Chapter 66: The Last Day
The Two ships broke through the atmosphere, as the morning sun finally rose above the horizon.
Fenn rubbed his tired eyes, trying to blink away the burning sensation.
He had tried meditation, but it had barely worked, his mind was too busy, his emotions roiling just below the surface.
Normally, he would have sought out Avy or Taya, in their arms, he could find rest, but not now…not now…
Not with so many doubting him….doubting his choices?
Loyalty?
That doubt angered him, and it burned like a brand in his gut.
No, he would do what was expected.
He could have passed this duty onto Shyra or Master Onno, but he didn't dare.
Enough people here were questioning his position, he didn't want to give them any more ammunition against him.
He still hoped to keep things civil between the Survivors and their Sith allies.
Staying in a position of control was the best way to accomplish that.
Shyra glanced over at him, a worried look on her face. It was neither needed or appreciated.
Fenn frowned.
He knew his place, and he knew what was expected of him.
He didn't need her to remind him of it.
"How long has it been since you last saw Tru?" she asked him.
"Almost three years," he replied. He made no mention of the fact what had happened during that last meeting.
The fact that he and Tru had been intimate was none of Shyra's business. Not that it had been much when it came to intimacy.
They had both been curious about…certain matters, and had explored them together.
It had been an…intriguing experience to say the least, not like what he had experienced with Avy and Taya, but his motivations during those…meetings had been something else all-together.
Curiosity had nothing on pure lust and need. Taya and or Avy satisfied him in ways that Tru had not known, and likely would not have understood.
He found himself wondering how Tru would react if she knew. It might be wise to simply tell her, get anything surprising out in the open…
…but…no.
He had no desire to confuse the matters between them any further. They had a mission for Tru.
It was best that he focused on that.
He looked around the now empty landing pad. The Coop's Folly had left two hours ago with Lana Beniko on board. The blond Sith had agreed to go, as a matter of faith if nothing else. She still hoped to maintain a positive relationship with the Survivors and accepted when Colonel Capistan suggested that it was for the best that she didn't see what type of ship took the keys to their new home.
A wise move, considering how the realization that they had not been working with the real Lana all these months.
Captain Cooper had not been entirely happy with the decision. He had hoped to stay, to have a chance to speak with his daughter. Tru, like her brother, had remained distant with their father since he had chosen to remarry. Coop had been interested in clearing the air.
Yet, again, duty had come before personal desire. He was one of only two people outside of the Survivors who knew the location of this base. It had kept the group safe for decades, and that security needed to be maintained.
Fenn watched as the Stolen Heart broke through the clouds, Tru's Tru Heart on its tail. Both armed courier ships flew in perfect unison, the result of second vessel being slaved to the first.
Again, the Survivors were taking no chances.
Shyra looked back at the base, reaching out with the Force.
Fenn almost rolled his eyes.
Seriously!
Shyra picked up on his annoyance and shrugged.
"If the Sith are going to try anything," she said, "Now would be the time, once those keys are off planet, and in hyperspace…"
Fenn nodded, though he still thought she was being paranoid.
The Sith had their orders, no one would interfere with the transfer. Avy had ordered them to stand down, and accept injections to block their Force abilities.
Again, she proved herself an ally, despite the other's treatment.
So far, the alliance was holding.
He intended to keep it that way.
The Tru Heart came down closest to them, its engines and repulsor lifts flaring expertly as the ship whirled around and touched down gently on the hardened surface.
For the briefest of moments, there was no sound, only the slight ticking of heat from the vessel's engines as Tru and Mox went through their landing checklist.
Finally, the boarding ramp hissed steam as it lowered. The sound of boots on the deck drew Fenn's attention.
Tru Halcyon, clad in her flight suit and leather jacket emerged from the ship, her hair pulled back into a sloppy pony tail, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Morning all," she called out.
Fenn smiled.
"Morning, Tru," he said with a slight bow.
"Welcome to Survivor Base."
The former Jedi Padawan, turned smuggler, looked around, taking in the emptiness of the world around them.
"Nice little out of the way garden spot," she murmured, "Can see why you are not interested in inviting guests."
Fenn chuckled.
