Remembrances Part VIII: Knights of the Old Republic
[Mos Eisley Starport, Tatoo System]
The corridor to landing bay 37 was poorly lit. A haywire lighting system flashed a occasional strobing orange flicker in its low-standby mode. It revealed various broken parts littered on the floor and a few well-rusted droid chasses in one corner. Poorly drawn graffiti covered the walls and a few insects scrittered about aimlessly. The light suddenly switched to full intensity as the far door opened with grinding swish and clank. A tan skinned human female with radiant pink hair entered the corridor, A new shiny DE-10 blaster swayed at her hip. Vedra followed in close behind her. .
The human made a wry face and chuckled, "the best money can buy, as always Tails." Vedra shrugged. "We need to keep a low profile Haruka, with half the Imperial Navy after us, due in no small part to your little Plan B at the gallery. "
"Only half?" Haruka replied with genuine surprise in her voice, "I must be getting slow."
"Well, the other half had to stop and ask for directions," Vedra replied, without missing a beat. They both laughed. She continued along the same line of thought and asked Haruka, "How are things proceeding with getting a hold of Project Alpha?" Haruka paused and grumbled, "er.. operations are still ongoing. I have a few new leads." Vedra nodded and they continued to walk down the corridor. The lighting system flickered again. They both paused, to make certain it wasn't a sign of trouble. They were both used to being paranoid.
Haruka had an insight, "Oh sorry I almost forgot." She reached into the pocket of her black vest and pulled out a small datadisk and handed it to Vedra, "Here you go. I managed to salvage the codes from that old disk you gave me, and a little extra ID record. It wasn't easy or cheap. " Vedra took the disk and thanked her profusely, "I really owe you one for this. It is very important to me. Thank you." Haruka's left eye glistened, "you owe me more than one. I've been keeping track." She cocked her head to one side, a typically human gesture which Vedra found amusing. Haruka whispered in a low voice, "and why are you going to a misbegotten cesspool of a planet like Felucia anyway? The planet has been ecological monstrosity for twenty years."
Vedra sighed deeply and put the datadisk into a hip pouch and drew her breath. "It is something I have to do. You are right. It is very dangerous there, but the Force compels me to go. The key to my past and my future is on that world." Haruka sneered at the fatalistic thoughts and then softened a bit as she saw her friends obvious determination. "Look Tails, if you need my help I can be a little insurance the we can get back in one piece. I can run that blockade. and.. .." The twi'lek shook her head, "it is something I have do alone 'Ruka. Besides, I have my own insurance." Vedra reached into a pouch at the small of her back and pulled out a familiar cylindrical shape and showed it to Haruka. The human's eyes went wide; she had seen lightsabers before, "wow a lightsaber. I knew you worked with the glowstickers but until now .." She paused. "Well I always knew you were a little crazy."
"I know Haruka, and I can feel the force in you too." She looked into her friends eyes. They momentarily fixed on each other then blinked. Haruka thought for a second and then waved the twi'lek off, "Mother was into that stuff. I want nothing to do with that nonsense. With a good carbine you can take on anything." Vedra just smiled at her and grinned a nod.
Haruka turned towards the landing bay door only to be tapped on the shoulder by Vedra. "'Ruka there is another favour I need to ask of you. Can you watch out for Rat while I am gone. She has solid street skills, but she has lived on Na'ar Shada'a all her life. It was bit more controlled environment than this violent place. I worry. " Haruka nodded and prodded Vedra to the door.
Suddenly, Vedra tensed. Her body felt cold. Real cold. She felt as if dark shadow was stalking her. It was like the feeling she had when she was in Edernar, and more recently on Na'ar Shad'aa. In a flash the feeling was gone. It appeared that Haruka had not noticed. She was reassuring her blue-skinned friend, "don't worry Rat is one smart kid. She'll be fine."
Vedra grabbed Haruka's shoulder her arm sagged, "if I don't come back, Please look after her. I don't...." Vedra was, unusually, at a loss for words. The human paused and just nodded, Maybe she sensed something after all.
They entered the landing bay. The light of the warm suns was a stark contrast to the cool dimly lit corridor. Vedra's battered old Z95 lay at the centre of the pad. A line was pumping much needed energy into the ship recharging its batteries and systems. A few pieces of equipment lay scattered about next to a toolkit, which lay near the aft portion of the ship. A pair of legs were sticking out of the ship's cockpit pointing upwards. "It's just us. Rat." she looked at the parts. "And.. What have you done to my ship?" One of the black-booted legs waved a prefunctory hello. "Don't worry Tails, I was just making a few adjustments and fixed a few things you were complaining about."
