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Alee sat cross-legged in one of the padded chairs spaced around the outer wall of the salon pod. It always surprised her how comfortable the Republic cruisers were. She thought of her own ship - a VG23 anonymously delivered to the Temple when she'd turned twenty. She sensed it was a gift from her long forgotten mother. The Council had almost returned the craft, but finally relented after putting Alee through a rigorous interview to determine the strength of her loyalties. They were satisfied that, though she knew where she was born, her home and her life were at the Temple. But, Alee did love to fly. She would have preferred flying solo for this mission and meeting the team at their destination, but she hadn't been allowed the option.
Master Windu hadn't permitted much discussion at her briefing at all. He had been obviously reluctant to give her the mission. What Council member successfully argued my case? I wish my ally had a face. She closed her eyes and considered each leader in turn, but nothing twigged. She sighed and turned to reviewing her datapad notes on Gandeal.
Twenty minutes later the door whooshed open and someone entered. Alee looked up. Her smile froze when she saw it wasn't Qui-Gon. The Jedi before her was barely taller than she was and looked to be several years younger. His close-cropped, dark blond hair with a long slender braid marked him as a Padawan. His standard Jedi tunic and leggings matched Alee's. His expression did not. So serious for one so young. Intense eyes assessed her closely.
Hello," Alee said. "You must be Qui-Gon's Padawan."
"Obi-Wan Kenobi," came the terse reply.
Alee nodded. "Pleased to meet you. I am Alee-Nedra cy Nerac."
"Yes, I know."
Obi-Wan moved to the sensor control pad at the front of the pod. He brought up a viewscreen displaying the whirling vortex of starlines that was hyperspace. Alee considered his stiff posture for a moment.
"You disapprove of me," she stated.
His shuttered look revealed nothing.
"I would guess," she continued, "that you heard about and disliked it when I involved your master in that little challenge match." She paused. "But what is a harmless round of sparring?"
Obi-Wan folded his arms and asked, "Why would I care about that?"
"Why indeed? Then it must be my recent disciplinary hearing that concerns you." Alee could see she had blasted the target dead center.
Obi-Wan scowled. "You disobeyed the Council once."
"So, of course, I will be inclined to do it again. And that makes me a most unsuitable Jedi to be teamed with." Alee's voice was tinged with sadness. She considered him carefully. "Have you never disobeyed, Obi-Wan? If not the Council, then your master, perhaps."
He bristled defensively. "I am a Padawan learner. You are a Knight."
"But, we are both human, both prone to error, from time to time. Ascending to knighthood doesn't mean you cease to grow in the ways of the Force." She paused. A twinkle came to her eyes. "You are wise to be vigilant, Obi-Wan. Who knows, maybe I was just having a very good day when I passed the tests. Maybe Master Yoda made a dreadful mistake when he proclaimed me ready. The Council will thank you when you reveal my ineptitude."
Alee stifled a laugh at his indignant look. The door opened to admit Qui-Gon. He stopped mid-stride, and looked from one Jedi to the other. He crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows. Obi-Wan looked down and brushed his tunic.
"I sense I've interrupted." Qui-Gon's deep voice held a note of amusement that echoed Alee's expression. "Is something wrong, Padawan?"
Obi-Wan met his master's gaze. "She mocks the Council, master."
Qui-Gon frowned. "I believe Alee holds the Council in the deepest respect. Perhaps it is your love of rules she is targeting."
Obi-Wan started to reply, but Alee interrupted, "I'm sorry, Obi-Wan. We've just met, and the first thing I do is tease you. Qui-Gon is right. I meant no disrespect to the Council, nor did I mean to insult you."
He gave a short nod and mumbled excuses to leave. After he left, Alee rose and stood before the viewscreen. The spiralling, color-shot blackness reverberated in her mind like a vaguely remembered dream. She shuddered and switched the screen off. Qui-Gon moved to stand behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She looked at his reflection, long hair, beard and eyes made darker by the blank screen, and forced a small smile.
"I'm afraid that did not go well. Your Padawan is convinced you will be working with the worst kind of fool on this mission."
He turned her around and looked into her eyes. "And what is the worst kind of fool?"
"Obi-Wan would say it is someone who has the audacity to break the Council's rules, I suspect."
"And what would Alee say?"
"That the worst fool is one who does not follow her heart."
Qui-Gon invited her to sit. Alee watched his fingers, long and graceful like the man himself, as they drummed on the armrest. She felt his keen blue eyes gazing at her, but kept her head down.
