Rise of the Phoenix

by Elfwarrior96

What if Skywalker wasn't the Chosen One? What if there was another maintaining the balance in the Force by whatever means necessary, protected by an order and a Jedi willing to die for them? What if that person came to restore the balance and revealed truths about the galaxy that had been ignored and forgotten by the Jedi for so long? Can they succeed? Or will they all fall?

48. 47: Home Base

A/N: Hi everyone! Sorry I've been away for so long, but life got extremely crazy and I needed to prioritize things. But things have calmed down a little, and this is the second to last chapter! Yay! I hope you've enjoyed this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it, and hopefully we'll see each other again with my next story, whatever that'll be. In the meantime, here's chapter 47, with the standard disclaimer that I did not write any of the songs listed. Clamavi De Profundis sang Build, Iron Will, and A Elbereth Gilthoniel, while Fall On Me is by Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo. And finally, I made up the bite force of rancors to make it fit since I could find nothing about how strong their jaws are. If anyone knows, shoot me a PM and I'll fix it!

Also, I included a scene about a plane crash towards the end, and made it as anonymous as possible out of respect for those lost. If anyone does recognize it and thinks I should change and/or remove the scene, I will do so, as I mean no disrespect. I wanted to show how Ava and her family would make themselves useful on this planet if they ever came, and diving to the depths of our planet was the best way to do it, even though I made up what the currents do depending on the season. But….if anyone thinks I should remove that scene, let me know, and I will replace it with something else that still conveys the point. The last thing I want to do is cause pain for any of the families or friends of those lost. Thank you for staying with me through this journey, and I hope you like these last two chapters, whenever they get posted.

Please read, review, and enjoy!

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Finally arrived! Having arrived at Home Base, the secretive base of Tristan Darka and the half-Nautolans, the Jedi and their allies are eager to explore, as well as meet new faces and old friends alike as they wander this new place and wonder what is next for those that live there….

Exiting the Ghost, the Jedi were surprised to see the hangar was large and well-kept and that they weren't alone. Standing there were several people, among them Count Dooku and Grievous. Dooku looked furious that he'd been brought there, while Grievous was in several pieces, namely without his arms and legs. Dooku was restrained, his hands bound in front of him, and surrounded by several male Nautolans who instantly looked to Kit and his brothers for instruction. Seeing that, the Jedi saw right away that these were a few of the warriors they'd been told about during the meeting, and they were incredibly well-trained if they'd been able to capture Grievous and Dooku on their own without help from the Jedi.

No easy feat when one considered how dangerous both were and the security these Nautolans would have had to contend with when they went after them.

Anakin looked somewhat amused at the sight of Grievous without his arms or legs and walked over to say, "General Grievous, Supreme Commander of the Droid Armies," he cocked an eyebrow in amusement, "You're shorter than I expected."

Grievous growled when he heard that, while Obi-Wan shook his head in slight amusement at Anakin's joke; Ahsoka snorting to hide her laughter, while movement caught Mace's eye, and he watched as Ava walked towards Dooku and said, "Looks like you finally fell for one of my traps, Dooku. A shame you never thought creatively enough to lay another one for me after Geonosis."

Dooku's eyes widened as he heard her speak, but other than that, there was no surprise when he said, "If I'd known you wanted to fall for another trap, I would have lain one for you. But as the Phoenix, I imagine you would have seen it coming long before I'd even thought of it."

Ava shrugged one shoulder, "You'll never know, will you? Now you're at my mercy and the mercy of the Republic," she glared at him mildly, "Your actions were twisted, Dooku. Yeah, the Republic's corrupt, but starting an intergalactic civil war isn't the answer to fixing it."

"The usual answers weren't working," Dooku said quietly, not convinced, making Ava snort, "You never tried a different answer," she looked more closely at the Count, "Not that it matters now. The war is over since all the droids were given the shut-down order, and your commanders and generals were rounded up by Phoenix guards and my father and uncles' warriors. They'll be delivered to Coruscant for trial before we get back."

"The Separatist Parliament would never allow that," Dooku said quietly, "By Confederacy law, they have done nothing other than preserve Confederate space and planets."

"Perhaps," Ava said quietly, "But they still killed innocents, so the likes of Watt Tambor and Trench will face the consequences of what they've done," seeing his surprise, she smiled slightly, "Yes, I know Admiral Trench is still alive. Would love to know how he keeps coming back from the dead, but that can be figured out another time. I'm still wondering what I should do with you. I'm inclined to keep you alive, but I'm also aware that you're a bit more powerful than a Jedi right now and quite a bit more ruthless. Grievous, I'm not worried about; he can't do anything without arms or legs," the cyborg growling a bit from the ground but was silent otherwise, and Ava turned back to the Count, "So that leaves me with a dilemma. I want you to stand trial as well, but I don't want you killing anyone with the Force or escaping because of it," she cocked her head then, "I guess that leaves only one option," her eyes narrowing as she took a step closer to Dooku, "This may hurt a little."

Dooku drew back as she reached a hand out towards his heart, but he was suddenly grabbed by a few of the warriors behind him and restrained by people much stronger than him, almost making him drop to his knees from the sheer strength as his legs buckled. He could do nothing but watch as Ava's hand came closer, and seconds later, her fingertips touched his chest over his heart. Her eyes glowed white then, and then her hand was pulling back slowly, pulling a white and black sphere of energy out of his chest. The Jedi could sense it was of the Force, and then it was done.

From one second to the next, the sphere disappeared into Ava's hand, and her eyes returned to their normal color. At the same time, Dooku let out a strangled gasp and collapsed slightly in the hands of the warriors. His eyes were wide and staring as his breathing hitched and gasped roughly, but a few minutes later, he was able to stand somewhat upright but was still relying on the guards to keep him from falling.

Obi-Wan, indeed the other Jedi, were shocked to not be able to feel Dooku in the Force anymore, and that was when Ava said quietly, "I can take the Force away from anyone I choose, for as long as I choose, and I've decided to take it away from you. If you ever learn why, truly why, I took it away from you, you may get it back. I don't have to be near you to do that. At least now it's safe for you to stand trial, and you won't be able to use the Force to escape or harm anyone ever again."

Dooku was barely listening, Yoda could tell, and it was because the Force was gone. Too long having it close to him and then suddenly becoming bereft of it had left him in a state of shock almost, and he wasn't paying attention to anything. He didn't seem to notice as he was almost dragged away by the warriors at Kit's nod, Grievous being dragged along as well. A few seconds later, the group was out of sight, and Ava was turning back to the Jedi, many of whom were staring at her in surprise.

But she did nothing other than shrug before smiling as the herd of younglings that had journeyed with them careened down the ramp and raced into Home Base, heading for their mothers, who were waiting at one of the main doors that led into the base. Their mothers smiled and laughed at the sight of them, picking them up and spinning them around before putting them down and racing after them into the base, leaving the Jedi to watch as someone else came out of the base, followed by Annie. Kit's brothers followed their sons a bit more slowly.

Annie looked a bit nervous to be there, but the second Kit whistled for her, she looked up and raced over to see him, running very fast. She pawed the air once she got close enough before crouching down in a bow. She was panting slightly and wagging her tail, her eyes happy to see him as he smiled. She got up a second later as he kneeled, and she went right into his open arms and accepted the hug he gave her; so happy to see him, she turned her head and gave him a quick lick on the cheek as he rubbed her ears. Suddenly, she saw Ava and almost jumped out of Kit's arms. She was just as happy to see Ava, letting her hug her, but was wary of the Jedi and eventually backed off and returned to Kit's side almost immediately. She quickly hid behind him, looking to him for protection, and he looked down with a smile, "Some guard dog you are!"

She stayed there as movement caught the Jedi's attention, turning to see a young woman with her black hair in pigtails run over and almost bowl Gibbs over in her excitement to see him again. Ziva next to him smiled and shook her head before heading into the base, clearly not much of a hugger, and the woman exclaimed, "Gibbs! You took forever!"

"Didn't know we were on a time crunch, Abby," the man said, voice strained but happy, and Abby pulled back enough for the Jedi to see the dark makeup, the tattoos, and the interesting jewelry the woman was wearing. She was smiling, though, clearly not that upset they had taken so long, and the Jedi could sense a warm and caring personality. That became even clearer when she saw Ava and walked over to her, suddenly fixed on the young woman, who looked only slightly amused about all this. She stared at Ava before saying, "Siri said she felt you die, even all the way out here."

"I imagine she did," Ava said calmly, making Abby say, "That wasn't part of the deal, you know. The deal was you'd leave and deal with that….man, and come back here without dying."

"Technically, I didn't die for long," Ava said amusedly, "And I did come back alive."

Abby nodded slowly, not taking her eyes off Ava, and the Jedi were left wondering what would happen. Ava didn't like to be challenged in any way, so to see it happening now, they weren't sure what would happen.

So what happened next was then a complete surprise to them.

Abby suddenly cracked a grin and said, "Don't ever die on me again," stepping forward and hugging Ava, who returned it and laughed as Abby said, "Seriously, Siri was impossible until your dad called and said you were fine. Do you have any idea how stubborn she is when she thinks she's right?"

"I have an idea," was all Ava said as she finally pulled herself free from Abby's hug. Abby then shook her head and turned to Kit and Sundali, who smiled at her as Sundali came down the ramp carrying Lorelei. She smiled back before saying, "And don't think I'm not still mad at either of you. You said it'd only be a few days, and we ended up waiting almost a week for any news! I was so worried someone," pointedly staring at Kit, "had a relapse or was injured again. Do you have any idea how stressful it was waiting for news?"

"It'd probably be less stressful if you'd lay off the caffeine," Kit said amusedly, "Or try to relax."

"I did relax," Abby said as she walked over to Sundali and gave her a quick hug before turning to Kit, "I got to go swimming, get absolutely mocked and humiliated by children not even half my age, take care of the horses and Annie, and keep Siri company. It's been a fully relaxing holiday for me."

"I doubt that," Kit said with a laugh, "You're still full of energy," making Abby laugh and say, "That's why you love me," giving him a hug that he returned before letting go and saying to Lorelei, "Want to have some fun? I thought of a prank to play on Rey and the others. To get back at them for dyeing your hair pink."

