"Force Exile III: Liberator/Part 5"@en . "25"^^ . "Milya\u2019s lightsaber came alive with a snap-hiss as she faced down Spectre, who had similarly drawn his weapon. The two slowly circled each other, lightsabers held at the guard position. The training arena around them was featureless, just a circle of ground unmarked by statues or other obstacles. Selu had promised to start working in uneven terrain, but only when he felt they were ready. Despite having been training with the lightsabers for a month now, he hadn\u2019t yet taken that step. Spectre saw a potential opening and lunged at her with surprising speed, jabbing his lightsaber at her chest. Milya swatted the lightsaber away with her own blade, backpedaling a few steps as Spectre followed up his attack with a flurry of swift blows. Milya finally stood her ground, her lightsaber flashing as she wove the blade through a defensive velocity, repelling his slashes. The Force granted her precognitive intuition as she realized the intent of the powerful overhand blow crashing down on her. He was attempting to lock their blades and force her down through superior strength\u2014she was near the edge of the arena with nowhere to go. Dropping herself to the ground, she balanced on one hand while kicking out with both feet, catching Spectre just above the knees and sending him stumbling backward. In a real fight, she would kicked the kneecap directly in hopes of dislocating it, but Spectre was a friend and this was training. \u201CNice move,\u201D he said as he recovered and assumed his guard stance again. \u201CThanks,\u201D she replied from the ground. Milya flipped up, calling on the Force to aid her in controlling her body. Coming to life, she struck three blows at Spectre, which he repelled. A powerful backswing she didn\u2019t see coming blocked her blade out wide. Before she could recover, Spectre closed in and rammed a knee into her gut. He reached for her neck to catch her in a grappling hold that she knew would end the fight. There was no way to bring her lightsaber back without risking injury to herself\u2014and if Spectre wanted, he could have even attacked her saber arm with his free hand, snapping it in place. Calling on the Force, she closed her eyes even as Spectre\u2019s fingers gripped her neck and began squeezing. She felt her head begin to pound, but just before she reached the point where she would have to submit, she felt sufficiently attuned with the Force. Releasing her left hand from her lightsaber, she swept it across her body. Spectre moved to trap the arm with his own, but it was too late, as Milya channeled the power she had summoned into telekinesis. Caught by surprise, Spectre flew back and tumbled across the arena, losing his lightsaber in the process. Milya called it to her hand and sprinted across to him, crossing the two blades in a precarious position around his throat. Spectre heaved a sigh and tapped the ground twice, indicating his submission. Milya extinguished the blades and helped him up, returning his weapon to him. \u201CYou\u2019re a lot better at this naturally,\u201D he said. \u201CI\u2019ve taken two duels off of you out of eleven.\u201D Milya shrugged. \u201CThat\u2019s better than Sarth or Cassi,\u201D she remarked. \u201CThey have yet to beat us.\u201D Spectre frowned. \u201CThat\u2019s different,\u201D he said. \u201CWith Sarth and Cassi, I\u2019m trying to defeat them without hurting or embarrassing them.\u201D Milya gave him a toothy smile. \u201CAnd with me?\u201D Spectre returned the grin. \u201CI\u2019m trying to win.\u201D Milya shrugged. \u201CI grew up learning martial arts and bladed weapons,\u201D she said. \u201CThe Force has helped me use that expertise, so I have a slight edge.\u201D \u201CDon\u2019t I know it,\u201D Spectre said, rubbing his thigh where she\u2019d kicked him. \u201CAre you okay?\u201D Milya asked. \u201CJust a little bruised,\u201D Spectre assured her. Noticing the finger marks on her neck, he touched them lightly\u2014a far gentler touch than she was used to. It was an unusual feeling, particularly from him, but not unpleasant, so she did not shrink away. \u201CSorry about this,\u201D he told her. \u201CComes with the training,\u201D she said lightly. \u201CAnother five seconds and you would have had me.\u201D Spectre grinned ruefully. \u201CAlmost doesn\u2019t count in dueling.\u201D \u201CIf it makes you feel better, I haven\u2019t beaten Selu yet,\u201D Milya said. \u201CWe beat him once as a team,\u201D Spectre reminded her. \u201CIt was unarmed combat and . . . he was having a bad day,\u201D Milya answered, not wanting to dwell on the subject of Selu too much. She had tried to emotionally isolate him in her mind, just as he had done to her. Their interactions had been short and curt. \u201CYou seem angry at him,\u201D Spectre pointed out. \u201COr at least tense.