FORSAKEN II - Eternal Dawn

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

After going through their rest cycle, the crew spent some time going about their business. At the right cargo deck, Gorin installed the AG-2G gunner station he bought from Watto in the cargo deck, to operate the H56-67 laser cannons on the sides of the Outcast, so Addia could serve as an extra gunner if needed. Addia continued to pour through her research on the Dai Bendu and the Je'daii in her room. Jarriss was lying on his wide bunk, reading The Paths to Power by Sheev Palpatine. Ilum prepared a sauce in the kitchen with the help of a delighted Taaji, who had come to understand these people meant her no harm. Virra and Elynn practiced martial arts at the dojo.

The captain's quarters were more ample than the other cabins. Vintage jatz posters, a Partisans' flag, some Nightsister weapons, and a Wookiee Blade of Nyenthi'Oris—a gift from Chief Tarfful—decorated the room.

Master Qui-Gon. Syrran thought, kneeling in meditation in front of his uneti tree. Master Qui-Gon, can you hear me? He had been trying to communicate with the defunct Jedi Master to no avail. Syrran opened his eyes and sighed in frustration.

"What are you trying to do?" said Theleema, leaning against the threshold.

"Master Yoda gave me this tree, so I could deepen my understand of the Cosmic Force," he said, rubbing his eyes with his fingers. "I thought if I could strengthen my connection to it, I could communicate with Master Qui-Gon."

"Have you tried to listen to it?" Theleema knelt next to him.

"To the tree?"

"To the Force emanating from it. You're trying to communicate, instead of listening. All you have to do is be still."

"Is that what you learned from Maul?"

"From Mother Talzin, the leader of my clan. Regardless of what side we followed, the Witches of Dathomir learned to commute with nature. I've also been studying consitor sato—plant surge—from Master Ti's holocron, to nurture my plants."

"So, you want me to do nothing."

"I want you to feel the connection and feel the tree's Force go through you, and yours go through it. What you're looking for lies somewhere in the middle of that connection, and the only way you can feel it is be being present. When you fight, you don't try to predict or force the outcome, do you? You react to a series of actions, accepting them for what they are, adapting to them, and finding a path through it. That's what you taught me. Harmonize with the tree. Here, feel its Force with me."

Theleema got in front of him and placed her hand on his chest and had Syrran place his on hers, feeling each other's heartbeats. Going into meditation together, Syrran felt their hearts synchronizing, and soon, he sensed a third one—the uneti tree. The rhythmical pounding became exterior from any physical constrain, until there was nothing left but the presence of the Force itself: warm, free, eternal, soothing. There was no sense of time, space, or self. Everything became nothing and nothing was everywhere and everything. Through Theleema's silent guidance, Syrran bonded with the tree. Its sap flowed in conjunction with his blood. He breathed through the tree's leaves. The roots gave Syrran a sense of grounding he had never experienced before. Then, Syrran found himself back in his body, heavy, constrained, disconnected.

"That was incredible," he said, opening his eyes.

Theleema smiled at him with warmth. "Look." The colors of the uneti tree had grown more vibrant and its branches had opened up. "The tree reacts to your bond, but it can also guide you into experiencing the Cosmic Force."

"No Qui-Gon Jinn ghost, though."

"I believe if there's a way to connect with him, it will be trying not to do so." She touched his temple.