After a short silence he spoke. "You told me the events of your mission on Keedad. May I ask you something about why you were disciplined?"
Alee looked up, touched by his gentle tone, and smiled. "Of course."
"I know that the Council was upset because it was you, their official observer, who first suggested fighting back, instead of letting the Keed decide that action for themselves. Understandable, perhaps. I would guess your sense of justice was outraged."
"Yes," agreed Alee.
"Did this, ah, passion for justice cloud your mind, or clear it?" Qui-Gon studied her intently. Alee could feel him probing her reaction through the Force.
Alee closed her eyes and thought for a few moments, then met his gaze openly. "I cannot remember a time when this yearning for justice was not accompanied by the Force burning cold and clear in my being. It was no different when I was with the Keed. I am confident I was guided by the Force in my actions. But, I do realize I was wrong to push my own agenda. I think Chale would have chosen the same path eventually, had I remained silent."
"Why didn't you admit this to the Council?"
"I felt the rightness of my actions so strongly, there was nothing to admit. It wasn't until they chastised me and I had time to reflect that I saw the truth of their position." She smiled wryly.
He raised one eyebrow. "Being stubborn has nothing to do with it?"
She copied his look. "Did I ever say I was stubborn?"
"Yes."
She laughed. "I guess I did say that. Do you believe everything you're told?" He grimaced at her look of pretended innocence. She felt the warmth of shared humor and basked in it.
Qui-Gon captured her hand, and then her gaze. "You are the best of fools, Alee, because you do follow your heart. And your heart follows the Force."
Alee lost herself in deep blue pools that stole her voice and breath away. He reached up and gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear. She blinked and air rushed into her lungs. Fine wrinkles feathered out from his eyes as he smiled.
"Your connection to the Living Force is vibrant - luminous, even," whispered Qui-Gon. "Don't ever lose that."
Puzzlement crept across her brow. "But I am ever mindful of the future, just as Master Yoda taught, as my own master, Jarep, taught. The Cosmic Force is always paramount."
His smile widened. "Yet I suspect your mission on Keedad was not the first time the Force - the Living Force - sidetracked you onto another path."
Alee opened her mouth, then clamped it shut. She pulled her hand away, crossed her arms and shot him a withering glance. He doesn't know what he's talking about.
Qui-Gon laughed.
The third day of their journey was coming to a close. The three Jedi had fallen into an easy routine of eating, sleeping, meditation and study. A sense of timelessness and inner focus wrapped around them.
Alee sat at the oval table in the salon pod and stared unseeing at her datapad. Her vision blurred and she threw the device down in disgust. She pushed the chair back and propped her feet on the table. Alee massaged her temples and sighed. She glanced across the table to see Obi-Wan looking from her boots to her face and back again. She rolled her eyes and dropped her feet to the floor with a thud. Qui-Gon looked up from his lounge chair behind Obi-Wan.
"Why does the senator from Fondor have the power to request Jedi assistance on a planet that is Mid-rim and totally outside his own system?" She tossed the question into the air.
"What have you been studying for the last few days?" Obi-Wan asked. "A contract exists between Fondor and Gandeal. And there is a permanent garrison of Fondor military on Gandeal."
Alee shrugged. "So, Gandeal has a contract to supply raw materials to Fondor's shipping yards. A business partnership hardly amounts to a valid reason for political interference in internal affairs."
Qui-Gon joined them at the table and waited for his Padawan to answer. His eyes bounced between the two Jedi.
"But the rebellion has cut off those supply lines to Fondor," Obi-Wan pointed out. "The people of Fondor are suffering because of actions on Gandeal."
"When economics become the sole reason for political action, greed and corruption will overtake the galaxy at hyperspace speeds. Faster, even, than they already are," replied Alee.
Obi-Wan furrowed his brow. Alee saw the realization hit his face. He noted, "But, there is the garrison to consider. Fondor military personnel are being held hostage."
She nodded. "That is the one point I might concede."
"So kind," said Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon's brows rose at his Padawan's tone.
Alee leaned forward and rested her arms on the table. "Fondor is a very militaristic society. Why hasn't their army swept in and crushed this rebellion?"
"They do not want to risk the lives of the hostages," said Obi-Wan.
Alee snorted. "Military leaders readily dismiss soldiers as expendable. Their lives are worthless and the soldiers know it." She paused. "Unless someone else was caught in the rebel trap. Someone the Fondorians highly value."
Qui-Gon interrupted, "You don't think the briefing is complete?"
She grimaced. "Are they ever?"
He smiled. "Point taken. Things are rarely what they seem."