\u201D Milya stiffened. \u201CSee?\u201D Spectre asked. \u201CIt\u2019s not your concern,\u201D Milya told him. \u201CIt is when I see two of my friends barely speaking to each other,\u201D Spectre said softly. \u201CWhat happened?\u201D His question was typical of him: direct, to the point, and considerate without losing any of the intended inquiry. Milya considered telling him off, but she had grown to trust and appreciate the ex-ARC. In his own muted way, Spectre\u2019s questions were expressing his concern and desire to make things right, even if he wasn\u2019t the most tactful. \u201CHe made a decision,\u201D Milya answered slowly. \u201COne that changed how we viewed each other.\u201D \u201CHe said he wasn\u2019t going to pursue you?\u201D Spectre asked. Milya stared off towards the Hawk-bat for a few seconds. Merely making the admission was unpleasant, but she told herself she was over Selu. \u201CThat\u2019s right,\u201D she answered. \u201CSomething about destiny and wanting to keep me safe.\u201D Spectre snorted. \u201CThen he\u2019s a fool. You certainly don\u2019t need much help taking care of yourself.\u201D Milya\u2019s lip twisted into a wry smile. \u201CThanks,\u201D she said. \u201CI\u2019m just not what he\u2019s looking for\u2014hope he finds whatever that is.\u201D \u201CI hope we all find what we\u2019re looking for,\u201D Spectre replied. \u201CWhat would that be for you?\u201D He matched her wry smile. \u201CI\u2019ll settle for beating you in a duel for now,\u201D he said. Milya rolled her eyes. \u201CYou already trounce me in every blaster-defense exercise; now you want to be the superior duelist?\u201D she replied. \u201CAmbitious.\u201D \u201CMaybe I just want to impress someone,\u201D he answered. \u201CSelu, I think, is already impressed that we\u2019re doing Jedi training exercises that should take years to learn,\u201D Milya said. \u201CRevan said that the saturation of the Force in this place would help accelerate our learning,\u201D Spectre replied. \u201CAnd believe me, we\u2019re a long way from full Jedi.\u201D \u201CStill doesn\u2019t change the fact that we impressed him,\u201D Milya replied. \u201CMaybe he\u2019s not the one I\u2019m trying to impress,\u201D Spectre answered. Milya froze and Spectre sensed her extend a tendril of Force power to his mind, reaching out to gauge his emotions and intent. Her eyes widened as she realized that he had been referring to her. She saw the undercurrent of emotion and attraction that had been subtly expressed in his words and actions toward her. He was taking a step forward by revealing that to her, and she knew that her reaction to him now was pivotal. Caught by surprise\u2014she hadn\u2019t consciously carried the same depth of attraction as he, but certainly acknowledged him a good man, even desirable\u2014she fumbled for words. \u201CSpectre, I\u2014,\u201D she started. \u201CI have something for you,\u201D Spectre said, changing the subject and taking the lead in the conversation so she could recover. It was just like he had done when they had dueled as a team. She would get knocked off-balance and he would step in to defend her, just as she would do for him. They were a good team in the dueling arena despite their different styles and backgrounds. Maybe they would be equally good outside of it. \u201COh?\u201D Milya asked. \u201CI believe it is customary to give gifts on Dsalka Fenni Echanos,\u201D Spectre replied. \u201CHow did you know about that?\u201D asked Milya, completely surprised. Dsalka Fenni Echanos was an ancient Echani custom, celebrated when an Echani warrior turned twenty. At that age, Raskta Fenni, a legendary Echani duelist from years past, had gained entry into adulthood as a full warrior when she defeated three older foes at once. Since then, in honor of Fenni\u2019s legacy, the Echani had made the occasion something of a ritual festivity that combined a trial by combat with a celebration if the warrior was successful. Milya hadn\u2019t told anyone about that hers was approaching, except for the spirit of Brianna. \u201CYou taught me well,\u201D said Spectre. \u201CThe Echani learn about their opponent through combat, right?\u201D \u201CThen you read me well,\u201D she said. \u201CSo is that why you insisted on that second sparring session earlier with Brianna watching?\u201D \u201CYes,\u201D he said. \u201CI talked to her afterwards, and your victory was sign of your maturity and skill. You passed.\u201D \u201CI wondered what you two were talking about,\u201D she said. \u201CSo, here\u2019s the gift,\u201D said Spectre, pulling a cloth-wrapped bundle from his belt and placing it in her hands. As he did so, Spectre noted the difference between his sizable hand, and Milya\u2019s much smaller and more slender palm. Carefully, she unfolded the cloth to reveal a sparkling diamond jewel, carefully cut so each ray of light that passed through it was refracted in a brilliant burst of color. \u201CWhat kind of jewel is this?