Chapter: 85 The Lies of the Jedi
"Morality is a myth molded by those in power."
Heroism across the galaxy! Despite the ongoing struggle to end the Clone Wars, light still shines amidst the shadows. The Galactic Republic's most recent accomplishments make headlines across the Core Worlds. With a Jedi rescued and terrorist plot foiled, the galaxy seems a little safer. But what lengths are the so-called "Heroes of the Republic" willing to go to in order to keep this peace?
Amidst the bitter decadence of war, tranquility was a blessing in the Jedi Temple. Outsiders might've felt like this solace was a constant, but those within knew the truth. Almost every Jedi elder had known grief. They'd heard stories about their brothers or sisters of the Force falling on the battlefield. Masters dying in student's arms. Padawans perishing as the lost children their mentors would never have. The Jedi Temple was seen as a sanctuary of peace. But during the Clone Wars, it was more of a reminder than anything else. A nostalgic haven where Jedi and onlookers alike could remember what was. Even what could be again. As the Republic delved deeper into corruption and hypocrisy, the relics of its golden age were all that remained.
For Jedi Master Yelena, she found nights in the temple distinctly serene. Nearly vacant, shadowy halls that seemed to stretch on forever prompted a sensation of comfort. As she traversed the quiet darkness, she occasionally nodded respectfully to a temple guard on duty. Despite how tranquil the silence was, Yelena almost felt guilty for such a privilege. While she was strutting between ancient, safe pillars...others were fighting on the frontlines. Jedi younger than her were paying with their lives in a war with no end in sight. She could only hope that being summoned by the Jedi Council so late would bring them one step closer to finding peace.
Whenever the council congregated at such a late hour, it was typically to engage in prolonged bouts of meditation. Because she wasn't a member, Yelena was particularly concerned over why her presence was being requested. Every pulse-pounding ding of the elevator gave her plenty of time to overthink the reasons. She let out a yawn, and told herself it was better to do so then before facing the council. The last thing she needed was for Master Windu to think he was boring her.
Yelena reached the grand spire and stepped into the council chamber. There was a coziness to the amount of darkness in the room. The masters' seated figures were hardly visible as the lights of speeding skylane traffic darted behind them. "Welcome, Master Yelena." Master Yoda was the first to speak. His pointy ears twitched from his shadowy silhouette. If Yelena didn't know any better, she'd think it was her knighting ceremony all over again. There was an eerie sense of foreboding throughout the chamber. As Yelena glanced at each master, she found Obi-wan Kenobi's posture particularly concerning. He appeared deeply troubled as he hunched forward.
"Masters," Yelena greeted. "Might I inquire as to why I have been summoned here?"
The prolonged pause was as ominous as it was agonizing. Master Windu scratched at his chin and ultimately spoke up first. "Republic intelligence has uncovered a plot to kidnap the supreme chancellor," he murmured.
"Does this have to do with that Phindian?" Yelena asked.
"Apprehended, Moralo Eval is." Yoda assured. "But set in motion, we fear his plan already has been."
"Eval holds great influence within the criminal underworld on and off of Coruscant," Master Plo Koon explained. "The key to unveiling this plot resides in the shadows."
Yelena stammered at first. "With all due respect...I don't understand what this has to do with me."
"Everything," Yoda intones. "As it does for all of the Republic. But to stop this great evil, a great deception...we must undertake."
As Yelena tried to make sense of Yoda's words, she noticed council members continuously glancing at Obi-wan. "What kind of deception?" she asked.
Skylane traffic continuously flowed past the grand spire's tinted windows. As the Jedi Council relayed their proposed plan to Yelena, her inquisitive complexion faltered. Every word had her mirroring Obi-wan's troubled expressions. By the end of their decree, Yelena had to forcefully harden her heart. Her old master had always told her that the future hinged on her choices. If she was to fulfill the council's plan, it would cost her a part of herself. Yelena had to constantly reassure herself that what they were about to undertake would save lives. At least, that's what the council believed.
"I accept," Yelena solemnly told the masters. She departed without another word, but was suddenly stopped by Mace Windu.
"And one more thing," he said. "Should this plan succeed and your endeavors prove effective, you'll have shown us how far you've come as a Jedi. And how trustworthy you could be...with a seat on this council."
Yelena's heart sank at Windu's words. She simply nodded as thoughts of a council seat swirled within. While Yelena imagined such an honor, she struggled to fathom the price she'd pay.
"Wait wait wait," Master Mattias sputtered. "You cancelled your class?"
"Believe me," Yelena scoffed only to yawn. "I was doing them a favor. I didn't sleep a wink last night."
The duo shared a bench overlooking the temple gardens. A thin stretch of clouds shrouded the midday sun and darkened the Jedi in a shadowy tint. "While I respect the council's confidentiality-" Mattias began. "-I can't help but worry about you, my friend. For you to lose sleep over this assignment, it must be awfully serious."
Yelena nodded subtly and sought comfort in the incoming breeze. "Do you ever regret lying to Anna?" she asked. "About Aren for all those years?"
Mattias paused to ponder the magnitude of her question. "Sometimes," he replied. "Mostly when I think about how she reacted. But when it came to protecting Anna and helping her reach her full potential...I was able to find some justification. Enough to help me sleep at night anyway." He observed Yelena's troubled visage and tried to imagine what she had to go through.
