AKwxlady Obi Wans Daughter Part three Chapter seven

The Nulls and Omega completed half dozen missions over the next four years, most to keep pirates out of the space lanes the clones used to support the planet Munin and Kyrimorut on Mandalore. Ki’tia was part of all missions. Kad spent most of his time with Bardan Jusik and his growing family at Kyrimorut. Kad and Jusik were sharpening Kad’s Jedi skills, and Kad was learning the heritage of Mandalore first hand.

In his son’s absence Darman took over the role of father to Jorj, now eleven, Etain, now eight, and little Dar, now six. Jorj was a serious child, strong in the Force and intelligent. He was tall for his age and athletic. Ki’tia secretly taught Jorj about the Chiss people, those of his birth father, and the Cheunh language. Jorj was devoted to his mother and siblings.

Little Etain wanted to be a Mando’ad warrior like Darman and Kal’buir. She insisted she be allowed to join in fight training at age four, and was better than most of the boys her age and even older by age eight. Kal’buir gave her her first set of beskar’gam for her sixth birthday. Etain was also smart and her intelligence in fighting often gave her the advantage over older and bigger opponents.

Little Dar watched his mother heal whenever he could. He was not an A’nir and did not have her strength in the Force, but he wanted to be a physician. By the age of six he was already two years ahead of the other students his age in the education classes. Ki’tia knew what Force abilities he did have would help him be a better doctor, some day.

Ki’tia and Darman no longer spoke about Kad’s absence, and as far as she knew Darman didn’t speak to Kad about his decision to remain at Kyrimorut. When Kad stayed at the Lake House, he and Ki’tia shared their bed and were intimate, but Ki’tia knew there were other women in Kad’s life. Not by looking into his mind, but by looking into his eyes. There were other desires in his eyes. Ki’tia sensed through the A’nir that Kad was nearing a decision that would bring completeness to their relationship.

During the next mission, the pirates they were chasing escaped and fled to an Outer Rim planet Keyorin.

“Keyorin’s a bad place, Ordo,” A’den commented. They were on board Aay’han following the pirates. “They don’t like strangers.”

“And they really don’t like bounty hunters,” Niner added. “Which is what they’ll think we are if we show up in Mandalorian armor.” Niner pointed to the beskar’gam he was wearing.

“Those pirates know the location of Munin,” Ordo countered, “and they likely can guess who lives there.” He looked around the room. “We can’t risk our families. We take them out.”  His decision was final. Heads nodded in agreement.

“It’s an urban planet,” Kom’rk said. “We go in wearing the bodysuits and street clothes.”

“We find the ship first,” Ordo said. “If they’ve left, we’ll find out who they are and go looking for them. For now, let’s get some rest and plan disguises. We’re about six hours to Keyorin.”

They were lucky, when Aay’han came out of hyperspace, the pirate ship was right in front of them. “That’s our little friend out there,” Mereel reported from the cockpit. “I’m following him in.”

“Prudii and Jaing will pay a visit to the pirate ship,” Ordo instructed. “They will be expecting us, so leave something they can find without too much trouble. Then affix the real explosive to detonate when they are safely out of the spaceport, but before hyperspace.”

“We can break a few of their vac seals,” Jaing suggested, “then they just blow to vacuum when they leave the atmosphere.”

“Too risky,” Ordo disagreed. “They might notice the pressure leak and return to Keyorin. We need these guys dead.” He looked briefly at Ki’tia, she hadn’t reacted. Good.

“How about this?” Prudii had that certain smile he got when he was planning an especially good bit of sabotage. “I set up a trip explosive to the sublight drive, constructed to blow when the ship leaves the planetary gravity well.” All the men were nodding their heads in agreement.

“How long will that take?” Ordo asked.

“Thirty minutes, tops,” Prudii answered. His mind already going over the procedure for the sabotage.

“That will give me plenty of time to slice into their computer systems,” Jaing added. “To see what other ‘friends’ they have that might be a problem.”

“Good,” Ordo agreed. “The rest of us will find them in the city and let them know of our displeasure. Ki’tia we’ll need your help tracking them from the spaceport.”

She nodded. “At least one of the group should be feeling excited about escaping from us,” Ki’tia said. “That will single out the group.”

