The Ones We Leave Behind

[s'Il]

"No no, not so hard. It's softer, like 'nearee'. And the A's are longer and broader."

They'd been on Koenohg'sihg for almost two weeks now, helping the survivors to adjust to their new lives and nursing those that needeed it back to health. s'Il hadn't seen much of Dan; the man seemed to only show his face when it was absolutely necessary. Where he went was s'Il's guess, though she had a notion that he was grieving in privacy. She could certainly empathize. In the wake of the Purge she had lost many friends, and that included her adopted father. Though thankfully he'd not died, the fact still remained that he was hidden away, away from her.

In between her time with the refugees, she'd spent hours with Zem, learning from him all that he would teach her. Most of it was about learning patience, breathing excersises that cleared her mind, and meditating. He told her of his time with Master Kenobi, and all of the situations that he'd found himself in - including what he'd done to get out of them. Most of their time was spent in House Richter's library, sequestered among the books and ancient decor.

Now though they'd taken to the earthen hut that held House Richter's spirits and wines. In return for his mastership, s'Il was more than happy to share with him knowledge of her people. History, customs, traditions, she told him of it all.

And now, Bastyr, the Lupine language.

Straddling the bench, she faced him while tapping a fingernail on the open bottle between them.

"Now try it again; 'A'ma'ek nri'eso'ek'."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"There are more inflections in this stuff than in Cizeri."

I tried my hand at the diction again, and got tongue tied. Grimacing, I took a drink from the bottle in front of us.

"Its like a sing-songy continuous cough."

[s'Il]

A slight laugh.

"I've never heard it described like that before."

Looking past his shoulder, s'Il thought for a few moments.

"Eh'do'ss a'kheh ro''ri'hgu nakh'ra'a'ek... " A pause as she considered the words she'd just spoken, and finally she met his eyes. The Lupine pulled a pained face - feigned of course - while taking the bottle from him and sipping from it as well.

"It doesn't sound like a 'sing-songy continuous cough' to me," she grumped.

[Zem-El Vymes]

"To be fair, I'm fluent in six languages."

I shrugged with an overwhelmed look on my face.

"Its gonna be tricky to cram number seven in here!"

I cleared my throat and huffed, giving it another go. I emulated the syllabic cadence, rolled the r, and then repeated myself a few times for good measure.

"Could be worse. You need cotton in your mouth to speak huttese. Also helps to be drunk."

[s'Il]

She smiled at him, twirling the bottle about by its' neck. It was nearly empty.

Looking at him over the tops of her eyes, s'Il sniffed. "Yeah well, if this is any indication, you're on the fast track to getting the drunk bit down."

She set the bottle down with a sigh, and rested an elbow on the wooden table. "Well, you don't really have to learn this stuff I guess." A look was cast to an open book, the Lupine script faded on the pages. "I mean, it's not like you're really going to have anyone to use it with."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Teaching keeps language alive."

I could see this meant a lot to her, and I was bound to stick with it for that reason alone, much less anything else. Besides, it kept my mind off of things that were dragging me down. No doubt the same for her.

Still, my head was throbbing from the latest lesson and I needed a break.

"Our little flock seems to be getting some color back to them." I noted with a smile of relief.

"You think they're ready?"

[s'Il]

At this, s'Il gave him a questioning look. She'd been so engrossed in spending her time with Zem that she'd nearly forgotten the reason that they were still on Schwartsweld. For her, it was a wonderful thing; whenever they were together, on their own and teaching each other in turn. A small part of her didn't want it to end.

"Ready for what?"

[Zem-El Vymes]

"To leave here."

She was uncomfortable with the refugees staying on Schwartzweld, that was obvious. Further, we were wasting our potential playing nursemaids to these people when they could be getting on with their lives.

Then again, I could see it on her expression. She wasn't ready to leave.

"Eh, forget it."

[s'Il]

"To leave here."

It was a thought that'd begun crossing her mind during the past few days. She knew the time would come, she just didn't know when. And even if he hadn't said those three words for another year, it still would have been too soon for her. Of course, that there were others here instead of just her and Zem was disconcerting. She had no qualms with him knowing exactly what these ruins were and who this planet had once belonged to, but the group that they'd rescued had no right - in her mind at least - to have such knowledge. Just the fact that they had made the home of a Greater House their temporary dwelling was grating enough.

The Lupine looked at him, biting her lower lip. She'd hid her discontent, but apparently not well enough from Zem.

And even though he'd said to 'forget it', she looked down at her hands which now rested palm-down on the bench.

"I don't like them being here," she whispered, affirming through voice what he'd obsrved over the last few weeks.

[Zem-El Vymes]

"We can look at the star charts and find our best bet. We moved them in two trips and we can do the same again. These people no doubt have families to see. And what happened here has to be told. If it isn't, it will just happen again."

I ran my hands down my face and sighed.

"It can't happen again."

[s'Il]

"Well there is a place... "

She trailed off, realizing that she'd spoken without thinking.

At the look he gave her, the Lupine averted her eyes. She'd told him of the Guardians almost a week ago, and finished her sentence slowly. "The Guardian homeworld... "

[Zem-El Vymes]

"You think they would listen to me, much less you?"

The Guardians seemed like such an aberration. How had an ancient sect of Jedi become so far removed from the dogma of the rest of the Order? They seemed like a cult to me.

[s'Il]

"They would listen to you. But they would more than likely kill me."

She blinked, then looked up to meet his eyes. "I wouldn't be able to go with you."

[Zem-El Vymes]

I weighed on her suggestion heavily. These were a strange and possibly dangerous people. That said, they certainly held no allegiance to the Empire, nor anyone else. There would be no reason for them to sell us out. That was a major step in the right direction.

"Their ways seem so strange. Would they give comfort to the refugees?"

[s'Il]

"Without question."

Two fingers from each hand went to point at the bench, a short ways from one another.

"Everything here is duality upon duality." One finger tapped the aged wood, "Losstarot," the other finger tunked the wood, "... and Loveloxx."

Her fingers spread farther apart then. "And on top of that, is Lupine and Guardian."

Her hands came to rest on the bottle's neck once more. "But yes. They would help in any way they could. One even helped a Lupine once. But that is the only time I know of such a thing happening.

"Master Flux," she explained, referring to the child-like Jedi master, "... he is a Guardian."

She bit the inside of her lip as her grip on the bottle tightened. "He's my fath- my legal guardian."

[Zem-El Vymes]

What?

