Title: Sibling Rivalry
Author's Note: This story is the sequel to Blood Is Thicker Than Water. If you haven't, please read that story first. :) * * * * * Chandrila’s cold season had begun and snowflakes were flitting through the air. The true storm that was likely to come had not started, but flurries didn’t hold any foreboding omens. Jade shook snowflakes from her cloak sleeves and knocked at the door, waiting patiently with her hands behind her back. When the door slid open, she grinned widely from inside her hood, and Gillen Blood smiled back. “It’s been a couple of months,” he said, smirking and waving for her to come inside. Jade stepped in and pushed her hood back, feeling the warmth of the room envelope her at once. The climate systems in the room were circulating warm air, but Gillen still wore a sweater. She nodded at this, and he glanced down at himself, then chuckled. “Cold natured,” he explained. “This would be the season for it,” she said. “Here at least. It’s actually humid on Coruscant. These climate changes kill me.” “That’s about all that space travel is good for,” Gillen said with a laugh as he settled into his chair. “So how have you been?” “Fine,” she said, lowering herself onto the sofa. “My master keeps me busy, though. Which is why I had to wait as long as I did. Forgive me.” He shook his head. “You have assignments and missions. I understand that better than anyone. I used to be somewhat like you.” Jade nodded smiling. “Well, that and I forgot to send her a transmission when I arrived. She was very miffed at that. But it’s funny you should mention it. I’ve been meaning to ask you more about your time as a military captain.” “There isn’t much to tell,” Gillen said, settling back to begin his overview of the past. “I initially joined when I was seventeen. By the time I was nineteen, they made me a captain.” His wry grin was charming and conceited all at once. “They’d never seen anything like me before. But, six years later, your mother got pregnant with Norwrath. I requested to be discharged so I could take care of my wife and son, and they granted my request. At the time, there was a war brewing, and I didn’t want to be sent into the field with a son on the way. I wanted to be there for him.” Jade nodded, finding an honest sensitivity to her father that was refreshing. “After that,” he continued, “I got a job and a steady, albeit meager paycheck, and we were your typical family.” He shrugged. “Until I came along,” Jade said, smiling wanly. “No, don’t say that,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re doing what you were meant to do. You’re doing great things.” Jade rolled her eyes a little. “I’m trying, anyway.” “That guy didn’t come with you this time?” Gillen asked. “Wobi Something?” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Jade said, giggling. “Yeah, him,” Gillen said, smiling in return. “Old Wobi-what’s-his-face.” Jade laughed harder at this and blushed. “No, he didn’t come with me this time.” “You were kind of nervous last time, weren’t you?” he asked solemnly. “That’s why you had him. Backup. Every good soldier always has backup.” Jade watched her father carefully, in awe of his insight. “That’s right. And I was lucky to have him with me. He saved me from myself a couple of times.” Gillen blinked heavily and nodded. “Do you want something to drink?” “Just some water, please,” she said. “I could get it for myself, if you want.” “No, no,” he said. “You’re the guest. Just stay put. I’ll be back.” He got up and moved into the kitchen, where the opening and closing of cabinets was heard. Jade sat back and smiled to herself, surprised at how much easier it was this second time. It was only a matter of clearing that first hurdle. Gillen came back into the sitting room carrying two glasses. One was filled with a translucent, greenish liquid for himself, and the other was Jade’s water. She took it from him and sipped at it before putting it on the round, metal table between them. “There’s something else I’ve been meaning to ask you,” she said. “Why was I named ‘Jade’?” Gillen grinned and took a sip of his drink before speaking. “There’s no huge, existential explanation to it, dear. It was a tradition on your mother’s side of the family to name the first girl after a precious stone. Your mother was the oldest girl in her family, so they named her Ruby. Oh, she never liked the name. After we were married, she would go on about how it didn’t sound right unless you said ‘Ruby Blood’.” Jade breathed a laugh, noting that she had had the same thought upon first hearing the name. “We were trying to think of a stone that no one in her family had been named after yet,” Gillen said, his eyes becoming distant as he reminisced. “‘Diamond’ was the name of some great aunt that everybody hated, so that was out. ‘Sapphire’ was her cousin who tended to visit a lot, and she didn’t want anyone getting confused. And she didn’t want anyone calling you ‘Saffie’, either. So that was out. ‘Emerald’ was the name of the next-door neighbor’s pet… Eventually, we wound up getting out a book of minerals.” He laughed loudly at the memory. “How many parents do you know that look up