The pirate ship was smaller than Aay’han and was docked in a separate section of the spaceport. Aay’han was about ten minutes behind the pirates docking into the Keyorin spaceport. Prudii and Jaing headed for the pirate ship. Ordo’s group headed into town. Everyone was dressed in tunics and pants with the bodysuits from their armor underneath. The special fabric of the bodysuits would provide some protection from attack, but nowhere near that of the beskar’gam, the Mandalorian armor that could withstand blaster hits and light explosions. Without the comlinks in their helmets, they were all using the bead comlinks that Ki’tia used. The men carried Verpine shatter guns, holstered at their sides and vibroblades in their gauntlets. Darman carried a backpack with an assortment of explosives. Fi carried a medical backpack. Ki’tia had a smaller blaster, permanently set to stun, in holster on her hip.

Mereel had stayed with Aay’han, so there were nine from Clan Skirata tracking the pirates into town. Ki’tia and Ordo were in the lead, with the others spread out, so as not to draw too much attention to the newcomers. It was night, but the city was lit up with the usual business placards and advertisements.

“Contact made with pirate vessel,” Prudii reported over the comlink. “Two slotted. Proceeding with adjustments and intel gathering.”

“Copy that,” Ordo responded. “Ki’tia are you getting anything?”

“I’m pretty sure they’re that group on the other side of the street,” she indicated, by pointing her chin, a group of ten men, mostly human, about 20 meters in front of them. “I need to get closer to be sure.” She and Ordo crossed the street. They walked a little faster and soon were with 15 meters of the group. “That’s them!” Ki’tia said. “One is the pilot. He is feeling proud of himself for getting away from us. I can feel his jubilation over the maneuver he used to evade Aay’han. He has a very open mind.”

“I say we close it for him,” Corr said over the comlink. There were general words of agreement from the group.

“Okay, let’s keep our heads in this,” Ordo commanded. “They are going into that bar, The Spacer’s Way. Ki’tia and I will go in first to get a look around. Darman you’re with us.” Darman moved up next to Ki’tia. Ordo knew Darman would worry about his son’s wife, and Darman was sharp on recce ops.

The Spacer’s Way was typical, seedy, with the bar along the far wall, round tables scattered around the floor and larger booths along the two walls adjoin the bar. The pirates had pulled three tables together near the bar and were laughing. Ordo, Darman and Ki’tia took a booth not too far from the group, with Ki’tia the only one in their direct line of site. Darman ordered three glasses of ale from the server droid. Slowly the rest of the Nulls and Omega filtered into the bar and took tables, or other booths. The rest of the bar was pretty full, mostly with hard looking smuggler types.

“Job complete at little ship,” Jaing reported over the comlink. “We are returning to Aay’han, unless you need assistance.”

“The numbers look good here,” Ordo answered. “Return to Aay’han. I want to get these guys out of the way of civilians, to limit collateral damage. If we can get them before they scatter, we will have solved our problem.”

“Copy that,” Jaing replied. “Waiting for you with the caf on.”

“Why don’t we just surround their tables,” A’den suggested, “then show them the door. Once we’re outside, we explain we don’t like them.”

“There’s extreme energy flowing from that group,” Ki’tia said. “They’re not going to just get up and leave with you.”

“We weren’t expecting them to,” Ordo replied, standing up from the booth. “Let’s go. Ki’tia wait by the door.” The rest of the Nulls and Omega slowly walked to the pirates table and stood behind them. Ordo gave a signal and each man put a hand on the shoulder of a pirate. “Gentlemen,” Ordo said in a cold voice, “let’s step outside and have a discussion about your recent activities.”

The man under Ordo’s hand turned to look at him. “I don’t think so. We’re enjoying our drinks.” He tried to shrug off Ordo’s hand. Ordo increased his grip and started to lift the man out of his chair.

“I’ll give you another chance,” Ordo said, the pressure of his fingers on the man’s shoulder making him wince. “You’ve been raiding our shipping lanes and we don’t like that. Now let’s take this away from innocent bystanders.”  The other pirates at the table were looking at their boss, the one under Ordo’s hand.

Suddenly, from across the room someone yelled, “Hey, isn’t that Fett? They’re Bounty Hunters! Get ‘em!” Blasters were drawn all around the room and pointed at the clones. Someone thought one of the clones was Boba Fett, the clone son of Jango Fett, the Mandalorian Bounty Hunter used as the genetic material for all the clones.

