Chapter 15
Into the Shadows
LYCANTHROPE
Flagship of the Bloodwolf Fleet
They stood on the bridge of the Warlord Reik Bloodwolf's flagship, Ahkilleon, Lt. Breacher, Sawyer, Master Uzuma, Yumi, Corto along with Rulf and Jay. The Warlord himself sat in his commander's chair and turned around to face the holotable that had High General Freeman, Lord Asimov, Admiral Trench and General Kleeve Masters K'Kruhk and Saa looking down at them from the holotable in the green hue of militia holographic technology. There was a stoic tension in the air after Ahkilleon finished his report.
"What are the damages to your fleet, Click-click-click Warlord Bloodwolf?" Admiral Trench asked him.
Warlord Bloodwolf leaned in his commander's chair, "A minor wound to our overall fleet, six ships lost and… I won't bore you with the lives lost, from what the Captain's report said, it was worth the risk."
"Agreed." General Freeman said at the center of the holotable, "Though Master Qu Rahn will be missed, it's clear to us you did everything you could to save him he chose to save you." Ahkilleon was standing up right hands behind his back like he'd seen his mother do when she was dressing a room, but he kept his mouth shut and eyes low.
"A choice I am grateful for." Lord Asimov said, Ahkilleons eyes darted to him, "Padawan Tano was there no way to save Master Rahn?" Master K'Kruhk asked.
Ahkilleon didn't break his glare with his own mentor, "... I tried Master, even after Qu asked me to kill him to keep Arcadia's and the Valley's whereabouts."
"I don't know much about Jedi matters, but if this Valley is as powerful as the Captain says, why aren't we looking for it?" Warlord Reik asked.
"The Valley's whereabouts were lost to the Order centuries ago, in Rahn's travels he found it or so he claimed, when he reported it to the Council they asked the same of its whereabouts but he refused a week later the Clone Wars erupted." Master Saa explained to them.
Reik puffed out some air "And he ran like a coward, same as he did with the Militia."
The Jedi all looked to Reik, but it was Ahkilleon who walked around the table and stood up hand on his dark iron lightsaber, "Master Rahn was many things, and I may have no known him well but no coward would face his end as nobly as he did." Ahkilleon growled, taking an absolute umbridge with Reiks comment.
The blonde haired Warlord leaned in his chair "And here I thought Jedi didn't believe in death." Ahkilleon grabbed his second lightsaber and The Bloodwolves started to get closer hands on their own vibroswords "Enough, we are all on the same side but this ordeal has put everyone on edge we are aware of Grand Admiral Thrawn and Inquisitor Jerec are working together against the Militia however." General Freeman said.
The attention returned to the General, "As stated in Captain Tano's report the two don't seem to get along, is that true?"
Ahkilleon turned away from Reik and returned to the holotable, "... From what the Grand Admiral told me, yes, they are allies of necessity, only something about keeping favor with the Emperor."
"True, my boarding parties who survived stated they saw the red blade killing there brothers even after they heard the order they would be captured."
Trench stroked his mandible, "Interesting click-click-click, the Empire is full of careerists and click-click-click opportunists who subvert the other for their own gain click-click-click, and advantage we should exploit?"
General Kleeve cleared his throat, his cybernetic oculus focusing on Ahkilleon "We will, but for now we should focus on the Grand Admirals interest in the Militia with his interest in finding Arcadia. He'd cut our head off and watch us flail around like a chicken before bleeding us dry."
"Did you get an intel while you were aboard his ship Captain?" General Freeman asked, the old Clone looking right into Ahkilleons eyes, the young jedi sighed "I… did not." he said begrudging himself for that mistake.
"Don't be so glum Captain, you were trying to rescue a fellow Jedi and your own neck. I want you and your crew to return to Arcadia, take some time off and recuperate, you'll be back on duty before you know it." General Freeman said, Ahkilleon didn't even object; he just stood there "War Council ad-." "Genera?" Ahkilleon interrupted.
Freeman leaned in "Yes?"