Tru had always tried to remain upbeat, even in the darkest of places. During their padawan pack days, lost in the lower levels of Coruscant, she had been a light that had kept them all from falling too deep into the darkness that seemed to be creeping out of every shadow.
He hated to admit it, but he was grateful she was here.
At least she didn't look at him like he had failed Master Jas.
Her hair was longer than he remembered, her flight suit having more patches than suit, but that was Tru's way too, she didn't discard something that still had use, in that, she was still very Jedi-like, despite leaving the order, she…
He blinked, and pointed at her belt.
"You are wearing a lightsaber?"
His old friend chuckled, gently brushing her fingers over the black and silver hilt.
"Can't hide anything from you, can I?" she said jovially.
Fenn frowned slightly.
"I thought you wanted nothing to do with the order, after…after Coruscant."
Again, she shrugged.
"The Force is still a part of me," she reminded him, "After everything that has happened, Revan, the Zakuul…"
She gave him a pained look.
"I would be a fool not to revisit my strengths."
"It was then that her co-pilot emerged. Mox Devrn'alya, like Tru, had also been a padawan once. Once he had been a healer, and a good one, possibly destined to become a great one.
He had not been able to walk that path, not after the temple, not after the darkness of the underbelly of Coruscant.
Fenn looked at the Bothan smuggler, he…he didn't look well.
His cream-colored fur with the yellow V-shaped markings looked matted, his violet-colored eyes downcast.
"Hey, Fenn," he said under his breath, "Been a while."
Fenn said nothing, but…he was concerned.
Even his old friend's voice lacked the boisterous sound it once had.
"Hey, Mox," Shyra said before he could reply, her brow furrowing slightly.
"You, okay?"
"Been a little under the weather, is all," he answered, his fur rippling, a Bothan sign of discomfort.
Fenn glanced over.
What was that about, he wondered.
Why would Mox be in any discomfort here?
"Maybe you should let Dr. Tagge take a look at you," he offered.
"It's nothing," the Bothan answered.
"You sure?"
He nodded, and looked away not meeting Fenn or Shyra's gaze.
Fenn looked at Shyra, who looked back.
She had picked up on it too.
"We just finished running a load of Daaka trees to Mos Traffa," Tru said drawing their attention back to her, "Apparently, Bothans are highly allergic to the pollen."
She gave the two Jedi a wry smile.
"Moxie has not been feeling too well since, the Heart's atmospheric filters have mostly cleared out the ship's air supply, but some pollen still remains. Hasn't been a very good experience, has it Moxie?"
The Bothan shook his head no, and tried a weak toothy grin.
"It hasn't been fun at all, Tru," he replied.
Fenn nodded, but still felt that he was missing something.
He also noticed that Mox was wearing a lightsaber too.
Curious.
"I understand you have a job for us," Tru said drawing his eyes back to her, "Some Sith toys that need to be locked away…forever."
Shyra nodded.
"The galaxy will be a better place when these…things, are no longer in it. When you reach the vault world, you should speak with the guardians, see if they can come up with some way to destroy them."
"Even something that is dangerous has some knowledge," Tru replied, " You do remember that lesson, right Shyra? The masters always preached…"
"Some knowledge is not worth the risk," the beast woman snapped back, "I saw what one of these keys were capable of. I can only imagine what they can do now that they have all been brought together.
If Tru was worried, she didn't show it. She simply shrugged and laughed.
"I will pass along the suggestion, though I doubt the guardians will listen."
She looked again at Fenn, he was surprised that she had not commented on his Sith eyes, most Jedi would be disturbed by it…
…then again…
She HAD spent the last few days travelling with Tara Valenthyne, she might have mentioned it, prepared her for the…changes he had gone through.
Tru's expression turned serious.
"I'm told that you have all been working closely with Darth Avaryss, that she is the reason you found these things in the first place."
Fenn nodded.
"She warned us of their capabilities, and that the Zakuul were looking for them. If not for her aid, they may have fallen into Arcann's hands before we had the chance to intercept them."
"Sounds like it was a good thing she teamed up with you guys," the smuggler mused, "Nice to see that she is actually trying to do some good. We ran into each other quite a few times after the cold war went hot. Did I ever tell you what happened on Asrat? She was sent to kill some child priests who…"
"I'm sure that there will be plenty of time for war stories," Fenn cut her off.