I leaned forward. Something she wasn't telling me.

"Explain?"

[s'Il]

s'Il decided that she needed another swig from the bottle before talking about her relationship with Flux, and upended the bottle. For her it was a bitter taste, but she drank until the bottle was empty. Setting it on the bench rather heavily, the Lupine let out a hiccup.

"Master Flux - or if you want to use the Guardian term, Mr. Flux. My real dad died when I was eight; we lived on Yagh'dul but moved to Coruscant after my mother died. Ss'oku-" she inadvertantly reverted to the Lupine word for father, "- thought it best."

A pause, and she looked almost wistfully at the earthen ceiling.

"He told me so many stories, and was the one who branded me. But then he was killed. I don't remember much about it, except that Flux was there to take me. He adopted me and treated me like I was his own. After all the stories from Ss'oku about the Guardians it was a little scary; especially for an eight year old. He took me to the Temple after a year, and even though I was supposedly too old, Master Windu agreed to be my master.

"But... for the first months it was strange. Something like that is an unheard of thing to happen, for a Guardian to treat a Lupine as such."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Is this Master Flux still alive? Would he listen to you?"

I still felt unprepared for this foray, and wanted to see what options we had.

"If we have a potential ally, now is the time to bring them into the fold."

[s'Il]

"He's still alive... "

The thought pained her.

"... but he's also still on Coruscant. I left him in the deep levels, in cryosleep."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Coruscant?"

I didn't understand. What would a Guardian be doing on Coruscant?

[s'Il]

She looked at him as though he'd grown a second head.

"He was a Jedi Master."

She made a gesture with her hand. "The Guardians aren't completely removed from galactic society; the simply choose to keep to themselves and 'police' the Lupines. Of course, that task has taken somewhat of a backseat in light of our extinction. Some go to the Temple to learn more of the Force, other stay on their homeworld and live peaceful lives."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"That makes sense."

Far be it from me to disagree, I had forgotten that the number of Jedi Masters in the order was large. It was entirely possible.

"Why then, did the Guardians still choose to remain separate?"

[s'Il]

"They're rooted in the old ways and traditions to a degree.

"And after we came for them, most - even now - wish to be left alone," she ran her tongue over her bottom teeth and looked up to one of the shelves along the wall that held other bottles.

s'Il entertained the notion of pulling another down, but went no further than thought.

"I don't blame them for wanting to stay solitary," she went on, unaware that now she was speaking like her real father had, "... being servants is really what they're only good at."

[Zem-El Vymes]

It didn't make sense to me. The Lupines were on the teetering edge of extinction, and these people still clung to their ancient duties. What then?

"It seems to me that the Guardians need a new lot in life, and I intend on giving it to them."

[s'Il]

A snort.

"They wouldn't take it. Nor would they deserve it."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"I can be very stubborn."

I smiled thinly, crossing my arms.

"This mission is an anachronism, and the reality is that the Sith are in control of the galaxy and every Jedi in the galaxy is vital. What do you think will happen if the Imperial Navy happens upon the Guardians planet?"

[s'Il]

"Hopefully take them and make proper servants out of them again," she harrumphed rather unhappily.

It mattered little to her whether the Empire found the Guardians. While what Zem said was entirely true, the old lessons her father had taught her were deeply ingrained, and while she certainly saw Flux in a seperate way, the rest of the Guardians were given no such quarter in her mind. They were slaves and servants.

It would take many years to undo what her father had done.

[Zem-El Vymes]

"I am determined to plead the case, at least. It's the most comfortable of a series of uncomfortable options."

I rested my right hand atop her left.

"We'll stay another day, and light out tomorrow. Okay?"

[s'Il]

s'Il nodded.

Any further discussion was interrupted however, as the door burst open. So engrossed in the here and now of their conversation, s'Il jerked, knocking the bottle from the bench while turning in her seat and leaning back in to Zem.

A gaggle of children, each and every one laughing, smiling, and giggling, stormed the small hut. s'Il recognized Teagan only when the little girl had crawled up to stand on the bench infront of her. Breathless, the little girl was all smiles and squeals. Two small hands reached out to grab both sides of s'Il's face.

"You have to hide us!!"

"... hide... "?

"And save us!"

The Lupine was at a loss, this sudden intrusion of playful youngsters a sharp contrast to what she and her master had been talking of, and she looked at the faces surrounding her and Zem. Dirt smudged but happy, each child fairly glowed with excitement.

Finally able to find her tongue, s'Il lounged a bit more against Zem. "... save you from what?"

A chorus of delighted laughter and squeals from the group was her answer, and several fingers were pointed at the door they'd come through.

"The monster!!!"

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Haha."

That elicited a laugh from me, and I scooped up one of the nearest rugrats and sat him on my knee.

"Guess a Jedi's work is never done!"

[s'Il]

"The... monster?"

She was still having a hard time processing what'd just happened, and it was easy to see by the look on her face.

"What sort of 'monster'?"

[General Dan]

"Raaaagh!"

A man in a black shirt approached the cellar from outside, flailing his arms about.

[s'Il]

In such a confined space, the delighted screams of a whole mess of children was a bit hard on her ears.

Teagan had jumped into her arms at the sound of the 'monster' outside, and proceeded to climb over the Lupines shoulder so that she could wedge herself between s'Il and Zem.

Utterly confused, s'Il could only stare at the doorway, waiting for whatever it was to appear.

[General Dan]

Dan poked his head through the door, paused, and then reached his hands around.

"Raaaagh!"

[s'Il]

It was as if he'd pushed a tidal wave of children back, as each and every one of the youngsters screamed (louder than before if that was even possible), each one scrambling for a hiding spot behind the two Jedi.

While it seemed that Dan was starting to come around, it would've been nice if he'd caused less of a ruckus when he did so. At least her ears would have been spared. Still, it was good to see that not just the little ones were healthy enough for games.

The spirit of it all was infectious though, and s'Il couldn't help the smile that was spread across her features. Ticking up an eyebrow, she gave Dan a smirk.

"Mr. Monster, I take it?"

[General Dan]

"I've been called worse before."

Dan leaned against the door frame, putting away his 'act' for a while.

"I just wanted to say, if I didn't have the time or mental awareness during all of it before. I wanted to thank you both."

[s'Il]

It was an odd feeling, being surrounded by giggling children who had - just two weeks before - been doomed to starvation and death. They were just so happy to be playing a simple game of 'monster' or whatever else struck their fancy, that s'Il wasn't sure she particularly disliked the feeling.