"Has there been any word from Turok- Lord Skell?" Ahkilleon asked, trying to hide his worry, "Oh that ol Lizard will never die, reports from intercepted imperial chatter are that he slipped away in the Chaos, he'll find his way back, eventually." General Freeman said before he disappeared first followed by Keelve and Trench.
Lord Asimov and the other Jedi remained: "I will return to Arcadia as well, we have much to discuss padawan." Lord Asimov said before turning off his transmission with the other two Jedi.
When they were alone with the Lothal Militia, Ahkilleon loosened up standing there with the rest of the crew who were all looking at him, Jay cleared his throat "Captain, should we return to Arcadia now?"
Ahkilleon snapped out of his exhausted trance remembering without Turok there he was the highest ranking officer, "... yes, let's go home." he siad in a hushed tone, the Jedi headed to the door followed by the Militia and Cadets with Ahkilleon leading them out.
"One more thing before you go Captain." Bloodwolf said as he turned his chair around "This is the second time you've threatened me, there won't be a third."
Ahkilleon squeezed his hand into a fist tight and the other force users could sense his anger at the Warlords attempt to goad Ahkilleon, but he loosened his fist and turned around "Militia Invictus." was all he said before the soldiers at the helm saluted before he left.
ARCADIA
Bastion Temple
The Revenant touched down inside the New Jedi's Temple hanger, the stone had thick icicles hanging from it's mouth and with snow blowing in being swept up by the jedi on duty dressed in thick wool cloaks and scarves. When the ship landed it drew the eyes of a few jedi for its unfamiliar design but all the same hangar droids came up to start to assist it's crew as it disembarked. Ahkilleon came out first followed by Tai, Padawan Vos Ventress his sister the Cadets and the other two, Beetoo rolled out but stopped short.
Already waiting for them at the Temple Hanger with two of his freshly constructed Sentinel Droids was the cyborg blacksmith Jedi Master Emesa, "How'd she fly, Jaybo has been asking non stop."
"She flew like a dream in the battle, a little rough when she came in from the upper atmosphere and when she left." Sawyer said as she had been the one to fly her the most.
Emesa nodded under his mask and folded his arms over his chest, "I'll make a note of it, Lt. Breacher, Dragoon Gererra you are welcome to stay here until transport can take you to Leopolis or until your leave is over." Emesa said to them.
Sawyer and Breacher looked at one another, the Lt. had a cigar stuck between his lips under his mutton chops, "Thanks, but I'll make my own way to Leopolis." he said as he gave her respectful nod with his bag over his shoulder, "And you Gererra?" Emesa looked over at Jay and Rulf the two boys were chatting with Corto and Yumi, the doors to the hangar opened and Kraggen, Urrde and Fatima came in waving at the other Padawans.
"I could stay a few days Master Jedi, but just till a ship comes to take me back to my fleet." she said as Emesa held his hands out "Then be welcome."
He then turned to Master Uzuma and Ahkilleon, "Master Uzuma the Council wishes to speak to you, they are assembling now."
"Will you not be joining us, Emesa?" Tai asked curious, "They know my mind on the matter, I need to speak with Padawan Tano."
Ahkilleon stood up straight hearing his name "The rest of you are dismissed." he said as everyone started to head their different ways, Sawyer headed off with the other teens, Master Uzuma to the Council and Breacher stopped just next to Ahkilleon. He turned on his heels and huffed on his cigar embers glowing in the dried out tobacco "Don't worry about Skell, he's the Immortal Dragon for a reason Captain, till next time." then Lt. Breacher gave a nonchalant salute before heading out.
Ahkilleon returned his fist over his chest when he felt it twitch, he looked down to see his left mechano arm was fidgeting, "As K'Kruhk said."
"What?" Ahkilleon asked.
Master Emesa approached him and looked at his left arm, he waved his hand and the metal opened up "Your mechano arm has been damaged, allow me."
Ahkilleon held it up and Emesa's leather gloved hands glided over the metal to where it joined his regular arm at the joint, he pressed waved his hand and Ahkilleon heard the locks and plugs undo themselves before he took it off, "Walk with me as I recalibrate it."
