The Fire of Onderon: Taris's Deception

Tap, tap, tap, tap. Taris hated the sound of rain, on this jungle planet it seemed to be a common thing, but she seemed to hate everything normal people felt was beautiful. She still remembered the day her master had sent her to the imperial academy to learn how to interact with other beings that were not Sith. She had been horrible at it then, she didn't understand why the people acted the way they did. Now she was a master at it, she could easily communicate with her generals and all who were on the imperial center. All that training and she didn't know what to do about Maul. He was ready to charge against the rebels now. He had discovered a lead on how they were moving in and out of the city and Taris had told him to move a large amount of troops to an area of the jungle he didn't understand yet. She knew exactly what she was doing but she wasn't about to reveal it to him.

She now stood at the landing platform awaiting the next piece in her intricate puzzle. She watched as Jay Carras shuttle touched down on the landing pad. She waiting in the shade as the rain was follow vigorously. It reminded her of the sandstorm on Abafar, how easily nature could change things within her operations. She wondered how else nature could effect her life. She was taught as a Sith she could control everything, that she could have ultimate power but she was not the force and she could not master the nature of a planet. She often wondered of that was what her powers would lead to, she wondered if she would even become powerful enough to face off with her own master. He had hidden much from her but within the holocrons she studied she saw a pattern with Sith. They would always turn on each other, and one would always be destroyed. She wondered if her master secretly held back information from her to keep her weaker, but that wouldn't work with his constant prodding. He was pushing her to be stronger, and she wondered if she would ever break the barrier and learn to use her hatred.

She watched as the shuttle engines shut off and her mind turned to her enemies. She had time to execute her plans but it made her nervous knowing that Skywalker would eventually come to face them again. She knew that Maul would be the perfect distraction but what if Anakin didn't take the bait? What if he saw through her plans? After all Skywalker was not only a Jedi but a war veteran, he had faced her master before and deep down she knew that somehow he knew the dark. Somehow he had made the decision to cross the line and somehow he had come back from it. The thought killed her inside, something prodded her on, she needed the truth. She also recognized that the thing that kept pushing her to know more was the force, it was constantly pushing her to know more and more. Perhaps after this she would search and find what really happened to the republic's great hero.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the shuttle opened and Jay Carras appeared at the top of the ramp. She stayed where she was as he was beneath her and it was his position to approach her. As he came up to her she silently turned toward the door, it was a noisy storm around them and it would do better to speak where there was some silence. She also wanted to be away from wherever Maul was now, so she kept walking until she reached one of the rooms deeper in the castle. She had never actually occupied a castle on a planet before this one, so she had mapped out the entire thing in her mind. The room she had picked had several chairs and a large window with a nice view of the jungles beyond.

"I assume the fleet briefed you on the current situation on this planet," Taris stated as she took a seat and gestured that Jay do so as well. Jay was used to Taris being so straight to business, she was always like that on Mustafar. She had no time for pleasantries.

"They have," Jay replied, "The main cities are all taken, yet the rebels have fled into the forests. They seem to be moving into town easily as well, there was a prisoner escape and the rebels disappeared like dust. The Admiral above believes we should just bomb the jungles and be done with it." Taris shook her head.

"He is a fool," She stated, "Bomb the jungles as the people of this planet who have complied with us will become rebels, and the planet would be destroyed. The resources this planet produces are valuable to this sectors Imperial outposts. The Emperor instructed me to take out the rebellion without destroying the planet. I have patrols in the jungle, with time I will find those rebels, the problem is I don't have time and the rebels have outside help."

"The Jedi," Jay replied. Taris looked out the window before them, the winds of the planet whistled through the jungle, and the rains caused a fog to surround what was out there. Besides having the Jedi the rebels knew this planet and she did not. This skirmish couldn't last much longer, she had generals asking the emperor for her help around the galaxy. Somehow her reputation had not be soiled by the business on Abafar, few knew what actually happened on the planet.

"Ahsoka was caught here on the planet," Taris stated, "and Siri Tachi has been sighted here as well. Besides that I believe Skywalker and his padawan are present." Jay's face changed in a strange way, she took notice and wondered why. His eyes seemed distant. "I believe you can help me with Ri-En Kenobi, while Ahsoka I have dealt with, my goal is to pit Maul against Skywalker while I take our Siri. Together we could end this Jedi infestation before it takes root." Jay shook his head.