baby names in a geology book?” Jade snickered. “Not many.” “Well, at any rate, we wound up going with ‘Jade’. I remember that we saw the word printed out, said it aloud a few times, and it just seemed to fit. Like it was right. ‘Jade Blood’.” “And I like my name,” she said. Gillen laughed a little. “I’m glad.” Jade became slowly serious as they sat in a comfortable silence together. She took another drink of her water and looked at him with intense eyes. “Part of why I came here was to tell you that I’ve decided to go to Corellia to find Norwrath,” she said. Gillen sat back in his seat and laid his head back. “Why?” “For the same reason I came to Chandrila to find you,” she said. “Because I want to know my family and my roots.” “If you want to be sincerely disappointed, go look for him,” Gillen said. “But I promise you won’t find anything worth knowing.” Jade clenched her jaw. “I refuse to believe that. He may not be a saint, but he’s still my brother.” Gillen nodded absently. “I understand. Just know you’ve been warned.” “Duly noted,” Jade said. Having said this, she reached into a pocket on her belt and pulled out a handful of credits. “And I wanted to give you these. There should be about a hundred credits there.” She extended her hand to give them to him, but he waved her away. “I can’t take that.” “Listen, I don’t need them,” she said. “The Temple provides for all of my needs. I wouldn’t know what to spend it on. You need it far more than I do, and I want you to have it.” “Just leave them on the table,” Gillen said with a conceding sigh. “You are just as stubborn as your mother.” Jade laid the credits down and gave him an exaggerated grin. “Thank you.” “And you make me do whatever you want, just like your mother,” he said, trying very hard to suppress a smile and not exactly succeeding. “I can’t win with you people.” “Doing what I say is winning,” she said. “You’ll see.” Jade stood and moved toward the door, and Gillen followed her. “It was nice to see you again,” he said. “Don’t hesitate to come back.” “Even though I always manage to bring you down?” she asked softly. “I’m not sure you realize this, but it’s been a while since I laughed that much.” He reached out and pulled her into his arms, which shocked Jade enough to make her balk before embracing him in return. When he let go, she simply looked up at him a moment with wonderment, then left the house. As she got into her speeder, she realized that she had not said ‘goodbye’ and that she had just received her first hug from her father. Then, she noticed that it was snowing. * * * * * “Master?” Jade asked, her holographic transmission wavering in and out. “I’m here,” Cher-Ryll said. “I’m glad to see you actually remembered me this time.” Jade blushed. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?” “No, padawan, you are not. Is everything going accordingly?” “Yes, I just met with Gillen, and I’m preparing the ship for my next trip. Just a quick jump from here to Corellia.” “Good,” Cher-Ryll said. “I expect you back within the next two or three days. Don’t worry about sending another transmission, because I know you’ll forget. Just contact me if anything goes awry.” “Thank you, master, I will.” “And Obi-Wan asked about you,” Cher-Ryll added. “Did he?” Jade asked, fascinated and wanting to hit herself across the face for being so avid whenever his name was mentioned. “Yes, I told him where you’d gone and that you were a forgetful padawan that doesn’t send her master messages from the field.” “Master,” Jade said, rubbing her forehead wearily. “He told me to say ‘hello’ for him.” “Tell him ‘hello’ back,” Jade said, laughing. “Tell him yourself,” Cher-Ryll teased. Her image faded, and Obi-Wan’s appeared. “I tried to make her let me on first, but she would have none of it,” he said. “She made me stand here and wait through all of that. She seemed to be having far too much fun teasing you.” “I’ve noticed,” Jade said. “How are things on the home front?” “Completely boring without you,” he said, smiling. “Now, that’s what I like to hear. But may I ask how you knew when I would be contacting Master Sejam?” “I asked her,” he said. “Then, it was as simple as coming over at the appointed time.” “You really wanted to speak with me that badly? We see each other everyday, practically.” “True, but who can possibly get enough of you?” he asked playfully. “Good point,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Listen, when I get back, we must do something together so that I can relay my adventure to you.” “I wait with bated breath,” he said in a low voice. “And may the Force be with you.” He winked and was gone. The feed ended, and she shut down her transmitter. “Get ready for takeoff, R9,” she said to the little, red astromech droid connected to her Jedi starfighter. He bleeped in return, and she took that to mean that he was following her instructions. She was still tickled by her conversation with both her master and Obi-Wan. “You know, R9, those two, ultra-serious Jedi certainly have a way of being unprofessionally silly when they want to be.” The droid trilled at her, and she grinned and climbed into the cockpit. “Ready, little guy?” She