Following Emesa out of the hangar, the tinkerer took out a small splicer and started to work on the interior of the arm without even looking up, they walked into one of the halls with stain glass windows letting in a rainbow of light on them from the mountain ranges bright sun "Has it gotten colder since we left?"
"Yes, Arcadia is halfway through its fall season. Winter will soon be here and it'll be white snow everywhere." Emesa said, while he continued to recalibrate the arm Ahkilleon could see his fingers moving and tapping against one another. "I know you're still new to this arm, but remember it has to be treated like your muscles, taken care of, stretched, honed, try tapping your fingers against your thumb that will help recalibrate it when it feels stiff." Emesa said as he finished up with it before he gave it back to Ahkilleon and fitted it on him.
Ahkilleon rolled his wrist and stretched his fingers "I hadn't noticed."
"You know my old Master would probably say something like 'a Jedi must notice the noticeable' but honestly I was never one for proverbs or wisdom, fixing things and making machines were always more concrete." he said gesturing back to his Sentinel droids.
They were white armored with the jedi orders style of art painted into them, their metal faces were designed like Temple Guard masks with white cloaks around them and the held lances with their lightsabers blades sheathed, tall as IG droids but a more elegant natural design to them. "The first batch just arrived, an area already patrolling the Temple grounds."
"Are we under threat?" Ahkilleon asked.
"No, and that's thanks to you Padawan Tano." the two of them walked away from the stained glass windows around a rounded corner of steps to the courtyard where a bundled up young jedi were gathered. Some were sitting around talking, others were meditating, they even spied one Corto coming back to a swarm of younglings and using the force to make them all float as if they were swimming in a pool. "You saved this entire Planet, and the New Jedi."
"Not all of them." Ahkilleon said thinking of Qu.
Emesa could feel the pain "I was there you know, during Order 66."
Ahkilleon's head snapped to him, Emesa gestured to his mask "It was Master Rahn and your Godfather Turok Skell who found me brought me here, did you know that?"
Ahkilleon shook his head, "I was working in a scrap yard, using droid parts to keep myself alive after I was disfigured escaping the first Purge, I'd given up and destroyed my lightsaber along with the kyber crystal it held. Then one day they showed up, I didn't believe I didn't want to let hope into my heart again but Qu assured me it was true. He brought me here, the Militia fixed me with modern cybernetics and he finished my training to help me become a Jedi again."
"He was your Master?" Ahkilleon asked.
"He was one of them… I know he was unusual for a Jedi, and your report tells you did everything to save him but in the end he chose to save you as any Jedi would for another. I sense we still carry a burden over it, please don't Qu wouldn't want that wherever he is now." Master Emesa said before he turned to leave Ahkilleon "The Order owes you a great debt, you stopped what surely would have been another Purge from happening you should be proud of that"
Ahkilleon turned to see Master Emesa was walking away and left him alone, Ahkilleon headed back into the warmth of the Temple and walked alone for some time before he was halfway back to the dorms when he saw Corto. "There you are."
Continuing to walk, Corto followed him "Come on, everyone is waiting to hear about our latest adventure." Corto said.
"Not now." Ahkilleon said.
Corto rolled his eyes as he put his hand on his shoulder "Oh come on, you're the hero of the hour you-" "I SAID NO!" Ahkilleon barked so loud a few other jedi came around the corner to see what all the commotion was about.
Stepping back, Corto had his hands up "Whoa… hey it's Corto here, friend." his dark brown eyes looked sincere and pleading with him to open up.
Ahkilleon looked over at the jedi down the hallway then snapped his green eyes coldy at Corto, "What is it about you that you think everyone wants to be your friend, why do you want to be my friend after everything I've done!" Ahkilleon snapped "I'm a murderer, a traitor, a craven…" Ahkilleon shook his head "Why dammit?"
Corto shrugged "You just… look like you try to do everything on your own Ahkilleon, I'm a healer I just want to help."
