CHAPTER 27/ An Unexpected Turn
HYPERSPACE
A sombre air hung in the Rogue Mercenary, the ship eerily quiet apart from the low hum of Hyperspace. Kata sat on her bunk in her room, her arms hugging her knees to her chest, BD-1 curled up by her feet. She hadn't bothered trying to sleep on the short flight from Dathomir. She had barely slept at all over the last two days since they'd left Coruscant. Her mind had been far too turbulent, and every time she'd managed to close her eyes, vivid nightmares had plagued her sleep. She lived in constant fear that another terrible premonition was right around the corner.
She glanced down at her left hand, the bandages now off and the cut on her palm mostly healed, but her three fractured fingers were still strapped up and splinted. But the bruising had now yellowed and the pain wasn't as bad as it had been. The clinic had provided her with some kind of bacta glove to immerse her hand in which had helped immensely and her fingers were healing well. The gash above her right eye was also feeling better and already beginning to scar.
"wooo..."
She looked down at the droid and reached her good hand out to him, which he rested his head into. She sighed deeply, feeling the fatigue and the stress and the sorrow weighing heavily on her.
It felt surreal that it had only been a week since Tanalorr was invaded – she couldn't believe how much had changed in that time. The galaxy had been throwing one thing after another at them and she hadn't had the time or space to process any of it. She glanced at the bracelet that she'd moved to her right wrist, the low light in the room catching the flecks of blue, red and gold in the black stone.
She rested her chin on her knees as she stroked her fingertips over the cool metal of BD's head, appreciating his company. She knew how worried he was about Cal – he was his best friend, after all. But the little droid had stayed by her side these last few days, watching out for her, making sure she was ok. She wasn't ok, not by a long shot. She wondered if she would ever feel ok again. A tear slid down her cheek and she was surprised she had any more tears left in her body. A knock at her door caused her to wipe it away and sit up.
"Come in."
The door retracted and Teelo was on the other side.
"Hey," They greeted. "We'll be approaching Dantooine soon."
"Ok." She nodded.
Their brows dropped over their tired eyes.
"You alright, Kata?"
She couldn't answer them and she turned her head away, staring down at her feet. She heard them sigh quietly and approach, BD-1 scooting over for them to sit on the bunk in front of her. They petted his head affectionately, then she felt their eyes boring holes into her.
"Talk to me."
Her brown eyes flicked up to theirs, an expectant expression on their face. She hated how conflicted she felt whenever she looked at them now, after what'd happened in the palace with Jerserra. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself it was all a manipulation, she couldn't forget the things the Nightsister had said about them. She hadn't brought it up yet, there hadn't been a moment to, and she honestly wasn't sure if she should. Maybe she didn't want to know – maybe it was better if she didn't.
"I can't stop thinking about what happened on Onderon," She said eventually. "About what I did to the Fifth Brother and Jerserra."
"Yeah," Teelo nodded knowingly. "The first time you use the dark side like that isn't something you forget."
"I didn't mean to do it, Teelo," She looked up at them. "I swear, I just wanted to save Cal."
"I know, Kata," They reached over and tucked her dark hair behind her left ear, smiling sympathetically. "It's ok."
"It's not ok." She shook her head.
They retracted their hand and sighed again.
"No, it's not, but... it is what it is."
"bwoo..."
They were both silent for a moment, neither knowing what to say.
"Cal knew something was wrong," Kata soon broke it. "I could tell that he knew."
"I'm sure he understood," Teelo assured. "He's Cal."
"If he doesn't make it, I—"
"You gotta stop talking like that," They scolded gently. "He's survived this far, and he's in good hands. There's nothing more we can do but have faith in him."
She nodded slowly, knowing they were right. Cal's fate was in his own hands now, and the hands of the doctors at Clinic 66. Kata had almost wanted to laugh when she'd learned its name. She thought it was a bit on the nose, but she supposed that was the point. Her face fell as she thought back to the events at the palace again, still trying to make sense of it all.
"What is it?" Teelo asked.
She looked up at them, debating if now was the right time to address the questions she couldn't shake from her mind. She realised that now might be the only time she'd have alone with them before they reached Dantooine.
"When I fought Jerserra... she became you."
Kata could tell by their expression that this surprised them.
"But, it wasn't just that she looked like you," She continued. "She spoke like you and she fought like you. I swear, it was just like sparring with you in the ring, only she was actually trying to kill me."