As Haruka and Vedra approached the ship they heard saw a hydro-spanner fly out of the cockpit and land remarkably close to the tool kit. Rat muttered a few choice comments. "I missed it didn't? " "Yup.." came the near-synchronous reply from the women outside. Rat's feet disappeared into the ship for a second and her head popped out where they had been. She climbed out of the cockpit to sit on its ledge, with one foot in the entry foothold. She reached in and flicked a switch. The energy line stopped pulsing unhitched itself from the ship and recoiled into its main generator chassis. The Z95's port closed automatically. With a second switch flip she started the power-up sequence. Nothing happened. She tried again. She muttered some more colourful language.
Rat gave the control panel a well timed smack and the ship started to power up. She hopped down into the ground and walked over to them. Vedra began to wonder where Rat was picking up this less than lady-like vocabularyand habits of whacking electronics. She turned to Haruka to make a comment about it, only to see her friend grinning from ear to ear. Vedra shook her head and sighed. Rat pointed thumb over her shoulder and added, "I'll fix that later. Everything is ready to go for your trip." She looked at Vedra with her blue doe eyes "I wish you'd tell me where you're going.. Maybe take me with you." The blue twi'lek shook her head., "No sorry Rat. I have to go alone. I'll be back soon." Rat's shoulders' sagged and she went over to pack up her tools.
Vedra and Haruka embraced in a hug and a reassuring shoulder pat. " I'll be back before you know it." chirped the twi'lek. Haruka just smiled. Rat sauntered over and hugged Vedra as well. The twi'leks exchanged the mandatory nose rub of farewell and Rat picked up her toolkit. "Oh I also stocked your ship with some extra food provisions which Sasami gave me." Vedra curiously replied, "what extra provisions?" Rat shrugged, "It was just some canned goods called 'Project Alpha', she said it was edible and stored well."
Vedra's eyebrows furled "Project..?" and she again turned towards Haruka. The pink haired human was no longer grinning widely, but blushing bright red on her cheeks. It was Vedra's turn to grin like a Syhyian cat, "Now, this wouldn't by chance be a lead ...." Haruka coughed. But quickly came back with her usual aplomb "Er what? Oh nooooo. That's just a random co-incidence.. This was just payment for . Er. Shipping services. Now come on Rat we're delaying Vedra's trip" She scooted Rat to the door. She winked at Vedra, and waved a hand of farewell as Vedra hopped into her fighter. "Good luck Tails." Vedra waved back as she strapped herself in. Haruka added with a hushed voice, "and uh,, may the Force be with you."
Vedra smiled and sent a whisper back, "and may the Force be with you too." Haruka backed up to the door where Rat was standing. The human and green twi'lek waved farewell as Vedra closed the canopy and ship began to rise up into the dusk sky.
--
[Felucia, Felucia System, Xyrr'a Sector]
It had been a long flight. Vedra's trip took her across the galaxy, though the core worlds, and across the Wutan Rift. She had made stopovers on several worlds, including the bustling metropolises of Onderon and Ibeah She had endured numerous flyby scans by Imperials, code requests and stormtrooper questioning. She was sick of it. However, despite the nuisance of it all, she had managed to get through. The datadisk Haruka had modified also served as a valid ID of sorts. She was, for cover purposes, no longer Vedra, but Tli'ena Terek, her mother and botanist of some repute. She mused on that notion and corrected herself, "my adoptive mother."
The last flight leg had been a long one, nearly eight hours. The twi'lek was feeling cramped and irritable, and not her charming self, despite a good 4 hour nap while transiting in hyperspace. She couldn't handle any more sleep, she was just too tense, and partially excited. The strength of the feelings she felt through the Force were getting stronger, as she edged closer to her destination. So did her sense of dread. She had no-idea what she would find hereon Felucia, but she had some odd notions. She quietly whispered to herself the litany of the Force and looked out at the starry night around her as the ship ended its transit from hyperspace. Bright green-tinted light glared into the side of her canopy from the nearby star. She felt its warm glow on her face.
"I am beginning to know who I am now." Touching that lightsaber had opened her mind in a way she never imagined. She doubted anyone knew it was possible, none of her Jedi friends had even mentioned such a possibility. The feelings were accompanied by what seemed like a collage of images, and memories - of faces, names and places she never knew.
