Healing the Force Chapter 42 Back on Coruscant

Dustil raked his fingers through his hair as he let his head drop to the wooden table of the third library he had visited that day.  He was tired, hungry, cranky, and his eyes felt as if they’d been sandblasted, he thought, as he bumped his head a couple of times against the hard surface before gusting out a sigh and sitting up.  He drew a few strange looks from the other patrons but he ignored them as he pushed the latest useless data pad aside and moved on to the next.

Why did he have to be an only child?  Why did his dad and grandfather have to be only children?  Dustil would have given his last credit at the moment to have aunts, uncles, cousins and living grandparents so he didn’t have to sit in this old forgotten library looking through decaying data pads about one; ancient languages and two; any reference to the Onasi or Isano family name.  He could have asked them.  Impossible now that both sets of grandparents were dead and this was one of the repositories for the records salvaged from Telos.  It was slim pickins and Dustil knew he was wasting his time.  The records weren’t nearly old enough.  He needed into the oldest levels of the archives at the Jedi Temple, but since he wasn’t a Jedi, a full Jedi, his access was limited.

“Maybe Visas,” he mumbled as he switched off the flickering data pad and added it to the stack of other flickering data pads that needed their power source checked.  No, he couldn’t ask Visas.  She knew of her connection to the keys and Dustil wasn’t comfortable asking her to help him search for the words that would more than likely end his father’s life.  Hell, he wasn’t comfortable looking for them either, but his father was right; Jaden would never take enough of her power back and Carth needed to be prepared to make that sacrifice, if necessary, for the Republic.  Damn do-gooder, he thought.  Atton was the logical choice, but he was with Jaden and Canderous on their way to Yavin IV to get the final key.  He’d watched the recording of their meeting in the conference room about the legend of the Valley of the Jedi and the keys, and heard Atton say he recognized the text.

If this was just about some dead language, well, that was bad enough, but no, he thought as he put on his jacket and picked up the data pads to return to the librarian, his dad woke up seventy-two hours ago from joining with Jaden and pretty much changed Dustil’s family history . . .

He sat at the computer in his father’s quarters reading the reports coming in over the secured channel.  Well, maybe not so secure if he could hack in, but it was a fleeting thought as report after report of Zared’s Sith attacks on the shipping lanes, scrolled on the screen.  These were freighters, transports, and the attacks were nothing more then murder designed to create terror among the population.  With the military under attack as well – and unable to provide protection – various systems were beginning to take matters into their own hands.  Zared wasn’t just coming after the Jedi as other Sith lords had, he was after splintering the Republic and doing a brilliant job of it.

For the military, Foerost seemed the higher priority, and then Dustil saw that the cruiser Triumph had been attacked and was dead in space.  He had friends that served on that ship and when he was done serving the Jedi, he was supposed to serve on that ship.  One battle group had answered their distress call but all contact had been lost and it was assumed they were destroyed.

“Bastard!”

“Who?”

Dustil turned in the chair to find Carth coming from his room scratching the back of his neck.  Jaden said he wouldn’t need a Kolto tank from this joining so his dad had been asleep in his room for the past three days.  “How are you feeling?”

“Stiff, sore, hungry, hung over,” Carth said as he gingerly moved toward the kitchen area while he rolled his bare shoulders.  “Who’s a bastard?”

“Zared.  He’s begun to attack the Republic.”

“It was expected at some point,” he answered as he found a bowl and poured colorful rings of sugared cereal.  “He’s not stupid, so he knows Jaden would go after the third key before he could get there so why not keep the Republic on the defensive while she’s occupied.”  Carth took a spoon from the drawer and dug in.  “Jaden leave.”  It was a casual question asked around his mouthful.  He had to swallow quickly before grinning.  Dustil’s brow was furrowed as he stared at him.

“Is that your ‘who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-father’ look?”

“Yeah,” Dustil said slowly, “I guess it is.”

“You have no idea,” he said with an amazed chuckle.  “Since you took the time to hack into highly classified information you can read it to me while I eat.”

“I didn’t . . .”

Carth raised his hand and waved the spoon at his son.  “As my personal aide, Ensign Onasi, you’ll need the access.  Trust me,” he told him with a brief eye roll . . .

Dustil turned up the collar on his jacket as he exited the library on to the crowded streets of Coruscant’s Galactic City.  It had begun to rain and he growled low in his throat thinking things couldn’t get worse, but of course, they did since every transport was packed.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and began walking towards the military headquarters.  Carth was meeting with Vice Admiral Dodonna about defending Coruscant and the Jedi Temple.  Dustil ducked his head and smiled to himself.  Let’s see how . . . practical he is after that, he thought.  He had expected his dad to go ballistic when he discovered Dustil had broken into his computer and absolutely flip out when he learned Jaden had left . . .

