Chapter Eleven:
When they arrived at Cathar, Shmi and Anya immediately sensed the pervasive feeling of death and horror in the Force. The two shared a poignant look, and each tried to prepare herself for what they would find.
Kavis sat in the lobby, waiting for the ladies to pilot them to wherever it was they were going. Shmi and Anya both used the guidance in the Force to navigate their way to the site of the disturbance.
The closer they came, the more they realized it wasn't exactly hard to find. A few miles ahead, smoke still rose in dark whisps from what they saw had once been a peaceful settlement. When he could take it no longer, Shmi sensed Kavis come to stand behind her seat in the cockpit. Then he swore softly when the ruined place came into better focus.
"The Fist was clearly here." Kavis grumbled. "The utter destruction is his calling card."
The judgmental tone of his voice caused Anya to bristle, and Shmi to turn to him with a venomous glare.
"And you and Saul were so much better?" Shmi asked in a low tone. "Or need I remind you of the innocent village you plundered for no reason except to kidnap a senator?"
Kavis had the decency to look ashamed, and Anya brushed past him harshly, opening the ramp and walking down as soon as she could. Shmi wasn't far behind her, and she threw Kavis a warning look.
"Don't try anything. I set the controls to only fly with myself or Raziel at the helm." At his dubious expression, Shmi lifted her chin. "And yes, I can do that. Luke Skywalker built this ship, so don't doubt that I speak the truth."
Kavis sighed. "Don't worry, I'm going to keep my word, Shmi."
Shmi nodded and set off toward the village. She was unsurprised to find a squad of local police already there, speaking with Anya. When Shmi and Kavis joined the men who were speaking with Anya, the chief looked to Shmi.
"Another Jedi?" the Cathar man asked. "I am grateful for your presence, but may I ask why you came?"
"We have been trying to track someone down," Anya replied, "and during our travels, we felt a disturbance in the Force that led us here. We are only sorry we arrived too late to save anyone."
The man sighed heavily. "As are we. You are welcome to look around, but please leave the burials up to us. We want to ensure the dead are properly taken care of in Cathar fashion."
"We will be respectful." Shmi promised, and the Cathar man bowed low, with the ladies doing the same.
Once the police had filed off, Shmi and Anya shared another look. Shmi glanced to Kavis, who had stopped by the first set of dead bodies. So far none of the dead seemed to have been shifted, so that allowed the young women to fully see what had occurred. Shmi felt a lump form in her throat as she witnessed the utter devastation left behind by Vexa's Fist.
Shmi saw men, women… and even children lying where they'd fallen when his lightsaber had ended their lives. Some were strewn over objects, most were lying on the ground, and a few were still inside their tents. Or what was left of the tents. Those homes with people inside had been destroyed to allow the Fist access to the tenets.
Shmi heard a tiny noise, and glanced over to find Anya with her hand to her mouth, tears leaking from her eyes. Shmi would have offered comfort, had the black-haired young woman not been feeling the same way. Seeing her friend weeping caused Shmi's own emotions to spill over.
Shmi and Anya walked slowly through the entire village, noting that almost everyone had died by lightsaber. However, when they came to a large dead animal with three bodies beside it, Shmi saw that only one of these had been killed with a lightsaber.
An elderly Cathar woman looked like she hadn't been touched at all, though her face showed signs of asphyxiation. The similarly aged man beside her was headless, the dismembered part lying nearby.
The final Cathar body caused Shmi to hold her hand to her mouth in horror. The woman was almost unrecognizable because she had been burned to death, her fur completely singed.
Shmi sensed Kavis arrive, and his gaze locked onto the burned woman. Shmi felt a wave of pain from Kavis, and she thought back to what Luke had told Shmi about Saul's death. Shmi had been unconscious shortly after Luke, Han and Ignis had arrived to find her, so she hadn't seen what had become of Kavis' father. Later, Shmi had learned that the man had been electrocuted within his armor by Sith lightning.
Allowing Kavis a moment to his own thoughts, Shmi turned when the captain of the local police approached again.
"This was Senator Galland's family," the man said solemnly, shaking his head. "I hate what happened here, but the Senator never did know when to keep his mouth shut. He was warned not to target such a powerful, evil woman. But, big surprise, he didn't listen."
"This is his whole family?" Shmi clarified, indicating the three persons.
"All but the daughter. She is missing… but we suspect she's been taken hostage by Vexa's Fist."
Anya sucked in a breath, as did Shmi.
"Is there anything that can be done to get her back?" Anya asked.
"I wish there was, but we have no idea where he went, or how to track him," the man said softly. "I'm sorry, but the girl is at Vexa's mercy now."
Shmi and Anya stepped closer, hugging an arm around each other for emotional support.
"Did you get any answers you needed?" the man asked. "My men and I must be returning to the station to make our report, and then a crew will be sent to bury the dead."
"We don't need anything more from you, thank you," Shmi answered politely.
"We are so very sorry for the loss here," Anya murmured.
The man offered a word of gratitude, and left with his contingent of police.
Shmi turned to Kavis. "Are you sure you have no way to find Vexa? We might be able to save that girl."
Kavis came-to with a shake of his head. "I… don't know."
"Oh, come on Kavis!" Shmi shouted angrily. "Don't you want to help that girl?"
"Of course I do!" he hollered back. "But who knows how long ago this was? What good are we going to do even if we can get there? Vexa would already have the girl!" Kavis looked away. "I really am sorry, but we are too late, Shmi. We need to move on."
Shmi knew he was right, and she hated it. Her gut was roiling, her heart crying.
Unbeknownst to the ladies, an idea formed in Kavis' mind, and he took hold of it. He was ready to be his own person, free of Vexa, and Shmi. Kavis just wanted to disappear and make a life for himself, free of anyone telling him what to do or become.
Promise or not, he was done.
"Listen," Kavis softened his voice. "I might be able to contact her and plead for the girl's life. I cannot guarantee anything, though."
Shmi studied him, aware of his shifting priorities. Yet, eager for any good news, she nodded. "Okay, let's try it."
Anya was far less trusting, and she narrowed her eyes at Kavis. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
Kavis laid a cool gaze right back on her. "It's personal."
Shmi looked between them, and then pulled Anya aside. "Hey, I don't exactly trust him either, but if we can save this child, isn't it worth a try?"
Anya shook her head. "Shmi… it's not that I don't want to help, but both he and the officer were right. The girl is lost. We won't have any footing to get her back. What would we be able to offer her in exchange?"
Anya paused as a thought struck her, and suddenly she knew. Vexa would love to get her claws in to Anya… and maybe that would get Anya closer to Ignis than she and Shmi were getting on their own. And perhaps then Shmi would return home.
Anya hated to be like that with Shmi, but Anya knew the other needed her family. Anya was used to begin alone, and she could operate solo. Shmi… she needed her family's help. So Anya chose to let Kavis do his thing, fully aware that he was likely going to betray them.
"Do not let your guard down with Kavis, Shmi." Anya warned. "He only cares about himself. But I trust you, and I will help you."
