“Sir” Bev called over, “I’ve been receiving signals from the vicinity of vector one, staggered proximity, possible scramble relay. The signal is incoherent and reads binary at intervals. Heavy encryption perhaps.”
“Seven, any thoughts?” Sylde asked.
“I am running algorithms now; binary could be arbitrary or double code for heightened encryption. Let us hope it is option one. Option two would take some time to decipher.” The electronic voice responded.
“Run through your protocol of course Seven, but work with Tagata Taia and Abalder as well.” Sylde returned.
“Of course, Captain, that will of course take me offline and into network though. Proceed?”
Sylde thought through as many scenarios as he could muster, seeing none that would require networked tactical details for the next few minutes, “Proceed.”
“Bev, is it repeating or a string of original?” Sylde asked with his hands at his chin.
“It is repeating. Five-minute cycles.” She replied.
‘Half by half at fifteen minutes…’ he thought but then asked, “The hyper relay in the system has been deactivated, yes?”
“Affirmative Sir.” She responded again.
‘Two more transmissions, no three!’… “Ok, Bev get me the Herrell please.”
“Captain Sylde?” asked a gravely and deep voice over static laced comm.
“Captain Kajg, descend to atmospheric, waypoint vector one. Hold position, wait for orders.” Sylde commanded.
“Sir.”
“Clean up that channel Bev.”
“Working sir.” She responded.
Sylde could not shake the notion that something was at work against him. He gazed around the room focusing on a few of the faces he’d been around for years, each one diligently executing their assignments with intense concentration.
“Sir, we now have a second signal, same key sequence. Locating origin.” Bev barked out quickly, her hand pressing hard against the single earpiece she was employing.
“Quickly please.” Sylde said, fingering his chin again. He cast a glance at the holo image settled in line along the front bank of consoles, directly under the center monitoring screen, watching as his ‘game board’ refreshed every few seconds.
“Nar.” Bev finally said.
That was unexpected and he began rubbing at his temples with his thumbs. ‘Erratic primary, no…. programmed erratic primary.’ He thought to himself. “Bev, is there any pattern in the signal planet side? Is it possibly generating a pre-programmed range?” He asked his comm officer.
“No pattern to speak of sir, location varies, even from the last known source.” She replied.
“Dispersal range?” He asked, trying to eliminate all possibilities.
“Fifty Km distant to one hundred and all points between.”
‘So, the source would need to be rooted out at ground level.’ “Bev, I need the Broocal.”
“Go ahead sir.” She replied immediately after a well-practiced key stroke.
“Captain Mattac, coordinate with the ‘Herrell’ planet side, maintain two hundred to two fifty kilos distant. I want to get a read on the signal source.” “On our way Captain.” Came the quick heavily accented Twi’lek response.
Sylde considered tactical ground deployment in the event they were able to significantly reduce transmission possibilities for the primary signal planet side, but even then, his orders were clear. He looked again to the holoimage of all his assets and fleetingly thought about employing a more diverse tactical strategy by spreading his battle groups across the planet’s circumference. It would hinder quick action but would close any gaps between the Hyper lane and subsidiary intra-system thoroughfares. ‘Maintaining free range with no terminus would eliminate twilight ghosting, perhaps even help to identify the signal sources.’ He thought to himself.
“Sylde.” He stated, his gaze focused intently on the holoimage. “Groups two and five, assume pattern Theta.” And then watched as six of the small blue dots began moving toward the respective poles of Mustafar in groups of three.
“Sir, could the signal be anomalous?” Bev asked with a thoughtful look.
“Never refute a pattern Lieutenant but had there not been a secondary I would have entertained the suggestion.” Sylde answered, his eyes still focused on the holoimage.
“The native population has given any Imperial action on the planet a very wide berth, I don’t believe there is anything anomalous about this.” Pritcar added.
“Agreed but also do not disregard the possibility.” Sylde offered, “assumptions can lead to devastating consequences.” Taking his eyes off the image of the deploying fleet he focused on the small moon. “Captain Efa, bring us to the moon. I want to find the source of the signal there as well.”
“Right away sir.” She responded over the intra-ship comm.
“Sir!” Bev chimed in.
“Yes?”
“We have a tertiary signal.”