listened to his chatter and translated it via the screen before her. He was, indeed, ready. “Corellia or bust,” she murmured as she took to the sky. * * * * * Jade was impressed with Corellia, particularly its likeness to Coruscant in some respects. At least the city Coronet was reminiscent of her current home. Although, the balance of urbanization and the planet’s natural charm was much more refreshing. She checked herself one last time, as though expecting the civilian clothes to look strange on her and make her stand out rather than blend in. She hated to admit that she was more comfortable in her Jedi tunic and leggings, but she was. Civilian clothes would always seem exotic to her. She smoothed her hands over the red shirt on last time and stepped into the shop her directions indicated. It was ill-lit and dusty within, causing her to stifle a cough. She squinted through the low visibility and noted ship parts that almost completely obscured a desk at the back of the room. There seemed to be little else to be seen. The lack of any sign or title outside made her wary about what exactly she had stepped into, and she considered going back. Reluctantly, she called out. “Hello?” she asked. “Is anyone there?” “We’re closed!” came the gruff reply. Jade jumped a little, then waited, smirking softly. “I didn’t come here to shop. I came to see someone.” “Whenever anyone wants to see someone here, they are shopping. And we are closed. Thank you and goodbye.” Jade let out a slow, soft sigh, hoping it would assist her in holding her temper. “You’re Norwrath, aren’t you?” A very lengthy pause at this. “Who’s looking for Norwrath?” You are him, you sneaky… “I am.” I’ll humor you. “Have you seen him?” He must have known no one was that stupid, because he finally came out into the open from a side door. At first he simply peered, then he emerged completely. Jade immediately took him in, noting that he was average height and seemed to take after their father, though not by much. He had a stockier build than their father, but that intimidating gleam was the same. His eyes were large, hazel, and haunted as he glanced over her, and his hair was a sandy blond pulled back into a ponytail. He had a face that could be kind or hard, but now it was suspicious. “Who are you?” he asked quietly, and Jade thought she saw recognition there. “Someone who’s been looking for you,” she said just as quietly in return. Norwrath squinted, then his eyes widened and darted to her hip. Jade had attempted to conceal the lightsaber she was carrying, but her shirt had ridden up on her hip and exposed her weapon. With a flash of movement, Norwrath leapt behind his desk with a crash. Jade twisted in that direction, putting up her hands. “Wait, you don’t understand,” she said reasonably, laughing a little. Then, a blaster bolt whiz-popped beside her head. She dodged it and looked back at the black mark gracing the wall. Facing him again, her eyes were saucer-sized. “Norwrath,” she said warningly. “You’d best holster that blaster.” Two more shots were fired, and Jade tucked down to the floor and rolled out of their paths. She sprang back up while igniting her lightsaber and whirled it, bouncing three more shots toward the ceiling. “I ask you stop at once!” she shouted. “I have no interest in being arrested and/or killed today, Master Jedi!” he yelled back, his voice a booming roar. “Now, get the hell out if you wish to keep your miserable life!” Jade’s face tensed, and she fumed a bit at his words. Maybe her father was right. Any man who would engage in battle with a Jedi Knight was not only foolish but completely lacking in morals, as well. She blocked two more shots and saw the flashes of them ricochet into the wall behind the desk. “Norwrath, you will not like what you are forcing me to do,” she said. “I like you being in my shop even less!” he shouted. “Have it your way.” Jade ran forward, leapt onto the desk in two swift steps, and force pushed the blaster from his hand as he aimed it at her head. The shot he fired missed her by an inch, and the weapon fell harmlessly to the floor several feet away. With a wavering buzz, she let her lightsaber hover dangerously close to his throat. “I didn’t want to do that,” she huffed. “I didn’t come here for this.” “Then why did you come here?” he asked, seething at her, refusing to show fear if he felt it at all. “Look at me, you Hutthead!” she ordered. “Don’t I remind you of anyone?” Norwrath drew back, as though the glimmer of memory he’d noticed was falling into place now. And it frightened him. “Jade?” he asked gently. She pulled her lightsaber back and deactivated it, nodding sarcastically. Norwrath let out a breathless laugh and pushed himself to his feet as Jade hopped down to the floor. He shrugged almost self-consciously, grinning with his embarrassment. “Why didn’t you just say so?” he asked, shaking his head with wonder. Jade laughed with astonishment. “I didn’t think I could make it any more obvious.” “Saying your name never occurred to you?” he asked. Jade looked down at the floor and tilted her head in a semi-shrug. “I guess I wanted you to figure it out. To notice.” “Well, you sure