Return to Tython
by AJ Marks
Part 2
Lexxa exited the speeder along with her companions while looking around as dusk started creeping across the village. Things looked almost the same as when she had been here so long ago when her journey as a Jedi Knight had only begun. The real difference was she was not a lot more experienced than she was before all of this. She also felt relieved that the Sith invasion had spared the village from any destruction. Spotting Ranna she made her ways over towards her noticing she was talking with another Twi’lek.
“We lost another guard last night, no one saw anything, the others are getting worried about staying on patrol at night” Lexxa heard the male Tw’lek said to Ranna.
“Then perhaps I can be of some assistance,” Lexxa said speaking up to the group, watching as they looked at her. She noticed Ranna’s face turn from worry to relief at the sight of her.
“Lexxa, thank the Force you’re here,” Ranna said, running over and hugging Lexxa. She looked over at the glare she received from Kira.
“Sister, huh?” Kira said, her tone saying a lot more about what she thought of the story even as Ranna released Lexxa.
“Uh, let me introduce everyone,” Lexxa said hoping to change the topic of conversation. “Everyone, this is the Matraich, Ranna, Ranna, you probably remember T7.”
“The droid you had last time you were here,” Ranna stated.
“Yep, he’s a good little droid,” Lexxa said, hearing T7 chirp before moving to the next person. “This handsome guy is Doc, a professional doctor and fighter, does it all.”
“Pleasure is mine,” Doc said giving Ranna a slight bow and Lexxa watched with some amusement as Ranna blushed at the attention.
“And this is Kira, my padawan and more,” Lexxa said, emphasizing the more part to Ranna who seemed to understand.
“It’s a pleasure to see you all,” Ranna said, moving away from Lexxa slightly and welcoming Kira a bit more. “Any friends of my sister are always welcome here.”
“Thank you,” Kira said, accepting the hug from Ranna who then turned to T7.
“I hope you have forgiven what we did last time you were here,” Ranna said to T7, who chirped.
“He says if you’re a friend of the Jedi, he’ll trust you,” Lexxa said, giving it a short version, not saying how T7 was going to be watching her.
“Good, I didn’t want to do that,” Ranna said. “Come, let’s get comfortable.”
Lexxa and the group made their way over to Ranna’s house, which was spacious and would accommodate them all. “So, tell me what the situation is?”
“It started shortly after that Sith invasion, which fortunately they ignored us,” Ranna said. “Guess they figured we were not worthy of any attention, not that I’m complaining. My scouts indicated the fighting was fierce, and how you came in and cut a swath of destruction routing the enemy.”
“Ah, well, wouldn’t say that much, but I did what had to be done,” Lexxa replied.
“It’s a good thing you’re a good warrior, otherwise I’d have to patch you up even more than I do,” Doc said.
“I think its sexy, and she’s got some nice scars,” Kira said, then stopped and blushed. “I said that out loud didn’t I?”
“I will agree, she is something,” Ranna said agreeing with Kira. “She risked her life to save my people, for that I will never forget her.”
“So, the attacks started after the Sith were defeated here,” Lexxa said putting the conversation back on track.
“Yes, a few weeks ago, its started with only minor raids which we easily beat back. We have learned a lot since you were here,” Ranna said. “However, I was concerned with the timing, so I contacted the Jedi Council after the raids continued. They mentioned something about being busy with someone called Revan, but managed to send a couple of padawans, for which we were grateful. It worked until last week when one was killed when he went out to search for the main Flesh Raider’s base.”
Lexxa knew they had lost two padawans, but still heard the pain in Ranna’s voice, she took the death of anyone under her hard.
“The other padawan, he said something about a Sith training the Flesh Raiders, but lost contact with him before he could complete his report. Our scouts found his body not far from the gate two days ago, that’s when the Jedi Council seemed to be real concerned,” Ranna said to her.
“Whoever this Sith was, he was sending a message,” Lexxa said.
“A message by a sicko,” Kira said.
“And we’re going to face him,” Doc said.
Lexxa fell silent giving the information some thought as they walked inside and sat down. It sounded like some sort of Sith Lord, but also meant this Sith had more training than she hoped to be facing. He, or she, had killed two padawans and now she needed to figure out what the goal of everything was. If she could figure that out it might give her an advantage, of course she was a Sith killer and her enemy probably knew of her.
“T7, can you scan the nearby area, alert us to any Flesh Raiders which might attack,” Lexxa said. “We’ll work with the guards on duty to keep watch over the village.”
“Are we staying up all night?” Doc asked.
“No, split the watch, who wants to take the first watch?” Lexxa asked looking at the two of them.
“I can, if Doc wants to take the second watch,” Kira said looking over at Doc.
“I guess I can,” Doc replied.
“I’m okay with it,” Lexxa said looking over at Ranna. “You think they’ll attack tonight based on their past raids?”
“I do not know,” Ranna replied. “Their attacks have been random at best.”
“Don’t worry, me and T7 will keep our eyes open,” Kira said, as they headed out of the room.
“Well, then I’ll get some shut eye, I’ll need it,” Doc said, moving to another room which Ranna had some other help set up before leaving Lexxa and Ranna alone.
“A bit more than a padawan?” Ranna asked.
“Kira is my padawan, officially, but unofficially, and it’s to remain a secret, we’re lovers,” Lexxa said watching as Ranna smiled.
“She is good for you then,” Ranna said surprising Lexxa.
“She keeps me on my toes,” Lexxa said.
