Chapter 72
Shili
Sunlight was sinking below the lip of the horizon when they finally reached the lip of the valley, the watery eye of the system's central celestial slowly drowning into the earth. Riyo's knees were weak, and she felt like throwing up, almost like bile was constantly on the edge of entering her throat. Whether that was because of the hike or because of Trav-iss' death, she didn't know. She just felt physically and mentally exhausted. Her brain swam, both from exhaustion and because of the discoloured bruise forming on her temple.
Earlier that morning, Talos had scouted another overgrown track leading towards the lip of the valley. It was little more than an animal track, mostly just a thin trail of packed dirt. Stass had knelt and reported at least a dozen tracks made from different creatures, but thankfully the Gundarks seemed to have remained in the lower regions of the valley. More Togrutan statuettes lined the path, most covered in moss and their stone montrals cracked. They appeared from the scrub, which was gradually contrasting from green and orange to a mixture of purple, red and grey.
The brush thinned where the valley edge peeked. Their little goat track ended with two huge stone Togruta standing guard, far larger than the previous statues. They loomed above the trees, arms folded across their bodies and the traditional kiavene held in their left hand. Not five kilometres past the statues stood the village they guarded. It was small, but large enough for a small landing platform and a bar to be visible from the treeline. Already, Riyo's stomach was grumbling loud enough that she was certain everyone in the village could hear it. It had been a hard climb, and the loss of Trav-iss had been felt by everyone in the diplomatic party. No one had felt like eating anything more than they needed to keep walking.
The Jedi, who was scouting about forty meters ahead of the rest of them, held up a hand. Everyone stopped, watching as she knelt behind a log and pulled out a pair of small macrobinoculars. Riyo sunk against a tree's solid trunk, her eyes only opening when she heard the clatter of Talos' armour. He had stripped off the arm pieces, and was wrapping them up in a cloak. Mark and Telle were likewise hiding their military uniforms beneath the oiled tarpaulins they had worn the night before. Riyo could guess why. Even now, they had a target on their backs. There had been an entire frigate with the pirates in orbit. The Jedi was convinced that there would be more out there, possibly scouting the spaceports for any Pantorans. They needed to see how the people of this village would react to a group of strangers before announcing themselves as Republic.
Her attention was distracted by a small, fluffy waterfowl as it scuttled through the trees, pausing only for a second to stare up at the strangers in her territory. She scurried off just as quickly, disappearing into the bushes. When Riyo looked back up, she found Stass walking back to them, moving silently despite the crunchy deadfall beneath.
"I think that we can go in.", she told them, "Mark, you head for the eastern side's entrance and try to find us a room. I think that is where the accommodations will be. The rest of us will split up and come into town three at a time."
"We need to find some new clothes first.", Telle said, frowning down at their muddy uniforms and then over at the handmaidens, "Especially if we are staying for a while. There could still be a target on our backs, and I don't want to become a moving flag announcing our presence to everyone."
Riyo looked down at her garments. The leather tunic-style dress had deteriorated over the last two days, with cuts appearing in the thick material. It was not meant for tough climbs in and out of heavy rainforests. There was mud all around the tops of her borrowed boots. Cuts and scrapes marred her blue skin. She could only imagine the mess her hair was. She hadn't had the courage to undo the braid Miriam had done for her days ago on Pantora, fearing that she would not be able to do it back up. It would be as knotted as a meelog nest now.
"I wouldn't mind a change of clothes.", Agatha nodded distractedly. Her voice was rough with subdued emotion, "But I feel like a shower would be needed first."
The lieutenant gave her a kind, if a slightly concerned smile in return. Stass pointed over her shoulder at the village, giving them a grin. "If my knowledge of Shili is correct, this is one of the small trading villages. They farm either fish or tolmia wheat, but most of their income will come from the traders who bring their wares here. Small spaceport on the outskirts. At least there should be a place to stay for the night and hopefully a communications tower that can reach Coruscant."
Miriam raised a hand, "And what about doctor's, Master Jedi? I think that Luuna probably needs some proper medicine first."