as hell made an impression, I’ll say that.” His eyes were glued to her, as though trying to connect this woman with his little sister. “Damn, you look just like mom,” he said with quiet awe. “She’s—” “I know, Norwrath,” Jade said, putting up a hand. “No sense in going over it again. Dad told me.” “So you’ve seen him, then,” Norwrath said, turning away from her to clear some machinery from a chair, trying vainly to make a place for her to sit. “You’ve seen how embittered he is.” “He’s aging and alone,” Jade said, crossing her arms over herself as most Jedi had a tendency to do. “What else should I have expected with him being in the state he’s in? He works all day and comes home to an empty house.” Norwrath glanced at her over his shoulder. “He drinks too much,” he said, as if to say her point was not valid in the least. “He’s killing himself slowly with that junk.” Jade was about to ask Norwrath what he thought Gillen had to live for besides a son that ignored him by choice and a daughter that ignored him by force (no pun intended). But she dropped it. “And you don’t drink?” she said instead, sounding shocked. Norwrath grinned. “You can’t live on Corellia and not drink, sis.” Jade nodded as she rolled her eyes. “That’s what I thought.” She glanced around the shop. “So what is it you do here?” Norwrath backed up from the now empty chair and gestured to it as he stepped behind his desk again. “Repairs.” “Uh-huh,” Jade said, sitting down and crossing her legs. As Norwrath settled into his own chair, he found her looking at him critically. “What?” he asked, his eyes wide and actually managing to make him look somewhat innocent. “Listen, I know you don’t know me well,” Jade said, “but let me get one thing out of the way. I’m not stupid. A person does not walk into someone’s repair shop, nearly get their head blown off, and not ask questions. I’d like the truth.” “That is the truth,” Norwrath growled. “I repair ship computers.” “Then what was all that ‘I ain’t getting arrested today’ bravado? Arrested for what?” He clenched his jaw and leaned back. “I repair stolen parts. And I ship them from time to time for special customers. Special meaning those that pay well.” Jade shook her head gently. “Why, Norwrath?” “Because there isn’t anything else for someone like me to do,” he said, his voice harsh. “I can’t run to Coruscant and prance around with the Jedi, talking about my feelings and thinking with my eyes closed for a living. I have to have money. I need a career to do that. This is what I do.” “What you’re doing is illegal,” Jade said. “The next time a Jedi walks through that door, they won’t be your sister.” “I can take care of myself,” he said, shoving himself out of his chair. “I have for years now. I don’t know if you noticed, but I didn’t invite you here. You let yourself in. Well, you can let yourself out again.” As he stormed into the back again, Jade stood and walked after him at a clipped pace. “I’m only trying to help,” she said. He spun on her. “That’s the problem with you Jedi. You have so much power, but not enough sense to mind your own business. And you don’t know when to leave.” He sneered at her. “By the way, don’t bother sending me a postcard when you get back.” “Is this because I haven’t kept in touch?” she asked, her brow furrowing. “If that’s the case, it wasn’t my choice. I never even knew you existed until recently.” “I am not in the mood for a heartfelt family reunion and can guarantee I never will be. That is what this is about. Just stop.” Just as he seemed to have softened, he walked away again. Jade stood there for a moment, then turned and made her way through the labyrinth of ship parts and back onto the street. With her arms folded protectively around herself, she trudged back to her starfighter. As Jade walked, she considered going back, trying again. But what would be the point? She had gone to him, and he had made it abundantly clear that he wanted nothing to do with her. Though her instincts and blaring empathic powers were alerting her that he was only putting up shields as a self-defense mechanism, she couldn’t bring herself to go back so soon after being rejected. It would be best for them both if she at least waited a while before giving it another go. Vaguely, as her thoughts wandered, she heard someone whistling at her. She didn’t turn to see who it would be, because the sound was a lecherous one. The mysterious whistler seemed irked that Jade didn’t even bother to notice him, so he called out. “Hey, red!” was the rather ineloquent shout that met her ear. She attempted ignoring him, but someone with him decided to sound off. “Don’t give us that! Wiggle on over here!” Jade’s patience was already running nearly on empty, but this was something she simply couldn’t take. Her stoic poise faltered, and she whirled on them. There were more of them than had spoken. Seven to be exact, but she was not fazed. “Get bent,” she growled, her fists clenched at her sides. She sighed a low curse and turned away again, continuing on. “Oh no, red.” The voice was surprisingly close. “I think you’re gonna be the one bending.” She twisted her head to see who was standing so close