Their brows furrowed in confusion.
"How is that possible...?" They wondered aloud.
"I don't know. I was hoping Merrin might, but she didn't seem to know, either."
She had talked to Merrin about Jerserra's abilities before she and Teelo had left Coruscant to return to Dathomir. They'd gone back to check on the other survivors and update them on Cal's condition. They'd also traded the Mantis for the Rogue, as since Merrin and Greez were staying on Coruscant with Cal for the time being, they needed the stealthier, less conspicuous ship.
They'd been on Dathomir when Redarr had finally picked up a locator signal from one of their missing freighters, and Kata and Teelo had immediately left for Dantooine. With all that had happened, Kata hadn't even been able to allow herself to be hopeful that they might find survivors there. It'd been a week since Haven fell – it was just as likely this was another trap and they were all dead or in the hands of the Empire.
"There's more," Kata continued, causing Teelo to look at her with trepidation. "She showed me this... version of you that I've never seen before. It was you, but... darker. Your face, your eyes..."
Their blue eyes widened slightly in recognition before they wandered down.
"You know what I'm talking about." She realised.
They met her gaze with hesitation.
"The dark side can change a lot about you..." They said vaguely.
She nodded in understanding. That was them from Coruscant she'd seen then, after they'd fallen to the dark side. She struggled to believe that side of them had ever existed, that the Teelo she knew and the Teelo she'd fought in that palace were the same person. She'd felt it when she'd fought them – their hatred, their aggression, their rage. They were nothing like the kind, funny, clever and selfless person sitting in front of her now.
"But how would she know that?" Teelo asked. "How could she show you a version of me from my past like that? Unless..."
She could see them drawing the horrifying conclusion that she had already come to herself.
"She said that she'd been inside your head, that she knew your secrets..."
Their blue eyes met hers again anxiously.
"I think her powers go beyond just illusion," She suggested. "I think she's actually able to get inside the minds of others. Into their fears and thoughts and memories."
Kata could see the fear, the nervousness cross their face.
"Kriff, that's a terrifying thought." They said.
"Yeah."
She could see them contemplating for a moment and her eyes also wandered. She was still debating if she wanted to ask them the burning questions on her mind, but their confirmation that what she'd seen was at least real had her curiosity growing stronger.
"Is there more?" They asked.
They were looking right at her, probably having sensed her hesitation. She debated a few seconds longer before she gave in to that nagging voice at the back of her mind.
"She... she told me things, about you. Things I'm not sure I believe." She admitted.
"What things?"
Their tone was even but their face betrayed their concern. For a second, she was worried that the reason for their anxiety was that they were hiding something.
"Teelo, we're friends, but we're also more than that. We're family, all of us, and I trust you as much as I trust Cal and Merrin."
"I know."
She paused a moment longer, hesitant to bring this up.
"I know you and Maven were close too..." She saw their face harden the second she spoke her name and she looked away. "I know you trusted her, in some way. I just need to know that there was no way that you helped her, even by accident? That you never said anything you shouldn't've, or—"
"Kata, look at me."
The Padawan was a little afraid to meet their gaze, but she looked up at them, their incredibly serious look making her feel small.
"I had nothing to do with Maven's betrayal. I didn't know who she was or what she was planning, and I never said anything or helped her do anything suspicious. I swear to you."
"I believe you." She said quickly.
"Jerserra was just trying to mess with you, to sow doubt and conflict in your mind and weaken your resolve. You can't let her get in your head, Kata."
"You're right," She nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologise," Their face softened. "I understand what you've been through. I know what it's like to not know what's real."
She reached over and took their left hand in her right.
"I know what's real." She gave them a weak smile.
They returned it, but she could see their mind wandering far away.
"What else did she say to you?" They soon asked.
She looked up at them, her resolve now clear.
"It doesn't matter," She shook her head slightly. "She was lying, I know she was."
They smiled appreciatively at her and grasped her hand tighter, their green skin warm to the touch. They were right – she was letting Jerserra get to her, which was just what she wanted. She had to remain strong and true to herself and those she loved if they were going to make it through this.
DANTOOINE
The Rogue touched down on the grassy knolls behind the mountains, well out of view of the nearest settlements. Kata smiled to herself at the smooth landing; she was getting good at this solo piloting thing. BD-1 leapt onto her back as she left the cockpit and checked the holo-projector for the locator signal. It was still active and only a few clicks from where they'd landed. She hadn't wanted to park the ship too close to it, just in case the Empire had beaten them to it. Besides, she knew they'd have no trouble covering the distance.