✦
Kowani had no idea what she had done, if indeed she had done anything or if Ahsoka had intervened at some point. Her mind was racing, her heart was pounding, irrationality was beginning to take hold or was this truly what panic felt like? “Ahsoka!!” She yelled, not being able to see over the large metal door. She vaguely remembered turning to face her friend the second before the door slammed into the wall, Ahsoka lying prone and in its direct path. Positioned as she, Kowani, was now, Ahsoka was either on the other side of the door, or more fatally, under it. She then remembered the sounds that had filled the room and the undoubted smashing of bone she knew she had heard. She reached up to pull herself over the door to inspect, with trepidation, Ahsoka’s fate. Swapping the hilt to her right hand, the purple blade illuminated the area in a menacing glow, casting twilight in ways the white blade had not. Every surface seemed to be drawn to it and with that, cast elongated shadows that seemed to create viable threats that weren’t there. She pulled herself over, looked down on the other side and let out all the breath she had been holding in her lungs with an enormous exhale, redirecting cascades of dust and talus. ‘Oh, thank the stars,’ she thought as she dropped down on the other side at Ahsoka’s side. “Ouch!!” She screamed, falling forward as her right knee gave out from under her. She fired out her left hand to reduce her own impact but was redirected awkwardly by the cable at her right wrist. She tossed the saber back to her left hand and deftly severed the cable. She did her best to ignore the pain and focused on Ahsoka, assessing her as best as she could. Her eyes were quickly directed to the source of the bone crunching as Ahsoka’s montral had taken the full force of the impact. Kowani stared quickly at the severed cable dangling in front of her own face, suddenly struck by the impact of what had occurred. “Your antlers!”
“Stop yelling!” Ahsoka said through pursed lips, her eyes shut fast. “My head is killing me.”
“At least you still have it.” Kowani responded in a lighter voice.
“What happened?” Ahsoka managed with a strangled cough, “and how bad is it.”
“Your horn things are, well, broken.” Kowani said, not seeing any sense in sugar coating the truth.
Ahsoka did not respond immediately, only blew out short breaths. Reaching down absently she grabbed at the air a few times before finding her pocket and pulling out a loose cloth. “Here.” She said handing it to Kowani.
She carefully took the cloth from Ahsoka and stared at it, canted her brow, then stared at Ahsoka. “What...uh.?”
“Cover. The hollows. Keep dust out.” Ahsoka managed between breaths.
Kowani slid her arm under Ahsoka’s head and propped it up slowly, “Tell me if im hurting anything.” She almost whispered.
“Only my pride.” Ahsoka responded slowly, the vague outlines of a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. Kowani resting her head on her good knee.
She focused on the broken montral and inspected the area with a slow wave of the saber hilt. Fibrous veins spanned the inner reaches of the hollows, crisscrossing one another repeatedly, forming a web. The broken edges were secreting a sticky white paste that oozed from the marrow itself. She was both mystified and horrified. She could not help but look at it even though her stomach was urging her to do anything else now. She covered both bases of the sheared montral with the cloth, understanding what Ahsoka had meant. The white secretion was clearly a healing agent and a quick one at that. A moderate but sudden tremor vibrated the room. “There remains danger Ani.” Ahsoka whispered. “We must leave here.” She finished and managed to sit upright albeit groggily.
“No need to tell me twice. Can you stand?” She asked, her attention being drawn to her right knee and it’s increasing warmth. She absently rubbed it gently feeling the kneecap slide slightly under even moderate pressure.
Kowani looked back at Ahsoka whom had opened her eyes and was staring at her knee. “Can you?” Ahsoka asked.
“I don’t know but we need to, regardless.” She responded, casting her view toward the ‘top’ of the room and assessing their next task. “We can climb out using the consoles on that wall she said pointing to her left. She looked back at Ahsoka’s head and grimaced. Tearing a small patch of cloth from her sleeve she balled it and began dabbing at her head, wiping away bits of stone and debris. “I hope the info we pulled is useful.”
“Oh, you did get it then?” Ahsoka managed pushing herself up to her feet. She stumbled awkwardly, swaying where she stood.
Kowani reached out to brace her friend and then pushed off the ‘floor’ to stand herself up. “I got everything there was time for.” She said with a wince, her knee buckling badly.
Ahsoka braced herself with her right hand and slowly bent down to retrieve her saber, only then looking at the source of the illumination in the room. “How did you get that?” She asked, pointing to the purple blade.
“I have no idea.” Kowani answered. “Everything happened so fast.” She added staring at the saber.
Ahsoka pondered it for a few seconds then shrugged, staring at the console banks they would use as a ladder. “You up for it?” She said nodding at the doorless entryway.
