Shattered Stars (TCW)

Chapter 27 -- Visions

A dark vision! Taska Rokanh has seen the future in a vision that does not bode well for the Order. What can she and the Council do to prevent this timeline from occurring?

Taska woke in her dark quarters with a gasp. She tried to deny what she had dreamed, but she knew—it was a vision, and not a good one at that.

"Master Yoda, may I speak with you? Privately," she pulled the small Jedi aside in the early morning at the temple, the halls nearly empty.

"Of course, young one," he said. Inwardly, he worried. She could not be approaching him in such a fearful manner if not for a vision.

"I've... I believe I've had a vision of the future, master. I can't say I've ever purposely tried to meditate on such things, but it came to me as I slept," she said tentatively, sitting across from him in the dark room.

"And of what, these visions are?"

"I saw a figure, kneeling before another. The dark side of the Force surrounded them. I sensed a great deal of fear. One... lusted for power, but the other was just... scared. Whoever it was, they wanted to end the war. They wanted to save someone they loved, or at least cared for, very deeply," she told him, biting her lip.

"Know who it was in this vision, do you?" Yoda questioned.

"No, master," she said. "They wore robes, just like me, you, any of us." An ever more sinking feeling filled her bones as she contemplated the dark cloth—it could not be her, could it?

"A Jedi, you think it was?"

"I fear so, Master," she said. "The dark side of the Force clouds so many things. I can't tell when this will happen, or who it is."

"Such visions, never clear, are they. Worry not, young one. Meditate on this, we will," he reassured her.

"Yes, master," she complied, but in her heart, a decision had already been made.

The dark side of the Force would not sway her, ever.

* * *

"I want to first thank you for your attention, Masters," Taska said, looking around the room at the assembled Jedi. "I have something important to say, and I know you'll listen to me."

"Continue," Master Windu said as she took a deep breath.

"I don't believe I can be a part of the Jedi order any longer. Like even some Jedi before me recently, I just feel that it has become something it was never intended to, and so I want to leave.

"My intention, my prerogative, has always been the protection of other people. We owe it to the innocents of this galaxy to ensure them all long and peaceful lives. And for a time, I've felt that I was doing that.

"However, as this war has progressed, our focus has shifted from protecting neutral and invaded systems to directly fighting our Separatist enemies, such as the conflict over Ringo Vinda. The lines had been blurred at the beginning, but it's clear to see now; this war is purely political.

"And how can I be expected to fight alongside good men who are killed by droids, losing their brothers every day, look at the trail of destruction I've left behind, and call it victory?

"If I want to save as many lives as possible, I can no longer do it as a Jedi."

"Master Rokanh, what you have to understand is—" Master Tiin tried.

"No, no. I've made my decision. I'm aware that all of you have your ideas that justify this war to sleep at night, but I can't. It's time for me to... I don't know, to find a home. I just wanted you to understand," she said, now looking straight into the eyes of her former master. "Maybe we'll meet again someday."

* * *

Alpha squad sat quietly in the Coruscant barracks, taking the opportunity to rest before they were deployed again.

"Ace, have you seen the General? I know we're shipping out tomorrow, but she usually comes over at least once in our free time," Mags said, turning away from his game of dejarik.

Ace looked up from fidgeting with his helmet. "Hm? Uh, no, Mags," he shot a glance to A'den across the room. He must've known what he was thinking, because he nodded.

"I don't think we'll be seeing her again."

"What? What do you mean?"

"I mean... she told me she was going to leave the Jedi order, and as far as I know, that means she's not our general anymore either," he struggled. He hated having to break this news, but he knew it would kill Taska to do it.

The air left the room.

"What's that mean for us?" Vis asked, also joining the conversation.

"A new general, obviously. Hopefully a good one," Ace answered honestly, but he knew no one could be as good as Taska.

"What's she going to do now?" Lark asked, finally speaking up.

"I don't know. I don't think anyone does," Ace said, Lark's question digging up thoughts he had desperately tried to bury. "I just hope she doesn't get herself in trouble."

The night carried on, and they nearly suffocated in the silence.

* * *

"Ace," she called him over. "I have to tell you something."

"What is it?" he asked, surprised at how close she was standing to him, how unsure she seemed.

"I, um... well, I'm leaving the Order."

"What does that mean?" Ace asked. He didn't want to think anything until he knew what she meant.

"I'm not going to be a Jedi anymore. I just couldn't do it. And unfortunately... that means I can't... can't be there for you, I can't be your general anymore."

Ice seeped into his veins.

"I'm going to be alright, Ace," she promised in the darkness outside the temple. "And I hate having to leave you, but... I just had to do this."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me, General," he said, though he was glad she was at least trying.

"I'm not telling you this as your general, Ace. I'm telling you this as your friend. As Taska."

He looked down at his hands, unable to maintain eye contact any longer. He nodded. "Alright, Taska," he said, the name feeling strange and yet right.

She smiled a little. "That's the first time you've ever said my name," she said quietly. "Can I trust you to tell the others?"

"Of course. I hope—I don't know, I hope you stay safe. And that you're happier," he said, cursing the war for bringing him Taska in the first place.

"I hope that too, Ace. Maybe this will make you feel better," she told him, pressing a small communicator into his hand. "I've tinkered with it enough that I'm sure it's secure. I'll call you if I'm ever in trouble. If I ever need you. And you can call if you need me, too."

"Thank you," he whispered, genuinely grateful. "Thank you. Where will you even go?"

"Well, once I scrape together enough credits to leave Coruscant on my own, I think I'll head to Saleucami. I got a tip from someone that it was safe, I guess, for people like me."

"Take care of yourself, Taska," he said, her name a harsh comfort.

"Take care of yourself, too," she echoed, taking his hand in hers. Her hand was cold.

They stayed there like that for a long time, though Ace was sure that was just the way it felt.