Obi-Wan tensed and two sets of questioning eyes turned his way.
He met Qui-Gon's gaze. "The engines. Something's wrong."
Qui-Gon nodded for him to leave and Obi-Wan rushed out the door and down the hall. Alee reached out through the Force. The vibrating thrum of the engines filled her senses. Was there a slight irregularity? She hadn't paid attention before, so she couldn't tell if there had been a change. She looked at Qui-Gon's serious visage.
"Could he be wrong?" asked Alee. Please let him be wrong.
"He has a strong aptitude for things mechanical," he said. One eyebrow quirked. "A Corellian would never bet against him."
Alee tapped her teeth with her thumb. Qui-Gon reached across the table and snared her fingers. Alee stared at their joined hands and took a deep breath. She focused inward and found her center of balance. The Force pushed trepidation aside.
"Let's head topside. The captain can fill us in," he suggested.
Alee tossed him a small smile and nodded.
Qui-Gon and Alee left the salon and used the turbolift by the captain's quarters to access the level above. They were passing the communications center, and had just entered the navstation aft of the cockpit, when the cruiser lurched.
Alee staggered into Qui-Gon, and they tumbled against the wall. Qui-Gon wrapped his arms around Alee to steady her. The durasteel slammed the air out of him. When he could breathe his senses were filled with the herbal scent of her hair. He tipped his chin down and brushed his cheek against the auburn silk, then shook his head and released Alee. She turned to him, confusion darkening her hazel eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Alee blinked. "Fine. What happened?"
To the ship? Or to me? Qui-Gon frowned. "I don't know, but listen."
Alee froze. The only sound in the room was the quiet hum of the life support system. Her gaze swept over the room and flashed back to his.
Qui-Gon nodded. "Emergency shutdown."
"We aren't in hyperspace," she said. Whispering, she added, "Then where are we?"
"Well, we're not flying through a quasar," Qui-Gon quipped. He motioned to the cockpit. "Let's find out, shall we?"
A ripple of uncertainty washed across her features. She shook her head. With a muttered, "I'll wait in the salon pod," she whirled and fled back the way they had come. Qui-Gon watched her go. Another crack in the crust, and Mace is nowhere to be found. Have to deal with it later. He turned, nodded to the staring communications officer seated at the nav console and entered the cockpit. The viewscreens were black with tiny white dots. We're between systems. The captain was bent over the comm unit.
Obi-Wan's voice came over the speaker. "It was my decision to institute the shutdown, sir. I know I overstepped my authority and I apologize."
Qui-Gon tapped the captain on the shoulder. "May I?"
The captain slid into the co-pilot's chair and motioned Qui-Gon to sit. He slipped his large frame into the seat and toggled the comm switch. "What happened, Obi-Wan?"
"Master, you're there." A pause and the Padawan's voice continued, "The fuel atomizer core is leaking. A simple sealant can repair that."
"But?" Qui-Gon urged.
"The leak damaged the ion generator ring. Several dampers have been weakened. One has to be replaced outright. We don't have the parts." Qui-Gon could sense his Padawan's frustration.
"Are we stranded here?" But where is here?
"No. But we can only effect enough repairs for a small jump. Anything beyond an hour or two and the engine will blow, probably taking the power cells with it."
"How long until it's safe to jump?" the captain interrupted.
"Three hours, sir. Maybe four," came the reply.
"Send my co-pilot forward," the captain ordered. "We'll work on where to jump while you and the two engineers make us able." He paused. "And good work, young man."
"I copy. Master? Will you be with the captain?"
Qui-Gon smiled. "I know when to stay out of your way, Obi-Wan. I'll either be in the nav center or out of everyone's way in the salon."
A chuckled issued from the speaker. "Yes, Master." The connection went dead.
Qui-Gon turned to the captain. "Two engineers, Captain Lekk? Forgive me for not noticing earlier, but are you running short-staffed? Aren't there usually three engineers?"
The captain nodded. "We are short three. One engineer. One comm officer. One co-pilot."
"Oh. Any particular reason?"
He ran his hand through short black hair streaked silver. "Apparently, they aren't welcome where we are headed."
Frustration bubbled up inside Qui-Gon. "Not human. You couldn't get replacements?"
"We have some droid backup. Pretty useless in an emergency." The captain looked at the viewscreen and squinted, etching deep lines into his face. "Ah, until we have pinpointed where we are, there isn't much you can do to help."
Qui-Gon chuckled. "Are you suggesting that the droids aren't the only ones who are useless at the moment?"