\u201D she asked. \u201CA diamond,\u201D he replied. \u201CHardest of all the stones found here, and the most beautiful. When I saw it, I was reminded of you and I knew you would like it.\u201D \u201CIt\u2019s beautiful. But why a gem? That\u2019s not as practical as I would expect a gift from you to be.\u201D she asked, holding up the gem to admire its sparkling, coruscating faces. \u201CIt\u2019s practical. We\u2019re training in the Jedi arts, aren\u2019t we?\u201D asked Spectre. \u201CThat means we\u2019ll need lightsabers of our own. Juhani told me that a diamond, properly set and controlled when the saber is constructed, will give it a whitish blade.\u201D Spectre\u2019s careful planning and timing of this event were rewarded at seeing the delighted look on Milya\u2019s face. She was clearly elated, and Spectre sensed that she was inwardly overwhelmed with gratitude. \u201CThank you, Spectre,\u201D she said, throwing her arms around him in a warm hug. \u201CThis means a lot to me. I don\u2019t even know how to thank you for thinking of me,\u201D Milya whispered into his ear as she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. \u201CI don\u2019t know any Imperial or Mandalorian holidays, but if you have any good ones, just let me know.\u201D \u201CI\u2019ll be sure to do that,\u201D said Spectre, his face feeling a twinge of heat where she kissed him. \u201CAnd as for the rest . . .\u201D Milya added, alluding to the attraction he had expressed. \u201CYes?\u201D Spectre asked, his heart pounding inside his chest. \u201CIf the clone trooper and Mandalorian-influenced training inside you can handle growing close to an Echani . . .\u201D Spectre took her hand in his. \u201COur differences compliment each other,\u201D he said earnestly. \u201CI value your companionship more than any rivalry.\u201D \u201CI know,\u201D Milya answered. She took a deep breath. \u201CAnd I value yours as well,\u201D she said. \u201CDoes that mean . . .?\u201D Spectre started. Milya leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. \u201CDoes that answer the question?\u201D she asked him in a silky whisper. \u201CIt does,\u201D he answered hoarsely. \u201CBut just to be sure . . .\u201D Milya smiled flirtatiously at him. \u201CMaybe later,\u201D she said, checking her chrono. \u201CI\u2019m supposed to meet with Cassi.\u201D She rose and headed for the ship. \u201CI\u2019ll hold you to that,\u201D Spectre called after her. She gave him one last smile. \u201CSee that you do.\u201D Hours later, as she finally prepared for bed, Milya Tayrce yawned as she made her way towards her bed. The other crewmembers of the Hawk-bat had, with the limited resources in food and drink available, gathered around to congratulate her on her Dsalka Fenni Echanos and she had spent a pleasurable evening in their company talking and eating and drinking. Cassi and Sarth had prepared a surprising variety of foods from the plants in the hydroponics chamber, even a cake. Spectre hadn\u2019t told the others about the occasion, but she figured that Brianna must have informed them. She had been a little hurt and disappointed that Selu had not done anything special for her. It was just another point in a long line of subtle acts of shunning that he had been engaging in during their training. However, he had been with the others and more outgoing and carefree than he had been in a while, so she was not discontent, though she didn\u2019t interact with him as much as she might have. At any rate, she was tired but joyful and grateful to have friends like she did. As she pulled back the covers on her bed, she noticed that a small bundle was resting on the pillow. She wondered who had placed it there; it could have been anyone as she hadn\u2019t returned to her bed since rising at the start of the day. It was wrapped in cloth and she pulled off the cover to reveal a multifaceted durindfire jewel resting on the cloth. There was a piece of flimsy left there also, with her name written on it. Picking up the rather crumpled piece of flimsy, she read: \u201CMilya, a shining Dsalka Fenni Echanos to you and may you succeed in your trials and deeds today and always hereafter.\u201D It was the traditional Echani saying on the occasion, Milya noted. \u201CThis durindfire is a token for you on your happy occasion, a jewel for the lightsaber that you will someday construct. I already know that you will pass your challenges and earn this. The gem once belonged to Brianna when she was on the Ebon Hawk and once imbued her own weapon with a silver blade before she replaced it. I hope it will serve you equally well. Humbly yours, Selusda Kraen.