Star Wars: Hidden Fates

Chapter 2: Meet,Greet, and Run

Bastila bowed towards them. Trinity-Sky and Leilani did the same. It was winter on the city-planet, and the low temperature with snow on the ground made them shiver.

Bastila folded her arms and smiled. "It feels good to be on a mission with a wonderful friend and not just hanging out in the temple. It is a pleasure to meet your second Padawan."

Leilani bowed again. "Greetings, Master Shan. I am Leilani Tylin. As you mentioned, I am Master Bay's second Padawan, and it is a privilege to serve by your side."

Trinity-Sky guided Leilani and Bastila to a tent with a table displaying a holographic image. "This is us at the first level of the planet Zodia. The Prime Minister and his family are being held hostage in his mansion. Twenty-three Dark Jedi are aiding the Sith." She turned to Leilani. "Do you remember what Dark Jedi are?"

Leilani nodded, finding the question amusing since she had been ambushed by one before. "In a nutshell, they are like Sith but work alone unless there's a short-term gain. Their use of the dark side isn't as ambitious as the Sith's ultimatums."

Trinity-Sky nodded in approval. "It's always good to test a Padawan's knowledge. Anyway, back to what I was saying. This planet is rich in resources, and the Sith know this. To exploit these resources and gain the citizens' cooperation, they hold the Prime Minister and his family hostage, giving the people false hope of freedom."

Bastila fiddled with the hologram. "It seems the leading Sith Lord is Darth Thoro. She is powerful, but nothing we can't handle. If we follow our strategy, we stand a chance at liberating this planet."

Trinity-Sky looked at Bastila for a moment. "Can we talk in private for a minute?"

Bastila nodded. "Of course. It must be important."

Leilani knew that was her cue to leave. She picked up a holopad and examined the list of medical supplies, given her specialization in the medical field.

Trinity-Sky took a breath. "I want to keep Leilani away from Thoro if possible. I worry Thoro can sense through the Force that Leilani is her daughter."

Bastila rolled her eyes. "And how do you think Leilani will believe her?"

Trinity-Sky gave Bastila a deadpan look. "Through the archives of living people in the galaxy. All Thoro needs to do is have Leilani look herself up and show the blood test match that Jolee accidentally put into the system. By the time I found out, it was too late to delete it."

Bastila smiled at Trinity-Sky. "Remember what I told you. What's the point of taking on a Padawan if you can't trust them to choose the good?"

"You're right. I'm overthinking it. Leilani is like a daughter to me. I guess I'm just concerned for her safety. I know the Jedi frown upon attachments, but can you blame me?"

Bastila smirked. "Hey, when I first saw Darth Revan without his mask, I thought he looked hot! If he weren't a Sith, I might have considered dating him. Just kidding, but seriously, the Jedi Council and the current code aren't that strict about marriage. Many Jedi marry and have children, and those who don't often adopt Padawans."

As the two Jedi continued their conversation, Leilani grew tired of waiting. "Masters, with all due respect, if you're done flirting, can we get back to the discussion at hand?"

Bastila laughed. "You've got yourself a cheeky Padawan. I'm not gay, but if I were, Trinity-Sky, you'd be my first choice." She turned back to the table.

Trinity-Sky sighed and looked at Leilani. "Let me update what I said about her earlier. She's strict but kind, and also silly. How long were we talking that you felt the need to interrupt?"

Leilani glanced at the timer on her holopad. "One hour, thirty-three minutes, and sixteen seconds. Quite a long time for a casual conversation during a mission."

Trinity-Sky tilted her head. "Okay, I'll let it slide since I wasn't setting the best example."

"Thank you, Master."

They returned to the table to regroup. As Bastila and Trinity-Sky debated how many Jedi to request from the Council for the mission, a notification indicated that a Sith fleet was encompassing the planet.

A young man with dark skin and short braids knocked on the tent. "I know I agreed to let you stay here without rent, but the planet's been put under quarantine. Nobody gets in or out, and Sith troops are everywhere. I can't risk getting in trouble for harboring Jedi."

Leilani went to address the man. Before she could say anything, he freaked out. "Oh gods, an alien! You should be in one of the levels of the undercity."

Leilani looked confused. "First, I am a normal being like you. Second, I am half-human if that makes you feel better. I am not a Swiss humanoid."

Gently moving Leilani to the side, Trinity-Sky looked at the man. "Is this one of those planets that makes aliens forbidden on the surface like Taris?"

Bastila let out a huge sigh. "This is going to make our job a whole lot harder."

The man noticed Leilani's lightsaber on her right side. "Oh, she's a Jedi. She's fine."

"Technically, I am part of the Jedi Order but not a full-fledged Jedi yet. I guess not everyone knows what a Padawan is." Leilani thought as she smiled, trying to remain calm as her Master had taught her.

Bastila grabbed some sticky tar from her ship and covered the Jedi Order symbols on the ships the Master and Padawan duo arrived in, as well as her own. "Now they won't know we're here."

Leilani gathered all the food rations, which should last a week. Trinity-Sky led them to the first level of the undercity. "This is the safest option for now. We need to gather all the information we can on the Sith commanding this quarantine."

Bastila found a run-down apartment room and snuck them inside. Inside, it looked like whoever rented it last had been evicted. Hardly anything remained besides three beds and a holoscreen that still had a connection.

"Please turn on the screen," Trinity-Sky asked Leilani.

She did as instructed. When it turned on, a good-looking blonde female with sky-blue eyes appeared.

"This is Guina Luiomaeda reporting live from the upper city. I am here with the leading Sith of the quarantine, Darth Thoro, who will explain it all shortly."

A woman with long black hair, fair skin, and yellow eyes sat down next to Guina, who looked intimidated by the powerful Sith Lord. "The Jedi have been eyeing this planet. They want to take everything away from you. I can sense there are some Jedi here. How many? I do not know. As citizens, you must inform the Sith army of any information. If I suspect anyone is hiding something, I will resort to..."

Bastila turned off the screen. "She will resort to using unethical interrogation with the Force, which could result in memory loss."

Leilani looked at her Master. "May I speak?"

Trinity-Sky nodded.

"I heard only a few Jedi walk out alive after battling her. She can use the Force to disable a Jedi's abilities for some time. Despite this, I want to assure you that I will not run away."

Trinity-Sky placed a hand on Leilani's shoulder. "We know you won't. We need to stay vigilant and work together. Remember your training and stay close."

Leilani nodded, determined. The three Jedi huddled together, knowing the challenges ahead would test their strength and resolve.

Trinity-Sky was pleased with her Padawan. "Thoro has interesting methods. She uses the dark side of the Force with psychology. She doesn't fully rely on fear to get others to do her bidding or give her information. She can twist the minds of people. She knows how a being's brain works. She can instill doubt with just one sentence or gesture without getting angry. Don't be fooled by that. She channels her anger into her wicked methods, not directly at a person. To her, everything is like a game of chess. Psychological warfare is her specialty. It's one reason why she is a successful Sith Lord."

Bastila cracked her knuckles. "Then we need to use the light side of the Force to counter her twisted use of psychology. We need to accumulate ideas before we start wandering around the planet. Maybe light side psychology is the key to taking her down for good."