Chapter: 5 Swirling Storms
"Redemption is a game of chance."
Defiance in the name of justice! After suffering a humiliating defeat to the mysterious criminal known as the Bug, Padawan Anna Dellian refused to yield. While struggling to understand the alluring effects of the Dark Side of the Force and its sinister pull, Anna teamed up with Jedi Knight, Hans Westgard. A member of the Jedi Sentinels, Hans offered his investigative skills to help Anna descend into Coruscant's underworld against her master's wishes. Now alone and operating outside of her boundaries as a Padawan, Anna finds herself at a standoff with the infamous Bug.
As long as Anna had something the Bug needed, she could buy herself time. "So much for not being worth it," she taunted the Bug while keeping her hands raised.
"I'll admit," the Bug spoke through its helmet. "You have your uses. I would've been long gone had you not pulled that little sleight of hand trick on me during our fight. Not bad, Red." Anna scowled at being called such. "Whatever," the Bug said. "Get up slowly and stand against the wall. No tricks or that pretty little head of yours goes rolling." Anna obliged, never once reaching for her lightsaber or the talisman from her satchel. "I never left, you know. Once I realized you'd nabbed the necklace off of me, I tailed you back to the temple. I knew a reckless hothead like you couldn't stay out of the fight. I just had to wait for you to sneak out and lead me straight to the vault. Goodness, I thought Jedi were supposed to be smart. You were as predictable as it gets."
Anna rolled her eyes. "Are you done yet?"
"No. Your boyfriend's adorable thinking he can get the drop on me."
"Damn it," Hans cursed under his breath but sprung from the rafters anyway. He sparked up a saber as green as the Bug's and they clashed in the shadows. Anna seized the opportunity to brandish her blue blade and kick off the wall. She launched herself towards the Bug with her weapon poised to strike. Their foe weaved so Hans and Anna would parry each other. "You know I'm on your side right?" Hans huffed.
"Just shut up," Anna groaned and prepared for a second attack.
The Bug slowly strutted in circles alongside the Jedi with its blade raised high. "Is this truly what passes for Jedi these days?" it taunted. "It's no wonder the Republic has lost faith. You couldn't even bring it upon yourselves to kill these thugs."
Filled with fury, Anna sprinted to her foe while Hans wall-ran from the side. The Bug fended off Anna and backflipped onto a stack of crates to take the high ground. It was over for Hans as the Bug kicked him down and he crashed into Anna. The Padawan lividly shoved him off and unintentionally gave him momentum to charge again. The trio's lightsabers flashed across the warehouse windows as boxes were overturned and support beams were severed. The Bug continuously withstood each Jedi as they attempted individual attacks. When Hans was knocked over once more, Anna took it upon herself to subdue the Bug.
"I'll make you pay!" Anna roared and grabbed a downed thug's blaster. She fired haphazardly and while she missed every shot, the Bug failed to deflect any of them. When the blaster ran out of ammunition, Anna flung the blaster at her foe and went in with full Ataru fury. Her sporadic attacks descended upon the Bug's blade while Hans recovered from the opposite side. While Anna's strikes were wild, Hans' were precise. Though the Bug's helmet masked its face, its hastening breaths and frantic head movements indicated stress. The Jedi backed their target into a corner with overwhelming intensity as the Bug went on the defensive. It threw up its saber as Hans and Anna struck as one. They pressed their blades together until the Bug was forced to its knees, yet still it didn't yield.
The Jedi were so blinded by the sparks of grinding sabers, that they didn't notice the Bug reaching for its vambrace. It launched a grappling hook towards Anna's face and she staggered back. The Bug seized the opportunity to kick her off the balcony and send her careening into a stack of crates. Soreness returned to Anna as if she'd never visited a bacta tank and she gingerly crawled out from the wreckage. She glanced up from her daze to see Hans wrestling with the Bug. It rewound its grappling hook so the rest of the wiring would snag on Hans' shoulder. He flailed in its ensnarement and was forced to disengage. Anna watched in dizzied horror as the Bug wrapped the wiring around his neck and threw him over the balcony as well. Her eyes swayed with her partner's dangling feet as he was hanged above her.
"Hans!" Anna yelped. "Hold on!" He haplessly choked and clawed at his neck as the wire dug deeper. Thinking quickly, Anna reached for her belt only to find that her lightsaber was missing. Time was running out as Hans gasped for empty breaths and Anna scoured the darkness for her weapon. She picked up several cans and other false cylinders, all while Hans' silhouette listed over her. "Don't you die on me!" she urged. Anna peered down and spotted her lightsaber's durasteel glint. "Got it!" She activated the blade only to get kicked by the Bug who came swinging in. As a last resort, Anna flung her lightsaber towards Hans and prayed it wouldn't kill him. Relief took her as the saber severed the wiring and sent him plummeting. Anna attempted to catch the wheezing Hans, but he proved to be heavier than anticipated.
Hans hurriedly ripped the wire off of his neck and wheezed. "That was too close," he coughed.