\u201D Milya read the note carefully. Selu must have left this here early in the day, because it clearly had been written prior to her match with Spectre, which had taken place in what they called morning. He had figured she would win and had left the jewel for her to find later in the day. Milya suddenly realized that Selu hadn\u2019t forgotten about the occasion, and her prior judgment of him had been incorrect. Even more puzzling to her was how both Spectre and Selusda had given her similar gifts. Selu had apparently left his gift before Spectre had given her his, and now she wondered if Spectre had seen his idea. The fact that Selu had once harbored feelings for her and now Spectre had expressed his only complicated matters further. Tucking the durindfire back into its cloth wrapper, she placed both it and the diamond in a small locker underneath her bed, trying not to think about the enigmatic person that was Selusda Kraen. He had chosen other concerns over her\u2014even if he hadn\u2019t as much said that he longer cared for her\u2014whereas Spectre had been direct and honest about his feelings. A part of her was happy that Spectre seemed ready to fill the void that Selu had left. However, there was a niggling feeling in her mind reminding her that until today, she hadn\u2019t shared the same intensity attraction with Spectre that he had expressed, just mere twinges compared to his outpouring. With these thoughts buzzing around in her head, it was some time before she finally fell asleep. Zeru Neimodia Taskien squatted by the tiny campfire, warming her hands by the flames licking at the fuel. Nights were cold on Zeru Neimodia and as the thick blanketing mists rolled in from the mountains, they brought with them a chilly damp feeling. She hugged her dirty jacket closer, trying to retain as much body heat as possible. \u201CLong night, Daiya?\u201D a gruff voice asked her. She turned to see Arthos, the man who had \u201Crescued\u201D her standing behind her, a heavy pack and blaster rifle slung over his shoulders. \u201CI just came off watch,\u201D she reported. \u201CAnything unusual?\u201D he asked as he set the pack down. \u201CNot at all. Quiet night.\u201D \u201CGood,\u201D he said, nodding at the pack. \u201CMore supplies. Food, mostly. You might find something in there that we can make into soup.\u201D Taskien rummaged through the pack, her stomach rumbling at the thought of hot food. Throughout the last three weeks that she had been working with Arthos\u2019s cell, she had constantly been tired, dirty, and hungry. The insurgents definitely lacked in basic logistics, but based on what she had seen of them, they made up for it with stubborn grit. Finding a package of nerf stock, she found a shallow pan and added water to it from a purification cistern, then poured some of the stock into the pan, warming it over the fire. Beside her, Arthos sat down, looking skyward through the mouth of the cave in which they were hidden. \u201CWhere are the others?\u201D he asked. \u201CThey\u2019re still out on patrol,\u201D she replied. While she had yet to be asked to join a direct strike, she had supported their missions a few times, scanning Imperial communication bands for activities. Suspecting that she was being tested, she had performed her job well, wincing at the thought that she was actively helping the enemies of the Empire in doing so, but knowing it was necessary to build their trust so she could deliver them all to the Empire later. \u201CAll right then,\u201D Arthos answered. A steady wind began to blow, temporarily rolling away the mists to reveal a dark sky. He gazed up at the stars beginning to twinkle through the night sky as twilight faded to true night. \u201CPretty, isn\u2019t it?\u201D he asked after several minutes. Taskien looked up from the soup she was heating. \u201CI suppose.\u201D \u201COne day, the Empire will be gone and people like you and me will be free to look at the stars in peace,\u201D he said wistfully. Privately, Taskien thought he was a fool. The Empire was the natural and more enduring evolution of the Republic, held under firmer control and not beholden to the ten thousand splintered constituencies that had comprised the Republic. \u201CI\u2019m pretty sure people in the Empire look at the stars, too,\u201D she said with a desultory shake of her head. \u201CBut they can\u2019t do so without looking over their shoulder,\u201D Arthos pointed out. \u201CThey have to be worried about a government that seeks pure and utter domination of all it sees, that doesn\u2019t value its people.\u201D \u201CBased on their revenge attacks, they certainly value their people somewhat,\u201D Taskien said. \u201CThe Empire values people based on what they do or what value they have, as long as they\u2019re servile and do as they\u2019re told,\u201D Arthos replied. \u201CThey don\u2019t value people as beings.