She was broken from her thoughts by a beeping proximity detector. She looked up and saw a squadron of TIE fighters rapidly approaching. In the distance she could clearly see the steel grey of an Imperial Star Destroyer. Her com unit chirped. "Attention inbound flight. You have entered a restricted quarantined area. Identify yourself." Vedra knew hesitation could mean a quick exploding death and replied quickly. "This is Tli'ena Terek, Imperial Navy Science Directorate, requesting permission to land on Felucia.." A gruff voice replied "Please transmit clearance and identification codes. A failure to comply, and or any attempt at avoidance of scans, is not recommended." She pushed a few buttons on her onboard computer system. R1 chirped in the back. "Don't worry R1, Haruka's work hasn't failed.. Yet." She sent the codes. The delay in reply seemed a tad longer than expected and a surprise. A female voice replaced the previous speaker, "Welcome to Felucia Dr. Terek, This is Captain Bawia Gond of the ISD Hegemony. I have heard of your work and I am pleased to see you have rejoined the Directorate. Your landing has been approved. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance." The old voice came back "Please follow your present course. Use established quarantine procedures. Hegemony out." The TIEs broke away from Vedra's Z95 starfighter and headed past her out towards the system rim parallel to their Star Destroyer. Vedra gasped. She had not realized she had been holding her breath. She directed her ship towards the cloudy surface of the world slowly growing into view.
Her force sense guided the ship's course down towards the planet's surface. The high cloud cover was thick, but broke up lower down creating a grey overcast sky. The surface was a jungle composed of a motley patchwork of pastel colours from the millions species of fauna. The sun's green tint was evident everywhere and made Vedra's skin seem green. She identified the general area which called to her. It was a swath of gigantic high flowering plants, near the base of a small ancient mountain range. Other flora and fauna existed here, yet the plants dominated the ecosystem, even as predators. Some were large enough to have normally been considered trees on other worlds. The Tereks had often spoken about the unique ecology of this world. Vedra was in wonder. She felt the deepest thrumming of life through the pulse of the Force here.
Unfortunately, her general area of destination was not suitable for landing a spacecraft. She spied a small clearing nearby. She guesstimated that her destination was several kilometers from the landing site. She landed the craft without trouble, with only a small shudder as the ship settled on the soft soil and undergrowth. She opened the canopy and her senses were assaulted with the raw musky moisture of the world. The air smelt very organic, almost fetid in its strength. As she looked about, she clearly saw the sickening hues and colours of the plants around her and heard various unrecognizable sounds from all around her. She dropped to the ground. It was soft but stable and she felt solid earth.
She knew it would be a long hike especially through the thick jungle. She would have to get a travel kit together. She opened a storage compartment on the side of the ship. Her stomach growled. She remembered that her last meal had been 12 hours ago. She had passed the chance to eat on Ibeah, as the denizens there had a nasty habit of eating their food live. She stuffed a backpack with basic survival goods, including a waterproof sheet and a strong light. She didn't want to be stuck here at night for long. She looked up and smiled. It still appeared to be morning as the focus of light seemed to be moving upwards. She calculated she had time to eat. She sat down on the storage crate and noticed the small case of "project Alpha" on board. She opened the box and grabbed a tin. She lay small potable water heater next to her and started a hot tea cooking - Ra'ani Root, her favourite. The ration tin unsealed and popped open when Vedra pressed its designated corner. She looked at the contents and sniffed. It had a bit of a purplish tinge, but it did not smell too bad. She picked up her spoon and started eating. "Yup. It does taste bad." she thought. She shrugged and kept on eating- she had eaten worse. Halfway through her meal she felt a motion on her leg .. A large centipede like creature skittered across her foot. She kicked it away and it let out a nasty shrill noise as it ran off into the undergrowth. "Ugh! That was an ugly thing. R1 keep the electro-static deflectors up and make sure nothing gets on the ship. " she mumbled between bites. The droid chirped a affirmative reply.
She finished her meal quickly and swallowed her tea without the usual savory enjoyment. She felt a light rain begin to fall. She stowed the supply crates back in the ship and closed the cockpit canopy. "I'll be back by nightfall hopefully R1. Watch for bugs." The droid whirred and chirped again . She put on her backpack, checked her holster and slung her polearm across her back. She also picked up a small vibroaxe to help her cut through the foliage and set off into the jungle.