Still resting against Zem, she leaned to the side and turned to look over her shoulder at her master. After all, he was the one who'd insisted that they investigate in the first place.

Dan really should have been thanking him.

[Zem-El Vymes]

I simply nodded. There wasn't anything to say.

"We have been talking about where to go from here. It isn't safe to remain, and we have a connection that may be able to spirit you further along."

[s'Il]

The children, seeing that Dan was no longer going to play their monster game, scampering past him and out into the late afternoon sun. All except Teagan, who'd decided that it was much more fun to pull herself back into s'Il's lap. Hands going out, the little girl pulled the book that s'Il and Zem had been reading from.

With a gentle hand though, the Lupine pulled it back away, closing the ancient and protesting leatherbound tome. She was still protective of the things that meant most to her, including the books, and was determined to keep the writings of her people from prying eyes.

[General Dan]

"We have to survive. To tell our story. To keep all of this from happening again."

Dan's voice was iron and emphatic. He wasn't cowed by the Empire's brutality against his people.

"I intend on getting the rest of us to safety, and then fighting back."

[s'Il]

Fighting back? s'Il furrowed her brow. Standing, she lowered Teagan to the floor, and the girl ran outside to join her friends. Carefully picking up the book, she headed for the door, bare feet padded silently on the hardpacked dirt.

"A noble endeavor," she murmured, passing by Dan and stepping out onto a patch of grass.

What was there for her to say? That she wished him luck? That she hoped he'd stay safe? They would be hollow words at best; the Lupine had not spent any amount of time with him, inf act, out of all of the refugees, Teagan was the one she'd followed about the most - or been followed by. She'd even become partially attached to the little girl, and had thought of asking Zem if they could take her with them. It wasn't like the girl had any family left... that s'Il knew of at least.

Taking in the sun and curling her toes in the grass, she breathed in deeply, eyes closing as she lifted her head skyward, bringing in the scent of the air.

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Dan, I understand your zeal, but to be honest, I don't know how many people remain to 'fight back'."

I truly felt for him, because it seemed that he wanted to put this right as much as I did. Our situation was just so dire.

"The Jedi Order has been decimated, the Confederacy was disbanded, and the army of the Republic answers to Palpatine alone. There is nobody left. For all the galaxy knows, nobody but us."

[s'Il]

"Find a new home and start a new life. It's the best that anyone can do right now," the Lupine added. She cracked her eyes open then, turning to face Dan.

"... and forget about this place."

[Zem-El Vymes]

I glanced sidelong at s'Il and frowned. I understood her protective nature but it was really unnecessary and could complicate things.

To diffuse, I replied.

"There are star systems in the outer rim that were never held under the Republic's sway. We can help you find a haven, and start anew."

[General Dan]

"That will work so long as the Empire doesn't roll over whatever planet in the galaxy that it pleases, and I guarantee you they will be less forgiving than the Republic ever was."

Dan walked back to the doorway, watching Teagan before looking back to Zem and s'Il.

"Do what you feel is right. I've made my intentions clear. We can only run and hide for so long."

[s'Il]

She wanted to say something, anything to dissuade the man from what, to her, was looking like the beginnings of some vengeful crusade. In her mind, this was Dan lashing out for the loss of his wife.

It was a look from Zem though, that made her hold her tongue. Almost fuming, the Lupine clenched her jaw tight, shifting the book she held to her other arm.

[Zem-El Vymes]

I cast s'Il an icy look to make sure she watched her mouth. She may be upset about their presence here, but she was being practically brusque with Dan.

I looked back to Dan.

"You may, of course, be right. We just don't know. Whatever you decide to do, consider not just yourself, but everyone else outside. You have each other, and there may not be many friends to find for a while."

Dan sighed, shifted his feet, and walked away wordlessly. I rose to my feet, watching him leave as I met s'Il in the doorway.

"There are so many things you could say to a man in his position, and that isn't one of them."

[s'Il]

"But it's the truth."

She watched Dan's figure before he disappeared from sight, then turned back to face her master.

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Perhaps, but it lacks tact. You have to consider his feelings. And regardless of whether we agree with his point of view, how we respond will influence this."

I sighed.

"I wonder if this is how it is supposed to happen. Have you ever built a fire in the wilderness from scratch? No igniter, no lightsaber. Just sticks and elbow grease?"

[s'Il]

"I have not," she grumbled.

Zem was right of course, about handling such a situation delicately, but the Lupine still argued.

"If things are said bluntly enough, wouldn't that be ebough to open a person's eyes more quickly?" She sat down in the grass beside the cellar's door, hurffing out a breath through her nose.

"He said they killed his wife, and to me he looks like he's on the road to revenge and self-destruction," the book was dropped in front of her crossed legs. "It would eat him up from the inside if something harsh wasn't said to stop it before it grew bigger."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Perhaps he is consumed with vengeance. I have a hard time getting a read on him, admittedly. Given that, why not give him time to think? There is no war here."

I returned to my analogy.

"When you build a fire from scratch, it starts as a frail spark. An errant breeze, a hint of moisture will snuff it out. But tended carefully, that spark will catch.

What if Dan is such a spark? The future is in motion, and I can't forsee it, but count the sparks that we know of as of now. You and I."

[s'Il]

s'Il said nothing, knowing in her heart that what he said was truth.

"What should I have said then?"

[Zem-El Vymes]

"I wouldn't put an ultimatum on him, and I wouldn't make him feel unwelcome. These people already know they're imposing on you. There is no need to hang it over their heads."

I gestured to the Cizerack ship perched down the sprawl.

"We're already taking care of that."

[s'Il]

She let a long sigh escape her lips, and rested her chin in the palm of her hand.

"I'm not very good at this diplomacy stuff."

With a little effort, the Lupine canted her head to the side and looked up to Zem.

[Zem-El Vymes]

"It's just like fancy swordplay." I consoled her.

"You keep your intentions to yourself at times, and work off a reaction. Only sometimes its for your benefit, and sometimes its for their own."

[s'Il]

She digested his words, staying silent for a while. It made sense the way he described it. She could certainly see it best when coming from a fencing angle, and the look in her eyes showed that what he said weighed heavily.

Leaning back to rest upon the hut's earth wall, she bit her lip.

"How long did it take you to get so good at it?"