\u201D Taskien thought this notion was even more ridiculous\u2014the Empire looked after its own and rewarded the faithful. The Empire also knew that sometimes sacrifices had to be made to achieve victory, just like any military knew. To generalize the entire galactic government as some heartless monster that devalued life was yet another reason these myopic rebels needed to be defeated\u2014they were simply too deluded. However, for now she needed to maintain the pretense of being a disgruntled fighter, so she nodded in agreement. \u201CTrue enough,\u201D she said. \u201CSoup\u2019s hot.\u201D She poured some of it into a metal mug and handed it to him. He accepted it gratefully and began sipping the hot liquid; Taskien did likewise from the pan. \u201CSomething big\u2019s going to happen soon,\u201D Arthos told her. She turned to regard him seriously. If there was a major development, she needed to know about it. \u201COh?\u201D she asked. \u201CCan\u2019t tell you any more than that,\u201D he said soberly. \u201CBut it\u2019s coming soon.\u201D \u201CWhat do I need to do?\u201D she asked. He chuckled. \u201CIf there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned about you, it\u2019s that you\u2019re very quick on your feet,\u201D he said. \u201CI like that about you.\u201D She nodded appreciatively, waiting for him to continue. \u201CThe others wanted to shoot you, but I\u2019m glad we didn\u2019t,\u201D he said. \u201CYou\u2019ve proven yourself. You did good work, scrambling the sensors on the Parven Outpost raid.\u201D She had indeed done a good job, using a rudimentary improvised jammer to confuse the sensor beacons placed around the outpost. The insurgents had gotten close enough to destroy a pair of Juggernaut tanks with explosives and escape with minimal casualties. A combination of her skill and Imperial over-reliance on the sensor network had allowed them to breach the perimeter, plant explosives on the parked vehicles, and withdraw. She had been dejected at seeing both the poor Imperial defense and the realization that she had made the raid possible, but even the surly Twi\u2019lek woman, Quira, had shown her some respect afterward. \u201CJust trying to do my part,\u201D Taskien told him. \u201CWhat do we do?\u201D \u201CWhen the others get back, I\u2019ll be taking most of our cell over to Draskell.\u201D A shiver ran down Taskien\u2019s spine. Draskell was the code name for the main resistance base. She had tried to correlate the name with some topographical feature, but had come up empty. \u201CFor that big something?\u201D she inquired. \u201CIndeed,\u201D he answered. \u201CWe\u2019ll leave a few here on patrol, but our leader has an operation in mind for this sector and it\u2019s too dangerous to transmit the plans or send back physical descriptions.\u201D \u201CWhat do you want me to do?\u201D \u201CI want you to come with us,\u201D Arthos told her. \u201CWe\u2019ll leave Quira and Jertiri here to guard. I suspect our leader will want your expertise for what he\u2019s planning.\u201D That was an interesting fact\u2014apparently whatever they had planned would require comm-listener expertise. Then again, just about any kind of operation that the insurgents would plan would require a comm-listener. As the local expert on Imperial communication patterns and practices, she would naturally be the best choice to brief them. As an added bonus, Quira, who was still the most suspicious toward her, wouldn\u2019t be going. This was about a good as chance as she was likely to have\u2014and the commander would be astonished when she came through and delivered Draskell to him. No doubt the clone had already written her off as long dead, just another corpse rotting in the zerubis forests. \u201CAll right,\u201D she said. \u201CWhen do we leave?\u201D Arthos chuckled again. \u201CEager, eh? It\u2019ll be a few days, likely,\u201D he replied. \u201CI\u2019ll be ready,\u201D she said, wrapping her hands around the warm metal pan to heat them. \u201CGood,\u201D he replied. \u201CGet some sleep, Daiya. I\u2019ll stand watch. I have a lot on my mind anyway.\u201D Taskien complied, making her way across the cave this cell called home and finding her bedroll, crawling inside. Tiny powercells inside heat fed a thermal coil which helped keep her warm. Inwardly, she was elated. After three weeks of surviving in this miserable cave and tramping across misty forests, she had finally proved herself to the insurgents and gained a position where she could drive a knife into the heart of the resistance on this world. Now all she had to do was stay alive long to watch it die. Deep space \u201CYou can do this,\u201D the grizzled voice of Jolee Bindo told her. \u201CYou have the skill and the heart,\u201D the apparition of Mical added. \u201CTake courage and trust in the Force, and you will succeed.