"You want to help, tell me a place where I can be alone and then leave me alone?" Ahkilleon said storming off "The bacta baths are a good place to start." Corto called out. Ahkilleon stopped and kept heading on upset at being so rude to Corto.
Later, down in the depths of Bastion Temple was another level located near the same levels as the Forge of Master Emesa and Master Parattus, there were the Bacta Baths. Bacta was a thick, gelatinous substance with near-miraculous healing properties. It helped the body regrow tissue, including nerves, skin, and muscles. Used throughout the galaxy to heal injuries at Bastion Temple it was no different, even though healers were abundant in the Healing Chamber. The Bacta Baths were as much a place of leisure as they were recovery built over the dormant volcano that Bastion Temple stood over, massive pools of bacta filled to the brim from pipes elsewhere in the Temple heated by the pipes that flowed down into them to stay in liquid form. Thick steam rose from them and opened Ahkilleons pores as he had stripped out of his armor and clothes to his undergarments to sink shoulder deep into the pool.
He sighed out as he felt the bacta start to do its work. Laying his head on the edge of the pool he exhaled looking up at the ceiling, the dim fire light of the torches that lit the chamber, the scent of warm bacta and steam around him he rested overwhelmed him and was soon asleep.
Meanwhile, up in the Council Chamber tower, Master Uzuma was standing in front of the eight Masters as Emesa came in and joined them in his seat "We wait for your response Master Uzuma?" K'Kruhk asked her, she stood there in silence hands at her side. "I… accept Masters."
"Very well, we believe it is a fine arrangement." Master Saa said with a warm smile "As you say Masters, will that be all?" She asked.
"There is another matter, what did you make of Padawan Tano?" Master Zao asked as he gripped his walking staff, the blind Veknoid tilted his head to listen and Tai shifted where she stood.
The Masters waited "He's unusual from the other Jedi here, that's to be expected giving his upbringing with the Rebellion. He doesn't always follow orders but there is a reason for it, I believe he is torn from being a Jedi and being… something else?"
"What would that be, do you think he's tempted by the dark side?" Maris asked leaning her head on her hand elbow propped up in her chair, Mars leaned her eyes over to Ventress. "I see Asimov's tutelage within him, he's been trained in the force's dark aspects but he walks the edge like a knife, I fear he may stray if we don't watch him." Tai said, looking at Master K'Kruhk intently. "He's dangerous."
"He is a boy, if we treat him as a threat he will come to distrust this Council like so many other Jedi who've fallen to the dark side, we should speak more of this when his Master has returned." Master K'Kruhk said.
There was a heavy silence in the room, Master Uzuma pressed her lips "With respect if Asimov and Trench's idea of the Jedi King gains more traction, it could be-" Tai cut herself off.
"Yes?" Ventress asked.
"My former apprentice believed it so much he was killed by two Inquisitors to protect Ahkilleon, that type of fanaticism is the last thing the New Jedi need." Tai finished.
The Council listened and was silent, "What do suggest Master Uzuma, Lord Asimov has already claimed him as his apprentice."
"Without this Councils permission or blessing, he was named Warlord of the Jedi by the Militia not this Council and he flaunts that title as a Jedi Lord like he's Lord Hoth reborn?" Tai argued hands up in astonishment. She had to say it "When I was told this was a new Jedi I didn't think this Council would allow us to make the same mistakes as the last one, like letting our Jedi become Generals?"
More silence, "We must give our Order more freedom then the last, Lord Asimov's claim of Ahkilleons apprenticeship was important, yes, but I sense it has softened his iron heart. Thank you for your thoughts Master Uzuma, now we come to another matter in selecting Master Rahns successor." K'Kruhk said, looking over to the empty seat.
Tai bowed and headed to the door but stopped "Masters, I may have an idea of someone."
….
….
….
….
Ahkilleon was sinking
No
Falling
He was falling softly like being laid down in a bed of pure air
Then the voice came and the world of Atollon appeared to him different though, clearer the coral trees standing tall over Chopper Base, the rebel ships landing and taking off, he could see Hammerhead cruisers at dock the Phoenix Squadron carrier in the sky above them.