Kowani rubbed her knee a final time, “Pain be damned.” She said, reaching for her first handhold and pulling herself up.
Ahsoka followed right behind her and as agonizing as it was, they reached the hallway in short order.
“I’m going to be feeling this tomorrow.” Kowani commented.
Ahsoka let a slight giggle escape her lips then winced immediately as the action sent severe pain sparking through her skull, “tomorrow is a good thing Ani.”
Kowani couldn’t deny the logic and found herself nodding in agreement as she reached a hand down to pull Ahsoka up and through the doorway into the hallway. They both lay on the floor a few moments basking in its evenness.
‘Where the hell is T’zar she thought absently.’
“Tending to our knee presently, take care while walking on it please.” He responded.
‘Are my thoughts ever my own anymore.’
“I do not know Kowani, I have never remained on this plane this long.” He spoke.
‘It was rhetorical.’
“I know.”
All Kowani could do was shake her head, although immaculately grateful for whatever T’zar was doing as the knee was feeling better already. They both rolled over to get up, wincing from respective aches and pains. On their feet, they began walking back down the way they’d come, arms around each other’s shoulder for support.
“Ahsoka?” Kowani asked, slowly sliding her feet across the floor, “where to now? And I suppose how? And with what?”
Ahsoka blew out a breath. “I haven’t gotten that far yet.”
Kowani didn’t say anything but continued shuffling down the hallway at Ahsoka’s side, offering as much support as she was getting in return from the shared assist. “I am working on an exit plan, I should say R3 is more to the point but it’s going to take some time. Assuming we were allowed to land, we can also then assume we will not be allowed to leave.”
Ahsoka understood the logic and could not argue against it. That Kowani had already begun an exit strategy was not surprising, the Mirialan was crafty, but admittedly she, Ahsoka, had not thought this entire objective through to completion and had allowed fate it’s window of opportunity. They had attained information but to what degree neither of them knew, it would take some time to properly analyze. ‘Aborah,’ she thought to herself, trying in vain to link the word to anything known to her, coming up with a blank. It was either significant or it was nothing but a file header.
“Ahsoka?” Kowani had stopped.
Ahsoka turned her head to respond but found herself turning her entire body to face the Mirialan. “Wha?” She said absently.
“Do your horns affect your hearing? I’ve called you three times.” Kowani said, standing in the middle of the hall, leaning heavily on her left leg.
“No, spatial perception. I’m sorry, just in thought.” Ahsoka responded truthfully.
Kowani shrugged and shuffled to Ahsoka’s side again. Eyeing the wounded montral she said, “will they heal?”
Ahsoka absently ran a hand up her Lek’ku toward the crown of her skull. “Yes, over time they will grow back. Until then there will be fits of disorientation though. What were you saying?”
Kowani, shifting gears on cue, was pointing at her wrist comm, “I have been scrambling a signal to R3 which he is using as a focal point to arrange a RF map. With that at least we can decide what to do because I know there is something out there.” She said with a gentle wave of her hand over her head. “I just pray it isn’t one of those aggressors we encountered in Hutt space.”
Ahsoka looked at her friend and could not help but feel somewhat more relaxed and at peace. The woman had inserted herself right into this plan and then had summarily cut off any excuse that could be arranged or argued to deny her. It felt good, she admitted inwardly, to feel that peaceful warmth again. It felt good to trust someone again.
“I can’t argue that Ani, although that ship was more a liability to its own cause than any gains it may bring, probably a good reason we haven’t encountered them before. How long will it take R3 do you think?”
Kowani considered it, wincing her eyes in strategic thought, “another twenty hours roughly.” Refocusing her gaze on Ahsoka, “I say we make it to the opening we made and hold tight for a bit.”
Ahsoka nodded in agreement having nothing better to add but then the thought struck her, “If R3 is out there, why doesn’t he just get us out of here?” It seemed like common sense.
“Because there are already three marks that he’s aware of. No specs or ID’s.” Kowani responded.
Ahsoka understood then nodding, “better to know what were up against.”
Kowani’s wrist vibrated as if on cue and she looked down, “make that four marks. And the hyper-relay in system is offline.”
Ahsoka was transfixed on the later, offline meant deliberately. Four marks is a prelude for more she knew, “Inform him to stay discreet Ani, they are forming a blockade.” She thought about the implications, ‘they mean to keep us here.’ She looked at Kowani and inwardly sighed with a sudden shock of grief. ‘They meant to keep me here.’ She corrected herself.