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Well the trick with me was, I was there to smile and say nothing most of the time. Most of the time was spent listening. I didn't get a speaking role until my master made sure I knew the nuance. But that was more for formal diplomacy. This isn't so serious. Still, my good advice would be to give yourself a moment before you speak to listen, and think about what you hear. You can always wait a moment to speak your mind, but it is hard to unsay words already spoken."

[s'Il]

Another silence between the two as s'Il thought on these new words. They made her think back to all the times they'd talked, and she began to recognize how he'd always spoken with such suredness while she had spoken without a care as to what her words were. She had control, yes, but it seemed to only extend as far as her own personal life. She could be as tight-lipped as she wanted when talking of her own people - that Zem had found out many times before; even when it came to her growing feelings for him, she'd kept those sealed. Except for the few times that she'd allowed words to slip by without thinking.

And then there was the kiss she'd given him when they'd first found the cellar..

And at that memory she looked away, hiding flushed cheeks.

[Zem-El Vymes]

I watched her as she seemed lost in her thoughts. She was embarrassed by something.

"Don't let it get you down."

I put a hand on her shoulder.

"I expect the both of us to learn a lot on this journey. Your diplomacy is still better than my Bastyr."

[s'Il]

This caused a small smile to appear, and she passed a hand over the book's cover.

<"You really mean that?"> she asked, reverting to the Lupine tongue.

[Zem-El Vymes]

I nodded serenely, and responded in kind.

"Of course I yellow walrus."

[s'Il]

She hadn't been looking at him, but hearing him speak, she couldn't help the look on her face as she turned to look up at him.

Her features flat, she feigned an unimpressed stare. The amusement in her eyes gave her away though.

"Not quite."

[Zem-El Vymes]

I grimaced.

"Ah damn."

Corking the bottle up, I returned it to where I'd found it. I turned and looked back to her.

"Lets have a send off. A good big meal before we head out tomorrow."

[s'Il]

She paused, considering his proposal while getting to her feet.

They'd been living off of the fruits and wild vegetables that grew in the orchard, and it'd been a long while since she'd had meat. The thought of going out to hunt was appealing, and the sudden - surprisingly audible - rumble from her stomach confirmed how she felt.

[Zem-El Vymes]

"I'll take that as a yes."

I took a look outside at what seemed to be a sturdy tree. I reached up, tested the resilience of a long branch, and severed it at the base with my lightsaber.

"Been years since I've pole-fished. I assume the game works the same on Schwartzweld as it does anywhere."

[s'Il]

The book placed on the bench, s'Il carefully closed the cellar's door before turning back around to watch Zem. She cracked a smile, her mind still somewhat on this most recently learned lesson.

"I wouldn't know; I've never fished here before."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Not all of us can be as talented as you."

I flexed the branch about, whipping it back and forth through the air before setting it on the ground, satisfied. With care, I found an errant string on my garment and pulled at it, pausing midway to test its resilience by pulling it taut. Satisfied, I continued to unravel the thread for a few meters, eventually pausing briefly to cut the thread with my teeth. I tied one end firmly to the pole, set that aside, and stooped to my haunches to dig about in the black and fertile loam beneath the tree.

It didn't take long for me to find what I was looking for. Worms and grubs.

"It's the easiest work you'll ever have to do. Practically does itself."

[s'Il]

Crouched down in the grass, s'Il watched him with a close eye and noted every detail she could about the way he moved. She watched his hands, the inclination of his head, the lines of calm thought and concentration, and his eyes as he worked to fasten the string to the branch.

There was such a way about him, how he kept himself patient. How he never had harsh words - well, aside from when he tried to go back for the rest of the refugees, but she could understand that her own stubbornness had caused it. Zem was just so... serene. And when he spoke, he knew what he was saying.

The Lupine knew that she had alot to learn from him before she could ever be able to ovecome her own terse way of dealing with people, but she was determined, and would make her master proud no matter what.

She reached down then, half-heartedly scraping at the sod. It was a shortlived effort though, and she lifted her fingers to stare grumpily at the dirt already caked beneath her nails.

A ruefall smile then, and she looked up to him from the tops of her eyes. "I think my way would be cleaner."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Nothing a little bit of seawater can't fix."

I approached the shore, waving my dirt-caked hands in the foamy surf until they came clean. With a boyish smile, I kicked my shoes off, bounded onto a rock, and took a seat, letting my toes dangle in the seafoam as I cast my line.

[s'Il]

They were far enough away from the stronghold's grounds that s'Il wasn't worried about any prying eyes. This was her last day here, on her people's world, and the Lupine was determined now to make it last. Or at least, memorable in some way.


Silently she undressed, making sure that Zem was focussed enough on his fishing to not notice the change as her body doubled over. And even if he'd heard the last thwock as her joints fell back into place, it wouldn't have mattered.

The great white vornskyr bounded into the water, crashing through the waves and sending a spray of water over Zem as she passed him.

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Aw, go further down the beach, you're scaring my fish!"

I bobbed my lure out of her way, grinning lopsidedly as I realized this was our healing time. I was just glad to see her running free where she wanted to be.

[s'Il]

Wading out until the waves reached her thick neck, the beast turned to give him a toothy grin - or well, something that looked sort of like a grin. Her whip-like tail floated freely over the top of the water, its' barbed tip twitching before dipping below the surface.

A warbled string of mumblings answered Zem, and she ended her 'sentence' with a short bark.

Her head dipped under the water then, and she hurffed out a stream of bubbles. Coming back up for air, s'Il shook droplets from her pelt and hop/waded a little farther out. The water felt so good, stirring up the fur along her body and refreshing her; she felt almost new, even. And with the afternoon sun beating down, she couldn't think of anywhere else that she would've rather been.

To her, Schwartzweld was paradise.

[Zem-El Vymes]

Just then, the tip of my rod dipped and the string drew taut. I had one! Flicking my wrists, I set the makeshift hook on the line, and began the dance of drawing the line and running the slack, tiring the fish in the water as I pulled it in.

[s'Il]

later that evening...


The sun was just setting over the water's horizon as a bonfire lit the outer courtyard. Men, women, and children were gathered around the flames laughing and talking, feasting on the bounty of both land and sea. It was a comforting thing to see, given that a few short weeks ago these very same people had been nothing but husks. In their time here, all had seemed to begin their healing.

Children played games, chasing one another about while the adults talked excitedly of rejoining civilization.

s'Il had changed into lighter garments, favoring the thinner material over her usual leathers. A cool breeze picked up, and the Lupine lifted her head to scent the air. Sitting beside Zem, she closed her eyes as a myriad of smells swirled around her. It was wonderful. She could smell wood burning, fish freshly cooked, greens, the night atmosphere, and... she paused, cracking open one eye.