"Ri-En beat me on Naboo, I'm not sure I have much of a chance of stopping her with my present level of training," Jay replied honestly, "Skywalker is her master, it makes everything more difficult. He was the most powerful Jedi in the order." Taris was unfazed.

"And the order fell."

"The ones that remain are not to be underestimated," Jay replied, he felt like he could speak to her like a peer despite the status she had over him. They had stood together and faced Mustafar, the hardest time in his life she had helped him through. She was not the same girl she had been then, the Sith ways had taken hold and the sorrow she had then was now buried in hatred. He wondered if that hatred could ever be directed at himself. He wondered and hoped it would never be.

"I don't underestimate them," She replied remembering back to the battles they had faced. "I called you because I judged their numbers and determined we needed someone else."

"I'm not what you need Taris," Jay said the obvious, "I am not good enough, I work in the shadows not directly against our enemy." Her face softened and he almost saw a glimpse of the girl who she buried so deep.

"You may not be what I need, others could do this better," she seemed lost in thought, "but you are enough to do what I require." She paused before saying the rest of the words she had within, "and I trust you more than the others. Each inquisitor wants to be the Sith apprentice, and they envy me for the standing I have required. None of that exists in you, that is more valuable than any lightsaber skills. I can teach you those, I can't teach you trust." He understood what she was saying. Darth Taris was the strangest of her ranks, he often felt that neither of them belonged. Perhaps someday they would find the reason their lives went so sour, but that was not to be anytime soon. For now they would fight to bring peace to the galaxy, for that was all they had.

Anakin sighed, rain was not what they needed right now. He was trying to find anything familiar about the planet and the rain made it increasingly difficult to tell which way they were going. It didn't help that Ferus seemed to have plenty of questions. He was reminded of how his own padawan trudged into the wilderness on Naboo with no idea of where she was going to end up. He on the other hand was pretty sure he was heading in the right direction, yet he wasn't sure if they could keep going if visibility got much worse in the area. He was glad he had his Jedi cloak to keep him dry, but the sticky hot air was getting annoying.

"We're going in circles," his companion complained as Anakin trudged through the ever increasing mud. Ferus had already stated the same thing twice. In the jungle things had a tendency to look the same, yet Anakin was sure he was actually moving forward and not looping around.

"It's the fog," Anakin simply responded, he was not in the mood for much else. He especially didn't want to get into a fight with Ferus when he was sure that they might be able to actually pull off being allies this time. After all Anakin knew Ferus had been completely right about him in the past. His own arrogance had brought down the entire order and that was something he couldn't even truly admit to those who loved him much less than to the one guy in the war who did not like him one bit.

"I don't mean to be annoying but I am concerned that we are going nowhere," Ferus basically stated the same sentiment his other statement had made clear. Anakin ignored him as he pushed on, keeping his pace steady and forward. He felt it in the force, he was going the right way. The voice he had submitted his life too on Abafar was still leading him, no matter how unworthy he felt the force had not abandoned him.

"I promise you we are moving in the right direction," Anakin found the patience to say, "and I I am wrong you can tell me so later." The silence returned as Ferus stopped walking, Anakin had it in his head to ignore what Ferus was doing but he felt in the force a danger. That was not to be ignored. He turned and looked at his companion ad Ferus was stretching out in the force to figure out what was beyond them, Anakin however already knew what it was.

"Storm troopers," Anakin said quietly taking his lightsaber into his hand.

"No," Ferus said in a hushed tone, "we attack them now and more come to this location, we have time to hide." Anakin rolled his eyes, Ferus had not changed one bit. Anakin shrunk back and followed the older man to a position he wasn't sure was going to help them avoid the oncoming troops but it was best not to argue. He moved so that he could see the troops pass, they were scanning the area. He reached out with the force, and wrapped it around where they hid. It was enough and he knew it. He watched the storm troopers, some at the lead were making sweeping movements side to side. With a jungle so filled with life it was clear that finding the rebels wasn't easy. But they Empire had spent a lot of time doing this, Anakin began to wonder why the Empire hadn't found them yet.

