Chapter 55
A hiss echoes off of the surrounding durasteel as the door to the Nephilim’s bridge slides open, followed by steady armored footsteps. All those gathered straighten to attention until a slight wave of the hand returns them to their stations. The helmsman calls out loudly, “General, we are preparing to drop from hyperspace in five minutes. Shall we signal battle stations?” Rend continues to walk towards the front of the bridge and only stops once he is just in front of the forward viewport. His eyes peer out upon hyperspace until he responds, “That won’t be necessary. I sense my Padawan’s mission was a success and they were not followed.” The General turned his head backwards some towards where his own master continued to rest unconscious, “Prepare to receive the council members and get them settled in suitable quarters. Once we are underway, I shall meet with them all. I shall be with the Grandmaster until then. Notify me when ready.” The helmsman salutes as Rend departs, “As you command, General.” Just after Rend departs the bridge, the stars begin to stretch until the expanse of space snaps into place with the small fleet under Sun’s command coming into center view. Moments after, the transport ship carrying the council members snaps into view as well and the helmsman opens a fleet wide communication link, “This is the Nephilim to Captain Veruna. General Vega has instructed us to take on the council members, assign suitable quarters, and once settled he will meet with them.”
It takes a moment for Sun to move from her seat on the transport to the cockpit but she responds once there, “Understood. We shall divert to the Nephilim immediately.” The young woman’s curiosity gets the better of her and she follows up with a question, “How is the Grandmaster and everyone else?” Not expecting that particular query, the Helmsman’s response is delayed long enough for Sun to see through it, “What happened?!?!” The middle aged man swallows deeply, “I think it is best you hear it from the General, Ma’am. We are prepared to receive you. Please take a direct vector into the main bay.” Tumultuous emotions overtake Sun and she does not notice Rajavia approach from behind, having heard the brief exchange. She places a gentle hand on the younger woman’s shoulder but does not offer any words; only her proximity and contact offer support as the transport banks towards the Nephilim.
On the Nephilim, Rend settles into a seat next to the bed Anhiel laid upon. In the corner stood Mirr, always watching over the silver-haired woman whom he had pledged his service to while Athin stood nearby. Rend’s head bows low until the deep, masked voice of the Mandalorian addresses him, “General, forgive my imprudence but I feel you give our master such little credit.” The deadly look received in response does not deter the battle hardened Mandalorian and he continues, “I am eternally grateful that you disobeyed orders and arrived when you did, General Vega. This injury worries me beyond anything I have experienced before. However, I trust that our master would not look upon us fondly for worrying over her. What comes will come as the Force wills it.” Rend exhales deeply, understanding fully that Mirr’s point is quite right but the pain he feels within does not fully dissipate. On the edge of the capital vessel, the transport carrying Sun and the enclave’s council members settled down upon the metallic floor. Rend senses this and rises from his seat before bowing low to first Anhiel then Mirr, “You possess the wisdom of a great Jedi Master, Captain Stynn. I thank you for your candor. Please continue to watch over my master until she inevitably recovers.” Mirr salutes across his chest and bows his head in response before the young knight turns and departs the med bay heading towards the war room to meditate until the council members arrive. After the door closes, Athin moves from the shadowed corner he had been residing in and knelt beside Anhiel’s bed. He takes her right hand in his and the cold within her fingers is shocking causing the Miraluka to grimace heavily. Somehow, the armored Mandalorian moved silently to just behind Athin and he placed a heavy hand on the man’s shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze before beginning to walk out, “I shall wait outside, Master Athin. Please call if you need me.”
As the passengers on the transport disembark, Sun opens a link to the fleet with her communicator, “All ships return to base via standard deception vectors. Upon arrival, commence refueling and rearming operations while VIPs are moved planetside.” Many clicks are received in confirmation of the order while jump vectors are established. Nephilim personnel begin to escort the rescued council members and other enclave members to their quarters as hyperspace jumps begin. Rajavia moves to speak with Sun, having waved off the ensign that had come to take her to her quarters. “Miss Veruna, allow me to extend my heartfelt appreciation for our rescue.” The Master’s deep brown eyes flash with a hint of disapproval so quickly Sun nearly misses it before Rajavia continues, “What has happened to the Grandmaster? I sense she is not in a good state whatsoever.” Sun swallows before replying, “I do not know what has happened, Master Rajavia. But our best physicians are surely attending to her as is Thea.” A raised eyebrow signals the Jedi Master does not know who Thea is and Sun continues quickly, “It is a long story, Master Rajavia. Suffice it to say that Grandmaster Dulcinae personally appointed Thea Tragonus as chief medical officer for our forces.” Still perplexed, Rajavia sighs heavily as she rubs her face, “I suppose things are under control then. Though I would still like to examine her myself after the council convenes.” Sun bows low, “Of course, Master Rajavia. I shall escort you myself after the meeting.”