and barely blocked the fist that sailed toward her face. If not for her Force senses, she would have been knocked to the ground. Slowly she realized that this was a seedier side to Coronet than she was comfortable to be traveling through as lowlifes and gangster lackeys crept up on her. “I’m not interested in hurting any of you,” she said truthfully, her Jedi training taking precedence above all else. “The feeling ain’t mutual,” said the mysterious whistler, who was advancing with the others. The scattered laughter at this comment chilled her to the marrow of her bones, but she stood her ground. With a soft blink, her heart already regretting what she was being forced to do, she snapped her fist at the nearest man and heard his muffled cry as he grabbed his face. “My nose!” he shrieked. Jade whirled and snapped her heel behind the knees of the mysterious whistler, who collapsed to his back. Then her leg swung back around in a high arc, catching another at the neck and hurling him down. With a hard look, she blocked a blow from behind and rammed her elbow into the attacker’s stomach. Bending forward slightly, she snapped her leg backwards over her shoulder and into yet another enemy’s face. When attempting to defend herself from a haymaker, her arms were seized. She became eerily still at this and let the Force do its work, building in her cells and exploding out in a push. Several of the men fell and some were even slammed into nearby buildings. When her eyes reopened, they washed over the scene and took in the number of enemies fully. She counted fifteen now with more rushing toward her, and they were all wearing the same color even if their clothes varied in style, curiously enough. I’m in a gang’s territory, she thought sourly. And I’ve angered their leader. I see now. This is exactly what I needed. “Don’t let her get away!” their obvious leader and resident whistler cried out. Their mission was now to capture her, and she doubted there was any need to fear death. They would want her alive. But she had the distinct feeling that their plans for her were a fate worse than death. With a flash, her hand snapped to her lightsaber, freed it from her belt, and ignited it. They faltered at the blue blade’s glow, and Jade smirked behind it. The light transformed her face into an apparition of judgment and damnation, but the look fell from her when each combatant unholstered a blaster. As their fire rained down on her, it was all she could do to spin in time to block each shot. Her body moved in a violent, frighteningly paced dance, her blade becoming a cerulean blur. The combined bursts of energy and Force influence that was required to maintain such a defense were being swiftly drained with each relentless blaster bolt that flew at her. With one final surge, she made a mad dash away from the volley. There were scattered cries as her enemies fired at one another and destroyed a few from their own ranks. Still, this was not enough to stop them. Jade’s boots clomped on the walkway as she sprinted, her arms pumping relentlessly. Her weapon flailed out to block a blaster bolt by sheer instinct as she rounded a corner and fled into an abandoned building. She slipped behind the doorway and hid there with her back flat against the crumbling wall, her breath barely controllable as she heaved air in and out of her aching lungs. The deactivation of her lightsaber came just as the approaching rabble raced past. She pulled out her handheld communicator, not knowing what else to do, and contacted R9. The droid bleeped questioning through their connection, and Jade shook her head with frustration. “I don’t have time to explain,” she said. “Reroute this transmission to Coruscant. Care of ‘Master Sejam’. Hurry.” There was a confirming buzz, and she began to speak rapidly but without panic. “Master, I’ve run into some trouble here on Corellia. I’m in Coronet, the planet’s capital, in the slums. I’ve been attacked by one of the local street gangs, and I’m cornered. Apparently, this is their turf, and I have no way of maneuvering out of it. I think I’ve found a safe place for the time being and can wait here if you will send backup. R9 will zero in on my location and transmit the exact coordinates.” She paused. “Don’t make me wait long. Please.” She ended the feed and sank to the floor, holding her lightsaber and comm unit and preparing herself for a harrowing wait. A few minutes passed with no change in her predicament or position except that her limbs were beginning to feel stiff. As she began attempting to find a more comfortable posture, she heard the floor creak as a boot stepped onto it. It never fails. The minute I try to relax… No muscle in her body moved, and even her breath was held tight in her chest. She calmed her mind and twitched the middle and index finger of her right hand where it laid on her lightsaber hilt. She heard a pause, then her visitor was headed out onto the street again. As happy as she was that this trick worked, she knew she couldn’t rely on mind tricks for long. She automatically tensed again when she heard two of them talking outside. “Nothing in there?” one asked. “What?” “That room. Is