He stiffened as the group got closer to the hiding place but he felt no danger in the force. He could feel his companion's nervousness but he kept staring forward, waiting for the group to depart. Eventually they did, but Anakin and Ferus did not move for a great while, until it was certain that the storm troopers were not doubling back.

"They're pretty deep into the jungle for a routine sweep," Anakin spoke his thoughts out loud.

"I'm thinking the empire has no leads on where the rebels are hiding," Ferus stated with a sigh, "that means it's going to be even harder for us to find them. We don't have numbers to send sweeping through the jungle or communications."

"But we have the force," Anakin said as his mind kept working, there was something he was missing. The rain around them ceased, it was a bit sudden. He crouched on the ground stretching out with the force. He was looking for it, the force around him was trying to tell him something. He reached out and as he felt like he was about to touch what it was he was searching for a presence filled his senses. He stood up quickly as he felt the hot searing of fear.

"Ri-En!" He exclaimed as he saw a flash of her in his head. Suddenly her presence was muted as if she wasn't really on the planet. He then saw Ahsoka, something was happening. He stepped back and reached out for a location.

"What's going on?" Ferus questioned. Anakin shook his head and turned to walk quickly into the jungle. He knew where the rebels were.

"I know where the rebels are," he stated as he walked on. His head was spinning as he wondered if he really saw what he the truth or a manifestation of what he dreaded. If it was true, Ri-En wasn't breaking from her pattern of rushing into the fray of danger. If she was on the planet he would have to find her fast.

The way back to the jungle hideaway was much shorter than Siri had expected. Part of the walk was through rain, which made it difficult to see but they pressed on toward the base. Siri was glad it was close but it was a wonder the enemy had not found it, yet the darkness of the jungle she began to realize why it was perfect. The jungle got thick and damp as they walked deeper into it and until she was told to start climbing she would never have guessed that they had made their home high in the trees. Ahsoka had told her the rebels had started building this hideout when the empire had first began. They had years to prepare for this day.

Siri realized now that while many rebellions around the galaxy had only begun, there were some places like Onderon where the rebels had been biding there time. It was a pretty difficult climb to reach the ladder that was camouflaged into the side of one the trees. Once she had scaled the ladder she found herself in awe. There were homes in many of the trees and bridges leading to them. At first glance everything was well camouflaged, at second she could see everything. What the rebels had done was truly outstanding. She was in awe of everything she saw, and she wondered what it had taken to build this.

"Welcome to our encampment," Ahsoka said with a smile as she watched Siri's scan the base with amazement in her eyes.

"Now this is the most impressive rebel base I have ever seen," Siri said shaking her head, "it makes sense why Taris is having so much trouble finding you." Ahsoka nodded as a group of natives approached them. Ahsoka greeted them with excitement and hugged each one. More groups stopped them as Lux led them through the village.

"That's where we keep our supplies," Lux pointed to an area with a group of structures. "And that is where you will both be staying while you are here." He pointed to another home across the trees. Siri then was hit with the dilemma of when they were going to inevitably have to leave this planet. Staying here they would be safe, but getting off the planet could prove extremely difficult with Taris and the blockade on constant lookout. Then there was the force warning nagging her.

"Where are we headed?" she asked Ahsoka.

"To find some food," Ahsoka replied, "then the leaders of this cell want to meet. There have been an increasing number of patrols in the jungle. Then there is the issue of whether or not to leave the planet or stay. Things were calm after Saw Guerra moved his militants else where but with the Imperials prescence things may become tense again." If Siri was a native she knew it would be hard to leave and with a place like this almost impossible. Yet she knew what it meant to make the hard choice, to walk away when she needed to. She had walked out on her own child.

"I have a question I need to ask you," Siri began, "is Ri-En okay?" Siri stated it that way because of the disturbance she had felt before regarding her daughter. She didn't know what to think, or really what to do about everything that had happened.

"She's been doing quite well lately," Ahsoka spoke with some hesitation before deciding to give Siri a little more info on what happened. "She's more insightful than I gave her credit for. Had I not been trying to reign her in I might have seen that there was a lot more in her head and in her actions than I had thought before."

"What are you talking about?" Siri asked with an evident confusion on her face. Ahsoka laughed.

