Chapter Twenty:
"Raythe, you will go ahead of the others and act as a decoy for Luke and Mara at Maridun. Return to the spaceport at which you guys stopped to refuel and resupply when you kidnapped their brats."
"As you wish, Master." Raythe's eyes held a telling gleam. "Am I allowed to engage them?"
Vexa knew Raythe was chomping at the bit to get back at Luke and Mara for killing his best friend Katu. Vexa understood his thirst for revenge, as she had felt that burn for decades now. Still…
"Not in battle, and definitely not alone. If they put up a fight when the ambush happens, then you may engage. But be warned: Luke Skywalker is a master of the lightsaber and the Force. He is not someone to trifle with."
Raythe bowed his head. "I will be sure to knock him off that pedestal."
Vexa hesitated, wondering if it was indeed wise to allow Raythe to go on this mission. She had already lost a few acolytes, and she didn't need to lose any others. Especially not her most experienced ones.
Vexa narrowed her eyes and leaned forward, making sure he knew she was serious. "Can I trust you to keep your head, Raythe?"
The Yevetha thinned his lips, but then nodded. "Yes, you can Master."
Vexa studied him and then nodded. "I certainly hope so. And Raythe… I need them alive... for now."
Raythe heard the warning in her tone, and he bowed low, a signal that he understood.
Willing to give him reassurance, Vexa spoke a final time. "If you remain faithful and patient, I promise you will get your chance at revenge."
Raythe locked eyes with her, saw her honesty and bowed even lower. "Thank you, Master."
Vexa addressed the group now. "Make preparations, the rest of you, and get into position. And make sure to wear the cuffs long enough to hide your presences from the Skywalkers. Otherwise, they will sense you."
"Yes Master." Her team of acolytes chorused.
They had all returned to the Dark Mystery, but Vexa was making a detour before she too joined them. However, her plans had to stay in motion, so she was using her time in hyperspace to give her servants their next assignments. Vexa did not care how expensive this call would be.
Vexa, knowing who else was going on this mission, told Kida to wait to speak with her privately. Kida did so, and once they were alone, the Togruta signaled her master.
"Kida, keep an eye on Titania. She is fully trained; but of those of you who are, she is the least experienced." Vexa hummed. "However, because I have not used her yet in this war, she is the perfect candidate to be bait."
"I will watch her Master." Kida promised.
"I know you will." Vexa signed off, pondering.
Titania Clivins, her youngest and least experienced acolyte who was completely trained, was Vexa's least favorite acquisition. The girl was too shy for Vexa's tastes, but she had proven to be a good study, and she had surprised Vexa with how… resilient she had demonstrated to be in action. She did not like violence, but she was obedient because she truly feared Vexa. In fact, the Theelin girl— only thirteen— had made it a point to not be on Vexa's bad side, and had thus excelled at her training.
What she lacked, however, was field experience. So, while she made the perfect candidate to indeed draw the Skywalker couple into a trap, she was nowhere near ready to battle either Jedi Master.
Raythe, Kida, Katya and Pai, on the other hand, did stand a chance, especially if they worked together. Thus, Vexa was sending all of them along with Titania to spring the trap.
Vexa glanced to the miniature datapad attached to her wrist, which was connected to the security and other systems of her castle. Shmi had believed Vexa's ruse, and now was presumably headed toward Boz Pity. According to the report of a company of droids she had sent to her castle, the New Republic had cleared out of her property for the time being.
She was honestly surprised that Luke and Mara had either not taken, or not found her stash of Sith artifacts. Or, perhaps they had found the stash, but left them to pick up later. Either way, it presented her with an opportunity to collect the items and move them to a safer location.
And she would do just that, though first she had her errand to run. As for her wrist-datapad, Vexa was monitoring the castle to see when Shmi would arrive. The Dark Side of the Force shivered, whispering to her that, yes, the young woman was on her way. But Vexa would not allow Shmi to leave Boz Pity.
Vexa had read the files on Shmi, including the notes on what the girl had endured at the hands of Emperor Palpatine… and how, though it was not common knowledge, the doctor Shmi had seen afterwards had noted that the girl appeared to be claustrophobic.
Well, after being locked in that box, how could she not be?
Vexa wished she had a replica of it, but she did not, so she would use the next best thing to imprison the girl as she had some select children who had truly pissed her off.
An alert told Vexa that she needed to return to her piloting, and she did just that.
Moments later, Vexa's shuttle reverted from hyperspace, and the drab orb of Duro appeared before her. The planet had been beautiful many generations ago, but during the Mandalorian Wars, the globe had been laid to waste. Sure, the people of Duro had attempted to rebuild, and had done so, but eventually the planet was abandoned when the orbital cities had been constructed. The planet itself was now a polluted wasteland, where only those who filled the lowest of the low in Duros society lived.
