A Certain Point of View/Part 12

Tirien checked his beacon transceiver outside the Second Chance, but there were no updates. As he clambered quickly up the ramp, he was surprised to find his apprentice in the rear hold, rubbing her eyes and nose with her sleeve.

"Where's Ayson?" Tirien asked as he came up the ramp, then frowned as he looked at her more closely. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm good," she promised. "He's up front, and he's very excited."

Tirien didn't move; there was a hint of red around the blue in Narasi's eyes, and Tirien wondered whether it was just the emotions of the day getting to her. Her mind was level, though, and she met his gaze for a moment before walking past. "C'mon, before he figures out how to get out of his crash webbing."

Narasi let Ayson sit on her lap, holding him around the waist as Tirien took the Second Chance to orbit and Ayson bounced with excitement at each new sight beyond the cockpit. Tirien pulled away from the moon while Narasi ran the jump coordinates through the navicomputer, but then banked a tight circle to bring Pantora back into view.

"Take a look, Ayson," he said. The maroon and white globe hung in space before them, and Tirien experienced an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. "That's where we're from."

"It's so little!" Ayson marveled.

"In a whole galaxy, everything is little," Tirien pointed out. "But little things are still important."

"Like you," Narasi added to Ayson, poking his belly, and he giggled until Tirien pulled back the hyperdrive lever. Ayson started at the sudden flare of light, hugging Narasi.

"What is it?!"

"It's hyperspace, buddy," Narasi said, rubbing his back. "No need to be scared."

Ayson fidgeted. "I want my Daddy."

Narasi swallowed hard. "We'll take care of you. Promise."

He did not seem entirely consoled, but leaned against her chest without further protest. Tirien watched their interaction, still a little concerned for his apprentice but pleased that she was looking out for someone smaller and in greater need than herself. He did not realize he had taken his beacon transceiver out again until Narasi's eyes followed him tossing it hand to hand.

"Expecting another message?"

He caught and held it in his left. "Just in case."

"We're going home," she reminded him; apparently she thought he was expecting the Council, rather than Mali. "No Gray Jedi fighting team for us…"

When she said it that way, with Mali Darakhan already on his mind, it finally clicked, and Tirien started.

"Master?"

Tirien looked at the beacon again. "Gray Jedi. Karr Shadeez."

Narasi stared blankly. "What about him?"

Tirien squeezed his eyes shut, concentrating hard before he opened them again and his expression returned to being startled. For just a moment he was back on Gizer Battlestation, panicked screams ringing in his ears, his hands slick with blood that was not his own. "We sent the others back to the Crusader," he whispered. "Our Padawans will be safe, and Arlya's a good commander if there's an attack."

Narasi shivered at his tone, and after a moment Tirien could tell she had placed the words too, because she stiffened in her seat and her ears backed. "Rhosa."

Tirien nodded. "The Crusader. It was Shadeez's flagship."

Narasi looked at the beacon. "And…they're fighting the Sith again? What does it mean?"

Tirien opened his mouth, but then looked down at Ayson. He was squirming uncomfortably now, his lip quivering with disquiet, able to sense their strong emotions but not understanding. Tirien mastered himself and said, "It means we'll need to follow up when we get back to the Crescentia. Until then, we could probably all do with a little bit of meditation.  Ready for your first Jedi lesson, Ayson?"

Ayson looked up at Tirien, who tried to project calm, then to Narasi, who cobbled together an encouraging smile. The little boy thought about it, then nodded. "Okay. Let's go be Jedi."