Chapter 18: Bittersweet Reunion, Part IIn the darkness of the Kage’s Atrium, Kazic and Saani stood, ready and waiting. And, if there was one emotion that predominated the ambiance of the room as felt within the Force, it was…fearful anticipation. Of course, none of this shown upon their faces, nor in their stances…but even Kazic’s finger twitched involuntarily towards his lightsaber, Saani’s lekku darting straight down indicative of her trepidation.
After all the horror, the betrayal, the deaths, they said no words to one another, nevertheless commiserating on a much more intimate level via their connection to the Force…and each other. And within the shadows of the Atrium, the reflected lights coming from the skylanes as the traffic of departing ships passed the top of the shielded two-kilometer building, they wrapped one another in each other’s arms, Saani’s lips reaching up and fiercely, almost greedily, pressing against Kazic’s. The casualties of this war were not a mere statistic by any means, at least not to them. But for a moment, they were able to lose themselves in the comfort of each other.
And even as they knew that their time together was ephemeral, as they parted they still held one another’s hand, knowing that the inevitable was upon them. And they needn’t have waited long.
They seemingly materialized within the room; one minute empty but for Saani and Kazic, the next not. And even though Kazic was the tallest person, it was the living shadows that seemed to engulf the room, an undercurrent of menace and power radiating off of both of them. Even expected, Kazic was surprised by their appearance, already adopting a defensive posture…
And as quick as thought, one of the shadows moved, almost too fast for even Kazic to perceive.
…Almost… The Anzati Kage was able to track the movement, even at such an increased rate of speed. And it rushed headlong at Saani.
Incredibly, Saani was able to act, rather than react, her arms coming up, the look of intensity upon her face as she focused…
Giving ‘way as she broke out into a relieved and ecstatic smile, her arms wrapping around the shadow as the two embraced. “Saani!” An almost girlish shout of glee erupted from the throat of the shadow, causing Kazic to smile warmly as a result. With tears on her blue cheeks, Saani rocked in the shadow’s embrace in a slowly swaying back and forth motion.
“Oh…my Ari…my Dear One…” And Kazic could see that there were tears in Ari’s eyes as well. After a short time, Kazic gently wrapped them both in his arms, giving all within their little circle the feeling that everything would be alright.
A pleasant fiction.
One that everyone in the room knew must give way to the harsh realities of the situation. But, for that moment, they were a family again. Even Valens sensed the import of such…and though his face remained stoic, inwardly his own sense of regret grew. For Aresaea. But he said nothing.
Instead, he looked upon the people within the room and recognized the family in front of him.
A family…for the last time.
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In soft tones, they exchanged pleasantries, catching up on the interim year that they’d been apart.
“By the Maker Ari, you’ve grown!” Saani fondly stroked the girl’s—
woman’s, Kazic corrected himself—lustrous red hair, looking up into Ari’s aqua eyes. She was right, Ari
had grown; she had curves where before she’d been more muscular: a fuller chest and hips. Her movements faster, more certain. But that wasn’t what shocked him most. Ari’s connection with the Force had also grown significantly.
Before she’d left, Ari had been right below Kazic in strength; now, she was noticeably stronger, closer to Anson’s level…although she still seemed small in Valens’ shadow. It was strange comfort to know that Valens’ power was the exception rather than the rule amongst them…
“Kazic, we have much to discuss.” Valens’ voice recalled the Anzat from his ruminations.
“Yes, you’re right.” He held out a hand in front of him, indicating towards the Kage’s Office. “Please Valens, if you’ll go this way.” But as he turned to follow, he felt a vise of a grip upon his shoulder. Looking down, he saw Ari, a perturbed look upon her face.
“Guardian, would you give Kazic and I a minute?” This close, the Anzat could suddenly sense Ari’s consternation as she opened herself to him as she’d done years ago. As Valens and Saani disappeared down the corridor, Kazic and Ari looked at one another, their faces equal parts fondness and worry.
“Kazic…are you sure you want to do this?” Ari’s quiet voice was strong, steady, mature.
“What is it you think I’m going to do?” Kazic tilted his head trying to hide the surprise he felt. He’d yet to voice his plans to anyone except Saani. Still, he should’ve guessed that Ari could deduce his intentions. Looking into his eyes and as if reading his thoughts, Ari said, “I know. Jarys knows. Kiraea knows. Valens knows.”
Kazic’s smile disappeared as he sighed, a reluctant look of resignation replacing it. “Ari…I have seen war before this; I know it’s horrors. I must do what I need…for the Vhal’Dan to survive…” He tried to convey the conviction that he felt but Ari’s face looked incredulous.
“…I…can’t stop you…” She shook her head. “…No, no it’s not up to me to stop you…” She suddenly smiled wistfully thinking about Jorol, Tsarvung, and their children. “But one thing that I can do is be a voice to my People for the Vhal’Dan…” She sobered. “…for although they assist, they will only ever do what is best for the People.”
Thinking he understood, Kazic nodded empathically. But even after 400 years of life, nothing could prepare him for what he was about to carry out.
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Kazic spoke through the darkness of the evening, Saani filling in many of the details as well. How Anson had had numerical superiority from the start along with the rancor’s share of Jedi Masters, the strategy that both Kazic and Saani had successfully employed to counter those advantages, the war of attrition that they’d waged…and the betrayal that they’d confronted.