All eyes turned to the still form of Luuna, lying comatose in the dried leaves. They had tried to make another stretcher for her before they started walking, but it had broken not far from where they now crouched. Talos had been carrying her bridal-style for the past twenty minutes.
The underbrush crunched, and they looked up to find Stass walking towards the village. "We won't find out until we find a place to stay for the night. Telle, you and Talos take Luuna in after Mark. I will bring the aides with me. Let's find an inn, then Mark and I will try to locate a doctor who can help us. Remember everyone, be discreet."
The doctor they found was a kind Bothan, his once creamy fur greying slightly. A pair of old spectacles precariously balanced on the tip of his dark nose. The longer hair around his snout was braided with beads that clacked together quietly with his movements while he worked. He had come immediately at Mark's request, despite the late hour. The only things he had brought were a portable scanning device, a small scalpel kit, and his medical droid. The droid was a 2-1B model, old and a little corroded across the chest panel. His right arm had been replaced with another one from a C-series protocol droid. Both the droid and the Bothan spoke with the same strange accent, a sort of lilting that came from the north of Bothawui.
The doctor, Derren, looked over at Riyo, noticing the concern that was clear on her face. He reached across the bed and gave her hand a gentle squeeze with his far larger one. His friendly face cracked into a small smile. He pulled the scanner back and leaned over the table, studying the young aide in his care. But his questions were directed at Riyo. "Your friend tells me your ship crashed in the Valley. That is what brought you to Reppli?"
"It is, sir.", she answered. She felt like she was running on the last dregs of her energy now, and that answer alone might have been all she had left to give him.
His left forefinger fiddled with one of his moustached beads. "You are very lucky to have made it out of there alive, youngin'. Many people who enter are never seen again. They say that there are beasts down there who will bite your head clean off. These Togruta try to hunt them down and slaughter them for rituals. I have never seen an Akul, but I hear that they are fearsome beasts."
"Whoever told you that would be right.", Stass said, appearing at the door. "Fortunately, all we saw were Gundarks and Trandoshans. Can I ask how Luuna is?"
Derron dropped the subject as only a professional doctor could. He turned and smiled at the Tholothian Jedi, though his eyes rimmed the edge of his spectacles when he studied her. "It has been a long time since my eyes saw a Jedi. I take it that I have you to thank for the partial healing of her lungs and stomach?"
Stass nodded at him. His quick deduction of her identity didn't seem to phase the Tholothian at all.
Derren smiled, "Your friend will heal with time. Your work healing the worst of the internal damage has kept her alive this long. My medicines will keep her alive, sedated and comfortable for the night. But I fear she still requires surgery. My droid will remain tonight, but I will need her at my clinic in the morning. If she does not come, then she may not make it to see another nightfall."
"Thank you for coming to help us, Dr Derren.", Stass bowed, "I do not know how much longer I could have kept her alive myself."
"You are not a natural healer, are you, Master Jedi?", he asked, his smiled falling into sombre recollection. "I knew a Vonir Kyle for quite some time. None the less, without your help, she would have died within an hour of the crash."
The Jedi just shrugged. "We need to get offworld, and I would very much like to get in contact with my apprentice. Is there a communications system in town I could use?"
Derren gave her an easy nod. "We are just a small village, so the cantina has a communal branch that can reach the planetary system satellite. The landing pad would also have one for visitors. If you would like, MM-9 can take you there."
"It's alright, Derren. I am sure I can find my way.", Stass smiled at the older man, "And thank you again for your expertise."
He bowed at the waist slightly, then straightened, "I won't tell anyone you are here, Master Jedi. I understand both discretion and patient confidentiality. Especially when it comes to Jedi. I once helped your people during the War on Chalac IV. If it helps, I know several of the pilots who land here. Several could take you to Coruscant, free of charge."
"I may take you up on that offer.", Stass smiled, "But for now, I shall attempt to find that cantina and try my luck."