"You're...welcome." Anna mumbled from beneath, having completely broken his fall.
"Move!" Hans gasped and pushed Anna to safety. The Bug performed a leaping slash as Hans called his saber with the Force. He activated in time to block and dueled while Anna scrambled for her weapon again. By the time she recovered it, the Bug had already kicked Hans through the window.
Glass shattered as Hans crashed outside and into the nearby apartment. His shrouded body severed a frail table and he sat up to find a frightened family of Ithorians. The remnants of their humble meals dripped across Hans' body as he gently came to. The room's inhabitants wouldn't cease their screaming and one of them fled to call for help. Their stereophonic tones intensified as the Bug barged in to finish off Hans. Ithorian children ran for their lives as the green saber wielders clashed in their ravaged dining room. In a moment of freedom, Hans used the Force to send pots and pans sailing towards the Bug. The distraction was enough for Hans to tackle the Bug back through the crashed window and onto the street. The criminal's armored body scraped and skidded across the duracrete as Anna returned to the fray.
She and Hans jabbed at the Bug until it was forced back into the warehouse. "The pull," Hans intoned. "Submit to it."
Anna didn't even second guess the situation. She shut her eyes and called upon her anger. The sounds of the Bug and all of her naysayers taunting her festered within. Each bout of soreness across her body pulsed as unanimous flicker of fury, all beckoning the same pull she'd felt before. When Anna opened her eyes, she awakened as a changed individual. Hans found his own method to reach a similar effect, and each Jedi became an entity of aggression. Their sabers spun frantically and hammered against the Bug's wavering defense.
In its panic, the Bug elbowed Hans away and sent him spiraling. This only fueled Anna's hatred more as she recovered Hans' saber and attacked with both. Anna had never practiced with two weapons before, but still chose to swing away like a belligerent maniac. The Bug fell to its knees as Anna delivered a mighty blow. Blue and green plasma swept in unison, knocking away the Bug's weapon and helmet. As Anna recovered momentum, she glanced over to see the face of her anonymous foe. Violet scales came into view as the Bug spat green blood from its snout. Its pointed ears and drooping antennae swayed as it turned to Anna. The purple Rodian's inky, pupilless eyes squinted at her as it caught its breath.
Just looking at the Rodian's spiteful stare made Anna give in to another swing. "No!" Hans asserted and caught Anna's wrists. "She's unarmed, Anna."
Anna bit her lip disdainfully. "But-"
"It's not the Jedi way. She's beaten."
Anna scoffed. "This scumbag doesn't deserve any luxuries after everything she put us through."
"Giving in to the pull has to be moderated." Hans explained. "You have to control it, not the other way around. You wanted to bring the Bug to justice and now we can."
"What if there's justice in death?" Anna hissed. "She brandished our weapon as if she was one of us. She's no Jedi."
The Bug began to chuckle. "Look at you, Red. Look at what you've done...how you've done it. You're no Jedi either."
As if that wasn't the last straw, she went a step further by spitting on Anna's boots. Enraged, the Padawan kicked her square in the face and left her unconscious. "There," Anna murmured to Hans. "Didn't kill her."
Hans simply huffed and applied a set of binders to the Bug's wrists. While doing so, he also removed her talisman so they'd have both for the vault. "Might as well see what she was trying to steal."
He tossed the trinket to Anna as she inserted both into the gate. "Probably a load of credits," she remarked. Hans and Anna froze as a series of voices permeated the gate's barrier. As gears loosened, the sound of crying teenagers forced the Jedi to rush in.
"What...the...hell?" was all Hans could utter. A cluster of malnourished youths ranging from humans to Twi'leks to even aquatic Quarren were trapped inside. They huddled into a corner as a single unit and held up bruised hands. "By the Force," Hans whispered. "Slave trafficking victims. This is what happens to the misguided youth of Coruscant. Glad we got here before they could be shipped offworld."
Anna stepped in to help, but the teens shuttered further. She looked at her shrouded attire and nudged Hans. "In these shadowy getups, we're just new bad guys to them," she said.
She started to remove her cowl when Hans stopped her. "You take that thing off and there goes your identity," he scolded.
"I have to do something," she snapped. "We can't just leave all these kids here."
Police sirens echoed from outside the warehouse. "We may have done enough," Hans assured and peered out the nearest window. A wave of underground law enforcement speeders were descending at impressive speeds. "We gotta go, now. The cops'll take this one from here."
Anna shook her head. "But-"
"You stay, you get exposed." Hans urged. "Now do you want to get back to the temple by sunrise or not?" Anna took one last look at the frightened teens and followed Hans out the back window. They scaled an adjacent apartment and watched police swarm the dilapidated warehouse. Hans reached for Anna and beckoned her to him. "What are you waiting for?" he blurted.
