The Renegade: Episode III: The Deliverer

Chapter 23: The Apprentice

Five years had passed since the Empire fell. The New Republic's reach into the Outer Rim still was fairly weak. But Lenore marked the time by Jord and Kina's deaths- four years.

When she had returned from Tatooine she told the group what happened in the canyon. Everyone was extremely upset, especially Rima. He didn't speak to anyone for a week. But Lenore eventually convinced him it wasn't his fault. There are always consequences for the choices you make. And this one had a high price that had been paid.

It wasn't long that the organization began to splinter. Lenore had lost interest in keeping things together. She decided the best thing would be to let each table member create their own chapter of the Forgotten. Each chapter would stay in touch but would be their own entity.

Jin, Cruv, and Ondox strongly protested, but Lenore reassured them they were all capable of leading. Tev and Rima were back on Protug, and Ondox was on Jakku. Jin and Cruv travelled around from base to base where needed. They each ran things how they saw fit. Lenore knew Tev and Rima dealt with weapons still, and Ondox was getting into spice running. She didn't agree with them but at this point as long as they continued with the essential mission of the group she held her tongue. Something that was still hard to do after all these years.

She and Wyb relocated to the planet Arkanis and opened up a mechanic shop where Wyb ran the front desk. He had grown. He was fourteen now and towered over Lenore by at least a foot. They got a good amount of business that funded their rescue ventures. Lenore was also growing a reputation. People had begun to call her : The Deliverer.

There was something about the Boushh armor that gave her that extra mystique and ominous presence. She used it to her benefit during rescues and had to admit she liked the feeling. It also helped keep her identity quiet and those that were close to her safe.

Lenore and Wyb liked Arkanis. It was prospering under the New Republic and their mechanic front allowed them to operate in plain sight. They took in a small number of residents and were able to rehome them quicker than in the past years. They had a few stay behind and help with operations but none of them stayed longer than a few months. It always ended up just being Wyb and Lenore. Wyb said it was all the rain on the planet. It was depressing. Lenore laughed because she preferred it to desert planets, or highly polluted cities. It was also that she was still sad and having the environment match her mood was in some way comforting.

"Lenore," Wyb said. His voice had deepened and it had taken some time for Lenore to get used to. "There's someone here to see you. Says she knew you and Jord."

"Sashee!" Lenore peeked through the curtain to see she had grown into a young woman. Sashee ran into Lenore's arm and they embraced. She still felt like the little kid from the arena. "Oh my god look at you. You have grown."

"You say that to everyone Lenore because you're so small," she smiled and adjusted her robes.

" What's with the funny clothes?"Lenor asked, looking her up and down.

"Oh Lenore," She smiled. She was twenty-one now and beautiful. But something had changed. She seemed older, wiser, or maybe it was the clothes she was wearing. "It's good to see you."

"Right back at you kid," she said. She felt like Kina for a moment. She was happy to see she was doing well. "What brings you out this way?"

"Well," she said solemnly, "I heard about Jord."

The two fell silent. Lenore lived with the loss everyday. Everyone that had known him did. But she knew Sashee had a special place in her heart for him as well and it was hurting just as much as hers.

"How'd ya know Jord?" Wyb asked Sashee. He wanted to break the sad silence.

"We were in the arena together." Sashee explained. "I was hopelessly in love with him. Then this one came along and I didn't stand a chance."

"Well you were also twelve," Lenore reminded her and offered her a seat.

"I know," she laughed and sat down. "He was more like my brother. A big brother. Always watching out for me. You did too."

"He was good to you and many others," Lenore recalled. "So is that why you came? To pay your respects?"

"Yes," she said. "But also I thought you could help me."

"What kind of help?" Wyb interjected. Sashee started at the boy seven years her junior. She remembered how it was to be his age and aching to get out and see adventure.

"I found one," Sashee said, ignoring Wyb's question.

"You'll need to be more specific," Lenore said.

"A jedi." She answered.

"A real jedi?" Wyb was enthralled.

"Are you sure? There are a bunch of con artists out there. Some are good at doing tricks and labeling them as jedi tricks." Lenoree questioned.

"Yes I am certain,"She smiled. " He is my Master. He's taught me so many things about the force. He is actually from your home planet Lothal."

"Your Master?" Lenore ignored the fact that this Jedi shared her home planet. "I didn't bring down a rancor and disrupt the slave trade route so you could run off become a jeid slave Sashee. Jord must be rolling in his grave."

"I am his apprentice Lenore, not his slave," she reassured her. "Master is a title to show respect. I am free to learn the ways of the force and become a Jedi master myself to help others the way you help them."

"Yeah well I could show you how to help others without having to call others by titles that carry way too much power." Lenore wasn't happy with the situation Sashee had committed herself to. But she was an adult so there wasn't much she could do about it.

"Don't worry Lenore. I'm fine,"'she said.

"You won't convince her," Wyb laughed. Lenore rolled her eyes at him

"You kids are making me feel old," she said leaning back in her chair. She smiled and looked at the two of them. She was filled with pride seeing these two doing so well at their age. She felt she had a hand in it and knew everything she was working at was worth it. "Ok so what do you need help with?"

"I've heard that many call you the Deliverer. Is that true?" She asked.

"God I hate that name,"Lenore sighed. If anything she wished she was called something with a more militant tone like Commander or General. Deliverer sounded religious.

"I need your help rescuing others like me from a fate worse than death." She said very dramatically. Lenore turned to Wyb and smirked.

"I don't think you said that dramatically enough," Lenore laughed. "Tell me the details, simple, straight, and to the point Sashee. We'll help you. And if we can't we'll find someone who can."

"The Empire has gone underground and is hunting force sensitive individuals. Mostly children. I've been tracking a transporter that has six children. Droids are the transporters. I could disrupt the transport easily myself but I wouldn't have a safe way to move the children or provid any shelter for them."

"I guess we're the school bus," Wyb said with the same joking tone Lenore had.

"I see you have taken after Lenore in her sense of humor," Sashsee remarked. "But this is no joking matter. It is critical. I've seen what they've been doing."

"Sounds simple enough,"She nodded. "Wyb get the Spitfire up and going."

"Spitfire?" Sashee asked.

"Our ship." Lynor smiled. She was proud of the modifications she had made to The Revenant. It looked like a completely different ship.

"Well I can't wait to see it." Sashee smiled. She truly was still the same small girl from the arena impressed by the girl from Lothal who was still on the run.