Sundali translated for her daughter, who immediately nodded and squirmed until her mother set her down. The second she was set down, she was racing away, Abby right behind her after saying, "Siri headed for the Green this morning and hasn't been back yet. See you later!" racing after Lorelei and following her into the base.

Once they were gone, Ava turned to the Jedi and said, "That's Abby. All energy and doesn't stop for anything."

"Clearly," Kilian said as Chipper suddenly appeared and waited patiently nearby. He and Monnk had returned to Home Base before anyone else to update their men who had stayed behind on everything that had happened and what to expect. Seeing him, Kilian, Yularen, and Gascon turned to Ava, who nodded, and they went with Chipper. Once they were out of sight, Ava said, "I need to take care of a few things in my lab, and I think my brother's already disappeared to deal with Dooku and Grievous. They'll be fine," she said when she saw the concern Mace was quick to hide, "but feel free to wander wherever you want. You won't get to see the command or communication centers, but everything else should be free to you. If you get lost, ask one of the clones. Don't ask any of the children."

"Why not?" Anakin asked, making Kit laugh and say, "Because, Skywalker, they'll lead you wrong just for the fun of it!"

Sundali laughed with him about that, and a few seconds later, she, Kit, Ava, and Annie had headed off into the base, leaving the Jedi and Dr. Boll behind with Gibbs, who only said, "Time to check on Storm," before leaving them alone as well.

Finding themselves alone, the Jedi looked at each other before Obi-Wan said, "I think I'll try and find Siri."

"I will go with you," Adi said, Mace and Yoda nodding with her. A few minutes later, they were split into groups, agreeing to meet in the green area and see what Ava would do with Storm. After most of them had left, Santiana and Tzakara also left the Ghost, helping Rayla walk between them as she was completely exhausted and barely awake and headed for Tristan, who was waiting patiently to take them to the medical center. Seeing this, Dr. Boll looked at the Nautolan, who nodded, saying it was okay for her to meet with him.

---

Finding the green area was easy since apparently all passageways in Home Base eventually led to it, and conveniently for Obi-Wan, Adi, Mace, and Yoda, the one they took led them right through the barn and out into the lush landscape. Seeing how green and beautiful it was was breathtaking, with Adi saying, "This is amazing. It almost looks like it doesn't end," as they stood on top of a hill and took in everything around them, "I think I can understand why Siri wouldn't want to leave and would come here every day."

Mace nodded, while Yoda said, "Find Siri, difficult it may be," as the grass was almost as tall as he was, and he could barely see over it.

Obi-Wan nodded, but suddenly he said, "The Force is strong here. I don't think finding her will be as hard as we think it will be," feeling the Force move about them in waves so strongly it almost felt like the wind itself was the Force.

Mace stared into the distance, feeling the Force move about them, before suddenly looking off into the distance and saying, "That way."

Those with him nodded and followed his lead, and after almost ten minutes of walking, they came upon an amazing sight. Siri was there, in the grass, eyes closed and seemingly asleep. A horse lay on the ground, legs tucked under her. Her eyes were also closed as she dozed, letting Siri lie on her side and rest next to her. Seeing this, Obi-Wan almost didn't want to disturb her but was glad to see her looking so well. Granted, she was still thin, but she had gained some weight, and her hair was now down to her shoulders. Her face wasn't as thin as before, even though it was easy to see the scar left behind from her heart surgery poking above her tunic. She was sleeping lightly, ready to wake up, but her dreams were peaceful, and she wasn't upset about anything.

A few seconds later, the horse woke up, looking at them before putting her ears back and bobbing her head in a way that wasn't friendly at all. Her eyes became hard and glaring, and she started making nickering sounds in her throat in warning. That movement woke Siri, who looked up and blinked a few times. Seeing who it was, she said happily, "Obi-Wan!" before turning to the horse, running a hand along her neck, and saying, "Easy, Niamh, they're friends," and the horse settled.

Once the horse was calm, Siri stood up shakily, smiling and quickly embracing Obi-Wan, who returned it gently, not wanting to hurt her. Letting him go, she said cheekily, "I think I liked you without the beard. It makes you too serious," making him laugh as she returned to Niamh's side, clearly feeling a bit weak still.

She settled on the ground then, nodding to Mace and Yoda as they sat on the ground, but then smiling when she saw Adi, saying, "Master, it's good to see you again. I didn't think I ever would."

"Neither did I," Adi said quietly, reaching over and gripping her hand gently, "But I am glad to see you again, more than you know."

Siri smiled again as she turned to Mace and Yoda, saying, "Masters, I'm glad to see you too. It's been a long time."

"Too long," Mace agreed, while Yoda cocked his head and asked, "And yet, here you are. Healing and alive. A long journey you've been on, young one."

"Yes, Master," Siri nodded, "And not one I think I would want to repeat."

Yoda smiled slightly at that while Mace asked, "I'm guessing Kit and Ava's recounting of your capture was accurate? And everything you've been through since?"

"Ava lies when she has to," Siri said, "But she didn't lie about that. She isn't one to tell a lie just for the fun of it. If she does, it's for a good reason. Same with Master Fisto. You know about his family by now, right? And about his men and Atalelu?"

Mace nodded, making Siri say, "You know, Atalelu scared the living daylights out of me the first time I met him. It was like meeting a half-dead corpse, if I'm being honest. And when he spoke, it was even more terrifying. You could hear the experience and everything he's been through in every word. For Clan Fisto, battle scars are marks of honor and courage, but I think Atalelu took it to the extreme. But there's no denying his loyalty to Kit. I've seen it in action many times over the years. Whenever we went on Phoenix missions together, and Atalelu was there, I could see he would do whatever it took to keep Kit safe and alive. His own life and safety be damned."

Mace shook his head when he heard that, while Obi-Wan asked, "Why did you join, Siri? And not tell anyone?"

Siri said nothing for a few minutes, stroking Niamh as she thought before saying, "I met Ava and Avery when they were young. I think it was right after the Sith attack on Naboo. They were staying in the Temple for a few days while Sundali and Qui-Gon scouted a planet for safe houses. We tried not to use Clan Fisto safe houses to keep the clan safe. If the Sith led the Monarchy to a clan house, it would have been a massacre. The twins were playing in the Room of a Thousand Fountains, swimming and trying to have fun. But you could see the attack on Naboo had scarred them, not just physically. They were trying to have fun, but the memory of what had happened was still there. Kit wasn't there, and I found them by accident. I knew they weren't Jedi younglings because they used the Force too easily for their age, but I decided to stay and try and make friends. It was hard. Ava didn't speak Basic, and Avery didn't want to speak at all. Eventually, I got them playing a game we had made up, and they started relaxing. About an hour later, Kit saw us but didn't get mad. He just spoke to his daughter in their language before turning to me and having me sit down. He told me about the Phoenix, what she was, and what would happen. I was very young then, but I don't think I've ever felt the Force so clearly in that moment. It was then and there I joined the Phoenix Order, and I've never looked back. Going through it all in my head, I think I'd do it all over again if I could. Except getting captured, that part I wouldn't mind avoiding if I could."

"And not saying anything?" Obi-Wan asked, somewhat hurt that she hadn't said anything to him about the Phoenix or Myeko.

Siri favored him with a gentle smile, seeing where it was coming from, "I thought about it as I got older, telling you. But I know you, Obi-Wan, you don't see the Jedi Code as something that bends or flexes. Qui-Gon did for a while before abandoning it, Sundali does, and I think Kit no longer follows it at all; you'd have to ask him. Joining the Phoenix and becoming a high-ranking guard, you must be willing to abandon morals and rules at times and trust you are doing the right thing. I know Kit has to, but that's because he leads the entire order. There are things he does no Jedi, and very few Sith would agree with. That is the reason I'm glad I wasn't named a Successor. And why I feel sorry for Quinlan Vos. When the time comes and Kit decides he's had enough, or the Force decides he's had enough, Quinlan will be forced to make choices and decisions that no one with a conscience could ever make," she paused a moment, "Not telling you was always my choice, same with Qui-Gon, Bant, and Tahl. The fact that it was easy to keep the secret from you says more than anything in the end; if it was easy to keep the secret, it was the right thing to do. Even though I think Kit wouldn't have cared before I was captured if I told you, Master," looking at Yoda, "He was under a lot of stress and probably wanted someone outside his family and the order he could tell. He's spent the last few years cracking under the pressure of everything expected of him as Santiana's son and the leader of the Phoenix. Telling someone in a leadership position might have made it easier to bear."

"Tell someone, Master Qui-Gon did not," Yoda pointed out, making Siri nod, "True, but that was partially because Qui-Gon wasn't involved in the actual war. He just prepared the Order to be ready to start training for the war. Kit coordinated everything, ensured the Order could still do its work, and was ready for that last fight in the Temple and the Senate. Without all that work and everything he was willing to do, not just to himself but to others, I doubt the Republic or the galaxy would have survived as well as it has."

"Himself?" Mace asked, making Siri wince and say, "Being the leader of the Phoenix Order is being willing to do things that no one else is willing to do. And make decisions that go against everything you are and were taught to be. And since Kit was taught by the Jedi and his family, and his family's teachings are stronger than the Jedi's, it's been hard for him to accept everything he does. He's the white sheep of the family, the only one with good habits and a moral compass that points true north better than his brothers. Even though his brothers are trying to get him to see things from their perspective; it's an honest streak they're determinedly trying to help him eradicate," a slight smile on her face before it faded and she looked at Mace then as Niamh turned her head to look at Siri and Siri petted her head, "Being the Grand Master of the Phoenix means you are always busy. You are either protecting the Phoenix, coordinating mass efforts on planets or moons, or okaying missions. The first two tasks are easier than the last one. The last one is the one that doesn't give you a lot of time. It is the one where you have to possibly say yes to starting a war or assassinating an important figure. Even if the war will kill millions or the figure hasn't done anything wrong, you still have to make those decisions. And you aren't given time to think about it. You have a few minutes, maybe an hour, to make a decision. I know some of those decisions were made seconds after Jedi Council meetings, during which the Jedi decided to intervene, and Kit had to make sure the results were favorable. These decisions can't be made lightly but must be made quickly. Qui-Gon had to make them too, but I never saw it take any toll on him. With Kit, since he was dealing with the pain of his injuries, he didn't always have the strength to hide what those decisions were doing to him."