“Osik!” Kom’rk swore. “Time to leave ner vod.” The Nulls and Omega each punched the man they had by the shoulder and started for the door. “Darman! Diversion!” Blaster bolts were flying. Darman grabbed a grenade from his backpack and tossed it at the ceiling over the center of the room. The blast brought down part of the ceiling and stopped the blaster firing from the patrons. The Nulls and Omega, except for Darman were through the door. Darman reached the door and pulled another grenade from his pack. He pulled the pin, but before he could throw it he was hit by several blaster bolts. Darman rolled away from the grenade, which fell toward the barroom wall. It exploded and the wall came crashing down on top of Darman.

“Darman!” Ki’tia screamed. She ran toward the rubble and started using the Force to lift it away. “He’s still alive!” The Nulls and Omega started pulling rubble off Darman. There was still movement from inside the bar. Atin and Corr started firing into the bar to dissuade further interruption from the patrons.

They pulled Darman from the rubble. He was alive, but badly wounded. Ordo lifted him onto his shoulders and the men ran through the town for the spaceport.

“Darman’s down,” Fi reported. “Injuries unknown.” Fi was running alongside Ordo and Ki’tia.

“Get Aay’han ready to blast out of here,” Kom’rk ordered. Ordo was running carrying Darman. He was too winded to give the order. Atin and Corr were firing behind them, a few of the pirates had made it through and were in pursuit.

They made it to Aay’han and got Darman into the medbay. Fi looked at Ki’tia. “Do we have a compression suit onboard?” she asked.

“Yes,” Fi answered. He started removing Darman’s clothing. “Corr!” he called, “help me get Dar into a compression suit.” Within minutes Darman was in the suit. It covered him from his shoulders down. It would hold his body together. “Ki’tia,” Fi said, “this is beyond me.”

“I know Fi,” she took his hand for a moment then released it and went to Darman. She pulled the Force into her and used her skills as an A’nir healer stabilize him. Next she started to assess his injuries. With her hands on his shoulders, she let the Force show her the extent of the damage. After several minutes she withdrew her hands from Darman and covered her nose and mouth, not daring to take her eyes off her father-in-law.

Other than Mereel, who was piloting Aay’han, the rest of the men were either in the medbay or just outside the door. Ordo was standing closest to Ki’tia. “How is he?” Ordo asked, softly. “How long will it take for you to heal him?”

“I can’t,” she said, turning to Ordo. There were tears in her eyes. “The injuries are too severe. The lower half of his body is crushed, including the internal organs. I can’t heal this, he’s dying.” She looked at Ordo, then turned back toward Darman. “I’ve put him in a trance for pain and to keep him stable. I can keep him comfortable and alive until we get back to Munin. You need to get Kad there. Darman should have one more visit with his son.” Tears were now falling over Ki’tia’s face. “I’m sorry. I would give my life to save him, but this is too much.” Fi stepped up and put his arms around Ki’tia. He was crying, too. He tried to pull her away. “No Fi,” she stopped him. “I have to stay with him, to keep him alive until he sees Kad. I have to do this for him.” She put her hands back onto Darman’s shoulders.

Ordo pulled out his comlink. “Mereel,” he said into it, “drop out of hyperspace and send a message to Kyrimorut. Returning to Munin with seriously wounded Darman. Order Kad to return to the Lake House immediately. Send the same message to Kal’buir, then get us back into hyperspace as quickly as possible.”

“Copy,” replied Mereel. “Do you want me to wait for replies?”

“No,” answered Ordo. “Get us home.”

Ki’tia stayed with Darman throughout the six hour flight to Munin. When they landed Ordo briefed Kal, Walon and Kad on the mission. Kad had arrived from Kyrimorut, as had Jusik. Dr. Mij Gilamar reviewed Darman’s condition and agreed with Ki’tia’s prognosis.

“She’s kept him alive a lot longer than I could have,” Mij said to Kal and Walon. “That Force stuff is just amazing, when it isn’t spooky.”

They put Darman on a medtable in his room, where he would be more comfortable when Ki’tia brought him to consciousness.

“Thank you for doing this for Dad and me,” Kad said to Ki’tia. Ki’tia tried to smile at him.

“We both love him, Kad,” Ki’tia replied, “and he loves you. I did this for him, too.”

Darman’s Omega brothers, the Nulls, Kal, Walon, Mij, Jusik and Kad gathered in Darman’s room for Ki’tia to bring him to consciousness. “I’m not sure how long he will last,” she explained to Kad and the group. “I will control his pain. How long he holds onto life is up to Darman.” Kad nodded. Ki’tia placed her hands on Darman’s head. “Darman, it’s time to wake.” His eyes opened. “Darman, we’re home,” she said to him. He looked around the room.

