And There Was Another✔️

Chapter 16: A Strange Request

Seth still didn't know how he felt as he and Nova followed Seri down the quiet, brightly lit corridors of the medical facility. In a way, he felt like something inside of him had been broken, and he was not sure of the enormity of the break or the consequences. He was angry, he was afraid, he was sad, he was anxious. He simply wanted to feel peace, but...how long had it been since he'd really, truly felt any kind of peace? Months? Years? Seth no longer knew. All he knew was that he had been staggering on through life for a long time now.

He supposed he would keep doing the same now.

Seri brought them to the entrance of the facility, and the doors slid open to admit them to the outside world. Seth stepped out and hesitated as he looked around. Dantooine was...it was amazing. It was beautiful. He felt something similar to that strange sense of wonder he'd experienced when first seeing the silver towers of Taris. This was different though, softer, more serene. Less awe, and more ambient wonder.

The front exterior of the medical facility was a half-octagon of concrete extending from the front of the building. Off to the left were more structures and concrete walkways with trees providing shade and flowerbeds here and there. He could even see a creek running through one part of it, leading off into a lake a little further down a gentle slope ahead of them. Off to the right were fields. Miles and miles of rolling fields. He saw a few more lakes there, glittering in the afternoon sunlight beneath blue skies dotted occasionally with puffy white clouds.

A woman in pale beige robes was standing on the platform, looking a little nervous. She was very strikingly beautiful, an olive-skinned woman with a good build, black hair pulled into a loose ponytail, and gray eyes.

"Sergeant Kast," she said as her eyes fell on him.

Seth felt a wave of fear and discomfort settle over him as she strode rapidly towards him. He saw the lightsaber on her hip.

"That's me," he replied.

"My name is Maya Corix. I'm a Jedi with the Enclave here. If you have time, I would very much appreciate it if you would take the time to speak with one of the Masters here. We have a request for you," she said.

"A request? What kind of request?" he replied uncertainly.

"Master Vrook would like to explain himself," she said.

"I suppose I can, but...I really need to report in with my superiors. Although I suppose my immediate superiors are all dead. But I am with the Republic Army..."

"That can certainly be arranged," Maya replied, "but first I would greatly appreciate it if you would speak with Master Vrook. We need your help." She glanced hesitantly at Nova and Seri. "We may need all of your help."

"Very well. I must tend to my duties in the clinic. Please Seth, come find me once you know the true nature of this...help," Seri said.

"I will," he replied. Nova was right. Something was wrong with Seri. Something was wrong with all of them, but she seemed to be holding a lot in. He was going to have to try and talk with her, see how she was holding up.

"I'm going for a walk in the gardens," Nova said.

"I'll see you when I can," Seth replied.

She nodded and headed off. Seth turned towards Maya. "All right, Miss Corix, uh...take me to Master Vrook," he said.

"Thank you. And, you can call me Maya, if you want," she replied, turning and leading him off.

"All right, Maya," he said, following.

They made their way quickly among the walkways, in between the gardens, the trees, the flowers, all of this presided over by the beautiful sky. He tried to take solace from the scenery, the clean air, the warm sunshine, the cool breeze. But inside he felt a turmoil raging, a silent war being waged within him. It just made him angrier, but he kept a lid on it. He studied Maya as they walked on. She was certainly attractive, but weren't most female Jedi? They tended to be in top physical condition. But she freaked him out.