Chapter Twenty-One:
(A/N: This chapter contains content that some readers may find disturbing.)
Luke had to admit that after a few hours of good rest, with his lovely wife by his side, he felt much better. His mind was clearer, and his muscles seemed invigorated as he and Mara walked about the outpost.
Mara and he were both on high alert, noting that it was busy at the outpost at the moment. It seemed as if a few groups were preparing to leave, and Luke recalled the Bimm woman saying something about a tour group passing through. Luke didn't recall seeing a cruise vessel, but it was possible the ship had simply been in a different orbit from the Jade Shadow.
Luke stretched out in the Force to see if he could get a reading on the Darkness he'd sensed last night. And indeed, it was still present, and it seemed to be concentrated in the direction they were heading.
"We are heading in the correct direction," Luke murmured, earning himself a nod from Mara.
"Good." Mara returned, eyeing the crowds in a practiced manner. Luke knew she was observing the throngs, watching for any hints that their targets were within.
Luke also kept a sharp eye out, though at some point he got the feeling that they were being watched. Touching his wife's mind to maintain their privacy, Luke alerted Mara to his find. She nodded imperceptibly, letting him know that she felt it also.
The two of them continued onward for about half an hour before Mara nudged Luke in the arm. "There!"
She indicated a being that, while not yet fully matured for his species, was still taller than most of the others in the crowd. This figure wore a black robe with a hood, but his hands were visible in glimpses, and Luke noted that they definitely belonged to a Yevetha. He was making his way toward what seemed to be a lesser-used district, and thus one that would have fewer witnesses.
It wasn't until there was a bit of a break in the crowds that Luke noticed that the Yevetha was not alone. No, he possessively held the arm of someone else, though Luke could not discern who.
Luke stepped slightly closer to his wife. "They wouldn't be picking off new children for Vexa, not after having just taken ours. Right?"
Mara hummed. "I don't know. I thought Samanda said that Vexa normally goes for younger children who are easier to nab. But since she's lost a few acolytes, perhaps Vexa wants to replenish her supply."
Luke considered. "Perhaps with an older child, it would speed up the training process."
"Maybe." Mara agreed. "But why come back here to do it?"
Luke didn't get the chance to answer, because at that moment the person being led by Raythe jerked away as if in a sudden burst of strength.
"I said, leave me alone!" And as passerby looked on in sudden interest, the mystery person sprinted off, calling out for her parents. Luke judged from the voice that it was a young woman.
The Yevetha cursed and took off after his victim, and with his long legs, it was easy for him to close the gap. The young woman heard him coming and glanced back, only to scream and duck into a side street, with the Yevetha following her moments later.
Someone near Luke spotted his lightsaber and spoke up, gesturing. "Help! That girl is in trouble!"
Luke and Mara picked up their pace to follow. Once they rounded the corner, it took them a moment to relocate their quarry, who was almost to the next block. Raythe made to grasp the young woman, but she grabbed a crate of something as she passed and it toppled into his way.
Raythe had to dodge the debris, something that cost him precious time.
Luke and Mara hustled to catch up, and at that point Raythe spotted them following. Snarling viciously, the male Yevetha sprinted in a new direction entirely, now trying to get away from the Skywalkers.
Luke glanced down the street the young woman had gone along, and saw her still running, apparently unaware that her captor had been scared off. Then he and Mara were beyond where they could see the young woman.
Focusing fore, Luke saw that Raythe was heading deeper into the more industrial part of the outpost. In the streets were a higher concentration of shops selling parts for ships and such, no doubt hoping to help travelers who might be having vehicular trouble. But while there were displays of parts and such, there were also small droids and cameras set up to protect against thieves.
As Raythe passed a stand selling mismatched mechanical trinkets, the Yevetha snatched up a handful of things and hurled them over his head in Luke and Mara's direction. Luke threw up a Force shield and the items bounced away from he and his wife. Mara, taking a page from the youth's book, reached ahead with the Force and toppled an empty shelf into Raythe's path.
Surprised, Raythe did stumble before managing to leap over the thing and continue on his way. But Mara's swift thinking had earned the Skywalkers a few feet gain on the Yevetha. Luke saw Raythe pick up something a lot heavier with the Force now, and hurl it at Mara with deadly accuracy.
Luke thrust out a hand and stopped the object, and he had enough presence of mind to try lowering it carefully to the ground. It looked expensive, whatever it was.
Mara drew out her holdout blaster and took a few shots at Raythe, who lit his lightsaber and deflected the blasts. Luke reached out in the Force now, and caused a bench to come into Raythe's path. The young man did fall this time, and by the time he got back up, Luke and Mara were mere inches from him.
Raythe decided to forget fighting and just run, for he sheathed his weapon, leapt up and sprinted off.
The chase went on for a few more blocks before Luke and Mara caught the young man at last. The Yevetha swung a fist as Mara took hold, one that she easily blocked. The red-head was swift to follow up with a swipe of her foot through the other's legs. Raythe leapt up and over the attempt, but then Luke took hold of his other arm, and Raythe stilled.
"Where are our children?" Mara demanded.
Raythe spat at her feet. "Why should I care where they are?"
Mara's eyes narrowed. "Because they are my children."
Raythe smiled maliciously. "And?"
A little angry himself, Luke shifted so that he held the Yevetha's arm behind his own back. He then applied precise pressure to cause discomfort to the other. "Where are they?"
But Raythe remained tight-lipped, though there was something in his eyes that wasn't consistent with the situation.
Mara noticed this too and she sent out a Force probe. However, she could find no other dangerous presences. But… the Force was vibrating in a telling manner.
"Luke, I think we may have walked into a trap." Mara ground out.
And sure enough, suddenly a trio of new presences appeared in the Force as if by magic. Kida, Pai and Katya appeared from different positions to surround the Jedi Masters, all of them with unlit lightsabers in hand.
"Release Raythe." Kida ordered, even as she placed something on her belt. They looked like cuffs, and Luke thought they looked a lot like the Force-inhibiting cuffs he had seen used before. That would explain why he and Mara had not directly sensed these three teenagers.
Noting his attention, Kida smirked imperiously. "That's right Jedi," she all but spat the title, "our Master outsmarted you… again!"
Luke narrowed his eyes in her direction. "Kida Varik, I presume?"
The Togruta seemed slightly surprised that he knew her last name, but the emotion swiftly passed. She offered a shallow bow, though her gaze never left the Jedi Masters. "The one and only. I will not warn you a third time: release Raythe."
Luke did not move. "You do not frighten us, Young Lady."
Kida snorted. "Perhaps not, but we both know you are not in a place to bargain. Rumor has it that your babysitter wasn't so great at her job."
Raythe snickered. "No, she wasn't. It was actually quite easy to deal with her."
Mara flexed a fist, but then calmed. "Where are our children?"
"Somewhere you will never find them," Kida informed them. "Not without our help."
Luke eyed her. "What does Vexa want with our children?"