"If we all get off this planet I think you'll understand," Ahsoka said with a smile. She kept her answer cryptic, she knew the rebels were still doing their best to keep their new "hero with no fear" on the down low. The more people that knew the more likely his location could fall into the empires hands.

"But she is okay?" Siri questioned again.

"She is," Ahsoka replied, "Sometimes I'm not sure if okay is enough, she's never fully let go of hoping you and Obi-Wan were coming back." Siri's eyes fell at the mention of Obi-Wan, she had no leads on where he was. All she knew was that he was still alive. She saw Ahsoka preparing to ask her about the Jedi Master, and Siri wished she could find him.

"Obi-Wan was captured by the empire," Siri said softly, sadly, "it happened a few years ago. I haven't seen him since." Ahsoka was taken aback by it, why would the empire capture a Jedi? The orders she had seen were to kill her. Yet they had captured Obi-Wan, and closer to home Taris had taken Ri-En instead of killing her when she had the chance. Something was off and Ahsoka knew they had to find out what.

"Why would they just capture him?" Ahsoka questioned.

"There is more too it," Siri replied, "but I haven't fully figured it out."

"Well in any case I'm glad you're back," Ahsoka replied, "and I am sure Ri-En will be to." Siri looked at the torgruta, wondering how Ri-En would react to seeing her.

"Don't tell her what happened to Obi-Wan," Siri stated, "I haven't' planned on telling her, because I would much rather her not be worried for him. It's better for everyone if we keep people from fearing the worst."

"That's for the best in Ri-En's case," Ahsoka said while shaking her head, "she might do something rash if she knew."

"So she is more like me after all," Siri spoke with a smile. "When she was a child I thought for sure she'd take after Obi-Wan." She laughed a little. "I guess you can never know what will happen with a child." It was true, none of them had any way of knowing where their lives had led. There had been so many paths before them. Perhaps in another life, another galaxy things weren't as rosy as they seemed now. Perhaps there was a life where they would be better. The paths twisted before them and Siri could feel hers with a strength she hadn't felt it her whole life.

"She's still changing," Ahsoka stated, "after all the galaxy around us is in shift. Every day the rebellion is growing. Sidious has not had time to train his new Sith, I believe if we have a chance soon we must take it. It's a hard life for a child to grow up with, and a tough galaxy for anyone to face. Our experiences mold us, and are still molding each of us. I hope in the end that Ri-End doesn't harden herself to the joy that can be found in life." Ashoka thought about Anakin, how different he was after all those years in hiding. There was a depth of pain that she didn't understand, a haunted look in his eyes that he couldn't out run. Whatever he had faced when it all fell apart, he wouldn't let on other than those hints she saw. Something had changed him beyond what she could perceive. Perhaps she would never know.

As they walked on there was very little more to be said. They found food and sat discussing things of the past, things of the future. They discussed what remained of the Jedi, thoughts of what they should do going forward. Siri believed strongly the Jedi should be searching for force sensitive children before the Sith found them, and training those children. Ahsoka was more inclined to just shelter the children to safety and let them decide as they grow. Siri understood why the Torguta wasn't inclined to being again as the Jedi were before but it was Siri's whole existence. She wondered if they would succeed in starting again, for it seemed so far away.

As they talked Siri began to notice the color in Ahsoka's face changing. She was still speaking, but she seemed to be fighting through some soft of pain. Siri ignored it at first since she knew that they had just rescued Ashoka from Taris's clutches but as it continued Siri had the feeling that something more was off. She couldn't shake the feeling that Taris had played them. They finished their meal and walked on, Ashoka was looking weaker than she had before.

"Are you alright Ashoka?" Siri asked her.

"I'm fine," She responded quickly, too quickly. Siri then noticed the rhythm of her breathing changing. Then suddenly Ashoka collapsed.

Anakin moved swiftly through the jungle, as he wondered exactly what the danger he sensed was. He didn't want to slow down for one moment, his decision to move quickly was crucial. That danger surrounded Ashoka, and it was potent enough that he knew it could mean a great many things. The landscape was similar everywhere he turned. He only had the force to guide him as he waved through the trees and toward the hills.