\u201D Cassi nodded slowly as the apparitions faded away. Taking a deep calming breath just as the Jedi had told her, she left her cabin and entered the lounge where the others were waiting, having assembled at her summons. She tried to school her emotions into the serenity that her spectral instructors always seemed to display, with mixed success. \u201CWhat is it, Cassi?\u201D Selu asked. Cassi took another deep breath, observing the four pairs of eyes that were watching her. Finally, her own eyes locked with Milya\u2019s. \u201CI think I can heal Milya,\u201D she said. All four of her crewmembers started in astonishment. \u201CHow?\u201D Spectre asked. \u201CWith the Force,\u201D Cassi replied. \u201CThat is remarkable progress,\u201D Selu observed, astonishment evident in his voice. \u201CJolee and Mical have taught me much\u2014but my questions were always directed down this path,\u201D Cassi revealed. \u201CEverything that I was learning, I wanted it to contribute to this purpose.\u201D \u201CThat\u2019s very noble of you,\u201D Selu replied. \u201CAre you sure?\u201D Cassi almost wavered, but she remembered Jolee\u2019s and Mical\u2019s words. In her heart, she knew she could do this. \u201CI am.\u201D \u201CThank you,\u201D Milya said, her voice breaking a little bit. \u201CYou didn\u2019t have to do this.\u201D \u201CYou helped me,\u201D Cassi reminded her. \u201CI wanted to do the same for you.\u201D \u201CWhat happens if it doesn\u2019t work?\u201D Spectre asked. \u201CIt will,\u201D Cassi reassured him. \u201CAnd if it doesn\u2019t?\u201D Spectre pressed. \u201CI doubt anything I could do would cause the tumor to grow or worsen,\u201D Cassi said. \u201CThere might be some minor tissue damage.\u201D \u201CMinor tissue damage near the heart isn\u2019t exactly good news,\u201D Spectre pointed out protectively. \u201CThis sounds risky.\u201D \u201CSpectre,\u201D Milya chided him. \u201CIf Cassi says she can do it, then I believe her.\u201D She looked back at Cassi. \u201CWhat do you think?\u201D \u201CI think I can heal your tumor with the Force,\u201D Cassi replied. \u201CI\u2019d like to try, if you\u2019re willing.\u201D Milya nodded slowly. \u201CI don\u2019t want to worry about this any longer. I can sense it in the Force now, like a knot of wrongness that doesn\u2019t belong.\u201D \u201CDo you need any help?\u201D Selu asked Cassi. \u201CNo,\u201D Cassi replied. \u201CJolee and Mical will help me. Anyone else would just be a distraction.\u201D \u201CYou\u2019re not trying to get a look, are you, Selu?\u201D Milya teased him acidly. Selu flushed red, finding a spot at the wall and staring at it furiously. The others sat silently, not knowing what to say. \u201CWhen do you want to do it?\u201D Cassi asked at last, breaking the silence and changing the subject. \u201CLet\u2019s try tomorrow morning,\u201D Milya said. \u201CAll right,\u201D Cassi agreed. As if by mutual agreement, the crew disbursed. Each of them made some supportive statement to Cassi or Milya, then headed off to their respective training. Milya was the last to leave and she caught Cassi\u2019s arm before she did so. \u201CThank you again,\u201D she said. \u201CI appreciate it.\u201D Cassi smiled and hugged the other woman. \u201CIt\u2019s the least I can do.\u201D Milya\u2019s eyebrow arched up in surprise. \u201CIf this is the least you can do, then you might be the most powerful out of all of us.\u201D Cassi laughed. \u201CMaybe you\u2019re right. That is a bit much,\u201D she replied. \u201CSee you later at meditation?\u201D \u201CI\u2019ll be there,\u201D Milya promised. \u201CThough I don\u2019t know who\u2019ll be more nervous.\u201D \u201CProbably Selu,\u201D Cassi offered. \u201CHe seems to take everything as his personal responsibility and now he\u2019ll have to stand aside and let someone else tackle the challenge.\u201D Milya\u2019s eyes narrowed slightly. \u201CWell, he\u2019ll just have to get used to it.\u201D The next day Milya had arisen early to stretch and exercise while Cassi ate breakfast with the others. Cassi watched her with amusement inside the small cabin they shared. \u201CYou know you won\u2019t be doing any running once the healing starts,\u201D she said. \u201CI know,\u201D Milya replied. \u201CBut if I\u2019m going to be lying on this bed for a while, I at least want to get some exercise in.\u201D \u201CYou could go talk to the others,\u201D Cassi offered. \u201CI\u2019m sure they\u2019d like to see you before we begin.