The New Adventures of Nomi Darklighter

Chapter 79 - In Search of Allies

The Rendar triplets were still awake despite the late hour.
Dash Jr. leaned casually in a chair and tapped the tabletop with the fingertips of his artificial hand.
"So we're a rebel cell now," he said with a mischievous grin. "I never thought our parents would go this far."
"You know our mother, Dash, she was always a fighter who couldn't stand oppression and injustice. She'll keep fighting until her last breath, even though the rest of the Resistance may be gone. Mama has been trying to get in touch with the possible remnants for days."
Corran nodded his head thoughtfully.
"Maybe they're keeping comm silence after the last transmission they were able to send from Crait. I really have no idea how many of us survived the First Order attack."
Biggs sat opposite his brothers and remained silent as usual. He rarely said more than was necessary. His brow was furrowed as if he was deep in thought. Then he finally spoke up.
"We need more allies."
"Tell us something we don't already know," Dash Jr. mocked his younger brother.
Biggs stuck his tongue out, looking at that moment like a teenager and not the grown man he was.
Corran smiled at the sight. It was good to be back and realize that nothing had changed.
Dash Jr. looked at his younger brothers expectantly.
"Any idea where we can find allies?" He asked.
"How about our parents' old smuggler friends? Jarres Jar, Salla Zend, Talon Karrde..." Corran began to count off on his fingers as he said the names that came to mind.
His older brother frowned.
"Jarres Jar is already dead and the others are far too old to fight with us."
"Salla Zend is as old as father, Dash," Corran replied.
"See, she's too old to fight," Dash Jr. said with a sardonic grin and leaned back in his chair.
Corran rolled his eyes.
"You're lucky our father isn't here to hear what you're saying, Junior."
"Don't call me Junior, kid," Dash stepped forward and glared at his younger brother.
Biggs stared at both his brothers and shook his head before speaking again.
"You two think your bickering is going to get us anywhere near finding allies?"
The two squabblers looked at their sibling in astonishment, then chuckled.
"You're right, Biggs, we should stick together instead of arguing. So how do we find allies for our cause? Maybe Corran is right and we should ask our parents' old friends first. What they lack in youth, they make up for in experience. Our father proves that every day. C'mon, you know it's true."
"Our father could be an exception," Corran replied.
"You think so?" Dash Jr. crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned back in his chair again. He was now completely calm and composed as he pondered who would be so foolhardy as to follow an almost hopeless cause.

Meanwhile, their sister was on her way back from her future father-in-law. Tasherit had picked up some food for Jaden and herself before going to their room. Jaden lay on the bed and looked at his fiancée expectantly as she entered, balancing a tray on her right hand. He grinned widely as she placed the tray on the bed.
"A midnight snack?" He looked at the plates of steaming food. "Looks good, but isn't it a bit much for the two of us?"
Tasherit chuckled and began to eat after sitting down on the bed.
"I was visiting your father," she said after swallowing a bite of the bantha steak.
Jaden looked at her in astonishment.
"Why?"
The young woman took a sip of water before answering his question.
"I wanted to get to know him. That's what I said when your father asked me why I came to him." She smiled. "That wasn't the only reason... The truth is, I wanted to convince him to join us in the fight against the First Order."
Jaden smirked.
"Let me guess, he refused again. You're charming, darling, but not charming enough to convince that stubborn old man."
He took a bite of meat and ate it with relish.
"You don't know your father very well, do you?"
Jaden made a dismissive gesture with his hand.
"I know him well enough. How many times have I begged him to teach me, to show me the ways of the Force? It was always in vain. And to ask him to join..."
He laughed a joyless laugh.
Tasherit swallowed the last bite of her meal, took his hand and smiled at him.
"Your father will fight with us, and I'm sure he'll teach you."
The young pilot looked at her in disbelief.
"He's going to teach me? Finally..." He stroked Tasherit's hand and looked happy. "And he's really going to join in? He knows the odds are against us..."
The young Jedi interrupted him.
"Never tell me the odds, my father would say." She leaned forward and gave him a kiss. "But we need more allies. I think my mother already has a plan for recruiting them."
Jaden returned her kiss.
"You think so?"
His fiancée chuckled and set the empty plates aside before moving into his arms.
"I know my mother, Jaden. She'll ask her smuggler friends. If they refuse, she knows a lot of Civil War veterans. The cell is sure to grow."

Nomi lay contentedly at her husband's side and stroked his bare chest.
"Thank you, love."
Dash turned slightly and gave her a kiss.
"It's always a pleasure. Now how are we going to go about getting more allies?"
He propped himself up on his elbows and looked at his wife expectantly.
The Jedi clasped her hands behind her head and smiled.
"I'll call our smuggler friends and our former comrades. The smugglers here on Nar Shaddaa especially owe us a favor."
Dash chuckled softly.
"You should know that most of the smugglers from back then are retired or dead."
"Oh, I don't think so. Tomorrow I'll send them messages and invite them to a meeting. Then we'll see. I have hope, darling. Rebellions are built on hope."
The old mercenary moved a little closer and took his wife in his arms.
"We should sleep now, honey. It's getting late. I wonder how many will answer your call."
Nomi snuggled up to her husband and closed her eyes.
"I'm sure they won't let us down," she said softly.
But Dash didn't hear her, as he had already fallen asleep.