The elder bit her lip. "Telling Elsa the truth and receiving forgiveness for that gave me a chance to heal. But by going through with this, I feel like I'll be opening up entirely new wounds."
Mattias took a deep breath and leaned towards his companion. "For what it's worth, Yelena...I have to believe that the council would never ask this of you if it wasn't important. Our trials don't stop at knighthood, as the Force is continuously testing us. This is could be the ultimate challenge. One that will lead your resilient self to a seat on the council."
"But what makes me deserving of something like that?" Yelena asked.
Mattias chuckled. "There's a reason they didn't pick me for whatever this assignment is. You've always been the stronger Jedi. Goodness, you stayed on Aren when I rejected them entirely."
"Maybe I just need some time to myself," she replied. Noticing that she was overwhelmed, Mattias obliged.
Before he departed, he placed a firm hand on her shoulder and said, "I believe in you, Yelena. You have the strength to see this through."
She waited until he was gone to whisper, "I don't think anyone does."
She stayed out by the temple gardens long after the clouds had parted. Her mind wandered and proposed every outcome over what was to come. With each passing hour, Yelena had to stop herself from the occasional self-induced gasp. She'd hyperventilate and feel like a ticking time bomb. To ease her nerves and pass the time, Yelena paced throughout the gardens. She let her hands brush against the densest foliage in an effort to cling to life. Her heart sank as she approached a pair of bright-petaled flowers.
Blueblossoms.
It was sundown by the time she'd sought those iconic flowers. She reached for a nearby pitcher and proceeded to water them herself. As brisk droplets pattered against their petals, Yelena couldn't stop thinking about Elsa. "Us blueblossoms have to stick together," they'd told one another. As she nurtured the flowers and soaked their soil, Mattias' words returned to her.
"But when it came to protecting Anna and helping her reach her full potential...I was able to find some justification."
Is that all any of this is? Yelena asked herself as she kept watering the plants in a trancelike state. Justification? In that instant, one of the blueblossoms toppled over due to overwatering. The master gasped and set her pitcher down. Before she could see to her mistake, a single blastershot rang out across the cityscape. It chilled Yelena to her core as an eerie silence filled the skylanes. It wasn't unlikely to hear a blast on Coruscant. After all, crime rates were going up. But she knew what had just happened. She knew that the council's plan had been set in motion and that she'd have to do her part next. Within moments, Yelena watched as a wave of emergency service ships soared overhead. Police and ambulance sirens blared as they lit up the night in strobing hues. It's done, Yelena told herself and peered down at the fallen blueblossom.
Elsa Dellian embraced silence aboard the Deliverance. She focused on steadying her breaths as she slowly opened her eyes. "Okay," she said and clasped her Echani quarterstaff. A trio of silhouettes stepped towards her while she extended the weapon. "I'm ready," Elsa affirmed.
"Attack!" Commander Frost declared with a thrust of his hand. Armed with powered down stun batons...he, Rip, and Doubles rushed Elsa from all sides. Each clone wore a form-fitting, black tank top and set of bulky cargo pants. The Jedi began with a wide twirl, keeping each of her opponents back.
"Good!" Donz lauded from a nearby bench. The old clone crossed his arms and kept a close eye on the combatants. "Use distance to your advantage." Rip swung just as Elsa ducked and jabbed him in the stomach. She raised an empty palm to Doubles until Donz stopped her. "Ah ah ah!" he reminded. "No Force powers, Elsa."
"Right," Elsa grumbled and tried her best to repel both attackers. Her staff clunked against Doubles' club.
"Keep your arms up!" Donz lectured her. "And Rip! Get up!"
"Yeah yeah," Rip grumbled and charged back over.
While Elsa engaged Rip and Doubles, Frost took his time pacing around them. Doubles struck Elsa's forearm, breaking her defense while Rip shoved her back. "Good hits, boys." Donz remarked. "Elsa, you've gotta be quicker."
"I know," she sighed and stretched her aching arm. "I'm not a good duelist, but-"
"Stop stop STOP!" Donz bellowed and the session came to a pause. The pilot sprung from his bench and stepped up to Elsa.
"What's going on?" the Jedi asked.
"Respectfully ma'am-" Donz explained. "-your attitude." She raised a brow, but kept her mind open and heard him out. Donz reached over and clasped the staff with her. "Saying that you're not a good duelist. You're speaking defeat over the situation before it's even over."
"But it's a fact," Elsa retorted. "It's not defeat if its acceptance."
"No," Donz intoned. "It's accepting defeat. You are stronger than you say you are Elsa. Even without your Force powers. Contrary to popular belief, your words carry just as much meaning as your actions do. Imagine how my brothers would feel getting into my gunship if I said 'I'm not a good pilot.' It's not about skill. It's about confidence." Elsa slowly nodded as she thought on the clone's wisdom. A reassuring smile formed beneath his bushy mustache and he patted her shoulder. "You can do this. You always could." Donz returned to his bench and asked, "Ready?"
"Ready," Elsa affirmed with a huff.
"Attack!" Frost shouted and the clones resumed their charge.