she there?” “Oh, I…” “Man, Crilka, you were just in there. You can’t have smoked that many deathsticks. Was she there or not?” “I can’t remember…” “You’re useless.” The bootsteps were heavy with the man’s irritation as he stomped into the dilapidated room. He turned to look at every corner of the room too quickly for her to mask her presence with a mind trick, and his eyes widened when they lighted on her. “Yo, she’s in here!” Jade hopped to her feet and lit her lightsaber, swinging at his face. She stopped within a molecule’s distance of hacking his head in half and glared at him. “Run,” she said simply. The heat from her blade made sweat stand out on his skin, and he nodded mutely before sprinting out the door again. He was heard breathlessly telling others who were on their way that she was inside, therefore Jade wasted no time in making an escape. “So much for staying in one spot,” she muttered as she jogged to a broken window and boosted herself out. When she leapt down and landed in the alley outside, four heads snapped in her direction. They’d been riffling through garbage cans, apparently searching for her. And they’d found her. She held up her lightsaber in a defensive stance, and her eyes rested on no one as she awaited the fire that was to come. It did, swifter than she’d anticipated. Each moment seemed to be coming in less than a second, and her current enemies were joined by more. Sharp, triumphant laughter caused her concentration to waver long enough for a shot to hit her shoulder and burn there. She winced at the pain and felt her right arm go numb. Before she could adjust her stance, her weapon was knocked from her hand and blows were landing on her stomach and face. A weak “puh” slipped past her lips as she dropped to her knees. She groaned as someone’s boot struck her midsection, but she refused to crumple to the ground. She lashed out but the attempt was futile as she was caught in the face again. Jade forced herself to her feet even as vicious punches and kicks threatened to drive her down again. She Force pushed as many as she could, gathering healing and tranquility about herself to ignore the dull aching pain that hovered over her muscles and skin. As she whirled to punch someone that grabbed at her, she felt a vibroblade sink into her side. Her head snapped back, eyes and mouth wide with an unspoken cry. Only a moaned squeak freed itself from her chest. Just as the blade had seemingly appeared from nowhere, it was wrenched from her again. She jerked and slammed against the wall, clawing at it as she sunk to the garbage concealed alley floor. The wound was cauterized instantly, but the organs and nerves that had been sliced cried out in agony. Oh Force… Somebody… * * * * * Norwrath sat at his workbench in the back room he’d retreated to since Jade had left. He had made an attempt at getting something done with the parts that had been brought in the day before, but it was pointless. He was kidding himself thinking he could spit at Jade’s offer to reunite as family with a clear conscience. That was the one thing he’d never been able to get rid of no matter what he’d done in life. That blasted conscience. It was bad for business. He sniffed derisively at himself and pulled a busted ship board toward him, tweaking parts of it distractedly. He suddenly gripped the tool he held until his knuckles looked pale as pearls and scraped it across his work bench, leaving a jagged mark. His whole body ached as though he were covered in white hot bruises. “What in the hell…” Norwrath gritted his teeth and put his arms around his midsection, pressing his hand to his side. He could swear it felt like a spear had just been jammed into his gut. He’d been stabbed before, and he knew how it felt. He was by himself, completely safe in his work office, and someone was stabbing him inside. “This can’t be…” he gasped, his eyes wide with a mix of torment and wonder. Somebody… With his mind spinning and throbbing, Norwrath dropped to the floor from where he sat and curled up from the pain. He retched but managed to keep himself from being sick as he sat up again tiredly. “Jade?” he asked, shivering. He could have sworn he’d heard her just as clearly as if she’d been standing beside him. A flash hit him all at once. Of someone looming above him, holding a vibroblade and grinning. In an alley he’d seen before many times. His vision expanded, and he saw others. Some that he recognized as members of a gang he had hung around with at one time. But he hadn’t seen them in ages. Not since he’d started his own business. You’re gonna pay, girlie. “Jade… I’m coming.” Norwrath made himself ignore the pain, a thing he had become surprisingly good at over time and through many wounds. He strapped a blaster to his thigh and grabbed the shoulder strap of a blaster rifle, slinging it over his back. He hurried to the backdoor and ran through when it opened automatically, then leapt atop his swoop bike. He blasted out of the back alley of his shop and sped through Coronet, testing the speed capabilities of his customized and modified vehicle. Luckily, he knew the streets well, and it was only a matter of taking a few