“Okay.  That’s it!”  Dustil growled as he threw the stylus on the desk.  “What is wrong with you?  Every word out of your mouth since you got up has been practical, matter-of-fact, and un-angsty.”  He waved his hands in frustration.  “You haven’t flipped out because Jaden left without you, accusing her of being all kinds of stupid to go alone.”  His eyes narrowed.  “You wanted her to leave, didn’t you.”

“Ah, hell no!  I’m surprised that argument didn’t send a larger shockwave through the Force than when she released me.”

“Then what is going on?  You’re freaking me out, Dad.”

Carth’s immediate reaction was to withdraw, to hold a part of him back, but he made a promise to himself not to hide from those he loved, especially his son.  He felt the resistance within him and shoved it aside.  Taking a deep breath first, he told Dustil most of what had transpired between Jaden and himself and about the voice, his voice.  When he finished, Dustil was quiet for a few moments.

“I guess that brings home just how powerful she really is,” he said.  “Bonds are one thing but she heard you . . .”

“And continues to do so.”

“But,” he paused plowing his fingers through his hair.  “I’m not sure how I’d feel about that.”

Loved, Carth thought to himself.  Loved and protected.

“Do you think it’s because of your connection to the key?”

Carth thought for a moment then shook his head.  “No,” he said softly.  “You’re just as connected as I am, Dusty.”  This was deeper.

“What do you mean?”

“My bazillionth, uh, your bazillionth-er great grandfather was one of the six that buried the key.  His name was Isano.”  Carth paused when Dustil frowned.  “Isano, Onasi.”

Dustil snorted.  “That’s real original.”

Carth almost spit out his fruity cereal when he began laughing.  “That’s what I said but apparently grandma changed the name when she arrived at Telos with their son.”

“So who was he?”

“According to Jaden, he was a stalwart soldier and reluctant war hero,” he said with a slight smile.  “Isano was originally from Telos, that’s why he sent his wife and son back there.  He served in the militia, had a serious nature, and was very loyal to his friends and family.

“Apparently he didn’t bat an eye when he was chosen to bury the key.  The Midiclorians were impressed not only with his sense of responsibility but he was also very involved in his community and various charities.”

Dustil’s brow cocked and Carth was again reminded of how much alike they were.  Just don’t make the same mistakes I have.  “Yeah, yeah, it’s not lost on me and yes, I’ve helped my share of little old ladies across the street.  I can, however, drink Kwyn under the table,” he added somewhat distressed with his do-gooder image.  “And have, on several occasions.”

“So, history repeats.”

“And it appears often since we are, historically a military family,” Carth said getting up.  “There should be a record of what happened in the conference room when Jaden told us about the legend and the keys.  Should also help you find out about this ancient language.”

Dustil stiffened, “Dad . . .”

Carth let go of the empty dish and it levitated before he used the Force to move it to the counter.  “Sorry son, still not enough.  I’m gunna go take a shower.”

Dustil got up and went to the window.  How do you know, he thought looking at the blue weave of hyperspace, since it’s obvious now why we’re both Force Sensitive.

Carth reemerged, “Caffa”

“Did this Isano have a first name?”

“Jaden didn’t say.  She called me Carus though,” he shrugged as he grabbed his mug.  “Carus, Carth.” . . .

“Hey buddy, watch where you’re going.”

Dustil still didn’t move as several more people and aliens bumped into him on the crowded walkway.

“Idiot!  Stand in the rain someplace else.”

[Stupid human!]

A sharp poke finally got his attention.  He mumbled his apologies and stepped out of the way groaning.  Carus wasn’t Carth, Carus meant ‘beloved’ and Dustil realized exactly where to look: The Room of a Thousand Fountains.  His spirit plummeted to match the gray rainy sky.  There were huge stone plaques with writing scattered throughout the massive garden.

Dustil scrubbed his hands over his face.  Looking out from the overhang he huddled under, he could see the Jedi Temple to the left and the senate building to his right.  His dad was in the senate building and expecting him.  A sense of relief poured through him.  He wasn’t avoiding going to the temple, he just had some place else to be. 

*************************

Carth paused in one of the small lounges that dotted the corridor to his office.  The spectacular view from the informal meeting room was ignored as he stood by the wide bank of windows, his thoughts on his meeting with Forn Dodonna.