He didn't need, or want to hear what atrocities that Avy's master had made her do.
She was better.
She was TRYING to be better.
I'm going to make her better!
Mox looked up, for the first time some fire shown in his violet eyes.
"Are you sure it was a good idea, putting powerful dark side artifacts in the hands of a Sith Lord?"
"We have a deal in place," Fenn assured him, "Avy promised not to touch the artifacts, they belong to the Jedi, and she gets to pass along the story that they hers, to intimidate her rivals."
Tru stroked her chin.
"Not bad actually, and Avy's actually playing nice? She had never seem interested in that during our previous run-ins, did she Moxie?"
The Bothan shook his head.
"Avy's with us," Fenn assured them, "She is as committed as the rest of the Survivors to stop the Zakuul. Isn't that right, Shyra?"
The beast-woman didn't respond, her lip was curled, if not into a frown, something close to it.
Fenn's temper flared.
Did she have to be so bloody suspicious!
Avy had done nothing to warrant it. Yes, she had tricked her way into the Survivors, but she had fought bravely since. She had saved many lives.
Why couldn't Shyra accept that?
WHY?!
"We are having the artifacts prepped for transport now," Shyra informed his two friends, "As for Avy and her allies, they are confined to the base, and all the Force wielders among them are under the effect of suppressor drugs."
"At Avy's order," Fenn added, "Once again proving that she is committed to our alliance."
Shyra shot him a dirty look.
Why?
Someone needed to defend Avy?
Had she not earned their trust?
Why was everyone being so bloody paranoid?!
"The sooner we get the keys off this world, the better," Shyra said.
Tru gave her an eager look.
"We're happy to help. Aren't we, Moxie?"
"Tru," he said, "I don't think we should be so quick to leave, the reverse power coupling is acting up again, not to mention the hyperdrive motivator. We stalled out twice in the last week. Remember when we left Nantune. It took us half a day to get under way again."
The Bothan scowled.
"I don't like the thought of being stalled out in the middle of nowhere with a cache of dark side artifacts on board, that is just asking for trouble."
Shyra looked at Tru.
"You have been having ship trouble?"
"Sure, but…"
"Why didn't you let us know?"
"Because it wasn't serious," the woman answered defensively, "My ship, and my choice! Besides, you guys have a full repair crew here. They could take a look, before we start out again."
Shyra growled.
"That could take hours."
"It is better than having them drop out of hyperspace who knows where," Fenn reminded her, "So they spend a few hours here while the Tru Heart gets checked over. What is the problem?"
Shyra glared at him.
He knew what her answer would be.
That was a few more hours that Avy and the other Sith would need to be kept on the suppressors, and yet another chance for the Sith to come to reconsider the deal.
It was risky, sure, but again, all that worry was because they weren't sure where Avy's true loyalties were."
Fenn almost cursed.
Damn them.
Damn all the Survivors!
Couldn't they just have a little faith?!
Avy wouldn't lie to him!
Why couldn't they just trust him.
Shyra snarled and shook her head.
"Seems like we have no choice."
Tru chuckled, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
"You can still load the cargo; our hold is secure. In a few hours, we will be underway, and you and Avy can get back to…well…whatever it is you have been doing, right Fenn?"
Fenn pursed his lips.
He didn't like what she was implying.
Had she picked up on the fact that he and Avy were more than just colleagues?
Had Tara told her?
That wasn't the woman's information to share.
He sighed, and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, and with it, his anger.
He forced a smile.
"A few hours," he said, "The techs will get to work on the Tru Heart, and you two can breathe something better than recycled ship's air."
He looked at Mox.
"You might even get a chance to get over your allergies."
The Bothan gave him a toothy grateful grin.
Fenn nodded.
Fine.
They could do this.
It would work.
The three made for the base, Tru already chatting contentedly about her most recent missions. Mox following in their wake.
Shyra remained where she was, Tara Valenthyne came up to her, likely wondering what the holdup was in getting the keys out of here.
Fenn pursed his lips.
He could only imagine the complaints Shyra would have. Complaints that Tara would take to Krys.
He almost cursed.
Damn her, he thought, his thoughts turning to Avy and her nickname for his "old friend."
Damn, the mongrel.