Anna stared intently at the warehouse's entryway until the police emerged with the Bug in custody. "Okay," she said. "Now we can go." Anna took Hans' hand as he hauled her over the rooftop. They sprinted into the smoggy blackness, kicking up unkept muck and grime. As they did so, each Jedi's respective wounds took hold of them. Their aching bodies slowed them down as they came to terms with a bitter reality. Memories of their fight with the Bug prompted a grim truth to crawl into their minds. Perhaps they were...no...they definitely were not as skilled as either believed of themselves.
As Anna's adrenaline wore off, so too did her recollection of the rest of the night. Exhaustion kept her body moving while her mind wandered. She briefly recalled dashing back onto the temple grounds and prepping ascension cables. Hans was gone as fast as he appeared, along with the outfits they'd worn during their caper. Most of what Anna remembered was the warm, welcoming embrace of her pillow. Her aching face lay plastered against it as the soft fabrics and cushioned blanket beckoned her to slumber. Once Anna finally drifted off, a set of ear-splitting knocks bombarded her door. Her gunk-crusted eyes broke open and she rolled out of bed in a tizzy. The rising sun stretched through her blinds and further disoriented her. Anna muttered a series of inaudible grumbles as she crawled about her floor. She winced as the knocks repeated with double the intensity.
"C-...coming," Anna yawned. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the nearby mirror and cringed. Dark circles wrapped around her eyes like dormant serpents as she stumbled forward. Anna battled another yawn as she greeted a stern-faced Mattias at the door. "Good morning, Master."
"Padawan," Mattias murmured. "Late night?"
Anna hugged herself as her eyes found the floor particularly interesting. "I...didn't sleep well."
"Mhm." Mattias nodded and invited himself in. "Well you can rest soundly now."
"Oh?" Anna inquired and nervously paced after him.
Her heart sank as he ran a hand across her blinds. "The Bug has been apprehended. Coruscant police took it into custody last night and the news is having a field day."
Anna feigned surprise and gasped. "That's amazing news, master!" she exclaimed. "Looks like the meditation might've worked!"
Mattias turned with a deepening frown. "Only it didn't," he retorted. Anna's exaggerated grin drooped and whatever energy remained was sucked out with it. "I spoke with Master Plo Koon earlier. He saw you in the dojo yesterday assaulting two of your fellow Padawans."
"Assaulting?" Anna snapped. "They antagonized me. Any whooping they got was what they deserved."
Mattias raised a brow as Anna realized she'd destroyed her alibi. "So much for meditating all day, huh?" he murmured as Anna sunk back into a series of stutters. "And it gets all the more interesting. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a Jedi battling the Bug."
Anna bit her lip and fidgeted with her braid. She was wide awake with anxiety as her master stared her down. "Well then," Anna blurted. "Clearly a Jedi Sentinel took the case."
"The Sentinels weren't notified yet," Mattias muttered and reached out with the Force. Something shuffled beside her bed, and Anna froze as her boots hovered into view. Her eyes darted between her master and the footwear as she realized her grim mistake. In her tiredness, she'd rushed to give Hans her stealth outfit...but forgot she'd merely kicked off her boots. All she wanted to do in that moment was kick herself for her own careless stupidity. She watched with bated breath as Mattias gripped the boots by their taut straps and furrowed his brows. There wasn't a single lie in Anna's playbook that could save her from why she had a pair of boots separate from her Padawan-issued gear. She swallowed hard as he examined a series of dried, green splotches. His strict glare narrowed on the blood splatters as Anna recalled angrily kicking the Bug across the face. Mattias sighed as if still hoping to be proved wrong. He looked to Anna with forlorn eyes and said, "Police reports identified the Bug as a Rodian. The kind that bleeds gree-...gr-."
Anna couldn't tell if Mattias was choking out of sadness or rising anger. He shook a fist and threw down the boots. "Master!" Anna yelped. "Wait," she pleaded. Mattias hung his head remorsefully as he stepped out of the room. "Please, at least look at me. I can explain."
Mattias peered over his shoulder with pursed lips. "For your sake," he whispered. "I hope you can. I'm sorry."
Anna wondered what her master meant until he nodded to figures down the hall. Her heart raced as a pair of masked temple guards marched to her quarters. "Wh-," she nearly choked herself. "What is this?"
"Padawan Anna Dellian," One of the guards said. "By word of the Jedi Order, you are under arrest for insubordination and vigilantism."
"May the Force be merciful," the second added as she seized Anna's lightsaber.
The Padawan didn't even remember leaving the room. Her feet were acting on their own accord, listing by as the guards escorted her down the hall. Beneath her frantic, blank stare was a deepening fear of what would become her. The word 'expulsion' crackled and pulsed through her mind. She took a final look at a corridor she'd traversed since she was a youngling. Beyond the curious and worried faces of passing Jedi was her master. Anna wasn't as attuned to the Force as the others. There were times where she didn't believe it was as powerful as people made it out to be. But now she was at its mercy, and she could feel her master's disappointment weighing down on her.
"Was it worth it, Anna?" she imagined Mattias saying. Anna had always been so sure of herself and yet now, all she could do was walk.
