Incident at Saris

Chapter Eleven

Saris Prime Mining Station- 6.30 am

"I wonder what race they are?" said Kimmi to River and Kayla, as she boiled the kettle.
"Who?" Kayla asked.
"Rik and Ren," said Kimi " are they something like a genetically altered slave race or something? I mean it can be done, I've seen it."
"No their a Corran Pair," said Kayla, "Master Rik told me that Master Ren was the other half of his soul, thus a Corran Pair, they always come in pairs, I think".
"Corran? What are they?"
"Not much is known about them their rare and near-extinct I think, only that they are born, like Master Rik and Ren seemed to have been, their born counterparts! Half of each other, there are always two of them, and that is what they are, Corran".
"Corran?" River asked.
"Yeah," Kayla said " as I said there is not that much known about them" she paused " usually one is more humanoid and the other more Saurian, mammalian or Avian, occasionally even insectoid, but there have been exceptions to the rule, some are born both that way, both more Anthropomorphic, or both humanoid and so on, they're a Corran Pair! Their from the same system my people come from."
"makes sense, " said Kimi "you know this universe better than I do, but what are your people? Your Near Human it is obvious, but you're also not."
"She's the same race as Master Ondrina," said River.
"Gorta-Trellian," Kayla said, "we're originally from Crasolia, but I was born on Saris 4".
"Oh," said Kimmie.
"Kimmie that isn't your real name is it?" Kayla asked.
"No, it's Kimberly Rae, but everyone calls me Kimi".
Kayla nodded " Kayla Doonsing".
"River," said River "I'm an orphan, so I have no last name".
"Oh," said Kayla.
"Rikren," said a voice as Ren walked in yawning "thus Rik and Ren," he yawned and poured himself some coffee.
"I noticed that Master Ondrina called you 'RikRen' said River.
"That is our original name," Ren said he pulled a banana out of the fridge, peeled it and cut it up and put it on his cereal, he then sat down and drank his coffee.
"Ok," said River "who are you though, and how did you come to be?"
"Long story," said Ren, "beginning with an empty beach in the middle of winter on Saris 4" he sighed " but sorry about last night I was really tired".
"You ok now?" Kimi asked.
"Yes," he said.
"Where's Master Rik?" Kayla asked.
"He'll be in soon; he's always taken longer to get out of bed!"
"What time did he get in last night?" asked Kayla "we were playing cards there for a while, and he still hadn't come in when we had finished".
"Around two," Ren said, drinking his coffee.
"How do you know?" Kimmi asked.
"Rik and I, we....' sync', I guess you could call it when we are together," Ren said " so I um...sensed it when he did" he paused "he's on his way up now", and sure enough Rik entered the Kitchen/Galley and said "morning crew" he looked tired but satisfied.
"morning Rik," said River.
"Morning," said Kimmie.
Ren looked up "you feeling better," he asked.
"Yeah," said Rik sitting down and taking the coffee, Kimmi offered him.
Ren nodded and said, "how bad are we looking at here?"
"About 98 dead, a couple died last night," Rik said "I hate losing a patient, I tried to save them..... but they were too wounded" he sighed "I'm glad it was me and not you though....seeing you would have probably fainted or something".
Ren said, " we have both lost patients Rik...your always telling me that I can't save everyone...the same applies to you".
"I know but you 'feel' it so much more, due to your nature," Rik said.
"It is only because I'm me," said Ren pouring more coffee "but you are probably right ...I was overly fatigued last night".
Rik nodded "it's why I sent you back" he paused "Kayla are you up to going with the investigative team, that is going down there today? If you're not, let us know, think carefully about your answer before you decide. It is not going to be...pleasant".
"Um....I'm a Healer I guess I probably should, shouldn't I?" she asked.
"Your also only 13, and fresh out of the Academy," said Rik.
"I guess...." She said.
Ren said "I rather you didn't Kayla" he paused "I'm going to find it hard enough as it is, and so will Rik even though he won't admit it! It is ok if you don't want to come, Rik and I, we aren't going to push you into something you feel you aren't ready for...don't come if you don't think you can".
Kayla looked down at her feet "I don't know...."
"Your hesitation speaks volumes," Ren said, "no I don't think you are ready, I'm not even sure if I'm going to be Ok".
"I've seen blood before," Kayla said, "it doesn't make me sick".
Ren said "it is not blood I'm worried about Kayla" he paused, thought, then continued "it is impressions, emotions left behind, a sudden disaster like this, leaves....impressions in the Way. If you are sensitive or trained in such, you feel these impressions, you hear them, sometimes even see them, even when others cannot".
"You mean like ghosts?" River asked.
"Yeah," said Ren "like ghosts, only intangible".
River nodded "I'll come if you like, instead of Kayla".
"You?" Rik asked.