Kida tilted her head. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Mara, reading the other, actually smirked. "You don't know either."
Kida threw an acidic look at Mara, one that the red-head easily mirrored. "Vexa Wran does not need to tell us everything. She commands, we obey; end of story."
Mara's gaze sharpened. "Actually, it's not the end of the story. You do not have to obey her."
"Ah, but we do," Kida returned fervently, "she is our master, and we owe her everything."
Luke did not miss the furtive look that Katya shot her fellow acolyte, and the flash of… something in the young woman's eyes. Feeding off of this, and hoping to get Katya to help them, Luke spoke, though he was careful not to target any one teen specifically.
"Everyone has a choice, no matter the circumstances. Even of you are terrified, you can still choose the right path, even if it's more difficult."
"Oh, you mean like Ignis made the 'right choice'?" Raythe mocked. "Look at him now, a literal slave to Vexa. I still don't know what she did to him, but whatever it was, I fully stand behind it."
Kida chuckled. "Indeed. Those who double-cross Vexa pay dearly. However, those who remain utterly loyal… are rewarded."
Luke tilted his head. "And how has she rewarded you, Kida?"
Kida hefted her lightsaber hilt. "I did not come here so we could swap life stories." She lit the ruby blade. "And do not say I didn't warn you."
With that she leapt forward, slicing at Luke. Mara intercepted the Togruta teen easily and deflected her away from her husband. Mara and Kida clashed blades, with Mara allowing Kida to drive her away from the other Skywalker.
Raythe, not wanting to be left out of the fighting, stomped on Luke's booted foot in an attempt to get het Jedi Master to release him, but Luke refused to be cowed. However, Pai came to Raythe's rescue, also igniting his blade and leaping for Luke from behind.
Luke dropped Raythe's limb and caught the attack on his own, emerald blade, pushing back at Pai. Raythe wasted no time in joining the pair as Luke and Pai also dueled. Peripherally, Luke spied Katya, who had to as of yet engaged. Indeed, she looked torn, but something seemed to be holding her back.
Luke could guess that the something was her sister. However, Katya's indecision came to a halt when Raythe, who spotted her, hollered a reproach.
"Don't just stand there: help Kida!"
Katya shook herself, nodded once at Raythe and then sprinted to help Kida.
00000
Tharan woke groggily, wondering why he was so cold. He opened his eyes and looked blearily around, noting that he was in a small space. Turning his head, he saw a black-furred Bothan girl sitting quietly opposite him.
Slowly, his memory returned, and Tharan sat upright. "Where are we?"
"In empty space," Ryleigh replied. "It took you long enough to wake up. Have you never been drugged before?"
Tharan lifted a brow, wondering how many times she had been put under some sort of drug. "No. You?"
Ryleigh looked away. "I don't want to talk about it."
Tharan took in her stiff posture and the way she quivered ever-so-slightly. If he wasn't mistaken, he could have sworn she was afraid, but trying to mask it. Tharan stretched out with his limited Force abilities, and took stock of her emotions.
But, having been through much more training than he, Ryleigh felt his touch to her mind and glared at him. "Get out of my head!"
Tharan swiftly retracted his probe. "Sorry, I was just trying to…"
"Rule number one," Ryleigh cut him off, "is to stay out of other peoples' minds. First off, it's very rude, and secondly, if you survive under our master for any length of time, you learn that your mind is really the only shred of privacy you have."
Tharan looked down, suitably chastened. "I'm sorry Ryleigh. I didn't mean to upset you."
Ryleigh eyed him a bit longer, and then nodded once. "Just don't do it again."
Tharan glanced around once more, taking in the escape pod and then remembering that they were supposed to be doing an exercise.
"Where did the Fist leave the datapad?"
Ryleigh gestured. "In that cradle on the wall. I was waiting for you before I looked at it."
Tharan took the item in question and stood, though he paused before doing anything further. "May I sit beside you so we can look at it together?"
Ryleigh only gestured to the spot beside her, and Tharan took the seat, albeit a little timidly. He activated the datapad, and found the folder marked for he and Ryleigh to open. The items inside were numbered, and Tharan thought it best to follow them in order.
Opening the first file, he discovered a video, which played as soon as it was selected.
"Here are your instructions. You are in the middle of nowhere, and nobody knows you are there except for me." Fist's masked face shifted somewhat closer to the camera. "There is a message in the next file. Without opening it, send it to the two sets of comm. codes in the third file. When either recipient arrives, you are to go with them…"
Vexa's Fist looked off-camera, seeming to check that nobody was eavesdropping. "And you are to be free of Vexa."
Tharan gasped, while Ryleigh stiffened like a board.
"I can imagine you are thinking this is a trick, but I assure you it isn't. Go with the person who picks you up, and try to find a better life." Vexa's Fist paused, and then went on, remorse clear in his voice. "Tharan, I apologize for the way I treated you. I was under orders, and I know you haven't been with Vexa long enough to fully understand, but… let's just say she had a way to control me."
Tharan frowned in confusion. How could Vexa have controlled her Fist? Was it like he was her slave? Did she have some sort of chip implanted in him? Was he part droid? Or perhaps she held his family hostage; thus making him obey her?
"I will be taking care of Vexa very soon… or at the very least I will die trying. Either way, you are free. Try to enjoy that."
The video ended, leaving Tharan to his swirling emotions.
Beside him, Ryleigh was lost in her thoughts. She was young, and she did not know everything, but she was not ignorant either. She was beginning to put some pieces together, and the result was frightening to her.
She was aware, as were all of the acolytes, that Ignis had at some point returned to Boz Pity… and had never been seen again by the children who had been at the castle at the time of his return. Ryleigh had seen him come back, had seen his resolute gaze as he marched to Vexa's throne room. She had also seen the change in him as he was escorted back out of the throne room.
Ryleigh and the other children had not understood what had been happening then, though one child had been brave enough to ask.
"Master Wran, what's going on?"
Vexa looked down upon the Shydopp boy, who couldn't meet her eyes, but instead looked furtively the way Ignis had been taken. All of the children were in training sessions at the moment, and thus had no idea where the young man went after he was out of view.
Ryleigh, who had always liked Ignis, had wanted so badly to offer him a look of sympathy, but she hadn't dared, not with Vexa being right there. Still, Ignis was always kind to her, and Ryleigh was thankful.
"Ignis is going to face his final punishment." Vexa informed them cryptically, and Ryleigh swallowed, thinking that she knew what that meant.
Some of the other children flinched, one gasped in horror, and another began to sniffle.
Vexa nodded seriously. "Take this as a lesson, all of you: if you fail me enough, or openly defy me… it will be to your doom."
"Yes, Master Wran." The children chorused.
"On a different note, soon a new servant will arrive, and I want you to treat him as you would me: he is second in command to me in some ways, and you will do as he says, understand?"
The lot of them again acknowledged, and Vexa seemed satisfied, so she moved off to follow the guards and Ignis.