Yoda shook his head when he heard that, while Adi asked quietly, "Do you think that is why he is leaving the Jedi?"

"Maybe," Siri said, "I imagine that's part of it; even though he told me before he left for the Temple fight there was something else making him leave the Jedi that had nothing to do with the Phoenix. He hasn't said anything yet, and I know better than to push when he looks like that. He gets a little snappish when you push him now, and I don't feel like dealing with him when he wants to bite someone's head off," looking at Adi, "Kit was raised to believe there's no right or wrong in anything, only right or wrong perspectives, something his parents and clan taught him that sunk in more than Jedi teachings. Because of that, he can make decisions that help people but hurt him personally. I doubt he likes being the reason for wars starting or assassinations happening. I can't imagine what that does to him. Thankfully, he has Sundali to talk to afterward to help him make sense of it all. I remember Qui-Gon talking to Tahl in the same sense many times over the years."

Adi nodded slowly while Mace asked, "You can accept what he does?"

"Not always," Siri replied, "I'll ask him why sometimes, and usually, his answers are solid. The few times they aren't, we work through them. Me, him, Sundali, Kailan sometimes, Ava and Avery. Between us all, we can figure out why. It usually tracks back to the Force. Kit's learned to listen to it quickly and closely and make split-second decisions based on what it tells him. That's the importance of the Grand Master; they hear the Force more clearly than anyone else. And when the Phoenix is your daughter, that makes it even easier to figure out what the Force wants."

Mace shook his head, and it was quiet for a few moments before Obi-Wan asked, "You never said anything about Myeko," making Siri chuckle slightly, "Why not?"

"Jealous Obi-Wan?" Siri asked teasingly, but quieted after that and said, "I thought about saying something, but in the end decided not to. Not only would I have to admit I'd found a partner who wanted to share my life with me, but I would have to admit I'd met him doing something no Jedi would approve of. And I was still needed inside the Jedi Temple; I couldn't jeopardize that. Besides, Myeko was willing to wait. He'd already waited a few thousand years for me; he could wait a bit longer. But the real reason?" she cocked her head then, "I think I was a bit scared of what it all meant. I'd been taught that attachments were dangerous for a Jedi to have, even though Kit and Sundali had found an interesting middle ground, and so have the rest of Kit's brothers, but I don't think I was ready for that next step. Then, I was captured by some pirates who the Monarchy had paid to get me out of contact with Myeko, and I had to focus on staying alive. Putting me in the galactic slavery pipeline and then constantly selling me to pirates or whoever wanted me kept Myeko off-kilter and unable to do anything else as he looked for me. He's an expert in espionage; we met during a Phoenix mission sabotaging one of the Monarchy's off-planet installations where old-breeds were being tortured for hidden clan locations, and he's the best the clan has. With him focused on finding me, the Monarchy felt it could keep those installations safe; they didn't count on Ava taking over for her uncle. She's as good as he is."

"Espionage is illegal," Mace said, but Siri countered that with, "So is torture, and part of being a member of the Order is choosing the lesser of two evils. We chose using espionage to stop torture, especially that kind of torture. The Monarchy was torturing children in that installation. Some of those children were as young as Lorelei, and others were around Kit's age, but in the clan's eyes, they were children who weren't responsible for any crimes the Monarchy accused them of. Their only crime was being born old-breed, and that isn't a crime. You can't choose what you're born to be."

Obi-Wan shook his head when he heard that, leaving Yoda to say, "Split hairs on this, we should not. Learning of the cruelty of the Monarchy, we are. Change the past we cannot. Accept it, we must. Happens with you now, I am curious," looking at Siri.

Siri sighed, "I don't entirely know. I don't think I can return to the Jedi, not after everything that's happened. I haven't told anyone what happened over the last twenty years other than Myeko, even though I think Ava's got a pretty good idea. Those scars on her back are from her being a prisoner of war, too. I think I'll stay here and heal, for now. Maybe if I get the desire to leave I will, and I'll have Myeko with me. He won't let anything happen to me. He's waiting for me to get strong again so that I can start sparring again. Ava and Tristan think in a few months, I'll be able to start again and not worry about hurting myself. I work on strengthening myself every day."

"How?" Obi-Wan asked, "I don't see much of a gym around here," a teasing smile on his face.

"This entire base is a gym," Siri said with a laugh, "especially the Green, as this part is called. As soon as my legs healed and I could walk, Tristan and Ava had me start swimming and riding. The swimming strengthens my heart and lungs, while building the strength in my legs without gravity causing pain, while the riding also builds strength. And they think riding will give me back some of the confidence I used to have. When I started healing, I wasn't as sure of myself as before, but that changed the more I rode Niamh. And since it strengthens my legs, I can now ride her bareback when she goes faster than a walk and stay mounted. She won't let me fall, but Ava won't let me use a saddle. She says I'll be a stronger person without it, since you need confidence to ride bareback," stroking the mare's face.

The horse shook her mane before gently lipping Siri's fingers, making Adi smile at the sight. Mace said, "She is beautiful, I'll give her that," taking in the mare's long white mane and almost dazzling white coat.

"She's from the same breeding barn as Avery's horse, Cloudmane. Ava took me to Earth, and she was the only one attracted to me. She knew I needed her, I think. Ava bought her and brought her here for me, opening her mind on the way like she did with the others," she looked at Mace then, "They have a few more horses than they probably told you about, and Niamh is one of them. She takes me out every day, even when I don't want to. Horses can make anyone forget their problems for a little while. Ava has made sure everyone knows that only I will take care of Niamh. No one else feeds or grooms her, so I have to. It gives me something to do and a reason to get up in the morning. It's giving me a bit of responsibility and forcing me to think of others and not just my own problems."

"I see," Mace said, and that was when Niamh shook her head and looked in the direction they had come from before turning and nudging Siri. Siri sighed and said, "Time to go back, I guess. I want to see if Ava's started working with Storm. Hopefully, she can help him. And any longer, Myeko will get antsy and start looking for me. It'll take him a while to accept I'm not going anywhere or disappearing on him again. Not if I can help it."

"Why are you out here, anyway?" Obi-Wan asked as Siri started getting herself upright a bit more since she had been resting in the curl of Niamh's body, "There's nothing here."

"Yes, there is," Siri said as she sat on Niamh's back, both legs on one side, not quite ready to mount all the way. She nodded behind them into the trees growing so closely together it was impossible to see through them, "Aineislis disappeared into those trees a few days ago. Everyone knows about a glen in there, but she hasn't come out yet. I wanted to be the first one to see her when she does, but it's been three days, and she hasn't shown herself yet."

"Why?" Adi asked as she and the others got up. At the same time, Siri mounted Niamh properly, and the mare rose to her feet and stood still as she waited for Siri to adjust herself. Once she was comfortable, the horse started walking, leaving the Jedi with no option but to hurry after her. As they caught up, Siri shot them an apologetic look, "Sorry, Niamh has a very independent mindset. She wants what she wants and does what she wants when she wants. Mares are like that; they have an attitude about them not even stallions can match. As Ava says, they're a mood of their own," gripping the mare's mane since there was no halter or bridle to control her.

Obi-Wan shook his head when he heard that, but a few seconds later, Siri looked behind them and said, "Whoa," to Niamh, who stopped and shook her head while Siri said, "That's why," pointing behind them.

Turning, the Jedi were surprised and happy to see Aineislis walking towards them. She was moving rather slowly and seemed heavier and stouter than the last time any of them had seen her. Why that was became apparent when they saw a baby stuck right to her side and not moving from it. The baby kept up with her mother, and seeing her, Obi-Wan couldn't help but smile. The baby was all legs, and Siri smiled at the sight, "Plenty Coup has to be the sire, no question. He's the only horse here that could cause that coat," referencing the baby's black coat with the white mark on the forehead, the two white hooves and white going a quarter of the way up the back legs, and the blanket of white with black spots over her haunches.

Obi-Wan couldn't help but agree, while Adi said, "She is beautiful, and I can understand why you wanted to wait," as Aineislis walked past them and headed for the barn in the distance. Niamh watched before nickering, but Aineislis only pinned her ears back and snorted, warning Niamh from getting too close.

Seeing that surprised the Jedi, but the surprise went away when Siri said, "Foals sometimes get hurt when being introduced to the herd. Everyone wants to meet the new baby, and when they get excited is when foals get hurt. Aineislis is going to have to be careful, especially with Sorraia. That horse is an explosion waiting to happen," but said nothing more about it as Niamh started walking slower than Aineislis to give her and her new foal some space. Siri was quiet for a few minutes before asking herself, "I wonder what Aineislis is going to name her?"

She shook her head and kept going, the Jedi following behind, and a few minutes later, they had arrived back at the barn area. But instead of heading into the stables, Siri guided Niamh to the back to a part the Jedi hadn't seen before. It was all sand, and several corrals and fenced areas were there. Siri headed for one in particular, where Kit leaned against the fence and watched what was happening. Once she arrived, Siri got off slowly, patting Niamh on the neck and releasing her so she could do what she wanted. Niamh immediately took off running back out to the Green, while Siri stood beside Kit and started watching what was happening. The Jedi joined them, seeing that the others were also there, as were Gibbs, Abby, and Ziva. Ventress was watching alongside Ahsoka, Lux, Sundali, and Avery.

Looking into the pen, Mace could see why it was called a round pen. It was a circle, and a horse galloped around the perimeter. He was black, covered in scars that showed brown against his coat, and had been so severely hurt that he suddenly turned and charged Ava, who was standing in the middle of the pen. She stood her ground, and seconds later, he cut around her and ran to the other side, where he finally stopped. Ava turned to watch him for a few minutes before shaking her head and heading for her father and Gibbs, who stood beside him. When she got there, she said, "He might be too far gone. Nothing I've tried has worked."

