Penumbra
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A/N 1:Alternate Universe Story. This is a sequel to "The Rising Darkness" which in turn is a sequel to my "Suns Among Stars" trilogy. You don't have to read the trilogy first, but some things may make more sense if you do.
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A/N 2: I do not own Star Wars.
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Chapter One:
Four figures stood in the center of the landing craft, all silent as they waited with anticipation for their craft's doors to open. About them was an armored contingent of soldiers, with six each assigned to aid the four.
The ship inside was dark save for red illumination, which made everyone appear sinister in nature. Something buffeted the vessel they rode inside, jostling all occupants who were not strapped down.
But no one lost their balance, and no one complained. Those in the center merely anchored themselves with the Force, while the soldiers used the hand-straps hanging from bars in the ceiling.
The entire scene could have been something out of the Clone Wars, if such an analogy was to be made. All about their ship were other landing craft, though only theirs carried the Force-users.
The speakers crackled to life. "We are two minutes to the drop point."
Two of the Force users turned their heads towards each other.
"You ready my friend?" Katu, a male Whiphid, asked with a feral grin.
"I will enjoy counting heads as they roll," Raythe, a male Yevetha, replied with a matching smile. "Let the games begin."
The Togruta teenager— Kida Varik— rolled her eyes, but did not otherwise comment. Her eyes travelled to the final Force-user, who felt her attention but ignored it, just as he ignored the banter among the first two acolytes.
"Are you ready to do your part?" Kida inquired with a lifted brow.
The figure didn't answer, and nor did he care if that irked the young woman. She muttered something under her breath and fell silent. The final acolyte sensed her anger, but let it roll off his shoulder so-to-speak. He was not afraid of any of the other acolytes, and could have cared less about their feelings. None of them would care about him anyway, and never had.
"Acolyte Kida," a man said from behind her, handing her a datapad. "There has been a slight shift in where we are to land due to anti-aircraft weaponry we had not anticipated."
Kida accepted the 'pad from him and looked it over. "Very well, but we can still work our way to the main objective in the same manner. We will just have to angle in a bit more than we would have."
Kida looked to the others. "Same plan, but my group will have to angel across those with Vexa's Fist. Katu and Raythe, remain on course no matter what."
"Understood." They chorused.
It was understood that Kida was the one in charge of making sure everyone knew their place in the battle, and that Vexa had appointed her thus. Raythe and Katu were merely there to help lead their own contingent of men up a four-prong street array. One that converged on the building where they would take out the planet's officials.
Kida would also lead a group, and between the three of them they would take up the flanking street positions. Their final member—Vexa's Fist— would take his men right up the center street, which was an order directly from Vexa Wran. The new, armored figure was meant to instill terror in all he encountered. And with his intimidating appearance— what with his red and black armor, complete with a helmeted mask to hide his identity— the task was easily accomplished.
But what really made him the stuff of nightmares was his already growing reputation of being a ruthless warrior; one that was nearly impossible to take down. Wherever he went he left a trail of destruction and death, and any who got in his way wasn't in it for long.
His master had made it abundantly clear that he was not allowed to take prisoners. He was to show no mercy, and he was not to stop pressing toward the target until it had been reached and eliminated.
And that was exactly what he did, which is why the galaxy was growing ever more squeamish in regards to Vexa's Fist.
A signal sounded and everyone onboard their ship tensed in readiness. Then the doors opened and the ship came to a hovering stop several inches above the ground. The four acolytes and their soldiers leapt with ease from the ship, which took off again as soon as they were clear. It would be back to pick up the survivors once the battle was complete.
Instantly the gaggle of bodies split into four groups and went their separate ways. There were already a few land-machines in the indicated streets, each making its way forward to prepare the way for the ground troops. Each was an updated AT-ST that the Rising had found in an Imperial scrap yard and renovated.