She exited the room. Riyo gave Luuna a glance before hurrying after her. "Stass…"
The Jedi was already giving orders to the rest of them. "Lieutenant, guard the room. Talos, take Agatha and Miriam to find us all something less conspicuous to wear. I do not know these people and until I do, we trust no one.", she turned back at Riyo, seeming to only now see her. "Riyo, would you like to come with me perhaps? Get something to eat?"
Riyo exchanged a glance with the Republic officers staying behind. She was a little worried about leaving Luuna alone. But she swallowed down her fear. What good would staying really do for Luuna? She had no medical experience, and Derren had told them with certainty that she would recover. And maybe, if she went with the Jedi, she could pick something up for her friends as well. And so, reluctantly, she followed Stass out of the flat.
They were within thirty metres of the crowded cantina when she stopped walking. It had nothing to do with the building itself, a squat but open building with a thick thatch roof and smoke pouring from a funnel on one side. It had nothing to do with the people inside; nearly all Togruta with a few scruffy Humans and Mirialan scattered about. It wasn't the smell of freshly cooked food, wafting towards her waiting nose like living tendrils of temptation. No, she sniffed eagerly at that. It was within thirty metres of Pedro's Nightlife that she realised she had never once set foot inside a 'Cantina'.
To be fair, when she had begun her studies into diplomatic pathways, her parents had decided that their little girl – their only girl – should go and live on campus, getting used to the life of a diplomat. It was a decision made from love, and not one that she hated them for in the slightest. But the life of even a lowly aide meant that her experiences outside the Pantoran Assembly had been isolated to restaurants, galas and parties for most of her life. She had never been amongst the normal people of the community for a majority of her sixteen years.
Stass marched boldly forward, entering the building without looking back and Riyo hurried to catch up, feeling the eyes that followed her in like a mouse being watched by serpents. She doubted that the Jedi spent much time in Cantina's either, but she had never spent so much time with one of the fabled mystic Force users before. The most time she had spent with one before now was on the Restored Triumph, playing djerik and sabbacc with Caloc. She thought of that time fondly – the last slice of normal before all this had disrupted their trip. Back when Trav-iss had been alive and working on the matters that would impact her people. Before she began to doubt him and his morality.
The barman was a tall, handsome Togrutan male with long montrals decorated in delicate grey stripes draped down his back and secured with a scrap of fabric. White facial markings lightened his red skin; several circular patterns around his eyes and three dots down his jawline. He gave then a friendly smile and pointed them to a free table before handing the Jedi two menus. They sat down on the stools made from hardened and lacquered stumps, and a young female Togruta, only about twelve years old, came to take their order. Stass perused for only a moment before she placed a handful of credits on the table and told the girl to give Riyo whatever she wanted to eat, and as much water as they could spare. Then she excused herself and went to the communications console hidden in an alcove on the far wall.
Riyo watched the Jedi for a moment, then swung her eyes upward to study the building a bit more. Smoke rose from a spit, an unidentifiable creature rotating slowly above it. Fryers and flaming stoves sat around the kitchen, a mixture of exotic aromas to filling her nostrils. The bar itself was crowded with patrons, almost all Togruta in some form of labour clothing. Surprisingly, no one seemed to have noticed her sticking out in her muddy aide's uniform.
A moment later, the food arrived. The young Togrutan exited the kitchen, expertly balancing the wooden serving boards. The smell was divine. A steaming pile of thick noodles, a plate of nerf nuggets and a small bowl of pinkish chips. Beside it were two glasses; one of water and the other a bubbling drink Riyo knew she had not ordered. She looked up at her server in question, but the serving girl just shrugged and gestured towards the distant Jedi. Accepting this answer, Riyo dug in.
The food was heavenly, and before she knew it, she had already consumed most of the nuggets, chips and noodles. The water was gone. Sauce had dripped down on the table where she sat, a byproduct of her ravenous appetite. There was a replacement jug that had appeared somehow and so she refilled her glass and again swallowed it down. She was about to finish off the last of noodles when Stass again sat down. Riyo swallowed down her latest mouthful and looked at the Jedi in question.