Shmi knew she was likely rushing into this, but she needed so much to help that girl. Shmi suspected it had to do with how she had been kidnapped by Darth Vader and taken to Emperor Palpatine. Shmi knew what it was like to face a monster who only wanted to use and harm you.
"Look, I know I'm not being as careful as I could," Shmi told Anya, "but with my past… I have to at least try."
Anya blew out a soft breath. "I know the feeling."
Shmi smiled at her friend, recalling the backstory Anya had shared with her. Anya had been stolen from her Tatooine home long ago, to be sold into slavery. And she had been alone ever since she had bene freed by her masters on Duro. The two girls were more alike than they'd realized before their mission to find Ignis.
Shmi and Anya turned back to Kavis, who was waiting expectantly.
"Okay, let's do this." Shmi told him.
Kavis nodded once. "I need to use the comm station on the Nebula please, and I will need privacy. She can't know I am working with you both."
They led him back to the ship, and Shmi unlocked only the communications array for him before she went to wait outside with Anya. The girls waited for a time, and then shared a look.
"You know, you'd think he would be a bit more subtle about wanting to betray us," Shmi whispered.
Anya snorted sardonically. "Yes. His sudden shift was not obvious at all."
Shmi shook her head. "I have to wonder how he will make it on his own. He doesn't always seem to be…"
"The sharpest tool in the shed?" Anya supplied.
Shmi snorted laughter. "Yeah."
They settled after a moment, and Shmi sensed a shift in Anya, but didn't get the chance to ask about it, because Kavis appeared.
"Alright, I have spoken with Vexa, and she's agreed to exchange the girl for you, Shmi. She's sending an acolyte to meet us on Omwat for the exchange." Kavis rubbed the back of his neck. "Turns out, she really wants your family."
"What a surprise," Shmi muttered. "Alright, well, we can get the girl to safety, and fight our way back out."
Kavis shrugged. "If that's how you want to play this. But this will make us even. You'll be with Vexa like you need, and from there, you can work your own way to Ignis."
Shmi nodded. "Let's not waste time then."
00000
Arthalinea looked at her score, concerned about how low it was despite her best efforts. She had just gone a round on the blaster-range, this particular scenario being intended for the shooter to hit moving targets. Stationary ones Arthalinea could manage, but she struggled with the ones that moved. Vexa had warned Arthalinea that if she did not see marked improvements soon, she'd lose her patience with the girl.
Arthalinea knew what that meant, and it terrified her. She didn't want to die!
The Twilek child did not realize that she had company, until a voice spoke from behind her.
"Moving targets will not be in the same place the laser-blast goes, as they were when the blast leaves the weapon."
Arthalinea spun, startled. As she did so, she accidentally allowed her blaster rifle to point at the young man behind her. Before she could blink, the rifle was out of her hands and pointed safely away from them both.
"Sorry Ignis," Arthalinea murmured, embarrassed.
Ignis set the weapon on the table. "You need to lead the target; aim for where it will be, instead of where it is when you pull the trigger."
"How do I do that?" she inquired, eager for any help at all.
"You must predict where it will be based on where it is, the direction it's headed, and how fast it's moving." Ignis explained patiently.
Arthalinea hesitated. "Thank you, but… are you supposed to be helping me?"
Ignis stepped back one pace. "Our master never said we couldn't help each other improve. It's just that nobody chooses to do so unless the exercise requires a partner."
Arthalinea nodded, looking to the weapon and feeling depressed.
"I'll never get this." She lamented.
"You will if you keep working at it and never quit." Ignis assured her.
She looked to him again. "Would you show me how to lead the target, as you've said?"
Ignis lifted a brow, but then stepped forward and took up the rifle once more. He put it to his shoulder and ordered a clay target fired. Arthalinea watched as he traced the item's trajectory for a second, then moved the barrel ahead of the target and fired. The target exploded into bits of shrapnel.
Arthalinea was impressed, and almost asked him to do it again, but she knew better than that.
"Your turn." Ignis handed her the weapon.
Arthalinea took it and breathed deeply, setting the rifle to her own shoulder. She called for a target and it came out. She worked to mimic Ignis' actions, and though she did not get a bullseye, she did nick the target.
Ignis actually gave her a tiny smile. "You see? You can do it. Now, just keep practicing."
Arthalinea was drawn from her reverie by a large hand jerking on her left lekku, and she cried out in pain. Lekku were nerve centers for Twileks, and if they were touched in the wrong way, it was immensely painful.
"Pay attention, girl!" Tsu Mada snapped irately.
Arthalinea glared mildly at him, but he merely glared right back, his larger stature intimidating to her. And he knew it.
Yes, she held the Force, but she was under orders from Vexa to serve Tsu's every need, as well as take care of the prisoner. And in any case, though Arthalinea was farther along in her studied than she had been when Ignis had helped her with the shooting range, she was not a very good acolyte.
She was far too timid, and Vexa knew it. Still, Arthalinea tried her best to follow Vexa's orders, and to be more assertive so she could make her master proud of her for once. Arthalinea did not like Tsu or Asa, but she did what she was told so Vexa didn't punish her.
She was unprepared for the pilot to speak up in her behalf, despite his latest session with the Kaminoians. Nor was it the first time he had done such a thing. No, the pilot had taken to standing up for her time and time again, and it was slowly winning him the girl's heart.
"Leave… her alone!"
Tsu and Arthalinea both looked to the man, and though Arthalinea gazed at him in shock, Tsu merely snorted disdainfully.
"You are hardly in any position to stop me." He motioned between the pilot and the child. "I may treat this girl however I wish."
"Why not pick on someone closer to your overgrown size?" The pilot shot back fearlessly.
Tsu stepped forward threateningly. "And who might that be? You?"
"At least I'm an adult!" The man snapped. "You're a coward for picking on a child."
Tsu backhanded the pilot, then turned to Arthalinea. "Take him to his cell. No food or water tonight."
Arthalinea didn't move immediately, and the doctor narrowed his eyes. "Did you hear me?"
Arthalinea heard the warning tone of his voice and she snapped into action, moving forward and working to take the pilot away as ordered. Seeing that he was being obeyed, Tsu ignored the pair from then on.
She waited until they were well away from the Kaminoian to speak. "Wh… why did you do that?"
The man looked to her through a black eye. "Because I hate how he treats you."
Arthalinea looked away. "I'm used to it."
"You shouldn't have to be," he replied gently.
Arthalinea's breathing hitched, and she closed her eyes, but said nothing more while they walked. The only person in her life that had shown her any kindness was Ignis, and he was her only friend. But it was rare to find him on Boz Pity anymore, since he, being one of the oldest acolytes, was always on a mission with Vexa, or helping their master fight her war. So Arthalinea truly was alone…
And so utterly lonely.
And scared. She was always afraid that one day Vexa would decide that the weak-link that Arthalinea felt like was not worth keeping around anymore, even if it was only to keep things running at Vexa's castle.
When would that no longer be enough for the Sith Lady?