Of course, the Rising met with resistance as the population of Eriadu sought to keep their world from coming under Rising rule. Eriadu was not a heavily populated world compared to others. Since it was still used as a training ground for troopers, it was thought of as a place to house elite schools. So it was only accessible to those in the programs and those who worked for them.
Which made it a relatively easy target in that sense.
Still, they were going up against a planet that housed soldiers. But then again, most of them were as Force-blind as a granite slug, which gave the four acolytes an advantage.
Vexa's Fist ignited his ruby lightsaber and advanced down his appointed avenue with purpose. Behind him his six men followed, weapons at the ready. And good thing too, for as soon as they approached the first building on the street, enemy fire came their way.
The soldiers behind the Fist returned fire, activating energy shields in arm gauntlets to protect them from most of the enemy's attacks. Still, they were cautious in keeping their attention moving so there were no surprise attacks.
As for the Fist, he needed no shield, for he had the Force as his ally. He maneuvered his blade with practiced ease, batting away enemy fire as if it was merely a cloud of insects. Some he even redirected back at the attackers, and they fell with smoking holes in their bodies.
"Sir, on the rooftops!" One man warned, though Vexa's Fist had already sensed the new threat via the Force.
He lifted his gaze, and spied the first of several persons who had managed to gain the high ground.
The Fist gestured to two of his men. "One of you go left, the other right, get to the rooftops yourself and see what you can do about the people up high,"
"Yes Sir!" They chorused, splitting up with ease and disappearing into the nearest buildings.
Behind the initial groups from the acolyte's landing teams, more Rising soldiers appeared, and the Fist gestured to a few more of them.
They came forward in the chaos, and only then did he speak. "Go help clear the rooftops. Left and right of us, two of my men are already on the way up."
"Right away!"
Vexa's Fist only glanced long enough to see them also disappear into the buildings, and then returned his focus to their forward advancement. He and his troops moved steadily up the thoroughfare, with the Fist blocking all attacks that he could and keeping his troops safer from the front.
The Fist spied a few ranks of the enemy ahead that were not hiding in buildings, but were moving forward to bring the fight to the Rising. The Fist gave them points for courage. At least they could meet their fate with honor. As the Rising passed by each successive building, men fanned out to flush out any remaining enemy.
On the rooftops, fire began spewing from more Rising men who had successfully taken over up there. Any enemy forces that didn't get clear in time were hewn down like the tags on a shooting range.
The Fist refocused and led his men onward, picking up the pace to reach the soldiers coming their way down the street. Blasterfire rained down on them as they got within range of the enemy's weapons.
These new troops, the Fist noticed, had come in behind the AT-ST vehicle, so the armored thing could not attack them from their rear.
The Fist, unafraid of the laserfire coming his way, surged forward with a burst of speed, counting on the enemy thinking he would stay put and be pinned down. He leapt up and over the heads of the first few men, and then landed in their midst. Several of them cried out in alarm, and those closest to the First were unable to move out of his way before he cut them down.
Vexa's Fist drew out a blaster, and with one hand he continued to maneuver his lightsaber, while he took shots at others with the blaster. By the time his men caught up with him, the group of Eriadu's men had been reduced by half.
The Fist did not stop to see who was left; he pressed onward, motioning for anyone who was free to follow him.
The Rising men on the rooftops began to exit their buildings and move on towards new vantage points. The AT-ST ahead of them was now slowing down, and the Fist had to wonder where the heavy defenses were. This was a military planet, so where was all the military might?
His answer came when, in the skies overhead, a few squadrons of various fighters appeared. Many of them bore the symbol of the Rising: a red bird rising out of an exploding star. However, there were clearly some from Eriadu, which continued to use TIE fighters, though these models had been upgraded with shields.
Dogfights broke out above their heads, and the Fist made a mental note to watch for falling debris and fire from above now.
A voice came over the comlink in the Fist's ear. "This is Katu: we are three-quarters of the way there."
"Raythe and men are just behind that. We have met with several speederbikes amassing to attack the center area. We have commandeered many of these vessels and plan to use them against the enemy."
