An End To This Journey

~~~(POV: Nathen Opal)~~~

~~~(Location: Major Riley's Personal Quarters, Partition Major, Dantooine)~~~

~~~(Galactic Time: 9:41 AM)~~~

Nella is relaxing on the couch as Riley stands across from me on the other side of the desk. It's time we get what we were promised. She's supposed to give us the location where we can find the scientists and archeologists on Dantooine.

A breath enters her, and the once stressed and hesitant features relax. She's risking a lot with her own people by helping us. Bringing back her sister alive is the driving force behind her half of the deal.

That, and the fact I'd probably kill her for betraying the promise she made to us.

"A group of Jedi Masters and Padawans protects the scientists on Dantooine. Here to learn The Force while uncovering what's been lost on Dantooine."

Great, we'll have to deal with Jedi. Nella can't help but cringe as she senses how much I'm not liking this. I can deal with certain Jedi, but not the ones who are inflexible and unchanging. It's not like I can change the fact they're here.

"They stopped in Partition Major when they first arrived here two years ago. Normally, no one is supposed to know where they're at. However, I've had them followed before."

Her voice is even and calm. Giving the information without strain or restraint. She's not hiding anything either, from what I'm sensing.

That's something I didn't expect. I'm willing to bet the one who insisted on following the Jedi and their entourage was the Corporal who's made his disdain for me obvious. He's done something right in his time here.

"Good, that means we don't have to search locations they might be at. But this also means we'll be finding trouble, Nella."

My cousin raises her head at the prospect of trouble. Dayla is sitting next to her, a confused look on her. 

"When are we leaving?"

Nella is eager to get out of here, and so am I. There is one thing that needs to happen first, and that's the question we need to ask Dayla. I make my way over to the couch and crouch down.

Looking at the little twi'lek. She stares at me with a smile, but it falls as she sees my serious look.

"Dayla... Nella and I are leaving very soon. I want to know if you want to come with us. When we leave, and if you decide not to come. You'll never see us again, but if you come with us. You'll leave this planet with us. You'll be under my protection."

She's still so very young, and I doubt she'll understand everything I just said. Her eyes turn away from mine, and I see Nella gently place her hand on Dayla's shoulder.

This conversation also acts as an answer to Nella's question about when we're leaving.

"Umm... Does that mean I'll get to stay with you..."

The twi'lek's voice is small and timid. Afraid that she's asking too much. After a second, I raise my hand and place it on her head. She looks at me, and she has a solemn look.

"Yes. You'll be with Nella and me."

Her smile brightens, and she throws her arms around my neck. Giving me the tightest hug her little and thin arms can give. I stand up after she lets me go, and Nella and her leave the room. Heading back to the speeder bikes.

Leaving only Riley, Wendy, and myself in the room.

"Two sisters have found one another, and you've held up your end of the deal, Riley. It's not often I can say that when I work with others. Take care, for I sense great trouble in your future."

All she can do is smile at my warning voice. Closing her eyes as she grins. They're not my friends, not even close. I've come to respect them, though. They made hard decisions regarding their lives and stood by them.

It's rare to meet people who will stand by their choices, even if it means the end of them if it doesn't work out.

"Thank you for saving me from Garlan. Mandolorians are far more resourceful than I anticipated. Never expected the Sith Empire to send someone after me."

Wendy doesn't waste words in her attempt to thank me. I didn't do it because it was the right thing. I only did it because I had no other peaceful choice.

"Can I ask you something?"

As I'm about to leave, the voice of Riley grabs my attention. I turn my head to look back at her. Nodding my head a single time. I sense she's about to ask me something few ever have.

"Why did you leave the Order."

Many claim to know the reason. Those who know me, know why I left the Order. The story is a long one. I doubt it'll stand the test of time. Hardly anything ever does. If it does survive the test of time, maybe one day, it'll serve as a lesson for someone else.

"Because I had to."

A vague answer for a question where the specifics can give more insight to me than I'd prefer. I turn back toward the exit and leave out the door. As I make my way to the speeder bikes. Nella and Dayla are already waiting for me.

I have a responsibility to the twi'lek child we're taking with us. 

She'll have a lot to learn, and teaching one so young isn't something I've done before. I'll learn as much from her as she'll learn from me.

"How long will it take to arrive at the location we're heading?"

It's on the otherside of the planet, so we're heading back to the ship and taking off from there. We'll circle the planet and head to the location they're at.

"We'll be using the ship; the trip is far too long to use speeder bikes to get there."

Dayla lights up at the idea of taking a trip on the ship. Our little party hasn't gotten bigger; now, so has its complexities. 

~~~(POV: Nella Opal)~~~

~~~(Location: Light Freighter, Kitchen, Flying Over Dantooine)~~~

~~~(Galactic Time: 4:12 PM)~~~

Dayla is stuffing her mouth with food across from me. All I can do is smile as I watch her. The poor girl has been in need of food and water for some time now. We've got plenty on the ship. We'll have room for more after we sell our artifacts.

That's one of the reasons we're reaching out to the scientists on Dantooine. They'll know the worth of our haul, and that's something important to me.

The Credits we get from the sale will set us up for getting a new ship and anything we need for as long as we have it.

"Nella... Can you tell me why Nate is different..."

The sudden question from the hybrid twi'lek pulls me from my thoughts regarding the artifacts we're hauling.

Her voice is tiny as if she's asking something she shouldn't be asking. I stand up from my spot across her and sit beside her in the booth. I wrap my arm around the girl and bring her close so I can whisper.

"Nathen is very special... One day, you'll understand why... I promise... For now, you're too young to understand."

She doesn't seem to be satisfied with the answer, but I doubt I can explain it in a way that she'd be able to comprehend. Only one way to find out.

"What do you know about The Force, Dayla."

Her head turns away from her plate of food, and she looks at me. I can sense she doesn't know what I'm talking about. After a couple of seconds, she shakes her head. Indicating she doesn't know.

Instead of explaining it to her, I lift my hand, and at the kitchen counter, a bottle lifts. Flying from its original location, and reaching my hand a second later.

"That's The Force? I saw you and Nate doing that earlier... Is that what makes Nate special? Cause if you can use it, doesn't that mean he's not special?"

She's got a good mind, but her youth makes it hard for her to comprehend anything I could say. 

"Yes, The Force is in everyone. In me, in Nate, and in you."

I gently tap her heart as I say she has it, too.

"I can do that too? How?"

After all these questions, I now know what it feels like to ask Nate questions. A smile graces my lips as I think of the perfect deflection.

"Why don't you go ask Nate? He knows way more than me. He's right through those doors over there."

Instead of ruining anything for her in the future by giving the wrong answers regarding The Force, it's best for its most powerful user to answer them instead. His connection far outweighs anyone else's and any questions Dayla has. He'll know the answer, too.

She crawls over my lap and races to the doors leading to the command deck. A small chuckle escapes me as she calls out Nate's name the moment the door closes and her voice is cut off.