silver

Two - Hyperspace

When I awoke the next morning, I did not feel rested at all. It was as if I had not had any sleep at all, even though I had been passed out for eight hours.

"Clarissa, hurry! We need to go! Get your lazy a-" Mai was interrupted by Barriss, flinging the door open and panting, "Guys, we need to leave, NOW!"

I jumped out of bed and literally threw on a grey blouse and robe as I ran out the door, almost forgetting my bag.

"This bag is heavy!" said Ahsoka as she lugged it out of our room. I gave her a thank you as I took the bag and continued to sprint with Mai and Barriss.

By the time we reached the ship, the other younglings were already aboard and having a laugh at our tardiness.

"Oh, hush up," said Barriss, annoyed. She and Ahsoka boarded after us. Mai and I managed to find seats together on the crowded ship, and Ahsoka and Bariss sat behind us.

"Leaving now, we are," said Master Yoda.

"I want all students to stay together, understand?" said Master Windu. We all nodded. "I'm not letting anyone get lost, on the ship or on Ilum."

Mai and I were then told by a clone that we were going to be in hyperspace for around eight hours, so we pulled blankets and pillows out of our bag. I was about to try and go back to sleep when a youngling in front of me sneezed. I glanced over and saw she was seven or eight years old, and awfully cold. Sighing, I handed her one of my blankets.

"Miss, may I have a pillow? This chair is hurting my scales," said a kid behind me. I smiled and handed them a blue pillow.

"Making the jump to hyperspace," announced a clone at the front of the passenger area. Mai and I held onto the seats and squeezed our eyes shut as the ship jolted into hyperspace.

"Is this your first time in hyperspace?" I asked a girl sitting next to me. She nodded fervently. She was a Twi, and it didn't seem like she spoke much.

"What's your name?" I asked. She squeaked. I repressed a giggle and said, "Well, Miss Squeak, Mai and I have been in hyperspace a few times, we can assure you there is nothing to worry about."

The Twi giggled nervously, and said, "My...my name not squeak. My name is, name is...Megena, Miss Cl-la-?"

"Clarissa," I supplied. I stuck out my hand. Pleased to meet you, Megena." Megena shakily took my hand, then squeaked as I pumped it hard up and down. "Y'know, would you mind if I kept calling you Squeak?" Squeak shook her head fervently and the matter was settled.

"Oi, you lot!" shouted a clone from the front of the ship. "Quiet down!" Mai and I smirked. I reached into my bag and pulled out a small electronic pad, and metal stylus. I could feel Squeak peering over my shoulder as I sketched out a young Twi'lek, with a pair of bright orange head tails, dressed in a huge brown cloak, concealing tight brown clothes. Bands encircled their head tails.

"It...it looks like me!" squeaked Squeak. I giggled and nodded. With a swipe of my hand, the drawing materialized in the air, becoming a hologram.

"Wow," breathed Squeak. I nodded again, and Mai commented, "She has one of me! Check it out!" Mai proudly displayed a hologram featuring her, a sandy Tatooine background in the distance.

"That's really good, Clarissa," said Squeak. "Could you make mine like that?" I nodded, and said, "What planet are you from?"

Squeak shivered, and said, "I was born on Coruscant. I've never left until now." Mai and I shared a look of sadness for the less traveled Twi.

"Well, the four of us-" Squeak looked confused until I pointed to Ahsoka and Barriss sitting behind us.

"Oh, you're friends with the Togruta?" Mai sighed, and said, "That Togrutas' name is Ahsoka Tano. The Mirialan is-"

"What Mirialan?" said Squeak curiously.

I turned around in astonishment. Sure enough, Barriss was gone. I shot Ahsoka a look but then sighed because she was already asleep.

"Well, her name would be Barriss Offee, and I'm going to go and look for her," Mai said decisively. She got up and made her way to the main passage.

"I bet you five credits Barry is in the 'fresher," I whispered to Squeak. She giggled and nodded. I nudged her in victory when a few minutes later, Barriss emerged from the Female Refresher.

"Ah, there you are Barriss!" called Mai. Barriss's skin darkened and she waved. Mais' yelling awoke Ahsoka, who took in the situation and sighed with relief when she saw Barriss was not missing. Then she giggled at Barriss's embarrassment.