River nodded " yes before we came here, Kimmi and I, we ended up on this planet out in frontier space, a job that kinda went awry, this planet it used to be a colony, and there was a disaster that destroyed it, it was haunted, with impressions from the past... and well it was scary! But I felt it, and the darkness that destroyed it like nothing else.... Dark Knights I think".
Ren looked up " Dark Adepts?" he said suddenly.
"Ciath?" Rik asked.
Kimmi said, "I thought you said that there was no 'dark side' or 'light side'.".
"There isn't!" said Ren "but there is good and evil and shades of grey, Ciath is a name coined for evil Psionicists, regardless of whether their Adepts or not!"
"Oh," said Kimmi.
"So I'm guessing I'm right with my guess," Ren said " Dark Adepts?"
She nodded "I guess so".
Ren nodded "Hmmm...this place isn't going to be like that, but the disaster is fresh, and the impressions are going to be a lot stronger".
River nodded "there is a war on...Kayla, she is still a child".
"I'm not!" Kayla protested.
"Your 13!" River said, wanting to protect her young friend.
Kimmi then said " how about I come then? I'm not a Sensitive and I'm a Techie, so, I won't be affected by well, impressions or whatever?"
"She has a point," Rik said to Ren.
Ren looked thoughtful "you know your right" he paused "ok Kimmi, Kayla you can come if you want to, but I don't think you're ready for it," he said "the emotional feedback...you would find it overwhelming, I'm not even sure if I can handle it for too long myself.... I have lost patients before and even been in disaster zones or even a warzone... I'm a little more used to it, but...." He sighed" well let's just say, Rik did well to relieve me last night when he did, I was dangerously close to collapse".
"How come?" Kimmi asked.
"Ren...he feels things more," Rik said " more keenly than I do at times! His empathy is higher. Also, he tends to take on the sorrows of the world".
Ren nodded "I guess it is a trait of mine, my empathic rating it is higher than Rik's, things tend to cause me distress more, it was something I had to overcome when I took my final tests" he paused "Kayla you are a long way from that, but it will do you good to remember that, when you take your final tests, one of the things you are tested on are your weaknesses, which is why I had to learn to turn that weakness into a strength".
Kayla nodded "I know".
"It is different for us all" Rik said, " for me, it was my pride and the darkness within myself".
"Darkness?" Kayla asked.
Rik said "I'm the other half of our soul, Ren is the Lighter side, I'm the Darker side. I have this inner darkness in me that I have learnt to temper and learn to use as a shield, but it is there".
"We BOTH have that darkness within us, Rik," said Ren.
"True, but me more than you," Rik said.
"We did attack each other that first night," said Ren " and I have what could be classed as 'dark side' powers, just like you do".
Rik sighed "I guess so" Kimmi, and that listened to the conversation not fully understanding what they both meant.
Ren said, "you are welcome to come then, Kimmie".
Kimmi nodded, and River said, "I will stay here with Kayla then and work on the droids".
"Are they in that bad shape?" Ren asked, " We haven't gotten around to checking them".
"The Mech needs some repairs, Saffi just some maintenance, " River said, "the ship it has seen some action".
Ren nodded "Sera mentioned that it had".
"I was going to have a look at the Droids," said Rik " but things kinda got in the way, so thanks for doing that".
River said "Kimmi taught me everything I know on how to care for, repair and maintain Droids" she looked at Kayla " want to help me with them, Kayla? It's a good skill!"
"I feel I should be going with master's Rik and Ren," Kayla said.
Ren said, "Kayla you aren't ready for this, not yet, maybe if they ask us again, but I think it would be best if you stayed behind today and when we get back I will start teaching you how to shield as I do".
He came over and touched her shoulder making her look at him and smiled down at her, she realised that his eyes were the same shade as Rik's, and he had a little of the blue markings Rik had around his eyes as well, his gentle, kindly face was made even moreso with the gentle smile he was giving her, he made her feel safe and protected.
He said he looked older than he actually was, due to his markings and up close she could see that he was younger than he appeared, and he touched her shoulder and said " next time Kayla".
Kayla said " are you sure? I should go...".
"No," said Ren " not today, the impressions will be too strong, and I need to teach you how to shield better, you're a Healer you're going to need them".
Kayla nodded " I guess".
Ren said, his voice lowered "you saw me last night, didn't you?"
"Um..." she said, "I didn't mean to, I didn't stay around too long.... It seemed a private and personal moment".
Ren said, " I was singing for the dead and doing a ceremony for them" he shrugged " odd of me I know....but well...".
Kayla said, "I didn't know what to think, although been GT, I recognise a Death Chant when I see one".
Ren nodded and said, " I do odd stuff like that".
"I didn't stick around, it seemed well like an intrusion, and well I know how you feel about people seeing you....".