\u201D Milya considered it. Spectre, certainly, would want to see her, and Selu and Sarth would likewise have something encouraging to say. However, she also didn\u2019t trust herself to keep her own emotions in check. Even though Cassi had implied that the healing . . . ritual, or whatever it was, wasn\u2019t terribly involved, Milya suspected that if Spectre, or even Selu, said the right words, she would blurt out some emotionally-charged statement she would regret later. Or at least give some explanation. She had no desire to do that. Besides, there was nothing that they could say that would calm her down prior to her first-ever experience with Force-therapy. Her brain reminded her it was technically her second\u2014Selu had once neutralized poison from a dart that had struck her. Still, that had been a foreign substance and the equivalent of combat medicine. This was some aberration in her own body formed from her own cells. Milya didn\u2019t have a great understanding of Force healing, but at least in conventional medicine, the rigor of the treatment for the two conditions was considerably different. Besides, she didn\u2019t really want to think about Selu right now. \u201CMilya?\u201D Cassi asked. Milya started, realizing she had been lost in thought. \u201COh, right. Sorry,\u201D Milya replied. \u201CI think I\u2019ll just stay in. Tell them that their thoughts are appreciated.\u201D \u201CAll right,\u201D Cassi answered. \u201CI\u2019ll see you in a few minutes.\u201D Milya nodded, returning to her stretching. It was difficult to practice the proper Echani forms in the cramped cabin, but she made do without even knocking over the lamp at Cassi\u2019s bedside\u2014something she had certainly done before. She would take any opportunity she could get to move on a day that she would spend mostly unconscious, trusting in Cassi\u2019s nascent healing skills. The apparition of Brianna shimmered into view as Milya perched on one foot, stretching until her fingertips brushed the ceiling. \u201CAre you nervous?\u201D the ghost asked. \u201COf course,\u201D Milya answered. \u201CI\u2019m about to experience Force-healing by someone who two months ago couldn\u2019t even touch the Force. Wouldn\u2019t you be?\u201D \u201CYou must trust,\u201D Brianna told her. Milya scowled. \u201CYou and I both know that word doesn\u2019t come easily in my vocabulary,\u201D she replied. \u201CYou know my past.\u201D \u201CYes,\u201D Brianna said. \u201CThat changes nothing. You must trust your friend, and trust the Force.\u201D Milya slid forward to stretch out with arms and one leg extended ahead of her. \u201CThis will be a good challenge for you,\u201D Brianna added. Milya glared at the apparition. \u201CWe\u2019re not just talking about a training exercise. Cassi will be trying to remove a threat to my life that\u2019s growing inside of me. I can dismiss it as nothing in front of the others. You know better.\u201D \u201CThe best tests are those that are not to be trifled with,\u201D Brianna replied. \u201CI wish you well, Milya Tayrce. May your healing be swift and complete.\u201D \u201CThanks,\u201D Milya answered curtly. The apparition faded just before Cassi re-entered, carrying a pair of medkits. \u201CThe others were hoping to see you,\u201D she said. \u201CI know,\u201D Milya replied without further explanation. Cassi wisely left it alone, setting the medkits on the nightstand near Milya\u2019s bed. She pulled out the handheld scanner and held it up to Milya\u2019s body. \u201CGot it,\u201D Cassi said. \u201CAre you ready?\u201D Milya took a deep breath. \u201CAs ready as I can be,\u201D she answered. Pulling off her shirt, she laid down on her bed as Cassi applied a sedative patch to her arm and connected monitor cables to her wrist and chest. Milya looked up at her friend. \u201CThanks again for doing this,\u201D she said. \u201CEven if it doesn\u2019t work.\u201D \u201CIt will,\u201D Cassi promised. Milya laid back on her pillow as she began to get increasingly drowsy. The last thing she remembered before everything went black was Cassi\u2019s hands crossed above her, beginning to emanate with a faint glow. Selu, Sarth and Spectre sat quietly, staring at the closed door to Milya\u2019s and Cassi\u2019s cabin. The last they had seen of their fellow crewmembers, Milya had been lying sedated in her bunk, with Cassi at her side, equipped with the various medical implements they had on board. The three men had been there for several hours, but they\u2019d already exhausted a number of diversions. They had tried to train, but the distraction made concentration difficult, even for Selu. Three rounds of sabacc had already come and gone, but none of them had played well. They had even just talked, spending hours in simple conversation to pass the time. All of these had run their course and now they simply sat in silence, waiting, for it was all they could do. Sarth was fiddling with his datapad, looking at lightsaber