Eye Of The Needle (Star Wars)

Chapter 80: The Bombing Of The Temple Hangar

 Days went by and I did my best to keep myself busy, but my mind couldn't help but wander to Koltav. I was trying to recover, but it was difficult. I was currently in Padmé's apartment, sitting on her couch alongside Padmé and Anakin. Obi-Wan knew how close I was to Padmé and Anakin, so he encouraged me to talk to them. 

"What is it you wanted to talk to us about?" Anakin inquired. 

"Well, I...Maul wanted to get back at me for all I've done, so he had Cad kidnap him from Duro. Maul was with him and he informed me to go to Mustafar if I wanted to see Koltav alive. I got there    

Padmé's face fell. "Oh I'm terribly sorry, Storm. I can't imagine how you must be feeling."  

"I'm sorry to hear that, Storm. I knew how close you were to Koltav. Why didn't tell me this was happening? I could've gone with you to Mustafar?" Anakin questioned. 

"Because he warned me not to. I was afraid he'd kill Koltav, which he did anyways..." I trailed off.  

"Storm, remember that you aren't alone. We're here for you." Padmé mentioned.

"Thanks Padmé, I'll remember that." I replied. 

"I've got something for you." Anakin commented as he took a stone out from his robes.

The stone was smooth and black with red veins throughout it. I furrowed my brows. "It's a stone."

"But it's not just any stone. It's a Force-sensitive river stone from the River of Light." Anakin explained. "This stone is from Master Jinn's home planet. Obi-Wan gave it to me when I was thirteen. And now I want you to have it."

"But Obi-Wan gave it to you." I protested.

"Yes, but now it's my gift to you. This is to remind you that you're never alone. So when Padmé and I aren't around, you can look at the stone, remembering of all our memories we have together." Anakin informed me as he handed me the stone. 

My smile widened at his words. "Thanks, Ani. I'll take good care of it." 

"I know you will, because I trust you. You're a sister to me, Stormy." Anakin replied. 

"And you're a brother to me, Ani. When you two have children, you better make me the hold-mother to at least one of your kids." I mentioned.  

"Consider it done." Anakin assured me.

And for the rest of the day, Anakin and Padmé kept me preoccupied, taking me to places like the Playland Theatre and the Galaxies Opera House, which I appreciated. For the first time since Koltav perished, I was able to smile again. 

•••  

Weeks passed by and I finally spoke to Master Allie. I told her the truth about the reason I was being reckless. And to my surprise, she never said a word to the Jedi Council. I was relieved and glad. I guess I misjudged my Master, but she made very clear that she was disappointed in me. Something that made me feel terrible. The last thing I wanted to do was disappoint my former Master, and that's what I've done. Currently, Anakin, Ahsoka, Areria, and I were in Cato Neimoidia. We flew in our starfighters as we led a squadron into the atmosphere of the planet.

"Ahsoka, punch a hole for the gunships to get through." Anakin urged through our comlinks.

"I know the drill, Master." Ahsoka replied. 

It wasn't long until we entered the atmosphere of Cato Neimoidia. There were several Separatist shipsand fighters all around us, trying to blast us. As we flew over a city, Areria shouted into the comlinks. "Look out, incoming missiles."