“I’m dying,” he said, looking at Ki’tia.

“Yes,” she answered, tears coming to her eyes. “I’m so sorry. Your injuries are too extensive for me to heal. I’m sorry, Ba’buir.”

“Nothing to be sorry for dear,” he smiled at her. “I’m sure you did more than you should have.” He looked around and noticed Kad. “Kad.” Kad stepped over to his father. Ki’tia moved to behind his head, where she could maintain contact, but allow Kad and Darman this time together. “Kad, son. I love you. Do what is right. I will always love you.” Darman looked around again. “You’re all here, ner vod. Take care of my grandchildren.” There were mummers of ‘we will’ and ‘of course ner vod.’  “Where’s Ki’tia?” Darman asked looking around.

“I’m right here,” Ki’tia answered, moving so Darman could see her. “I’m keeping the pain away.”

“Ki’tia, I want you to send me into the Force to be with Etain,” Darman said. “Can you do that? Can I be with Etain in death?” Everyone in the room looked at Darman and Ki’tia in shock. “Please, Ki’tia,” Darman pleaded. “I know there are Force ghosts. You said you saw your mother’s Force ghost. Can you send me to my Etain? Please!”

Ki’tia looked at Kad and then Kal. Both just stared at her and Darman. How could she deny the dying request of a man she loved as a father? Kal came up to her. “If you think you can Ki’tia,” Kal said, putting a hand on her back, “please try.”

“Master Yoda taught ‘Do or do not, there is no try,’” Ki’tia looked to Jusik for confirmation, he nodded and smiled remembering his years at the Jedi Temple. “Yes Darman, I will do what I can to send you into the Force to be with your Etain.”

They moved Darman outside on the medtable, he was clinging to life and Ki’tia was still keeping his pain away. It was night. Much of Clan Skirata had gathered under the light of a full moon.

“Darman,” Ki’tia said softly, “in order to call Etain I have to stop controlling your pain. Are you ready? Mij can give you pain meds.”

“No pain meds,” Darman said. “I am ready. I can take the pain.” Ki’tia removed her hands and Darman’s face winced in pain. He held on. People in the crowd could be heard crying.

Ki’tia cleared her mind and said, “Etain Tur-Mukan come to me now in the Force. Your husband, Darman needs you.” Ki’tia held her arms out before her and a glowing image started to form. Within minutes it resolved into the Force ghost of the Jedi Etain Tur-Mukan, Kad’s mother. Everyone standing by looked at the luminous form of Etain in amazement.

“Who are you?” the luminous Etain asked Ki’tia. “Why have you brought me here?”

“I am Ki’tia, the mother of your grandchildren,” Ki’tia smiled at Etain and pointed to little Etain, age 8, and little Dar, age 6, standing next to Kal’buir. “I called you because your husband, Darman is dying and I need your help to send him to you in the Force.”

“Darman!” the luminous Etain rushed to Darman. She smiled at him. “Oh, Dar, I love you, so.”

He looked at the Force ghost Etain. “My Etain,” he smiled, and let go of life.

“Now Etain,” Ki’tia said, “we must work quickly to send him to you in the Force.”

“I don’t know how,” Etain said. “I’m not strong in the Force. I never was. Oh Darman!” The luminous Etain mourned over Darman.

“Etain!” Ki’tia tried to get her attention. “You must use your love to pull him to you. Wrap your luminous energy around his body and pull it into the Force.”

“I can’t,” she just looked at Ki’tia. Anguish on her face.

Jorj broke away from the crowd and ran to his mother. “Mother,” he said, “you need help from Grandpa.”

“Who?” Ki’tia looked at Jorj in confusion. “Who do you mean, Grandpa?”

“Grandpa,” Jorj repeated. “He’s like her.” He said pointing to the luminous Etain. Jorj closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened his arms and a glow started forming in front of him. The glow quickly resolved into the luminous form of an older man in Jedi robes, with a beard and blue eyes much like Ki’tia’s. Mouths were dropping open across the gathered Clan Skirata as clones recognized the figure standing before them. He was older than they remembered, but the bearing and the features were those of a General they knew very well. “Hello, Grandpa,” said Jorj, “Mother needs help.”