She transferred the locator signal to Teelo's communicator, seeing the blip of it blinking red on the display. She tied half of her long, thick curls back into a bun as she entered the living area. Teelo emerged from the back of the ship at the same time and frowned disapprovingly when they saw her.
"Where did you find that thing and how did it get on my ship?" They demanded.
She chuckled and looked down at the old poncho of Cal's she was wearing, assuming they were referring to that. It was a heavy beige material with black stripes, and it was definitely too big for her, but that made it conceal her weapons perfectly.
"I sorta stole it from Cal," She tilted her head. "He loaned it to me once and never asked for it back."
They made a distinctive "ick" face at the admittedly offensive item of clothing.
"Well, you wear it better than him, at least." They teased as she handed them their communicator and they strapped it back on.
"bwoo-woo!"
"Hey, not all of us can have a cool Jedi cloak."
She gestured to the long black hooded cloak Teelo was currently wearing over their clothes. They'd had it for many years and it was pretty tattered at the bottom, but honestly, Kata thought that just made it look cooler. They pulled something from beneath it now and held it out to her.
"Take this."
They held a lightsaber in their left hand that Kata didn't recognise. Its surface seemed to be mainly brushed doonium and a warm chrome. The edges of its curved lines and inset grooves were brassy and she could see several small blue lights along the hilt, which she knew was the glow of the kyber crystal inside. There was something both simple and unique about it – it was beautiful.
"Whose lightsaber is that?" She asked.
They hesitated, looking down at the weapon.
"It was Amai's."
Kata looked up at them in surprise, immediately recoiling.
"No, Teelo, I can't—"
"Take it," They insisted. "You're down a blade."
That was true enough – she'd left Cal's lightsaber with Merrin, just in case he woke up before they returned and needed it for whatever reason. She had planned on just making do with the half of hers that was still intact, since her left hand was still too busted to fight with anyway.
She looked down at Amai's saber, understanding the gesture of trust Teelo was extending to her right now. It reminded her of when Cal had given Cere's saber to her, which was currently in her room on the Mantis. She reached out and took it hesitantly, feeling the weight of the object in her hand.
"I'll want it back." They said.
"Of course." She nodded.
She admired the weapon a moment longer, then clipped it onto her belt next to her own. Teelo pressed a button on their communicator and Kata could hear the faint beeping of the locator signal they were tracking.
"Alright, let's move."
Teelo led the way outside, and for a second Kata was relieved to be breathing fresh, clean air after spending so much time on Coruscant and Dathomir lately. She followed Teelo to the back of the ship where they lowered the cargo ramp and she saw the two speeder bikes stored inside that they and Cal had "liberated" on Ferrix. Thinking about Ferrix now was strange - it felt like a lifetime ago. They both hopped onto the speeders, Teelo the first to take off with Kata following right behind.
She'd ridden speeders before, but never across the open countryside like this on a planet like Dantooine. It was quite beautiful here - it reminded her a little of Taanab. She tried not to get too distracted by the scenery and stayed close to Teelo, watching their cloak blowing in the wind. She could feel BD-1 clinging to her back for dear life, whistling excitedly whenever they made a turn. The little guy was such an adrenaline junkie - she wondered where he got that from.
At last, they could see a cargo freighter crash-landed in a field ahead, but unfortunately, that wasn't all they could see. An Imperial shuttle was parked nearby and Kata could make out several Stormtroopers already approaching the ship.
"Empire!" Teelo called back to her. "Get ready!"
They were rapidly drawing nearer and Teelo sped up. The Stormtroopers turned at the sound of their approach and started firing, and Kata watched as they swung their speeder sideways and drifted it at the troopers, forcing them to leap out of the way. She didn't even know you could drift a speeder like that. Teelo leapt from it into the air and ignited their lightsaber. They flipped and landed directly on one of the melee troopers, white blade piercing straight through his helmet, then proceeded to begin mercilessly dispatching the rest.
Kata parked her speeder in a decidedly less reckless manner and teleported into the fray. The troopers around her were obviously startled when she appeared and ignited her borrowed weapon, blue blade immediately slicing one standing to her right clean in half. The two of them made very short work of the Imps, including the two pilots that had emerged from the shuttle. Kata hoped they hadn't sent a distress signal out, or they were going to have a lot more company soon.