Sensing her sorrow somehow, the pilot moved a half-step closer. Arthalinea tensed, not knowing what he was doing, but he made not threatening moves, so she relaxed. When they got to his cell, she released his binders and gently pushed him inside.
"I… am sorry you don't get to eat tonight," Arthalinea said quietly.
"I've gone without before," he soothed, "I'll be okay."
Arthalinea looked down. Even this man, a prisoner, was braver and stronger than she. Yes, she was only a child, but she was training as an acolyte, and she needed to be tougher. She just didn't know if she had it in her. Or how to conjure up what she needed to make that happen.
"Would you like to talk about anything?" the man offered gently.
Arthalinea stared at him, taken aback. "Why would I?"
"Because sometimes," he said, taking a seat in one corner, "talking about it can help you see things more clearly, or just help you feel better."
Arthalinea hesitated, torn between taking his offer, and being the tougher girl she wanted to be. But did she really want to be an acolyte?
No, and she never had. Maybe that was why she struggled so much?
With a tear slipping from her eye, Arthalinea found that she couldn't not speak. "I'm so alone! And I am always afraid… I live in fear, with only my training, other acolytes close to my age or younger, and silent halls to keep me company."
The pilot blinked. "There are other kids here?"
Arthalinea nodded. "None of us wants to be here, and yet, we can't leave unless Vexa tells us to."
"May I ask where 'here' is?"
Arthalinea hesitated, but decided that it wouldn't hurt for him to know. "Boz Pity. This is Vexa's castle."
The pilot turned thoughtful, nodding almost lazily. Eventually he looked to her again. "Why are you training as an acolyte if you don't want to?"
Arthalinea gulped in a petrified breath of air, feeling like she as somehow betraying her master, but the words kept tumbling from her, now that she had a sympathetic ear.
"Because I have to, or I die! We all do! And we only have a certain amount of time each year, when she gives us new lessons, to get it down. If we don't learn what she wants us to, or don't make enough progress, she ends us."
The man stared at her. "When you say end…"
Arthalinea drew a finger across her throat, and he blanched. Arthalinea bowed her head and placed her face into her hands, crying.
"I… I only h-have one f-friend…" Arthalinea wept. "And I barely even s-see him! B-but I f-fear Vexa over any one else… she is so cruel! I'm so s-scared, all the time!"
She heard the scratch of clothing and looked up so find the man struggling to his feet. She stared at him, wondering what he was doing, and when he approached her, she back-stepped uncertainly.
He kept his hands open and up in a display of peace, and Arthalinea looked between his hands, and his face. To her utter surprise, his eyes were warm and soft.
"May I?" he asked, opening his arms invitingly.
"May you what?" she asked, unfamiliar with comfort. She had lived as a slave, and then under Vexa, where affection was minimal, if it was present at all. Even Ignis, who was her friend, had to be careful lest they grow too close, and Vexa step in.
"I'd like to give you a hug to help you feel better." The pilot explained patiently.
When she did not move, he tilted his head. "I understand, Arthalinea. Ignis was hesitant too, when someone tried to comfort him, and I'm sure it's for similar reasons. But when he let others in, he did feel better."
Arthalinea admitted to amazement that Ignis would allow anyone to touch him, especially in a way that would restrict him. What had changed for him? She took courage from the pilot's words, sensing via the Force that it was true.
So, in an effort to be more like Ignis, Arthalinea stepped gingerly forward, standing timidly just out of the pilot's reach. He took the final step, coming close and wrapping his arms gently around her.
At the sudden feeling of being caged, Arthalinea stiffened, breathing heavily as instinctive fear coursed through her veins like acid. But the pilot simply waited patiently for her to relax, and she found herself grateful for that.
At long last, Arthalinea calmed, and leaned into him. His arms tightened gently, and she listened to his steady, sure heartbeat.
And never before had Arthalinea felt so secure. It caused her to snap her arms around the pilot in turn, and hold him like he might disappear at any second, and taking the safe feeling with him. Before she knew it, she was sobbing into his chest, her loneliness and despair coming out in great heaves.
She let it all out, feeling her heart grow in love for this man who simply held her and let her cry.
When she finally felt sated, she stood in sniffly silence with him, gazing at nothing until at last she pulled back.
"Th-thank you."
He leaned close and whispered into her ear. "My name is Hobbie. Hobbie Klivian."
She gazed at him in amazement. "You're trusting me with your identity?"
He smiled gently. "You trusted me just now, didn't you? It's only fair that I return that faith."
She could only gaze at him for long seconds before at last she smiled back. "Thank you… for everything."
He sat down again, clearly tired. "I'm happy to help."
She sat beside him, and he looked to her curiously.
"I can't feed you, but I can keep you company for a bit." She explained bashfully.
Hobbie nodded. "That would be nice, thanks. So, what can you tell me about Ignis?"
Arthalinea's smile returned. "Let me tell you about how he stood up to Katu for me."
"Softie Ignis is helping the slave girl!" Katu mocked with a cruel smile at the red-skinned girl. "She'll never be anything more than a weak-link. She can't even handle weapons without a babysitter!"
"Lay off it Katu," Ignis said coldly. "You know our master wants more acolytes fully trained. I am simply helping that along."
Katu snorted. "Sure you are."
Ignis folded his arms, offering a disinterested look. "You don't frighten me, Katu. Now, let Arthalinea train."
Katu grumbled, but did depart, and Ignis turned to Arthalinea.
"You're going to need to grow a thicker skin, Arthalinea. I can only tutor you in so much. You must find it in yourself to accomplish things." Ignis paused. "And trust me when I say, that you will need that tough hide. There are ugly things to be faced out there, and if you're unprepared…" He stopped there; the warning clear.
Arthalinea knew he meant well, and she nodded seriously.
00000
Ben was on the third of four disks now, his heart in turmoil and his mind awhirl with all he was learning about Ignis' past under the rotten care of Dr. Giddalti. Ben knew that his mother suspected something was up, and she was correct.
Ben couldn't sleep most nights, he was often exhausted because of this, and he was more and more visiting the refresher to be sick. But something kept him at it, something compelled Ben to finish, assuring him that since he had gone this far, he might as well finish what he had started. But the videos got steadily more disturbing, until finally, one day while Ben was using his lunch break to watch the next video, the boy had a totally different experience with the videos.
While in his storeroom, when Ben started the next video— and being so very tired— Ben was drawn without warning into a vision that allowed him to not just see the video occurrence, but to be there.
Ben stumbled as he tried to regain his footing. It took him a few seconds to recognize the hallway he was in, though he had only ever seen it from the videos. A scuffle sounded not far from him, and Ben turned on his heel to see a trio of men all but dragging a struggling Ignis. This version of Ignis was definitely in his teenage years.
And it was clear he had been through some of his training with Vexa already, because this Ignis was giving up much more of a fight against his captors. It took all three of the physically stronger men to wrestle Ignis into the same room as always. As they did so, Ben caught a glimpse of Ignis' body, clothed only in a pair of pants.
