Saga - ST The Shadow Princess (1-9-16)

Krakoa, Outer Rim –

Senator Kal Lokuna sat with the air of someone who easily stuck out in the crowd. In fact he was quite sure that all the patrons of the filthy cantina were aware he was not a normal patron. Not that they seemed to care much for his presence. When he had walked in from the pouring rain outside the one eyed Devorian behind the bar merely grunted some phrase which Lokuna had not been able to decipher. Not that he needed it by the Devorian spitting in his general vicinity. He had kept his cloak held tightly around his head praying he would not be identified. How had he been talked into such a meeting? He had barely been a part of the Republic Senate for three months. It had taken him at least the first two months to find his away around the capital without ending up in the industrial sector, or worst the Republic Navy training yards.


Sighing he kept his eyes locked to the door of the cantina as each new patron entered. None seemed to match his image he had made for his contact. Then again the message had been delivered to him after the latest session of the Senate he had no true idea who or what would be greeting him out here. Yet the message had clearly stated how important it was for him to head to the Outer Rim, and to this world which seemed to have the only value of smell, and the occasional random blaster fire. A thud caused him to jump as mass laughter broke out. A Rodian slumped to the floor causing a number of glasses to smash around him. A Twi’lek woman got to her feet clearly close to joining the Rodian. Instead she downed her last drink as the denizens roared their approval. A large pile or credits were placed in front of her some begrudgingly stating that they had been played.



“All rules were clearly stated before the competition.” She said sympathetically to the Duros who dropped the credits down then marched over to the bar. She blew a kiss to a young man who blushed, and quickly acted as if the floor had become the most fascinating thing. Music began to fill the room as a Bith and a Bothan began to sing a song of a lonely Rancor who had wanted to find his love in the Galaxy. Lokuna raised an eyebrow at the extent the song went to on the attempts the Rancor had tried thus far.



“You should have heard the one about the lonely Ithorian.” The Twi’lek sat down casually across the table from him. Her blue skin seemed to glow in the bad lighting of the room. Apparently the Rancor song was well known as others joined in blaring the words. Even the Deovrian smiled joining in about the Rancor meeting a Hutt. “That one went on for seven hours before the poor Bothan took an “accidental” blaster to the knee cap.”



“Lovely story. Sorry to say I don’t have time to hear them. Waiting to meet with someone.” She acted hurt by his words as she snapped to the Devorian. Apparently she didn’t have to say anything as he quickly began to work on a drink order. Some who passed gave her a few look overs, and once they made eye contact with her quickly changed their course of actions.



“Oh trust me everyone here knows you’re way out of your element. Just some big bright sign letting us all know.” She teased him seeing how uncomfortable he was. It was a common thing throughout the course of his life. Those closest to him would constantly joke on how he must be the quietest Senator in the whole Republic. That somehow the election must have been rigged, and his name somehow appeared on top.



“You should be taking notes from those three over there.” Her voice now dropped to a mere whisper which he almost missed. Slowly she rose to her feet, and seductively moved herself closer to him. His face flushed as he tried to maintain his composure. Her hand stroked his face as she seemed to be turning his head to three individuals who seemed to be lost in some game involving spiked little creatures. She must have been rather intoxicated as the three seemed like normal people enjoying a night out.



“They’ve been keeping their eyes on you since you entered our little fun house.” He felt uncomfortable now at how close she was. It was only a few days back that he had had a lovely dinner with an aide who worked in the Economical Office. Taking a deep breath he began to speak to inform the Twi’lek that he hoped she enjoyed her night.



“First Order must not want you meeting the General tonight….” She spoke into his ear. Immediately he froze at the words. His hand instantly went out for the small hold blaster he had bought before leaving for his trip. Yet she caught it in a flash, and held it with a grip he did not expect her to have. She kept a smile on her face as she led him with her eyes back to the three at the game. All of them wore rather large cloaks, and as the Devorian passed them with a tray of drinks one of the cloaks rose. Beneath it Lokuna spotted the bright white armor associated with non other than Storm Troopers.