She shut off Amai's saber and felt eyes on her, turning to see Teelo staring.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing, it's just…" They hesitated, then gestured towards her hand. "That lightsaber hasn't seen any action in seven years. I honestly wasn't sure it would even still work."
"Now you tell me." She said exasperatedly.
Teelo chuckled and Kata grinned, knowing they were just cracking a joke to hide the genuine emotion she could see written all over their face.
"It's a good weapon," She complimented, looking down at it. "The energy I can feel from it, it's..."
She struggled to find the words to describe it. It made her feel warm and safe.
"I know." They nodded.
She smiled up at them.
"I wish I could've met him."
Teelo returned her smile with a rueful one of their own.
"You're kindred spirits," They proclaimed. "He would've liked you. And I know you would've liked him."
"I'm sure I would've."
Teelo nodded once, their expression forlorn, then they turned to examine the ship. Kata also looked around at the crash site. It didn't look as bad as she'd feared – certainly not as disastrous as her "landing" on Ferrix. The ship was intact, from what she could see, and she definitely recognised it as one of the freighters from Tanalorr.
"Signal's coming from inside." Teelo informed.
Kata followed them up the ramp and onto the ship. They looked around cautiously, but there didn't seem to be any signs of anyone still on board. She wasn't sure yet if that was a good thing or a bad thing. She stopped in the cargo hold when she saw a discarded medical kit, dried blood staining the floor and wall next to it. She wondered who was hurt and whether they'd made it.
"Well," Teelo startled her slightly as they rounded the corner. "If there were survivors here, they're long gone now."
They both heard a rather loud noise that came from the back of the ship. It sounded like something had been knocked over, and they were both instantly alert. Teelo unclipped their saber and stalked towards a supply compartment on the far wall. They looked back at Kata when they reached it and she nodded. They hit the button to open the door and stepped back as a purple lightsaber immediately ignited from inside, its wielder ready to attack.
"Lissa!"
Kata's yell stopped the young woman in her tracks and she looked at the Padawan with wide eyes.
"Kata...?" She turned towards Teelo, lowering her weapon. "Master Niteva?"
"Lissa...?" Teelo seemed equally astonished.
Kata could hardly believe her eyes, but there was no mistaking the young woman's auburn hair and one blue-green eye, the other almost white as she was blind in it. It was Lissa Arkim – one of the Hidden Jedi who had been knighted by the Council at the ceremony on Haven's seventh anniversary. The Night before the Empire had invaded Tanalorr...
Lissa shut off her lightsaber, relief settling on her face.
"I don't believe it!" She exclaimed, then she gasped in pain and clutched her right leg.
"You're hurt." Teelo realised.
"Blasted purge trooper damn near took my leg off," She explained. "I've been stuck here for hours."
Teelo helped her to sit down on a nearby crate and Kata looked at her leg. There was a deep gash from an electrostaff on her right thigh, her pants sticky with blood.
"BD?"
"boo-woo!"
The droid popped a stim and Kata injected it into Lissa's leg.
"Thank you." The Jedi sighed gratefully.
Teelo looked around and pulled the medical kit Kata had seen just before to their hand.
"Was it you that sent out the locator signal?" They asked her as they got to work treating her wound.
"Yeah," She nodded. "I knew it was a risk, but my instincts told me to take it. I'm glad I did – we were starting to think no one else was left."
"'We'?" Kata didn't miss that. "Where are the others?"
"They're hiding on an abandoned farm about two clicks from here. I was supposed to come here to retrieve supplies, but I ran into an Imperial patrol. I guess they were coming to check out the ship."
"Yeah, they sent reinforcements," Teelo said. "But we dealt with 'em."
"I heard. Is it just you three?" She asked.
"It's just us here," Kata replied. "But we found other survivors, they're safe on another planet."
"Is Master Kestis with them? And Nightsister Merrin?"
Kata and Teelo both looked at each other, hesitating to answer.
"bwoo..."
"They're ok, aren't they?" Her tone was concerned.
"They're alive," Teelo dodged the question. "We'll explain when we find the others."
They finished bandaging her wound and helped her to her feet and she seemed able to put some weight on her leg now.
"Much better, thank you," She said. "Do you have transport?"
"Our speeders are just outside," Teelo replied. "We should hurry before more Imps show up. Kata, can you kill the locator signal?"