Vexa was not here to think about that, however. No, she had come for a different reason. Taking the helm, Vexa flew her ship to a berth on Duros that was open to the general public, where she docked and shut down her ship. Then, donning a robe with a deep hood— and making sure her lekku were beneath its folds— she left the bay.
With confident strides, Vexa walked not toward the main hubs of the orbital city, but to an industrial area. It was within this area that one Quin-Tain Giddalti kept his secret laboratories. It was these labs in which Ignis had been subjected to so many tests, studies and punishments. Of course, it was well away from the man's more public front— The New-Hope Clinic— so that there was zero chance of those who went there to catch on to the source of Giddalti's knowledge.
It wouldn't do for some unsuspecting patient to accidentally hear or see something, and expose the good doctor's dirty secrets. Even so, the labs were still well underground, and were in fact underneath a factory that manufactured metallic goods, which once again suitably masked any and all occurrences that went on in Giddalti's laboratory.
The real trick, however, was finding the entrance to the laboratories. It was well concealed, and Vexa admitted to being impressed. The entrance was hidden behind an out-of-the-way wall section of the factory, in an area nobody ever went to because there was no need to. Even now, as she approached what looked like an inane durasteel wall, she had to remind herself that not all was as it seemed. Vexa walked to the very center, her eyes trying to tell her that the wall was a solid mass.
But it wasn't.
There was a small section, barely the width and height of a hospital door, that was open. However, because of the placement of the secondary wall behind it, one couldn't tell that unless they were physically standing in the space between the two walls. Only then could one see that there was something else going on.
Vexa saw only darkness, and yet followed the void until it curved slightly; finally opening up into a dimly lit space. Within that space, and directly behind the opening on the outside— and fully concealed as such— was the entrance to the laboratory.
Vexa removed the hood so her face was visible and then she depressed the button on the panel beside the door. A small camera droid appeared, and Vexa held still as it scanned her. Once it had confirmed her identity, it beeped and replaced itself in the wall. Vexa heard it speaking in binary, and the Sith Lady knew that Giddalti would soon be alerted that she was there.
And indeed, minutes passed before the door opened, revealing a pristine white turbolift. Vexa stepped confidently inside, and the lift carried her deeper into the bowels of the floating city. When it opened, a pervading sense of despair and horror greeted her; and had it been anyone else, they would have been disturbed by it. But Vexa inhaled like she was scenting something savory, and then walked from the lift.
A stately Duros man in a white lab coat appeared. Vexa glanced briefly to his black boots— which shone like a child's sports trophy— and the matching, elbow-length gloves, noting that there was something splattered on the cuffs.
"Did in interrupt you, Doctor?" Vexa asked amicably.
"Nothing too serious, Milady." He indicated that she should precede him, and Vexa did so. She came to a one-way window and saw a child within an operation room. Said youth was strapped to a table and in rotten shape. Seeing that the doctor had paused in his operation on the child, Vexa turned curiously.
"What are you working on at the moment?"
Giddalti glanced to the boy within also. "I am furthering tests I ran on Ignis. I want to see how skin cells, grafted from an entirely different source, will react when attached to an organ."
Vexa recalled the doctor trying similar things on her acolyte. The child currently in his clutches had been a gift from her to the doctor. This child had repeatedly failed her, and had been so bold as to openly mock her in front of the other children and trainees.
Many of the other, more experienced acolytes had warned him off, but the fool hadn't listened. As a punishment, and as a statement to the others in his group who had been training, Vexa had given the child permanently to Giddalti.
But not for free.
Clearing her throat, Vexa moved away and together they went to his office, where she took up a seat of her choosing. When Giddalti was settled across from her, she looked him in the eye.
"I have come to call in the favor you owe me."
Giddalti inclined his bald blue head. "Anything you wish of me, will be done. Your gift to me has proven invaluable."
"Your lovely assistant, she still works with you?" Vexa inquired.
"Yvana Racto? Absolutely," Giddalti replied, a note of unmistakable admiration in his voice.
Vexa nodded, thinking to the purple-skinned Duros woman who worked alongside Giddalti. The two were intimately involved as well, and the woman— a professional psychiatrist—had worked as Giddalti's equal partner when dealing with Ignis. She had been the one to administer many a drug to Ignis, and to have used her skills to torture Ignis mentally.
Ignis thus held a healthy amount of fear towards Yvana as well, though not quite as much as he did for Giddalti and Vexa.
Vexa leaned forward, resting her forearms on the desk. "You and Yvana will be my back-up plan in the unlikely event that my plans go awry. Should I be defeated, and Ignis survives, I want you to do something for me."
Giddalti grinned eagerly. "Name it."
00000
Ignis had no idea, yet again, where Vexa had disappeared to, nor the quintet of acolytes she had sent away. Clearly, she was up to something, and that made Ignis wary of the immediate future, but he pushed that aside for the moment.
