Just stop everything, and breathe…
Part 1
Pressing forward, she took the Phoenix off the beaten track for a change. Former comforts were falling away, little distractions to keep her occupied were being driven back into hiding, she couldn’t hide the disappointment this time around. Not one but two learners lost in short time, in a way she was almost doubting that she’d find anyone worthy. But something weighed on her more. The Hutts increasing their presence with ‘encouragement’ no doubt from Malak’s side of things, she didn’t know just how many more of these encounters there would be. Even within her own darker thoughts seemed irritated and dullened by the experiences of what they fought. Whatever hubris and strength had manifested she couldn’t admit a slight shake from the ordeal.
“Immersed in darkside of Korriban.”
The word corruption had slipped out, a typical outburst from those who consistently fear it. An act that took time, not entities so easily replaced, or forgotten. Brought to heel by only a creator. Pure, yet enslaved. One hand had pity, the other a degree of envy. Why did power always come at such a distressing cost. She and the ship hadn’t come out of hyperspace yet, she could roll and close her eyes. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d wonder how far she could let herself fall. How ironic it was that others were targeted as if they were weaker than she. Public hunts to try and secure public defeats, she’d always managed to thrive just under the surface guiding the thoughts and fears, always making a point to fill in both as a comfort and a use. Things she herself might lack, but everyone needed.
The sound of the notification, hyperspace travel was concluding as the ship and pilot pulled into a sublight flight. A sight greeted her, she held her breath as the view changed considerably. This was new territory after all. Initially she’d considered the venture alone, but the grunt of the Trandoshan beside made his presence known. While she could fly, he certainly could be a guide.
Veering away from the system where Revan stood alongside their own on Kashyyyk, they instead returned now to a different verdant world. The waterways and varying emerald maze of forests, plains, and jungles of Trandosha unveiled themselves once again. But the appearance that should have caused some delight, some familiarity was a sour memory seeking to be amended. One left for her health and inexperience, the other departed with disfavor from his kind.
Endeavoring to follow the former trail she attempted to quiet and listen, something she’d failed to do in her previous arrival. She remembered it more vividly than ever…
Hearing it all from afar as a beckoning sound, trying to strike her head with the flat of her palm. Perhaps it was some wiring misfiring in her senses, and some feedback from the cybernetics. But it just wouldn’t go away.
It didn’t speak, only yearned, feeding into her instincts that brought her along like a tethered unseen leash towards the shuttle heading for a descent to the surface. But nothing good comes from going planetside, her mother had gone once and never returned. Yet this pull was horrible, vile, choking her in any attempt to defy it, so utterly rewarding and soothing to do as it bid her. Was this the power acting up again? She didn’t know anything else at the time.
Clawing into the compartment barely big enough to fit herself, it had the scrapings of some other droid, likely maintenance that could fold far better than she. But no one would notice, no one would even think to look. Not even knowing when they departed, not knowing when they set down aside from the sound’s growth, she would wait until the tether pulled taut again. Scrambling out, it was not chance that moved her unseen from those who were meant to be there.
But what followed after was both dream and nightmare ensnared in one. Within hours she felt the damp storm touch her skin, the natural humidity weighing down her clothing. A thorny root catching her leg and forcing her to stumble on in discomfort, the sickness of her weakened immunity already starting to succumb. Dragging herself half along on a limping foot until she tumbled forth. The ground coming fast, she was certain this would be the last sight she’d witness.
Never did she hit. A reptilian clawed hand catching her, a sinister grimace in their features, some attempt at a bemused smile. “Not have slave fall into hands before!”
Nrrax brutally killed that arrogant Dosh, but his reasons were far different at the time, their meeting all seemingly an entirely slim and implausible chance. Yet here they were.
Reaching over he’d bring out a new injector to reinforce her health and give her some temporary boosts while on this natural battlefield. There wouldn’t be that feverish haze induced stupor this time around with a little preparation. Locking down the Phoenix only the two of them could enter or exit for now, even though they took plenty of precaution by remaining well away from the more populated areas. While they might have had aid from Sith in the past these continued to be tumultuous times.
Stepping out of the hangar he had to fully rely on her senses honing in on the old sensations, all unseen, silent. Yet their trust had always been tested and always endured, this day was special and yet in aspects no different than their other missions. Slinging the gear on his back they were making certain to have all they needed for the days ahead.
What once was a chorus of chaos and a throb of feelings had arranged themselves into the threads she’d attuned herself to seeing. A visual manifestation akin to following the strands of an arachnid into their silky nest. No foliage nor misty path would cause them to lose their way. To many a young and inexperienced Trandoshan this territory was known colloquially as “The Mistland Maze” where only those foolish or braizen enough dare go, to prove themselves or perish.
Yet to her it was a simple path, parting as if made for her.
“I thought you forgot about me…”
Her eyes opened, beginning to step forth. Remembering courage.