"On it."
"bwoo-doop."
Teelo helped Lissa out of the ship and Kata headed for the cockpit. She saw the signal blinking on the ship's holo-projector and quickly shut it off, then she caught up with the others.
"Wow, you weren't kidding." Lissa stated when she saw the remains of their carnage.
"Can you direct us to the farm?" Teelo asked.
"Yes, it isn't far." She replied.
They both piled onto one of the speeders and Kata and BD-1 got on the other and they were soon racing across the fields again. Finding Lissa and the news that there were other survivors with her had filled Kata with a new sense of hope she hadn't felt in a long time.
They reached the abandoned farm quickly, stopping the speeders near one of the outbuildings. Teelo helped Lissa off their speeder and supported her as she was still limping, so Kata took point in leading the way to the structure. This place definitely looked abandoned, but she could sense people nearby. No sooner had they started to approach than the door of the building opened and Kata's eyes widened to see who walked out to greet them.
"Master Horos!"
"brrleep!"
She rushed up to the Twi'lek and he smiled at her, placing a friendly hand on her shoulder.
"Kata, it's so good to see you, young Padawan."
"Likewise."
He turned towards Teelo and Lissa, and Kata saw Teelo's eyes also wide in disbelief, and also just a hint of... worry?
"I couldn't believe it when I saw you all approaching," Master Horos addressed Lissa with relief, then. "I was just about to come look for you myself."
"I was a sitting duck until these guys showed up and saved my hide."
"How did you find us?" Master Horos asked.
"Distress signal from your ship came through to the Mantis," Teelo explained. "Empire got there first, but we handled it."
"And I'm glad you did. Thank you."
Teelo nodded once at Master Horos and Kata couldn't help but sense some slight tension between them.
"How many others are with you?" She inquired.
"We are fifty-six in number."
Kata and Teelo both let out surprised but joyful gasps.
"Lyle, that's the best news we've heard in days!" Teelo declared.
"Come inside," Master Horos gestured to the door. "We shouldn't linger in the open."
He led the way through the large doors, locking them behind them. Kata looked around at what appeared to be an abandoned barn of some sort, judging by the straw scattered on the ground and the still lingering smell of livestock. Master Horos led them to the far side and moved a crate aside with the Force. Under it was a trap door which he opened to reveal stairs leading into a cellar. He led the way down into the darkness and the others followed, Kata bringing up the rear. She made sure to pull the trap door shut and reach out with the Force, wrenching the crate back over it.
It was almost pitch black except for a dim glow at the bottom providing just enough light to see, and the air felt distinctly cool and damp. Kata wasn't surprised the Empire hadn't found them yet if this was where they'd been hiding. The second Master Horos reached the bottom step, he was threatened by a blue lightsaber igniting in the relative darkness.
"Stay your weapon, Corr!" He warned.
"Oh, it's you!" Corr exclaimed in relief, shutting off his weapon.
"You were gone for ages," Another Padawan stepped out from behind the wall. "We were worried."
"Ran into some friends." Master Horos smiled at his company.
Corr turned to the rest of them and his face lit up as they descended the last steps.
"Master Niteva, Kata, you survived!"
"boo-weee!"
"Not dead yet." Teelo joked.
"Are you ok, Lissa?" Corr's face turned to worry.
"I will be." She assured as Teelo helped her to sit on the ground.
"Kata, you're ok!" The other Padawan took her hand.
"Heda," Kata returned her relief. "Corr, it's good to see you guys."
"Kata?"
A small gasp left Kata's mouth at the familiar voice saying her name. She was almost afraid to turn, and when she did, she couldn't believe her eyes. There, standing across the room, was the last person she ever expected to see. The entire galaxy fell away from her in an instant as she stared in shock and disbelief. It couldn't be, her eyes were deceiving her. There was no way it was her.
She hadn't even decided to move before her legs were carrying her forward, crossing the room towards her. She stopped right in front of her, raising a shaky hand to touch her face gently as she stared into her deep grey eyes.
Jynna.
She gave a hesitant smile, her eyes welling up and Kata threw her arms around her, a choked sob escaping her. She couldn't believe it was her. She felt like this must be a dream, that any second she would wake up on the Rogue. Because how could this be real? How could Jynna be here, in her arms right now, when all this time she'd thought...?
She pulled away from the other Padawan, tears streaming down both of their cheeks.