“Would you care for the latest Corellian ale?” The Twi’lek spoke as the Devorian lowered the tray onto their table. Lokuna’s eyes grew large as he inspected the Twi’lek. She handed a rather large amount of credits to the bartender, and gave a brief nod to him. That had been the phrase which would inform him when the Resistance contact would appear. He did not know how to act in this instance. Perhaps it was a common phrase, and this was not the agent.



“You’re with the Resistance?” His voice shook at the mention of the Shadow Organization he had only heard rumors of. He had been present to a few conversations on the group which worked independently to fight the First Order. Some had cheered them for what they were doing. Stories had trickled in on battles that were waged out beyond the eyes of the Republic. Yet it seemed a majority were against them. Condemning them as a terrorist group disrupting the talks that went on between the Republic and the First Order.



“Such surprise Senator?” She offered him a drink, and he seemed to not be able to move at all. He had thought the message was a mere joke. Offering him truth about what was truly going in the Galaxy. Now that it seemed to be a true thing he wished he could just have never replied to it. “I admit I didn’t think the General would reach out to you. Then again it’s not my job to question her.” She downed the drink, and got to her feet. Holding a hand out to him she gave a wink as he hesitantly took it.



“Care for a little night run? Then again I should ask if you can even keep up?” Sweat slowly ran down his forehead as he noticed the Storm Troopers slowly getting to their feet. It seemed their game no longer held any interest for them. Before he could give an answer she shoved him through one of the side doors of the cantina. Falling face first into the mud he could only hear the exchange of blaster fire. Fear enveloped him as he only imagined the chaos he had found himself in.



“Move!” She roared getting him back to his feet. Rain drenched them as one of the Storm Troopers took a blaster bolt to the leg causing her to stumble down. He saw the fire that now raged in her eyes as she shot off a number of blasts to keep the others at bay. The other two paid no mind as they fired rapidly at them. He was led to what he could only describe as the dump. Terrible smells filled his nose as he gagged. She shoved him behind some boxes as she returned her attention to the Storm Troopers. They had seemed to multiply now as six more had now joined in the attempt to kill him it seemed.



“I’d ask if you can shoot, but I doubt that would be helpful! The name’s Coreen by the way.” She actually laughed fiddling for something in her pocket. A blaster bolt came to close to him as she removed a second blaster to aid to the fray. A roar filled the skies above as he looked up terrified at the sight of Tie Fighters flying over. “I can promise you that my meetings usually involve less killing. Broken bones, yes but killing is usually two to three max.”



“We need to run back straight to that clearing over there! That’s where my ship is. By now they already confiscated yours.” That ship had cost him a quite the credits to find one that could go unnoticed. He peeked quickly from behind the boxes noticing that more Storm Troopers had arrived. The Devorian laid slumped outside next to the wounded trooper. Jumping out from his right an armed Trooper began swinging a weapon which almost hit his chest. His roll saved him as the Twi’lek rapidly fired a number of shots two which took the Strom Trooper in the chest.



“Black Leader this is Red Four!” Firing a few more shots she grabbed him, and began running at a pace he could never obtain. By a few feet he was already out of breath. He didn’t dare to look back as he could hear the Storm Troopers shouting after them. “I have multiple bogies closing on the package. Want to make yourself useful today Poe?” Pain as he had never felt erupted from his right leg as he fell to the ground. Smoke slowly rose from where a blaster bolt had crippled him. Then he noticed the one on his chest.