I can do this, Elsa willed and forced herself to go on the offensive. No matter how much her body urged her to keep defending, Elsa made herself swing. Her momentum knocked Rip and Doubles back, but she was ready for them to return. Elsa wouldn't give them a chance to strike, and practiced spinning her staff towards them. She was as elegant as she was powerful, delivering a mixture of heavy jabs and swings. Each hit motivated Elsa to press on as she picked up speed. Adrenaline pulsed through her body as she lunged forward and flourished her staff. With a swift upward swing, Elsa sent Rip's baton spiraling out of his hands. Without wasting a moment, she thrust backward to disarm Rip. Her maneuver was so quick, that it took the clone a moment to realize he wasn't even holding a weapon.
"Haha!" Donz cheered. "You see?" he continued as Elsa pointed her staff at the disarmed clones. "Look at you...look what you've done. You can do it!"
"Nice, Elsa." Doubles complimented while still catching his breath.
"She was okay I guess," Rip griped. "But I want a rematch!"
Elsa chuckled at his response. She was about to lower her weapon when a concerning thought crossed her mind. "Wait," she uttered. "Where's-"
"Ahem," Frost coughed and poked her back with his baton. Having dropped her focus, Elsa gasped and spun to meet him. "Gotcha," the commander teased.
"I see that you're honing your own stealthy skills, commander." Elsa complimented.
"My time with you has taught me to be more patient and calculating," Frost replied and lowered his weapon. "While you fought the others, I took my time...watching for openings and potential weak spots."
"Well done," Donz said. "All of you."
"I can't thank you all enough," Elsa said while retracting her quarterstaff. "These combat sessions have been helping me greatly."
"Just stick with the stick," Rip jested. "You start using that lightsaber on us and I'm out."
Before Elsa could reassure him, Admiral Taka's voice boomed over the venator's intercom. "Elsa Dellian," Taka declared. "Please report to the command bridge immediately. Elsa Dellian...please report for an urgent message."
Elsa raised a brow and nervously glanced at Frost. She cautiously mouthed the word 'Urgent?' before proceeding to the bridge. While she understood confidentiality, Elsa wished Taka hadn't been so vague over the intercom. Every step towards the bridge let her mind come up with frantic scenarios for her summoning. Her anxiety only intensified when she arrived and saw a hologram of Yelena beside Taka. Her former master's blue visage appeared somber as Elsa approached.
"Master Yelena," Elsa greeted respectfully. "Is...everything alright?" The ensuing pause made Elsa's stomach drop. Yelena's gaze trailed off as a deep sense of foreboding filled the bridge. One didn't have to be Force sensitive to feel the chilling pause between each Jedi. With her stress overriding her patience, Elsa inquired again. "Yelena?"
With a deep breath and furrowed brows, the elder finally spoke up. "No Elsa," she sighed, trying to remain as straightforward as possible.
"What's wrong?" Elsa asked and leaned towards the holotable as if Yelena was really there.
Her former student's concerned and innocent tone was enough to already make Yelena's heart ache. Still, she pushed past the lump in her throat and said, "I'm so sorry, Elsa." The young blonde's eyes filled with worry as Yelena delivered her news. "Your friend, Obi-wan Kenobi...has passed away."
Elsa's eyes twitched as Yelena's words hit her in waves. "I-...wh-...what?" Elsa uttered. Realization took hold and she shook her head in disbelief. "H-how?"
"He was-" Yelena took a deep breath. "-killed by an unknown assailant this evening here on Coruscant." The news had Elsa's body quivering. Officers peered up from their stations while even Admiral Taka looked distraught. "I understand that this may all be so sudden," Yelena said. "But I know how close you and Master Kenobi were. It was only right to-"
"I understand," Elsa murmured. "I-...I'll be returning to pay my respects effective immediately. Thank you for letting me know, Master Yelena," she forced herself to say.
"Elsa-" Yelena was about to continue.
"Respectfully," Elsa interjected. "I just need some time to think things over."
"Of course," Yelena understood. "If there's anything I can do to-"
"It's alright," Elsa insisted. "I just need...a moment." As the transmission ended, Elsa departed from the bridge with her head held high.
"Elsa?" Frost worried having arrived moments later. Elsa stormed past him with her head slowly hanging downward. "Elsa!" he called to her as she quickened her pace.
Elsa's blank stare said it all as she traversed the venator's echoey halls. Frost trailed behind as she slipped into her private quarters. While standing amidst the darkness of her room, Elsa could finally let her mind wander. Memories from the darkest recesses of her heart consumed her thoughts as she struggled to stay silent.
"Elsa Dellian, I presume?" Obi-wan had told her the day they'd met. "It's an honor to make your acquaintance."
She recalled smiling up at his kindly, bearded face. Just thinking about Obi-wan's calming blue eyes and reassuring voice was enough to get Elsa's heart racing. Never again would she experience his fondness nor sense of tranquility. Every word he'd spoken to her teemed with wisdom as she ventured through her trials. Such a painful loss had Elsa's eyes swelling with tears. She desperately tried holding on to her memories with Obi-wan, but pain had taken its cruel toll.
"Elsa?" Frost called and cautiously entered her room. He did so just as she unleashed a controlled, yet grievous Force repulse. The surge of energy was powerful enough to rattle her furniture and send stacked tools toppling over. As Elsa dropped to her knees in despair, Frost slid over to catch her. The commander held her in a tight embrace as she clung to his shoulders. "I have you," he whispered as she wept into his chest. Elsa poured her heart out, just as she'd done since Ryx had held her. Her tears dampened Frost's tank top while memories of Obi-wan flashed through her mind. Each had her wincing and whimpering in Frost's grip. "Elsa," the commander whispered and cleared his throat. "Whatever you need...whenever you need it..." He rubbed her back to further soothe her. "I'm here for you," he assured.
