FORSAKEN II - Eternal Dawn

CHAPTER TWENTY

As promised, Jabba sent a number of starships with dubious transponder codes flying out of Tatooine to distract the Hypori's Revenge. Due to the lack of law and order in the Outer Rim, protocol had Imperial forces travelling in the Territories to investigate any questionable vessel. With the Star Destroyer distracted by the sudden flow of space traffic, the Outcast snuck out of the planet through its southern pole, as suggested by Virra, to avoid visual identification. Once in hyperspace on their way to Ryloth, Taaji took a shower, borrowed some clothes from Theleema, and went to get some rest. The team gathered at the lounge to recount their experiences in Tatooine.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi is alive?" Addia said.

"And looking after Skywalker's son?" Jarriss said.

"He and Senator Amidala, really?" Virra said.

"That's what you find surprising?" Elynn said.

"Kenobi and Master Yoda have been on the top of the Inquisitor's target list from day one, and Skywalker has been obsessed with finding his former Master since the end of the war. As for whom Skywalker was getting cozy with, I had no clue."

"Any guesses on how the Inquisitors knew we were on Tatooine?" Jarriss said.

"The Empire has informants all over the galaxy. Spaceports in particular. We have to be careful anywhere we go."

"Can we go back to the fact that Obi-Wan Kenobi is babysitting the child from Chaos on behalf of Master Yoda?" Addia said.

"I'm sorry, Obi-who?" Gorin said.

"Master Obi-Wan Kenobi was a member of the Jedi High Council and a prominent general in the Clone Wars," said Elynn, petting Chak-Chak.

"So, that's where he's been hiding," Virra said. "Skywalker's home planet? I can't believe the Inquisitorius have failed to find him."

"You sound disappointed," Ilum said.

"It's the most obvious place."

"Don't look now, VI. But your dark side is showing," Addia said.

"So, this is why you wanted to go alone?" Theleema said. "I thought you trusted us."

"I sleep next to a Witch of Dathomir, who was Maul's Apprentice, and a Crimson Dawn enforcer tasked to turn me to the dark side, or kill me if she failed," Syrran said. "What do you think?"

"You didn't answer the question."

"I had to confront him about Skywalker."

"And what about Master Qui-Gon?" Ilum said. "Where does he fit in this narrative? This is the second time his spirit has intervened in our affairs."

"In my culture, death is not the end of life," Theleema said.

"But coming back from the Netherworld of the Force?" Gorin said.

"Why not? I was sent back," Jarriss said. "There's something about this that defies our understanding of the Force."

"You believe Master Qui-Gon is helping us from the Mist-Beyond?" said Elynn, using another Jedi name for the afterlife.

"It seems like it. The question is why? For what purpose? How is keeping the fact Skywalker is alive and his identity as Darth Vader from Master Kenobi helpful?"

"There is a possibility he is heeding the wishes of Master Yoda or vice versa," Ilum said.

"That means they're following the will of the Force," Gorin said.

"It appears to be so," Theleema said. "And this Jedi ghost just wants us to butt out."

"He helped me and Lum find you all in Kashyyyk," Addia said.