They rounded the corner and Anna found herself face to face with the very sister she hoped to best. Elsa was surprisingly excited, but her demeanor was quickly crushed by Anna's predicament. "Sis?" Elsa asked. "Are you alri-"
"Please stand back," a guard intoned respectfully.
"What?" Elsa gasped. "No. There must be a mistake. That's my sister!"
"And she is under arrest," the guard replied. "Now I'm ordering you to stand aside."
Elsa somberly obliged and stared at her sister. "I know Anna," she assured. "She would never do anything worth-"
Anna broke free of the guards' formation to snap at her sister. Her aggressive motion was enough to justify both guards igniting their yellow, lightsaber pikes. "Stay out of it!" she barked at Elsa. Her tone lowered as the guards grabbed her by the shoulders. "Just stop," Anna whispered and shamefully hung her head.
Taken aback by her sister's response and predicament, Elsa fought off her swelling tears. She'd hoped to set aside her trauma on Hoth by catching up with Anna, but only found greater suffering. Mattias caught up with Elsa and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry," he said.
His words caused her to shudder as she remembered Obi-wan saying the same. "I don't understand," Elsa uttered. "I was only gone for a mission. What could've possibly happened in that time? Anna's not perfect, but neither is anyone. This can't be happening."
Mattias didn't have to be a Jedi to observe Elsa's overwhelming anxiety. "You believe in the Force, right?" he asked as Elsa hastily nodded. "You need to trust in it now more than ever." He hurriedly tromped in the direction Anna was escorted in. He caught up on the next level, where the guards were placing Anna on a dimly lit platform. There was once a time where he aspired to be one of the grandmasters that oversaw trials. Seeing Anna get elevated to face judgement made him want nothing to do with the council. Mattias felt himself tearing apart from the inside.
He watched from below as Jedi council members stood from circulating spires. The available triad consisted of Mace Windu, Plo Koon, and the wise Yoda himself. Of the three, Master Windu was the easiest to read given his irritated glower. It was much too early for him to be bothered with the petty nonsense of a Padawan. But with the council's involvement in a external affair, no charge could be ignored. Contrary to Windu, Master Plo was difficult to interpret behind his specialized breath mask. Master Yoda's long, green ears quivered as he craned his head.
"Padawan Dellian," Yoda began. "Charged with insubordination and vigilantism you are, how plead you?"
Anna bit her lip and stared at her feet. Her eyes scoured the platform as if searching for an answer, or at least a way out. Come on, she willed herself. Tell the truth and you're either doomed or given a chance at redemption. Lie and...well, that's a game of chance.
"Padawan," Mace asserted. "Unless you want your silence to speak for itself, you will answer Master Yoda's question. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty!" Anna spit out the words and winced.
Smooth one, she scolded herself. How in the galaxy are you going to talk yourself out of this one?
She faced the grandmasters, took a deep breath, and cleared her throat. "Not guilty," she reiterated.
"Can you account for your whereabouts the night of the Bug's apprehension?" Plo inquired.
"I was..." Anna trailed off.
Think, you idiot. If the Force is as powerful as they say, they can see right through you. In fact, they can probably hear these very thoughts. Karabast, I'm doomed.
"I was asleep in my quarters," Anna explained. "Or, trying to anyway. My master insisted I try meditating all day and the result left me conflicted. So I was tossing and turning for most of the night."
"But you weren't meditating," Plo said. "I witnessed your aggressive duel in the level 2 dojo."
"Form IV is my personal style," Anna defended. "All of you know how aggressive Ataru is."
"You almost struck your opponent when she was already disarmed," Plo stated while Yoda and Mace exchanged inquisitive glances.
"Driven by rage, Master Plo says your duel was." Yoda added. "A trait of the Dark Side, that is."
Anna stuttered. "But my opponents antagonized-"
"They are not on trial, Padawan." Mace boomed from his spire. "You are, and even now I sense your rising anger over these accusations."
"Conflicted, she is." Yoda presumed.
"I'm conflicted because none of you will let me speak!" Anna snapped and immediately shrunk back.
Congratulations, Anna berated herself. You've officially confirmed your expulsion.
The masters stood in silence but their stares reacted to her appealing outburst. "It is my belief," Plo insisted. "That Padawan Dellian could not handle the failure of her mission to apprehend the criminal known as the Bug. Her master believed her to be prepared when she truly wasn't, which further fueled resentment in Anna's heart." She hated that he could've been right. "I deduce that under such weakness, Anna was seduced by the Dark Side into acting on her own accord."
"Even if I did do anything you're accusing me of," Anna retorted. "Shouldn't the Jedi celebrate one of their own committing an act of heroism? The Bug was killing people with our sacred weapon and now..." Anna stopped herself from saying 'her' and divulging information. "It's reign of terror is over."
"It's not about the action," Mace said as an argument echoed outside of the room. "It's the principle. The Council deliberates where the Jedi have jurisdiction." You acted on your own accord to take the law into your own hands. Any death or destruction that followed would be the result of your insubordinate actions."