Her boots squeaked and squished as she made her way through the jungle. The undergrowth was not as dense as she expected. Despite that, she had to make several detours for finding ways across natural obstacles and around a few groups of large creatures that did not look like they would oblige passage. The ancient sierras towered in the distance. A few brave bits of wildlife almost snuck up on her. A quick series of blaster bolts let them know she wasn't to be trifled with. She felt a continuing growth in the strength of the Force within her as she neared her destination. She judged it was just past mid-day, but it was hard to tell as the cloud cover made it seem almost like dusk.
She heard the call and caw of several flying creatures fly overhead. She knew she was nearing her destination when she saw more and more rusted metallic parts scattered about. The random parts gave way to obviously battle damaged droids and vehicles. On the side of a hill, she saw the clear outline of a half-exploded infantry walker. Their had been a huge battle here at one point. The materiel was rusted, decayed and overrun with vegetation. Some vehicles even appeared to have once become nests of some sort , but their demise and martial intent was clear. There were no skeletons or bodies; they had more than likely they had been quickly absorbed by the hungry ecosystem. She knew she was near the right spot. - she felt the Force like fire in her heart and she scanned bout intently and jumped when she heard a familiar voice.
On a small ledge to her right stood battered old cargo container. It was almost entirely covered with foliage, rocks and plant debris. A hunched, hobbled form in dark cloak emerged from the shelter. " I am glad you have come at last, little one. You've shown a lot of grit surviving and coming here after all these years. Your parents. Both sets of them, would be proud." Even stooped, he was a tall and imposing man, as he stood before her. He removed the hood to show a heavily weatherbeaten face with long greasy dark grey hair and a distinctive Kiffar yellow facial tatoo.
Vedra recognized him instantly. "Ouredros, You're alive!", she embraced the old man. She hugged him and held him by the shoulders. She noticed that his sword arm was missing; it was nothing but a stump now. Upon contact, a new memory flashed into her mind, with it came another more ancient recognition. "Quin? Is that you?" She looked into her eyes saw a tear flow down his cheek. He took a deep breath and coughed deeply , "So its true. You are connected. Come lets go to my lean-to. We have much to discuss you an I. " He started back up to his home only to stop and cough again. Vedra rushed to his side as she saw the blood land on the ground. Her insights tingled. "Quinlan You're dying. Let me get you to a medical facility. I can... "
He gently brushed her aside. "I've been dying for 20 years, and this is my last sunrise I fear; but now that your are here I know my story is done. Come have some tea. I know you have a lot of questions. I also have not had guests in a long time. "
They entered the cargo container. It was bigger than she imagined, as the far wall had been removed and opened into a cave within the rock. A small minimal fire burned inside upon which bubbling tripod rested. The walls were covered with various skins and carapaces. A pile of dishes that had not been use din some time rested a the corner. Quinlan sat down on one side of the fire and produced a pair of cups. He motioned the twi'lek to sit on the mat across the fire from him and handed her a cup. "I wish I could offer you more, but tea is all that I can keep down now. It is a local plant variety, and quite safe. Its kept me going longer than I thought - that and the Force. "
Vedra dipped her cup into the bubbling liquid cistern hanging from the tripod and sampled the brew. It had sharp nutty taste, but it was not an unpleasant one. She put her cup down as she watched Quinlan painfully swallow a few mouthfuls and cough again. She winced. She sensed his pain.
He arched an eyebrow at her and she took that as permission to ask a question, "I know your name and that your are both a Jedi and an old friend. I have memories of you, but they are not mine. To me you've always been Ouredros, but now I am confused. I have flashes and images in my head since I picked up that saber. Who are YOU and more importantly who am *I* now?" She looked down in her hands and started to shake, "am... am I Aayla?"
Quinlan coughed, but it was more laugh than a spasm. "No, you are you. Why would you be anyone else but you?" he had a grin on his face. Vedra made wry smile.
