadily, until finally he passed out from the agony.

The doctor clucked, speaking a few more words. "Subject lasted longer than anticipated: how interesting. I shall calculate for these variables, and tweak my formula to see if I can't extend the awareness period."

The video ended, leaving Ben sweating too. Ben took several deep breaths, and then selected the next video, this one without any commentary at all, just the visual feed. This one showed Ignis at his youngest version in the videos, which Ben now knew to be six. The understanding that he'd been brought into such cruelty at such a tender age truly disturbed Ben, but he pressed on anyway.

Ignis was escorted to a room, the boys' small frame quivering from both the cold and from fear. The two men escorting him were close enough to keep him from escaping. Ignis was ushered to a doorway, and when the boy stepped inside, he froze, taking in the scattered instruments in the space.

The boy trembled uncontrollably, not understanding, and yet something in his face showed that he did know that he was in grave danger. The boy started to back away, but the men who'd escorted him pressed hands upon his back. One eventually lifted him onto the table, and Ignis resisted instinctively.

Finally, the boy was strapped down and Giddalti entered, not speaking, only beginning to work on the child…

Ben blanched as Giddalti performed a series of initial tests on Ignis, and the child screamed readily as each was done. When the video ended, Ben moved to grab his garbage bin, thinking he just might be sick into it. He somehow managed to hold the contents of his stomach in, and started up the next video. Ben went through several more before one really got to him.

Giddalti stood over an older Ignis with a wicked looking instrument in hand. Ignis' wide blue eyes were fixated on it, and it was clear from his expression that Ignis was already imagining the pain it would cause him.

Giddalti centered the device over Ignis' left leg and set it down. Then he pressed a button, and the device came to life.

Ignis' screams echoed in Bens' ears as he witnessed Ignis' leg getting torn into by the machine attached to it, and then something was inserted into Ignis' leg…

Ben finally bent over his trashcan and vomited. The video ended just as Ben stopped throwing up, but Ben didn't have the stomach to watch more tonight. Ben somehow dragged himself off the floor and into his bed, where he used trembling hands to place the datapad and the chips into his bedside drawer.

Despite the images form all he had seen swimming through his head, Ben couldn't help but fall asleep, so exhausted from being sick was he…

…Ben jolted blearily awake as Mara nudged his shoulder more forcefully.

"Hunh, wha?" Ben slurred, trying to bring his mother's face into focus. He knew it was her from the bright red hair and her Force presence.

"Ben, what's going on?" Mara asked, clearly concerned. "Did you throw up?"

Ben suddenly realized the odor was pervasive in his room, and his stomach rebelled anew. Ben lurched for the can once more and hurled whatever remained in his stomach, out. He trembled heavily as he finished, and much like in some of the videos of Ignis, Ben began to collapse weakly. Mara caught him before Ben could face-plant into his own vomit.

"Come on," Mara said gently, picking him up with surprising ease and carrying him to the refresher.

Ben began to shiver as the cool air of the refresher hit him, and he moaned. "S-sorry M-Mom."

Mara shook her head. "Ben, I'm not mad at you. You cannot help being sick."

Ben didn't have the strength to speak more, so he simply sat still while Mara set him on the tub and worked to clean him up. Emry appeared at one point, took one look at him, and left to get him a change of clothes. When she returned, she was carrying the garbage can and trying not to show her own revulsion. Ben understood, and felt bad, but Emry took care of the mess while Mara helped her son into a fresh set of clothes once he was cleaned up.

Then Mara carried Ben back to his room and sent a cleaning droid in to freshen it. Emry returned with a freshly bagged trash receptacle, and Mara thanked her. Ben was already starting to fade back into sleep, but Mara placed a hand to his cheek. "Ben, I'll need to leave you home today, but I will ask Leia to send Threepio over to check on you later, alright? If you need anything, call me."

Ben nodded, and slipped back into sleep before he could formulate any words.

00000

Hobbie lost all track of time as he was intermittently brought between sessions with Tsu, and periods of rest in his cell. So far, though the man had indeed gotten creative with his techniques, Hobbie had not revealed his identity.

Hobbie didn't understand why the man— who was supposed to be brilliant— did not simply look Hobbie up with facial recognition. The man had all the technology of the Rising behind him, so why wasn't he just using that?

Unless that fool just likes hurting people, Hobbie thought moodily. The gleam he gets in his eyes when he's working to break me would suggest that this is the case.