In the open area within the war room Rend settles down to meditate and seconds turn to minutes, followed by hours while the fleet hurtles through Hyperspace. His meditation fell so deeply that the individuals that entered the room many hours later did not phase him. Only after Rajavia, Atliyanah, and the other members of the council as well as support members found their seats along the long table did Rend come to notice. Rend rose from his seated position on the floor and took a seat near the end of the table, leaving the head seat empty where Anhiel usually sat. Sun enters after everyone else and brings a datapad to Rend. After a brief exchange of words, she hands it over to him and he reviews it for a moment before addressing the group, “Masters, council members, brothers and sisters, I wish our reunion was under better circumstances but that does not appear to be the Force’s will.” He looks over the gathered faces before continuing, “Since the last time I have seen you, I was promoted to the rank of Knight and have been named General for the enclave’s military forces. After engaging this fearsome enemy on Korriban, our Grandmaster has been gravely injured and she is currently comatose with no sign of regaining consciousness any time soon. I have here her final orders…” With several keystrokes, the single copy file is transmitted to the table’s holoprojector and a lock symbol is displayed. Rend sighs, “But it is sealed unless all members give their authorization. So they will remain unknown…..” To Rend’s surprise as he finished the statement, all council members gave their authorization via the panels before them and after the final one came through a single lock remained for the Grandmaster. Rend sighed once more, unsure why everyone missed such an obvious roadblock until the remaining lock opened as though of its own free will. A single message displayed as this happened, “Grandmaster’s delegate acknowledged. Message unlocked. For eyes only.”
Rend’s eyes are wide as he looks up, confused. The hologram transforms into an image of Anhiel, clad in her usual armor but her hood is lowered, exposing her white hair in a ponytail and despite the orange lighting of the hologram, her eyes still bear an icy weight. Her hands are folded behind her back as she speaks with command, “If this message is being played, I am either dead or so injured I cannot relay these orders in person. Until this point, our forces have engaged the Eternal Empire in order to disrupt their operations to the best of our ability. Through this continued struggle and many sessions of meditation it has become clear that it is not our role to bring an end to this conflict. We have played our part as the Force intended and now it is time to withdraw and wait for the conclusion to be brought about by those destined to.” Anhiel’s visage takes a breath and turns to gaze directly at Rend, “I suspect that my next command is already clear as this message has been unlocked without me being present. Knight Rend Vega, though your time as a Knight has been short I have put you through trials many Jedi do not collectively encounter throughout their life. Your growth has been significant and the success achieved by our forces is due in no small part to you. As a result, I am granting you the rank of Jedi Master and give you my place on the council. May your wisdom continue to grow as you continue to lead our forces.” Though the council members were somewhat shocked, their emotions remained well managed and they understood the Grandmaster would not promote those that were unworthy, no matter how peculiar the circumstances.
In contrast, the shock smeared across Rend’s face is ever apparent as he stammers but the hologram continues now turning towards Rajavia. “Master Rajavia, you have been my most loyal friend despite the many disagreements we have had over the years. However, those events have made it clear to me that you are the best suited to succeed me as Grandmaster of this enclave. I have no doubt your outlook on life and the Force will be foundational to this enclave's success in growing once more and I hope I have been able to teach you as much as you have taught me over the years.” The single tear that fell down Rajavia’s cheek contains more emotion than all the emotions gathered at that moment. All those gathered look towards the hologram waiting for more words to follow but none come; only a sly smirk is given before the hologram dissipates.
All those gathered bear grim faces at the conclusion of the communication until each member rises with Rend being the final one. Simultaneously, they all bow towards Rajavia and utter in unison, “We await your guidance, Grandmaster.” Hesitantly, Rajavia rises from her seat and looks over everyone as she smooths her tan robes. After exhaling deeply she returns the many bows, her thoughts on her dearest friend who’s life hangs in the balance not far away, “I will do my best to live up to Master Dulcinae’s example and expectations.” The group disperses quietly and Sun keeps her promise to lead Rajavia to Anhiel’s current location within the med bay. The pair enter and Mirr straightens, offering a slight nod of the head in acknowledgement of their presence. Rajavia moves to sit on the left side of the bed, taking Anhiel’s hand within her own. She closes her eyes and allows her presence to expand to envelope her friend’s and she begins to examine the many injuries she had incurred. The process takes many minutes and the healer’s face contorts, confused. Within the woman before her is another being, not yet born into the world but carrying the same injuries and scars as her mother. As Rajavia presses deeper she is violently rejected and falls out of the chair unceremoniously. Both Mirr and Sun move to her side and lift her up, the woman’s panting filling the room. Once the chair is righted, Rajavia settles into it once more and stares intently at Anhiel’s unconscious body until Sun musters up the courage to ask a question. “Master, what happened?” Pain is an understatement for the expression that the elder woman bore and she spoke softly to herself, not hearing Sun’s question though she and Mirr could hear Rajavia’s words, “You utter fool. Not even this once could you abandon your duty?” Clenching her fists, Rajavia continues as she spins around angrily and storms out, “and not only will you pay the ultimate price, so too shall your unborn child.”
