Falling

Chapter VII

Nima took in a deep inhale as she returned to the galley, her mouth watering. "Wow."

Greez peeked over at her with a grin. "Smell something you like?"

She nodded eagerly as Cere handed her a plate. "I didn't know smells like that existed."

He chuckled and gave her a pat on the back. "Well, I am an excellent chef."

Her eyes widened at the sight of food on the counter. "Yeah, no kidding. My compliments to you."

He puffed his chest out proudly. "Hey, no problem. Consider it a thanks for taking a look at the door controls."

"Sure thing, Greezy. Glad I could fix that little delay. You got lucky Cere didn't get killed like you said."

"So, Nima," Cere cut in, "mind reminding me of what's happened so far?"

She huffed and cleared her throat as she started adding food to her dish. "Okay, so you're a former Jedi who cut herself off from the Force, and you asked Greez to charter this mission. You somehow tracked Cal down back on Bracca and gave him a lift. You went to Bogano for this vault thing, found BD-1, and discovered that this guy Cortega—"

"Cordova."

"Right, sure. This guy Cordova has a holocron inside that vault with a list of kids who are sensitive to the Force that can help you rebuild the Jedi Order. But to get the holocron, you have to follow Cordova's path." She finished her plate and set it down, then began to prepare one for her friend who was out exploring the planet. "So you went to Zeffo then Kashyyyk then back to Zeffo, then Cal got kidnapped by the Haxion Brood where he found me, and now we're back at Kashyyyk again waiting for more information on how to get the holocron." She faced the woman and lifted a brow. "Did I miss anything?"

Cere grinned half-heartedly. She understood why she was getting the attitude she was receiving. The new passenger was bitter that she had convinced Cal to let her stay behind. She knew that she wanted to prove herself, but it's not like she entirely trusted her. Not yet. She was, after all, an unexpected arrival. Still, she remained patient. "No. That's everything."

The girl nodded as she set down Cal's plate. She then sat down in her seat and began to eat.

Stars, she didn't realize how hungry she was while being held captive. Back there, they had barely given her any food or water. Before she realized it, she had inhaled her meal and was going for seconds, hardly noticing that the others were watching her warily. After a couple of minutes of enjoying her food, she perked up upon hearing the door to the bridge hissed open, lowering the fork that was halfway to her mouth.

Cal walked inside, scanning the room as BD-1 hopped down and ran over. His eyes landed on her, and she gave him a wide smile.

It faltered when he didn't return it.

"Cordova believed the key to the Vault is on Dathomir," he reported as he came up the steps to join them as they sat down.

"You find your Wookiee?" Nima asked curiously.

"Yep. But things are bad down there. Empire is everywhere."

She frowned at his tone as he seated himself. Why was he so upset? Did something happen?

"Inquisitors?"

"Well, Trilla—the Second Sister—is gone for now, but she's still chasing us."

Nima hunched her shoulders slightly at the mention of the Inquisitor. Was he still bitter about that new information?

"I defeated the Ninth Sister," he added matter-of-factly.

The words took a second to process, but she soon turned to him incredulously. He didn't look at her. Cere let out a pleased gasp and nodded while Greez grabbed the salt and began seasoning his meat.