The next night was equally eerie at the Jedi Temple. There was a profound stillness in the sanctuary's great halls. The weight of such silence carried on into a crowded and somber chamber. Those who knew Master Kenobi had gathered to pay their respects at his funeral. A white veil shrouded the master's body as he was placed over the temple's ceremonial crypt. Despite the overwhelming sadness filling the chamber, Yelena felt most distraught over her former apprentice. She kept glancing over at Elsa, who was fully hooded as all Jedi were for the funeral. The eldest Dellian was trying her best to keep her composure while looking over Obi-wan's body. Per her request, Commander Frost had accompanied her to provide comfort. It pained her to see Duchess Satine of Mandalore weeping from the inner circle. She was joined by Senators Amidala, Organa, and even the Supreme Chancellor himself. Obi-wan had touched so many lives, and those attending his funeral served as proof of his actions.
While Anna and Mattias were also in attendance, they had done so more out of duty. "Do you think Elsa will be alright?" she whispered to her old master.
"Your big sister's resilient," Mattias replied as they kept an eye on her. "She just needs time. Losing Master Obi-wan Kenobi won't be easy for many of us to get past." As he said so, Mattias glanced over at Yelena. He squinted suspiciously until Anna snapped him back into the moment.
"You okay?" Anna asked.
"I will be," Mattias assured. His eyes narrowed towards the funeral's inner circle. "It's Kenobi's former student that we should be worried about."
While Anna was less attuned to sensing Force fluctuations in others, many older Jedi sensed great anger in the chamber. As Obi-wan was lowered into his crypt, many concerned gazes fell to Anakin Skywalker. The young knight's seething stare was unwavering. It was as if he was burning up from the inside as a perpetual sneer twitched across his face. As anger and sadness consumed the chamber, it became difficult for many to hold on to inner peace. In fact, it seemed that some Jedi chose to simply shut off all emotion entirely, as if staying true to their doctrine. Unable to switch off her grief, Elsa departed from the chamber. Those closest to her followed her out while Chancellor Palpatine kept a subtle eye on Elsa.
The eldest Dellian traveled far beyond the ceremonial crypt and sought solace in the temple gardens. Her companions weren't far behind her as she sensed their incoming presences. "Elsa," Frost spoke on behalf of the others. "We're all here for you."
"I know," she sighed. "And I'm grateful. Really I am. I just-" Elsa shut her eyes tightly and exhaled. "-can't believe he's gone. What's to stop that from happening to any of us next?"
"None of us are gonna die, sis." Anna asserted. "I say we go find this killer." Her proposition made Yelena's brow twitch. "We'll make him pay for what he did!"
"No," Yelena snapped uncharacteristically.
"Revenge is not the Jedi way, Anna." Elsa replied before Mattias could comment.
"Then we bring this kriffwad to justice," Anna insisted. "Whatever you want to call it!"
"I know you're trying to help me feel better, Anna." Elsa said. "But going after Obi-wan's killer isn't what I want right now. He...would want us to find peace and heal."
"Good to know I can count on you to avenge me," Anna snarked in a hushed tone.
"What can we do for you, Elsa?" Mattias queried.
"Right now, I just want to be surrounded by those closest to me. In times of hardship, I feel most comfortable with those I can trust." Elsa's words brought a stinging pain to Yelena's chest. So much so, that it was practically visible as the elder winced.
"Yelena?" Elsa worried.
"I just need a moment," Yelena insisted and stepped back inside. Mattias' suspicious gaze only made her quicken her pace. Once Yelena was inside, she tried calming herself with a deep breath. Just as she started to slow herself down, a chime suddenly came to her comlink. "Hello?" she quickly answered.
"East Spire," was all Master Windu said before hanging up. Without even returning to the gardens, Yelena hurriedly rushed to her designated meeting location. By the time Mattias came to check on her, the elder had vanished.
Yelena's heart pounded as she reached the temple's East Spire. Upon entering a secluded chamber, she found herself face to face with Masters Yoda and Windu. "This...is unbearable," she blurted to them.
"But displaying your strength as a master, you are." Yoda assured. "Performed your duties admirably, you have."
"Convincing Dellian was just as important as convincing Skywalker," Mace added. "If their reactions are observed by the enemy, they will be believed."
"Underway, the next phase already is." Yoda said and Yelena's eyes widened.
"People have hardly had time to grieve over this false narrative and we're already moving forward," Yelena mumbled.
"Time is of the essence," Mace intoned. "The facial transformation program was a success and Obi-wan is already in position under his new alias."
"Send Skywalker to make the arrest, we shall." Yoda explained.
"Is that a wise idea?" Yelena considered. "I could sense the anger radiating off of Anakin. What if he crosses a line?"
"With him, Padawan Tano shall be." Yoda reassured.
"Once he's taken into custody, Obi-wan can infiltrate the prison and find out exactly what Moralo Eval is hiding."
Yelena nervously bit her lip. "As grateful I am to see us proceeding with the plan, might I suggest we send Elsa instead?"