"Copy that," Katu almost sounded disappointed. "Save one for me, will you?"
Raythe snorted in amusement, but otherwise did not comment since they were in the midst of a battle.
Moments later, Kida also spoke. "We likewise ran into some speederbikes. I think the enemy had planned to ambush us. They did not count on us splitting our forces like we did. Bless Vexa's foresight!"
Vexa's Fist withheld a snort, not joining in the Togruta's sentiments. Nor did he add his own comments. He and his men were now even with the AT-ST, and the Fist looked about him to assess his losses. He still had a fair amount of men left, and he nodded in approval.
The Fist glanced to the AT-ST and then had an idea. Using the Force, he leapt from protrusions on nearby buildings up to the height of the vehicle, and then leapt atop the thing. From there, the Fist assessed what lay ahead of them.
Finally he located the heavy defenses he had noticed a lack of. He made a swift mental map of the area ahead and then dropped back down to the ground, landing with ease. He straightened and motioned to the remaining captains, who converged on his position swiftly.
"Be warned, there are several cannons between us and our target." The Fist indicated two different men. "Gather four men each and see if you can find a rooftop from which to take out the gunners once we arrive at the square. Contact me when you find such a position and wait for my signal."
"Yes sir." They left to do as ordered, and the Fist continued his order-giving. "You, and you, wait behind the first wave and be ready to punch through the wall we will create. Your objective is to penetrate the building. Once inside, start taking out the guards. But do not advance further without at least one acolyte, is that understood?"
"We understand."
The Fist looked to them and spoke. "What are your names?"
The Weequay on the left straightened proudly. "Decil Vellae."
When the Fist looked to the Duro man next, he inclined his head. "I am Nyja Artem."
Fist nodded in turn. "You have your orders. Once I signal you, begin your advancement. Both of you take ten men along."
The pair saluted, and moved off to follow through with his orders.
Vexa's Fist looked to the remainder of his men and motioned them to advance. He led the assault, taking them swiftly through the remaining blocks until they got to the outlet for the town square where the artillery awaited them. The AT-ST remained at their six, taking out any large obstructions for them.
The Fist paused at the mouth of the street and poked his head cautiously out to see if the other acolytes were already in position. None of them were to attack alone: only when all four groups were in position were they to advance.
The Fist sent a predetermined signal along his comlink to let the other acolytes know that he was ready. When he got three return signals, Vexa's Fist straightened and signaled the attack. He and his men flooded from the mouth of their street and began advancing on the large number of Eriadu's forces.
Behind them, once they were assured that all of the Rising's troops were clear, the AT-ST vehicles also entered the fray. Predictably, the heavy cannons went for these large walkers first, and managed to take two out of the equation with impressive speed.
But that left two AT-ST's, which began to work on taking out the largest of the enemy's artillery.
Overhead, an explosion sounded, and the Fist felt a clear warning in the Force. Looking up, he spotted the fiery remains of a starfighter barreling towards him and his men. A few of his men shouted in alarm and scrambled to get clear, but the Fist lifted a hand, and with a surge of the Force he re-directed the fireball at the closest cannon. The soldiers there screamed and then were silenced as the item connected with their weapon.
The Fist wielded his lightsaber with confidence, batting away blasterfire and using his blaster to take long-distance shots. His men were causing their own amount of havoc, and with each step they advanced further into the square.
But that was when the enemy decided it had had enough, for the cannons were turned onto the advancing Rising forces and let loose. The Fist heard and felt the deaths of several people.
Gritting his teeth, he drew on the Force and sprinted for the nearest still-active cannon. Of course they saw him coming and tried to take him out, but he was too fast, too agile. He zig-zagged and then rolled under the fire of one man who got close to hitting him with his pistol. Then the Fist leapt up and landed in the bay of the cannon, using his blade to slice the gunner in two before he could blink. The Fist then took out the back-up man with swift efficiency.