He also had no idea if anyone was looking for him. But Hobbie knew that Han and his friends would never just leave their companion to his fate. They'd be working to retrieve Hobbie, and he trusted that.

Hobbie sighed deeply, trying to shift into a more comfortable position. Thus far, nothing had been broken except a few fingers, since Tsu apparently wanted Hobbie to remain mobile and mostly functional. Probably so that the man himself did not have to drag Hobbie about.

No, he could just continue to order the child to bring him back and forth.

Speaking of the child… Hobbie was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that a little girl was entangled in this mess. She was also a bit of an enigma to him: tough and determined one moment and seemingly unsure the next.

It as like she was uncertain which way she wanted to go. Hobbie also recognized the signs that she was likely just trying to live up to the environment she was living in, and yet that she didn't want anything to do with it.

He saw the girl approach, this time with a tray that bore what he thought might be his next meal. She had brought him a few of those already too, though she would never speak to him outside of a few sharp words.

But she didn't need to speak for Hobbie to read in her eyes and mannerisms that she was miserable. So, he remained kind to her, always thanking her, or trying to strike up neutral conversation to simply get her talking.

And while she still hadn't opened up to him, Hobbie could tell that his kindness was having an impact on her.

She stopped at his door, giving him a look. "Don't try anything, understand?"

Hobbie nodded, and she opened his door, shutting it behind herself but not locking it. Hobbie stayed put, not having the strength to make a run for it anyway. She turned and stood almost awkwardly, the tray in hand as she tried not to look Hobbie in the eye.

"I brought your food," she finally said, stepping forward and laying the tray at the halfway point between them.

Hobbie managed a soft smile. "I see that. Thanks."

She nodded, glancing about and then lowering her voice. "Make sure you drink all the water." When he gave her an odd look, she went on. "You need to stay hydrated."

Hobbie shifted his gaze from her to the glass of water on the tray, wondering why she was emphasizing it. Had she poisoned it?

Hobbie snorted derisively. Come on, Hobbie, why would she urge you to drink poison? She wouldn't: she'd keep quiet and just let you drink it unawares.

Finally, Hobbie leaned carefully forward and took up the tray. He lifted the glass to his lips and took a cautious drink. Her gaze shifted in a telling manner when he did so, and Hobbie saw a brief glimmer of relief in their depths. Hobbie decided to risk it, and downed the entire glass. When he set it back on the platter, she nodded, her face softer now.

"Good job," she murmured.

Hobbie knew there was clearly something in the water, and decided that he would find out later what it had been. He took up the plate she'd brought and worked at the contents thereupon. As he did so, he looked to her again.

"May I ask your name?"

She looked to him again. "Why do you want to know?"

"I'd like to know who you are," Hobbie replied without ire.

"Who cares who I am?" she muttered, looking away so he couldn't see her expression.

"I care," Hobbie assured her quietly. "Are you… a servant here?"

Her head whipped around: there was a flash of anger… and then it cooled to something else Hobbie couldn't quite identify.

"You could say that," she finally whispered.

Hobbie thought back to his talk with Han on the way to Kamino, and how Hobbie had suspected that Vexa had more than one youth in her possession. Hobbie was willing to bet that this was one of them.

"Are you an acolyte too?" Hobbie asked.

Her head came up, her eyes wide. "What did you say?"

Hobbie set his fork down. "An acolyte. I know about Ignis, and I suspect that he isn't the only…"

At Ignis' name, the girl's face lit up with sudden interest. "You saw Ignis? Where? How is he? Is he alright?"

Taken aback, Hobbie shifted. "You know him?"

"Of course I know Ignis!" The girl exclaimed, though when she heard how loud she was being, she lowered her voice. "But how do you?"

"I'm a friend." Hobbie informed her.

The girl said nothing for a long minute. "Friend? How? You're clearly not a member of the Rising…"

Hobbie inclined his head, aware that perhaps this girl was playing him to help Tsu. He was thus careful with what he said until he knew he could trust her.

"I met Ignis on his latest mission, and we grew closer." Hobbie allowed his honesty to show, something he knew she would sense. He knew she had the Force like Luke, and thus could tell when he was lying to her.

He indeed felt a light brush against his mind, something he remembered from when Shmi was learning and the Rogues had allowed her to use them as test subjects from time to time. Finally, the girl sat back and turned thoughtful.