Scars and bruises, stitches and dried blood littered Ignis' exposed skin, but Ignis didn't seem to notice any of this as he fought with all he was worth to avoid whatever horror awaited him now. Ben spotted the same collar about Ignis' neck, and Ben wondered why Ignis didn't use the Force to wrench himself free of the men.
Perhaps the doctor had placed some sort of inhibitor on Ignis that Ben wasn't aware of.
Ben tried to stop himself from entering the room too, but his feet carried him forward of their own accord. Ben watched as Ignis was wrestled, not onto the table, but into a shiny chair that had been brought in. The change in positions no doubt told Ignis that this was something entirely new. As the young man was strapped into place by his legs, torso and shoulders, Dr. Giddalti entered, a female Duros behind him. She was pushing a covered item into the room with her. Giddalti wore a pristine white lab coat, with shiny black gloves that went up to his elbows.
"Hello again, Ignis." Giddalti purred, and Ignis eyed the man with open fear.
Gleaning obvious satisfaction from this fact, Giddalti simply stood for a time, dragging out Ignis' emotional state. Ben hated the man for it, and Ben went to stand beside Ignis while the men who'd brought him inside stood back.
Ben laid a spectral hand on Ignis' shoulder, trying to comfort him even as he knew this was only a vision of a past event.
Giddalti finally tired of simply standing there, and he gestured the woman forward. She brought the covered device to rest in front of Ignis. The young man's eyes went inexplicably to the mystery item, and when it was uncovered, Ignis paled considerably.
Giddalti unclasped the latches on the device and lifted a lid, revealing a pair of cradles for Ignis' arms. The doctor gestured to the three men, and two of them worked to force Ignis' arms from the chair and into the device.
Ignis of course did his best to resist, but he was ultimately overpowered, and then the device was shut over his arms, and the item now all but rested against Ignis' knees. This left him with his arms encased from the base of the elbows to the wrists. Ignis' hands stuck out the other end, and the young man's chest worked unsteadily as he waited for the expected pain.
Giddalti produced a syringe with a small amount of clear liquid inside, and he bent forward some to gaze at Ignis with pity.
"I wasn't going to skew the results of this particular test with anything, but since this is a punishment for you after you tried to escape with those Mandalorians, Vexa told me to make sure I leave an impression on you." Giddalti stuck the needle into Ignis' neck and administered the drug. "This is a pain-enhancer. It fires up your nervous system to a heightened ability, so even the temperature of your chair will hurt. The breath of air from the vents will be an agony for you… and I can only imagine how much more this experiment will hurt for you, what with the drugs now coursing through your system."
Ben watched as Ignis indeed began to squirm in discomfort, especially when the icy cold of the chair to his back was realized. Ignis' chest pumped more unsteadily by the minute, and at some point, Giddalti bent low to blow slowly across Ignis' face. Ignis jumped, sucking in a breath as the man's breath lit up his nerves.
Ben was already in tears, and the full experiment hadn't even begun. Giddalti was merely playing with Ignis in a sadistic way.
Finally tiring of his little games, Giddalti motioned for the men to exit the room. The woman locked the door behind them and then Giddalti turned to a cabinet on the underside of the device Ignis' arms were encased in. Ben only then noted that the hood was see-through, so that whatever happened within the device could be seen clearly.
The Duros man pulled out four large tubes, each containing a differently colored fluid. Giddalti placed one on each corner of the device, in a cradle designed for them. Then he depressed a button on the device, and the first, yellow fluid began to dispense. Ignis watched helplessly as the fluid entered a tubing system and went into the chamber in which his arms were trapped.
As the fluid began to touch Ignis' skin, he instantly screamed, jerking futilely at the restraints. Ben could only stare in horror at what the yellow liquid was doing to Ignis' arms, and Ben realized that each of the vials contained some sort of acid or chemical.
When the yellow had finished, and had been washed away with water, the green fluid went next, then the orange, and finally a hot-pink one that had Ignis screaming so loudly that Ben's ears rang.
Ben was sobbing now, and when Ignis' arms were finally released forth device, Ben had to look away, nauseous.
Ben jerked awake to realize he was simultaneously screaming, sobbing and shaking.
Or rather, he was being shaken.
Bens' eyes snapped open to reveal the face of his mother, Mara, who was both touching Ben in the Force and in person to snap him out of the horror he was witnessing. Ben looked around in fearful disorientation, and when he realized he was back in reality, he collapsed against Mara, sobbing heavily.
Mara's sense was clouded with some anger and yet compassion, and in his harried state, Ben didn't understand why. Ben wept and shook until he was calmer, the vision fading in intensity for him.
When he simply sat in his mother's embrace, she pulled back, holding up a datapad Ben knew well.
"Would you care to explain this to me?" Mara's voice was laced with steel, and Ben knew he was in big trouble.
Ben looked away, but Mara wasn't having it.
"No, you don't get to slide by on this one, Ben." Mara turned his head back towards her. "What is space are you doing watching videos like this?!"
Ben closed his eyes, fresh tears leaking out. "I… I wanted to understand why Ignis feared Dr. Giddalti so much!"
Mara frowned in confusion. "Who is Dr. Giddalti?"
Ben sniffled. "The Duros man in this video."
Mara returned her gaze to the video, taking in the now frozen frame of the grinning Duros man leaning over a traumatized Ignis. Mara swallowed with some difficulty at the state of Ignis' arms, and then resolutely turned the 'pad off.
"Is this why you've been so troubled of late?" Mara demanded roughly. "Because you've been watching videos like these?"
Ben could only nod, unable to meet her gaze.
Mara sighed in frustration, pinching her nose. "Ben… there are much better ways to get to the truth. One does not need to dip into the gory details of someone's past to understand that they've been tortured and traumatized."
Ben bit his lip, and thought over how he still had the urge to finish all the videos. Ben didn't understand why this was the case, even as Mara was here warning him off of it.
Looking to his mother, Ben spoke. "I… I don't understand why it was so important that I do this, Mom. I was both torn and eager. Whenever I had doubts, the urge that I was doing the right thing kept winning over. Even now, I still feel the urge to keep going. To finish all the videos."
Mara frowned heavily. "Where did you even get these videos?"
Ben blushed. "From Ghent…"
Mara went stock still. "Come again?"
"I… I went through your contacts and found Ghent." As Ben spoke, he knew he was digging himself into a deeper pit, but he knew better than to lie to Mara. "I remembered him from before, so I sent him a message, and he replied with all the videos I have watched and have yet to see."
Mara didn't speak for long seconds, and when she did, it was with an anger that made Ben flinch.
"You contacted one of the people off my list? Ben, do you have any idea how dangerous some of those people are?" Mara stood, taking Ben with her. "You're lucky it's the end of the school day. We're going home. Now."
Ben allowed himself to be marched to the speeder, where Emry waited with Kodai already, who was already in his seat. Emry took one look at his mother and wisely held her tongue while Ben strapped himself in. The ride home was silent and full of tension.
Kodai sensed this and the baby began to squirm in discomfort.