“You’ll be ok just hold on…..blast it if you die on me Poe will never let me live this down….” Her words seemed to be coming from some great distance. Darkness beckoned him as his vision faded with each second. All he could hear was what sounded like fighters engaging in the skies above him. Then darkness took him……

 

Coreen saw the kick coming from four lightyears away. Jutho had always been too aggressive for his own good. Even when it came to sparring. The Bothan’s foot was hoping to make contact with her head, but instead she caught it in her hands. It was as if a child had tried to throw something at a teacher when they were not looking. Jutho’s eyes grew with fear of what was going to happen. Due to the fact that it had happened numerous times again and again. Her right elbow connected beautifully with Jutho’s chest knocking him back. Then she rushed forward landing a series of hits which in a real combat situation would have broken a few bones. Instead Jutho fell back onto the ground. Being raised on Ryloth her life had revolved around the aspect of survival, and also to be able to throw off perceptions. To most in the Galaxy when they saw her blue skin, and all wouldn’t think much. A small amount of applause broke out from the spectators who had grown during these sessions.



“You walk into that every time.” Reaching a hand out she helped Jutho to his feet. He had gotten past the point of trying to hide the pain as he winced.



“How did Republic Spec Ops let you just resign?” Rubbing his chest he walked off. A few hecklers followed him as the rest went back to their normal routines. She did catch sight of some exchanging credits, and others arguing about some unspoken rules which had been broken. One such argument only caused her to shake her head in disapproval.



“No you said ten seconds flat.” Poe Dameron stood defiant with his arms crossed. A few pilots chuckled watching a rather normal routine play out. “I just asked BB-8 who can confirm that the fight lasted….what was it BB 12 seconds?” Snap Wexley groaned as the round droid chimed off a response to its owner.



“See 10.4325” Poe shrugged placing his credits back into a pocket on his flight uniform. “Now as I seem to recall you said 10 flat. Need to be more precise there Snap.”



“I’m adding this to the bill. Still haven’t seen a single credit from that deal you broke back on Anoat.”



“You know he has an out for every loss.” Coreen had become accustomed to the fake expression of hurt which Poe wore on his face. “What was it that happened to your X-Wing when Jessika caught that Tie?” She took the silence as a victory seeing the massive grin Snap pointed at his friend.



“I’m telling you Poe one day you’re going to have to pay.” Snap grabbed his helmet from the ground, and began walking back to his X-Wing.



“Problem is buddy you’re going to have to not let me win to cover it all.” Snap merely waved him off throwing his helmet on. Coreen hid her smile as Poe grunted giving up on that discussion until another day. Though Coreen did note the brief smile that was given between her friend and Jessika Pava who had just returned from her recon flight.



“Why do you always have to bring up Anoat?” BB-8 rolled behind the two silently as they walked back to the command bunker.



“Just doing my best to keep you grounded.” The light punch had become a signature between the two of them. One which Poe had begun, and almost instantly regretted. At times he would still complain about the bruise which Coreen had given him. Not that he ever showed it to anyone.



“Not possible sis I’m meant up there.” He paused as Snap’s X-Wing rose into the sky. His eyes kept locked on it until it was out of reach. “General is sending more and more recon flights these days.”



“First Order is pushing their boundaries. Not that the dear Republic will do anything about it.” They had had this discussion back when they were both officers in the Republic. She had overheard him one night going on about how no one seemed to be doing anything.



“Yeah well the General’s been trying to talk to anyone within the Senate who has ears that work. Reminded me to let you know that your friend is doing well. Bacta treatment saved him, but he’s got some scars to keep.” That whole thing had seemed to be a year ago. It had all gone so quickly from her carrying the Senator as the X-Wings helped drive off the First Order. From there it had been a mad dash to recall the field medic work she had received from Spec Ops.



“He had no idea what he was getting into.” Walking down the stairs the normal hustle and frantic pace of the Command Center had become a safety net for her. All of them seemed lost in their work as she almost walked straight into a passing droid.



“None of them do. They all think it’s just the General being a war monger. They have no idea the monsters that are right at their doorstep….” He was cut off as C3P0 the General’s personal droid marched over to them.



“Ah Commander Dameron, Lieutenant Vao.” 3P0 began. Both nodded to the droid as it waved for them to follow him. “The General has requested to see you two. Please do not let my new arm throw you off. I have been told it is quite functional.” Walking through the traffic of the room 3P0 led them to the General’s briefing room.