Anna battled every urge to defend herself, realizing it would only prove her guiltiness. Such charges combined with her revealed lie would get her expelled and land her in a Republic prison. She was running out of defensive statements as the grandmasters seemed to make up their minds. Mace appeared continuously irked by the ruckus downstairs. "What is going on out there?" he asked.
One of the temple guards brushed past Mattias and opened the lower door. "I don't care what you think!" Hans' voice brayed from beyond and Anna's heart leapt. "We're both Sentinels here and you are gonna let me in."
"For the last time," the other guard intoned. "Stand down, Westgard."
"That girl is innocent!" He yelled over the guard's shoulder. "The council is making a mistake."
Yoda sighed. "Evidence for your claim, do you have?" he asked.
The guard reluctantly let Hans trudge in. Anna observed his hurriedly tied tabards and unkept hair. Sweat drenched his forehead as he quickly wiped it and caught his breath. "I do," he panted. "Hans Westgard, Jedi Knight and Sentinel. I was the one who brought in the Bug, and Anna here had nothing to do with it." Anna bit back a gasp as Hans was permitted to another platform. "What you said is true, Anna was present at the dojo. And hell, her duel was insane. Because Master Plo was there, he can also account for the duel Anna had with me." He looked to Anna and she nervously nodded in agreement. "During the duel, Anna opened up to me about her failure to capture the Bug. Now I knew the case was going to be assigned to the Sentinels. Given my unmatchable skills as an investigator, I decided to get a head start and take the glory for myself." Hans withdrew a datapad and linked it to the monitor behind them.
One of the Coruscanti news outlets was interviewing a frightened Ithorian. As it babbled off in Ithorese, subtitles read: "They crashed right through my family's home. My first instinct was to get my family as far away from those green blades as possible."
Hans tossed his saber to one of the guards. "Spark that up, will you?" he quipped. "I'd do it, but I don't want you to think I'm about to kill someone." The guard grumbled and activated Hans' blade. "Well well," Hans chuckled. "Green...go figure. And last time I checked Anna's was blue." The guard scoffed and handed Hans' weapon back. "Watch it! That's rare, Haysian smelt."
"If what you're saying is true," Plo began. "You've still acted outside of the council's jurisdiction."
"I'm a Sentinel," Hans insisted. "Jurisdiction is a funny word we toss around each other to make datawork easier. You know it, I know it, Yoda knows it. Mace hates me, but he knows it too."
"Why are you defending this Padawan?" Mace asked.
Hans glanced over at Anna, who was still astonished by his entrance. Any hope for sentimental words was dashed when Hans' opened his lips. "Because there's no way I'm letting some hotshot underling take credit for something I did," he said. "And I'll clean up whatever mess that comes with it, but my work is my work."
Yoda peered down to Anna's mentor. "Master Mattias," he said. "To the contrary, have you any evidence of your Padawan's involvement?"
This is it, Anna thought. He threw you in the coffin and now he's got the final nail to finish you off. All he has to do is mention the boots.
"No, Master Yoda." Mattias said and Anna almost fainted. "I-..." Mattias sighed heavily. "I've been so hard on Anna to face her trials and have taken each failure personally. Perhaps this was an act of my own harshness. It was a mistake to accuse her of such insubordination."
"Perhaps it was a mistake to grant you the rank of master," Mace scolded as Mattias shut his eyes tightly. "It appears you almost need to learn as much as your apprentice does."
"Maybe it's best for Anna to receive a new master," Plo added.
"I could be her master if you want to promote me," Hans interrupted and was completely ignored.
Anna felt sick to her stomach listening to the grandmasters berate Mattias, especially when it was her fault. She always thought of herself as the bravest Jedi, yet now she was a silent coward clinging to stay afloat.
"I promise to improve," Mattias declared.
"We'll let action speak for itself," Mace grumbled.
"Dismissed you are, Padawan Dellian." Yoda proclaimed. "Innocent, we find you. Young Westgard, reprimanded you will be."
Anna felt immense weight lifted from her shoulders, yet still felt despicable within. Her platform lowered and she briefly locked eyes with Hans. While Anna didn't dare to utter a word, she hoped her solemn eyes would say "Thank you" for her. Hans gave her a smirk before facing the rest of the grandmasters' deliberations.
Mattias and Anna walked in silence until they reached a quiet balcony. Even the ships bustling by seemed to be nulled out by the verandah's serenity. Mattias leaned over the railing, huffed, and observed the passing speeders. Anna mimicked his motion and counted the ships in traffic. After ruminating in silence long enough, Anna broke it with a choked up response. She teetered between whether or not thanks were in order and ultimately asked, "Why did you deny the evidence?"
Mattias looked to her and smiled faintly. "Because I have to hold on to hope," he said. "Not just for you, but for myself. In a moment of weakness, I was so tired of you defying me and straying off course. But as that knight was defending you, I saw a second chance. Anna, you never failed me. It was I who let you down. Whether we like it or not, we're stuck in this together. But I vow to be a greater teacher to you."