The man with the pistol managed to graze the Fist's arm, but the Fist did not slow. He merely drew even with the man, batting away his blasterfire until they were nose-to-nose. At that point the Fist grabbed the man's wrist in one hand and turned his blaster to the side. The man— who turned out to be an officer— determined to get in a hit, drew out a dagger and struck at the Fist. The Fist dropped his lightsaber and caught that wrist now too, swiftly twisting the man's grip and then pushing downward so that the officer stabbed his own chest. The man stiffened and then fell backwards off the cannon.
Vexa's Fist called his lightsaber to him once more and placed it to his belt, then took the controls of the cannon. He noted his secondary forces pushing through as ordered, now that the Rising had taken down the two central cannons. The Fist put his cannon to use in firing at the other heavy weapons, and managed to take out three before the enemy figure out what was happening. By the time the final canon caught on, it was too late. Just as it fired on the Fist, the Fist shot at it, and the two large lasers connected right in front of the other weapon, blasting it away.
He turned when Raythe appeared. "Your men are struggling to breach the building, Fist. Take out the doors for them why don't you?"
The Fist swiveled his gun, taking aim... and letting loose with a salvo. The reinforced doors held, but the walls around them did not fare so well. Soon there were gaping holes, and Vexa's Fist watched as his men poured inside, laserfire flashing in streaks amidst the dust that had been kicked up.
Moments later two lightsabers appeared in the fray and aided the men already inside. Katu and Kida made swift work of the first wave of Eriadu's soldiers, and then began to work their way toward the upper levels of the building.
Raythe indicated that a Rising soldier should man the Fist's cannon, and he did so. This allowed the Fist to join Raythe in entering the building. Bodies and debris lay strewn about, and it was difficult to discern which way the acolytes had gone, for there was chaos coming from both sides of the lobby area.
"Why don't you take left side, since you're already there?" Raythe suggested, moving right. "I'll help out on the other side. We can meet up topside."
Vexa's Fist only moved away, not speaking. He discovered that Katu was leading this particular group of soldiers, his lightsaber moving swiftly as he defended against blasterfire from the enemy.
Once the Fist joined him, Katu grinned in anticipation. "Let's have a bit of fun."
He grabbed a detonator of his belt and lobbed it forward. The Fist almost questioned Katu's sanity, until he realized that he had sent a shock-grenade at the enemy, which would not necessarily damage the building they were all inside.
The enemy cried out and most of the blasterfire ceased. Rising men instantly advanced, with the Fist and Katu close behind. Scuffles ensued involving those of the enemy's forces that were still standing after Katu's attack.
Blast doors shut ahead of them, no doubt hoping to cut off the enemy's route. But the Fist merely plunged his lightsaber into the door and began to melt through it, slowly cutting a hole into it. To speed things up, Katu helped him out with his own weapon, and together the pair of lightsabers made a hole large enough for the men to step through. Katu, not taking any chances, lobbed another charge through the door before they stepped inside the new area.
And good thing too, for many men now lay on the ground, instead of them shooting at the Rising personnel.
There were still a few men left, and Katu got nicked in the shoulder, which only infuriated him, and he charged the offender with a bellow that set the man back. The Rising men that followed the two Force-users through the hole apprehended the remaining men.
"No prisoners." Katu grouched, using the Force to choke the two men left standing.
The Fist merely walked onward, hearing the two bodies drop soon afterwards. When they finally got to the conference room, Kida and Raythe were already there. Both had slight injuries, but were otherwise unscathed.
"Let's finish this," Kida muttered, lifting her blade.
"May I?" Katu held up a trio of tiny explosives and Kida nodded.
Katu placed them strategically on the door and the Rising people stepped clear. Katu detonated them and the four acolytes entered the room, lightsabers at the ready. Rising soldiers followed, their blasters at the ready.
A few shots rang out, and the acolytes were swift to deflect them.
