Chapter XIII – Questions
– Part I
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Sitting in his opulent, albeit sterile appearing
office Reynard Sindre was drumming his fingertips on
his metallic colored duraglass desk, a scowl blazing
across his face. He had just received the latest
news of his missing shipment and was trying to calm
himself. “Incompetent fools!” he snarled. “This is
becoming more of a fiasco every minute! Vaarn should
have found those thieves by now. Perhaps he’s
enjoying the scenery too much to be bothered with
fulfilling his assignment. If that’s the case…” He
paused, sneering savagely and then added, “there
will be consequences for such actions.”
Reynard stood up, his nearly two-meter frame
towering over his desk, glowering at the wall
opposite him. Suddenly, he shoved his chair
backward, ignoring the grinding sound he heard as
the chair impacted against a tall, slender table
crafted from one of the finest woods in the galaxy
and his nearby assistant. Used to such tantrums his
assistant stood well out of the way but agile enough
to catch the decorative vase that had toppled off
the table.
He
glanced back over his shoulder at the disruption he
had caused and shrugged his shoulders. He knew the
posh vase wouldn’t have shattered – Zula was much
too efficient for that. Still vexed, he turned and
took a couple of steps toward the oversized
duraglass doors and callously threw them open.
Wordlessly, he stepped out onto the balcony and
slammed the doors shut behind him, resulting in them
vibrating dangerously.
He
stopped at the balustrade and placed his hands upon
it, staring out over the terrain. The turbulent wind
blew his short, dark hair in every direction and
howled in his ears as if it were threatened by his
presence. Impervious to the attempts to drive him
back indoors, he continued his survey of the land
before him, filled with canyons and mountains on
every side. He had built his new headquarters
directly into one of the canyon walls, which
provided a natural camouflage that was difficult to
detect. He knew such an undertaking would likely
cost a small fortune but that hardly concerned him –
his goal was secrecy and security. Ever since he
could remember he had wanted his own fortress, a
safe haven where he couldn’t be touched or berated
and he finally had exactly what he had dreamed of.
He
quickly shook his head as images from his childhood
began to surface and swatted them away like gnats.
Instead, he focused on what lay ahead for him.
Yes, he thought, this will do for a new base
of operations. I have my solitude and infiltration
of unwanted company won’t be a problem. Especially
once my security is fully in place. How ironic – to
be so much closer to the Core Worlds and they have
no knowledge of it. He had to chuckle at his
last thought and it served to lighten his mood
somewhat.
Inside, Zula had straightened the table and placed
the vase back atop of it. He knew that a little time
alone would be just what his Master needed and Zula
would know, he had been the constant companion of
Mr. Sindre for years. Oftentimes he would reminisce
about the past, how Reynard had spared his life… It
was the only time compassion shone in the then young
man’s eyes. Zula had been the subject of
experimentation and had withstood numerous
procedures of one form or another. He would
‘contract’ a disease and then be ‘cured’ by a team
of scientists who cared nothing for the person they
treated so cruelly, only their work. Reynard was a
junior scientist on the team and abhorred what they
were doing and finally took matters into his own
hands. Within his genius, he developed a serum that
would undo the damage to Zula but not without a
price. The tall, lanky frame, gray ash skin, sunken
eyes, the brittle bones, and the incapability to
revert back to his normal Clawdite form served as a
potent reminder of his ordeal. But he was alive and
Reynard had kept him at his side from that moment
on. The other scientists were incensed at what the
young man had done and thereafter refused to allow
him access to any other projects.
Zula
thought back, That was when it began… When he
ceased to care and hatred bore into his soul. That
was when the toxins were born…
A
moment later Zula was at his side, subservient as
ever with his head bowed down. Reynard admired the
Clawdite race but detested the sight of them. Each
one in his employ had been instructed to shift their
forms into a more eye pleasing human shape and
remain so – or their employment would be terminated
immediately. He had also insured their loyalty and
his ability to differentiate each of them in spite
of their multiple shape-changing, as required per
assignment. A single collar, made from a dark, thin
strip of flexible plastex adorned their necks.
Easily torn away one would think, however, each
collar had a ‘special’ modification, which would
only bring about the person’s death if removed. Thus
was the consequence for being employed by such a
person as Reynard Sindre – lifelong commitment.
“Send
Vaarn a transmission…” he said gruffly. “Tell him to
recover the merchandise promptly or he’ll pay for
its loss in more ways than one.”
“Yes,
sir,” Zula replied. “Will that be all?”
“For
the moment,” Reynard answered.
With
a nod, Zula quickly turned on his heel and left.
“And
if he doesn’t recover my property…and someone else
finds it…” Reynard thoughtfully rubbed the small
amount of stubble that had grown on his chin. “They
could conceivably be able to steal my work and
profit immensely from it.” His tone suddenly became
angry again and his fist pounded on the wooden
railing. “NO! MX-492 is mine and I will
get it back!”