A gaze off to the side showed Dan removed from the larger group. He looked lost in his thoughts, and the Lupine remembered his words from earlier in the day. She bit her lip before casting a sidelong look to her master; he was entertaining a few of the younger toddlers, and she slowly edged away.

Her bare feet made no sound as she approached Dan, stopping beside him. When he didn't look at her, she knelt at his side. Silent for a few moments, s'Il reached an arm out to draw designs in the sand. Her voice was low as she finally spoke.

"I... apologize for what I said earlier."

[General Dan]

"Don't. I think I understand."

From everything he'd seen in the span of time on Schwartzweld, it was apparent that s'Ilancy was the last of her people. Were Dan in her shoes, he would have acted much the same.

"I'm still intent on fighting back, you know."

[s'Il]

"But- "

She stopped herself, Zem's words coming back to her. She had to think through what she wished to say.

"Be careful," she said presently, "... revenge can tear a man apart."

[General Dan]

"Revenge?"

Dan looked at her with quizzical eyes.

"How do I get revenge for what they did? I can't even form words on my tongue to describe the horror they did to me. Do you think my hands would fare better? I can only kill a man once. That's far too few times to have revenge."

[s'Il]

She was taken aback, and it showed. "No, that's not what I... I mean...

"It's just that," her mind raced to think of the most appropriate thing to say, "... it can eat a man up inside and turn him bad."

Good girl, keep it up.

"Wouldn't living the life that they tried to take away be enough?"

[General Dan]

"There is something else beyond revenge. Above it. Justice."

Dan's jawline tightened.

"It isn't revenge. It's something more. Something higher. I haven't the stomach to butcher families, but I know I have it in me to see these people held accountable for these crimes. Not as quick, not as easy. But I won't let their murdering ways intimidate me into hiding to keep quiet."

[s'Il]

Shoulders sagging, s'Il looked to the side in thought. What could she say to that? What would Zem have said? Her hand stopped moving, and she stared for a while at what she'd drawn int he sand. It was her House Brand. She stared at it through half-closed eyes, still digesting Dan's words.

"Justice has the possibility to corrupt as well," she ventured finally.

"I know what it's like to lose loved ones. Please; be careful that your justice doesn't turn into vengeance."

[General Dan]

"That is why there must be others. My own prejudices are one thing, but the Empire has given more than myself, the desire for justice. Our other options are to die, or live a life that's a lie."

[s'Il]

She bit her lip then. A life that is a lie...

Eyes wandering the architecture around her, the Lupine had to wonder if she had fallen into such a thing. She shook her head at the internal thought.

There are lies, and then there are secrets.

The two were distinctive, though one could not survive without the other. And yet, at the same time, it seemed that his words were condemning her very being. She lied by omission, the matter of her people. Nobody asked, and she certainly didn't tell. After all, she looked human enough as it was to not attract inquiring minds.

Did anyone here think to draw a connection between the female Jedi and the ruins around them? Or did they all figure this planet to be the closest stopping point?

s'Il gave a sigh, letting her head fall into her hands as she resigned to silence. It seemed that she could think of nothing to say that would deterr Dan; in fact, much like Zem, he had given her a lesson of his own.

[General Dan]

"Think it over." Dan consoled, placing a hand on the Jedi's shoulder.

"The Jedi were once guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. I may have not believed it before, but I'm willing to believe now. At the very least, give an example to lead by, and you'll have followers. I cannot be the only person wanting justice."

[s'Il]

"You're not," she admitted quietly. Her tone was sad, as she thought back to Master Windu The tingling in her arm returned.

"Lately though, it seems that when we try to do right, people still die no matter what." She closed her eyes tighter. "And there's no justice in that."

[General Dan]

"Yes, some people didn't make it during the rescue."

He squared up with the Jedi.

"But others did. And nobody here blames you for that. What you and Zem did was just. Maybe the wheel just turns slow for us in the beginning, but it's justice nontheless."

[s'Il]

She turned her head to the side, avoiding his eyes. Perhaps he was right. She knew there was nothing else that could've been done to save the rest, and had been the first to stop her master from going back for them. But now, in talking with Dan, she suddenly wondered if she'd been right. Should she have let Zem go? What if he'd been able to save a few more?

She stared into the fire, watched the flames lick at the night sky. Letting a sigh escape her lips, she took her attention back to her scawling in the sand, and still refusing to look at Dan, wiped a palm over the drawing , erasing it from existance.

"We'll see."

[General Dan]

Dan leaned forward, and blew at the sand, further obliterating whatever she had scrawled.

"The past is gone, but we'll always have it in our memory. You can't live in a memory, but you can learn from one."

[s'Il]

His action and words gave her pause, and the Lupine looked up at him finally, meeting his eyes. She said nothing, but a defensive edge had descended over her gaze; the past was not gone, they were within its' walls right now!

Biting her lower lip to keep from retorting, s'Il blinked as she stood and turned her back to Dan, leaving him and returning to her master's side.

[Zem-El Vymes]

While entertaining the children, I was also keeping a bit of attention on s'Il and Dan speaking together. It was good that she was returning to him, and they needed to share words.

I ran my hands through one of the childrens' mops of disheveled hair, and bade them to go play under the tree, to which they all flocked with a string of giggles.

The two rockfish I'd skewered were just about ready, and I removed the long, charred sticks from over the fire coals, setting them alongside the flat rocks at the fire's periphery.

"How goes the diplomacy?"

[s'Il]

Groaning lightly, she sat down heavily beside him.

"I don't know," she grumbled. Quiet for a few moments, s'Il took up a small piece of wood, tossing it into the fire.

"It's hard," The Lupine finally got out, "I can't think of anything right to say."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"Then say nothing."

I shrugged. Sometimes it wasn't played tit for tat.

"Silence is a wiser thing to say than a word you regret. If you let a person speak, you'll learn to listen. When you learn to listen, you'll know exactly what to say."

[s'Il]

In the peace left by the children, the only sounds to be heard were from the older refugees and the crackling of the fire. s'Il used the quiet to edge closer to Zem, leaning against one of his legs.

With nothing to say, she simply sat in silence, mulling over what he'd said.

[Zem-El Vymes]

"It's getting a slight chill in the air tonight."

I held my hands closer to the fire.

"Let me get you a blanket from inside the ship."