“Ahhhsssooookkkkkaaaa……” The whispered voice again, strong, close, she thought. The registered familiarity rang true yet again, it was the same source as before she knew.
“Something is, or someone is rather, trying to reach out to Ahsoka.” T’zar said to Kowani, as if agitated.
‘And what’s wrong with you?’ Kowani thought, placing more importance on the tone rather than the message. ‘And who?’ was her next question.
“It takes a great deal of concentration to heal. And I have no idea, only that the source is planet side.” He responded.
“Who is that Ahsoka?” Kowani asked bluntly.
Ahsoka spun her head to face Kowani with a quizzical look.
“T’zar picked up on something.”
Ahsoka stared blankly into Kowani’s eyes, comprehending the abilities of the spirit form. “I know the voice, but I can’t place it. It is…. elusive.”
Given their location and perceived predicament, Kowani contorted her face to assume Ahsoka should understand the obvious, “Vader.” She stated.
“No, not Vader.” Ahsoka said immediately, “He isn’t in the system I assure you. No, the voice is female regardless.”
“Tell her Kowani.” T’zar almost reprimanded.
‘Fine.’ She thought in return.
“Ahsoka, what is shatter point?”
Ahsoka stopped walking altogether, “What?” She asked, a little more forcefully than intended.
Kowani could see the renewed tension in her friend, the Force picking up in momentum as its currents redirected themselves toward the Togruta. She also saw the tears forming in the corners of her eyes. “It took some time to piece together but since…. well.” She pointed to the ignited saber in her opposing hand. “...since this happened,” she continued, “that word has been etched in my mind.” She finished, trying not to sound crazy. “I see the way you’re reacting and assume it has significance.”
“Thank you, now I can focus more directly.” T’zar said in almost exasperation, Kowani ignored the comment.
Ahsoka had not expected something so distant in her memories or more off topic from their present situation to materialize itself into conversation. “I’m sorry,” she started, “it was just very unexpected. Every Jedi has…. had,” she corrected, “an opportunity to specialize in a particular ability if they so choose. That ability was the stylemark of the owner of the hilt you hold.” She paused, not realizing how painful memories can be at times. “I never saw him employ it, just heard the stories mind you, so I have no true grasp of what it entails. But I can say it helped him ascend to the rank of grand master.”
Kowani looked at the hilt and ignited the saber in her hand for a long moment, trying to comprehend its current significance, if any, but more importantly, how it provided her with the question she had longed to ask, albeit strategically. “Do lightsaber’s carry power in and of themselves?”
The question was expected this time and the memories of death and of the unknown fate of so many dissipated into those of fondness and of the deep emotional bonds she had formed with her own related questions. ‘Master Tera Sinube’ she thought fondly, understanding washing over her how much she had learned from the aged Jedi master in their brief time together years earlier. Or that of Ilum and the centuries old Huyang whom assisted in every traditional lightsaber build she was aware of, including the one currently in Kowani’s possession. “The easy answer is yes, in that ‘anything’ can possess a power given its creation was through intent.” She felt in line with her own thoughts as those answers had always come easy. “Does that particular saber?” She thought carefully, “I do not know. But that is your journey to embark on Ani.”
Kowani switched her focus from the saber hilt and illuminated blade to Ahsoka, “What do you mean my journey?”
Ahsoka smiled slightly, “In your moment of need it answered your call, whether you willed it to or not.” She paused briefly and closed her eyes for a few seconds. Opening them slowly she said, “in that, I believe your question has been answered.” She finished with a wink.
Kowani was not sure how to respond, or even what the implications, if there were any, meant. She looked up and down the blade and listened to the nascent hum of the focused energy, waving it involuntarily and made a motion to hand it to Ahsoka.
“No Ani, you were meant to have it. No, it is yours now.” Ahsoka said with considerably deep sincerity.
Kowani knew the answer before Ahsoka had said anything but wanted to assume nothing. Hearing the words brought a feeling of awe, however, as she spun it before her a few times, listening to the audible report of each pass. Whether or not there was a source of inert power within seemed almost trivial to the reality of wielding it, the elation of being in control of something so implausibly beautiful, yet so lethal by design. ‘It did call to me, answered me’ she thought.
“So did the vambrace.” T’zar interjected.
‘Don’t ruin the moment.’ She thought in return.
Kowani stopped herself as her intended question lay on her tongue but unspoken as her mind was still processing the realities of what Ahsoka had already said.
“Just up ahead, I see the entry way.” Ahsoka said.