"While calmer your former student is-" Yoda began. "-strongly connected to the Force she has become."
"Master Yoda's right," Mace said. "With her levelheadedness, Elsa might sense Obi-wan through his disguise. It's for the best that we send Anakin." Yelena hung her head as uneasiness pried at her. "I know this is challenging," Mace told her. "But you're doing the right thing. And it's worthy of recognition for a seat on our council."
While Yelena quietly nodded, she couldn't get over how nonchalant the other masters were about their deception. She tried to push the image of a mourning Elsa out of her mind, but it was nearly impossible. Hurting Elsa was like wounding the daughter she never had. All Yelena wanted was for the entire ordeal to be over as quickly as possible.
For many prisoners in the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center, life was in a constant period of stagnation. Sentences seemed endless and hope was nonexistent. If someone was locked up under the Coruscant Guard, they weren't getting out any time soon. The former senator Dia Veritaz had come to understand this all too well. Having been released from solitary for an extended period, she was still getting used to dwelling amongst other inmates. For the most part, the bulky and haggard beings around her had bigger opponents to contend with. Ironically enough, being locked away had shown Dia the outcome of those she'd sentenced while serving in the Ethics Committee. Just as she'd presumed, there wasn't any chance for the majority of Coruscant's inmates. The only thing the Republic cared about was that their tired mugs were off the streets and far from the voting booths.
Dia quivered as the food processor irksomely vibrated in front of her. It squirted a jiggly heap of slop onto her plate as she made her way to a mess hall table. "Disgusting," she mumbled while setting the tray down.
"Far from a Corellian banquet, I'm sure." said a voice that sent a chill down Dia's spine. A second tray clacked ahead of hers and she peered up to see Clayton taking a seat. Noticing the panic in her eyes, Clayton was quick to add, "Don't worry. I'm not here to kill you."
"Like hell you aren't," Dia whispered sharply and reached for her fork. As she did so, her sleeve rolled up against the edge of the table. Clayton noticed the pale scars lining her wrist and hung his head.
"I'm not," Clayton intoned only to sigh. He sunk back in his stool while Dia kept her eyes on him.
"You're locked in here for one of two reasons," Dia deduced. "Either you failed and they're coming to kill you too...or you got yourself captured to kill me for Dryden."
Clayton shook his head. "Like you, I once believed we mattered that much to them." Dia raised a dark brow as he continued. "When you first failed Crimson Dawn, there were initial talks of ordering a hit on you. But those subsided as we had more pressing matters to attend to. Dryden has new obsessions. The kind Cruella couldn't be bothered with."
"Your mistress," Dia recalled. "How's she?"
"Dead," Clayton murmured and Dia's brows furrowed. "And I'm in here for my efforts to avenge her."
Dia scoffed and cracked a subtle grin. "And here I was thinking you were the uncatchable Bry Clayton. Whom no man nor beast could defeat."
"Well, it was actually neither." Clayton remarked and gestured to a wall-mounted datascreen. "Speaking of which..."
Dia turned to see Coruscant Rose footage airing onscreen. Reporter Belle O'har was interviewing Elsa as she spoke on Obi-wan's impact. Dia's eyes widened with realization as she caught on to Clayton's statement. "Wait," she uttered. "You're telling me...that you're in here because of-" She pointed to the screen and nearly choked. "Elsa Dellian captured the uncatchable Bry Clayton? What a time to be alive."
"Watch it," Clayton grumbled. "She got you too."
"Not without her little entourage she didn't," Dia jeered. "Did she have help taking you down?" Clayton's silence had Dia shoveling food in her mouth. "Oh that's rich."
"You underestimate her," Clayton replied. "That was my mistake."
"Aye," an older and grittier voice griped from across the table. "As it was mine too." Dia and Clayton glanced over to see a rather haggard and bearded prisoner. He munched on prison gunk as his piercing blue eyes stared them down. "And that mangy lass cost me a starship." He extended a sharp-nailed finger towards the duo. "But I nearly had her throat by me vibrosword."
"Barbossa, is it?" Dia recalled. "I've heard plenty about you over the years. Under my service, Elsa showed me the scar you gave her."
"She likely has one from me as well," Clayton considered. "Slashed her with my machete. I was earnestly surprised to see her still alive. But the Jedi's resourceful, I'll give her that."
"Please," Dia grumbled. "She would've rotted from the inside out had her friends not arrived. I poisoned her with buaroshade toxin."
"Yet here we are," Barbossa sarcastically declared. "Undone by the same blonde brat and donning these orange garbs."
Before their collective gripes could carry on, something caught the attention of several prisoners in the mess hall. Sharp whispers and deep mutters filled the frigid air as a pale prisoner entered. Dark, crimson tattoos curved across his stern face as nearby prisoners spoke of his arrival.
"That's him," a Trandoshan inmate whispered. "Kenobi's killer."
"So that's who the HoloNews won't shut up about," Dia remarked and glanced at the headline under Elsa's speech. "Rako Hardeen," she said.
She, Clayton and Barbossa watched as Hardeen sat at an adjacent table. The thug was soon approached by a sharp-toothed Karkaradon who reeked of ill intentions. "That's him?" the aquatic being said. "That's the Jedi killer?" He leaned towards Hardeen's tray and snatched the man's beverage. "He doesn't look so tough," he mocked before sipping it. Several onlookers braced themselves as the Karkaradon jabbed a webbed digit at Hardeen's chest. "You don't look so tough to me!" he spat.