When they got home, Mara sent Emry to her room with Kodai and a bottle… and instructions to stay there until Mara came for them. Then Mara took Ben into the office and shut the door. Ben sat in the chair on the visitor's side of Luke's desk, understanding how much trouble he was in.
Mara sat before the computer and typed in several sets of commands before she tilted her head in bewilderment.
"You said you contacted Ghent." It wasn't a question.
Ben nodded, and Mara gestured him forward. He came around the desk and Mara showed him the response she found in the digital trashcan.
"Ben, that is not a reply from Ghent. That isn't even his contact information."
Ben stared at the screen blankly, a mix of emotions stirring through him. To his surprise, Mara's next words were not in anger.
"Are you alright?" Mara asked softly.
Ben thought about his answer, and then shook his head. "No. I'm distraught and so confused. I'm serious Mom, I feel torn in two directions! I both didn't and did want to watch the videos."
Mara's eyes narrowed in suspicion, and she pursed her lips, reaching out to him with her hand. She placed the palm against his forehead, and touched his mind gently with the Force. Ben relaxed, trusting his mother fully. What Mara was looking for, he didn't know, but he did understand that she was trying to help him.
At some point, Mara paused, and then swore viciously under her breath. Ben jumped in shock when she nudged something in his mind, and a black knot of Dark Side energy slithered away like a snake until Mara caught it and dragged it forward.
"Vexa Wran…"
Mara's voice made Ben flinch, but then he realized what his mother was saying, even as Mara removed the Dark energy from Ben entirely. Suddenly, Ben felt more like himself again.
But this time, he also felt violated… betrayed. Not to mention Ben now had a massive headache, and he wept again, overwhelmed.
Mara checked the rest of Ben's person for any other traces of the Dark before she retreated in the Force. Then Mara gathered her son close, going so far as to set him in her lap. Ben didn't care if he was too old for such a thing anymore; he welcomed her comfort.
"I'm sorry Mom." Ben wept. "I didn't fully understand what was happening."
"I know, Ben," Mara murmured. "I fell victim to her too."
Ben sniffled again. "You mean before Kodai was born, don't you?"
"Yes."
Ben remembered those days, and how he'd been so very worried about his mother.
"Why does Vexa always targe our family, Mom?" Ben whispered.
Mara sighed deeply. "She's holding a grudge against Anakin that she wants to fulfill on his posterity."
Ben swallowed that nugget of information with difficulty. They were silent for a time, simply mingling in each other's presence before Ben spoke again.
"I do have to admit that while it was horrifying witnessing much of what Ignis experienced with Giddalti, I am glad I understand it like this too."
Mara pulled back. "I know what you mean, but Ben, you have to realize that Ignis might not want that past known to others. He keeps it all very well guarded."
Ben nodded. "Yes, but maybe that's part of his problem. He needs to let others help him."
Mara blew out a breath. "Speaking as one who lived in a similar manner, I can understand why he has a hard time doing that. Ben, not everyone is comfortable wearing their heart on their sleeve. You should understand this, since you too keep things close to the vest in many instances. And in any case, there were other ways to learn the truth."
Ben hesitated. "In this case, I don't think there was."
Mara thinned her lips. "Regardless, I don't want you watching any more of those things. Bring me everything, and I mean it."
Ben slipped from her embrace and went to his room, bringing her the rest of the datachips. When Mara saw how many there were, she paled. Ben didn't quite meet her eyes, but nor did she scold him again.
Mara hugged him once the datapad and chips were locked away. "I love you, Ben. I'm not going to punish you, because you were both influenced by Vexa, and you were just trying to help Ignis. But do not go anywhere near these videos again, or there will be retribution. Understand?"
Ben inclined his head. "Yes, Mom."
00000
Luke admitted to mixed feeling as he flew over Mos Eisley for the first time in many years. The last time he had been on Tatooine, things had not been great. The last time he had been in Mos Eisley specifically… had been after his and Shmi's lives had changed forever.
Luke took a deep breath, landing in one of the public bays and taking the time to cool his ship down. Luke heard Artoo twitter, and he smiled softly.
"Yes, being here does bring back memories."
Good and bad, he added silently.
Before arriving at Tatooine, Luke had paid a visit to Byrec's house; had seen everything Mara and Shmi had, from the chains and filth in the basement, to Ignis' room. Luke's heart was wrenching still at the proof of Ignis' treatment at the hands of that vile man. Now Luke felt like he knew everything, and was ready at last for the final piece to his puzzle.
Luke unstrapped, and peeled from his flightsuit to don his Jedi robe once more. However, when Luke left his X-wing this time, he took with him a specially secured case, in which was the vial of Ignis' blood that he had requested from the medic on Bespin.
Luke felt, for the first time, a sense of premonition upon handling the case, and Luke suspected it had to do with his newfound knowledge. But Luke was adamant that he have solid proof, and his chance to do that was in the case.
Luke brought Artoo again, not wanting the droid left alone where he could be stolen. Jawas indeed eyed the squat droid with obvious envy as the duo passed. Luke, remembering well where the medical center was, led the way to the building.
Luke was partway down the street when he passed a stall with a man and woman about Luke's age, selling water and a few hand-made goods. Luke happened to glance their way, and then he froze.
There, sitting behind the stall, was a woman that looked like an older version of Anya. And yet, there was something else familiar about this couple. Luke approached, and their eyes moved to him.
"Hello there, would you like to purchase some water?" the man inquired. "It's freshly vaporated from the other side of Tatooine."
Luke heard the voice and for some reason it sounded familiar.
"Sorry, but may I ask your names?" Luke inquired.
The couple shared a look, and the man answered. "I am Ran Euora, and this is my wife, Kandria."
Again, the name sounded familiar, and Luke recalled that this had been the case when he'd heard Anya's last name. Then it struck him.
"You don't happen to know Owen and Beru Lars, do you?"
Ran blinked in surprise. "We did, yes, before they were murdered."
Luke racked his brain. "That's right… Euora… didn't you used to sell your water across from Owen?"
Ran blinked. "Yes… why do you ask?"
"Ran…" Kandria suddenly took his elbow. "That looks an awful lot like their nephew. What was his name?"
"Luke." Ran recalled aloud, indicating his understanding. "Yeah, I get it now. You're Luke Skywalker, aren't you? Owen's boy?"
Luke nodded, laughing lightly. "That's me."
"Well, you've certainly grown up, lad!" Ran appraised, shaking Luke's hand vigorously. "What brings you back to this dust ball?"
Luke snorted in amusement. "Family things, actually." He hesitated, but decided to test the waters. "I remember Aunt Beru saying that you were trying for a child, and had just found out you were expecting. It wasn't too long before they died, actually."
Kandria turned solemn, looking away. "Yes. We were so happy, and our little Anya was so full of life."
Ran was almost in tears. "She was such a hard worker too…"
Luke bit his lip. "What happened to her?"