Because one thing he did know was that his chance to get Tharan away from Vexa had come. If he didn't do it now, he likely wouldn't get the opportunity again. Of course, Ignis would have liked to get the other trainees out too, but that would never work, not if Ignis was to be able to keep his secret safe. Though… perhaps he could get one trainee out… she had always been so gentle and sweet, even with the cruelty of her life. Ignis pursed his lips, and decided to chance it. Besides, if Vexa asked, he could spin the story to make it sound like an escaped trainee; one who had taken pity on Tharan and took him too.
As for the Mirialan boy, Tharan would carry scars from his time among the Rising, Ignis knew, but there was nothing the young man could do about that. Ignis had been a victim himself; driven both by his cruel master and the squid that had once held him captive, to treat Tharan as a slave and a trainee.
Now, free of the squid— which Vexa was currently unaware of— Ignis could act on his own once more.
And this time, Ignis would make sure to leave nothing to chance.
Ignis had thoroughly checked every escape pod on the Dark Mystery, and had prepared one with everything Tharan, and now the new addition would need for their little journey. Now to get the boy and trainee to the pod and away from the Dark Mystery.
Ignis had planned for that as well. He had grabbed an acolyte robe from the area of the ship reserved for Vexa and her Force-wielding servants. Though with the new factor, he had to backtrack for a second robe.
Ignis wasn't worried about what anyone else would think, since the personnel on Vexa's ship didn't question the activities of her acolytes; being used to their unusual habits and such. That would work in Ignis' favor today.
And in any case, he was Vexa's Fist… and the crew was afraid of him too. His reputation— though Ignis hated it as the Fist— was garnering fear of him inside the Rising as well as outside of it. Many were afraid that if they failed, Vexa's Fist would be unleashed on them in a manner not so unlike Vader taking out crewmen who had failed the Empire. Needless to say, the Dark Mystery was running at an all-time record smoothness now that those onboard had an incentive— in their mind— not to disappoint their mistress.
Ignis continued walking, though when he neared the acolyte area, he looked to a datapad he had rigged up and entered a few commands into it. The 'pad had a newly installed black-market program that would send irregular pulses to the cameras along the route Ignis, the trainee and Tharan were to take, as well as a few corridors beyond in each direction to avoid suspicion. Ignis would receive an alert from the captain of the Dark Mystery, since he was the one Vexa had left in charge in her absence.
Ignis entered the acolyte area, stopping at Katu's door and knocking softly. The trainee he intended to free as well had been given space in Katu's room, and would be there now, Ignis knew. None of the trainees had been given permission to venture outside of the acolyte areas of the ship, which included training rooms and living quarters.
And nobody had been inside the training rooms— nor was it their mealtime— so all the children would be in their quarters.
The door opened to reveal a black-furred Bothan girl of the tender age of eight. Despite her harsh life, there was still an air of innocence about her that Ignis couldn't help but envy at times. Her violet eyes lit up with a healthy amount of nerves, but to her credit she did not cower.
"Yes, Fist?" Ryleigh Reid asked timidly, looking down in submission.
"Get your things and come with me for a training exercise." Ignis instructed, speaking in a manner that would tell any eavesdroppers why he was calling upon her. "I need one more person for Tharan's next lesson."
Ryleigh bowed. "Yes Fist."
Moments later, the two of them were walking to Ignis' quarters, and as they went, Ignis discreetly checked the Bothan child for any trackers or such that Vexa may have placed on her or the other children.
But he found nothing, so Ignis relaxed.
When they got to his quarters, Ignis indicated that Ryleigh should wait beside his door, and he handed her a robe with instructions to don it.
Tharan, who was reading— and nursing a healthy amount of bruising from the training sessions he had endured— looked up when Ignis entered. The younger boy flinched and then stood up swiftly from his seat, eyes glued to the floor.
"Master Fist," Tharan murmured in greeting.
Ignis hated the way Tharan treated him, and he wished things could have been different for Tharan. But wishing would not change the past, as Ignis knew intimately. Still, Tharan's current relationship with Vexa's Fist was what would make this escape possible.
Ignis gestured to Tharan. "Pack your things and come here."
Tharan nodded and grabbed a tiny bag from his cot, stuffing his scant few possessions inside it and moving to stand before Ignis. When that was completed, Ignis held out the robe. Tharan looked to it questioningly, then to Ignis.
"What's this for, Master Fist?"
Ignis took the small pack from Tharan. "Put the robe on. We are doing a different sort of exercise today."
Tharan obeyed and when he was suitably garbed, Ignis took him into the hall, where they collected Ryleigh. Tharan's interest was piqued by the additional member, but he did not speak. Ignis led them along, counting on the program in his datapad to do its job. The program would run for an hour total, but the offending 'pad would be going with the children, so it would not be found onboard the Dark Mystery.