Nobody had seen Ignis after that day. Ryleigh clearly recalled the first time she had met Vexa's new servant, however; the armored being known as Vexa's Fist. Ryleigh had been so frightened by his appearance, and his cold, numbed demeanor that she hadn't stopped to try learning his real identity. No, she had only learned to recognize him enough that she could know when he was headed her way, so she could steer clear of him if possible.
But now… now that he had gone against Vexa, Ryleigh thought back to her limited interactions with the Fist. He had seemed vaguely familiar, when she wasn't too scared to notice it. Ryleigh thought back to Vexa's words: going to face his final punishment.
Ryleigh had assumed that Vexa had meant to kill Ignis in some way, or to leave him in one of her oubliettes. But now that the Bothan girl looked back, Vexa's Fist had appeared not long after Ignis' supposed death.
Her head came up, and she looked anew at the masked face still visible on the screen. So Ignis was the Fist. And he was trying to help her be free…
Ryleigh trembled anew, thinking of the stories she had heard of other acolytes who had attempted an escape. Those failed attempts had not ended well at all… Vexa always caught them and punished them.
Ignis had been one of those, and Ryleigh had seen the state of him after his mishap with the Mandalorians. He had been sent away for a week, and when he'd returned…
Ryleigh had been far too young to fully understand then what was going on, but she had known enough to get that Ignis had truly infuriated Vexa Wran. Ignis had barely been able to walk, but Vexa had thrown him into training anyway.
Ryleigh, having been granted a rare day off for her good behavior, had managed to find a place to sneak a peek at Ignis that day. What she had witnessed had haunted her ever after: Ignis— struggling mightily to simply stand, let alone hold a weapon— being set upon by a vicious, hungry massiff. Ryleigh had no idea how the young man hadn't died that day. By all accounts he should have. But, somehow, he had pulled through, only to be thrown right into sparring with Raythe, who had happily beaten Ignis nearly to a pulp.
Unable to watch further, Ryleigh had moved off, unable to stomach any more that day.
But Vexa's point had been vividly made to Ryleigh, and as the girl looked back, the terror of that happening to her… was too much. Her trembling increased, and Ryleigh began to hyperventilate.
Would Vexa care if it hadn't been Ryleigh's idea to escape? Would she punish the Bothan girl for following Fist's orders? Vexa herself had told the trainees to obey the Fist.
What if Ignis, or the Fist, wasn't able to deal with Vexa? What then? What if Ryleigh let her guard down, got comfortable and then was recaptured by her master? What if Vexa sent her hounds after Ryleigh?!
So caught up in her panic attack was she, that Ryleigh didn't notice Tharan watching her. He was not nearly as conflicted as she was, but then again, he knew she had been stuck with Vexa for much longer than he.
Tharan laid a gentle hand on Ryleigh's arm, and it took about a full minute for the Bothan girl to realize he was touching her.
"Hey, it'll be alright." Tharan tried to soothe, but Ryleigh shook her head.
"No, it won't! Nobody can beat Vexa! Or at least, not…" Ryleigh stopped, unwilling to leak the Fist's true identity. "Maybe, just maybe a Jedi Master could, but Fist isn't a Jedi Master! Vexa will realize we are gone and she will get us back…" Ryleigh gulped in a terrified breath. "And then I will be punished!"
Tharan frowned. "But we only followed the Fist's orders. Surely Vexa will understand that if we are caught?"
Ryleigh shook her head, unable to make him understand. She didn't think he could, since he hadn't experienced what she had. Tharan still had some of his optimism left because he had not been under Vexa's control long enough. Ryleigh remembered when she too had held out hope.
Her day of realization had come when Kida, who had been in a particularly foul mood over something that day, had taken great delight in squashing all hope out of the younger girl. Brokenhearted, Ryleigh had run off, not realizing where she was going until she slammed into Ignis on the trail in the woods outside the castle.
The young man, sensing how upset she was, hesitantly asked her what the matter was. His sense the Force was so different from Vexa and Kida's, that Ryleigh spilled her heart to him. She couldn't help it: it all just tumbled out of her.
"I thought that maybe, just maybe someone would find me a-and rescue me!" Ryleigh sobbed. "My parents are g-gone, b-but maybe one of my r-relatives would be looking for me?"
Ryleigh couldn't help that she was falling apart, even as she went on. "Vexa is terrifying, and I hate training! A-and Kida is so cruel… she told me I was an unwanted orphan who would forever be a slave to Vexa's will. And for me to be clinging to the hope of being saved was ridiculous, a-and that I need to grow up already! Nobody knew where I was and nobody cared."
Clearly taken aback, Ignis looked away, but then sighed and knelt before her. He gingerly touched her furred cheek, and Ryleigh looked to him. "Unfortunately, Kida is correct: nobody knows where this castle is. Nobody is probably looking for you, and if they are, they will never find you. I'm sorry about that. But, that does not mean you are a slave. We are Vexa's servants, yes, but we still have our free will." Ignis dropped his hand, standing.
"We need to get you back inside before anyone realizes where you are. Younglings are not allowed outside the castle without Vexa present."
Ryleigh, recalling that he was right, felt terror grip her, but Ignis soothed her and snuck the young Bothan back inside the castle, where he offered a gentle smile that she knew he meant as a way to comfort her. Then he wandered off, and she only then saw that he was bruised and bloodied.
"Ryleigh!" Tharan sounded exasperated. "You keep spacing out on me. Look, I already sent the message."
Ryleigh's gaze snapped to his, and Tharan showed her the datapad. "I'm taking his offer. You should too."
Ryleigh could only work to try controlling her fear. But some part of her knew she would never truly relax until she knew Vexa was dead.
00000
Vexa made absolutely certain that her illusion was fully in place as she came out of hyperspace. She had a mimicry of Ignis' presence overshadowing her own, and she even prepared an imitation of Ignis' voice should she need to speak with Shmi.
Vexa reached out in the Force, and was delighted to sense only a single, bright presence. Shmi had taken Vexa's bait: had fallen for her tricks. Now Vexa would have Shmi alone to do with as she pleased.
And Vexa knew exactly where she would deposit the young woman. Vexa was certain that Shmi would try to fight Vexa, and the Sith Lady welcomed the chance to beat the girl around. It would be fun, actually.
She sensed it when Shmi grew aware of "Ignis'" approach, and Vexa securely maintained her illusion. Vexa easily navigated to her castle, landing her ship right before the front entrance. She sensed Shmi drawing closer, and Vexa made certain to be inside the building when Shmi would arrive in the foyer.
Vexa stopped several paces inside the doorway, and then stood like a silent sentinel, the deep hood of her cloak in place. Her lekku were concealed so that Shmi wouldn't immediately know who was actually there.
Vexa monitored Shmi's progress, and smiled softly in anticipation as the young Skywalker's footsteps became audible.
"Ignis?"
Vexa nodded, speaking in her pupil's voice. "I'm here."