Easing upwards, I walked away from the fire, over to the Cizerack yacht nearby. Strolling up the gangplank, I was only inside a moment before I called out from inside.

"s'Il, get in here."

[s'Il]

She caught a few of the stares given from the others around the fire as she rose to her feet. With a furrowed brow the Lupine picked her way past stones and overgrown weeds, then up the boarding ramp.

The tone in Zem's voice was odd, but she couldn't think of anything out of the ordinary that would cause him to speak in such a way. The trip to the pilothouse was a short one, and stopping in the doorway, she rested her hands on the frame.

[Zem-El Vymes]

I was perched in the pilot's seat, adjusting a signal booster on our comm antenna. Strange sounds warbled in and out of the static as I tried to get a fix.

"I am picking up a transmission, and it's close. Maybe two systems out, and moving."

[s'Il]

She didn't move.

"So? let them pass by. The fewer people know we're here the better."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"I'd be inclined to agree, but it doesn't hurt to eavesdrop."

I boosted the signal to the maximum threshold, and tried to get a second reading off a nearby planetary mass to triangulate the origin, and maybe clean up any solar radiation that was jumbling the transmission.

"....istress signal. My ship....damaged in....over.... contact the other Jedi."

I froze, the breath knocked out of me. Did I actually hear that? I frantically worked to reconstitute the transmission.

"Come on...come on."

[s'Il]

Her eyes had narrowed at what she'd heard, but s'Il still remained where she was.

"It could be a trap," she said skeptically.

[Zem-El Vymes]

"That's also true."

Dammit. I didn't want to get mad at her, and I kept my voice even. I wanted to believe. But she was right to be a skeptic.

I tried once again to get a connection, and the static-chopped signal came in again. This time, I recorded it. As I did, I noticed something.

"Look at the band it's transmitting on. That is a Jedi frequency!"

[s'Il]

She was still apprehensive at the thought, and it showed in her stance. Her hands slid from the frame though, and she silently padded across the decking to stand behind his seat. Letting her palms come down on the headrest, the Lupine stared over his shoulder with a neutral gaze.

She was beginning to have a vague notion of what he was wanting to do.

"Will you try to make contact?"

[Zem-El Vymes]

"No."

I backed away from the comm in frustration, shaking my head slowly. She was right about this. Without insight from the force, I couldn't rely on blind optimism. And I could feel little about this through the Force.

Besides, hadn't the Empire used Jedi codes before to lure survivors out and butcher them?

"You're right."

[s'Il]

Stepping to the side to move out of his way as he backed up, s'Il reached out to lay a hand on his arm. It was the best she could think of to comfort him. With his lesson in mind, the Lupine had been sure to be careful about her words and actions when around him.

After all, what would he say if he knew?

[Zem-El Vymes]

"It's so tempting. Good test of fortitude to resist."

I closed my eyes, as if I could reach outside my body and reach out to whoever was making that transmission. Hope had that way of making fools of us.

The comm crackled again, and the voice message cycled once more, this time clearer.

[s'Il]

Not really knowing what to say, s'Il opted for silence as the message sounded again. Less garbled than before, she listened carefully as whoever it was on the other end of that transmission called for help once more.

[Zem-El Vymes]

I paused for a moment, hopeful again, but let it slide, heading to the back for the blanket I'd come to retrieve. I gave a long sigh as I went down the corridor. Lost Jedi signals. All too convenient for people who hadn't had the slightest hint of contact since the betrayal at the Temple.

[s'Il]

Left alone in the pilothouse, s'Il slowly made her way to the seat Zem had been sitting in. Her small frame lowered into its' depths, and she rested her elbows on the console and let a frustrated sigh escape.

With nothing to keep her company now but the message, she listened as it repeated itself once more. But... there was something to the voice, and her brow furrowed as she tried to place the tone and inflections. It was familiar, however vague, and she listened closer to each syllable and consonent.

One hand reached out then, and she turned it up, vainly hoping that increasing the volume would make it clearer.

She remained unbelieving, but still; something was tugging at her as she leaned back heavily and drew up her legs into the chair.

[Zem-El Vymes]

Returning from the cabin, I draped the blanket over s'Il's shoulder, and made my way for the exit.

"Turn that thing off. We should be saving power."

I'd written the whole affair off. Chasing ghosts.

[s'Il]

Her hand lashed out, catching the edge of his robes in a surprisingly strong grip.

"No wait, listen."

Her grip remained like steel, and she pulled at him. "The voice, the way the words are pronounced...

"Doesn't that sound familiar to you?"

[Zem-El Vymes]

"No."

Then, I stopped. And listened again.

"Wait..."

Slowly drifting back, I listened to the feedback again. I knew that voice. It was Tam Jeneel. It had to be.

I focused on the words, reached out to the fabric of my talents through the Force, looking for a sign. Anything. My eyes closed.

[s'Il]

For her there was no mistaking the strikingly distinctive accent. T's that were as soft as D's, almost nonexistant R's, it was a rather flat sounding speech pattern, but easy to pick out as well.

In a scrambled movement, the Lupine turned in her seat and stood on her knees, hands on the headrest as she stared at Zem, his eyes closed. Thrusting her face within inches of his, she waited expectantly until he opened them, the look on her face so very vastly different than the skeptical look of earlier.

[Zem-El Vymes]

When my eyes opened, the doubt was gone.

"It's him. I don't believe it, but there's no other possibility."

I reached out for the comm, but stopped myself. Even if it was Tam, how did I go about doing this, without endangering all of us? Was anybody listening? Was Tam being tailed by a Star Destroyer? There were so many variables.

[s'Il]

"Send out a beacon, or a distress call, or whatever they are."

She'd seen the look in his eyes, and knew that he had as much reservations as she did. He didn't want to endanger them with a direct transmission, but what if he activated something that would be inconspicuous enough, yet still bring Jeneel to the planet?

[Zem-El Vymes]

I looked at a few systems to see what options we had.

"We can't fire a beacon in the atmosphere. I can send a signal back on that specific Jedi frequency. We'd just have to hope nobody was looking. If Tam's really out there, he should be the only one looking for contact."

I looked back at her.

"It's an awful risk, at the best case."

[s'Il]

The Lupine bowed her head in thought, her own eyes closing. She would let him choose, and her silence told him as much. If he wished to stay silent and let the possibility of stumbling across another Jedi pass them by, than she would accept his decision.

The blanket he'd draped over her was pulled tighter then, and s'Il opened her eyes to stare at the deck.