“No sign at all?” General Organa asked to Nien Nunb. The Sullustan gave a brief reply which sadly did not seem to be what the General was hoping to hear. “Well thank you for trying. Let’s hope some of the others have better luck. Nien nodded before turning to leave the room.



“No luck on finding Master Luke?” 3P0 spoke causing the General to turn to the new arrivals.



“He’s out there somewhere. Maybe he’s telling me he’ll show up when he wants to.”



“Men are fickly like that General.” Coreen noted the smile the General returned as she motioned for the two of them to sit down.



“Shall you be needing me for this General, or shall I return to my other duties?”



“You can go 3P0 thank you.” The droid nodded before it began to chastise some poor girl who apparently had mixed up some dialect system.



“I have the reports from the latest scout trips.” Poe handed over a datapad as the General seemed to scan it quickly. She held an air of respect that all in the Resistance could see. The stories told about her past made one wonder how she could keep it all together. Coreen had her own problems, but the General’s were almost a worst case scenario.



“First Order’s been moving closer to Mid-Rim sectors.” The General laid the datapad down as she got to her feet. She turned away from the two of them clasping her hands behind her.



“With what I’ve been told the Senate won’t address it for another month.” She walked over tapping a button which brought up a map of the Galaxy. One in which they all had guessed she had spent countless hour pouring over. Searching for the person they all hoped would be able to turn this tide.



“Senator Lokuna was one of the rare few who was going to speak out. Which would have put Wayland on the First Order’s target list.” That made Coreen look rather surprised to hear that. From what she had seen of the man she had doubted he had ever spoken up about anything in his life. The General must have read that clearly on her face. “I’ve known his family my entire life. Knew his parents during the War.”



“They were a part of the Rebellion?” Coreen was obsessed with that time of history. Being a little girl she had begged her Uncle to tell her about all the adventures he had had. He had been pilot, and fought during the Battle of Endor. Poe had been the victim of her inquires when she found out his parents were Rebels as well.



“Sympathizers. Once Alderaan had been destroyed they opted to turn public support to the Alliance. That isn’t why Lokuna wanted to meet however.” A tap on the console brought up an image of two individuals. One was a younger looking Senator while next to him a girl similar in age. Both were smiling brightly.



“Her name was Alaina. She was his sister. They were inseparable their entire lives.” Poe seemed to tighten up as he imagined where this was going to lead.



“That was until she was sent to train as a Jedi….” The last word seemed to hang in the air. Coreen let out a low whistle at it. She had never seen a Jedi before. Sure stories of Luke Skywalker were told around cantina’s and places in the Galaxy. She had even found images of him while going through New Republic databases. Not that she shared that with anyone present.



“So he’s only speaking up now?” That was the part that didn’t add up. The Jedi had been gone for years now.



“Losing a sibling can be devastating for anyone. He had been looking to honor her by working for the Senate. I should also share that we did not contact him. He came looking for us.” A hologram of the Senator now rose on the table.



“General Organa. Our families have known each other for decades. Being descendants of a lost home.” He seemed well spoken and assure of himself. Something not seen during the fight off Krakoa.



“I apologize for my lack of support of the Resistance my parents would have outspoken for you from the beginning. Sadly I have had to deal with my own prejudices and issues. Aliana spoke highly of Master Skywalker, and had such hope of being a Jedi.” He paused for a moment clearly feeling the pain from that loss.



“There is no one else I could turn to with the information I have just obtained. I can hardly believe it myself to be true.” Coreen made eye contact with Poe making their own silent bet what would be presented.



“When Alaina left for the Jedi Academy we created our own communication channel. It was based off the one you made for the survivors of Alderaan. We had thought it would work best due to it having gone silent for decades.”



“I had assumed when a message was received the system must be broken. Until it came in yesterday. General…..I believe my sister is alive, and you’re my only hope for finding her.”