__________________________________*****__________________________________
Mara
Jade had wasted no time in waiting for Cela to
return and went ahead with her plans to go back and
get the rest of the vials. She knew the girl would
return and she was too preoccupied to give it
further thought. She had the list of potential
buyers and soon she would have all of the vials. It
was just too sweet of a deal for her to pass up. A
fragment of guilt tickled the back of her mind at
the potency of the light orange liquid but she
swiftly doused it and continued on.
Quickly tracing her way back to the cave, and
through the side entrance the two brothers had tried
to hide from her, Mara hardly glanced at the dead
bodies as she went over to the container that was
the culprit of tonight’s events. “Fools,” she
declared in a low tone. It’s not that noticeable but
I should have checked more carefully after my
initial meeting with those thugs. Don’t worry,
Master, I won’t be so careless again.”
During her jaunt to the beach, Mara had gone over in
her mind what to do. She had brought a satchel
filled with strips of cloth she had hastily ripped
apart. She knew she didn’t need the hideous
sculptures that the vials were hidden inside of and
planned on wrapping them in the cloth until she
could put them in something more suitable. The chips
were small enough and not designated for a specific
person so those could just as well be thrown in the
bag also. She knew it wouldn’t be long before the
bodies were found and she wanted to be well out into
space before that happened. She paused long enough
to recall the contents of the datachip her computer
had decrypted. It had taken quite some time due to
the many levels in encryption but her ship was
designed for such messages. She had painstakingly
made sure of that for her own self-preservation.
You are cordially invited to attend the demonstration of my newest
creation, MX-492 in ‘The Vault’.
I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed.
Converge on Ord Mantell, the eighth month, fifteenth
day. The demonstration will take place at 2000 hours
sharp. You must be within The Vault 1 hour prior to
that time or you will be denied entrance.
“My
future fortune awaits,” she gloated and peered into
the container only to find it empty.
__________________________________*****__________________________________
Sakoya had begun to shake, her drink nearly spilling
out of her cup. She blinked a few times and then set
the hot liquid on the table in front of her before
she burned herself.
“Ar-are you alright?” Cela inquired.
The
woman Jedi took a deep breath before answering.
“Yes,” she said softly. Sakoya slowly leaned
forward, her elbow resting on her thigh while her
hand massaged her forehead. “it can’t be,” she
murmured to herself.
“I
can’t believe how much you look like her.”
“Cela,” Obi-Wan glanced over at his wife and then
back to the girl again, “We believe Mara to be my
wife’s daughter.”
The
girl’s eyes widened and her hand immediately went to
cover her mouth that had suddenly gaped open. “I-I’m
s-sorry. I didn’t mean… I,” Cela glanced around
uneasily, “I don’t – I’m sorry,” she stammered.
Sakoya drew in another deep breath and closed her
eyes briefly. She was at a loss of what course of
action to take. I know she must be held
accountable for her crimes but as Jedi where does
our jurisdiction lie? “Excuse me a moment,
please,” she said quietly and rose from the divan.
Without another glance she walked briskly toward the
bedroom.
Cela
began to cry not knowing what else to do.
“Everywhere I go…I can’t do anything right!” the
girl admonished herself. “I can’t please Mara no
matter how hard I try and now I’ve upset your wife.
I’m such an idiot!” The tears flowed more so now
down her cheeks. “I should have known they were
related – they look too much alike! Maybe I should
go back to Mara. Maybe I do deserve the treatment
she gives me!” Cela sniffled, gathering her legs up
to her torso and wrapping her arms around them. “I’m
sorry, Master Jedi,” she sobbed and buried her head
in between her chest and tucked legs.
Obi-Wan considered the situation as he recalled a
time when he wouldn’t have known how to handle
something like this. But throughout the years he had
learned, from the twins and Sakoya, even Padmé and
Anakin. He chuckled inwardly at the thought – here
he thought he was the Master and all along he had
been the learner.
Although he didn’t know this girl he could feel the
heartache she emanated. He remembered the turmoil
Leia had gone through at this age – the hurts and
sorrow, the uplifting moments, and the confusion.
No, he silently told himself, repeating my
adolescence is not something I would care to do,
even if Qui-Gon Jinn were beside me again.
Obi-Wan stood up and walked over to the girl and
then knelt beside her. “Cela, you have no one to
blame. No one planned on this happening. The Force
works in mysterious ways – ways not even I can
explain. Our paths crossed because they were meant
to and you should feel no shame or guilt over that
occurrence. Please, there is no need to cry.”
Cela
looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes and blotches
of red on her cheeks. “But, it’s my fault she feels
so bad.”
Obi-Wan gently shook his head. “No, the truth has a
way of revealing itself and it’s not always
pleasant. We had already received this news earlier,
although it wasn’t confirmed.”
“SEE!” Cela shouted through her tears. “This is ALL
my fault!”
__________________________________*****__________________________________
Sakoya stood in the middle of the bedroom – half of
her felt paralyzed and the other half wanted to
move. She wanted to yell, scream, do something other
than just stand here, but then she also felt sorrow
– and numb. Her Jedi training could only help her so
much; the rest was up to her and she knew it.