"You've got no ideas left?" Gibbs asked, and Ava shook her head, "Every time I think I'm getting somewhere, he proves I'm not. He's not stupid; he knows what I want to do. And it isn't what he wants. He doesn't see me as a member of the herd; he sees me as an enemy, and that can't happen if we want him to feel safe here."

"So there's nothing you can do?" Gibbs asked, and Ava looked at the horse across from her. A few seconds later, she said to herself, "Maybe…." before looking at her father and saying, "Can you tack up Plenty Coup? There might be one more thing I can do," Kit nodded and left while Ava turned to Gibbs, "Give me the ropes."

He handed coils of rope through the fence, but once Ava took them, she said, "If this doesn't work, then nothing will. If that happens, we might as well turn him out to pasture and forget about it."

"You don't want to open his mind and show him you aren't an enemy?" Gibbs asked, and Ava shook her head, "We can't keep them all. And we can't keep him. We already have a few more than we can feed, but Siri needed Niamh. And I'd have better luck shooting myself in the back of the head than convincing my mother Sorraia's a waste of space and feed, so she stays too," Sundali ducking her head to hide the blush when a few of the Jedi looked at her with a raised eyebrow, and Ava continued, "And Pepper's so old he can't go to a new home and deserves his retirement here after all he's done for us. Storm can go to a different home, but only if he can work. All the horses earn their feed here; he hasn't yet. He earns it by letting us work him and the children ride him."

"You think that can happen again?" Gibbs asked, and Ava shrugged, "Maybe. We aren't taming a wild horse; we're retraining an abused horse and getting him to see people are worth trusting again. That's slightly different," as Kit returned with Plenty Coup wearing a saddle and strange bridle on his head. It was strange in that it didn't have a bit, and the saddle had a large horn in the front and a deep, wide seat. It also looked bigger than it needed to be. The Jedi were confused, but Gibbs saw the confusion and said, "Saddles like this are designed for riders to spend hours and hours in them without getting uncomfortable. They're mostly used on ranches and farms because of that. The competition saddles are smaller and lighter but require more work from the rider to stay in the seat."

"And that bridle?" Eeth asked, and this time it was Kit who answered, "It's called a hackamore. Plenty Coup can use a bit, but there isn't a need for it today. And he prefers this," as the stallion rested his head on Kit's shoulder and shut his eyes as he dozed. At the same time, Ava looked him over and said, "If my internal calendar's right, there are a few shows coming up in a couple of months. Would be a good time to get him back into shape. He always gains a few pounds whenever you're around," teasing her father slightly.

"He does not," Kit said as he pet Plenty Coup's far cheek, "I don't overfeed him."

"No, you don't," Ava agreed as she got her rope ready, "You just give him too many treats. He's getting fat."

"He's not fat," Kit protested while the Jedi watched in amusement, "He's just –"

"Fat," Ava said plainly as she turned away from him and promptly ended the conversation, leaving Kit to stare at her before shaking his head and looking at Plenty Coup, who only looked at him before shaking his head and neck and revealing the scar on his neck was nothing more than a thin line and then going back to dozing on Kit's shoulder. Kit shook his head again before going back to watching his daughter.

Ava had walked back to the pen's center with the ropes, putting two on the ground and shaking out the third in her hands. There was a loop in the rope, turning it into a lasso, and she suddenly sent the loop flying towards Storm's rear. The horse started running in circles again as she collected the rope and followed Storm around the pen, staying in the center and encouraging him on with the rope. After a few circuits, she brought the rope back into her hands, twirling it over her head and sending it flying with an expert throw. The loop went around Storm's neck, and she pulled back on it to pull it tight, accidentally slapping her butt with the coiled excess and the hand holding it. Storm whinnied and started fighting the rope, rearing, bucking, and tossing his head with everything he had and whinnying shrilly, but she only stood her ground and called, "Get up!" making him run again.

This time, she only let him run two or three laps before reaching down and getting the second rope. She never took her eyes off Storm during all of this, and seconds later, Storm was slowing to a trot, then a walk, and then finally stopped and looked at her, not understanding what she was doing. He didn't face her or anything; he only watched her with one eye as she got the second loop ready. A few seconds later, that rope was flying, but instead of going around his neck again, it went over his back and around the front hoof closest to her. It was also pulled tight, and that was when Ava started pulling on it. She pulled and took up the slack until, finally, the hoof was off the ground. She kept pulling, and eventually, Storm was forced to lie down.

Seeing that was amazing, especially when she got him on his side from there, and that was when she took up the third lasso and started walking over. Her knee went on his neck as she kneeled down, keeping him pinned, and that was when Abby couldn't take it anymore and said, "Ava, please stop! You're hurting him!" as the horse groaned and whinnied.

Ava only looked at her, "Abby, I promise you I'm not hurting him. He's afraid of what I might do, not what I'm going to do."

"But –," Abby started to say but was cut off by Ava, "Abby, he needs to learn that it wasn't the rope or the whip that hurt him, but the person using them. The only way he can learn that is from being the most vulnerable he could ever be."

Abby didn't look convinced but said nothing as Kit asked quietly, "Do you think this will work?"

Gibbs shrugged, "I've never seen this done before; I have no idea."

Kit only nodded before going back to watching as Ava gently started running her hand along Storm's flank. Her strokes were light and small, not hurting him but letting him know she was there. A few seconds later, she picked up the rope, which was when Kit said, "If he gets scared now, he could really hurt her," as he leaned harder on the fence and watched closely, muscles bunched and ready to leap the fence if he had to.

The Jedi were surprised to hear that, but a few seconds later, Ava had started running the coiled lasso over Storm's flank in small circles near where the biggest scar was. As this happened, Storm groaned and raised his head to see what was happening, but seconds later, he let it fall back to the ground. Ava only continued to run the lasso over his flank, and she kept it up for a good five minutes before something changed in Storm's demeanor. The Jedi weren't sure what it was, but Yoda could sense some of the turmoil in him settle down, which must have been what Ava was waiting for. She stopped running the loop over his flank and set it behind her, reaching over and gently pulling his leg closer to her before freeing it from the loop, and once that was done, she took her knee off his neck. Storm got up, resting on his knees as Ava crouched next to him, loosening the loop around his neck before taking it off, making sure no part of the rope touched his ears or face. From there, she backed away and stood up, collecting the ropes as she did so.

Seconds later, Storm was also on his feet, but instead of panic and fear, he stood still and turned to look at Ava. Something was different in his face and eyes, something was calmer, and the Jedi watched in amazement as Ava reached up and Storm turned his face towards her. He let her stroke him and suddenly he sighed and closed his eyes, feeling safe, chewing and licking as he did so. After a few minutes, Ava looked at Gibbs and said quietly, "There might be a chance for this horse after all."

Gibbs only smiled while Kit shook his head, and that was when Ava stopped petting Storm and collected the ropes on the ground. She started walking towards them, and Storm followed along behind. Seeing that the Jedi were surprised, but Ava only said as she turned to look at him following her, "Looks like he's realized not all people are out to get him, and some deserve to be part of the herd," handing the ropes to Gibbs and being given a halter in exchange.

She turned back to Storm, who only looked at her with interest, clearly willing to see what happened next. Ava only smiled slightly before walking forward, and Storm stood his ground. She let him investigate the halter in her hand, but he didn't run away. Minutes later, it was on, and he was letting himself be led around the round pen and walking quietly behind her. After a circuit, she went to the gate and said, "Bring in Plenty Coup. I want to try this next part from on top of him."

"Next part?" Kit asked as he led Plenty Coup over, and Ava nodded, "He's been willing to go this far with me; let's see how far I can push this. He's used to being ridden, and he's used to a person's weight on him, but I don't want to try that from the ground. If I try it from another horse and he sees me riding that horse first, he'll think it's okay. And Plenty Coup has already established himself to Storm as the lead stallion, so Storm will be more accepting of what's going to happen. If the lead stallion's okay with it, then it must be okay. That's usually the mindset of horses when they're in herds."

Kit nodded as he opened the gate and handed Plenty Coup over to Ava. Plenty Coup entered quietly and stood still as the gate was shut behind him and Ava mounted. Once on his back and settled, she started riding him around the pen, with Storm right behind them on the lead. Plenty Coup, for his part, seemed to think this was boring because on the second walk around, he yawned, and that was when Ava smiled and squeezed his sides. He started trotting, and Storm trotted along next to him. After a few laps of that, Ava gently pulled Plenty Coup to a stop and brought Storm up alongside him. She reached over then, leaning one hand and quite a bit of weight on Storm's withers. He stood there and accepted it, looking back to see what would happen next. Ava only straightened, taking her weight off him as she swung her left leg in front and put that foot in the stirrup closest to Storm. From there, she reached her right leg over his side, running it gently along Storm's far side, not doing anything else.

Storm only stood there and accepted it, and that was when Ava took the next step and gently settled on Storm's back entirely, still keeping one foot in the stirrup while both hands gripped the saddle horn. Storm only chewed and licked his lips, which must have been what Ava was waiting for because she returned to Plenty Coup and then dismounted. She left Plenty Coup standing there and led Storm over to her father and Gibbs, saying, "That's enough for today. I think we can leave him in the barn for the night to process everything and then see if he's backpedaled in the morning. I don't think he will, but we'll find out tomorrow. He deserves a break now, but no treats," glaring at her father.

Kit only raised an eye-ridge but said nothing as he opened the gate and let Ava lead Storm through. Plenty Coup followed along quietly enough, Kit grabbing his reins and leading him to the barn. From there Storm was settled into a stall while Kit untacked Plenty Coup and let him go. The stallion didn't leave immediately; he went to where Aineislis had decided to graze with her new foal, meeting his daughter gently before giving Aineislis a quick grooming. From there, he followed Niamh out to the far side of the Green, disappearing a few minutes later. Aineislis stayed behind and pinned her ears when Siri tried to get closer to look. Seeing that, Kit chuckled slightly and said, "A gundark is going to like you before Aineislis decides to, Siri. She isn't very fond of people. And she's selective of who she tolerates and even more selective of who she likes. You don't tick either of those boxes, unfortunately."

