Chapter 21: Leaving Tatooine
Dawn, Bastila, Sarryn, Mission and HK heard the sounds of battle echo over the sands. They had spotted the Jawa sandcrawler earlier, which wasn't too hard. The large metallic vehicle was almost three stories high so it stood out among the vast emptiness of the sands. "HK, can you tell what's going on?" Dawn asked as they started to run.
"Scanning: Readings indicate a half-dozen Tusken Raiders attacking, Master," the droid repeated as it followed. "Theory: I am guessing they are attacking as Tuskens rarely chat with other meatballs. Conclusion: I believe we are finally going to enjoy some violence, Master!"
Dawn had her lightsaber in hand as they came within sight of the sandcrawler. Sure enough, a half dozen Sand People were attacking it. They seemed less than human, waving about their gaffi sticks as a few others fired rifles at the sandcrawler. They were dressed from head to toe in robes and bandages, ever inch covered, goggles and air masks making them look even more inhuman.
By the sandcrawler were a small pack of humans trying to make a stand against the invaders. There were the bodies of a couple of Raiders down but the rest were moving in fast. The sound of lightsabers igniting caught their attention and they turned to see the Jedi moving in.
Dawn leapt up, swinging her violet double-bladed lightsaber down in a strike aimed at one of the Raiders. She was a bit surprised at how quickly he moved out of the way, swinging his stick at her head. She managed to duck it and swung her lightsaber cutting through the stick and then into the Raider's chest.
Sarryn grunted as one stick hit him in the side but kicked his foe back. He quickly stabbed his lightsaber down to kill the Raider.
Mission and HK were laying out some cover fire. The Twi'lek was firing fast, more for effect. HK's shots were cold and deadly in precision, each shot lethal as he cut two Raiders down before Bastila could reach them. Bastila's yellow double-bladed lightsaber took care of the rest.
The group moved to the sandcrawler. They could see the men there dressed in normal, if somewhat more expensive, clothing, the leader holding his side and nodding. "Thank you," he gasped. "Those Raiders had us beat!"
"Who are you guys?" Dawn asked.
"We do some freelance work for Czerka," the man said, his face darkening. "They're afraid to send their own employees out here so they make sure we take the risks, at a lesser cost."
"So, you work here?" Dawn asked, hitching a thumb to the sandcrawler.
"We help out the Jawas with scavenge work, trading and such," the man answered. "We were just making a deal with them over some moisture vaporators when the Sand People attacked.
"It's been happening often?" Bastila asked.
The man nodded. "The Raiders don't take kindly to intruders on what they consider their lands. It's been getting more violent lately and we're just not as equipped to handle it."
"Have you tried, I don't know, talking to them?" Dawn asked in a slightly sardonic tone.
The man sniffed. "If you can get close to their village, good luck! Like I said, they don't take kindly to intruders." He looked at the dead Raiders and shook his head. "And I doubt they'd be any more open to those who killed members of their clan." He winced and held his side. "I'm sorry, I have to get this wound checked out and see to my men. Thank you again." As he walked off, the others moved together.
"Options?" Dawn openly asked.
Sarryn looked at the bodies of the Tuskens and rubbed his chin. "We could try dressing in these robes and infiltrate."
Dawn raised an eyebrow. "Right…and when they find out we killed some of their guys to get the robes, that'll roll out the red carpet."
Sarryn blanched. "Good point."
Dawn took a breath. "Well, I think this is a case for a tried and true approach. We go right up to their front door."
"Statement: Excellent idea, Master! A frontal assault is one of my specialties!"
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The Sand People village was located at a far end of the Dune Sea. It was closed off by a high wall with Bantha wandering about. The group took notice of the large gun turrets at the entrance, aimed outward, proof the Sand People were more technologically adept than they seemed.
They hadn't gotten far when a trio of Raiders moved in, weapons aimed at them. One let out a series of growls. "HK, quick, tell him we're not attacking!" Dawn yelled.
The droid let out a series of odd growls that seemed to throw the Raiders off. The lead one bent his head before answering. HK-47 turned to her. "Result: I believe we have succeeded in confusing him, master. We have shown and interest not common among outsiders."
"Apologize for the intrusion. We mean them no harm."
"Resignation: I will do as you ask, master, but I have a bad feeling about this course of action." He turned back to the guard. "Translation: Gu rah hurak ip ip. Eyaak urk urk." HK-47 said.