[Zem-El Vymes]

By now, I'd refined the transmission to where it was perfectly audible, minus a slight bit of snow on occasion.

"To whoever receives this message - my ship is damaged, and I need to find a planet to put down or I will be adrift without power. I am scanning nearby systems for life. While I am sure I can make it to a planet, my hope for finding friendly contact is fading. I can only hope in the Force that this message finds itself in the hands of well-meaning people.

This is Tam Jeneel, signing off. May the Force be with us all."

With a determined face, I prepared to send a simple pulse on the comm. No vocals. No text. It would be a powerful ping on the Jedi frequency, but betray no information other than someone was listening, and a general direction to look.

I hit the transmit button, and sighed.

[s'Il]

She'd watched in silence, her eyes almost glazed over as he sent the ping. To her, it was a silent affair; unassuming and innocuous. Of course, the ramifications - should the Empire pick up their signal - were disastrous.

Shiverring despite the blanket Zem had wrapped over her, s'Il turned and padded silently from the bridge.

What would happen now?

[Zem-El Vymes]

"We wait."

Obviously, the ball was in Tam's court. We weren't going to put out another signal, and Tam didn't have the power to stay on the comm it seemed. We would hopefully be able to detect him on approach.

"Doesn't change anything else. Tomorrow morning, we leave. I don't think anything good comes from sticking around."

[s'Il]

She'd not heard his last sentence, as her short journey had taken her out and down the boarding ramp. She stopped a few paces into the soft grass, and stared up at the sky; it was slowly changing from a deep blue to the familiar black of night, and her eyes wandered the stars that were beginning to show themselves.

If their fellow Jedi did manage to find them (if indeed he was who he claimed to be), what would they do? Would he travel with them? Or would they end up parting ways?

[Tam Jeneel]

The ping was like an answered prayer.

"Oh, thankful and merciful!"

I leaned forward and kissed the monitor. Only the Force could align the galaxy in such a way. My message had been found, and by friendly ears.

With what was left of my power, I plotted a course for the system, and hit the sublights. This far into wild space, there wasn't a proper star chart to guide me, so I followed my own instincts. Within no time, a planet loomed in front of me. I gave a quick scan, and located very few humanoids, congregated on an island in one of the many seas. I scanned dozens of people. Were they all Jedi? Were any of them?

[s'Il]

s'Il had shut herself away in the library, not necessarily hiding, but certainly with a wish to not be easily found. She'd pulled a small, dusty book from one of the upper shelves, and now sat towards the furthest corners available. The blanket was still wrapped around her - she could even still smell Zem's scent on it to a slight degree - and she soaked in the warmth while reading the collection of family stories contained within the book she'd chosen.

It was a quiet way to spend her last night here, on Schwartzweld, and she found a small bit of her wishing that they could still stay.

[Zem-El Vymes]

I lay in the grass, enjoying the evening chill as everyone else seemed to slow down. The children paused to eat dinner, which was dutifully portioned out so that everyone had something. For a rare time, there seemed to be a feeling of healing. A woman came forward, giving me her necklace and confiding in me that she was eternally thankful for our help. I politely declined the necklace, but received her gratitude if only for her sake.

"Look, a shooting star?" one child pointed.

I looked up as well. No, that wasn't a shooting star at all.

I quickly eased concerns before they escalated.

"It looks like we have some friendly company."

It was a Republic T-wing fighter, by this date an old model. The ship arched lazily through the night sky, its retro's beginning to pulse as it drifted to a nearby clearing.

[s'Il]

The dull whine of an engine cut through her reading, and s'Il paused. The book was still held motionless, and the only movement she made was to cant her head to the side, listening as the ship outside drifted closer until finally, from what she could hear, setting down.

The book carefully placed on the aging tiled floor, the Lupine rose to her feet. Her bare feet pattered softly as she left the library, heading down a long hallway before descending a flight of stairs. At the bottom was an entryway of sorts, and she slowly kept on until she was standing in an archway that opened up to the outer courtyard.

Now was the time of truth, and whether Zem's 'answer' had brought them another Jedi, or an enemy.

[Tam Jeneel]

I purged the seal on the hatch, and gave it a good shove. The hydralics wouldn't raise it, so it would have to be done the old fashioned way. The hinge groaned, as the bubble canopy fell aside, allowing me to breathe clean air again. I sat with a ridiculous smile on my face when I saw who first met me, laying back in my seat as I tilted my head back to the sky.

"By the Force, I was glad to pick up that signal, and doubly so to see you're still alive."

Renewed with enthusiasm, I worked over the protest of my exhausted body and climbed down the side of my ship, hopping to the ground in time to catch Vymes around the shoulders in a big embrace.

"You look a bit rough cut these days!"

[Zem-El Vymes]

"As do you!"

I returned the embrace doubly tight, running a hand across the fuzz that had accumulated on Tam's head, which traditionally was kept freshly shaven. In these trying times, I don't think either of us had given the finer points of barber work any consideration.

Then, it came out just as I was realizing it.

"You're the first Jedi that I've seen, since..."

[s'Il]

She watched the two embrace, not really sure how to feel about the good grace that had seemed to bring another Jedi into their company. But, the Lpine smiled inspite of the thought; it was almost infectious as she stared at Zem and Tam greeting each other.

And, as if a switch had been turned on, the Lupine found herself almost bounding down the entryway stairs, her blanket discarded in a heap on the stonework as she ran across the grassy expanse.

[Tam Jeneel]

"Loklorien s'Ilancy?!"

I extracted myself from Zem's embrace and met the padawan with one of equal enthusiasm.

"What good fortune, finding you here!"

There was so much to say. My eyes danced about her features, trying to cajole my brain into finding a starting point.

"You'll forgive my exuberance. Space travel has been precarious for me lately."

[s'Il]

To any of the refugees watching, her sudden display of open happiness was certainly a different thing to see, as she had remained mostly quiet and emotionless during the last two weeks. She could even feel Dan's eyes on her back, but ignored the curious looks.

Taken up into Tam's arms, s'Il more than happily returned his fierce hug with one of her own. And when he set her down, she beamed wide; something else that she'd not done in far too long. She reached a hand out, twirling her fingers in the scruff behind his ears.

"You're starting to look like a shaggy anooba," she laughed.

[Tam Jeneel]

"Maybe it's time for a different look, I suppose?"

