Chapter 6
“Have you even rested since we arrived?” The question had a tinge of accusation in it directed at the Miraluka sitting on the edge of the room. A day or two had passed since they had returned to the fleet. The combination of regular kolto administration and meditation had accelerated Anhiel’s recovery and she neared full strength again. Athin responded with a slight chuckle, “I have caught a few winks here and there. I told your padawan I would remain here and so I have.” Icy blue eyes glance towards the man as Anhiel rolls her head to the side, “Thank you, Athin. Your intervention saved myself and most of my crew. I will not forget that.” He waves a hand dismissively, “Don’t mention it, Master Anhiel.” Anhiel’s eyes narrow slightly before her head returns to a neutral position, looking up towards the ceiling. “There is no need for you to be so formal, Athin. We have known each other long enough.”
Athin nods slowly, a contemplative look on his face as he ponders her words. He sits up turning his head in the direction of the master, studying her aura as he often found himself doing recently. “As you wish, Anhiel. Then allow me to ask again as we are alone. What were you dreaming about aboard my ship? The fit you were having could not have been from some normal nightmare.” The shift in her aura was tumultuous, the force swirling around her in an identical fashion to the thoughts that swirled in her mind, save for the ever present chasm that sat at her core. The room remained silent, the only noise was the occasional beep from the medical equipment nearby until a pained voice responded. “It was about Ord Radama and my greatest failure.” The words linger in the air before Athin offers a response, “You are referring to Padawan Dulci, correct?” Athin braced himself for the response, thinking he may be pressing too far. But he continued as he felt something guiding him to push deeper into the topic. “You two were close. But I sense there was more to it.”
What possessed Anhiel to respond was not clear to her in the moment. Her jaw was taught as it clenched just before her response, “We were…bonded. Tied together in the force. We shared our joys and our pains. Even the…” her words faded out but were finished by Athin a few moments later “Even the passing of the other.” His face is somber, yet he still gazes towards the woman. “How you survived such an event is beyond my comprehension but it explains the void in your aura.” Anhiel continued to stare up at the ceiling, taking a deep breath as she contemplated her response. “I was unconscious for approximately 3 weeks after it happened. I am told it left me with a wound that may never fully heal.” Athin rose from his seat, taking a few long strides until he was next to the woman’s bed. He appraises her aura closely for several long moments, his voice becoming somber “I have seen many auras throughout the years but I have never seen a wound such as the one you carry. It is as though a piece of your being is missing. The fact that you continue on every day is a testament to the will you possess.” His final statement is not somber, but instead conveys the admiration he feels for the woman before him.
The pair remains quiet as Anhiel turns her head slightly to gaze upon Athin’s face. Her face is puzzled as she examines his features and attempts to sort through the various thoughts in her head. Why had she shared something she wished would stay buried when she had only spoken of it once with her closest friend, Rajavia? To do so was to open up the barriers she kept firmly in place to prevent attachments, emotions, pain. To remain empty. If she was cursed to survive the evisceration of her soul then she would do so only as a tool, a weapon of the force. It was why she accepted the Admiralty Board’s request to lead this mission without hesitation. What other purpose was there for her continued existence? But the man before her had somehow opened her defenses ever so slightly and so effortlessly. It made her uncomfortable after being shut off for so long. A final thought echoes clearly in her mind, “He is supposed to be here. At your side.” While it is clear, the Jedi Master still hesitates before finally speaking, “I do not know what plans you have for the near future. However, would you consider remaining here for the time being?” Anhiel’s head returns to a neutral position, gazing upwards once more. Here, at my side. The words she could not bring herself to utter out loud in the current moment. Athin smiles lightly, offering a chuckle before responding “You know how I feel about being aboard ships. Despite that, it would be my pleasure to assist you however I can, Anhiel.” The conversation ends as the door slides open and a physician enters to perform a final check on the Admiral’s condition.
A couple of standard hours later a datapad lights up as a message is received, catching the attention of Specialist Veruna as she sat in her quarters aboard the Shadow Redeemer. She picks up the datapad and opens the message, reading it thoughtfully “The High Admiral has been released from treatment and will be returning to the Shadow Redeemer shortly. The following orders have been issued: 1. The First Officer quarters are to be prepared immediately for the Jedi, Athin. 2. All officers and key support staff are to assemble in the war room to brief the Admiral on the recent attacks. Ensure all relevant data is prepared. 3. The following promotions are effective immediately: Commander Rend Vega - Promoted to General, Specialist Sun Veruna - Promoted to Commander.”
The shock and confusion on Sun’s face is echoed in the adjacent room by Rend. Each hesitates as they attempt to gather their thoughts before rising quickly and exiting their respective rooms. The question does not need to be spoken aloud as neither knows the answer but it is Sun who comes up with words first “I am sure she will explain everything soon. We should get to our tasks. I have the data we reviewed and will get it to the war room.” Rend responds with his customary nervous tick, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Right, I will see to…” his voice trails off as he thinks on what to do. Sun smiles, “You should meet the Admiral in the hanger. I can handle preparations for the meeting and having the quarters prepared for Athin.” With that, they each departed in opposite directions to prepare for Anhiel’s arrival.