The Sand Person responded, and HK-47 gave a short answer before turning to Dawn. "Translation: He is expressing disbelief…as am I…but his duty requires that we report to the Chieftain. Extrapolation: It would seem that we are at least worthy of curiosity, for the moment. I would much rather this get bloody, master, but it is your call."
The Raiders led them into the center of the village. The Chieftain was dressed in slightly fancier robes, bits of metal salvaged from the desert (or the corpses of unlucky intruders) fashioned into talismans or sewn into his headscarves. Though the group could not understand his words, his tone and his contempt were obvious.
"Translation," HK-47 began. "He is demanding to know why he should let us survive this encounter, master."
"Tell him we wish a peaceful solution to the attacks on his people."
HK-47 made a series of noises that sounded more like broken gears and growls than actual language. The chieftain replied in the same language. "Translation: He claims he has no reason to believe you, master. Your kind taint this land with machines and your uncaring, ignorant feet. He requires proof of your good faith. We must make a contribution to his people to show we are not a threat. Query: May I blast him now, master?"
Sarryn winced. "We're outnumbered and outgunned at the moment, so not yet. Ask him what he would like as an offering."
HK-47 translated this, and the chieftain gave his answer. "Translation: He wants to move his people far from Anchorhead, but they have not built up sufficient stores of water. He says you must aid him. He wants moisture vaporators from the Czerka. If you deliver them, he will reduce his attacks on the miners and will leave this area soon."
"HK-47, tell the chief he has a deal," Dawn announced. "We'll get him the vaporators."
Again, HK-47 spoke her wishes, the Chieftain responded, but they felt almost comic dismissal in the chieftain.
"Translation: He does not believe you, but we have amused him. He will return our weapons and escort us from the enclave. If we bring the vaporators with us, we will be allowed to return. He will wait, but he does not believe we will return."
"Really?" Dawn smiled widely. "Now I just love defying people's expectations."
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Dawn had never been a huge believer in fate until she arrived in this universe. Then she had met Mission and Zaalbar followed by Mirin. After she had started training to be a Jedi, she was opened up to how things could happen that seemed dissimilar but could end up linking together in ways that could help. In this case, a simple random rescue opened up a way to solve their current problem.
"Here you go," the leader of the group of men by the sandcrawler said as he handed over several vaporators. "Thanks a lot. This is a lot more than the Jawas would have paid."
"Happy to help," Sarryn said as he handed over several hundred credits. Mission and Dawn hefted the vaporators before handing them to HK. "Exclamation: Oh please, Master! I am no simple labor droid!"
"HK, carry them or I break you open for some manual reprogramming," Dawn threatened.
"Opinion: You are a harsh and cruel mistress. I think I may like you."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
The Sand Person at the gate had his face covered but he seemed surprised to see the group come up. As HK relayed Dawn's message that they had the vaporators, the surprise grew larger. "Translation: He is stunned by this, but his duty does require him to take us to his chieftain."
If Dawn was able to read the Chieftain correctly, she detected surprise from him. Obviously, he had not expected them to return. When they held out the vaporators, she sensed astonished pleasure from him. His advisors gasped.
"Translation: He had left you alive as an amusement, master. He had not expected you to keep your word. He says outsiders are incapable of such. But since you have proven honorable, he shall keep his word and stop the attacks, giving you his gaffi as peace offering to your kind."
"You may tell him I am honored," Dawn informed the droid.
HK-47 translated once more and turned to the others. "Statement: I would much rather this become bloody, master, but it is your call."
"I'd like to ask him some questions, if I may?" Dawn wondered.
"Protocol: If you want this sadly peaceful arrangement to continue, be careful what you ask."
"Ask him about the relics in the desert."
A barrage of grunting and growling followed. HK-47 swiveled his red metal head to her. "They know of what you speak, and have given me directions to it. They say that a strange piece of outsider technology is being guarded by a krayt dragon and has been for several years."
"So much for this being easy," Sarryn said.
Dawn shrugged. "Well, my only other question - ask them about the captive Jawas and an outsider named Griff."
Another exchange of growls and grunts followed. "Translation: The Jawas have outlived their usefulness and are free to go. As for this 'Griff,' he says that his mere presence is an insult, a defilement of their home and land. Extrapolation: It is doubtful they would waste the effort to kill him. Shall we do it ourselves, master?"