“And the other rumors? How many of those are true?” Ranna asked with a slight smile.
“I don’t know, what rumors are being spread?” Lexxa asked.
“They are calling you a hero on many worlds,” Ranna said. “If half of the stories are true then you’ve been very busy.”
“Well, yeah, had a Sith Lord who had a personal vendetta against me,” Lexxa said. “Then we went after the Emperor himself, was captured, broke free and then had to stop the Emperor from destroying the entire galaxy with some hair-brained plan for even more power. Then went to a few other worlds, including another problem with the Hutts and then Revan, which I ended up working with another Sith.”
“You have been busy, makes what we’ve done here almost insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe,” Ranna said.
“I head to a spot, help out, but you had to remain and rebuild,” Lexxa replied to her.
“That may be, but you deal with the problem allowing us to rebuild. Without your help it would have been impossible to attempt to rebuild our lives,” Ranna said. “I may never leave Tython, but you’ve already been all over the universe. And what you do effects the entire universe.”
“Ah, well, that might be, but I’m still one person, who had a lot of support,” Lexxa replied.
“So, how did you meet Kira?” Ranna asked, suddenly changing the subject.
“Ah, well, I actually met her here on Tython first, she was the padawan of another master,” Lexxa replied. “When I went to Coruscant she and I worked together, and after that she became my padawan. She’s smart, funny, a bit quick to jump into action, and she and I became close over time.”
“And the Jedi code?” Ranna asked.
“Ah, well, it’s something to try and follow, but not everyone can do that,” Lexxa said. “As long as it’s not out in the open, and others don’t see it, well, a lot of others also do it.”
“Oh, that’s interesting,” Ranna said. “So, if I swung that way then I might have had a chance?”
Lexxa thought of the threesome she could have but quickly dismissed it.
“Ah, well, we’ve each had flings, but I look at you as family,” Lexxa finally replied.
“Good, so do I,” Ranna said. “And I’m not for a simple fling, I do have to protect my position as well, and that wouldn’t be looked upon with any favorability.”
“Did you tell anyone that we performed the ritual?” Lexxa asked.
“Most in the village do know,” Ranna said. “I told Jela about it, and it spread to the others when I said I wanted to ask for you. I knew you wouldn’t fail me.”
“They wanted to know why I would come at your request,” Lexxa said, seeing Ranna nod. Lexxa figured it wouldn’t do much, and might actually help in talking to others and getting their help.
“I’m sure you’re tired,” Ranna said, standing. “I’ll let you get some rest then.”
“I’ll see you in the morning,” Lexxa said taking some time to move outside and look around. It took her only a few seconds to find Kira and T7 talking with one of the guards and made her way on over.
“You’re supposed to be resting,” Kira accused.
“Wanted to see how things were going out here,” Lexxa said.
“Just getting everything settled with Jela here,” Kira replied.
Lexxa looked over the tall Twi’lek who looked back at her.
“We have rotating guards, but we’re all locals, farmers and such, no real soldiers,” he said to her.
“That’s why we’re here, Lexxa said. “Anything on your scanners T7?”
She listened as he chirped back indicating nothing appeared on his scanners.
“Stay alert, remember, some of these Flesh Raiders were capable of using the Force last time I was here,” Lexxa said watching Kira nod.
“Yeah, I remember that,” Kira replied back. “We were setting sensors for days before heading to Coruscant.”
“Is there a certain area the Flesh Raiders like to attack?” Lexxa asked, looking at the village.
“They normally don’t attack on the path to the Jedi Temple, but on the path nearby,” Jela said and Lexxa knew the path, it led to what was a Flesh Raider village when she was here that she had to visit.
“I’ll check it out and stay close,” Kira said, moving off to the area in question as Lexxa took a few seconds to admire her lover before turning her attention back to Jela.
“So, you’re the one who is like a sister to the Matriarch” he said. “I hope you are strong enough to counter a Sith.”
“I’ve had some practice,” Lexxa said seeing his doubts. “I’ve fought the Emperor himself.”
“I guess you are,” Jela finally said.
“You don’t keep up with what’s going on in the universe,” Lexxa said to him.
“My job is the protection of the village,” he replied. “I take that very seriously.”
“I know, but this is what I do. It’s who I fight,” Lexxa said.
“I hope so, this guy seems to be strong,” Jela replied.
“One never knows, a padawan can defeat a Sith Lord, been there done that,” Lexxa said to him seeing his disbelieving face. “Well, going to head back and get some rest.”
She moved back into the house and towards the communicator contacting the ship seeing Rusk answer.
“Everything all right up there?” she asked.
“So far, HK is moody, and Scourge is, well, a former Sith Lord, meditating,” Rusk replied causing her to chuckle a bit at the fact a robot was moody.
“HK is probably disappointed he has no targets to blast,” Lexxa said. “I’m not sure what we’re up against here, so be careful.”
“No worries,” Rusk replied.
“It’s probable that we’re up against a Sith Lord here, so no telling what connections he has,” Lexxa said.
“You want me to look around?” Rusk replied.
“No, just be wary,” Lexxa stated not saying that Rusk wasn’t too subtle when looking for clues or others.
“Roger,” he replied.
“Well, going to get some shut eye, tomorrow’s going to be busy,” Lexxa replied. “I’ll report in tomorrow night.”
She watched him give an affirmative before ending the communications and heading over to a bed to rest. Tomorrow she would be looking for the main camp and try to find any information she could about who was leading the Flesh Raiders.
End part 2