Stass ignored her and called over the serving girl again. She ordered herself something unpronounceable, deposited another credit chip, then took a swig of the bubbly green drink. When she had finished half the glass in one gulp, she wiped her mouth and spoke, "I could not get through to Coruscant. The Republic's secure frequencies are not available here. I reached out to an independent party I know. Hopefully she will pass the message along."
Riyo closed her eyes, trying to stop the sudden feeling of dread from overtaking her. The noodles she had just consumed threatened to come back up as her guts tightened. "And what about Caloc?"
The Jedi's calloused hand grabbed Riyo's. "Don't even think like that. I know for a fact that he is alive."
"How?", Riyo looked at her in question. The Jedi sounded so certain, but how did she know?
Stass rapped her knuckles of the hardened headdress that covered her tendrils. "He is my padawan. We have a… connection of sorts. Plus, I managed to ping his droid. No location yet, but it is definitely active."
Riyo scrunched as her face, then released it as she realised what it meant. If Caloc had been killed in space, then so would have his droid. But no, it was alive. And so was he! Her stomach began to rumble again – was she really this hungry? – and so she held up a hand to get the local's attention again, her voice going louder as she said, "I think I will celebrate with another course of noodles. Maybe even a salad."
Stass' food arrived, and Riyo quickly ordered a Pantoran Squill, the most alcoholic drink her parent had ever allowed her to have. It was basically a really watered-down concoction of Corellian Rum and Merrizane Gold, but it was enough to celebrate. Perhaps tomorrow they could find a way off Shili. Perhaps tomorrow things would improve.
They returned to their rented accommodations just as Derren was leaving. He informed them that he had done what he could, but tried to impress the dangers of letting Luuna's condition worsen without the morning's surgery. In the meantime, he had left MM-9 with them as emergency aid. Hopefully, Luuna would be able to hold on until they could transport her to the surgery in the morning.
Mark and Telle were standing near the entry when they entered, and they moved to the kitchen to dole out the food that they had brought home. Still more noodles and nuggets, but complimented with a salad of local greens. They had also topped up with fresh water and so shared that around. When Stass pulled out a thermos of kaff, Luuna began to stir. She was weak, but managed to swallow a few spoonful's of the broth Riyo had asked the barman to make for them. They were halfway through their meals when Talos, Agatha and Miriam arrived back. Unfortunately, it appeared that their trip had been both successful and bothersome.
"Some local gangs.", Talos explained away his newly blackened eye. "They thought that my blaster was for sale. I had to persuade them otherwise."
He didn't elaborate, but Riyo got the idea that a few unruly gentlemen were now sprawled across the street somewhere. She bit down on a nugget and swallowed. Even cold, they were the best she ever had. They shared the rest of the food around, and then they dove into the pile of clothes Miriam had bought.
Once everyone was showered and dressed, Riyo sat down with Stass again. Already, Luuna was asleep. MM-9's green eyes watched over her. Agatha was lying on one of the beds, half-asleep. Miriam and Mark were making more kaff in the kitchen. Quiet laughter flittered through the open door. There had been a lot of laughter tonight. Nothing raucous. More the sense of relief that they had survived the Valley and the hunt.
You could see when each person thought of those that weren't with them. They would crawl into their own little shell and sulk for a few minutes, before reluctantly trying to rediscover the joy and relief they had felt a minute before, without the regret of survival. Telle and Talos were still on their 'patrol', watching through the windows of the front and back of the small house they were inhabiting.
Riyo studied the Jedi across from her, seeing the lines of worry cross her face. Stass had been quiet tonight, unfocussed throughout the conversation. It was obvious only to Riyo why. They had made it through the Valley. But unlike everyone else, who focussed on the past, Stass was clearly trying to find their path forward. How would they get back to Coruscant? Was Caloc safe? Who had attacked them, and why? A thousand other questions that Riyo herself had been asking since before the Trandoshan's attack.
But for now, the Jedi kept quiet, internally letting those question rattle around her own brain. Stass let them celebrate their survival, then tomorrow, she would ask the hard questions and lay out a plan for them. Riyo could live with that. She stood up, deciding that perhaps it was time for bed. She would ask Stass for answers tomorrow.