"No!" Mission yelled. "We're not going to kill him!"
"Don't worry, sweetie," Dawn said as she rubbed one of Mission's lekku.
"Query: Then there is the chance he may be executed? Oh, good."
Two warriors escorted them to the holding cells. The first holding pen six captive Jawas. They twittered about in their odd language as HK faced Vance. "Translation: They express happiness at being freed from their capture, Master and will return to Anchorhead." His voice switched to disappointment. "Query: I assume I am not allowed to blast them as they leave?"
"You assume correctly," Dawn said, fighting back impatience at the droid's blood-lust.
"Statement: Master, must you continue to disappoint me?"
In the second cell, a blue-skinned Twi'lek in worker's coveralls looked up at them as they walked over. "Uh…I'm a bigshot with Czerka. A very high-ranking executive. You'll be rewarded greatly if you free me!"
"Griff?" Mission said as she came forward, Dawn at her shoulder. "Griff, it's me, Mission! Don't you recognize your own sister?"
Griff stared, blinking before breaking into a smile. "Mission? Is it really you?" He seemed more anxious than overjoyed to see her. "I heard Taris was destroyed! I thought you were dead! Joy of joys, my little sister is alive!"
"I…I have to ask you something, Griff," Mission said, nervously. "It's important. I ran into Lena. She said…she said it was your idea to leave me on Taris. It's not true, is it?" Her eyes begged him to tell her she was wrong, that Lena lied, that they would be a happy family now, that everything was alright.
Griff couldn't withstand lying to his own sister, it seemed—not with the puppy eyes she used on him. Maybe he realized he already lied too much to the girl. Or not. "Ah, well…there's the truth and then there's the truth, you know?" he said evasively. "I always meant to go back to Taris, sis. Just as soon as I had the credits to pay off my debts. But credits have been hard to come by," he quietly added, obviously embarrassed.
Mission glanced at Dawn and then back at Griff with widened eyes, the pleading immediately evaporating. She obviously never thought her brother—her own brother, who looked after her for all those long years—would do such a careless thing. "You mean it's true?" she asked, mortified. "It was your idea to leave me there? I'm your sister—how could you abandon me like that?"
"Come on, sis. You didn't need me to look after you anymore," Griff pleaded. Perhaps he cared, after all. "You may have been young, but you knew how to take care of yourself. Besides, you're here now—everything worked out fine," he said with a shrug, as if he knew how things would turn out from the beginning.
"That's it?" Mission demanded. "That's all you have to say to me after all these years after deserting me on Taris?"
Griff gulped slightly, his eyes moving to his feet, "Uh…well, I…I wanted to thank you, and, uh, you look like you're doing well. Financially, I mean. Say…um…could you spare me a few credits to get back on my feet?"
"You…you're hitting me up for credits?" Mission asked angrily. "I don't believe this! Lena was right about you, Griff! We should have just left you to the Sand People! Don't talk to me anymore—ever!" She turned away adamantly, right into Dawn's arms.
"It's okay, pum'kin belly," Dawn whispered.
"Huh…that didn't go well," Griff muttered. "Sis always was a little too fiery for her own good. She'll cool down in time."
"Don't bet on it, Griff," Dawn said with a smirk.
Griff dismissively waved his hand, "Ah, she'll be all right. We had our fights before. Too bad, though. I really could have used a helping hand right now. You may have saved my life, but I don't have a single credit to my name. Say, you wouldn't be able to spare me some credits? Just till I get back on my feet, you know?"
Sarryn rolled his eyes. "Pal, I've been around enough to see a con man when I meet one. And you reek of the stench."
"Walking slime is the term I'd use," Dawn added.
"Err…I guess you've been talking to Lena too," Griff said nervously. "Okay, I'll have to get by without your credits. I always do. Besides, I've already got a job lined up for me. Greeta, the manager over at the Czerka supply shop, said I could come work for him if I ever get tired of the mines. I think I'll go take him up on his offer." He thought for a second—it looked painful—then he added, "You know, maybe there's something else you can help me with."
"Oh, brother," Mission said, turning back to him. "What are you talking about now, Griff?"