"Slow down!" Ferus asked as Anakin weaved through trees, his companion had trouble keeping up. Anakin shoved aside the small satisfaction that out running his former rival brought up in him. They were no longer children, and he wouldn't behave childishly but as he watched Ferus he knew the boy still was wary of him. Ferus always saw his faults, and Anakin knew that there was a lot more that might become apparent. He wasn't going to reveal his darkest secrets to Ferus of all people.

"There isn't time," Anakin shouted back as he rushed into the trees to the place he had seen when he reached out with the force. They were getting closer. He didn't break his stride for one second. He couldn't slow with the weight of the danger he felt weighing down on him. He had pushed down any thoughts of what might be wrong, focusing singularly on reaching his destination. Ferus asked him to slow down a few more times but he didn't. He didn't break his stride until he reached the place he was fighting to get to. He stopped and paced around the trees, his eyes searching upward for an entrance. As he was looking he heard the footsteps of Ferus who had finally caught up to him. Ferus hunched over clearly a little winded from the long run though the woods. Anakin glanced at him but continued to look up.

"What are you even looking for," Ferus asked between breaths.

"The rebels have made their base within the trees," Anakin replied his eyes darting as he paced around searching still. "This is the area that I saw as I searched through the force. We have to find a good one to climb and hope they don't shoot us on sight."

"Great plan," Ferus said throwing his hands int he air. "I assume we deflect the shots and try to talk to someone."

"We'll be fine as long as we don't panic," Anakin then found what he was looking for, a tree with perfect branches. "Come over here." He waved Ferus over and pointed up at the tree he found. "Can you leap to that branch and follow me up or will I need to send someone down for you?" Anakin questioned. He needed to make sure his companion could keep up at this part. Ferus appraised it.

"I can get up there," Ferus replied, "but we'll need to move one by one, the branches don't look like they'll hold much weight."

"My thought's exactly," Anakin replied as he gathered the force around him and launched to the branch. He didn't even think to shout down as he worked on moving through the branches. He was amazed at how high the trees in this area of the jungle went and as he climbed on he saw through the leaves around him the structures that were contained within the trees.

He could see a walkway that he could reach, he didn't think he just went for it. He had to be precise to avoid hitting a tree branch but as he landed on the walkway he instantly surveyed his surroundings. Several of the rebels who saw him started shouting, and he lifted his hands as several blasters were pointed at him.

"Hands up," several yelled. He heard others shouting into comms about an intruder. He kept his hands up and didn't make any sudden moves until one stepped out of the group. He looked at Anakin and his eyes looked back to the group. There was recognition on his face as he looked back at Anakin. He stepped forward and waved his hands for his men to lower their weapons.

"Anakin Skywalker?" the man said. Anakin knew he had seen this guy before but he couldn't remember his name.

"Yes," Anakin replied, "I came looking for Ahsoka." He saw the man perceived that he didn't remember him.

"I'm Lux Bonteri," Anakin remembered that name, "I'm Ashoka's contact on Onderon. She came for a supply run with the empire decided to touch down." He saw Anakin's face, "you know all this." Anakin nodded, as he looked back to the tree to see Ferus reaching the perch Anakin was previously on.

"The rebels sent me to bring her back," Anakin replied quickly, "Is she okay?" Lux's eyes fell and that told Anakin that not everything was okay. Lux looked like he was about to respond when Ferus landed next to Anakin and the rebels instantly raised their guns. Lux waved them off since Anakin was clearly calm about this other arrival.

"A friend of yours?" Lux asked.

"Lux this is Ferus Olin," Anakin said, "he's a former Jedi padawan and ally to the rebellion."

"Ferus!" a female voice sounded through the crowd. As it parted Anakin saw here and knew instantly who she was. Siri Tachi had aged significantly since the last time he saw her but it was still clear who she was. She looked worried, as she walked through the group. Her eyes had landed on Anakin and stayed there, clearly she recognized who he was as well. Everyone seemed to easily remember him, which made sense since he wasn't exactly a low profile Jedi during the clone wars.

"Siri," Ferus greeted her, "so much for contacting me when you reached the rebels."

"It was a bit of a busy time," she said looking toward Ferus and then back to Anakin.

"And look what the bantha dragged in," she spoke with a bit of annoyance.