Her
own child – her only child lived, which gave
her the utmost joy. But an ominous cloud, choking
her, taking her breath away, soon drowned that
elation out.
“Oh,
Mara… How could you?” Sakoya spoke to herself.
Slowly, she shook her head as if in understanding.
“But then what choice would you have had, my little
angel? You were so young and impressionable. I’m
sure you lived in fear and adoration simultaneously.
Palpatine had a way with manipulation and you, my
dearest, were not immune to it. You’re Force
sensitive and I have no doubt Dooku felt that and
took you to the Emperor as a prize. Perhaps he even
had some grandiose plan to make you his apprentice.
The Force only knows.” Sakoya sighed and her head
dipped toward her chest. “What I do know is that you
have committed heinous crimes that must not go
unpunished. I will always love you – you are my
daughter – but I must follow my path of justice. I
can only hope that one day you will forgive me and
understand.”
Sakoya suddenly sank to her knees, her quivering
hands covering her face and wept. Sorrow gripped her
heart causing her stomach to twist and turn to the
point it made her feel ill. “I have to find a
way…” she quietly vowed.
__________________________________*****__________________________________
Nearly a standard hour had passed before Sakoya
emerged from the bedroom. Upon seeing her, Obi-Wan
stood up and walked over to her.
“Are you alright?”
he asked just above a whisper as he noticed her
still swollen eyes and embraced his wife.
“Yes, mon aimé, I
am,” she answered and hugged him tightly. Sakoya
reluctantly broke the embrace and walked over to
Cela who was still curled up in the large armchair.
She knelt down and placed a hand on the girl’s knee.
“Cela, I would like to thank you.”
Cela
looked up through bleary eyes, confusion all over
her face. “Th-thank m-me?”
Sakoya smiled brightly at the teenager and reached
up to stroke the girl’s beautiful silver tresses.
“Yes. Although the news you gave me is not
comforting it does affirm the fact that my daughter
is alive, an absolute I had given up on long ago.”
Sakoya took a deep breath. “What lies ahead I cannot
guess but I know the Force will guide us. Your
journey here is at an end. We will make sure you get
safe passage to Coruscant and into safe hands. You
are a beautiful young lady and you have an entire
future before you, I hope you make the best of it.”
“Bu-but I can help!” Cela insisted. “I know Mara
better than anyone! I can get on her ship! Maybe I
can find out what’s in that vial.” Cela turned her
head toward Obi-Wan, her eyes pleading with him.
“It’s
too dangerous. We can’t risk your life.”
“Sakoya is right.” Obi-Wan nodded in agreement.
“You’ll be safe away from here.”
“Do
you know what’s in that vial? Do you know what’s
going on?” Cela demanded, feeling hurt and
discarded.
Obi-Wan shared a fleeting look with his wife. “No,”
he finally answered.
“I
can get in the ship if she hasn’t left already,”
Cela countered. “Give me a comlink or some kind of
tracking device so I can contact you. The longer I’m
gone the more suspicious she’ll be. We have no time
to waste!”
“We
don’t have anything – this is our vacation,” Sakoya
stated helplessly.
“Then
I’ll have to contact you through the ship’s comm. I
navigate the ship all the time, I can encrypt a
message and send it to you.”
“I
can’t risk your life –” Obi-Wan began.
“You
aren’t – I am!” Cela stated defiantly.
“Where is her ship, kitling?” Sakoya tried to
persuade the teenager.
Cela
vehemently shook her head. “No, I’m not going to
tell you.”
“We
have ways –” Obi-Wan commented.
Cela
saw right through his veneer. “But you won’t. If you
were other than Jedi I wouldn’t be so sure, but I
know you won’t force me to tell you. Please,” Cela
begged, “after all I’ve endured and what I stand to
gain – I have to do this.”
Sakoya looked resigned and Obi-Wan wasn’t faring
much better.
“It’s
too late in the night to do much right now. Why
don’t we all get some sleep and resume this
conversation in the morning,” Sakoya offered. “We
can contact the local authorities then.”
As if
the night’s events had finally taken their toll,
Cela yawned and stretched out in the chair. “I am
pretty tired but I’m not giving up on this,” she
commented wearily. She stretched and yawned a second
time and asked, “Where can I sleep?”
“Right here on the divan. I’ll go get you a blanket
and pillow,” Sakoya replied and then disappeared
into the bedroom. She returned a moment later and
set the pillow down on the furniture, shook out the
blanket and then made a make shift bed for the young
girl. Turning towards her, Sakoya said, “Sleep
well. Make yourself at home and attend to whatever
you may need to.”
“Goodnight, Cela,” Obi-Wan said with a tired smile.
“Night, Master Obi-Wan and Mistress Sakoya,” Cela
returned, her smile warm and genuine.
Sakoya hugged the teenager and said, “Don’t worry.
You’re safe now. Goodnight, my dear.”
Cela
couldn’t believe her good fortune at finding these
two Jedi but she also knew what she had to do…and
they wouldn’t approve.
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