"And I'll be a better student," Anna replied. "You deserve that."
"We'll make it," Mattias said. "And by the Force, you will become one of the finest Jedi Knights this Order has ever seen. But we'll take it one day at a time. How does Form IV endurance training sound tonight?"
"Amazing," Anna answered with a smile.
"By the way," Mattias whispered. "I spoke with Officer Byra and she said thirty-five trafficking victims were liberated from the warehouse where you nabbed the Bug. Way to go, Anna."
"Thank you," Anna replied as they exchanged respectful bows. "See you tonight for training!"
Anna rushed back through the halls and over to the temple courtroom. Along the way, Tori and Surk were leaning against one of the pillars. "How long until your expulsion, Anna?" Surk growled.
"She probably cried her way to innocence," Tori taunted.
Anna stopped dead in her tracks and spun to them. "Oh hi there, fellow Jedi." she said. "Maybe you can help me out. I'm looking for Tori and Surk, I'm supposed to give them free tickets to that new show on the Holonet: Coruscant's Dumbest. "Any idea where I can find them? It's okay if you don't. Those who spend more time hating on others instead of building their own lives often blend in with the rest of the muck out there." The Pantoran sneered while her Zabrak friend nearly punched the pillar. Anna continued on her merry way while they gave her death stares.
Anna returned to the courtroom only to find it abandoned. At the height of her frustration, she turned to find a very worried Elsa. "Anna!" she gasped and pulled her into a hug. "I heard you were found innocent. Are you alright?"
Anna barely pat her sister's back. "Just dandy," she muttered. "How as your mission?"
"Awful...yet uplifting," Elsa admitted. "It was terrifying and...no, just terrifying. I'm still reeling from it all and-"
"Look," Anna said. "I'm really tired. I think I just want to go back to my room and sleep."
"Sure thing, sis." Elsa sulked as Anna stormed off. Alone per usual, Elsa couldn't help but chuckle.
Ironic, Elsa thought on the way to her own room. I thought Anna was the talkative one.
She embraced the darkness of her quarters and sought solace in construction. Elsa used the Force to bring both her project and an adjacent toolbox before her. "Let's get to work," she declared and popped open the box. The sound of it unhinging caught her off guard. It resembled the clank of battle droids marching, yet Elsa ignored it. A Jedi yelled down the hall, and Elsa remembered the clone troopers screaming orders. She shook herself free of such worries and grabbed the nearest tool. As she screwed a bolt into place, a speeder's engine roared outside her window. She vividly recalled the sound of Republic gunships landing on Hoth during the battle. Looking down at her unfinished droid made her think of the gonk she repaired and her clone friend, Frost. Her heart thundered as she remembered the conflict and how she desperately dug Frost out of the snow. All of her traumatic moments meshed together until Elsa was forced to drop her tools and back into a corner. Elsa attempted to steady her breaths, but the knock at her door made her lunge for cover.
"Elsa?" her master's voice was calm, yet worried.
"Come in," Elsa whimpered.
Yelana entered and knelt beside her Padawan. She took her hand and gently rubbed it. Elsa could sense frustration flickering within her master. "I'm sorry I ever trusted a Jedi General like Obi-wan to keep you safe from harm," Yelana said. "I never should've left you in the first place."
Elsa sniffled. "I'm used to being alone, plus it wouldn't be the first time you've left." Her half-hearted comment left Yelana remorseful. Noticing her distress, Elsa tried to change the subject. "How was your mission?" she asked.
"Fruitless and nothing more," Yelana was quick to reply. "But contrary to mine, Obi-wan did tell me about Hoth. I'd call your actions quite heroic."
Elsa rapidly shook her head in denial. "I didn't do anything extraordinary," she said. "You taught me to view the Force as a gift, not a right. I did what any Jedi would have done."
"That you did." Yelana grinned and squeezed Elsa's palm. Her eyes trailed off as if she had something else in mind. "Difficult situations can leave scars on us that only we can see," she said. "But as Jedi, we still rise above. Every pain you are feeling is normal, Elsa. You must accept that, but know it doesn't define you."
"Yes, master." Elsa nodded as her stomach let out a tumultuous growl. They couldn't help but chuckle until Elsa snorted embarrassingly. "Sounds like I could use some brunch. Would you like to join me?"
Yelana winced. "You see, I need to go and-"
"No need to explain," Elsa relented. "I'll see you for training later?"
Yelana offered her Padawan a stoic smile and nodded. "I promise my absence will make sense."
"Yeah," Elsa whispered as she parted ways with her master. She tried not to let her repeated abandonment get to her as she focused on the temple cafeteria. To a hungry Jedi, even the simplest Republic ration seemed appetizing. She got to the nearest serving port, grabbed a steaming meal, and found an isolated table. One would've thought she had the Rakghoul Plague with how far the other Jedi sat from her. Elsa merely shrugged and prodded her food with a fork.