Zared had attacked Foerost and several Republic cruisers.  Even freighters weren’t safe.  Several had been boarded, their cargo looted and the ships, along with their crews, destroyed.  Systems were halting their shipping which would cause unrest on other planets depending on the goods.  Prices were already rising and civil unrest was growing.  Republic, Sith, it didn’t matter.  Governments ran on commerce.  No commerce, no taxes, no taxes, no government services, and the population assumed the worse.

Screw the evil Sith Lord gig.  All Zared had to do was create unrest among the masses and bingo - he swoops in and takes over.  That’s what scared Carth the most; Zared would gain control before the Republic organized a defense, and Jaden could defeat him.

As they spoke about further deployments, an aide had hurried into the room to inform them that Sleheyron had been targeted and several tankers in route to Telos had been destroyed.

~~ He attacks your home because he believes you have hurt the child. ~~

He inwardly cringed.  ~~ My anger and hurt caused this?  How did he find out? ~~

~~ There is no rational basis to jealously.  As to how he found out, well, it is difficult to keep secrets from one’s self, is it not? ~~

Carth’s head began to pound in a fast staccato beat.  First off he was pissed he could still hear the Force – that Jaden still hadn’t taken what she needed - and second, they were still being enigmatic.  ~~ No more cryptic mumbo-jumbo.  They are light years apart and if they were that connected to read each other’s thoughts, I suspect we wouldn’t be here now.  How did Zared find out? ~~ After a few moments, he mentally rolled his eyes, about to give up on an answer.

~~ Just as you become one with the child, the Sith’ari can reach the light through the obelisk.  The night she told you of the voice, the Sith’ari sensed something was wrong and breached her defenses. ~~

Pain spiked through him.  ~~ Did he hurt her? ~~

~~ No, they cannot harm one another in the light, or the dark for that matter, but he recognized the cause of her pain.  That is why he attacks Telos and the fuel sources necessary for its restoration.  He strikes at you through this avenue because he promised he would not physically harm you or your son. ~~

~~ But isn’t revenge a trait of the Sith, ~~ he asked feeling confused.  He knew Zared agreed not to harm Dustil or those on the Sojourn, but he didn’t know about himself.

~~ Of the . . . Kath-Sith, as he calls them, yes.  Even now his fleet searches the Sith worlds to find soldiers for his cause.  He will annihilate those he feels are unworthy of being part of the True Sith.  You must remember that the True Sith gain their power through the strength of the dark side.  They do not quibble over who is strongest, who will survive, who is ruthless enough to murder to gain prestige or the next promotion.  There is no need for revenge because enemies of the True Sith are dealt with quickly and forcefully.  The True Sith do not wait and ponder their actions, scheme and use others.  They take action with decisiveness. ~~

~~ As the Mandalorians did and then Revan. ~~

~~ No.  The Mandalorians, as ruthless as they were, attacked the Republic to seek honor and glory in the battle as Mandalore has told you.  That’s what they strive for to the point of allowing the slaughter of their comrades.  Yes, they are lauded as heroes of the battle, but they are considered weak behind closed doors.  Mandalore recognized the flaws - in this long tradition of Mandalorian belief - since many of his brethren deserted the core values and became mercenaries, as he did.  He was changed after his friend Yagi challenged him and he killed him on Tatooine.   Your friend still holds to the ideals of the Mandalorians, but he has tempered his feelings on honor and glory.  For him, the honor and glory are not just the fight, but what is the outcome or benefit to his people.  The True Sith strike with a conquering sword and move on.  They do not tolerate . . . impurity.  You will find no alien species among them. ~~

~~ And Revan? ~~

They sighed.  ~~ Revan drew her power from the Star Forge.  When it was destroyed, she became weak and never should have reached the True Sith home world.  The only reason she did was because the child was not whole.  Had she been, Jaden would have destroyed her the moment she reached the empire’s space ~~

Carth’s breath backed up in his lungs.

~~ Admiral, the child is our embodiment so you know she is also the Sith’ari.  As such, she would protect what is hers.  Understand Admiral, the True Sith Empire has not fought a war in several generations, yet they continue to expand.  That alone should tell you of their reputation in what you call the Unknown Regions and their strength.  The Republic, as your friend Mandalore told the Exile, would be nothing more than a border skirmish.  As difficult as it may be to believe, the fact that Zared seeks the Valley of the Jedi is a blessing of sorts.  If he were to unleash the full power of the True Sith, there would be little you could do. ~~

~~ Then how do we fight this? ~~

~~ You don’t, son of Isano. ~~

*************************

When Dustil arrived at his father’s office, his aide, Lieutenant Abmis looked up once from his computer and pointed to the office door.  He mumbled “thanks” and went through to find Kwyn, arm reaching into the very back of a file cabinet’s top drawer.  Moments later his face split into a grin as he produced the nearly full bottle of whiskey.  Kwyn’s deep blue eyes sparkled as he gently sloshed the contents.