Siri only shrugged and went back to Ava, listening to her talk to Dr. Boll about the horses and a few minutes later, Ava and Kit left while Sundali and Avery headed back into the Green, Sundali saying over her shoulder, "Rey and Lorelei are up to no good, and I want to try and get ahead of it before I'm convincing Tristan or Tazeki they aren't demons in disguise!" laughing slightly as she walked away.

Avery looked slightly amused at that, but then the Jedi were alone, with Obi-Wan and Adi giving them a quick summary of what Siri had told them, leaving a few of the Jedi surprised. And somewhat disturbed by what Kit was made to do as the leader of the Phoenix Order. But there was nothing else they could do but continue exploring the base. Exploring the base for the next few hours became an interesting adventure, as there were many things to see and explore. About an hour after they left, Avery came back alone and walked past them, uninterested in talking to them. But Dr. Boll decided to be brave and asked, "Can I ask you something?"

Avery stopped and stood still, staring straight ahead and not looking at her, almost daring her to ask. She took the dare and asked, "Do you let anyone in?"

Avery turned and stared at her a few moments before saying, "Last time I let someone in, they were taken from me. Last time I thought I could trust someone, they burned half my face off. It's easier to keep people away, and then there are no expectations I have to meet. My parents don't care that I'm mean, my sister's got enough problems without me being one of them, and I can deal with my own problems by myself. When I'm not being a Sith hunter, I'm an espionage agent freeing our people from the Monarchy, or coordinating those efforts. I don't have to be nice then, and I don't have to care what people think of me. Not that I care anyways."

"Don't you want friends?" Dr. Boll asked, "They could help you."

"I have friends," Avery said quietly, "I just act like I don't. Makes it easier to keep them safe, and they don't expect anything from me other than what friendship I'm willing to give them. They don't force anything on me," he cocked an eye-ridge then, "I don't like to be forced. No one does."

With that, he kept walking, with Abby suddenly coming up behind him about a minute later and saying, "You know, he's not that bad. He's funny and smart and really nice once you get to know him. He acts the tough guy so people stay away from him. I think he thinks it's a good way to keep from getting hurt again."

Abby ran after him after that, pouncing on him from behind, leaving the Jedi confused before Mace shook his head and they kept walking. They spent several hours exploring Home Base, meeting with those who lived there and seeing all they could see. They found the room where Kit had spent months in a coma and then healing, the room where Siri had stayed, and several more rooms. Ventress was coming out of her room as they passed by, but she went a different way than them, and they moved on. They found the dining area where Kilian and Yularen were speaking with Monnk and Chipper and a few of the clone officers assigned to the base. The Jedi listened to the clones for almost an hour, the cooks taking the opportunity to give them some food that was actually quite good.

Definitely better than military rations.

Once that was done, they ran into Ava, who said, "A few more hours, and we need to head back to Coruscant. The council in charge of Home Base wants Grievous and Dooku off before they figure out a way to call for help. I don't think they'll be able to, but they're worried about the children here. Between you, my father, and myself, we should be able to get them back to Coruscant without them trying anything. Everyone else hitching a ride here is staying or leaving on different ships. Better say your goodbyes before then; no telling when or if you'll see them again."

Yoda nodded, and Ava left to return to whatever she was doing. Continuing on their way, they somehow found themselves next to large windows that looked into a water paradise. There were reefs and schools of fish swimming, like a giant aquarium for all to see into. Swimming amongst the reefs and fish were Nautolans, mostly children. Looking closely, the Jedi could see that most of them were half-Nautolan, even though one swam close to the glass for a closer look and looked to be all Nautolan. She swam away quickly when she saw them looking at her, clearly shy, and so did the others but it was amazing to see. They couldn't get a good look at her and couldn't see much about her because of the water color and tint from the glass, but they may be able to meet her later when she was done swimming.

They kept going after that, and after a few more corners, they started hearing music again, coming from a room up ahead. The Jedi exchanged a few glances before heading for that room. They hesitated at the door, looking inside to see what was happening and who was there. Children were in the room, listening to a few of Kit's brothers and some of the warriors that had detained Dooku and Grievous, all playing instruments. As the Jedi listened, Kit came up behind them and slipped through them to lean against the door frame, listening closely but not telling them to leave, only saying quietly, "This is a new one, I think, from the forge-smiths. They must have just started translating it," cocking his head as he listened to it as well, the instruments starting with a grand introduction before several of Kit's brothers began singing, with a few of the warriors joining in for the chorus:

How does the empty echo strike you
How does the void speak to your soul
How does the vast expanse delight you
How will you make it whole?

Build with law and order
Build with earth and mortar
Build a stone upon a stone upon a stone
Build with law and order
Build with earth and mortar
Build a stone upon a stone upon a stone

Looking around at those listening, the Jedi were surprised to see the children were listening closely, and a few were even twitching their fingers like they were playing the instruments as well, while the warriors and Kit's brothers continued to sing after an interlude:

There is redemption for the fallen
Fire and blows can make things new
There is deception in the small and
There is a place for you

Build with law and order
Build with earth and mortar
Build a stone upon a stone upon a stone
Build a people strong and skilled
A brotherhood a guild
A stone upon a stone upon a stone

Hearing the song, Yoda couldn't help but feel that this was what Kit and his brothers were talking about when they spoke of the strong bonds between them that nothing had ever broken. If they and their warriors felt like this while singing, how would they feel on the battlefield, when lives were on the line, and the only things keeping you alive were your skill and your brothers-in-arms courage? It was a question Yoda didn't think he could answer easily, so he turned his attention back to the singing as the song became more intense:

So take up the hammer
The kingdom shall grow
Iron citadel deep down below
So take up the calling the kingdom shall rise
Hammerdeep surging up
Beneath the skies

Hearing the name 'Hammerdeep' made Mace realize they were singing about protecting that ancient city, what it had meant to their people for so long, and how they would have gone about protecting that city and the people that had called it home for so long. Turning back to the song, he couldn't help but feel as though he was also fighting for that far away and long-destroyed place as the last verse and then the chorus came:

Enemies come and stone may crumble
Chaos is born of death and fright
Strengthen your brethren; raise the humble
Kingdoms are born of light

Build with law and order
Build with earth and mortar
Build a stone upon a stone upon a stone
Build a way of life
Instilled in minds and hearts fulfilled
A stone upon a stone upon a stone

Build with law and order
Build with earth and mortar
Build a stone upon a stone upon a stone
Build a people strong and skilled
A brotherhood a guild
A stone upon a stone upon a stone

The song stopped there, with a few of the children murmuring amongst themselves, but then another started that was just as intense. They quieted, with drum beats showing it was beginning, and a few more to start the song before a piano, strings, and horns came in, and then Malani began to sing, with several more joining in for the chorus:

Shadows crawling into our lands
To defile what we defended
Strong decree of your royalty
To avenge what they offended
Sanctuary no longer found
In this place where we depended
Raise the sound on this battleground
In the fight to be contended

Step into the night
For courage lives
Only when the iron will
Raises weapons high
And fights with courage
With iron will we
Step into the fight
And fear no evil
nor their fright
nor their might
For your heart strengthened in courage
Only when the iron will
Fall

Malani started singing again after a brief interlude, others joining in for the chorus, and that was when Yoda suddenly realized Kit was no longer leaning on the door frame. He had entered the room quietly and was heading to a chair near the children to listen but was suddenly spotted by Matengi and pulled over to join his brothers singing as the chorus began again:

Havens tainted in sacrilege
On an evil day surrendered
Defaced tomes and catacombs
Their memory dismembered
Summon the courage of heroes past
And the hope that they engendered
Evil cannot show its face
In the place where they're remembered

Step into the night
For courage lives
Only when the iron will
Raises weapons high
And fights with courage
With iron will we
Step into the fight
And fear no evil
nor their fright
nor their might
For your heart strengthened in courage
Only when the iron will
Fall

Step into the night
For courage lives
Only when the iron will
Raises weapons high
And fights with courage
With iron will we
Step into the fight
And fear no evil
nor their fright
nor their might
For your heart strengthened in courage
Only when the iron will
Fall

Hearing this song brought home how much these people defended their homes and their people, and what they were willing to do to keep those they loved safe. Hearing this song enforced how strong these people were in defense of their homes and how much they cared about their people, making things right, and holding onto their honor and integrity.

The song faded away then, but again, there were the drum beats to herald the start of a new one as a flute started playing along with strings. This one was even harder for the Jedi to understand, as the language was one they had never heard before. Atalelu appeared from nowhere then and started singing, surprising them with his rather beautiful near-alto voice:

A Elbereth Gilthoniel
silivren penna míriel
o menel aglar elenath!

It was here that Talecti started singing, revealing a voice similar to Atalelu's but still unique in its own way, before Atalelu joined in with him for the second chorus:

Na-chaered palan-díriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
nef aear, si nef aearon!

Na-chaered palan-díriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
nef aear, si nef aearon!

Even more voices joined in for the next chorus, adding an intensity to the song that made it seem even more real before there was an interlude of music, and then Atalelu was singing alone again, but only for a couple of lines before Matengi joined in softly in the background:

Na-chaered palan-díriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
nef aear, si nef aearon!

A Elbereth Gilthoniel!
o menel palan-díriel
le nallon sí di'nguruthos!
A tiro nín, fanuilos!

Here, a chorus of softer voices started singing, but they only repeated the same words over and over again before a female Nautolan with a painted head-tentacle, one of the Geàrd, started singing in a warm soprano before again repeating those words with others singing them with her:

Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!

Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!
O Queen beyond the Western Seas!
O Light to us that wander here
Amid the world of woven trees!

Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!

Again, the Geàrd started singing, with others humming and singing with her for the verse. Then, there was a pause as a single horn played a solo before horns and other instruments played for a time. Then the singing started again with Atalelu before Talecti started singing halfway through:

Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath!
Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee
In a far land beyond the Sea.

O stars that in the Sunless Year
With shining hand by her were sown,
In windy field now bright and clear
We see your silver blossom blown!

The chorus started again and repeated a couple of times, with men singing it first, before female Nautolans joined in as well:

O Elbereth Gilthoniel!
O Elbereth Gilthoniel!