His face became serious. "No, little one you are not. At least not physically. But you are kin." He sighed and straightened his back. "I am Quinlan Vos. I am, or at least I was once, a Jedi Knight. Aayla was both my padawan and my friend." A dawn of recognition and surprise covered Vedra's features. "General Quinlan Vos? I thought you were killed on Kashyyyk?" Quinlan nodded. "One the same. Although I was not a general for long. My demise was ..." He coughed again, " .. prematurely aborted. I had matters to attend to, rather that continue to fight a pointless war. Not after everyone I called friend had been murdered "
He sighed deeply and continued his story, " You on the other hand are the daughter of Aedna Secura and Eyan Terek. Aedna was Aayla's identical twin sister. She was sold as a slave by the Securas as a baby in part to pay off the a debt to the Hutts on Utsybron and in part as a peace tribute. Aayla, myself and my old master Tholme never knew of her existence. Hence, it was not until after the war had already begun, many years later, did we find out about her -- quite by accident.
Vedra was awestruck.. "I am a Secura, Master Vos? But weren't they all killed." Quinlan nodded again. "Yes. The Emperor machinated with clan Fortuna on a trifling pretext and started a small civil war on Ryloth. The Securas were killed under the cover of that war. The Emperor made an issue to not only to kill the Jedi, but any living relatives that would potentially be a threat to him. Fortunately, your mother, even as a slave on distant world, she passed out of Ryloth's memory. She was used as a slave in the estate of Gydd The Hutt and rose to the status of mistress of his Feasts and Festivals. She was one of the few twi'lek slaves that Gydd allowed contact with outsiders. " He took another sip of tea and visibly relaxed, as if a weight was falling from his shoulders.
"She met a smuggler, a fellow Rutian twi'lek named Eyan -- your father, at Gydd's. Together they contrived a escape and succeeded. It was a love match. You were their only child." He paused to let his guest absorb all the details. Vedra sat in thought for a moment and asked " So where are my parents, my real parents? And how did you know them?"
He dipped his cup again and started to drink more tea, but stopped - its smell made him pale a bit and he coughed hard. Vedra started to get up, but he waved her down and spoke in wheezy tone.
"That is the painful part. Not long after you were born. Aayla was almost mortally wounded at the battle of Hypori. She needed rest. She was eager to be on the front lines again. But the Council decided against that and sent her on fact finding mission to find the smugglers who were supplying bacta-stims to Seperatist Forces. It was there, at a cantina on Corellia near the Coronet starport, that Aayla and her sister saw each other. They became fast friends and they showed her their child - you. They agreed to help Aayla with the smuggler leads and departed for Coruscant to gather information through Eyan's contacts . Yet, from what Aayla told me, after we met again on Seleucami, years later, from the moment she touched your tiny hand - a bond in the Force had been formed. She said she could sense you and your feelings, even from far away. You were too young to be trained and just a few months old. But your parents and Aayla decided you were to be trained as Jedi." Quinlan noticed Vedra's eyes wide with anticipation and brushed the hair back from his face. "Yet there Eyan's contact betrayed them, and they were ambushed and killed in the undercity, Aayla survived and spirited you away to Eyan's bother Ea'dryn and his wife Tli'ena. She promised to return once the war was over."
Quinlan paused and added the final predictable phrase, "She never returned to you. Your aunt died here."
Vedra started shedding tears, not only in memory of her own adoptive parents, but the memory of family she never knew. She sniffled back her tears and gasped loudly.
With a painful groan Quinlan got up and stood over Vedra and put a comforting arm on her shoulder. "Come, the rain has stopped and I have something to show you " He motioned her to follow him back outside. She followed him down a short path to a small clearing overlooking a shallow valley. He coughed and sat down next to a tree like plant and pointed to a flat stone set on the ground. "There that's where she died. I too can the Force here like nowhere else." Vedra nodded and kneeled down before the metal covered stone. Quinlan's voice was faint the background, "I placed that there, in her memory. I felt her death like it was my own. I returned her lightsaber to your adoptive parents - your fraternal aunt and uncle."
She saw him lean back on the plant and close his eyes and whisper a litany. She removed some dirt and water from the stone and read the inscription.
"Each star shining in the darkness,
Is a single light aflame,
A million voices in the night,
And they all call our your name."
Underneath the short poem was a single name. "Aayla"
The force blazed around her, she thought she saw her skin glowing in the post-rain mists. Her mind rapidly filled with a thousand additional memories, images and a faint distant voice. "I have never forgotten you, little one. Do not forget me. For I will always be with you." Then the voice faded away until it was gone and her mind was calm.
