The New Adventures of Nomi Darklighter

Chapter 71 - A Call in the Force

After parting ways with Snap Wexley and Jess Pava, Tasherit Rendar and Jaden Katarn were on their way to Hoth. They had left their X-wings behind and were traveling in Tasherit's freighter Trader's Luck. Tasherit looked over at her co-pilot with concern.
"Do you think it's true that they evacuated D'Qar?"
Jaden looked out the viewport where the streaks of hyperspace passed before answering the question.
"You know we tried to contact them, but there was no response, darling."
Tasherit nodded thoughtfully. "So it's all over? The Resistance is history now? We fought for nothing? That can't be true, Jaden. Tell me that's not true."
The young man shrugged his shoulders.
"It seems that way. Even Snap and Jess weren't overly optimistic. You should try contacting your parents."
His fiancée was just about to activate the comm unit when she noticed something strange in the Force. Tasherit frowned.
"Can you feel it, Jaden?"
The Resistance pilot looked over at her and opened himself to the Force.
"Feel what?"
Tasherit focused on the feelings she was getting.
"Master Skywalker and... Ben?"
She opened herself fully to the Force and sensed the same feelings her mother had sensed on Nar Shaddaa.
"Skywalker and Ben Solo, are you sure?"
Katarn looked at her with a doubtful expression.
Tasherit nodded and concentrated fully on the feelings she sensed in the Force. Suddenly she gasped and tears were visible in her eyes.
"He's gone," she said, unable to say more at that moment.
Jaden frowned.
"Who's gone? And what do you mean by gone?"
The young pilot wiped away her tears.
"Master Skywalker... He became one with the Force."
Her co-pilot nodded thoughtfully.
"I sensed something, but I couldn't figure out what it might be, Tash. I'm so sorry."

Tasherit stared out the viewport where the streaks of hyperspace passed and sighed. She would never get used to losing people she cared about. Finally, she unstrapped herself and went into the freighter's galley to pour herself a mug of caf. Jaden
followed her and wrapped his arms around her. Tasherit leaned her head against his chest.
"That's not fair, Jaden. Why him?" she asked, suppressing her tears.
"Life isn't always fair, Tash. If it was fair, my mother would still be alive and my father would have trained me to be a Jedi," he replied.
She set the mug down on the table and turned to face him.
"You're right, but I won't accept it, Jaden."
"You have to learn to accept things you can't change, my love." He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "It's still a few hours until we reach Hoth. We should get some rest."
He smiled at Tasherit, turned and walked over to their bunk. The young woman followed him after hesitating for a moment. Perhaps it really would be better to rest before they reached their destination. She dropped onto the cot at Jaden's side, closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Tasherit woke with a start and sat up. Jaden opened his eyes when he felt his fiancée shift.
"What's wrong, Tash?"
He got no answer as Tasherit listened intently to the whispers in the Force. Could it really be?
"Corran?" She sent in the Force.
It was a while before she received a reply.
"Tash? Is that you?"
Jaden looked at her questioningly as she reached out with the Force to touch her brother's mind. She didn't like what she felt. There was sorrow and so much pain.
"What happened?" she asked.
It took a while, but then her brother told her what had happened until he lost consciousness.
"I think they thought I was dead, like all the others, and left me behind, sis," he finished his report.
"You're wounded," Tasherit said, stating a fact rather than asking a question.
"Just a few scratches, Tash," he said, knowing full well that his sister knew he was lying. "I could use a ride, since the transports here only have sublight engines. Would it be possible for you to pick me up?"
Tasherit looked at Jaden and finally answered her fiancé's question.
"It's Corran, he needs a ride from Crait."
The young pilot raised an eyebrow.
"Crait? Never heard of it, Tash. I'll have a look."
He called up the galactic atlas and searched for information on the planet where his future brother-in-law had been left behind.
"Here it is - Crait. Um, not exactly around the corner, but we can make it after we drop out of hyperspace, of course. It'll take a few days..." His voice trailed off.
"A few days? My brother is wounded, Jaden, he needs help as soon as possible."
"I can't change course when I'm in hyperspace. As a pilot, you should know that, sweetheart."
Tasherit sighed.
"I know, Jaden."
Then she called her brother in the Force again.
"We're on our way, but it will take a few days."
"Yeah, just great," Corran winced as he shifted in the chair he was sitting on. "I'll wait here for you then. Don't worry about me leaving before you arrive."
He chuckled and immediately regretted it as an attack of pain hit him. His sister felt his pain in the Force.
"We'll come as soon as we can, Corran. I promise."
Then she cut the Force link and snuggled up to Jaden. He took her in his arms and stroked her hair.
"We'll get to your brother in time. Don't worry about it, my love. Try to sleep."
Tasherit closed her eyes, but she couldn't find sleep while Jaden was already fast asleep.

On Crait, Corran limped into one of the transports, where he found food and water. After eating, he lay down on one of the cots and fell asleep despite the throbbing pain.