Captain Lekk flushed. "No offense intended. Once we know where we are, you'll have to help decide where we go."
"I know. I know. Don't call us. We'll call you." Qui-Gon stood and nodded to the embarrassed captain. "I'll be in the salon pod."
Qui-Gon stepped into the lounge and stopped. Alee stood with her back to the entrance, facing the activated viewscreen. He could tell she was shaking by the faint quivering of her cloak. He retrieved a blanket from a side storage compartment and draped it over her shoulders. He gripped her upper arms and reached out to soothe her with the Force. The tremors beneath his hands subsided. She leaned back slightly. He hesitated, then enfolded her in his arms. She sighed and relaxed against him.
"What is it, Alee?" he asked. When she didn't reply he added, "We're friends, remember? Talk to me."
She stared at the screen for a minute. "Deep space. It seeps into my skin and freezes my blood."
Qui-Gon motioned with his hand. The screen went blank. "Why make it worse for yourself?"
"Not seeing it changes nothing. I still have to face it - inside."
A shudder ran through her and Qui-Gon hugged her closer. He smiled into her hair and pressed his lips against the crown of her head for a micron.
"No backing down, right?" he whispered.
Alee slipped out of his grasp and turned to face him. A smile flirted with her mouth. "You are a wise Jedi master. And I always win, you know. I just have this ... adjustment period."
He tangled his fingers in the edges of the blanket and pulled it tight around her. She stood still and met his gaze with her chin lifted up. He smiled and said, "I sense you dislike having anyone see you vulnerable, Alee. Even a friend."
"This is my battle, no one else's," she stated.
"Sometimes battles are best fought with others at your side." He led her to a chair, nudged her down and sat beside her. He took both her icy hands and rubbed them between his own. After a moment he spoke. "Why do you have this battle at all? I don't sense fear. It's more like ... an overwhelming sadness."
"It..." She squeezed her eyes shut. "Deep space always drags to the surface a memory I'd rather keep buried. It's vividness haunts me."
"Tell me." His voice was soft.
Alee pulled away and curled into the chair. Tell me, please, he urged silently. With her eyes still shut, she started to speak so low Qui-Gon had to strain to hear. "I was just past three when the Jedi came for me - a little old perhaps, but my mother had apparently delayed their coming time and again, until an ultimatum was issued. I was so young and so excited. I was with my father - the only memory I have of him actually. He took me on a short hyperspace jump. I remember thinking he wanted to say good-bye alone, that he was actually going to miss me." She paused and drew a ragged breath. "We came out of hyperspace into this ... this nothing that is deep space."
She opened her eyes and looked at Qui-Gon. He saw her focus fade and knew she didn't see him. Alee continued, "My father took me into the cockpit and sat me down. He made me tell him what I saw. I searched and searched the void until I had to admit I saw absolutely nothing. 'That's right,' he said. 'Absolutely nothing. And that's what you are to me, to your mother, to your family. You don't exist.' I think I was crying. I clenched my fists so hard, my palms started bleeding. I told him he was wrong. I told him my mother loved me, even if he didn't. I thumped the console and told him Alee-Nedra cy Nerac did exist. He hissed that I was less than nothing and slapped me across the face. We returned to Tanaab without another word. The Jedi took me away the same day."
Alee blinked and refocused. Qui-Gon wiped a tear from her cheek. Their gazes locked and she asked, "Why is it I cannot remember the face of the mother who loved me, but every time I look into deep space my father's visage comes forth with perfect clarity?"
"Pain etches itself deep in our memories." He cupped her jaw and brushed his thumb over her cheek. "I think I see where your drive and determination originates. But, you do not have to prove yourself to anyone, Alee. Look inside and you will see how much more than nothing you truly are." He sensed her melancholy seeping away. He paused and his hand stilled. "Why have you never shared this?" He lowered his hand.
"I..." She frowned. "What makes you think I never told anyone?"
"I sense it. Your pain is too raw. Sharing lessens the burden."
She nodded slowly. "It is very private. You're right. I never even told my former master. I don't know why I told you. I always seem to be blurting my inner thoughts to you, admitting my weaknesses. It is most disconcerting."
And most endearing. "It is how friendship deepens," he said.
"I value your compassion, Qui-Gon," she said. Before he could speak she shook her head sadly and added, "But, it is my undoing." A mock sigh escaped past her lips.
"My humble apologies. I never intend to undo you. I only follow where the Living Force leads." But where is it leading us, Alee? Am I willing to follow?
She squinted one eye. "Does it ever lead you to share anything of your own past with friends? Or are you the type that only listens?"