"I thought you were dead," Kata's voice shook. "How...?"
She didn't know which question racing through her mind to ask first.
"Still here. Mostly..."
Jynna's eyes wandered down to her right and Kata followed her gaze. Her brows furrowed as she realised that Jynna's right arm was no longer there - severed from below her shoulder. Suddenly it all made sense. Kata had seen her arm sticking out from the rubble in Pyloon's and assumed the rest of her was buried under there. But by the fact she was now standing in front of her, obviously she had assumed wrong.
Kata's eyes returned to Jynna's, her pale face now filled with trepidation. Kata could imagine the horror she'd gone through on Tanalorr, she'd experienced plenty of it herself. But she didn't care that Jynna had one less arm - she couldn't have been more elated to see her. She cupped Jynna's face in both her hands and leaned in to kiss her sweetly. She didn't care about the others around them watching. All she saw, all she knew in that moment was the two of them.
"Sorry..." She whispered when she pulled back.
"Don't be," Jynna replied softly. "I knew you'd find us."
Kata smiled widely and brushed her golden hair back from her face. She touched her forehead to Jynna's and reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers, her other hand finding her waist. She felt Jynna's contented sigh as the two of them basked in each other.
The two Padawans didn't leave each other's side as Kata, Teelo and the other Jedi coordinated a plan to get all of these people back onto their ship and off Dantooine. Including Jynna, Lissa and Master Horos, twelve of the fifty-six survivors were Jedi, three Padawans and seven Younglings. Eight of them were Force-sensitives, including Jaden, the one Teelo had said told them about Clinic 66. Four were Anchorites - Sister Bertha, Sister Ina, Brother Jeel and Brother Oschk - and the rest were civilians.
Kata couldn't believe their luck. She had given up hope that they would find any of the Anchorites or the Hidden Jedi alive. Unfortunately, they were in a bit of a precarious situation. With the freighter currently grounded, too many people to fit on the Rogue and several of them injured, getting them out of there was going to be difficult and dangerous. Especially with the Empire so interested in the freighter.
They'd also had to break the news of Maven's betrayal, Master Gidun's death, Cal's injury and Jerserra's involvement to Lissa and the other Padawans, which Kata could tell had shaken them. She knew how they felt – she still struggled to believe how much had happened in the days since Haven fell. Her thoughts wandered to Cal now, and Merrin and Greez, too. She hoped they were doing ok, though she somehow doubted it.
"Lyle, d'you know what parts the freighter needs?" Teelo inquired.
"I don't, but Rion does."
Master Horos waved the Besalisk over and he stood, having to bend down as he walked over to join them. Hiding out in this basement for almost a week couldn't have been good for him, as the man stood at over seven feet tall.
"Blast this low ceiling!" He complained as he approached. "What can I do for ya?"
"Rion, tell them what you told me about the hyperdrive, if you'd be so kind." Master Horos requested.
Rion turned to Teelo and Kata and knelt down on the ground so he wouldn't have to stoop.
"Ahhh, yes, the hyperdrive," He began, rubbing his neck with one of his four arms. "We were less than 'alf a parsec aways from 'ere when the pressure started buildin' outta nowhere. When we landed, I took a look at the thing an' seemed ta me the ol' compressor 'ad been dislodged."
"More sabotage." Teelo stated, turning to Kata.
"Mm." She nodded in agreement.
"M'fraid that's not all was wrong wid it," He continued. "Hypercore's fried crispier 'an a field rat in a vat o' grease. Ship's not goin' anywhere widout it."
"Well, as luck would have it, I happen to have a spare hypercore on the Rogue." Teelo said.
"You do?" Kata asked.
"Greez left a couple spares with me since the Rogue was burnin' through 'em so fast," They explained. "Re-mounting the compressor seems to have fixed the problem, so maybe it'll be the same with the freighter."
"Is your ship far from here?" Corr asked.
"About six clicks south-east," They replied. "I can head back to the Rogue and fly it here, pick up Rion and transport him and the parts to the freighter."
"Sounds good ta me." Rion agreed.
"Ok, but you're not going back to the Rogue on your own," Kata said. "I'll go with you."
"I think you should stay here," Teelo refused. "We shouldn't both leave."
"Then take someone else with you." She instructed.
"I'll go with them." Heda volunteered.
"Heda, it's not safe," Master Horos argued. "The Empire is everywhere—"
"More than two people will draw too much attention, Master," She refuted. "Lissa can't go and you're needed here. I'm sure we can manage."