Shmi smiled happily and swiftly descended the steps. "I'm glad you're here. Mom and Dad are worried sick about my siblings."
Vexa carefully contained her glee at that tidbit of information. "I'm sorry to hear that."
Shmi was partway to "Ignis" when she investigated a little further in the Force. At that point, Shmi seemed to pause, and Vexa watched her openly, noting how Shmi once again probed gently at the person she thought was Ignis. Vexa was assured in the validity of her trickery, and so remained calm.
Still, there was something in the way Shmi now moved that alerted Vexa to the fact that the young woman knew something was off. Vexa had to grudgingly admit to being impressed at Shmi's intuition.
"You seem… unusually cold in the Force." The other observed.
Vexa silently marked a point for Shmi's keen observation. "Vexa sent me on another… mission."
Shmi flinched. "What'd she have you do now?"
Vexa paused for effect, then, "you don't want to know." Shmi opened her mouth to speak more, but Vexa cut her off. "What do you need from me?"
The Skywalker girl came forward until she was within a few feet. She was openly studying the robed figure, seemingly torn. Vexa wondered belatedly if Shmi's innate danger sense was tingling. All Force-sensitives had one, though some were more attuned to it than others.
Shmi shook her head at one point. "I was hoping you could help us find Ben, Emry and Kodai. You know Vexa's movements better than anyone. Can you tell us anything that will help us find them?"
Vexa chuckled, first using Ignis' voice so that it startled Shmi. Then Vexa slowly uncloaked her voice and physical appearance, as well as her sense in the Force. She suddenly stood a few inches taller, and her laugh became decidedly more feminine in pitch.
"I can tell you that you and your family will never be together again!" Vexa taunted happily.
Shmi gasped as she realized who was actually standing before her. "You!"
Vexa lowered her hood, standing with head held high, and looking down her nose at the young woman. "You."
Vexa looked the girl up and down pointedly. "I'm unimpressed."
Shmi withdrew her unlit lightsaber. "Where are my siblings?"
"Somewhere you will never find them, I assure you," Vexa replied.
Shmi narrowed her eyes. "I have dealt with Sith before. You do not frighten me, Vexa Wran."
Vexa took a deliberate step closer, and when Shmi back-stepped, the Sith Lady smirked knowingly. There was a dribble of perspiration running down each of Shmi's temples.
"Are you sure about that?" Vexa purred, opening her full presence to Shmi so the girl could realize who she was dealing with.
Shmi gagged, but then stood straight, returning Vexa's taunting with a statement of her own.
"I faced both Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine." Shmi gestured, going on boldly. "Palpatine alone was far more putrid than you will ever be. I could sense his Darkness from the other end of the Imperial Palace. You don't even compare."
Vexa snarled dangerously at the insult. "Emperor Palpatine was a lazy fool who let everyone else do the dirty work for him. And in the end, that cost him everything."
Shmi lifted a brow. "And what do you call what you do with the innocent children that you torture into becoming your servants? The very few who survive only live to do your bidding, just as Vader did for Palpatine."
Vexa moved so fast that Shmi had no chance to shift away: she struck the girl across the face. "I do plenty of my own deeds, child!"
Shmi stumbled back, but did not fall, and to her credit she stood upright again in the face of Vexa's fury. "Not from where I stand."
Vexa lifted her hands and Shmi, no doubt recognizing the gesture as one used to produce Sith Lightning, ignited her lightsaber to catch it. But Vexa did not produce lightning. No, she instead used her aptitude for causing pain in anyone she wanted.
Shmi screamed as Vexa's attack came, and then she was writhing on the floor. Vexa laughed, relishing in the girl's agony. She took in the contorted expression on her face, watched as the lightsaber left the girl's clutches, and then observed as Shmi's body spasmed as if she were being struck by a barrage of kicks.
Vexa finally let up and loomed over Shmi, who panted upon the floor. "Do you wish to insult me again, little girl?"
Shmi glared up at her. "Why not give me a fair fight, Vexa?"
Vexa blinked, snorting in amusement. "Very well, if it's a battle you want, then let's proceed. Stand up."
Shmi did so, though it took her a moment. But she straightened and retrieved her lightsaber, which had shut off upon leaving her hand earlier.
"If I win, you tell me where to find my siblings." Shmi stated as she ignited her lightsaber.
Vexa ignited her own ruby blade, enjoying the thought that Shmi actually thought she had a chance against the Sith Lady. "Sure, if that's what you want."
Shmi narrowed her eyes. "I'm serious."
Vexa snorted once with laughter. "I know: that's what's so funny. Alright then, if you best me, I will give you the location of your brothers and sister."
Shmi nodded and struck with her teal blade. Vexa easily blocked, allowing Shmi to go on the offensive first. Shmi came in at Vexa with a determination that fitted her heritage perfectly. Left, right, upper left, upper right, a parry here, a blow there…
Shmi pushed Vexa toward the stairs, and Vexa went up, causing the two of them to be on uneven ground. Having the lower position, Shmi actually held the more strategic one. And the girl knew it. She openly went for Vexa's legs again and again, until Vexa tired of the game and leapt the rest of the considerable distance up the steps.
Shmi followed, though she had to do it in two bounds. Then they were clashing blades again, and Vexa allowed Shmi to think that she was herding Vexa. In reality, Vexa was subtly going where she needed Shmi to be.
Still, the girl had good form, Vexa allowed. Though, really, she would expect no less from a girl who had learned from both Luke and Mara Skywalker.
Shmi struck at Vexa's middle, and when Vexa moved to block, Shmi leapt to the side and then spun in the next instant. Her blade was suddenly behind Vexa, thought the Sith Lady got her own weapon into a block just in time. Shmi kicked at Vexa's knee from behind and managed to connect.
Vexa rolled forward, however, reducing the effectiveness of the blow. She came up and whirled, catching Shmi's next offensive and again allowing the young woman to herd Vexa deeper into the bowels of the castle.
Shmi moved swiftly, using precise, calculated strikes that Vexa knew the girl was hoping would overwhelm Vexa and end the fight more quickly. However, Vexa stood toe-to-toe with the other, keeping up without a hitch.
"Is this going how you had expected?" Vexa asked at some point, looking Shmi in the eye pointedly.
Shmi narrowed her eyes, and a dangerous light flitted through them. Admittedly intrigued, Vexa studied the other a bit more closely.
But Shmi apparently had tricks of her own up her sleeve. She feinted low-left, and when the Sith Lady moved to parry, Shmi shifted to upper right. Vexa adjusted, though to her surprise, this was what Shmi had been hoping for. As soon as Vexa began to work to catch the right-side attack, Shmi deactivated her blade, and when Vexa's went through empty air, Shmi reignited her lightsaber to connect it with the lekku there.
Seconds later, the lower fourth of Vexa's right lekku was on the floor, and Vexa shrieked in agony. Lekku were nerve centers for Twileks, and thus if they were injured, it was overwhelming for them.