"We don't know." Ran shook his head roughly. "She went out to work one afternoon, and never returned. When we went to look for her, we found no trace whatsoever. We assumed she had been taken by pirates or slavers, but we had no proof. We tried to get help in finding her, we spent almost our entire savings on trying to get her back, but we never found her."
"We don't know what's become of her, or if she's even still alive." Kandria wept. "We miss her so much!"
Luke swallowed a lump in his throat. Tell them, or wait? Luke decided that he wanted to try bringing Anya here in person… if he could find her again. Luke didn't wish to give her parents false hope.
"I am sorry to hear about her," Luke whispered. Seeing their homemade goods, Luke took one that he felt Anya would like and paid for it.
"Thank you." Kandria smiled at him. "It was good to see you again, Luke."
He nodded and left. When he eventually passed through the doors to the clinic, he remembered when he, as a brand-new father, had taken Shmi out the same portal years before.
Luke shook off the past for now, and focused on why he was here. He approached the front counter, noticing that since it was near the end of the work day, nobody else was in the lobby except the nurse.
A nurse that Luke remembered well, though he did not look up, even when he had reached the counter.
"I'm sorry," she said, "but all appointments have been filled for the day, and we are not taking any more sick-visits."
"I understand, but I am not here for that," Luke replied.
The woman looked up… and her eyes widened. "Luke?"
He smiled warmly at her. "Hello Heather."
Heather Jinzle stood from her chair and grinned widely at him. "It's really you! How long has it been?"
"Over ten years." Luke realized aloud.
Heather came around the counter and hugged him warmly. "Oh, it's good to see you, Luke!"
Luke returned the chaste embrace, then pulled back. "How have you been?"
"Doing well, actually. I met a nice man about a year after you left, and we married a few months later. Now I am a mother too," Heather's eye twinkled, "of one boy and one girl."
Luke smiled back. "That's great, Heather. You were always so kind to me, and I never did get to thank you properly."
Heather waved away his apology. "Don't even worry about it. I was happy to help." She eyed the case he held, and looked to him curiously. "So… what's your reason for visiting?"
Luke pursed his lips. "Can we speak privately?"
Heather gestured. "We are alone. My last patient just left. Let me lock the doors just to be sure, though."
Heather did so, turning her sign to 'closed', and then returning to Luke. "Now, what can I do for you?"
Luke produced the signed document Corsair had given him. "First, I need access to Venussia Atriedes' medical records in regards to her pregnancy. Specifically, the first three ultrasounds, and records regarding the pregnancy at that stage."
Heather blinked in shock. "Oh."
She accepted the document and nodded slowly. "These records would be in our long-term storage files. It'll take a me a minute to find them, but sure."
Luke waited patiently while Heather sat back down and accessed her computer. She typed away for several minutes indeed, and after a time, she motioned for Luke to come around the counter.
"Alright, here we go. Need a printed copy?"
"Please, to take with me," Luke replied, looking at the information.
Heather printed what he needed, and handed everything to him. Luke flipped slowly through the flimsi pages, reading everything in print before he came to the first holo from the initial ultrasound. Luke gazed at the image, trying to decipher it, but having trouble doing so.
Heather took pity on him, thankfully.
"Here, the initial ultrasound images can be hard to decipher." She took it from him and studied it herself before she showed him. "Okay, see here," she indicated one spot, and then another, "and here? There are clearly two fetuses."
She stopped abruptly. "Wait, you didn't know there had been two babies, did you?"
Luke shook his head mutely, and she continued. "That's right, you came to the appointments well after that."
Neither spoke while Luke studied the image. There, before his eyes, was not one, but two growing fetuses… inside what had been Venussia's womb. It was unmistakable, since the babies were separated enough to be distinctive. Luke checked the timestamp, noting that the image had been taken well after the twenty-one-day mark.
Luke flipped to the next ultrasound holo, and saw that the second baby was indeed gone. The third holo from the specialist gave their professional opinion that the second baby had disappeared completely.
Luke looked to the written records, looking to see if there was any record of the pain Corsair had said Venussia had experienced. But there was nothing at all. Luke knew that had Venussia said something within the clinic, it would have been recorded in some way.
Luke looked again at the original ultrasound image, feeling his throat close. There was his visual proof…
"Would you be willing to run a test for me please?" Luke spoke around a growing well of emotion.
"Of course." Heather returned softly. "Whatever you need, Luke."
He held up the case. "Run this blood against both my own and Venussia's and tell me if it's a match."
Heather blinked, but took the case and opened it to reveal the vial of Ignis' blood. "Sure, come with me to the laboratory."
Luke followed her, and Heather first directed Luke to a chair designed to be used for drawing blood. Luke lifted his sleeve and watched patiently while Heather worked to take the sample she needed.
She found a vein, cleaned the area, and then drew out the amount of blood she needed. When done, she removed the needle and wrapped the spot with gauze and tape.
"This will take some time, Luke." She informed him, and Luke nodded his understanding.
"Do what you need to, I can wait."
With a small smile, she went to the station for a time to run her tests. Understanding the sensitive nature of these tests, Luke returned to the lobby to wait in the seating area. As the time passed, Luke returned to perusing the information.
Second fetus has vanished, there is no other explanation for it. Medically, I cannot understand how a body can just vanish. We should have been able to extract it, but there was nothing to remove. I wish I could speak to the family, but what would I tell them, that they would accept?
00000
Ignis stood before Vexa, the two of them alone in her throne room, the door locked and all cameras disabled. He was admittedly wary of whatever she as going to do, but he did nothing to fight when she removed his helmet for him.
"Now, if you recall, the day I activated the squid, I told you something you did not want to hear." Vexa tilted her head. "Do you recall what that something was?"
Ignis did remember. "You said I wasn't a Vrei."
"Very good. What is your true surname?"
Ignis looked away. He did remember, but he still did not accept or believe it.
"Say it aloud, Ignis." Vexa's voice was hard.
"Skywalker." Ignis gritted.
Vexa took a deep breath as if she was refreshing herself. "There it is… that name. The bane of my existence, and apparently yours."
Ignis met her gaze openly.
"Yes, I know how much you resist the truth, because you feel unworthy to be called a Skywalker." Vexa clucked. "I admit, I would not want to be in that family, either, but for entirely different reasons. Still, though you don't want to accept it, it is the truth."
Ignis didn't say anything, but as his master continued.
"As a reward for your work so far, I will reveal to you the full truth." Vexa sat down on her throne, gazing openly at Ignis, and motioning him to kneel before her. When he did so, she tilted her head. "But first… let's do something about that blasted shield…"
Without warning, Vexa reached into Ignis' being, and with a blast of Sith power she punched a hole through the wall, and Ignis gasped. A burst of emotion surged through the puncture, and Ignis couldn't help but be swept up in it.
To his relief, all that came out was his conflicted feelings and thoughts about his lineage. But still, it was painful for him, and he had to work hard to focus when Vexa spoke once more.
"You, Ignis, are the culmination of an… experiment that began with Sith Lord Tenebrous, saw reality through Sith Master Darth Plagueis, and has been carried on naturally by the males of the Skywalker line. You are part of that direct line, and really, we have your grandfather and father to thank for the crowning achievement: you."