Hardeen didn't react at first. The alleged Jedi-killer was calm and eerily calculating as he clenched his fork. "This food tastes terrible," he said. In that instant, Hardeen stabbed one of the Karkaradon's hands with the fork. The inmate's agonizing roar filled the mess hall and had prisoners turning in alarm. Without wasting a moment, Hardeen snatched the Karkaradon by one of his gills and yanked him closer. "Maybe you'd taste better," he threatened.
"Great," Dia whispered as the situation unfolded. "Just what this prison needs. Another stab-happy lunatic."
"Don't mistake self-preservation for insanity, lass." Barbossa remarked. "The man just solidified his spot in the...'food chain' so to speak."
The Karkaradon frantically pried the fork from his hand and clasped the wound. "You're crazy!" he blurted before dashing away from Hardeen. The blood-tipped fork clanged against the floor and slid towards Dia's table. She briefly stared at the utensil until a pair of hands moved to massage her shoulders. Although they were warm, they prompted anything but good tidings for the Corellian.
"Dia," a corpulent Sullustan spoke in a honeyed tone.
She hunched forward as he continued to rub her shoulders. "Hello Detro," she said and noticed an elderly prisoner beside him. "Bertz."
"So nice to see you out of solitary," Bertz complimented. "Even in prison, you still look lovely."
Detro's grip only tightened as he massaged Dia. "Well now that we're all together again, we can get working on an escape plan...yes?"
Dia emitted a hushed chuckled. "C'mon, Detro. No one gets out of this."
"Those two bounty hunters did a few months back," Bertz added. "Surely you can come up with something."
"I know she can," Detro said and squeezed her shoulders.
"Stop that," Clayton said and the Sullustan's black eyes narrowed.
"Excuse me?" Detro bellowed.
"Can't you see that you're making the lady uncomfortable?" Clayton continued.
Detro's pause was short-lived as he laughed off Clayton's words. "I see that you don't understand the relation here, mustache. Dia was a senator just as we were."
"Until she screwed things up for us," Bertz snarked. "Cost us some well-trained slaves too."
"But we can let bygones be bygones," Detro assured while rubbing Dia's back. "After all, we made her who she was in the Senate. If she got us into this mess-" The Sullustan lifted his pudgy hand and possessively caressed her cheek. "-our girl can get us out of it." Dia snapped her head away as Detro laughed it off. Before he could continue, a chime rang out overhead and signaled a return to the prison cells. "Saved by the bell," Detro teased. "We'll be waiting on that escape plan, Dia. It better be a good one." As he and Bertz departed, Clayton leaned over to speak with her.
"Dia-" was all he could say before the Corellian dropped from her stool. She appeared shaken by what had just occurred, yet forced herself to stand and made her way through the crowd of inmates. Clayton was left to exchanged a perplexed stare with Barbossa before they too returned to their cells.
Where others saw a fumbling, Dia had seen an opportunity. It was one she'd taken advantage of time and time again to get herself thrown into solitary. As Dia spent a restless night in the darkness of her cell, she stared at the fork she'd pocketed from the ground. The Karkaradon's dark blood still stained its prongs as she took a deep breath.
Cornered...Trapped...Lost
Dia deathgripped the fork and held it to her own neck. Crimson Dawn might not have been coming for her, but she still felt tormented nonetheless. The words of her past returned to plague her in full force. She thought back to when her former slave, Taline, was punching her against her own desk.
"You think I'm nothing?" she had growled. "Who cares what you think? How do you like being struck down? You vile, wicked, sleemo!"
"Our girl," Detro had said so possessively. Just as he always had been.
"The beginning of your end," Elsa had described. Those were the last words the Jedi had ever said to her. Perhaps she was right...and that the cycle was doomed to conclude with suffering.
Yet amidst it all, Dia heard Barbossa's voice. "Don't mistake self-preservation for insanity, lass."
The Corellian gasped and lifted the fork from her neck. All she'd managed to do was scrape her skin with one of its prongs before angrily tossing it across her cell. Unable end her life yet unsure how to proceed, Dia stared into her cell's ray shields. She lost herself in its ominous hum and gritted her teeth. Despite all she'd been through, Dia was a survivor and she'd find a way.
It felt as though Dia had merely blinked by the time she'd actually gotten to sleep. Her mind wandered repeatedly as she contemplated what would become of her existence. Hours fleeted by her as she felt like she was on autopilot. By the time Clayton's voice found her in the evening, she was almost happy to hear it.
"This seat taken?" he asked while she glared into her slop.
"Depends," Dia murmured. "Are you gonna tell me how Elsa took you down?"
Clayton smirked. "We were...mutually injured. But she had the chance to deal the killing blow and-"
"Spared you," Dia concluded. "Sounds like Elsa. The twerp was a golden girl, I suppose. The only wrong I'd ever seen her commit was trusting me."
"Hey Hardeen," a youthful voice called from behind them.
"Not again," Dia groaned as a younger prisoner approached Rako Hardeen.
She and Clayton peered over as the youth said, "You owe me something."