"You're telling the truth," was her eventual reply.

Hobbie waited, wondering what she would do next.

She looked to him, glanced around as if checking to make sure the coast was clear, and then scooted forward some more. "Do you really care about Ignis?"

"I do." Hobbie nodded, and he decided it would be alright to give her something after all. If he didn't extend some trust, he would never get it in return, he knew. "I got caught trying to help him, actually."

She blinked, and bit her lip, then closed her eyes. "My name is Arthalinea Endivain."

Hobbie smiled warmly. "Arthalinea. That's a pretty name."

She blinked at him, clearly taken aback. "Really?"

Hobbie nodded. "It is. How old are you?"

"Eleven." She looked down. "And before you ask, I have no idea where I come from. I… was in the slave trade well before Vexa, and was taken by Vexa when I was seven."

"So, you've been training for four years?"

Arthalinea paled. "Yes."

Then she became spooked and she swiftly stood. "But I shouldn't be speaking to you."

Hobbie sighed softly, but let her go, and he realized as she closed the door from the outside that he felt better physically. His gaze slid from the glass to the girl, who saw this and offered a timid smile.

"I couldn't very well sneak you pills, now, could I? Tsu is monitoring your meals."

And with that, she was gone.

00000

Shmi and Anya sat across from Kavis, looking to him expectantly.

"Well, where do you suggest we begin?" Shmi asked.

Kavis shifted froward. "I would have to contact Vexa and tell her I want another job from her."

Shmi shook her head. "I don't think so. How thick do you think we are? You'd call her right to us."

Kavis gave her a brazen look. "I thought that was what you wanted?"

Shmi met his stare evenly. "And I thought you wanted to get back to your beloved ship?"

Anya pinched the bridge of her nose. "We aren't getting anywhere. Kavis, do you have any way to get an inside scoop on where the Rising would be going next?"

"No," Kavis answered flatly. "I don't live with them; I only took jobs from them with my father."

"How do you get in touch with them?" Anya pressed.

"I call a comm code, or rather, she contacts me." Kavis shifted. "But lately, I have been avoiding her calls. Yes, of course she still demands my services."

"Or, she wants to finish what she started back at the base," Shmi murmured, recalling the slaughter they'd found.

Kavis said nothing for a time, and his silence told Shmi that she wasn't wrong. Kavis clearly feared that Vexa wanted to end him too.

Anya glanced between them, and then leaned forward. "What if you offered to take another job for her? Maybe to ferry something ahead of the Rising to some place they will be going?"

Kavis shook his head. "I don't get to request the jobs. She tells me what to do, and I do it, end of story."

Anya laid a cool green gaze on him. "Well, we all have to take risks, now, don't we?"

Kavis narrowed his eyes right back. "What did I ever do to you, huh?"

Anya, who he thought was Raziel, only gave him a stony look and rose from her seat, leaving the lobby to take up the copilot's chair. Kavis watched her go and then turned confused eyes onto Shmi.

"Seriously, why does she hate me? I don't even know her."

Shmi gazed at the auburn-haired young woman for a moment, then fixed the same blue eyes on Kavis. "You truly have no idea who she is, do you?"

Kavis lifted a brow. "I have never met her in my life."

Shmi said nothing for a moment, then stood. "I promised her I'd keep her past confidential, and that is how it will stay. Unless I feel it's more important to tell." She indicated the couch. "Feel free to sleep there."

"Where are we going?" Kavis asked her retreating back.

She turned and gave him a pointed look. "You tell me. Just remember, the longer you waste our time, the more likely it is that someone will find your ship and claim it for themselves." She paused as a thought occurred to her. "It wouldn't happen to be the vessel I fixed, would it?"

Kavis cracked a smile. "It is, actually. I must say, you're a killer mechanic."

At his choice of words, Shmi scowled, leaving him alone.

Kavis fell into his thoughts, eyeing the auburn-haired girl and trying to figure her out. He and his father had angered a few people, he knew. But for some reason, this particular incident felt more personal.

It was like he should know her, and yet he did not. She appeared to be the same age as Shmi, and judging by the lightsaber hanging at her hip, she was Force-sensitive. But that was all Kavis knew about her.

In fact, there was something about this young lady that he felt he was familiar with somehow. Frowning, Kavis fell asleep trying to decipher the puzzle.