"Enough!" A voice commanded. Once the dust settled, a man in a military uniform and with graying hair looked to them with piercing gray eyes. "Why have you attacked Eriadu?"
His gaze landed on Vexa's Fist, and a hint of fear touched his gaze, but it otherwise remained clear.
"You will surrender Eriadu to us, or we will take what is left of it by force," Vexa's Fist said in a cold tone. "The choice is yours."
The man considered. "What is the purpose of taking Eriadu? We have no resources. We are a planet devoted to training elite soldiers."
Katu snorted a laugh. "Yeah? Well your elite soldiers did you a whole lot of good today. We mowed them down like weeds."
Raythe likewise grinned, enjoying the insult immensely. "How lucky do you feel, Commander?"
The man hesitated. "The men you encountered were trainees. Most of my best men are off fighting the war."
"So what is your decision?" the Fist demanded, tired of the games.
The man sighed heavily. "I am prepared to negotiate our surrender, under the conditions that the people here remain unharmed."
"If you cooperate, you will have nothing to fear." Kida promised.
The man shook his head. "The Empire promised such things in their day. Look how that turned out."
Kida lifted her head imperiously. "We are not the Empire, and you would do well to curb your tongue, Commander."
The threat was clear, and the man inclined his head, shutting his mouth. It took half a standard hour for the Rising's liaison to arrive, and the negotiations began. At this point the acolytes bowed out, their work having been completed.
Rising forces were now inserting themselves into the base, taking over any area that had been manned by the people of Eriadu.
Once a shuttle arrived to take the four acolytes back to the Dark Mystery, they boarded it and never looked back.
00000
"Breaking news!"
Two sets of eyes— one blue and the other green— stared at the holovid on the wall, their meals momentarily forgotten as the latest news on the war with the Rising came up. The rest of the establishment's patrons likewise settled as they too heard the broadcast.
"In another bold move against the New Republic," the male Jazbinan said, "the Rising has now taken Eriadu, the old Imperial training grounds. Aided by the ever growing number of illegal factions that have seemingly come out of the woodworks, the Rising appears unstoppable."
The tag on screen gave the name Zimri Akkubb, and the man paused, glancing to something off-screen for a second before looking back to the camera.
"It would seem that after their bid to seize the banks on Scipio, the Rising finally began their true offensive. They started with Scipio, and then to throw us off, they next targeted a point far from that where no forces would be able to muster in time. First it was Sluis Van, Triton and Clakdor. Now it's Eriadu. Where will they strike next? Will they continue in a straight line to the Core regions, or will they again shake up their pattern as is their usual custom?"
Zimri shook his head. "Many ask if the Republic's forces can get the upper hand on them at last?"
Zimri looked to his right and the camera panned out to reveal his companion reporter. A female Fosh named Fera Waal spoke next.
"Adding to the Rising's fear factor, Vexa's Fist was reportedly on the ground at Eriadu, and as usual spearheaded the overthrow of the planet's government officials. In the usual effort to maintain control of the planets they take, Rising agents now rule Eriadu. Admiral Ackbar, who agreed to answer a few questions, suggested that this is temporary until the Rising has completed their quest for galactic dominance."
The two pairs of eyes met, and Shmi Skywalker sighed. "Another planet lost, and another lead on Ignis that we cannot follow."
Anya Euora nodded, playing with the remnants of her salad. "Everywhere we've received word on has been after the fact, and we can never gain any ground. If we could just get ahead of him somehow..."
Shmi snorted. "I think the only way to do that is to be wherever the Rising will strike next, and hope we get close to him."
Anya knew her friend was correct. Anya and Shmi had been at their quest for a few weeks now, and they still had not found anything with which to get a leg up. All the areas that the Rising had taken were locked down: nobody got in or out without the permission of their new landlords.
The only thing they could track— though only because of Holonews coverage on the war efforts— was the destruction Fist and his troops left in their wake.