A shuttle rotates slowly a couple meters above the deck before descending slowly and resting with a sharp hiss as the landing struts take the weight of the ship. Rend stands several meters away watching quietly as the ramp descends. The Admiral strides down the ramp with purposeful steps clad in her uniform, followed closely by Athin in his usual tan robes. Rend bows as they approach, “Master, I am glad to see you are recovered. Everything has been prepared as requested. Everyone awaits you in the war room.” Anhiel senses his confusion as it permeates the area around him. She responds cooly, “Thank you, Rend. Your questions will be answered soon. Let’s not keep everyone waiting.” The trio departs the hangar, making their way through the corridors to the war room.
The room is full of officers and other support staff, all talking amongst themselves in low voices. Rend enters the room first and Commander Veruna rises quickly to attention, startling the newly appointed General in the doorway. After a couple seconds, Sun barks loudly “General on deck!” The remaining personnel quickly rise to attention. The communication had gone to most everyone but it was unclear if the delay in action when Rend entered the room was a harmless error or an indication that people did not believe Rend’s promotion was correct. Awkwardly, Rend steps to the side allowing the High Admiral to enter. The narrowing of her eyes into an icy glare as she surveyed the room was an indication of how she felt about what had just happened. Her gaze eventually falls on Sun, where it softens slightly, no longer radiating her displeasure with all the others present. The Admiral inclines her head gently towards the new Commander, “Thank you, Commander Veruna.” Anhiel’s glare returns as she turns her gaze back to the others in the room. Her voice is commanding, each word carrying a tangible weight with it as she addresses the room. “I thought my orders were quite clear but perhaps there had been an issue with the communication. However, Commander Veruna understood them and acted accordingly.” She continues as she begins to walk slowly to her position at the head of the large table in the center of the room. “I have also heard that my order to retreat was questioned. So it seems in my short absence my commands are now viewed more like suggestions.” The sentence finishes as she arrives at the head of the table, her eyes falling onto the older Commander standing a few seats away.
She remains silent until the Commander speaks, “Ma’am, we could not establish a comm link with you to receive orders or confirm what the Comman…” The words are cut off as the man freezes, eyes widening as the Admiral’s voice, edged with darkness, pierces his mind. “Has it been so long since the war that you have forgotten what can be accomplished with the Force? Perhaps you require a reminder as to what I am capable of to dispel any doubts you have formed?” All those in the room glance nervously towards the pair unaware of the questions being posed to the Commander but clearly seeing his reaction. His response is spoken as he somehow straightens even more. “No Ma’am. Please accept my sincerest apologies to you and General Vega for my error. It will not happen again.” A slight nod is the only response she offers but the finality in it is apparent. She waves dismissively to the room, “As you were.”
Everyone begins to take their seats, Rend quickly moving across the room to the vacant seat beside Anhiel. Athin remains just inside the room, electing to stand quietly towards the back. The meeting proceeded without any further incidents. Various officers presented what data was gathered regarding the invader’s ships, numbers, tactics. There was very little to work with as the interaction with the invaders was short. There was no word from the scout team that had been sent out just before the battle. Anhiel sensed they were not destroyed but exactly where they were and what happened was still a mystery. They would just have to wait and see if they were able to make it to the rendezvous. After a few hours, Anhiel brought the meeting to an end “Thank you all for your input. I need time to contemplate our next move. In the meantime, continue to try contacting the scout group and inform me immediately of any developments. Dismissed. Rend, Commander Veruna, stay behind please.”
The room empties, leaving Anhiel, Rend, Sun and Athin behind. Anhiel addresses Sun and Rend, “As you know, I heard what happened during the attack. You both performed as I had hoped and saved the lives of everyone in the fleet. Had the fleet engaged that force, it would have been decimated, especially with me stranded on the planet.” Sun responds, her voice is grateful “Thank you, Admiral. But I did not do much. It was all Rend.” The Jedi Master’s blue eyes focus on the other woman, “Did you know that you are force aware?” The confusion on Sun’s face at the sudden question was answer enough, “I sensed it when we first met. At the time it perplexed me but felt very similar to when I met Rend. You sensed my order to retreat, just as Rend did. I suspect you did not realize that is what it was as you are untrained but you heard it and supported Rend. It was my intent to begin training you. However…” She turns her gaze towards Rend before continuing, “recent events have shown me my padawan is ready to take the next step in his journey.” Her face has softened as she addresses the young man directly, “Rend, you communicated my wishes to the fleet and held your ground when they were challenged. You showed great strength in doing so. Saving lives even though it meant leaving me behind.” She pauses, now looking between the two before continuing, “The promotions that were communicated are not symbolic, they are a result of your new standings within the enclave. First, Sun Veruna, I welcome you to our order and grant you the rank of Padawan and as is customary I have endorsed your promotion to Commander. Rend, as Grandmaster of our enclave I grant you the rank of Knight and I have endorsed your promotion to General. Padawan Veruna shall be your padawan.”
The pair sits in stunned silence, barely hearing the Admiral’s final words before she rises from her seat and exits the room. Slowly they turn their heads to look at each other as questions fly through their minds. Sun is the first to break the silence as she forms a smile directed at Rend, “Congratulations Rend.” He nods, his gaze becoming absent as his thoughts overwhelm him. A slight chuckle can be heard from Athin as he moves from the room, thinking to himself about the scenario he just witnessed, “She seems to be back to her normal self. No frills, all business.”