Or at least, it would be for those who did not know how to use Crucitorn. Vexa still felt the pain, though she was swift to detach herself from it, even as Shmi took advantage of Vexa dropping to her knees.
"I have won!" Shmi declared, her blade at Vexa's throat. "Where are my siblings!?"
Vexa steadied her breathing, and then allowed fury to fill her entire being. Snapping her eyes open, Vexa did use Sith Lightning this time, and at such close proximity, Shmi was thrown across the space.
"You have NOT bested me, CHILD!" Vexa shrieked, coming forward and blasting Shmi again with Lighting.
It was Shmi's turn to scream, even as she tried to block the barrage. Vexa snarled at the attempt and yanked the girl's lightsaber from her grasp, taking it for herself. She continued to torture the young woman until Vexa felt sated enough, though at that point Shmi was moving lethargically.
Vexa grabbed the young woman by the throat and brought her nose-to-nose with her. "You will die… but not today, and definitely not tomorrow. Maybe in a week, but that remains to be seen."
Shmi had enough awareness to fear that statement, though she again tried to be brave, and Vexa snorted in contempt this time.
"Yes, try not to show your fear. What would Daddy think if he knew you aren't his perfect little girl, huh?" Shmi looked away, and Vexa nodded in satisfaction. "You are not Jedi material, and you still have much to learn. Ignis, on the other hand, would definitely have been worthy to be a Knight were he in the Order. But he is not."
Vexa began to walk, ascending a specific tower that housed only a few narrow wells that ran several meters back down into the tower's infrastructure. These were Vexa's oubliettes, and she had used them on occasion. However, the third one had been occupied only a few weeks ago, and she was certain that the remains of the child were still in the stages of decay.
Vexa did not have the metal box Palpatine had used, but she did have the oubliettes. With an air of anticipation, Vexa continued to drag Shmi through the castle, though she did substitute her hand for a Force grip when her arm grew tired of the other's weight.
Vexa stopped inside the domed upper room of the tower. Inside the space was a similarly domed center, in which were inlaid a few evenly spaced holes. These holes were her oubliettes, and once inside, nobody ever escaped.
Shmi, still weakened from the Sith Lightning and the earlier pain attack, was doing her best to remain alert. "Where are my siblings?"
Vexa eyed her, and guessed that it wouldn't hurt anything to tell the other. Shmi was doomed to die anyway. And… she had managed to fool Vexa, which had earned the young woman a degree of respect.
"They are on Korriban." Vexa admitted, watching the other's eyes widen in horror.
However, when she took in the space they were in, Shmi frowned, her thoughts shifting to the more immediate issue at hand.
"Where are you taking me?" the young woman inquired, her voice hoarse.
Vexa counted three holes, and stopped, turning the other so that Shmi could get a first glimpse. "To your final resting place, of course: one of my oubliettes."
Shmi saw the hole, stared for a moment, and then began to truly wake up despite her pain. "Wait, what?"
Vexa positioned Shmi over the opening with the Force. "I warned you that you would die here. Nobody will know where you are. And, you should know that Mommy and Daddy will be unavailable to rescue you."
Shmi trembled, her fear rising in the face of where she was about to be placed. The young woman tried mightily not to panic, as befitted her role as a student of the Force. And though she did manage not to panic just yet, she was still becoming increasingly terrified as the girl's claustrophobia kicked in.
Just as Vexa had predicted it would.
"No!" Shmi gasped, struggling despite the grasp Vexa had on her. But Vexa stilled the girl so she could move her into the hole properly.
Vexa breathed in the other's angst as if she were smelling a bouquet of flowers. "Ah… your fear is alluring. But alas, I cannot stay longer. I have the rest of your family to ruin, after all. It's been fun, so I must thank you for the entertainment."
And with that she carefully lowered the girl most of the way into the dark, confined space.
00000
Shmi watched helplessly as the opening to the oubliette grew ever smaller and farther away. It happened slowly, deliberately for a few seconds… and then, to Shmi's utter terror, she began to drop like a stone as Vexa no doubt released her Force-hold on Shmi.
Shmi's scream was swept away as the sudden drop stole her breath. Then, sooner than she had expected, her fall came to a horrifying end. Her feet went through something that was equal parts sharp, brittle and yet sickeningly moist.
Her body completely seized up once the immediate danger of the fall was over, and her mind began to register things. Like the fact that she was standing up to her knees in something that Shmi truly did not want to name.
But the smell was overwhelming, and the way her clothing was soaking made Shmi nauseous. Not only that, but she could hardly move her arms without bumping into the walls. Shmi felt herself beginning to tremble uncontrollably, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying desperately to hold it together. Memories of air vents in the Imperial Palace flashed to the forefront of her mind, and she remembered her first major panic attack due to claustrophobia.
At that time, of course, Shmi had been able to reach out to her father despite everything, and he had heard her. Instinctively, Shmi felt her spirit reaching out for him, and yet she felt Vexa blocking her.
Shmi tried to move, her body recognizing that it was not in a good situation. And despite her eyes being closed Shmi could still feel the narrow confines she was in. That was not helped by the way her legs and feet were entangled in a way that she could hardly move them.
No, don't panic… Shmi chanted over and over, attempting to use her calming techniques. She and her parents had worked on them specifically for these attacks. I am a Jedi…
But her declaration was overshadowed by Vexa's taunt that she was not a Jedi, and never would be.
It all began to jumble together, and Shmi felt a pressure building in her chest, which prevented her from breathing properly. And that was when she truly began to lose it. Her throat tightened; the nausea grew ever more persistent until she felt like she would choke.
And then the walls began to squeeze her in… she felt faint…
A primordial scream finally escaped her lips, and Shmi dimly felt Vexa's delight at the teenager's expense. Shmi looked to the only source of light and air, only to find to her horror that Vexa was now covering it over with something, so that Shmi was in pitch-blackness.
At that point, all reason left Shmi, and her baser instincts took fierce hold, driving her into a state of being unlike any she had ever known. Unbeknownst to Shmi, Vexa briefly allowed her parents to feel Shmi's anguish before she blocked them again.
00000
Luke was defending against both Raythe and Pai— and succeeding— when a wave of utter terror slammed into him from his eldest daughter. Luke gasped, nearly missing the next attacks of both acolytes.
But he caught and managed to hold both opponents' lightsabers… though he did not move for long seconds. Oddly, Raythe and Pai did not press the attack on Luke, seeming to know what was going on.
That, or Vexa wanted the Skywalker adults alive.
Either way, it afforded Luke a chance to sense Shmi's traumatized state of being before their connection was blocked.
Mara's shock rang out in their bond as she too no doubt felt Shmi. Only, Mara did not stop her attack. Instead, her anger ignited, and Mara turned the tables on the two girls she fought. Mara easily overpowered Katya as the younger teen shrank back at Mara's sudden change. Katya fell back and Mara sliced the girl's weapon into two, then focused solely on Kida, who appeared to relish the sudden challenge.