Kasah and her actions had led to the deaths of thousands; worse, many of those killed were civilians. Kazic had not just lost a large contingent of Jedi, including the roughly 200 Gray that had abandoned Kazic’s camp, he’d lost almost all of his orbital navy and half of his ground troops. And those that he had left were close to completely giving up hope. Now: there was but one choice available, one that Kazic knew could turn the tide.
“Valens…I refuse to fail my people. And as it stands I fear that
Anson will win. I must do all that I can to ensure the freedom of the Vhal’Dan.” Kazic thought of the Vhal’Dan’s first Kage, Black Rikard Macias. He’d refused to allow the Jedi Order to dictate terms to him or his people, despite the fact that they’d help win the War against the Brotherhood of Darkness. So too would Kazic follow in his footsteps. Or so he hoped. “I need your people’s help.”
After hours of listening and saying nothing, Valens finally spoke. “I must speak with the other Guardians. I won’t be long but as this concerns them as well… I’m sure you understand.” He looked from Kazic, to Saani, and finally Ari. “We shall return.” And with that, both of them left, gone just as swiftly and as quietly as they’d arrived. Shaking his head, Kazic looked to his wife, still feeling her within their shared senses in the Force.
“
K’ompo…are we doing the right thing?” Saani’s purple eyes were still watery but as strong as durasteel. Kazic gently held onto her shoulders, thankful not only for her inner strength but also her concerns.
“
Kanp’a, our forces are vastly outnumbered. They are apprehensive, fearful, and without hope. I promised as Kage to protect them, to save the Vhal’Dan. And that is precisely what I intend to do.” Kazic went to turn but stopped short as Saani grabbed his forearm.
“No, Kazic, that’s not what I mean. Have you forgotten the…‘gift’ that Kiraea left for us last time? That bomb alone could have destroyed a large portion of the Underworks, to say nothing of the buildings above.” Saani’s face turned grim. “Untold thous—
tens of thousands would have been killed, to say nothing of the fact that you would have been vaporized.” Saani was almost 16 centimeters shorter than her husband but seemed to stare down at him now. “Anson was right about one thing: where ever these people go, death and wholesale destruction follow.”
Trying not to let his exasperation show Kazic schooled his voice, adopting a serene tone. And failing. “I know, Saani… Dammit. But we need them. Now. I cannot—
will not—lose the Vhal’Dan to Anson’s fascism. Not only does it run counter to everything that I stand for as a Gray but also against what our Order was founded on.” He sighed, mentally starting over. “
Kanp’a, this war is not just a difference in ideologies; we are fighting for the very survival of the Vhal’Dan. And if it means that I must kill the man that had been my brother, then that is the price that I will pay if it ensures our victory.” Kazic’s red eyes held not one ounce of remorse. “And for that, I need Ari’s People.”
Saani stood looking at Kazic, an unreadable look on her face. Without malice, she whispered. “After this is all said and done, I pray to the Maker that there is still a Vhal’Dan Order to save…”
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As the Galtean sun appeared slowly from behind the planet, the sleek, black ship glided in an orbit just before the terminator, the aggressive arrowhead shape of the hull all but invisible to the flotilla of ships that Anson had at his disposal. And it was that fleet that the Aethans looked upon now, the holoprojection filling the entire room.
Jarys’ dark eyes scrutinized the ships’ formation, assessing and calculating the incoming data on two levels of consciousness, mentally cross-referencing the logistical and tactical information. And as they were among People, they spoke with their native cadence and speed, taking a fraction of the time to “discuss” what they all needed to convey, learn, and ultimately decide.
<This is the perfect opportunity to test the new equipment and tactics. After what we’ve learned fighting the Jedi, this will be the perfect testing grounds.> Jarys stepped forward into the projection, zooming in on one of the tactical frigates. <Primary and secondary shields, armored hull plating. Structural flaw in the dorsal drive section: weakness to kinetic weapons at minor axis juncture, half-meter cross-section.> Valens switched half of the projection to show the urban sprawl of Vhal’Uhladv proper. <Enemy contingent shows tactical experience but only to a sub-third level consciousness posture. Over-reliant upon mere fifth-dimensional causality. Conclusion: prosecution of war effort will yield success with consigning at minimum four sustained levels of consciousness.> Kiraea analyzed the several fronts where fighting was the fiercest. <Adequate use of artillery, guerilla tactics, even hand-to-hand. Frellik-Face has done well. For an Outsider. However, neglecting three areas of assault requiring fourth-level cognizance. Here, here, and here. Enemy response: ancillary consequences…up to this point.> She gestured to another projection, one showing the destruction of the
Intrepid. <Causative recursive successes resultant from treachery. Bitch.> Kiraea looked knowingly at Jarys and Valens, smirking. And so it proceeded, the other gathered Aethans “talking” as they strategized.
Until Aresaea interrupted. <Wait. Please! This affects Saani and Kazic! Jorol and D’Arial! Even if they are Outsiders, they…were family. And the Vhal’Dan…most of them are good people, even ones on Anson’s side. This…this is not like the Devastation where everyone was an enemy to be eliminated. And Vhal’Uhladv…was my home for a time. I…do not want to see it destroyed. Surely there is some way that we can…limit the damage? Only destroy that which is truly necessary? Only the minimum to secure victory?> Even among the Aethans, the silence was palpable.
Jarys approached her, a look of sympathy on his face. “Ari…” he said deliberately. “…Even in that case and given the situation, the damage will be…substantial.”
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