Couldn't she just let things play out as they needed?!
Was that so kriffin' hard?!
IOI
Time passed slowly that day, almost…too slowly.
Fenn had supervised the loading of the keys, the reinforced security case holding them would stop a raging Trandoshan if it tried to crack it.
Fenn gave the codes to Mox, who promised to give them to Tru.
With that, the job was done.
The keys were as good as gone.
Fenn took one last look at the Tru Heart. Even from here, he could sense the keys, hear their song through his connection to Avy.
His eyes narrowed.
He would be more than grateful when they were gone for good.
In the meantime, they needed to wait until the repair crew finished its work on the Heart's hyperdrive and power systems. Fenn had offered to join his old allies for a meal, but only Mox accepted.
Tru was feeling tired, and decided to get some sleep in the base. They had just spent almost nineteen hours without rest. She had sought out one of the empty rooms. Given the Survivors losses on Tatooine, she had not had trouble finding one.
Fenn was surprised no one was blaming him for that loss as well. Despite the fact that it had been Krys decision.
He tried not to think about it, just let it go.
It did no good dwelling on mistakes, his or other peoples.
So it was that the Fenn and the Bothan headed to the mess hall. Mox remained troubled; Fenn didn't need the Force to realize that.
He found himself hoping that his old friend would open up now that they were alone. They were both padawan pack after all…
After that…surviving in the dark, they had learned to trust each other.
The mess had been almost crowded that afternoon. He spotted Gilly and Krys leaving together, and took that as a hopeful sign.
Saving the major had been one of the best things he had done lately, and he didn't regret for a moment the choice he had made.
It had not only saved the old soldier, but had brought him and Avy together, torn down the last of the walls between them. Yes, it had reopened the darkness within him, but that was okay.
He could handle it.
Yes.
He was fine.
"We heard stories from Tara Valenthyne."
Fenn blinked, drawn back by the Bothan's words.
Mox gave him a concerned look.
"She told us that you and Avaryss were…together."
Fenn's brow furrowed.
"What of it?"
The Bothan's fur rippled.
"Are you sure that is a good idea?"
Fenn felt his temper rise again.
Why was everyone asking him that?!
Couldn't they keep their damn opinions to themselves?!
"You don't understand," he began, "Avy…she…she showed me a part of myself that I didn't know existed."
Mox made a face.
"I'm sure she showed you some…interesting parts too."
Fenn's hands curled into fists.
Was everyone going to judge him today?!
"This is the smart move. If we are together, I…I can check her darker tendencies. Her fellow Sith are going to believe she has the keys; she can use that belief to ascend to the Sith throne."
Mox snorted.
"Is Avaryss as empress something the galaxy needs?" the Bothan asked.
"We know her. I KNOW her."
"And for that you are going to risk living among Sith. Risk succumbing to the dark side?"
The Bothan paused.
"Or is that something that has already happened?"
That stopped Fenn in his tracks, he…Mox…he…
Fenn glared at his old friend.
The Bothan gave him a sad look.
"I can feel your anger, old friend. It is almost ready to explode out of you."
Hearing that, Fenn took a shuddering breath, and counted to ten.
Mox…was not wrong.
Behind them they heard laughter.
Fenn looked over to see Xen eating with Beric Lylos, the officer had removed his helmet, showing a sweaty pale face.
Xen noticed Fenn's look and smiled at him, a cold predatory grin.
He looked away. His eyes once again finding Mox. The Bothan shook his head.
Fenn frowned.
Xen and Mox had been close once. As younglings they had been drawn to each other, or rather, Mox had gravitated towards her.
After the fall of the temple, he had left, and she had stayed, becoming Sy Dar Bynn's apprentice…
…they both knew how that apprenticeship had turned out. When they had all met again for the first time during the battle against Darth Terrog, Xen had been something different, they had barely recognized her.
Mox sighed.
"Fenn…we are friends, and…I…I don't want to see you end up like her."
"I'm not going to let this change me," Fenn promised.
The Bothan showed his teeth.
"It already has. If you do go to the empire, the Sith hardliners are not simply going to fall in line because Avaryss says: Boo! You will have to…do things. Those things will change you. Maybe you will come think that Avy was right, and her ways are better."
The Bothan growled.
