Star Wars: Plight of the Padawan/Chapter V

Plight of the Padawan Chapter IV • Chapter V • Chapter VI En route to Paran Sector, 21 BBY
 * …may Master Drosk be one with the Force, forever. The final words of the eulogy bothered Xero more than anything, pounding at his head, shaking him and tearing him apart. Only natural, after seeing a dear mentor so unjustly murdered. Well, no one could support that claim, so maybe murder was the wrong word to use in the context given—but Xero was certain is was more than just disease or fate that toppled the man. Eight years of contemplation and Jedi training gave him more than ample time to wonder, but now was certainly not the time.


 * Aduro stepped to the viewport and placed his hand on Xero's shoulder, whom had been sitting in Haley ' s pilot seat for the past few days, leaving only for necessities and sleep. Looking at the top of Xero's head—now covered by a dark-as-night jungle of wavy, uncombed... mess, reaching to the bridge of his nose—he suggested, "Why don't you take a little break? It'll be a long while before we get to Dox Para."


 * "I know, Master" he said, emotionlessly. Xero stared out into space, hypnotized by the lights of hyperdrive. He broke the daze and looked to his lap, cracked his nuckles, and turned his attention to Aduro. "It wasn't fair."


 * Aduro was silent. Xero made a good point; one that they all had already thought, true, but none spoke. Who was fate to deny Drosk the right to live? Aduro frowned, before placing his hand on Xero's shoulder and saying, "Set her to autopilot and get some sleep. We have a good two more days before we even reach the sector." Aduro gave Xero one little pat on the back before turning around and heading back to his cabin, sliding his fore and middle fingers along the interior hull along the way. He hummed a strange tune as he slipped passed Shiya, shuffling with her head hung low towards the cockpit in little more than shorts and a short-sleeved shirt with the left one torn entirely off.


 * Xero stood from his seat and, lost in his thoughts, came face-to-face with Shiya, accidentally bumping into her. Shiya stumbled backwards and her eyes widened, caught off-guard by the encounter; Xero's left little to be said. Tired and cold, his gaze struck Shiya hard, and left her almost very literally paralyzed where she stood. "I'm sorry, Shiya," he whispered, looking to his feet, and stepped passed her. She pivoted her body the slightest degree to watch him head for his room, and she turned back to face Haley ' s control panel as he rounded the corner, disappearing from her sight. She looked up at the viewport and frowned; too many thoughts running through her mind. Her wrist brought up to her face to wipe her eyes, she blindly headed back to her own room. She ran head-first into the side of the door along the way, and got back in bed with a bleeding nose.