Managing the Shadows (Star Wars Legacy - AK, After Krayt, Part 1)

Chapter 4: An Uncertain Past

Chapter 4: An Uncertain Past

As Traya was finishing telling the group about their journeys on Taivas, Cade noticed him and Cha'ku were walking slightly behind Em and Traya. Cha'ku nudged Cade with one of his four arms.

"Cade, a word?"

Cade turned to the Myneyrsh, expectantly.

Cha'ku nodded towards Traya.

Cade allowed Em and Traya further outpace himself and his fellow Jedi.

Cha'ku's first words were unsettling, but not unexpected. "Her power has grown immensely..."

"It has..." Cade responded, feeling that there was more to this comment.

Cha'ku added, "so has her presence in the dark side."

"It has..." Cade responded again. He let his words hang in the air, feeling it would be best to let the Jedi voice all his concerns before more fully responding.

"Are you sure you should continue training her?"

"I am." Cade stated without any hesitation.

"But considering what she is?"

Cade could feel the anger rising in him, but almost unconsciously began implementing breathing techniques to level out his emotions.

"Don't stumble around it, if you have something to say, say it plain." Cade did not speak with anger, but made sure he was firm and forceful.

"Cade, she's a Sith Trooper!" Cha'ku took a breath realizing he was yelling. He said, quieter now, "She was bred for one purpose, to serve, not just the One Sith, but Krayt specifically. With blind obedience."

Cha'ku seemed to be waiting for Cade to speak, but Cade could sense that there was more on the Myneyrsh's mind.

Sensing Cade was content to sit waiting, Cha'ku pressed on. "Her connection to Krayt is a danger to all of us. My people have suffered enough at the hands of the Sith. You can feel her presence in the dark side and her power in the force. It is unlike anything I have felt since the time of Krayt. Do you honestly think you can control her?"

Cade could feel his anger rising, but calmed himself again. He had spent many years preparing himself, making sure not to make the mistakes of his youth.

He reminded himself how much the Myneyrshi had lost. From the Yuuzhan Vong decades ago, and how Krayt had taken from them in much more recent history. If anyone had an excuse to be suspicious of anything Krayt had a hand in, for sure, it was them. He continued his thought exercise of developing an understanding of Cha'ku's position. The more he thought about Cha'ku, the more he realized that he was not happy with the Myneyrsh's suspicions, but he could not fault him for them.

Cade looked ahead and saw Em and Traya now turning around, aware how far Cade and Cha'ku were behind them. "Go on, we'll catch up shortly," Cade yelled ahead waving Em and Traya to continue without them.

Em wrapped one of his arms around Traya's shoulders, playfully leading her along. He was trying to maintain a state of levity, while he could clearly sense that the conversation between the adults was growing more heated.

"Cade will be caught up with us soon enough." The old Myneyrsh said reassuringly to Traya. Traya looked over her shoulder as Em beckoned her to continue on with him.

Cade watched them leave, deeply thankful for Em'Achee. He knew that even with all the baggage Em'Achee carried as a Myneyrsh, he unabashedly, always treated Traya as one might treat a grandchild. He hoped that one day he could live a life with that level of deep forgiveness, unwavering compassion, and unrelenting hope in the future.