“I see that, Jorj,” said the luminous man. He turned to face his daughter for the first time. “Hello, Ki’tia. I’m your father, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I don’t believe anyone has ever attempted what you are here tonight, but let me see if I can help.” The luminous Obi-Wan stepped over to stand next to Ki’tia, beside the now deceased Darman. He spread his arms and allowed his luminescence to flow over Darman’s body. Ki’tia opened her arms and allowed the power of the A’nir to flow through her. She looked at her father. “I think now,” he said. Ki’tia placed her hands on Darman’s shoulders. A light began under Ki’tia’s hands, more like a sparkle. It spread across Darman’s body. Within a few moments the body was covered by the sparkling light from Ki’tia and the luminescence from Obi-Wan. Then in the blink of an eye, the body was gone, the compression suit and sheets falling flat to the medtable. They looked up and there standing next to the luminous Etain was the luminous form of Darman. The luminous Darman and Etain hugged, smiled, waved at the assembled Clan Skirata, then they kissed and their luminous forms faded into the Force.

There was an enormous cheer from the assembled group of clones and family, but Ki’tia didn’t hear it. She was staring at her father. “Hello, father,” she said, smiling shyly, “thank you for your help. How long have you known Jorj?”

“Jorj and I have been talking for about two years,” Obi-Wan answered, returning Ki’tia’s smile. “He is a remarkable young man. And I am happy I could help you. That was an interesting experience. I shall enjoy sharing it with my old master. You are a wonder, daughter. I am quite proud of you.” Ki’tia and Obi-Wan had been walking away from the group of people. Kal and Ordo were watching them, but keeping their distance.

“Father,” Ki’tia looked at him in awe, “I have so many questions.”

“Ah, yes I know,” he replied, joining his hands in front of him, “but tonight is not the time for answers. You are tired and need rest. I am here in the Force when you need me.” He paused and beheld her a moment. “You are so like your mother, so beautiful. You will find the love you deserve, daughter. Trust in your A’nir strengths.” The luminous Obi-Wan started to fade.

“Good-bye, Father,” Ki’tia watched him go. Soon Kal had a hand on her back. He was guiding her toward her suite.

“Well, Ki’tia,” Kal said, “this has been an eventful night. You have done a wonderful thing tonight, but now you need your rest.”

The next morning Kad was not in their suite. There was a message to report to Kal’s office. When Ki’tia arrived there, Kal was sitting at his desk looking sad. Kad was there, with his travel bags.

“Ki’tia,” Kad said, “I want to thank you for what you did last night for my mother and father.” She started to say something and he held up his hand to stop her. “Please, allow me to finish. You have given me so much for all these years. I have not been fair to you, spending so much time at Kyrimorut. We both know we have never loved each other.” Ki’tia looked at Kal’buir, then looked down into her lap. “I truly believed you tried to love me, but I never gave you that chance. I didn’t want you to love me. I married you to give me grandchildren for my father, and you did. You made him very happy.” Ki’tia looked back at Kad, confused. Kal’s lips were pressed tight. “Now that Darman is dead, my life and my duty lie elsewhere. Shuk’la riduurok.”  Kad stared at her.

“Ki’tia, Kad is divorcing you,” Kal explained. “If you repeat the declaration, you two will no longer be married. It is as simple as that in Mandalorian law.”

Ki’tia looked at Kal, then at Kad. “Shuk’la riduurok,” she repeated to Kad. Kad rose to leave the room. He picked up his bags. When he opened the door, she added, “May the Force be with you always, Kad.” He nodded once and closed the door behind him.

“Do you need anything, ad’ika?” Kal asked, rising to put a comforting hand on Ki’tia’s shoulder.

“I need to go explain this to my children,” she answered, rising from her chair. She looked shaken and stunned.

“Children are resilient. I’ll go with you,” he took her arm. “I believe Kad said his good-byes to them this morning.”

When Kal and Ki’tia arrived at her suite, the children were gathered in the family room, Laseema and Atin were with them. The children rushed to surround their mother. She dropped to her knees to take them into her arms.

“Mommy,” Little Etain said, “I will protect you with Buir gone. You don’t need to fear.”

“I know sweetheart,” Ki’tia hugged her strong daughter. “You are a brave Mando’ad.” Kal beamed at the little girl. Laseema and Atin were at his side.

“Did Buir divorce us, too?” asked Little Dar. He was holding onto Ki’tia. She kissed the top of his head.

“No my love,” she soothed. “Your father will always love you, and you will see him again. He is being called to do important work in other places, and we must let him go to do that work.” She looked into her children’s eyes. There was understanding, but also loss.

Jorj placed his blue arms around his mother and little brother and sister. “We are aliit, family, ner vod,” he said. “Nothing will ever change that.” His red eyes flashed.

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