When they arrived in the escape pod bay, Tharan paused uncertainly. "Master Fist… what are we doing?"
Ignis looked to him and gestured the children to enter the prepared escape pod. "Your training exercise. Get in, both of you."
Ryleigh obeyed without question, and Tharan, seeing this, hesitantly followed. The green-skinned youth knew that the Bothan girl had been here longer, and thus knew more than he did on how things worked.
Ignis stayed where he was and opened a message, one he had written to the person who picked the children up. He added info about Ryleigh, and then closed the message, to be opened once more only by the recipient.
Ignis then entered the pod himself, seeing the children looking to him expectantly. Ignis settled the datapad into a safe spot, and then turned to them.
"Here is your exercise. You will be sedated, and sent out in this pod. When you wake, you will follow the instructions on this datapad to the letter, understood? If you complete the tasks listed on the 'pad without question, you will be successful, and rewarded." He looked between them. "Do you understand?"
Ryleigh nodded once.
Tharan bit his lip, but decided to obey. "Yes, Master Fist."
Ignis produced two tranquilizer darts, pricked them on their necks, and waited for the drug to take effect. Once both children were out cold, Ignis looked to Tharan.
"I'm sorry for the way I treated you," Ignis whispered, placing a gentle hand to the younger boy's knee. "I hope you can forgive me."
Turning to Ryleigh next, Ignis smiled softly. "Hold to your innocence for as long as you can. You will miss it when it's gone."
He could sense that the crew onboard the Dark Mystery were catching on to the problem with the camera system. He knew that, with their fear of him, they would want to first try solving the problem themselves to avoid being punished for failure.
Ignis exited the escape pod after entering a set of coordinates. Then he sent the thing away, watching as it oriented itself and made a short hyperspace jump, after which it would make three more before stopping permanently. Ignis turned away then, leaving the escape pod bay and making sure he was nowhere near it when the call came to him on his comlink.
Resuming his role as Vexa's Fist, Ignis went to deal with the 'problem'.
00000
Leia entered her house, where she spied Han and their children prepping dinner. All of them were a little sullen, and Leia understood why.
They were all sad about the kidnapping of Luke and Mara's children, and wished that there was more that could be done. But Luke, Mara and Shmi had all departed in an effort to get their family back.
Thus, all Leia and her family could do was pray that everything worked out for the best.
Han caught sight of her and smiled. "Hi Princess. How did it go?"
Leia returned the simple gesture. "Good news, actually. Our meetings are concluded, and a plan of action has been agreed upon by everyone. We are sending shadow agents to place trackers on the Surefist and the Dark Mystery."
Han tilted his head. "How? The enemy will see them coming."
Leia shook her head, a secretive glint in her eyes that Han found alluring. "No, they won't. Remember the stealth fighters? Well, there's enough fuel to send two ships into enemy territory and mark the vessels in question. And since the two pilots have separate objectives, they will not need to worry about communication. They will get in, mark their target and get back out."
Han blinked. "The New Republic revealed it's secret project?"
"Not exactly." Leia corrected. "Admiral Ackbar and I spoke privately, and agreed upon what we proposed. Thus, the New Republic offered to be the ones to send the scouts. We told the others on the committee that since this whole plan had been instigated by us, we would risk our own personnel on this first stage of the offensive."
Han snickered, drawing Leia close. "Devious… I like it."
Leia accepted his kiss, and then the couple turned to their children. Leia hugged them both and then held them out to arms' length.
"Now you listen to me." Leia spoke with quiet fervor, allowing her children to see how utterly serious she was. "My brother is the most formidable Jedi Master in the galaxy and, in my opinion, the history of the Jedi. And Mara is no less apt. If anyone can get their family back together, from Vexa no less, it's them. We must have faith, as Luke always encourages us to."
Carmi and Asher both nodded, accepting a group hug from both parents now.
"Your mother's right," Han murmured, though he winced. "Vexa has no clue what is about to hit her."
And for about one second, Han actually felt sorry for Vexa. But then it passed, and Han wished the Skywalkers well.
00000
"So, you mean to tell me that the New Republic has finally figured things out… and I have to sit here and wait for the news?" Hobbie groused.
His friends had filled him in on the plan, and how the stealth fighters— to be flown by Wes and Wedge— were to tag both of the Rising's most prominent ships. Once that was done, the amalgamation of governments would set up an ambush for the enemy. All ships would strategically place themselves along the route the Rising had been following. That way, once they had reverted, someone would spot them and alert the others. Everyone would then flock to that location, wherever it happened to be. And since they would all be in the same general area, the task shouldn't take too long to complete.
Wes and Wedge shared a mournful look, and then Wedge spoke, since he was the highest-ranked man in the room.