Her eyes widened as a voice asked, "Mind if I sit here?" Elsa peered up to see a young Padawan with a loaded tray. Her blue-striped montrals helped Elsa instantly identify her as a Togruta.
The question was still foreign to Elsa. She'd never had someone want to sit with her before because even Anna would wander off. "By all means," Elsa said.
"Thanks," the Togruta replied. "I just got back from an offworld assignment and I am starving." She scooped up several vegetables as orange as her skin and munched away. "I'm Ahsoka," she greeted. "Ahsoka Tano."
"Elsa Dellian. What kind of mission were you on?"
Ahsoka rubbed her sore forearm. "Just another shot at keeping the Separatists away from the Inner Rim. I lost track of how many tinnies I scrapped."
Elsa practically choked on her rice. She was surprised that a Padawan younger than her was willingly out fighting in the Clone Wars. "That still must've been terrifying," Elsa said.
"My master and I had some close calls," Ahsoka admitted. "But nothing our sabers couldn't handle."
"Bless you," Elsa sighed. "I'm awful with a lightsaber. So much so, that you've probably heard the rumors."
Ahsoka was genuinely perplexed. "What rumors?" she asked. "Well maybe we can hit the dojo after brunch and I could help you out some."
Believing knowledge could come from anyone, Elsa happily obliged.
Hans sat in the Jedi Archives and scrolled through a list of data entries on the criminal underworld. A wanted, Devronian smuggler came up and made him raise his brows. "Aren't you ugly," Hans mumbled to himself. He swept across the screen to a Duros bounty hunter named Cad Bane. "He doesn't look so tough."
"Hans!" Anna exclaimed and he nearly fell out of his chair. On impulse, she lunged over and embraced him. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
"I'm honored," he quipped.
"Thanks for your help back there," Anna said at a volume loud enough to make others find a different study spot.
"I can talk my way out of anything," Hans boasted as Anna remained awestruck. "All I have to do is survive temple probation and a load of archive assignments. I'm sure your master will keep you on a tight leash now, but I do hope we can work together again in the future. At least, whenever you're free."
Anna lost herself in his emerald stare and stumbled forward. "I'm...free now," she uttered breathily.
"Shhh!" sounded chief librarian, Jocasta Nu. The elder stood by their table with a critical glare.
"I can catchup on this work later. How about a rematch in the dojo?" Hans whispered as Anna eagerly nodded. She trailed after him with rising feelings of excitement, and he soaked up every moment of it. With a smug grin and proud spring in his step, Hans would glance back to make sure Anna was still in tow. Anna couldn't even comprehend her emotions behind it all. There was something about fighting alongside him and watching him come running to her aid that made her feel...she didn't know what the feeling was.
Just when Anna seemed swept in the euphoria of it all, she and Hans entered the dojo and found her sister. They stopped to observe Ahsoka trying to steady Elsa's footing and teach her a reverse-grip variation of saber technique.
Hans gave Anna a nudge and snickered. "Form V?" he mocked. "Do you honestly think your sister can execute Shien, let alone holding her weapon backwards like that?"
Anna scoffed and watched her sister struggle to mimic Ahsoka. "What does she think she's doing?" she replied.
"I bet you she falls," Hans mumbled. "In three...two..."
Elsa spun around as Ahsoka did the same, only the Togruta landed on her feet. Elsa struck the mat with a thud and her saber swiveled out of her hands. She rose her head to find Hans and Anna laughing hysterically. "Don't worry, Elsa." Ahsoka said. "You'll get the hang of it. Elsa?"
Elsa was appalled to see such a sight. Not only had her sister lied about resting, but she was with the very knight who'd insulted her days earlier. She could only assume Anna had no idea who she was getting involved with. Desperate to protect her sister, Elsa set aside her embarrassment and stormed up to them. "Anna," she said. "I need to speak with you...alone."
Anna raised a brow while Hans snickered. "Come on, sis. Surely whatever it is you can say to both of us."
Elsa sighed and looked up at Hans. His stare was as condescending as it was that morning on the elevator. She focused on her sister and said, "Fine. What are you doing with such a rude, impertinent individual?"
Anna wrinkled her nose and shuffled closer to Hans. "I'm gonna stop you right there," she said. "You're clearly jealous that I'm friends with a Jedi Knight."
Elsa would've ignored her comment had Hans not added, "Obviously."
Elsa stared Hans down and clenched her fists. She only got angrier as he laughed at her disposition. "Look," Anna interjected. "Just cause you went on some offworld mission doesn't mean you're a bigshot now."
"That's enough," Ahsoka asserted. "Leave her alone."
Anna squinted towards the Togruta and asked. "And who are you?"
"Someone who can clearly see you're projecting your own jealousy and insecurities at your sister," Ahsoka countered and Anna sneered.
Adding to her comment, Elsa came to a realization. "Yeah, Anna. How did your mission into downtown Coruscant go?"
