Jedi: Aftermath

Aftermath

    The last thing Bode Akuna remembered before being overtaken by darkness was pain. Pain shooting through his body as he felt the dagger of a Nightsister and the blaster fire of a Jedi in his shoulder. Mental pain swirling in his head as he heard the pleads of Kata, begging her father to stop... to think about this... but he didn't listen. He was blinded, blinded by what *he* swore would be best for them—for *her*!

    These choices lead to his eyes falling heavy from loss of blood... his mind still spinning in circles as unconsciousness took hold of him... he wasn't awake, but he could hear voices.

    Bode heard his daughters voice, soft and sad as she spoke to him before Merrin escorted her out. He heard the voice of long-time friend and Imperial ally, Hania, speak to him in hopes that he would be ok for his daughter's sake... reminding him that she deserved to have one parent she loved. Occasionally a stray, unfamiliar voice would fill the air... specifically one of a woman who would pass through his head followed by one that felt a little too much like the High Republic Jedi that he and Cal had fought... the one Cal was trying to give a second chance.

    It wasn't uncommon for people to visit him as he lay asleep in the makeshift-medbay that was set up in the Stinger Mantis, especially not Kata who would beg for Hania and Hania only to come with her.

    Greez had been left to look over Bode along with Twi'lek member of their crew, Rela, who had the most medical knowledge when the child and woman entered. They knew at once by the look on the young girl's face that they would want privacy.

    "Greez and I were just leaving... we have much of Tanalorr to continue to explore now that you two are here to watch him." Rela said mainly to the child, trying to smile softly. "So we can find great ingredients for him to make a great dinner."

    "Yeah—yeah, what the Twi'lek here said." Greez addressed her in this way as he would call Cal "kid." It was a term of affection in a fatherly way, and she didn't argue with him.

    The two left the room, leaving the two with the silence... and with Bode lying unconscious still on the bench.

    It had only been a few days since the fight... but it felt like ages to anyone concerned for him.

    Hania would stand by the door, a saddened look across her face as she watched the little girl talk to her father. Often times, whenever Bode hadn't been able to be there, the Imperial woman would do her best to look out for Kata, to keep her safe... which especially didn't help with the... feelings she felt for Bode. Feelings that were amplified, now especially as she watched him, hoping with all her being for his recovery...

    Kata sat beside him, a small frown on her face as she gently traced her fingers across her father's arm, so scared, so confused by everything that had happened... if only he'd listened to her. "This is l why I wanted you to stop... I'm not ready to say goodbye." Her voice was soft, and quiet as she buried her head into his uninjured shoulder, sniffling softly.

    If nothing else could pull Bode from the state he was in, Kata's continual pleads that he could hear day after day caused his eyes to crack open, causing him to look over to her with a dazed expression. "Kata..." his voice was raspy from the lack of being used for days. "Kata... I'm right here... papa is right here..." he tried to tell her as well as he could, fighting to keep his eyes open so he could wake further.

    "Papa!" Kata suddenly shrieked, looking up at him just to reassure herself that she hadn't imagined it, before she threw her arms around him tighter than before. She thought perhaps if she held him tight enough, she would be able to prevent him from slipping away again. "Don't go... please."

    Of course Hania looked up when she heard him, a feeling of relief filling her when she realized that he was awake. Progress, however little, was good news. It meant that perhaps... she wouldn't have to tell Kata that her father wouldn't make it... maybe he had a chance.

    The sudden loudness in Kata's voice and her arms going around Bode caused him to feel a little more grounded... a little more here than he was moments ago. He wanted nothing more than to be here for her... to be with his daughter. "I'm here..." he quietly told her, weakly moving one of his hands to her shoulder. "Papa is here..." Bode hoped there was reassurance in his voice.

    Kata showed little sign of letting go anytime soon, her grip seeming to be deathly tight for someone so little... so Hania felt as though she should at least make her presence known, stepping a bit more into the room from the doorway. "Be careful, I'd hate to see you reopen any of those wounds." She said softly, coming just into view of him.

    Bode let his eyes search the room further, allowing Hania into his vision... out of anyone he expected to see out here, still by his side after she'd followed along from the Nova Garon to help keep an eye on Kata. "Who even fixed these up... they don't feel professional." He still found room to tease even now.

    "Rela was the best we had, but you should be thanking her... it kept you alive, didn't it?" A light smile crossed her face, as she slowly sat in a chair beside him. "... Kata's okay. I... I told you I'd look out for her."

    "Rela... that's right... everyone is here." Bode looked down at Kata, who he didn't dare let his arms leave. He would keep her close until the end of time if it meant she would be happy. "You did a great job... I can't ever thank you enough... any of you... especially with all I've done..."

    Hania just shook her head lightly. "We can talk about that later... just between us." Mainly because she didn't want to involve Kata anymore than she already had been. "Maybe... Maybe I should get the others. Or at least, tell Rela... you need to keep resting."

    "Who all is here...? Besides you guys... and Cal and Merrin..." Bode asked to redirect the conversation accordingly, wanting to keep Kata out of things as well.

    "Well you know... Rela, Trilla... Greez has been helping Rela too, as he can." She nodded, before clearing her throat. "Um, that old Jedi—Dagan. And in return... his... girlfriend? I don't know. They're complicated."

    Bode just nodded slowly at all of this information. Great. The Inquisitor was still here... but he supposed he owed it to Rela to be civil with her for now. On top of that... Dagan Gera and his... girlfriend? He didn't think he wanted or needed elaboration on that right now. Not at all. "I see... well. I need to thank everyone who helped out... who helped keep me here." He looked down at Kata fondly as he said this.

    "I mean... the planet is secure, everyone was right about that. Which meant it was easier for everyone to get the chance to help you recover." Hania explained, looking at Kata with a smile. There was much to discuss, but for now... "I can go... give you two a chance alone. If she needs me I'll always come back."

    "Thank you, Hania... I would appreciate that." He gave her a tired smile, sighing gently before his gaze dropped back down to Kata. "I don't think there are enough sorries in the world to make up for all I've done..."

    Hania shook her head lightly as she stood up, for a moment resting her hand very lightly on his arm, before she pulled away. "We'll talk later, for now just... rest. You need it." With that she left the room, knowing they had a lot to go over... but it could wait. It had to.

(A/N: And we're back with another fanfic 😘 this time inspired by the events of Jedi Survivor... or rather, what comes after. As stated, this is written by me, and Starry_Writer ☺️ Hania is my OC, and Rela is hers. Thanks for reading chapter 1! Stay tuned 👀)