“Why was it in a file?”

“To hide it.”

“Why not put it in the safe,” Dustil asked as Kwyn gathered two glasses.

“That’s no fun.  Besides, I have to have something to do while I wait for him.”  He set down the bottle, picked up the two glasses, and handed one to Dustil.  “You look like a drowned Womprat.”

He took the glass and plopped down on the leather sofa while Kwyn went to the cushy chair behind the desk, sat down, and put his feet on the glossy black surface.  “ I think I know where to look,” Dustil gushed out in a rush.

Kwyn didn’t need to ask what he was talking about.  “Shit,” he muttered into the glass before draining it.

“What do I do, Kwyn?”

It was times like this Kwyn wanted to bash Carth’s face in.  Put aside the justifiable reasoning, which they all understood, and all that was left was a grossly unfair request for a father to ask his son.  “A part of me wants to tell you to forget it, but we can’t.  You’re going to have to tell him, kid.  If Jaden can’t pull this off and Zared defeats her, he’s going to come for the Jedi and that includes your father.”

“And the light side dies anyway.”

“Besides, just because you know where to look, doesn’t mean you’ll find it,” he added hoping to sound somewhat upbeat.

“What if I do find the words that could end his life?” Dustil uttered quietly.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

************************

Carth rubbed his right temple as he left the lounge and headed for his office.  How could the woman that silently watched over him for years, saved his life, made him feel alive and complete, be the same woman that looked out for, and would destroy any threat to the True Sith.  Overwhelming didn’t come close to being an accurate description of that dichotomy.  The closer they came to the final confrontation, the more he realized he knew absolutely nothing about Jaden and who, or what, she was.

The moment he stepped through the doors Lt. Abmis, came to attention and said, “Dustil and General Lavek are in your office.”

Carth stopped at the desk and took the data pad Abmis offered.  The kid, Frey Abmis - and no that wasn’t because Carth felt very old at that moment - was younger than Dustil, but he couldn’t fault his efficiency.  He put up with very little even from Carth, and while it was annoying at times, he didn’t have to worry that things would fall through the cracks.  Now, if they could just cure the kid’s space sickness, he would take him on the Sojourn.  Abmis joined the Republic Navy only to find out he couldn't handle space travel.  He was fine for a little while, but too much time in hyperspace and Frey turned green around the gills.  “I’ll need you to activate Dustil’s commission for me,” he said absently as he scanned the data pad.

“Yes, Admiral.”

“Send a message to Lt. Grenn at Citadel Station, I need to speak with him.”

“Yes, Admiral.”

“Did you tell General Lavek where my Corellian Whiskey is?”  Carth picked up the stylus on the desk and signed the pad.  There was a pause and he shifted his look to his aide as he held out the pad.  Abmis looked pained and embarrassed his face red from chin to his dirty-blonde hairline.

“Umm . . . ah . . . Yes, Admiral.  He ordered me to.”

Carth shook his head with a smile.  “It’s alright, Lieutenant.  It saves time and my office doesn’t look like it’s been tossed for rare jewels.”

“Yes, Admiral.”

“Go home, Frey.”

“Yes, Admiral.  As soon as you leave, sir.”

Carth briefly wondered if Jaden was ever that obedient. 

~~ Alas, no.~~ There was so much fondness and resignation in their voices; he had to bite the inside of his lip as he opened the door.  Just another side to the woman he loved and didn’t really know.

Kwyn was sitting in his chair with his feet on Carth’s desk and the glass of whiskey in his hand.  All he needed was a cigar and he could have been a crime lord, counting his credits.  “Well?”

“He’s going after Telos.”

************************

It was nearing midnight when Dustil began the long trek up the steps to the Jedi Temple.  A little over a thousand years ago – after the Great Hyperspace War – the Republic granted the Jedi this sacred mountain on Coruscant due to the Force nexus – one of the conduits Jaden spoke of.  They hoped they would build a fortress.  It hadn’t started out that way with the tall stone buildings built around the mountain, but seventy years ago, four Jedi masters altered the look when durasteel plating was added over the stone walls.

After Exar Kun and Ulic Qel-Droma devastated the enclave on Ossus, the Jedi came here to this temple and began expanding the structure and erecting the Jedi Council chambers.  Dustil stopped at the top of the stairs and looked back on the twinkling lights of Galactic City.  The Jedi had only recently returned - in the last couple of years – since abandoning the temple after the failed Jedi Conclave on Katarr. 