Master Horos looked from her to Teelo with concern. They raised their brows and tilted their head at him and he turned back to Heda.
"Alright." He nodded in approval.
"BD, will you go with them?" Kata turned to the droid on her left shoulder.
"boo-woo!"
Teelo held out their left arm for him and he jumped to them and climbed up onto their shoulder.
"Be careful out there, both of you." Master Horos warned.
"We will." Heda promised.
"Call me if you run into any trouble." Kata tapped her commlink.
"boop-bweep."
"Will do," Teelo nodded, then turned to Heda. "Stay close to me."
"Right behind you, Master."
"May the Force be with you." Master Horos farewelled.
Teelo tapped their hand to his shoulder as they led Heda up the stairs and out through the trap door. Kata watched them go with anxious eyes. She knew Teelo could handle themself and Heda was also capable, but it didn't stop her from worrying about sending them out there alone.
"Perhaps I should've gone with them." Master Horos lamented.
"No, Heda's right, we need you here," Kata disputed. "They'll be fine."
Master Horos turned to her as the others began to disperse around the room.
"Tell me, Kata," He began. "Is Cal's condition likely to improve?"
Her eyes dropped to the floor, thinking about Cal. There'd been no change in his condition in the last four days and if she was honest, her hope was hanging by a thread.
"We'll see." She replied sadly.
She looked up at him and his eyes mirrored her worry.
"This woman, this... Nightsister that did this to him, where is she now?"
Kata could feel her anger rise at just the mention of her.
"She's a ghost, and our compass is still in the wind, but we're working on it."
"I don't doubt that you are. We can only pray now that Cal recovers."
"He'd better."
Master Horos laid a hand on her shoulder and smiled reassuringly. She returned it weakly and he left her to see to Lissa. Kata sighed deeply and turned to Jynna, who was still standing quietly by her side. She'd hardly spoken a word this whole time and Kata could sense her anxiety.
"You ok?" She asked.
Jynna gave her a reserved smile.
"Yeah, I will be," She assured. "It's just... everything is so..."
"Fucked?" Kata offered.
"Yeah." Jynna agreed sadly.
Kata nodded knowingly. She could almost hear Cal's voice scolding her for cursing, but there truly was no other word to describe the state of their situation. Jynna reached up to touch her hand to Kata's face gently. She could see her grey eyes looking at the still-healing gash above her right eye.
"Did the Nightsister do this to you?" She asked.
"Yeah." Kata replied.
"That, too?"
Her eyes went to Kata's left hand and she also looked down at it, turning it over. She only nodded in response, vividly recalling the moment Jerserra had crushed her hand. Jynna's fingers slid beneath hers and she raised Kata's hand to press her lips to the back of it ever so gently. Kata smiled at the sweet gesture.
"I'm sorry she hurt you," Jynna said. "But I'm glad you're still here."
"You, too," Kata returned. "When we went back to Tanalorr, I saw... I-I thought…"
She couldn't get the words out, feeling her emotions creep to the surface as she recalled what she'd seen in Pyloon's. Even though Jynna was standing in front of her now, it didn't just erase the trauma of it all. She remembered something, then, and cleared her throat to speak.
"I almost forgot, this is yours..."
She removed Jynna's bracelet - the one she'd given her - and slid it back onto Jynna's wrist, fastening it securely. Kata looked up at her face and saw her eyes welling with tears.
"Thank you," She said sincerely. "I'll try not to lose it again."
Kata laughed once, the sound catching in her throat.
"So much for the protection of Mookie, right?" She joked half-heartedly.
"I'm still alive." Jynna pointed out.
"You have no idea how grateful I am for that."
Kata looked into her grey eyes and saw the corner of her mouth pull up slightly. Jynna stepped forward and put her arm around her. Kata returned her embrace, holding her tightly, never wanting to let go of her again.
Enough time had passed that Kata had begun to worry before they finally heard the distinctive sound of an approaching ship. Her eyes wandered up to the ceiling from where she sat, listening if it sounded like the Rogue or an Imperial shuttle, not that she knew if there was much difference. She switched her commlink on.
"Teelo?"
There was no response and it only made her more anxious.
"Is it them?" Jynna wondered.
"I don't know," She replied as she stood. "I'm gonna check it out."
"You shouldn't go up there alone." Master Horos said.