"Good to see you again too Siri," Anakin replied as he saw the many things she wanted to say but held back. It was the same as when Ahsoka had first encountered him, they were angry but he understood why. "Where is Ahsoka?" Lux and Siri exchanged looks, the worry evident.

"She was captured by Taris and Maul when the Imperials landed," Lux replied, "she was very brave. She actually chose to help get everyone who had helped the rebellion out of the city she could. We mounted an operation to rescue her using our superior knowledge of the city. The rescue went down smoothly with minimal losses."

"I ran into them in the city during the rescue. I should have known something was off," Siri interjected now but she paused to let Lux continue.

"It seems Taris outplayed us," Lux replied, "she poisoned Ahsoka, it's a slow acting one we know on this planet. We didn't notice until she collapsed earlier today. Taris knew this would happen, she is now guarding the source of the only cure for this poison." Anakin had discovered the source of the danger he sensed. Taris was trying to draw them out.

"Has any effort been made to go after it yet?" Anakin questioned.

"It is heavily guarded but we are discussing options," Lux responded, "come she would want to see you." Anakin nodded in agreement and fell into step with Lux as they walked through the base. Anakin found himself glancing about the setup and wondering why Taris had played them the way she did. Such a strategy was bold but it relied on a belief that the rebels would do anything to save Ahsoka. There was no way for Taris to know if that would happen.

"How long do we have to get the cure?" Anakin asked.

"4-7 more hours," Lux replied, "we have no real way to measure it. Ahsoka is strong but leaving such a thing to chance is not wise. We have a network watching every move made on this planet, Taris has the area so heavily guarded that any attempt to secure the cure could cause us to loose our entire force." Since the rebellion was still growing Anakin knew this was not an option that any rebel leaders would consider worth. It his mind was working on a plan when Lux stopped in front of one of the structures and opened the door for Anakin. He knew this must be where they were keeping Ahsoka. He stepped in and saw her laying on a cot in the room, there were a few people shuffling around. She turned to look at him as he walked him, he noticed the color had drained from her face. Her breathing was shallow and he had the sense that things were not going well for her.

"You came," she said, she coughed as she spoke. He didn't like seeing her like this, it wasn't right. Of all the things he thought he had been walking into, her loss was something he had never even considered. Ahsoka was a fighter, this wouldn't take her down.

"Don't cause yourself more pain Ahsoka," Lux said as he took a seat beside her bed. "You have to save your strength."

"You can't buy yourself more time with this one," she spoke. Anakin knew in this moment she would seek to put everyone else before her, the rebels on this planet were in dire need. There was no where left to run, and Taris was seeking to drag them into open confrontation. They couldn't keep hiding, all they could do was fight.

"Yeah but we do have enough time to save you," Anakin said kneeling beside her cot. "You're going to be fine." Ahsoka shook her head.

"There are more important things at stake than me," Ahsoka responded, "you have to get them out of here. Each person here has risked their life to keep the dream alive. My life isn't worth more than every single one in this place. I know you sky guy, you'd save the ones closest to you before you'd save the masses. That won't work this time. The cause we fight for is more important than any single life." He wouldn't buy it. There was no way he would just give up on her. He wouldn't give up on anything.

"I don't want you to worry about that," Anakin replied. "I was set here to save you, and I will save you and everyone else here. Trust me, and keep yourself alive, it's time to leave this place." He saw tears in the corner of her eyes at the words his spoke. He already had the plan formulated in his mind. They were all getting off the planet alive.

The sounds of the troops around her were normal to her. She smiled as she watched the sun getting lower each moment from the hill she stood on. The dark of the night would surely bring the movements of the rebels and she would crush them before they had a chance to escape with the cure for Ahsoka. She was certain this would be a victory over the rebels on Onderon and over the remaining Jedi. Her feats would surely bring her the approval that she craved from her master. She didn't know why but she could sense the strange Jedi from Abafar, she knew he was here. She also sensed that the rebels wouldn't just let Ahsoka die. This day would be a victory for her.

"Your strategy is bold Taris," she glared at Maul as he intruded upon her meditation. "Perhaps too bold. How do you know the rebels will fall for it?" Taris rolled her eyes.