Only then did Vedra notice that Quinlan's breathing was hard and laboured. She rushed to him. She knew what was coming, but a panic set in anyhow. He opened his eyes and looked into hers. "Now you know our story. Go and begin yours." He reached into his tunic and gave her small package. "I have to go now, Vedra. But not without a little goodbye gift. " She took the package and clasped his hand tightly. His eyes were closed and his breathing slowed to a shallow murmur. She leaned over and whispered, "in her own way, she loved you Quin." His pale face smiled widely and mouthed "I know." His breathing stopped and Vedra saw his form slip way from her hands into nothingness. Quinlan Vos, the Jedi Master, was gone.
Vedra sat there for a while on her knees. She felt numb. Lost.
The light rain began again and mingled with her tears. She looked up. It was starting to get late in the day and she wanted to return to her ship before dark. Vedra got up and walked over to the plaque, kneeled again and gave it a kiss of goodbye. She picked up her polearm and backpack from Quin's hut and started walking back into the jungle. She paused and opened Quinlans'gift. It was a large dark blue Force crystal, perfect in every way. She wrapped it back up tenderly and put it in a soft cloth in her hip pouch.
-
Vedra arrived at the clearing where she left her ship earlier that morning The sun had just set. R1 had turned on the landing lights to help her find the way Her return trip was uneventful
and she sighed and tossed her pack into the opening cockpit.. Yet, immediately she sensed something was horribly wrong. It felt as if ice had suddenly covered her. It came from right behind her.
Vedra turned around swiftly and drew her electric polearm. A tall, partially armoured male form approached her. His face was hideously scarred, but it was recognizably Zabrak. Despite his monstrous face, his clothing and manner seemed almost effeminate and he preened.
His voice was the sound of scraping chalkboard. He flipped back his cloak and ignited a lightsaber. Its brilliant crimson glow filled the now darkening clearing with a surreal hue. "It took me a while to track you down, Padawan. But Your fate is now mine. Submit to my blade." Vedra realized the polearm may not have been the most choice weapon. One look at his face and she suddenly concluded that gundarks were NOT the ugliest creatures she had ever seen after all. "She shot him back a confident grin. "Come and get me you lava flea and wookie love child."
He let out sickening laugh, "Very well then. In the name of Palpatine. I, Tywur De'ur - Hand Of The Emperor, hereby carry out your execution, per Order 66." He advanced upon Vedra who was standing before her ship. He chuckled to himself, "This shall be easy." He swung his blade around as if flexing his wrist and suddenly jumped to stand before her. Vedra was caught by surprise and reacted with her natural reflexes kicking in. She raised her polearm to ward the blow. She knew her weapon wouldn't resist. Polearm and saber smashed together. Her weapon broke and shattered almost immediately. The force of the impact threw Vedra onto her back. The Hand lifted his blade for a killing blow, but Vedra had barely begun to fight. Her foot lashed out with a burst of strength and connected with his left knee. He howled in pain and his attack barely missed her head, but it scored a burn on her shoulder. She winced in pain. Luckily, her jacket was bioengineered to take one such glancing hit. Vedra rolled away under the nose of her fighter, to put its bulk between them.
He growled, "A cheap shot. I should have expected no less from a Rebel traitor." His gash-like mouth produced a mosntrous grin. " I shall have much pleasure in killing you after all." He leaped atop Vedra's ship to look down upon her, his gaudy purple cloak billowing in the breeze. She sneered back at him "If it is a fight you want. It is fight you'll get. Come and get the Twi'."
He spit and leaped at what seemed to be an unarmed twi'lek. This time Vedra was ready for him. She dodged his jump and slash and with a quick one foot pirouette on her free foot she delivered a kick to the small of his back. He rolled across the ground and snapped off his cloak. "So the vixen has bite. " He charged at her again and slashed forward. His eyes widened in surprise as he didn't see her dodge and his forceful slash was suddenly stopped by a bright glowing azure blade.
He could see her confident smile in its bright blue glow. She spit into his eye. This enraged him beyond belief. To have a mere padawan mock him and to dare confront him with what looked like an old rusted weapon infuriated him.
They sparred in the open clearing with their sabers clashing with a thunderous frenzy. His anger was rising and his blows were becoming more and more forceful and deliberate. Vedra was tiring quickly. She realized that taunting him, unlike most foes, has probably been the wrong idea. Anger seemed to make him stronger. She had practiced with the saber on Tatooine, but she was still a bit uncomfortable with a short two-handed weapon. She preferred polearms. Yet, Vedra was a skilled and agile fighter, and any melee weapon was deadly in her hands. She blocked, bobbed and weaved to his repeated assaults. Her bio-clothing has taken a more hits and was now partially half-burned rags. She had scored a few well timed physical throws on her opponent. A brief set of off-balance slashes and over compensating thrusts had netted the Hand a pair of broken ribs and a bloody nose. It made him cough.