Both Shmi and Anya knew that the armored figure everyone called Vexa's Fist— or just Fist— was Ignis Vrei. The Fist had shown up right after Ignis had turned himself in to his master, once he had refused to give her Kodai Skywalker. Ignis had sacrificed himself for the baby, for all of Shmi's family, and of course for Anya.
Shmi and Anya had found pitifully little on Ignis at Orinda, their first stop on their journey. They had eventually discovered the hangar bay in which he had kept his ship, but the owner had proven uncooperative.
They had worked to track Ignis' movements, always behind where he had been, and so far making no headway on getting to where he was in the moment.
The two young women had discussed what they would do when they got to Ignis. They knew about the squid— Anya had filled Shmi in on everything she could about them— but not how to remove it. The plan was to knock Ignis unconscious and keep him under until they could get help.
Shmi and Anya both knew it wasn't the best plan; but for the moment, it was all they had.
"I think we may need to get some help," Shmi suggested to Anya. "We are getting nowhere."
Anya eyed her friend. "Perhaps you are right, but who do we go to, and what do we ask for?"
Shmi pursed her lips. "I think... I may know who we can ask about the squids at least. Lando Calrissian used to deal in rare creatures and all sorts of smuggling gigs. He could tell us what to do about that at least."
Anya lifted a brow. "Are you sure he would talk to you and not turn you over to your family?"
Shmi sighed. "I can't guarantee he won't. But Lando is trustworthy, and if he tells my family that he spoke with me, fine."
Anya continued to eye her friend. Shmi had remained out of contact with her family since leaving, refusing any attempt by them to contact her in turn. Anya had suggested on occasion that she answer, but for some reason Shmi would not.
Anya suspected that Shmi feared what her family would say if she did answer their attempts at contact. Why else would the young woman avoid the family she was always so close to?
"Okay, we can talk with Lando about the squid, but call only." Anya agreed. "That still leaves us with trying to predict where the Rising will strike next."
Shmi sat back. "What if we try a different tactic?"
Anya allowed her interest to show. "I'm listening."
"I am pretty certain that the man who had housed Ignis' ship on Orinda was a supporter of Vexa. Why don't we go back and ask him?"
Anya frowned. "I hardly think he would just open up to us."
Shmi smirked. "He might if he didn't know it was us. We can alter our looks, and find some way to get him to talk."
Anya considered. "I don't know, Shmi. I like the idea, but I don't think Orinda is much of a Rising support hot-spot. We need something more lucrative."
"Such as?" Shmi asked.
"When I worked at Christophsis, spacers who visited the restaurant I worked at often spoke of galactic news." Anya fingered her chin. "It's how I kept up to date with what was going on in the galaxy as I hid there."
"I get where you're going with this," Shmi said. "We place ourselves in a place where we can eavesdrop."
"Yes, we just need to figure out where to go," Anya murmured.
"What about Ord Mantell?" Shmi said almost instantly. "There are a plethora of restaurants and such there with plenty of people who love to gossip. Uncle Han talks about it often: he says it's a goldmine for gathering information."
Anya considered. "That could work, but we would need a place to stay..."
Shmi nodded. "We can figure that out once we get there. We can get something cheap for now until we can get what we need."
Anya pursed her lips. "Shmi, we are getting low on credits. We may need to actually take a job there. We would be able to resupply our funds and such, while also collecting information."
Shmi hesitated. "But then we would be tied down there."
Anya shook her head, already standing and leaving their payment on the table. "Not if we play our cards correctly."
Shmi joined her friend, and they left the establishment in which they'd had dinner. "Look at who's gone into hunter mode."
Anya glanced at her. "Well, I've had two great teachers: Ignis and your mother. They taught me well. This is my fist chance to actually use those lessons though."
Shmi placed a hand on her shoulder. "It suits you. Just make sure you don't lose yourself in the process."
Anya smiled softly. "I'll do my best."