"Hobbie, you've still not been cleared to leave the hospital." Wedge placed a hand on Hobbie's forearm. "You were a wreck when we found you. Yes, you're doing better, but even you have to admit you aren't ready to fly in battle."
Hobbie looked away. "But I can't just sit here… I have a job to do!"
Wes took Wedge's place, giving Hobbie a knowing look. "Hey, do you remember the battle over Bothawui when the Hutts tried to expand their reach?"
Hobbie sighed, but nodded. "You got caught in a crossfire, and your ship was pretty banged up. You had to go E-VAC, but even so, you were in horrible shape."
"Right." Wes agreed. "And when I came-to, and heard that I would not be allowed to participate in the follow-up battle to decide Bothawui's fate?"
Hobbie didn't answer immediately, and Wes waited patiently, knowing his friend was not ignoring him. Hobbie needed to come to terms on his own, that was all.
"I told you that you had to let us fight this one for you," Hobbie muttered, "but that it didn't make you any less of a Rogue, or a soldier." Hobbie fell silent for another moment and then sighed. "Alright, I get it. It just… sucks that I can't help end the war."
Wedge lifted a brow. "Actually, you may have done just that, Hobbie."
Hobbie blinked at him. "How so?"
"Did you not have a hand in freeing Ignis from the squid?" Wedge asked knowingly. When Hobbie nodded, Wedge's lips quirked. "Now, we haven't known Ignis that long, but I think we can all agree that he isn't going to just sit by and let Vexa get away with all that she's been doing lately. Especially since she's got the Skywalker kids."
They'd been brought up to speed on the kidnapping when Han had paid Hobbie a visit last night. And not an hour ago, Wedge and Wes had been told to pick up their stealth fighters along the way. The two pilots would leave with Admiral Ackbar, who was scheduled to rendezvous with the Second Fleet. However, he would drop the pilots off at Alderaan's secret facility first, where the stealth fighters waited. After their mission was completed, the two Rogues would then make their way to their mothership, the Keelkana.
Hobbie had a proud smirk on his face now, though there was also a worried glint to his gaze. "I would hate to be Vexa right now. Though… what will happen to all the kids she likely has with her? What if the children that she took off Boz Pity are on her ship, and we blow it to bits?"
Wedge and Wes hesitated. "I… don't think anyone thought of that, to be honest."
Hobbie sat up the best he could. "We can't just let them be killed too. They're innocent!"
"Hobbie, what can we do for them?" Wedge asked seriously. "You know I understand, since I am a father. But how are we supposed to get onboard the Dark Mystery?"
Hobbie knew Wedge was correct, but he didn't like it one bit. "There's got to be something we can do!"
Wedge looked down. "I wish I knew what."
Wes pursed his lips. "I suppose we could try getting some sort of message to Ignis. But I don't know how. We don't have his codes, or a connection to the Force."
Hobbie blew a breath of air from his nostrils. "If I think of anything plausible, I will contact you two, alright?"
Wedge nodded. "I can accept that."
Wes tilted his head, smirking in an effort to alleviate the dour mood. "So… are you going into parent mode, Hobbie? You're awfully interested in kids all of a sudden."
The threesome laughed, and then Wedge caught sight of the chrono. "We need to go if we don't want to miss our ride."
Wedge held out a hand and Hobbie took it the best he could. "You focus on getting better, alright? That is how you can help us."
Hobbie saluted lightly. "Yes Sir."
Wedge rolled his eyes, but snorted in amusement at Hobbie's own attempted levity. "Good man. See you later, alright?"
Wes clapped Hobbie on the knee, looking around conspiratorially. "You can also figure out some ways for us to cause trouble when you're back to full health, alright?"
Hobbie smiled mischievously. "I can't wait."
Wes punched him gently and left with Wedge. Hobbie watched the door close, and once it was assured that they were gone, he had to work to keep himself from giving in to the temptation to be depressed. How he wanted to be part of the deciding battles to come! But he had chosen his path, Hobbie knew.
He did not regret his actions, nor their results, and he was gratified to know that his efforts had not been wasted. Ignis was now free of the creature that had been holding him silent prisoner. Now it was up to the Force, Hobbie supposed, as to what happened next with the young man.
Hobbie desperately wished he knew how he could help the innocent children he was certain Vexa had stashed on her ship. Her ground base had been compromised, and with the war, he doubted she had spent time looking for a replacement. Thus, it stood to reason she was keeping them on the Dark Mystery.
Hobbie's thoughts shifted to a different youth, one with red skin, lekku, and ice-blue eyes. And who had a sweet little heart despite her circumstances. Hobbie felt his heart clench as he recalled her state of being the last time he had seen her. Hobbie found himself praying to the Force to help Arthalinea.
And what if she did? What would become of her if Vexa was defeated? Would the girl be taken somewhere? Would she be left to fend for herself? Would the New Republic imprison her?