He railed at her. An almost unending series at attacks slowly wore her down. He was much stronger and more comfortable with his weapon of choice. She was forced to dodge and hide behind some plant-trees. She caught her breath. She was in pain from the burns and cuts he had inflicted and she was bone-weary tired. However, she had seen his growing frustration with his inability to finish her and noticed a tiny growing sloppiness in his moves. She could have exploited those had she not been so exhausted herself.
The Hand rounded the vegetation obstacles to face her again. Instead of charging at her again he flung out his right arm and sent shock of blue lightning at Vedra. The full force of the blast sent her careening into another tree-like plant trunk. She screamed in pain and fell face first into the ground at its base. She knew she had a few bruised bones now as well. She lifted her face and saw him slowly approaching and laughing. "Did you really think to could escape the Emperor and the power of the Dark Side, puppy." She groaned and stood up. With a whiny nasal tone he added, "and now here you shall die." Vedra coughed, luckily she tasted no blood, only dirt from her fall.
From deep inside, she felt the Force growing within her and Aayla's now familiar voice whispered in her mind. "do not despair little one. I am here."
He raised his hand and shot a second force lighting storm at her. He screamed in fury as the blue tendrils appeared to bounce off the twi'lek's cerulean skin. Vedra let the glow of force envelop her. She smiled and felt her confidence rise. She raised her weapon as he stared at her in wide-eyed confusion. For the first time in their long duel Vedra moved to the attack. She let the Force flow guide her movements fluidly -- striking again and again. She scored hit after hit on his deteriorating armour and was battered down is defenses.
They fought their way back towards her ship. His parries were becoming worse and he was bleeding from numerous wounds. After one of his particularly sloppy cross slashes at her, Vedra made her move. She spun to dodge his blow and reversed her saber grip and swung it upward and thrust. She heard the bloodcurled scream behind her. She turned around.
The Hand was on one knee with one arm holding himself up and the other hand was grasping his side. He was visibly bubbling blood from his mouth. He looked up at her and between spurts of blood he gasped "This is imp..poss.. ible. No pad ..da.. awan or jeee di have bu beaten me." Vedra kicked his lightsaber away and stood before him. " I am no padawan, not anymore. " A realization dawned on Vedra, as she knew her place now. " I am Vedra Aayla Terek of House Secura and I am a Jedi Knight."
She saw his pain and felt the words come to her. "Your wound is mortal. Yet you can still save yourself by using the force. Let go of your anger, and your hatred. Free yourself." His red eyes were bloodshot but his face paled in realization of the truth. He looked at her with bewilderment and confusion. "Secura-ah, .. and .. Jee-di.. " He groaned. " Both are dead. Only weak padawans remain." She shook her head, " No , Hand of The Emperor, the Jedi have returned."
He could not go back. He stealthily drew a small poison-coated obsidian dagger from his sleeve. He lunged at the twi'lek and shouted "Never!" Vedra sensed the attack. It was similar to one sent by an raged Ghammorian. She swivelled to avoid his deadly slash. Her saber arm swung around and connected with a loud hiss. The Hand's head toppled from his shoulders and his body sagged to the ground, never to rise again. Vedra sighed and deactivated Aayla's lightsaber.
She looked up above her and she noticed that the sky had cleared and the stars were shining brightly. Loud night sounds could be heard all around. Only the Z95s soft landing lights illuminated the ground around her. Vedra picked up the Hand's Saber and the remnants of her tattered clothes and stored them in the ship. She put on a spare set of white clothing - her old training gear.
She took one last look around the clearing and caught a light amongst the plant-trees. There on the edge of the clearing she saw the faint image of a twi'lek glowing bright blue emerge. The figure stood on the edge of the foliage and she was visibly smiling. Vedra heard her voice " I am proud of you little one. Little Vedra." She raised her arm to wave farewell; Vedra did likewise. And just as quickly the form was gone. She looked up and in the corner of her eye she saw a faint blue star twinkle a little bit brighter.
An echo in Vedra's mind remained, "Remember."
The end.
/flourish_music
/end_credits