Return
Return
You must return
"What?" Ahkilleon landed on the sands of Atollon and they puffed up like they were in water creating clouds.
The balance shifts ever more, stray and it will falter to chaos
"Balance, chaos- who is this?" Ahkilleon looked around for the voice's owner.
There's still time
He spun around and saw the Ghost, it was open to him but the door was closing "Time for what?"
"To save those you left behind"
He saw them Ezra, Sabine, Kanan, Hera, Zeb, Chopper, Rex but they were like phantoms of smoke whisps of their clothes and shadows for faces as if he'd forgotten what they looked like. "I… I can't go back"
No, go forward then…
Ahkilleon awoke under the bacta baths after he slipped under the liquid emerging wide awake in a shock coughing up bacta that had slipped into his mouth and filled his stomach and lungs almost drowing him. He looked around for the voice and for his old friends but he was back in Bastion Temple, alone.
THE NEXT DAY
Lord Asimov's ship descended to the Temple hanger he exited with both Terro and Ventus following him from the ramp into Bastion. They noticed Emesa's Sentinel Droids standing guard at the door and Terro muttered "New faces."
"Better then using actual Jedi as Sentinels." Terro replied.
"The droids will be an added benefit of security for the Temple, should anyone dare to attack it." Lord Asimov said while they followed.
They entered into one of the courtyards where Corto was with his sister and her friends, talking, "Padawans." Lord Asimov said approaching them, Fatima, Urrde, Kraggen backed up but Corto just smiled "Welcome back Lord Asimov, looking for Ahkilleon?"
The Warlord looked down at him, his face hidden by the visor of his plumed helmet, "Where is he?"
Yumi fidgeted as the War Jedi looked them over, "I believe I saw him heading for the woods, Master he goes there often."
"Ventus, Terro wait for me here, I will retrieve our lost boy." Lord Asimov said before he headed for Bastions gates.
Lord Asimov passed out from them walking over the long bridge that stood attached to the mountain range, and took the woodtrail up into the mountain's forests. He Walked up a trail that had already been carved by the many logs felled by Ahkilleon and continued to walk up them passing over frozen due covered forest floor. He came into the clearing where Yumi and her friends had ambushed Ahkilleon and saw the tree that had been felled was losing its leaves along with the other trees which were starting to turn orange and brown. He pressed his hand on the log and continued on the trail to the waterfalls and cabin Ahkilleon had built with Turok.
He saw Ahkilleon hammering away at stones, he wore his robes but not his armor, a cloak was draped around him to keep warm and steam came out of his breath with every swing of the hammer breaking more rocks. The loud crack echoed as Lord Asimov's feet crushed dormant grass on his approach "Mission…" Ahkilleon swung the hammer down on a particular large rock with so much force it cracked in two "Accomplished Master."
Ahkilleon dropped the hammer and turned to his Master, "You received my message." Lord Asimov said.
"I did, why Master?" Ahkilleon asked.
Lord Asimov walked toward him "Did anyone else see it?"
Ahkilleon looked away fixing his jaw, "Just Qu, don't worry I shot him in the back, just-like-you-wanted." He growled.
Asimov's head darted toward him "I didn't not want Qu's death, he was a brother and a friend."
"Oh and a traitor, like me." Ahkilleon said sarcastically.
"No, not like you Ahkilleon, even before the Empire Qu Rahn was whimsical, an adventurer who went from one planet to the next never caring about the larger picture." Lord Asimov stated, Ahkilleon paced away fidgeting he rubbed his hands and wrist anxious and upset.
Ahkilleon looked over his shoulder "Oh and you do?"
"Yes, you know I have since the day we met."
"Since the day you kidnapped me and my friends?" Ahkilleon reminded him of the day at Liefhold "Yes when the Militia warned your so called 'friends' to not follow us, they put you and the others in that position, was I just to leave three children in the hands of rebels?"
Ahkilleon scoffed laughing "Do you really think that would work on me, now, tell me why did Qu Rahn warn me not to trust you, is that why you wanted me to kill him, huh you and your inner circle?" "Enough Padawan!" Lord Asimov raised his voice at him.