Kida and Mara went at it with furious, precise blows, though in a matter of minutes Mara noted that Kida was seemingly stuck in a pattern as she worked to keep up with the Jedi Master. Well, Mara was far from through.
When Kida met Mara's latest offensive, Mara dropped one hand and delivered a right-hook into the other's face. Kida jerked at the surprise attack, and then Mara roundhouse kicked the girl, dropping Kida to the ground.
Luke, for his part, was doing his utmost not to give in to anger, but he was rattled. Pai and Raythe, sensing this, doubled their efforts, and Luke took deep breaths to center himself again. However, as he thought about it all, something in Luke also shifted, and his anger at Vexa always targeting his family finally started to boil to the surface.
Pai swung at Luke, who also let go of his hilt with one hand to catch the enemy lightsaber hilt. In the next second, Luke was shattering the weapon with the Force. That left only Raythe with his lightsaber, though Pai recovered by drawing out a small vibroblade. True, it wasn't as effective as the lightsaber, but it still caused Luke to have to continue defending from two fronts.
Raythe kicked at Luke, extending his dewclaws in an added measure of threat to the human. Luke knew that Yevethas were notorious for creating personal toxins that they fed into the veins of their dewclaws. That venom normally had no antidote.
Luke was thus very careful to avoid the dewclaw.
In her corner, Mara had Kida disarmed, and the Jedi Master's unique purple-blue blade was at the Togruta's throat. "Surrender!"
Kida glared at the redhead. "Never! I will die for Vexa!" She peered at Luke and the male acolytes, then looked to Katya, disgusted at her companion's hesitance. "Katya, get over here and help me!"
Mara could sense Katya's fear of Mara, which kept the girl away from her. But then something was in the small of Mara's back, and seconds later another item was at her throat.
"Step away from Kida," a new, younger voice said. There as a nervous tremble to the female voice, and Mara thought she had heard this person before, but could not place where.
Mara hesitated, but knew that she was temporarily outmatched. Besides, she would do no good to her children if she was dead. With a muttered curse, Mara deactivated her lightsaber.
Kida looked on triumphantly and nodded to whomever was behind the redhead. "Well done, Titania!"
Mara frowned, but then the person behind her forced Mara to turn as Kida stood.
"Luke Skywalker!" Kida commanded in a loud voice, reclaiming and igniting her blood-red lightsaber once more, and holding it to Mara in a threatening manner. "Stand down!"
Luke glanced their way, saw Mara… and paused in his offensive. The two male acolytes also stopped, though neither sheathed their weapons yet.
Luke thinned his lips, but did surrender, turning off his emerald blade and stepping back. Pai was swift to bring his force-inhibiting cuffs to bear, and slap them onto Luke's wrists. Once Luke was secured, Raythe decked Luke, causing the Jedi Master's head to snap to the side. Luke spit out blood, but remained calm otherwise. Mara cringed to see the damage also done by the spikes on Raythe's knuckles. They would most certainly leave new scars on her sweet husband's visage.
Kida made a motion, and the person behind Mara came around to also put her in cuffs, and upon seeing the Theelin girl, Mara felt comprehension dawn. She now remembered the mention of a silver-skinned Theelin girl, one that had blue from her eyes to the triple horns on either side of her scalp. The spotting on her skin was of a darker blue.
Mara knew from Samanda that Titania was barely out of her full training, and indeed, the girl looked oh so young! Somehow, there as still an innocence about her that did not match the situation she was in, and Mara felt a pang of empathy for the young woman. That had once been Mara's situation, after all.
Now that both Jedi Masters were apprehended, the acolytes formed a group and escorted their captives to their ship, which lay outside the industrial area. Kida and Pai went to the cockpit while the others moved the two Jedi to the holding cell.
Katya stood in the shadows, as did Titania, while Raythe entered the space with the two adults. Raythe balled his large, horned fists angrily, trying and failing to keep in all of his anger. Vexa had promised if he waited, that he would get a chance at revenge… yet here they were now, unprotected and unable to use the Force to defend themselves…
As the ship lifted from the ground and pulled for space, Raythe tried to reason with himself. Vexa would be quite angry if Raythe went back on his word… but these were Katu's murderers… Raythe couldn't stop the run around, and it built in him until at long last he could stand it no more.
Upon feeling the tell-tale tug of entering hyperspace, Raythe lost control and stepped toward Mara, a fist raised to pummel her. He would have his revenge now!
"You sleemos killed my only friend!" Raythe ground out, swinging as hard as he could.
Before his strike could land, however, a booted foot connected with Raythe's stomach, and suddenly Raythe was flying away from the redhead. Raythe connected heavily with the wall, and it took him a full thirty seconds to figure out what had happened.
But as soon as he saw Luke standing between Raythe and Mara, the Yevetha knew what had transpired. Luke's face was a stony mask as he stood protectively in front of his companion, the look in his eyes utterly lethal as he dared Raythe to try that again.
"You will not touch my wife." Luke stated in a voice that sent chills down the spines of both of the watching girls.
Raythe glared murder at Luke and came forward, using the Force to try and throw Luke away from Mara. Luke, seeing what was coming, made sure to take Mara down with him, with he over her. Raythe was then upon them, and Luke took the full force of the Yevetha's attack.
Below him, Mara was equal parts miffed and grateful. But when Luke's blood splattered onto her face, Mara snapped to…
Then two sets of hands were trying to wrestle Raythe away from the Jedi Masters.
"Raythe, knock it off!" Katya demanded, managing to slow the Yevetha only a little. Raythe threw both girls off of him, and Katya turned to Titania.
"He will listen to Kida, go get her!"
Titania disappeared, and moments later, it was Raythe who was flying away from the scene. Kida, her eyes alight with outrage, stepped right up to Raythe.
"Stand down!" Kida hollered. "You know Vexa's orders!"
Raythe was breathing heavily, his eyes wild. "I will have my revenge!"
Kida narrowed her eyes, turning to Katya. "Take the cuffs from Raythe's belt and put them on him."
Katya, sporting a few new bruises herself now, nodded and did as Kida had said. Once Raythe was contained, Kida lifted him in the Force and carried him away.
Then all was silent in the hold except for Luke's wheezing. A tense moment of inaction occurred, though at some point Mara shifted her husband's weight from her. She sat up and hovered over her beloved, her eyes moist.
"Why did you do that?" Mara reprimanded halfheartedly, touching his face tenderly.
Luke looked to her with open love, and wheezed out a soft reply. "I would do anything to protect my beloved."
00000
Unable to witness the tender scene, as Katya had been part of their pain, she left the area, guilt hammering at her insides. Titania, however, looked on with mixed feelings as Mar shifted to sit behind Luke, taking the man's head and tenderly setting it in her lap.
Was this love? Was this what it meant to have someone who cared about you?