Shmi saw their ship up ahead, in an outdoor landing area that was open to anyone for the correct fee. The Nebula had proven to be quite the magnificent ship, and Shmi expected no less from a ship her father had all but created. Luke had taken the frame of an old Nabooian skiff and completely transformed it into what it was now.
The reminder of her father brought a note of sorrow to Shmi's heart, and she tried not to let it show. Once they were inside the ship, Shmi sat in the pilot's seat.
"Let's try Lando before we take off." Shmi suggested, already moving to type in the man's comm. codes.
"I think we should wait a bit more," Anya said. "Maybe we wait until we have a location in which to get to Ignis."
Shmi eyed Anya. "Maybe that would be best."
The two stared until Shmi finally nodded. "I agree: we wait. Let's get going."
"To Ord Mantell then?" Anya asked.
"Ord Mantell." Shmi agreed, already flipping switches to bring the Nebula to life.
00000
"And so you can use the length of this unbroken side on the shape," the human woman was saying, "to help determine the length of the opposite side that has been broken into two parts by this vertical section."
Ben Skywalker paid close attention to his math instructor's lecture, taking fastidious notes so that when the time came to do his homework, he could remember how to do these particular problems.
"By subtracting the amount on the first section— the one before the vertical line— from the total length above, you can determine the length of the second line." The woman turned her head to the class. "Any questions?"
No one lifted a hand, so the woman nodded in acceptance. "Good. Now, pages 304 through 305 tonight, all odd numbers, will be your homework for this evening." At that moment the bell rang, and textbooks shut in an erratic fashion, causing a disjointed wave of sound.
Ben sighed and also shut his book, collecting his things and putting everything in his backpack before he exited the room. Ben ignored the antics of his fellow students, keeping his eyes down.
He did not feel like talking to anyone, and he did not want others asking him questions he didn't want to answer. It had been a few weeks since both Ignis and Luke had left, though it was the former's departure that had hurt Ben the most.
Luke was doing what he needed to, and Ben supported that. But Ben also had to work through things for himself, even though the young man felt like he was not getting anywhere with that.
Ben just could not focus on anything other than Ignis' betrayal, and how hurt Ben felt because of that. Ben still had not opened the little parcel that Ignis had left on his bed that day, feeling like he could not do so until he had put Ignis' actions behind him.
Ben sighed softly and cleared his mind, looking up only when he arrived at the usual spot he and Emry met at the end of school. Their mother would be there shortly to pick them up, as always.
She was back at the school, having started teaching again now that her maternity leave was done. She took Kodai along, having little other choice since there was no one to watch him. But Kodai was little trouble, and Mara had worked out a system with the baby to keep him either occupied or content during classes.
Emry appeared soon after Ben; her face a little flushed. She glanced at Ben and flashed a half-smile, but her twin saw through the façade.
"What happened this time?" Ben asked wearily.
Emry flinched, giving up trying to hide from her brother. "Those kids who used to bully me before Ignis talked to them have begun to do so again. I think they realize he isn't around anymore, and figure that because Ignis isn't here to protect me, they can get away with it again."
Ben's lips thinned into a line. "You have to stand up to them, Emry."
Emry looked to him, her eyes a little bright with unshed tears. "Not today."
Ben knew that, despite her confidence in Ignis' motives, Emry could not help but feed somewhat off of the negative vibes of her twin, who was struggling much more with what Ignis had done. Plus, Emry deeply missed Ignis, and Luke... and Shmi.
Ben also missed his older sister and his father. Their home just didn't feel whole anymore without them. Why had Shmi run off after Ignis? Why couldn't she let their parents take care things? Isn't that what adults were supposed to do?
Picking up on her twin's thoughts, Emry murmured a reply. "Shmi practically is an adult now. And she did what she thought she had to."
Ben huffed, folding his arms and leaning against the wall. "Whatever."
Emry said nothing more, and the two remained quiet even when Mara arrived to collect them. As soon as they were home, Ben disappeared into his room to take care of his homework, welcoming the mundane tasks that helped to take his mind off of his other problems for a while.
