Star Wars: The Jedi Chronicles:Enter The Shadows (Books 1-4)

Chapter Five: Another

Within a few hours of being on the ship Aria wakes up.

Aria: Where am I? Are we enemies? Where’s DJ?...

Willie: Slow down, Aria. It’s us. Take a deep breath.

Aria takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.

Josh S.: You’re on The Rebellion. I pulled your crystal and DJ, um... uh...

Aria: (worried sick) Where is my brother?!

Willie: (reluctantly)He’s gone...

Aria: What do you mean, “he’s gone”?

Josh S.: He died trying to save you.

Aria: (not sure what’s going on) Didn't Shain heal him?... Like he always does?

Josh: He left about six weeks ago for earth and he took his crystals with him.

Aria gasps and pulls her hands up and covers her face with tears in her eyes.

Aria: (starting to sob) No... no, no, no, no, no!

Josh S.: I'm sorry, Aria. He was trying to save you. Do you remember what he told you just before he passed?

Aria: No.

Josh S.: He told you not to blame yourself.

Willie: This isn't your fault. You weren't yourself.

Aria gets up and runs out of the room, shouting for Shain. Josh starts after her.

Josh.: He’s not here, Aria! He’s gone...

Aria: (screaming) I don’t believe you! (into the hall) Brandon!

Aria searches the entire ship and doesn't find him. Finally, she gives up. A few hours later, the boys go to see Aria, who is in her quarters. The boys knock and she permits them to enter.

Josh S.: Hey, Aria, we’re going to go help out Eve and Anthony. Let’s go.

Aria: I’m not going.

The boys look at each other.

Willie: (understanding) Alright, we’ll leave you here.

Aria: I’m not staying either. I’m going to search for the orb that brought all the Jedi and Sith back and brought us here. (holding back tears) That’s the only thing that can save my brother now.

Josh S.: Aria, you can’t go. We already had one person leave.

Aria: Well, I’m sorry. But I’m going to get my brother back, one way or another. Then I’ll come back and we’ll raze Censes to the ground. No matter what it takes.

Willie: Why not get Shain?

Aria: Two reasons: one, his crystals can’t save someone who’s already been dead for this long. Two, (eyes blazing) if I see him, the temptation to thrust my saber through his heart might be too strong.

Willie: Alright, but be safe, Aria.

Aria picks up a tan bag, puts it over her shoulders, and then heads for the hanger bay.

Josh S. Well, that’s three we’ve lost to this war.

Willie: I know exactly why with Aria, but I can’t believe Shain left. I'm going to get some rest. I'm still a little tired from that whippin’ you gave me.

Josh S.: Alright, get some sleep. I’m going to head out to see if anyone needs some help.