"As you may know, tach glands can be refined into a very potent powder," Griff said in a somewhat pompous tone, as if he wasn't explaining something everyone in the galaxy knew. "It's the primary ingredient in Tarisian ale—that's what makes it so strong. Of course, now that Taris is pretty much wiped from the face of the map Tarisian ale has become somewhat scarce—and uh…very, very valuable. Luckily, I know the secret recipe!"
Mission sniffed. "That I can back up. Griff always knew his way around alcohol."
"I know this guy…he's with the Exchange," Griff explained. He didn't seem to notice the groans everyone let out. "Now, if I give him a small sample of Tarisian ale he says he can synthesize it and reproduce it in mass quantities. Problem is, I need one of those tach glands to make the first batch. And now that Taris is a smoking ruin, the only place to find tach is on Kashyyyk."
"Too bad," Dawn said. "For what you did to Mission, I don't feel like helping you."
"Sorry, like I said before I don't have any credits on me. And Greeta won't lend me any credits. I mean, it's like he doesn't trust me to pay him back or something."
"I cannot imagine where that idea came from," Bastila dryly intoned.
"But you come through on this and I promise you'll get a huge payday down the road. Two…no! Three thousand credits! How's that sound?" he asked desperately.
Mission shook her head in frustration. "Griff, are you blind? Can't you see you're talking to a Jedi?" she demanded, hands on her hips. "We're out here trying to save the galaxy! We can't waste time on this!"
"Please, you have to help me!" Griff said, dropping to his knees in front of them, "I…I promised this guy from the Exchange a sample of Tarisian ale! If I don't come through for him, he's going to break my legs…or worse! Come on, Mission—I'm your brother! I'm family! You can't turn your back on me!" he begged.
Mission rolled her eyes, "Forget it, Griff, I'm not falling for that line again. You'll have to find your own way out of this mess!"
"Look, you bring me a single tach gland and you not only save my life but you get a piece of this great business opportunity!" Griff said, still groveling, "I mean, you can't pass this up! Think about it and you'll see I'm right." He gave that look of his, the one that had always made Mission's heart melt and made her forget all about the bad stuff he'd done.
Unfortunately for Griff, two years living mostly alone on a planet that was blasted to pieces had made Mission immune to his charms. She turned to HK. "HK, warm up the flamethrower!"
"Statement: I only take such orders from my Master…"
"If Griff isn't out of here in ten seconds, feel free to bake him! The slower the better!" Mission said.
"Revised statement: But when it comes to slow killing, I am open to anyone!" The droid lifted his wrist as his flamethrower popped out. "Statement: Prepare to be baked, male blue meatbag! Countdown: 10. 9. 8. 7."
Griff was already running away as fast as he could, out of sight before HK could finish. The droid lowered his arms and let out an electronic sigh. "Query: May I hunt him down for you?"
"Nah, let him go," Mission said. She sighed and shook her head. "I was just hoping Lena was lying but…I guess deep down I always knew she wasn't. And now he's going to get himself in a new mess."
"Whatever happens, he brought it on himself," Bastila said calmly.
Mission nodded in agreement, "Maybe a couple broken knee-caps will do him some good!" she said venomously, "Maybe that's the kind of jolt he needs to turn his life around! Only…what if they do something worse?" She suddenly looked worried, "They might kill him! I don't want him to die; he doesn't deserve that. But I can't just keep supporting his crazy schemes. Someone has to teach him a lesson!"
"Mission," Dawn said gently. "He needs to learn this lesson himself. You can't teach it to him."
"Yeah, I guess you're right, mom," Mission agreed, nodding. "I'm not going to change him. Griff is going to keep on being Griff."
They began to walk out as Dawn wrapped an arm around Mission. "You want to hear a little story, pum'kin belly?" she asked as Mission nodded. "Back home I used to get myself into trouble a lot. We're talking skipping school, stealing. It took me getting caught in order to learn my lesson. In fact, I actually got caught by my big sister. It's her…well her and my mom, but mostly her…that I use a role model for when I took you as my adopted daughter."
Mission smiled. "I can't wait to meet her, she sounds like a nice person."
Dawn smiled. "She's the best."
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The path toward the krayt dragon cave was a circular route from the Sand People's village. Dawn, Sarryn, Bastila and HK were walking over as Mission had headed back to Anchorhead. The group saw the large cave sticking out of the sand as well as the green-skinned Twi'lek studying it. Hearing their approach, the man turned, his eyes beaming suddenly as he saw them. "Ah, hello there!"