She had no idea what love was: she did not even remember where she had come from. Her earliest recollection was waking up in a medical room with Vexa peering down upon her. Titania, having nothing to fall back on, had believed everything Vexa had told her then.
I saved your life... you can repay me by learning from me… you owe me… you belong to me now… you had been abandoned…
And never did Titania recall anyone sticking up for her at all. Sure, there was the occasional gesture of kindness from Ignis, or even the sisters, but her interactions with her fellow acolytes had generally been nothing more than what Vexa wanted them to be.
Titania, at odds with things, retreated to the cockpit, where Pai still was. Kida had returned, muttering to Pai about how she'd had to all but lock Raythe in the cabin. Pai only nodded, and Titania stared ahead for a time at the mottled view of hyperspace.
Then, shifting her gaze to Kida, the Theelin girl ventured a timid query. "Kida?"
The Togruta barely glanced her way. "What?"
Titania looked on earnestly. "Did I really do well? Do you think Master Wran will be pleased?"
Kida sighed, and Titania flinched at the other's flash of annoyance: Kida had never been particularly friendly to anyone. The Togruta was actually quite selfish, and Titania was always walking on eggshells around her, though not quite as much as she was with Vexa.
But then Kida seemed to think of something, and suddenly the other's sense shifted to something resembling kindness, though Titania knew it was forced.
"Absolutely. You did everything asked of you, and to boot you were the one who snuck up om Mara Jade Skywalker. That alone is impressive." Kida leaned back in her seat. "You helped us ultimately fulfill our mission. So yes, Vexa will be quite happy with you."
Titania managed a small smile. "That's good to hear."
"Now, why don't you go get some rest, or a bite to eat?" Kida suggested, her tone shifting once more, and Titania heard the unspoken thought: go away.
Titania didn't argue, only took the hint. She went into the galley to find Katya sitting at the table, staring blankly ahead. Titania studied the other girl, who was a little older than herself. Katya seemed like a nice enough person, though she was usually with her sister, Cambrie. Titania had never had a beef with either sister, however, so she didn't have to be as on-guard around them as with Kida.
Titania sensed the mixture of emotions in Katya and moved closer, drawing Katya's gaze upon her. "Are you alright?"
Katya gazed at her, seemingly torn before she took a breath. "I will be, but thanks. It's not the first time Raythe has lost his temper."
Titania observed Katya open the lower cabinets and select a large bowl, which she filled partially with warm water. Then she took up a rag, and finally disappeared, only to return with a small medkit.
Titania frowned. "What are you doing?"
"Yes, what are you doing?" Kida seconded as she appeared, eyes narrowing in Katya's direction.
Katya met Kida's gaze without fear. "I want to at least make Luke look presentable to our master after Raythe's slip-up. She's already going to be mad. I can at least try to doctor him up a little before Vexa sees him."
Kida deflated somewhat at that, and then sighed again, moving past the other girls to grab a drink from the cooler. "Fine. Do what you can, but remember, they are not your friends."
"I know that Kida." Katya grumbled, taking her supplies and vanishing.
Titania only watched her leave, though when Kida brushed past her to return to the cockpit yet again, Titania followed Katya, making sure to stay hidden.
00000
Mara looked up as Katya reappeared outside their cell, a small helping of supplies in her grasp. Katya opened the cell, entered, and closed it again after depositing her bowl of steaming water onto the ground.
Mara narrowed her eyes at Katya, who stopped under that gaze. The girl's hazel eyes couldn't meet Mara's, and the red head sensed Katya's unease. But Mara said nothing for the moment, waiting to see what the other wanted.
Luke likewise eyed the girl, and Katya shifted under their combined stares before she seemed to recall why she was there. Katya took up her supplies again and carefully approached. When she was close enough, she took in the way Mara held Luke's head in her lap, gently stroking her husband's bloodied hair.
Katya knelt, indicating her rag and the warm water before addressing Luke. "I wanted to clean you up some, if that's alright."
Luke continued to study the other, but eventually nodded his consent. Katya managed a tiny smile, though there was no true energy behind the gesture. She wet the rag and then gently began to dab the blood from his face, arms and hair. She made sure to be as careful with him as she could be, hoping to convey…
…what? What was she trying to convey, exactly? Katya wasn't certain she even knew.
However, at some point, as she sat there with the Skywalker couple, something in her couldn't help but feel… safe. It was crazy, Katya surmised, but despite it all, she did feel a sense of security around this couple, and she found herself drawn toward that.
She had not felt truly safe in so long, that she didn't remember what security was supposed to feel like. She had Cambrie, yes, but Katya was the older sister, and thus supposed to protect the other.
And the longing to feel safe as she did with Luke and Mara was so keen, that it drew her to tears.
"I'm so sorry!" Katya whispered so only they could hear, her eyes leaking; and somehow, she knew that they understood what she meant. Katya was apologizing for everything she had been part of to hurt them: her role in ambushing Shmi and Anya, the kidnapping of their three younger children, and then their capture here.
To her utter shock, Luke touched her moist cheek gently. "We understand that you have been working under duress."
Katya swallowed hard. "You have no idea…"
Mara lifted a brow. "I think I do. I served Palpatine."
Katya considered that, even as she continued to clean Luke's fresh cuts, pressing some areas to stop the bleeding. When she was done with the water and rag, the amount of crimson in the bowl was hard to look at.
Katya opened the medkit and perused the contents before selecting a salve to apply to the worst of the cuts. By now she had stopped weeping, and had dried her face to remove all evidence.
"Can you help us at all?" Mara inquired in a soft tone.
Katya's heartrate increased, and her hand slipped before she could stop it. "I… I don't know what I can do. It's unwise to disobey our master."
"Ignis did so." Mara pressed. "More than once I believe."
Katya blanched, her pallor briefly matching her pale-blonde hair. "Yes, he did, and every time he failed, it was horrible! I remember seeing him when he was fifteen, after he had managed to escape for a few days. Vexa sent her hounds and some men after him, by which Ignis captured and returned to her. I know this because Vexa informed us acolytes what had occurred, so we would not make the same… mistake." Katya shuddered. "Ignis was different after that experience. He was far quieter, and his spark seemed to have been snuffed out. I know we are not there to make friends, and that we are to focus on ourselves… but that was still sad to witness."
Katya realized she had paused in her ministrations, so she resumed them, partly to maintain appearances should any of her fellow acolytes walk in on them. None of the three of them was aware that Titania was listening in on everything she could.
"I don't dare go against Vexa. She is far stronger than I am, and she knows things I never will. Besides… I can't leave without Cambrie."
"Is she your sister?" Luke asked, to which Katya nodded.
"Do you know where our children are?" Mara asked, all but begging Katya for that answer at the very least.
Katya nodded once, growing a little fearful of them, and hesitating to respond. How would they react?
Katya was working to put a butterfly bandage over Luke's eye when Kida's voice lashed out.
"Aren't you done yet?"