"There is little to share."
"You come dangerously close to lying, Jedi," she teased.
"What would you want to know about an old man like me?" he returned.
"You're not so old. Mid-forties, maybe."
"A decade ago you would have been right."
She shrugged. "We are not so very far apart. I'm an old 26 and you are a young 55. So, old man..." He grimaced as she continued, "I would know ... what you know about me, which is almost everything."
Qui-Gon tensed. Everything, or just the thing everyone wants to know? Do you want to know about me, or just about my failure with Xanatos? He scanned her guileless expression. "Give it time, Alee. I'm afraid my trust is not easily won, nor my silence easily broken." Liar. You know you already trust her.
"Give it time? I think you should know, my patience is very limited." She paused. "See? Another vice to add to my growing list."
He felt the tension slip away and laughed. "You'd better start listing some virtues to balance the scales, or I'll start wondering how you remain in the light."
"Very well." She ticked off points on her fingers. "Determination. A desire for justice. Loyalty. Honesty. Did I mention modesty?" Her sideways glance made Qui-Gon smile.
One eyebrow shot up as he said, "Careful, Jedi. Now who's toying with lies?"
She slumped in the chair and sighed melodramatically. "Enough of this. I will just have to learn to be patient with you and the way you twist inquiries about yourself back on the unfortunate questioner. My friend, Qui-Gon Jinn - man of mystery, with long flowing hair and long flowing robes and deep probing eyes."
He ran his hand through his hair and frowned. "What's wrong with my hair being long?"
Alee stifled a laugh. "Vain a Jedi must never be, leads to dangerous pride it does." She winked. "There is nothing wrong with your hair, Qui-Gon. I happen to love it, and I am sorely tempted to touch it every time I am within reach."
Alee jumped up and slipped behind him. "In fact, you've gone and loosened the thong with your preening, so I am going to shamelessly take advantage of the opportunity."
He scowled. "I was not preening."
Alee snorted and ran her fingers through his hair to pull it back into place. Qui-Gon closed his eyes and smiled at her light touch. He felt the thong being tightened. She slowly raked her fingers through the loose hair below the cord. Her fingertips brushed the back of his neck and she froze. Qui-Gon sensed the Force humming between them as the moment stretched.
A throat cleared. Qui-Gon opened his eyes to see a frowning Obi-Wan standing in the doorway. He felt Alee withdraw and was surprised by a flush of irritation. He pushed it aside and cleared his expression.
Raising one eyebrow expectantly, he asked, "What is it, Obi-Wan?"
"The comm unit must be switched off in here. The captain has been trying to reach you. He's ready to see you at the navstation." Obi-Wan shot a glance at Alee and left. He continued past the turbolift back toward the engine room, with Alee's sigh following in his wake. The Jedi master scowled and pushed aside a niggling sense of loss.
Qui-Gon strode into the nav station. Alee trailed behind.
"Well, Captain Lekk," he said, "have you figured out where we are?"
The captain leaned over a circular viewscreen mounted on a pedestal. The star map displayed there showed an overall view of the galaxy, with indicators for Coruscant and Gandeal. He touched a spot close to Gandeal and the map zoomed in to show the immediate sector.
"We aborted with 76% of the trajectory complete," said Captain Lekk. "That puts us on the edge of the mid-rim territories in a fairly empty stretch of space."
Qui-Gon noticed Alee's shiver, and how she immediately shunted aside the reaction. Good girl. He asked, "Are there any systems close by?"
The captain nodded. "Two. One is about 45 minutes away. The other is pushing the two hour jump limit."
"Then perhaps we should eliminate the farther one for now," suggested Qui-Gon.
"The problem is," said Captain Lekk, "the closer system isn't a member of the Republic. And any information we could uncover indicates it is not very open to outside traffic."
"The name?"
"Nekton IV."
Qui-Gon frowned. "It means nothing to me. Alee?"
She shrugged. "Never heard of it." She paused. "How could a system surrounded by the Republic manage to stay neutral?"
He rubbed his beard. "If they kept to themselves, no aggressive tendencies, it might be possible. But if they are peaceful, what would prevent them from joining?"
"I guess we'll find out," said Alee.
"Yes," agreed Qui-Gon. "The other jump is too risky. We'll have to give Nekton IV a try."
"And hope they don't blow us out of the sky," added Alee.
The captain cleared his throat nervously and issued orders to inform Coruscant of their change in travel plans. Qui-Gon frowned. Well, at least they'll know where to look if they have to send a search team to pick up the pieces.