Ignis, unable to help it, was spellbound as the truth came out, and he sensed that every word Vexa spoke was— for once— the truth.
"Only, we couldn't have that prized stallion be raised by a Jedi wannabe. So, we— this includes Darth Sidious, who had a heavy hand in Anakin's life, as well as being Plagueis' apprentice— all banded together and took action to ensure that you would be raised in Darkness, as was the intention all along with the creation of Anakin Skywalker." Vexa looked upon a confused Ignis and smiled in a way that sent the wrong kind of chills down his spine.
"Don't you understand, Ignis? Or should I say Rahvin?" She bent down and placed a finger beneath his chin. "You truly are the son of Luke Skywalker, grandson of Anakin Skywalker."
Ignis' eyes widened, but Vexa could still see the disbelief in his gaze, even as he dared to hope.
"No…" Ignis whispered hoarsely. "I was born to Colton and Merida Vrei…"
"Yes, you were," Vexa replied, "but you were not conceived by them. And it was all too easy to deceive them, since Colton was sterile, and the couple had to use artificial insemination to have a baby."
Ignis' confusion was growing. "I still don't understand how I could possibly be Luke's…" But Ignis couldn't bring himself to say 'son', feeling utterly unworthy of such an honor, after he had betrayed the man so thoroughly.
"Let me give you a brief history." Vexa leaned froward and placed her hands to each side of Ignis' head, and suddenly he was not in the throne room, but in a vision.
Neither one of them was aware of when the Force brought a third person into the mix to also see.
00000
Luke was staring almost longingly at the ultrasound of Shmi and Ignis when Heather returned to him, bearing a flimsi sheet.
"Here you go, Luke." Heather handed it to him, and he took it with a word of gratitude.
When he saw the information, his heart slowed… only to pick back up to an unhealthy pace.
Ignis' DNA was a perfect blend of both Luke and Venussia. There was no longer any way Luke could refute the truth. Ignis was not a Vrei… he was in fact, a Skywalker.
Ignis Skywalker…
Luke had to take a seat; his legs having turned to jelly. "How is this possible?"
Heather looked confused. "How is what possible?"
Luke looked to her with leaking eyes. "Somehow, this boy is my son. He was in Venussia's womb, and then he wasn't, yet he's very much alive…"
Heather's face scrunched in thought. "I wish I could give you a better answer, Luke, but I just don't understand it either."
Luke managed to smile, drying his eyes. "Thank you for this, Heather."
Luke stood, offered her one last farewell embrace and left the clinic. He walked to his X-wing in a daze, barely noticing that the Euora's had left. Luke stood for long moments at the ladder for his ship, and then thinned his lips, feeling something building in him.
He levitated Artoo into place, and leapt into the cockpit, swiftly piloting his ship away from Mos Eisley and to the place he had grown up. Luke watched the horizon as his childhood homestead came into view.
Memories of the fire that had almost claimed Shmi's life assaulted him, but Luke pushed those away.
Luke landed and ordered Artoo to remain with the ship this time. Luke left the fighter and descended the stairs. That pressure was building within him steadily, and Luke found a spot on the floor of his old bedroom to settle into a meditative position.
Closing his eyes, Luke opened himself to the Force.
How is this possible?! Luke begged of it, the absolute need to know permeating every fiber of his being until he felt the Force open to him. Next thing Luke knew, he was in a vision… one he realized was brought on by Vexa as she was forcing it upon Ignis.
00000
Vexa stood in the main chamber of the Sith Temple on Korriban, the crystal in place and the Temple fully activated. Darth Tenebrous, Plagueis and Sidious all stood around her, forming a triangle with her at the center.
"It is time." Plagueis declared, looking to the other Sith gathered. "Time to set the plan into motion."
Tenebrous agreed with a nod of his head. "Long have we waited… it is good to finally take action."
Sidious looked upon Vexa with open disdain. "Make sure you do not disappoint us, Lady Wran."
Vexa lifted her head. "I am much more capable than you give me credit for Palpatine. And I learned things you didn't even know of."
At the unmistakable note of pride in Vexa's voice, Sidious snorted. "Knowledge is nothing next to experience, something you sorely lack, my dear."
"You're lucky you're only in spirit form," Vexa growled. "If you weren't…"
"We must focus!" Plagueis snapped irritably. "Time is short!"
Vexa shut her mouth and closed her eyes. "I am ready. Let's begin."
Together, the three Sith spirits poured their considerable strength into Vexa, and with the combined might of four full-fledged Sith working together, Vexa reached deep into the Force. She flew across space from Korriban to Tatooine, where a sleeping teenager was. Within her womb were two glowing points of the Force.
Vexa took a second to appreciate the raw Force potential, wishing that both could be hers. But the technique would only work for one, a single time, and Vexa needed the male. She identified the proper fetus, and carefully surrounded the thing with the Force. Once it was cocooned in the Force bubble, Vexa ripped the umbilical cord form the uterus and, swift as a missile, she went to the new source the Sith had identified as the host for their experiment. It was the sister of the teenager that Skywalker had impregnated.
This woman was the perfect candidate because she was related to Venussia by blood, and also expecting. Vexa saw that there was already a baby growing in the second person's womb, and she killed it without thought. It was still very early, and Merida's body would merely reabsorb it. So, nobody would suspect the new fetus as an imposter.
With a grin, Vexa carefully placed the baby in the new womb, having moved the child through the fabric of the Force itself, and manipulating the midichlorians as Tenebrous and Plagueis had learned to do.
She fused the umbilical cord with the new mother's body, and ensured that the fetus would get nutrients before she began to pull carefully away. Vexa would have to keep a close eye on the growing child until it was birthed, but that was something she alone could do.
And when the child was old enough, Vexa would take him into her own care, and raise him to his true potential and purpose.
Ignis and Vexa returned to the present, with Ignis gasping heavily for air while Vexa spoke once more. Both remained unaware that Luke was being shown their conversation by the Force to complete his own knowledge.
"So you see: with considerable help, I stole you from Venussia's womb and placed you in Merida's. The pregnancy was all sorts of problematic, but each time it got too bad, I intervened. Even your delivery nearly killed the woman. But finally, all my heard work paid off." Vexa looked weary after her vision-sharing, but she ignored her fatigue.
In a desperate attempt to refute the inevitable truth one last time, Ignis blurted out the only thing he could think of. "That's a crackpot story! It's not possible!"
Vexa's eyes hardened. "My dear boy, you have no idea what is possible to those who are unafraid to wield the full range of the Dark Side. I am one such person."
When he remained stubbornly defiant, Vexa growled irritably.
"Think of the evidence, Ignis!" Vexa gestured as if she was a teacher giving a lecture in a classroom. "You are the only acolyte on my team that has a compassionate side that consistently gets you into trouble. You helped Arthalinea when nobody else would, claiming it was to keep me from having to waste the effort already put into the girl's training. I know full well that wasn't the case, and so do you."