Hobbie pursed his lips as a new thought occurred to him. He decided that he would spend a good amount of time researching it before he made a decision.
00000
"Maridun," Luke murmured as the sage-green orb came into view. The Jade Shadow had just reverted from hyperspace, and both Luke and Mara were ready to go. "I didn't think I would be back here so soon."
Mara glanced to him, recalling that he had been here not that long ago speaking with Corsair; Shmi's maternal grandfather. Though the visit had gone well, Mara knew that Luke's relationship with Corsair was still a little delicate. Or, that was how Luke viewed it.
Luke and Corsair had never been especially close, and when Luke had last known the man, it was through the actions of two teenagers who had made a mistake. True, once Venussia's fraud had been revealed, and Shmi had been born, Corsair had begun singing a different tune. Though, both Luke and Corsair knew that the gestures of goodwill from the man had been overshadowed by their rocky past.
And now, after nearly two decades apart, the two men were once again in each other's lives. Needless to say, Luke was still a little cautious around Corsair, even though efforts were being made on both their parts to move forward anew.
Mara reached over and laid a comforting hand on her husband's arm. "It will take time for things to even out, Luke. But they will."
Luke smiled gently at her, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Thank you, Mara."
Taking a deep breath, Luke drew his focus back to the task at hand. With a few deft flicks of switches on the console, Luke was able to figure out the location of the spaceport. It wasn't difficult, as the place was more of a rest-stop designed to allow travelers a chance to stretch their legs, refuel their ships and eat some freshly cooked food. It was also the only built-up area of the planet: with the exception of a few people like Corsair, who had sought permission from the natives to build their own homes.
Luke looked to his wife, who was in the pilot's seat. "The coordinates are locked in for the outpost."
"Got them," Mara replied, angling their ship and skimming the atmosphere to cut down on time.
Soon the small mass of lights from the port appeared, and Luke noted that it was nighttime where the port was located. In fact, it was about two hours after midnight at the place.
Luke pursed his lips. "I think we timed this badly."
Mara swore softly. "I think so too. Well, we will find a spot to land and go out first thing in the morning."
"Maybe we could try our luck at a cantina there." Luke suggested. "That would still be open."
Mara hesitated. "I don't know that there is one. Maridun's government was quite specific about what they would and would not allow if this rest-stop was built here."
"Right," Luke said, nodding slowly as he too recalled his history lessons on the unassuming planet. Maridun, since it was such a small stop, was admittedly low on the list of history lessons. But because of the events of the Clone Wars in regards to the planet, it was nevertheless on the radar.
Luke drew out his datapad and did a swift search on the Holonet for the spaceport. A list of the available amenities came up, and Luke sighed softly.
"You're right, there is no cantina. In fact, no alcohol or illicit drugs of any kind are allowed on the planet."
Mara looked to her husband. "Well, maybe we can do a quick look around, though I'm not sure who would be up at this hour."
Luke perked up as he continued to skim the information. "Wait a minute, reading here, it says this is an all-hours place. I guess since they never know when travelers will come and go, the place is manned at all times."
Mara relaxed somewhat. "That's good to hear."
Luke read on, refreshing his knowledge of the place. "Maridun has also maintained its status as a neutral planet, and it allows no war or fighting. The natives will defend themselves within reason, but they will not start a fight."
Mara seemed almost contemplative. "There's something to be said for their way of life."
"Indeed." Luke looked up from his datapad. "Though, there are reasons to fight other than self-defense. Though, I suppose nothing will change their minds after generations of how they live."
Mara smirked at him. "Try to remember that we are her for our children, not a reboot of Maridun culture."
Luke snorted at her jest, shaking his head lightly.
"Yes, Mara…" he said in a somewhat nasally tone.
Mara swatted him and Luke chuckled. It did not take them long to find a landing zone, and once their ship was settled, they disembarked. After it was properly sealed behind them, the couple walked to the first building in the line.
The clerk behind the counter looked to them with veiled interest. "What can I do for you travelers?"
Luke smiled politely, producing a holo that contained the four acolytes. "Do you remember seeing any of these teenagers?"
The man looked to the image, and pursed his lips, thinking. After a time, he shook his head. "Sorry, but if they were here, they didn't stop at my cart. Turns out that about half the people who visit don't want trinkets made from the wood or seedpods from Maridun."
He indicated the souvenirs that he was indeed selling. Luke nodded once and thanked the man, moving on to the next shop in line, this one a small food-stand. A female Bimm stood ready to take their orders, her expression a bit more eager than the first fellow they'd encountered.
"Evening folks. Can I interest you in a selection of native fruits and nuts?" She indicated a display of colorful fruit and some interesting-looking nuts.
But they weren't here for anything but information, so Luke shook his head gently. "Sorry, we just wanted to ask if you've seen these people recently?"