Sun and Mirr are left stunned as they watch the new Grandmaster exit the room until they look at each other. Mirr gestures outwards, “Go, miss Veruna. I shall remain here.” Sun nods once in confirmation before chasing after Rajavia but as she got into the hallway, the woman was nowhere to be found and the Padawan set off to begin searching. Time becomes incorporeal to Sun as she looks all around until she stumbles into the armored chest of Rend as they round a corner in opposite directions. Stunned, Sun begins to stammer as she tries to collect herself, “Mast…sir…uh….” Red tilts his head slightly and places a hand on Sun’s shoulder, “Collect yourself, Padawan, and speak plainly.” After rubbing her eyes and exhaling deeply several times, Sun straightens “Apologies, Master. I was caught off guard by Master Rajavia’s assessment of Master Dulcinae. From what I heard, things are beyond grim and she did not seem willing to elaborate and I have been unable to locate her.” Rend’s face falls slightly as he gives a reassuring squeeze to his padawan, “It appears that answers will have to wait. Grandmaster Rajavia has requested to address all personnel upon our arrival at base. I find it unlikely she is going to be open to questions before then. You know what my master would say in times such as this.” Somewhat defeated, Sun nods, wiping away a tear, “Yes master. Trust in the Force and our path shall become clear.” Rend smiles with pride, “Correct you are, Padawan. Join me. Let’s meditate on all that has happened until we arrive back at base. Lieutenant-Commander Barnes has things under control for the fleet for this leg of Hyperspace.” Exhausted, Sun merely follows her master towards the meditation chamber upon the Nephilim.
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The sun at the center of the system that Zonama Sekot resided in was shining particularly bright across a large plain just outside of the planetary base. Arranged in neat ranks over the plain are most of the military forces of the enclave, both Sith and Republic forces as well as the rescued Jedi and council members who stood at the front of the group. On a raised natural platform of rock stepped Rajavia who stood alone. In orbit above was Anhiel, still in a deteriorating state with her Mandalorian guardian watching over her. To the side of the raised rock stood Athin stoically, still unsure as to why he elected to come to this gathering instead of remaining with his love. Rajavia looks over the significant military force gathered before her and her inexperience with commanding such elite individuals in such a number becomes apparent. However, she swallows deeply and steels herself before adopting a tone very similar to the one she often admonished her dearest friend for over the years, “All, we are gathered here today to honor many of our fallen brethren.” She pauses for a moment before continuing, “There are too many to address individually and thus we honor one man in particular who displayed the highest adherence to the values that not only our enclave holds dear but our late Grandmaster and High Admiral.” Rajavia exhales deeply and closes her eyes for a moment before continuing, “It is by this man’s actions alone that much of the Eternal Empire’s strike against Korriban was halted. Even more so, he is the reason our Grandmaster was whisked away from that planet. Master Ca’ Joashichubanakeda’s sacrifices have been many and we should all endeavour to exhibit a fraction of the spirit this warrior did.” From somewhere in the front of the assembled forces, a female’s voice calls out loudly, “Ad Bellum!” Thea’s raised clenched fist elicits a uniform response from all those gathered as they salute or raise a fist which echoes loudly across the plain along with a single response, “Ad Victoriam!.”
Rajavia allows the silence that followed to remain for many moments before she continues. “I will now relay the final orders provided to the council only a few hours ago. Knight Rend Vega is hereby granted the rank of Jedi Master and is appointed to a seat on the council. With that, I award him the rank of High Admiral and he shall replace Master Anhiel as supreme commander of our military forces.” With deep brown eyes, Rajavia scans those before her, perceiving an air of confusion from the bulk of the audience. After clearing her throat, Rajavia continues, “Master Anhiel Dulcinae has stepped down as grandmaster of our enclave and her leadership can never be replaced. However, at her direct request, I shall do my best to fill the role she has vacated.” The woman’s voice turns more somber and she straightens up somewhat, “Anhiel is gravely injured from the battle with one of the princes of the Eternal Empire. But her message was clear; our part in this combat has come to an end. It is not the will of the Force for us to bring about its conclusion and thus her final order is for the enclave to disappear from sight and protect itself until the conflict ends. To that end, we shall settle on this planet for the foreseeable future. There are still many of our brothers and sisters out there and we will conduct operations to gather them, when possible but we will not be engaging in large-scale combat against the Eternal Empire.” Rajavia’s eyes now drift to the council members standing before her on the ground below. All nod once, including Rend and the new Grandmaster continued “And so, I wish to thank Master Anhiel for her leadership, unwavering conviction, and countless sacrifices for this enclave. May the Force continue to guide her and provide strength as she struggles to survive; may it continue to guide this enclave as we move forward without the guidance of the one whose ideals we all should aspire to embody.” Only the sound of simultaneous salutes are received in response and the soldiers gathered hold it for a whole minute before finally releasing the gesture.