We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas.

We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas.

The last lines were delivered with deliberate intensity, but the words were still beautiful, even though the Jedi would never fully understand what they were singing:

A Elbereth Gilthoniel
O menel palan-díriel
A tiro nín, Gilthoniel!

Mace stared around at those who had just sung, unable to believe what he had just heard could come from people who had survived so much. They had gone through a darkness no one should have faced alone but had come out alive and still found joy and beauty in the world around them, even if that world had been forced to change for them to survive. There wasn't time to think about it anymore as Avery suddenly appeared through a doorway across the room and sat down at the piano and started playing softly; Kit sitting down next to him and listening for a few moments as Avery started to sing, his voice a surprisingly beautiful alto:

I thought sooner or later, the lights up above
Would come down in circles and guide me to love
But I don't know what's right for me, I cannot see straight.
I've been here too long, and I don't want to wait for it
Fly like a cannonball straight to my soul,
Tear me to pieces and make me feel whole
I'm willing to fight for it and carry this weight
But with every step I keep questioning what is true

Fall on me
With open arms
Fall on me
From where you are
Fall on me
With all your light
With all your light
With all your light

Seconds later, another voice in a strange language started singing and playing as well, and the Jedi were treated to the sound of Kit's voice, a beautiful and surprisingly warm tenor, as he also played the piano next to his son, surprising the Jedi he knew how to play:

Presto una luce ti illuminerà
Seguila sempre, guidarti saprà
Tu non arrenderti, attento a non perderti
E il tuo passato avrà senso per te
Vorrei che credessi in te stesso, ma sì
In ogni passo che muoverai qui
È un viaggio infinito, sorriderò se
Nel tempo che fugge mi porti con te

And now they sang together, their voices melding perfectly:

Fall on me
Ascoltami
Fall on me
Abbracciami
Fall on me
Finché vorrai
Finché vorrai
Finché vorrai
Finché vorrai

Here they sang apart, but it was still beautiful to listen to:

I close my eyes, and I'm seeing you everywhere
I step outside, it's like I'm breathing you in the air
I can feel you're there

Fall on me
Ascoltami
Fall on me
Abbracciami
Fall on me
With all your light
With all your light
With all your light

Avery stood up after that and left, not having the heart to play anymore, while Kit walked over to the Jedi, and the children left. Once he was in earshot Obi-Wan asked, "What was that song with all the words we couldn't understand? The first one?"

Kit looked over his shoulder at those putting away the instruments before they started disappearing through other doors in the room, then turning back to say, "The language is one of ours, more for prayers than anything else, which is what that was, in a sense. We have different names for different parts of the universe and what created them. Elbereth created the stars we use to find our way on a wide sea with no land in sight. The second one was from Earth; Avery just felt like copying it."

Obi-Wan nodded slowly before asking, "Does your daughter sing? I don't think we've ever heard her."

Kit smiled slightly, "She does, but she is a mimic. She can copy the singing voice of anyone she wants to, even males, so it is very rare to hear her sing in her actual voice. When she does," he shook his head then, an almost whimsical smile on his face, "it's enough to either put you to sleep or hypnotize you. You might hear it, you might not. It's entirely up to her," before walking away and leaving the Jedi somewhat confused.

Mace, watching him leave, noticed something that seemed a bit odd, but there was no time to think about it as the female old-breed that wanted Kit for a mate tried to approach him, something he had less tolerance for than everyone had let on about because he turned on her with teeth bared and snarled so deep in his throat there was no mistaking the threat. Thankfully, the female picked up on the danger and ran, leaving the Jedi shocked as Kit kept walking and rounded the corner. Once he had disappeared, Eeth Koth said, "Every time I think I'm gaining an understanding of him, I realize I don't know anything. It is a bit disconcerting."

"Not entirely in a good way," Anakin said as he approached with Ahsoka. The two of them had been exploring Home Base alone, most likely speaking of things only for a Master and Padawan to know, and were only now meeting with the Jedi again, "He keeps proving he's a lot more dangerous than he lets on. We just came from watching him and a few of his brothers spar. There was nothing fun or lighthearted about it. They were leaving serious bruises and injuries behind. When they finished, I was surprised to see that they were still walking. I could've sworn I heard a few bones snap, and I'm pretty sure his spine bent in a way it wasn't meant to."

"I don't think I'll ever understand these people," Dr. Boll agreed quietly as she joined them. For the last few hours, she had been with Tristan in the medical center, "Rayla's wounds are still painful, especially the one on her face, but the rest are already more healed than they were at the Temple. Tristan explained to me that old-breeds can control what they heal and how fast they heal so that more energy-intensive wounds can wait until they have more strength. I honestly don't know how that is possible. Everything about these people seems to be designed to give them a lethal edge over everything they come in contact with, from their fighting abilities to their venom to their healing abilities. Oh…apparently, Simon, Siri's cousin, isn't really her cousin. He's about twenty generations removed but calls himself her cousin, and she does the same with him. His family's been in the Phoenix for generations, and he decided to come here to Home Base to help Tristan as much as he could."

"There's a point to healing that way, you know," a voice behind them interrupted, and they turned to see Ava leaning against the wall. Seeing she had their attention, she added, "Old-breed Nautolans are designed not to have many external weaknesses to exploit. Internally, we can be, but our defenses are usually enough to keep people from exploiting those weaknesses. At one point, venom was used for hunting, but now it's used more for defense. Especially for the children. Being venomous at such a young age is a good way to defend yourself if you're on your own and there are no adults nearby to help you. As long as you're venomous, you'll be alright. Although not being venomous isn't the worst thing, especially if you're a male."

"What do you mean?" Ahsoka asked, and Ava smiled slightly, "Female old-breeds have a much more toxic bite, as you know. But the males compensate for that by having the most powerful bite in the universe. To put that in perspective, the animal with the strongest bite force on Earth is the saltwater crocodile, a reptile with a bite force of about 3,700 pounds per square inch. They could bite an arm off in one go. A rancor has a bite force of about 900 pounds per square inch and relies more on physical brute strength. They have very weak jaws."

"How strong is a male old-breed?" Dr. Boll asked, and Ava smiled, "An immature male has a bite force of about 6,000 pounds per square inch," seeing their surprise she added, "A mature male has a bite force of about 8,000 pounds per square inch, but it can be more for both immature and mature males. Those numbers are just averages," her smile widened slightly, "Interesting to know that my father could crunch a glass marble like it was gumball, isn't it? The only reason it's that strong is to compensate for their weaker venom. In comparison to females, it's a bit weaker, but not by much. It can still kill, but evolution decided they needed stronger jaws since it was slightly weaker."

Dr. Boll shook her head when she heard that, while Mace said, "I don't think any of us are going to understand this. Not entirely."

Ava shrugged then, "Life's not meant to be completely understood, is it? There are always mysteries to explore. Doesn't mean you'll find all the answers, but you'll still get a chance to learn a bit more about it."

When he heard that Mace nodded, while Yoda asked, "Bring Dooku and Grievous back with us; we will?"

"Yes," Ava said as she looked at him, "My father and uncle are getting them ready for transport. My father doesn't trust Dooku, and even if I took the Force away from him, he doesn't want to take the chance he might get away. And we'll have my sisters with us; he isn't interested in risking their lives. We should bring Sorraia along, now that I think about it. That mare's mean enough to keep them in line."

"Why?" Ahsoka asked, "She nearly bit me a few weeks ago, but I still can't figure her out."

"It's the way she is," Ava said, "Only my mother likes Sorraia. I want to get rid of her, because she bites at the children, but no one wants a horse that aggressive. And we can't breed her, even though I'd like to. She's got good bloodlines."

"Why not?" Dr. Boll asked, and Ava actually winced, revealing it wasn't a pleasant story before saying, "She's proven she's dangerous to foals, especially her own."

Dr. Boll didn't say anything and only waited a few moments, and then Ava said, "Sorraia's had four foals. The first one was stillborn, and she rejected the second one. That one died before we could find a foster mother for him. With her fourth foal, we took it away from her as soon as it was born because we were seeing the signs she was going to reject it, and there was a foster mother in the stall next door to take it on. That foal's now three years old and healthy."

"What about the third foal?" Ahsoka asked, and that was when Ava winced again and turned to her, "Sorraia killed it."

The Jedi were speechless for several moments until finally, Aayla was able to ask, "What?"

Ava nodded as she leaned against the wall, "We guessed she would at least reject it. We didn't think she'd kill it. Since we were figuring she would, we found a barn with a night watchman and told him to take the foal away from her as soon as it was born but not risk his life to do it. He called us one night and said she was in labor. My father, Avery, and I came over as quickly as we could. Our mom had to stay home because she had broken her ankle. When we got there, we could tell we were too late. There was blood everywhere; all over Sorraia, the walls, the roof, the bedding. She'd trampled the foal to death as soon as it was born. The night watchman had tried to separate her from it, tried to get her out of the stall, but wasn't able to and nearly got trampled himself. But once she was done and calmed down, he was able to get her out of the stall and on cross-ties. Then he went back for what was left of the foal. To this day I'm grateful he wouldn't let us see what she'd done to it. He wouldn't even let our father see. But all that blood everywhere convinced us how bad it was."

Aayla shook her head while Dr. Boll asked, "But you have her with breeding males. How do you keep her from getting pregnant?"

"A three thousand dollar birth control implant in her left haunch," Ava said bluntly, "It'll last five years, and then we have to replace it. It basically keeps her from going into heat and tells her ovaries not to do anything. It's the safest option for everyone. She has amazing foals; the survivor is proof of that, but there's no way to have them safely with her, and I'm not paying for a surrogate mare. And my mother won't get rid of her because she knows no one wants a horse that mean. So, we're stuck with her. Hopefully, she leaves Steps High alone."

"Steps High?" Adi asked, and Ava smiled slightly, "Aineislis' foal. That's the name she decided on, and I like it. I've already let Siri know, but I think Sorraia will leave her alone. Aineislis isn't a mare you cross and live to tell about it. I think Sorraia's afraid of her, for good reason. Aineislis is a powerhouse of a horse. She proved that on Jakku and every time she runs the Ocean of Fire."