Her expression turned sorrowful for a moment, and then, no doubt trying to remain businesslike, she schooled her features. This did not go unnoticed by the couple, and Luke sensed that this was someone in need. And indeed, as the woman shifted to look more intently at the holo, Luke discovered that the saleswoman's abdomen was rounded in pregnancy. In fact, she looked about ready to give birth any day now, and Luke wondered why she would be working in such a condition if she wasn't truly in need of the credits.
Once in a better position to see, the woman studied to the holo, tilting her furred head.
"I remember seeing the two young women. They stopped for something to eat. The poor dears said they'd not had fresh food for a long time before that."
Luke and Mara shared a look. So, the acolytes must have taken their children and then lain in wait for further direction from Vexa.
"Did they mention anything about where they were going?" Mara inquired.
The woman pursed her lips. "Well, no. But I can tell you that the two young women did seem a little frightened. I usually ask where folks are headed as a way to make conversation as I fill orders. Just to be polite, you know?" She shifted her uniform to be straighter over her bulging middle. "When I asked the young women, I swear I saw a flash of fear in their eyes. But it was quick to pass on, and when they spoke, they were smiling. But I know fake smiles when I see them."
Mara indicated her interest, and the woman went on. "Clearly, they were hiding something. I found a way to ask them if they were really okay, since they seemed to be travelling with two males about their age." The woman hesitated, looking about. "Now, I don't normally like talking about folks, and I don't judge often, but…"
When she faltered again, Luke spoke softly. "Go ahead, we understand."
"Well, the males didn't look all that friendly, especially the Yevetha." She shuddered. "I have seen a lot of folks come and go here, and while a fair few are nice enough, there are those who you can clearly tell aren't nice at all. I thought that maybe the girls were in over their heads with the boys, but they assured me they were fine."
Luke was intrigued. "You think they were under duress, is that what you mean?"
The woman hesitated. "Well, they were unsure about something, even afraid, but of what, I don't know. I observed them when they got back to the Rishii and Yevetha, and they seemed a bit more confident. So honestly, I don't know what to make of it."
Luke nodded slowly while Mara asked something.
"Did you see which way they went after your stall? And how long ago would you have seen them?"
The woman glanced at a chrono that hung on one end of the storefront. "Oh… a few days ago, the first time. But then I could have sworn I saw one of them again only a few hours earlier today. But it was quite busy here then." She looked apologetic. "You see, we had a tour group pass through, so I wasn't able to get a good look through the throngs of people. I'm sorry." She indicated the southern portion of the outpost. "When I thought I saw the young woman, she looked to have been headed south."
Mara smiled. "Thank you, you have actually been quite helpful."
The woman dipped her head, and spoke in a softer voice. "Are you here to help those young ladies?"
Luke and Mara again shared a look. "Possibly. We will certainly do what we can if they are in fact in trouble."
The woman only then noticed their lightsabers, and she blinked in surprise. "Jedi? You are Jedi?" The pair nodded, and the woman looked at them more closely. "Is anyone here in danger? I do have a family I need to protect."
Luke held up a placating hand. "We don't know what we will find, but it may be a good idea to be a little extra careful for a time."
"Alright."
Luke passed her a credit chip. "Thank you for the information."
She blinked in shock, but then humbly accepted the generous tip, a tear coming to her eye. "Bless you, Sir. It's been difficult these last few weeks."
The Skywalker couple left her, making the rounds of the rest of the vendors in the area. Only a few recalled seeing the four in the image, though none of them could give them more information than the Bimm woman had. However, one constant was the cold, frightening presence of the Yevetha. Everyone who had encountered him had said the same thing: that young man was nothing but trouble.
Luke and Mara settled onto a bench to converse.
"What do you think?" Luke asked his wife.
Mara looked thoughtful. "They could be anywhere in the outpost, though we do not know what their presences in the Force feel like."
Luke stretched out with the Force. "There seems to be a recent sense of Darkness, but nothing active at the moment."
Mara stretched, feeling her eyes drooping despite her desire to continue. "I think we need to get some rest before we go on. We will do better on full alert."
Luke had to admit that he too was worn out. They hadn't really had a full night's rest since before their mission to help Ignis.
"Alright." Luke agreed, the pair of them standing. "Let's head back to the ship, and start again once we've had some sleep."
00000
The mottled lines of hyperspace gave way to the pinpricks of light that were stars in the blackness of space. But also in her view was an admittedly beautiful planet. It was an alluring mixture of emerald, grey and blue.
Shmi hadn't been here when the initial rescue party had come for Hobbie and Anya, but she had read their report. She'd also read up on what the New Republic personnel had recorded from their time in the castle.
Bringing the X-wing into the atmosphere and down to where most aircraft would fly allowed Shmi a birds-eye view of the terrain. She noted a lot of grey cliffs, and a plethora of vibrant grasses and other flora. Here and there she caught glimpses of ruins, but it was the massive skeletons that truly caught her eye, and she felt the first stirrings of unease at the sight.