"Because they are out of options," Taris responded turning toward the arrangement of her troops. They had walkers scattered around the encampment and as many troops as she could bring from the city posted not only around the site, but all over the surrounding hills. The rebels would have no chance of getting through. "They have nowhere left to run."

"That is what worries me," Maul replied, "desperation could bring our advantage, but caging certain animals brings out a danger that you may not foresee."

"I foresee we will have a victory," Taris stated with certainty. "I can feel that the Jedi will lose more than they bargained for. You'd do well not to question my judgement Maul, Sidious chose me over all others for a reason."

Jay didn't quite know what was driving him to continue beyond the Empire's lines into the forest, it would be much better to stay quite and wait with Taris and Maul for their enemies to show up. Even with that logical thought he had an inkling that there was something out there that he needed to find. The force led him now, which was strange since he had been taught to lead the force rather than to let it lead him. Lately he had trouble really knowing what was going on inside his own head.

What had changed life for him? Had he ever felt safe on Mustafar? Had he ever had a home? Was there anything before that place? Before the training he had been put through. These questions tried to run through his mind at all times, he suppressed it. He focused on the training he was given to let go of the thoughts in his mind. That training worked, some of the time. He wasn't good at letting go when curiosity took hold of him. That was way he was out here now.

Taris might have seen him leave, if she did she hadn't stopped him. His mission here was clear and she trusted him. He could not betray that trust but he knew he could not stop the voices in his head if he didn't know the answers to some of those questions. Where to get them was a mystery. He was raised to hate, yet none of it felt right.

Somehow he knew he had to find Ri-En again, and he didn't want the battle Taris seemed to think was necessary. He didn't know what to think about the way he had been taught to fight and the simple words he had been told by Ri-En. He knew what side he was on, but somehow sides didn't seem to matter in this moment. His loyalty was to Taris yet something in him was fighting that, begging him to take a risk and to get away from the Inquisitors once and for all. They had caused him nothing but grief, yet Taris had been kind to him which was unlike the Sith.

He knew something was wrong with him and he knew the head inquisitors saw it as well. They knew the thoughts in his head and they hated him for them. Doubt was enough to get any of them killed, yet he had been saved by Taris's timely arrival. He hoped he wouldn't have to go back there and perhaps if he succeeded at everything he was given to do he wouldn't have to.

If he succeeded Taris would undoubtedly keep him around. She might keep him around no matter what happened. She had spoken with such strong conviction about trust he knew she believed the words she had said. He had watched her change through the years, she had gotten callused and anger now coursed through her. He knew what Sidious was doing to her was what would make her into the Sith the empire needed her to be yet it felt wrong. As a child she had been filled with a goodness that no one else he knew possessed, and he believed it was Taris's goodness that kept him wary of his leaders.

He was piecing together what was going on his head, somehow he was coming to a realization of what Ri-En was to him. She reminded him of the way Taris had been before. Ri-En was facing tragedy being in the rebellion, she had a sadness in her eyes but beyond that she had something very few ever had. She had hope. She believed in something bigger than herself, somehow Jay found himself attracted to that belief.

Perhaps it was because he had never believed in anything. He had been taught as a young child that he fought for the protection of peace yet all he had seen contradicted that. They fought and destroyed so many to bring peace to the galaxy and all it accomplished was making more enemies. He never had much time nor will to comprehend it. What was happening In the galaxy was much beyond him.

He stopped his thoughts and his walking due to a sound he heard in the bushes. It could very easily be an animal but as he reached out in the force and felt a familiar presence. Odd that she should be familiar after knowing her for so short a time. His presence was blocked, he would get the jump on her easily. If he took Ri-En down before Taris enacted her plan then it would go of easier. He crept closer to what he felt, he didn't want to reveal his presence. As he moved he saw her, she was turned away from him and watching something in the distance. Now was as good a time as ever.

As he moved out of the bushes with his lightsaber drawn she suddenly turned. Her hands moved up fast and before he could react he was flying through the air, the massive wave of force energy was something he forgot about her. As he slammed into a tree he realized how badly he had miscalculated. He didn't even think of the inkling he had in his mind, how stupid he had been. For she obviously felt him as much as he felt her.