"What will you become then…Fenn Shadowstone?"
Before he could answer. He felt a presence coming rushing up, searching for him.
He smiled.
"Hello, Blyss."
The little girl smiled as she came to a stop, almost bouncing and out of breath.
"Master Fenn! Dr. Tagge wants to speak with you."
He nodded and rose.
Mox gave the child an arched look.
Fenn gestured the girl forward.
"Mox Devrn'alya, meet Blyss, Avaryss' daughter."
The Bothan blinked and looked at Fenn.
"Daughter? Is she…?"
"I'm tank-born," the girl clarified without hesitation, " Master Fenn is not my father."
She looked up at him with hopeful eyes, far more hopeful than Sith eyes should have been.
No, he was not her father.
But he sensed that she wished he might want the job.
I could teach her, he thought.
Show her a better way.
He excused himself from his old friend, grateful for the girl's interruption.
He didn't like to think about what was being said. Mox had made some fair points.
He was trying not to dwell on them.
It won't matter soon, he realized.
Once the keys were gone, Avy would not be tempted, he would not be tempted.
He nodded.
Everything would return to normal.
He looked down at the little girl.
"I'm surprised to find you up and about," he said.
"I was bored in my room. Nothing to do, but talk to Jeer. Dr. Tagge is letting me help, run messages."
Fenn nodded.
That did sound something like Roxxi would do. They had comms, but making a little girl feel important was her style.
"Where is your brother," he asked.
Blyss made a face.
"Sulking," she answered, "He doesn't like being cut off from the Force, wasn't happy when he woke up deadened to it."
"That wasn't my fault," Fenn replied.
She smiled happily.
"I know, Master Fenn."
She reached out and took his hand. He was grateful for the support.
The girl beamed up at him.
"I know."
IOI
As expected, it took the team hours to locate the issues in the Tru Heart's power system, and to isolate the issue in the ship's hyperdrive.
Fenn had still not been able to rest. He meditated for an hour, which helped, but for the most part he simply tried to lose himself in his work.
He had wanted to go see Avy, check on her, but it seemed that the day itself was conspiring against him.
Dr. Tagge had had an idea of how to treat his eyes, return them to their previous state. Fenn had agreed to the treatment, after today's work was done, and the keys safely away. Krys had then pulled him away to discuss the new recruits that he was looking to bring in, the young men and women needed to replace their recent losses.
Fenn was surprised that Krys would trust him with that, considering recent events.
Again, he did his best to hide his slowly developing disdain for the old soldier.
After that, Temmin had stopped him, the padawan had wanted him to let Zay out of her room so that the two could train. Fenn had not thought that a good idea, not while the girl's powers were being suppressed.
Temmin had been insistent, he didn't like the fact that Fenn was treating the girl so…suspiciously.
Fenn…had nearly blown up at his student. He didn't have time for the half-blood's adolescent crushes!
Yet, before he said anything, reconsidered.
Zay trusted Temmin.
He agreed, but said the two should keep any training light, and also asked if the boy could find out anything more about the events onboard the ship that had taken the girl from Nar Shadda.
Tem had been unsure about pushing such a discussion, he didn't want to make Zay revisit bad memories of her kidnapping.
Fenn had insisted he do so anyway, and that the boy should report back anything he found odd.
"Odd how?" the young half-blood asked.
"Anything," Fenn had answered, no matter how small.
Tem had seemed unsure, but agreed to his teacher's request.
Fenn had nodded, pleased.
At least someone around here trusted his judgment.
By the time the Tru Heart was ready to go, the sun was getting low. Krys had sent Tara Valenthyne off on another off-world errand, so the Jedi ship had the landing pad to itself.
Master Onno, Shyra, and the Colonel had followed Fenn, Tru, and Mox back to the pad, they had likely wanted to watch as the keys were finally moved beyond the reach of their Sith allies.
Allies, Colonel, Fenn wanted to shout.
Allies!
We do owe them a bit of trust, don't we?
Just outside of camp, Temmin and Zay sparred, their training blades crackling in the fading light.
Fenn could hear Zay singing as the two young people danced back and forth. She, at least, was making the best of a tough situation.
Tru was practically bouncing with excitement. She seemed more than eager to be underway. Her nap earlier leaving the former Jedi, turned smuggler, with a healthy glow.