Katya jumped, though she did snap off a retort without looking at the other. "Almost! Lay off Kida, I'm not your punching bag. I am a fellow acolyte who has earned her rank, so treat me with the respect I deserve."
Kida snorted in contempt, but did retreat, and Katya sighed heavily. "I really do hate that girl."
Seeing their expressions, Katya shook her head. "Don't judge me for that: I have good reason to feel that way. Let's just say Kida is not friend material. All she cares about is herself and Vexa."
She cleaned up her things and made to stand, but just before doing so, Katya hesitated. Then, checking to make sure Kida was not still there, Katya bent over Luke's ear and whispered to him.
"Korriban."
His horror hit the teenager like a fist to the gut, and Katya swiftly stood, offering one final apology before beating a hasty retreat.
She knew when Luke told Mara where their children were, because Katya heard the woman's virulent curse.
00000
Wedge looked to his gauges, reading the amount of fuel he still had, which was just enough to make it back to the Keelkana. It had taken him quite some time to locate the Rising fleet, and then even more time to figure out where Vexa's personal ship was.
Though, when he finally did make it out, he had to wonder if the frigid chill that coursed through him wasn't some sort of premonition in the Force. True, Wedge was no Jedi, but he recalled Luke saying that the Force resided in all things. So, though Wedge could not actively utilize the Force, he could still feel it to a degree.
Thus it was that Wedge was all too happy when he was able to locate their ship. That meant he could tag it, and then he could beat a hasty retreat. He was careful to fly at a distance and in a way that he would not be spotted easily. Wedge circled the entire ship before he selected a promising place to put his tracker.
Wedge took aim with his specialized cannon, and fired. The tiny package sped across the gap, the miniature propulsion trail all but invisible thanks to the Tibanna gas that had been used as the fuel. It was the same mixture that had been made for his stealth fighter. So, Wedge was not concerned about anyone seeing the object while it was put into place.
Wedge waited until the tracker as in position, and transmitting as it was meant to, before he turned his ship and sped for the jump point.
However, part of him did wonder if Ignis was on that blasted ship too.
Wedge hoped that in the coming battle, Ignis and the other kids that were probably on Vexa's ship would make it out alright. But Wedge could do nothing for them at the moment, so he set his coordinates and leapt to hyperspace.
When he had at long last docked with Admiral Igeal's ship, he looked about expectantly for Wes's vessel. It was not yet there, and Wedge felt a burst of concern. However, he reminded himself to be patient. Wes may be a joker, but he was also an ace pilot, and Wedge was confident in his friend's piloting skills.
Wes would be just fine.
Wedge decided to clean up after his time in the stealth fighter, and by the time he was done, Tycho arrived to inform Wedge that Wes had just docked.
"Good to hear," Wedge said with a sigh of relief. "Let's go meet up with him."
Tycho nodded and the pair walked to the hangar, where Wes was exiting his fighter. Immediately upon his feet touching the deck, Wes began stripping from his flightsuit. When he spotted his friends, Wes offered a warm smile.
"Hey guys." Wes handed his suit off to the mechanic with a word of thanks, then took his helmet under his arm and strode to meet Wedge and Tycho.
"Did you have any problems?" Wedge inquired.
"None, though I had an interesting time of getting close enough to the Surefist to place my tracker. That's what took me so long. I'm just glad nobody was with me, because there were a few close calls."
Wedge winced, but clapped his friend on the back. "Well, I'm glad you're safe. My placing also went as planned. And I know you just got back, but we need to report to the Admiral."
Wes sighed tiredly, but nodded. "Right."
The threesome walked from the hangar bay, and made their way to the office of the ship's ranking officer. Partway there, Wes turned his head.
"Wedge, do you think there's any way that we can help those kids Hobbie mentioned?"
Wedge sighed wearily. "I'd thought of that too, believe me. But honestly, I can't come up with a plausible plan. Maybe if Luke could lend us a group of Jedi to storm the ship with… but we have no idea what we'd be up against."
Wes bit his lip. "But we should at least try."
"I agree," Wedge murmured, thinking of his daughters. If they had been on that ship, he would have stopped at nothing to try getting them back. "But we will be in the middle of the battle, and I can assure you that Vexa's ship will be a prime target. And… I'm sorry to say that the majority of beings in the fleet we have amassed would think the loss of some few children an acceptable one. Especially in the face of protecting the larger galaxy."
Wes knew Wedge was right, as they had seen that very thing before: a small group sacrificed for the greater good.
"It just hurts that those kids are there because they have no choice."
Wedge nodded. "It does. I'm a father, so I get it, believe me."
Wes patted his friend on the back, and the threesome continued on to make their report as was expected.
00000
"Hey Dad?"
Han and Leia looked up from the reports they were pouring over. The New Republic was getting into position to ambush the Rising before they could attack the next system in their sights: Wroona. The Rising had taken a few more systems before Wedge and Wes were able to tag their respective ships, allowing the New Republic to better plan their offensive.
The Rising had already jumped to be close to Wroona, but they had not finished entering the planet's system. It seemed that they were waiting for something. In fact, the Rising had gone suspiciously quiet ever since Luke and Mara's family had been targeted. Han wondered if Vexa had lost sight of the war in an effort to pursue her personal vengeance.
Han looked to Asher. "Yeah?"
"There's a new message for you on the comm., but it's protected by some sort of question."
Han blinked in surprised, but then had a thought. "I wonder…"
Leia, openly curious, followed her husband to the communications station. "What, Han?"
"Remember my account of how we freed Ignis?" Han said over his shoulder.
"Yes," Leia replied.
"Well, the Kid said something about needing help freeing others, and that he would find a way to communicate with us when he needed them picked up."
Leia nodded her understanding as Han took a seat. He selected the message and worked to open it. A question popped up, and Han studied it.
What did I leave for you to find on your ship?
Han typed in the answer: two drawings.
The message prompt indicated that it was thinking, and then a message opened.
Two children: Tharan is the Mirialan boy, and Ryleigh is the Bothan girl. Please help them get to a safe place. Both are Force-sensitive, and Ryleigh has a few years of training under her belt. They have enough supplies to last a few days, but please don't delay too long. Look for an escape pod.
A set of coordinates followed, and Han noted them, though Leia beat him to it on bringing the spot up on a map.
Leia fingered the area. "That's not that far away from Stobar."
Han nodded slowly, pursing his lips. "I think the Rising passed by Stobar because there isn't much to it. I guess it wasn't worth their time and effort."
Leia patted his shoulder. "Well, that works to our advantage then. Let's get ready to go."
"Can we come?" Carmi asked, indicating her brother and she. "If you're only going to pick up a pair of kids, please can we help?"
Asher looked on eagerly, and Han shared a glance with Leia. Something unspoken passed between husband and wife before Han smiled softly.
"Alright you two, get your things. Besides, it might be helpful to have someone these kids' age onboard with us."
With a cheer, Carmi and Asher disappeared.