Earthlings 2: The Dark Age

26

Eli was woken up the next morning by the distant sound of lasers and roaring waves. He'd fallen asleep by the pool where he and Ferren had talked the night before- something he took advantage of immediately.

"Morning." Ferren was heard saying as Eli resurfaced after washing his face. "I wouldn't advise you bathe in that water. It's as salty as Rendas' personality."

"Odyn's personality was-" Eli began before stopping himself. "And anyways, salt water is actually good to wash in."

Ferren scoffed. "Yeah? How so?"

"The salt has many healing properties."

"What a nerd. You should have studied to become a Jedi healer."

"Hey, you can't be talking."

"Oh, yeah... because I'm also a nerd."

"A nerd with 6 disciples."

"5," Ferren corrected. "Verla is a different case."

"Oh, so I guess being force sensitive makes you a different case." Eli gave him an amused look. "Got it. Though I can't recall when you were ever granted the rank of master."

"I was this  close to taking my Trials," Ferren retorted, holding up 2 fingers. "That's as valid as it can get right now."

"Valid to be considered a knight."

"And if I train a padawan, I'm considered a master."

"Not until your padawan becomes a knight."

"Still."

More cannonfire was heard.

"What's happening-?" Eli asked, looking outside.

"Relax, it's all going as planned," Ferren reassured him before glancing in a different direction. "Ah, my children are awake."

"Your children-?" Eli gave him an incredulous look.

Ferren let out something between a sigh and a chuckle. "Ok... my brothers and sisters."

"Good morning, Master Barr," Verla chirped, fixing her hair. She was around his own age or so; white blonde, with icy blue eyes. If she was an Earthling, Eli would assume she was either from Russia or France.

"Morning, Verla." Ferren returned the greeting as Eli refrained from wincing. Ferren was no master...

"I'm starving," The one named Daren opined as Nipaltoo followed behind him. "What's for breakfast?"

"Fish," Eli said sarcastically. Verla snorted.

"Rations," Ferren piped in. "What else?"

"Do you have a pantry?" Eli asked.

"Sure we do," Ferren replied as if it was obvious. "I carved a small storage chamber in the wall somewhere. That's where we store extra rations in case we run out, and pressure suits for emergencies."

"Daren takes more rations than we do," Nipaltoo chimed in before pulling out a ration stick. "You can have mine."

"Oh- thanks," Eli muttered, accepting it.

They ate in silence for a while before Daren spoke. "So, new guy. You know Master Barr?"

Eli nodded. "He's a friend of mine from the Order. We trained together. On occasion he'd sneak us out to Coco Town for food."

"You always complained that we'd get in trouble if the Council caught us," Ferren said. "And did they ever catch us?"

"Master Plo turned a blind eye," Eli pointed out. "We were lucky it wasn't Mace. Then we'd all be dead."