Zem intoned more or less the same reasoning, which I met with a smile. Truth to be told, I had been harried, pressed, and driven so hard in the past few weeks that I simply didn't have the time to put up with it. I didn't have to ask the others to know they'd had about the same experience.

"I'm afraid I've cashed out my fair steed."

I smiled wryly, gesturing back at the T-wing that had seen better days.

"Spent the better part of a day thumbing my nose at a Venator that took notice. With any luck, the Imperials are halfway back to Naboo wondering what dread magic I must've pulled on them."

[Zem-El Vymes]

Tam's indefatiguable optimism was infectious. My feet felt lighter on the ground just by being in his presence.

"We've been on an errand of mercy of late. These here are former Confederates. Refugees."

I gestured to the assembled group at the campfire, and to Dan, who had already risen to meet the newcomer.

"Dan, this is Tam Jeneel. Another Jedi Knight."

Dan, regarded the visitor sharply, giving him a nod and a firm handshake.

My mind wandered. Three Jedi now. It was beginning to stir in me the feelings that I'd worried my self doubt had killed.

[s'Il]

Lost in the moment, s'Il found herself smiling even wider, and she silently thanked the Bloodline that Zem had answered Tam's call.

One hand still on Tam's sleeve, just in case he really was a vision, the Lupine watched as the refugees crowded about in a loose circle to meet the stranger.

Dan was still being his quiet self, but she brushed his silence off in favor of the much more lighthearted feeling that came with the newly arrived Jedi. And while he and Zem were knights to her padawan, she didn't feel left out of any sort of kinship. They were all three Jedi, after all.

[Tam Jeneel]

"I've come across a fair lot of displaced people myself."

I noted to the group, keeping an understanding eye on Dan.

"It appears that Palpatine's duplicity has come down especially hard on the civilians. There are labor camps on seventeen worlds, confirmed. Confederate supporters mostly, but also Republican dissidents. You know the old lot, a bunch of firebrands on Corellia, Alderaan, Naboo and the sort. Sussed out one myself, and helped where I could."

Talk of the ravages weighed me down a little. I turned more upbeat.

"Got most of the folks along well enough, and on toward the Outer Rim. That seems to be the best for their lot. Republic territory isn't safe any longer."

[s'Il]

"What about other Jedi," she blurted out, "have you come across others?"

It was a slim chance that he had, but she still had to know.

[Tam Jeneel]

"I have, yes. About two dozen, all told. We've met about here and there, but right now we're mindful not to congregate in one place until we have a better idea as to what we face."

I squinted, looking at the sky, thinking.

"Nobody on the council, mind you. Of course, Master Windu and his entourage were all murdered by Palpatine, who has left little doubt that he is the missing Sith Lord. I've not heard from Master Yoda, Master Kenobi, nor Anakin Skywalker. Though it is hard to say, I feel optimistic that they are alive."

[s'Il]

She knew well enough about Master Windu, and it still hurt to think of him. That she heard his name uttered from another's lips was not an easy thing to listen to either.

But, he did say he'd come across others. She'd not expected him to say such a thing, and it made her think; wonder... if there were enough left, they could start anew.

It was that thought that she latched on to, pushing any sobering dread from her mind. Forcing a smile, s'Il let out a long breath.

"So there are others."

[Zem-El Vymes]

"That's some reassurance."

I, like s'Il, hadn't expected to hear such news. We'd been so isolated lately, and there had been nothing but bad news. We weren't alone. The will of the Force was not to be undone.

"We have to make contact. We have a committment to keep to the survivors here, but once everyone is escorted to safety, it's only natural that we both contribute to the cause."

[Tam Jeneel]

"I'd figured you were gonna say that."

I nodded with an understanding smile. When I'd first found the other survivors, I was eager as well. And in the month that I'd found them, I'd found meaning to my cause that I had scarcely felt since the fall.

"We need to be careful. I'm sorry, but I can't arrange a full meeting. None of us even know everyone's location, and for good reason. We have to be very careful about exposure. Our enemy has the ability to annihilate us with the push of a button if they're wise to us being in the same place."

Scratching the scruff on my head, I continued.

"There is something else. It appears that Palpatine has had an apprentice in training. His name is Darth Vader. I don't have much on him, other than he's leading the hunt to finish the purge himself. From all accounts, he's some fashion of cyborg like that Confederate General Grievous."

[s'Il]

Finally releasing her hold on Tam, s'Il took a few steps to the side, instinctively moving closer to Zem. Wrapping her arms about herself, the Lupine looked away, past the two ships and towards the small island forest in the distance.

It was no surprise that the Purge was still going strong; the Jedi had been numerous and far flung; it would no doubt take years to find them all. The only solace she took from this new information was that there were others, and they had orged ahead in their duties still. Survival was prevalent, but so too - it seemed - was that of the Jedi Code. If they were to live through this, they would need each other. And if Tam traveled with her and Zem...

Her words were blurted out, finishing with her voice the thought that'd started in silence.

"Are you to stay with us, then?"

[Tam Jeneel]

"Well I don't see why not."

I scratched the soil with the heel of my boot and smiled.

"Three's still small traveling. To top that off, I think I've gotten the last parsec out of my fighter, I'm afraid. That's fate, then."

[s'Il]

She didn't exactly beam with overt joy, but the look she turned to Zem was enough to tell him that she was glad of Tam's decision. Of course, her question had been asked without considering her master's say in the matter, and her gaze also held a bit of anticipation, as if seeking his approval to allow the other Jedi to accompany them.

[Zem-El Vymes]

I smiled off the minor breech of protocol from s'Il, and nodded along with her.

"Three sabers are better than two. I can genuinely appreciate not having the company on some of our earlier travels."

I took Tam's hand, giving a firm shake.

"Glad of you to join our merry crusade. You're in good time, too. Plenty to eat at least for one evening. We've got a special trip in the morning, to spirit the survivors to safer places. No major task. A real blue milk run."

[s'Il]

And that was that, as she'd heard others say before.

Leaving Zem and Tam to catch up on missed time, the Lupine caught sight of Dan out of her peripheral vision. He'd not said a word, and to her he didn't even look happy to see another Jedi; after all of his previous words, she would've thought that the man could appreciate something like this. With an exasperated look to no one in particular, she headed back the way she'd come, gently picking up the blanket she'd dropped earlier.

They would be leaving in the morning; or well, the survivors would be at least. She would have to stay behind until they had been deposited on the Guardian homeworld.

After which, the three Jedi would be on their way, leaving Schwartzweld behind.