"Who are you?" Bastila asked.
"Komad Fortuna," he said, bowing his head. "I am a hunter. "There is day, there is night. I am not confined by time anymore. I have been hunting here perhaps a decade or two." He examined Bastila's face for a moment before saying more. "I recognize your features. Your father's line throws true. Shan was a fine hunter, lost to the krayt not far from here. He died as a hunter and returns to the land. Do not mourn him much."
"You…you know…then…"
"Must be important things in the desert to Jedi for them to send you. Don't tell me what it is because I won't care."
"Well," Bastila answered. "The Sand People told us that what we seek is in the cave."
"You spoke to them but did not kill them?" Komad was impressed. "You understand the natural ways of things. I like this."
"We're looking for an artifact in the krayt dragon cave," Sarryn explained. "I take it you are looking for the krayt dragon itself?"
"The krayt feeds on bantha and foolish hunters. It is coming out of hibernation, and it is hungry. I have a plan to destroy it, but cannot act alone." He sighed. "It is a shame to kill such a magnificent beast, but it is too large, and it is wiping out the herds of bantha, which will hurt the Sand People, which will cause more hurt to the dragon as it will starve."
"So, taking it out will help the whole environment," Bastila noted. "Interesting how it works."
"That is the way this planet is," Fortuna stated as he checked the equipment. "I have tried other hunters, but they lacked skill and patience. We must use unorthodox methods to kill him, for it is the biggest krayt I have seen in my time, bigger than the one my father hunted."
"How are you going to do it?" Dawn asked. "If it's so big, I don't know if even our lightsabers can handle it."
"Suggestion: I can procure more weapons, Master. I am multi-talented in all matters of destruction and can easily flay the skin from this creature's bones."
"There is no need for that," Fortuna said.
"Objection: There is always a need for violence to solve a problem!" the droid retorted.
Fortuna frowned, unsure whether or not it was joking. Shaking his head, he went on. "I will place mines around the cave entrance, but I will need you three to provide the bait. It will require much to rouse the beast from its slumber."
"We're the bait?" Dawn asked.
"No, human!" Fortuna laughed. "The prey of a beast like this would be bantha. Take my sack of bantha fodder and lure the bantha here." He pointed to a herd standing a fair distance away. "To lure him out, we must lure his food to tempt him. Bait the bantha here, and the mines will take care of the rest. Not exactly a glorious hunt, but it will bring balance to this region."
Fortuna set off to the cave entrance, and the group headed toward the herd. "Should I green one?" Dawn asked looking at Bastila. "It might be easier."
"Easier, yes," Bastila agreed. "It would be too risky though considering we don't know who would be watching out in the dunes."
"Okay," Dawn said.
The shaggy beasts perked up at the smell of food and started to fall in step. They coaxed the bantha within a few meters of the cave entrance. The ground began to shake and Fortuna's eyes lit up. "Oh, boy! VERY big!"
The dragon was a creature the size of a small battleship, thick leathery hide and teeth a meter long. It crossed one set of mines. The explosions rattled the ground and deafened the party, the dragon howled in pain and stepped forward to attack, stepping on the second set of mines. With a howl of pain and the deafening roar of the plasma escaping from their containers, the dragon fell, and was no more.
Fortuna looked sad as he ran his hand over the beast's head. "It is done. The great beast is dead. To my shame, I denied him a good fight, but I will honor his memory to make amends." He looked up. "I thank you, humans. Perhaps one day, you will view the hunt with the reverence that I do. Wealth fades, the sands remain."
With a large vibroblade, and a muttered prayer, Fortuna slit open the dragon's throat, fishing out four pearls. "Ah, a fine prize from a great beast! I shall keep one as a memento and sell the rest." He paused and then extended one pearl to Dawn. "Here. You deserve this for your aid."
"Thank you," Dawn said as she accepted the pearl. "You helped us out too."
"I thank you for your help today. I will see you again, I am sure." With those words, he walked off into the desert, fading into the dunes as though he were a part of them.
Dawn let out a long sigh as she walked around the dragon's body. "I'm really looking forward to meeting something big that doesn't take a mini-cannon to take down."
"Statement: Master, I will be happy to design a much bigger cannon for you, if you request it?"
"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," Dawn dryly said as they entered the cave.