When he was done, he helped Emry set the table for dinner. As the family sat down to eat, Mara looked to her twin children.
"So how was school for you both today?"
Emry perked up slightly. "Oh, class was fine. I have a science fair project coming up, so I will need to research ideas and get my instructor's approval on the one I choose."
Mara nodded. "I always liked science fairs. Even as a child under Palpatine, I competed in a few. Do you have any thoughts on what you would like to do?"
Emry pursed her lips. "I... am not sure yet."
Mara smiled. "Well you still have time to decide. Let me know how I can help, alright?"
Emry nodded, and Mara turned to Ben next. "How about you Ben?"
Ben forced a smile for his mother, who had tried so hard to be there for her children, even though Mara was also grieving in her own way. Ben could never hurt his mother.
"It was alright. I improved again in lightsaber technique, and got good marks." The boy's heart clenched when a stray memory of Ignis helping Ben flickered to mind at that pronouncement. Ben tried to not let his face show how he was hurting, but he failed. Feeling exposed, Ben lowered his head and began to play with his food.
Then, unable to bear the feel of his mother and sister's eyes on him, Ben stood and left the table. He went back into his room and lay on his bed, unable to fight his tears.
Minutes passed before his door opened again and then Mara's weight settled onto the mattress beside him. She stroked his hair tenderly for a time, not speaking yet, which Ben appreciated. He did not feel like explaining, though he felt like Mara already understood.
"Why do I hurt so much?" Ben finally whispered. "It's been weeks, but to me it still feels like yesterday."
"Because you love Ignis," Mara murmured in reply. "We all do."
Ben sat up, his mind at work. "I did love him... and that is the problem."
Mara lifted a brow. "How so?"
"I didn't want to let him in and risk getting hurt, and I know I was right in doing so, because look what he did!" Ben said fervently. "And I know Ignis tried to keep me at arm's length, but he still let me in, knowing what he knew."
"Ben..." Mara said softly. "We now know that Ignis was working for Vexa... and I for one believe he was, and still is, under duress."
Ben had heard that too. "It does not make it hurt any less, Mom. I can't... I just can't forgive him yet. I can't even process anything, because I am so stuck on being hurt by Ignis."
"That's the real problem, then," Mara said, "you need to find your way past that hurdle before you can make progress in any other direction." Mara lifted a hand. "I know that will take time, and you must do so at your own pace. But do not hold out so long that you become bitter and hardened. Trust me: that is not some place you want to be. I have been there, and it's an ugly place to be."
Ben frowned. "When have you..."
"When I was under Palpatine, before I met your father and sister." Mara cut him off gently. "Please leave it at that. But know that I speak the truth: holding a grudge only hurts you."
Ben nodded, wiping his face clear. "I will try."
Mara smiled, kissing his head. "Now, back to dinner. You need to keep taking care of yourself."
"I know," Ben whispered, rejoining his family at the table.
Kodai babbled sweetly at his brother, who smiled back. Ben loved his family, and keenly felt the absence of two of its members.
"Have you heard anything from Dad?" Ben inquired around a bite.
"Not in a while," Mara said. "But I am not worried. I would know if something happened to Luke."
"But how long will Dad be gone?" Emry asked. "I miss him."
"I do too," Mara admitted. "But your father needs to do this." Mara's gaze moved to Ben's pointedly. "He too must work through things regarding Ignis. If he doesn't, and isn't centered, he will not be able to function at full capacity to help Ignis. Or the galaxy."
Ben heard his mother's unspoken words: Luke was going through much the same thing as Ben, and Luke was taking steps to deal with it. Ben understood that for Luke, things were far more complicated.
But still, Ben knew that Mara was offering comfort to Ben in the knowledge that he was not alone in his struggles.
Ben smiled softly at his mother, whose eyes softened and turned away again.
Ben knew it would be a struggle for him, but he would try to start making headway on his healing path.