"I'll be right back." She promised.
Before he could protest further, she teleported away and reappeared in the barn. She crouched low and made her way to one of the broken windows, peering out of it. Sure enough, she saw the black ship parked nearby and Teelo, BD-1 and Heda pile out of it. She smiled and exhaled in relief, then she teleported back into the cellar, startling just about everyone in the room.
"It's them," She confirmed. "Rion, you're up."
"Finally! Thank kriff fer that!" Rion got up and hunch-walked his way over.
"When did you learn to do that?" Jynna asked.
Kata assumed she was referring to her teleporting just now.
"Remind me to tell you later." She grinned.
They heard the crate sliding across the floor above and the trap door open and soon the three of them made their way down the stairs.
"bwa-doop!"
"You were gone a while, I was starting to worry." Kata said.
"Sorry, there's Imperial patrols kriffin' everywhere," Teelo explained. "My guess is they're reinforcements sent out to the freighter, so we better make this quick."
"Sounds like you'll need some more hands." Master Horos observed.
"I'll go with you, help you defend the freighter." Kata offered.
"I'll come too," Corr said. "More hands the better, right?"
Kata nodded at him. He was a year younger than her, but he was just as good a fighter as Heda. And they'd both managed to escape Tanalorr unscathed, which had to count for something.
"I should go with you." Master Horos said.
"No, Master, you should stay and protect the others." Kata refused.
"I don't like the idea of sending you all off to face an Imperial horde." He argued.
"You're the most experienced of us," She pointed out. "Now the Empire has found the freighter, it won't be long before they decide to search the area for survivors. Stay here, keep them all safe, we'll handle the ship."
"Kata's right," Teelo backed her up. "We can handle this."
"brr-leep!"
Master Horos looked at each of their faces, hesitating, before he finally surrendered.
"Very well, but only if you promise me you'll all return in one piece."
Teelo stepped forward and laid a hand on the Twi'lek's shoulder.
"Lyle, you have my word, I won't let any of them come to harm." They promised.
He seemed to believe their sincere words and nodded at them.
"Then good luck, and may the Force be with you all."
"And with you," Teelo returned. "Rion?"
"Aye, lead the way, lattie."
He stomped up the stairs after them and Kata felt Jynna's hand on her arm, turning her around.
"Be careful." She requested.
"I'll see you soon." Kata promised.
Jynna pulled Kata in to lay a quick kiss on her lips. Kata smiled reassuringly at her worried face, knowing how she felt. She didn't want to leave her, but she had a job to do, and all of these people were counting on her. She reluctantly turned away from Jynna to follow the others.
She hurried to catch up with Rion and her fellow Jedi as they headed out to the Rogue. The sun was growing lower on the horizon and the two moons were rising higher in the sky. Kata knew it would be dark before long, which would aid them once they got the freighter fixed and had to move all of the survivors onto it. The group piled onto the ship and Teelo faced them all.
"Alright, we're likely to face opposition as soon as we reach the freighter. Corr and Kata, you're with me, we'll defend the ship."
"Yes, Master." Corr nodded.
"Heda, BD-1, I want you to stick with Rion and assist him with the repairs."
"Understood, Master." Heda affirmed.
"bwoo-doop!"
"Just stick some tools in ma hands 'an point me where tae go." Rion replied.
Teelo nodded at him.
"Kata, take us up." They instructed.
"You got it."
Kata headed into the cockpit and sat down in the pilot's seat. She started the ignition sequence and Teelo and BD-1 soon joined her to assist, the droid jumping onto the controls as Teelo took their place in the co-pilot's chair. She saw them look over at her from her peripheral.
"So... Jynna." They started with a smirk on their face.
Kata couldn't help but smirk back.
"I can't believe she's alive. The others, too... this doesn't feel real."
"I know what you mean," They nodded. "I'm happy for you. It's about damn time we had a win."
"Yeah." She agreed.
She was distracted by her thoughts for a moment. She was still reeling from discovering the survivors, especially Jynna. But finding them had also left her more determined than ever.
"We have to get that compass back," She turned to Teelo. "And we have to find Jerserra and end this."
"We will," They seemed just as determined. "But let's survive this first, yeah?"
She nodded in agreement and returned her focus to piloting. She pulled the ship up and within seconds they were speeding through the air. After all she'd been through recently, she knew there wasn't much that could scare her anymore. Whatever they were about to face, she was ready.