"You can't pull a fast one on me Jay Carras!" She declared drawing her lightsaber, "besides I've gotten stronger since our last encounter. She ignited her blade as he stood up from the ground he was on. His mind was moving quickly as he ignited his own crimson blade. He hadn't come out here looking for a fight, he didn't even know why he was out here. He knew it had to be a bad idea in his mind. Reason had left him, he should have waited for Taris's plan to come to fruition. How was he even planning on finding his way back.

"Things have changed since we were last stuck in a jungle together, though that wasn't long ago," Jay replied. She rolled her eyes, her features hardening but she held back. She was such the epitome of a Jedi, she wouldn't attack until he did so he waited. "Perhaps I'm nearer to the rebels than the others have gotten?"

"Nice try Jay," she said, "I'm not revealing anything to you." He didn't miss that each time she spoke to him she said his name. He smiled at that detail, he had her on edge that meant he still controlled this.

"Is your master nearby waiting to pounce?" he questioned, he didn't miss the way her eyes fell at the question, "because that would be the main way your getting out of this. You don't know how many troops I have just waiting for my signal to close in." The blatant lie would work, he knew it. She stepped back as if looking for a way out, he had said enough to unnerve her. "Of maybe your master is nowhere to be found. Perhaps you are alone out here, that's a pretty dangerous state to be in."

"What's dangerous Jay, is your shields slipping," she stated, "I know that your lying Jay. No one is coming for you just like you know no one is coming for me. This battle is between us now." He raised his eyebrows at how quickly she picked up on that and how quickly he could feel the truth in her words.

"Maybe it's not my shields," he replied, "something drew us here." She tensed.

"Well then I'd best be on my way since I would rather not be drawn into your presence!" she said forcefully as she took a step back. She was obviously a little reluctant to leave. She then took an air of bravery, turned off her lightsaber and turned her back on him to continue going wherever she was headed when he found her. He sighed as he knew what he had to do. He lunged forward with his lightsaber and she turned quickly to meet his attack. He countered with assurance as she met each move, she was quick but he was driving her back. He admired the way she moved with him, neither of them the most powerful duelists but both had an assurance to each move. She moved fast gaining an offensive and loosing it within a few steps. She fell into a natural pattern and he found himself wondering her thoughts.

He knocked her back with strength in a strong movement, she used the force to steady herself and leap away from his onslaught. She had fire in her eyes as she watched each move he made. He moved in again, and he knew she was completely ready for him. He tried to increase the speed of his movements, he wanted to win this but she kept up with him. Obviously she had been working since he last saw her. She caught the offensive again succeeding at pushing him with the force. He mimicked her move earlier, using the force to catch himself but. instead of waiting he launched back onto the offensive.

As they fought, and as he drove her back he realized their surroundings were changing. They were entering a different area of the forest. She leaped away from him trying to get away from his onslaught, he didn't think he could unnerve her but he realized she was battling some kind of war inside. He took his opportunity to catch her but she was on guard as she jumped back at him. Their lightsabers collided and they both moved their hands fast. He wanted to win this. She drove him back now, and he pushed to get ahead again. This battle was as Taris had predicted, they would be nearly evenly matched. Both were young and neither really knew their fully potential but as she moved he got the feeling that it wouldn't take long for her to be ahead of him. For some reason that thought didn't upset him. Ri-En was everything he was not, and for some reason he didn't resent that.

He noticed she was tiring but so was he, they were both pushing at each other with fire and force. Jay got his offensive back as he noticed they were nearing the edge of a cliff. Ri-En leaped moving away from the cliff around them. He could hear the sound of water below which meant there wasn't much danger. He could also hear that the drop wasn't too bad. He tried to push her back towards it She read what he was doing and worked to avoid it but they had both expended a lot of energy. She forced herself forward reaching out and tossing him with the force.

He flew back and got back up, next thing he knew the ground was shaking. He looked toward the jungle and realized the cliff they were fighting on was giving way.

Hello my faithful and new readers!

Merry Christmas (I'm a bit late but better late than never)!

I have been working on this chapter for awhile. I've been derailed by work, and I have gotten sick like 4 times since the last time I posted. It's been crazy but vacation gave me the perfect chance to finish this.

Please leave a review to let me know what you think! I've missed hearing from y'all!

-AWinterChill