"Oh do I?" Hardeen inquired, barely paying attention to him.
"You don't even remember me?" the teen barked and closed in. "That's very insulting."
"Does this kid have a death wish?" Dia whispered to Clayton.
"Look, kid." Hardeen intoned. "I don't want any trouble."
Enraged, the teen smacked Hardeen's tray out from his grip. The ensuing clamor caught the attention of several prisoners. "You stole a bounty from me!" he yelled. "And I want an apology."
"Kill him Hardeen! Like the Jedi!" a prisoner hollered and prompted others to do the same.
Dia and Clayton braced themselves for another scuffle as the instigator and Hardeen whispered to each other. Suddenly, the teen tackled Hardeen against one of the tables. Shouts intensified as Hardeen easily overpowered his smaller opponent. He twisted the youths arm and growled, "I warned you."
It wasn't long before the scarlet-armored troopers of the Coruscant Guard arrived. Yellow bolts pulsed from their electrostaffs as they dipped them towards the combatants. "Alright! Alright! That's it!" a trooper ordered. "Fight's over!"
Dia's heart sank as a snarling Trandoshan towered over the clones. "No it ain't," the reptilian prisoner said. He snatched up a clone in each claw and slammed their heads together. He then stared down Hardeen and hissed, "You got a problem with Boba...you got a problem with me."
Within mere moments, sheer chaos had erupted within the mess hall. Once the Trandoshan flung Hardeen across a table, clone troopers started to swarm the mess hall. The reptilian didn't back down and began furiously swiping at the troopers. His attacks rallied other prisoners as an all-out riot ensued.
"Kill the guards!" a prisoner shouted before being struck with a stun blast. A clone called for reinforcements while trying to suppress the situation.
At a table across from the skirmish, terrorist Moralo Eval couldn't help but ask, "What do we do?"
"Part of my plan," inmate Cad Bane explained. "Paid off the kid to create a diversion. Let's go."
Dia and Clayton remained seated and watched the brawl unfold. "You there!" a clone shouted to them. "On the ground, now!" Before either of them could make a decision, the trooper was suddenly electrocuted with a scavenged electrostaff. As his body fell, a cackling Barbossa rose behind him.
"What are you doin, standin' around?" he blurted. "Now's as good a time as any to get outta here!"
Clayton rose from his seat and peered back at Dia. "Coming?" he asked as she remained unsure.
Dia sat at a standstill while absolute disorder unfolded around her. She contemplated staying and obeying Republic law. She imagined serving her sentence and leaving, old and grey...returning to a society that never favored her from the beginning. Imagining years of regret ultimately had Dia accepting Clayton's offer. "Okay," she asserted and rose to join them.
"Follow me!" Barbossa declared and flourished his electrostaff. Clayton recovered the downed clone's blaster and removed the stun setting. The mess hall doors opened as more clone reinforcements arrived. The troopers were immediately met by a Barbossa-led mob which took them head on. Stun blasts zipped alongside blaster bolts as bodies collapsed on both ends. It was only a matter of time before one of the clone captains issued a 'shoot to kill' order. Sirens blared down the prison's maze of corridors as inmates fought their way out. As Dia followed Barbossa and Clayton, she couldn't help but notice another trio heading in the opposite direction. Cad Bane and Moralo Eval were being closely followed by Rako Hardeen.
Barbossa's energetic and raucous laughter filled the halls as he swatted down incoming clones. Clayton formed up behind him and gunned down any that he missed. "Hurry, Dia!" the hunter urged. "Keep up!" Dia raced down the corridor until a clone cut her off. He tried swinging his electrostaff, but Clayton unloaded multiple lasers into his back. He and Dia exchanged a nod before proceeding onward.
Clones on the upper balconies were completely overwhelmed as inmates swarmed the gunners. Bodies plummeted from the railing as reinforcements were summoned. Republic gunships swirled around the prison and troopers rappelled over.
Back inside, Barbossa observed the incoming troops via a security monitor. "It be only a matter of time before they retake the prison," he said.
Clayton removed a blasted corpse from one of the security panels and pointed. "If we hurry, we can steal a ship from the platform here. It won't be space-worthy. But it can at least get us to the undercity."
"I know a few spots where we can lay low there," Dia added.
"Let's move then!" Barbossa declared as they rushed out.
Shattered light fixtures strobed as Dia strayed from following the men. "Wait up!" she hollered, but her voice was hard to hear over the sirens.
"Dia!" someone else called and had her frozen in place. She swallowed hard and turned to see Detro betwixt the strobes. "Where are you going?"
"I'd hate to think she'd be leaving without us," Bertz added from behind the Sullustan.
"Of course she wouldn't," Detro insisted. "She's obviously setting up our escape plan. Aren't you, Dia?" He hobbled over and stared her down. His sloppy jowls reeked as he smacked his lips. "Answer me, when I'm talking to you."
"I think our girl needs to remember her place," Bertz jeered and sadistically raised the back of his hand.
With a deep breath and unblinking gaze, Dia said, "I'm not your girl." She turned to go find Clayton and Barbossa.