Mox sniffled, likely still suffering from allergic misery.
Tru smiled at Fenn.
"The cargo has been received, and is ready for transport," she said jovially, "We should reach our destination in a few days."
"Take your time," Shyra advised, "Make sure no one is tracking you."
"Of course," Tru answered with a smirk, "I do know my job, mo…Master Shyra."
She turned to Fenn.
Her lips curling into a sly smile.
"It has been good seeing you, Fenn. Maybe next time we can…revisit a few things?"
"Maybe," he said coolly.
"And try to get some rest, you look…tired."
He nodded.
When this was over, he was going to seek out Avy. Reassure her everything was fine, and comfort her if she needed.
He could only imagine how annoyed she had been at being so confined these last two days.
Plus, after she had been comforted, he would be able to sleep.
She always knew how to help him find rest.
Tru turned to her partner.
"Mox. Fire up the converters, I want to be off this rock in ten."
"Aye, Tru," the Bothan replied plodding up the ramp.
Shyra looked after her, her brown eyes hopeful, no doubt grateful that the smugglers were ridding them of the keys.
"May the Force be with you, Tru Halcyon."
Tru merely laughed.
"Who needs the Force," she said ascending the ramp, " I have skill."
She smirked at the Survivor leadership. A smirk that her father, Gabe Cooper, would have noticed was so familiar to his own.
"Thank you all, this has been a most profitable…experience."
Steam hissed as the Tru Heart hummed to life. Tru glanced one last time at Fenn.
"May the Force serve you well," she purred.
The hatch sealed, and Tru was gone.
Fenn turned and made for the base. The Heart's engines rumbled to life.
There, job done, he thought, restraining himself from rushing.
He wanted to see Avy.
He NEEDED to see her.
He was tired, so very tired.
She could help.
IOI
He made for her quarters, and found her facing the door, meditating on the floor.
Her golden eyes opened as he entered.
"I had a feeling you were going to show," she purred.
"How could I not?" he asked, his voice husky, hungry for what was to come.
She held up her hand, stopping him from drawing closer, pulling her to her feet, and into his arms.
Avy sighed.
"Sadly, we have a small matter to deal with, before things can get…interesting."
Fenn blinked.
"Matter? What matter?"
Fenn felt it then, a strange ripple through the Force.
He had gotten use to the keys singing through his connection to Avy, but now the keys were leaving. The Tru Heart was leaving the planet. They…
He blinked.
What?
His dream friend gave him a sad look.
"You feel it don't you, she said that you might."
Fenn shook his head, not understanding what he was sensing.
The keys were leaving, but…
He looked down at Avy.
Avy was leaving too, he could sense her presence moving away, but…
That was impossible.
She was sitting right here!
Before he could move, say a word. She moved.
He barely registered what was happening!
SNAP!
CRACK!
One moment he was standing before her, the next, he was down. He hit the wall of her quarters hard enough to leave him seeing stars. He looked up, dazed, unable to call on the Force, or call for help.
Avy looked at him, her expression pained.
She hadn't moved, not from where she was sitting, but her arm had struck out, lashed out like a whip, or a striking serpent, far faster than any human arm could have.
As he lay there, dazed, she looked down upon him, he could still hear her words, distantly.
"Whatever she asks of you, and your friends, accept it," Avy said, her black hair morphing, changing from black and straight to shorter, red and curly. Her eyes went from Sith yellow, to a pale green, her cheeks turned pink and filled with freckles.
A small grease spot appeared on her chin, appeared then moved up to her cheek.
Avy, or rather, Commander Lujayne Holli, Avy's pet changeling, gave him a sad look.
Betrayal, he realized.
NO!
What was…
…AVY?!
He tried to rise, but his legs wouldn't work. His head was cloudy. He was probably concussed.
Holli sighed.
"She really cares about you, you know," the woman said rising, her face morphing again, turning into his. Her Survivor clothes stretching enough to not look too out of place.
Fenn looked down at himself.
"She doesn't want to hurt you," Holli as Fenn said. She stepped over him, sealing him inside her room.
Before she left, she gave him one last piece of advice.
"Do what she says," the changeling advised.
"She would hate to have to hurt you."