Adi nodded slowly as Ava walked away, even though she turned back suddenly and said, "We rendezvous in the hanger in an hour. If you've got anywhere else you want to see, better see it now while you have the chance. You won't get another," before disappearing around the corner her father had just gone around.

Yoda shook his head before leaving with the others. There were a few places they tried to get into, but the communication and command centers were closed to them, just like Ava had said they would be. And there was another hallway guarded by a clone they weren't allowed in, the clone saying apologetically, "Sorry, sirs, but this hallway leads to the living quarters of the half-Nautolans and their parents. They ask you not to come this way. They prefer anonymity."

The Jedi were not entirely happy about that, but they understood the desire for privacy and left to return to the hangar. Arriving back they were surprised to see Lux and Siri waiting for them. Myeko was hovering nearby but moved a bit away to give the Jedi a chance to speak to Siri. Seeing her, sitting on a box and at ease, Obi-Wan had to ask, "Are you sure you don't want to come back?"

Siri smiled gently when she said, "I'm sure, Obi-Wan. I've got a lot more healing to do, and then I want to see the galaxy. I've spent the last twenty years seeing the worst, and now I want to see the best. Myeko knows those places and wants to show me everything I've missed and everything that's changed. And I want to see Vanora. Myeko's tried to describe it to me, but even he admits he's not doing it any justice. But it sounds like paradise, and I want to see it. Sooner or later I'll want to leave, and I don't want anything holding me back."

Obi-Wan nodded in understanding. He had known that was what her response would be, he realized. He had just been hoping slightly that she might change her mind. But she wasn't going to, and he wasn't going to force her in any way differently.

Siri gave him one more smile as Myeko walked over, knowing they were done. Seeing him, Yoda said, "Take care of her, you will?"

Myeko only looked at him blankly, and that was when Siri said quietly, "Tha e airson faighinn a-mach an toir thu aire dhomh nuair a cho-dhùnas mi falbh an seo," making them realize Myeko didn't speak Basic.

Myeko nodded without taking his eyes off the Jedi, which is when Mace realized he saw them as a threat to Siri and felt protective. After twenty years apart and not knowing where she was, Mace decided he had every right to feel protective of her.

Kit arriving with Kailan, Dooku, and Grievous distracted him, and when he looked back, he saw that Myeko was sitting next to Siri on the box, and she was leaning against him and half-asleep, likely exhausted by all the activity she'd been through that day. But she was smiling slightly, and Mace could see she was happy and content with her life. Nothing would change what she'd decided now.

Mace shook his head and smiled slightly at the sight while Ahsoka looked at Yoda. Seeing his nod, she bowed her head before going to Lux and standing next to him. Her goodbyes had already been said, but she said quietly, "If you need me, Quinlan, Padmé, or Kit will know how to find me. Ava will probably know, too, but she might not say. She likes keeping things interesting, as she calls it."

Yoda nodded and smiled slightly, and that was when Kit came over and said quietly, "Sundali and the girls are already on board. Kailan is coming with us, as is Ava and Avery; whenever they show up. I think the Duchess and Bo-Katan are staying behind, as are Quinlan and Ventress," surprising Obi-Wan as the two young women came over. Quinlan and Ventress were nowhere in sight, making Kit shrug slightly, "Ventress isn't much for long goodbyes, or goodbyes of any kind, and Quinlan's picked up a few of her bad habits. They probably don't want to make a scene," as he smiled at Satine and Bo-Katan. Obi-Wan couldn't get over his surprise to hear that Satine and Bo-Katan weren't coming back with them, but it seemed the two sisters now had their own agenda, and it involved Mandalore.

Satine favored Kit with a smile before turning to the Jedi, "Bo and I have decided to leave from here. It is closer to where we are meeting with Clan Kryze and the Nite Owls. From there we can work on freeing Mandalore. Without the Sith manipulating everyone and without a strong leader, Death Watch is falling apart, according to Bo's spies. Although I know she isn't pleased that Ava gave the Darksaber back to Mando," as Ava appeared from nearby.

Ava shrugged, "It was the right thing to do, and you winning it from him if you can find him adds to the legend and your credibility. I'm sure he'll show himself eventually."

"I hope so," Bo-Katan said, "Hopefully, I won't have to call on one of the favors you owe me to settle this."

"I wouldn't answer that favor, Bo," Ava said quietly, "This is your fight, not mine. I've got my own to fight, now that the Sith are dealt with, and they include protecting my people."

Bo-Katan shrugged, clearly willing to let this be for now, and that was when Dooku and Grievous were brought over. Seeing that Dooku seemed to be recovered from what Ava did to him, Kit narrowed his eyes and said quietly, "I'm having a few of my warriors come with us. If they detect a threat from either of you, they will kill you before I can stop them."

Grievous growled low while Dooku only narrowed his eyes and said, "And here I thought Jedi don't threaten."

"It's not a threat, Dooku," Kit said quietly, "It's a fact I can do nothing about."

With that the former Sith and the cyborg were loaded onto the ship, leaving the Jedi behind to watch. Ten of Kit's warriors had gone on board with them, but only two came out, making the Jedi realize Kit's warriors really weren't taking any chances with Kit's children and mate on the same ship as a Sith, even if that Sith could no longer use the Force. Atalelu was nowhere in sight, but there was no doubt in the Jedi's minds that he was on board and watching Dooku and Grievous carefully.

Right before the Jedi boarded, a being exited the ship. He was a blue Mythrol and visibly cringed when he saw the Jedi. But other than that he did nothing as he turned to Kit and said, "Everything's ready to go. Spitz is getting antsy."

Kit only nodded before walking over to Myeko and Siri to talk to them about something, leaving the Jedi with the Mythrol, who only shifted slightly before Ava came over, and he smiled. But before he could say anything she beat him to it, "Just don't. You're annoying enough as it is before you start talking."

The Mythrol nodded and stayed quiet, surprising the Jedi, until Ava turned to them and said, "Mythrol here's been doing my uncles and cousins books since he was a pollywog. But then he disappeared one day after some creative accounting," turning back to him with a raised eye-ridge.

Mythrol chuckled slightly, "Ava here was kind enough to convince her uncles to let me work off my debt. Thank you for that by the way," smiling slightly at her.

"Three hundred and seventy-five years, but who's counting?" Ava asked ironically, and he didn't answer.

Mace shook his head when he heard that, while Kit said quietly as he came over, "Hopefully, he doesn't run off again. Apparently, it's my turn to track him down, showing that it's a habit," raising an eye-ridge at the Mythrol.

"Let me assure you," Mythrol said hurriedly, "I don't want to spend any more time in carbonite," he looked around nervously a bit, "Still can't see out of my left eye."

"Hmmm," was all Kit said, "You're lucky that's all that's wrong with you."

Mythrol blanched, apparently knowing what he was talking about, but the Jedi were clueless as Kit walked onto the ship and disappeared, leaving Ava to turn to the Mythrol and say, "You should probably get on board and disappear before Kailan makes an appearance."

He nodded, which allowed Obi-Wan to ask, "Why?" and Ava snorted, "Because Kailan will rip his throat out if he learns that Mythrol here is the one that sold out Geeta. When Mythrol sold out Geeta, he did it in a way that made it hard to tell who had done it, but once we figured it out, we could actually understand why he'd done it that way. Considering how violent Kailan gets when it comes to protecting Geeta, my father and the rest of my uncles decided not to tell him that it was Mythrol who sold her out. He's more useful with all his limbs attached, especially his head."

Mythrol smiled and chuckled nervously before saying, "I'll be on the ship if you need me, seeing if Spitz needs any help," before practically running on board and disappearing from view.

Once they were alone, Ava turned to the Jedi, and Luminara said, "Keeping him as a servant might not be the best option. And that is a long time for a debt."

"Depends on what he does," Ava said. Seeing her confusion she added, "Every task he does for us can cut years or decades off his debt. So, say he helps me with my finances for a week; that could be a month off his debt. Or, say he's the getaway pilot for a mission, that could be a decade off the debt. We're just taking him with us back to Earth so that when Kailan does hear it was him, and he will, there's a galaxy separating them, and he can cool off here."

"And your father hasn't told him?" Mace asked, and Ava snorted, "Of course not, and I don't think he will for a while. Mythrol's an idiot for selling out Geeta, but my father doesn't think that should cost him his life. If we hadn't gotten Geeta back, I don't think there would be anything that could've stopped Kailan from hurting him, but we did. Besides, I wouldn't put it past my uncles to freeze him in carbonite again if he tries to do something like that again. They don't tolerate dumb mistakes very well. If he's with us and can't access a ship, then he can't run off to avoid his debt. He also can't use any ship we have to get back to this galaxy, and Earth's the only planet that can support life in that galaxy, so he's got nowhere to hide there."

Luminara shook her head, but before she could say anything else, there was a call, "Wait for us!" from a very familiar voice as Ava walked away for a few minutes as Annie came into the hangar looking for her. Turning, the Jedi were surprised and then glad to see Did and Astri Oddo hurrying towards them. Once they were closer, Didi quickly hugged Obi-Wan, and the Jedi willingly returned it, genuinely glad to see the other man. Once they pulled away, Astri turned to the Jedi and said, "Master Jedi, it's good to see you again."

"And you, Astri," Obi-Wan said as Yoda smiled and asked, "Helped Ava, you did young one?"

"Yes, Master Yoda," Astri said quietly, "and her uncles and cousins for as long as I can remember. And anyone else in the clan who needed a place to rest and recover from injuries. Ava stayed with us after the second battle of Geonosis when that kath hound ripped her arm open. The cafe has always been a safe space for her and her family. And when the Conspiracy started we volunteered for anything we could do to help. We wanted our friends to survive," smiling warmly at Obi-Wan, making Yoda realize they had done this for the Jedi, not just Ava and her family.