The former lair was impressive indeed. Toppled columns and wind-worn statues with no features, only a vague humanoid shape with an oval head. The three Jedi instantly recognized it as the place they had seen in their shared vision. Like on Dantooine, there was a Star Map, the tripod on tripod design.
Sarryn walked forward and touched it, watching it flower into a similar pattern as before.
"Okay," Dawn said, downloading the information into his datapad. "Two down. Same planets are lit. Guess they've got more pieces." She shook her head as she programmed her datapad. "Anyone else think finding this star map in the back of a krayt dragon cave wasn't a coincidence?"
Bastila started searching the rest of the cave. "The Star Map is a powerful artifact of the Dark Side. The krayt dragon may have been drawn here by its power, only to be enslaved by…" Her voice cut off. She knelt by a tattered equipment pack, pulling out an object the size of a handball. She hung her head.
"What is it?" Sarryn asked even though he suspected the truth.
Bastila turned and showed them. The object was a holocron, a dodecahedron object of crystal. Inside, was a picture of a middle-aged man. His recorded voice played the final entry. "As for news…The Jedi may forbid it, but I've heard news of Bastila. One of the guys with me on this run is a Republic soldier, just left the fleet. He's heard of her, and tells me she is a powerful Jedi now…looks a lot like her mother, too, if I heard him right. She's given them a lot of hope…Maybe…maybe we'll all be together someday…" She slumped over.
Dawn knew instantly how Bastila felt, for she had felt the same way with the death of her mom. She tried to go Bastila's side, offer something in the way of comfort, but Bastila knocked her hand away.
Bastila was whispering the Code to herself as she stood up rigidly and put the holocron in her pocket. "Come," she said, her voice on the finest edge before cracking. "There's work to be done." She began to march away, her Padawans following and exchanging concerned looks.
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Helena was still at the same spot at the cantina when the trio entered. Helena was still there, sipping her drink in the corner as Bastila nervously approached her. "Hello, again, mother," she said warily.
"Back already? Have you even looked for the holocron, yet?" Helena asked snappishly.
"I have the holocron, Mother. I'm just not sure I want to give it to you," Bastila said coldly.
"And why not? Would you deny me even that?" Helena asked.
"I've never denied you anything, Mother," Bastila sniped. "You may think I don't remember what it was like before I left for the Order, but I do. You were the one who pushed Father to go on one treasure hunt after the other. You loved living in wealth. You think I don't remember the fights? You were eager to send me to the Jedi, even though I didn't want to go. You took Father away from me, and now this holocron is all I have of him."
"Fool girl!" Helena snapped, "You have a strange way of remembering things. That wasn't—"
"No," Bastila interrupted. "I don't wish to argue with you any more, Mother. It's time we parted ways, now, for both our benefit. Why should you get the holocron?" she demanded.
"Is it too difficult to believe that I am a dying woman who simply wishes to see her husband one last time?" Helena asked, almost pleadingly.
"I find it difficult to believe anything you say, Mother," Bastila replied acidly.
"Bastila," Dawn cut in, her face pleading. "Come on…give her a break. Isn't it time one of you did that for the other?"
Bastila glanced at Dawn before slowly nodding. "I…suppose you are correct. I haven't learned anything. It shames me, but I just…I find it difficult to…let go of the past." She turned to Helena and let out a deep breath. "I'm…sorry, Mother."
"I was hard on you, dear," Helena conceded, "I wasn't a very good mother to you, I know that. Your father loved you so. He wanted you to be just like him... he wanted to take you on his hunts, but I said they were too dangerous. I always tried to keep him from the dangerous ones, but he would have none of it. It was a reckless life we led, always moving…I didn't want that for you."
"So that's why you gave me to the Order?" Bastila asked, surprised.
"What do your father and I have to show for all those years of hunting? Nothing," Helena said. "That was no life for anyone, especially not someone as gifted as you. Your father…he spent all his last years trying to pay for my treatments. That's why he went for the pearls. I begged him not to, but…"
"Your treatments?" Bastila asked.
"I'm dying, Bastila," Helena said bluntly, "I did not lie about that. It's been a long time in the coming, and there's really nothing that can be done anymore. I told your father to let me go, but you know how he was. Stubborn. Like you."
"I'm so sorry, Mother," Bastila said quietly. "I don't know what to say..."
