Revenge of the Jedi/Part 54

Raven adjusted the collar of his suit—Pelagia scarlet with purple accents. He would have preferred simple Jedi robes, but his father had insisted that would make a statement—a way of reminding Vinton that Raven and Raina both were and were not Tapani Jedi. Of course, wearing the House colors made a statement of its own, but there was no pleasing everyone. And Gaebrean had been a Tapani Jedi Knight; perhaps it was fitting that those attending his funeral be garbed the same way.

Raven looked up at a knock on his bedroom door and saw Jirdo Yushari standing there. "What is it, Jirdo?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but that Republic Intelligence captain is here. Oraska."

Raven blinked; he had given the man no more thought since Allanteen, though Neeric remained a guest of Inimă Eserzennae even while the other liberated prisoners had been taken to Pelagar for treatment and resettlement. "Why?"

"He didn't say, and I didn't ask. He asked for Tirien, but he and Narasi aren't back yet, so…"

So with him and Harshee gone, you're the only other Jedi who was on the mission, and someone needs to talk to this captain, Raven heard. He glanced at his chrono, but nodded. "Yes, all right, I'll see him."

Neeric had evidently heard the news, because he stood in the foyer clasping arms with Oraska, along with another Human, a Sullstan, and a Balosar Raven did not recognize. Zaella stood nearby, wearing an understated tunic and robe of hunter green. Raina had taken her into one of the platform cities to buy it, the only time either of them had left Inimă Eserzennae since the Second Chance returned. The understanding that had arisen between them eluded even Raven, but he was too relieved at even a single averted feud in the manor to care. A glint of gold on her ear cone drew his eye, but before he could look closely, Oraska stepped forward.

"Jedi Kaivalt," Captain Oraska said. "I'm told Jedi Kal-Di isn't here."

"I'm sorry, Captain, he's not," Raven said. "He's away on Jedi business, though I'm sure he'll be relieved to hear you and your crew survived aboard the shipyards, as am I."

"Thank you, sir. I'm sorry we arrived at an inconvenient time; things were chaotic on the shipyards after the battle, and it took us some time to get away.  We won't trouble you for long, but please accept our condolences on your cousin's death."

Neeric and all the others nodded, and Raven bowed his head. "And ours for your colleagues—Vesta and Bee Seven, if I remember correctly?"

"Both brave servants of the Republic," Oraska agreed. "Not everyone would say that about a droid, of course…"

"We would. Our droid Bernius fought alongside us, as he did alongside my ancestor a hundred years ago." He gestured to the statue. "We understand."

"That droid helped spring me, sir," Neeric said. "I owe him my life too."

"Is he available?" Oraska asked.

Raven turned to Jirdo, about to send him to retrieve Bernius, but the droid himself appeared from the direction of the den. "I am, sir."

"Then, from all of us, thank you. Vesta was always the best with droids…but then, Bee Seven wasn't just a droid."

"He was one of us," the Balosar said.

"I'm not sure you appreciate how much it would have moved him to hear you say that," Bernius said.

The Intelligence operatives exchanged looks, and Neeric asked, "What do you mean?"

"Bee Seven understood the sacrifice he was making, but he made it not just to protect the Republic, but to protect Neeric, and avenge Vesta."

Captain Oraska frowned. "How can you know that?"

Bernius glanced at Raven, who had raised an eyebrow too. "I apologize for not telling you, sir, but it was somewhat overwhelming at first. When Bee Seven understood he could not escape, he backed up his memory—he had no fear of destruction, but he feared for all of you, without a droid of his capabilities, and knowing the missions you undertake.  That backup contained all his programming and acquired experiences, as well as a number of unique programs he developed internally—everything from his activation on Nubia until the series of events which resulted in the Kiss of Death ' s destruction.  Of course, by the time he committed to his decision, transferring the data by datacard was impracticable…"

Raven sensed a flash of comprehension before Jirdo said, "Is that why you plugged in…?"

"Yes." Bernius dug into the satchel he carried and produced a case, which he opened to reveal a trio of datacards. "I took the liberty…"

Neeric took the case as if it was filled with Corusca gems; his eyes brimmed, and Raven tactfully averted his gaze, but he could find no more courteous view among any of the other operatives. Jirdo looked moved as well, and even Zaella smiled a little.

"Thank you, Bernius," Captain Oraska managed, and he held out a hand. When Bernius had shaken, Oraska said, "In light of the gift you've given us, I hesitate to mention it, but Bee Seven's memory contained considerable proprietary data concerning top secret Republic Intelligence operations—"

"—which I shall purge from my memory core when I receive your notification that the new Bee Seven has been activated." Bernius paused, then said, "Or rather, that Bee Seven has been re-activated in his new shell."

All the operatives looked at Oraska, who nodded. "You're a Jedi droid, and you've done us an incredible service, so I'll take you at your word."

Bernius stepped back, and Raven took his place. "We're beginning soon, Captain. If you'd like to stay the night…"

"No, sir, thank you. We'll be on our way."

Raven shook hands too. "Thank you. Without your team's courage, none of this would have been possible.  I'm just sorry it cost you a comrade."

"She'd've wanted to go this way, sir," one of the Humans said. "Well, that or being made into a droid."

All of them laughed; Raven gathered it was an inside joke. As they filed out, though, Oraska said, "One of my team caught a holo of the Kiss of Death exploding, sir."

"You probably had a better vantage point that we did."

"I understand if you can't tell me, sir, but I have to ask: what about Gasald?"