amnesia, cal kestis (discontinued)

03. The Mantis

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  MYRIA COULDN'T REMEMBER the last time she had been on a ship, it had been that long. She couldn't help her wandering eyes as she stepped into the Mantis. It felt homey, plants that were tended to, a small kitchenette — they lived on the ship, it was their home. That thought made her sad for some reason, knowing that the crew, that Cal, didn't have a real home. "Is this her?" A new voice caught Myria's attention.

"Yes," Cal nodded, glancing down at Myria for a moment. A middle-aged human woman stepped out from the cockpit. "Myria, this is Cere. Cere, Myria." He introduced them.

"I've heard so much about you," Cere stuck her hand out to Myria. "Cal is very enthusiastic about finding you again."

Myria stared at the woman's hand, her stomach tightening. She didn't like touching strangers. "I-I don't shake hands, sorry."

Cere pulled back, seemingly unphased. "Not a problem," Her smiled was kinder than Myria anticipated. "Shall I brief you on the mission?" She led Myria to the holodeck, a map of Kashyyyk hovering in the middle. "Chief Tarfful has important information regarding our mission; finding the Holocron before the Inquisitors."

"Inquisitors?" Myria didn't like the sound of that word. She wrapped her arms around her torso, beginning to feel nervous.

Cal stepped up beside her, causing her to flinch. "Jedi killers. They were tasked by their leader to hunt down all remaining Jedi and kill them."

Myria's heart stopped. Kill them? She backed away from the holodeck, shaking her head. "No, no way. I did not sign up to be chased by killers!" She looked around the ship for the way out, but Cal was blocking her way. "You lied to me." She spat.

Cal frowned. "I didn't lie. I just didn't tell you everything. There's a difference," Myria sent him a cold glare. His stomach dropped. "Just...hear us out, please."

Much to her displeasure, Myria agreed. She had this feeling deep down within her that cared for Cal. It was strong and strange. That amount of concern for someone came with years of knowing each other, but to Myria, they had just met. "Why do you need Tarfful?" She asked hesitantly.

"He knows the directions to an ancient place," Cere explained, eyeing the young girl warily. "The Origin Tree."

"Oh," Myria was not expecting them to say that. It was true, Chieftain Tarfful was the only Wookiee alive that knew the whereabouts of the Origin Tree. "I see...I will get you to Tarfful, but if those inquisitors are following you, I want off their radar as fast as possible."

"That might be easier than you think," Cal pointed out. "Your connection with the Force is weak. I think you subconsciously cut yourself from it."

Myria was dying to ask. "Ok, what is this force you keep talking about? Magic?"

"In a way," Cere piped up. "The Force is an energy, one that surrounds us, lives in us. Some beings can utilize its strength, like the Jedi," She made a strange hand gesture to Cal. "Would you mind demonstrating, Cal?"

He shook his head. "Not at all," He smiled softly at Myria before sticking out his hand. "You might want to move slightly to the left," Cal informed the girl. Cocking her head to the side, she did as he said, very confused. With a whoosh, an object flew past her head and into Cal's hand. "Ta-da." Cal nervously finished. He couldn't read the look on Myria's face.

She knew that power — the power that killed a dozen of Saw's men. A chill ran up her entire body and she shuddered. "That...that power is evil," Her voice was laced with venom as her face contorted into a scowl. "Why would you use it?"

It was Cal's turn to be confused. He glanced at Cere, who was equally perplexed. "Did something happen? Why would you think it's evil?"

Clenching her fists, Myria took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She could see the day so clearly, hear the agonizing screams of men and women being crushed from the inside — losing control was something she feared ever since. "The last time I used it, people died — a lot of them," When she opened her eyes, she was met with the concerned eyes of Cal. "I lost control and after that day, I vowed never to use it again."

"Oh," Cal frowned deeply. His heart felt heavy at the image of Myria scared and alone, with no clue of why she possessed the powers she did. "I'm so sorry, Myria."

She shook her head, holding her hand up. "You don't need to apologize. It's not your fault," For some reason, Cal couldn't help but feel the opposite. Myria turned to Cere. "Where do we start?"

Cere, wide-eyed, took a moment to gather herself before focusing back on the mission. "One of Saw Gerrera's Partisans, Mari, will meet you with Tarfful in the Shadowlands. Cal might be strong in the force, but navigating Kashyyyk's terrain is especially difficult."

"That's why you need me," Myria concluded. Looking at Cal briefly, she nodded. "Me and my friends can get you there, we know a shortcut, but it won't be easy."

"These things never are," Cal sighed. "Let me grab my droid and we'll be on our way."

Myria raised a brow. "A droid? Luging one around won't make this any easier," She huffed.

Cere walked next to her. "Trust me. This little guy will." Myria looked at her quizzically.

When Cal returned from the back of the Mantis, a small, almost bird-like droid, was sitting on his shoulder, beeping and whooping happily. "Myria, meet BD-1."

"Bee-whoop!" BD-1 hopped from Cal to Myria's shoulders. He nudged her face. It acted more like a pet than a droid. Myria couldn't help herself from smiling as it continued to talk to her.

"I'm sorry, I don't speak droid." She smiled sheepishly at Cal. He smiled back, removing BD from her shoulder.

"He says your pretty," He chuckled, a light blush dusting his cheeks. "And that he appreciates the help."

Myria audibly laughed. "It's no problem," She briefly met eyes with Cal. "And thank you, BD-1." BD whooped again.

"We should get going. It'll be dark soon." Cal noted. Myria nodded, agreeing.

AUTHORS NOTE
This chapter is a little shorter than I wanted it to be but I felt comfortable to end it where I did. Stay tuned for the chapter!!