"Keep the holocron, Bastila," Helena said. "It would do me good to know you have it. This…talking to you…this is what I really needed before I…"
"I know, Mother. Thank you," Bastila said, blinking back tears. "I'm glad we talked, too."
Helena sighed, trying to compose herself. "Well, now. You said you had important business, and you were never one to mince words."
"Where are you going to go?" Bastila asked.
"It doesn't matter, dear. Don't you worry about me," Helena said dismissively.
As if a light bulb had just appeared over her head, Bastila searched her pocket and took out several credit chips. "Here. Take these five hundred credits. It's all I have. Go to Coruscant and find a doctor. I'll meet you there after…after what I have to do."
"But I already told you there's nothing that can—" Helena began.
Dawn took the chips from Bastila and thrust them into Helena's hand. "My own mom died before I had a chance to say goodbye. Do this for her. Give Bastila the chance to do what I always wish I could."
Helena sighed. "Alright, I will," she told Dawn before looking back at Bastila. "Now you do what you have to, Bastila. You go make your father and I proud." she said as an order.
Bastila smiled. "I'll try. Farewell, Mother." She paused, and then leaned forward to embrace Helena. The elder woman was surprised but returned it. They kept themselves that way for a long moment before breaking apart. Without another word, Bastila turned and walked away, fighting back tears.
"Bastila…" Sarryn began as they entered the streets. Bastila held up a hand to cut him off as they headed back toward the ship.
Dawn put a hand on Sarryn's shoulder. "Hey…she'll be okay. Just give her time. It's hard, believe me."
Sarryn frowned. "Are you sure?"
Dawn smiled but there was a touch of melancholy there. "Trust me…it's hard to realize you may never see your mother again." She fought back the light sheen of tears in her eyes. "At least…she got to say goodbye in person." She bowed her head as they headed away.
Sarryn was suddenly thrust into another vision.
"Where's mom…" Dawn cut in looking at her big sister. "She was going to pick me up."
Buffy sighed. "Dawn, Mom had an accident," she informed her. "Or it could have been a result of the surgery to remove the tumor."
"Is she okay?" Dawn asked fearing the answer. "Is she…but she's okay…but it's serious but…"
Buffy sighed again. "Dawn, Mom died this morning…"
"No…" Dawn cried; it had been the answer she had been fearing. "No…no…no you're lying she's fine and…you're lying…" she sobbed uncontrollably, none of her screams or pleading or anything making a dent in the wave of grief crushing her. "Oh no…no please no you're lying she's fine, she's fine…" She half fell, half sat on the floor of the school Buffy coming down with her.
Sarryn blinked as he came out of the vision and looked at Dawn. "Oh, god," he said in clear shock. That's how you learned."
"Yeah," Dawn said sadly knowing he had another vision showing him something from her past. "The next time I saw her, she was lying on a morgue slab. I didn't get to say goodbye. It's something I regret to this day."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Willow follow Mirin and Juhani into the main room as the rest entered and nodded. "Did you find the Map?"
"We did," Dawn confirmed.
"It looks like the next piece is on Kashyyyk," Sarryn said. "And if the other planets we have to go to are any indication…"
"It is as if whoever created the Star Maps deliberately placed them on worlds that highlighted a certain type of climate," Bastila finished.
"Which just adds to the mystery of what this Star Forge is," Dawn said.
"I'll set off for Kashyyyk," Carth said as he headed to the cockpit. "Anything else that needs to be done here?"
"No," Mirin answered. "Mission's back playing pazaak with Zaalbar." She looked at Dawn. "Our daughter is still a little ticked about what went down with Griff."
Dawn glanced around. "Where's Canderous?"
"In his quarters," Willow answered with a somber look. "He, ah…had a tough time. I'll tell you about it on the flight." She looked over at Bastila. "Are you all right?" she asked noticing that Bastila was trying to keep herself from crying.
Bastila nodded. "I just…had a difficult meeting with my mother." She rubbed her face. "I always thought it was right for the Order to keep us away from family. It limited our connection to strong emotions, to the Dark Side. But…"
"But it also limits the strength and warmth family can bring," Willow said in understanding. "Dawn and I know how that is."
"Willow's right, she and I do know how that is," Dawn agreed. "One thing that has made Buffy's life bearable was the fact first she had her friends and then when I came into the picture, she had me."