schematics and designs he had downloaded from the Ebon Hawk\u2019s ancient computer. Spectre was pensive, his gaze fixed on the door. Selu had done the same until struck by a thought. Folding his legs under himself, he eased into a meditative posture and closed his eyes, focusing on the Force and the two women. He could sense both of them. Milya was unconscious, still sedated, while he could detect that Cassi was exerting herself considerably through the Force. The apparitions of Brianna, Jolee, and Mical were present as well. Selu extended his senses further, seeking out the \u201Cknot of wrongness,\u201D as Milya had described it. It didn\u2019t take long for him to detect the malignant tissue. He could feel Cassi directing the Force into Milya\u2019s body, trying to simultaneously destroy the cancerous cells with the Force and direct Milya\u2019 s own cells to attack the tumor. Selu was careful not to disturb Cassi\u2019s work or even let his mind touch hers; he did not want to disrupt the delicate process. Cassi seemed fatigued, but her resolve was as strong as ever. At last, Selu sensed the tumor beginning to dissolve. Cassi appeared to have coaxed Milya\u2019s immune system to attack the tumor from outside, while she had conjured a small pocket of Force energy inside it, which was slowly burning away at the malignant cells. Selu could tell that Cassi was drawing not only on her strength, but that of Milya\u2019s and even that of the apparitions. And she was winning. Gradually, the tumor receded, but Cassi was relentless, scouring the surrounding cells and tissues for any trace of the malignance. She was a conduit for the Force, focusing healing energy into Milya\u2019s body. Selu could not see them physically, but he sensed the interactions of their auras, could detect the subtle physiological changes as the Force did its work. It reminded him of the Jedi healers he had known growing up in the Jedi Temple\u2014and though Cassi lacked the smooth confidence and refined, focused technique, her determination and focus were enough for this small tumor. At last, she had finally destroyed it. The door hissed open and Selu\u2019s eyes opened to see Cassi emerge. She looked utterly drained and Sarth quickly rushed over to help her to a chair, pouring her a cup of karlini tea. \u201CHow is she?\u201D Spectre asked. \u201CShe\u2019s resting,\u201D Cassi said. \u201CThe healing took as much out of her as it did of me.\u201D \u201CAnd the tumor?\u201D Sarth inquired. Cassi\u2019s shoulders slumped in relief. \u201CIt\u2019s gone, at least as far as I can tell.\u201D \u201CCassi, you have done extremely well,\u201D Selu told her sincerely. \u201CThe Jedi healers I knew would have been impressed.\u201D Cassi shook her head. \u201CI still have so much to learn,\u201D she said. \u201CThe healing technique wasn\u2019t perfect.\u201D \u201CWhat do you mean?\u201D Spectre asked. \u201CYou said you destroyed the tumor.\u201D \u201CI did, but it sapped both of us of our strength,\u201D Cassi answered wearily. \u201CThe process was painful at times\u2014for both of us\u2014and she may have a small scar.\u201D \u201CVery rarely is a healing perfect,\u201D Selu told her. \u201CEven in the hands of a master. For someone so new to using the Force, what you did is a great accomplishment.\u201D Cassi nodded appreciatively. \u201CThank you,\u201D she said. \u201CNow, I think I\u2019m off to bed as well. This datapad is connected to the Milya\u2019s medical monitor.\u201D \u201CYou can use my cabin,\u201D Selu told her. \u201CWe\u2019ll keep an eye on the datapad. Anything we should do for her?\u201D \u201CShe should just sleep for a while,\u201D Cassi replied. \u201CShe can rest easy,\u201D Spectre said. \u201CEspecially when she has friends like you looking out for her.\u201D Cassi smiled, kissed Sarth good night, and then headed for her borrowed cabin with a warm feeling in her heart that stayed with her for some time after her. She had done it\u2014had used the Force for good, to heal someone. And in that moment, she knew that she could be a Jedi."@en . "21"^^ . "19"^^ . . "Milya\u2019s lightsaber came alive with a snap-hiss as she faced down Spectre, who had similarly drawn his weapon. The two slowly circled each other, lightsabers held at the guard position. The training arena around them was featureless, just a circle of ground unmarked by statues or other obstacles. Selu had promised to start working in uneven terrain, but only when he felt they were ready. Despite having been training with the lightsabers for a month now, he hadn\u2019t yet taken that step. \u201CNice move,\u201D he said as he recovered and assumed his guard stance again. \u201CThanks,\u201D she replied from the ground."@en . "17"^^ . . "15"^^ . "13"^^ . "10"^^ . "7"^^ . . "5"^^ . "3"^^ . "1"^^ .