Rather than cow Ahkilleon got right up in Lord Asimov's face, "No, I want answers why did you want me to kill Qu Rahn-" "I WILL NOT RISK THE LIFE OF ONE JEDI OVER THE ENTIRE MILITIA OR THE FUTURE OF THE NEW JEDI, I NEED AN APPRENTICE WHO KNOWS THAT WE NEED A KING WHO KNOWS ONE LIFE CANNOT BE WEIGHED AGAINST AN ENTIRE NATION!" Lord Asimov thundered so hard that the waters and rocks around them blew back from the outburst of emotion.
Ahkilleon didn't back down, he showed no fear in his eyes, his hands were on his lightsabers ready to fight "... It should."
Lord Asimov stepped away rubbing his helmets forehead shaking his head "... if only." He whispered.
"What?" Ahkilleon asked.
"I thought we were past this, this is the real galaxy Ahkilleon, not the stories you and I grew up on Jedi of old who always saved the day, Qu Rahn would have opposed you becoming the Jedi King, but I, Trench, Skell, even Caliban all see it in you and you alone-" He held up his finger pointing it at him "Can rise above all of us and be the King the Galaxy needs and deserves." Lord Asimov said.
Ahkilleon shook his head "A Jedi King, what even is that-" "It's what you make it, Tyrants and Emperors like Palpatine, know only how to rule through fear and intimidation you will rule through example. You know what it's like to live as an outcast, to see the price of a victory in battle and the cost of defeat but you must be ready for when it's not all glory and the cheers of the crowd." Lord Asimov said walking hands up to him "That is why I chose you as my apprentice, my only apprentice to prepare you for that day when you are crowned and the Militia will cry out in one voice, Long Live the King."
"So that was it, a political assassination?" Ahkilleon asked.
"No, the Valley is important too, did you think this was going to be easier than the Rebellion?" Lord Asimov asked, "I thought I wouldn't have to kill Jedi!" Ahkilleon argued.
Lord Asimov held his hand up and shut his fist to hold in his own frustration, "Yes, I ordered you to kill Qu if there was no other way, if he couldn't be convinced and you didn't find another way, and I am proud of the conviction you had to do what was necessary what was right."
Shaking his head Ahkilleon flung his hands in the air "Nothing about this is right, you say you want me to be a Jedi King but what kind of King kills his own people?"
"One who knows he has to think of everyone not just his own pride, unlike Qu who wanted to hide the Valley of the Jedi, wanted to join the rebellion hell he'd give it to them if he thought their cause would benefit. He and so many others are part of the old Guard, too blinded by the lies of the Republic."
"I don't care about the Republic, I care about the future we're fighting for, that I have a say in it." Ahkilleon argued.
"You will, but you must be able to see that everything we do is for the greater good, keeping all that raw force energy trapped for centuries. If the Inquisitors get it it'll change the balance of power in the galaxy, chaos."
Ahkilleon's head turned swiftly, hearing "...What did you say?" Ahkilleon asked.
Lord Asimov cocked his head "Something happened, what is it?" Lord Asimov asked him.
Ahkilleon shifted uneasily, "I've been… having visions of late, visions of the rebel base I was on before I joined the Militia, a voice telling me that I have to go back, or else there will be chaos."
"When did these visions start?" Asimov asked, getting closer "When?" he asked again.
"A day before I became your apprentice." Ahkilleon confessed.
Lord Asimov got closer "Why didn't you tell me, Ahkilleon, I'm your Master you need to trust me."