Kowani seeing the red glow illuminating the entrance they had cut into the passageway from the planet’s primary light source, caused her pause momentarily. The rock faces embracing the color as if pulling it within. She cast a wary glance at Ahsoka, then blew out her breath as she deactivated the saber. “Ahsoka.” She began.
“Balance.” Ahsoka said, surprising Kowani. “I don’t know why you waited so long to ask.”
“I wasn’t sure how to be honest. I mean, I know you’re not a disciple of the dark side, nor are you a proponent of the light.” Kowani was still unsure how to proceed with the question.
“Exactly Ani.” Ahsoka responded, the two still shuffling their way to the entrance. “There are many paths this conversation could take, and I am more than willing to entertain them all in due course but that is the heart of all of it all.” She had prepared this argument since she had created the saber. “There are many ways to affect the color of the blade itself. The Sith bleed theirs, a sacrilegious act of disrespect to the crystal within, intended to will control of the Force and the crystal itself to their own, to dominate. The hue of a certain color doesn’t seem to have much meaning although this one,” she patted her hip and the black hilt attached there, “exhibits qualities I’ve never encountered before.”
“Perhaps because it was ignited and used outside the mortal realm.” T’zar said sarcastically.
Kowani ignoring it, remained quiet, ushering Ahsoka to continue.
“I needed something to channel my anger and rage into. Not that I would have assumed the role of a crazed lunatic if I hadn’t, but as a means for me to direct those emotions toward something useful.”
Kowani was beginning to understand as the two seemed to have a shared sense of personality on many distinct levels.
Ahsoka continued, “It isn’t a feeling or emotion that are inherently bad, it is the choice of action based upon them that defines us. To ignore them, no matter the implication of good or bad, is a means to remove ourselves from the ordinary, adopting a hubris which ultimately leads to downfall.” She felt as though she were on the steps of the Jedi temple all over again, saying the same thing to Anakin, albeit phrased differently. “In essence, if we deny what were capable of, we have no measure to understand where we’ve come from, or where we’re going.” She felt absently for the saber hilt at her side again. “And I stopped caring a long time ago about what anyone else thinks. I know who I am and so does the Force.”
Kowani did understand what Ahsoka was saying, still somewhat confused over her last statement, however. “Then why red, or crimson or whatever…. why not amber or yellow for example?”
“The color is meant for me. With the intent channeled into it, I want to see it residing there, at my side, knowing that it is those parts of myself that I embrace willingly and use with the same conviction as I do my other saber.” Ahsoka said without hesitation. “If anyone thinks for an instant that I’ve let the tendrils of the dark side take their hold on my soul, then let that be their mistake alone. I chose not to be labeled in any event.”
Kowani was convinced that was the most obscure answer she could have received but did have to agree to most of it philosophically. Hearing Ahsoka talk this way invoked an even deeper respect for her friend. If most of the galaxy thought this way there would be fewer conflicts for certain she thought, however this did not explain Dagobah, or more to the point, nullified her sense of reason for being there in the first place.
“Does Master Yoda share those convictions?” Kowani asked.
Ahsoka pondered the question. “He does now, yes. In the past…” She trailed off for a few moments, “I believe he was conflicted about the implications.” She finished. “He has endured a great sorrow Ani, for many decades. He had his own inner conflicts to resolve and other council members that had already fallen victim to the hubris I mentioned to contend with.” Ahsoka turned her head toward the ground before continuing, “In that, we had shared in the desolation and despair feeling alone truly bestowed. Without words we saw each other in that light Ani, and understanding was shared.” Ahsoka finished and turned her gaze back to Kowani who was patiently waiting for her friend to continue. “The question I needed answered was a way to control what I had invited in.” She paused again, flushing out the grief she still clung to. “I do not want to repeat Nar Shaddaa ever again. I’ve accepted that I am just as capable of inflicting death and destruction as I am at distributing peace and those answers were here all along.” She finished placing a hand over her heart.
Kowani nodded in understanding then added, “You and Master Yoda do not hold the patent on despair Ahsoka. This is the Emperor's way and why we are fighting back. Sometimes, truly, there is no other way.”
Ahsoka felt conflicted between discouragement and hope knowing Kowani was right.
They came to the entryway and looked out upon the blasted rock formations and fiery lava flows but both sets of eyes drawn to the massive Star Destroyer hovering too close for coincidence.
Ahsoka turned to Kowani at her side, “Ani…. did you say antlers?”