Ignis didn't refute her words.
"You chose to sacrifice yourself for the brat Kodai, willingly condemning yourself to the life you now live. You seem to have an innate need to be naturally gentle with those who you sense truly need your help. You rescued a stray anooba and took him in, training the thing when others saw it as a waste of time. But look at what the two of you accomplished as a team?
"You are also my top acolyte, ever since you figured out what you needed to do to train well. You are innately quick on the uptake, you are powerful in the Force, and you're a natural with the lightsaber. You are also able to control your emotions with amazing prowess, even when I push you to your limits."
Vexa leaned forward, and Ignis turned his head, not wanting to hear it, but knowing he had to. "All of this and more points to you being a Skywalker. It's exactly how that lot operates!"
Ignis closed his eyes, feeling the Force ringing with absolute rightness and truth.
When he opened his eyes, Vexa grinned maliciously. "And it may interest you to know that your parents did not quite willingly give you up that day."
Ignis stilled, his head lifting until his gaze finally met hers.
"Oh yes," Vexa went on, clearly enjoying herself. "When they found out I was coming for their child, they tried to keep you away from me. They would hide, but I knew your presence well, and was able to find you each time. When I grew tired of the chase, I began to play with their minds, manipulating them into resenting you. I tricked them into believing that they didn't really want you anymore. I toyed with their weary minds, and finally got them to give you up. I knew they would never do so on their own, so I sped things along."
Vexa sat back. "I could have simply killed them and taken you, but to show favor to those who had birthed and raised you to that point, I allowed them to live."
Ignis shook his head in denial, his eyes bright with unshed tears. "No… they… I…"
"Have lived with the anger and resentment for what they did to you for so long, I know," Vexa said. "And all of that is misplaced. They didn't really stand a chance against a Sith Lady, now did they?"
Ignis stared long and hard at Vexa, sensing undeniably that she still spoke honestly in both matters: Ignis was Luke's child, and his birth parents had been manipulated by Vexa into giving Rahvin over to her. Ignis was unable to speak for long, drawn out moments, in which Ignis' emotions ran the full gambit.
Finally, he glared tearfully at Vexa Wran.
"I hate you." He declared brokenly.
"I know," Vexa said approvingly. "Think of what could be accomplished if you would just stop fighting yourself: your natural potential. You could be a far greater Sith than any of your predecessors."
Ignis shook his head adamantly. "I do not want to be a Sith."
"Nevertheless, that is what you were made to be… by those to whom you owe your life at all." Vexa declared, rising to her full height. "You will either be my apprentice or my slave, it is your choice Ignis. One will lead to a relief from the squid, the other will not. Swear fealty to me, to the Dark Side, and I will release you from the squid. Freedom or continued servitude… the choice is yours Ignis."
Ignis lifted his chin. "I will never willingly stand by your side."
Vexa clucked in disappointment. "So be it then." She raised her voice. "Let it be known, Masters Tenebrous and Plagueis, Master Sidious, that Ignis has chosen his path."
00000
Luke came back to his Tatooine room with a jolt, his face slick with tears, and his chest heaving. His emotions were a jumbled mess, and Luke couldn't help but truly feel a few of them.
He was angry with Vexa and the Sith spirits who had so cruelly robbed not only Luke, but also Ignis and Shmi of what should have been their life together. How could they have done something like that? Luke wanted to know both sides of that question. How was it even possible for them to have done what they did?
The air before Luke shimmered, and to his surprise, Anakin's spirit appeared before him. Luke gazed in wonder at the face that greeted him, one he had never been privileged to see in person because when he'd been alive, it has been as Darth Vader… and always behind the mask.
"Father?" Luke whispered.
Anakin smiled lovingly. "Hello Son."
Luke felt an unexpected boon to his soul at hearing Anakin call him son like that, with open love and fatherly pride.
"Why are you here?" Luke asked after a moment.
Anakin sat on what was left of Luke's bed. "You asked a question just before I appeared, did you not?"
Luke nodded slowly. "How is it possible that the four Sith could transfer Ignis from one person to another like that?"
Anakin sighed. "What they did was an act of abomination to the Force itself. The Force gave Ignis to you, not to the Sith. They never should have intervened like that. But rest assured that this will never happen again. The Force will make sure of that. Those four Sith will be taken care of, but in the proper time."
Luke looked down. "But Ignis has been through so very much…"
"I know," Anakin murmured sadly, "but look at how strong it has made him. Ignis is at the level of a seasoned Jedi Knight, and would be ready to start training as a Jedi Master if he so chose. He would be a great help in rearing the new order."
"I thought so too, but that will be his choice," Luke replied.
"As it should be." Anakin agreed.
Luke pursed his lips. "Why was it such a rocky journey for me to accept Ignis? Why didn't the Force intervene in a more… dramatic way?"
Anakin tilted his head, giving Luke a knowing look. "Perhaps for the same reason it did not bash Vader over his stubborn head about you and Leia. Vader— I— needed to come to love you on my own terms. It's no different for you with Ignis. You needed time to learn to love Ignis before you learned of his true relationship to you. And you had to accept Ignis on your own, in your way, or it would have forever been tainted. This way, it will be much more of a blessing for the both of you."
Luke nodded. "Normally I am much quicker to accept things, but this one… I struggled with it. So, I understand why I had to come around on my own. I appreciate that the Force let me do so." Luke paused, thinking of the vision, and of Ignis' reluctance to accept his lineage.
"Ignis doesn't want to accept who he really is." Luke told Anakin.
"I think he is afraid," Anakin murmured. "He feels like he has done too much against you, has slipped too far to be worthy of your love, Luke."
"Of course he's worthy of the name, and my love!" Luke declared fervently.
"Then you need to show Ignis that this is the case." Anakin counselled, even as he began to fade again. "Just love and support him. I love you, Luke."
"I love you too, Father," Luke whispered as Anakin vanished.
When he was alone again, Luke considered his emotional state once more. He first allowed his anger to run its course, and then released it into the Force.
Next in line was sorrow. He had missed out on so much with his son… and yet Rahvin had missed out on so much more! Not only had he been stolen from his true father and twin sister, but he'd been ripped from his birth parents also. Ignis had grown up in terror, and almost completely alone, only ever being loved by one girl and an anooba.
Luke finally allowed the joy and love to take hold of him, and Luke reveled in the fact that yes, Rahvin was Luke's son! Luke laughed shakily even as he began to sob in earnest as he was overcome with it all.
In his distraught state, he instinctively reached for his wife, and Mara reached back instantly, sensing how much he needed her. They mingled, and Luke let Mara see and know everything Luke had learned on his trip, leaving nothing out. Luke did not know or care how long that took, but at some point, Luke grew aware that the Force was trying to get his attention again.
Luke lovingly pulled away from Mara again, promising that he would be making his way home very soon. Once they were apart again, Luke turned to the summons in the Force, and was given a distinct warning.
Omwat. Shmi. Go now!
Luke sucked in a breath and leapt to his feet, racing with purpose to his X-wing.