"Trust you, after sending me a message to kill a Jedi?" Ahkilleon said again "YES, because you weren't there at the first Purge." Asimov shouted at him grabbing his arms his hands shaking "Do you have any idea what it's like to wake up to the screams of your brothers and sisters being slaughtered like animals, running through the Temple past their bodies as your home burns around you teachers you worshiped gone or dead, having to crawl through sewers just to escape to the sound of people you've never met cheering for their deaths… I will never allow the Jedi to fall again." Lord Asimov said letting go "And that is why my legacy must be the greatest of us, who I trust with my life." Lord Asimov took Ahkilleons hand in his fist and tightened his grip "I trust you above all others Ahkilleon, because you will carry on my work long after I am done and lead the Jedi- no the Galaxy into a renaissance of a golden age." he let go then and walked away
He followed Asimov who held his arms up looking to the sky as if he were looking up at Ahkilleon as a King "As for me, I just hope when your standing there in front of the galaxy shining like a kyber crystal I can be there in your shadow to see it all."
"I… didn't know you thought so highly of me Master?" Ahkilleon said looking at the ground, Ahkilleon dropped to his knees "Forgive my impertinence."
Asimov had his back to him "No need, a young man wanting to change the galaxy is nothing new, rise I told you to never kneel again."
Ahkilleon stood and faced his Master "These visions, have you told anyone else Ahkilleon?"
The young padawan shook his head "And you believe it's calling you back to the Rebellion?"
A nod from Ahkilleon, and Asimov paced a few steps "Someone- something is."
Lord Asimov was silent for a long time till a gust of wind rustled the leaves and water from the falls, "We must go to the Council."
LATER
Council Chamber
After returning to the Temple, Lord Asimov and Ahkilleon quickly went to the Masters and had retold them what Ahkilleon had told Lord Asimov about his visions, "In the vision are you seeing the person talking to you, or hearing them?" Master K'Kruhk asked.
"I hear them, but I feel them too as if they're watching me watch the vision unfold." Ahkilleon explained. K'Kruhk looked to the other Masters for guidance, Ahkilleon felt his eyes drifting to the style empty Ninth Council Member seat, one that belonged to Qu Rahn, "And it's of the Rebellion or where the Rebel cell you were with?" Master Saa asked.
Ahkilleon nodded "A planet the Empire didn't know about, it…." Ahkilleon kept the name behind his teeth, "You need not tell us where, but we could clarify it."
"Exactly what I was thinking." Lord Asimov said as the Masters slowly started to stand one by one, the last being Ventress.
"What?" Ahkilleon asked hesitantly, "Before the fall of the Old Order, Master Yoda started having visions one such method they used was trying to commune with the force together as one, it didn't work but it is the most practical." Lord Asimov said hand on his looked to K'Kruhk and nodded "Okay." One by one the Eight Jedi Masters put their hands on Ahkilleon or the nearest Jedi to them, closing their eyes and they all focused on the force.
The Jedi opened themselves up and Ahkilleon let go of any fear he had and embraced the force connection to his own Master and to the others.
He felt the Temple melt away and the stars around Arcadia traveled further from Militia space into the small world of Atollon, but then the vision shifted Ahkilleon felt his gaze thrown far from Atollon to a small Imperial Prison world, that changed again and the view showed a Hammerhead cruiser badly damaged adrift in space.
Be wary…
The voice was back, Ahkilleon almost snapped out of the trance but Lord Asimov and the other Masters kept him anchored.
Ahkilleon could hear the sound of fighting, blasters and screams of death.
"Where are they?" A dark and sinister voice said.
"... no." Ahkilleon whispered realising who the voice was.
He saw a ship in the black and red Mandalorian ship docked with the Ghost, he heard struggling aboard it and felt his vision dive through the metal haul, he heard Blasters before he saw the yellow and red eyes of Mauk.
"NO!" Ahkilleon shouted his eyes snapped open and the force from within him sent all the Masters including his own off their feet and onto the floor, Ahkilleon's knees buckled and he caught himself on his hands before smashing his fist in the floor "Maul." Ahklilleon said with acid in his voice before he got up "I have to warn them."
"Stop padawan." Master K'Kruhk said, Ahkilleon stopped. "You saw what I saw-" "Yes I did, and Maul is not to be trifled with, we will not stand idle." K'Kruhk picked up his cane with the help of Master Saa.
Ahkilleon turned back around "Then send Lord Asimov and myself we'll put an end to Maul once and for all."