Ren chuckled " er yeah. Guess I may have come across as well......ashamed of myself and that I'm a freak or a monster. It isn't intentional, I'm just really conscious of my height, and the way I look, so I tend to well...hide".
"You're not a monster Ren."
"I know!" he chuckled " but I'm conscious of my height and my looks, Rik and I, we stood out on Saris that's all, "he said, " stay here with River today if they want us back then maybe tomorrow".
"Ok," she said.
"I still need to teach you how to shield as well; you're a Healer, your gonna need to know how, else you'll burn out," he said, going to a cabinet and said over his shoulder "Rik you may need to take a Blaster because we don't know what is down there, especially if it is sabotage".
Rik said "I was about to suggest that" he indicated the cabinet "there is a couple in there, I packed, and a rifle and I bought a couple of powered pistol crossbows...they were cheap".
"Powered pistol crossbows?" said Ren "err ok I guess" he looked in it and pulled out one of the crossbows and the bolts "nice work...the bolts are meant to return" and nodded " good choice, you get one for Kayla?"
"Two, one for us to use and one extra," he said, "Ren, would you rather that?"
Ren paused and cocked the pistol crossbow and nodded "good trigger" and said "maybe, but I don't think they are the best choice for today" he pulled out a Blaster, similar to the one Rik had bought Kayla and holstered it.
"I thought you didn't like guns," Kayla said.
"I don't, but it does not mean I can't use one," Ren said "mine is set to stun, I don't like guns, I never have and rarely use one, but like most of us I'm proficient in their use" he shrugged "but it is not our way to automatically go for a gun".
"Speak for yourself!" Rik said "but he does have a point, Ren and I, we're Doctors, Healers, we're in the business of saving lives! Not taking them away!, but yeah, Ren can use a gun, he doesn't...it's one of the reasons why I fly a Starfighter, and he doesn't!"
Ren shrugged " it is not in my nature," he turned to Rik "what do you want?"
"Probably just my blaster, don't think we need the rifle," Rik said as Ren handed it to him.
Ren nodded "Kayla, I rather you stayed here today....you aren't ready to wander around in a newly made disaster zone, but it is your choice".
"Um...?" Kayla said.
"I'd go with his words Hon," said Kimmie, she smiled at Kayla.
Kayla said, "I feel like I should, though!"
"You aren't ready," said Ren as Kimmi helped herself to her twin blasters and her power knife.
Kimmi said " come on BB80" as her modular Droid joined them, as Rik got Bob.
Rik said, " Bob is Psionically sensitive, I thought I bring him".
"Is he an Astro-mech?" Kimmi asked.
"He's a Mech," said Rik " and more, I had to rebuild him though. I found him on the scrapheap in a junkyard on Saris 4, forgotten and rusting away; everyone thinks he belongs to the Justice. But the truth is, like my Starfighter he is mine, building things it is a hobby of mine".
"And he's Force Sensitive?" Kimmi asked.
"Of course!" said Rik, "he helps me fly my Starfighter! He's my co-pilot!"
"You fly a Starfighter?" Kimmi asked.
"Yeah," he said "I have it in the hold. Its wings are folded down, so it doesn't much look like one at the moment, the only way it fit" he paused "it might be best to take my Droid".
Kimmi said, " can't we take both?"
Rik said, " we probably only need the one, he's sensitive so that it might come in handy".
Ren said, " Rik's right Kimmi, "he frowned as he checked his blaster and holstered it again.
"Thought you didn't like guns?" Kimmi said.
"I don't!" Ren said, " doesn't mean I can't use one!"
"Ren's a good shot," Rik said, " and believe me, he's surprised someone with the sudden appearance of a gun or a tool in his hand."
"Serious?"
"Yes," said Rik.
Ren shrugged "element of surprise, you know?".
"I got Kayla one of those as well," said Rik indicating the blaster.
Ren nodded "you tutor her in it!" he said.
Rik said, " seems like I will end up training her in physical aspects, you the meta-physical, more than likely".
"We are both responsible for her training Rik," said Ren " she will learn from us both".
"I know," said Rik, he smiled at her "but Ren is probably right Kayla it is going to be hard down on the mining platform though kid, you fainted from the feedback, so you're probably not ready for this, Ren and I, we will go down today with Kimmi and check the site out" he paused " River, you any good at striking deals?"
"Pardon?" River asked.
"I made an appointment to see someone later today about the courier run, we mightn't be back in time, so I thought you could go in our place if we give you our authority to do so, we do need the money, so we don't want to miss out on it," Rik said " Serendipity cost us both a years' worth of salary... so this job is a great opportunity, so um I was wondering if you could meet this guy for us?"
River nodded "I will".
"Take Kayla with you," said Ren "she's an empath so that she might be useful".
"Kayla?"
"Yeah," said Ren "Kayla is training to be a healer, so she has empathy, you need it to be one".