She hadn't realized the planet was littered with skeletons of the dead. Shmi remembered reading a little about Boz Pity a year or two ago. Back then, she had been given the task in school to do a report on one of the lesser-known planets in the galaxy. Boz Pity had been called the Graveyard planet, and at the time it had unsettled her, so Shmi had passed over it. Now, however, she understood what the name meant.
Shaking her head to clear it, Shmi followed the directions her parents had given her for the most direct route to the castle. As she drew near, Artoo whistled nervously.
"Easy Artoo," Shmi soothed him, "we will be alright."
A response came to her via the display, and Shmi read it. Unlike her father, Shmi was not able to fully understand the astromech without help.
"I remember this place being dangerous," Artoo said. "Your parents and uncles had a hard time defeating the stone guardians that we encountered. Maybe it would be a good idea for me to wait in the air for you, just in case there is trouble. I would be able to stay nearby, and the ship would be ready to leave in a hurry if needed."
Shmi pursed her lips, thinking of the advisory statements from her father before leaving for Boz Pity. In light of that, Shmi figured it wouldn't hurt to air on the side of caution.
"Alright, Artoo, but be ready to leave as soon as I say so."
Artoo acknowledged and Shmi flew them the remainder of the way to the castle. She had to admit that as far as buildings went, this one was rather impressive. She took in the structure, with its immense size and the many towers, with one rising high above the rest.
But it was the room that appeared to jut out over the cliffs to hang as if by air alone that caught Shmi's greatest interest. With a few moments of studying the area, she was able to spot the supports that others might have missed.
Shmi landed and stripped from her helmet and flightsuit before leaping agilely from the cockpit. Artoo whistled and took off once Shmi was clear. The tiny fighter disappeared shortly afterwards, leaving Shmi standing alone before the castle.
The sheer size when looking at it from the ground made her feel small, but she pushed that aside and walked to the front doors. Remaining alert, Shmi stretched out to the Force, but did not feel any tingling of danger. Nor did she yet feel Ignis. Shmi mused that he must have been further away from Boz Pity than she had been, and so would need a bit more time before he could make it also.
Well, that allowed her time to explore.
Shmi started with the main floor, and she noted the excessive size of the doors that led off this main area, and then the stairs that went both up and down. The staircase that ascended did so in two sweeping arcs, while the ones that descended seemed to go in a straight line. Shmi judged that by the size of the skeletons she had seen outside, that the immensity of this castle's proportions, meant that it had been built and once inhabited by those who were now gone.
Shmi found that the rooms on the main level were mostly for meetings, eating or for any activity that required a lot of indoor space, as was indicated by the massive ballroom. Going down allowed Shmi to find a few different levels. One contained only more practice rooms, but it was the successive floor that caught her eye.
Animal pens lined one side of the hall, with large caged walkways that hung from the ceiling. They were positioned in a way that they could be lowered to the exit of the pens, thus allowing an animal access to the practice room on the other side without escaping.
Shmi recalled Ignis' first encounter with the reptile and she couldn't help but peer inside one the practice rooms. Sure enough, it was set up just like Shmi recalled it had been, and Shmi closed her eyes as the horrid scene replayed in her mind. Only, the incident held much more weight as she was now in the very place the episode had occurred. But it was also in the past, so she couldn't dwell on it much now, years afterwards.
Sighing, Shmi closed the door and moved onward.
After locating the dungeons on the lowest level, Shmi went up, and eventually ended up in Ignis' quarters. She saw the pallet that had been Bo's and she smiled softly for the now-deceased anooba. Shmi noted how the bed had been moved, and she caught sight of the safe underneath it that now lay open.
Her parents might have emptied it, Shmi mused, and she eventually sat upon the bed. Breathing deeply, Shmi closed her eyes and allowed the sense of not only the room, but of the entire castle to come to her.
The most obvious sense was despair, followed closely by fear. There was a lot of animosity, and an overload of suffering, even after the place had been cleared out. Narrowing her field of awareness, Shmi focused on Ignis' room, and allowed only his feelings to touch her now.
The mixture was a little… odd in her opinion. It was like his sense was muted more often than not, as if he had once been a wildcard, but had eventually given up trying to disobey Vexa. And it was like that act of quitting had cost him what little spark he'd had left before that point. But there were older, if faded moments of warmth, and Shmi guessed those centered around Bo. Eventually those also passed into obscurity, and she guessed that had been after he had gifted the anooba to Anya.
Through everything else, the one constant Shmi could clearly sense how much Ignis hurt. The utter and complete loneliness in her brother's room, and life, was so pervasive that Shmi began to weep in Ignis' behalf.
(A/N: Thank you for your continued patience as I work on this story.)