"I see," Mace said, while Didi added quickly, "We are sorry about it, Master Windu, but when Ava came to us and said Siri had been taken and that we might be needed for more than what we were already doing, we said yes right away. The only thing we might have lied about is Kailan. We knew he and Kit were brothers and that Kit always knows what his twin is up to, and we didn't want to get Kit in trouble. A bounty hunter for a twin, especially a Jedi's twin, probably would have raised some eyebrows at the Temple and caused trouble. Even though Tarkin caused his fair share of trouble anyways."

"You know about that?" Anakin asked, and Astri nodded, "Yes, Kit told us about Tarkin and how annoying he was. He also told us he didn't trust Tarkin. When we heard he got hurt, we knew it was Tarkin who'd done it. And when Tristan and Tzakara needed a ride off Coruscant, I gave it as soon as I could. One thing you learn fast about old-breeds, they keep to their own calendar. And they don't like being told what to do. And if they're a Fisto, it's not worth the effort of trying to force them. Might as well find yourself a rancor to eat you and get it over with."

Obi-Wan chuckled slightly when he heard that, unable to stop himself, and that was when a female Nautolan came over and looked them over. She was light orange and looked over Astri before asking, "You remember everything I taught you?"

"Yes," Astri said, "And I won't forget."

The Nautolan nodded before walking away, and Astri turned to the Jedi once she was out of earshot and said, "That's Koryo's mate Kalana. She can make just about anything from fabric, leather, or yarn. She's also good at repairing things. She repaired Kit's clothing after Ava cut them up."

Mace nodded as he watched her walk away, and that was when Astri said, "Ava's giving us a ride back to Coruscant to reopen the cafe. Padmé said there'd be no repercussions for what we did since it wasn't much. I think she wants us back for the food," she smiled suddenly, "Ava's been teaching me a bit, but I still need to work at it before I'm anywhere near as good as her."

"Ava's a cook?" Aayla asked, not entirely surprised, and Astri nodded, "No one in that family can cook for anything, so Ava learned how since she wasn't interested in starving or relying on a takeout menu every night. Of course, most old-breeds prefer their seafood raw and alive, but Ava's figured out how to cook it in any way they like. Of course, if you've been half-starved and can't remember when your last meal was, you'll take anything that's put in front of you."

Aayla shook her head, but there wasn't much else to say about it as Ava came over and nodded in the ship's direction, signaling it was time to leave. Mace nodded while Yoda looked back one more time at the base they were leaving. They hadn't learned everything they wanted to know while there, but they had learned enough to satisfy their curiosity.

For now.

Yoda turned back and started walking towards the ship, the others following. Seeing that they were done, Ava and Avery brought up the rear with Kailan. Gibbs, Ziva, and Abby joined them, even though Ava said, "You know we're coming back here before we return to Earth, right? Spitz needs to return the Ghost to Cham Syndulla and his daughter. You don't have to come."

Gibbs only shrugged and said nothing, leaving Ava to shake her head and settle on the ground again. Once they were all on board and a head count had been done, Kit went to the bridge to let Spitz know it was time to leave. Once in hyperspace, the Jedi compared notes on everything they'd see on the ship, Kailan and Kit listening quietly for a while. Surprisingly, Santiana, Tzakara, and Amarona weren't coming with them, with Kailan rasping, "They know we won't be long and are coming right back. We'll be fine if we don't go into the Underworld. I think we're both eager to explore the galaxy now. It's been a while since we've done that," making the Jedi realize just how often Kit had joined up with his brother over the years without their knowledge.

And somehow, it was fine with them as they thought about it more.

These two Nautolans were too close to stay apart for long; they knew that now.

Once they had all settled in for the journey, Gibbs came and sat down with Ava and said, "Something I've been meaning to talk to you about, and it isn't Storm. You told Siri to take care of him, and you think it'll be alright if she does. I'm not questioning that."

Ava nodded, and Gibbs asked, "You remember that airplane that crashed into the ocean before you left?"

"Yeah, I do," Ava said, "Last I heard, they still hadn't found the crash site, but considering where it ended up, I don't think they will even if you drew them a map. The area's too dangerous."

"That's what everyone is saying, so they want you guys to do it. They know you've dived dangerous places before," Gibbs said as Kit's eyes narrowed to slits, and he looked less than pleased about this.

Ava didn't look too happy about it either, saying, "That might be more of a challenge than it's worth, Gibbs. A lot could go wrong."

"I know," Gibbs said, "But you know exactly where it crashed because you were able to track the signal from the black boxes from the second it left Southeast Asia."

"Maybe," Ava agreed, "But that doesn't mean we have willing parties for this. On our end, because the area where the plane crashed is so dangerous, it's an automatic rule of three."

"Rule of three?" Master Plo asked, and Ava turned to him, "Three dive or none dive," she turned back to Gibbs, "And there have to be certain conditions in place and factors that agree with us."

"Like what?" Gibbs asked, and Ava grimaced, saying, "We've dived that area before, and the Southern Indian Ocean is the most hostile on that planet. I'd rather swim Kef Bir or the southern oceans of Glee Anselm. Not only are the wind and water conditions pretty rough, but the currents are weird. The best time to dive the area is the winter because the summer currents will spit you out everywhere except where you want to be. We've dived that area twice, in the summer and winter, and when we dived in the summer, I somehow found myself off the coast of Australia; Avery went all the way across the ocean to Madagascar, and I think you ended up north, near India, and spent three days punching through head currents to get to the rendezvous point," turning to her father, who nodded. Ava turned back to Gibbs, "So we'd have to dive in the winter when the currents are calm and the water is freezing. Add in the less-than-pleasant wind conditions and that isn't great. But those aren't really a problem. You won't feel the wind action after a few meters under the water. But there are still currents there, which leads to another reason that winter diving is the best time. The sperm whales come down from the north to feed and calve, so they can give us a lift down to the bottom if they want to."

"So why don't you want to go?" Abby asked, and Ava turned to her, "I would like to, but there is the little issue of the fact that we know what's down there. It isn't just wreckage from a plane. There are also giant, flesh-eating eels. No one in the scientific community believes us because they've never seen them, but that's because their submarines weren't designed to go near their habitat."

"What?" Ziva asked, surprised, while Ava nodded and said, "They're at least 60 feet long and wide enough around to swallow one of us in one bite. They're also incredibly aggressive and somewhat immune to our venom, as we found out the last time we went down there. They're most active in winter, and summer conditions aren't favorable for swimming for us. Because of how deep it is, we want to spend as little energy as possible getting to the bottom, which is why we need the sperm whales. Without them being there in the winter, it'd be next to impossible to get down to the bottom."

"Okay," Abby said, "but you can work around that."

"Maybe," Ava agreed, "But since those eels are so dangerous, there is no way we can dive the area without backup waiting on a boat nearby. Getting the boat is a problem I'll come back to. The only way our father will agree to this is if he can get some of his men and a few of his brothers on board to help with the eels if they become a problem. And he's having a hard time convincing Atalelu that it's a good idea. Mostly because Atalelu isn't an idiot and doesn't think people need to know what happened. Dead is dead as far as he's concerned, and learning what happened to them so soon after it happened isn't something he really understands. Typical mentality for an old-breed, but it doesn't help us now. My father wants some of his men along because we know those eels don't like the taste of half-Nautolan, but they did like old-breed since one took a bite out of my father and came back for seconds."

Hearing that, the Jedi turned to Kit in surprise, but he said nothing when Gibbs said, "I didn't know that," making Ava nod, "The force of the one hitting him dislocated his hip, and it took 239 stitches to close the gash the other one made in his leg, and the artery was damaged," Yoda staring in surprise at his old Padawan that he hadn't noticed such an injury, while Kit shrugged and said, "I'm not interested in dealing with that again if I can help it. Only instinct and a high pain tolerance kept me from limping on that leg until it healed."

Ava nodded and continued, "No one in their right mind would take that kind of risk without the right backup waiting nearby. Which leads to the actual mission logistics problem we've been having, because I want to do this dive. I knew the pilot, and I'd like to know what happened."

"What logistical problems?" Ziva asked, and Ava grimaced, "The government in question doesn't want us to do this dive because it might prove either the plane or the pilot was at fault, opening the door to multi-million dollar claims by the families of those lost. The government owned the airline and the plane; they could be on the hook for this if we prove it was something wrong on their end. Plus, it's expensive renting the boat we want to rent for this. We need an icebreaker, and those cost millions to rent. Between the rental fees, fuel, pay and hazard pay for the crew, food, supplies, and medical equipment we might need for those two weeks we'll be out there, it's a pretty hefty price of at least 25 million. And we can't fund it because we have to be neutral and not have any interest in this, especially in terms of money. So we'd have to find a third party to, preferably anonymously, fund this trip. But the government won't give the okay for the dive unless the families of those lost promise in writing not to pursue claims of any kind. And they also won't agree to the dive unless my father agrees to it, but he won't agree unless everything's lined up with his men and brothers and the Malaysian government. So at the end of the day, it's a loop of waiting that no one's happy about. I'm guessing a few of the families have approached you to ask us to do this?" she asked Gibbs, who nodded.

Ava sighed but said nothing for a moment before saying, "They'll have to wait a bit longer, I'm afraid. There's nothing we can really do from here."

Gibbs nodded, while Anakin asked, "You said it had to be three divers in the beginning?" when Ava nodded, he asked, "Who's the third?"

"Avery," Ava said, "but he lives firmly in the realm of I-don't-give-a-shit. He'll go with the majority. So until our father agrees to the dive, he's the definition of neutral until things are decided and we have everything lined up. Once that happens and we get the government's okay, he'll agree to anything we want to do. He's very flexible that way."

Anakin nodded slowly but watched as Kit walked away, clearly not happy about all this and not wanting to talk about it. Again, Mace noticed something wasn't right but decided not to talk about it until Kit brought it up on his own. Looking around, he could see that a few other Jedi had also noticed but decided not to say anything about it for now.

They would bring it up when Kit was a bit more relaxed and might be more willing to talk to them about what was bothering him.

Hopefully he still trusted them enough to say.

It was so hard to tell these days.

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Translations:

Niamh – daughter of the Sea god
Tha e airson faighinn a-mach an toir thu aire dhomh nuair a cho-dhùnas mi falbh an seo – He wants to know if you will take care of me when I decide to leave here