"Oh," said River.
Ren said, "that ok with you, Kayla?"
She nodded eagerly, and Ren chucked Rik his blaster and said " ready to go Rik?"
"Yep," said Rik.
Ren nodded and holstered his "let's go then".
"Glad you're packing yours," said Rik.
"I do not like guns, but we don't know what is down there, mine is set to stun," Ren said, putting his staff over his back, he also had his sabre.
"I can't believe that you use a double-bladed lightsabre," said Kayla.
Ren said "suits my fighting style, I'm trained as a Shadowblade, but I also use a single-bladed one just as well. I don't flip around too much though I'm too oddly shaped to do so, I do a form of martial arts. oddly shaped I might be, but oddly enough I'm physically stronger than Rik is, and bigger...which is ironic, seeing I'm the peaceful side supposedly, people think I'm passive, but I'm not, and I can overpower Rik! "
"And has," said Rik with a grin "Ren and I, we come as a pair, also don't let Ren's appearance and size fool you...he is oddly way more agile than many take him for, not fast, but not as slow as he appears either. Ready to go Ren?"
Ren nodded "yes, I might get you to show me how to use that crossbow though".
"Ok," said Rik.
Ren nodded "like I said, just because I do not like guns does not mean I cannot use one, or use a weapon Jadaini do not automatically react to a situation by going for their weapons it is not our way, but it does not mean we can't use one, like the Psiblade, it is a tool, we don't reach for our swords right away. Also, you don't ignite it unless you intend to use it, Kimmi, ready?"
"Yes," she said.
Ren nodded, and they all left the ship, Ren picked up the medical bag that he and Rik were seldom without.
"We have to get Kayla one of these eventually" Ren remmarked.
"Yeah," said Rik "Ok, let's go.... Ren are you sure about this?"
Ren nodded "yes".
"Ok," said Rik "it's just that your more sensitive, you 'feel' things more than I do".
"It is in my nature to do so," said Ren "Ok let's do this", and together they left the ship, Kimmi trailing after them and the two Droids Bob and B80, as they couldn't decide which Droid to take with them, so they took both.
"Bob is Force Sensitive too," said Rik to Kimmi " so he'll probably find something first".
"That's fine," she said.
Rik nodded " as long as you know that" as he, Ren and Kimmie went to meet the team that was going down to investigate, the mining station had a small contingent of Sarisian military personnel assigned to it, and that's what they mainly were, they looked at Kimmie in some surprise.
"She's our Engineer," said Rik to the team leader.
"I was expecting your apprentice....." he said.
"Our apprentice is still too new and too inexperienced to face what we are about to face down there," Ren said " she is only 13 and still needs to learn how to shield properly. Kimmi, however, is a little more experienced; our Apprentice is a Healer as well. It will currently be too much for her".
"Ok....fair enough".
"It is not top secret?" Ren asked.
"No....not yet," said the Major (who was the team leader)" as we don't yet know what caused it...but they may change that depending on what we find. With you two been Jadaini and all, well you technically outrank me! So, I can't stop you from getting involved as yet if we can at all".
"Understood," said Ren.
He nodded "Ok, shall we go then, we're just a little surprised that's all, we are grateful just to have two of the Order here, who are both medically trained, and willing to join us in our investigations" he paused "I warn you though we aren't sure what we are going to find down there, it is a mess down there, we have managed to get life support back on for a limited period as it is damaged and sealed the breeches that we can find so that it can be investigated, but it is indeed a mess down there".
"Any more casualties?" Rik asked.
"Not that we can find, not since last night, the grand total it seems is 97 dead, one of the other victims died early this morning".
Rik nodded and sighed "I thought she might have" he knew exactly who he meant as he had tended to her last night " actually the total is 98, the last victim, she was a month pregnant, I don't even think she knew....." he trailed off, and the low moan that came from Ren said it all.
"Oh my." said the Team Leader.
"They didn't pick it up right away due to her injuries, and the baby" Rik trailed off, this hurt him deeply "it was alive, but already dying when they bought her in.... I felt it die".
"Oh my....Rik!" said Ren.
Rik continued "it is why I'm glad you weren't there when they bought her in, you would have felt it more and been affected more. She worked in the canteen, and her husband had died in the initial blast".
"Oh my.....Rik, I'm sorry" said Ren.
Rik said, "I'm glad it was me and not you," he said, he sighed "you would have found it harder" Ren lowered his head and Rik said, "Ren your more sensitive than me, you always have been".
"It just hurts! And I sometimes seem such a wimp compared to you! I'm a Doctor for goodness sake!" said Ren.
Rik said, "I know, it hurts, but that is you who you are Ren!" he smiled then at his counterpart "truth is when the baby died I very nearly lost it too," he said softer, and they joined the boarding party.