Wavering once when he turned to the door, his mind flashed on a massive structure with five spires that towered over a very different looking Galactic City.  Taking a deep breath to steady him, he slowly opened his eyes and looked up.  Signs of current construction could be seen as the vision superimposed itself over the present.  He let out a quiet breath and whispered, “Not in my lifetime,” as he entered the temple.

His boot steps sounded like timed, mini-explosions as he walked down the empty hallway, briefly wondering if the vision meant the Jedi would recover to the point of needing that much space.  He turned the corner and entered the huge glass structure that housed thousands of plant species, fountains, and waterfalls from the mountainside that formed streams and pools throughout the garden.  The air had always been different here, soft and warm, but tonight it was cool with an edge.  “Hang in there, Jaden,” he whispered as he wandered toward the center of the garden and the three huge stones.  Dustil sat heavily on a stone bench and pulled out a datapad.

 . . . The first of three accords . . .

Studying the text on the stones and what he had downloaded on the datapad, he realized the words were not the same but he was certain the subject was.  These were the first two accords the Midiclorians had agreed to.  So what about the third?  He set the thought aside.  If he wanted to get any sleep tonight, he needed to concentrate on the task at hand.  Shrugging his shoulders a couple of times; he began comparing words to see if he could find a common thread.

************************

“Lights low,” Carth, said when he entered the living area of his apartment.  He had walked home from the restaurant where he, Kwyn and Dustil had dinner.  Visas joined them toward the end to relate what the council had said . . .

“What the hell do you mean, they’re discussing it?”  His low tone was edged with fury.

“Admiral, it’s not what you think.”  His eyes narrowed.  “They know they must act, that they cannot wait.  The council is merely discussing the best strategy for a course of action.”

“Light sabers at the ready sounds good to me.”

She lowered her voice.  “Carth, I share your concern,” she tipped her head to the side, “and your anxiety for Jaden.  The Jedi have suffered great losses in recent wars and ultimately this is Jaden’s battle to win.”

Carth let out a quiet breath.  “So I’ve been told.”

“I’m sorry.  Whatever defenses the council decides on, it may not be enough, but if the temple were to be destroyed, then the Jedi would soon follow.  That must be their focus, and I think Jaden wants it that way.” . . .

He took off his uniform jacket, tossing it on the back of the sofa as he undid the top buttons of his shirt.  For the first time in years, he found the silence of his home oppressive.  In the past, Mission had been there to brighten the atmosphere even when she wasn’t there.  She had been making noises about getting her own place before she went to Kashyyyk, and he encouraged her, but if this is what it would be like, maybe it wasn’t such a great idea after all.  At least she was safe, well, until the hospital called her back.  Zalbaar, now chieftain, still limited the contact the Wookies had with other worlds, but Mission was always welcome.  Being a doctor helped as well.  She could look after the Wookies while spending time with Big Z.  Carth wanted her to stay put, but if he called the medical administrator and Mission found out, there would be no safe place from the ‘blue wonder’ as Dustil called her when they were kids.

He pulled a bottle of ale from the fridge, popped the cap, tossed it on the counter, and went outside to the balcony letting his mind focus on his biggest concern.  He couldn’t lose Telos again, he thought wiping under his eyes with his knuckles.  Every horror, every ache came back ten fold each time he thought of it.  This time is wasn’t to prove Saul’s twisted loyalty or a show of strength.  This time it was because of him.  Those lives would be on his conscious.  At this point the Republic was doing everything they could to protect Telos.  He spoke with Grenn and Dodonna was sending reinforcements.  Short of throwing himself on Zared’s mercy, he could only hope Jaden retrieved the key quickly and that this nightmare would end.  There were losses in war, he accepted that, and had lived through the deepest loss of all, barely.  Would he be able to handle this knowing the fault was his?  Carth guzzled half the bottle.  Would he once more be able to let go of the one thing that had become as vital as breathing?

“She’s gone either way, Onasi.  You better accept it,” he said around a yawn as he sat on the chaise lounge and stretched out.  Carth felt the sense of solace begin in his heart and spread through his body.  His smile was slow.

She wasn’t gone yet, and he still owed Jaden hours and he was going to do everything in his power to make sure he repaid the debt.  Okay, he thought as he dug the small communicator from his pocket, maybe there was a benefit to his connection to the Force.“

How did your meeting go?”

“Are you alone,” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“Good.”  Carth took a quick swallow of ale.  “So, what are you wearing?”  He didn’t want to talk about his meeting, battle plans, or the blasted keys.  For the next few minutes, he only wanted her.  He let the smile come knowing he had caught Jaden off guard.

“Not a damn thing,” she purred in a smoky, sultry voice, “but thoughts of you.”