Her simple turn sent Detro into a fit of rage. "Don't you dare walk away from us!" he yelled. "After everything we did for you! What we made you into!" He painfully snatched Dia by the wrist and yanked her back. "We own y-"
Bertz froze as his Sullustan partner suddenly gargled. Detro's entire body quivered, for pulling Dia only strengthened her momentum...allowing her to drive the fork deeper into his flabby neck. Surprise filled the Sullustan's bulbous eyes as Dia looked directly into them. She didn't waver and furiously twisted the fork as his jowls twitched.
"Dia!" Clayton hollered while rounding the corner in search of her. "Di-...oh."
Dia furiously pulled the fork out as Detro's body flopped over. She then closed in on Bertz with ferocity in her eyes. The elderly inmate had lost all of his snark and bravado as he nervously put his hands up. "N-n-now Dia..." he shivered. "M-Miss Veritaz. Easy there. Let's talk about this." Bertz's eyes widened when he realized he'd backed into a wall. "I'm sorry," he pleaded. "I'm sorry! I'm-"
Clayton watched as Dia devolved into an animalistic beast. She descended upon Bertz with her fork raised, then swinging, then jabbing in all directions. There was no coordination...no calculated strike amidst an arrangement of words. There was only a series of ear-splitting screeches amidst Dia's savage attacks. Her ballistic screams overtook Bertz's wails. Her rigorous silhouette consumed his cowering and hunched frame. Thread and flesh pierced long after the man's body had fallen. Clayton stood there amid the flashing, scarlet sirens...and watched Dia drop from exhaustion.
Despite the chance that Republic troops were inbound, he took his time when approaching Dia. The Corellian's roars had become an assortment of hushed grunts and whimpers. "Hey," he whispered until he realized she couldn't hear him over the sirens. "Dia," he bellowed and snapped her from her trancelike state. Dia's hair as a disheveled mess cascading and sticking to her sweaty face. It took everything for even Clayton to keep a straight face as Dia turned to face him. No crimson lighting could obscure the amount of blood splattered across Dia's face and jumpsuit. Her trembling hands were soaked as she clenched a fully-coated fork. "Let's get out of here," Clayton said calmly. "Okay?"
Still reeling from her episode, Dia nodded and barely murmured, "Okay." He helped her up as they fled the corridor and regrouped with Barbossa. By the time they reached the pirate, he'd just finished bashing another clone into the railing.
Barbossa had to do a double take over Dia's appearance but ultimately proceeded to a prison cruiser. He used his electrostaff to smash open the locking mechanism and guided the others in. While Dia sat in the hold, Barbossa fired up the thrusters and sent them soaring out through a lower skylane. They departed just as clone reinforcements swarmed the building and cut off other escaping prisoners.
"There," Clayton directed from the co-pilot's seat. "There's an underworld portal coming up on your right. We can descend from there."
"Aye, get us good and lost." Barbossa concurred.
As they glided through the night sky, Clayton took a moment to unbuckle and check on Dia. She was keeping to herself in the furthest corner of the hold. Her hands had stopped shaking as she stared out the window. "I really hate this city," Dia said.
"Too busy for my tastes," Clayton agreed.
Dia rubbed her bloody hands together and huffed. "People make such a big deal about that Amidala girl being one of the youngest members of the Senate. I received no such fanfare when I joined. Maybe it's because I wasn't Naboo royalty...or I lacked that pretty, fair face of hers." Dia frustratedly bit her lip. "But it didn't stop me. I didn't need a cheering crowd to try and bring about change. Yet through all of my service in the name of a greater Republic, nothing happened. Bills were overlooked, the underprivileged kept starving, and every aristocrat's wallet fattened. I almost lost my seat until I met Detro and Bertz." Clayton tilted his head with curiosity as she carried on. "They promised a young and naive girl like me that we could change the system. But we ended up just playing it. They took me under their wings, but they were just painting a target on my back." Dia scowled as each memory made her visibly disgusted. "They intoxicated me with power, and I loved it...because things were actually changing. Like an idiot, I loved it. And once you're in that corrupt cesspool...there's no getting out. You're marked for life. You tell yourself otherwise, but they own you. Your record is stained as everyone lives at a constant, blackmail standstill...keeping each other trapped in the loop. And the worst part, we all keep digging deeper. We know it won't end well, but we just keep seeking more." She looked at Clayton as passing speeder lights illuminated the blood on her face. "I hate Elsa," she said. "But maybe she was the medicine I never wanted to take. A nasty pill in this fast-talking and ugly city."
Clayton took in her words and thought about Elsa's effect on him as well. "Maybe-" he began. "Maybe it's not too late for us."
Dia chuckled at his words. "It is too late," she refuted and opened one of the cruiser's hatches. She let the winds blast against her tired face as she held up her murder weapon. "We're survivors," she declared. "And there's no going back." Dia tossed the bloody fork out of the window and watched it plummet into Coruscant's shadows.
The grizzly utensil clanged atop a discarded poster of Chancellor Palpatine which read: SAFEGUARDING YOUR TOMORROW...TODAY
Blood dripped from its tip and stained the word "TOMORROW". Meanwhile, Dia and her escaped companions descended into the darkened depths of Coruscant's underworld.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this week's installment of "The Frozen Force!" There are officially five chapters left in Season: 3! Thank you for joining me on this journey and I have exciting news. Next week, get ready to experience the beginning of our second annual FROZEN FORCE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL! To my readers who have been here a while, thanks for sticking around this long. To my newcomers, always nice to have you too!
Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with You,
~ Michael