Lord Asimov was on his feet too along with the rest who had either stood there or returned to their seats, "My apprentice is young, but Maul is not just any adversary he caused my apprentice great pain and he must face it."
"All the reason not to send your apprentice and you, there is too much emotional attachment in this, Master Ventress." Master Saa said as she sat back down in her seat, Asajj was standing in front of a window looking out over Bastion Temple "You and Lord Asimov will assemble a Jedi strike team to hunt down Maul, capture him and bring him to Raxus, to face long overdue Justice."
Asajj said nothing "What about me, I've faced Maul before I knew Phoenix Squadron, can I help?" Ahkilleon asked.
"You will help, but you will not go on this mission Padawan, you are off balance." Master Jenir said, Ahkilleons jaw dropped. He was about to say more but he felt Asimov grab his arm "Not the time." Lord Asimov said curtly.
Lord Asimov faced the Masters "I will make sure my apprentice continues his rest and reflection here, and prepare a strike team." Lord Asimov said, taking Ahkilleon out of the room.
They walked out and Ahkilleon felt Asimov let go of him, they started to walk down the stairs "I know that Maul hurt you, more than just your arm, but if you face him like this you will fail or worse."
"What could be worse?" Ahkilleon grumbled.
"The Sith, sith like Maul are of an older breed they twist and lie he could turn you make you his apprentice." Lord Asimov warned him, Ahkilleon scoffed looking back "I would die before I ever served Maul."
Asimov nodded "Which is why I want you to live, give me time to speak to the Masters, and the Strike Team, they will move with Militia transport just give me time."
The two of them stood there alone in the stairwell before Ahkilleon sighed "Okay."
Asimov let out a sigh of relief under his helmet, "Return to your studies for now, I will find you when I have the strike team assembled, you're still a Captain in the Militia."
LATER
Hanger
Ahkilleon couldn't wait that long, he had grabbed his armor and his helmet fitting them to his body he walked into the hanger with his helmet under his arm and toward the Revenant, the sun was setting on Bastion Temple's mountain range, he was almost to the ship when he spotted the R4-B2 rolling up to him out of the ship. Blue and yellow droid beeped at him with his green eye, "Fine, you can come." Ahkilleon said as Beetoo chirped happily.
"Oh good, we were going anyway." Ahkilleon looked behind him to see Corto, Yumi, Jay and Rulf.
He faced them and saw Corto was smiling hands on his hips, Yumi had her arms folded, Jay was already dressed for travel wearing his rifle and had his pack along with Rulf who had some more bags of what looked like food and supplies "What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here, word is through the grapevine you're grounded." Yumi said, pointing at him.
Ahkilleon looked at her flabbergasted "It's a small temple, Masters gossip something about a Jedi Strike team about to hunt down a Sith, Jay just happens to spot you heading this way in full armor and your the last Jedi we know who fought Sith so much." Corto said, walking up to him and then past him to the Revenant, "So where are we going?"
"Corto, this isn't funny I… I have to face my past, and it's dangerous." Ahkilleon told them.
"All the more reason I should come, you may get hungry for my pancakes." Corto said, smirking arms folded over his chest, "And I'm coming so you don't get my brother killed."
"We're coming so you don't get killed, plus it's all your idea so we don't get in trouble." Jay said with Rulf nodding. Ahkilleon sighed knowing he wasn't going to win arguing with them and if he did they'd probably get caught, Ahkilleon walked up the ship ramp past Corto "On one condition. When the fighting starts, when I face my past none of you will get in my way."
Corto shrugged "Hey, what are friends for?" Corto said patting him on the back as they went inside, the Revenant soon sealed its doors and exhaust ports before it took off flying out into the open night sky and into the stars above. Everyone was in their seats with Ahkilleon sitting down in the pilot seat "What happened to Gererra?" Ahkilleon asked.
"She took off, headed to Leopolis on the first transport her mom… doesn't like her hanging around Jedi too much." Jay said, holding his pack on his legs, "So where are we going?" he asked wanting to change the subject.
Ahkilleon fired up the hyperdrive before punching it "Home."