Anna completely ignored the question and gestured to her weapon. "I don't even know why you bother practicing with a lightsaber you can't wield," she jeered. She pulled Hans by the sleeve and made for the door. "Come on, the dojo just got a lot less interesting."
Elsa chased after them with frantic hands. "If you're trying to hurt me, it's not working." she said. "My ally is the Force and it-"
Ahsoka and Hans flinched as Anna drew her lightsaber on her own sister. She swung with enough momentum to send Elsa falling and then stood over her. "Your ally is the Force, and yet you couldn't sense that coming, hm?"
She deactivated her blade and trudged off with Hans, leaving Elsa flabbergasted. Ahsoka helped her to her feet and asked if she was alright. All Elsa could respond with was, "I can't stand that man. Whatever's going on with Anna's attitude, I'm sure he's to blame."
An alert flickered on Ahsoka's vambrace and she huffed. "My master's paging me."
"Go," Elsa assured. "It's alright. Until we meet again, Ahsoka."
Hans and Anna exited the dojo to find Mattias waiting for them. "Anna," he rejoiced. "Ready to start on endurance training?"
Anna froze and checked the time on the nearest clock. As her duties caught up with her, Hans slowly stepped away. He didn't bother saying goodbye as soon as her master showed and left her to deal with him. "Endurance training...right," Anna mumbled. By the time she looked down the hall for Hans, he was already gone.
She and Mattias re-entered the dojo just as Yelana came in from the adjacent side. Elsa stood alone in the center and watched so many familiar faces converge. She remained frustrated with Anna until her master broke the silence. "Well doesn't this work out to have you all here," Yelana said.
Elsa shrugged. "I don't understand, master."
Yelana smirked and raised her voice. "Could I have everyone's attention for a moment?" Training Padawans, Knights, younglings and masters turned from all corners of the dojo. When the room went silent, Yelana advanced towards Elsa. "Now I'm not one for public spectacles, but I think its only fair that teachers get to share accomplishments from time to time. Several masters happily nodded in agreement as she continued. "Several days ago, I sent my Padawan on what was supposed to be a diplomatic mission. In these trying times, such became another Separatist battleground. But when given the opportunity to retreat back to Coruscant, my Padawan didn't. She chose to stay and venture into Separatist-controlled territory."
Anna had to make sure her ears were clean. "Wait what?" she blurted.
Yelana ignored her remark and firmly gripped Elsa's hand. "Through her actions, she was able to not only ensure the recovery of a Separatist recon module...but also save the life of a clone trooper most would've given up hope for." Elsa shrunk back as Yelana cited how she'd single-handedly destroyed a droid platoon with only the Force. She wondered what her master was getting at as it suddenly hit her. She understood why her master had to depart yet again. "Elsa Dellian," Yelana proclaimed. "I've just finished conferring with the council, and they have agreed to accept your efforts as your Trial of Courage. Congratulations and I couldn't be more proud of you."
The room erupted into various applause as Elsa was unsure what to do with herself. While her heart beamed with excitement, she gently waved at her fellow Jedi and mouthed the words, "Thank you."
"My Trial of Courage is complete?" Elsa realized.
"One down, four to go." Mattias said with a nod. "Well done, Elsa."
"ARE YOU KRIFFING KIDDING ME?" Anna screeched.
"What is that language for?" Elsa retorted.
"It's for this whole situation!" Anna exploded. "You're telling me that I was top duelist in Brith Clan, ace of Ataru...and yet you who doesn't even have a fighting form JUST PASSED YOUR TRIAL OF COURAGE! What is this insanity?"
Elsa's brows furrowed. "I was wrong to thing you'd be happy for me," she said. "Maybe you could pass trials too if you didn't spend your time getting arrested."
"There must be another Elsa Dellian," Anna mocked. "Because my sister plus a droid platoon doesn't equal anything."
"A platoon led by General Grievous," Yelana coyly added from a distance and happily watched Anna's meltdown unfold.
Mattias facepalmed and shook his head. "Can't she just celebrate her sister for an instant?" he asked.
"Not with that attitude," Yelana replied. "These two aren't going to move forward if they can't settle scuffles like adults.
Mattias raised a brow and activated a starmap on his vambrace. "I may have a solution," he said and pointed towards a planet in the Outer Rim.
Yelana followed his finger and hummed in thought. "Scarif," she said. "Do you seriously mean what I think you do?"
"If it was just one of them, I'd say no way." Mattias explained. "But Anna and Elsa together on this one? I think they're ready."
The most Republic records could scrounge up on the Bug was a first name, or at least an alias. Jee sat back in her ray-shielded cell at the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center. The Rodian recounted her duel with Anna and rubbed her sore snout. A faint grin emerged as she chuckled to herself. "Not bad, Red." Jee whispered. "But if there's one thing I've learned, you never reveal all your cards until the time is right."
Jee stretched out her hand and shut her eyes. She focused beyond the ray shield and used the Force to overload the power conduit as all went black.