shortcuts before he came upon the trouble. He didn’t slow his pursuit when he saw Jade lying on the ground surrounded by enemies. Instead, he revved the bike to an even more unbelievable speed. “I can get another,” he muttered to himself before diving to the side. The bike shot forward and slammed into the trash cans, rumbling and smashing and tossing refuse in every direction. Then it spun into one of the dilapidated and abandoned buildings, causing a great, explosive roar. Many gang members scattered at this, trying to avoid debris and zooming, metal parts that threatened to hack them to pieces. Norwrath propped himself on his elbow and looked up at the ones who remained but stood cowering. He pushed himself on one knee, then to both feet. His hair was nearly free from the ponytail he kept it in, so he concluded its liberation and tossed the band to the ground. He whipped his blaster rifle around and pointed at those gathered, just in case they wanted to make any false moves. “What’re you doin’ here?” one of them asked. “This ain’t your fight, Norwrath.” Norwrath glanced at him and fired a shot that struck his leg. The man fell, writhing on the ground. “I shouldn’t have to explain myself to you,” he said nonchalantly. “You got dealings with the Jedi now?” another asked, obviously not smart enough to know what such a question would get him. Norwrath fired at this one as well, intentionally missing this time. He knew better than to say that this Jedi was his sister, and the blaster fire was a distraction more than anything. It seemed to be working, but they still would not stand down. “I can easily send you all to a med unit,” he said, his dark eyes flitting to each of them. “You know what…? I just may.” He unholstered the blaster at his thigh and began firing from both weapons. Red bolts and smoke filled the air. He was an excellent shot, but he allowed some to run. Others he knew… And he knew they deserved to be brought down. When the dust settled, he and Jade were alone. Even with the bodies that remained, they were alone. Norwrath tossed the rifle away and holstered his one-handed blaster, crouching beside her swiftly. He pulled her into his arms and brushed a lock of sweaty hair from her eyes. “Can you hear me?” he asked somewhat loudly. “Jade?” He put his cheek to her lips and felt a faint rush of air. He grinned and looked down at her again. “You’re okay,” he said with a laugh, brushing at her hair again with calloused fingers. He rocked her nervously. He had trouble staying still when he was distraught, and this moment was evidence of that. With a guarded glance, he eyed her wound. It was definitely not pretty, but she would survive. Slowly, it dawned on him that his first meeting with her could have been his last, and he rested his chin on her forehead as tears came to his eyes. “You there!” Norwrath’s attention snapped up at the call, and his hand went to his blaster by instinct. Standing a few feet away was a young man brandishing a lightsaber and glaring with the kind of intensity only true caring bring. Norwrath put up his hands. “It’s not what you think!” he called back. The young man was joined by two others, one male and one female. Both wore Jedi robes, and one must have been the master to the young man since he sported one of those funky braids. The female had long, brunette hair and was the first to rush over. The male stayed behind, putting a calming hand on the younger’s shoulder as he smoldered. He heard him faintly telling his “padawan” to stay back a moment. Norwrath looked curiously at the female as she fell to her knees beside Jade and put her hand to the young woman’s forehead. “Her life force is straining,” she muttered. “She’s been badly hurt.” Her eyes darted to Norwrath. “Who are you?” “I could ask the same of you,” he said, raising an eyebrow at her. “I’m her brother.” “I’m her master,” she replied. “Cher-Ryll Sejam at your service. I take it this was somehow your doing?” “No,” Norwrath sneered. “She’s alive because of me, and no thanks to you. You’re kind of late, you know.” Jade coughed and put her hand on Cher-Ryll’s arm. “Don’t argue with him.” Cher-Ryll took Jade’s hand and clasped it. “Shh, don’t speak.” “Master Sejam,” came a voice over her shoulder. She twisted and smiled up at the young man who was looking expectantly at her and Jade, but cagily at Norwrath. “Obi-Wan, she’s going to be fine,” Cher-Ryll said, looking as though she could sob with relief. “She’s only wounded.” “And you?” Obi-Wan asked, nodding at Norwrath and squinting. “Fine, thanks,” he said with a sarcastic grin. “And you?” Jade struggled to sit up and smiled gratefully when Norwrath assisted her. “Don’t be rude, Norwrath,” she breathed. “Obi, this is my brother.” “Charmed,” he said irritably, leaning down and slipping his arms under her. He lifted her up and carried her off with Norwrath watching them go. “Wait,” Norwrath said, standing and moving after them. “We can’t,” Obi-Wan said. “She needs attention.” “When will I see you again,” Norwrath asked quickly, putting a hand on Jade’s shoulder. Obi-Wan balked long enough for Jade to give him a weak smile and say, “why don’t you come see me next time? Lot safer that way…” Norwrath smirked and nodded gently. “I will.” Obi-Wan wasted no more time with farewells as he rushed Jade to their ship. It was illegally parked in the middle of the street and taking up a good amount of space. But no one would dare to make them move at a time like this. Jade was presented to a med droid who had been taken along in case of emergency. Obi-Wan silently thanked the stars for their foresight as Jade was seen to. Within a few minutes she was doing far better, though healing would take time. She had been mended and bacta patches were resting over her wound. “You can soak in bacta when we get home,” Obi-Wan said gently, touching her cheek with the backs of his fingers. He noted the sweat and dirt caked on her clothes and skin and gave a wince. “Maybe get cleaned up.” Jade laughed weakly, trying to resist so that her side would be spared the discomfort. “Do I smell bad?” she asked with a theatrical frown. “No,” he said. “But you look like you’ve been through a Sarlaac’s bowels.” “Thank you,” she said. “I always feel so pretty with you.” He laughed and laid his head next to hers where she was reclining. “You scared me,” he said. “You think you were scared,” she said, chuckling. “Thank the Force for Norwrath.” Obi-Wan made an oddly disapproving face and nodded as though he were being made to agree. “What?” she asked. “He doesn’t seem like a very upstanding citizen is all,” Obi-Wan said. “I don’t want you putting too much faith in him because of this.” Jade looked shocked. “He’s my brother. He did what he did out of love for me. I can see that. Why can’t you?” “I’m only saying… don’t expect so much. Your enthusiasm is a beautiful thing, but it’s not always sensible.” Jade knew why he said this. He knew that if her hopes were dashed, she would be upset. He was looking out for her best interests, but at the same time that she appreciated it, she was insulted on behalf of Norwrath. Still, Obi-Wan had a point. Could she be sure about her sibling at all? She knew better than to expect him to give up his business or turn over a new leaf. But wasn’t today at least a start? “Maybe I can have a good influence on him,” she said. “That’ll be the day,” Obi-Wan quipped, grinning broadly. Jade rolled her eyes, then sighed. “He must be pretty transparent. You can tell, can’t you?” “That he must be a criminal in some sense of the word?” Obi-Wan asked. “Yes, I can. And I can also tell that you love him. So there must be something redeemable there.” “If I love him that makes everything all right?” Jade asked. Obi-Wan nodded. “Let’s not talk anymore. We should be taking off soon, and you need to rest.” He kissed her chastely on the forehead, rose from where he sat, and walked out. Jade laid back wincing as her wound stung a moment and waited for the jabbing pain to subside. I’m glad you changed your mind, bro… * * * * * “Mr. Blood,” Cher-Ryll said, looking at him apologetically. “I’m sorry for such a rude introduction. I was worried about my apprentice.” Norwrath shook his head dismissively. “I understand. It’s your job to be rude to people like me.” He grinned and looked to the other Jedi who was perusing the scene and looking over fallen bodies. The man was tall with long, slightly graying hair and a cropped beard. His look was pensive but casual as he took in the swoop bike wreckage. “Don’t mind him,” Cher-Ryll said, stealing an affectionate look at the other master. “So he’s always like that?” Norwrath asked. “A man of few words who is incredibly observant? Yes, that’s Qui-Gon to a tee.” “I see,” Norwrath said. “So it’s really all right if I feel like dropping by?” “You can come and see Jade anytime. Though you may want to wait until she’s fully healed. And letting us know ahead of time wouldn’t be such a bad idea.” “Gotcha,” Norwrath said. “I guess I’ll… go.” Cher-Ryll nodded with understanding. She could tell he was a bit uncomfortable and maybe even confused with them and himself. “May the Force be with you,” she said, walking toward her ship. Qui-Gon looked toward her and followed past Norwrath, giving him only a slightly disinterested glance as he went. I’m glad you changed your mind, bro… Norwrath jerked a little. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to that. “Me too, sis. I’ll be seeing you.” He stayed long enough to watch the ship take off and the fiery lights of the engines disappear in space. As he walked back to his shop, he marveled at how quickly a disastrous situation could make him reassess everything he’d thought he cared about. He had thought himself to be the kind of man everyone assumed he was. Cold, calculating, only caring about his precious business. He had even surprised himself a little by how effortless it was to come to someone’s rescue. Norwrath the hero. Now that was something. He grinned lopsidedly and almost refused to entertain the thought. Yet Jade saw potential in him. He could feel that. She saw the good man he could be. Part of him believed he was too far gone for that, but something else insisted that if a Jedi saw potential, maybe it wasn’t too farfetched. The End
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